Breakfast ended slower than it began.
Plates were scraped clean, glasses pushed aside, and the noise that had filled the house only minutes ago gradually softened.
Radha moved around the kitchen, humming lightly as she collected the dishes. Krishna glanced at the clock once, then at the boys, already sensing that something was brewing.
Nikhil leaned back in his chair, hands folded behind his head.
"Okay," he said, stretching. "Confession time. I did not expect breakfast to be this good."
Alex blinked. "Let me tell you something… Felix helped Mom as an assistant."
Felix shot him a look. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Alex raised both hands defensively. "Nothing. Just… your friends didn't know you could actually cook."
Nikhil grinned. "Translation: elder brother is getting training to impress his—cough cough—"
Felix ignored him.
Dev, quieter as always, took a sip of water and nodded slightly. "It was good."
That alone made Radha smile.
Felix glanced at Dev, then at Alex. A brief pause followed—not awkward, but deliberate. Dev caught his eye and gave a small nod in reply.
"Alex," Felix said, standing up. "Come to my room."
Alex frowned. "Why?"
"Just come."
Nikhil was already on his feet. "Ooooh. Secret meeting? I'm in."
Krishna raised an eyebrow. "What's this about?"
Felix shrugged casually. "Just… talking."
Krishna studied them for a moment longer than necessary, then nodded.
"Don't start arguing."
Radha smiled knowingly. "And don't shout."
They moved upstairs quickly.
Felix closed the door behind them.
Not gently.
Not harshly.
Just firmly.
The click of the lock felt louder than it was.
Alex sat on the edge of the bed, clearly unsure why he was there. Nikhil leaned against the wall, still buzzing with energy. Dev remained standing, arms loosely crossed, eyes observant.
Alex finally spoke.
"Okay. Can someone explain why I am in this room?"
Felix turned toward Dev. "Did you get the information?"
Dev nodded. "Yes."
Alex's head snapped up. "Information about what?"
Felix took a breath. Not because he was nervous—but because this moment mattered.
"About esports," he said.
The word landed heavier than expected.
Alex stared at him.
Then laughed.
A short, confused laugh. "Very funny."
"I'm not joking."
The laughter faded.
Alex looked between them. "You were serious?"
Felix nodded. "Yeah. I asked Dev to check."
Dev added calmly, "I have friends in that circle—players, organizers, analysts. So I asked them about it."
Alex swallowed.
"You… asked them about me?"
Felix shook his head. "I asked about paths."
That was enough.
Alex leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "Why?"
The question wasn't accusatory. It was small. Vulnerable.
Felix answered honestly.
"Because I care about you."
Silence followed.
Nikhil shifted uncomfortably and scratched his head.
"Okay, I'll be honest—I have no idea what's happening, but this already feels important."
Alex sat up slowly. "So… tell me." His tone was serious now.
Felix nodded toward Dev.
Dev stepped forward slightly. "Let's start with the game you play most."
He spoke without excitement, without judgment.
"Fortnite is not just a game. It's an ecosystem. Competitive formats exist at multiple levels—online opens, community leagues, regional qualifiers. Most players fail early. A few don't."
Alex listened without interrupting.
"Mobile RPGs like Mobile Legends work differently," Dev continued. "They're team-based, strategy-heavy. Faster burnout. Lower entry cost. Different skill demands."
Nikhil blinked. "Wow. He talks like Wikipedia—but scarier."
Dev ignored him.
"The biggest myth," Dev said, "is overnight success. There isn't any. What people see are highlights. What they don't see are years of low-paying tournaments, bad setups, and inconsistent schedules."
Alex nodded slowly. "I know."
Felix turned toward him. "Do you?"
Alex hesitated. "I… I know it's not easy."
"That's not the same thing," Dev said gently.
Alex exhaled. "Okay. So what's the reality?"
Dev didn't soften it.
"You'll need time. Consistency. Hardware. Internet stability. Mental resilience. And eventually—money."
That word hung in the air.
Felix felt it immediately.
Alex did too.
Nikhil frowned. "Wait—since when do you need money to play games? Can't he just download it on his phone or laptop?"
"He can," Dev replied. "But if he wants to seriously pursue this field, money becomes part of it. Travel. Equipment upgrades. Entry fees. Coaching, if he goes far enough."
Alex looked at Felix.
Not hopeful.
Not excited.
Concerned.
Felix met his gaze steadily.
"I'm not promising anything," Felix said. "If you want my help, I want to see how serious you are."
"Then why do this?" Alex asked.
Felix didn't answer immediately.
Because the truth was simple—but heavy.
Because in my first life, I couldn't support you sincerely, Felix thought.
Alex's eyes stayed fixed on him, waiting.
Felix finally spoke.
"Because I don't want you to regret it. I don't want a future where you look back at your choices and feel like you were never given a chance to try."
The room went quiet.
Nikhil stopped joking.
Dev looked away, giving them space.
Alex's voice dropped to a whisper.
"So… you're saying you support me?"
Felix nodded once.
"Yes.
That single word changed something.
Alex's shoulders loosened. His hands stopped fidgeting. He didn't smile. He didn't celebrate.
He just breathed.
"Thank you," he said.
Nikhil clapped once, loud. "Okay wow. I did not expect emotions before lunch."
Felix shot him a look. "Not helping."
"Sorry," Nikhil said. "But also… kind of proud?"
Dev checked his phone briefly. "There's something else."
Alex tensed again. "What?"
"Support doesn't erase risk," Dev said carefully.
Felix nodded. "I know."
"Parents won't understand this world easily," Dev continued. "Time conflicts will happen. Expectations will clash."
Alex's voice cracked slightly. "So… what do I do?"
Felix answered immediately.
"You don't hide."
Alex frowned. "But—"
"You prepare," Felix corrected. "You learn. You build discipline. You treat it seriously."
Nikhil leaned forward. "And if it fails?"
Felix didn't hesitate.
"Then it fails honestly."
Alex looked down at his hands.
Then he asked the question that changed the air.
"Felix… what if I give it everything… and it still doesn't work?"
The room went silent.
Not dramatic.
Real.
Felix felt the weight of that fear press into his chest—because he knew it. Because he had lived it.
He crouched in front of Alex, meeting his eyes.
"Then," Felix said slowly, "you'll still be someone who chose his own path."
Alex swallowed.
Dev nodded quietly.
Nikhil said nothing.
"I have information on some non low level tournaments, if you want the schedule just tell me." Dev said.
Before Alex could reply, he continues, "You must think about this seriously, there is no need to hurry. The closest tournament is on next week and."
"Okay... I will give my reply before that." Alex said seriously.
Outside the room, the house continued as usual. Cups clinked. A door closed. Life moved on.
Inside, something had shifted.
After talking some more details about the eSports field, they decided to continue it later.
Felix stood and unlocked the door.
"Come on," he said. "Let's go back before Mom starts thinking something bad happened."
Alex followed him out.
But as he walked behind his brother, there was something new in his eyes.
Not fear.
Not excitement.
Responsibility.
Because now—
there was someone who believed in him.
A.N.- Comment what's your thoughts about the story till now.