It was only for a moment

Yet

Time stretched

Hours

Sparks fly

Stare into each other

A move away.

"You cannot have everything you want."

"I only want everything. That is, you."

"Get what you need. Never what you deserve."

"I need you."

"This is simply infatuation."

"It's not."

Her beautiful face

In an instant

Soft

Yet

Emotionless

Perhaps

Unmasked.

"Without you... I have no color."

He simped in sarcasm.

The cynic within him

If he could replay

This moment

On television

Burst into peals of laughter

Such lies

Such youth.

Always the same line.

"Gray is a color."

"Your color."

"You and I. This is an ephemeral desire. Think alcohol. Hangover is inbound."

"I will never get over you."

That is what everyone else said.

"I am not like everyone else."

"Woman. That is what everyone else said."

He sneered with acerb

Thinly hiding

Mocking giggle

As her cheeks reddened.

"Ne, Hachiman... What about her?"

"Who?"

Her peach-colored eyes

Subtle hint

Like a wine glass

Slowly filled

With malice

Faint traces

Vinaceous.

"What is so... special with her?"

And he knew who.

"She is exactly the kind of simpleton you will find at every bar. Why do you cherish her so much?"

"Unlike you."

"Careful there."

A lethal undertone

Laced with scorn

Venomous serpent.

"You don't know her. Not as well as you think."

"We all don't know everyone as well as we thought we do."

"Do you not want to know me better?"

"Too deep, and you will drown."

"Too shallow and you'll never know how to swim."

"That's what everyone thought as well. But there is more to her than meets the eye."

"Ara... ara... you sure know Miura-chan well."

Her gaze was menacing

A small smile

Certainly dripping

With spite

And envy.

"I told you. She is a close friend."

She moved closer

Brushing against him

Wrapping her arms

On his.

"Only a friend."

It was not a question

Or so he thought.

"Maybe. Maybe not."

She smiled

It was one

That did not reach the eyes.

"When this game is over..."

Her hands slowly slithered

Closer to his throat.

"And I have beaten you.

You will be mine."

Yet he refused to back out.

Closer

Their bodies

Lightly touched

She inched back

As if an invisible cushion

Between them

Soon

Finding herself

Against the railing

Leaning away from him.

"Oh?"

Her face was heating up

The sensation

She so craved

Once more

Felt.

"What's the matter?"

With a finger

He angled her face

Straight at himself

She was pinned

In check

Her reactions betrayed her

Deep shade of crimson

A white flag

Signalling her surrender.

"...isn't this what you wanted?"

A shiver

Not of fear

Nor anxiety

But pure ecstasy

As his hand

Like a feather

Against her rosy cheeks.

"You see here... I do not intend to lose."

His lips were inches away

Moist

Enticing

Dead black eyes

Locking her into a trap.

"Not now. Especially to you."

She managed a soft murmur.

"Shall we... continue... where we left off."

"Another day. Another night."

"I told you... I am impatient."

He was almost caught

Point blank range

Her arms wrapped around him

A noose

Nearly hanging him

Terrible end

Saved by wits

Her lips

Grazed his

Corners.

"You know... you are quite gullible."

"A fool, just for you."

He shook his head lightly

Slightly

Amused.

"This is all I am to you. Entertainment."

"Not... true..."

"Like you said... just a game."

"If so..."

A faint smile on her pink lips

Her eyes

Laced with desire

Looking away from him

That sinister smirk

Insidiously spread.

"Checkmate."

He tilted his head at the remark.

If he had turned for a bit

By the corner of a street

A blur

Left a small wet patch

On the concrete path

Perhaps

By a figment of imagination

A glimpse

Of blonde?

Slowly

But surely

Horrifying realization

Meaning.

A diversion.

Fall into a trap.

Led to believe

He was winning

On the contrary.

Checkmate.