In the locker room, James suited up in his booster fighting gear, securing his katana. Mr Otomi looked at him with a reassuring smile. "Remember everything you've trained for, James. Stay focused, and don't let your emotions get the better of you. You've got this."

James nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "I'll give it my all, Mr. Otomi."

The time came for James to step into the arena. The crowd roared as he made his entrance, their cheers and applause echoing through the stadium. Across the ring, Amy Smyth stood confidently, a worthy opponent in every sense.

The referee's signal marked the beginning of the match. Amy initiated with a powerful boost towards the sky, angling her blade for a potentially devastating blow if it found its target. James, ever watchful, spotted her aerial manoeuvre and swiftly boosted to the side, landing horizontally on the arena's encircling wall.

As his foot touched the wall, he activated another boost to meet Amy sideways in her descent. James executed a slashing motion aimed at Amy's torso. To his astonishment, Amy performed a mid-air flip, expertly positioning her body to guard against the strike. But James was faster, landing the first point of the match, sending the crowd into a roaring celebration. "Your reflexes are good, nearly caught it there!" James complimented Amy. 

"Don't talk during a fight," Amy retorted. The contest continued, with both combatants clashing at the centre, each vying to land decisive blows. Amy showcased her swordsmanship skills, but James's remarkable speed kept him competitive in the match.

Aware that she needed to break the deadlock, Amy bided her time. She waited for James to swing towards her chest, then took a step back and boosted at him, targeting his chest while his sword was preparing to block. James, recognizing the cunning move, knew he wouldn't have time to ready his sword, so he dropped it and performed a quick sidekick, landing it on Amy's chest and sending her tumbling backwards. "Point, James Cooter!" the referee announced, prompting the crowd to erupt in excitement.

As the match progressed, Amy managed to level the score at 2-2, capitalizing on James's occasional overextension of his strikes. The final round was about to begin, and James couldn't help but feel the pressure of such a close fight.

Amy, relentless and determined, boosted towards James repeatedly, refusing to yield an inch. James found himself on the defensive, aware that to win, he needed to change the tide of the match. He patiently waited for Amy's next attack, and as she sped towards him, targeting his chest, James boosted over her, angling his blade for her back. However, Amy reacted with remarkable speed, blocking his strike.

James knew he couldn't maintain a defensive posture if he wanted to win. He launched an aggressive assault, attacking Amy's torso, back, and sides relentlessly. Miraculously, Amy managed to parry every blow. Taking a brief moment to regain her composure, Amy saw her chance and launched herself at James.

James readied his sword, anticipating Amy's attack. But then, unexpectedly, Amy dropped to the ground, leaving the crowd in stunned silence. Concerned for his fallen opponent, James rushed to her side. Gently cradling her head in his arms, he checked her breathing. Realizing that Amy's breath was irregular, he urgently called for medical assistance. "Medic! Medic!" he shouted, the arena filled with a hushed tension.

The referee stood in disbelief, announcing, "Winner, James Cooter!" The crowd whispered about the fate of the fallen fighter as James joined the paramedics to ensure Amy's well-being instead of celebrating his victory in the arena.

"I am here today at the TGB Championship where we just experienced a stunning quarter-final match. The exciting newcomer, James Cooter, took on the popstar sensation, Amy Smyth, which ended in an unexpected outcome with the popstar being taken off by a stretcher after collapsing in the final round of an exciting 2-2 all-match-up. This led to James Cooter’s victory and his securing a place in the semi-finals but what will become of Amy Smyth?" A presenter for BF News narrated on the hospital TV.

James reached over and turned off the TV, casting a concerned glance at Amy who lay in the hospital bed. A weak groan escaped Amy's lips as she slowly regained consciousness. "What was that?" she asked, her voice trembling.

James was surprised but relieved to see that Amy had awoken. He replied gently, "Oh, it's nothing, just some sensationalism from the media. How are you feeling?"

Amy let out a sigh, disappointment evident in her expression. "I guess you won?"

James leaned closer, offering her an empathetic smile. "Hey, don't worry about that right now. The doctors said you fainted from exhaustion."

Amy's gaze drifted as she whispered, "Where is my family?"

Her question hung in the air for a moment. James hesitated, not quite sure how to respond. "The doctors mentioned that your dad has been in contact. I just wanted to make sure you were alright," he finally explained, his voice soft and reassuring.

Amy's eyes flickered with a mix of emotions as she absorbed James's words. She nodded weakly, a sign that she appreciated his concern. "Thank you," she murmured.

"You're welcome," James replied, still careful not to let his emotions show too clearly. He shifted in his chair, unsure of what else to say.

A nurse entered the room, checking Amy's vital signs and ensuring she was stable. After a brief examination, the nurse smiled reassuringly. "You're doing much better. Just remember to take it easy for a while."

Amy nodded, offering a small smile in return. As the nurse left the room, James leaned in a bit closer to Amy. "If you need anything, Amy, just let me know. I'll be around."

She looked at him, her eyes softening. "I appreciate that, James."

After double-checking that Amy was indeed on the road to recovery, James stood up, giving her one last reassuring smile. "Alright, I should head out for now. Take care of yourself, Amy."

She nodded, and as James walked towards the door, she called out softly, "James?"

He turned back to her. "Yeah?"

Amy hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "Thank you... for being here."

James couldn't help but feel his heart warm at her words. He managed a smile and nodded. "Of course. Get well soon, Amy." With that, he left the hospital room, leaving Amy to rest and recover.

Outside the hospital, James wrestled with a swirling mix of emotions. His concern for Amy ran deeper than their recent clash in the arena. As he tried to make his way home, a large crowd blocked his path. The blinding lights of cameras and the chatter of reporters filled the surrounding area. Exhausted and emotionally drained from the day's events, James reluctantly stepped forward to address the press.

His voice was calm yet weary as he spoke, "I only have time for a few questions, so please ask one at a time."

The reporters huddled together, murmuring amongst themselves before one of them stepped forward. "Hi, Mr Cooter, I just want to congratulate you on the amazing run you've had in this prestigious competition. My question is, what is the update on popstar sensation, Amy Smyth?"

James responded thoughtfully, "Amy is recovering, but I won't speak much on her situation as it isn't my business to tell."

Another reporter eagerly thrust her microphone in front of James's face. "James, please tell us, why did you decide to go with Amy after your exciting clash instead of celebrating in the ring?"

James paused for a moment to gather his thoughts. He replied, his tone neutral, "I guess I couldn't just leave her there. We might have been opponents in the ring, but she's a fighter like the rest of us. No one deserves to be alone in a situation like that."

The persistent questioning continued, one reporter probing further, "But you didn't go back for Joshua Croxton after he was knocked unconscious by you?"

James contemplated his words, striving to uphold consistency in his answers. "You're right," he admitted with measured words. "I didn't return to Joshua Croxton after our fight. Amy's situation was different. She fainted, and at that moment, it just felt like the right thing to do."

He hoped that his response wouldn't invite deeper scrutiny into his motivations. The reporters persisted with their inquiries, covering topics from his next match to his training regimen. Despite the relentless questioning, James maintained a composed and professional demeanour. Finally, he excused himself, citing the need for rest before his upcoming semi-final match.

James entered Mr. Otomi's apartment, weary from the long day's events. The sight of Mr. Otomi waiting in the living room brought some comfort. The interview he had just given played on the television in the background.

"James, you're finally back," Mr. Otomi said with relief. "How is Amy?"