Dear Zhang Ming, Thank you so much for writing! I really appreciate the effort you put into it! It’s very well written, and I loved the little decor pieces. I heard about your chess tournament! Fantastic job in getting a medal! If only the soccer tournament wasn’t held at the same time, I would’ve come by to watch. Or cheer on you, if you’d be okay with that. Can I ask how you came to learn how to play chess? I don’t really know much about how it works now that I think about it. P.S. It’s okay, no need to apologize. I could’ve handled the outburst better. Reke Reynolds
–
Going into the competition, Zhang Ming wanted to just try to have fun in a sport that was usually overlooked and hopefully wouldn’t trigger the World System.
Finally arriving at the venue, Zhang Ming is ushered to the rest of their team clad in red and gold accents.
A few of the team members seemed to know each other already, confident in their own skin. Zhang Ming supposed they’re part of the chess club at school. He even recognizes a few of them from the tryouts. One of them was really hard to beat, he’s glad she was a teammate and not an opponent.
Once the game starts, he gets into the groove and wins the first two rounds.
The third one though was a draw.
The girl in front of him stared intently at Zhang Ming’s remaining knight and king compared to her lone king.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Good game.” She says eventually, reaching out her hand.
Lf cbvr, rajcvlcu eq jcv rtjxlcu tfg tjcv, “Xbbv ujwf.”
Lf ubfr bc ab klc bcf wbgf ujwf obg tlr ijra gbecv bo atf vjs.
Ktf boolmljir rajga pbaalcu vbkc atf gfreiar bo jii atf qijsfgr bc j ktlafybjgv.
Ktja bcf ulgi tf qijsfv jujlcra fcvfv eq yfmbwlcu 3gv qijmf.
With that, Zhang Ming accepts that maybe he really isn’t that cut off for chess, but hey. It was fun at least.
–
It was right before the awarding ceremony that something about the scoreboard was pointed out.
“Hey wait, wouldn’t this draw mean that Player B of Soaring Phoenix should be 3rd?” Coach Noya— Soaring Phoenix’s head coach— said.
Player B? Zhang Ming’s attention immediately snaps to attention. He’s Player B.
One of the officials hurriedly makes his way to the board and starts rechecking the scoring before realizing that yes, Coach Noya was right. Player B should be in 3rd having 3.5/5 points all in all.
The officials start discussing with each other in hissing whispers and urgent voices, while Zhang Ming is standing there blankly staring as their team’s coach moves beside him.
He was then called over.
“We sincerely apologize for the miscalculation, Sir and Ma’am.” The official says, addressing both Zhang Ming and Coach Noya, “We’re very grateful that it was noticed just in time before the awarding!”
Once the awarding came, they called up to the stage all the placers.
Of course there in 1st Place was his scary teammate. He should actually take note of her name at this point.
(It was Aisha apparently, he finds out when the announcer called it out)
When it was finally time for 3rd Place to be called out, he could feel the static enveloping him as he took a step towards the stage.
Oh no.
He takes another and it gets stronger, the air in his arms standing on end.
Oh no.
Once his name is called out, he makes his way to the center of the stage.
He stands there, the spotlight on him. The noises start to fade out and blur. Goosebumps on his arms.
The medal is then handed to him with muffled applause ringing around him.
As soon as he touches the ribbon connected to the medal, he feels a zap go from his finger straight up his arm. He almost drops the medal.
Instead, he shifts in place, places it around his neck, and smiles at the crowd he could barely even see. Ears ringing, every sound and noise fading out.
Then he was nudged off the stage, and everything snapped into place. He could hear the announcer call for the 4th Placer, could hear the audience’s applause, could see the proud face of his coach.
But the uncomfortable static of the ribbon around his neck clung on.
“If none of you are in a hurry, would you all like to come get some snacks? My treat for a job well done.” Coach Noya says to them afterward while they make their way out of the venue, making the most rambunctious of the bunch holler and cheer.
Coach Noya laughs and takes the reaction as a ‘yes’.
–
“So, Zhang Ming.” Coach Noya says, leaning on the table to be closer to him.
Said student looks up from his chocolate fudge sundae slowly, “…yes?”
“Any particular reason you haven’t tried out for the chess club yet?” She asks taking a piece of fries to eat.
Zhang Ming pauses before answering, “…honestly wasn’t in my mind at all. Completely forgot about the existence of chess, to be honest.”
Coach Noya raises an eyebrow, a sort of mischievous glint in her eyes, “…ending up 3rd place after forgetting the existence of chess?”
“No— I mean like—” Zhang Ming sighs, “I don’t know. Clubs aren’t really my thing.”
“This club doesn’t have any dancing at least, yeah?” Coach Noya jokes with a smile.
The student laughs before it slowly fades away.
Coach Noya contemplates in her head for a few seconds before leaning closer again, “…hey. I know interacting with other people can be hard, but I really feel like you’d fit in well at the club.”
But he knows, World System would probably not allow it. Zhang Ming was never part of the chess club. It’s a miracle he only got punished for going up that stage to receive the medal.
–
Dear Reke, Thank god, you don't know how scared I was about that letter. Didn't get to see all of your match, because of the tournament, but I managed to catch you guys in the beginning. You guys were amazing, and kept it up too seeing as you guys won a trophy. Honestly have no idea how I even got placed on 3rd. Probably luck. Just happened to luckily go against those who weren't up on their game or something. My father taught me to play actually. He used to play it with a couple of his friends. Got curious as a child and so he taught me. Completely stopped playing it as soon as my fancy passed. Haven't touched a piece since like maybe sixth grade. P.S. I’m still sorry, just drop it maybe. Zhang Ming
Thank you for the chapter!
Thank you for the update 💛
Thank youu
At least they can talk with letters.
Yeah, that shitty world system wouldn’t be so nice to let him join a club and OMG maybe make friends o___o
Thx for the ch (ㅅ˘ㅂ˘)