Chapter 41 ⟴ Ginko's Challenge

The light words struck like a heavy hammer.

Nino's delicate body trembled almost imperceptibly as she suddenly regretted giving that coat to Miku.

"Well... of course it's because I sprained my ankle. You and Ginko disappeared into the old building without a trace. If Daiki-kun hadn't supported me, I would have fallen and hurt myself." She spoke in the steadiest voice she could manage, trying to maintain her composure.

Miku then noticed her sister's legs were slightly trembling. Despite Nino's efforts to control it, the shaking persisted.

Even while injured, she was still thoughtfully caring for her. This made Miku feel guilty for having doubted her sister.

Her own strong possessiveness and jealousy had led her to be needlessly suspicious and worried.

"I'm sorry, I hadn't noticed before." Miku said in a dejected tone, clutching the coat she was wearing.

"It's fine, didn't you say it yourself? We're quintuplets — there's no unforgivable mistake in this world!" Nino echoed those words exactly. She then pushed Miku forward from behind, "Alright, enough talk, let's not keep Ichika and Itsuki waiting."

Once her sister wasn't looking, she nervously wiped her forehead.

'That was close, I almost got found out. Maybe it's still too early to come clean with Miku. I need to find a way to make her and Daiki-kun break up amicably.' Nino scratched her head in frustration — this wouldn't be easy.

When they met up with Itsuki, Ichika wasn't there.

"Hey, Itsuki, where's Ichika?" Miku asked puzzled, looking at the empty forest.

"She said she went to the bathroom. Haven't you run into her?" Itsuki peered deeper into the forest, gradually regaining her composure.

Both Nino and Miku looked bewildered. Just as they began to worry Ichika had gone missing, she emerged from the trees.

"Sorry to keep everyone waiting. There are branches everywhere — it was really hard to find a suitable spot." She smiled awkwardly, scratching her head.

"Now that everyone's here, let's get going. I'm all wet and sweaty, I need a bath." Nino turned awkwardly and led the three forward.

What she didn't notice was Ichika's conflicted gaze. It seemed as though she wanted to ask something but hesitated because of everyone present.

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Some time later...

Everyone who had gone treasure hunting at the old building had returned to their rooms at the shrine.

The Nakano quintuplets gathered in Miku's room to share stories. Nino recounted her encounter with the Cursed Spirit in vivid detail, keeping even the usually composed Itsuki completely enthralled.

Only Ichika sat in the corner, her expression heavy with thought.

"Waaah... that's so dangerous! There are not only Curses and Devils in this world, but Zombies too. No wonder Nino told us not to go out at night!" Yotsuba's eyes sparkled with admiration.

She could vividly imagine Daiki's rampage from the description alone.

"Well, that's the end of the story — time for bed." Nino rose leisurely, stretching contentedly.

"Huh? Why didn't you book a bigger room?" Yotsuba's face fell; she clearly wanted to hear more.

"Come now, we see each other every day — one night apart won't hurt." Nino patted her head with gentle affection, radiating maternal warmth.

Both the troubled Ichika and composed Itsuki were struck by her gentle demeanor.

Itsuki saw their late mother in Nino's actions. This touched her deeply, as she had always strived to follow their mother's example in caring for her sisters.

Meanwhile, Ichika was wrestling with far more difficult thoughts.

Earlier, when she'd gone to the bathroom, she'd overheard their conversation — and worse, witnessed Nino's guilty expression afterward.

What could it mean? Surely Nino wasn't trying to become the other woman, right? Impossible! Daiki was meant to be their future brother-in-law!

The thought made Ichika's mind reel.

Most suspicious was that Nino's supposedly sprained ankle showed no sign of injury. She had lied! But why? And if she had lied, what was the truth?

Then Ichika remembered the strange sounds Keika had mentioned. Earlier, the description had seemed odd — now it seemed too precise.

'I have to talk to Nino about this. That's Miku's boyfriend — how could she?… But... how do I even bring it up? If something really happened between them, it would break Miku's heart. And if I confront Nino directly, she might...'

It was an impossible situation. Even as the eldest sister, Ichika felt overwhelmed by the stress.

As she pondered how to get Nino alone, there was a sudden commotion in the hallway.

Opening the door, they found Ginko standing there in a loose bathrobe, with a panicked Keika behind her.

"Ginko, be reasonable! Daiki-san said he's never played shōgi before! Don't pressure him!" Keika tugged at Ginko's sleeve, nearly crying.

"Please, Daiki-kun, just one game! I'll stake ¥30,000,000—it's yours whether you win or lose. I just want that ancient shōgi manual for Master Rina! I'll even give you a handicap!" Ginko's expression was intense, her cool gaze fixed on Daiki.

"One game decides it, right?"

"Yes, and I can give you a three-piece handicap."

"Alright then."

At those words, Ginko retrieved a shōgi set from her room.

Daiki and she sat down, with Miku and the others quickly gathering around.

"Wow, Ginko really is rich, 30 million yen..." Yotsuba gasped at the enormous sum.

Itsuki and the others understood Ginko's true motive — the shōgi match was merely a pretext to acquire the manual.

'This way I can get the manual as a gift for Master. Even with giving him a three-piece handicap, my shōgi skills will let me outmaneuver Daiki-kun completely. Though... I should try not to defeat him too severely.'

Daiki had admitted he'd never played shōgi before. If not for that ancient manual, she wouldn't be pressing him like this.

'I'll let myself fall behind at first, then turn it around with my skill!' A subtle smile played at the corner of Ginko's mouth.

Indeed, only shōgi could bring her such complete satisfaction.

Time flew by as she deliberately maneuvered herself into a seemingly hopeless position.

'Now it's time to turn defeat into victory!' She seized a piece and thrust it forward, "Rook!"

{T/N: The hisha, or rook, meaning flying chariot, is the most powerful non-promoted piece in normal shōgi.}

Snap!

The shōgi piece struck the board with a crisp sound.

Then Ginko moved piece after piece like a graceful swordsman, her quick and decisive plays leaving spectators spellbound. Victory seemed certain.

The end was within her grasp! Her loyal pieces awaited their queen's triumph!

Snap!

A final sharp sound rang out. The match was over!

After several minutes of intense play, she had somehow... lost.

"How did I lose?"

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