"Why did you come here after what you did? What you said?" James's voice carried a restrained anger as he confronted his mother.

His mother sighed, her voice heavy with sadness. "James, my boy, I'm sorry for what happened. When your friend reached out to me, I just got excited at the chance to see you one last time."

“Shut up!” James cut his mother off, his frustration evident. "Let's get to the chase, what do you want here? For me to forgive you? For me to come back home?"

She lowered her gaze to the ground. "No, James, that can't happen. After what you did to Mark, he'll never forgive you."

James couldn't contain his frustration any longer. "You're pathetic, I only pity you. I'm not even mad anymore; just tell me why you are here."

His mother's voice softened as she tried to convey her feelings. "James, I just want you to know that I love you, and I want you to do great things in life. Don't look back for us; just keep striving for your dream."

“Leave, don't ever show up in my life again, you are no mother to me,” James said with sternness in his voice. 

“I will do as you wish, James, I am sorry for the hurt I have caused you,” with those words, James's mother walked away, leaving James and Amy alone in the corridor. Overwhelmed by a mix of emotions, James crumbled, dropping to his knees and breaking into tears.

Amy did her best to provide comfort during this painful moment, offering silent support, and holding James until he was ready to walk home. As they made their way back, Amy watched a deflated James, his gaze fixed on the ground.

"James, you don't need to talk about it if you don't want to," Amy said gently, "but I want you to know I'll always be by your side if you want to talk."

James appreciated Amy's understanding and support. He glanced at her, managing a faint smile despite the heavy emotions that had weighed him down moments ago.

"Thanks, Amy," he said, his voice still carrying a tinge of sadness. "It's just... complicated. But I'm glad you're here with me."

They walked in silence for a while, the tension slowly dissipating. The streetlights cast their warm glow on the sidewalk, creating a peaceful ambience that contrasted with the turmoil inside James's heart.

As they approached Mr. Otomi’s apartment building, he turned to Amy. "I really appreciate you being there for me today, Amy. But I really can’t have you walking home on your own." James chuckled. 

Amy chuckled, her green eyes staring into James’s. "I’ll be fine, James, I’ve already called my chauffeur to pick me up."

With their conversation stretching into the night, the air around James's apartment building seemed to mellow, mirroring the newfound calmness within James himself. He and Amy chatted about everything and nothing, their words weaving a sense of connection that transcended the tumultuous events of the evening.

As they stood in the dimly lit parking area, bathed in the soft glow of nearby lampposts, a sleek limousine glided into view. Its polished exterior shimmered, casting an air of opulence amidst the quiet surroundings.

James glanced at the vehicle. "I guess that's your ride?" he inquired, his tone gentle.

Amy nodded, her gaze momentarily falling. "Yes, I had fun talking to you, James, and again I am sor—"

James raised his hand, gently silencing her. "You've been great. Thank you," he said, his eyes reflecting a mixture of gratitude and affection.

With a shared understanding, they embraced, the warmth of their hug symbolizing the bond they had formed during this unexpected encounter. As they reluctantly pulled away, Amy headed towards the waiting limousine, while James turned back towards his apartment.

Returning to his apartment, James found Mr. Otomi busy in the kitchen. He felt a twinge of embarrassment for his abrupt departure from the arena and wanted to clear the air.

"Hi, Sir," James began, his voice laced with an embarrassed tone. "I'm sorry for disappearing at the arena."

Mr Otomi turned, his eyes soft and understanding. "Jamie-boy, I heard it all. Sit down; let's eat and forget about it." He pulled a chair out for James at the dinner table, a gesture that conveyed his support and acceptance.

As they settled in for dinner, Mr. Otomi couldn't help but bring up the unexpected encounter with James’s mother. "James, I'm sorry that your mother surprised you like that, but I'm proud of how you handled it," Mr Otomi said with a reassuring tone.

"Thank you, Mr Otomi," James replied, a hint of remorse still present in his voice. "I did flip out at first, and I feel bad for how I acted towards Amy at first."

Mr. Otomi offered a warm smile, reassuring his student. "Jamie-boy, you handled yourself well given the situation you were put in. And she didn't seem to mind when she gave you a hug a moment ago."

James blushed at Mr Otomi's words. "Mr Otomi, were you spying on me?" he quipped, trying to break the tension with a hint of humour.

Mr Otomi burst into laughter, his hearty chuckles filling the room. "Oh, Mr. Otomi!" James exclaimed, his embarrassment shifting to a more lighthearted feeling.

In the week leading up to the final match, James found himself walking from his small town to the neighbouring city. The journey was long, but he needed a way to occupy his mind, to escape the growing tension of the upcoming fight.

As he strolled through the bustling main strip of the city, James navigated through a sea of people. His journey took him past a myriad of shops and restaurants.

As he walked, he inadvertently bumped into a man. The collision was abrupt, and James nearly stumbled. The man, however, didn't seem concerned, offering no apology and continuing on his way. James didn't dwell on the encounter, thinking it was nothing more than an unfortunate accident in the crowded street.

A bit further along, James spotted a familiar face. It was Sam, his best friend. Sam was equally surprised by the chance meeting and suggested they grab a coffee from a nearby shop to catch up and kill some time. They found a quaint little coffee shop, the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air.

Sipping on their coffees, the two friends settled into a cosy corner of the café. "It's been a crazy week, James," Sam began. "The anticipation for the final is intense. How are you feeling?"

James looked pensive as he replied, "I'm nervous, Sam. This is a huge opportunity, and the weight of everyone's expectations sometimes feels overwhelming."

Sam nodded empathetically. "I get it, but don't forget why you started this journey in the first place. You're not just fighting for yourself; you're fighting for something bigger."

James appreciated Sam's encouraging words. They chatted a bit more about the upcoming match, the training James had been working on, and his desire to make a difference in the world of Booster Fighting.

Feeling refreshed after their coffee, the two friends decided to explore some of the city's hidden gems, hoping to stumble upon niche shops or places off the beaten path. They veered off the bustling main strip and entered a narrow alleyway.

As they ventured deeper into the alley, their surroundings grew darker and more mysterious. James was busy taking in the unusual sights when he reached the end of the alley, where an unexpected figure blocked their way. This figure was cloaked in shadows, an enigmatic presence that raised their guard.

"Who are you?" James inquired, his voice steady but filled with a hint of apprehension. However, instead of a verbal response, the cloaked figure simply began bouncing off the narrow alley's walls, defying gravity and propelling themselves into the sky.

"Sam, get out of here!" James shouted to his friend, realizing that danger was imminent. Reacting quickly, Sam turned and ran out of the alley, frantically calling for help.

James stood his ground, his senses sharpened and his body poised for battle. As the cloaked figure descended from above, their intent became clear when they revealed a gleaming dagger. The situation went from dangerous to deadly in an instant.

A fight erupted in that narrow alley, and it was a chaotic dance between James and the cloaked assailant. The cloaked man moved with uncanny speed and agility, forcing James to adapt rapidly to defend himself. It was a flurry of strikes, parries, and dodges, both combatants locked in a fierce struggle.

In a moment of vulnerability, the cloaked figure managed to trip James, gaining the upper hand. He straddled James, the dagger poised dangerously close to James's throat.

The dagger's glint in the dim light sent shivers down James's spine. The assailant's voice was old and raspy as they hissed, "When you fight Paul Jones, throw the match, or your life will end."

Before any further harm could be inflicted, the situation shifted dramatically. The echoing sound of police sirens filled the alley, and Sam had successfully brought help. The cloaked figure, a master of escaping, leapt from wall to wall, making their way up a building and onto the roof, disappearing into the city's shadows.

James was left shaken but alive, grateful for Sam's timely intervention and the arrival of the police. As the officers took their statements and secured the area, the enormity of the encounter began to sink in. The threat was real, and it was clear that the world of Booster Fighting held its share of dangerous secrets.

James chose not to disclose the cloaked man's ominous words to Sam or the approaching police, opting instead for a more cautious response. As they stood in the dimly lit alley, Sam's anxiety was palpable.

"What the hell was that about?" Sam asked, his voice fraught with concern, his eyes searching James's face for answers.

James didn't want to alarm Sam unnecessarily. He replied carefully, "I don't know, Sam. It could have just been some random mugger, maybe trying to rob us." He tried to keep his tone measured, not wanting to cause panic.

Their parting was equally sombre, the weight of the strange encounter hanging in the air. They exchanged goodbyes and went their separate ways, their minds still racing with questions.

Without further delay, James made his way to Mr Otomi's apartment, his heart heavy with concern and confusion. As he entered the apartment, Mr Otomi noticed the unease in his protege's eyes.

"James, something happened, didn't it?" Mr Otomi inquired, his concern evident.

With a deep breath, James began to recount the events in the alley, from the cloaked assailant's gravity-defying movements to the menacing dagger. He relayed the ominous message that had been delivered.

Mr Otomi listened attentively, his expression growing more serious as James's narrative unfolded. "This is troubling, James. It seems like someone wants to interfere with your progress in the tournament. You did the right thing by not revealing our training techniques or your motivations to that person."

James nodded, feeling a sense of reassurance from Mr Otomi's steady presence. "I thought it was better to be cautious, Mr Otomi."

Mr Otomi placed a comforting hand on James's shoulder. "You did well, James. Now we need to focus on your safety and the upcoming match. We'll take extra precautions to ensure your security, and I'll contact some of my connections to investigate this further."

James felt anxious but relieved. The arena was meant to be the proving ground for his abilities, but now it seemed a shadowy threat loomed over his path.

In the days following the disturbing alley encounter, James decided to maintain a low profile. He doubled down on his training with Mr Otomi, channelling his apprehension and determination into every practice session. The fight loomed ever closer, and the atmosphere was charged with anticipation.

During this time, James kept in contact with Amy, his trusted friend. He relayed the unsettling incident in the alley and assured her that he would be laying low to ensure his safety.

As the days passed, the tension grew heavier, like a storm on the horizon. Three days before the much-anticipated fight, a mandatory press conference was scheduled. It was the perfect platform for James and Paul Jones to field questions from the media.