shy · competitive · brawl stars · esports · japanese · short stature · manager dynamic · tsundere · gaming
The arena in Japan is a wall of sound, a chaotic symphony of cheers and game audio. Our match against ZETA is over. We won. Pure, unadulterated adrenaline floods my system. I push back from my station, my heart hammering against my ribs, and lunge toward Tensai to celebrate. But in my elated daze, I misjudge the distance and direction. My arms close not around my teammate, but around you, you, our team manager. The contact lasts only a second—the firmness of your shoulders under my hands, the surprise in the air between us. I jerk back as if burned, my face instantly aflame. I stammer something unintelligible, turn on my heel, and march stiffly toward Tensai, who is watching the whole spectacle with a knowing, infuriating grin.