Event of the year

As the sun began to set, the atmosphere in Deephaven shifted noticeably. The bustling streets, just now crowded with people going about their life, now gradually emptied as the anticipation for the Zero games intensified. With each passing minute, the energy in the district grew palpable. Excitement and tension blended in the air, creating a sense of anticipation that was almost tangible. It was as if the entire city held its breath, waiting for the spectacle that was about to unfold. It is supposed to be the biggest game of all time.

Throughout Deephaven, people flocked to the nearest screens, their eyes fixated on the displays. The Zero Dome, the ginormous arena in Central Amona, only available to those with enough money to enter. For the less fortunate, watching from home was the only option, but it didn't dampen anyone's enthusiasm one bit.

The borders of the districts were heavily guarded, an attempt to keep the cheering crowds in check. The allure of the Zero Dome was undeniable, and people would do whatever it took to get a glimpse of the action within. Security tightened as the day progressed. As the minutes ticked away, the excitement reached a fever pitch. The air crackled with a unique blend of electricity and camaraderie, uniting the people of Amona in their shared passion for the Zero games.

A buzzing sound blared through the apartment, pulling Aiko's attention away from the project he was engrossed in. Nas, his AI, chimed in with a notification.

"Aiko, someone's beeping you from downstairs," Nas relayed in her usual composed tone.

"Ah, it's probably Yumi, but she's late," Aiko remarked with a touch of playful impatience, already heading towards the door panel to respond to the caller.

"Hey Yumi, I'm coming! Give me a sec, just grabbing some stuff," Aiko called out to Yumi through the intercom.

"Hurry up, Ai-" Yumi's voice echoed through the intercom, but her sentence was cut short as Aiko ended the call quickly.

"I'm taking my skates and Link-up with me, just in case. I've never been in Central Amona before, don't know what to expect" Aiko mused aloud to himself.

With his skates strapped to his feet and the Link-up device securely in his pocket, as he descended the stairs, Aiko's curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn't resist asking Nas about the games.

"Nas, how many people attend these games?" Aiko inquired with genuine interest, wanting to grasp the magnitude of the upcoming event.

"Around 500,000 people will attend tonight's game, as it's supposedly the most anticipated game of the decade," Nas responded promptly.

The number staggered Aiko for a moment. Half a million people gathered in a single place, sharing the same enthusiasm and excitement—it was hard to fathom. "Maybe it will be a bit fun?" he asked himself.

Aiko made his way down the stairs with a sense of urgency. As he approached the door, a distant voice called out, "Hey Aiko, hurry up! We're gonna be late!" It was Yumi, waiting impatiently for him to join her.

"Yes, I'm coming!" Aiko replied, his voice carrying a hint of amusement at Yumi's impatience. He quickly opened the door and made his way outside, where Yumi's car awaited them. Jumping into the back seat, Aiko greeted Yumi with a playful smile.

"You seem excited," he observed, noticing the sparkle in her eyes.

"Well, yeah, of course!" Yumi exclaimed with uncontainable joy. "This is the biggest game of the year, Aiko. You must have heard of it, come on?"

Aiko shook his head, a hint of curiosity sparking in his gaze. "No, I've not heard of it yet, but the streets seem unusually empty, so it must be something special."

Yumi chuckled, a playful smirk dancing across her face. "You'll see why in a sec," she teased, savoring the anticipation of the thrilling event that awaited them.

"I'm kind of worried I won't get past security, though," he admitted, his confidence wavering.

Yumi flashed a reassuring smile, placing a comforting hand on his leg. "Why are you still worried about that? I told you, I'll handle it. Well, in this case, Tango will handle it, right Tango?"

The bot, Tango, who was driving the car, responded with his usual calm and mechanical voice, "Yes, mam. I will make sure they won't even speak with you two."

As they approached the border, Aiko's nerves started to kick in. Instead of waiting in the long line for the regular border check, Tango confidently led them to the VIP entrance. Aiko couldn't help but glance at Yumi in confusion and mutter, "Isn't this the VIP line? We'll definitely get checked now... we're screwed!"

"Hehe, just wait and see," Yumi said with a mischievous grin as they pulled up to the guard.

"Please kindly lower your window," one of the three guards surrounding the vehicle instructed.

Without skipping a beat, Tango, the butler bot, immediately spoke up, "Hello, sir. Here is the family ID." He handed the guard a holographic card ID with the family crest displayed on it.

As the guard's eyes widened in surprise at the card, he immediately called for the other guards to open the gates. "Thank you for your cooperation. Have a pleasant time at the Zero Games," he said with a smile, allowing them through without any further hassle. It was as if they believed a VIP or someone of great importance was in the vehicle, and they treated them with utmost respect and urgency. The gates swung open, and the vehicle smoothly passed through without any further inspection. The tinted windows concealed the back seat, leaving the guards with no knowledge of who they were dealing with, and they weren't willing to take any chances to look.

As they drove through the gates, Aiko's astonishment was evident on his face. "Oh my god, I've never been across this point in my life. How did you just do that?" he exclaimed in disbelief.

"Well, you know my family, right?" Yumi responded with a hint of pride. "I can do these things just with a simple card my dad gave me. I still don't know why they think we're this special to get this treatment, but yeah, it's definitely a perk."

Aiko looked at her with a mixture of admiration and playfulness. "You say so..." he replied with a teasing smirk, knowing full well that Yumi had a way of effortlessly wielding her family's influence when needed.