Back to the arena, after two more people reached the semi-finals and after another person won the losers’ matches, it was now the match between Sylvia and Alice, the two victors from the last two matches, and between Ana and the victor of the losers’ matches.
Two rings were now occupied, Alice against Sylvia in one ring, and Ana versus her adversary on the other one.
… The tension is quite ridiculous.
I couldn’t help grinning surprised by the pressure between the two, feeling even more ridiculous as I was another reason for their tense gazes.
After bowing and taking a battle-ready position, the referee immediately gave out the signal then the two dashed at the same time, almost thinking that they might just crash into each other just like that. The next moment, Sylvia quickly slapped Alice’s hands away and went down, grabbing her belt. Unfazed, Alice takes a step forward between her feet, and with her own body she pushes Sylvia back, almost tripping her. Panicking for a moment, Sylvia takes a few steps back but without releasing her grip on Alice. Taking advantage of this moment, Alice instantly enters into an arm-lock, forcing Sylvia to fall to the ground under her weight and have her arm then tightly locked.
Oho, I guess this is a win.
However, before it could reach 20 seconds, Sylvia forced her arm and released herself, Alice letting go before she could break her arm. She understood that if she were to hold her for even a second more, she would’ve risked breaking her elbow, something Alice would rather evade doing in a simple competition.
Sylvia… What the heck are you thinking…?
I could also tell by the desperate form she used that Sylvia had no intentions of losing, ready to risk everything for her win. A sudden idea struck me but I had a hard time believing it, finding it ridiculous.
As I was thinking on my own, the referee suddenly started the match again and Alice was the first one to rush in, quickly going for a throw. However, Sylvia was able to quickly grab onto her, stopping her throw. This happened once, twice, until Alice was able to finally lift her, but before she could throw her, Sylvia blocked her legs with her own, ending up both of them falling together. This won Sylvia a shido, but at least stopped Alice from scoring another half a point.
“How desperate… I wonder what makes that girly wish to win so bad? I think this is her first tournament, is she thinking that she won’t be able to participate if she loses?”
Darius also observed her way of fighting and I couldn’t help gritting my teeth irritated.
How foolish… Even though I already told you…
I sighed then got up, unable to watch this any longer.
“Where are you going?”
“… To take some fresh air.”
I then got down from the tribunes and walked towards the exit.
The duel continued on for a bit longer until Alice was finally able to block both her arms.
“Guh!”
Out of desperation, Sylvia tried to kick Alice even at the risk of another Shido, but already aware of her intentions, Alice went to the side of Sylvia where the referee couldn’t see, and she gently pushed behind Sylvia’s knee, making her lose the balance and quickly throw her with both hands, a naughty smile on Alice’s face.
“Wow… you fought well, and even used dirty tricks! It was fun, let’s do it again next year, what do you say?”
Alice breathed out while sweating profoundly with a sincere smile, but Sylvia said nothing as she simply bowed then left the stage with a dark expression on her face, holding onto her left arm as she almost dislocated it.
“… I wonder if she’s alright.”
Too curious to stay still, Alice followed after her for a moment through the hallway.
“Oy Sylvia…”
Suddenly, I appeared from behind a corner and called out, making her freeze in place but not turn around, Alice also stunned while hiding behind a corner.
With a heavy tone, Sylvia remained with her back at me and answered in short breaths,
“… I lost the bet. From now on, I won’t have anything to do with you, as you wished-“
“Sylvia, how many times I must tell you, I’m not blaming you for anything, nor am I resenting you.”
“…”
Her shoulders started trembling for a moment then her head lowered. She covered her face and lightly whispered,
“You’re lying…”
Her weak and trembling voice, together with her pitiful appearance confirmed my suspicions, making me shake my head and come closer.
“As if I’d lie about that. If I really hated you, do you really think I would be here? Especially after watching the way you fight? You damn foolish girl…”
I finally understood why she was so desperate. The reason why she was fighting like that wasn’t because of love as she said, nor of pride as I thought… but because of guilt. The guilt of leaving someone dear alone when the world turned against them. It was a type of guilt I was a stranger to as I never felt it, but at the same time I was still able to understand more or less of it, her pain obvious to me, me also being the cause of it.
I walked closer and touched her shoulder firmly, a calm gaze in my eyes. As I did that, Sylvia suddenly turned and tears were flowing down her red face, a face filled with sadness and fear making me remain stunned for a moment,
“Leon, I know you hate me for leaving you like that! I hate myself for doing that as well! When I saw you again after this one year, my heart sunk. I saw how strong you became, how much you changed, and at the same time… the more we talked I was able to see the scars caused by those who left you… and by myself… Although Alice was right about me not having the right to be with you anymore after leaving, I still wanted to pay you back… in any way possible…”
She seemed close to breaking down while holding onto her throbbing elbow, her head lowered as tears fell down her face, her little shoulders trembling pitifully. I always tried to not be sentimental as it wasn’t in my character, but this time I couldn’t help but feel sad for her, sighing once then just pat her back, silently trying to console her as well as I could. As she cried, she started talking with a trembling voice,
“I thought I could repay my mistakes by loving you and protecting you from the miseries you’re going through, but then I learned that even this much I’m unable to do… I’m just… So damn useless…!”
She cried her eyes out while her shoulders were shaking. She then shook her head desperately and shouted out while breaking apart,
Leon, just what should I do to pay back for my mistakes?! I just hate my weak self so much-“
“Alright, enough with this, just shush and calm down.”
Unable to hear any more of this foolishness, I just went and tightly embraced her while patting her head, thinking that maybe like this she’ll understand that I’m not holding any type of grudge against her. At first, she was shocked and froze in place, but then quickly let out all her pent-up feelings, holding onto me while crying, keeping on saying I’m sorry, Leon! I’m sorry! continuously.
After she calmed down, I let her go then gently took her hand and massaged her hurting elbow. Being into karate, I had to massage my arms all the time and so I knew where to press to make her pain go away, Sylvia now looking with big and watery eyes at me while hic-upping from crying, still yet to fully calm down.
“Sylvia, please look into my eyes and listen properly. Alright? Can you do that?”
I asked calmly while gazing into her eyes and she then nodded without saying anything, continuing to look at me. I smiled shortly then nodded as I continued to massage her, saying in a calm tone, my eyes firmly staring into hers,
“Good… Look, I don’t hate you, neither do I resent you. What you did wasn’t wrong, alright? You left because you feared for your life, and I can understand that-“
“B-but I could’ve done so many other things other than just leaving you-”
“Alright, alright. Calm down. I understand now why you behaved like this all this time, it wasn’t because of love as you said, neither of pride as I thought, but because of guilt. What I can’t understand is; why still feel guilty when the person you feel guilt for is now trying his best to explain to you that he forgave you already?”
“You… forgave me?”
Seeing her big moist eyes, I couldn’t help but sigh exasperated, speaking clearly,
“Since day one. Please stop destroying yourself like this, Sylvia. Although I can’t be with you anymore, you’re still one of the prettiest and brightest girls I ever saw, so I’m sure you will be able to find someone else for yourself easily. It’s just a matter of time, I bet.”
“One of the prettiest…? Not the prettiest?”
“Hey, you know I can’t and won’t say that, yes? Alice is my nr. 1, no cap.”
“Boo~.”
She booed me with a light pout but then she smiled lightly, finally feeling better. I also smiled, gladdened that we finally reconciled. After a moment she sighed exhausted and cried again, but this time out of relief,
“Thank you, Leon… I don’t regret loving you… Thank you…”
She hugged me again then released me, going into her changing room with a light smile,
“Now I won’t have a heavy heart while keeping my promise with Alice. Next time we see each other, let us be friends.”
“…For you, I’ll make an exception.”
Sighing with a smile I waved lightly at Sylvia then she waved back happily, closing the door and having me get back to the tribunes.
After I arrived back, I saw on stage Alice having another round with a girl, easily defeating her and going for the next round. She looked at me then smiled brightly; surprising me for a moment and making me wave back absentmindedly.
Is it just me? Or she seems to be in a better mood than before?
After another few matches, the last combatants remained were Alice and the woman from before that I’m yet to learn that her name is Ana.
They seemed to know each other as they smiled resolutely at one another then prepared to fight. After the referee shouted to begin, they both went in and Alice was the first to win half a point by throwing down her adversary. Just like before, the woman appeared composed and got ready for the next bout. After it started, Alice changed her strategy and from going head-first, she waited for her to make the first move.
“Shido!”
Eh?
I remained surprised to see how she actually waited until Shido had been announced. After that, they restarted, and once again, Shido was announced. I frowned as I thought for something and I smiled a bit amused,
Now she’ll have to move. At 3 shido for both of them, both are disqualified and wins the one with more points. On this turn, that woman will have to move no matter what, or she’s out.
And as I thought, after the referee gave out the starting signal, Ana rushed in towards Alice’s collar. However, just as Ana was about to reach her, her arms suddenly slowed down and made Alice grasp onto empty air. Afterward, at first Ana seemed to reach and grab Alice’s arms, Alice seeming to see that coming and wait with a smile. However, just as Alice thought she’d go and grab her wrists, her hands went past her wrists, getting her own thumb entangled on Ana’s sleeve, calling for a gun-grip.
“Eh?!”
Darius was completely baffled and I jolted from his sudden reaction, confused at what happened.
“Shido! Out!”
The referee then announced Alice as breaking the rule then eliminated her, leaving Ana as the winner. Alice was baffled for a moment then started laughing as she never expected that. Me on the other hand I remained frozen for a bit then I massaged my temples confused and irritated, turning to Darius wishing to ask for an answer,
“The f***?”
I initially wanted to ask kindly for an explanation but… it seems my irritation took the best of me.
