Chapter 69
Once they were done, Kasumi approached Kenshin and asked with interest: - What is this fighting style?
- Boxing. It's not much for shinobi, but it gives a good practical basis for taijutsu. - Kenshin said, catching his breath.
- Hmm, a very strange kind of martial art. The strikes are very powerful, but the manoeuvrability is minimal. Reminds me of the straightforward styles of the Kumogakure. They like to go for broke, too. It's the opposite of our clan style. - Said Kasumi, scrutinising the boxing gloves and helmet. The material as well as the bright colouring literally screamed 'wrong' about these items. She didn't know such airy materials, or such incredibly bright dyes, but she remained silent, remembering that she would only find out if she married Kenshin.
- Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with your Nara clan's style... But I've heard of your intelligence, would you like to play chess with me? - Kenshin said with a sly smile. Eleventh and Twelfth decided not to disturb their father, and quietly left the room.
- Chess? Hmmm... I'd love to, but at what? - Said Kasumi, a plan forming in her cunning mind.
- You don't play for nothing in your clan, do you? - Kenshin asked with a pretence of embarrassment, showing uncertainty.
Kasumi took the bait immediately, and continued: - Hmmm, well it's just not interesting... How about if I win you over, you let me go right away? - The black-haired beauty made a suggestion.
- I'll let you go right away? That's a very strong condition. What happens if I win? - Kenshin asked with a raised eyebrow.
- Well... You'll get your intelligence recognised by a member of the Nara clan! - Kasumi replied proudly.
- It's true that the Nara clan members are impossibly cunning! - Kenshin said with a laugh, and immediately added: - To be fair, you have five seconds to move. If I lose, you'll be free in the next second. But if you lose, you become my wife immediately. Agreed?
- What?! Of course not! That's so cheeky, it's not fair! I'll already be free in a week, I just need to be patient and there's no need to play this lottery. - Kasumi was indignant.
- I don't need to play with you for thanks either. All right, here's the deal. If you win, your time here will be shortened by three days, and you'll be home in three days. - Kenshin said, and Kasumi smiled for a second, but immediately returned her serious look and continued to listen.
- If I win, you let me kiss you anytime I want.
- YOU! You're a scoundrel and you kiss me like that whenever you want! The most shameless man in the world! - Kasumi blustered, not expecting such vile terms from this scoundrel.
- See, that means the deal is practically worthless to you. - Kenshin said with a smile.
- What do you mean it's not worth it?! The honour of the entire Nara clan is at stake! And you are a shameless scoundrel! - Kasumi blurted out, her cheeks puffing up in indignation.
- So you don't agree? All right, then let's forget about this argument.
- You... You're more cunning than even our great elder! So cunning, and you said something about the Nara clan! Before I agree to this, please state the terms of the game.
Kenshin smiled, and went to get the chess set that had been inexplicably created in the gym. Perhaps the "system" had accidentally scanned his subconscious, and added all the things that had been in the school gym in his past life to the gym. There were indeed balls, jump ropes, and the like in the storeroom. As well as checkers and chess.
Grabbing a chess game and a small booklet with the rules, he invited the girl to a more comfortable place, to his "office", which was at the same time the observation centre of his entire base. Kenshin didn't worry about Kasumi realising anything, as all the nodes of the formations were hidden from view.
The girl went to the furthest room with the brash guy without a backwards thought, and was once again surprised by the richness and opulence of the room. While she read the basic rules of alien chess, Kenshin made two cups of coffee, and sat on the other side of the table, enjoying the beauty of the young kunoichi.
Having finished familiarising herself with the specifics of the new chess, the girl took her eyes off the booklet and saw Kenshin looking at her face with a silly smile. She blushed, and clearing her throat a little, said: - I agree.
- Okay, so if I lose, you're free in three days. If I win, then?
- You can kiss me whenever you want..." the girl muttered. She was incredibly embarrassed to say it out loud, but there was no one else in the office but them, so she managed it.
Kenshin couldn't help but smile at the fact that such an incredible beauty had agreed to let him kiss her whenever he wanted. He was very enthusiastic about arranging the chess set, and also put a small clock next to it, deciding to measure five seconds and stop it with telekinesis.
A minute later, the game began. Kenshin didn't do too well at first, and was losing. The Nara clan girl's intelligence was really high, and she had been playing shogi and other similar games since she was a child, so it wasn't a problem for her to put him at a disadvantage right away.
But at the very end of the game, when the girl was almost shrieking with joy, Kenshin changed the course of the game, and put "checkmate" in just a few moves. Kasumi was in complete shock, and couldn't believe that she hadn't thought of such a combination right away.
- YOU! How did you do that?! It's a completely random combination, it was impossible to plan! Let's play again! - Kasumi exclaimed, not used to losing games like this.
- Okay, but first let me taste my reward. - Kenshin said, and playfully sent her an air kiss. Kasumi was like a cornered mouse at that moment. She realised that she had lost and she had no choice but to let him kiss her anytime he wanted, but she was determined to get even.
- Wait! We're not done playing yet. As soon as we're done playing, you'll get your "winnings" - Kasumi said, cringing as she imagined Kenshin kissing her all the time, especially in public.
- All right. What are the new stakes? - Kenshin asked with a smile, also imagining how wonderful it would be to kiss this beauty anytime.
- The stakes are exactly the same. If I win, I'm gone in three days. If I lose... You can kiss me.
- I've already won the right to kiss you anytime I want. Why would I play with you for nothing? - Kenshin smiled.
- All right! What are you suggesting?! - Kasumi said in a displeased tone. Whatever he suggested, she didn't like it beforehand.