MM   () ( hmph. ) ()

MM   () ( you grew your hair out. ) ()

You turn back to the bar, mindlessly swirling your drink. It's the sweetest, fruitiest one here, but it's still too strong. You can still feel the eyes. The whispering voices.

Worst of all, you're too aware of his low chuckle as he takes a seat on a stool next to you.

GF   I did.

GF   You like it?

MM   () ( hardly. ) ()

MM   () ( it needs better maintenance. ) ()

MM   () ( i still see those troublesome stray curls. ) ()

GF   No need. I like them there.

He takes a cursory look at the drinks on the shelves. Rather than flatter him by looking directly, you simply sneak some glances his way. You pretend to be preoccupied with your drink in the meantime.

GF   But thank you for noticing, Madame.

GF   You look good yourself.

You roll your eyes. You're just wearing a neat-fitting blouse and some jeans. Nothing that screams the beautiful Mimi. Nothing truly worthy of her.

All so you could go unrecognized in a filthy place such as this. To get away from all the riff-raff. You would debase yourself this much for some mental peace, and somehow, he still managed to find you.

GF   You are taking care of yourself well.

MM   () ( shut up fop. ) ()

GF   What? It's the truth.

GF   You look good both in and out of a gown.

GF   Ah, that is to say, in any clothing ~

MM   () ( dont you ever give it a break? ) ()

GF   Why do you say that?

Done gazing at the selection, he leans towards you. His hand rests lazily on his cheek.

GF   Forgive me, but I thought The Princess enjoyed her praise ~

MM   () ( worshipped and idolized yes. ) ()

MM   () ( toyed with by a dirty sultry tongue? ) ()

MM   () ( unnecessary. ) ()

MM   () ( whatever you think your words can do... ) ()

MM   () ( it is less than nothing to me. ) ()

You finally meet his eyes to serve a glare. But all he serves back is that stupid, stupid smile.

GF   You've always had such a way with words.

You huff, your eyes darting around for something, anything to distract you from escalation. Spying the drink in front of you, you grab it and take the longest sip you can muster.

MM   () ( fff...! ) ()

MM   () ( kkch. ) ()

It barely lasts a second; choking down such burning liquid is sheer torture. But you would never admit that, especially to him.

GF   That didn't look pleasant.

MM   () ( sh... shove off. ) ()

MM   () ( not all of us are lowly drunkards like you. ) ()

GF   Even I know my limits, mon cher.

MM   () ( like you have any to speak of. ) ()

You swallow enough to dispel as much of the liquid from your mouth as possible, and you level your voice once more.

MM   () ( so what are you doing here? ) ()

MM   () ( i suppose youre searching for your next conquest. ) ()

GF   Non, not at all.

GF   I was merely intrigued by this place's offerings.

GF   Though the food is tolerable, I've heard great things about their bar.

GF   Does that answer satisfy?

MM   () ( you could just order it with your damn prize money. ) ()

GF   Ah, but an atmosphere is part of the experience.

GF   I'm always eager to expand my palate.

GF   Very little can truly... sate me. You know ~?

Your drink lands on the counter with a clatter.

MM   () ( why do you do that? ) ()

GF   Do... what ~?

You fix your gaze squarely on him. There's a nuance to his expression that betrays genuine surprise. Good. To catch him off guard is to take control over the conversation.

MM   () ( that. ) ()

MM   () ( those annoying little lilts in your voice. ) ()

MM   () ( as if youre just about to burst into song. ) ()

GF   Ah. That's it?

GF   Then, would you like a serenade, M-

MM   () ( no! ) ()

MM   () ( urghh. thats what im talking about! ) ()

MM   () ( the flirting. the madames. the ~allure~ you put on. ) ()

MM   () ( why would you ever think id be fit for any of it? ) ()

MM   () ( why dont you spin your tricks with someone who believes it? who gives a damn? ) ()

You've raised your voice much louder than intended. Thankfully, this establishment is already buzzing with volume, so the only eyes you draw are his.

He, on the other hand, is deathly silent. When he speaks up again, it's slow, with deliberation.

GF   Kagami, if you truly desire it,

GF   I will stop.

Stop? Has he gone mad?

MM   () ( when have you ever cared about what i truly desire? ) ()

MM   () ( dont act like it was ever anything more than a game to you. ) ()

GF   Yes, it was a game.

GF   With many others, but mostly between ourselves.

GF   And you may think that because I've 'won', I have nothing more to ask of you.

GF   But... there is no game with what I do now.

GF   And much of what I've done before.

MM   () ( so you say. ) ()

GF   But if you have no wish to speak with me,

GF   I will grant you peace from myself.

Peace. He utters the word as if it drips with nectar and honey. Separation from his presence and touch would be a weight relieved. It would allow you to move on from all of this. It would be...

Surrender. Admitting that he had succeeded in influencing your feelings, which would be giving him too much credit. You won't forget how you fell for too many of his acts, when everything was on the line. He may wax poetic about what he felt was real and that the competition only served as a tumultuous backdrop for it, but you know him, for better or for worse. And as long as he speaks, he will play tricks.

So, you won't do as he suggests. You won't show him that he got to you.

MM   () ( you think a deal like that would satisfy me? ) ()

GF   Kagami, I -

MM   () ( cease your needless pity. ) ()

MM   () ( you could never shake me. you never have. ) ()

MM   () ( so dont act like i could somehow not handle your presence. ) ()

GF   Ah. I see.

GF   Forgive me for... making assumptions, then.

Assuming that you can be played just as easily as the others? You despise him for thinking so lowly of you.

MM   () ( i just dont understand why. ) ()

MM   () ( its difficult enough trying to act incognito. ) ()

MM   () ( that show put a curse on us. making us so known. ) ()

That's why he's wearing those infuriating sunglasses and a jacket that's much too big for him. It's why he's not singing loudly at the karaoke bar, or 'amiably' ordering everyone a round. It's all to hide the honorable Champion from the masses. And it makes you sick.

MM   () ( yet youre still playing the part you always do. ) ()

MM   () ( as if none of it ever ended. ) ()

MM   () ( how can you keep it up? does it not get exhausting? ) ()

He raises an eyebrow, thoughtful.

GF   You are... perceptive, Madame.

GF   Yes, I cannot deny much of what you claim.

GF   It seems you find me mysteriously alluring, still.

You scoff and turn to him, jabbing a finger into his stupid chest.

MM   () ( i find you puzzling and absurdly strange. ) ()

You must prove that looking at him, touching him, won't affect you like he wants.

MM   () ( there is no prize to be won. not anymore. ) ()

MM   () ( what have i done to deserve your capricious libidinous presence? ) ()

MM   () ( what is the game youre playing now? ) ()

MM   () ( why? why do you insist on doing this to me? ) ()

He grabs that hand before you can return it to your side. Then, he’s closer, closer than he should be, and his voice is low and husky, and his sunglasses are tilted down, and he’s looking at you through those insufferably gorgeous eyelashes of his.

You stay rooted to your spot even when you start to smell that damn perfume, because you won’t let him think he’s doing anything to you. Why did he bother disguising himself when his smell identifies him so thoroughly? Why does he do anything?

GF   If you can believe it, Kagami...

He licks his lips. But you don’t let your eyes flicker down at them. Because you could never forgive yourself if he knew.

GF   I enjoy seeing you unravel.