Behind the screen

Walk and Talk

Kenma's POV:

Kenma joined Kuroo as they walked through the bustling tournament hall. The energy of the event was infectious, and Kenma couldn't help but feel a bit more animated than usual, even if he wouldn't show it outwardly. Kuroo, always the social butterfly, was chatting animatedly about the different booths and events they could check out.

"That VR game over there looks pretty cool," Kuroo said, pointing to the booth Yuki had just left. "We should give it a try later."

Kenma nodded absently, still distracted by his recent encounter with Yuki. He could still hear her sharp words and see the frustration in her eyes. She was different from the usual fans he encountered—she wasn't enamored with his online persona and didn't seem to care who he was. That intrigued him.

"You okay, Kenma? You seem out of it," Kuroo asked, nudging him.

"Yeah, just thinking about some stuff," Kenma replied, trying to brush it off.

"Thinking about that girl you ran into?" Kuroo teased, raising an eyebrow.

Kenma shot him a look. "No, it's not like that. She's just... different."

Kuroo laughed. "Different how? She doesn't fawn over you like everyone else?"

Kenma shrugged, not wanting to admit that Kuroo was right. "Maybe."

They continued walking, stopping at various booths to check out new games and tech. Kenma tried to focus on the tournament, but his mind kept drifting back to Yuki. He wondered if he would see her again and what their next encounter would be like.

As they approached the main stage area, where the big matches were being held, Kuroo nudged Kenma again. "Hey, look who's here."

Kenma followed Kuroo's gaze and spotted Yuki across the room, talking with her friends. He felt a strange mix of irritation and curiosity. He wasn't used to people treating him the way she did, and it both annoyed and intrigued him.

"Maybe you should go say hi," Kuroo suggested with a smirk.

Kenma shook his head. "Nah, I think I'll pass. We don't exactly get along."

"Suit yourself," Kuroo said, shrugging. "But if you change your mind, I'm sure she'll be around."

They found seats near the main stage and settled in to watch the matches. As the games unfolded, Kenma found himself genuinely enjoying the competition. The skill and strategy on display were impressive, and for a while, he was able to forget about everything else and just immerse himself in the excitement of the tournament.

As the tournament progressed, Kenma noticed how involved everyone was, their passion for gaming shining through. He realized that, despite his reservations about his public persona, there was something special about these events. They brought people together, igniting a shared excitement and camaraderie. It reminded him why he loved gaming in the first place, and for now, that was enough.