Author's Note: This is Part 2. If you're new or haven't read Part 1, please go check it out. Anyway enjoy, comment, and follow! (ありがとう!♡)
After losing to Kusuriuri, yet again, in a game of Go, you felt a peculiar blend of frustration and affection.
Not wanting to admit defeat, you challenged him to yet another game. This time in a game of Shogi. You figured you'd have more luck with the complex strategy and speed required in Shogi, but it seems your luck hasn't changed.
The pieces on the board danced in a silent battle, and once more, Kusuriuri's smug smirk grew with each of your falters. His teasing glances and gentle taunts only added fuel to the fire of your competitive spirit. Each time he took one of your pieces, you felt a sting of defeat, and your cheeks flushed a deep shade of red.
He looked up from the board, his amber eyes twinkling with amusement. "Checkmate. Looks like I win again, my Kiku," he declared, as he captures your king.
You stared at the board in disbelief, your mouth hanging open. How did you lose again? The pieces lay scattered, a silent testament to your defeat. Kusuriuri's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with mischief as he took in your flustered expression.
"But... I... when did you...? How?!" Your exclamation as you scrutinize the Shogi board.
Each piece seems to mock you from their positions, a silent testament to Kusuriuri's tactical brilliance. He leans forward, his arms crossed against the table, and his long dark nails tapping lightly on the wooden surface. The lamp light casts shadows across his stupidly handsome features, highlighting the smug smile playing on his painted lips.
"You're so easy to read," Kusuriuri chuckles, his eyes sparkling with delight. "Your moves are predictable that I'm beginning to think you enjoy the taste of defeat," he teased.
Your eyes narrow, and you can't help but feel a mix of annoyance and embarrassment as he says that.
"I didn't expect my lovely Kiku to be such a masochist."
You felt your cheeks warm up, not just from embarrassment, but also from the frustration of losing yet again.
"I am NOT a masochist," you growled, pushing away from the board, your hands curling into fists. "I just want to beat you at something!"
"Is that so?" He leaned back, his eyes never leaving yours. "Then what do you say we play another game?" His voice had dropped to a low, seductive purr, his gaze intense.
The room felt hotter suddenly, and you realized that the tension wasn't just from the game. The air grew thick with something else entirely. However, you refused to be distracted from your quest to win.
You shook your head stubbornly. "No, I demand a rematch!"
Kusuriuri's smile faltered, his eyes narrowing with what could only be described as dissatisfaction. "*Sighs*... If you insist," he said.
He reached out and began resetting the pieces, his movements swift and precise. You watched him for a moment, his fingers gliding over the smooth wooden figures, before your own hand reached out to stop him.
"And don't you dare go easy on me. I-I will beat you," you said firmly, your voice a little shaky.
Kusuriuri scoffs. Those amber eyes, eyeline with purple and red, slowly glanced up at you, glittering with humor. "As if I ever would," he says, his tone playful.
Despite your self-confidence, you were practically melting on the spot as Kusuriuri's gaze held yours. You felt your resolve wavering, but you steeled yourself and focused on the task at hand.
Releasing his hand, you watched him intently as he finishes setting up the Shogi board.
"Well, my Kiku. Shall we begin round 2?"
Your heart races as Kusuriuri's words cut through the thickened air. You nod, taking a deep breath to compose yourself. You sit up straight, placing your hands on the Shogi pieces, ready to play. This time, you swear you won't let him win so easily.
As always, the game was intense with you and Kusuriuri's pieces moving swiftly across the board. You tried to expect his every move, but his strategic brilliance remained unmatched. The sound of the pieces clacking together echoed through the room as you both became lost in the silent dance of war. Sweat beaded on your forehead as you studied the board, your mind racing to outwit him.
Kusuriuri's smirk never wavered as he observed your every play, his eyes flickering with amusement. His fingers hovered over the pieces, stroking them lightly as if caressing your skin. The tension between you grew palpable, a potent mix of competition and the unspoken desires simmering beneath the surface.
The game progressed, each move calculated and swift. The clatter of the pieces grew louder with your agitation, but Kusuriuri remained unflappable. His gaze was a gentle caress, his eyes never leaving yours for more than a brief second to survey the board. He knew exactly how to push your buttons, both on and off the battlefield of the Shogi board.
The moment he placed his knight piece near your king, you felt the noose tightening around your throat. The room grew smaller; the pressure mounting with each of his calculated moves. Your eyes darted around the board, searching for an escape, a glimmer of hope to turn the tide in your favor. But no matter where you looked, you saw only the inevitable.
Your defeat was swift and decisive, the king falling prey to his strategic mastery once more. With a dramatic flourish, Kusuriuri announced checkmate, his voice a velvety whisper that sent shivers down your spine. You couldn't help but face-plant on the table in despair, the cool wood a stark contrast to the heat of your embarrassment.
"Why Gods... why is this happening?" You mumble into the wooden tabletop, feeling the heat of your embarrassment spreading through your cheeks.
The room seems to spin around you as the weight of your failure sinks in.
You heard Kusuriuri move as he rounds the table and towards you. You're pulled into his embrace before you know it, his warm hands gently lifting your face from the table. A childish whine escapes your lips, and you feel his chuckle resonate through his chest.
"My poor Kiku," Kusuriuri's voice was a soothing balm to your bruised ego as he holds you in his arms, the smell of incense, cherry blossoms, and ink surrounding you.
You automatically leaned into his embrace, the warmth of his body a comfort against your frustration. His touch was gentle, his fingers brushing the strands of hair out of your face with care. You could feel his heart beating steadily against your cheek, a rhythm that seemed to sync with your own erratic pulse.
"I hate you," you whimpered. Though you didn't actually mean it. You just felt so utterly defeated.
"Hm, I don't think I've ever heard that one before," Kusuriuri said, his tone thick with sarcasm while his thumb stroking your cheek gently.
"But if it's any consolation, I admire your tenacity," he whispered into your ear, sending a shiver down your spine. His breath was warm and smelled faintly of mint, a scent that was uniquely his. His arms tightened around you, and you couldn't help but melt a little into his embrace.
"Unfortunately, I've grown bored with this game," Kusuriuri murmured, his breath tickling the shell of your ear. "How about we play a different game?"
Was he serious right now?! After what felt like an eternity of playing and losing, he'd still wanted to play another game with you?
You're not sure your pride can take another beating, but his gentle touch and the hint of something more in his voice were hard to resist. "What game?" you ask, your voice muffled by the fabric of his kimono.
"One without competition," Kusuriuri replied, his voice dropping to a seductive murmur. His eyes searched yours, the corners of his lips curling into a knowing smile. "A game of... strategy, where the outcome is already assured."
"What?" You questioned meekly, your curiosity piqued despite your embarrassment.
You felt his fingers trace the line of your jaw, tilting your face up to meet his gaze. The look in his eyes was unmistakable, the heat there unbearable.
"A game of love, my Kiku," Kusuriuri whispered, his eyes smoldering. His thumb brushed against your bottom lip, and you felt your pulse quicken.
The tension in the air shifted from competitive to something more intimate, something that had nothing to do with board games and strategies.
You blinked, your cheeks still flushed from the sting of defeat. "Love?" you echoed, your voice small and unsure.
"Mm," Kusuriuri hummed, his eyes never leaving yours. His thumb traced the curve of your bottom lip again, a silent invitation that sent a thrill through your body. "Where the only prize is the pleasure we share."
Your face immediately heats up as if you just eaten a chili pepper. Love and pleasure?... He can't possibly mean....
Sadly, you didn't get the chance to finish that thought because you quickly squealed upon his lips against your neck. Sharp canines lightly nipped your skin, and you couldn't help but gasp as a jolt of pleasure shot through you.
Pulling back, Kusuriuri's eyes gleamed with excitement at your reaction.
"And as the victor of our little game, I demand my prize.♡"
Unless there's a type of Shogi piece I'm just not finding info about, those look more like fucked-up chess pieces.
I think the only way to know which abstract shape corresponds to which piece would be to see an initial board setup. Or at least to be able to piece one together from various frames.
