.
Ayesha had kissed me hard, and just then, a flashlight flared from my right. I pushed her away instantly, and she tumbled back, looking stunned. "Why are you hurting me, Rio?" she gasped.
"Sorry, but someone just took our photo!" I shouted. Then, the flashlight flickered again, and a speaker blared my own voice back at me: "...I liked you back then... and maybe I still do." Ayesha started blushing furiously, but I was fuming. I sprinted toward the sound. There, hiding behind a tree, was that same driver—the one who's been stalking me and recording me for my sister.
"You! Do you have a death wish?!" I roared. He started fumbling with his camera and speaker, trying to disconnect them. I ran faster. "You've been following me since childhood, you creep! I'm not letting you go this time! I know Roy ordered this, but using a speaker to play my voice out loud? You've crossed the line!"
He scrambled away, leaving half his gear behind. One second he was there, the next he vanished like a ghost. I collapsed next to the abandoned camera, panting. Does this driver have a personal vendetta against me? Why is he always lurking? This has to be Ayesha's plan too, she's probably just acting innocent.
Ayesha ran up to me, breathless. "Rio! Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
"What are you planning now?" I snapped. "Why did you kiss me out of nowhere?"
"I haven't seen you in so long," she said softly, trying to compose herself. "I tried to control myself... I just wanted more time with you. But you keep trying to leave. Last time I tried this, you ran away. But today, you said you liked me... I just got swept away in the moment. I'm sorry."
"And what about that stalker?" I pointed at the gear.
She thought for a second. "I didn't know he'd go this far. He works for my brother, but Roy is being ridiculous. I didn't think he'd record your voice and play it back instantly. My brother's planning is too deep... I won't let him get away with this. He's bothering you too much. Come with me, I'll make him apologize. And don't worry, this recording won't reach anyone—especially not your sister."
I looked at the camera. "Should I just smash this? It won't even turn on."
"Give it to me," Ayesha said. "I'll use it as evidence to teach Roy a lesson. You should probably head home now, before he tries to record anything else."
"Aren't you going home? Your place is closer," I said, realizing she had planned everything ahead. I stood up, looking her straight in the eyes. "I'm sorry, but I really need to go home. But..." I couldn't stop myself. I stepped forward and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Rio? What are you doing?" she whispered.
"Sorry for all the trouble," I muttered. "Even if you didn't plan all this, it doesn't matter. But please, stop these weird stunts. It scares me... I don't want to end up hating you."
She hugged me back tightly. "I'm sorry. Everything is happening because I just want to be near you. I've been away for too long. I don't know how your sister got so close to you that I don't even have the courage to pull her away. I'm afraid of breaking you... or breaking her. I don't want to lose everything."
"Thanks for understanding," I said. Suddenly—FLASH! Another flashlight.
I started laughing like a maniac, pulling away from her. "I guess there's no saving me tonight. Take care of yourself. I'm leaving." I started walking away fast.
"Wait! Your house is 5 kilometers away! How will you get there?" she called out, catching up to me. "What's your final wish?"
"Marry me," she said with a grin.
"Stop joking! Seriously, what do you want?"
"Let me drop you home. Please?" she smiled.
As she grabbed my hand, another flashlight went off. I lost it. "HEY! YOU COWARD! SHOW YOUR FACE!" I screamed into the darkness, but there was no one. I ignored the stalker and got into the car with Ayesha.
She sat next to me as we drove toward my house. I leaned against the window, exhausted. "Are you sleepy?" she asked.
"My life has had enough drama for one day. I can't handle any more. I just want to sleep somewhere quiet. No noise, no drama."
"You can lean on my shoulder," she offered. "Or my lap."
"Fine," I grunted, resting my head on her shoulder. A golden scent filled the air, and I drifted off.
"Rio, we're here." Her voice woke me up. I sat up quickly, feeling embarrassed. "Sorry, your shoulder must be hurting."
"I'd keep you there for a lifetime," she teased. "Goodbye, Rio."
I scrambled out and headed for my door. It was 7:00 PM. Mom must be home. I rang the bell. The door opened, and standing there was—Roy.
I lost my mind. I grabbed his collar. "What is your problem, you coward?! I'm going to kill you!"
"Rio! What's wrong with you?!" Mom shouted from the background.
"He's been bothering me all day, and now he's in my house?!" I yelled at Roy.
"Bro, calm down," Roy said coolly. "Your journey starts today. Those were just little tests to prepare you. The world you're entering... you have to handle stuff like this."
"Go to hell! Take your game to the grave!" I barked.
"Big brother, you're finally home!" Ishika chirped, sitting there eating a pastry.
"Are you still eating? Haven't you had enough?" I snapped at her. She glared at me, hurt.
"Rio, why are you being so rude to your sister?" Mom stepped in, looking concerned. She put a hand on my forehead. "Your face is swollen. Are you sick?"
"I'm sorry, Mom. Sorry, Roy. Sorry, Ishika," I sighed heavily. "I just need to sleep. Nobody disturb me."
Roy grabbed my arm. "Rio, I need to talk to you. Just give me a few minutes."
I walked inside and saw boxes everywhere. "Mom, what's going on?"
"Your dad bought a new house!" she smiled. "Ishika and I saw it this morning. We're moving tomorrow. Your dad tried calling you, but your phone was off."
"And why is Roy here?"
"He's your best friend, Rio! He helped your dad with the apartment paperwork. It was stuck, but he cleared it. You should thank him."
I grumbled. "Fine. Just a misunderstanding. I'm tired."
"If you're in pain, should I call a doctor?" Roy asked.
"No! Just leave me alone!"
"Listen to him, Rio," Mom said. "He's been waiting since afternoon and helped us so much. Just hear him out."
She went into the kitchen. Roy handed me a gift. "It's the game manual. The basics you'll need. And... I'm sorry for today."
"It's hard to forgive you, Roy," I said as we sat alone. "Why do you have so much hope for me? You know some things are just impossible."
"Maybe," Roy said. "But I can hope in the one person I trust. My methods are bad, but I believe in you."
"Why me? My luck isn't that good."
"I don't care about your luck, Rio. I care about your fight. You win because of your skill. I only said it was luck because when you play against me, you always win by a hair. You're the only one I can't beat."
"What? You've beaten me plenty of times lately," I argued.
"You've won 10, I've won 8," Roy countered. "And you haven't beaten me in the last few matches."
"If you want to argue scores, do it elsewhere. I'm sleeping."
"If you beat me in one match right now," Roy said, his voice turning dead serious, "I won't force you into the tournament. I'll stop following you. But if you lose, you have to do everything I say. Deal?"
I froze. "Are you serious?"
"Dead serious. I'm tired of chasing you. It's time you chased me."
Ishika was watching us like a hawk. "If big brother wins," she added, "you have to help him break the engagement with Ayesha. If you can't break it, you have to help me."
Roy looked terrified. "I can't do that! That's impossible! I'd rather quit my job than deal with that engagement mess. Do it yourselves!"
He turned back to me. "So, Rio? You want to fight?"
"You won't use any 'pay-to-win' or special skills?" I asked.
Roy smirked. "I'm using 100% of my ability. No holding back."
"Fine. I accept. But remember, if I lose, I only join the tournament. I'm not becoming your slave."
"Deal. Let's go to my place."
"Are you crazy?" I barked. "I'm not going anywhere with you now. You've fried my brain all day. You're just trying to beat me while I'm tired."
"What? Are you scared now?" Roy grinned. "A real gamer is always ready. You're the one who told me that when we were kids."
"Don't quote my own trash logic to me! I'm not going to your house. Last time you messed with the VR helmet to win. I'm going to sleep."
"I didn't mess with anything!" Roy yelled.
I ran to my room and slammed the door. "Rio, eat dinner!" Mom shouted.
"I ALREADY ATE! LEAVE ME ALONE!"
My room was empty except for my bed. I changed quickly and collapsed onto it. My body was aching, my mind was a mess. After an hour of staring at the ceiling, I finally drifted off.
I felt a familiar warmth. A scent I loved. Someone was holding me tightly. I opened my eyes... and Ishika was sleeping right next to me, clinging to me like glue. I tried to pull away, and she kicked me right off the bed in her sleep.
"Ouch! You violent woman!" I cursed, rubbing my head.
Then I looked across the room. There was another bed. And Roy was sleeping in it.
This has to be a dream, I thought. I reached out to poke Roy, and he suddenly bolted upright, screaming, "WHO IS IT?! WHO'S THERE?!