Chapter 83: Daiki's Climax

His controller clatters to the floor.

The crowd gasps.

Fuji looks up, his Ice Prince mask still on, but his eyes are confused. This is not part of his plan.

Daiki marches to the front of the stage.

He walks right up to Hiroto Suzume.

Hiroto looks terrified. "Uh... 'Deception'-san? The match...?"

Daiki rips the microphone from Hiroto's hand.

A horrible feedback screech echoes through the ballroom.

The Crown Prince jumps.

Daiki takes a deep breath.

"He is throwing the match."

His voice is not a yell. It is a low, dangerous growl.

It is dead silent.

"He is letting me win," Daiki says, his voice shaking with rage. He points at Fuji.

"You think this is magnanimous, Your Highness? You think this is good PR? Letting the commoner win a match? This is insulting."

The Crown Prince is on his feet. He is screaming at the guards. "Get him off the stage! Cut the feed!"

But the guards hesitate. The cameras are rolling. This is Deception, the King of Gamers, the new folk hero.

"I came here because I was invited," Daiki snarls. "I came here because I respect the game. And you... you are turning it into a joke."

He turns to Fuji.

"I am Deception. I am the best Street Fighter player in this country. I have earned my title. I do not need your pity! And I do not need you to give me a win to look good for your father!"

He is not just talking about the game. He is talking about Aoi. He is talking about everything.

"I do not want your charity!"

Fuji is standing now. His face is pale. His perfect plan... is in ruins.

This... this is Daiki's climax.

He is not the simp. He is not the jerk.

He is the King.

He is choosing his pride over the win.

He is choosing respect over Aoi.

He is... he is amazing.

I am actually proud of him. I am stunned.

"So I am giving you a choice, Prince," Daiki says, his voice echoing.

"You either play me. For real. Right now. No plans. No PR. No pity. Just you and me. Your best... versus my best."

He glares at Fuji.

"Or I walk. And I will tell the entire world that the Imperial Family is a sham and that their prince is a coward and a liar."

He just threatened the Prince. Again.

This is... this is worse than the festival.

All eyes are on Fuji.

The Crown Prince is screaming "No! Do not engage! Arrest him!"

Fuji looks at his father. His face is cold.

He looks at me. In the crowd. I am nodding. Just... nodding.

Fuji looks back at Daiki.

He picks up his controller.

"Restart the match," Fuji says, his voice cold and clear, cutting through the chaos. "Final Round. Full health."

He looks at Daiki.

The true rival smirk is back.

"You want no mercy, Hanata-san?"

Daiki grins, a feral, happy grin.

"You have got it."