The sun rose on Day 4 of the Game of Love, casting a golden glow over the grand hall. The participants gathered once again, their anticipation palpable. Tension lingered in the air, especially between Satsujin Sha and Mr. A. The previous day’s chess match had only fueled their competitive spirits, and both men knew the stakes were getting higher with every passing game.

  At exactly 9:00 AM, the speakers crackled to life. The masked figure’s voice echoed through the hall.

  “Good morning, participants. Today’s game will test your chemistry and understanding of your partner. It is called The Dating Game. In this challenge, each couple will answer questions about each other. The goal is simple—show how well you know your partner. The team with the most accurate and heartfelt responses will be decred the winner.”

  Satsujin leaned back in his chair, a confident smirk curling at his lips. “This one’s ours,” he whispered to Aira.

  Aira nodded, her eyes gleaming with determination. “Let’s do this.”

  On the other side of the hall, Mr. A folded his arms, gncing at Naki. “We’ve got this in the bag,” he said.

  Naki smiled nervously. “I hope you’re right.”

  - The Game Begins -

  The couples were seated at separate tables with a screen pced between them. Each participant was given a set of questions about their partner. Their task was to answer as accurately as possible and see if their responses matched.

  Question 1: What’s your partner’s favorite food?

  Aira tapped her pen against the table, grinning. That’s easy. She quickly wrote down her answer: Spicy ramen.

  Meanwhile, Satsujin wrote the same answer with ease.

  Across the room, Mr. A hesitated. He gnced at Naki, trying to recall the countless conversations they had shared. Finally, he jotted down: Strawberry cheesecake.

  Naki smiled as she wrote down her answer: Strawberry cheesecake.

  Question 2: What’s your partner’s biggest fear?

  Satsujin paused for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he thought carefully. Aira doesn’t fear much, but...He scribbled down: Being abandoned by those she loves.

  Aira wrote the exact same answer, her heart skipping a beat as she gnced at him across the table. He knows me better than I thought.

  Mr. A, on the other hand, struggled. He couldn’t quite pinpoint Naki’s deepest fear, so he guessed: Spiders.

  Naki’s answer, however, was completely different: Failure.

  - The Final Question -

  The masked figure’s voice returned, signaling the st question.

  “For the final question, each participant must write a short description of why they love their partner. This response will be judged not only on accuracy but on emotional depth and sincerity.”

  Satsujin’s pen glided across the page with surprising ease. His words were raw, honest, and ced with an unexpected tenderness:

  “I love Aira because she’s fearless, unpredictable, and completely her own person. She makes the darkness bearable, and in her, I see the one person who understands me without trying to change me.”

  Aira’s heart raced as she read his response. Her own answer mirrored his intensity, capturing the essence of their bond.

  Mr. A’s response was polished and poetic, but something about it felt rehearsed. Naki’s answer, though heartfelt, didn’t quite match the emotional weight of her partner’s.

  - The Results -

  After an hour of deliberation, the masked figure returned to announce the results.

  “The winner of today’s Dating Game is... Satsujin Sha and Aira Kun!”

  Appuse filled the room as Satsujin and Aira exchanged triumphant smiles. Mr. A’s jaw tightened, though he forced a casual nod toward Satsujin.

  “Congratutions,” Mr. A said, his voice steady but ced with hidden frustration.

  Satsujin stood, wrapping an arm around Aira’s waist. “Thanks,” he replied coolly. “Better luck next time.”

  - A Moment of Victory -

  Later that evening, Satsujin and Aira sat beneath the stars in the garden outside the grand hall. The victory was sweet, but it was more than that—it was a moment of connection, a rare glimpse into the depths of their retionship.

  “You knew all those answers about me,” Aira said softly, her eyes searching his. “How?”

  Satsujin smirked, his voice low and intimate. “I pay attention. That’s what you do when someone matters to you.”

  Aira leaned in closer, her breath hitching. “Do I matter to you, Satsujin?”

  He didn’t answer with words. Instead, he cupped her face and kissed her again, slow and deep, the world around them fading into the background.

  For that fleeting moment, the Game of Love felt less like a competition and more like something real. But as the night grew darker, a question lingered in the back of Aira’s mind.

  *Was this just another part of the game—or something far more dangerous?*