In reality, preparing for a flight with only half a day to spare was a nearly ridiculous notion and in fact, they only managed to check in at the terminal as the last announcement to board the flight came over the tannoy. Utterly out of breath and most assuredly the last ones to board the plane, the three brothers and one newspaper editor were let aboard with underline disapproval marring the flight attendants otherwise perfected smiles. Saburo bounced excitedly in his seat as the aircraft began to ascend, however the moment the announcement came that passengers could unfasten their seatbelts was a prelude to the following moment when he fell fast asleep. Jiro, who was sitting beside him, covered his younger brother with a blanket before settling in to read a dissertation on economics recommended by his teacher in sixth form of the same subject. Ichiro remained nervous as he looked out of the tiny window at a black sky, checking over the things he threw together in his luggage in his mind. In actuality, he was still somewhat in shock; when he lounged in bed that morning wallowing in self-pity, he never would imagine that just a few hours later he would be grabbing clothes and their passports (which fortunately had a couple of years left on them) and rushing to the airport. He never imagined that he would be flying a good portion across the world to find a man, a man who'd just so happened to have completely stolen his heart. Uncle Keith had been reluctant for them to go. He knew the hopes that Ichiro's father had for him, even though they were unrealistic and were as heavy as those the man's own parents had thrust onto him. But because Keith loved him, he still wished to try help him. But seeing Ichiro flounder and draw deeper into depression reminded him of his own struggle to get the one he loved to acknowledge him, to love him back. It was impossible for himself, yet reading the editorial due to be released the following day, Keith understood that he could not continue to be selfish and hold Ichiro back anymore, even for that man (Ichiro's father). So he helped all three boys pack their things and wished them a safe journey. "What are you thinking?" Livvie asked him after muffling a wide yawn behind her hand, glancing to the restless man beside her. Ichiro chuckled slightly, revealing his nervousness within the tremor of his voice. "Me and him... things have not exactly been smooth between us. I can't help worrying that I'm running over to see him and things still won't work out..." Livvie looked at him with an incredulous expression upon her face. "Are you stupid or something?" He couldn't hide the flash of hurt in his eyes caused by words spoken harshly due to tiredness, so she apologised quickly and continued; "I'm not an expert in relationships. Alpha men want an Alpha woman who'll conform to society's needs, while I refuse to bend and Beta men find me too intimidating. That's why our mutually beneficial relationship worked for me. As for love... well, I can't say I recognise what love is, but if declaring to the world, literally, that as an Alpha man you pick an Omega male despite image, reputation or everyone's expectations isn't love, then I can only say that love isn't real. "Plus, you have the added bonus that he's your fated pair," a sly smirk twisted her lips and added a wickedness to the dim sparkle in her tired eyes. "Can't you only get hard for him now? How you ever thought that he might be in a similar situation as you?" Ichiro blushed as he placed a hand over her loose mouth, glancing around them. They were only in cheap seats on the plane after all, everyone could hear everyone else's business even at a whisper! Fortunately, most seemed to be snoozing or quietly listening to music and not paying them any attention. Livvie chuckled beneath his hand, not repentant, and grabbed his wrist to free herself before declaring she was going to catch some shut eye. "Wake me at breakfast!" ***** Kick off started late afternoon and although there were no troubles with the flight nor connections, they arrived in the hotel a little after lunch. Needing to shower and refreshen up, as well as travel on the train to the venue meant that the game was already underway by the time they had arrived. Livvie took the four V.I.P tickets from her purse and flashed them in front of the staff at the doors, feeling even more pleased as they were personally guided towards them. Actually, she'd always hoped to go to the world finals, being an avid rugby fan, but would have ordinarily sat alone in the crowd on any public seat in the stands. But who let Zandre require a big favour of her? Not only slanting the editorial a tad to highlight Zandre and his love-life more favourably, but convincing his beloved-in-hiding to run freely into his awaiting arms! Originally, she'd wanted the big, rotten Alpha to suffer some more and have to work harder to find Ichiro and prove himself worthy! She couldn't help admitting that his words in the interview, in addition to the bribe of V.I.P tickets, had moved her. And the V.I.P seats reserved for family members were so worth it! The view was amazing, Livvie quickly was wrapped up in the atmosphere of the game, clapping along with the rest, no longer wondering how many favours Zandre owed his teammates to be able to grab so many good seats. Much more ignorant to the game and the rules, Ichiro and the boys could only sit beside her and consider their own thoughts. Ichiro's eyes scanned over the players, who were rushing towards the other side after the kicked ball headed that way; a man wearing a shirt belonging to the other team opened his arms as the ball had landed then bounced at the perfect angle in retreat towards him. He naturally caught it with ease before tossing it behind him to the teammate shadowing him, who ran upon powerful legs to win a try for his team. While Livvie sighed, for this was not in their country's favour, Jiro commented from the point of view of an outsider; "He really calculated his position well to intercept the ball's trajectory and momentum like so." Ichiro ignored them all; he was looking for the tall, muscular built man with skin that had absorbed the rays of the sun until burnt to the richest of earth's dark tones, only his presence could settle his trembling heart right now... The man he sought was actually sitting on the bench at that time; his performance had not been bad, but not been impressive in the semi-finals. The other team had also not played well, the pressure of their first ever semi-final's having got to them and caused minor mistakes in their gameplay, mistakes that his side were not afraid to exploit. So his personal performance had been buried in the landslide of the opposite side's one, much to his overall fortune. However, this was the finals and the team's coaches and management did not want any weak links in this crucial game. He too could admit that he was a little too distracted to play at his best at that moment; he'd seen the four empty seats in the stands as the two teams had met in the beginning, before the match started. It seemed Olivia had been unable to convince Ichiro to come over then... Wallowing in personal self-pity, rather than focus on what his team were doing on the field, he was reconsidering the game plan in order to win over his omega once he returned home. It didn't matter how much it might cost to hire a private detective, the difficulty would be in finding a discreet one worth the money. He ran his hand over the tight curls covering the height his head in an attempt to still his restlessness; if he had his way, he wouldn't be benched right now. He'd be on a plane flying home... no better yet, he'd be in the country hunting down his flighty Omega and caging him in his arms once and for all. Him running away and disappearing had really hit Zandre hard and made him realise the effects of his hesitation. He'd begged Ichiro to trust him over the matter with Elani, but had failed to reciprocate and now this could cost him everything! The game was paused for half-time, their team was down by eight points and they needed to make a comeback, the coaches were discussing shaking up the lineup with other players. They needed to do something or if they continued on this way, the other side would definitely sweep them clean; they were really on form right now. The lead coach looked over his players, hesitating on Zandre for a moment, but could see the distraction in the other man's eyes. Obviously, he was not unaware about what was occurring in Zandre's life, affecting his reputation and such, the internet was a wonderful yet frightening monster of observation and opinion. However, that was his personal life and as long as it didn't affect the man's skills, he didn't have reservations playing the man. He also hated that amateurs and face fans thought they knew rugby better than him and thought they could influence his decisions, so it made him more determined to ignore their opinions. But... At that moment, Zandre's agent tapped him on the shoulder and showed him a message on his mobile phone. A light seemed to reappear in the man's eyes and his whole chest swelled with positive emotion and strength that he'd lacked for the past couple of games. The coach nodded, thinking this was the man he'd chosen from amongst the many playing for their home teams to try out amongst the best. This was the man he wanted playing for his team. "Kotze!" The coach called out. "You are in!" Zandre glanced up at the man with a slightly dazed expression upon his face having just received the message from his agent that Ichiro was in the stands and waiting for him to appear. Olivia had managed to bring him, they were just a bit late arriving at the stadium. There had also been an additional message, loaded with sarcasm; 'This is your way of impressing him, I take it, not showing up on the field!' He hadn't taken the woman's words to heart, just too pleased that Ichiro had come for him and determined not to let him go again. But the chance had come his way to show off in front of his man, of course he was going to take it! "Yes coach!" He said, loud and with focus and the man nodded to acknowledge both him and his decision.