"Whoever gets Blake gets the championship!"
It wasn't the first time someone had said those words.
But now, with the season over, the draft concluded, the trade market about to open, and "The Emperor" Blake becoming a free agent, everyone was reminded of that statement once again.
And at a time like this, the first people to think of it were naturally the front offices and coaching staffs across the league.
A fierce battle for Blake was about to begin.
Things might seem quiet for the moment, but everyone knew exactly what it was.
The calm before the storm.
...
A little earlier.
Over on Blake's side.
10:00 p.m.
Blake and Mia were strolling through the park. The cool night breeze brushed against them, taking the edge off the lingering heat of the day.
The park was lush and green, filled with flowers, grass, and trees. A large lake sat at its center, the moon reflected across the water.
The nighttime scenery really was beautiful.
It was the perfect place for people to unwind with an evening walk after a long day. Naturally, it was also perfect for couples spending time together.
"Wow~ This park looked pretty ordinary from the outside. I didn't expect it to be this beautiful once we came in!"
Mia admired the scenery as she walked.
Of course, she also had the summer essentials in her hands, a cold drink and milk tea.
"Blake~ Let's sit down and rest for a while."
"Sure!"
After walking for quite some time, the two sat down on a bench beside the lake.
Feeling the cool breeze coming off the water, Mia smiled.
"The breeze by this lake is even cooler than a sea breeze.
"We ate so much delicious food today, went to an amazing concert, saw such a beautiful night view, and now we get to enjoy this breeze too. I'm so happy!"
"Really?"
Blake asked with a smile.
"Really!"
Mia nodded eagerly, leaned back against the bench, and stretched out both arms, fully enjoying the cool breeze against her skin.
"Quinnie."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"You know, even though the sky and the sea are far apart, they can still be together, right?"
"Really?"
Mia looked at him, slightly puzzled.
Blake smiled and spread out his fingers.
"Of course. Quinnie, let's play a game. Hold out your hand and spread your fingers like this."
Mia copied him. Facing the lake, she stretched out her arm and opened her slender, fair hand, spreading all five fingers.
Blake continued, "This game is called the 'Five-Finger Game.' Just listen to what I say and bend a finger whenever it applies to you."
"Okay."
"Mia, bend one finger."
Mia bent her thumb.
"Quinnie, bend one."
She bent her index finger.
"The pretty girl in front of me, bend one."
Mia paused for a moment, then bent her middle finger. As she did, she glanced at Blake, still not quite understanding where the game was going.
"The girl who's known me for more than a thousand days, bend one."
Mia bent her ring finger.
Now, only her pinky remained raised.
Just as she began wondering what Blake would say next, he stopped asking questions and reached into his pocket.
Then...
He slowly pulled out a diamond ring.
Mia stared at him, completely stunned.
With a faint smile, Blake gently slipped the diamond ring onto her raised pinky.
Then he lowered her arm and took the hand now wearing the ring in his own.
Softly, he said, "Mia, I don't want to call you 'Quinnie' anymore. Will you be my girlfriend? I want to cherish you for the rest of my life."
The ring had come out of nowhere.
So had the confession.
Mia froze, completely dumbfounded as she stared at Blake.
But Blake didn't rush her.
He simply waited.
After a moment, Mia finally recovered. She looked at him with her bright, lively eyes, gave a gentle nod, and said, "Okay."
Blake smiled.
Under the bright moonlight, he leaned in and kissed her.
...
The next day.
Mia immediately told her best friend Yoona that she and Blake were officially together.
Even though she knew Yoona had feelings for Blake too, she still had to tell her. They were best friends, after all.
She had already prepared herself for whatever reaction might come.
To her surprise, Yoona only smiled on the other end of the phone and said casually, "I don't like Blake that way anymore. Now I just see him as a good friend~"
But hadn't she told Jessica before that she liked Blake?
And now he was suddenly just a friend?
Was she lying?
Was she only saying that to make Mia feel better?
No.
It was actually true.
Yoona really had liked Blake before, and not merely as a fan.
She had genuinely liked him.
The kind of liking where she had wanted Blake to become her boyfriend.
But after getting to know Mia, and after running into Blake while spending time with her, Yoona gradually came to realize something.
Blake only had eyes for Mia.
He interacted with Yoona too, of course, but anyone paying attention could tell those interactions were purely between friends.
There was even a hint of gratitude in them.
After all, Yoona had once taken care of Mia.
Once she realized that, Yoona began thinking back over everything that had happened before.
Whether it was staying at Blake's home, going out with him, or anything else they had done together, there had always been a reason behind it.
Some circumstance had always brought them together.
It had never simply been Blake asking her out because he wanted to spend time alone with her.
Putting everything together, Yoona finally understood.
All along, it had only been her own one-sided crush.
And after getting to know Mia, she also realized that the person Blake had always liked was Mia, her very best friend.
So she chose to let go.
One was her best friend.
The other was her best friend's boyfriend, who was also one of her own good male friends.
And he was still the basketball star she admired.
There was nothing wrong with any of that.
Yoona had completely moved on.
So when Mia told her the news, Yoona wasn't upset at all. Instead, she sincerely congratulated her and was genuinely happy for her.
Naturally, that made Mia happy too.
...
After Blake and Mia became a couple, they were in no hurry to head home.
Since they were already in Korea, they decided to stay for a few more days and enjoy themselves.
During that time, they had wanted to meet up with Yoona, but as a member of a top-tier girl group, her schedule had been packed lately, and she simply couldn't get away.
For now, though, Blake and Mia could be set aside.
Back in the United States.
One week after the draft ended, on July 1, the trade market officially opened.
And with it, the battle for Blake officially began!!!
...
If you'd like to support my work and unlock advanced chapters, you can follow me on p-@-treon.
p-@-treon/GhostParser (40 Chapters Ahead)
You can also follow as a free member to read a few advanced chapters.