"What a fantastic match!"
"That high schooler is really something; he almost turned the tables!"
"Nagai is still more skilled; his experience is just too seasoned."
Shirano slowly released the joystick, his chest heaving violently, a mix of unwillingness, exhaustion, and an inexplicable sense of relief intertwining within him.
He stood up, bowed deeply to the screen, and to the audience.
Just then, Nagai Kenta walked up to his station.
The man wearing a red and white baseball cap showed no arrogance of a victor on his face.
He extended his hand.
"You played brilliantly."
His voice was sincere, filled with respect for his opponent.
"You are the toughest opponent I've encountered in this tournament."
"Your Andy has a lot of potential."
Shirano was momentarily stunned, then instinctively reached out and shook his hand.
Nagai's palm was broad and strong, with thin calluses from years of gripping a joystick.
"Good luck in the third-place match."
Nagai patted Shirano's shoulder, a slight smile on his face.
"I hope we can represent Tokyo together at the Budokan."
With that, he turned and walked towards the winner's area, leaving Shirano with a graceful silhouette.
Going to the Budokan together…
This simple sentence, like a warm current, instantly dispelled most of the disappointment in Shirano's heart.
He straightened his back, and the fighting spirit reignited in his eyes.
That's right, there's still the third-place match.
He still has a chance!
The third-place match was held shortly after.
Shirano's opponent was another player who had lost in the semifinals.
After the high-intensity battle with Nagai, Shirano felt as if his mindset and skills had been refined.
He played more steadily and with greater confidence.
The experience he gained from Nagai, regarding rhythm control and psychological warfare, was gradually applied in practice.
Under his control, Andy Bogard's offense and defense transitions became smoother, and his grasp of opportunities became sharper.
Although there were twists and turns in the match, Shirano consistently maintained control of the situation.
Ultimately, he won the third-place match quite smoothly with a score of 2:0.
When "K.O." reappeared on the screen, Shirano let out a long breath.
He did it.
The last spot for the Tokyo representative was his!
He stood up and bowed again to the surrounding audience, and the applause was even more enthusiastic than before.
This time, when the female reporter from The Television approached with her cameraman again, Shirano was still a bit shy, but no longer as flustered as before.
"Player Shirano, congratulations on winning third place and successfully advancing to the National Tournament! How do you feel right now?"
"Thank you."
Shirano faced the camera, trying his best to appear calm.
"Very excited."
"My previous opponents were all very strong, so being able to qualify for the Budokan feels… very difficult."
"I will train even harder for the National Tournament."
His voice was still soft, but the determination in his tone was conveyed through the camera.
Meanwhile, at Sega Headquarters.
In the top-floor conference room, the atmosphere was completely different.
Takuya Nakayama looked at the latest report from the operations team, a smile he couldn't suppress playing on his lips.
After The Television magazine published a special report on the fatal fury tournament, its sales for that issue significantly increased.
And the footage of the matches they provided, after being edited and broadcast on the partner TV station's evening sports news segment, exceeded everyone's expectations in terms of viewership.
The exciting duels on screen and the players' focused expressions were highly infectious.
"Nakayama-san, Fuji Television has formally responded."
A subordinate handed over a document, his voice excited.
"They've agreed to our proposal and decided to broadcast some matches of this tournament live on television, starting from the top eight!"
"Excellent!"
Takuya Nakayama slammed his hand on the table.
This was the most crucial part of his plan.
Live television broadcast meant that this event would truly break through the gaming circle and enter the public eye.
His gaze returned to the newspaper clippings, where he saw a short interview about Shirano and another report on Nagai Kenta's "national training" experience.
"Immediately contact Fuji Television and get the promotional buzz going!"
He instructed.
"Also, for The Television, prioritize providing them with the footage of the Shirano vs. Nagai match!"
"Emphasize the concept of 'Dark Horse High Schooler' vs. 'National Tour Strongman' to create buzz!"
"We want the audience to see stories, to see conflict, to see the birth of these grassroots heroes!"
His eyes were sharp, as if he could already envision the grand spectacle of future esports.
A few days later, in Aomori City, that small coastal town.
The afternoon sun was still languid.
Umehara Daigo and a few friends were chasing and playing near the electronics store again.
Suddenly, from the television set at the entrance of the electronics store, used to attract customers, came exciting music and commentary.
"…A wonderful review from the Tokyo qualifiers!"
The scene switched to the Tokyo Institute of Technology gymnasium.
On the screen, Andy, dressed in a Shiranui-style ninja outfit, was locked in an intense battle with Terry, who wore a baseball cap and a red jacket.
It was the recording of Shirano's semifinal match against Nagai Kenta!
The TV was playing the segment of Shirano's brilliant counterattack in the second round, with Andy's precise block of the Flame Punch and the moment he unleashed a dazzling combo shown in slow-motion close-up.
Immediately after, the scene cut to the third round, showing Nagai's seasoned experience suppressing his opponent, and that final precise Power Dunk dominating the outcome of the decisive round.
The TV commentator nearby shouted in an almost roaring, ecstatic tone:
"High school dark horse Shirano! He blocked it! He countered! Can he create a miracle?!"
"Ah! What a pity! Player Nagai's experience is truly too seasoned! In the end, Player Nagai still won this thrilling duel!"
Daigo and his friends were instantly captivated, stopping their playing and gathering in front of the TV, watching intently.
Although they still couldn't understand many of the operations, the tense and intense atmosphere, the instant impact of victory and defeat, made their little hearts pound.
Just then, the screen changed, showing the tournament's promotional logo and striking text.
The commentator's voice became even more exciting:
"Ladies and gentlemen! The moment to witness history is about to arrive!"
"Sega's First Esports Tournament, the fatal fury National Finals!"
"Will be grandly held this Sunday morning at the highly anticipated Tokyo Budokan!"
"Fuji Television will broadcast it live!"
"Don't miss this pinnacle feast of esports!"
Budokan…
Fuji Television…
Live broadcast…
These words, accompanied by the flickering lights and passionate music on the TV screen, were like hot pebbles dropped into six-year-old Umehara Daigo's heart.
He watched without blinking, his small fists unconsciously clenching.
That older brother in the high school uniform, even though he lost in the end, was still amazing.
He remembered the final match time the commentator mentioned.
Sunday morning.
He must watch it.