[ CHAPTER XI (11): "LEGALLY BEATING CHILDREN LEFT-AND-RIGHT TOURNAMENT" ]
[ "5 what bucks?!" ] Exclamed Michael, who actually waited in line for what felt like hours, in truth merely a minute or two. But it felt like that. [ "Is this.... daylight robbery?" ]
He was never petty with money, primarily because he had plenty of it in the form of allowances. And besides, he truly never experienced being poor.
That was before he died, flattened by tires, now in this life he's actually dirt poor; and a child again, he doesn't even know which one is worse to be honest.
Which is hypocrisy, he bet $5 against multiple people, even the first one wherein he knows he doesn't have that amount of money. In truth, he just doesn't like losing money, betting is different, because he never lose. But this...
[ "$5 for tournament registry, can't you read?" ] The lady in the counter asked, pointing at a flyer, which has something-something about $5 and registering printed in small letters. Barely readable.
[ "..." ] For a moment Michael eyed the flyer, and after reading it, he reluctantly coughed up $5 from his pockets, handing it to her outstretch hand. [ "Fine." ]
The gum chewing lady processed his payment and stamped the registry form that he filled up earlier. It contained basic information of him, for example age, gender, name, and even official Elo; which he left n/a as he is yet to have one.
Before then finally the lady, who is somewhat beautiful in Michael's eyes, handed him back a receipt of some sorts, plus an ID with the number 21 on it- the logo of the tournament as background.
He took the receipt, pocketed it, as he then wore the ID around his neck. Which fitted perfectly around him. Probably because it was custom made for people his age, people age 9-18. Children.
[ "Good luck." ]
[ "I wouldn't be needing it." ] He smiled, even though the good luck from her was somewhat hollow. [ "But... thanks." ]
Before then moving along to wait inside the giant-sized public library, wherein the chess tournament is to be held.
He could have sworn hearing the lady muttered, "arrogant prick" behind his back, but he didn't pay it any mind at all.
Instead he is much more focused on the dozens of chess boards layed out in the middle of the library. In rows, a long table for them with two chairs facing one another, plus chess clocks of varying quality.
Then at the crowd of people, children with their parents, guardians, or family members. To some it whole, there was easily more than a hundred people in the venue, more than Michael had expected.
He was searching for his friends, newly acquired friends actually. Ben and Flint, the fat kid and the glass wearing kid that told him about chess tournament.
Which then led him there. Unlike him, they didn't need to fill up a form, lie about his parent's consent, or even wait in line, because frankly they had already signed up days prior the event.
[ "M-michael, over here!" ] He heard his name being called, so he looked at that direction. And in doing so, he spot the chubby face of Ben.
And besides him is Flint, glasses on and is deeply focus on the board, as if playing a game inside his mind or whatnot. Even though no piece has yet to be moved.
Michael sat across from Flint, which was so focused to the point that he may be in the world of his own. So Michael seeing this, messed with him.
[ "Qh8, take, take, take, take. Mate." ]
[ "What th-" ] Ruining Flint's focus on the Sherlock Holmes'-like game. [ "I was calculating that, M-michael...!" ]
[ "Really? I didn't notice, sorry." ] Michael feigned ignorance, as he then turned to look around the venue, trying to hide the subtle smirk which lit up in his face.
He watched as parents encourages their children, talk to them, feed them, or even takes picture with them. And in seeing that, he kinda wished his mom was there.
Wait... what am I talking about, I'm an adult for christ sake. He thought, shaking his head as he then plays around with a pawn on his thumb, spinning it around.
He was so lost in thought that he didn'teven hear Flint yell out, "Hey!" to him, solely because he was absentminded.
He was busy thinking about his mother, and is calculating the time he has left before she would get home from her work. Approximately 3 hours, which should be enought to win this tournament.
[ "Michael?" ] But he was pulled out of his thoughts by someone calling out to him, so he turned to where the voice is.
And instantly he was greeted with a red-head girl with blue-eyes, smiling with her teeth incase with braces. [ "Excuse me, do we know eachother?" ]
He doesn't know her, but she sure does seem to know him. So he asked, the girl which seems to be the same age as him. Which then perked up at his questioning.
[ "Of course! I'm Sue, remember?" ]
No, doesn't right a bell. He thought, eyeing her with a look that says, "No... maybe?" Which made her remember.
[ "Oh-oh yeah, amnesia. I forgot you lost your memories." ] She said, lightly knocking at her head, as she then sat down besides Michael- right across Ben, who seems to look uncomfortable with a girl's presence.
[ "That I did." ] He said, as he stopped twirling the black pawn in his hand for a second, before then twirling it again.
[ "I'm Sue Heck! Axl's sister." ] She introduced, putting her hand out for a handshake. [ "We are also on the same grade. And-and we share English and Science together!" ]
Michael knows Axl, the idiot that he actually befriends after waking up. Also Frankie the mother, Mike the father, and Brick, the youngest.
Day after he arrived in this world, they went and greeted him and his family with gift baskets. Apparently Mrs. Heck was still feeling guilty about what her son did.
Overall, he did remember the family saying that their daughter isn't with them due to her studying for an exam. And now, Michael has finally met that said daughter.
[ "Nice to finally meet you, Sue." ] He smiled warmly at her, as he then shook her hand. Which made her greatly confused.
[ "Again." ] He added, which seems to have pulled her out of her initial shock, as she then smiled at him instead.
[ "You really did lose your memories!" ] Ear-to-ear type of smile, as she then became excited. To be honest, Michael doesn't even know why.
[ "I mean, that's a bad thing, yeah. But you aren't annoying anymore!" ] She tried to explain, failing horribly at it, which is entertaining to Michael.
[ "I mean... not saying that you we're annoying... But, yeah!" ]
For what felt like decades, Michael didn't spoke, letting her continue explaining before then finally she ran out of fuel. [ "That actually sounds about right." ]
[ "I mean-I mean..." ] She paused, as if remembering something important. As she then glanced around, searching for something, or... someone. [ "Where is Pat, and Mrs. Vanderbilt?" ]
For a moment Michael choked up at that, inside he was worried, especially because he snuck out. [ "They're uhh-" ]
So if she were to tell his mother about him being here, then he'll get screwed. [ "They aren't here, you know, busy." ] So he quickly lied, praying that it's enought.
She stared at him innocently, eyes blinking as she then continued talking to him about something. About the tournament, and how she's in the same boat- Mrs. Heck, or anyone jn her family didn't came either.
[ "..." ] Should I... is this normal? He thought, not knowing if this was the norm, or if he should feel pity. Probably the latter.
[ "That's great, Sue!" ] He said, cutting her before she could start another story that'll drag, while trying to mimick her bright and cheery tone. [ "These are my friends, that's Flint, and that one over there is Ben." ]
He skillfully introduced the lanky, glass wearing kid, and the chubby, shy boy. Both of them not having spoke up since the start of the conversation.
Which was likely because they didn't know how, or probably because of Sue's ambush-like tactic, or rapid talking that leaves little to no chance for them to butt in.
[ "H-hi." ] Flint shyly wave, as he then adjusted his glasses.
[ "H-hello." ] Ben also shyly waved, trying his best to sink deeper into his chair.
[ "OMG, hiii! I'm Sue!" ] Sue in seeing new targets, began to talk, enthusiastically, which slowly crumbled down the two boy's social anxiety as she continued talking.
Michael on the other hand was relieved, he didn't have to deal with her anymore. As she is now busy talking to someone else. Which left him and his thoughts alone.
While waiting for the tourname to officially start, Michael kept playing with the pieces in front of him, sometimes occassionally talking to Sue, Flint, and Ben whenever he gets interested.
All the while he scanned the place around him, trying to gauge out the competition. Most of which seems to be weak, aside for others that is- to older players, which seems to have more experience.
He was making mental note of those latters, praying that he gets to fight them, and wipe the silent pride that they seem to be showing subtly.
I'm gonna win, you bastards. Michael thought, as he then turned to eye someone walking up onto a small stage, microphone in hand, confident all-over.
[ "Focus, guys. I think the games are about to start." ]
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[ FUN FACT: "Water might not be wet. This is because most scientists define wetness as a liquid's ability to maintain contact with a solid surface, meaning that water itself is not wet, but can make other objects wet." ]
[ 11/30/2025 ]
[ 12/01/2025 ]