bookpower Chapter 649: Claudia’s Tought
Chapter 649: Claudia’s Tought
Chapter 649: Claudia’s Tought Claudia knew that she was some sort of an asshole. Hell, she was self-conscious enough to admit that. It wasn’t just for Sheva and Devi, but basically a lot of her friends, even in school. Hell, her homeroom teacher even had to call her parents one time due to her saying so many cruel things that made the other girl cry, and that was just on one occasion. There were still quite a few more incidents in the past, something that she herself was not proud of.
So, yeah, she was an asshole, and the girl was aware of that fact.
That was why she didn’t have a lot of friends in school. She could even count on two hands who she usually hung out with, and that included her family as well. Mostly, she would just play with Anna’s circle, clinging to her big sister all the time and hoping that she would fit in that place.
’Why would I need to befriend them? They are so immature and childish, they always like to play around like grown-ups so stupidly!’
At least, that was her argument when her parents asked her, not even realizing that she was at the same stage right now, doing everything she thought was stupid.
However, everything changed since last year, especially since one boy forced himself into her life without any permission. Well... Not her life, per se, but her sister’s. However, Claudia treated Anna as hers, so anyone who dared to approach her had to be ready to get a bite, and it seemed that the boy was indeed ready for that.
He didn’t even flinch the first time she threw a mean remark at him, just laughing his ass off as if she was joking. Hell, even when he was not at his best state, the boy still treated her with the same kindness, never showing anything less. He had never replied, let alone complained about it.
At first, Claudia thought that it was just a farce, a way for him to get closer to her sister. That was why she kept her eyes closer to her, wanting to know everything about him. Who would’ve thought, though, that the presence that she thought to be a pest and threatened to kick out of her life would be a big brother figure just in the next few months?
Yeah, Claudia would never admit it out loud. Hell, she wouldn’t even call him brother straight in the face, opting to tease him by calling his best friend that nickname instead. However, she secretly yearned for his acknowledgement, seeking his protection, and even waiting for his praise whenever she had done something good.
She didn’t know when that change happened, but the girl didn’t really mind it, even loving the change, in fact.
This feeling, though, was intensified one more time as the girl noticed that he had done secret research to help her, finding everything accessible on the Internet so that she could know her opponent better today.
"Why would I help Ia? I mean, why wouldn’t I? She is my friend and my student, you know? I also helped Devi yesterday, and I will also do the same if you need it. I don’t think there is any special reason for me to do that."
At least, that was what he said when Laysa asked his reason, as he spoke it so nonchalantly as if it was a big deal. However, Claudia knew that last night, Sheva stayed quite late to help both Duta and Nayaka, so for him to have this research, the boy should be pulling an all-nighter, which only made her feel guilty.
As for Sheva mentioning that he also helped Devi, the girl just selectively ignored it. While she was still jealous here, she had already promised her big sister and her brother figure that she would try to be civil with the girl, no matter how difficult it was to hold back any sarcastic comment from escaping her mouth.
’Anyway, why would I have to be jealous of her? She could only meet Sheva once in a few months, and she is still a worse player than I am. There is nothing for me to be jealous of.’ She murmured inwardly, trying to convince herself not to waste her time on her rival.
Back to Sheva and his effort to prepare her for today’s game, though, Claudia was so touched that she didn’t even know what to say. In the end, the girl just walked into the venue silently, but determination also burned brightly in her eyes.
’Yeah, Sheva has been doing this much for me. At least, I cannot lose today... For his sake...’ She clenched her fist unconsciously.
After waiting for a while, her opponent finally arrived. It was a Chinese middle-aged man, looking clean in a formal suit and with a sharp gaze. The strong aura from the man was enough to make her gulp, somehow feeling nervous even before the game began.
’No, no, no. He is not stronger than Sheva, I don’t need to worry about him.’ She shook her head strongly, trying to convince her brain to stay calm. ’Let’s just take a deep breath and get rid of the nervousness... Remember what Sheva said, don’t get caught in his rhythm... Just play slow and steady, exactly like my usual pace...’
Somehow, this self-suggestion technique worked, as after that, she could stare at Bu Xiangzhi’s eyes calmly. The intimidation tactic didn’t work, and yet, somehow, the man gave her a nod of approval.
’Is he trying to test me before?’ She couldn’t help but ask herself, unsure what was just going on.
Well, the girl didn’t have too much time to think about that, since the alarm rang a moment later, a sign for the game to begin. She shook hands with the man immediately, mumbling ’Let’s have a good game’ quietly before pushing her D pawn two squares forward and slamming the clock in a flawless sequence of moves.
’Since Sheva wants me to have a slow game, let’s use the conservative Queen’s Gambit Decline...’ She thought inwardly.
Unfortunately, it seemed that Bu Xiangzhi didn’t want to take nonsense today, as just in the third move of the game, the variation that the man picked was enough to stun the girl.
’This... What the hell is this?!’