The Chess Match

Chapter 15

-L/L-

"Alright Student Council members!" Milly shouted as soon as Lelouch walked into the room. "Today's the first day in at least a month that everyone is here, so we're going to take advantage of it!"

Lelouch looked around and to his surprise, Milly was right. He hadn't expected Kallen and Suzaku to sit so civilly across a table from each other. They both looked at him, Kallen with a bit of strange fascination that seemed to reflect her newfound knowledge of Zero, while Suzaku smiled warmly.

Lelouch actually hadn't expected Kallen to show up at school ever again. That Light had returned the day before was only half unexpected… Light was brash enough to flaunt his arrogance, and brainy enough to convince Suzaku of some plausible lie for showing up with the Black Knights. But Kallen? Had Light secured her freedom to attend school as well? It didn't seem like the Japanese boy to be so generous. So what did he gain from it? He would need to ask her about it later back at headquarters. It was a bit of relief that he would simply be able to do so without trying to hide his motivations.

He smiled at Milly and took a seat at the table. "I guess it is very rare for all of us to be in one place, isn't it?"

Shirley replied, "Well, between you skipping class, Suzaku's work for the military, Rivalz's part-time job, Kallen's weak body, and Nina's research… really, Lulu, you're the only one without a decent excuse."

He winced at the orange-haired girl. "You miss meetings for swim club, too, you know."

"Which is totally legitimate!" Shirley retorted.

"Now, now," Rivalz said, trying to calm them down with a hand wave. "No need for a lover's quarrel here."

"I-it's not that!" Shirley answered quickly, her face heating up into a blush.

Lelouch watched her react in the same way she always had… and then felt suddenly sad, realizing that Shirley's feelings for him were still there. He didn't really know how she had fallen for him again—after everything he'd done to avoid her and just treat her politely… what did he do wrong? He sighed, but hid it well by looking up to Milly. Her blue eyes were already on him and he knew she was thinking of being a matchmaker again. "So what is the plan then, Miss President?"

"It's good that you asked, Lelouch," Milly intoned pleasantly, and Lelouch had another sinking feeling in his gut that it was going to be something he needed to work a lot for… and with the School Festival just days away. "We're going to hold a challenge!"

There was a pause in the clubhouse. It was Suzaku who was finally brave enough to break it, and ask the question everyone else was thinking.

"What sort of challenge?"

Milly smirked. "Well, I was thinking about how much everyone seemed to like the contests Lelouch and Light were having. Since it's still spirit week as we're leading up to the Festival… we can hold a fundraiser that's also a challenge."

Lelouch swallowed. He knew it; this was going to involve a lot of work for him in particular. Even if Light could get away with it by not being a part of the Student Council, Lelouch would be required—no, coerced was a better word—into being a participant in the challenge. But he had so many other things to do! The Black Knights were taking up more time than ever and he really wanted to spend more time with the stolen Knightmare Frame Gawain. He'd decided it would be his—and a second seat could be used by C.C. if needed—and really wanted to practice drills so he wouldn't embarrass himself. Lakshata would kill him if—

"So we're raising money for the school?" Shirley asked sweetly, drawing Lelouch out of his thoughts. "That sounds fun!"

That's because Milly won't make you do anything crazy, dangerous, or difficult, Shirley, Lelouch thought. Why did Milly like to pick on him so much?

"Um, what kind of challenge will we be doing?" Kallen asked, her soft voice curious. "Riding horses? Chess matches?"

Milly shook her head. "Nope. Those were already done, so no one wants to see that again. I think we should have a cooking competition!"

She looked right at Lelouch. "You'll obviously be competing."

"Yes, Miss President." There really wasn't much else he could say.

"But since I'm nice, I'll let you pick one other person to help you out. Kallen, do you think Light will agree to this challenge? He can also pick someone to help him."

Kallen looked a little shocked, but smoothed her features. "Um, yeah, sure. I mean, I can ask him."

"Milly?" It was Suzaku, a frown that marked concentration spreading across his face. "Why Light as the other competitor?"

"Why not? Everyone came out to see their last contest. They're already established rivals." Her eyes twinkled, and Lelouch knew she was up to something more. "Apparently, Lelouch is also your rival, Kallen."

"What?!" Shirley was first to respond.

"Huh?" Suzaku said, his confusion mingling with Kallen's following words.

"Do you mean—" she began, her eyes widening in horror at Lelouch.

"Milly, you've got to stop spreading that around!" Lelouch retorted hotly. Of course, that one misunderstanding a month ago in the clubhouse and now Milly teased him about it every time she wanted to convince him to be with Shirley. He was definitely not interested in any romance from Light, and even seeing him with Kallen made his gut wrench uncomfortably. Light was dangerous in ways beyond just sneakiness and terrorism… he was completely untrustworthy, linked to Kira, and a competition about who lied more easily would be more appropriate. Unfortunately, Lelouch couldn't exactly say that. So he lied instead. "I'm sure Kallen and Light are very happy together and I wouldn't want to get in the way for either of them."

Kallen's slight frown didn't change altogether, and Lelouch wondered if she was thinking of his words on the island. He hoped so.

"Well, I don't think it would harm anyone for the two of you to resume your rivalry with a cooking competition," Milly responded easily. "We'll raise money by charging admission, tastings, and we can take bets as well on the winner. Rivalz, you can be in charge of that part since you're so used to gambling with Lelouch."

"Why do I feel like that's an underhanded compliment, Prez?" he asked, slumping further down into his seat.

"Nina, can you make sure to get all the ingredients, as well as a few extra to spice things up, once we have the theme? Just be sure to stay within budget."

Nina nodded, her green braids swinging gently. She pushed up her glasses. "Um, do we have a budget for this yet?"

"Well, we have still have the money that the hotel refunded us after the last field trip… and whatever we raise from the auction."

"Ooh, can I make team aprons?" Shirley asked. "I got really good at making them for the swim club since we always do a café for the Festival and I've already finished the ones for swim club."

"What a good girl. Of course you can. You'd better make them say Team Lelouch and Team Light, don't you think?" Milly replied.

Shirley turned to the red-head. "Kallen, can you ask Light his favorite color? And ah," she continued looking sideways to Lelouch, "your favorite color is purple, so I can make that your team color."

Lelouch smiled back at her, his heart somehow melting and breaking at the same time. How did she know that again? He pushed the feeling aside roughly and looked away. He couldn't afford to repeat his past mistakes at Shirley's expense. He felt Milly watching him. "That'd be fine."

"So, any ideas on who you'd like to be your partner?" Milly asked.

Lelouch closed his eyes in contemplation. He knew immediately who would be best for him, but wasn't sure if he could really… well, he had to. He had to work past Zero's feelings on the constant betrayals he was going through. He was Lelouch right now, not Zero, and Lelouch would pick his best bet in order to beat Light.

And he really wanted to beat Light, he realized.

"Suzaku, you'll be on my team."

"Huh? I mean, um, thank you, but I don't know if I'll be free since my being here depends on Zero…" Suzaku trailed off, looking legitimately upset.

"Just tell that Princess of yours what you want, and I'm sure she'll make sure you have the day off," Lelouch replied dryly. Only two people in the room would really understand why Lelouch could be so sure about that. He saw Milly smile in his peripheral vision while Suzaku, directly in front of him turned almost imperceptibly darker. Blushes didn't show up as well with his skin tone, but Lelouch knew how to recognize them.

"Well, I guess I can ask," Suzaku answered, his face still unsure.

For his part, Lelouch could ensure Suzaku's availability by not scheduling anything as Zero. There was nothing he and Suzaku couldn't do together, he knew. They would crush Light's team, and laugh like they used to. He'd ensure Nunnally as a judge, just a quiet word to Milly would do it. And then maybe, just maybe he could still convince Suzaku to take care of Nunnally—maybe even Euphie could visit and cheer up his little sister when she missed him—maybe Euphie would leave Area 11 and whisk both Suzaku and Nunnally safely away from the war—maybe… maybe… maybe….

Maybe he could leave Ashford after the cooking contest.

-L/L-

"You mean you already knew about the contest?" Kallen was flabbergasted. She turned in the path, walking backwards a few steps so she could look directly at Light. The leafy trees settled dappled shadows across her face.

Light nodded. "I asked her opinion on what the event should be. I didn't really want to be thrown into another fence… but I didn't expect her to turn it into a fundraiser. She said Lelouch has seemed busy lately and I figured Milly would be able to make sure Lelouch didn't use any foul play." He didn't tell her that Milly had implied Lelouch was depressed more than busy. He had been able to read it on the President's musing face, and for some reason, Light didn't like the idea that something else was making Lelouch depressed or unhappy. It meant Lelouch was preoccupied with something else, and found it easy to ignore him.

Kallen mumbled an agreement, and found a bench to sit at. Light looked around suspiciously, but there was no one around. Kallen being vaguely inarticulate was unusual; she normally had no qualms about sharing her opinions, especially with Light. Did Kallen actually…? Even though most of the school's female population loved Lelouch—which was why Light agreed to the fundraiser to beat the dark-haired teenager—he hadn't thought Kallen to be infatuated with the Vice President as well. Didn't she prefer Japanese men?

Well, it only gave him another reason to win the cooking contest. Not that he was likely to lose. Cooking was simple chemistry, and he'd always had a knack for it.

"Well, who are you going to pick as your second?" Kallen asked, picking up the thread of the conversation again. The way she said it made it sound like an old-fashioned duel. Light sat down next to her on the bench, putting an arm over the back of it to lightly brush against Kallen's shoulders.

Of course, picking a member of the cooking club would likely ensure a win, but he didn't want to seem desperate. Really, if he wanted to make a good impression, he should pick… "You, of course." He smiled at her, looking deep into her eyes.

Kallen frowned, not reciprocating the look. "Really?"

"You don't want to do it? You don't seem like you'd be a bad cook." Light pulled himself back a little. He hadn't expected any kind of refusal. And Kallen was really the best choice for him. She was a member of the Student Council and his girlfriend. He would look like he cared about her more than about winning. Even if that wasn't entirely true and he wanted more to crush Lelouch some more. But it looked like even Kallen didn't quite believe he liked her more than winning, or perhaps she wanted him to win more than be with her. Or was she afraid of losing to Lelouch? Her eyes were still clouded, and Light couldn't figure out what her lowly reasoning was.

"Well… I'm not a bad cook. But Lelouch is really really good."

Light took his turn to frown at her and removed his arm from the bench. "So you're taking his side?" He didn't like the implications. Why was Kallen being so reticent? Why had her demeanor changed when the topic shifted to Lelouch?

"It's not about sides, Light. I want you to win… I just… don't know if I'd be the best to help you. I've told people I'm allergic to a lot of foods," Kallen finally admitted.

Light sighed. So that was it. Kallen was irritating him a lot today and if he thought about it, it wasn't just today. Today was just her refusal to cook with him. Several days ago, she had nearly gotten him killed, and only Light's quick thinking had turned the situation advantageous for him. It seemed as if he had used Kallen as much as he could… what else would she be able to give him? Her loyalties to Zero clearly trumped her interest in him, and it seemed like she might be starting to look at other men as well. That simply wouldn't do. She was pretty and had done a decent job with her double life—more than most others could, he was sure—but she was starting to hold him back. She had gotten him inside the Black Knights, but wouldn't be able to get him any further in his search. He was the one who had gotten himself in the good graces of a Princess and her Knight, using what Kallen had given him as a stepping stone. It wasn't time to cut ties yet, but it was time to put the beginning of the end into play.

"I guess I'll have to find someone else then," he replied, not hiding much of his irritation. "Who would you suggest?"

"Hmmmm, well… you could pick someone from the cooking club. Rivalz is actually a decent cook too."

Light stood abruptly, pretending like her lack of care was offensive. "If I can't have you, then I don't want someone just 'decent' if I'm going up against Lelouch. Don't you have any friends in the cooking club?"

Kallen shook her head slowly, not looking nearly upset enough as Light felt she should. He couldn't believe that she was really starting to lose interest in him already, or at least not jumping into his arms as soon as he asked. Light knew what Kallen was capable of; if she even thought Zero wanted someone dead, she'd volunteer even if it meant her execution the next day. And here she didn't want to be seen near foods she had lied about being allergic to? Because Light was the one that had asked. Her fanatical loyalty was not to him. No only was it irksome, but it could become dangerous if she felt Light's ideals didn't align with Zero's. It really was time for their partnership to end.

"Well, I'll go ask them then. I'll see you tomorrow. Excuse me." He turned and strode off, not looking back at his red-headed girlfriend.

-L/L-

He could see Second Princess Cornelia facing the screen. The gothic L reflected in each of her purple eyes.

"The payment has been wired to your account, detective," she said succinctly, as fierce as ever, but then she softened for a moment, looking down. "You were correct and my sister was returned to us alive and well." When her eyes lifted, she was the Viceroy again.

"That's not all I actually have for you, your highness," L said, his voice deep and disjointed from the vocal distortion program. He saw her frown, her oddly delicate eyebrows pulling together.

"It's not like you to give away information for free, L." It was a statement with an edge as sharp as a sword.

"Please continue watching the screen." He flicked a few keys on his laptop a few hundred miles away and pulled up the satellite picture Watari had taken for him. He doubleclicked the image to make sure it was the correct one, then dragged it into a message service set to Cornelia's personal computer. It was the one she was using to speak with him now.

He watched the light change on her face as the image appeared in place of the black on white L.

"What… what is this? What is the meaning of this?!" Cornelia snarled, her face twisting into rage, and even though L was safe in the Black Knight's submarine, he had to fight the urge to sit back as her face loomed closer to his camera.

"You'll see the date and time stamp in the corner. I promise it has not been doctored."

She hissed in her breath, but seemed to regain some control as her eyes flicked around the scene on her monitor.

The image was surprisingly clear even though taken from such a distance. It had been remarkably dry and cloudless during the day. The darker leafiness of the forest took up the upper half of the picture, but the sandy shoreline and a line of incoming waves stretched along the bottom. And three figures populated the shore. Even from the distance, one was unmistakably Princess Euphemia, looking like a vaguely half pink and half white circle from above. The other two were darker and more oval than round.

The official story, however, from the Princess never mentioned anyone besides her Knight next to her until the very end. From Cornelia's reaction, it was clear that Euphemia was hiding something from her big sister. The only people on that side of the island besides the Princess and her Knight had been the Black Knights… and Zero himself.

It begged the question: who was the third figure?

L watched the Viceroy go through the same thought processes he had in the moment he had first seen the picture.

"Thank you. I see I have some investigating of my own to do, detective," Cornelia bit off. She was pale and looked sick. "Please continue your good work."

The connection ended abruptly and L wondered if he had done the right thing. But he brushed it aside easily, wiped everything on his laptop clean and stowed it carefully away. It was almost time for Ryuuzaki's shift.

-L/L-

"Suzaku," Light called. The other Japanese boy turned to the side to face him. The sun was just starting to touch the horizon, a hazy orange gloom reflecting off windows throughout the settlement. Suzaku had his briefcase in hand and it was obvious he was leaving to head back to his barracks.

"You're just coming back to school?" Suzaku asked, a wary frown crossing his face.

Light shook his head. "Kallen and I went out to eat and talk, that's all."

Relief relaxed Suzaku's face and body posture. "Oh, that's good."

It must be strange to believe everything you're told, Light mused, but was glad Suzaku trusted him—this time, it wasn't even a lie. Whereas Kallen was holding him back and too willful for her own good, cultivating his friendship with Suzaku might bring Light higher now that Suzaku was Princess Euphemia's Knight. He so far seemed easier to manipulate as well, giving Light fewer headaches than his girlfriend currently was.

"I'm sure you've heard that I'm going to be competing against Lelouch in a cooking contest?" Light started, wanting to keep the conversation carefree for now. An idea had formed in his head since Kallen's dismissal. She was a stepping stone he'd already used; if he wanted to keep climbing higher, he needed to keep his eyes pointed upwards. Since he was friends of a sort with Suzaku, he might as well see how much he could use it. It would also be sure to scare Lelouch and Light hadn't seen enough of that lately.

Suzaku actually smiled. "Yeah, you've got your work cut out for you though. Lelouch is a really good cook!"

"So I've heard," Light retorted. "I'm beginning to think the competition is rigged to play to his strengths. Kallen won't even be on my team."

"Really?" Suzaku looked worried.

Light nodded. Time to test and put his thoughts into actions. "So, I'm glad I ran into you because I was wondering how I might be able to… well, beat Lelouch. Since it's also a fundraiser, I was thinking that if I could bring in more money, then it won't matter as much if I don't cook as well."

Suzaku looked puzzled. "I don't know how I could help with that. Besides, Lelouch picked me to be on his team. I'll be cooking against you, Light."

It threw a tiny wrench in Light's plans, but maybe… no, in fact, that would work better. "Oh, well, I wasn't going to ask you to cook on my team, just… do you think… I mean, I doubt it would work. Never mind. It was just a way to maybe still have fun even though I can't beat Lelouch at cooking itself."

Shutting down his idea without telling Suzaku what it was did exactly what Light intended. Suzaku was even more eager to help.

"I don't see why I can't help you out now. I'm only cooking with Lelouch during the competition." Suzaku's smile was gentle. "Just tell me what I can do."

Light seized his chance. "I was thinking you could ask Princess Euphemia if she wanted to cook with me."

Suzaku's expression went slack with astonishment.

Light plowed on ahead. "I mean, she's really nice even if she doesn't cook well and since you'll be there anyway to protect her, it shouldn't be a question of security. And she'll definitely help raise money for the school—everyone will likely turn out to watch her. And," he lowered his voice here, "it might be a good chance for us to talk about arranging the meeting without anyone knowing."

The last bit won him over, Light saw. Suzaku was nodding along. "I'll definitely ask her. This way, I won't have to be asking for time off from working to go myself, and I don't even know if I'm allowed time off…" he finished, laughing weakly. He stopped suddenly. "Oh, but…"

Suzaku bit his lip. "I don't know, Light, it might not work. There's… other things involved."

This was unexpected. Light didn't like the feeling of tasting the fruit of his plans only to find it souring on the vine. What other things would Suzaku think of besides security?

"What's wrong?" he asked. "Ashford is really secure."

Suzaku shook his head, and the dying sun glinted off his messy brown hair. "It's not that. It's… I'm sorry, I really can't tell you."

There was something else at work here and then it clicked into place. Why had it taken Light so long to realize it? The memory of eating dinner in a rose-filled courtyard came back to him, a soft voice telling him that Suzaku had been friends with both Lelouch and Nunnally for a long time. The article stating the unfortunate young prince and princess had died in the care of the Japanese government. Suzaku Kururugi, the only child of the most powerful man in that government. It all made sense. Suzaku knew Lelouch's secret as well and wanted to keep it hidden. It also meant that Lelouch and Princess Euphemia must have been fairly close as children if all that time growing up apart meant they would still easily recognize each other and Suzaku knew they would. Perhaps there was more Light could still learn from Lelouch… perhaps, this push would be just what it took to get Lelouch to let slip true names for the family he detested as least as much as Light did. Light would have two royal siblings to learn from if he played his cards right.

There was also the enticing idea that Suzaku was capable of keeping secrets from Princess Euphemia.

"You and Lelouch are really close, aren't you. Don't you think he'd like to see his sister?" Light asked carefully.

Green eyes widened into the perfect picture of shock. His mouth opened, then closed. "You… you know?"

Light nodded, giving them more of a shared secret. Light wondered if there was anyone else at the school who knew. Milly Ashford seemed likely now, her concern for Lelouch somewhat different from a crush. Light shrugged at the other Japanese boy. "But to be honest, I hadn't been thinking about it like that. I know he's in hiding, but surely, the Princess can keep it a secret… I mean, surely, she knows already right since you work for her? She's helping both Kallen and me, too. Maybe there will be a time when Lelouch and Nunnally won't have to hide. I bet your Princess can help make that day a reality."

Suzaku looked at the ground. "She… she doesn't know. Lelouch can be really stubborn. I'll have to ask him first. I'll let him know that you want Euphie on your team, but I won't tell him anything other than that it's because you want to help raise money—he won't agree for sure if he thinks it'll be a way for him to come out of hiding. But I'd really like that for him and Nunnally."

"I knew I could count on you, Suzaku. And if it doesn't work out, well, I'll figure something out for the contest with another partner. I just thought it could be worth a shot." Light smiled his most reassuring smile, even though he still found the hierarchy of relationships around Lelouch very strange. What was it really about Lelouch that seemed to make everyone want to do what he said? It made Light more determined to crush him in whatever way he could. Surely, with Euphemia there, Lelouch wouldn't be able to focus on cooking as well. And even if Lelouch still was the better cook, Light would have won a popularity contest by arriving with a Princess. And if he could manage any time alone with her, he was confident he would be closer to Kira's goals.

"Thanks, Light." He paused and seemed to consider Light thoughtfully. "You know, at first I thought you were cold and distant, and really arrogant because you wanted to prove you were just as good as the Britannians, but you actually care about people underneath it all, don't you. You want to do this because you want to help make the world a better place."

It was almost unnerving how Suzaku had cut straight to Light's life motto and purpose. But he just smiled and looked straight into Suzaku's green eyes, the halo of the sun silhouetting Light's reflection in those eyes. He felt like a benevolent god, acknowledging one of his follower's whispered prayers. "It's what everyone wants, Suzaku."

-L/L-

IT LIIIIIIVVVVEEEESSSSS.

I wrote this chapter (and a few others) back in the glorious first two weeks of Nanowrimo in 2014. Then I decided to take a weekend job—in addition to the 9-5 office job I had—and in addition to ending my first nano abruptly, I have never had a weekend off since then. I've also moved twice, as well as changed job fields to something I really, truly love, but is also about 60+ hours/week and very physical (no more pretending to work at a computer and be writing ff instead, hahaha). I still write when I can, but to avoid disappointing all you followers/reviewers, I told myself I wouldn't post any more new stories unless they were complete. Well, Chess Match sure as hell ain't new, so here it is! If I can get the next few chapters edited and filled in, then the truly new content will start halfway through chapter 18. So, I apologize in advance if the story sounds like someone else is writing it. That'll be the difference the years make.

Thank you for still reading, everyone!