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A writing exercise, not recommended
This is a completed Identity V esports novel.
Blurb:
Rong Mo is a newly debuted professional Survivor in the IVL. He's the team's pressure sponge every match, but never makes it to the playoffs. Nobody watches his streams, and he's thoroughly obscure.
Until, coaxed by a handful of random chat messages, he adds a popular streamer he happened to get matched with:
"Streamer, could you spare me a friend slot?"
The popular streamer never adds friends. His fans still remember the time a random player got added and then sold his account. They urge him to turn Rong Mo down. That kind of shady attempt to profit from a friend slot must never happen again.
But Ji Yunchen clicks Accept.
Rong Mo realizes he's made a huge mistake. He frantically tries to make it up to him by being as annoying as possible, hoping he'll delete him on his own.
Tier 0 skill, fan of ten years: "Wow, the streamer really accepted! I'll love you forever!"
Tier 1 skill, gold digger: "Invite me! I want to see Big Brother's huge mansion!"
Tier 2 skill, straight-guy speak: "Boss, I'll carry you this match. Guaranteed win."
Ji Yunchen says nothing and just agrees to everything. Secretly, he opens the IVL roster and checks the names one by one.
Later, Rong Mo is completely dumbfounded.
Can someone explain why a popular streamer has joined their bottom-tier team as a pro player?
Bonus scene 1:
During a match, Rong Mo is already out of the game. He switches to the spectator view of Ji Yunchen kiting the hunter. Before he knows it, his heart is racing.
[Someone save Mo Mo, he's about to pass out.]
[Wait, why is his heart rate higher watching his teammate than when he was kiting the hunter himself?]
[He's more nervous than the teammate kiting the hunter. Is he worried the guy will get downed in one hit and get flamed?]
Bonus scene 2:
His fan group asks how the food is and starts debating whether Chinese, Japanese, or Western food is best. Rong Mo deliberately takes a picture of the box lunch provided by the organizers during the Deep Rift tournament. He figures the food doesn't look bad enough to give their amateur operation a bad name, so he casually applies a filter and posts it.
Rong Mo: "I think Chinese food tastes best."
[Could it be that they're talking about which teams from different countries are the most entertaining to watch while you eat?]
[Mo Mo is so innocent. But please don't cook next time, okay?]
Rong Mo thinks about it. The domestic players are all doing their part to promote "Chinese food" every day, and the foreign players are just as good at it. The question of who should be head chef is worth considering.
Reading notes:
1. I often reach the seventh tier in-game, have a decent grasp of the game, and regularly watch tournaments.
2. Both leads are each other's first. No real-life inspirations.
3. Three to five updates a week.
Theme: Every meeting is the best possible arrangement
