Vol. 6 Ch. 5: Castling

Then I think it's easy.

The air in the classroom froze at Monica's words.

──What a fearless... and shameless little brat she was.

Elliot raised one corner of his mouth, narrowed his drooping eyes menacingly, and glared at Monica.

"Do you realize, Miss Norton? You've just turned everyone in this classroom against you."

Monica did not answer. She simply stared intently at the board in silence.

"Hey, don't tell me you're going to move that pawn one square forward and say, 'See? Even I could move it easily!'"

Again, Monica said nothing. But Elliot recognized the expressionless look she wore as she stared at the board.

It was the same look she'd had when she was ordered to review the accounting records. Back then, Monica had not reacted even when Bridget slapped her cheek, simply following the numbers with her eyes.

That same blank expression filled Elliot with a strange, unfathomable unease...