Ch 133

I woke up late, well past noon, feeling like a zombie. My body ached, my mind was foggy, and the burden of everything still clung to me. 

I dragged myself out of bed and aimlessly wandered around the house, like I was on autopilot. The stillness of the place only made everything worse, each step echoing in the silence. 

I found myself back in my room, sitting on the bed, staring at nothing in particular. My stomach growled, but the thought of food barely registered. 

I picked at some bread, but it tasted bland, like cardboard. I wasn't hungry, not really. It felt like everything I'd eaten in the last few days had been forced, just to keep going, just to survive. 

I couldn't shake the feeling of being stuck, like I was moving through life on someone else's terms, not my own. 

I closed my eyes and just sat there, numb. I think last night took all of this month's energy from me. 

I finally said it, finally exposed the truth. 

Most of it anyway, but not telling isn't exactly lying. I said there was another man, I just didn't say it was Obito. Like I would, if I said anything he would immediately kill me. 

Plus, not changing the plot is actually useful. It's like I know the future, the linear timeline hasn't changed. But if I mess something up, all up to the being above. 

And they're a jerk. 

Shikamaru left for the morning, going to have a conversation with his father and the other village leaders. This is big news, I know. 

Apparently I was right when I thought I was being watched by more than just Shikaku during my mini breakdown. 

But he came back, now in charge of watching over me. Quickly getting bored, I asked him to entertain me. So he begrudgingly said we should play shogi. 

Sadly, I don't know how to play. 

So he taught me. 

And let me tell you, it's not really that hard, but it isn't easy either. If you know how to play western chess, then you'll be fine after a few rounds. 

For Shogi, Each game piece has 2 sides that feature Japanese characters. The standard side is black, while the "promoted" side is red. You'll place the pieces with the black side up at the beginning of the game. 

Later, players can "promote" their pieces to give them new powers. Once a piece is promoted, it loses its former capabilities and can only move according to its new powers. Pieces cannot be demoted during the game unless they are captured and removed from the game board. 

Different but doable. 

Now let me share some pieces. 

At the edges there are pieces called lance, you have two of them and they're like pawns. Promoted Lances can move 1 space in any direction, but not backward diagonally. 

Next to them are knights, knights move forward 2 spaces, then move 1 space left or right. Unlike Western chess Knights, they cannot move backward, horizontally, or vertically. Promoted Knights can move 1 space in any direction except backward diagonally. 

Here's how the first five rounds looked. 

Lose. 

Win. But he gave it to me. 

Lose. 

Lose. 

Lose. 

Who would've thought. 

The games were spent in silence, but at the beginning of the 6th game, Shikamaru suddenly said, "He knows you're here." 

I didn't raise my head, "Who?"

Shikamaru paused, glancing up to look at my reaction, "Naruto." 

I didn't react, guessing that was who he was talking about. It wasn't exactly a secret that Naruto and I were close. 

"I guess word would've gotten around. I'm guessing he was purposely staying away?" I asked as a question, but also knowing why he wouldn't come. 

I was definitely happy Naruto wasn't there to see me act like that, but also saddened. I kind of expected him to come bursting in like a big reveal. 

"We never told him of your arrival, he found out after the meeting was over," Shikamaru went back to playing the game. Probably wanting to occupy himself from this chat, as it was quite an emotional topic. 

But weren't they all? 

"That's not fair to him," I frowned lightly. 

He didn't deserve that. 

"What you did wasn't either," he didn't sound accusing, but was more commenting on my hypocrisy. 

"You know my response," I didn't bother speaking on the matter. 

We'd just go in circles.

 "I am not happy with your choices, but I can understand them," Shikamaru was at least sympathetic, but that didn't mean judgment wasn't there. 

I let out a sardonic laugh, "Understand that you would've died if you were in my place." 

I dropped the smile and sighed, damn human emotions. 

"Dark," he said, not seeming to mind my insult. 

"Yes it is, I'm sorry for saying that. I'm in a terrible mood." I apologized, he doesn't deserve my angry mood, no one here does. 

Shikamaru had a small smile on his face, "If this is your terrible mood then you'd be insufferable when happy." He sounded like he was making a joke, but I didn't get it. 

"How so?" 

"You're still mostly polite and calm," he explained. 

Ah, I get it. 

I smiled, so he wants to see me insufferably happy. 

I would too. 

"I always am, I could get kinda harsh though," it wasn't like I was never mad. 

I am quite a lot. 

"And who sees that?" he asked nonchalantly, but I could see he was curious if I was going to say who he thought I would. 

The answer is yes. 

"Everyone who you dislike, I'm surprised I've lived this long." 

Shikamaru hummed in acknowledgment, not wanting to comment on what I said. 

After a few more rounds of silence, he suddenly said, "keep your window open tonight." 

I raised a brow, confused, "why?" 

He packed up the game and before he left my room, turned back once more, "you know why."

A/n Short chapter but the next one will be interesting... Enjoy~