The morning dawned crisp and bright, shining through the training room windows as Crazy Raccoon gathered for their team breakfast. The energy was lighter than usual—probably thanks to the day off yesterday. Still, a hint of tension lingered. The next two matches were crucial for reaching the finals, and everyone knew what was on the line.

As you grabbed a cup of tea and sat with the group, you noticed Sitetampo seemed different. He was still his usual calm self, but there was an edge to his confidence that hadn't been there before. It wasn't just about his game—it was about you.

He caught your eye across the table and offered a small smile, one that made your heart flutter. The subtle moments between the two of you felt louder now, more defined.

After breakfast, the team made their way to the practice room. Tensai and Relyh had already taken their seats, debating strategies as they booted up their devices. You settled into a corner, ready to observe and offer support as you usually did.

But Sitetampo didn't immediately join them. Instead, he wandered over to where you sat, hands in his pockets and a soft smile on his face.

"Hey," he said, his voice casual but with a hint of purpose.

"Hey," you replied, surprised at his approach. "You're not practicing with the others?"

"They'll survive for a few minutes," he said with a small shrug, pulling a chair over to sit beside you. "I wanted to talk to you."

His directness caught you off guard. He wasn't usually this forward. "Oh? What about?"

He hesitated for a beat, his fingers tapping lightly on the edge of the table before he met your gaze. "Yesterday was... nice. I've been thinking about it."

You smiled softly, your nerves bubbling under the surface. "I had a great time too."

"I mean it," he said, leaning in slightly. "It wasn't just nice—it was exactly what I needed. You've been..." He paused, his expression thoughtful, as if searching for the right words. "You've been more important to me than I realized."

The air between you shifted, growing heavier with meaning. His words, though simple, carried a weight that made your heart race. "Sitetampo, I—"

Before you could finish, Relyh's voice cut through the room. "Tampo, quit flirting and get over here! We're all waiting for you."

Your cheeks burned instantly, the heat creeping up your neck. You glanced away, your heart thundering in your chest. Sitetampo, however, didn't seem fazed. He shot Relyh a smirk over his shoulder, calm as ever. "Coming," he called back.

But before he left, he leaned in closer to you, his voice low and just for you. "We'll talk more later."

You nodded quickly, barely able to meet his gaze as your face grew impossibly warmer. You busied yourself with your phone, desperate to hide your flustered expression, but it was no use.

"Y/N," Tensai called from across the room, his tone suspiciously teasing. "What's up with you? You're looking kinda red. Tampo say something?"

Your head shot up, and you quickly waved a hand in denial. "What? No! I'm fine! Totally fine."

"Sure," Tensai said with a sly grin, leaning back in his chair. "Totally fine. We believe you."

"Don't tease her too much," Relyh chimed in, clearly enjoying the moment. "It's obvious who's got her all flustered."

You groaned, burying your face in your hands as they laughed. Even Sitetampo, back at the console now, chuckled softly under his breath. His confidence, once so subtle, was starting to feel undeniable.

The day passed in a blur of strategies, practice runs, and laughter. Crazy Raccoon had a way of turning even the most intense moments into something fun, and you found yourself appreciating their camaraderie more than ever.

By late afternoon, you were ready to step out for some fresh air. The practice room was starting to feel a little too stifling, and you needed a moment to yourself. As you grabbed your jacket and headed for the door, a familiar voice called out behind you.

"Mind if I join?"

You turned to see Sitetampo standing a few feet away, his hands in his pockets and that same confident glint in his eyes. "You don't have to," you said, though you secretly hoped he would.

"I want to," he replied simply, grabbing his own jacket and falling into step beside you as you walked out.

The two of you wandered through the hotel grounds, the cool evening air refreshing against your skin. The conversation flowed easily, touching on everything from tomorrow's matches to the little things that made you both laugh. But there was a subtle tension underlying it all, an awareness of what had passed between you earlier.

Eventually, you found yourself in a quiet garden area, the sounds of the city muffled by the trees and flowers around you. Sitetampo stopped, leaning against the railing and looking out at the view. You stood beside him, the silence between you strangely comforting.

"I've been thinking," he said finally, his voice breaking the stillness. He turned to face you, his expression serious but not unkind. "I'm done holding back."

"Holding back?" you echoed, your pulse quickening.

"Yeah." He took a step closer, his gaze unwavering. "About being more honest. With you. With myself."

Your breath caught in your throat as he closed the distance between you, his presence commanding but not overwhelming. There was something different in the way he looked at you now—like he was ready to let his guard down.

"Sitetampo, I..." You struggled to find the words, your emotions swirling too quickly to pin down.

"I just want you to know," he said gently, cutting through your nervousness, "that I appreciate you. A lot. More than I say sometimes."

The sincerity in his voice made your heart ache in the best way. You opened your mouth to respond, but before you could, he reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against yours.

"I'm not always great at expressing this stuff," he admitted with a soft laugh, his cheeks tinged with a hint of color. "But I wanted you to know. You matter to me, Y/N."

Your chest felt tight, your emotions threatening to spill over. Slowly, you intertwined your fingers with his, a small but meaningful gesture that said everything you couldn't.

"You're doing just fine," you whispered, your voice barely audible.

His lips curved into a smile, the kind that made your knees feel weak. For a moment, the world around you faded away, leaving just the two of you standing there, closer than ever before.

When you finally returned to the practice room, your cheeks still felt warm, and you struggled to meet anyone's gaze. It didn't help that Tensai and Relyh immediately picked up on your flustered state.

"Y/N, you've been gone a while," Relyh said with a smirk, raising an eyebrow. "You okay? You look... flushed."

"Super flushed," Tensai added, his grin teasing. "I wonder why."

"Nothing happened!" you blurted, your voice a little too high-pitched. You cursed inwardly at how obvious you sounded.

"Oh, we believe you," Relyh said, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he exchanged a glance with Tensai.

Across the room, Sitetampo was messing around on console, but again you didn't miss the small smile playing on his lips. He glanced at you briefly, and even that tiny look was enough to send your heart racing again.

As you sank into your seat, you groaned under your breath. It was going to be a long night of teasing—