Match of the Millennium

Description: Franco, having finished cleaning the streets of Southtown, is eager for a proper sporting match. What better place than the Neo-League, where he faces his opponent at a local bathhouse. Mitsuru, however, is less secure about facing a man in such a locale. The fight goes awry when Mitsuru's behavior takes an immature turn, and Franco finds himself far away from the match he expected.

[MITSURU]
"Eh, so I beat her head in."

The Fight Club members all oo and aa at Mitsuru. The tall, skinny brawling student was in the Seijyun High 'clubhouse' for the Fight Club, which was really the gym storage room. It had a box table, and it had a half a dozen members. Mitsuru herself was sneering, holding a piece of straw as she recollects her 'thumping' of the Gedo High student. "So yeah, I beat her so bad that we both ended up having to go to Seijyun High detention. It's pretty serious stuff." One of the girls stands by, clearing her throat. Mitsuru leans her head back, looking at her upside. "What the hell is wrong with you." The girl squeaks. "Oh, you have a neo-League fight, um, Mitsuru." The taller girl snickers. "Of course they do. Who's the loser, and where's the venue." "It's a kickboxer named Franco, and it's um, it's at a bathhouse." Mitsuru freezes.

"I'm sorry, -what?-"

Mitsuru sits on a bench in the bathhouse. Her face was completely crimson. She- what were they doing? Why did Seijyun High allow this? Was this more discipline against her? Mitsuru was instructed to not dress in her Seijyun Uniform, which made her more uncomfortable. She was dressed in her delinquint outfit, with black slacks and a loose black jacket, and a black commisar cap with white bandages. Normally she fought with the jacket open, exposing the bandages binding her chest. She had it snapped up now. The bathhouse itself was on the male side of this particular bathhouse. There was, at least, a sumo wrestling ring, where apparently the real fighting would take place. The circle is outlined by a long and thick rope. The bathtub wall is dominated by a colorful painting glorifying the history of Japan. The center of the painting is a magnificent depiction of Mt. Fuji, ringed with stylized clouds of mist. To the left of Mt. Fuji is an illustration of the sun, symbolic crimson piercing through a golden sky. And on the painting's right is a traditional-styled depiction of a Japanese man in a kimono with a topknot. Some italian guy? A local italian guy? It was okay. She would just fight a strange italian man while cameras are trained on her in a public bathhouse.

Mitsuru squeezes her knees together, as her face burns.

[FRANCO]
"A bathhouse? Of course that is fine!"

It is quite the opposite for Franco when he got the call. A match to be setup in a nearby bathhouse that would mean some nice relaxation time after the fight. He really didn't know who is opponent is and the fact said location has her looking quite red overall and not from the nice relaxing steam of the bathhouse.

Strolling out with a pair of blue boxing gloves on his hands and wearing orange swim trunks the big man steps out and takes in a deep breath. "Ahh, now this is a good idea. I feel refreshed and I haven't even had a post fight soak yet" he says with a laugh. He then glances around and his head tilts when he finally sees Mitsuru. "Excuse me, miss. But you seem uncomfortable. You should change into something more suitable! All this steam is making you very red while you wear that!"

[MITSURU]
ANd then he arrives.

Swim trunks. She stares at them, eyes like dinnerplates. It was that. It was exactly that. It was like those comics that those boys would have to read and talk about with the older school girls and she wasn't old enough, and yet it was there, and the camera. When he laughs, she bristles up. She could give up. She could give up and not get 'soaked' and she felt soaked and suddenly, suddenly, she starts to stamp her fight at the bench. As the invitation comes, she finally blurts out loud.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

"I know what you Italians are like!" She spits out, balling herself up tighter. "Always seducing innocent girls with your sexy accents and wild promises and then you cook a bunch of sp-spaghetti and meatballs and then you tell us to put on swimsuits and the- the- the indignity!" Mitsuru stands up, throwing up her fists. "I don't -want- to soak with a big man like you! I'm a- I'm a bad girl- I'm a hellion! I-"

The cameras have been on for a while.

Mitsuru swings her fists in the air, as silvery energy pours over her.

"I read all about you! A 'kickboxer' in the Neo-League, huh? You think you are a big guy for picking on me? I'll beat the sh- I'll beat the poo out of you!" She sticks her tongue out, opening her mouth wide. "I bet that disgusts you, you pervert! Or maybe it doesn't. Maybe you -like- nasty tough girls who would beat your ass! You disgusting pervert! And I can even see your... see your..."

SShe shuts her mouth up as she still keeps being red.

[FRANCO]
The outburst has Franco look very perplexed by it all. He stands there and just tries to take in all the verbal abuse being tossed his way. Poor girl probably doesn't have a proper parental figure in her life if she is usuing such langauage and call him names. "Oh ho, I am sure you don't mean any of that do you? And I am not Italian. I'm from Hell's Kitchen, New York!"

He seems to have taken the girl's words with a grain of salt. What kind of man would he be to do otherwise when being filmed? He wants to set a good example. Even more so if Junior is at home watching! "Come now. This is supposed to be a fight for fun and profit is it not? I am interested to see what you can do!"

He is loud, but not really boasting about anything. He seems good enough natured as he steps back and even gives a small bow. He hasn't been fighting as much as he had wanted to. Life as a mechanic as well as a vigilante have kept him busy, but it will be nice to get into a fight that doesn't involve teaching thugs a lesson.

COMBATSYS: Franco has started a fight here.

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Franco           0/-------/-------|

COMBATSYS: Mitsuru has joined the fight here.

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Franco           0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0          Mitsuru

[MITSURU]
A calm and measured response.

"Franco is an Italian name! You're Italian AMerican... or something..." Mitsuru wasn't very good with nationalities outside of her own. But to her, Franco was Italian. Facts and information wasn't getting through to her, as Mitsuru was trying to cover up her fear and insecurity with brash bravado. Franco keeping his composure only seemed to make her more anxious and tense. As he steps back for a bow, Mitsuru looks around, and sees the tub. She -spits- at the tub. Franco might be happy for an opponent who wasn't a thug.

But Mitsuru -wanted- to be a thug.

"I'm going to- I'm going to beat your butt!" She says, trying to sneer at Franco. "Get out of my face!" She shouts as she charges forward. She wasn't bowing, wasn't showing respect, wasn't being -anything-. "You think you are respectable? You are a jerk! A real butthead! Yeah, a butthead! I just called you a butthead in front of everyone. I bet you feel real small, huh?" She turns up her nose, squinting as she holds her arms out on the sides. As she holds them there, the judge calls for the fight. And Mitsuru sticks her tongue out. "Come on, butterball! You come here and try and hit me. I'm not scared of you." It may dawn on Franco that the stance she was holding -was- her guard.

"Are you scared to hit a girl?"

[FRANCO]
She does act rather rude, but it isn't like the thugs from the Syndicate. They were bad people. This.....well he could tell when it is someone trying to find an identity. Mitsuru in many ways gives off the same vibe as Senna. Not a bad person deep down, but perhaps making some bad decisions. At least there is plenty of time to bounce back from such decisions at her age!

"Well yes, My mother's side has Italian roots. I am proud of such heritage. It is nothing to be ashamed of." he says and looks over to the official who gives the signal to let the fight begin. The way Mitsuru was acting he had really expected her to come right in swinging. Instead she seems more than fine with goading him to come forward and attack her.

Franco raises his fists and sets his jaw. His expression a bit more serious as he wants to make Mitsuru see he is not taking this fight lightly. It would be rude to make her think otherwise so when she invites him to come at her he does so. It is a quick left hook he delivers first. One infused with blue energy that surrounds the glove. He then pushes back off his feet while following up with a right to quickly put a bit of distance between the two after his quick double strike.

COMBATSYS: Franco successfully hits Mitsuru with Waving Blow.

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Franco           0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0          Mitsuru

[MITSURU]
Mitsuru actually had not fought a real professional yet.

Most of her opponents were kids, or homeless men. Franco was a man, and as she invites him to come, he makes it clear, oh no, he was -not- afraid. Mitsuru scowls as she continues to make bad decisions. "You should be ashamed!" She mutters, as Franco... actually forces her to backstep. Not out of fear, of course, but the precise footwork. The seriousness of a boxer-type was -never- something to shut down. And without a proper guard, well.

Mitsuru, for her merit, does not roll over.

Face swelling up after the first blow, the right is actually partially deflected; not properly deflected, but smashed against. Trembling, the red was beginning to fade as the thrill of the fight was surging in her veins. Anger and bloodlust charged her heart as the energy seemed to roll over her own silvery aura. Snarling, she doesn't even touch her swollen cheek as she chases after Franco. Flailing her arms, she swings wildly, madly. Compared to Franco's trained precision, Mitsuru had no form. She was hurling all her force into a wide right cross, attempting to use her reach to slam her fist into Franco's side. A second left comes, as she tramples her way at Franco. What she lacked in skill, she was making up with pure spirit. "And your daddy?" She belts out, face twisting up into a sneer.

"I bet you don't even know the guy!"

COMBATSYS: Franco interrupts Strong Punch from Mitsuru with Guts Dunk.

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Franco           0/-------/---====|=======\=------\1          Mitsuru

[FRANCO]
Just by his size and overall look Franco looks like he would be the type to just come in swinging and not have too much finesse to go with the power, but that is not true at all. The man has obvious skill and if he didn't perhaps take up fighting at later stages in his life and treated it as more than a hobby there is no telling how good he could be. Even now it isn't like he is OLD so there is plenty of time for him to grow and improve if he really willed himself into doing so. For now it remains a hobby much like his little vigilante streak that has helped clean up the streets of Southtown.

Unlike Franco Mitsuru has spirit and some skill, but she is very rough around the edges. Against her peers that is probably more than enough to make her a force. Even against Franco it could prove to be enough, but once she starts to face off against those that have honed their skills to near perfection is when the young woman would have some trouble.

Franco watches her come in and he moves forward to meet her. She feels that first strike land solidly where it was intended, but at the same time there was the impact of a big knee slamming right into her torso at the same time with enough force to keep that second strike from ever really being a problem. The pair sail upwards for a moment before both come down with Franco slamming his foot down on impact and releasing a blast of energy from it to knock Mitsuru away. "My father? A hard working man that provided for the family! He is still alive and well!"

[MITSURU]
Oh no.

Mitsuru's flailing assault comes to a staggering halt as Franco peels apart her defense. When she connects her first blow, she sort of just imagined that Franco would be stunned. She doesn't even register that Franco was setting up an attack. When he fires forward? He -smashes- straight through her exposed defense. Taking the blow to her gut, she only can let out a little moan as the second blow floors her. Sent hurtling to a tumble backwards, she hits the ground without going too far. Smashing her fists on the bathhouse floor, she grips her abdomen as she gingerly rises up.

You couldn't even see the tears in her eyes.

"B-b-as... jerk!" She sputters out. "LIAR JERK!" She shouts out, yelling away the stunning pain as she stamps her foothold, the gap between them. "I bet he just worked and never paid any attention to you. HE WAS WORKING TOO HARD TO LOVE YOU! AND you DISAPPOINTED HIM! I bet that's why you're a boxer, a kickboxer, so he'd pay attention to you, a... .a fully grown... SHUT UP!" She screams, interrupting herself as she flings herself at Franco again. Having learned very little from the last attempt, steps up on the edge of the tubs, to leg up into a jump. Taking to the air, she flails her arms again, silvery raw energy flinging as she snarls. Unleashing a wild barrage hammering down below, she attempts to give Franco a shower of energy, to force him on defense.

"SHUT UP!"

COMBATSYS: Franco blocks Mitsuru's Flash War Dance.

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Franco           0/-------/--=====|=======\==-----\1          Mitsuru

[FRANCO]
It is rather confusing how this woman acts. Well he would like to say woman, but the attitude really does show she is a girl that has some growing up to do. "Why would I lie?" If this was all a tactic to push Franco off his guard it might actually start working because he is putting some thought as to why Mitsuru would even say such things about people she doesn't know.

"Miss if you would calm down and not say such rash things. My boy is probably watching this." If anything tht probably adds more fuel to the fire for Mitsuru's badly put together insults and shouting. At least her attack puts Franco on the defensive and he isn't allowed a moment longer to give her more material to work with.

He has little room to work with an no easy way to avoid the raining down of energy. Instead he covers up the best he can and tries to shrug it off. It stings, but he is made of sterner stuff. It did also give Mitsuru time to plan whatever she had in mind next because Franco was thrown off enough that takes a moment for him to recover and reach to grab the girl as best he can with his boxing glove clad hands.

There is nothing flashy at this point either. It is more just Franco picking up Mitsuru and looking to toss her down into one of the dubs in hopes maybe all the water would help calm her down. Probably not the best idea."

COMBATSYS: Franco successfully hits Mitsuru with Strong Throw.

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Franco           0/-------/-======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>-\1          Mitsuru

[MITSURU]
Your boy.

Mitsuru bristles at it. Your boy. Franco was talking about -his- boy, just to rub it into her face. Mitsuru builds with chi, even as she lets it fly off. Landing hard and awkwardly on the ground, the suppressive fire comes as she turns. As he comes at her, she prepares for a punch, ready to twist with it, and counter with a staggering uppercut. That -was- the plan. But as the man tries to grab her, her eyes go wide. "Wh- don't touch me! DON'T TOUCH ME-" She tries to twist away, but the large, awkward girl is deftly lifted, and promptly hurled into the tub. Her head hits the bottom. But it doesn't slow her down, no.

It just makes her angry.

The sopping soaked Mitsuru bursts out of the tub, gasping for air as a fat goose egg swells on her head. Teeth gnashing, she pulls herself out, nearly slipping as she steps out. "S-so what?" She says, pants splattering with water on the ground. Her hat was off, and her hair was quickly becoming matted and flat. "You worried that your boy will see what an awful person you are, huh? You think he likes and respect a... a pervert who throws girls into tubs! I know daddies like you. You talk about your kids on camera, but when it comes down to it? You don't care! You never care!"

"You NEVER EVER CARE!"

Mitsuru blazes with silver energy as she Mitsuru hurls in with a staggering deep punch. Whether it hits clean, or is block, it would be the trigger for a rapid chain of punches. These punches escalate, becoming a whirling mass of silver slashes as she keeps ranting. "Stupid old fart! Jerk! I hate you! I hate you! I HATE you!" And with the last hate you, she would stop the barrage just long enough to finish with an explosive uppercut. All with a last whisper.

"I hate you."

COMBATSYS: Mitsuru successfully hits Franco with The Path Of The Raging Demon EX.

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Franco           1/----===/=======|>>>----\-------\0          Mitsuru

[FRANCO]
Franco has no idea what this girl's problem is, but she just seems to get more angered the more he tries to calm her or explain himself. What she is saying is obviously untrue. He knows what kind of man he is and he has always done his best to be a up front and honest person. There is no real talking and getting though to her. Not in the mood she is in. All he can do is continue to fight.

She comes forward with a big punch and Franco looks ready to try to glance the blow off of one of his mighty arms, but he mistimes and that punch slips in and connects fully. As do all the followups that batter his large body before the uppercut lands square on his jaw with the force to lift him up and knock him back where he impacts against the wall of the bathhouse.

"Hate.....is a strong word, miss." He slowly rises to his feet. He has strength left in him and his demenor more calm. His voice more even as he just stares at Mitsuru and lets his gaze meet her own. "I don't believe you one bit. I do not know who or what has wronged you, but I will see if you really hate me." He opens his arms wide and he stands there in an inviting manner. "See if that hatred you have can take me down, miss."

COMBATSYS: Franco focuses on his next action.

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Franco           1/----===/=======|>>>----\-------\0          Mitsuru

[MITSURU]
"You want to see if I really hate you?"

She spits the question back, ready for the counter attack as she sends him into the wall. But there isn't a counter-attack, no. There isn't a charging assault. Instead, as the wisps of silver energy whirl around her, he -challenges- her with words. Mitsuru groans in rage, as she trembles with fury. And yet, in the face of calm, focused serenity?

She didn't really hate him.

There wasn't a spark of hate at Franco. Not even a glimmer of it. But she -wanted- it to be. She wanted to have that spark. She -wanted- to hate him for pushing her around and humiliating her in fair combat. He threw her in a tub like she was a baby. But she couldn't She just didn't have that fire.

And in the front of the cameras, she struggles to start that fire.

"How can I NOT hate you? You are a grown-up! You hit me! You threw me in the tub!" She flails her arms around, trying to look tough. Being soaked and without a hat, it was less intimidating. But she was struggling hard to force herself. "You think because I am at some sissy girl's school like Seijyun High, that I can't be strong and hateful and really mean? I don't give a darn about how you think about me!" Her flailing stiffens, as she tenses up, charging herself up.

As the silver energy continues to wash over her.

Chin jutting out, she sneers at Franco, breathing hard. "How about -you- come here, and show me how you -feel- about me? I bet you think I am some kind of poophead, huh? I bet you think I'm a real hellion! I bet you think I need to get hit again, to show me my place? Come on, show me how you think!" She stamps her foot.

"SHOW ME!"

COMBATSYS: Mitsuru gathers her will.

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Franco           1/----===/=======|=====--\-------\0          Mitsuru

[FRANCO]
Franco does what he feels an adult should do when someone is troubled and needs a way to vent. he listens. It doesn't mean he can make sense of it all, but he does give a sympathetic ear and he just watches her without a look of being judgemental. His gaze remains on hers and he just eventually gives a nod. "I think I understand."

That is when he lowers his guard. He motions to an official. "This is not a match. Score it as you will, but I will play no more part in feeding self destructive urges." He came for a good fight and showmanship. What he gets was nothing like that and he feels continuing would only make things worse.

"You think you have hate, but it isn't that. I don't understand and I won't try to tell you what to do, but I do hope you find what you want. Maybe once you do we can have a fight that we are meant to have." He wants to help. Being a parent just makes him feel bad for the girl he faces, but at the same time he feels unsure what else to do. He turns to move over to sit on the edge of the tub as he starts to work at removing his boxing gloves.

COMBATSYS: Franco takes no action.

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Franco           1/----===/=======|=====--\-------\0          Mitsuru

[MITSURU]
Mitsuru wanted Franco to attack her.

When he says he understands, he does. And Mitsuru's face brightens red as he speaks. Everything was trembling on her, her adrenaline was flooding. And steadily, in her stubborn, thick head, she realizes what was happening. Fight later. He was taking off his gloves. He wasn't going to fight her anymore. He was giving up? That meant she won. She could take the victory and everyone at home... everyone at school... could see how the man pitied her so much that he gave up. Pitied her.

Something snaps.

Mitsuru charges at Franco as he is taking off his glove. "DON'T YOU IGNORE ME! DON'T YOU IGNORE ME! HOW DARE YOU IGNORE ME!" Mitsuru screams as she throws herself at Franco. All attempts at demonstrating a fighting technique was gone now. Mitsuru was actually leaping in the air now to do a full-body tackle; if she knocked them both in the tub, so be it. But as she leaps into the tackle, her words slip, as the true essence in her heart boils force.

"I WANT YOU PAY ATTENTION TO ME!"

COMBATSYS: Franco fails to interrupt Strong Throw from Mitsuru with Megaton Uppercut.
- Power fail! -

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Franco           0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0          Mitsuru

[FRANCO]
The glove comes off and she starts to shout. It draws his attention as he sees her coming at him and she starts to leap at him. The fist still in the glove starts to rear back, but then there is hesitation. Wouldn't he just be putting forth a bad example if he did unload on her right then and there? It is that hesitance that allows her to spear him and they both go falling into the hot tub as water splashes everywhere.

Franco comes up for air after a moment and he waits for Mitsuru to pop up herself. "I have been and you rebuffed everything I said. I wanted a fight. Not to be the target of a confused teenager who is crying out for help yet won't accept it." He is annoyed, but remains calm and he starts to climb out of the tub. "I am sorry, miss. I can only do so much and this is enough. Come back and challenge me once you find what you really want."

The other glove comes off and he tosses it aside as he walks towards the men's locker area. The spirit of competition isn't to be found here. If he wanted to beat up on someone with no manners he would be harassing the thugs of Southtown and making them regret their life choices.

[MITSURU]
Mitsuru expected that would have done it.

A full forced tackle, forcing them both in the water. Unfortunately for her, she was disorenated, confused. Flailing around, even when she pops up she isn't ready to fight. But that's okay. That's okay because Franco is going to fight her and treat her like a real legitimate threat and strong fighter and a very serious badass person. And yet, he apologizes, and gets out of the tub.

And Mitsuru screams.

Flailing in the tub, she stirs up a maelstrom of bubbles as she turns frothing mad. Kicking her legs, she shrieks. "NO NO NO! NO NO NO! YOU LOW-BORN OAF!" She blurts out as she struggles to pull herself. Once again soaking wet, the judges seem stunned. The Seijyun High fighters herself wasn't done. "GET BACK HERE YOU LOUT! YOU CUR! YOU BUFFOON! FIGHT ME! FIIIIIIIIGHT ME!" Mitsuru chases after him...

but hesitates, as he goes into the locker room.

Seething, Mitsuru was angry now. She was wordlessly angry. She was wet, and angry, and felt humilated. Seijyun High would hear about this. they would hear about this and they would, they would, they would make fun of her. 'Great victory' they would tell her. 'What a close win' they would say. They would even bring up her ranking in the Neo-League. Mocking her, insulting her.

Just like Franco did.

She wanted to take everyone around her, everyone in the world, and pull them apart, just rip them into tiny pieces that she would eat and stamp stamp stamp on. But she didn't hate Franco. In a way, Franco acted just like how a proper dad would.

The judges keep their distance, as shrieking in rage, Mitsuru kicks the side of a tub in rage.

COMBATSYS: Mitsuru takes no action.

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Franco           0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0          Mitsuru

COMBATSYS: Franco has left the fight here.

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Mitsuru          0/-------/=======|

Log created on 13:16:09 01/11/2019 by Mitsuru, and last modified on 15:04:36 01/14/2019.