They actually won.
Despite Zeno’s tragic 1 kill, 9 deaths, and 2 assists, his team had pulled off the impossible. The watchers had gone wild the moment the words “Victory” flashed on the screen. The chat exploded with disbelief. Bleach’s team had been backdoored by a total amateur!
“NO WAY,” one of the casters shouted.
– WHAT WAS THAT STRATEGY???
– 1-9-2. A new legend is born.
– Backdoored by a milky kitty. I’m crying.
– Zeno is freaking hilarious. Why did nobody tell me?
The team walked out of the gaming pods in a daze. Zeno was the only calm one among them.
Mimi was still blushing from excitement, and Hyunbin was being interviewed by a reporter about how their team had won.
They passed by the other teams, some stunned while some laughed in disbelief. Bleach had his arms crossed, nodding to Zeno, acknowledging the fluke. Deep inside, though, he wanted to cry.
“We guys are trending,” Jace chimed with glee.
Zeno lifted an eyebrow.
“‘Lacta Lynx carries while others fight,'” Jace read from his phone, unable to hold in his happiness.
“Right,” Zeno muttered. “I’m going to the bathroom.”
He walked off, the crowd still loud in the distance, still processing what just happened. He pushed through the backstage hallway, slipped past the crew members, and turned the corner toward the restroom.
That’s when he bumped into someone.
The man’s phone flew out of his hands, clattering to the floor.
“What the heck?” the man snapped, bending down to grab it.
Zeno stopped in his tracks, momentarily forgetting about his bladder.
“You’re not looking where you’re going,” the guy muttered.
“You’re the one not looking where you’re going,” Zeno retorted flatly.
The man straightened and turned, brushing his hair back with an annoyed sigh. “Seriously,” he paused when he saw who it was. “Oh. It’s you.”
Zeno stared at him without saying anything.
“You know who I am?” the guy asked, tone smug.
“Phoenix,” Zeno answered immediately.
Phoenix smirked, lifting his chin. “So it seems you do know me.”
“You’re famous,” Zeno added.
Phoenix couldn’t hide his smile now. He turned to the side and covered his mouth with the back of his hand.
“I’m glad you know,” Phoenix said, voice dripping with superiority. “Then you should also know, you can’t beat me in this game. So stop wasting your time.”
Zeno raised an eyebrow. That didn’t sound like a mere comment for the Star Collision. Instead, it felt like the ‘game’ he was talking about was something bigger.
It was weird how he said such words, though. It was their first time having a conversation.
Zeno tilted his head and asked a blunt question. “Who raised you?”
Phoenix frowned. “What?”
“Why are you like that?” Zeno added innocently.
There was a very subtle shift in Phoenix’s expression. A hesitation.
At that moment, Zeno found it strange how something in his chest ached.
Phoenix’s smirk vanished. “I don’t need you psychoanalyzing me.”
“I’m not,” Zeno said slowly, eyes narrowing. “You’re just acting spoiled. So, I was wondering if your parents raised you well.”
Phoenix looked away for a second, jaw tightening. Then, he turned back with a hard glint in his eyes.
“I’m going to destroy you in the finals,” Phoenix said, sounding angry. “That is, if you even make it far enough to be my opponent.”
Zeno exhaled through his nose. “Sure,” he said, calm and quiet despite the ache in his chest.
“We’ll see.”
Then Phoenix scoffed and walked away, game still open on his phone, thumbs already tapping.
Zeno watched him go before placing his hand over his heart.
Why did Phoenix make him feel this way?
***
The team had gathered again, crammed into their designated lounge in the Daebak building.
They had made it through the death match.
Somehow.
“Guys,” Jace exclaimed, capturing everyone’s attention,”we’re still trending right now.”
“Because of him,” Mimi grinned, nudging Zeno on the arm. “Zeno the Lacta Lynx.”
“Don’t call me that,” Zeno muttered, sipping from his bottle of water. “I don’t even like that character. Her milk is deceiving.”
“You backdoored Bleach’s team with one kill,” Jace laughed, hunched over his knees. “It’s the funniest thing that’s happened to this tournament.”
Zeno shrugged. “We won.”
“Exactly,” Jace cut in, standing. “Which is why we need to practice! Finals are on Saturday—we don’t have any time to waste!”
“Yes, please,” Mimi said. “We may actually have the chance to win.”
Jace nodded enthusiastically. “We didn’t have the time before because the death match was scheduled right away. But, with four days in our hands, we can improve as a team.”
Sangwon, who had been lounging in the back, yawned loudly. “I’m going to stop you right there, kid. We’re not practicing.”
Jace turned to him with furrowed brows. “Sir?”
Hyunbin, arms crossed like an old general, nodded solemnly. “There’s no use.”
“We trended already,” Hyunbin added. “That’s the objective for guys like us anyway. So, let’s end it with that, hmm? If we win, we win. If we lose, we lose. Let’s not waste any more time.”
Jace appeared frustrated, but he kept it in because he knew that these two were industry veterans. “We at least have to do some practice runs so we have a chance.”
“Sorry, kids,” Hyunbin said, rising from the couch. “I’ve got a radio appearance tomorrow.”
“And I’ve got a dinner with my ex-wife,” Sangwon added. “We’re busy.”
“We’re all busy,” Jace pointed out. “Zeno has a lot of gigs lined up. He’s been working nonstop since the beginning of the year.”
Sangwon glanced at Zeno, who just stared blankly back.
“Good for him,” Sangwon said with a grin. “Must be nice to be young and full of stamina.”
“We don’t even need the prize money anyway,” he added with a yawn before rising and standing next to Hyunbin, who had already put on his jacket. “See you later, kids. Good luck at the finals.”
With that, the two walked out of the lounge and slammed the door, leaving the three in silence.