The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting soft golden rays across your room. For the first time in what felt like forever, the day wasn't dictated by alarms or schedules. Today was a rest day, a rare opportunity to recharge before the next round of the championship. You stretched lazily on your bed, relishing the quiet and thinking about how close Crazy Raccoon was to achieving their goal. Three more matches—three hurdles between them and victory.

And Sitetampo.

You groaned, burying your face in the pillow for a moment. Lately, it seemed like every thought you had circled back to him. His focused demeanor, the quiet way he reassured you, the warmth in his eyes when he looked at you. It wasn't just the championship fueling your excitement; it was him.

A soft ping from your phone pulled you out of your thoughts. You reached for it, your pulse quickening when you saw his name on the screen.

"Good morning, Y/N! Rest day today, Any plans? "

You bit your lip, rereading the message a few times before typing back.

"Morning, Sitetampo! Nothing yet. Just catching up on sleep, I guess. What about you?"

It didn't take long for his reply to come through.

"I was thinking of exploring the city a bit. Want to come with me?"

Your heart skipped a beat. Exploring the city with Sitetampo? Alone? The idea made your stomach flutter, but you quickly shook off the nerves and typed back a quick response.

"Sure! Let me know when you're ready to head out."

An hour later, you found yourself waiting in the hotel lobby, dressed casually but carefully. Sitetampo appeared not long after, his relaxed outfit a refreshing contrast to the outfit he wears on stage. He smiled when he saw you, a warm, genuine expression that made your nerves melt away.

"Hey," he said, his tone soft but cheerful. "Ready?"

"Yeah," you replied, matching his smile. "Where are we going?"

He shrugged lightly, his hands tucked into his pockets. "Not sure yet. Let's just see where the day takes us."

The two of you stepped out into the city, the crisp air brushing against your skin. The streets were alive with a gentle buzz of activity, but not nearly as chaotic as the championship venue. It was a perfect day for wandering, and you couldn't help but feel the lightness of being away from the competition.

As you walked, the conversation came easily, flowing between lighthearted jokes and meaningful topics. Sitetampo talked about his journey in Brawl Stars—the ups, the downs, and everything in between. You listened intently, amazed at how much he'd achieved and how humble he remained despite it all.

"I'm surprised you even have time for anything else," you said with a laugh. "You're always so focused."

Sitetampo glanced at you, his gaze steady. "I make time for what matters."

The way he said it made your cheeks warm, but you quickly brushed it off with a laugh. "Well, I'm glad you made time for this. I'm having fun."

"Me too," he said, his smile softening. "It's nice to get away from everything for a while. Just... relax, you know?"

The conversation paused as the two of you stopped at a small café. You found a seat by the window, sipping on warm drinks. Sitetampo's usual composed demeanor seemed to soften even more, and you couldn't help but notice the way his eyes lingered on you when he thought you weren't looking.

The afternoon melted into the evening, and as the sun began to dip below the horizon, the two of you found yourselves sitting on a park bench overlooking a quiet pond. The city's lights reflected off the water, casting a serene glow around you.

"You've been amazing through all of this," Sitetampo said suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence. His voice was low, almost hesitant. "The team wouldn't be the same without you."

You blinked, caught off guard by his sincerity. "I'm not even competing," you said, laughing nervously. "I'm just... here."

"You're more than just here," he insisted, turning to face you fully. "You've kept us grounded, kept me grounded. That matters more than you know."

Your breath hitched at the intensity in his gaze. There was no denying the sincerity in his words, and it made your chest ache in the best way possible. "I don't even know what to say to that," you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper.

"You don't have to say anything," he replied, his voice equally soft. There was a pause, a quiet moment where the world seemed to still around you. Then, tentatively, he reached out, his fingers intertwining in yours. "I just... wanted you to know."

Your heart pounded as his hand rested over yours, the warmth of his touch sending a shiver up your spine. You looked down at your intertwined fingers, then back up at him. There was something unspoken in the air between you, something that had been building for weeks but was now impossible to ignore.

"I—" you started, but the words caught in your throat. You weren't sure what to say, how to explain the storm of emotions swirling inside you.

"It's okay," Sitetampo said gently, as if reading your mind. "We don't have to figure it all out right now. I just... I wanted to be honest."

You nodded, a small smile tugging at your lips. "Thank you. For everything."

He smiled back, the tension in his shoulders easing as he leaned back against the bench. The moment felt like a promise, unspoken but understood. And as the two of you sat there, watching the city lights dance on the water, you couldn't help but wish that this moment could last forever.

The walk back to the hotel was quiet but comfortable, the city's night air cool around you. Sitetampo stayed close by your side, his presence steady and reassuring. When you reached your floor, he stopped outside your door, hesitating for a moment.

"I'm glad you came with me today," he said softly. His eyes met yours, filled with a warmth that made your heart flutter.

"Me too," you replied, feeling a little breathless.

For a moment, it looked like he might say something else, but instead, he simply smiled and stepped back. "Goodnight, Y/N. Get some rest. Tomorrow's another big day."

"Goodnight, Sitetampo," you said, your voice barely above a whisper as you slipped into your room. Leaning against the door, you let out a shaky breath, a smile creeping onto your face. The day had been perfect in ways you hadn't expected, and you couldn't wait to see where this would lead you two eventually.