The Desperate Tales of Oikawa and The Bus

| vii |

"Checkmate."

"I can't stand this anymore, it's always your checkmate!" Oikawa exclaimed, exasperated, as he hung his head backwards and a very small smirk appeared on the girl's lips.

This was the third day the brunette attempted to beat her, unsuccessfully. He didn't understand how! He'd even started studying his new book, but nothing seemed to get past her.

"Come on, one more time." He declared, hopeful, as he put the pieces back to the initial position.

The girl simply hummed in response. These games were somewhat better than the previous constant and persistent flirting for two reasons: 1) they actually managed to shut Oikawa up and 2) she definitely enjoyed destroying him every match.

"So, when did you start playing chess?" Oikawa dared to ask, moving the first piece on the board.

"People don't speak while playing chess." The girl coldly replied, moving a piece herself.

Oikawa pouted, expecting an answer like that from her. He was hoping that by playing some more games with her she'd finally open up a bit, but she seemed to have seen right through him.

"Ok, but this isn't an official match or anything. We're allowed to chat." He shrugged.

Though the girl never took her eyes off the board, she was thinking deeply. If she started opening up to him, who knew when she'd stop!

Then again, he had learned chess just to challenge her, and did seem a tad less insufferable when he wasn't flirting.

She sighed, knowing she'd probably regret it later. "I was six when my brother first taught me."

"Six?" Oikawa basically shouted, earning a shush from Koto's behalf. The boy smiled sheepishly, before facing the girl again. "That's really young. How did you even understand?"

"I don't really remember, as far as I remember, I was always able to move the pieces on the board."

"Wow, you've been playing for almost as long as I've been playing volleyball." He chirped, noticing one of her imminent attacks and quickly protecting his fool.

"Volleyball?" She asked, raising an eyebrow and quickly countering.

"Yes, I'm the captain of the volleyball team! Don't you remember? I'm sure I've mentioned this before."

"To be honest I didn't really listen to what you had to say before." She shrugged nonchalantly.

Ouch. The boy thought, feeling as if a knife had gone right through him. He knew he hadn't been very successful in the beginning, but not to the point where she didn't even listen to him.

"Well, I am the captain, and the strategist too! If you think about it, it's kind of like chess."

The girl let out a scoff. "I really don't think so."

Oikawa pouted some more. "Yeah it is. You have to observe every movement, know your strengths and weak points, and pay attention to player psychology. It's harder than you'd think."

"I don't know anything about volleyball." The girl replied thoughtfully, moving her queen. "Checkmate."

"Ah, dammit!" The boy cried out, hanging his head like he did every time he lost. "I could teach you about volleyball, though!"

"I think I'll pass." The girl declined, putting her book away as the bus approached her stop.

"Why not?" He asked, disappointed. Part of him truly believed he was making some sort of progress.

"No offence, but I don't have the time." She shrugged, skipping towards the bus' doors.

"See you tomorrow!" Oikawa called out, but as usual, was met by silence.