[Open] The changing of the guard

Caught in the excitement of realization I blurt out, *E* Oh you mean 'you know'*

Being a bit embarassed with saying that in english I felt compelled to apologize.

"Sorry. I did mean not to say that english"

"it's okay I understood most of it"
Yuuji leans back in his chair, relaxing under the moderate stress of the game.
"How long did it take you to learn Japanese?"

Trying hard to remember back to the moment that started the change of my life, I find myself looking up to the ceiling as if the answer may be hidden there.

"uh. It was I think couple years. Most of was few early months with a .. friend, the rest I learn through reading."

"A friend? also it's your move."
He sits up

"ah, Sorry."

Pawn takes bishop at a3.

"Yes. A very good, long friend"

Yuuji rest his Elbows on the table interested in hearing about this person
"what was this 'friend' like?"
Queen takes pawn on c3

Despite all the good memories, I can't help but feeling a bit depressed considering the context.

Rook a1 to b1

"Hmm ah. She was really sweet, funny, sort weird, but good way. She was a writer, you might heard of her."

"What was her name?"
Pawn B5 to B4

"Ah yes. Nori Nakahara."

Rook b1 to b3

"Her name is familiar. You say she was a writer. Did something happen?"
Queen to C8

It's surprisingly hard to say it outloud and face it head on.

Pawn takes pawn on b4.

"Yes... Few weeks earlier. She, *sigh* killed herself..."

Yuuji about to move a Piece does not even touch it hearing her words...
"I-I'm sorry..."
He leaves the game alone
"I... Umm..."

Even though I know telling the truth was the correct thing to do, I still felt a tinge of regret giving this student something to worry about when speaking to me.

"It is alright. You do not have to sorry for me."

"But...*
he sighs
bishop takes bishop on D3
"more death..." saying under his breath
Yuuji tries his best to lighten the mood a bit quickly changing the subject
"H-have you taken a look around the school?"
It was the best thing he could think up of at the moment.

I definitely welcome the change of mood and subject.

"No, I've seen only the path to arrive to here."

"when you get the chance to do it."
He adjusts himself in his seat
"The place is pretty huge for a school."

I then realize I haven't been paying any attention to the board that I'm staring at, being lost in thought nonetheless.

Rook takes bishop at d3

"I wager, size of the library is any clue."

"actually a lot bigger"
Pawn takes pawn on b4

"Oh very? I have seen fairly big schools in time. My highschool had around 15 hundred students."

Bishop c1 to d2

"well I don't Know About Yamaku but it could be close to the number..."
Yuuji really did not know but it did not matter
Queen C8 to C4

"Whatever way, I'll take your word of it."

queen to b3

Yuuji changes his focus to the game and make a tough decision
Queen takes queen on B3
"I don't know who's winning but I'm guessing it's me..."

"Are you sure?"

Rook takes queen on b3

"Nope... Never was good at seeing who was winning in a game of chess."
Rook takes pawn on A2

"hmm, I think you will win"

Bishop to b4