Komugi

His eyes fluttered open, steadying himself on Canary's arm. The worry etched on her face was palpable. She was a warrior, trained to withstand any pressure, yet her eyes betrayed the deep concern for him.

"Haruto, are you okay?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper. He had known Canary for long enough to know the small tremors in her voice were not due to fear, but anxiety. Despite his tumultuous thoughts, he found comfort in her unwavering loyalty.

Drawing a deep breath, he managed to muster a weak smile, "I am fine." His voice was firm, devoid of any signs of pain. It was a half-truth, of course. His body was well, but his mind was a battlefield.

"The voice...Is it his highness?" The blind girl's question pierced the air, her innocent curiosity underlined by a tangible reverence. Her sightless eyes were still closed, but her body was oriented towards Haruto, as if drawn to his very essence.

Haruto glanced at the girl and nodded at Canary. It wasn't a question, rather an order. Canary understood, as always. "The King of the Meteor Kingdom, His Highness Haruto," she announced, her voice resonating with respect and authority.

Upon hearing Canary's words, the girl bowed so deeply that her forehead touched the ground. "Honored to meet with his Excellencies! I am honored to play with such figure." Her words were mangled, the sentence structure and grammar suggesting a broken language learning. But her sincerity was evident.

Haruto observed her for a moment, his mind was still clouded, the phantom pain still lingering. He, however, dismissed them aside, focusing on the moment.

Haruto watched her for a moment, his gaze lingering on her trembling figure. "Introduce yourself," he ordered, seating himself across from her.

The girl stammered, her fingers tracing the pieces on the Gungi board, "I... I is Komugi. Komugi is a humble girl. No worthy of knowing. I only know a little Gungi, that is all."

Haruto studied Komugi as she spoke, his interest piqued. He could sense the girl's lack of self-worth, how she downplayed her skills. He smirked, the hint of an arrogant challenge reflected in his eyes.

"Indeed, it's only a game," he drawled, his voice carrying an undercurrent of dominance that had come to define him. His gaze didn't waver from Komugi, his aura radiating a king-like majesty, "And yet, it's more than just a game to you, isn't it, Komugi?"

Haruto watched her for a moment, his gaze lingering on her trembling figure. "Introduce yourself," he ordered, seating himself across from her.

The girl stammered, her fingers tracing the pieces on the Gungi board, "I... I is Komugi. Komugi is a humble girl. No worthy of knowing. I only know a little Gungi, that is all."

Haruto studied Komugi as she spoke, his interest piqued. He could sense the girl's lack of self-worth, how she downplayed her skills. He smirked, the hint of an arrogant challenge reflected in his eyes.

"Indeed, it's only a game," he drawled, his voice carrying an undercurrent of dominance that had come to define him. His gaze didn't waver from Komugi, his aura radiating a king-like majesty, "And yet, it's more than just a game to you, isn't it, Komugi?"

"Let's start," Haruto said. The room fell into silence, save for Canary's voice gently breaking the stillness as she began to explain the rules of the game. She held a book in her hand, filled with tiny, detailed explanations of Gungi's complex rules and strategies. Haruto sat across from Komugi, the Gungi board between them a silent witness to their growing rivalry.

His eyes were keen, fixated on the girl in front of him. Even as Canary's voice washed over him, explaining each rule, each movement, each strategy, his gaze remained locked onto Komugi. This girl, who knew no worth beyond the board and its pieces, intrigued him.

The girl, Komugi, sat with a nervous energy, fidgeting with the hem of her worn-out clothes. Her eyes were shut tightly, her face reflecting an odd mixture of fear and excitement. Her fingers danced upon the Gungi pieces, as if they were the only things in the world she could see.

Haruto's gaze was unwavering, as if trying to decipher the enigma that was Komugi. It was not the first time he had been in such a situation. His life was full of grandmasters who had fallen before his innate talent, despite him learning the rules mere moments before the game began.

He found a peculiar delight in watching the experts crumble under his burgeoning talent. Haruto knew, deep down, that he was not just playing a game. It was a battle of wits, a testament to his ability to conquer and rule.

As Canary continued explaining the rules, Haruto interrupted her. "Enough. I understand," he said. He was confident, a haughty smirk playing on his lips. Canary knew better than to doubt his words. She had seen his prowess firsthand, had watched grandmasters fall to his quick learning.

As Komugi prepared to make the first move, Haruto watched her intently. He noticed a distinct change in her aura. The previously shy, self-doubting girl seemed to be replaced by a figure of calm confidence and tenacity. The moment her fingers touched the Gungi piece, a transformation had occurred.

Suddenly, Komugi's sightless eyes snapped open. Haruto blinked in surprise, his gaze meeting her clear, bright green eyes. There was a sense of determination radiating from them, a silent proclamation of her will. Despite being blind, her eyes held an unshakeable resolve, a world of silent stories. It was as if the Gungi board was her world, the pieces her language.

Taken aback, Haruto found himself asking, "Can you see?" His question echoed in the silent room, the soft ticking of a distant clock punctuating the silence.

Komugi shook her head, her hands never leaving the Gungi pieces. "No, not at all," she replied. Her voice was soft, almost fragile, but there was a sincerity in it that couldn't be dismissed. "So, can you please announce your moves for me? I can't help but keep my eyes open when I play, but if it is unacceptable, I will try."

His brow furrowed at her words, a searing pang of déjà vu coursing through him. He gritted his teeth, suppressing the sudden surge of pain. Yet, even in his discomfort, he found himself relenting to her request. "That is fine," he responded, his voice clipped and firm.

There was something about Komugi, something that moved him, stirred him from his apathy. The girl, in her frailty, in her blindness, had an unusual defiance, an unyielding spirit that demanded his respect.

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