CTS TIME RE250.08.27 | 8:30 PM
The Diamond Restaurant was glowing with preparation for tomorrow's Grand Finals. Every corner of the restaurant was adorned with holographic displays of Blaze and Tenebris, their iconic blades — Venom Devolos and Prime Apocalypse — flickering alongside their images. The crowd inside was buzzing with excitement, and cosplayers dressed as the top bladers were scattered around, drawing attention.
At a corner table, Jasper, Dante, and Bolt were already seated, deep in conversation. At another, Talon, Flame, and Rose sat more quietly. Talon, as usual, maintained his cold and unreadable demeanor, while Flame glanced around, his youthful curiosity evident.
The restaurant doors swung open, and heads turned.
Serena stepped in first—radiant, confident, and looking utterly victorious. The way she walked, the way her smirk barely concealed her amusement—it was the expression of someone who held secrets too powerful to be spoken aloud.
Blaze followed right behind her… and he looked wrecked.
His posture was stiff, his expression tense, and his skin still faintly flushed. The man looked like he had been through battle and barely lived to tell the tale. As he entered, a group of fangirls seated nearby exchanged hushed whispers, their eyes narrowing with suspicion.
"Why does he look like that?"
"Why Serena? What does she have that we don't?"
"Did she… do something to him?"
Oh, if only they knew.
As Blaze and Serena made their way to Jasper's table, Blaze hesitated for a brief second, as if he had just realized the mistake of showing up. But before he could turn and flee, Serena took his arm and guided him forward, her grip firm yet affectionate.
He was trapped.
The moment Blaze sat down, Jasper wasted no time.
"You're late." His voice was casual, but the smirk curling at his lips told a different story.
Blaze felt his entire body tense. He knew that tone. He knew what was coming.
Jasper leaned forward, resting his chin in his palm. "Almost an hour late, in fact." His gaze flickered between Blaze and Serena, his smirk widening. "So, tell me… how many rounds did you last before she let you leave?"
Blaze choked on nothing. "W-WHAT?!"
Serena, meanwhile, leaned back in her seat, crossing her legs gracefully. "Oh, Jasper," she sighed, her voice dripping with amusement. "You really underestimate his stamina."
Jasper's eyebrows shot up. "OH?! So, there were multiple rounds?!"
Blaze whipped around to Serena, betrayal in his eyes. "Serena, WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?!"
Serena simply smiled at him, looking far too pleased with herself.
Jasper slammed a fist on the table, howling with laughter. "HOLY SHIT, BLAZE! MULTIPLE ROUNDS?! My man, I didn't think you had it in you!"
Dante, who had been casually sipping his drink, suddenly decided to join in the chaos. He leaned in, his voice calm yet full of hidden malice.
"You know, I did some research last night."
Blaze's stomach dropped. His head snapped toward Dante. "…Research?"
Dante nodded, his expression unreadable. "Yeah. I was curious why couples are late after a long night together." He let his words sink in before continuing, as if he were giving a science lecture. "Turns out, there are two main reasons."
Blaze didn't want to hear the answer. But it was too late.
Dante smirked. "Either they lost track of time…" He paused for dramatic effect, enjoying how Blaze was squirming in his seat.
Blaze prayed to every deity he could think of.
"…Or," Dante continued, voice smooth as silk, "they lost control."
Jasper WHEEZED. He slapped the table, nearly falling out of his chair. "LOST CONTROL?! OH, MY GODS—BLAZE, IS THAT WHAT HAPPENED?!"
Blaze felt his soul ascend. "I—THAT'S NOT—"
Jasper grinned like a demon. "Bro, be honest. Did she pin you down, or did you just give up after she said 'one more time'?"
Serena, who was now shaking with silent laughter, reached for her drink and took a slow sip.
Dante, completely unfazed, turned back to Blaze. "Or," he continued, his smirk deepening, "did she drain you until you physically couldn't walk anymore?"
Blaze slammed both hands on the table. "DANTE—WHAT THE HELL?!"
Jasper suddenly turned to Serena, grinning.
"Alright, Serena," he said. "You were the one doing all the work, so tell us… how long was his sword?"
Blaze let out the most pained wheeze known to mankind.
Serena, without missing a beat, tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm… let's see."
Blaze grabbed her arm. "SERENA, DON'T—"
She ignored him completely. "I measured with my hands, but I'd say…" She lifted her fingers a certain distance apart.
Jasper leaned in, pretending to examine. "Mmm… respectable."
Dante smirked. "But did it perform well?"
Serena grinned wickedly. "Oh, it did more than just perform."
Blaze collapsed face-first onto the table.
Jasper slammed his hands on the table, laughing. "BLAZE, MY MAN! YOU'VE BEEN EVALUATED!"
Dante nodded. "Certified S-tier performance."
Serena laughed, patting Blaze's back. "You're gonna be fine, babe."
Blaze lifted his head just enough to glare at her. "I AM NEVER SPEAKING TO ANY OF YOU AGAIN."
Jasper grinned. "Bro, we're just proud of you."
Dante sighed, shaking his head. "We really thought you were a one-and-done kind of guy. But three rounds?" He let out a whistle. "Respect."
Blaze let out a long, suffering groan.
Meanwhile… At Another Table
Across the restaurant, Flame had been eavesdropping on the entire conversation, eyes wide with innocent confusion.
Bolt leaned over. "What are they talking about?"
Rose turned beet red. "…Um… Stuff."
Bolt frowned. "What kind of stuff?"
Rose covered her face. "…Grown-up stuff."
Bolt squinted. "…Like taxes?"
Rose let out a strangled noise and refused to answer.
Flame, still confused, turned to Talon. "Talon, do you know what they're talking about?"
Talon took a slow sip of his drink.
After about fifteen minutes of ruthless teasing, the conversation shifted. Talon finally broke the tension. "So, Blaze… what's your plan after the finals? More championships or taking a break?"
Blaze, still recovering from his earlier humiliation, managed to compose himself. "…I'll rest first. Then I'll think about it."
Talon nodded. "There's another championship — the Emerald Championship in the Southern Region."
Jasper's eyes lit up. "I'm in. I couldn't win here, but I'm sure I'll dominate the Emerald Championship."
Flame immediately spoke. "I'll join too."
Blaze hesitated. "Flame… your brother Rash is scheduled to come pick you up on the 29th. Will you be able to participate?"
Flame lowered his gaze. "…I know. I just wish I could keep blading a bit longer."
Dante smiled at him. "Don't worry, kid. Once you're ready, you'll carve your own path in this world. Maybe you'll even be stronger than your brother someday."
Flame's eyes sparked with hope. "…I'll make sure I do."
As the group continued discussing future tournaments, Blaze stole a glance at Serena — who was still holding back a laugh from earlier. He leaned in quietly. "I'm never coming to dinner with them again."
Serena smiled. "Oh, come on. It wasn't that bad."
Blaze grunted. "They basically destroyed my dignity."
Serena leaned closer, whispering into his ear. "…But you did look cute when you were all flustered."
Blaze groaned and slammed his forehead against the table again. "…I'm gonna die."
Serena laughed softly, resting her hand on his. "…I love you, Blaze."
Blaze lifted his head slightly, his face still a bright shade of red. "…I love you too, Serena."