The courtyard is quiet under the midday sun, its golden light filtering through the leaves of a cherry blossom tree in full bloom. At a small wooden table, Sōsuke sits alone, the faint rustle of the breeze his only company. His fingers hover over a chessboard, each piece meticulously arranged. His calm, thoughtful expression betrays no urgency as he moves a knight forward, capturing an imaginary opponent's piece. The corners of his mouth curl into a serene smile, his eyes glinting with something deeper than the game before him.