The days leading up to the Brawl Stars World Championship felt like a whirlwind of preparations, strategy sessions, and team bonding. You had grown close to the Crazy Raccoon team—Moya, Sitetampo, Tensai, and Relyh—and each day you spent with them made you feel more and more like you belonged. But as tomorrow's first round of the championship loomed, there was an undeniable tension in the air, not just from the excitement of the competition, but from the pressure of what it meant.

For everyone except you, that is.

You weren't competing in the World Championship. Instead, you had become more of a supportive member of the team—someone who helped with strategy discussions, provided input on gameplay, and cheered them on. Your skills in Brawl Stars were still developing, but you knew the team's strengths and weaknesses inside and out, and you were there for them in ways that went beyond just the game.

Tonight, you sat on the couch in the team lounge, watching as the others prepared for the final practice session before tomorrow. The atmosphere was charged with excitement, but also the weight of the impending challenge.

Moya was bouncing around the room, throwing out last-minute suggestions to Tensai and Relyh, who were huddled over the game plans. Sitetampo, as usual, was calm and composed, his eyes scanning the latest strategy footage, making sure everything was in place. His leadership was steadying, but tonight even he seemed to be feeling the weight of the upcoming competition.

You leaned against the back of the couch, casually watching the others as they debated tactics. Your heart pounded in your chest, but not because you were nervous for them—it was because of something deeper. Something you had been trying to ignore for the past few days, but couldn't deny any longer.

Sitetampo had become more than just a teammate to you. You weren't sure when it happened or how, but over the course of your time with Crazy Raccoon, the connection you shared with him had deepened. There was an unspoken understanding between you, a quiet bond that went beyond simple camaraderie.

"Alright," Moya said, his voice loud and full of excitement, "Everyone ready to go one last time before tomorrow?"

Everyone nodded, even Relyh, who rarely showed his emotions. Tensai cracked a smile and gave a thumbs-up. But Sitetampo, while nodding, had a quiet intensity to his demeanor, as if his mind was already elsewhere.

You watched him carefully, noting the subtle signs of tension in his posture—the slight furrow in his brow, the tightness in his shoulders. The calm, collected Sitetampo wasn't as impenetrable as he often seemed.

"Hey, Sitetampo," you said, your voice quiet but steady. "You alright?"

He looked up from the screen, his eyes meeting yours. For a moment, there was a flicker of something in his gaze, something soft and unguarded. But it passed quickly, replaced by his usual composed expression.

"Yeah, just thinking," he replied, his voice steady but his gaze lingering on you for a second longer than necessary.

"About tomorrow?" you asked, already knowing the answer.

He nodded slowly. "Of course. It's a big day for the team. For all of us."

You tilted your head slightly. "I'm sure you're ready. You've been training for this for so long."

Sitetampo's lips curved into a small smile. "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't ready," he said, but there was something in his eyes that suggested he wasn't just talking about the tournament.

For a moment, you could feel the weight of that unspoken understanding between the two of you. Your heart skipped a beat, and you quickly looked away, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

Moya, sensing the moment, called out, "Alright, no distractions! Time to focus! Let's get this practice in, team."

The match began, and you shifted your attention back to the game. But your thoughts kept drifting back to Sitetampo. The way he looked at you. The subtle hints of something more. You had spent enough time around him to know that there was more beneath the surface, and that knowledge made your chest tighten with an unfamiliar anticipation.

As the practice session progressed, you found yourself sitting quietly on the side, offering suggestions where you could. Moya was his usual energetic self, and Tensai was cracking jokes to lighten the mood, but Sitetampo... Sitetampo was different tonight. His focus was intense, and every time he glanced over at you, you caught a flash of something deeper in his eyes.

The practice session ended, and the team gathered around, discussing the results and refining their plans for tomorrow. You sat with them, nodding along as they made adjustments, but your mind was elsewhere. The tension between you and Sitetampo seemed to be growing, and it was harder than ever to ignore the feeling that something more was developing.

Later that evening, after the final practice of the night, the team gathered in the lounge for a brief debrief. Moya and Tensai were discussing last-minute strategies, while Relyh sat off to the side, scrolling through his phone. You noticed Sitetampo sitting near the window, looking out at the city lights.

Something in you urged you to go to him. Without thinking, you stood up and walked over.

"Sitetampo?" you said, your voice soft.

He turned his head slightly, offering you a quiet smile. "Hey, Y/N. What's up?"

You hesitated, feeling the weight of the moment. "I just... wanted to check in. You've been a little quiet tonight. I know tomorrow's important, but you're not in this alone, you know."

He turned fully toward you, his gaze steady, and there was a quiet vulnerability in his expression that you rarely saw. "I know. But sometimes, it's hard not to feel the weight of it. The team is counting on me, and there's a lot of pressure to perform."

You took a step closer, your voice steady but full of warmth. "You don't have to carry all of that on your own. We're all in this together. You're not alone, Sitetampo."

For a moment, there was silence between you two. The world outside seemed to fade away as you shared this brief, quiet moment. He didn't say anything at first, but when he spoke again, his voice was softer than you expected.

"You're right," he said quietly, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "I've been so focused on the tournament that I forgot that... we're a team. And you're part of that."

You smiled, feeling the warmth of his words sink into your chest. "You don't need to be perfect, you know. We all have our strengths, but we also have our moments of doubt. That's what makes us stronger."

Sitetampo looked at you for a long moment, his expression softening. "Thanks, Y/N. That means more than you know."

There was something in the way he said your name, something personal that made your heart race. The connection between the two of you was undeniable now, and you couldn't ignore it any longer.

Before you could say anything else, Moya walked over with a grin. "Alright, lovebirds, time to get some rest. Tomorrow's a big day."

Sitetampo's face flushed slightly, and you felt your own cheeks warm at the teasing. "Shut up, Moya," he muttered, but there was no heat behind it.

You laughed softly, trying to mask the sudden rush of emotions you felt. But as you glanced at Sitetampo, you saw a soft smile playing at the corners of his lips.

As the team dispersed for the night, you found yourself once again walking beside Sitetampo. The two of you had a quiet understanding, a bond that was unspoken but felt deeply.

Tomorrow was the first round of the World Championship, and though you wouldn't be competing, you knew that you'd be there for your team—just as they would be there for you. But beyond the game, you couldn't help but feel like this connection with Sitetampo was something that was just beginning, something that went beyond strategy and competition.

You weren't sure where it would lead, but you knew that, whatever happened, you'd face it together.