A/N: chess :)
Chess was a boring game. It had the same rules, the same pieces, and in some cases the same moves.
But Kokichi and Shuichi were masters at it, both for different reasons. Kokichi learned simply because he liked winning games and Shuichi learned because he liked the smart challenge.
So when they first noticed the chess board in both of their rooms, they unanimously decided to try a game.
Needless to say, it was more interesting than usual. Shuichi found joy in learning Kokichi's mannerisms, figuring out what his lies were and what it meant for the game. And Kokichi found joy in teasing his opponent, learning how to make Shuichi lose focus and allow for Kokichi to win.
The entertaining game they played, led to another one and another one...They started keeping score, with them both being tied after 6 games.
Truthfully, they had never spent that much time together. And their smiles were un-hideable.
"Y'know, you aren't boring at all, Shuichi" Kokichi complimented, with a wink.
"Ah, thank you" Shuichi had replied, an unexpected blush appearing on his face.
And after some time, they started playing chess together more frequently, even starting their own chess competition. Each week was a new chess game, and at the end of every month, their scores were tallied up. Whoever had the most games won, won the month!
Additionally, their relationship had grown during this, going from them questioning if they were even friends to them now questioning if they were actually dating or not.
They had become extremely close lately, slyly flirting, holding hands, sometimes cuddling at some points. But they never put a label on it, or even tried to.
Well, whatever their relationship was, this month, they were tied in chess. With one more game to win it all.
"Yknow Shuichi. I've won the past two months." Kokichi bragged, a smirk on his face as he watched Shuichi ponder his next move.
Shuichi sighed, "I'm very aware of that." He really did think he was excellent at chess until he met Kokichi, but clearly, the evidence was stacking up against him. Kokichi was such a challenge, and Shuichi did struggle to win.
Though today, something seemed...off. "You should really be trying harder" Kokichi teased.
Trying harder?
...it was a bluff. Kokichi actually wasn't doing well at all this time, according to the pieces on the board. It was odd, usually at this point he would be doing much better. It was strange, was there something wrong?
...Or maybe he just had a strategy, maybe he was doing bad on purpose just to bring out all the special moves later. Shuichi couldn't currently understand how that was possible, as Kokichi was falling behind quick. But still, Kokichi's specialty was being unexpected, and Shuichi couldn't put anything past him.
"Are you ignoring me now?" Kokichi pouted, "Aww, Shuichi knows he's going to lose again!" No, in fact, Shuichi was a few moves away from winning. Usually, Kokichi was never this close to losing. Never.
It was entirely out of character and it really made Shuichi suspect that something more was going on.
Though he didn't expect to get a straight answer if he asked, he decided to anyway, just to see how Kokichi would react. "Is something... going on?" he questioned.
Kokichi's facial expression didn't falter for a second, as he tilted his head in faked(?) confusion, "Huh? Nothing's going on! Cmon, make your move already! Or are you distracted by my beauty?"
