Chapter Text
You were pretty average, you could say. You were good at sports like everyone else- you yourself were quite good at archery, but lived life like any other normal Wuhu Islander. You were at work today, a typical Wuhuian 9-3, but at least you lived somewhere where work was enjoyable. Your job was for the Wuhu Island Basketball Association. The sports associations managed skill levels, the championships- basically, all the logistics of the league and interim sports offered on the island- which was a lot.
As someone who worked for the WBA, you had the chance to interact with the reigning basketball champions- Tommy, Eva, and Tyrone. They were a close-knit trio, and despite their intimidating sizes and towering figures, they were the kindest and most fun people you've ever met. You didn't really consider them your friends by any means, just acquaintances. You didn’t want to intrude on a friendship when your relationship was strictly professional, anyway.
Alas, the day goes on. The usual e-mails, paperwork, and boring meetings. A three-point contest was being held tonight, and you had to be there to represent the WBA and hand out prizes as required. It was a boring task, especially with many of the professionals being taller than you.
Your boss, Helen, tapped you on the shoulder. You turn around and look at her.
“What's up?” You ask, still keeping your professional demeanor.
“I just wanted to inform you that one of the champions is participating tonight, so I need you to be at the court way earlier than I thought due to the press,” Helen said.
Your eyes widened for a brief second before you nodded. "Alright. So 6:45?" The sun set at 8:30 pm, and the contest started at 9.
Helen nods. "Yep. Prizes and everything."
You go back to your work, sighing as you type away on your computer. You wondered which champion was participating, so you looked it up.
Ah. Tyrone Verns. The blond guy. You've talked to him before. Maybe he'd say hello, despite no interaction outside of official events.
You shake off your thoughts and continue to work.
—
Once 3 o’clock struck, you were gone and headed back to your place to recover before the three-point contest.
You were lucky to have a first-floor apartment, and lived next to no one special, but you did have Steph and Mike for roommates. It seemed they weren’t home as you unlocked your door, flopping down onto the couch and turning on the TV.
The news was on, and it mostly rambled about the upcoming Professionals Gala. The people who attended were mostly champions and very high Pros, both the regular and interim ones, but it was a fun event to watch live.
Around 6, you hear the door open to see Steph enter the room. "Hey Y/N!" She greets you enthusiastically. "I know you've got the contest to be at tonight, but Mike's grabbing food." She sat on the couch next to you. "Do you want anything?"
You thought for a moment. "Just some fries."
Steph typed on her phone, seemingly telling Mike to pick up fries for their roommate. Your quick glance over her shoulder revealed that Mike replied with 'lol bet'.
Steph and Mike were quite the chaotic pair of siblings, but living with them made your life interesting, at least.
Mike soon entered the house, holding a bag from a fast food place. He threw the bag on the table in front of the couch and gave Steph an intense stare.
"There's your food, dumbass."
Steph rolled her eyes and took a hamburger out of the bag, unwrapping it. "Great job, you idiot."
You were used to it, as they often insulted each other playfully. You found the small package of fries and began to munch away as you listened to their sibling banter.
You finished your fries before saying goodbye to Mike and Steph, grabbing your keys and heading out.
You arrived at the basketball court early as promised. A few cameras and things were being set up, and the participants were already on the court, mainly just dribbling basketballs. You saw Haru, Kathrin, Akira, and Tyrone.
You stood at the chain link fence and watched them play. Tyrone noticed you and gave a wave, recognizing you from the WBA. You waved back.
You sat down and watched the competitors play for a little bit before meeting with the officials, nailing the logistics for tonight's contest.
The contest began at 9 as scheduled. You stood next to the referees, holding the box that contained the medals for tonight.
“Welcome, welcome all!” Miyu, the announcer for the contest, exclaimed over the loudspeaker. “Welcome to another lovely Three-Point Contest! Tonight’s competitors are Kathrin Rodnicki, Haru Bryant, Akira Ochako, and Tyrone Verns!”
Cheers rang out from the audience, more so when Tyrone’s name was announced. You could only smile, watching from as close as possible due to your status as a WBA representative.
“Alllllright!” Miyu exclaims. “First up, Bryant!”
You knew Haru fairly well, knowing she would perform well since she is a basketball Pro. She made her way to the first set of basketballs on the right side of the court, placing a hand on the first ball. She waited for Miyu to let her start.
“Aaaaaand, START!”
As soon as she was given the signal, Haru began rapid-fire shooting the basketballs from behind the three-point line. As someone who somewhat dabbled in the art of three-point contests, you knew there was a rhythm to the way you shot the balls, and there could be absolutely no hesitation. Haru drained a decent number of balls, managing to score 22 points with about 12 seconds left on the timer.
You clapped, quite proud of how she did. This was the same for Kathrin and Akira, who scored 19 and 21 points respectively.
Then it was Tyrone’s turn. You really wanted to pay attention to him, as he was one of the basketball champions.
“START!”
Tyrone was fast and furious, draining ball after ball into the hoop. You couldn’t help but holler cheers of encouragement. He had no trouble keeping a consistent rhythm with throwing the balls, and it was like you could almost make a song out of it.
He, of course, won the whole contest with a whopping 28 out of 30 possible points.
With the contest now over, it was time for you to hand out the medals. You approach the competitors, opening the box. You place the respective medals on them, from fourth place all the way to Tyrone. His height made it slightly difficult to do so.
Tyrone took the medal from you. “I’ll do it, no worries.” He could only chuckle, which brought a smile to your face as he put his medal on.
With everything said and done, you were ready to go home and call it a night. You began to disperse with the crowd, trying to find your car. You pat your pockets once you found it, realizing your keys were missing.
Shit! Where the hell are my keys?! You frantically looked everywhere you could remember. You were brought back to reality by hearing a voice call your name. You turn towards the sound and see Tyrone making his way towards you.
“Hey, Y/N! Are these your keys?” He asks once he found you, holding a set of keys- you recognized them as yours.
You nod. “Oh, thank Maka Wuhu. Those ARE my keys.” You take them from him. “Thank you SO much!”
Tyrone smiled. “No problem. I saw them fall out of your pocket when you were leaving.”
You couldn’t thank Tyrone enough. “I have to repay you somehow.” You seemed very thankful for his finding your keys, as you were desperate to get home and go to sleep for the night, as you had work in the morning.
“No need!” Tyrone insisted, just glad he could help you out. He may be tired as well, as you could tell from some light bags under his baby blue eyes. “It just wouldn’t weigh right on my conscience to let someone possibly take your keys and your car from you.”
“As any decent person would feel like,” you countered with a smile. “But I promise you, I’ll find a way to thank you for your act of kindness.”
Tyrone thought a moment, knowing just how insistent you were on finding a tangible way to thank him for finding your keys. “Well, I can think of something… but it’s a bit heavy.”
“Heavy?” You questioned, tilting your head.
“It’s kind of a big deal.” He sighed. Then he began to explain. “I need a date to the Professional’s Gala.”
“A date? Aren’t you going to take Eva?” You were slightly surprised at the sheer mention of being taken to a big gala like this.
“That’s the thing,” he explains further. “Eva, Tommy, and I are close, but our feelings are all mutually platonic. Eva and I have no intention of taking our relationship up the ladder to romance. The tabloids, however, refuse to accept that. I’ve been asking around to see if anyone will go with me, but of course, being asked to be a date to a gala is pretty awkward.”
You nodded in understanding. “So you need a fake [boyfriend/girlfriend/partner] to ward off the press?”
Tyrone nodded back. “Yeah. I know we don’t know each other very well, but I can tell you really want to do something for me since I found your keys. It’s kind of a big deal, and will probably get you some unwanted media attention, but I assure you I will make you as comfortable as possible. You can back out at any time.”
You took his offer into consideration, thinking about it. Not only would you get to go to a big event reserved for the best of the best on Wuhu Island, but you got to go as Tyrone's plus-one despite you now having to pretend to date him. Not a lot of people got opportunities to even FAKE date a champion…
You nod. “Alright. I’ll be your date to the gala.”
Tyrone smiled brightly at you. “Thank you SO much, Y/N. This means a lot to me.” He looked very, very relieved, and that was about enough for you to know he had genuine intentions. “Alright, Y/N. I’ll need your number to coordinate everything.”
“Right.” You get out your phone and unlock it, opening your contacts app and handing the phone to him. He inputs his number, then gives you back your phone so you can shoot him a quick text so he has your number.
Tyrone steps back in preparation to leave. “Again, thank you, Y/N.”
“No, thank you, Tyrone. I’d be checking into Cocoba and losing some money if you hadn’t found my keys!” You reply.
“I’ll text you in the morning,” Tyrone promises. “I’ll see you soon.” With that, he left.
You get in your car and drive back to your apartment, not even bothering to get ready for bedtime. You dive into your bed and immediately crash. You were so tired that you didn’t even take off your shoes, glad that Mike and Steph were asleep and didn’t interrupt your coming home.
You needed sleep in anticipation of what was to come.