"A duel, évidemment, ma chérie."
She slid one foot back and executed an impeccable bow—far too graceful to be sincere, far too provocative to be respectful.
"Show me if you are worthy… or are you going to hide behind your adorable modestie japonaise."
The two remained motionless, separated by only a few steps, staring at each other. Asuka kept a serious expression while Lili maintained a cunning smile. The sound of the fountain water became deafening in the silence.
Kaido looked at both of them, then from one to the other. After everything that had just happened, he felt like he was going to lose his mind.
It was better to stop this now.
He dragged a hand down his face.
Crossing his arms annoyed, he finally spoke.
"That's enough. You're not going to fight because of me…"
For a second, neither moved. Lili and Asuka kept staring at each other.
Did he really just say that?
He cannot be serious.
As if pulled by the same invisible thread, they turned their heads at the same time to stare at him.
"Huh?" they said in unison.
"...because of you? Ha!" Lili narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms disdainfully. "Don't be so conceited, mon cher."
"How ridiculous, bakayaro!" Asuka snapped, shooting him an offended glare.
Kaido blinked. He scratched the back of his neck, unsure of what was going on anymore.
But… they…
Didn't they just…?
Damn it… I don't understand anything anymore.
Both of them rolled their eyes at his confused reaction. Then Asuka turned back to Lili and took a few steps forward, closing the distance until she was only inches from Lili's face. She placed one hand on her waist.
"I'm always ready to smack that face of yours."
"Héhé!" Lili laughed, leaning her head forward almost touching Asuka's forehead. "Now that's how I like it."
Each gaze carried challenge, waiting to see who would make the first move. Neither assumed a fighting stance—only clenched fists and tense muscles, ready for anything.
The wind began to blow violently, shaking the trees around them and sending leaves spiraling through the garden, only sharpening the charged silence between them.
Suddenly, the sound of quick heels approached along the stone path. An angry voice cut through the air.
"Emilie de Rochfort!"
That sound made them both stiffen. Without moving a muscle, they tracked the approaching voice with their eyes alone—the tension of their confrontation shattered by the sudden interruption.
Anne approached with firm steps, accompanied by Megumi, who carefully held a small towel, still drying her damp hair.
"Are you trying to ruin my magnifique garden?"
Lili backed away from Asuka before composing herself into a theatrical smile, tilting her head as if performing for an audience.
"Non, maman."
Anne narrowed her eyes, well acquainted with her daughter's theatrics, before casting a look at Kaido and Asuka.
"You two really do love picking fights, don't you?"
Instinctively, they straightened up and adjusted their posture, saluting Anne's authority.
"Sorry, ma'am," they said together.
"It's alright, my dears." Anne smiled at both of them. But her gaze immediately returned to Lili, more serious. "Et toi, mademoiselle… you know the house rules very well."
"I was just about to invite them to my gym…"
"You have a gym at home?" Megumi asked, looking at Anne.
"Non, non." Lili placed a hand against her chest, her chin lifting proudly. "The gym is mine alone."
Asuka folded her arms and gave Lili a slow once-over.
"Tch… spoiled rich girl."
"Heh—" Kaido snorted at the remark.
But Lili slowly turned toward him, her icy gaze locking onto his. Kaido quickly averted his eyes, scratching his cheek.
"Pfft… you children are a comedy," Anne commented, no longer able to keep a serious face. "Yes, if you really want to let loose… then you should go there."
- - -
The doors of the hall opened. Megumi was completely amazed.
"Uwaa—!"
"Un instant!" Lili interrupted immediately, raising one finger.
Without waiting, she got rid of her shoes and crossed the gym toward an antique record player placed by the wall. She began flipping through the small vinyl collection with enthusiasm, going through one after another until she found what she was looking for.
"Ah, parfait."
She placed the record on and carefully lowered the needle. A few seconds later, a classical melody began to spread through the hall. Only then did Lili turn to the guests, satisfied.
"Voilà… now you may admire it."
The classical melody spread through the hall, enhancing the elegance of the hall. Before them stood a luxury dojo fused with a modern gym and a ballet area. Impeccable tatami mats covered the floor, punching bags hung from the ceiling, ropes the jumping equipment precisely aligned.
In the back, there was a battle area with ballet bars gleamed, polished as if they had never been used. The mirrors with golden frames reflected the soft light entering through the elegant stained-glass windows.
Megumi was mesmerized, her eyes shining as she observed the colorful glass.
"It's such a beautiful gym…"
"Fweee… Gym?" Kaido repeated, looking around. "This looks more like a sanctuary."
Indifferent to everything else, Asuka walked towards the tatami. She slid her bare feet across it and assumed a fighting stance for a brief moment, shifting her weight and feeling the resistance of the mat beneath her soles.
Not bad...
"Hmph… Bit too flashy."
"Ah…" Lili turned to her, disappointed, and walked over to the tatami mat with deliberate grace. "Alors, ma chérie. C'est trop sophistiqué pour toi?"
Asuka stopped testing the mat and rested her hands on her hips, shooting a flat look.
"Sophistiqué, my eye." She took a few steps forward. "You probably spend more time staring at yourself in those mirrors than actually training."
"Hum! Envy does not suit you, ma chérie."
Lili glided closer, coming to a stop right in front of Asuka. She raised her hand to her chin and supported her arm with the other.
"And let's be honest…" she continued, closing the remaining distance until the space between them turned almost suffocating. "The only reason I haven't beaten you yet is because our last fight was interrupted."
"Hah! Yume wo miru na yo, hime-sama."[1] Asuka let out a short, dry laugh.
"Watashi no yume wa itsumo genjitsu ni narimasu wa."[2] Lili replied, winking at her.
"Yaaawn…"
Once again, the shamelessly prolonged sound cut through the tension, drawing everyone's attention toward the center of the gym—where its owner seemed half asleep.
[1] Keep dreaming, princess.
[2] My dreams always become reality.