A few minutes before.
Inside the Arya's Team Locker Room.
The locker room was quite simple, with dozens of red-colored lockers and benches, which can be used to sit and relax before the matches.
In the middle of the room was a middle-aged man with a somewhat skinny body and fatigued face. He didn't look like a fighter, instead an ordinary office worker.
He was also wearing an outfit that fit that description. An old and somewhat dirty suit, mostly in the color of brown.
He is the coach of the current Arya's team, Patti.
There were three young men sitting on the benches, and every single one of them had one thing similar.
Their pale faces.
One of them even was turning green, soon the reason was discovered.
''Ugh!'' He ran towards the toilet, and only the sound of vomiting was heard.
Patti sighed and looked at the two other young men, who didn't look any better.
Their bodies were trembling in nervousness, and it was already a miracle that they didn't pass out.
The young man who left to go vomit appeared once again; he didn't look green anymore, instead pale. He had short brown hair with an above average face and quite an athletic body. He was wearing Arya's Team outfit, which consisted of mostly a white jacket and pants, with a symbol of a black-colored fist.
His name is Hessu.
The two young men looked quite identical because they were twins!
Both of them had almost identical faces, but one of them had blond hair, and the other one had black.
The blond-haired one's name is Antti.
The black-haired one's name is Antero.
Hessu sat down on the bench and sighed deeply, ''Coach... We can't do this...''
Patti sighed and knew that the winning chances were slim; they would only make fun of themselves, but giving up had direr consequences.
They won't be even allowed to leave the City, let alone return to their homes!
''Where is our promised fourth fighter?'' Antti asked and wiped the cold sweat, ''Did they... Lie to us?''
Patti sighed and didn't know the answer to that.
The Government chose them as the representatives for Arya, but this has been shady since day one.
There are so many more experienced and stronger fighters, but they chose three random young men and a Martial Leader fighter, who has no experience in coaching.
''We won't get the so-called fighter who would help us win.'' Antero said with anger, ''They tricked us! This experience is good for us? There will be someone who will help us win, so that we won't embarrass ourselves? Bullshit!'
Patti lowered his head and felt like a massive mountain was crushing down on him. He knows that they were tricked, and their only job is to lose.
There have been rumors of different Continents doing shady deals, but he shrugged it off as unfounded rumors, but now he understood that they must have been true!
They will lose, which will increase the status of the team who defeats them, but there won't be any Continent who would willingly lose without earning something from it too.
The team who will lose will lose their future also. No one wants individuals who got destroyed in Youth Competition to their schools.
Looking at the young men, Patti felt anger like never before. He had the pleasure of spending time with them for a couple of weeks and knew that they were good lads, but something like this happening is truly tragic.
For the past couple of weeks, they had been stuck in a hotel, without any chance of contacting the outside world, he thought it was quite strange, but didn't care too much about it, but now he understood everything perfectly.
They didn't want them to realize what was happening too soon.
Today was the first time they were let out of the hotel and were instantly taken to the locker room, where they are currently staying.
Patti looked at Hessu, who seemed ill, and he also knew the reason for that. It isn't because of nervousness, but instead because he is food poisoned.
They received food from the hotel staff before they left, and the young men complained that it had a weird taste, but they shrugged it off.
Patti wasn't hungry and didn't eat, which is also the reason he is fine, unlike the young men.
The hotel staff food poisoned them, just in case their information is incorrect and some of the fighters in their team are stronger than supposed.
*Knock* *Knock*
Suddenly, the sound of door-knocking was heard.
''Is it time for a match already?!'' Antti exclaimed and felt his food moving inside his stomach, ''Ughh...'' He covered his mouth before vomiting everything out.
Patti glanced at the wristwatch, and there should have been 10 more minutes, but knowing them, there is no way they will let them get better.
''Those bastards...'' He slowly walked towards the door, hoping to give the young men even a few seconds more time to rest.
*Smack*
Hessu slapped his cheeks and tried to conquer the food poisoning, ''Come on...''
Antti and Antero took deep breaths.
Patti reached the door and slowly grabbed the door handle.
Hessu, Antti, and Antero turned their heads towards the door.
Patti straightened his back and opened the door.
Once it was wide open, he saw someone he didn't expect to see.
''Eh...'' Patti became stunned, and his eyes widened in shock after seeing the black-haired young man.
''Excuse me, I am—'' Ichiro opened his mouth and quickly tried to tell his identity, but he was soon interrupted.
''You are Kurogami Ichiro!'' Patti exclaimed with his mouth wide open.
''Oh.'' Ichiro was startled and didn't expect someone to recognize him with a glance, ''You know me?''
''Of course.'' Patti looked excited and shook Ichiro's hand with excitement, ''This is an honor! I am from Gensa as well, and you are a legend there!''
Ichiro widened his eyes, and soon a smile out of relief appeared, ''You must wonder why I am here then?''
''Are you perhaps...'' Patti almost felt like fainting out of happiness, ''Our fourth fighter the Government promised?!''
''Eh?'' Ichiro felt like a massive misunderstanding happened, but seeing Patti's hopeful look, he quickly said, ''Yes, sorry that I am late.''
''Yes!'' Patti screamed in happiness and quickly pulled Ichiro inside the locker room and closed the door behind.
