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The sound of celebratory cheers echoed through the Discord channel as the TEKKEN 8 tournament finally came to a close. It had been an intense, online competition, with players from all over battling for prizes, but one person’s match stood above the rest: Finana’s.
Her fingers flew across the controller with unparalleled precision, especially during the clutch moments when the team needed her most. Every round, especially when it looked like Team USA might lose, Finana pulled through with Alisa in a way that left everyone in awe. She commanded the character with grace, executing perfect combos and turning the tide of battle when the stakes were highest. Each victory was a testament to her skill—and now, with a triumphant smile, she basked in the praise of her teammates—Claude, Shu, and Usami—who had been cheering her on the entire time.
But it wasn’t just the applause from her teammates that mattered. What made her heart race was the proud, adoring gaze of Claude, who had been by her side the whole tournament. Even through a screen, his characteristic grin made her feel like the winner of something much bigger than a mini fighting pad.
“Well, well, well,” Claude’s voice teased through the headset, warm but mischievous, “Looks like someone’s got some serious skills. And hey, look at that prize, huh?”
Finana’s cheeks flushed a soft pink as she looked at the tiny, mini fighting pad she’d won. She held it up with both hands, examining it like it was the most precious thing in the world. "I... I didn’t think I’d win it, but Alisa really came through for me! She’s just so cool!" Her voice held a note of disbelief, recalling her last-minute clutch in the final round.
Claude leaned in closer, still teasing, his voice playful. “Oh, that’s adorable. Lil’ baby hands for the lil’ baby pad,” he said, snickering as he poked fun at the way she clutched the tiny controller, her fingers almost swallowing it whole.
Finana shot him an exaggerated glare, though the sparkle in her eyes made it clear she wasn’t offended. “Hey! It’s not that small!” she protested, holding it up to her camera as if to show it off. Then, in a fit of playfulness, she pretended to jab the controller into his side like a tiny weapon. “It’s the perfect size for me!”
Claude raised an eyebrow, playing along, his voice dripping with teasing affection. “Uh-huh, sure it is. Baby hands for a baby prize,” he shot back, the words almost a challenge.
Finana giggled, her laughter light and sweet. “You’re mean! I could still kick your butt with this, you know!” she said, her voice full of playful defiance.
Claude let out a dramatic sigh over the mic, rolling his eyes for effect. “Oh no, baby hands and the baby pad are gonna beat me now. I’m really scared,” he teased, then grinned wider, his tone softening as he added, “But seriously, you were amazing, Finana. That was some next-level play. Those clutch moments? You totally saved our butts.”
Finana’s cheeks tinged pink again, this time from the sincerity in his voice. She quickly looked away, almost bashful, trying to hide her fluster. “Well... I couldn’t have done it without you guys cheering me on,” she murmured, glancing over at her teammates. Shu and Usami were laughing and congratulating her too, but Finana focused on Claude’s voice, her heart fluttering.
Claude wasn’t about to let her off that easily. “Aww, baby hands wants to act all shy now, huh?” he teased, his words still playful, but the sweetness behind them was unmistakable. He nudged her through the screen with a playful tone, clearly enjoying every second of the back-and-forth.
Finana poked the camera, pretending to poke him through the screen, as her lips twitched in a restrained laugh. “You’re impossible,” she said, her voice light with affection. “You’re the worst—and the best—at the same time.”
Claude chuckled, and for a brief moment, the banter paused, a comfortable silence settling between them. It was like a little world within the noise of the Discord call, where it was just the two of them, sharing a quiet, meaningful moment. He smiled softly, his voice quieter now. “That’s what I do best,” he replied, the playful edge in his voice gone, replaced with something more sincere.
The moment was broken by a loud cheer from Usami over the mic, but Finana couldn’t shake the warmth she felt from Claude’s words. The playful teasing, the affection, the little exchanges—they all meant so much more than just a victory in a tournament. They were a connection.
Finana blinked, her smile returning as she looked back at Claude through the camera. “Okay, big hands, let’s see you win next time. I bet your hands can’t even hold a controller as good as this one.”
Claude held his hands up in mock surrender. “You got me there,” he said, exaggeratedly raising his hands in defeat. “I’ll just sit back and let baby hands win all the prizes from now on.”
They both burst into laughter, completely oblivious to the rest of the group. It was just the two of them—teasing, laughing, and basking in the warmth of each other’s company. No need for grand gestures, no need for words beyond these lighthearted exchanges. It was enough.
As the noise from their teammates’ voices filled the Discord channel, Claude couldn’t help but smile. Finana had won the tournament. But in his eyes, she had won something even more precious—a piece of his heart.
End.