Nate ran back to Calix after briefly strolling outside. He was panting heavily with his right hand clutched to his chest.
"C-Captain! That modern Greek god... I-- ahh... I did not see his face when we walked together earlier," Nate was still catching his breath and did not even bother to sit. His tone was full of eagerness. He inhaled several times before he continued his words, "Captain, when I returned there, I was completely surprised to see that it was Theo! He was still there standing on the tree between the cherry blossoms. N-Now he is---"
"I'm going out. Wait for our other squad members to arrive here," Calix interrupted and stood calmly. Without waiting for Nate's response, he walked out of their booth and headed straight to the exit.
Nate's lips was left hanging open in a dramatic yet comical manner. He only closed them and subconsciously sat after a long while.
The landscape outside the gymnasium consisted mainly of 4 old cherry blossoms and 3 young acacia trees. The other grasses around were not much notable. These trees were arranged alternately with wooden benches for public use. The place was designed like a family park.
On some benches, the cherry blossom flowers were showering while on the other benches, the acacia leaves were also drifting in the air. But, everyone was falling in line at the entrance area. The benches were left empty, and there was a single silhouette of a tall man.
Theo was standing in the shady area of the acacia tree in the middle of the main landscape. His eyes were focused on his mobile screen. It appears that the man was reading a business contract as his thumb slowly scrolled down the document on his phone. The man was also wearing a formal suit rather than the uniform jacket of his squad.
If one would examine his attire, no one could tell that this man was a gamer. Instead, he was surrounded by an aura of authority. He had a proud stance despite his eyes being lowered.
When Calix exited the gymnasium, he instantly covered his face using his right hand to avoid the sunlight. He squinted for a moment before he proceed walking, not regarding the stare of the audience a few meters away from him. He then look in the direction where Theo was standing.
"Ahh... It's really him," Calix mumbled with a smile on his lips. He then sprinted towards Theo.
Several steps and he closed their distance. Theo also noticed his arrival and looked up.
"Silver Flame captain," Theo mumbled in a form of a greeting. But, his tone was soft and sweet to hear. He was 6'6 and Calix's height was a bit shorter than him. Both men looked extremely attractive. And they exuded their own unique charm.
"Champion captain," Calix returned to call him. His feet gradually moved to the side and he slowly leaned his body on the trunk of the acacia tree. "You seemed busy?" he added.
Theo casually showed his mobile screen with an open PDF file. "A revision of endorsement contract for a men's watch brand. I heard you've confessed?"
"Hehe, you heard? The post is still there if you want to read it yourself," Calix suggested while looking at him with his clear and bright eyes. The dark orbs of his pupils even constricted a little.
"I'll check it later. I have a lot of endorsement contracts to renegotiate again," Theo grumbled and took a step closer to him.
"What about your endorsement?" Calix inquired, a flash of worry could be heard in his tone.
"Hmmm? When I sighed them last year, they required me to avoid getting entangled in a relationship," Theo easily responded. He stretched his hand and brushed Calix's hair.
"Haha, I see," Calix chuckled, trying to maintain his composure. But his heart suddenly jolted in excitement.
They locked their gaze for a while. Slowly, Theo's face leaned closer and closer. Calix panicked and immediately looked from side to side. "Don't you dare?! Be a good example to the youngsters around."
No one was really watching them. And Calix did not know what he was blabbing. Out of a sudden, he made a realization. 'I already post it. Why am I still acting hard to get?'
Alas! Perhaps, he was more afraid of losing his self-control if the man suddenly kiss him.
On the other side, Theo only smiled at him. His face moved next to Calix's ear, grazing a much more sensitive spot in the process.
"C-Captain champion," Calix softly murmured, his voice was like a whimper. He was not sure why he called him again. But, he sensed something warm was spreading within his chest. It was spreading like a wildfire causing him to feel hot and bothered.
Theo's breath caressed his skin and the man kissed his earlobe. Calix gulped. His heart beating faster.
Theo put his phone inside his pocket, and his empty hand captured his. While holding his hand, he muttered, "Since the rumor about your confession is true, I have to organize my old contracts first to avoid breaching them."
Hearing this, Calix instantly blushed hard. His cheeks turned into a dark shade of red. "Y-You---"
"Hmm." Theo finally retracted his body and stood straight. "Only if you win this tournament today---"
Calix secretly took a deep breath to calm his emotions. He stared at his eyes for a few seconds before he spoke, "We will be official if I win this tournament."
"Ahh... I haven't even asked you out... and you are demanding already? Hmmm..." Theo playfully complained and pretended to reevaluate his decisions. He looked at the clear blue sky with the corner of his eyes slanted upward. The branches of the acacia above them happily swayed as the wind rustled around.
"If I don't demand this, who knows how long should I wait for you to ask me out?" Calix easily defended with a smirk on his face. He followed his gesture and gaze at the sky. Their hands interlocked on the side.
"Mm. Fair enough. Hehe," Theo nodded his head and chuckled softly. He then pulled him into a gentle hug.
"If the company brands would insist that you stay single? If they don't agree to your contract revision request?" Calix suddenly inquired while his face was still planted on Theo's neck. Inhaling a rich masculine scent in the process.
"Hehe, easy. Pay a breach of contract penalty. I can just build my own company so no one would tell me what to do," Theo spoke with no hesitation. Money has never been an issue for him.
When he glanced at Calix, he saw a satisfied smile forming on Calix's face but the man did not speak a word.
The two stayed like this for a minute before they released a contented sigh.
"I'm going inside, Captain Champion."
"Silver Flame captain, I'll watch your gameplay today. Be sure to win this final match!"
Both exchanged a tender expression before Calix turned his back and started walking. Theo looked at his retreating figure until he lost sight of him.
The Silver Flame members had already arrived when Calix returned to their booth.
Nate gave him a meaningful smile but, his expression did not show any emotion.
"Captain, good morning!" the three squad members greeted him formally.
"We must win," Calix told them before he took a seat. He looked at the entrance area to check if Theo followed after him. But, he only saw the guard checking the audience's bags as they started entering.
"Yes, captain! We will win!" the members, including Nate responded with high enthusiasm.
The Downtown had been hosting local E-Sports tournaments for the past 5 years. There were many gamers within and outside their community. Thus, they set a rule that once a squad became a champion, they should let others have a chance in the next contests.
In any case, this was a local tournament. It was but a stepping stone for those who wanted to follow the path of becoming a pro gamer.
Bad Gamers Squad won as champion last year, making them excluded from the list of participants at present.
"Captain, did you meet your crush? Did he talk with you?" Nate secretly asked Calix after their other members settled down.
"Hehe. Stop gossiping. It's time for us to prepare our minds to produce excellent gameplay today," Calix reprimanded Nate. But there was joy and delight swelling in his heart. His mind replayed nothing but the memory of his talk with Theo.
Nate pouted but did not falter. "Captain, I was right to call him modern greek god, yeah? It's my first time seeing him wearing formal attire. He looked so refined."
"Nate, our opponent is looking in your direction. Why don't you go and talk to him to throw him off guard? Maybe you could distract his gameplay?" Calix easily said, teasing his vice-captain. He knew that their opponent had a crush on Nate. But, because of this contest, he could not make his move.