Hotel Rooftop – Late Night
The night air was gentle above Neo Tokyo, the city lights stretching infinitely beneath them.
Riku leaned against the metal railing of the hotel's rooftop, his jacket draped over his shoulder. Beside him, Mei stood in silence, the moonlight catching the soft waves of her hair.
Neither of them spoke for a while. The buzz of the tournament, the cheers, the sweat—all of it faded here.
"Do you always run off to rooftops after games?" Mei asked, her voice light but laced with curiosity.
Riku chuckled. "Only when I win. Or when I lose. Or when I don't know how I feel."
She smirked. "So… always?"
He turned to face her. "Pretty much."
A soft wind passed between them, carrying the scent of distant sakura trees.
Riku's eyes softened as he looked at her. "You were amazing today. When you smiled from the bench… it gave me strength."
Mei glanced away, hiding a faint blush. "You're always acting cool. But I saw you almost miss that layup."
"That was on purpose," he said, stepping closer. "So I could look up and see your worried face. It was kind of… cute."
Mei's breath hitched.
"Idiot," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "You say things like that so easily."
There was a pause. Riku slowly reached out, brushing her bangs away from her eyes. "I don't want to say them to anyone else."
Their eyes met—unspoken feelings lingering, finally surfacing.
She stepped in closer. "Me neither."
Under the stars, they kissed—soft at first, hesitant. But then deeper, full of everything they'd kept hidden: the stress of competition, the longing behind stolen glances, the hope that this moment might last a little longer.
When they finally parted, their foreheads touched.
"You know," Riku whispered, "the bed in the room's kind of big."
Mei gave a small laugh. "You're still an idiot."
She took his hand. "But… maybe tonight, I don't mind being one too."
BREAKING NEWS
The Zenith Crown Tournament, Neo Tokyo Stadium
Date: Day 6 – Early Morning | Source: NHN Sports Japan
Neo Tokyo – In a shocking and unprecedented move, the National Cup Tournament has been suspended indefinitely following a series of mysterious events that unfolded late last night.
Authorities confirmed that at 2:14 a.m., multiple power surges struck the Neo Tokyo Dome, causing a temporary blackout. Security footage was abruptly cut, and the backup systems failed—an incident experts say is "highly irregular and possibly deliberate."
Tournament officials issued an emergency statement:
"Due to unforeseen and potentially dangerous circumstances affecting the integrity of the tournament and the safety of the players, staff, and spectators, we have decided to temporarily suspend the National Cup. Investigations are underway."
Players and coaches were reportedly evacuated discreetly, and hotels associated with the event are under strict lockdown. No injuries have been reported, but rumors swirl regarding cyber interference, AI malfunctions, and even unidentified individuals seen breaching security zones.
Fans woke up stunned. "I thought it was fake at first," said one viewer online. "But now I'm just scared. Something bigger is going on."
Notably, attention has turned to the mysterious team known only as the Mystic Five, whose background remains unknown. Their masked appearance and untraceable past have fueled conspiracy theories ranging from AI experimentation to underground sponsorships.
As of now, the Japan Sports Federation, national law enforcement, and cybercrime units are collaborating on the investigation. More updates are expected in the next 24 hours.
For now, the once-electrifying tournament is quiet.
And the nation watches… holding its breath.
Hotel Room – Neo Tokyo, 3:12 a.m.
The room was dim. Only the orange glow of the city's emergency lights leaked in through the curtains, painting flickers of confusion on the walls.
Riku sat on the edge of the bed, phone in hand, rereading the same message for the fifth time.
"Tournament Suspended. Lockdown in effect. Remain indoors. Await further instructions."
Mei stood by the window, her slender frame silhouetted against the dark skyline. "It's real, isn't it?" she whispered.
Riku nodded, his jaw tight. "They pulled everything. The cameras, the feeds, the security grid… all offline in less than ten seconds. This wasn't an accident."
Mei turned to him, worry etched into her eyes. "Do you think it has to do with that masked team?"
Riku's mind flashed back to the match against Mystic Five. The way they moved—silent, robotic, almost inhuman. Every pass perfect. Every shot like clockwork.
"They're not just skilled," he muttered. "They're something else."
Silence swallowed the room.
Mei walked over and sat beside him, slipping her fingers into his. "I was scared… but when I saw you play, when I saw you stand your ground against them… I felt safe."
Riku looked down at their hands. For a moment, all the noise—theories, lights, alarms—faded. It was just them.
"I promised myself I'd protect what matters," he said softly. "You're part of that now."
Mei rested her head on his shoulder. "Then we face whatever comes together."
Outside, the wind howled faintly. Somewhere in the distance, police sirens wailed. But in that small room, two hearts beat steadily. Closer now than ever—unshaken even in the eye of the storm.
Neo Tokyo Hotel Lobby – 8:43 a.m.
The morning was cold and clouded, a somber contrast to the electric energy that had pulsed through the city just days before. Players from across the country moved through the hotel lobby, bags slung over tired shoulders, whispers and confusion trailing in their wake.
"Tournament's off. No official word why. Just… silence," someone muttered.
Team Sakura stood near the revolving doors. Yuta tightened the strap of his duffel bag, glancing back. "You sure about this, Riku?"
Riku stood apart, his posture relaxed but his eyes alert. "Yeah. I'll head back on my own."
Daichi frowned. "The hell you stayin' for? It's over."
"Not yet," Riku said, voice calm. "There's something unfinished here. I need answers."
The team exchanged glances but didn't argue. Toma patted his shoulder once. "Don't die."
"I'll try."
The team filtered out. Riku stood in silence as the automatic doors slid shut behind them.
A soft voice broke the moment. "So you're really not leaving?"
He turned.
Mei stood there, her small suitcase beside her, pink hoodie tugged up to her chin. "Because if you're not going… I'm not either."
Afternoon – Streets of Tokyo
The city felt different. Quieter. But beneath the surface, it still pulsed—neon lights, vending machines humming, and the smell of grilled meat wafting from open stalls.
Riku and Mei strolled through Harajuku. She clung to his arm, pointing at odd shops, making him stop at random corners for pictures.
"You've never smiled this much," Mei teased, snapping a photo of him holding a bubble tea with a stoic expression.
"That's because you're forcing me to hold pink drinks."
She giggled. "Pink matches your soul."
They ended up at a rooftop café with a view of the Shibuya crossing. The sky had cleared, and golden light washed over the city below.
"Feels like we're the only two left in the world," Mei whispered.
"Maybe we are," Riku said, gazing at the crowd. "Everything feels paused. Like the world's holding its breath."
She leaned her head on his shoulder. "Then let's breathe together."
He looked down at her, brushing a stray hair from her face. "This day… it's mine and yours."
Their lips met—soft, sincere. A quiet promise in a city caught in silence.
Tokyo Skytree – Evening
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Riku and Mei found themselves at the top of Tokyo Skytree. The city glittered beneath them like stars scattered across the earth, casting its neon glow through the vast glass windows.
Mei pressed her hands against the glass, her breath forming a tiny fog. "It's so… endless."
Riku stood beside her, his hands in his pockets, eyes taking it all in—but not the view. Her reflection in the glass was what held his attention. "It's beautiful," he said.
Mei turned. "The view?"
"You."
A pause.
Her cheeks flushed pink. "You're not usually this bold."
"I think I'm done hiding things."
She laughed softly, then stepped close, her fingers finding his. "Then let's not waste today."
Late Night – Streets of Ginza
After dinner—yakitori from a quiet back-alley stall—and too many desserts from a convenience store, they walked through the nearly empty streets of Ginza, hands clasped tightly.
Riku stopped in front of a closed boutique with mirrored glass. In the reflection, they looked like a couple from a forgotten love story—his dark coat wrapped around them both, her head against his chest.
He broke the silence. "When the tournament was canceled… it felt like something was taken away. But now… being here with you… maybe it was a gift."
Mei looked up at him, eyes shimmering. "You never talk like this."
He chuckled. "Guess Tokyo makes me soft."
"No," she whispered. "I think love does."
And with that, she stood on her toes and kissed him again. This one was slower, deeper—filled with the warmth of something real, something they hadn't known they needed until now.
Hotel Room – 1:27 a.m.
Back at the hotel, the city lights leaked through the curtains. Riku sat on the edge of the bed, tossing his jacket aside. Mei came out of the bathroom, hair damp, wearing one of his hoodies that swallowed her completely.
"Comfy?" he asked, amused.
She nodded, climbing onto the bed beside him. "Warm."
They didn't rush. They didn't need to. As the night deepened, they lay together—sharing stories, gentle touches, and laughter that felt like healing.
And before sleep took them, Mei murmured, "When the world starts again… let's not lose this."
Riku kissed her forehead. "We won't."