Match of the Millennium

Description: Surely a grudge match in the making between these two boys! Not only is Ayaki a former Justice student, he and Kazuo have history. Ayaki beat-up Kazuo's twin Kenji, leading to his explusion from the elite high school.

[AYAKI]
Being back on the Justice High campus is a somewhat disconcerting feeling for Amano Ayaki. The last time he was permitted on the premises, he had been banished in disgrace after seriously injuring a fellow student. The name of that student? Narukami Kenji. The identity of Ayaki's opponent for today's NFG Rivals match? Narukami Kazuo, Kenji's twin brother.

Surely this can't be a coinicidence? The NFG organisers have been notorious in past seasons for orchestrating drama wherever possible for their matches. It makes sure that the ratings for their streaming service score as highly as possible, which brings in the advertising revenue and results in Professional Fighting Worldwide staying rich.

As Ayaki crosses the main hall of Justice High, several students turn their heads to stare at him. Perhaps they are merely anticipating his arrival for the match. Or maybe they are muttering about his previous mishaps. Whatever it is, Ayaki is determined not to let it affect him. He's going to hold his head high and shrug off any traces of the scandal he was caught up in during his time here. At least that's the plan.

"Isn't that the boy who tried to kill Kenji?" Shouts a loud-mouthed lad dressed in the orange uniform of the school. He nudges his group of friends and points in the direction of the black-haired Gedo student.

Defiant, Ayaki tilts his chin and gives them a wave. "That's me. Maybe I'll get luckier with his brother." He brazenly taunts, rendering the boys speechless.

Stepping into the auditorium conjures more memories for Ayaki. It's designed to seat several hundred students at the same time and played host to most of the school gatherings in his time here. His deep-blue eyes seek out the huge screen that is positioned in midair. It's currently showing the NFG Rivals logo, rather than the usual Justice High one.

Pulling off his black zip-up hoody and throwing it over one of the seats, Ayaki reveals the distressed black t-shirt and baggy black pants beneath. He can hear the sounds of the students starting to pour into the space, so he enjoys the last remains of the silence, steeling himself for what will surely be one of the most challenging experiences of his young life so far.

[KAZUO]
Most of the Justice students preparing to witness the anticipated spectacle are dressed in the traditional black shirts and orange bottoms of the Justice summer uniform. However, already seated in the auditorium amongst several of his peers, one student is instead wearing a white button-down t-shirt, a red necktie and black trousers. His hair has a silvery-white hue, worn in a short, lightly styled cut. When he turns his head at Ayaki's approach, it's the chillingly familiar face of the youth that Ayaki brutalized some months ago that greets him.

But this face bears neither the bruises inflicted by Ayaki's fists, nor the mocking sneer that might have contributed to the former Justice student's outburst. Instead, there's compassion in his blue eyes.

"Amano-san! Welcome to Justice."

Kazuo stands up, stepping forward with a hand extended. "This is my Bible study group. You're welcome to -"

"Let's save it for the match, you two," a Justice teacher interjects, stepping between the pair. "Amano-san is only permitted in these halls for the sake of the competition."

"There's no problem, really," Kazuo says with a tone finely balanced between deference and confidence. "I, for one, don't harbour any grudge against Amano-san. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to be competing against him today if I did, after all, would it?"

He turns a smile toward Ayaki. "I'm really sorry about the way that my brother behaved. We're all hoping that he'll have grown out of this if - I mean, when he recovers."

[AYAKI]
Kazuo's face, or at least one very like it, is one that Ayaki would never grow tired of punching. Seeing someone with such a startling resemblance to Kenji causes Ayaki to feel suddenly cold and he shivers in his thin cotton top.

When questioned as to why he'd attacked a fellow student, Ayaki had remained mute, refusing to offer any explanation besides that he'd lost control temporarily. The truth is, venom and vile insults had slid out of the mouth of the silver-haired student that day, all delivered in a mocking tone. The subject of these slurs? Mostly Ayaki's mother, who'd given birth to him in her teens and had suffered a serious drug addiction that she'd eventually succumbed to.

Digging his nails into the palm of his hands and causing crescent-shaped marks to appear there, Ayaki looks up at Kazuo, finding himself flinching at the warm welcome. "I don't read The Bible." He states, daring Kazuo to challenge him on their difference in beliefs.

Ayaki looks towards the teacher when they interject, recognising someone who was quick to condemn him and demand he face criminal charges for his conduct. "Yes, there's no problem here. Just because two people look alike, it doesn't mean they're the same person." Ayaki says, his words by the book but his facial expresion not providing convincing support.

Ayaki forces a smile back and shakes his head. "You don't need to defend the actions of your brother. Is he still in the coma?"

[KAZUO]
Kazuo reaches down for the black-bound book that he's left lying on the seat he was sat in with the other students. "Neither did I, before. But I've really been getting into it for the last year or so. It's got some really great stuff. Actually, I met my girlfriend while I was looking for a copy - her family own a bookshop."

He turns the book around in his hand, eyeing it for a thoughtful moment before holding it out to Ayaki. "You're welcome to have mine, if you'd be interested in reading it. I recommend starting with Matthew - it makes more sense if you start with one of the Gospels. Although, I get the impression you might be more of a Mark guy."

Kazuo narrows his eyes slightly as he considers that statement. "You know, more of an action type. Anyway, the offer's open - I won't be offended either way."

Kazuo's smile falters slightly at Ayaki's question. "He's still sleeping. The doctors aren't sure exactly why - it's not just physical trauma, they said. I'm guessing you won't be able to explain that, though."

More and more students are starting to pour into the auditorium as the PFW crew make sure that everything is in place.

"I guess we'd better get ready for our match, huh?"

[AYAKI]
Ayaki knows who Kazuo's girlfriend is. Following Inei's mysterious absence from the competition, Natsuki, the soda swilling, spellweaving, bookshop dweller had been subbing in for the boy known as 'Spooky' by his fellow students. It had been she that Ayaki had previously been expecting to face today. Apparently she'd had some prior engagement at a book fair though, which had all ended with a bit of bother. Stories had been spreading around Southtown of how she'd attacked one of Ayaki's former opponents, the Taiyo student Nako. There'd been no calls for her to be expelled though.

"I'm fine, thanks." Ayaki assures Kazuo. "I'm more of an audiobook or podcast fan." He almost instantly regrets admitting to this, as surely The Bible has an audio version and there must be many podcasts on the subject of Christianity. Maybe Kazuo will start trying to sell him on those next?

"The brain is a complicated thing." Ayaki muses. "Perhaps next time you visit Kenji, you can let him know that I have no plans to attack him again should he wake. That may settle him some."

Ayaki starts to strech his lean limbs out. "Speaking of such things, you're right, perhaps we should get into position?"

Without waiting for an answer, Ayaki starts to move towards the wooden platform that normally plays host to a podium and ten seats. In their stead the polished surface has been repurposed as a ring for the match.

Once both the boys are in place in their respective corners, the referee flips a coin. Ayaki calls heads and proves to be victorious, meaning that he will get the proceeding's underway.

Ayaki bows before two psychic blades appear in his hands. A blue one in the left and a red one in the right. "Let us begin." He announces with a great deal more warning than any he'd given his opponent's twin. This is an official match after all.

Ayaki steps forward and then appears to vanish, only to reappear behind Kazuo, holding his blue oni blade in an outstretched stance. A chilling wind follows, and should this connect with Kazuo, he will feel it cut. The only sign of the strike afterwards is a shimmering blue image, like a fleeting ghost.

COMBATSYS: Ayaki has started a fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Ayaki            0/-------/-------|

COMBATSYS: Kazuo has joined the fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Ayaki            0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0            Kazuo

COMBATSYS: Ayaki successfully hits Kazuo with Blue Oni Phantom Slash.

[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////    ]
Ayaki            0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0            Kazuo

[KAZUO]
"Well, there are a lot of free audiobook versions available," Kazuo says brightly, though he places his copy back on his seat for now. It looks as though there are a few sticky notes tucked between the gilt-edged pages. "And - I'll tell him that. I'm not sure that there's anything wrong in the brain, per se. I think he has a deeper sickness than that."

Kazuo takes his own place opposite Ayaki, closing his eyes and bowing his head as he takes in a slow, deep breath through his nostrils. Then, with his ritual complete, he opens his eyes again and shifts his posture into a karate stance, both hands raising in fists in opposition to his opponent's ethereal blades. There's a faint flicker behind his eyes as the weapons are reflected in them.

"Yes, let's. And may the Lord be with us both."

There's a momentary golden flash around Kazuo's upper body as he twists his body, attempting to deflect the spectral assault. He flinches as cold penetrates his side, exhaling as he attempts to conquer the pain. His eyes close again briefly before opening as he pivots to face Ayaki before dashing into a slide, a faint glow surrounding him as he aims to slip past Ayaki before dropping into a sweep from behind intended to take out his legs. The energy surrounding his limb as he lashes out would feel debilitating, yet somehow not painful, should Ayaki find it striking him.

COMBATSYS: Ayaki blocks Kazuo's Path of Peace ES.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////////     ]
Ayaki            0/-------/----===|===----\-------\0            Kazuo

[AYAKI]
Whether the Lord is with them or not, Kazuo's devotion doesn't save him from the cold blue blade. The golden flash is noticed by Ayaki. He makes a mental note of it but tries to stay present in his own body rather than pondering too much over what it could potentially be.

The Justice student is speedy to respond, as he slides towards the black-haired boy. When Kazuo attempts to cause Ayaki to lose his balance, the Gedo guy feels himself become unsteady and it's not just because of the sweep. He somehow manages to stay standing and avoid being debilitated, but his blue eyes flash briefly red as he recognises something in his opponent. "Interesting." He murmurs.

With a simultaneous flash of red and blue light, Ayaki swings both his blades in a swift X-shaped motion.

The air splits apart, leaving behind faint, glowing afterimages of a snarling red oni and a smirking blue oni. If the strikes land. they will come together, delivering a precise and brutal twin-cut that's designed to disorient Kazuo

Afterwards, a lingering pulse of psychic force will be felt.

COMBATSYS: Kazuo blocks Ayaki's Twin Oni Fangs.

[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Ayaki            0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0            Kazuo

[KAZUO]
This time, Kazuo is able to witness for himself the energies being wielded by the Gedo student, the blue and red psychic blades flashing before him -- and the red glow appearing in Ayaki's eyes. There's something like recognition that tugs Kazuo's brows downward, his calm demeanour shifting slightly. It would be difficult to tell whether it's concern or disapproval for most, but with their close proximity and Ayaki's own psychic sensitivity might be tipped off that both can be true at the same time. He snaps a hand up, reaching past the blades to redirect the arm brandishing the red, simultaneously leaning to one side to duck the blue. The red is held at bay in part, but the weapon does graze Kazuo's own arm as he turns it away, causing the Justice fighter's teeth to clench.

"So... it appears that the rumours are true, Amano-san." Kazuo's jaw sets as he twists his hands around in the air, slowly clasping his fingers shut. "I'll try to help you if I can - I'm sorry if this hurts."

And then his right fist snaps forward, his body twisting into the punch as a pinpoint of light glints between his fingers before exploding outward when his arm fully extends, unleashing a lancing luminescence that would seem to pierce the student's soul, though the spectacle of the blade of light breaking through Ayaki's body - should he fail to avoid it - would be only a spectacle.

Again, it would be surprisingly painless - more weakening and anaesthetic than causing actual harm - though the fist itself would do its work as expected.

COMBATSYS: Kazuo successfully hits Ayaki with Sword of the Spirit ES.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Ayaki            1/------=/=======|======-\-------\0            Kazuo

[AYAKI]
Ayaki sees that Kazuo understands what's going on. He's not sure if he can say the same of all his opponents so far, but this one, he is beginning to recognise what he, and his brother before him, is dealing with.

"Not all of the rumours are true, but some of them, yes." Ayaki admits, the red glow in his eyes remaining.

"You don't need to save me." He laughs. "I accept who and what I am. I'm just using the gifts I was given. Perhaps your God sent them." He taunts.

Despite his teasing of the other boy, Ayaki has to admit that he is not without bravery. He has no hesitation in risking the psychic blades as he reaches to reposition their aim and he handles it pretty well, escaping with nothing but a graze.

As for the promise of pain to come, Ayaki perhaps underestimates it. He tries to lightly sidestep away from Kazuo's punch but instead is struck by it and the blade of light that accompanies it.

He instinctively looks down towards his stomach, his posture curling forwards as he expects to see his clothing cut to reveal a wound. Instead, everything appears to be as it was, but he can still feel it on the inside. A strange numbing sensation seems to spread throughout his cells.

"Apparently we have some things in common." Ayaki remarks, his eyes flashing with a combination of fear and ferocity. "Though I suspect they are from a different source."

With that, he's lashing out with a rapid strike from his red oni blade, targetting whichever part of Kazuo he can reach.

COMBATSYS: Ayaki successfully hits Kazuo with Quick Strike.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Ayaki            1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1            Kazuo

[KAZUO]
Kazuo retracts his right arm as he brings himself back into side stance, the glow fading around from around his fist. There's a hush over the crowd as the light show unfolds; while Ayaki's demonic manifestations may be notorious amongst the local student body - a fact referenced moments before - Kazuo has never been one to demonstrate his capabilities publically. Only those of his dojo have seen it firsthand.

"I'm told that such abilities reflect the inner nature of their wielder," Kazuo says in the space between blows.

The red blade streaks toward Kazuo, catching him across the cheek even though he tries to twist out of the way and causing him to cry out in pain, hand moving to the invisible wound. The heat of the spiritual injury draws a frustrated growl from Kazuo, resonating with something somewhere inside. Another glow beings to brighten his core, travelling up his arm. This one seems somehow different - brighter, more real - but Kazuo closes his eyes, holding it back. The surge within visibly quells as his mouth moves in silent supplication. Then: "But that's not a condemnation. It only takes a little for someone to fall - but that doesn't stop the fallen from choosing redemption."

Kazuo strengthens his stance as he opens his eyes again and fixes his gaze on Ayaki. "Anyone can embrace the light; but first, you have to let go of the darkness. Come." He gestures beckoningly with his leading hand, his knees slightly bent in readiness.

COMBATSYS: Kazuo focuses on his next action.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Ayaki            1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1            Kazuo

[AYAKI]
"I get it, you're the good guy." Ayaki sneers. "I'm sure you've never put a foot wrong in your perfect little life. The only reason they ever let me in this place was because of my rich daddy, who by the way, I have never met."

Is there bitterness coming from the black-haired boy? You bet. "They couldn't wait to find an excuse to kick me out of here. Your brother said some hideous things to me. Anyone would have attacked him. Even you."

Ayaki feels a thrill as his oni blade strikes Kazuo. The fact it's his face makes it seem all the sweeter, though there's no visible scar on the Justice student's face, given that it's all just an illusion, albeit an intense one.

When Kazuo gets his glow on, Ayaki has to admit he's impressed. At least internally. He's not gonna voice it aloud. What he does let slip out is a sigh, when Kazuo persists with his talk of salvation. "I'm not a sheep and you're not my shepherd. Save your evergy for your family. I hear your twin isn't in a good state."

Kazuo's apparent serenity angers Ayaki. "You want me to let go of my darkness? What will I have left if I do?" He demands to know.

Moving into a wide stance, Ayaki presses his blue oni blade deep into the ground. Immediately, a wave of freezing energy spreads outwards, encasing the fighting area in a crystalline prison of psychic ice and threatening to trap Kazuo's movements.

If Ayaki accomplishes this, he will raise his red oni blade high above his head, its crimson glow intensifying into a blinding inferno. With a furious cry of anguish that seems to come from his very soul, he'll bring the blade crashing down, shattering the frozen stage.

An eruption of demonic blue ice and roaring red flames begin to engulf everything close and Kazuo will witness the spectral visage of an Oni, its burning eyes filled with both cold wisdom and unrelenting rage.

COMBATSYS: Kazuo reflects Twin Oni, Hell's Rise from Ayaki with Shield of Faith.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////              ]
Ayaki            0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0            Kazuo

[KAZUO]
Kazuo shakes his head, the corners of his lips turning downward. "I'm sorry if that's what you thought that I meant," he responds carefully to Ayaki's sneering assertion. "Of course I've done wrong in the past, and I'm sure that I will again. Everyone does. As I said, I wasn't intending to cast stones."

As the tension in the air between the two fighters rises above the dais, Kazuo scrutinizes his adversary. "Perhaps you can tell me what exactly it was that he said. It would be good if I could understand your side of the story, especially since he's not able to share his. You've never told anyone, have you?"

As Ayaki continues to rage against his invitations, Kazuo's smile returns - not mocking, but compassionate. "It must be hard..."

As the ice spreads across the stage toward him, Kazuo spreads his arms wide, throwing back his head and looking toward the ceiling as he draws in breath. And as he appears to surrender to the encroaching frost, a golden aegis of light appears in front of him, keeping the opposing energy from touching him. The shield persists as the psychic inferno roars toward it, and as it collides, both the flames and ice turn to gold, returning in shimmering waves toward their progenitor.

"...only being able to feel the darkness, when the light is shining right in front of you..."

[AYAKI]
Ayaki feels like he's holding his breath as he launches his psychic assault on Kazuo. He watches the blue ice edging towards the Justice student. At first he seems to decline any attempt to defend himself but then that golden light starts to glow again.

It serves as a shield, preventing Ayaki's psi energy from penetrating through. He can't hide his disappointment. It's clear on every part of his youthful face.

"What did you do? Take the last cookie?" Ayaki asks as Kazuo claims he too has commited wrong deeds.

With an exasperated sigh, the Gedo guy runs a hand through his spiky hair, causing it to fall forwards on to his forehead. As he does, shimmering golden waves wash over him, sending him stumbling and dropping to his knees as a strangely warm sensation settles on his skin. It's beautiful really but Ayaki can't help but feel like he's already beaten. A sudden sleepiness hits him and though his body is indeed starting to feel broken, it's emotionally that he senses it the most.

Perhaps it's Kazuo's kindness or maybe it's being bathed in the golden light, whatever the reason, Ayaki opens his mouth and lets the words spill out. "My mother had a drug problem. A serious one. Your brother suggested he knew how she earned the money to fund it."

He doesn't spell out the exact accusations, even at this vulnerable moment Ayaki can't bring himself to go that far.

He also can't manage to muster much of an attack. He simply strikes upwards at Kazuo with his crimson blade, hoping that what he currently lacks in strength will be compensated for by the speed of his sword.

COMBATSYS: Kazuo blocks Ayaki's Light Strike.

[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Ayaki            0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1            Kazuo

[KAZUO]
Kazuo brings his gaze back down to face Ayaki, his face scrunching up in confusion as the energy washes away from him, his short white hair blown back. "What do you mean, 'the last cookie?' Do people run out of cookies?"

The expression fades into a smile as he's about to follow up the comment before Ayaki appears to collapse to his knees from the wave of light. The smile becomes more apologetic. "Sorry, that was a joke. My brother used to hide cookies under his bed, you know. I think it was because our father would only let us have one a day - if we had behaved well."

His expression turns grim. "I suppose that he wouldn't have had many cookies, otherwise."

Kazuo pushes aside the blade as it drives up at him, shaking out his hand as the hot energy seeps into him.

"A spirit of fear shouldn't drive anyone. Nor should anger. I'll do my best to help you banish it."

He reaches to grab for Ayaki's collar, a flash of gold visible in Kazuo's blue eyes as he would drag him up to his feet if he can - before pivoting and throwing him to the ground. If it works, he'll raise his foot, then bring it crashing down on Ayaki's sternum - causing radiant light to erupt from beneath them that would counteract the physical pain of the stomp and envelop Ayaki in debilitating warmth.

COMBATSYS: Kazuo successfully hits Ayaki with Threshing Floor ES.
-* CRITICAL HIT! *-

[                            \\  < >  ////////////////              ]
Ayaki            1/----===/=======|=======\==-----\1            Kazuo

[AYAKI]
Ayaki briefly falls for Kazuo's joke. As someone who definitely doesn't have a constant supply of cookies, he can't quite believe that someone might not be able to contemplate the concept. He's about to lash out verbally when he sees the smile and his own expression softens. "Your brother likely lacks impulse control." Ayaki comments. "I suspect you don't suffer from the same problem."

The red blade is brushed aside with relative ease, and as Ayaki looks at Kazuo there's a weary expression on his face. "Fear and anger are normal emotions to express."

There's a flash of the latter as Ayaki is grabbed by the collar of his t-shirt. He tries to break free but this only serves to tear the thin fabric. He's forcefully dragged to his feet before being launched towards the wooden floor. The back of his head smacks against the smooth surface, causing Ayaki to start to see two of Kazuo, almost like his twin was present with him. "Fuck you both." Mutters the confused student, but he's silenced from further cursing by the foot crushing his sternum.

For such a seemingly violent act, there's remarkably little pain. Ayaki's eyes flicker open as he watches the golden glow surrounding the pair. He can feel this fight is slipping away from him but he's not totally spent. He finds it within himself to push upwards, launching into the air at accelerated speed, with his blue oni blade humming with cold, controlled power.

Meanwhile, his red oni blade begins to crackle with untamed energy.

As Ayaki reaches the peak of his ascent, he flips downward, crossing both blades into an X-shaped slash as he plummets. The blue blade appears to freeze the air, forming a glacial wake, while the red blade seems to ignite it, creating a firestorm. The result is a devastating psychic shockwave of ice and flame, filling the area around the two boys with an explosion of opposing energies.

Should Kazuo be hit by this, his body is likely to succumb to a startling amount of simultaneous sensations. The dramatic offence comes at a cost to Ayaki too though. The sheer amount of psychic energy he has to expel, combined with his already battered body, means that he soon comes crashing back down again, his eyes closing as he collapses on the stage.

COMBATSYS: Ayaki can no longer fight.

[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Kazuo            1/-----==/=======|

COMBATSYS: Kazuo interrupts Twin Oni, Heaven's Fall from Ayaki with Heaven's Light.

[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Kazuo            0/-------/-----==|

[KAZUO]
Kazuo's expression becomes unreadable at Ayaki's words as he curses what Kazuo presumes to be both himself and his twin. The psychic swordsman stirs, knocking Kazuo's foot off of him, and the white-haired warrior looks up as Ayaki rises above him like a phoenix. Kazuo's eyes close and an unseen force begins to ripple his hair and attire as his arms spread wide at his sides. The light above the stage intensifies - is he controlling the electrics? A PFW engineer frantically tries to remove the sudden spotlight, but its provenance is not of the auditorium. The beam intensifies to pure white, blotting out the blue and red shockwave as it crashes down on Kazuo, the chaotic energy dispersing into golden feathers that fall and wink out harmlessly as the pillar of light crashes down on both Ayaki and Kazuo like the beam of a zaibatsu satellite death laser.

While Kazuo may be the heir of a company that could conceivably own a death laser, though, it is not a death laser, but, if anything, a life laser - harmless to Kazuo himself, while driving Ayaki into blissful oblivion.

As the light fades away, Kazuo's arms have fallen to his side, and a serene smile remains on his face.

He opens his eyes and lowers his gaze to Ayaki, kneeling and offering his hand.

"Are you okay, brother?"

COMBATSYS: Kazuo has ended the fight here.


[AYAKI]
Although Ayaki doesn't see the spectacular light show, he is alert enough to realise that something is going on.

He wonders whether he's dreaming. Maybe he too will slip into a coma like Kenji? Some would say it could be seen as karma.

Whatever is happening to the Gedo schoolboy, it's certainly not an unpleasant experience. Both his body and his spirit start to feel lighter, as if he could simply float above the auditorium and go for a nap in the clouds. Perhaps there'd be angels there. Maybe one of them could fetch him some soda, because his throat sure does feel dry.

When he eventually feels strong enough to open his eyes, he does indeed see a pleasant face framed by silvery white hair. Is this one of the angels?

Seconds later Ayaki feels stupid as the figure speaks and he recognises the voice of his opponent. "I will be." He responds to the question. "I'm not your brother though. I don't have one of those."

He attempts to sit up but decides against it, letting himself rest a while longer. The crowd are mostly cheering, given that the majority of the audience is made up of Justice students. There's a few familiar faces from Gedo but it's not like he's close to anyone there really. It could be worse though, at least none of them seem to be booing.

"You're a formiddable fighter." Ayaki admits to Kazuo. "I enjoyed our battle despite the outcome. Maybe you can tell me about your power some day. As long as you leave The Bible at home."

[KAZUO]
"Sorry - a turn of phrase," Kazuo says, his smile turning awkward for a moment, a flicker of something in his expression growing somber. It brightens again, though. "You should come to my church sometime. The preacher is good - he helped me understand my power, and he might be able to help you, too. Even if you're not interested in the Bible."

He rises back up to his feet when Ayaki doesn't take his hand, looking unoffended. "It can be fun, as long as there's no bad blood or ill will. I used to love sparring with my brother, but... even if we could, I doubt it would be like before."

He starts to turn away, ready to descend the stage and rejoin his group. He looks over his shoulder.

"Get in touch with me if you want to talk about anything, or take me up on one of my offers. I think I've made about four already, so you've got a few to choose from! I'll add lunch to them, sometime when we both have a day off."

Log created on 07:07:39 07/23/2025 by Ayaki, and last modified on 08:19:44 08/06/2025.