Play Hard

Sendai Arena

[Authors POV]

"Single file line everyone, unless you want to get sent to the back," yelled out one of the security guards. That however didn't seem to stop the millions of people excited to see some of their favorite gamers play in tornument. The list of people was quite expensive considering this was one of the starting tournaments of the season. Slowly the number of participants that would have the chance to play on the world stage would decrease the further each player got from the first matches.

"OH MY GOSH ITS MIYA!!"

The crowd of girls and boys that were standing in line began to scream in excitement as Sakusa and Atsumu passed by across from them; a metal barrier keeping any fans from attempting to touch the two. Atsumu nearly jumped out of his skin at their loudness and clutched Sakusa's trench coat sweater cuff. The other didn't seem to mind and just kept walking until they reached the inside of the venue. There were quite a few people inside running back in forth. Though they all mostly wore uniforms of the company managing the tournament. Some were carrying parts for the stage while others ran with documents needed about the many different players.

"Is it always this crowded, Omi?" Atsumu's tone of voice was nervous and Sakusa could see it. He knew Atsumu was less of a crowd person than him. A person who mainly preferred talking to fans through a webcam and mic. It really was no surprise to him at all and that was something he'd been trying to work with the blond about.

"Come on, we got to find our placement." Atsumu nodded slowly and followed right behind Sakusa like a lost puppy. The arena was large, larger than the blond imagined it to be. They only weaved through some of the people chatting and discussing gameplay until they were ultimately stopped by security at a checkpoint. Sakusa set his phone and other things in his pocket into a bin. The guard took it and put it into a plastic bag before writing Sakusa's name down. Atsumu assumed they must have been a bit familiar with each other because Sakusa willingly talked to him.

"Are you not playing this time around, Kiyoomi?"

Atsumu was stunned the man called him by his first name which Sakusa didn't seem to mind at all. He only shook his head before pointing at Atsumu briefly.

"I'm not, but I'm managing him this time around." The old man looked behind Sakusa and smiled at Atsumu warmly.

"Well I hope you do good young man," he said. Atsumu thanked him before handing in his phone along with the things in his pockets. The security guard did the same thing he did with Sakusa's stuff before handing the two of them some keys to lockers. They would only be able to access their personal belonging when the game is done. It was a precaution set so that cheating or electronic manipulation did not happen on the stage of the arena.

"So like how am I supposed to communicate with ya Omi if I'm on the stage and yer on the sidelines?"

"There should be a small red button attached to your monitor. Use it during the breaks of the game if you need anything. I can't help you with tips, but if you have any issues I can try to get someone to handle it." Atsumu nodded at his firm words before looking down at his sneakers. They continued to walk through the venue, ultimately stepping foot into the center of the arena where the stage where many of the PCs and setups had been placed. On the sides were some black folding tables with placements of the trainers and some moderators to sit. One specific nameplate was farther from the others and Atsumu knew that it was Sakusa's. He wavered a bit as to how far it was from his own placement on the stage. He didn't feel comfortable and his heart began to beat rapidly in his chest. There was a sense of dread that washed over him the more and more he thought. The large crowd of people going to surround the arena and the loud blasting of announcers talking through speakers.