CHAPTER 86 — IN FRONT OF THE CAMERAS
The stadium corridors were lively again.
After their trip to the library, Zayn, Yojuro, and Kai had finally managed to return to the areas reserved for the participants.
Zayn was walking quickly.
— I knew we should've left earlier.
Yojuro, beside him, remained as calm as ever.
— You wanted to explore a library.
— I didn't want to explore.
— You opened the door.
— It was already open.
— You went inside.
— Because you went inside too.
Yojuro looked at him.
— So it's my fault?
Zayn thought for a second.
— Exactly.
Yojuro sighed.
They turned at the end of a corridor.
A staff member was waiting for them in front of a large black door.
— Zayn? Yojuro?
The two stopped.
— Yeah? Zayn answered.
— Finally.
Zayn frowned.
— Finally what?
— You've been expected for ten minutes.
Zayn slowly turned toward Yojuro.
— See? I told you we were late.
— You just said it was my fault.
— It's still your fault.
Yojuro didn't even bother answering.
The man opened the door.
— Go in.
Zayn peeked inside.
Then stopped.
— Oh.
The room was huge.
Dozens of spotlights surrounded a large black and white space.
Cameras were placed on rails.
Several screens displayed the logo of the Crown of Ashes.
Employees were running in every direction.
Technicians adjusted the lights.
And on a massive panel, the words read:
CROWN OF ASHES — OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT MEDIA DAY
Zayn slowly walked inside.
— What's all this for?
A woman wearing a badge around her neck approached them.
— Official photos.
— Photos?
— And promotional videos.
Zayn looked at Yojuro.
— We really have time for this?
— Apparently.
The woman checked her tablet.
— All fighters have to appear in front of the cameras. Sponsors will use the images throughout the competition.
Zayn looked around.
— Sponsors?
— Yes.
She pointed at several logos displayed on the screens.
— Combat equipment. Sports brands. Technology companies. Media outlets.
Zayn looked up at the spotlights.
— So we just stand there and smile?
Yojuro answered immediately.
— You do.
— And you?
— I'll just stand there.
Zayn smiled.
— You're good at that.
— Thanks.
— That wasn't a compliment.
— I know.
The woman led them in front of a huge black backdrop.
The golden symbol of the Crown of Ashes was displayed behind them.
— You'll start with individual photos.
Zayn raised his hand.
— Question.
— Yes?
— Can I choose my pose?
The woman hesitated.
— As long as it remains reasonable.
Zayn smiled.
— Perfect.
Yojuro closed his eyes.
— This isn't going to be reasonable.
⸻
— ZAYN!
A photographer stood behind a huge camera.
— Look here.
Zayn stood in front of the backdrop.
His arms crossed.
A slight smile on his face.
— More serious, the photographer said.
Zayn stopped smiling.
— Like this?
— No, now you look angry.
— So what am I supposed to do?
— Natural.
Zayn stood still.
— I don't know what that means.
Several people behind the cameras started laughing.
The photographer sighed.
— Just look at the camera.
Zayn stared at the lens.
FLASH!
— Perfect.
— Is that it?
— One more.
FLASH!
— Another one.
— HOW MANY PHOTOS DO YOU WANT?!
Yojuro, waiting nearby, answered:
— All of them.
Zayn turned toward him.
— Why are you talking?
— I'm enjoying this.
After several minutes, Zayn was finally allowed to leave.
— Your turn.
Yojuro stepped forward.
He simply stood in front of the backdrop.
His arms at his sides.
His expression calm.
His white hair slightly messy.
— Very good, the photographer immediately said.
FLASH!
— Don't move.
FLASH!
— Perfect.
FLASH!
Zayn opened his eyes wide.
— THAT'S IT?!
— Yes.
— WHAT?!
Yojuro calmly stepped back.
— You should try doing nothing.
— I can't beat a camera competition by standing still!
— Apparently, you can.
⸻
A few minutes later, the two boys were called in front of another camera.
This time, several sponsor logos appeared behind them.
A technician handed them microphones.
Zayn looked at the object.
— Why?
— Promotional interview.
— Again?
— It will take two minutes.
Zayn and Yojuro looked at each other.
— Two minutes, Yojuro repeated.
— That's what they always say, Zayn replied.
The red camera light turned on.
— Three.
— Two.
— One.
The presenter smiled.
— Today, we're here with two young fighters from Zenith Class!
He turned toward Zayn.
— Zayn, you just won your first match in spectacular fashion. How do you feel?
Zayn looked at the camera.
Then at the presenter.
— Good.
Silence.
The presenter waited.
— That's it?
— You asked me how I feel.
Several people burst out laughing behind the cameras.
The presenter smiled.
— Fair enough.
He turned toward Yojuro.
— And you, Yojuro? What's your goal in this tournament?
Yojuro answered without hesitation.
— Win.
— And after that?
— Win the next one.
Zayn slowly turned toward him.
— You copied me.
— No.
— That's exactly what I was going to say.
— You didn't say anything.
— Because you talked before me.
The presenter laughed.
— You two seem very close.
— No, they both answered at the same time.
Silence.
Zayn looked at Yojuro.
Yojuro looked at Zayn.
— See?
— What?
— We answer the same way.
— Shut up.
⸻
After the interview, they returned in front of the cameras.
This time, they had to take a photo together.
Zayn immediately placed his arm around Yojuro's shoulder.
Yojuro looked at him.
— Take that off.
— Why?
— Because.
— It's a team photo.
— We're not a team.
Zayn smiled.
— We are now.
The photographer raised his hand.
— Perfect! Don't move!
FLASH!
Yojuro sighed.
Zayn smiled even wider.
— I'm asking for a copy.
— No.
— I'm hanging it in my room.
— I'll burn it.
— You can't burn a digital photo.
Yojuro remained silent.
Zayn thought for a moment.
— Actually—
— Shut up.
FLASH!
The photographer finally lowered his camera.
— That's it. We're done.
Zayn raised his arms.
— Finally!
Yojuro immediately headed toward the exit.
But before leaving the room, Zayn stopped.
On one of the screens…
A photo of him had already appeared.
Next to it…
Yojuro's.
Under their portraits, a message appeared:
ZENITH CLASS
THE NEXT GENERATION
Zayn stared at the screen for a few seconds.
Then he smiled.
— Not bad.
Yojuro opened the door.
— The tournament is continuing.
Zayn joined him.
— I know.
The two boys left the room.
Behind them, the cameras continued rolling.
The sponsors were already broadcasting their images.
And in the stadium corridors…
New fighters were preparing.
The Crown of Ashes was far from over.
And for Zayn and Yojuro…
This was only the beginning.