"I didn't know we were from the same state and city," Jake said as he extended his hand toward a blond-haired man who was at least three years older than him.
It was Arthur, known as SWalker.
These two met in a restaurant and saw themselves in real life for the first time. It was a peculiar experience to see SWalker in blond hair, but it suited him as much as the white color did.
Jake didn't even add cosmetics or changes to his character, so Arthur felt no difference. It was like meeting Jake in the game world, with the difference that the system was replaced by phones.
Phones were quite huge and could be said to be mini-computers nowadays.
There was everything in them.
"It's a surprise," Arthur chuckled. He used to live in a wealthy part of their home city, but that was a past for two days now.
Jake had learned about Arthur's circumstances through the phone.
He was the first one to learn about it because he was a team captain in the paper.
There was also another reason SWalker talked about it with him first. It wasn't just because they were friends but because Casual Clowns had received interest from various guilds and companies.
Jake ignored that stuff for now and asked, "Are you really okay? My house has a guest room, so we can take you in for a while."
"It's fine, really," Arthur nodded. "I saved money for a potential disownment. We also won a tournament, so I'll get enough to survive for a few months. If we win The International Tournament, I'll be set. I still want to do something in life and don't want to bet everything on the victory in The International Tournament."
It seemed that Arthur wanted to talk about the business side of esports.
"I'll compete, just not regularly. There's only one game in esports so far, so this scene has a lot of room for development. I don't need to be a part of every development, and I think the game company will force us to adapt to their scene. I mean, there's a high chance they will force us to level up or something... I want more freedom.
So, I think having my friend with connections in esports background is like a god-sent gift! I'll support you. If you do well with our contracts and sponsors, I'll leave my streaming career to you. Damien has a really good accountant, you know?"
"Haha!" Arthur laughed. "I'll speak with him in more detail. He has so much experience."
"He's probably with El right now," Jake said.
"Seriously? But... weren't you..." Arthur said.
Jake stared at him with straight lips and dead fish eyes.
Arthur coughed. "Excuse me."
"Yeah... he asked me the same. I'm not into her. I hope these two become a thing, for my own sake," Jake said before arching his head back to drink.
"But these two are such an odd match... I didn't expect that. I would never expect that," Arthur said. No matter how much he tried to imagine these two together, it was such a weird couple that nothing came to his mind. "At least she's the type that can ignore his haters and fangirls."
"Oh, that's true," Jake nodded.
"I reckon Casual Clowns' founders will go their own ways after The International Tournament," Arthur said. "You want more freedom of choice, Prince and El will probably become a couple, and I will create an entertainment company. At least Damien twice won't be worried about his romantic relationship with one of the teammates if I explain about that to him."
"Why would he be worried about it?" Jake asked.
"Companies forbid inner relationships for a reason," Arthur smiled. "I wonder if it means I can ask Miss Rebecca out."
Jake choked on his drink.