[center] [img][/img] [url=https://imgchest.com/p/n87wnvoxq7x][img]https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/8bb78e1535ab.png[/img][/url] [color=fff79a][h2]The Street Fighters[/h2][/color][sub][color=lightgray]Esaka’s Low Tier [img][/img] | [img][/img] Thursday Afternoon[/color] [@Terry Bogard] [@Zoey Boey] [/sub] [img][/img] [hr] [color=FFA62B][b]Level 7 Ryu:[/b] 24/70 [b]Level 11 Sakura Kasugano:[/b] 31/110 [b]Word Count:[/b] 2,542 [b]EXP Gained:[/b] +3 [/color] [hr] [/center] If there was anything that Ryu loved the most next to fighting, that was eating. Coincidentally, he could already feel his stomach rumbling rather wildly after his second match against Tiger. He knew he hadn’t eaten anything since this morning, skipping breakfast just to go straight into the heart of battle. Considering the gap between his second and third round was a bit longer than usual, the street fighter decided to go to the nearest (and perhaps the most affordable) eatery he could find just below the Pools. It just so happened that Pao Pao Café was situated only a few feet from the lift he’d taken, and so Ryu headed there, only to be greeted by the owners Richard and his protege Bob. He thought both men were quite hospitable, with Bob even went as far as declaring his desire to fight him if he ever managed to win the Losers Bracket of the World Warrior tournament. Ryu, on the other hand, didn’t really talk much and just smiled at both men, parting ways only after his roasted-garlic mayo egg teriyaki burger had been served and paid. On his way back to the lift, the street fighter gobbled the Japanese-styled burger with gusto, savoring its rich flavours. For some reason, even the paper wrap used to enfold the burger had [url=https://stat.ameba.jp/user_images/20251103/15/sweets-sweets-diary/1b/de/j/o1080089015708687886.jpg?caw=800]his face[/url] on it, as if the menu was specifically made just for him. However, before Ryu could truly walk further, somebody caught his attention. A familiar face, perhaps. As he halted on his shoeless feet, he stopped munching, craned his head, and squinted his eyes a little, his puffing cheeks hilariously stuffed with food. It didn’t take a while for him to recognize who the said familiar figure was: a fellow street fighter, seemingly heading in the same direction after guiding a violet-haired woman in a finely embroidered kimono to Quick Rise. He took a moment to approach her, his bare strides drawing closer towards the female street fighter. [color=FF2400]“Sakura?”[/color] he questioned the tomboyish girl in a baggy yellow jacket, his voice muffled by the food in his mouth. He quickly swallowed. [color=FF2400]“A pleasant surprise. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”[/color] Sakura recognized the voice immediately, even muffled. [color=f49ac2]”Ryu-san?!”[/color] She whirled, eyes wide. Unlike the casual demeanor of the world warrior, Sakura was dumbstruck by this revelation and only stared at her hero. It felt like a lifetime since he first freed her from Galeem’s influence, all the way back in Lumbridge. She didn’t even know what to say or where to start. [color=f49ac2]”..!”[/color] She stammered. At Sakura’s astonished reaction, Ryu arched an eyebrow. He didn’t remember ever seeing his biggest fangirl in the world being this surprise before. When he snapped and succumbed to his Dark Hado, maybe, but that was ages ago when he was still relatively green within the fighting business. It’d almost felt like a lifetime since he overcame that inner demon within him, anyway. And so, he curled a gentle smile, amused. [color=FF2400]“What’s the matter, Sakura? You seem like you’ve seen a ghost,”[/color] Ryu asked with his head slightly tilting to the right, the tails of his headband swinging along the gesture. [color=FF2400]“How is your training going, so far? I heard you’re competing in the same tournament as I am.”[/color] Ryu her hero, who saved her from Galeem and even before that. He was here, infront of her, and he was once again consumed by Galeem’s evil curse. How had that happened? He was fine the last time she saw him. Except it was her fault he hadn’t been able to join the Seekers, even if he wanted to. Then they had separated and now, this. Emotion overwhelmed her. Her eyes began to water and she put her fists to her eyes, turning away from him. [color=f49ac2]”Sorry, it’s not your fault. It’s something else. My training is going really great, Ryu-san.”[/color] She managed. [color=f49ac2]”Just give me a second, please.”[/color] Ryu, noticing the stark shift in his fangirl’s state of mind, was palpably oblivious to the irony of the situation. While he’d managed to overcome the Dark Hado within him, he now had to deal with a different [i]demon[/i] resting within him, waiting to be awakened. It was the kind of demon who turned his eyes red. The kind of demon whom [i]he[/i] also, ironically, freed Sakura from when they met at the now demolished Lumbridge. It felt like a lifetime ago when it happened, even though it’d only been roughly a week since. Surely, this Ryu wouldn’t have known anything that his prior iteration had gone through with Sakura (and possibly the other Seekers), especially not when he was still blindfolded by this same curse that Galeem had planted in each and every resident of the World of Light. When Sakura shifted against him, the world warrior quickly finished his lunch, then took a small step forth, placing a gentle hand over her shoulder. [color=FF2400]“What’s the matter, Sakura?”[/color] he asked with a soothing voice, both puzzled and curious. [color=FF2400]“Are you alright? Did… Did I do something wrong?”[/color] All of a sudden, he felt remorseful, his face dropping and his heart aching. Worse after Sakura reassured him that “it’s not your fault.” Knowing how rare it was for his fangirl to cry like that, he thought he must’ve done something that elicited the exact reaction from her, but what could it be? Sakura cleared her throat and wiped her eyes quickly. [color=f49ac2]”No! No. I am not lying. It’s not your fault.”[/color] It was her fault, really. [color=f49ac2]”You just caught me off guard. I was thinking about— something else.”[/color] Ryu was a very straight forward person. But there was no way to explain any of this to him, especially when his mind was deluded. Again. Somehow. She lifted her shirt and used it to dry her eyes and then turned back to him with a smile. [color=f49ac2]”I really am happy to see you.”[/color] She said. [color=FF2400]“Likewise, Sakura. Likewise,”[/color] Ryu replied with a weak, wistful nod. Then, he hesitated. [color=FF2400]“But… are you sure you’re alright, Sakura? I mean, it’s not like you to cry like this. If there is anything you’d like to talk about, I’m willing to listen, you know?”[/color] Despite her smile, Ryu could kind of tell that Sakura was still burdened, deep down. What could it be that had been bothering her recently? Was anybody after her? Or was she just overwhelmed with joy that she couldn’t help but cry when they finally reunited after what felt like a lifetime? If only he could read her mind, but he was no telepath. If only he could convince her to get a weight off her mind, but he knew he had no right to force her to talk when she continued to refuse. He and Sakura were the same specimens, after all. Instead of using their mouths, they’d rather express themselves with their fists and kicks, letting their fighting prowess speak for themselves. And it showed. [color=f49ac2]”Tell you what. If you really are worried about me, I’ll explain everything to you the best way I know how.”[/color] She rose her clenched fist towards him. [color=f49ac2]”When we meet in bracket.”[/color] That fire in her, the spirit of combat, shone brightly and she grinned. [color=f49ac2]”Until then, let’s just be happy, okay?”[/color] She said with an earnest tilt of her head. Ryu was, indeed, worried about her, his guilt still readable across his face. Why wouldn’t he when one of his steadfast comrades—a ray of sunshine such as herself—suddenly broke in tears and gave him the gloomiest look he’d ever seen on her usually bright face? But as were most battle-hardened fighters residing in the Tiered City, the world warrior did believe that every flail and kick could convey more meanings than the mouth could ever express. If Sakura would rather speak through her actions, then so be it, he thought. Maybe that way, she would’ve been able to let go of her burden rather freely. [color=FF2400]“[i]Yosh[/i]! That’s the way I like it. The way we like it,”[/color] Ryu reciprocated with a slight smile, clearly referring to her promise to explain everything once they met in the bracket. He raised and collided his knuckles with hers. [color=FF2400]“Cheer up, will you? I’m sure you’ve been doing spectacular in the tournament. I can’t wait to see you in action firsthand. Let’s just hope that our paths eventually cross again in the World Warrior tournament, should we?”[/color] He then tightened his grip on the rough string of his duffle bag, his spirit reignited despite his uncertainty. [color=FF2400]“So, ready for the next round?”[/color] He knew she probably was without a shadow of a doubt. [color=f49ac2]”I’m sure we will. I don’t plan on losing. And I know you won’t.”[/color] Sakura said. For once, she had to force the bounce in her step, but it became natural after a few moments. [color=f49ac2]”I’m fighting against someone named Arina Makihara next. I don’t know ‘em. The last guy I fought was spinning around like crazy. He kind of reminded me of Jimmy-san, or maybe Honda-san. Though a bit more dour than both.”[/color] Sakura tapped her chin. Ryu’s smile went a little wider—not just out of amusement, but due to her progress in the tournament so far. While he wasn’t quite familiar with the nature-loving giant of a man she had as her third opponent, if Golrio was as much of a powerhouse as either Honda or Blanka was as Sakura described, then perhaps, she’d done splendidly well in the competition so far. And that really made the world warrior happy, seeing how she’d grown as a fighter. [color=FF2400]“I’m sure you’ll do amazing in your match against Arina, too. Holding your own against a man with Honda’s or Blanka’s size is impressive in and of itself. Though, I’m not too surprised. I’ve always known you have a knack for fighting from the first time we met,”[/color] Ryu complimented, snickering quietly. Then, briefly, he drifted his eyes towards their upper corners as if trying to recall something. [color=FF2400]“As for me, I fought Skullo for my first round. I’m certain you know who he is. Then, for my second round, I fought a martial master whose fighting spirit was about as fiery as Ken’s was. They even look similar, though their fighting styles are the complete opposite of one another.”[/color] He readjusted the duffle bag on his shoulder one last time, ready to stroll. [color=FF2400]“As for my third round? I’ll be fighting Makoto Mizoguchi from the Fighter’s History Dojo. A pleasant surprise, don’t you think? Considering the past legal dispute between our dojo and his…”[/color] As they continued to chatter and closed in on the nearest lift, Ryu remembered something. It was a conversation that he had with a number of fellow locals yesterday afternoon—a conversation that concerned Sakura in a way. [color=FF2400]“I almost forgot, but there is, indeed, something that I’d love to talk about with you, Sakura. I must say that I’ve been hearing things about your heroic deeds since the first time we parted ways, and I was… inspired. Perhaps, we could talk more about that after our next fights?”[/color] It was true that the story of the younger street fighter battling a group of yokai alongside the Seekers had also come to his ears, thanks to Richard and several other Esakans and nearby villagers witnessing the fray. The notion of contributing to the world and making an impact outside of the fighting business had been tempting him in recent years, especially given his renewed resolve. Perhaps, it was no coincidence that he was reunited with his old friend this afternoon. It had to happen for a reason, and that reason seemed to be aligned with his journey to self-improvement. [color=FF2400]“I mean, if you don’t mind, of course…”[/color] Sakura blinked, and looked at Ryu. [color=f49ac2]”I…inspired you..?”[/color] Sakura asked, voice quietly dazzled. The world warrior gently closed his eyes and nodded. [color=FF2400]“Indeed, Sakura, you heard it right.”[/color] he confirmed, his words straightforward and matter-of-factly. [color=f49ac2]”I’d- I’d love to talk with you! About anything you want!”[/color] Sakura said, shaking her hands around. [color=f49ac2]”I mean-”[/color] Overexcited, she tried to tone it down to look cooler in front of him. [color=f49ac2]”I mean, yeah. Like, whatever. I just fought some Yokai and some turtles…I was with a giant wolf for the monster turtles, and she did a lot of the work, too, so…y’know, it’s um, it’s no big deal. But yeah we can talk about it.”[/color] Sakura said. Ryu raised an eyebrow and grinned, close to snickering at Sakura’s hilariously sheepish reaction. She might’ve found what he said odd and flattering, he thought, but it was what it was. Everything that he said (from hearing about her heroic deeds to being inspired by his own admirer), he meant every single one of them. Or perhaps, it also had more to do with Sakura’s prior gloomy expression than it was his change of heart. Maybe if he got close to the fellow street fighter and perhaps joined one of her adventures, he’d make her feel significantly better. He had a hunch that he needed to know the reason why she felt so guilty and uncertain all of a sudden, after all. [color=FF2400]“Well, that sounds… intriguing, Sakura. I surely would love to hear more about it,”[/color] Ryu expressed. [color=FF2400]“I know those small creatures can be troubling at times, but… battling an army of monstrous turtles with a giant wolf? Why do I have a feeling I know who that wolf is?”[/color] The older street fighter hummed, his pensive eyes locking with the opening lift ahead. Not sure if it had anything to do with him recalling a long, distant memory or that he misremembered something. Still, the sound of said ‘giant wolf’ (albeit vague) was strangely familiar. [color=FF2400]“Nevermind. Let’s just focus on the battle ahead, shall we? We can save that for another time.”[/color] And so, the street fighters entered the lift together, moving back to the tier above for their respective matches. [b]FIN.[/b]