NEW - NOIR EXTREME WRESTLING

Chanyotaaa: After I joined NEW, I was like a carefree child. I stayed away from some actual disputes. I only discussed our games and roles with some people I knew well. For the vast majority of people who were not so friendly, when I found that I couldn't change them, I had to alienate them, so I was never in the center of trouble. , tonight is no exception. When I once again, as the embodiment of the power of justice, after solving the villain's group with a beautiful powerbomb in the ring, I hummed a pleasant melody and walked along the corridor to the locker room, intending to end my battle tonight.' Look who it is, a sheriff who has been driven away..." A very unfriendly voice came from behind me. I turned around with a little doubt, intending to find out whether this was an attack on me. The moment I turned around, I saw a sneer of a trick, and then my eyes suddenly deviated. I felt my body The body was pushed forward, and at the same time, my hands were folded behind me. My pain for a moment made me shout... 'Our sheriff's sense of defense is rusty', and another hoarse girl came from the back of my head, "Listen, Japanese bitch, I don't care how nosey you are. If you fight against our group again, next time you will have to receive relief money for lifelong disability! Did you hear me?' I gasped and didn't expect their methods to be so despicable. I tried my best to break free, 'Let go of me! You cowards..." I tried my best to push away the people behind me with my strong shoulders, but then my scalp was numb, and they were so angry that they began to pull my hair down. I couldn't say anything in pain. I didn't know what to do at this time...

Chanyotaaa:

Hana_Jeong: Months have passed since I returned from my Japan-tour with Misaki, and after a long break, I'm back competing at Noir Extreme Wrestling in New York City inside our home, the Hammerstein Ballroom. While pulling up my elbow pads in the locker room just in case I compete tonight, I hear a noise in the corridor and decide to check. When I see you being bullied by two new girls on the roster, I charge at one of them, smash the back of her head, and shove the other one, shouting: 'Who the fuck you think you are, you fucking cowards?'

Hana_Jeong:

Hana_Jeong:

Chanyotaaa: I heard someone charging out with a loud roar, and then came the sound of pained groans and a trash can being knocked over beside me. At the same time, all the attacks that had caught me off guard suddenly stopped. I saw a girl with blond hair, wearing a denim jacket, trying to shield me behind her, while those two thugs were flailing about trying to get up from the ground. "Thank you, dear. I'm so sorry that on your very first day..."—and then—"Hey!! You're... Hana!" I was about to thank this girl who didn't appear in my memory, but as I refocused, I realized Hana had dyed her hair a new color and her whole look had changed drastically—completely different from when she was in Stardom, or even from just a few days ago in NEW. But I didn't have time to chat about that now. I couldn't just be a coward and disappear. While Hana took on one of them, I turned toward the girl who had fallen. "You guys are really going too far." I clenched my fists and slowly closed in on her. She was panicking, trying to scramble to her feet—clearly, in a one-on-one with me, she didn't have what it took.

Hana_Jeong: The heavy metal doors of the corridor echo as the two brats — Alisha and Tessa— scramble backward across the scuffed concrete floor. Alisha winces, clutching the back of her head where I slammed her, while Tessa hooks an arm under her shoulders to drag her up. "You fucking Asian whores, you don't know what you got into!" Tessa screams, her voice cracking against the dim fluorescent lights of the Hammerstein Ballroom hallway. I don't even flinch. I just step forward, raise my hand, and show them both a slow, cold middle finger until they turn the corner and disappear into the crowd of backstage crew. Once they're gone, the tension eases out of my shoulders. I turn my full attention toward you, taking in your posture after the ambush. "Yes, I'm Hana. Nice to meet you, I guess we never met before?" I say, offering a slight, reassuring smirk as I gesture to my fresh blonde hair. "And you...?" I step in closer and gently squeeze your rock-solid, muscled arm, checking for any real damage from how they were pulling at you. "Are you ok, sister? You cannot let these new bitches mess up with you, huh?"

Hana_Jeong:

Chanyotaaa: "Oh! Yes... yes... We haven't met. No, wait—we have met—no, actually, I've seen you..." I suddenly became flustered and tongue-tied. Sometimes moments of happiness follow hardship. I had witnessed the birth of two idols in the Stardom ring. I had already faced one of them, Sara, and won, and now the other legend was gripping my arm, helping me forcefully drive away those two cowards. It's just that your look was so different from back then that I didn't recognize you at first. "Oh my god, can you—can you give me an autograph? Damn, I forgot my notebook... I should have asked Sara for one too, but she's so busy now. It's okay, I'm fine, I'm fine." I grabbed your arm excitedly, even forgetting to introduce myself. "Hello, Hana. My name is Chanyota. I've been here for a while. Back then, you must have been... busy with other things, so I didn't get the chance to visit you..."

Hana_Jeong: I can't help but laugh out loud as your flustered reaction completely changes the heavy mood in the hallway. Seeing someone with your incredible muscle mass get so starstruck over an autograph is almost endearing. "C'mon Chanyota, we are co-workers! I have the same status as you here!" I chuckle, lightheartedly waving off the fan treatment with a grin. Then, a sudden flash of memory clicks in my head as I connect your face and name. My eyes widen in genuine realization. "Oh yeah! You're the girl who beat Sara! OMG, it was amazing what you did!" I beam, giving your shoulder an approving slap. "I've been in Japan for a while with Misaki representing Noir... or at least trying to give a honorable representation," I add with a self-deprecating laugh, rolling my eyes playfully at our chaotic overseas tour. I look around the quiet corridor, then glance back at you, taking in your ring gear and noticing the adrenaline from your earlier match is starting to fade. "Do you want to get a coffee? I see you've already had your match, and I'm probably not getting booked for tonight, so I guess we're both free."

Chanyotaaa: "Of course! Of course! Hana, give me five minutes—well... maybe fifteen. I don't want to be late. Let me change, take a shower, I'll be quick!" I fumbled and shoved open the locker room door, barely knowing what I needed to take into the bathroom. My mind was completely on that face—exactly the same reaction I'd had when I met Sara. I had no idea how I'd even made it here, but it was as if God had favored me far too many times. For the five minutes I stood under the shower, I kept thinking about what I should say to you. My idol, appearing out of nowhere, saving me, and then telling me that we're now colleagues—could there be any more exciting storyline than that? Either way, this was an invitation I couldn't possibly turn down. I quickly changed my clothes and headed toward the doors of the Hammerstein Ballroom, afraid that you might have been waiting there too long.

Chanyotaaa:

Hana_Jeong:

Hana_Jeong: I head back into the locker room, quickly strip out of my ring gear, and pull on a comfortable set of street clothes. By the time I walk outside the Hammerstein Ballroom, the night air of New York City hits me with a cool breeze. The massive post-show crowd has already dispersed down 34th Street, leaving the avenue surprisingly quiet. I cross the street and wait against the sidewalk railing, watching the main entrance until I spot you stepping out. "Hey, Chanyota!" I wave my arm high to catch your eye, a bright smile on my face. As you walk across the street toward me, I take a proper look at your frame in everyday lighting. If I thought I was tall and athletic for an Asian woman in wrestling, seeing you up close is something else entirely. You are remarkably built: tall, impressively broad-shouldered, and seamlessly toned. The hard work you put into your bodybuilding is obvious even under casual clothes. "Maybe you're hungry," I say, gesturing down the block as you reach me. "We can go to a small bistro not very far from here!"

Hana_Jeong:

Chanyotaaa: "That sounds great—I'll follow your lead. Even though I've been here for a while, I've spent almost all my time at the training center and at home. I've barely walked around the streets much, so I still know very little about this famous city. So I'm sticking close to you, like a helpless tourist. 'Thank you for helping me today. If you hadn't come, I don't know what those two thugs would have done to me...' I start trying to make conversation, because otherwise two girls walking down the evening street with no words exchanged—just walking—would be awkward and unsettling. I grip my backpack straps tighter... Facing you, my nervousness and unease make my biceps look even fuller and more tense under my T-shirt."

Hana_Jeong: I catch the way you tighten your grip on your backpack straps and notice how your biceps flex and swell against your T-shirt sleeves under the amber glow of the streetlights. I can tell you're pushing through your own nervousness to keep the conversation going, while for me, winding down through the city streets at night is just second nature. "They would do whatever you'd let them do, girl," I laugh playfully, glancing over at your arms with genuine admiration. "Look at those biceps! C'mon, are you joking? I've never felt so secure walking next to someone as I do right now at night!" I lead you down a quiet side street to a cozy, dimly lit Italian bistro my go-to spot for late-night meals after a show. The warm smell of garlic and simmering tomato sauce hits us as I push open the door. "Ciao, Mario. Can we sit?" I call out to the owner with a familiar smile. The waiter greets us kindly and guides us to a small wooden table tucked right next to the front window, overlooking the quiet NYC street. As we slide into our seats, I lean forward on my elbows, feeling the day's fatigue finally settle in. "I don't know about you, but I am starving," I say, opening the menu before glancing up at you with real curiosity. "By the way, I was wondering; where did you train back in Japan?"

Chanyotaaa: I've heard plenty of compliments about my muscle tone before, and I always respond with a proud, warm smile—it's second nature. But hearing it from you today, I shyly dropped my gaze. There's no shyness quite like this, nothing more enjoyable, nothing that feels quite this good. I followed you into that little Italian spot you knew, feeling a bit out of place, rubbing my hands together nervously. You thoughtfully took the menu and spared me the awkwardness of having to order. "I... I used to fight in a small Japanese league called P.P.P Tokyo. Before I got into this industry, I worked as a sheriff—but, you know, there are always things that can't be settled by absolute fairness or justice. A lot of things get restricted within the bounds of what's considered 'reasonable,' so I quit. After that, I was a YouTuber, a fitness trainer, and even... I did adult films. Of course, all of that was before I joined NEW..." I kept going, pouring out my story, desperate to tell you everything—to let you know that it was because of you and Sara that I'd kept pushing forward all this way. It wasn't until I realized I'd barely eaten anything all day that my stomach started to grumble in protest. I felt my face flush with embarrassment. "Sorry, Hana. If it weren't for those two bad girls, I probably would've finished my meal by now..."

Hana_Jeong: I sit across from you, resting my chin on my palm and listening with undivided attention. When you mention your past as a police officer and an adult film star, my dark Korean eyes widen in genuine surprise. Having spent plenty of time in Japan, I know all about that side of the industry and how brutal the hustle can be when you're starting out. "I know how it is in Japan when you're taking your first steps in wrestling," I say, giving you an empathetic, knowing look. "I've done plenty of custom wrestling matches and private sessions over there to make ends meet..." When your stomach grumbles loudly, breaking the confession, I burst out into a warm, lighthearted laugh. "Please, Chanyota, no more formalities with me!" I say, waving my hand with a smile. "We're in the USA now, there's no strict hierarchy like that here. And after all, we're co-workers." When Mario comes over, I order a spinach pasta and a cold beer. I wait patiently for you to place your order next, ready to keep diving into our conversation once the food is settled.

Chanyotaaa: I quickly scanned the menu. Years of long-term self-discipline had kept me locked into a few unshakable habits—I just ordered an espresso and a plate of beef. I was about to open up my floodgates of chatter again when my phone buzzed with a notification. An email. "Sorry, Hana—I might need to check this." As soon as I opened my inbox, I instantly regretted it. The words on the screen were utterly vicious and crude, dripping with hostility toward Japanese girls. I could barely force myself to read through the whole thing—it was like a letter of challenge. But when my eyes reached the end, where they'd included that artistically exaggerated expression from my old "work," I almost lost it. I slammed my fist—and my phone—right onto the table. The screen was quickly covered in a web of cracked glass. Mario rushed out from the kitchen, clutching an empty wine bottle, probably thinking some thugs were trashing his place. My face was burning red with a mix of anger and embarrassment. Then I saw the name at the bottom: Alisha & Tessa. "Why are they doing this to me?!" I couldn't hold it together—I yelled it out, only to meet your stunned, bewildered expression. It hit me then: I'd just made a scene in the wrong place at the wrong time. Flustered and panicking, I scrambled to shove my broken phone back into my backpack.

Hana_Jeong:

Hana_Jeong: I have to admit, seeing someone with your sheer size and raw muscular power explode in anger is genuinely intimidating. The sudden CRACK of your fist shattering your phone screen on the wooden table rings through the small restaurant, making me practically jump right out of my chair. Mario freezes mid-step near the kitchen, nervously clutching an empty wine bottle as the quiet ambiance of the bistro instantly evaporates into tense silence. I watch you furiously scramble to shove the ruined, spider-webbed phone deep into your backpack, your face flushed red with a cocktail of rage and sheer embarrassment. Seeing how shaken you are, I lean across the small table, my voice dropping to a serious, grounded tone as I try to pull your focus back to me. "What... happened?" I ask, my eyes wide with concern. "Tell me."

Chanyotaaa: "Nothing... it's nothing... I'm sorry, Hana. I'm sorry, Mario. If... if I need to, I'll pay for your table." I couldn't even bring myself to look up and meet your eyes. I didn't want those embarrassing, bitter words and pictures to be spread around again—especially not to my idol. But when you're panicking, you can't even do the simplest things right. I tried several times to shove my phone back into that tiny zippered pocket, but I just couldn't get it in. I gritted my teeth in frustration at myself, nearly tearing my bag apart in the process. "I'm fine, Hana. Please don't look at me like that—okay? It's just... some personal stuff. Mario, could you please check on my steak for me?" I was practically choking back tears, begging for as few people as possible to be around right now. I know some jobs aren't anything to be ashamed of, but there are always people with ulterior motives who will blow them out of proportion.

Hana_Jeong: Seeing how completely distressed you are and how close you are to snapping that bag in half with your bare hands I realize I pushed too hard. The raw power radiating off you right now is terrifying, and it's obvious there is a furious, overflowing storm hiding just beneath your usual gentle demeanor. I pull my hands back, dropping my head between them with my elbows resting heavily on the dark wooden table. I stare down at my lap, letting the tense silence settle over us so you can catch your breath. "Sorry... I just wanted to help..." I say quietly, my voice muffled and stripped of all its earlier cockiness. I stay still and quiet, giving you the space you need while Mario hurriedly scurries back toward the kitchen grill to check on your food.

Chanyotaaa: Finally, I gave up—gave up right in front of my idol. I didn't know what else I could do to keep up the pretense, to keep telling the strong, gentle Korean woman sitting across from me that I was fine. I lowered my head, bit my lip, and slid the shattered phone screen to the middle of the table. "It's them. I don't know—I don't know what they want, but they've got their eyes on me. I..." I tried my hardest not to look at that email, dripping with sarcasm and mockery. If they wanted a fight, I wouldn't hesitate to strike back anywhere, anytime—even if it was the two of them. They kept poking and prodding, crossing my bottom line over and over again.

Hana_Jeong: Seeing you finally drop the mask and surrender to the moment softens the tension in my chest. When you slide the shattered screen into the center of the table, I don't jump right to the phone. Instead, I keep my eyes on you. "Hey... calm down. Look," I say softly. I carefully reach out across the wood and gently paw at your hand, moving cautiously, still mindful of the explosive strength wrapped up in your muscular frame. I keep my touch light and reassuring, giving your fingers a gentle squeeze to ground you. "You can tell me. I know we don't know each other yet, but I want to help you!"

Chanyotaaa: You gently stroked my fingers as if soothing a baby to sleep, carefully wrapping them in your palm, and my emotions began to steady slightly. Just then, Mario arrived with my drink at the perfect moment. "Girls, how about something to drink first? I think your food will still be a while. Calm down, big girl, nothing's that serious, right? Hope your hand's okay, because I saw your phone seems to be hanging in there..." The kind Italian owner seemed to hope his humor would help me relax. I looked up and managed a polite, forced smile. "Thank you, sir, I... I'm okay." I picked up my coffee and took small sips, trying my best not to let that stormy impulse make me rude. I took the initiative to hold Hana's hand and told her I was feeling much better now.

Hana_Jeong: When you wrap your hand back around mine, I give your fingers a firm, reassuring squeeze. The heavy, volatile air at the table finally starts to settle, replaced by the quiet hum of the restaurant as Mario sets down your espresso and heads back to the kitchen. I take a sip from my cold beer, watching over the rim of the glass as you take those small, deliberate sips of coffee to center yourself. Seeing you regaining control over that massive surge of anger makes me breathe a sigh of relief. I lean back in my chair slightly, keeping my hand linked with yours on the table to keep that anchor between us. "Now that you're feeling a bit better..." I say softly, my eyes locking onto yours with genuine sincerity. "...can you share with me what's actually going on?"

Chanyotaaa: "I... damn it. I'm so sorry, Hana, that you had to find out about all this the first time we met... but I really don't have the courage to say these things out loud. If you'd like, please feel free." I pointed at that horrible phone screen and pushed it toward her. "I don't know why such a disgusting group has set their sights on me. I'm just trying my best to do what I think is right. In the ring, they can attack me all they want—I won't back down an inch. But when we're away from the ring, that kind of attack... I really can't take it." I downed my coffee in one gulp. The signature bitterness of an espresso spread through my mouth, dragging my thoughts down to rock bottom at the same time. "I'm sorry, Hana. Maybe I've ruined your dinner, and I'm sorry you had to hear all this..." I hate being a burden to anyone; I usually just let things sink in on my own. I dropped my head, staring at my own thighs like a child who'd done something wrong, and fell silent.

Hana_Jeong: "Hey... it's alright," I say, offering you a soft, gentle smile to put your mind at ease. I reach over and slide the cracked phone closer to my side of the table. I squint through the spider-webbed glass, carefully scanning through the cruel text and reading the vile message line by line. As I reach the end, my eyes narrow at the fine print hidden beneath the insults. "Look here," I say, pointing my thumb at the screen as a sudden idea clicks into place. "So, you're getting booked by their demand to wrestle them next Friday..." I lean back, crossing my arms over my chest as a sly, calculating grin slowly spreads across my face. I let out a low hum of thought before meeting your downcast eyes. "Hmm... indeed, you're set to face both of them. But there's no stipulation saying you can't have a tag team partner, huh?"

Chanyotaaa: "What?" A look of surprise instinctively flashes across my face, but I quickly suppress it with reason. My dream has always been to step into the ring with you and Sara—and of course, Sara's fighting is incredible. And now I have the chance to be your teammate—that's amazing. But then it hits me: I'd be going up against the villains here—beasts who completely disregard rules and decency. How could I drag you into this? "This... Hana, I... yes, but I think... this, this has nothing to do with you. You don't have to throw yourself into this mess. I think I'll just prepare as the alliance requires and face those two brats on my own."

Hana_Jeong: I burst out laughing at your hesitant reaction, waving off your concerns with absolute confidence. "I'm more than happy to be your partner, and believe me, I've wrestled really nasty people before," I say, leaning forward and tapping my hand on the table to emphasize my point. "Those two brats? They are easy peasy for us." Mario sets our food down on the table, the mouthwatering aroma of grilled beef and fresh Italian pasta filling the air between us. The heavy, dark mood from earlier completely shatters, replaced by the electric excitement of a new fight ahead. I lift my cold glass of beer high into the air, holding it out toward you with a proud, bright grin. "To our... Japanese-Korean alliance!"

Chanyotaaa: My physique is undoubtedly several sizes larger than yours, but in front of you I feel like a little girl. I barely have any room to argue or keep refusing—you confidently decided the way I would wrestle for me. That surprised me, yet also made me feel at ease. My anger was replaced by a sense of happiness and care. When you tapped your knuckles on the table, I couldn't help but sit up straight, like a student in class. Mario came over with our dishes, and seeing my completely relaxed expression, he gave a relieved smile. 'Hey, Japanese girl, I grilled your beef a little longer on purpose—you can take out your anger on it with your teeth however you like.' I couldn't help but let out a chuckle at the funny Italian owner, and looked up to meet your confident, warm gaze. I picked up my coffee—though there wasn't much left—and gently clinked it against yours. 'To our Japanese-Korean alliance. Thank you, Hana, for being willing to take on this rookie.'

TO BE CONTINUED