Inside the Room
The door opened.
She stepped in.
And saw him.
Ansh sat casually on the couch, one arm resting lazily on the armrest, as if he owned not just the room—
but everything around it.
His gaze shifted toward her.
And paused.
A faint smile appeared.
"Finally."
He leaned forward slightly.
"I was starting to think you'd refuse."
She raised an eyebrow slightly.
"And miss an exclusive interview?"
She smiled.
"That wouldn't be very smart of me."
Ansh chuckled.
"Smart."
"I like that."
Rudra, standing at the side, silently looked away.
This is going to be troublesome…
Ansh gestured toward the seat across from him.
"Sit."
She walked forward gracefully and took her seat.
Then placed her microphone on the table.
"Before we begin…"
She looked directly at him.
"My name is Riya Sen."
Ansh's smile widened slightly.
"Riya…"
He repeated softly.
"…Nice name."
Riya maintained her professional smile.
"Thank you."
A brief pause.
Then—
she leaned forward slightly.
"So, Mr. Ansh…"
"Former World Champion."
Her eyes sharpened.
"Returning after all these years…"
"Facing the current champion…"
She tilted her head slightly.
"…Are you confident?"
Ansh looked at her for a moment.
Then—
he smiled.
Not arrogantly.
Not playfully.
But with something deeper.
Something dangerous.
"Confident?"
He leaned back.
"…No."
Riya blinked.
"…No?"
Ansh's eyes gleamed faintly.
"I'm certain."
Silence filled the room.
Riya held his gaze for a moment.
Then—
slowly—
she smiled.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Behind them—
Rudra stood silently.
But inside—
he already knew.
This "interview"—
was going to be anything but normal.
Riya adjusted her posture slightly and signaled the cameraman.
"Rolling in three… two… one…"
The small red light blinked on.
Instantly, her entire demeanor shifted.
Professional.
Sharp.
Focused.
"Good evening," she began smoothly, her voice carrying confidence and clarity, "this is Riya Sen, reporting live from the Grand Velaris Hotel, where we have with us a very special guest—former World Champion, the man known for his undefeated campaign, Ansh."
She turned slightly toward him, her expression composed.
"Mr. Ansh, thank you for taking the time."
Ansh leaned back casually, a faint smile on his lips.
"For you?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"Always."
Riya's expression didn't break—but there was the slightest pause.
Just a fraction.
Then she continued as if nothing happened.
"After years away from the spotlight, you've suddenly returned for a match against the current World Champion."
Her eyes locked onto his.
"Why now?"
Ansh looked at her for a moment.
Not the camera.
Not the room.
Just her.
"Hmm…"
He leaned forward slightly.
"Maybe I got bored."
A pause.
"Or maybe…"
His gaze softened just a little.
"…I was waiting for the right reason to come back."
Riya raised an eyebrow slightly.
"And that reason is?"
Ansh smiled.
Slightly.
Playfully.
"Still deciding."
Riya exhaled quietly through her nose.
Smooth.
She adjusted her grip on the microphone.
"Many believe the current champion has surpassed your level."
Her tone sharpened slightly.
"They say the sport has evolved… that your absence has made you outdated."
She leaned in just a little.
"What do you think about that?"
Ansh chuckled.
Soft.
Unbothered.
Then—
he leaned closer.
Closer than necessary.
"So many opinions…"
His voice dropped slightly.
"…but none of them matter."
Riya held her ground.
Professional.
But she could feel it—
He was doing it on purpose.
Closing the distance.
Playing with the tension.
Ansh continued,
"The only thing that matters…"
His eyes locked onto hers.
"…is what happens in the ring."
A brief pause.
Then he added quietly—
"And I don't lose."
For a moment—
the room felt still.
Riya blinked once.
Then recovered instantly.
"Confident words."
Ansh smirked.
"You like confidence?"
Riya didn't miss a beat.
"I like results."
Ansh leaned back slightly.
"Good."
A pause.
"Then you'll enjoy the match."
Riya suppressed the urge to smile.
Barely.
She shifted to the next question.
"Your opponent is known for his aggressive style and overwhelming strength."
She crossed one leg over the other, maintaining composure.
"Any strategy you'd like to share?"
Ansh watched her for a second.
Then—
his gaze dropped briefly.
Then returned.
"Oh, I have a strategy."
Riya tilted her head.
"And that is?"
Ansh leaned forward again.
This time—
even closer.
"Win."
A pause.
Riya stared at him.
"…That's it?"
"That's enough."
Their eyes locked.
For a second longer than necessary.
Then—
Riya broke it.
Professional again.
"Some say this fight could redefine your legacy."
She continued smoothly,
"If you lose—"
"I won't."
He interrupted.
Calm.
Certain.
Riya paused.
Then smiled faintly.
"…You really don't like that possibility, do you?"
Ansh tilted his head slightly.
"I don't entertain impossible scenarios."
Another pause.
Then—
he added softly,
"Like you walking away from this interview unimpressed."
Riya's fingers tightened slightly around the microphone.
Just slightly.
This man…
She cleared her throat lightly.
"Let's stay on topic."
Ansh smiled.
"I am."
That almost made her break character.
Almost.
She quickly moved on.
"Final question."
Her tone steadied again.
"What should the audience expect from this match?"
Ansh looked at her.
Longer this time.
Then—
he spoke slowly.
"They should expect…"
A brief pause.
"…a reminder."
Riya's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Of what?"
Ansh's lips curved faintly.
"Of why my undefeated campaign wasn't luck."
Silence.
The kind that lingers.
Then—
Riya straightened.
"And that's all for today."
She turned toward the camera.
"This is Riya Sen, reporting live—"
"Wait."
Ansh interrupted softly.
Riya paused.
The camera was still rolling.
She looked at him.
"…Yes?"
Ansh leaned slightly closer again.
Just enough to make it noticeable.
"You forgot something."
Riya frowned slightly.
"…What?"
Ansh smiled.
"That I agreed to this interview…"
A slight pause.
"…because it was you."
For a split second—
her composure cracked.
Just a little.
Then—
she quickly recovered and turned back to the camera.
"…We'll be back with more updates soon."
"Cut."
The cameraman lowered the equipment.
The recording stopped.
And the room—
finally relaxed.
Riya exhaled softly and leaned back slightly.
"…You do this with every reporter?"
Ansh smirked.
"No."
A pause.
"Just the interesting ones."
Riya shook her head lightly.
A faint smile forming despite herself.
"Unbelievable…"
From the side—
Rudra stood silently.
But inside—
he sighed again.
This is going to be a long stay…