NEW - NOIR EXTREME WRESTLING

Hana_Jeong: A couple of months have passed since the final violent events of my feud with Lauren James. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, the sweet, shy, and naive Korean girl who left home with nothing but a satchel and a dream is nowhere to be found. I am twenty-two years old now, yet I have spilled and drawn more blood in the squared circle than many seasoned veterans do in an entire career. My body is still healing from a war fought against someone I once called a friend. That feud elevated my status in Noir Extreme Wrestling and brought a massive payday, but victory came at a horrific price: absolute hatred, relentless violence, and a night in the Hammerstein Ballroom where we nearly lost our lives. Throughout this feud my only support was Sara Leon. Sara is my true best friend, the girl I’ve shared everything with since the day I arrived in Tokyo as a wide-eyed rookie. She is the wrestler I admire most in this world, always protecting me like an older sister. Following her advice, I agreed to take a break from the ring to heal my body and mind. But remaining idle only made things worse. Silence gave space for the ghosts to breathe. The Hammerstein Ballroom still haunts me, and that brutal final confrontation with Lauren replays in my worst nightmares every time I close my eyes. I needed to fight again to feel alive. On a quiet morning, as I was finishing my daily yoga routine in my apartment, the chime of my phone broke the silence. It was an email directly from the General Manager:

Hana_Jeong: Dear Hana, I hope you are recovering well from your last match. I am aware that the feud was deeply personal and that you require more than just standard time off. A major opportunity has arisen. Our Japanese sister promotion, Stardom, is organizing a high-profile international tour across Japan, bringing together top female wrestlers from around the globe. Noir has been invited to send two representatives. This is a crucial promotional move to expand our brand overseas. Given your standing as one of our top talents and the fact that your journey began in their dojo Stardom specifically requested you as one of our representatives. As this tour falls outside your current contract parameters, we are prepared to sign an immediate addendum featuring a substantial wage increase. Stardom will fully cover your accommodation and travel expenses. Please respond ASAP. If you accept, you will depart for Tokyo in two days. — The GM

Hana_Jeong: My answer was an immediate yes. I needed to escape New York City for a season. Returning to Japan offered a chance to revisit the place where my dream started and perhaps reconnect with a piece of the old Hana. Beyond the ring, being in Tokyo meant being closer to home... a short flight away from Seoul, where I could finally visit my grandmother and my uncle's family.

Princess_Misaki: Since Sara and I reached a certain tacit understanding, we have been cordial to each other—but it is by no means friendship. We treat each other with respect, yet we never take a step further. If someone were to ask me whether I enjoy this kind of relationship, they might see a strange gesture from me that is both a nod and a shake at the same time. I know that my impulsive concern and emotions would hurt those around me, so I deliberately keep my appearances infrequent. I only show up in some new storylines as a facilitator or an observer. Each time, I put on my costume, pick up the microphone, say a few perfunctory lines, then smile and take photos with kids in the corridor... I don't worry about the salary here. I make sure to show up on time every day as the owner of the café. Even before the audience has dispersed from the venue, you can see that the café 'Crazy Rose' at the street corner not far away has already opened for business. Yes, I appear there punctually, using that mundane, uneventful life to wash away my extreme emotions and anxieties. And that works just fine for me.

   

Princess_Misaki: When the NEW general manager found me at my café, I was surprised to see him there. 'I think we need to talk, Misaki. You don't come across as a new star for NEW—you're more like the boss lady. Don't get mad, I'm just kidding...' I pursed my lips at his joke. He was right—I probably should have been at the gym or on the training canvas at this hour. But I didn't care if he tried to threaten me with contracts or salary. I had plenty of other ways to earn what was mine. However, when I heard what he said next, I started to get interested. 'Listen, Misaki. I can give you some time off. You could even temporarily step away from your contract and go back to Tokyo—or rather, you should go back there. I'll cover your flight. And if you'd rather not stay at home, of course, I don't mind writing an extra check for a hotel. We at NOIR need to expand our horizons. This time, we're targeting Stardom—and I'm sure you're familiar with it. As a native Japanese girl, I think you'd be a perfect fit as one of the two-person team members. If you're interested, I'll give you the dates and schedule. And of course, bring your professional attire—and I don't mean a suit and skirt, so don't play dumb with me. You know what to wear in the ring... So, what do you say? Think it over?'

Princess_Misaki: I thought about it for a moment, and facing that suit-clad businessman, I finally nodded. "Alright, sir—forgive me for not having remembered your name yet... The offer you've put on the table is tempting. I'll be one of them. Stardom is great—it's a pity I never got to compete there. I'm willing to represent our girls over there, even if it might take some effort to do something in the ring—maybe just a dozen minutes or so..." I assumed, as usual, that this was just a routine business event—we'd go over, trade some trash talk with Stardom's girls, do a simple slam, and then wrap up with arm-in-arm smiles and photos. But I caught the smug look on his face. "No, Misaki. Since you've already agreed, let me make it clear: this is a real match. Don't think you can half-ass it like you do in New York. Your partner is Hana—another Asian girl. I think you know her—she used to be a member of Stardom..." As the man rattled on about Hana, I was of course well aware—even more than he was. All he had was scripted information on paper, while in my mind was a complete reel of everything about you and Sara. To be honest, I hold no grudge against Hana, but I do think she played a part in how things ended up between Sara and me. She made Sara feel and think differently about certain things. Even though they eventually made up, I got swept to the fringes of that fallout. "Fine... okay, no problem. I'll get in touch with her as soon as possible..." I left just that one sentence behind and rose from my seat. I don't know why I agreed to this tour. Maybe I just wanted to see what kind of girl Hana really is...

 

 

Hana_Jeong: I signed the addendum, packed my gear, and within two days I was on a flight to Tokyo. Cruising high over the Pacific Ocean, a sudden, almost alien sense of lightness washed over me. It felt as if I had dumped a heavy bag of dark memories into the ocean below, leaving the blood, the nightmares, and the ghost of Lauren James behind in New York. But halfway through the flight, reality hit me like a stiff forearm. Wait... who is the second representative from Noir? With no Wi-Fi on the flight, I was left entirely in the dark. I ran through the roster in my head. It couldn't be Sara, she’s holding down the promotion as Champion. It couldn't be Lauren for obvious reasons and also she’s rotten in a hospital bed. I couldn't guess who else Noir would send. I guess it'll be a surprise, I thought, leaning back into my seat. Hours later, I arrived in Tokyo and caught the train straight to the familiar Stardom headquarters. As I pushed open the heavy entrance doors, a familiar face instantly made my heart leap. It was my dear ex-coach, Mizuki, the veteran who put me through absolute hell in training before my big match against Sara. We threw our arms around each other, tears pricking my eyes. "You look more beautiful with short hair!" Mizuki laughed, wiping a tear and playfully slapping my shoulder. "Go on inside. Everyone is arriving now! We will talk later!" I stepped into the massive training facility. The familiar scent of canvas, sweat, and leather hit me instantly. The room was buzzing with energy dozens of women wrestlers from every corner of the globe. Japanese rookies, European veterans, high-flying Americans, powerhouse Australians. It was a chaotic, beautiful melting pot of talent. I looked around the packed gym, scanning every face, desperately seeking a familiar gear bag or a jacket from back home. "Where is my teammate?" I muttered to myself, weaving through the crowd.

Princess_Misaki: I booked a flight that arrived a few days earlier than the agreed date—I've always liked to get to know everything, the environment and the people, ahead of the official schedule. So when I saw Hana walk in, I had already been running and jumping around the ring, drenched in sweat, for two full days. At least, as a Tokyo native, I didn't waste my time on sightseeing or partying first. You clearly carried that cozy, at-home comfort, and you even knew your way around better than I did, a local. I couldn't just ignore my current colleague—or rather, partner. I took a deep breath, brushed back my damp hair, and stepped out of the training room with a politely warm smile and a friendly greeting. 'Hello, Hana! You're finally here! Sorry, I should have picked you up—though you know this place way better than I do, hahaha.' You'd cut your hair short—it was refreshing to see. I knew you had suddenly disappeared from NEW for a while, but I didn't realize you'd changed so much. You looked really cool, and carried a more carefree vibe. I opened my arms and gave you a warm hug.

 

 

 

Hana_Jeong: I step into the training facility the exact same canvas floor where Sara and I spent countless brutal hours as rookies, bleeding and pushing each other to our limits. Then, a figure walks straight toward me, wiping away sweat with a polite smile. "Misaki??" I say, my voice caught somewhere between shock and confusion. "What... are you doing here?" Before I can process it, she steps in and wraps her arms around me in a warm hug. I freeze up, my body instinctively going tense. In an instant, the entire brutal history between her and Sara flashes through my mind the bitter feud, the harsh words, the emotional wreckage that left Sara drained and altered the trajectory of our lives. I pull back slowly, keeping my distance. I look her dead in the eye, trying to read whatever game she's playing. "Don't tell me... you're the second representative Noir sent?"

Princess_Misaki: "My god, what's with that look? Like I'm suddenly going to do something to you or something?" I knew that Hana and I would disagree on many things, but now that I'd taken this assignment, I figured we could just muddle through this period together. As long as I didn't intrude too much into your world, there wouldn't be any unpleasantness between us. But clearly, the way you think about me makes it impossible for me to avoid these issues. "If I didn't get on the wrong flight, then yes—NOIR sent me to Stardom, Tokyo, Japan..." I enunciated each word slowly, still unable to understand your over-the-top reaction. "What, do you have a better plan in mind?" My tone started to turn sharp. "If you've got a better arrangement, then I'd be happy to hand this stage over to you, let you soak in that 'hometown' feeling of yours. Otherwise, please stop looking at me like that—I don't think I owe you anything. You! Stop sizing me up like that!" I stepped forward, locking eyes with you. That guarded, hostile look of yours drives me crazy—especially when you act like I'm some troublemaker barging into your home, just by being here. I honestly can't figure out what's going on in your head.

Hana_Jeong: "Look Misaki, I know what you did to Sara. So don't expect me to hug you like you're my best friend." I don't back down an inch. The intimidation tactics might have worked on the naive girl who left Seoul three years ago, but after surviving Lauren James, Misaki's sharp tone doesn't phase me at all. "Furthermore, after everything I've been through recently, I trust people less and less." I take a step forward, closing the distance until I am looking straight into her eyes, my gaze cold and unyielding. "We keep this strictly professional. We are here to represent our company and do a job," I say, my voice low and dead serious. "But keep this in mind... We are not friends, Misaki. So don't act silly. And especially..." I pause, letting the silence hang heavily between us. "...don't try to screw me over."

Princess_Misaki: I let out a snort of laughter. "You mentioned Sara, didn't you? Well then, think about it—between the two of us, who really hurt her?" I brought up a few things without hiding it, but I didn't want to say too much here. "Don't forget who Sara has always stood up for, little one. Don't try to act tough with me—I'm not that little girl who'd cry and beg for an autograph... Stop bossing me around. Since this is work, then kindly stay out of my way." I stared right into your eyes from point-blank range, without taking a single step back. "And let me tell you something—I never thought we were friends. I just figured I owed you basic courtesy and respect. Whether you understand that or not, I couldn't care less..." Some of the trainees and wrestlers in the gym noticed that things were veering off course. A few of them split into two groups, trying to diffuse the tension with lighthearted jokes... "Thanks, darlings, don't worry. Hana and I are fine. Rest assured, we're not about to do anything stupid here. If only I could hit you with an RKO in the ring, right? Don't you think so, Hana? Maybe you'd like to do the same to me..." I laughed coldly at your stern face. I knew we both believed we'd hurt Sara in our own ways, but neither of us realized that maybe we were both the real culprits in this whole mess. I shook my head indifferently, looking at your serious expression.

Hana_Jeong: "Don't you dare talk about my relationship with Sara," I snap, my voice dropping to a dangerous register. "We've been through things together that you couldn't even begin to imagine." I am not the wide-eyed, sweetheart rookie who used to bow politely in this dojo. New York changed me. Lauren James changed me. The scars on my skin didn't come from acting sweet. I glance over at the open canvas, then lock back onto her face with a bitter grin. "Why wait for a match? There's a ring right there. Let's go, Misaki. What's the matter? Do you think I'm scared of you?" Without taking my eyes off hers, I step right into her personal space and give her a hard, two-handed shove against her shoulders, sending her stumbling back a step. I let out a harsh, mocking laugh. "Do I need to shove you like this to get you moving, or are you all talk?"

Princess_Misaki: You keep trying to offend me, and all I can do is let out this helpless, cold laugh that I know makes you extremely uncomfortable. 'Alright, alright, no need to get so worked up—did I hit a nerve? Did that little Korean girl suddenly remember what she did here before? After all, I'm not the type to be used as someone's pawn, you know?' Your shove sends me stumbling back a few steps… I hold back my anger, struggling to stay composed. 'I think I've had enough. I don't want to embarrass you in front of your former friends, but if you insist on pissing me off, I wouldn't mind teaching you another lesson.' I step forward again, grab your hair, and yank you close to my face—this time I mean it, hard enough to make your scalp sting. I take an exaggerated sniff. 'You know what? I'm starting to smell fear and coldness on you… Don't worry, Hana, sooner or later you'll be begging me to let you go—and I won't even need fists or kicks. Every one of my submission holds will mercilessly tear at your muscles, twist your joints… and in the end, you'll be pleading like a pathetic coward. What a shame I still have to swallow my anger and be your tag team partner…' Right at that moment, I hear a heart-wrenching scream. I recognize the girl—she's one of the wrestlers we're about to face in Stardom. She must have been so caught up in our tense standoff that she forgot she was still perched on the turnbuckle, ready for a high-flying move—and now she's fallen flat on her back outside the ring. During training, there's no proper protection like in a real match; her back must have slammed straight onto the floor. Thud. People in the gym quickly gather around to check on her. And you're still locked in your confrontation with me… 'What's the matter… don't you even care about your friend? Just like you didn't care about Sara. You really need to be taught some manners…' I'm about to let go of your hair and go see if that poor girl needs to be taken to the hospital…

 

Hana_Jeong: You yank my hair, tearing at my scalp, and a groan of genuine pain escapes my throat. For a second, the sudden aggression catches me off guard my eyes widen with a flash of fear as you pull me impossibly close to your face, spewing threats into my ear. When you suddenly let go to head toward the injured rookie, I stumble backward, wobbling until my spine hits the ring apron. I cling to the ropes, clutching my sore head, my breathing heavy and ragged. I take a deep, shaky breath, letting the anger surge back and override the pain. Before you can take three steps toward the fallen girl, I stride up behind you, grab your shoulder, and violently spin you back around to face me. "Do you think you can just pull my hair, threaten me, and walk away?!" I shout, my voice echoing through the gym. The surrounding wrestlers gasps, the tension in the room instantly soaring as people start looking around anxiously, unsure whether to step in or back off.

 

Princess_Misaki: I was about to step forward to check on her—after all, having competed in so many combat sports, I figured I could handle some trauma care before the doctors arrived. But I didn't expect my shoulder to be grabbed suddenly. I turned my head and saw a face twisted with rage—a far cry from that sunny, cute face you wore when you first recruited me here. "Do you really want to stop me from going to see that girl, just because you think we have to fight right now, in front of your friends?" From across the way I spotted Stardom's medical team rushing over, so I turned fully to face you, seized your jaw, and said, "Look up at me, and look carefully. No matter how mean you try to make yourself, no matter how much you pretend not to care—I'm telling you, you can't fool me. Look at my face. Look at what true strength looks like. Look at what someone who stood back up after being torn apart by the ones closest to them looks like—you timid little girl! Now get your ass over to that canvas. You forced my hand, Hana. I need to teach you something here, and the price will be the pain in your bones and muscles." Finally, I grabbed your hair and yanked your trunk forward, forcing you toward the training ring. The crowd around us exchanged baffled glances; no one knew what was happening. Two girls who were supposed to be teammates were about to fight a grudge match in front of a bunch of professional wrestlers. "Let me see what a Stardom product is really made of—right in front of your juniors and your coach!" I have deep respect for your coach, because I believe she raised a tough, optimistic Hana—but now my anger forced me to explode in front of that very mentor. I grabbed you and tried to toss you into the ring from underneath the bottom rope.

Hana_Jeong: A sharp gasp escapes my throat as your hand wrenches into my hair again, the sudden strain radiating down my neck. But the second I feel your hands grip my trunks to toss me like a ragdoll under the bottom rope, something inside me snaps. No. Not here. Not in front of these rookies and wrestlers from all over the world, not in front of my coach, and sure as hell not like this. You think you can manipulate me? You think you can pull the exact same bitter tricks on me that you used against Sara? If I were the young, shy girl who used to back down from confrontations outside the ring, maybe I’d let you drag me. But I am not that girl anymore. The pain, the betrayal, and the scars have carved out a much darker, sharper Hana, one who will burn everything down to protect what she believes in and the people she loves. I drive a vicious, desperate elbow straight back into your ribs, using every ounce of momentum to shatter your grip on my trunks. As you stumble back with a breathless grunt, I don't give you a single second to recover. I spin around, my eyes blazing with cold, unbridled fury, and slam both of my hands deep into your hair, matching your aggression with double the rage. "No, Misaki," I growl, my voice dangerously low and completely devoid of the sunny girl you thought you knew. "You have nothing to teach me." With a fierce, guttural shout, I attempt yank your head down with all my strength, driving your face straight toward the hard steel of the ring apron.

Princess_Misaki: The scenario I had envisioned never came to pass. You didn't roll onto the mat the way I'd expected; your fighting style was much more direct than before—and also much more brutal, as my trembling ribs could tell me. "You... ughhhh!" I tried to turn back and pull you onto the mat again, but before I could even look around, I felt pain shooting through my scalp from every direction. Through the practice mirror across the way, I saw you crazily digging both hands deep into my hair. I had no choice but to stumble along with your pull in chaotic steps. When I saw the ring ropes rushing toward me at full speed, I had no time to protect my face. "Peng!" The flimsy practice ring shook violently. A flash of white light—I couldn't muster the strength to lift my head anymore. My hair was a tangled mess sprawled across the canvas. My head stayed down for a long moment. I clung to that corner post, gritting my teeth. I hadn't come prepared for a fight today, yet here I was being dragged into a sudden brawl. I kept thinking back to everything I used to be—no, I had to control myself. I couldn't let myself lose it the way Hana did. This wasn't NEW... this was Stardom. I couldn't. I tried to cool things down by backing off further, holding my forehead with one hand and grabbing the bottom rope with the other, feeling my way along the ropes toward the exit. Even though NOIR had already embarrassed herself enough here today, I still believed that avoiding the fight was the best move right now. "Han... Hana... we should talk later... I won't fight back. Sara once told me... told me about all that stuff, so you'd better stop too..." I hoped you'd regain a little reason and not let this turn into a disastrous, brutal match right here.

Hana_Jeong: My fist is pulled all the way back, every muscle in my arm coiled tight, ready to drive straight into your jaw. In that split second, the world disappears and there’s only a blinding white rage and your face in front of me. Then, like a splash of ice water, the roar of the room finally pierces through the static in my head. The overlapping shouts of the juniors, the coaches, and the veteran wrestlers crash down on me all at once. My fist trembles in mid-air. I pull my hands back to my own head, digging my fingers deep into my messy hair as the realization of what I’m doing hits me like a physical blow. Then, her voice cuts through the chaos, cold and undeniable. "Stop, Hana!" Mizuki’s voice rings out, commanding the entire room. "Whatever you two have to solve, you do it in private in the locker room not here!" The instant those words leave her lips, the ingrained discipline she instilled in me takes over. My body reacts on pure instinct. I immediately stop, dropping into a deep, formal bow toward Mizuki, my heart hammering wildly against my ribs as I whisper a breathless, desperate apology to her. The dark, chaotic impulse that possessed me just seconds ago shatters under the weight of utter shame. Without looking back at you, I turn on my heel and march straight toward the locker room, the heavy silence of the dojo burning into my spine. Inside, the door clicks shut behind me. I press my back against the cold surface, taking ragged, uneven breaths as I stare at my shaking hands. I'm mortified that I let my temper explode in front of everyone in front of my coach, my peers, and the rookies who look up to me. I lost control. But as I close my eyes, hearing the echo of Sara's name falling from your lips, the shame twists right back into a bitter, dangerous ember. I hate that you still have the power to completely strip away my composure and drive me out of my mind.

 

 

Princess_Misaki: As your former coach, Mizuki always has a way of hitting the nail on the head. I had no idea what was about to happen from behind me, but I knew that the crowd's gasp wasn't because you'd pulled off some incredible move. My head was spinning badly. Mizuki tried to have one of the girls help me back to the locker room, but I declined her offer. I really did need to rest, but there were still things I had to take care of. I didn't change my clothes. I walked straight to my car, leaned back in the driver's seat, and dialed a number. I briefly explained the situation—that the girl today had gotten accidentally injured. Yes, I was talking to the match coordinators for both NOIR and Stardom. I had good reason to believe it was extremely dangerous for her to compete while injured. Of course, I left out the incident with Hana—they didn't need to know about that. I hadn't concerned myself with the league's operations or match cards in a long time, so when I proposed that I'd have a match here with Hana to fill the gap, the NOIR team readily agreed, and Stardom's manager happily went back to report the plan. I found a sports spray in my car and cooled down my forehead. Then I strode back into the gym, my expression still largely unreadable. "Misaki... maybe you shouldn't—" Mizuki tried to ask how I was doing as I passed by. "Thank you, Coach. I'm fine." I smiled and nodded at her. Then I made my way to the locker room door. I knew someone was inside. No one knows how many undercurrents hide beneath a calm sea—just like how they saw me now. I punched the locker room door open, walked straight over to you on the bench, grabbed your bra strap, and yanked you up against the lockers. My movement was almost seamless. I heard hurried footsteps outside the door—they probably thought we were about to get into a backstage brawl. "Relax, ladies!" I raised my voice to make sure they heard. "No one's getting hurt from now on. Just give us a few minutes, okay?" I kept smiling at the people

 

Hana_Jeong: The footsteps outside fade away as the other wrestlers back off, leaving a heavy, suffocating silence in the locker room. Now it's just you and me. My back is slammed hard against the cold metal lockers, your hand still gripping my gear. I have no idea what you were just doing outside, who you called, or what game you're playing. All I know is the sudden, violent force you used to pin me here. I don't flinch. I look right down at your hand on my strap, then raise my eyes back to yours, my breathing steady despite the sudden impact. "Got whatever you needed to say out of your system?" I ask, my voice unnervingly calm.

Princess_Misaki: "Yes, all of it..." My tone was just as unruffled, as if two stone guards were exchanging words. I knew this match was more or less inevitable—even if not here, even back in New York, sooner or later we'd come to blows over this. Since that's the case, there's no better place than a touring ring event to settle it. No extra fellow wrestlers hanging around, no one knowing the backstory—just the audience and a host of fighters watching us throw ourselves completely into the ring.

Hana_Jeong: "It's the last time you manipulate me like this. You made me lose my mind back there, but it won't happen again. I assure you." I reach down and firmly pry your hand off my strap, shoving your wrist back with a cold, deliberate snap. I stand up straight, squaring my shoulders against the lockers. "We are here for Noir, and there's only one way to settle this while honoring our house," I say, stepping into your space and looking deep into your eyes, leaving no room for doubt. "It's getting in the ring, Misaki."

Princess_Misaki: "That's great, it seems you've come back to your senses now... Don't blame your own fragility on me. You're the only one who can make yourself lose control..." My usually stoic expression finally began to crack into a knowing smile. You pull my hand off your strap, and I raise my hands again, pressing them against the cabinet, trapping you in this cramped space. "Just the two of us, settle it in the ring... Trust me, after that, you'll get a chance to rest properly. After all... soft tissue takes a long time to heal..." I lean in, whispering into your ear, ending with a chilling string of laughter. I can feel that Misaki—the one who made so many people uncomfortable on that championship night—has briefly returned. It's something I don't want to see, but step by step, things have progressed to a point where I can't stop now. I'm about to let dangerous emotions take over again and turn this into a competition. Just as Sara realized and told me, Misaki at this moment is an extremely unstable risk factor. The thrill of crossing lines and the adrenaline of combat have started to become the reasons I step into the ring. Carelessly, I tease you, blowing softly against your cheek. Your hair sways with the rhythm of my breath. "Let me see how many rounds you can last—maybe not even one..." I begin to chuckle coldly to myself.

Hana_Jeong: You trap me with your arms, locking me in with your gaze and the warmth of your breath brushing against my skin. But I refuse to let you see me flinch. I know what you become when the adrenaline takes control. I’ve seen the wreckage you leave behind. I close my eyes for a fraction of a second, letting your words echo in the tight space between us, absorbing the chill in your voice. Then, I slowly open my eyes and turn my head to meet yours. My arms remain resting casually against the locker behind me, my posture completely relaxed, stripping away all the fear you are trying so hard to harvest. "Bring me your worst in that ring," I say softly, my voice steady, cold, and razor-sharp. "...because I will bring mine, Misaki. And then we will see who's the better woman."

 

Princess_Misaki: The smile at the corners of my mouth grew more pronounced. 'Then it's settled... I imagine someone will let you know where we're supposed to meet...' I had secured a chance to compete with you outside NOIR's home turf—an opportunity that, in theory, came with no restrictions whatsoever. With a wicked, teasing tilt, I lifted your chin, then turned and pushed open the door to the locker room. The other girls were standing outside, their faces etched with worry and tension. 'It's all right. Like I said, we're all professional athletes, aren't we? The two of us are just fine now, darlings...' I walked past those who were trying to fuss over us, calm and composed. But once I was fully through the crowd, my expression shifted to something cold and slightly unhinged. I dropped the smile, and from a blind spot out of everyone's line of sight, I glanced back at you in the room. A faint, scornful smirk crossed my lips, then I gave you a little wave before disappearing cleanly into the corridor of the locker room.