NEW - NOIR EXTREME WRESTLING

Princess_Misaki: Ever since I eliminated Jessie last time, I woke up the next morning hugging my pillow as if I were still in a dream. I couldn't tell reality from dreams—had I just dreamed about advancing, or had I actually accomplished something? But the bruises on my back reminded me that it might have really happened. I looked at the poster of my idol, Asuka, on the wall and knew this wasn't easy—I had to go further. Over the past few days, I’ve been trying to talk to Sara. I know she's also trapped in her intense training life. When I saw her suppress and eliminate Rachel, I immediately sent a congratulatory text. I knew she wouldn’t have time to grab coffee with me, but she either didn’t reply or just gave a faint "thank you." We both know why. The next match is our shared pursuit—that championship belt hangs high above the ring, and neither of us has any reason to back down from taking it. The events operations manager called me while I was eating breakfast. As usual, it’s going to be a hardcore match—the final needs a blood-pumping, fierce battle. But I have to treat Sara that way... My heart is heavy. And right now, I have no one to share this with... I got a notice about the evening fan meet-and-greet. I forced myself to perk up, putting on my usual charming, sweet smile. After taking photos and interacting with the fans, I walked backstage. The locker room door wasn’t locked. I thought I saw someone gasping for breath on the bench... I hadn’t seen Sara all night. Maybe she was at another meet-and-greet—the routine never lets us see each other before a match... On a whim, I pushed the door open and walked in.

Sara_León: The victory against Rachel had been a moment of absolute happiness, a relief in the routine, an inexplicable joy... that dissolved far too quickly. I was happy when I saw Misaki defeat Jessie, but at the same time... I knew she wasn't the opponent I would have liked to face. Her arm around my throat in that dragon sleeper, my hand frantically slapping her arm... I couldn't forget that feeling of helplessness. Just thinking about it gave me chills. And not only because I was certain she could defeat me, but because I was beginning to be certain of her mental instability. Her paranoia, her need to be heard and loved, her unpredictability, her insecurities... And I was at the center of it all, not knowing whether I should act as a friend, a mentor, an older sister... or give in to the obvious fact that none of that matters when the title of the federation I love is at stake. All of this is what I'm thinking about while sitting on one of the locker room benches, panting and sweaty after a long training session that had managed to clear my mind... And now returning to reality, feeling that anxiety that hits me day after day. Brooke said yesterday that I'm distracted, that I won't be able to do it. Hana is getting harsher with me every time. And the only person who seeks me out is the one who gives me the biggest headaches. I raise my head when you come in, looking at you with tired eyes and swallowing hard, immediately tensing up. "Hey..."

Princess_Misaki: "Relax, Sara. Are you okay? I hope to hear a good answer. I don't think either of us needs to hide anything. If you were facing Jessie in the final, I'd cheer for you unconditionally—I'd even block anyone trying to attack you in that no-DQ match. But... we both know what happened last week. It was crazy, unstoppable. I know you've been avoiding me... but... but what I mean is, that won't stop us from waging a do-or-die war in that ring three days from now." I watch you breathing hard after training, your chest heaving, your body drenched in sweat, while I've just come back from under the flashbulbs. There's no business manipulation or fake adoration here—just two people who both need saving, about to decide in three days who gets the right to pity the loser. "Sara, I know you're not targeting me, but the person it landed on just happens to be me. And... what Hana said hurt you—I heard it that day. I'm sorry. That's all I can say. The more confident you are in the ring, the more rattled you look right now. That wasn't my intention, Sara. Please pull yourself together, okay? Please face me with full confidence and sincerity—whether it's as rivals in the ring, or as... as sisters, if we can be honest about that. I—" My phone rings at the worst time. "Sorry... give me a second."

Princess_Misaki: I pick up. On the other end is that voice I both love and hate—lazy, arrogant. "Misaki, should I be congratulating you on making it to the final? In some no-name little league? Where do you think you're going? Drop the pro wrestling act. It's just a show." "Shut up, Mayumi. I'm not in the mood to fight with you. If you're just calling to mock me like always—I know you're in a match right now... are you even okay...?" Before I can finish, Mayumi cuts me off rudely. "None of your business. But if you're willing to pay for my BJJ training camp, I suppose after I win that belt, I'll let you borrow it for a few photos. Not like you'll ever get another chance to touch it, except by clinging to me." Mayumi's words leave me a mess. And I still need to get my head straight for Sara—we're both too vulnerable right now. "I..." I'm at a loss for words. Should I end the call?

Sara_León: I listen to you attentively, panting but maintaining eye contact. I can really sense in you the need for me to tell you that I'm okay, that we're friends and that we'll face each other fairly in an epic match. You need to hear it, you need to feel that certainty. You need to know that I'm not hurting because of you, that the match will be fair and that it won't make me drift away from you. I wish I could tell you that, I wish I could promise you any of that. And then the call. I immediately hear your sister's name and begin to deduce what's happening. I see you getting nervous, your phone begins to tremble in your hand. And you are left speechless. Quickly I stand up and take the phone from your hand, in a quick but gentle movement. I press the hang-up button, and show you your own phone in my hand. "You don't need this right now, Misaki. You'll talk to her after the match. Right now you have to forget about her and all your worries. You have a chance to win the championship, don't let anyone except me stand in your way. Okay?" I smile at you maternally and offer the phone back, wondering inside why I said all that. I should take advantage of the moment to demoralize you, now that I can and it would be easy. Maybe it's the panic of ending up alone that pushes me to take care of you, even when you are my biggest obstacle to reaching the title. Maybe it's the hope that because of this you won't be so hard on me in the ring. Or maybe it's just a small spontaneous act of charity. Whatever it is, I try not to let any of that cloud my reassuring expression

Princess_Misaki: Suddenly, the one at a loss became me. I didn’t expect you to just take care of the conversation I didn’t want to have. I’ve almost never handled something I didn’t want to face so cleanly. “Th…thank you, Sara… it was Mayumi…” She… she was congratulating me. I still try to hide a few things, but I see your warm smile again, that strength of yours that seems able to fix anything, your broad shoulders, the decisiveness you showed when you grabbed me and sprinted up the second floor. I know that the Sara I need to face is gathering her strength bit by bit. If that’s the case, my match will be very hard, especially with how comfortable you are in hardcore matches. “You’re going to be an obstacle for me—no small obstacle. I hope I won’t let you get to the weapon under the ring before me…” Now I’m a little more relaxed… we seem to have fallen into a simple rhythm before the match, but I don’t know how that happened. Was it because of that phone call? But there’s no way that could be Mayumi’s doing… I take my phone from the bench, then stomp on it and smash it, but I’m smiling happily. “You’re absolutely right. I probably won’t need this thing until I win the belt…” I grab your shoulders with both hands, like I’m in a freestyle wrestling clinch. “I think I’m ready. If necessary, I could take you down right here, but I think I’ll save that for the ring and the spotlight.” I bring back the sweet, confident smile I had when I first stepped into the ring. “So, Sara—do you have the courage to slam me into the canvas over and over again?”

Sara_León: I see that you don't take the phone from my hand, so I leave it on the bench while you thank me. You start talking again; you're really conflicted about this match. A small flame lights up inside me when you mention the weapons under the ring. Maybe in a hardcore context I really can surpass you, after all. Suddenly, when you destroy your phone, I flinch, once again startled by your unnecessary and unexpected outbursts of violence, but I don't say anything, I just keep smiling. I notice how you relax when you grab me. No matter how complicated this relationship is, there is one thing I do have clear. I am your only friend in N.E.W., and you need me for that. I let out a small chuckle when you threaten me, and I answer your last question, already knowing exactly what you want to hear, and determined to leave you as calm as possible. "It won't be the first time I've faced a friend with something important at stake.... You can count on me not holding back. I'll give everything to try to defeat you. And I hope you'll do the same."

Princess_Misaki: "Good! Then it's a deal!" I squeeze your shoulders, as if we've just completed some kind of ritual. I got what I wanted, and I hope you did too. ... I move closer to you, until I'm right at the tip of your nose. I look up at you. This time there's no hesitant, mournful compassion. Sara in her wrestling gear is the toughest fighter, and I'm about to take the title she's been chasing all season, almost right out of her fists. I smile confidently, lock eyes with you, and raise my fists. I feel fantastic right now. If a reporter walked in at this moment, it would be a natural poster shot.

Sara_León: I hold your gaze for two seconds before rolling my eyes and swaying a little. "Ughhh.... Come here..." I murmur to you, extending my arms and wrapping them around you in a warm hug, pressing you against me. I feel that I'm suddenly becoming genuinely fond of you, but I can't forget who you are. How you've treated me. My feelings toward you are more out of convenience than genuine, at least some of them. Now that you can't see me, my expression grows sad again, feeling completely conflicted about you while I stroke your head. "You're a good wrestler, Misaki... You really are..."

Princess_Misaki: To be honest, this was originally a joke about pretending to compete. I was sure I would hug Sara, just not at this moment. But Sara didn't seem to expect my sudden approach. After a moment of shock, I was pulled directly into her arms. I didn't even know whether I should resist, but at this point, forcibly pulling away would clearly be rude. 'Oh... Sara... this... this is nice...' I don't know why you suddenly became so emotional, even though you've always been a girl with rich emotional depth. 'Okay Sara, if you don't mind... let's sit down, shall we? To be honest, I came today mainly to make sure you're doing okay, and also... I watched your match with Rachel. I know you watched mine too. Yes, your matches are as captivating as ever. Oh, first I want to clarify, I'm not here to... pry into your tactics. You know that doesn't mean much in wrestling... I just want to know... whether Rachel really caused you a lot of trouble, because... I feel like you could have been even better in that match...' I couldn't control my nature. Anxiously, I once again asked this potentially very sensitive question.

Sara_León: I nod and pull away from you when you ask us to sit down. I sit beside you, putting that reassuring smile back on while you speak to me. I laugh a little when you mention the match against Rachel, which brings back a good memory. Those last three seconds, my body crushing hers, feeling victory over a beautiful defeated body... But you quickly pull me from my thoughts when you suggest that maybe I wasn't at my best. Memories of Rachel cornering me and hitting me in the corner come rushing back. My expression visibly tightens, thinking that you have no right to question that, no matter how right you might be. I haven't come asking whether you enjoyed the piledriver Jessie drove into you. But I know I have to speak carefully, especially with you. My voice comes out cold as ice, although I maintain an air of kindness: "You could have done much better in yours too... And Jessie and Rachel could have done better as well. That doesn't matter anymore, and it's the least important thing. What matters is what's coming next... Isn't it?"

Princess_Misaki: I could clearly sense the hostility in your tone. We were both trying our best to remain restrained, because the trouble caused by our conversations was still vivid in our minds, even in the same room. I scratched my head and tilted it. 'Yeah, that piledriver was something, but I survived...' Maybe in our previous semifinals, only Rachel and Jessie were qualified to judge our skills... As for what happens next, perhaps it's meaningless for us to speculate here. 'Since you've started putting on pressure in the gentlest tone you can muster, in order to maintain a healthy competitive atmosphere, I turn around, stretch out my arms and my back, showing off my flexibility. 'Maybe you'd be a good seller... that would make the match a lot more interesting. Of course, I'll also practice my ability to collide head-on with a truck, because I know what you plan to do to me.'

Sara_León: What I plan to do to you... Perhaps that's when I realize that you've been looking beyond all of this the whole time, while I've been short-sighted. The N.E.W. championship... And everything we'd be willing to do to obtain it. Yesterday I said it was the thing I cared least about, and in part that was true. I don't want to win the title if I'm going to end up alone. It already happened to me once, and I don't want to repeat the experience. But at the same time... That title... That recognition... This isn't Stardom anymore, everything feels different: the crowd, the roster... That special energy. And me at the center of it... It really feels good to think about it. And only you are standing in my way. An intense debate opens in my mind while I smile and nod mechanically, answering without thinking, accustomed to provocations and playing along with you: "You have no idea what I have planned for you, sweetie~"

Princess_Misaki: "You already look like you're ready for everything. 'I like your answers and look forward to your surprises, but you'd better get ready to spend more time trapped on my canvas by me—maybe with ropes, who knows… Hope you're ready to face a Japanese face…'" I reignite the competitive atmosphere, smiling sweetly as I step closer to you and lift your chin with my finger… "Spanish girl… we meet again at last…"

Princess_Misaki: I did what I always do before a match, and it makes me feel like everything is back on track… If the match is about to start soon, I think we can now put aside most of our burdens and embrace it.……

Sara_León:

CONTINUES IN: N.E.W. Championship Match: Princess Misaki vs Sara León