Volume 7, Chapter 12: Go Tournament – Morning of the Second Day (1/2)

I want to go back.

Maomao thought as she mixed honey and salt into the water.

The location was the same as yesterday’s: the plaza where the Go tournament is held. Maomao was at the edge of the theatre, earnestly making drinks.

Even though she was meant to work yesterday and take the day off today. Even though she planned on lazing around the lodgings while reading a book she borrowed off Court Physician Ryuu.

She was back here again.

Yao and En’en are currently keeping her company after being sent by Court Physician Ryuu, just like Maomao was yesterday. En’en liked Go, so she found the work enjoyable.

Maomao was grateful for their presence, but Dad had said to her, “You stay here,” so she was stuck at the theatre by herself.

The reason for that goes without saying.

She didn’t want to think about what happened when she was brought here yesterday.

Let’s just say, as usual, that old man raised a ruckus, that old man yelled, and Dad had to pacify him.

A great number of Go boards were set up inside the large theatre. Purportedly, contestants will first compete outside for several matches, and those with consecutive wins will move onto the stage.

Only a handful of people made it that far yesterday, so they played against the weirdo tactician one by one.

The number of victors had increased today, so the weirdo is currently playing against three people simultaneously.

Wouldn’t he get confused, she thought. But that aspect of him, though rotten, was just like the weirdo. He struggles with everyday tasks, but sure enough, every challenger was leaving the Go board with bowed heads, one after another.

Occasionally, he would look in her direction and wave, but Maomao ignored him.

“Maomao, you’re all done?” Yao came over with a kettle.

“Yes. I want some citrus since they’re running out.” Maomao carefully poured the honey infused drinks she’d just made into the kettle.

“Understood,” Yao said.

“Also.”

“What?”

“Shall we switch?” Maomao was the only one inside. She felt bad that Yao and En’en were running around outside.

“Ahh, it’s okay. No problem.” Yao pushed out her bountiful chest as if to say don’t worry, you can leave it to us.

“Leaving that aside, do we have enough snack refill?”

Whilst keeping a lookout for participants who may have collapsed, they also handed out snacks. Apparently, it was already included in the entry fee.

“We might run out soon.” Maomao snuck a glance at the weirdo tactician. There was a mountain of mooncakes and steamed buns next to that guy.

He liked to eat sweet things when using his brain to play board games, it would seem.

Supposedly, that was the reason behind the distribution of snacks, but it was probably Rahan’s idea. The steamed buns and mooncakes were filled with sweet potato.

The use of sweet potato was probably intended to encourage its uptake given it has yet to appear on the market.

Its innate sweetness should lower production costs associated with added sugar.

By the way, the snacks were also available on food carts for non-participants to enjoy. How cunning.

“What’s it like outside?” Maomao asked.

“Nothing much? Just fights between people who keep losing and children falling over in the crowds and getting hurt.”

“Fighting?”

“It ends with minor injuries. Since military officials are loitering around and skipping out to be here, they’re resolved quickly. In this case, are they considered to be working, or not working?” Yao picked up the filled kettle with a look of surprise. “Then I’ll add sweeteners and citrus.”

“Yes, I’ll leave it to you.” Maomao saw Yao off.

“Sis, I won.”

Maomao was being called, so she went to receive the new participant at the entrance of the theatre.

(Employ someone else to be the receptionist at least.)

Rahan allocated tasks to his liking before disappearing off somewhere.

The old man at the entrance passed her the tags bearing the names of opponents he defeated.

You receive the opponent’s tag upon winning. Once you’ve collected three tags, you are told to move to the main venue.

However, there are different types of wins. Some participants choose to reach their three wins by only competing against weak opponents. When she asked him if it was allowed, Rahan said only “As long as the entry fee is paid, there’s no problem.”

(Either way, the weak ones are beaten black and blue.)