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Kazuto: *Yawn*...!
Ah, what an awesome weather.
Thanks to finishing my work with a high speed, I managed to get a break earlier than usual.
Kazuto: Well then, what should I do, I wonder.
Going to the city and eating something tasty is nice. Climbing the wall and having a nap there is also nice.
Making plans like that, I was walking the hallway alone. (Might I suggest... a forest pond?)
...And then.
Kazuto: W, what?
I looked around after hearing that voice, but couldn't see anyone.
Kazuto: Where...? There?
Damn you, what a precise use of mercenaries...!
You didn't improve much despite challenging me in high spirits, Nene?
From outside. Judging from the voice, it's Nene and Ei. Are they having some kind of battle in the afternoon?
This is your only chance to be proud of yourself! Everything is within the bounds of the Nene's palm.
Haha, how brave.
Don't try to provoke me!
...Do your best. (Whole Totaku faction except from Kayu is there)
Yes, I've taken this advice that touched my heart with ease! I will not bring you shame as Ren-dono's strategist.
Took it.
Moving soldiers while we're talking is cowardly!
It was my turn anyway.
What are they so excited about? Damn, now I'm curious.
As if being lured by this joyful conversation, I walked towards the voices.
Kazuto: Oh, they're at it.
Nene's voice is loud, so I could realize right away where they are.
W, what did you say!? For you to come like this... I feel betrayed. I'm overflowing with regret.
It's good thing I noticed it. If it was someone like Aisha, she'd scold them for being too loud.
As always, Nene can't do anything without screaming. (No way Nene would win against Ei.)
It seems some things never change.
Your methods are nasty! I'm tired of Ei's show offs. (Well, Kaku WAS one of the most skilled strategists there)
Nene is just too honest. An explosive daredevil... You're strong, if it goes your way, but weak otherwise. A fatal flaw for strategists.
...Ei is a snake. (But she's a damn cute snake!)
Calling her snake is cruel, Ei-chan is cuter than that... like a rabbit. (Nah, nah, nah. Crafty and cute tsundere... a cat)
Massacre, decided.
Everyone's having fun together... (I don't know what's that... but LET ME PLAY IT TOO!)
A strategist confrontation? I compare their facial expressions and I can see that Ei has a great advantage.
Oh.
Ah, Master.
Hello...
Ei was the first one to notice me. And then Ren and Yue also noticed me and each greeted me.
Kazuto: I could hear your voice from the hallway. A loud voice... I was worried if you were fighting or something, okay?
...We're having a war. (This looks like hell of a fun, compared to chess!)
Kazuto: That sounds dangerous.
It seems to be a battle of two strategists betting their pride. (The only thing Nene could possibly surpass Ei at is jump kicking)
On the table between them was something like a chessboard. (Come on. If it exists, say its name already!)
Kazuto: Ah, you were just playing. (Kazuto, you just deserved a drop kick by saying that)
This is not a game!
Ei shugs her shoulders, being amazed by desperate Nene.
Nene is weak but keeps challenging me. How troublesome. (Well, it seems to be a good practice)
Hehe, even though you're having fun.
I'm not having fun! I said it's troublesome... Really, Yue, you turn everything into a talk about a field of flowers.
Kazuto: You sure get along well.
Yes, everyone are good friends here.
...Are you even listening?
Those four were in the same faction to begin with. No way they wouldn't get along...
Forget the lousy master, I can't display a pathetic sight before Ren-dono. Reversal strategy, descend!
Kazuto: You're getting cornered. (I bet Kazuto can win against Ei though. He's one of the best four)
Or it might be bad. I can see a tiger behind Nene and a dragon behind Ei. (No wonder Ei is winning. Dragon would crush a tiger)
Shut up! This is... yeah, I'm just making it more fun. Yeah, I'm just giving her a handicap.
Even I couldn't win if we change sides right now though. (...Ren can.)
It just means it's impossible for the likes of Ei! Nene is a strategist that turns impossible into possible.
Then, do your move. (If Ei is a cat, Nene is a tiny dog. They're always all bark)
Oh, she got silent.
It's because the lousy master called me out! Even though the reversal strategy almost descended to me.
Kazuto: ...Sorry. (Oh. More points to Kazuto for apologizing here)
Let it slide!
Making your inferiority Master's fault is... bad.
Ugh, more than getting scolded, I'm sad of being called inferior.
Even more because it comes from her dear Ren. Nene looks down in a disappointed way.
Hurry up.
And Ei is merciless.
Kazuto: I'm not that familiar with it... but, is Nene so outnumbered right now?
Ah, umm...
Seems so.
Ren looked and remembered... I'll teach you...
She reaches her hand next to Nene.
Getting that captured is troublesome... it puts Nene's formations under a lot of pressure...
...Hmm, you see things better than your strategist. (I don't really like when characters "win by instinct" though)
Nene understands it too!
...Even if you do, you can't do anything about it...
Seems she's correct. Nene is getting more and more silent. (Silent Nene? That would've been a great character evolution!)
One-sided...
That's right, you're right! All of this is because I lost my concentration because of you. (Meaning Kazuto?)
Hehe, painful, right? Your only choice is to deploy... No point hesitating.
Hehehe! Don't underestimate me... I'll do this!!
What happened? I could see Yue's voice...
You fell for my strategy, I was waiting for Ei to take the bait and come on attack.
Oh, so you were waiting.
Hehe! The outcome has changed with that move.
I was more interested in Ren's reaction, as she watched from Nene's side.
Ren-dono, I'll show you the comeback now...? Is something wrong?
...That's no good.
Heh, you really see it better than Nene... I wonder if it's some kind of animal instinct or something.
Don't you say that! Comparing Ren-dono with an animal is rude...
It's my turn, right? Here.
Sure, I'll let you do what you want with the left wing. But in exchange... I'll take your stronghold, okay?
...(shake head)
I still didn't understand the situation well, but I understood the reason Ren was shaking her head.
So there was such a way... amazing, Ei-chan.
Of course!
Oh, sorry. The battle is not over yet. It's Nene's turn.
...I've lost.
She spoke with honorific expressions.
Hehe, did you think you can win against this Ka Bunwa? Sorry, but I didn't even struggle.
Ei-chan...
Yue looked a bit amazed with Ei's attitude.
What's with this face? Remind me again who challenged me to a battle with that "this time for sure" look on her face.
...Nene.
I even agreed to be your opponent, right? There is a proper attitude you should have to me.
...Thank you very much.
Nene is surprisingly obedient.
Ei-chan... sorry, Nene-chan. She'll play with you again later.
Please don't say we're playing.
I won't play anymore...
She's sulking.
...Don't cry.
Ren-dono. It's a disgrace after disgrace, Nene's mortified... (She's mortified two events in a row, huh)
I could picture ears and a tail on Nene, who jumped at Ren's chest.
It was a battle between strategists and, despite me shouldering Ren-dono's honor, this is the result...
Good girl...
Please stop, Ren-dono, that kindness only hurts Nene...
It seems to me you're the one hugging her. (Yeah, Nene's pretty selfish. I prefer Ei's loyality to Yue)
Nene is a spoiled kid after all... And she's with the one who spoils her all the time.
Ren-san and Nene-chan, you really get along well...
Don't look at it with such envious look.
*stare*...
What do you want with that?
Still buried in Ren's breast, Nene grinned.
You looked at me with "Nene-tachi wins with their bond" look.
Ei is glaring at me. (Whoa, that's pathetic. Like crying to your mother or something)
She already forgot the reason she was crying... She was too busy getting spoiled by Ren now.
Kazuto: B, but still... Ei sure is strong! Maybe the strongest in the castle. (Nah, I bet Shuri and Hinari would defeat her in that game as well)
...Heh, of course! I won't even lose to those strategists you're so proud of.
Yes. I've never seen Ei-chan losing. (Well, you will then, soon)
Kazuto: That's amazing.
Pat pat.
Ah, wait... don't pat my head in such a familiar way. (She doesn't sound angry though.)
Ugh!? Ren-dono, i, if you hug me so strongly... Nene's bones will crumble.
Kazuto: What's wrong?
I turned around as I withdrawn my hand... geh!?
Kazuto: Please spare Nene! She's making bubbles already.
...What's wrong?
...Ren too. (She's the one usually getting patted, after all)
Ren sure is rough at times like this. She lets go of Nene, as if dropping her and sits at the free seat.
Did you hear what we were talking about earlier? No way an amateur would win against me.
...I watched and learned.
Hmm, so you're trying to win?
Ei-chan, your forehead has some scary deformations...
Sure, I'll be your opponent... In exchange, don't cry like Nene if you lose. (Same goes to you. Though well, she has more dignity than Nene)
You keep insulting... Ren-dono...
Kazuto: Shouldn't you rest?
What a tenacity. Even with a pale face, she stands behind Ren.
You're trying to ease Nene's shame... Ren-dono, I'm touched. (And she doesn't even care about Nene, just jealous of Kazuto petting Ei)
How brave for both lord and subordinate to go to war together.
You!
Do your best then. Here you go, your initiative, okay?
She twists her neck and moves a piece.
It's like Nene-chan is playing as well.
Ren-dono, that... ah, but, it might be good, right!? Ah, you're going to a such a place.
I think I'm overthinking it, because I hear it somewhat ***...
...Playing with an amateur can be fun too. She's attacking from quite an unexpected places.
Oh, so you're guarding.
I keep repeating it, but I don't know the rules of this game.
So, it might be an amateur's opinion... but I think those pieces are heading towards stalemate, right? At least it looks so to me.
And I guess Ei doesn't hold back against an amateur and tries to corner her...
Oh... Ren-dono, you've blocked it wonderfully! So you've used Nene's advice well.
Kazuto: I don't remember you giving advices...
Shut up! Ren-dono and Nene's hearts are connected.
Shut up! (Ei's struggling I see)
It was so sudden that not only Nene, but Yue also jumped in surprise.
Kazuto: What, Ei... so suddenly. Something so stressed...
...Stressed? Is Ei the one?
Wait a bit... when did she suppress my left wing? Diversion... no, it must be a coincidence.
Nene is also surprised. And Yue doesn't seem to understand well.
No, I'll endure... don't think you have the advantage now.
Ugh, she cuts off with no mercy if she sees an attacking route... That's Ei's method.
Shut up, just in case, compared to Nene...
...I won.
...What did you just say?
Didn't Ei hear that because it was a quiet whisper? She has wrinkles between her eyebrows.
And I could hear it clearly.
...She just said she won.
Ah!? Huh, wait a bit... can it be, no, no.
Ei's turn.
Don't rush me! If I cut off here... no good, it'll be too late. (I don't like this "ridiculously skillful amateur" move.)
Ei-chan...
Wait! Seriously, wait, ah, really...
She messes up her hair.
Boldly, even from my point of view, she moves her left wing... right wing from Ren's side, far ahead.
What!? Ignore, she just ignored it.
She didn't fall for it! What's with her... normally, people would take this bait.
Huh? Ah, really, it might be okay to ignore, if you keep attacking... you can win? Huh!?
From Nene's excitement I could understand the situation.
...Ah! She's about to lose.
She was a bit late understanding it, but even Yue sounds surprised.
Wait.
Ei's voice sounded so calm it was eerie.
...Even though you rushed Nene so much! You can ignore her.
I can wait too.
Ren lightly nods, restraining Nene.
Because I think... I won.
She declares it again so Ei and Yue can hear it too.
Gritting her teeth... Ei quietly stroked her chin.
And a minute later... or maybe a bit more.
Ei makes a loud sigh and the time starts moving again.
...I'll acknowledge it, there's none.
None... None!? You said there's none just now, Ei.
There's none, it's my loss. (I like how she admits it. She knows how to lose, unlike Nene)
...No way.
As if she saw something impossible... Yue widens her eyes. And...
Ren-dono!
Nene, who had a blue face until now suddenly smiles... and then snuggles to Ren with her cheek.
She's about to cry! Seriously... how long has it been. Nene polished her skills only to see this face of Ei. (You still got crushed though)
I didn't lose to you!
Ren-dono's victory is Nene's victory! (Whoa... how pathetic. It actually just means you fail as a strategist)
...Heavy.
What a lack of accomplishment on her face. Ren was sitting with a sleepy look and Nene hanging from her neck.
Ei-chan...
Don't make that kind of face! I just... maybe I dropped my guard against an amateur, being conceited can be scary.
Lies! Ei attacked without mercy with a solid formation, like when she faced Nene.
I know you can't hold back! You wicked one!
Shut up!
Indeed... seeing Ei wave her arms was worth watching. (You know what to do. Console her!)
Ren is an amateur who uses some weird attacks... It confused me completely. (She knows when to lose... if not for Nene's provocations)
Kazuto: Since you lost to an amateur, that makes you less than an amateur... (Well, I understand Ei, getting made fun by Nene is twice the frustrating)
What did you say? (Yeah, I'm also disappointed at you. Console, not troll!)
It slipped!? Hannya... I could see a hannya behind Ei. (hannya is a sort of a demon... an angry demon)
So you can say good things too sometimes! Exactly, acknowledge your loss already.
Then, you, who lost to someone weaker than an amateur is weaker than someone weaker than an amateur.
Weaker than Ren-dono, that's fine with me!
Ei even lost in a quarrel... Ei looks downhearted now. (Come on, do what you must! Or at least tell her "don't feed the trolls")
For Ei-chan to lose... I'm shocked, Ren-san is incredibly strong.
I learned.
...If you remember it that easily, my position is in ruins. (I agree there. If she lost a few times and then won at least...)
Kazuto: Well, she's someone who leads an army... I guess, that's where Ren's quick learning is coming from.
It's not something so simple. She's not hiding anything, but still corners me with harsh attacks.
Heh, so you've acknowledged your loss. (Yeah... unlike someone small in a bancho hat)
I couldn't read what she's thinking... It's the first time I had such an unpleasant loss.
I guess they were two extremes... It was a battle of two opposites, so Ei sounded really exhausted.
Was it something you can learn so easily by only watching?
If your stronghold is attacked, you lose. (I guess it works like a king in chess)
I see.
...If you make sure it's not attacked, you'll win eventually.
Kazuto: I guess it's basically kinda rough to do so.
Ei collapses on a desk with a loud noise.
And she's not even proud... what? Ren pulls my sleeve. (She won only to get petted by him... poor Ei)
I avenged Nene.
Nene can't see because of the teary eyes... I'm touched. Ren-dono is the greatest officer, Nene's judgement was correct.
While stroking Nene's head, Ren looks at me without blinking for some reason. (Get the hint already! Pet Ren and then pet Ei as a consolation prize!)
Ren is the number one, won.
Kazuto: ...Yeah, Ren's strong.
Without understanding what Ren is trying to say, I carefully try stroking her head.
Pat, pat.
...(nod, nod)
Oh, she's satisfied now.
Don't get overly familiar with the noble Ren-dono, know your place! (Nene just lost some points from Ren...)
Kazuto: You go this far...
He doesn't need to know his place... Master, let's play together?
Kazuto: Me? I'm not such a good learner as Ren is, it's impossible. And...
It was fun to watch and I kinda got hooked up on it, but I think a lot of time has passed already.
If I don't return soon, Aisha-tachi will worry. (And Ei's expression doesn't change...)
Kazuto: I have things to do, so I'll get going. (Seriously, will she keep that face until the end of episode?)
Go anywhere! I couldn't do well because you were looking. (Oh, changed... but still... I heard that from Nene already)
Kazuto: Please don't make it my fault!... See you later. (Convenient Kazuto you can blame anything on...)
It was kinda hectic, but I waved hand to Ren-tachi and left.
Ren-dono, please teach Nene.
...Too bad.
Ren-dono?
...But that's fine too.