—SIXTH MATCH OF THE THIRD ROUND!: NAERIS VS HARUKI. BEGIN.
—Come on, Harukito! Show me an attack from your technique!—Naeris called out—Please...
Haruki hesitated, twisting his fingers nervously.
—But...
Naeris smiled softly, her right hand resting at her hip.
—Don't worry, it doesn't matter if you hurt me.
—W-well... Alright.—He drew his katana slowly—Weapon Technique: Lead Barrier.—Fifteen firearms of different calibers materialized in front of Haruki.
Naeris stared, completely bewildered and stunned.
—... How could someone as gentle as you have a technique like that?—She asked in disbelief.
Haruki shrugged.
—It's the technique I gained... Maybe it's because when I was little I liked action movies, even though I hated seeing people get hurt in them.
—Oh, I see. It's a really lovely and interesting technique, Harukito!
Haruki nodded repeatedly, beaming.
—Yes! And I can do this too.—He conjured a small water gun right in front of Naeris.
She looked at it curiously. The water gun fired a tiny stream that splashed Naeris's face.
—Sorry...
She let out a light laugh.
—That's so fun!
—Right?! I always play with Kaien and Arien to see who can soak the other more with these.
Naeris took the water gun from him.
—Invite me next time! I want to play too!
—Sure.—Haruki's expression turned nervous.—Hey, Naeris...—His eyes showed he was struggling to ask something.
—Yes, go on.
—You... With your technique, you can recreate memories and make illusions of people I know... Right?
—Mmm... Yes, I can. Why do you ask, Harukito?
—It's just... I was wondering if... You...—His voice dropped to almost a whisper, cheeks flushing—Could you make illusions of my family... so I could see them again?
—Wow... No one has ever asked me directly before. Usually I do it without permission to look into people's memories, so this is new to me. And I'd be lying if I said I'm not curious to see yours too—so if you're okay with me seeing them as well, then of course I can.
Haruki smiled, bright and happy.
—Yes, that's fine. I don't mind.
Naeris stepped closer slowly.
—Here we go then—She rested her hand gently on top of his head—Illusion Technique: Cube of Memories.
She stepped back a little, and a glowing white cube enclosed Haruki. She touched the surface with one hand.
Arien rolled his eyes as he watched him get sealed inside.
—Ahhh! What about our Harukito?!
Rika narrowed her eyes, studying the technique.
—Don't worry—Haruki's fine. I don't think Naeris will do what she did with her first opponent.
—You think so?
Inside the cube, Haruki found himself back in a memory—him, his parents, and his little sister playing and laughing together.
Naeris's magic let him feel and live that moment all over again, as if he had truly traveled back in time.
Haruki smiled wide and hugged them tight, overflowing with joy. From outside, Naeris watched, her heart melting.
—He's just so precious, Harukitoooo!
After a few minutes, the cube faded away. Haruki stepped out, and Naeris pulled him into a tight hug.
—Harukitoooo!
Haruki smiled and leaned into her embrace.
—Thank you so much, Naeris. I've missed them so much... even though it's only been a few days since we parted.
—You're so sweet! I don't want to hurt you now more than ever!
—I don't want to hurt you either, Naeris.
She pulled back slightly, thoughtful.
—There has to be a way to decide the winner without fighting—They both stood thinking in the exact same pose: thumb and index finger resting on their chin, gazing up at the sky—Mmm...
Suddenly Naeris's eyes lit up.
—I know!—She turned to Haruki—What if we settle it with rock, paper, scissors?!—She asked excitedly.
—Rock, paper, scissors?
She nodded fast, over and over.
—Yes, yes, yes! First to win three rounds takes it!
Up in the balcony, the announcer turned to Director Lion.
—Is that allowed?
The director nodded.
—If both agree, then there's no rule against deciding it that way.
—Alright then. Let's do it—Haruki smiled, relieved he wouldn't have to hurt Naeris.
They both held out one fist between them.
Arien held his sign higher: You can do it, little Haruki!
—Go Harukito! Throw paper! No—scissors! Wait—paper! No—rock! Actually paper!
They both shouted in unison:
—Rock.
—Paper.
—One...
—Two...
—Three!
Haruki listened to Arien and opened his hand into paper. Naeris extended her index and middle fingers into scissors—taking the first round.
Rika smacked Arien upside the head.
—Quiet! Let him focus!
—OUCH! Sorry...—He held the spot where he'd been hit.
Next round: Haruki threw scissors, Naeris paper—tie. Round three: Haruki rock, Naeris scissors—Haruki takes the lead.
Round four: Naeris rock, Haruki scissors—tied again. Last round... Haruki scissors... Naeris rock—Naeris wins.
Haruki smiled and let out a soft breath.
—I lost.
Naeris's eyes filled with tears and she pulled him into another hug.
—Harukito, I'm sorry! Please don't hate me!—She sniffled softly.
—Of course I don. It was fun... and you won fair and square.
Naeris squeezed him gently.
—You're not just sweet... you're soft too. Like a plushie.
—Arien tells me that all the time.
Arien's eyes welled up as he lowered his sign.
—Harukito! You... were... amazing!
Rika glanced sideways at him.
—What? I couldn't understand a word you said.
—I just...—He broke down sobbing.
WINNER OF THE SIXTH MATCH: NAERIS LUNETH.
Both fighters stepped out of the arena. Naeris headed back to her seat and looked up to see Varek had returned.
—Ah, Varek! You're feeling better!
—Indeed. And what a way to win a match.
She sat down between him and Kenzo.
—I couldn't bring myself to hurt sweet little Harukito. He's just too kind!
Kenzo nodded.
—Nor did I want to see him harmed.
Haruki rejoined his friends with that same gentle smile. As he approached, Kaien ruffled his hair.
—You did great, Haruki. So close.
—Thanks, Kaien. Almost there.
A rare, soft smile touched Rika's lips.
—I'm proud of you, Haruki. True to yourself, as always.
Arien dropped his sign and ran to wrap him in a hug.
—Ughhh! Harukito! You were incredible! You were so close!—He cried, tears spilling freely.
—Oh... thank you, Arien. I'm happy I made it this far—top twenty, after all.
—You're better than Kael to me!—He stuck his tongue out toward Kael over his shoulder.
—I don't know about that... but I'm glad you see me that way.
Kaien grabbed Arien by the waist and pulled him back gently.
—Alright, that's enough! Arien, you're going to squeeze the life out of him!
—NO I'M NOT! NOOO!—He clung tighter to Haruki, who just laughed softly.
SEVENTH MATCH OF THE THIRD ROUND.
Rika looked up toward the announcer's balcony.
—My turn.
The three boys gave her a thumbs-up.
—Good luck, Rika!
She nodded and made her way toward the arena entrance.
VALERIA MONTORO VS RIKA TSUKAYOMI.