Jay walked out of the internet cafe that night, his mind buzzing with the aftermath of the conversation.
The air outside felt different—thick with the weight of what had just happened.
His hands were shaking as he pulled his hoodie tighter, walking with his head down, trying to block out the world around him.
He had rejected Lia's offer, not because he didn't want it, but because the thought of stepping out into the light was terrifying.
The fear of being exposed—of people learning who he really was, what he was really like—paralyzed him.
What if they found out the truth? What if they saw the real him, the kid who couldn't make it through a normal day without feeling like he was falling apart?
He could still hear Lia's voice in his head: "You don't have to hide behind the screen anymore."
But the screen was all he had. It was his escape. It was where he was strong. Where no one could see him. Where no one could hurt him. And stepping out from behind it... it felt like walking into a trap.
All night, he tossed and turned in his bed, his thoughts tangled in a whirlwind of doubt and anxiety. He thought about the rumors at school—how everyone saw him as a failure, as the kid who couldn't fit in no matter how hard he tried.
What if Lia's offer wasn't genuine? What if she just wanted to use him, expose him to everyone as nothing more than the kid they already saw? The boy who wasn't good enough.
Jay squeezed his eyes shut, but sleep wouldn't come.
His mind kept racing, reliving the rejection he'd always felt, the harsh words from his family, the way his brother had laughed at him when he was kicked out. His thoughts spiraled, one after the other, like a cycle he couldn't break.
What if it's time to prove them wrong?
But what if it wasn't? What if stepping out of his shell was just another way to get hurt again?
...
Just as every other day, Jay's heart sank as he walked down the crowded hallway of his high school, surrounded by the usual whispers and snickers.
His life had become a blur of avoidance and silence, keeping his head low, focusing only on making it through each day without being the center of attention. But that wasn't always possible.
"Hey, look who it is. Mr. Useless," one of the bullies sneered, his voice dripping with mockery as he shoved past Jay. The others snickered behind him.
Jay's shoulders tensed, his breath catching in his throat.
He couldn't get away fast enough. They always found a way to remind him of how small he was, how little he mattered in this place.
No matter how many times he put on the mask of indifference, their words still hit like daggers.
"Still living that pathetic life?" another voice called out. "Maybe this time he'll get kicked out of his apartment."
Jay kept his eyes fixed firmly ahead, pretending not to hear. He couldn't fight back. He couldn't give them the satisfaction. His stomach twisted with the familiar feeling of humiliation.
He just wanted to get to class, to disappear behind a desk and forget about everything for a while.
But as he neared the classroom, he heard a voice that wasn't a taunt—one that stood out in the sea of jeering.
"Shuujin."
Jay froze.
His heart skipped a beat, and his body tensed as the words rang out like a jolt of electricity.
Lia stood a few feet away, looking at him with that same confident smile, her eyes twinkling as she regarded him. But the moment she spoke, everything inside him froze. He could barely breathe. How did she know? How did she know that name?
"Shh," he whispered urgently, quickly glancing around. The last thing he wanted was for anyone to connect him to that name. "Don't call me that…"
Lia tilted her head slightly, a playful expression on her face. "Why? It's your name in the game, isn't it?"
Jay's palms went clammy, his stomach churned. He turned, scanning the hallway with a sharp glance. It was the same mix of familiar faces, but what if someone—anyone—heard her? What if someone put the pieces together?
His voice dropped to an almost panicked whisper. "Please. Just call me Jay. No one can know about that... about the game stuff." He fought to keep his voice steady, but the desperation was clear.
Lia's smile softened, as if she was suddenly aware of the weight behind his words. She didn't press, instead nodding quietly. "Okay, Shuujin," she said with a mocking giggle.
"Ahh..."
Jay's heart still raced, but the tension in his chest didn't ease. He was trapped in his own skin, exposed in a way he hadn't expected.
Why was she even talking to him like this? Why now?
Before he could process it all, the bell rang, signaling the start of class. Lia gave him a small wave, her eyes still studying him with a mix of amusement and something deeper—something he couldn't quite place.
"Welp," she said lightly, her words almost too casual. "Don't forget about the tournament."
Jay stood frozen, his mind spinning. The tournament. She wants me for the tournament. He couldn't even bring himself to move as his thoughts raced. He had to get out of there, away from her, away from everything that was too dangerous for him to handle.
Just as Jay was turning around, the voices from the hallway began to grow louder, more mocking. The usual group of bullies, who had been standing near the entrance to the hallway, took full advantage of his discomfort.
"Shuujin? Like hell he is," one of them sneered, crossing his arms over his chest.
"This guy couldn't even handle to play Valorent if his life depended on it."
The others laughed, their voices echoing in Jay's ears.
His heart sank even further, the sting of their words cutting through the air like a blade. He had hoped—no, prayed—that they wouldn't connect the dots. But now, with every word they said, he could feel the walls closing in.
"This guy isn't Shuujin, bro," the same voice continued, his tone filled with disdain. "Shuujin is some god-tier player. You've seen his stats, right? This guy can't even play like trash."
Jay's face burned, his chest tightening with each mocking comment. He could feel the heat of their eyes on him, feel every one of their words digging into his pride like a wound.
It was like they could smell his fear, taste the vulnerability in him, and they relished it.
"Come on, y'all," the voice continued, "You really think a loser like this could be Shuujin? Hell no. This guy barely knows what a crosshair is."