Check

Tick...

Tock...

Tick...

Tock...

"Check." Chiaki said quietly when placing the black chess piece back on the board. Lelouch was startled for a moment, he was used to the white-haired girl not saying anything. He surveyed the chess board and indeed, he found himself in a pinch. But he stayed calm, he had enough time to change the situation. But the longer he stared at the board, the more options got crossed out. Chiaki watched with interest how Lelouch contemplated on his next move.

"There's only one move left." She confirmed his suspicions. "The question is, whether you'll take it or not."

Lelouch gave an irritating sigh. "What a stupid girl she is." 

"Indeed." Chiaki agreed, watching the clock that was placed exactly above their heads. The rhythmical ticking continued to fill in the silence.

"Why would she do this? Why go through things like this? Why does she let me play white?" Lelouch questioned, making Chiaki smirk.

"You know as well as I do why she lets you do this. I'm rubbish at chess. She hopes you'll win in the end." The white-haired girl said and Lelouch snorted.

"If I had been her, I would have let myself play black. She would've won ages ago. And even in terms of personality, you fit white more than I do." Chiaki laughed. It was a quiet and sad laugh.

"Yes, but you hate to lose. She does as well. And she does not want to lose this game. Besides, even she knows that deep down somewhere, you care enough to try your best for her."

"But it's her fault she is like that anyways!" Lelouch shouted in aggravation. "Look at this room! She's been discarding her personality, scrapping it to start anew without really letting go, drowning out things that make her her. She's losing herself and for what? Nothing at all!"

Chiaki smiled sadly. "Time is ticking, Lelouch. Looking back won't help. You've got one move. One move that will get you out of being constantly checked. One move that will not lead you to a sure check mate."

"She's hazing things up. She has already given up on the move. She doesn't think it'll come, she thinks that whatever I do, I'll end up in check anyway. She's waiting for the checkmate. She robbed the solution from me." Lelouch did not want to look at Chiaki at the moment.   

"It's about time, Lelouch." The white-haired girl said gently. "So..."

What's your move going to be?