Leveling up With You

On the day I won the national esports championship, my girlfriend of eight years told me she wanted to go on stage and personally present me with flowers.

Standing on the podium, my heart was racing. I reached into my pocket to pull out the ring I'd hidden there, ready to propose to her in front of the entire nation.

But what happened next shocked me. She giggled and, instead of handing me the bouquet, she gave it to her male best friend.

Under the bright lights, they became the center of attention.

The crowd cheered, and their congratulatory messages flooded the trending topics. Even his fans tagged me in posts, mocking, [I told you not to get in the way of our couple, now look at you.]

I simply posted on Twitter, [Respect and blessings. Please be locked together forever.]

Beneath the dazzling lights, I stood on the podium with my teammates.

Luna Doyle, my girlfriend, approached me holding a bouquet.

She had promised that when I won the national championship, she'd announce our relationship to the world.

Tonight, she seemed to be here specifically to give me the flowers, choosing roses that symbolized love.

This was the first time she'd ever given me flowers, and her expression was filled with such deep affection.

I blushed, trying to control the excitement in my heart, my eyes fixed on her as she walked toward me.

In my mind, I had already planned it: As soon as she handed me the flowers, I would drop to one knee, pull out the ring, and propose to her live on national television.

Even though we had fought over trivial things just yesterday.

But who doesn't argue in a relationship, right?

I nervously rubbed the ring in my pocket.

"Congratulations on winning the championship!" Luna said, extending the flowers.

I was eagerly preparing to accept them when, to my disbelief, the flowers passed me by and landed softly in the arms of my teammate, Hugo Newman.

Hugo was Luna's best friend, someone she had known long before me.

My smile froze on my face.

I stared at her, gazing lovingly at Hugo, my thoughts in a whirl before I laughed bitterly.

Again, it was Hugo.

I should have known. In her heart, her best friend always came before me.

Just yesterday, we had argued over him. But I never imagined she'd hand over the symbolic flowers of love to him in front of everyone.

Hugo, who was handsome and well-loved in the esports world, had far more fans than I did.

Did Luna not understand what this gesture meant?

I silently slipped the ring back into my pocket, hearing the fans' screams echo through the arena.

The noise was deafening, as if it might tear the roof off.

Flashes from cameras filled the air, and everything around me faded into the background.

Even before the award ceremony was over, their sweet interactions had already gone viral.

Their perfect pairing was drawing fans, with people shipping them as a couple.

Hugo's fans were tagging Luna in the comments, calling her "Mrs. Newman", and the scene was chaotic.

But none of it was related to me.

With a wry smile, I stepped off the stage and returned to the dressing room alone.

As I looked at the flood of congratulatory messages on the trending topics, I suddenly felt exhausted.

Maybe it was time to put an end to this relationship.

I sent Luna a message. [Let's break up. I won't stand between the two of you anymore.]

As soon as I sent it, Luna called me.

I didn't answer. Instead, I ordered a car back to my rented apartment and started to pack my things.

This place was one we had shared.

But now that we were breaking up, I couldn't stay here under the same roof with her.

She could keep the place.

As I packed, Luna sent me countless messages.

[What do you mean, break up?

[Why are you throwing a tantrum again? You're such a man-child!

[Enough of that. Everyone wants to celebrate, so come over now. Hugo and the others are waiting for you!]

Every word she typed revolved around Hugo.

She gave roses to another man, and yet she accused me of being narrow-minded.

I scoffed at my phone, turning it off and zipping up my suitcase.

It all happened so suddenly. I didn't have time to rent another place, so I had no choice but to return to the dorm the esports club had arranged for the team.

The base was quiet now. My teammates were out celebrating.

I habitually turned on my computer and logged into the game. It was only when I was immersed in the game that I could finally relax.