The morning of Day 3 began with an air of uncertainty. The participants gathered in the grand hall, their eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation. Mr. A entered with a confident stride, his recent victory still fresh in his mind. Naki Kun followed closely, her usual anxious expression softened by a rare smile.

  “We’re on a roll,” Mr. A said, leaning toward Naki. “If we keep this up, we’ll win the entire Game of Love.”

  Naki nodded, though her confidence wavered slightly. “Let’s see what today brings first.”

  Across the room, Satsujin Sha sat calmly next to Aira Kun. His eyes scanned the hall, his sharp instincts already sensing that today’s game would be different. He had an advantage—he knew something the others didn’t.

  But the hall remained silent. There was no sign of the masked figure who usually announced the day’s challenge. The participants exchanged confused gnces, whispering among themselves.

  Suddenly, a crackling sound echoed from the speakers, silencing the crowd.

  “Good morning, participants,” the familiar voice of the masked figure rang out. “Today’s game will test not only your strategy but also your patience and intelligence. Prepare yourselves… for *The Chess Match.*”

  The announcement took everyone by surprise. The tension in the room skyrocketed as the masked figure continued.

  “The rules are simple. Each team will face off against their opponents in a game of chess. The teams that win will earn the opportunity to kiss their partner. Only two teams will emerge victorious. Strategy, precision, and wit will determine the outcome. You may begin.”

  Rows of chessboards were swiftly arranged across the room. The participants paired off, with each male pyer representing his team on the board while their partner sat beside them, offering silent support.

  Satsujin Sha’s eyes gleamed with quiet confidence as he took his seat across from his opponent. Aira Kun leaned in close, her voice barely a whisper. “Are you good at chess?”

  Satsujin smirked. “Better than most.”

  On the other side of the hall, Mr. A settled into his seat with equal confidence. His eyes met Naki’s for a brief moment, and she nodded reassuringly.

  “Let’s crush them,” Mr. A said, his voice low and determined.

  The room fell into a focused silence as the games commenced. Pieces moved methodically across the boards, strategies unfolding with every turn.

  Satsujin Sha pyed with a calm, calcuted precision, his eyes never leaving the board. His opponent struggled to keep up, beads of sweat forming on his brow as Satsujin’s strategy became increasingly difficult to counter.

  “This is too easy,” Satsujin murmured under his breath, a sly smile pying on his lips.

  Meanwhile, Mr. A was locked in an intense battle with his opponent. His moves were bold and aggressive, each one forcing his opponent into a defensive position.

  Naki watched with bated breath, her eyes darting between the board and Mr. A’s focused expression.

  “You’ve got this,” she whispered.

  Piece by piece, Mr. A dismantled his opponent’s defenses. His final move was swift and decisive—checkmate.

  “We win,” Mr. A announced, leaning back in his chair with a victorious smirk.

  Not far away, Satsujin Sha was closing in on victory as well. His opponent, visibly flustered, made a desperate move that left his king vulnerable. Satsujin seized the opportunity without hesitation.

  “Checkmate,” he said, his voice calm and controlled.

  Aira cpped her hands, her face glowing with excitement. “We did it!”

  Satsujin stood, offering her a rare, genuine smile. “Of course we did.”

  With the chess matches concluded, the masked figure returned to the speakers.

  “Congratutions to the winning teams: Satsujin Sha and Aira Kun, and Mr. A and Naki Kun. You have earned the right to kiss your partner.”

  The participants watched in anticipation as the two victorious teams stepped forward.

  Mr. A turned to Naki, a confident glint in his eye. Without hesitation, he leaned in and kissed her, his lips meeting hers in a bold, passionate moment. The room erupted in cheers and appuse.

  Satsujin Sha, ever composed, gnced at Aira. For a split second, their eyes locked, an unspoken understanding passing between them. Then, with a slow, deliberate movement, Satsujin leaned in and pressed his lips to Aira’s in a kiss that was intense yet surprisingly tender.

  The kiss lingered just long enough to draw gasps from the onlookers. When they finally pulled apart, Aira’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes wide with surprise and exhiration.

  “Well,” Satsujin said, his voice low and teasing, “that was worth the win.”

  Aira smiled, her heart racing. “I’d say it was.”

  As the crowd dispersed, the victorious teams basked in their success. But beneath the surface, the dynamics of the Game of Love had shifted once again.

  Satsujin Sha and Mr. A had proven themselves formidable contenders, their rivalry growing ever more intense. The stakes were higher than ever, and the lines between strategy and genuine emotion were beginning to blur.

  The day ended with a renewed sense of purpose for all the participants. But for Satsujin Sha and Mr. A, the game was far from over. The next challenge loomed on the horizon, promising to push them even further into the depths of love, deception, and desire.