My Seatmate is Apparently My Wife from My Past Life; She Still Loves Me in This Life as Well

I am black, and Kamidama is white.

The battle began with our chosen pieces, and it was surprisingly nearing a conclusion faster than expected.

Not with Kamidama’s victory—but with mine.

“Huh? Wait a minute. You were so confident, Kamidama. Aren’t you just too weak?”

“Waah, Uraku, you’re cheating!”

“I’m not! Look carefully! There’s no way I could cheat…!”

“B-but…”

Kamidama’s face turned bright red with frustration, and she looked at me with teary eyes. Her cheeks were slightly puffed, resembling a small animal.

To put it simply, she looked very cute, but it wasn’t necessary to get that upset over losing one match. Though, considering I’m a complete beginner, I can understand why she might feel that way as an experienced player.

Even so, her competitive spirit is extraordinary. It’s not a bad trait; rather, it’s quite admirable.

I thought that perhaps this competitive nature is what makes her excel in both academics and sports.

Although, it seems she’s pretty weak at chess.

“…Three rounds.”

“Hm? What did you say?”

“Three rounds! The first to win two is the winner!”

“Why the sudden politeness…? Well, okay.”

We reset the battlefield, where the white pieces had been completely wiped out by the black army. I remained black, and Kamidama remained white.

It might have been beginner’s luck. I don’t know if such a thing exists in board games.

Kamidama is known as a perfect beauty. Maybe this was all to boost my confidence, and now she would start playing seriously.

If I think about it that way, it seems more likely.

She’s probably been going easy on me until now. That’s something an experienced player might do.

Nice move. I fell right into it.

Now, I finally got a grasp on how to move the pieces and the rules. Let’s have a serious match.

And, after about ten minutes…

“Check.”

“………………………………………………”

“Stop glaring at me in silence, it’s making me feel a bit guilty.”

“Is it really no good?”

“Damn it, just this once!”

“Hehe, yay.”

I gave in to her plea and reset the piece I moved.

It’s an action that makes me wonder if she’s taking me for a fool, but well, it’s just a game after all.

When playing with someone, it’s best if both parties enjoy it.

Watching Kamidama seriously ponder her next move, glaring at the board, was endearing.

The game was still in a recoverable state. Even a novice like me could see there were still ways to turn the tide—probably.

“…Check.”

“W-wait!”

“How many times are you going to say ‘wait’? You’re really bad at chess…”

“Ugh, no! You’re just too strong, Uraku. Yeah, that’s it, you’re abnormal!”

“Don’t try to hurt my feelings just because you’re losing! At least say I’m exceptional!”

Kamidama was incredibly weak at chess. It made me question the image of her being a perfect beauty.

There’s no way I have an extraordinary talent for chess. She’s simply not suited for it.

Huh? Did she really act like an experienced player with such skill?

I genuinely wished she knew a bit of shame.

“Sigh… Hey, Uraku.”

“No, just admit defeat already. Don’t worry, no one will believe me if I say Kamidama is terrible at chess.”

“You don’t have anyone to talk to anyway, right…?”

“Hey, Kamidama? Stop trying to break my spirit.”

Kamidama’s tactics were outrageous. This was beyond just being competitive.

She was acting like a child who refused to admit defeat.

It was cute in its own way, but still, it was clear she needed to accept her loss.

“Ugh… Then, Uraku.”

“What now?”

“It would make me happy if you closed your eyes for a bit.”

“Eh…”

“P-please! I’ll do anything!”

“You’ll definitely move the pieces…”

“I won’t! What do you think I am? I promise I won’t touch them.”

“Really…?”

I gave her a skeptical look, but Kamidama didn’t flinch.

Her beautiful hazel eyes conveyed a sincerity that made me think she wasn’t lying.

Alright, maybe I can trust her.

Although she probably has something in mind… well, it’s fine.

My determination to win was increasing, but it’s just a game after all.

Kamidama should relax and enjoy it more.

Relax, relax. I’m so relaxed I might fall asleep with my eyes closed.

“Okay, you can open them now.”

“That was quick… Hey! Why am I on the white side now? Don’t swap the board around!”

“Hehe, I didn’t move any pieces.”

“You…!”

She was full of sophistry. That’s not how you become a respectable adult! I glared at the board for a few seconds.

Well… whatever.

I wasn’t that fixated on winning.

If I let her win once, maybe Kamidama would calm down.

“Huh? You’re not angry…?”

“If you feel guilty now, you shouldn’t have done it in the first place… It’s fine. If Kamidama is having fun, that’s enough.”

“Wow, are you flirting with me? Don’t worry, I only have eyes for you.”

“What!? No way! That’s not what I meant at all!”

There was no element of flirting! I shouted as we resumed the game.

Unlike before, Kamidama seemed confident (obviously since we swapped sides).

Watching her calmly, I moved the outnumbered white pieces to face the black army I had previously commanded. After about ten more minutes, I sighed.

“By the way, didn’t we agree on a penalty game for the loser?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah. What should I make you do, Uraku?”

“You added that condition so eagerly, but you didn’t decide on anything… Well, anything’s fine. I’ve already decided on your penalty.”

Saying this, I placed my piece.

The white soldier approached the heart of the black army that had been decimated after switching sides.

“Never say ‘I’ll do anything’ to anyone other than me. Some might take it literally.”

Checkmate. The white soldier beheaded the black king.

Kamidama let out a silent scream, her face turning bright red.