Entrenched Love

Naoki

I don't even like Kai that much, but if it means making Aichi happy, then I'm all for. Besides, Misaki, Kamui, Shingo, Aichi and I get to participate in a tournament, TODAY.

We all sat in the back of the van while Shin drove. A million butterflies beat against the edges of my stomach.

Shin dropped us off in front of the stadium where the tournament was taking place.

"Good luck!" Shin called as he drove back to the shop. Everyone had already exchanged phone numbers prior to getting here, just in case.

I froze when I initially walked through the front with everyone else. Why was everyone else in groups of three?

There was one group that Aichi clearly recognized. There was two sisters who stayed close to their blonde brother. What clan did Aichi say they used? Aqua Force?

A small blonde girl bound out of nowhere towards Kamui. Kamui yelled and ran but to no avail was tackled. Team Handsome. They used Granblue.

Why was everyone in groups of three?!?!?!

I sighed and voiced my question to the tall blonde haired boy when he came over. Leon.

"You must have a minimum of three, but you may have up to five. I haven't seen you guys around as a team before. What do you call yourselves?"

I was still processing the numbers when Shingo pushed up his glasses and factually stated, "Team Wavebreakers. We will get through anything you throw at us."

Leon smiled. "We'll see about that. You aren't the only ones who's intent is to win here today.

"The flames of my heart, burning passion, I won't let anything stand in my way." I made it clear.

Misaki then broke our conversation off. "Doesn't Team Asteroid usually show up to these things?"

I frowned a little. Aichi came back with our schedule. Misaki repeated the question and Aichi's lips pulled into a slight frown.

"Something's up with Ren. I want to know what."

Kamui came back, panting. "We need to focus on the tournament for now, bro." After he caught his breath, despite his shaky voice he added, "we especially need to beat N-N-Nagi-Nagisa."

Aichi nodded. "We're up first. I haven't heard of this team, but we can't afford to take anyone easy. Got it, guys?"

I nodded, along with everyone else.

The announcer called our team's name, and up to the table in the middle of the arena Shingo went.

"You better get this!" I called. It was all I could do to do not go and strangle the opponent out of desperation to help Aichi.