New World with Four Husbands

Coco knew that the growth process of this world is different from hers, but seriously? How could Rey be taller than her? He was as tall as her shoulders just a couple of weeks ago!

Unable to control her expression, Coco ended up showing her grimace as Rey hummed to himself, showing a piece of new cardboard game.

"This here is the strongest one out of all the pieces, but you can't let any of the pieces corner them." Rey said, pointing at the red board piece that was in the shape of a circle, "They can take down every piece except for the same colored piece as them."

Still, even if Coco was a little upset that Rey grew too fast, she didn't dwell on it for too long.

Instead, she nodded her head to let Rey know that she's listening to his explanation, but she felt she would lose the game as quickly as possible because the mechanic of the game itself is similar to chess.

Coco sucks so bad at chess.

So bad that she refused to touch any chess board back on earth because it would remind her just how much she sucks.

She may have achieved the third rank regarding the honors among the students, does not mean that she is good at everything that requires brains to win.

So, yeah, chess is a big no for her, but just to make Rey happy? She may as well play one round.

"I'm excited!" Rey beamed at her, pearly white teeth flashing before her eyes, and leaned forward, "I just know that you will be good at this!"

"Sure." Coco hums, straightening her back.

With that, the first round started.

The strategic dance of the game was played out before them, each move met with a deep thought response.

Coco's eyes flitted between the board and Rey's face, her focus not fully on the game, but the game was intense enough because of the serious look on Rey's face.

Though, as they played, Rey's moves were calculated and precise, his every move executed with finesse, making it obvious for Coco that he's taking the game a little too seriously.

She felt bad, but chess is not really for her.

Coco moved her piece into a position that left her strongest piece exposed, her eyes flickering up to meet Rey's gaze.

"What? How did you lose? You were winning!" Rey gasped, flabbergasted beyond words as he leaned forward, staring at the board pieces with so much intensity.

Coco wanted to lose on purpose and that's what she did, her defeat became evident in the way her pieces fell.

She feigned frustration, her eyebrows furrowing to show her disappointment at her own loss, but deep down, she was secretly relieved.

Again, she had never been a fan of chess, and the game had simply been too intense for her liking so despite the loss, her sense of relief was overshadowed by the disappointment she pretended to feel.

"I don't know, but that was disappointing." Coco mumbled, letting her shoulder roll forward to keep her disappointment believable.

Rey felt confused as he looked at the board, his brow furrowing in confusion.

Coco had been on the verge of victory, the game already decided in her favor— how did this happen? His gaze flicked between the board and her face, searching for any sign of deceit or a mistake.

However, there was nothing to be found, the game ended as if by chance.

He frowned, his mind racing to find an explanation for her surprising defeat, and Coco could see the gears turning in his head so she let out a sigh, tapping the board to get his attention.

"I'm not much for this kind of board game." Coco confessed, her voice tinged with a hint of resignation as she gave Rey an apologetic smile, making sure that her expression looked as sincere as she could.

"How about we play something else?" Coco suggested, tilting her head.

Rey smiled and nodded, brightening up significantly, before he started cleaning up the board game pieces as he replied with a warm and friendly voice, "Sounds great."

"I've got a different game in my room that we could try. Let me just get it, okay? I'll be quick." He said and quickly gathered the game pieces into a small velvet pouch, his movements fast and poised.

He discarded the pieces back into their pouch and carefully placed that pouch back inside the case then left the living room, his footsteps growing faint as he ascended the stairs to the upper floor.

Coco let out a deep sigh, feeling a sense of relief wash over her as he disappeared from sight.

The tension in the room had lifted, the pressure of the game and the presence of Rey's upset gaze gone.

She rested her head on the back of the couch, closing her eyes and taking a moment to collect her thoughts, still can't wrap her head around the fact that the tall man in front of her a moment ago is the same little Rey she had befriended.

"You lost on purpose."

Coco's eyes snapped open at the sound of someone's voice, her body jolting upright in her seat.

She had thought she was alone, but now she realized that she wasn't, quickly turning her head to the direction of the voice, only to find Kairo standing in the doorway.

"You lost on purpose." Kairo said again, his tone quiet and matter-of-fact.

Coco's heart beat faster, her face betraying her surprise, her eyes widening as she stared at him, caught off guard, not expecting to be called out so quickly.

"I didn't." Coco mumbled, tearing her gaze away from Kairo, suddenly finding the surface of the table interesting.

"Sure." Kairo hums and walks over to the vacant seat on her right, taking a seat and keeping a composed expression as he silently leaned back on his seat.

"I'm back! I brought cards!" Rey announced, beaming.