Story Reader / Affection / Chrome: Glory / Story
The son of an Administrative Officer, the Chief of his year, the one who had it all.
Geniuses' existence does not bother many people, but their downfalls are undoubtedly the most captivating gossip.
Due to using M.I.N.D. connections so intensely to the point of self-harm, he suffered incurable mental damages that disqualified him from forever being a commandant, and he instead volunteered to be a Construct.
—Everyone will hear about this story one way or the other, even without actively searching for it.
F.O.S. Military Command College is meant to cultivate commandants that can command Constructs. Instead, he has ended up as a chess piece to be commanded.
Although his specialized Inver-Device means that he does not have to be bonded to a commandant, just being a Construct is enough to cast Chrome in a narrative he cannot alter.
To allow a Construct on a stage to speak as an alumnus...
To some people, this is as offensive as a subordinate ordering his superiors around.
Even when this Construct was once a Chief of F.O.S.
That is all in the past now.
You halt the game for some reason.
Chrome stops his move.
Not a bad idea. It wouldn't have been proper if we keep playing when our minds are filled with thoughts other than chess.
I'm not in the right mood to play, anyway. After all, playing chess... is one of the few things left that relax me.
...
Enjoyment was not a factor when I first learned it. As a Smith, I had to master everything in every field.
Especially when my father would play with me once in a while.
I lost the first few games, however, and it greatly disappointed him.
To gain his approval, I practiced frantically after school.
Unexpectedly... I started to appreciate the joy of chess as I practiced with the AI.
With just 64 squares, it contains possibilities that a person cannot fathom even with a lifetime.
It takes so much time just to come up with a tactic and a countermove, but that time never feels wasted.
So it became a personal love eventually, and I've been playing ever since.
Is that what caught your attention?
Remembering the past, Chrome's gaze slightly shifts downward.
I wasn't exactly sociable when I was studying here.
No classmate would play with me.
Before he can answer—
Huh?
...Is that so?
As you said...
If we were from the same year, and you were sitting in front of me...
His lips tighten as he considers the possibility.
You are surprised that something you just threw out can have Chrome lost in thought for so long.
After a while, he comes to a conclusion and replies solemnly—
I think... like you said, I think we would.
But there is no "if" in real life.
You both know these are just empty words, unmanifested.
Thus your conversation comes to an end.
The holographic projection turns off, and Chrome stands up from his seat.
He steps in front of you, his hand reaching out as his body slightly bows.
A perfect, impeccable gesture of invitation that carries with it respect and an aura that does not accept refusal.
I should be the one asking.
Says Chrome, gently, with a twinkle in his eyes.
