The WBBA lounge buzzed with activity, but today, Valt and Shu had only one goal: break through Lui Shirosagi’s infuriating wall of stubbornness.

“Come on, man,” Valt whispered, elbowing Lui as he lounged in his chair. “She’s staring at you right now! Don’t you feel… something?”

Lui, lounging like he owned the world, didn’t even flinch. “I feel,” he said smoothly, “that you’re wasting your time.”

Shu, ever patient but sly, leaned in closer. “Lui,” he said, voice calm, “even the strongest blader has… vulnerabilities. You know, puppy love, soft spots, that sort of thing.”

Lui snorted. “Puppy love is for amateurs. I am not vulnerable.”

Valt leaned forward, grinning. “Oh, really? Because she’s right there, smiling like crazy whenever you blink in her direction.”

Lui’s jaw twitched — imperceptible to anyone else, but Valt and Shu noticed. “She’s… not exactly the problem,” he muttered, looking away, cheeks faintly pink under the glare of the stadium lights.

Shu raised an eyebrow. “Ah. So you do feel something.”

Valt clapped his hands. “Finally! Tell her!”

Lui groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “I am not… weak,” he muttered. Then, quietly, almost under his breath, he added, “I like her.”

Valt and Shu practically jumped in the air. “There it is!” Valt yelled.

Lui shot them a look that could melt steel. “You said nothing,” he warned.

You, who had been quietly watching the entire exchange from across the lounge, felt your cheeks heat up. He glanced at you, eyes slightly softened, and yelled from across the room, glaring directly at you, “Don’t let them get used to this.”

You smiled anyway, heart racing. Even stubborn and impossible, he’s still yours.