Title: “The Quiz”

“This is a quiz.”

“Huh? A quiz?”

Slaine frowned at Inaho’s words and withdrew his hand from a black chess piece.

Inaho blinked and spoke.

“What day is it today?”

Slaine understood Inaho’s intention. He moved a black pawn forward one square.

“Oh… your birthday?”

“That’s right. Why?”

Inaho moved his white knight. It was captured by a black rook.

“Because you told me a year ago today… and several years before that.”

White: d8.

“I did?”

Black: b5.

“Yeah. So — how old are you now?”

“I’m one year younger than you.”

Slaine’s fingertip stopped suddenly. Inaho watched him. Their eyes met.

Slaine looked up at the gray ceiling, resting his chin lightly on his hand. Inaho followed his gaze and noticed the dazzling light arranged in geometric patterns above.

The air circulated. The hum of machinery filled the room.

The ticking of the second hand echoed. It stood out like the beat of the earth.

“Hmm… tell me, Kaizuka.

How old am I?”

His Adam’s apple rose and fell. A silver chain reflected dim light.

“Oh.

Did you forget your own age?”

Inaho asked.

Slaine spoke again, almost theatrically.

“Well, I’ve been here this whole time.”

His chair scraped against the bare floor with a harsh sound. He straightened his posture.

Inaho folded his hands on the table.

“Yes. That’s the quiz.

How old are you?”

Slaine blinked, caught off guard.

“Are you serious?

Well… I’m twenty-five?”

“Hee hee… hahaha.

You’re twenty-eight.”

A clunk sounded from the other side.

“What!? I’m twenty-eight? You’re joking!”

Inaho looked up at him, still laughing.

“I’m completely serious.”

“Goodness…”

Slaine set the chair back in place and sat down.

“That’s just reality.”

“I know…”

Inaho felt a strange warmth at Slaine’s sulky expression. Slaine’s eyes sparkled like a comet’s tail.

“Come to think of it, Kaizuka.”

“What?”

Slaine said it with an awkward smile.

“Happy birthday.

How does it feel to be twenty-seven?”

Inaho first looked into his eyes. Then he counted the chess pieces on the board, the seams on the wall, the rivets in the ceiling — and finally, the familiar face before him.

“The same as always. Thanks.”

Slaine picked up his black knight.