"What was that incredible speed!? What perfect form! That was pure genius! And I think we all know who our winner is. Please put your hands up and keep them there for Arashi Nakamura!"
I got a tremendous round of applause and shouts from the crowd. I ignored all of them and went to the edge of the platform where Luis lay. I stuck out a hand, he took it, and I helped him right back up. Simple as that. It is one of the most basic gestures in the world to help someone up after they've fallen. Since we didn't speak the same language, a simple nod of the head was enough to exchange thanks. We exit from two different sides of the arena. I find Nova waiting for me in the corridor.
"Well, that took you way longer than it should have. You're still holding back," she remarked rather cruelly.
I walked right past her, and without looking back, I called out to her, "It wouldn't have done me much good if he were dead. Plus, the crowd likes an entertaining battle, not a fight when you defeat your opponent in one hit," I pointed out.
And that was that. I headed up to the west wing, where the remaining combatants' quarters were, to tune in for the night, which was approaching fast. It was there that I ran into Orosu Kurashuu, the other competitor who completely washed his opponent. His hair was dark, styled into dreadlocks and kept out of his eyes by an ebony headband with red cracks running around it. His eyes were like black holes. Drawing in all light and your eyes toward them in the process. He was set to fight Nova in the semi-finals if they both won their next match. We could have zero confrontation, no opposition. But Orosu wasn't the type to let something slip under his radar for the rest of the tournament. We were about to walk right by each other, but Orosu stopped me with his sheer presence alone. He was terrifying, and his next words only added to my growing fear.
"Why are you holding back? I saw your fight. I could sense something was off."
I chose my next words carefully. "I-if I wasn't holding back… I could have killed him."
His next words sent a cold chill not just down my spine but my whole body. "If you end up killing someone, they have only themselves to blame. It was their fault for willingly facing someone like you in the first place. You should have killed them for their ignorance," he said that with such disregard, I almost wanted to scoff.
"I wish to fight you at your full strength in the finals."
"I am sorry, but I am unable to fulfill that request of yours."
"Why not? Are you suggesting you're going to lose? Certainly not."
"No, because you're going to have to get past my friend to do that, and she won't go down easy."
"Your friend, you say? What's her name?"
"Nova, Nova Rust."
Orosu's eyes narrowed in response to Nova's name. "I see. It seems I will have to earn a chance at the great Arashi. What a pain."
"I'm really not that great, though."
"Oh, I assure you, you are."
With that, he left for his assigned room. And so did I. I opened the door to my room, a medium-sized apartment with three rooms, one for a double bed, a bathroom and a little kitchen for meals. I set my bag of clothes down next to my bed and went into the kitchen to make myself dinner. I settled on a light but comforting miso soup. I was preparing the broth when I heard a knock at the door. Did Orosu want something more from me?
I opened the door and found Nova standing there.
"Oh, it's just you," I say, relieved
"Who else were you expecting? That Isamu guy?"
"No, just- it's okay." I try to get her to drop it, and to my surprise, she does.
"Can I come in?" she asks.
I raised an eyebrow, but when I took one look in her eyes, I immediately caved. "Sure, why not?" Why not!? What was wrong with me?
As she entered my room, she took a quick look around, nodding as she did so. When she got to the kitchen, she stopped and sniffed the air.
"What are you making?" she asked me
"Just some miso, nothing special."
"Do you mind if I join you for dinner?"
I sigh. "I'd have to make more."
"I can wait," she insisted. It didn't look like she was willing to budge. "I brought some mochi," she said, hoping it would sway my decision.
My eyes narrow as she mentions that. Mochi is my favourite dessert and has been since my childhood. "Why did you wait to say that until now?"
She shrugs and sets a paper bag containing the mochi down on the kitchen counter. "Do you want them or not?" she asks me with a sly smile on her face.
"Fine, I'll make another helping for you," I say reluctantly
I started preparing the same ingredients, chopping up tofu, onions and the like while Nova sat on the sofa in the middle of the big room. I look over at her. It seemed odd for her to just show up wanting food; from what I knew, Nova was an excellent chef. She could have been tired, but her match was the second one today, so she had plenty of time to rest.
"Do you want to talk about anything?" I asked her once more.
She seemed distant, spaced out, but could hear everything at the same time, almost as if she was ignoring me. I was about to ask her again when she sighed and spoke up.
"I'm sorry for being a burden."
Where did that come from?
"What do you mean? What could you possibly be a burden to me for?"
She didn't answer me; instead, she changed the subject.
"Do you know Orosu? I might have to face him in the semi-finals."
I nod quickly, trying not to mention Orosu's and my meeting just a few minutes before she showed up at my door. "Yes, I'm sure everyone does after his match. Why? Are you scared to fight him?"
"Yes," she answered shakily.
"Why?" I asked her. If she was scared, the least I could do was find out why.
"Orosu and I…" she paused, took a deep breath, and continued her explanation. "Our families have a history with each other."
Okay, not what I was expecting.
She continued to explain. "My great-great-grandfather and Orosu's struck a business deal with a signed contract. Apparently, my grandfather broke it." Her hands trembled as she spoke. I put a gentle hand on hers for a brief moment. She calmed down and withdrew my hand. It was clear this subject was sensitive to her.
"I don't know what that contract was about; the knowledge wasn't passed down to me. Orosu knows about it, but I don't know if his father told him what it was about or not. That's why our families have a rocky relationship, and by association, me and him aren't on the best of terms."
I clench my fist. That explains why Orosu seemed bothered when I told him Nova's name. I was deeply concerned for her. Because if she made it to the semifinals, she would take a beating regardless of whether she won or not. On the other hand, Nova was the type who would not allow her to lose a fight she thought she could win. So if she thought she could beat him…
"Nova, I think you shou-"
She locked eyes with me. "I'm going to win. It doesn't matter if they hit me down. I'll get back up as many times as my body will allow me. No, I'll get up even if I can't move a single muscle," she said. This wasn't ego, it was confidence. Which was exactly what I was worried about.