A few hours had passed with idle conversation, before long it was around 6 o'clock.
"How is it still absolutely lashing out there? It's supposed to be summer"
"This city has some very abnormal weather events"
"Whatever you say"
Being near dinner time, I was concerned with how long Sakurako was actually going to be inside my house. I didn't want to keep her too long but with this storm going on there was no realistic way for her to
get to her place.
"So uhh.. How exactly are we going to do this?"
"Do what?"
"Don't answer my question with a question! I mean what are we going to do if you're not able to get home?"
"I guess I'll just have to stay here"
"?"
I didn't even answer that question, just looked at her with a puzzled
expression.
"Well, there's no other option"
"Yeah but where exactly are you planning on staying in my house?"
"I don't know, you tell me?"
"I'll figure it out if it's required"
"How pragmatic"
"Anyway.. I think I'm gonna have to make dinner, any thoughts?"
"Are you good at cooking?"
"Guess you'll have to find out"
"Alright then cook whatever you want"
"Sure"
I began to craft my masterpiece, it would be incredible assuredly. After about an hour and a half, it was almost ready.
"Do you want to set the table? This is pretty much done"
"Yeah I'll do it"
She ducked into the kitchen to grab the utensils with me directing her toward them. She had been reading a book just minutes before. She set the table with impeccable efficiency, rather interesting.
The dinner, my greatest masterpiece was complete. It was beef ravioli, a dish I had developed a great liking for and therefore made it rather often.
"I'm surprised you're actually good at cooking, knowing how lazy you are I thought you'd be living off instant food"
"Rude. But no, I got used to it when I lived alone, although I've always actually enjoyed baking" It was one of my few pastimes nowadays. "Have you got any skill in this field?"
"Naturally I do, but I also much prefer baking, I'm very good at it"
"How did you get into that?"
"Worked at a bakery last year, got really good even though I had been doing it for years before then"
"Makes sense"
We began to eat our dinner. Sakurako was pleasantly surprised with the quality of my creation. As we ate, some interesting topics came up but overall it was idle chatter, better than most conversations I had with my friend groups members. As I put away the dishes, I checked my phone, the time was 2035, how on earth had it almost become 9 o'clock?
"Why's your phone in 24 hour time?"
"Why question me on that of all things?"
"I'm curious"
"Because I like looking smart"
"Makes sense to me"
Looking outside, whilst the rain had calmed, it was still most definitely rather heavy.
I turned to speak to Sakurako but just then, my phone vibrated, someone was calling me. It was Randan, I hadn't spoken properly to him in a while so I decided to pick up.
"Hey man, how's it hanging?"
"Going just dandy, how about you?"
"Fine, fine. So what were you up to today buddy?"
"Interesting question. Nothing much."
"You sure about that, you sound unsure?"
"I was.. out"
"With?"
"You really want to know huh.."
I acquiesce he is a persistent and informed man, it was probable that someone he and I knew spotted me and Sakurako together, not like it was necessarily a secret, but I would rather people not know.
"I was with Sakurako"
"Egawa you say? Just as my intel stated"
"Dude you ain't a spy"
"You say that"
"Yes I do say that"
Whilst on this call Sakurako had been doing whatever, but since I had not kept my eyes on her during this time, she had snuck up on me. She jabbed me in the kidney, strong enough to force a sound out of me, but
not particularly hurt.
"Aagh!"
"Who're you on call with?"
"Randan.."
She had brought me down to her height with that jab.
"What is that that I hear?"
"Shut up you bum ass loser"
"Harsh"
"That was harsh"
"Thanks Egawa"
"No problem"
"Wait....What...."
Randan was completely dumbfounded that he was speaking to Sakurako through my phone when there was no logical way for us to be outside, he knew this especially because he lived 10 minutes away from me.
"Why is Egawa in your house?!?! Even I haven't been in your house..Nobody has!!"
"Uhh.."
"Because it's raining, so he invited me in"
"There's no way you're staying the night at his house"
"Well it seems like I will be"
"That's zany"
"Did you actually just say 'zany' Randan?"
"I think he did Daniel"
"Bro I don't even know what to say at this point.."
"Goodbye perhaps?"
"You're so mean to me"
"I give what you deserve"
I could tell he would be making a pouting fake frown if I was speaking to him in person right now. None-the-less, the fact he knew this was unfortunate, depending mainly on whether he chose to publicise this information or not.
"Anyway what did you actually call me for?"
"Maths homework"
"Bold of you to assume I've done it"
"Well, have you?"
"Absolutely maybe kinda"
"Dude what does that even mean"
"You take what you will from it"
"I can help you with it if you want"
"Egawa you're my saviour"
"Didn't know you were such a turncoat, relying on our top student rather than our second place companion"
The phone was on speaker at this point so Sakurako was just a genuine participant in the conversation.
"Shut up.. I could beat you in football"
"Ouch my honour, I could beat you in uhh.. chess though"
"Chess of all things?"
"Couldn't beat me though"
"You're a chess club member that's no fair"
"I bet I could win"
"Your ass, let's see this. Get this on video call right now we're doing this"
"We're deadass playing video chess right now?"
"I'll face you Daniel then the winner faces Egawa"
"Fine.."
"What a delightful idea"
Sakurako was evidently just intrigued at the prospect of being able to play chess with someone today. Being a chess club member I am unsure of my ability to definitely win this match, but I held hope I could hold her to a close match after I certainly beat Randan.
I grabbed the chess board from one of the cupboards in my apartment and placed it on the coffee table in my living room, setting the pieces up and having Sakurako hold my phone so Randan could see the whole board easily.
After me and Randan began our game, he was playing reasonably well and by the book, probably at the level of an intermediate player. He wasn't bad by any means and made few unforced errors, which showed his solid understanding of the game. Within 15 minutes of our game beginning I began to break down his defense piece by piece. I play in an unconventional style, making it difficult to adequately ascertain my skill level through pure observation. Sakurako quietly watched over the game as Randan flailed with time for him running out, 30 minutes for each side and so far he had used 22 of those minutes, while I had used 5 of my own.
As time for Randan drew nearer to a close, I decided to end the game quickly, placing him in an unwinnable position and checkmating him swiftly. He accepted that he had been beaten, and would now watch the game between me and Sakurako.
I knew Sakurako had learned a great deal of my abilities and play style during her observation, she certainly knew that I played moves within seconds of my turn beginning, making time constraints no issue, but
occasionally forcing me into a tough spot.
"So you're a quick thinker Daniel"
"Very"
"Shame I'm overwhelmingly better at the game"
"You say that"
"Now this is interesting"
The game began, we traded moves tit for tat, quick move after quick move, pieces were kept safe, I occasionally sacrificed but Sakurako played defensively, she was definitely superior at the game to me
knowledge wise, but who knew who would prevail in this battle.
"You're certainly a tough opponent Daniel" She said, moving her rook.
"I will admit you are better than I at the game. But that doesn't mean I intend to lose this match"
Move after move, the game continues. The game was so quick Randan was seemingly struggling to even keep up with the moves a lot of the time, but regardless, this game was nearing a conclusion. Sakurako had effectively demonstrated her superior knowledge of chess to me, but my moves were at least twice as fast and significantly more bold and unorthodox. This balance led to an effective stalemate, seeing that we
had come to a draw with around 10 minutes remaining for me, and 5 for Sakurako, I needed to win completely.
I switched tactics.
"What the hell?"
"What indeed.."
I switched to completely conventional by the book play.
"Is this some kind of power move?"
"Maybe"
"I can barely follow this man. How good at chess are you two?"
"Very" Me and Sakurako said in unison.
Sakurako was running low on time, I had backed her into a corner now.
She was making moves far quicker than before, but her playing style needed time to think, time she didn't have.
I was able to win this, I had fooled her into a false sense of security in her abilities, or knowledge at least.
"Is Sakurako actually going to lose??"
"Absolutely"
I made my move, one of my bishops capturing a pawn, and placing Sakurako in a check.
"This is tough" Sakurako said, visibly thinking of every single possibility on the board, scanning through absolutely every single one of them in mere seconds.
Time was running thin for Sakurako, but when she made her move, it was completely brilliant.
"That was an exceptional move"
"Hmm"
"Dude how long could this possibly take"
"Unfortunately for you, it was not brilliant enough"
"Cold"
I completed my turn in 7 seconds following my statement, and thus the game was complete, I had checkmated her.
"That was incredible, I had no idea of the breadth of your capabilities"
"To you too, I wasn't sure I could beat you in that match"
"Just kiss already!!"
I looked at Sakurako, and she looked back at me. Her face was saying
"What is this dude on about" but her eyes wavered ever so slightly, perhaps because mine did too.
I looked back at Randan's goofy face, got up close to Sakurako and whispered something to her.
"Should I hang up on him right here for fun?"
She nodded and I whispered back.
"Play up an act for him if you want to tease him"
I made a sound, like a kiss but not quite so hopefully Randan was dumb enough to fall for it. Sakurako was strangely good at acting as she covered her face in false embarrassment.
Looking to Randan, he was absolutely filled with joy and whimsy, eyes sparkling.
I leaned into the camera and hung up on him, silencing my phone immediately after so no call-backs would occur.
"You weren't trying your hardest were you"
"I wasn't going easy on you if that's what you're saying Daniel, I just wasn't at my pinnacle"
"You're a surprisingly good actor you know"
"Thanks for the compliments"
"Whatevs"
I looked at the time, it was getting really late by now.
"So, can your mum pick you up or is that not an option?"
"She's working late tonight, so no, she can't take me home"
"I see.."
Me and Sakurako ended up playing multiple more games well into the night, finishing our last just after midnight. The record for our
matches was 2 for me, including our "televised" broadcast, and 3 for Sakurako.
Realising it was very late now, Sakurako just wanted to head to bed.
"Where am I sleeping exactly?"
"You can take my bed if you want, it's the only one in the house"
"Where are you going to sleep then?"
"Dunno, couch or the floor somewhere"
"You're so laissez-faire"
"Perhaps I am"
"Well I'm not going to say you should at least sleep in your room but it's your house so you decide"
"I'd rather not encroach on your territory, and if Randan were to hear about us sleeping even in the same room, I'm done for"
"Alright then, enjoy the wherever you choose, goodnight"
"Goodnight indeed"
I decided to set up on the couch, it was a purposefully chosen couch suitable for these circumstances, so I had no problem with this. Man I hope she doesn't look around in there, that would be rather
problematic. It was still raining heavily, and to this backdrop I pleasantly fell asleep in about 20 minutes.