CTS TIME: RE250.08.26 – 9:30 PM
The automatic door slid open, revealing the luxurious Deluxe Suite inside the Diamond Spacehub. The air carried a faint scent of exotic space flowers, mixed with the cool hum of futuristic tech integrated into every part of the room.
Blaze stepped in first, gesturing toward the spacious interior. "Welcome to my Deluxe room."
Jasper immediately corrected him, "Wrong. Flame's Deluxe room."
Serena, stepping inside, looked around in awe. "Wow… this is even better than I expected. Royal class for sure." Her crimson eyes scanned the elegant furniture, the smooth metallic walls adorned with soft holographic projections of distant galaxies, and the fully automated kitchen system that could generate gourmet meals from pure energy.
Blaze glanced around, frowning slightly. "Wait… where's Flame?"
Jasper wandered deeper into the suite, peeking into one of the rooms. He found the kid sound asleep, curled up under a thick blanket, his small frame barely moving as he breathed steadily.
Jasper smirked. "He's sleeping in that room. Guess we have the whole living room to ourselves. Time to enjoy!"
Blaze turned to Serena. "Why are you still standing? This place has tons of comfortable sofas, beds, everything."
Serena crossed her arms, smirking. "Why sit on a sofa when I can sit on the bed?"
Then, she grinned playfully, stepping closer. "Ohh, Blaze, why don't you come to bed? Let's have some fun."
Blaze froze.
His entire face turned red, his heart slamming against his ribs.
"W-what do you mean?!"
Serena leaned in, her teasing smile widening. "Idiot. Don't you know what a man and a woman can do in bed at night?"
Blaze's brain completely short-circuited.
His face was now brighter than a burning red star. "S-SERENA?!"
Jasper burst out laughing, slapping his knee. "Oh my god! Blaze, you're priceless! That reaction—absolutely legendary!"
Serena giggled mischievously, her crimson eyes gleaming. "Relax, dummy. I was just teasing you."
Blaze groaned, burying his face in his hands. "You two are the worst."
Jasper smirked. "Alright, alright, let's make this night memorable. I declare this—THE CHAMPION'S SWEET PARTY!"
Serena clapped her hands. "I like that idea!"
The Sweet Party Begins
The three of them gathered around the living area, where Jasper activated the holographic entertainment system, making the walls flicker with projections of famous battles and galactic sights. A soft melody played in the background, setting the perfect mood for a fun, relaxing night.
The kitchen system automatically generated plates of snacks, from crispy galactic chips to luxurious space chocolates.
Blaze, sitting stiffly on the sofa, was still recovering from earlier.
Serena, however, was enjoying every second of making him nervous.
She stretched, then casually walked over to the clothing section, which displayed multiple outfit choices for guests.
"Hmm… I should change into something more comfortable," she mused.
Blaze immediately stiffened. "W-wait… change? Here?"
Serena grinned. "Relax, pervert. I'll use the changing room."
Jasper smirked. "Blaze, I think she's just trying to mess with you."
Blaze glared at him. "You think?!"
A few moments later, Serena stepped out wearing a different outfit—one designed for elegance and allure. It was a sleek black and red space-leather jacket, cropped at the waist, paired with form-fitting dark leggings that accentuated her toned figure.
Her signature crimson ponytail still swayed as she moved, but something about her new look made Blaze completely freeze.
Jasper, leaning back on the sofa, whistled. "Damn. Looking hot, Serena."
Serena smirked, twirling slightly. "Blaze, what do you think?"
Blaze was now deep red again.
His mouth opened—nothing came out.
Jasper saw his chance. "I've got a challenge, Blaze. If you lose, you HAVE to finally say it—'I love you, Serena.'"
Serena laughed. "Oh, I like this already."
Blaze narrowed his eyes. "What's the challenge?"
Jasper grinned. "You have to look at Serena and say—'You look hot, stunning, and sexy.'"
Blaze froze.
Serena grinned playfully. "Come on, Blaze. I promise I won't slap you this time."
Blaze's brain went into full shutdown mode.
Serena stepped closer, tilting her head. "Or maybe you want to grab my chest again?"
BOOM.
BLAZE. WAS. DEAD.
Jasper couldn't stop laughing. "BLAZE, SHE'S LITERALLY GIVING YOU PERMISSION. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!"
Serena smirked. "Blaze… untie my red crimson ponytail. You know, when it flows down, I look even more stunning."
Blaze gulped, his hands shaking.
Serena turned around, waiting.
Jasper nudged him. "Go on, champ. Do it."
Blaze, slowly raising his hand, reached for her ponytail—
Then.
Everything.
Went black.
BLAZE HAD FAINTED.
Jasper and Serena stared at him.
Serena blinked. "Did… did he just pass out?"
Jasper burst into uncontrollable laughter. "OH MY GOD! I KNEW HE'D GET NERVOUS, BUT FAINTING? THIS IS LEGENDARY!"
Serena crossed her arms, shaking her head. "Hopeless. Absolutely hopeless."
She leaned down, lightly tapping his forehead. "Oi, idiot, wake up."
Blaze didn't move.
Jasper wiped away tears of laughter. "I guess we broke him."
Serena sighed, a soft smile on her lips. "Even though he's a complete idiot… he's my idiot."
Jasper grinned. "Now THAT'S love."
Serena playfully punched his arm. "Shut up."
Jasper smirked. "Alright, let's get him to bed before he faints again."
Serena nodded. "Fine. But once he wakes up… I'm not letting him escape without saying it properly."
Jasper laughed. "Oh man, I can't wait for that."
And with that, the night ended with a champion completely knocked out, a best friend laughing his heart out, and a fiery girl determined to get her idiot to finally confess.
CTS TIME: RE250.08.27 – 12:30 AM
The dim neon glow from the holographic cityscape outside the window cast soft, flickering lights into the Deluxe suite. The air was quiet, save for the faint hum of the spacehub's gravity stabilizers and the rhythmic breathing of those inside.
Blaze slowly stirred, his eyes fluttering open as he groggily shifted in bed. His body still felt warm, his mind still hazy from everything that had happened earlier.
And then—
He froze.
Something was wrong.
A soft weight pressed against his side, a warm breath tickling his neck.
Blaze's eyes snapped open—and what he saw nearly made his soul leave his body.
Serena.
Sleeping. Right. Next. To. Him.
WAY TOO CLOSE.
Blaze's entire body locked up. His heartbeat exploded into rapid-fire beats.
His face turned crimson, his mind screaming in every possible language.
"SHE'S IN MY BED?!"
Blaze carefully tried to shift away—but the moment he moved even an inch—
Serena's arm wrapped around him tighter.
Blaze stopped breathing.
He tried again, inching his arm free.
But—
"Mmm…"
Serena shifted, burying her face into his chest.
Blaze almost died.
Her crimson ponytail had come loose in sleep, her long red hair flowing down her shoulders like a fiery waterfall. Her breathing was slow and peaceful, completely unaware of the complete chaos happening in Blaze's brain.
Blaze's mind was racing.
"How?! Why?! When did this happen?!"
He turned his head desperately, looking for an answer—
And then he saw Jasper.
Sitting on the luxury sofa across the room, casually leaning back, his legs stretched out, watching something on his advanced wristwatch.
Fully awake.
Completely unbothered.
Blaze's eye twitched.
"Jasper…!" he whispered angrily.
Jasper looked up, raised an eyebrow, and smirked.
"Oh? You're finally awake?"
Blaze gestured furiously toward Serena. "EXPLAIN!"
Jasper stretched his arms lazily. "Relax, lover boy. You fainted, remember? Serena put you in bed, and then, well… she kinda just stayed."
Blaze's brain melted.
"STAYED?!"
Jasper grinned. "Yup. She wanted to make sure you didn't pass out again. Guess she got too comfortable."
Blaze's face turned even redder. He felt like a furnace about to explode.
Jasper chuckled, enjoying every second of Blaze's internal suffering.
Blaze whispered angrily. "AND YOU JUST LET THIS HAPPEN?!"
Jasper shrugged. "Hey, I wasn't about to stop true love in action."
Blaze groaned, burying his face in his free hand.
Then—Serena shifted again.
This time, she fully wrapped her leg over his, locking him in place.
Blaze went completely stiff.
Jasper burst out laughing silently.
Blaze glared at him with pure murder in his eyes. "HELP ME!"
Jasper smirked. "Nah, you got this. Think of this as… training for future nights."
Blaze's soul left his body.
He was about to shout when Serena mumbled sleepily.
"Blaze…"
Blaze froze solid.
Serena's soft voice murmured again, her arms holding onto him tighter.
"Don't disappear again… okay?"
Blaze felt his heart stop.
Her voice—it was so soft, so vulnerable.
Jasper, watching from the side, smiled slightly. Even he could tell—this wasn't teasing. This was real.
Blaze swallowed hard. His anger disappeared, replaced by something else.
Something warm.
He sighed quietly, closing his eyes.
"Okay, Serena. I won't disappear again."
And for the first time in days—
Blaze finally felt at peace.
CTS TIME: RE250.08.27 – 5:30 AM
Blaze emerged from the bathroom, steam still rising from his damp, freshly showered skin. He adjusted the towel around his shoulders, his silver-streaked hair slightly messy from the rushed drying process.
His first mission: Check if Serena was gone.
He peered cautiously into the main living area.
Jasper and Flame were still at it in the gaming zone, locked in an intense holographic sword fight, their shouts of excitement filling the air.
Good. That means they're distracted.
But then his stomach dropped.
Because Serena was still here.
She was over by the luxurious clothing section, casually browsing through different outfits. The soft hum of the automated fabric adjusters filled the air as she examined a sleek, form-fitting dress.
Blaze froze in place, unsure whether to leave or act like he didn't see her.
Maybe if he just—
"Oh? Trying to avoid looking at me, are we?"
Serena's playful voice cut through the air like a laser blade.
Blaze stiffened, his whole body tensing.
Damn it. She noticed.
Serena turned to him, hands on her hips, her crimson ponytail swaying slightly as she smirked. "Why so shy, honey?"
Blaze choked on air. "H-honey?!"
Serena casually walked over, arms crossed as she eyed him up and down.
Then, with an appreciative nod, she said, "Gotta admit, you've got a damn good muscular body."
Blaze's brain blue-screened.
His face turned so red it could probably set off fire alarms.
"C-can you NOT say things like that?!" Blaze sputtered, looking anywhere but at her.
Serena pouted dramatically. "Oh, come on, I'm just appreciating my man."
Blaze almost had a heart attack. "YOUR WHAT?!"
Serena giggled, completely enjoying his suffering. "What? You don't like being called my man?"
Blaze looked around desperately for an escape. But Jasper and Flame were too deep in their game, completely oblivious to the torture happening behind them.
Serena stepped closer, closing the distance between them, and Blaze instinctively took a step back—only to hit the wall.
Shit. No escape.
Serena placed her hands on either side of his head, trapping him.
Her crimson eyes gleamed mischievously. "I wanna hug you."
Blaze swallowed hard, his heart hammering like a drum in a battlefield.
"I—I think I just remembered I have an emergency training session—gotta go—" He tried to slide away.
But Serena caught his wrist.
She leaned in slightly, whispering, "Scared?"
Blaze's soul almost left his body.
"Oh, please, STOP! This is worse than torture!" he pleaded, his entire face now resembling a burning red star.
Serena tilted her head, pretending to think. "Worse than torture? Hmmm. You mean… you actually prefer pain over me?"
Blaze panicked. "THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!"
Serena smirked. "So you do like my attention?"
Blaze was sweating bullets. "I—I—"
Serena suddenly wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a warm, tight hug.
Blaze's entire nervous system shut down.
He didn't even know what to do with his hands. Where do they go?! What's the protocol?! Help?!
Serena leaned her head against his chest. "See? This isn't so bad, right?"
Blaze was seconds away from combusting on the spot.
Jasper, finally noticing the scene, turned around and smirked. "Well, well, well. Didn't expect to wake up to romance o'clock."
Flame paused the game, grinning. "Damn, Blaze! You sure you're not secretly smooth?"
Blaze wanted to die. Right here. Right now.
Serena, still holding onto him, looked up and said, "I mean, if he wants, we can take it further~"
Blaze let out a strangled noise and fainted.
THUD.
Serena burst into laughter, patting his unconscious head. "I think I broke him again."
Jasper sighed, shaking his head. "RIP, buddy."
Flame nodded. "Gone but not forgotten."
Serena just grinned. "He'll wake up eventually. And when he does… I'll be waiting~"
CTS TIME: RE250.08.27 – 5:45 AM
Blaze lay sprawled across the luxurious marble floor of the deluxe suite, completely knocked out from sheer embarrassment. His face was still burning red, and his breathing was shallow—as if his soul had momentarily left his body.
Serena, who was still kneeling beside him, flicked his forehead lightly. "Oi, wake up, you big idiot."
Blaze didn't move.
Jasper sighed and crossed his arms. "I swear, Blaze, if fainting was a sport, you'd be the reigning world champion."
Flame, standing nearby, looking slightly concerned but mostly amused, poked Blaze's cheek. "You think we should call medical services?"
Jasper smirked. "Nah. He'll be fine. He's just experiencing 'extreme emotional damage.'"
Serena, still holding Blaze's face in her hands, shook her head dramatically. "Man… I really broke my boyfriend, huh?"
BOOM.
Blaze's soul (if it hadn't left before) officially ascended.
"B-B-B-Boyfriend?!" Blaze shot up so fast he nearly headbutted Serena.
Serena grinned wickedly. "What? You got a problem with that?"
Blaze was malfunctioning. "I—I—I—WHAT?!"
Jasper smacked his own forehead. "I swear, bro, you've been trying to get this girl's attention for MANY DAYS, and now that you finally HAVE it, you're having a damn meltdown?!"
Flame nodded sagely. "Pathetic, really."
Blaze pointed at Serena like she was some kind of mythical creature. "YOU JUST CALLED ME YOUR BOYFRIEND! YOU—YOU CAN'T JUST SAY THAT OUT OF NOWHERE!"
Serena shrugged. "Why not? It's true, isn't it?"
Blaze looked like he was about to explode.
Serena leaned forward slightly, her crimson eyes twinkling with mischief. "Or… do you NOT want to be mine?"
Blaze's brain completely shut down.
ERROR 404: BLAZE NOT FOUND.
His face turned redder than a supernova.
"W-W-W-WHAT ARE YOU EVEN SAYING?! STOP SAYING THESE THINGS!"
Jasper and Flame were absolutely dying of laughter.
Jasper clutched his stomach. "Oh my god. I don't think I've ever seen someone THIS down bad before."
Flame wiped a fake tear from his eye. "This is better than any championship match. Hands down."
Serena, clearly enjoying herself, tilted her head. "Why are you so shy now? I mean, just a few minutes ago, you could've grabbed me all you wanted."
Blaze instantly stood up, waving his hands frantically. "I DIDN'T DO THAT ON PURPOSE!"
Serena laughed. "Relax, idiot. I'm not mad. In fact, I should be thanking you."
Blaze blinked. "Huh?"
Serena smirked, stepping closer. "Because of that incident, I realized I actually love you."
BOOM.
Blaze flatlined again.
Jasper facepalmed. "He's gonna faint again, isn't he?"
Flame sighed. "Yup. Three… two… one—"
Blaze, overwhelmed with emotions, started to wobble—
Serena grabbed his collar and pulled him into a hug before he could fall again.
Blaze froze.
His heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would burst.
Serena rested her head against his chest, smiling softly. "See? This isn't so hard, is it?"
Blaze, completely flustered, didn't know where to put his hands. "Uh… I… Uh…"
Serena giggled. "Still nervous? Fine, I'll say it again. I love you, Blaze."
Blaze felt every circuit in his brain fry at once.
But then…
Something changed.
His hands slowly moved up, wrapping around her waist.
Serena's eyes widened slightly as Blaze finally, FINALLY hugged her back.
Blaze took a deep breath, his voice quieter this time. "I… I love you too."
Jasper and Flame immediately lost their minds.
Jasper jumped onto the couch. "FINALLY! HE SAID IT!"
Flame pumped his fists in the air. "THE CHAMPION HAS SPOKEN!"
Serena pulled away slightly, her face just inches from Blaze's. "There, that wasn't so hard, was it?"
Blaze chuckled nervously, still red. "Took me long enough."
Serena leaned in, teasingly close. "Now that I've confessed… what are you gonna do next?"
Blaze gulped. "Uh… T-training? Finals? Sleep?"
Serena rolled her eyes playfully. "Dumbass. I meant with ME."
Blaze went FULL RED AGAIN.
Jasper grabbed a drink from the fridge and smirked. "You guys do whatever. I'm just here to enjoy the show."
Flame sat back and nodded. "Best. Day. Ever."
And so, the great champion of Exohorizon—Blaze Deathbringer—was finally defeated.
By love.
To be continue....