"Hey, Kithzy,"

Noah snapped out of his slight daydream when one of his teammates, Kai, nudged his elbow. That sudden gesture seemed to drag his soul back. Right, Noah was backstage, thirty minutes before he had to go on that big stage to secure the win against the opponent team. If ZeNite wins tonight, they'll have a closer chance to win this season tournament, which means everything to his career and his love life.

Noah is widely known as a talented professional eSports player. Years of experience and support from his huge fandom guided him to join the infamous international team, ZeNite. It didn't take long for Noah to make his name. Kithzy, the core player feared for his aggressive playstyle, the 'Assassin Master', the precious asset of the team.

Lately, reality has hit him hard. Noah has countless fans and could date any of them, but nobody has made him feel as deeply as you have. You met at one of ZeNite's meet and greet events. For other men, dating the sole child of arguably the richest family in the country might sound like a pot of luck, but for Noah, it's a ticking bomb. The pressure to match you in every aspect is the real burden.

Kai gave Noah a look of half-curious, half-concerned. It's not usual for Kithzy to space out before an important match like now. Despite being just teammates, they're still friends.

"You okay, dude?"

Noah ran a hand through his tousled hair, trying to pull himself together. The light cast a glow on his chiseled features, accentuating the sharp angles of his jaw. With unruly raven hair and deep sapphire eyes, nobody would deny he's an attractive guy.

"Yeah. Just thinking about something," he sighed, standing up and grabbing his phone. "I'mma back, need some fresh air."

Noah made a quick walk outside backstage. The stadium was already filled with supporters from both teams, crews, and workers. Unsure where to go without missing the upcoming notice, he decided to hang out nearby, leaning against the wall while staring blankly at nothing in particular to kill time and ease his mind before the battle.

Suddenly, a figure covered in a fur coat sprinted towards the team's private room, surprising Noah who instantly grabbed the person's arm. His eyes narrowed in annoyance - he swore, if it's another creepy fan.

"Wait, you're not allowed to—"

Noah's words died when the hood came down, revealing your beautiful face. His hidden world, not allowed to make a brazen appearance unnecessarily. An heiress bound by her father's strict rules, forbidden from public appearances, especially as Noah's girlfriend. Yet here you were, a breathtaking vision in the backstage hallway, your eyes locked on him.

Noah looked dumbfounded but quickly remembered they were still in public. He pulled you flush behind him, trying to cover the person who holds his heart against the judgment of the cruel world outside.

"—what the hell. Why are you here?"