Kaiza was completely absorbed in the game, his mind focused on every move in Dominion. The sound of the café—clicking keyboards, murmured conversations, and bursts of laughter—faded into the background. His fingers glided across the keyboard with practiced precision, every click and keystroke a calculated step toward improvement. The rhythm of the game felt like music, each action a note in a symphony of strategy.
Hours passed unnoticed as Kaiza delved deeper into his matches. His heart raced as he executed another perfect play, unaware of the world around him—until a voice shattered his concentration.
Pulse: "Yo! Kaiza! What brings you here?"
Kaiza jumped, his heart leaping in his chest. His fingers slipped on the keys, and his champion barely avoided a misstep. Spinning around in his chair, he found himself face-to-face with Pulse, who was grinning from ear to ear.
Kaiza: "Pulse!? What are you doing here?"
Pulse: "Thought I'd drop by. Didn't expect to find you so locked in."
Kaiza blinked, trying to process the sudden appearance of one of MnM Café's top players. Pulse wasn't just a regular; he was a legend here, second only to the reigning champion. Seeing him so casually strolling over felt surreal.
Kaiza: "I was so focused… didn't even hear you coming."
Pulse chuckled, crossing his arms as he glanced at Kaiza's screen.
Pulse: "Yeah, I noticed. Didn't think you were this into Dominion. You've got the look of someone who's serious about getting better."
Kaiza rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, a small flush creeping up his face.
Kaiza: "Just trying to improve. There's still a lot to learn."
Pulse raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. His sharp eyes scanned Kaiza's setup, noting the stats on the screen.
Pulse: "You're doing pretty well already. How'd you find this place?"
Kaiza: "Was looking for a spot to play. Didn't realize MnM was so close to home."
Pulse: "Lucky find, then. Welcome to the heart of the local Dominion scene."
The Top Player's Entrance
Before Kaiza could respond, another voice cut through their conversation.
Yuki: "Who's the new kid?"
Kaiza turned to see Yuki, the café's top player, standing a few feet away. His sharp eyes scanned Kaiza, his expression cool but intrigued. Kaiza instinctively straightened in his seat. Yuki wasn't just a name—he was a force, known for his tactical mind and ruthless precision in Dominion.
Pulse: "This is Kaiza. He's a friend of my younger brother. Kaiza, meet Yuki."
Kaiza: "Uh… nice to meet you, Yuki. I'm still new to all this. Just trying to catch up."
Yuki's lips curved into a faint, amused smile.
Yuki: "Good luck with that."
His tone wasn't dismissive, but it carried an unspoken challenge. Kaiza felt the weight of his gaze, like Yuki was assessing his potential before deciding whether he was worth his time.
The air in the café shifted. Kaiza glanced around, noticing groups of players gathering, their voices rising in excitement. The low hum of conversation and the occasional clink of cups filled the space, but there was an undercurrent of tension. Something big was about to happen.
Pulse: "What's going on here? The place feels different."
A staff member, overhearing their conversation, leaned over the counter.
Staff: "There's a match starting soon. V's group is taking on MM's team."
Pulse's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
Pulse: "Wait, what? They're playing today?"
Yuki smirked, crossing his arms.
Yuki: "You didn't know? You're slipping, Pulse."
Pulse: "Hey, I've been busy. But now that I'm here, we'll show them who's the best."
Yuki: "You'd better. Don't make us carry you."
Kaiza's heart raced as he processed the exchange. This wasn't just a casual match. This was a showdown between two of the café's top teams. The buzz in the room grew louder as players and spectators gathered around the central stage.
The staff moved swiftly, setting up the arena for the match. Kaiza watched as V's group settled in on one side of the stage, their focus intense. On the opposite side sat MM's team, led by Yuki and Pulse. The crowd whispered excitedly, speculating on strategies and outcomes.
Kaiza: "This is huge, isn't it?"
Pulse nodded, his grin returning.
Pulse: "You have no idea. Matches like this are where reputations are made."
The Crowd's Anticipation
Kaiza felt the energy of the crowd as they jostled for better views. Spectators debated strategies, discussing team compositions and past performances. The café's usual hum of activity had transformed into a charged atmosphere of competition and anticipation.
Staff: "The match between V's and MM's is about to start. Please get ready!"
The announcement sent a ripple through the crowd, and Kaiza felt a surge of adrenaline. This wasn't just entertainment—it was a spectacle. The players on stage adjusted their headsets, their expressions focused. Monitors displayed the draft phase, each pick and ban met with murmurs from the audience.
Pulse: "You're in for a real show, Kaiza. MM's not going to make this easy for V's."
Kaiza: "I can't wait to see how this plays out."
The Countdown
As the final picks locked in, the countdown began. The café fell into an expectant hush, the tension palpable. Kaiza's eyes were glued to the screens, his mind racing with questions. How would MM counter V's aggression? What strategies would Yuki and Pulse employ to dominate the map?
Pulse glanced over at Kaiza, his grin widening.
Pulse: "Pay attention, Kaiza. You might learn something."
Kaiza: "I'm ready."
The crowd erupted into cheers as the match officially began. Kaiza leaned forward in his seat, his heart pounding in time with the game's opening moves. This wasn't just another match—it was a battle of skill, strategy, and dominance. And Kaiza, for the first time, felt like he was at the heart of something bigger.