Rival had that glint in his eyes, she noticed, the one he recently has when they play.
"Things don't look too well for you, don't they?"
The perfect, still, poker-face Heroine mastered kept away any information he tried to get.
"That is what you have said last time."
He frowned a bit, but his eyes kept their shine.
"So you do have a plan..."
"Hopefully."
"Then I shouldn't eat your knight..."
"If you doing this is in my plan."
Rival leaned in and squinted at her. Sometimes, just sometimes, he was too dangerously cute. Heroine hated to admit that to herself, but the way her lips urged to smile at his sight left no doubt.
"So you DO want me to do this...!"
"You can try to interogate me all day, or actually think for yourself."
Hero almost let out a chuckle as she answered. He pouted again, adding a frown and a crooked nose. She finally let out a laugh, dropping her straight face.
"You're a pleasure to play with..."
Rival was quite for a moment, his smile was... It has never been that soft. God her heart beat so fast.
"I can say the same for you."
He blushed a little and looked away. Scratching his scalp, Heroine used the distraction to take mental notes.
He brushed his hair, which she doesn't remember him doing in any other day they met. A warmth grew in her as she hoped that she read the signs right. His clothes were nicer, too. He replaced the usual seeatshirt and sweatpants with a polo shirt and jeans. The shirt's sleeves were shorter, which was nice and...
He has a scar. Right at the back of his forearm, barely noticeable.
"That's it. I'm not eating that. It reeks with a scheme."
Hero knows that scar. And she knows that man. Villain grinned at her.
"Knew this was your plan. Scared now?"
She immediately returned her poker face.
"Plans change."
She played her move quickly and quietly. Villain took some time but made finished his turn.
"I'm gonna win this time, I can feel it."
Hero didn't respond or banter back. She didn't say anything for the next few turns, no matter what he tried to do to tease or make her laugh. He grew more worried each turn.
"Hey ummm..."
She needs to finish this and think of the next step. This was her chance to catch him once and for all.
"You good?"
Looking up, she noticed his worried expression. It was completely geniune when she smiled and reassured him.
"Yes, just got lost in thoughts for a bit."
He smiled back.
"I actually had something weighing on me too, mind if...?"
"Go ahead."
He took a big breath. That moment, she knew what was about to happen. What she wished one of them will be brave enough for. She wished for this ever since they first played her. Ever since he truly challenged her. Ever since he took his loss with a laugh and adoring eyes.
"I know we only ever meet here to play, and that I have annoying jokes and... And an annoying self..."
Even the dread she felt didn't stop her from chuckling.
"But I like... I don't know... This. Playing wit- Even when you win. So you I thought..."
The fact that she knew of his identity didn't stop the butterflies she felt. Making her wish he was who she sees now. Just a softhearted, clever guy she met at an urban chess.
"We could go get ice cream aft-, or something less childis- I mean... Well you-"
This is her chance. Even if not for love. She showed him the best smile she could master.
"How about coffee tomorrow? I know a perfect place."
A coffee shop 50 meters away from a police station. It will be easy.
He smiled shyly and let out of all the air he held in his lungs.
"Sounds perfect..."
His blushed and relieved face turned her stomach. Imagining how he'd look at her tomorrow, when he'll realize who she really is.
But now Heroine must forget about it. She'll smile and laugh and be happy, genuinely happy, that they like each other.
They were chess partners, and she can't allow him to guess her next move.