Untitled Board Game

Let's see, this game is really easy to understand. Don't worry, you'll get it in less than 5 minutes.

Do you think that? I'm not as good as you at board games. I can't even play Draughts.

Easy lady. Look, we'll start with the board...

It looks like the chess one.

This is a little bigger, it's 8x9 instead of 8x8.

And what are those squares? They are super unsightly.

They are the kings' places, but we'll get to them in a moment. Do you see these section with wrinkled texture?

Yeah... It feels nice touching it.

Yeah, right? Sometimes I touch them and I forget...

Kanashi?

Hoh?

Back to the game.

Oh, right! These are walls. The instructions say something like "Heya", but...

But they are walls, I get it. I suppose that you can't put a piece there or go through it.

Exactly. But there is only one kind of piece that is affected: the knights.

Why? What about the others?

Be patient Sora. The knights' movement is diagonally. This one always goes from a white to a white square and that one from black to black.

Can they move a lot or just 1 square?

Just 1. All pieces.

Even the cannons?

Even the cannons. These move horizontally.

In both sides, don't they?

That's it. Finally, we've got the warriors. They just go straight. They can't go backwards.

Pa’lante como los de Alicante?

Sora, what is Alicante?

Nevermind, just came to my mind. You were saying something about the king.

True. You have to place him in those squares.

What about the king? How does he move?

He doesn't. He stays there doing his royal things, I guess.

Right... And you win killing the opponent's king. This is like the european kingdoms.

You got it. In order to kill the king, you have to place two pieces or more in front of him, but they must be together.

And the other pieces? Can they die?

Of course. In fact, if they don't die, you can't win.

I thought you only had to kill the king.

Yeah... Well, that's not entirely true. You can only kill the king if the other player doesn't have any more pieces.

Phew... It looks like the games are very long.

It depends on how much time takes you to kill the other pieces.

And how can I kill them? Same as the king?

Quite similar. You have to create superiority. This means that two of your pieces must be together in the same line, but only works horizontally and they must be
closer to your king than to the opponent's one.

I'm lost now.

You need to create a line with 2 pieces, and they hav-

Alright, alright. Got it. I understood the king thing.

There are also two ways to play. The normal and the simulation mode.

Differences?

The normal mode doesn't have cannons and the walls are connected.

Too different, huh?

I love your sarcasm.

Well, let's play to... What was the name of the game?

I didn't tell you.

Anyway, let's play this. But to the normal mode. When I totally understand this, we pass to the other one.

We have plenty of time.

Why do you want to play?

Why wouldn't I?

You've just come from your girlfriend's funeral.

So?

You can't act normal. You have to feel bad. Listen to me: You girlfriend is dead. You come from her funeral.

That's right... A few days ago, she was... But not anymore, and... I guess that... I have to
move on...

Move on? Bullshit! The only thing you want is cry and feel like shit. I mean, I'd want that if I were in your place.

Well, I guess th-

That I'm not wrong? I know you very well Kanashi.

But I can't be sad forever.

Let the time pass. Ask for some holidays. I will be with you, you don't need to call anyone else.

Holidays? I guess that's not a bad idea.

You will recover sooner, everything I tell you it's for your wellness.

Yes...

It's a shame, right? She was so young. And you won't see her again.

Coming back?

If she were alive, you would be playing with her right now, am I wrong?

...

You have to be broken. Have you done the smelling-clothes thing yet?

No...

You should. People say that it's the first step to recover. In fact, you can go right now. She had a t-shirt in the living room, hadn't she?

Let's finish the game please...

Kanashi, we both know who won.

ONE MORE MATCH. I AM NOT GONNA LEAVE UNTIL I WIN.

You are really annoying today. This is the last one. But we'll play simulation this time. Did you play with Sora this mode? No, right?

All because of that dickhead. He had to skip a fucking traffic light. What the fuck he had to do that it was more important than Sora's life?!?!

Going to the whorehouse.

Let's add that: dickhead and whoremonger.

Well, I made up that.

But he still a fucking murderer and he's to be his entire life in prison.

Is the family going to sue? Because they all look like cowards.

Cowards?? They are fucking rats, that's what they are. They say that it was an accident and they don't want to speak more about it.

A fucking accident? Big balls. An accident it's if your phone falls, but this...

This is murder.

Kanashi, her mother was with Sora when he killed her, wasn't she?

Yes... I haven't thought about it... Fuck... It was her mother's fault...

Her own mother...

THAT'S WHY THEY DON'T WANT TO SUE! Her mother knows that it was her fault. She didn't catch her or grab her arm. Nothing. Sora died because of her fucking mother.

There is more, I remember that she arrived late to the funeral.

She was ashamed to see the face that she killed. Now, I'm... Going to explode.

Break something, you'll see how it calms you.

No, no. Not the board. The match is interesting.

Better?

Yeah... Indeed. I feel... Nice.

One thing Kanashi,where did Sora go when...? Well, you know.

...

Kanashi?

She came... Here. We were go... Going to play... The simul....

She came here? Then...

It was my fault... Sora came here... I called here... I wanted play with her... And because of me...
She is....

Dead.

No... But I... Don't... Don't want to... No...

You did it, Sora died because of you.

No... No... You said that I should call her! Now I remember, it was you, if you hadn't tell me that...

Accussing me, the one who taught you. Shame on you. Do you really believe that it was my fault? Are you serious Kanashi?

But... AHHHHHH! If I hadn't invited her, if I wouldn't say anything... Now she would be...

Yup. You chose the worst moment, but you couldn't know. The destiny has these things.

Destiny? I don't think so.

What else can be? God's plans? You don't believe that.

Randomness, maybe?

Too many variables and too little posibilities.

I don't really know, but I reject the idea. Every choice that I took take me to Sora's death? No. There must be something that I could have done to save her, but I didn't. Something. Anything.

You could have not called her, but it's too let. Focus on the game, it's almost over.

Why do you still play this? You don't stop hurting yourself.

...

It's because this reminds you Sora? Are you so sadistic that you come again and again to the game that killed her? What's wrong with you?

...

What's this bullshit smell? Wait, is it you? How long have you been without taking a shower?

Does it matter?

Right, no one comes to see you. How long have you been with no visitors? Apart from me, I mean.

Two months? I don't know.

Listen, is that what I think? Do you wear the wristband that she gave you? You've hit rock bottom Kanashi. You are so pathetic right now.

This wristband is the only thing that I haven't thrown away. Her clothes, her books, all her presents... I've thrown everything away because they've made me remember her, how she smelled... When I looked at one of her jeans a picture came to my mind... Of she wearing them... And then... Came she in the casket... And I couldn't do anything... I couldn't help her...

...

I've tried... I've tried to forget her... And I can't. I just can't... I'm too weak... I want her by my side... Forever... Because... If she... If she is not with me... I will... I will be with her...

I think that you should do it.

What?

Killing yourself.

Killing myself?

Yeah, killing yourself. You will end all your problems: you'll stop feeling pain about Sora, about the rest of the people, people that don't understand you and
the pain you make to yourself. You will rest that crazy mind that is always punishing you.

But...

Do you have doubts, Kanashi?

It is a... Hard decision... Ending my life...

You did it to Sora, do you think you deserve any better?

No... I guess not...

Kanashi, you are the result of the selfish destiny. No the strongest people are the ones that survive, but the ones who suffer the least. And you, my friend, have suffered a lot. Too much, during too much time. It's time for you to end that suffering once and for all.

...

The pain of losing someone is forever. It goes right into your heart like a parasyte and never let you feel like a person.

You know? You are a bad friend.

Where are you going? The game must go on.

I quit, you win. One last time, what was the name?

I've never told you-

If the answer is No:

Killing myself? What the fuck dude?

You said it. If you can't be with her, then...

But she will always be with me. Maybe I'm not... In my best... And maybe I need.. Some help, but I won't end my life. Sora wouldn't want that... Or at least that's what I think...

She is dead because of you. You killed her. She is ashes on the water by your fault.

NO, THAT'S NOT TRUE! Well, maybe it is... I don't know. I've been thinking and now I don't know if it was my fault, the driver's one or the fucking destiny's. What I do know is... Sora... Sora wouldn't like to see me like this... I have to change.

You can't change, you have nothing. Your family has left you, you were fired and the flies die when they touch your filthy skin. You are a piece of shit that doesn't deserve anything but death.

Maybe you are right. Probably, in fact. I'm literally and metaphorically shit, but I'm sick of listening to you. Sick of your tiny voice behind my ear disputing everything. For once I want to do what I THINK is the best.

You are wrong and you will regret it the rest of your life.

At least I will have a life to regret. Now, I'm going to kick your ass in the game.

It looks like you've lost.

One move left.

But you can't do anything. Your defeat is imminent, Kanashi.

And, even though, this is relaxing. I haven't feel it since...

Since Sora?

Yep... But I'm going to see her soon. I hope she is still as beautiful as she was.

A run over is not the excellent make up.

Right, not excellent, but even in the funeral she was pretty. I didn't deserve her.

We agree on that, too good for you.

Do you think that there is something like Heaven? Where souls live o something like that?

Honestly, no. But I wish I'm wrong.

Me too. I want to play with her so much... We had...

To play the simulation mode. You said it so many times... Listen, I think it's time to end this.

Give me a minute. I hadn't enjoyed speaking with you in so much time...

Hard times. Are you scared?

Aren't you?

It's funny. People say that suicide is the easy way, but you have to do a lot of effort to do it.

Exactly. Do you think that someone will find my body?

Maybe it takes a few days because of the smell of your house.

In the end, the house renter will find it. Woops, will find me. I hope that it doesn't affect my family so much. I would like them to understand that this is something that I need.

They will, for sure.

Time to finish, checkmate?

What's this now, chess?

Now, would you tell me the name of the game? It's now or never.

Yeah, the name is...

I won. Again. And this victory is absolute.

That's right. You won. Again. Are you aware that there will be more matches in the future, right?

Yes, but I also knew that this one would come some day.

I'm happy for you. Both know that your victory is the best.

And even knowing it, you are a pain in the ass.

Until your death.

Until my death.

By the way, I see you still wear the wristband. Now I think that it looks cool. Shaving and dressing like a human being also help.

I know, I know, but I wasn't going to wear the black pi-

It's yellow.

Really?

Totally. You should throw it away.

For sure. Well, I wasn't going to wear a pijama to see my family. I have so many things and so many "sorry" to say.

I guess.

Do you want to know something?

Go ahead.

This was my first time.

And what about with Sora in her father's van?

You know what I mean. This was the hardest, but I'm ready for the next one.

Kanashi, no one is ever ready for the next one. Never.

...

Are you ending the match before you leave?

Oh, I forgot it. Can you keep the board? I'm a little... too late.

Yeah, as usual right?

Wherever you want, I'm sure I'll find it.

And Kanashi...

Tell me. Fast.

Do you want to know the game's name?

Nah, there is no need.