"Oh Luna, I didn't realise you thought of me as just a pathetic striker. When we got home I'll have you stand in goal and show me the real skill and athleticism needed to be a good player."
"..."
That isn't my Dad is it?
Creak
Why can I hear my own neck turning around?
Blonde hair, green eyes, Australian team football kit, a narcissistic expression looking down on me.
Yeah, if that ain't my Dad I don't know what is...
"Hey... my favourite father named Aaron, what are you doing here so early?"
"Well, there was something happening, but that's for my daughter, not whatever you are claiming to be at the moment."
Just as I was about to fight for the supremacy of goalkeepers (begging on my knees for forgiveness) the tall guy interrupted, "Oh my god! You're him, please shake my hand, I'm your biggest fan. I've seen all your goals for the last 2 years live and—"
Dad, probably feeling annoyed, interrupted, "Whoa, whoa, slow down there, little buddy. What's your name?"
"Alex, Alex Dae—"
"Alex, buddy, your parents must be really lacking for you to think it's okay to barge in on a father-daughter chat."
"But Dadddd, you just said I'm not your daughter, so—"
"Shut up Luna! This is man's talk, stay out of it."
Andddd, there we have it, the reason why I call him Ass. In the year 2021, he embodies the teachings of the 1900s with his views on women.
There's no way I am exaggerating my Dad's sexism in any way; my Mom is a housewife while Dad is out for more than 70% of the year. I can see the loneliness in Mom's eyes, all his fault I don't like him.
Women should be like dolls. Do as you're told, just be pretty and so on. ~ Probably my Dad
Haaa, back when I was a man, at least, it could be seen as kind of an advantage in job interviews or salary against half the population.
But now, as part of the half of the population affected, honestly, it's kind of frustrating.
Unfairness is great when you're on the side getting extra but not when you're getting less ya know.
"Nuh uh, hey Alex dude, do you really wanna shake my Dad's hand after hearing that?"
Hehe, Dad's gonna get clowned once Daebel or whoever pulls their support and it'll be well known with all these kids around for the reason—
"Even more than before! My cousin is a brat just like yo—"
"Alex buddy, I think you need your memory checked. Don't interrupt me!"
Dad then abruptly grabbed my hand and picked me up as if I were a mere paperweight and walked into a side room.
On the way out, all I heard was "Wow, Leonidas is so cool," "He really taught that brat a lesson."
Wait a second... I know that the patriarchy is a thing, but... has it been this prevalent in society?
How am I a brat here? If anything, the brat here is that tall guy.
Was I that ignorant in my previous life?
Missing the fact that women could be told to shut up for little to no reason and that it would be ok?
Was I really lacking empathy for half of the population that badly?
Or is this world... different?
Come to think of it...
“I can’t believe we got to see Gerald (old man) play seriously against a kid and a girl at that.”
That's what one of the spectators said back after the chess game was finished...
And when I picked Modern Day in the survey, I only got 50 points...
Has someone from group 2 altered history already?
Why do I have to be blindsided like this?
Ughhh, why is this so unfair...
That psychological study sure knew what they were doing, if only some guy would have said something (they did).
If only someone was perceptive enough to communicate in a secret form like non-verbal communication (they did).
Morse code or something would have been perfect if only someone had thought to do it in the moment (they did).
Ah, I shouldn't wallow in pity at my group members' lack of effort.
The earlier players must have chosen some goal like impregnating all the world's greatest beauties, or were just plain misogynists with so much influence that they affected world culture.
Maybe that's why Mom was so careful about letting me out the house...
But my brothers haven't shown any signs, leaving me in the dark.
Goddamn Tim, always ruining everything.
Getting me out of the existential crisis I found myself in due to Tim's negligence, Dad spoke, "Luna... if you don't start listening to me, actual problems will occur. Haaa, even if you don't agree with me, in public you must listen, both for my image and for your safety, got it?"
"Sure, sure, ass. Anyway, what was this thing you were talking about?"
"The girl who was going to do the national anthem is stuck in traffic and won't arrive in time. But from your actions against one of the Daebel heirs. You can't do it... At least not now. Damn, finance world's arrogance."
Urgghhh, I ha— no, really dislike this ass of a guy. Mostly because, he doesn't lie in situations like this.
Somehow, in some twisted way, this is him genuinely trying to help me out. He wouldn't have tried to get me the singing thing otherwise.
"Dad, you know I dislike you, right?"
"Of course, my daughter is in an open book after all."
Yeah sureeee, buddy.
"While I will say thank you for looking out for me. Why are you even doing it? You have the influence to have a disrespectful daughter, don't you? It is your whole brand after all, I'd argue it could even elevate you to the next level."
"Hmm, I think you and I are thinking of completely different things, but I know what you are trying to say and no, you can't do the national anthem, not today at least."
...While that was a secondary goal of what I was to say...
Ughhhh, my know-it-all Dad, I can't let him think he's right, not even for a second.
"...No Dad, do you really want me to live in a world where I have to be careful of every man around me to make sure I don't offend them? Or maybe you could help correct this world, no the people's primitive way of thinking. Why should half the population be seen as lesser? Why should I, as a woman, be limited in what I can do, solely due to the world not being ready for me?"
"..."
"..."
Aaron Leonidas
[AN: That's right you simps, not always going to be female characters (but probably will be lol)]
Dad was looking at me with the most serious face I think he's ever had while talking to me before.
"..."
"..."
The silence seemed deafening.
What is Dad thinking?
"Pffttt, hahahahahaha! Ohhhh, I can't, oohhh, this too muchhh, aaahahaha!"
"..."
Is he seriously laughing right now?
Does he really think what I said was that funny?
"Ahhhh, I think you got all the laughter out of me. Wooo, that's the most serious I've ever seen you Luna."
"Well, I have to be serious for you to even listen."
"Hmm, alright then. You've been into chess lately, right? If you place first in the nation for your age group, no, let's make it Under 18s at the next tournament, can't be too easy after all. I'll give you my full support to be as unhinged and crazy as you want."
"...Wait, really? You seem too supportive right now. What's your angle?"
"Heh, that's my daughter. First of all, if you lose; in public, you'll be my beloved, obedient daughter and you'll have to act the part til at least 13. Second, there will be no help within the household."
As I was about to speak, Dad interrupted my interruption, "Teresa will still take you to your chess club, don't worry. I mean no tablets, no computers with chess on it, no phones with chess on it and no chessboards in the house. If you want to break free from the mould so badly, I need to make sure you can actually follow through with your ideals even in unfavourable circumstances."
So basically, if you wanna go against my wishes so badly, suffer the consequences.
What an asshole.
"Dad, the next tournament is literally next week. I might be good, but I'm not that good."
"...I didn't know it was next week. The one after that, then it'd be next year, right?"
"Yeah, it's even in Sydney next year, so I won't need to be flown out. So, is it a done deal now?"
"Hehe, yeah, let's shake on it for a gentlepersons agreement."
And like that, my Dad and I shook hands.
"Hehe, Luna, you do know that there is a chess prodigy that people are claiming could become world champion someday, who'll be playing next year, right?"
Huh?
But... Australians have always been trash at chess.
WHY?!
inhale exhale
It's gotta be that Status Window's fault somehow.
Or Tim's... He could have told me about this after I beat him last time; he actually watches chess streamers and follows this stuff online religiously. He could have mentioned it in passing at least.
If only somebody had mentioned this to me in some way, or at the very least done subtle foreshadowing.
I mean what kind of trashy story places a final boss in front of a protagonist before their training arc.
“Gerald seems fired up. I thought we were never going to see him get serious about chess again after his loss to Cameron.”
“Cameron is killing it; he got an IM title last month. It seems he’ll be in the Olympiad team in 3 years.”
~ Onlookers to Luna and Gerald's game.
It could have foreshadowed this and would have let me prepare better.
I probably would have just declined Dad's offer, though.
Ding
...
No way...
I know that sound.
Is this the opportunity the quest window alluded to?
Oh, thank god, even if it's not complete at least I'm not in the dark anymore.
Ahh, if only Dad would leave, I could check it and figure out what's going on.
If one were to ask, 'Why don't I just "Status Window" as all the other novels show for their protagonists?'
Sadly, that only works in fantasy, I need to literally speak it into existence.
Anyway, after rigorous testing using the scientific method (a single attempt) I have concluded that to open the status window, I need to speak it aloud.
"Haha, stunned into silence, I see. Back in the day, I was the champion of Elderwood Boys School."
Huh, why am I getting deja vu?