Mika nodded and said, “I like gaming, but streaming isn’t really my thing. My friends are his devoted fans, but I’m not.”

With a smile, Sloane said, “You really left a mark on me, you know? Your fiery exchange with our teammate was unforgettable. I wish I had your skill!”

Sloane, known for her loud and vibrant personality, often faltered in arguments, stuttering her way through heated exchanges, which made her all the more appreciative of those who could articulate their thoughts under pressure.

“Could you teach me?” Sloane asked eagerly. “I’d love to get better at arguing like that!”

The table fell silent for a moment, pondering if such a skill could indeed be taught.

Surprisingly, Mika nodded and said, “Check out my blog. I’ve compiled all my best retorts there.”

The group was visibly impressed. “You keep a log of your comebacks?” Sloane didn’t waste a moment and quickly checked Mika’s blog, exclaiming, “Incredible, you’ve got a solid following, and your posts are hitting over a hundred thousand views!”

Mika responded calmly, “Many come to sharpen their own skills through what I’ve shared. My wit has made a name for itself.”

Levi was now convinced of the saying that every field has its experts. Clearly, the art of arguing was more than just a reaction; it was a craft to be mastered.

Sloane was radiating positive energy today and, as a result, found herself indulging in a few too many drinks.

She had this habit—when the alcohol kicked in, she became a whirlwind of words.

Right now, she was caught up in enthusiastic chatter with her new friends, bouncing from one story to the next. She rambled about everything—her daily training, competition experiences, and more—speaking with such infectious passion that it felt like there was no end in sight. The others, who were avid fans of Neal, listened intently, their interest piqued by anything related to him.

It wasn’t until the early hours of the morning, when Sloane’s yawns became impossible to hide, that she finally declared, “Alright, it’s bedtime. I’ll save the rest of my stories for another time.” Everyone nodded, clearly ready to call it a night.

Meanwhile, Jeff had just arrived. Fernanda had called him about half an hour ago, asking him to pick up Sloane.

“She’s had quite a few drinks,” Fernanda mentioned to Jeff.

Jeff replied with a smile, “She seems to be in a great mood today.”

“Yeah, everyone’s buzzing after making it to the semifinals of the competition.”

“I already grabbed tickets,” Jeff added. “I’ll be there to cheer you all on during the semifinals.”

Fernanda’s lips curled into a smile. “Looks like we’ll have quite the audience at the semifinals. We’d better bring our A-game, or else we’ll be the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons.”

Jeff let out a light laugh, raised an eyebrow, and asked, “How are you getting home?”

Fernanda gestured toward Levi and the others, already huddled together, ready to catch a cab. “I’ll grab a cab too.”

.

.

.