The atmosphere in the arena was electric, the roar of the crowd echoing even backstage. Today was a make-or-break moment: two matches in one day, with everything on the line. If Crazy Raccoon could win both, they'd secure a place in the finals. But losing even one would shatter their dreams of becoming champions.

The team gathered in the backstage area, seated in a tight circle. Tensai was unusually quiet, his focus locked on his tablet as he reviewed strategies. Relyh bounced his leg nervously, twirling a pen between his fingers. Sitetampo, however, exuded a calm confidence that was hard to miss. He looked ready, but his gaze occasionally drifted toward you, reassurance in his eyes.

"You guys got this," you said, breaking the tense silence. "Just play your game. No one can beat you when you're on."

Relyh chuckled, trying to mask his nerves. "You say that, but have you seen the other team's comps? They're stacked."

"They're beatable," Sitetampo interjected, his voice steady. He glanced at you briefly before turning back to his teammates. "We've prepared for this. Stick to the plan, and we'll come out on top."

His words seemed to settle the group, and even you felt a sense of calm wash over you. Sitetampo wasn't just a teammate or a leader—he was the person that kept them steady.

The first match of the day was against a team known for their aggressive playstyle. As Crazy Raccoon walked on stage, the energy in the crowd surged, the arena lights bathing them in a warm glow. You watched from the sidelines, your heart pounding as they settled into their seats and adjusted their headsets.

The first round didn't go well. The opposing team came out swinging, catching Crazy Raccoon off-guard with unexpected plays. Despite their best efforts, they lost the round, and you could see the frustration on their faces as they huddled for a quick strategy discussion.

"Come on, guys," you whispered under your breath, clenching your fists. "You can turn this around."

Sitetampo's voice came through the team's mics, his tone calm and measured. "They're overcommitting. If we bait them into traps, we can beat them. Tensai, stay back on defense. Relyh, play wide. Let them come to us."

The second round began, and the shift in strategy was immediately apparent. Crazy Raccoon played with precision, forcing the opposing team into mistakes and capitalizing on every opportunity. The tide turned, and they secured the round with a decisive victory.

The third and final round was a nail-biter, with both teams trading blows in a game of pure skill and strategy. Your chest felt tight as you watched Sitetampo make a risky play, diving into the enemy team to secure a critical objective. The gamble paid off, and Crazy Raccoon claimed victory.

When the final buzzer sounded, the crowd erupted in cheers, and you couldn't help but join them. The team high-fived each other as they returned backstage, their faces flushed with relief and triumph.

"That was too close," Relyh said, shaking his head. "I thought my heart was gonna give out."

"You pulled through," you said, grinning at them. "That's what matters."

Sitetampo caught your eye, a small smile tugging at his lips. "One down, one to go."

Backstage, the team had just under two hours to regroup before their next match. The breakroom was filled with chatter and the sound of video replays as the team reviewed their previous game.

You found yourself sitting beside Sitetampo, the both of you quietly watching the highlights. His knee brushed against yours, a subtle touch that made your heart skip a beat.

"You seemed nervous," he said, glancing at you.

You let out a soft laugh. "Nervous doesn't even begin to cover it. But you guys were amazing. I knew you'd pull through."

His smile deepened, and for a moment, it felt like the rest of the world faded away. "I like knowing you're watching. It helps."

Your cheeks warmed, and you looked away, pretending to focus on the screen. But before you could respond, Tensai called out.

"Hey, lovebirds, save it for later. We've got another match to win."

You groaned, burying your face in your hands as the rest of the team laughed. Sitetampo, however, didn't seem embarrassed at all. Instead, he leaned closer, his voice low so only you could hear.

"They're not wrong," he said softly, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

The second match of the day felt different. Crazy Raccoon walked onto the stage with an air of confidence, their earlier nerves replaced with determination. This time, they weren't going to let anything slip through their fingers.

From the very beginning, they played as if they owned the competition. The opposing team tried to keep up, but Crazy Raccoon was always one step ahead. Sitetampo's leadership was evident in every play, his calls sharp and decisive. Tensai and Relyh followed his lead flawlessly, their synergy unmatched.

The first round ended in a clean victory for Crazy Raccoon, and the crowd roared their approval. The second round was closer, with the opposing team fighting tooth and nail to stay in the game. But a clutch play from Relyh turned the tide, and Crazy Raccoon secured the win, closing out the match with a 2-0 sweep.

As the team stood to take their bows, the crowd's cheers reached a deafening pitch. You couldn't help but feel a swell of pride as you watched them bask in the well-deserved applause.

Backstage, the energy was electric. The team was on a high from their victories, their excitement spilling over into laughter and playful banter. You hung back, letting them enjoy the moment, but it wasn't long before Sitetampo found his way to your side.

"Two wins," he said, his voice filled with quiet pride. "We're almost there."

"You were incredible out there," you said, unable to hide the admiration in your voice. "All of you were."

He tilted his head, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Only 'incredible'? Not 'amazing' or 'unstoppable'?"

You laughed, shaking your head. "Don't push it, Tampo."

His smile softened, and he leaned in slightly, his voice lowering. "Thank you, Y/N. For everything. I mean it."

Before you could respond, Relyh's voice interrupted. "Sitetampo! Quit hogging Y/N! We all deserve her praise, you know."

Before you could respond, the sound of someone calling Sitetampo's name cut through the air. "Tampo! There you are!"

You both turned to see a girl you didn't recognize approaching, a wide smile on her face. She had long, sleek hair and was dressed casually, but her confidence made her stand out.

Sitetampo's expression shifted briefly—was that surprise?—he quickly composed himself. "Oh, hey," he said, his tone neutral.

The girl didn't seem to notice or care as she closed the distance, standing far too close for your liking. "I was looking for you. Thought I'd say congrats in person. You were amazing out there," she said with a playful smile, her tone overly familiar.

You blinked, feeling a strange pang in your chest. Who was she? And why was she acting like she knew him so well?

"Thanks," Sitetampo said politely, glancing at you for a split second, as if gauging your reaction.

But the girl didn't stop there. She looped her arm around his, tugging him slightly toward her. "We should catch up later. It's been way too long."

Sitetampo froze for a moment before gently pulling his arm free, an awkward smile on his face. "Uh, maybe. We'll see."

Your chest tightened as you watched the exchange, the words "way too long" echoing in your mind. You didn't say anything, but the feeling of unease was impossible to ignore.

When she finally walked away, tossing a cheerful, "Don't forget!" over her shoulder, the tension in the room felt palpable.

"What was that about?" Moya asked, raising an eyebrow being the protective brother he is.

"Yeah, who was that?" Tensai chimed in, glancing between you and Sitetampo with interest.

Sitetampo scratched the back of his neck, avoiding your gaze. "Just... someone I used to know."

Your heart sank at his vague response, and the silence that followed felt deafening.