Here We GOOO!

Jui walked next to Saka as they headed toward the Samjung Tower. The Strike Competition was going to be held in the Busan Esports Arena. Jui could hardly contain his excitement! He had spent years watching his idols on TV play against one another. He couldn't believe that he, an amateur gamer, was going to enter a competition...THAT WOULD BE AIRED ON TV!

Saka couldn't help but smirk at Jui as he giggled inside himself. Saka pulled his blow pop out of his mouth, nudging his head in Jui's direction.

"So, Kimi invited me to the carnival next weekend. If you don't have plans, wanna come?"

"Um..." Jui thought.

Jui turned away from Saka's inquisitive glance, suddenly beginning to count the cracks in the sidewalk. Jui almost forgot that Saka had a girlfriend. He had heard him speak about her on several occasions, but for whatever reason, each time he mentioned her name...it was as if his lungs were being choked. But what could he say? That instead he wished that they could spend the last day of summer together? That he knew when Kimi returned from vacation that Saka will no longer hang out with Jui as he was now?

Saka scratched the back of his head, trying to read Jui's silence. Why's he so...oh. Maybe if I mention that my friends are also tagging along, Jui will be more willing to come with...even if it's Maichi...

"Strangely enough, Maichi asked if he could tag along with us. He wants to get to know you more since we've been hanging out so much. Even my pal Tai is coming. So, who knows, maybe by the end of the summer we'll all be best buds."

Jui almost seemed more freaked by Maichi's name being mentioned. That was comforted by Saka's arm that slid over his shoulders.

"Don't worry, Jun. Maichi's bark is worse than his bite, but deep down, he's not a bad guy. I promise we will all have fun!"

Jui looked into Saka's bright eyes and couldn't help but say "ok" to him. He knew that Saka wanted everyone in his life to get along and Jui couldn't say no to giving that a try.

"Strike Competition sign up this way!!"

Saka released his hold of Jui, as they both heard a commotion up ahead. They had made it to the Samjung Tower as a stream of reporters gathered around the entrance, taking pictures of the competitors. The closer they got toward the flashing cameras, the more nervous Jui got. He had never been in such a scene before...it was all so foreign to him. Mics were shoved in his direction, he felt someone pull at his shirt, and the ringing questions all began to blur together.

However, that seemed to go away when Saka pulled him in. He took the questions like a champ, guiding them away towards the elevators. Jui couldn't do anything but look in amazement at his teammate. It was so easy for him...to talk in public. He seemed so cool when he smirked and said to a reporter:

"We are Team Fun. Our main goal is to show all of you at home that no matter what's thrown your way, you can always end the day with a smile."

Saka fiddled with the blow pop in his mouth, allowing the elevator to hiss shut as he leaned up against the back panel. Jui glanced over at him, his words ringing in his mind. Even in this moment, Saka ceased to amaze him.

The elevator stopped, the door opening to the registration floor outside of the Esports Arena.

"Well," Saka blared, stretching as if he was getting ready for a soccer match. "Let's GO!"

A large smile covered Jui's face. Saka's energy got him riled up and allowed him to regain his focus on the matches ahead! Team Fun walked to the sign in desk, signed their names side by side, and walked over to the viewing area to check out the current gameplay.

An enormous screen was displayed towards the audience. In front were two desks that faced one another for the team members. Each desk had its own PC and joystick and were lit in each teams' colors.

"Wow! This is amazing!" Jui exclaimed, hardly able to control himself.

The fans roared as the announcer documented major moves made by each team. Jui's eyes lit up just by watching the gameplay. Dodge, undercut, power-up, attack, recharge. He began to calculate each move, his eyes glued onto the match.

Jui's eyes sparkled, his mouth open in amazement as Saka looked over at him. Saka had never seen anyone so genuinely happy before. His family, friends, even Kimi didn't show him the same kind of warmth when they were with him. Instead, he felt like he was treading above water…just hoping to please them. Whether it was with school, sports, or choosing the right restaurant or birthday present. Saka was used to being yelled at, degraded to the point it was commonplace.

Saka smiles, turning away from Jui as he tosses the blow pop stick in the trashcan. He couldn't misplace that being with Jui was freeing. Saka smiled more now than he ever had because when he was with Jui, there was no judgement, no wrong answers, no bickering, no unhappiness...just joy.

He only wished he had come into his life sooner.