Chapter 679: Good News from Medina! (II)
"So, you mean to tell me that the federation drags you into their shenanigan, and now you are having lunch together in Sheva's house?"After a short yet chaotic explanation, Medina finally managed to conclude what was going on here.
"Yup! Aunty's cooking is superb, you know?!" Laysa's mouth was watery when she remembered the dishes she had enjoyed earlier. "Well, you should know about that too, right? I mean, you have been here quite a few times in the past to join the feast!"
"… So, why are you guys calling me here?" Medina changed the topic immediately, not wanting to continue the previous one.
"Oh, don't be grumpy like that, Sister Medina! I mean, we just want to congratulate you for your success!" Laysa retorted with her usual cheerful tone. "This is a big achievement, right? Getting a ticket to the World Cup itself?"
"Yeah, yeah! I am so envious!" Claudia chimed in out of nowhere. "If only we had registered for this tournament, we would be able to fight with you, Sister!"
Well, it was unfortunate, as the schedule of this Asian Championship clashed with the Biel Festival. For all seven Indonesian players here, they had already registered for the latter one first, and while they could cancel their participation, it would be a big problem to explain everything to the sponsor.
Also, compared to going to Uzbekistan with Medina, it was definitely better to go with a group of seven people to Europe, as they wouldn't feel so lonely there. So, yeah, even though the Asian Championship offered two tickets to the World Cup, the decision was a no-brainer at that time.
Only when someone they knew well enough, like Medina, brought the news of her success, did they start feeling jealous, wondering if they could do the same if they were in that tournament as well. Anna herself also felt sour, somehow feeling that the IM title she brought didn't mean anything. After all, she could get the title at any time in the future, but this World Cup was a big event that only happened once every two years. She felt like she had missed a big chance right now.
"Well, I told you guys that a chess player's journey is always filled with loneliness. Since you rejected my invitation to go with a big group, why regret it?" Medina snorted from the other side of the phone. However, her tone was soft as the woman didn't want to add salt to their wounds. "Anyway, even if you guys are here, the only one who has a chance to beat me is Anna, right? So, no need to regret it." She laughed at the last part, intending to lift up the mood.
"How could you say that, Sister Medina?!" Laysa complained loudly. "Things will be different if I played there, you know?!"
"Yeah, yeah! I mean, my record against Asian players is quite good!" Claudia nodded along.
"Well, yeah, but your record against me sucks!" Medina mocked them both simultaneously. "Anyway, where is Anna?! Girl, congratulations! Being an IM is a big thing, you know?! I still remember the day I became one! At that time…"
The next fifteen minutes turned into a storytelling session from Medina, as she acted like an old woman remembering her youth. Hell, they even forgot the purpose of the call here, as Dita Karenza could only sigh while seeing her phone becoming the center of attention right now. Fortunately, after waiting for a while, it seemed Medina finally remembered whose phone was calling her right now.
"Anyway, Dita, I know you are not here to congratulate me. Spill, girl! What do you want to ask?" She asked, her tone demanding.
Right after that, the phone landed on Dita Karenza once again, and the woman asked immediately. "Urgh… Sister Medina… Now that you have the World Cup ticket, will you still fight the federation for… That?" She asked hesitantly, making everyone curious about what she was saying here.
Well, not everyone, since both Sheva and Anna could guess what they were talking about. The boy was startled for a second, then remembered that the one who wanted to have an open tournament to decide who got the last ticket was Medina. Now that she had one, it was no wonder that Dita was worried that she would back down from this fight later on.
Anna herself also clenched her fist tightly. This was probably her last chance to go to the same tournament with them, but if Medina was not there, the chance would be smaller. No, right now, her mind was spinning fast, trying to think of a way to force Medina to stay and fight for this cause.
Much to her surprise, though, Medina sounded offended at Dita Karenza's insinuation.
"What are you talking about, Dita?! Do you think I am that kind of person?! Of course, I wouldn't stop just like that!" Her tone was displeased. "I mean, Sheva is there as well, right? He is so big already, and yet, you don't hear him saying he would stop because he has already earned his spot! Compared to him, why the hell would I stop?!"
Sheva himself was taken aback when he heard his name was mentioned. Still, he could see what Medina was trying to say here. Not to be narcissistic, but the boy knew that he was the biggest name in the country's chess community right now, and if he didn't back down for this fight, why would Medina do that?
"What are you guys talking about, by the way?" Laysa asked, her tone full of curiosity. She could recognize that they were talking about serious things, and her instinct told her that this would affect her as well in the future. "So… Care to explain?" She asked again.
"Wait, you mean to tell me that Sheva hasn't told you yet?!" Medina was surprised here, and Sheva was scratching the back of his head when all eyes were on him. "Well, if he forgot to do so, let me tell you this! There is still one ticket for both sections to go to the World Cup, and right now, we are still fighting to get an open tournament to fight for that! So, don't slack off and get ready, because you only have one last chance to grab it!"