Page 87 of From Drummer to Gamer

Luna would be gaming today.

It hadn’t even crossed my mind till now that she would be here.

It wasn’t like she would recognize me, but still, there would be a chance for me to put a face behind that pretty voice.

It felt uneasy to do that, like I was doing something I wasn’t supposed to.

As someone who grew up in a humble household in a small town and got thrust into the level of stardom as a teenager, there was one rule, one order that I forcibly maintained all my life.

Privacy.

I built it with heavy forts and reinforced walls and made sure there wasn’t much of me available to the people who didn’t know me.

The crowd in front of me was only making me question my decision to be here.

It was perfectly fine for Sierra to go out with her friends to a gaming tournament, right? She did lie that her friends were picking her up, but she didn’t lie that she was with her friends. But I still hadn’t confirmed that.

Something twisted my gut, knowing I was doing the exact opposite and going against my morals.

Not just to Sierra but even Luna, who carefully curated her presence to hide who she truly was in the virtual world.

Maybe I should quietly leave after finding Sierra.

Yes, that was what I’d do.

That would be for the best. I shouldn’t linger here, poking my nose into other people’s lives when I wouldn’t extend the same courtesy if the same were done to me.

A heavy buzz cut through the room as the speaker started announcing that the round of sixteen, which is a knockout game, would be starting in ten minutes and that it would determine the teams making it to the quarters, and went on to commentate about the top teams to look out for.

But I didn’t pay attention because I had to find a little firecracker before the game commenced, so I could leave in peace discreetly before someone recognized me and created a shitstorm.

It took me a five-minute walk around the concourse to find her.

My entire body sizzled like an electric flame as I neared her, the pull of her magnetic field beckoning me closer. She was standing among a group of people wearing similar yellow-colored lanyards while a pink-haired girl spoke animatedly with her.

Sierra, on the other end, had her face composed in a mask of deep calm, her eyes set in a sense of determination, and her pink lips pursed yet soft.

A strong air of confidence and unwavering resolve radiated from her.

So unlike her usual self, like a sparkling firecracker had transformed into a burning dynamo. And I couldn’t stop watching her like a creep.

Every part of her was beautiful, but seeing this side of her told me there was more to her than she was letting on.

Sierra wasn’t just a teenager who rambled and ate too many Cheetos than necessary. She also had the biggest heart, was kind and protective, loyal, and at the same time brilliant, collected, and grounded, a side of her she didn’t let anyone see.

The speaker announced the next game would be between Voltron Voids, who were currently ranked at number three, and the Magic Maidens, who were ranked at sixth.

That was my cue to leave. I’d seen enough of what I’d wanted to see.

More than enough.

I was just about to turn when something stopped me dead in my tracks.

The group that Sierra was with jerked upright just as the announcement ended, their eyes wide with excitement as Sierra nodded to them. They all brought their hands together and mumbled something before their hands flew above their heads like some kind of pre-game ritual.

Confusion flowed through my veins when they all turned around and entered the arena through the staff entrance.

Why was she going through there? Did she know someone?

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