Lili was practically doubled over, one hand clutching her stomach while the other braced against her knee. Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes as another fit of laughter escaped her lips.
"Ahahahaha! Mon Dieu! Vous êtes tous les deux absolument ridicules![1]" she gasped between breaths.
She clamped a hand over her mouth, pressing her lips tightly together as she took a deep breath to force the laughter down. But she burst out laughing before she could stop it.
"Non, non— ahaha! Pardon! Je suis désolée, mais...[2]" She pointed weakly toward Kaido and Asuka. "Je n'en peux plus!"[3]
Her shoulders trembled as she tried to compose herself, only for another snort-like laugh to slip out unexpectedly.
"Pfahaha—!"
Meanwhile, Kaido clutched his stomach tightly with both hands, his face twisted in pure agony.
"Guh... ugh..."
Dammit... she didn't have to hit me THAT hard.
I was just trying to help…
Still irritated, Asuka crossed her arms abruptly over her chest. She turned her face away from Kaido, refusing to give him another glance.
"Hmph!"
Turning around, she marched toward the edge of the ring with heavy steps, showing her lingering annoyance. As she began to duck and slip her way through the ropes, Megumi hurried over to meet her.
"A-Are you okay, Asuka?" Megumi asked, looking her up and down. "Do you need any help?"
"I am fine, Megumi. Really," Asuka replied, her tone still a bit clipped but reassuring.
"See, maman? They are all perfectly fine. Even Lili is laughing like a maniac over there." Eliza stated directly to Anne.
"Huh?" Lili chimed in, wiping a tear from her eye as her laughter finally began to die down. "Have you lost your mind? Perhaps you shouldn't use so much power, soeur. You are the only maniac after all that…"
Eliza snapped her gaze toward Lili, narrowing her eyes as she opened her mouth to shoot back. But before a single word could escape, Anne cut her off—
"Stop it. Both of you. Right now."
The sudden command caused both girls to freeze, their playful hostility vanishing instantly. Anne let the quiet linger for a beat before she turned her head.
... miséricorde.
"Now, Eliza... apologize to Megumi."
Megumi's eyes widened, and she immediately began to wave her hands frantically in the air.
"A-Ah, no! No, it's really not necessary! Please, don't —"
"Elizabeth!" Anne completely ignored the protest, keeping her stern look fixed on Eliza.
"Oui, maman," Eliza rolled her eyes, before turning a soft dramatic smile toward Megumi. " I'll do it, but only because it's my petite Megumi."
Hopping out of the ring, Eliza landed smoothly right beside Megumi and Asuka. Megumi flinched, her hand instinctively flying to her chest as she tried to calm herself, seeing Eliza stepping closer.
"I am sorry for scaring you, chérie."
"It is okay. Really… it was j-just unexpected," Megumi let out a soft breath, her shoulders relaxing as a sweet smile spread across her face, "…but also amazing."
Eliza's eyes widened in pure delight. Before Megumi could even blink, Eliza lunged forward, throwing her arms around her in a tight hug.
"Aww! You are just so incredibly cute!"
"Ugh, so mushy," Lili muttered, wrinkling her nose as she watched Eliza squeezing Megumi.
Clap!
Anne brought her hands together, drawing everyone's attention and making Eliza loosen her grip on Megumi.
"All right, now that this matter is finally settled and you've all had your fun... it is time we refresh ourselves, shall we?"
"Quelle idée merveilleuse, let's not waste any time… Allons-y!" Lili agreed vividly.
The group began to walk away, but their steps were cut short by the voice coming from the ring.
"Hey, wait!" Kaido called out, stretching his arms over his head and twisting his torso to loosen up. "It's my turn to fight!"
"Are you out of your mind?!" Asuka whipped around, staring at him in sheer disbelief, her hands clenching into fists. "You are not fighting Eliza, or I will kill you myself!"
"Calm down, Asuka. I'm not crazy enough to pick a fight with a vampire after all that," he said, though his eyes suddenly flashed with an excited spark. "Though... maybe someday."
"Kaido Aroma..." Asuka groaned, rubbing her temples.
"Hey, I'm just kidding!" Kaido said, raising his hands, but his playful expression quickly faded into a serious look. He pointed his finger directly at Lili. "You. You're the one I want to fight, princesse."
"Oh là là, that is no way to invite a lady, mon cher." Lili gasped playfully, bringing a delicate hand to her mouth. Then she began to walk back toward the ring, with a sly smirk spreading across her face. "Just this once, I will grant your wish. After all, I am always ready to humiliate a little fool."
Kaido cracked his knuckles, a confident grin returning to his face.
"Don't think it'll be as easy as last time."
"Tsk." Asuka crossed her arms, annoyed
"Oh? So the handsome boy can do more than get punched by girls?" Eliza asked, leaning closer, almost pulling Megumi toward her.
"Hah... fine." Anne huffed, rubbing the bridge of her nose as she accepted her fate. "Just one more and that's it! Or do you want to fight too, Megumi?"
"N-No! I don't know anything about martial arts!"
"I was only teasing, but you never know... you might just be the bravest of us all," Anne replied, chuckling.
Lili stepped into the ring, with graceful movements as she slipped through the ropes. Kaido watched her approach, looking her up and down before crossing his arms.
"Are you seriously going to fight in a dress?"
"Is there a problem with that?" Lili smiled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She casually lifted the edge of her skirt, exposing a bit more of her leg. "Don't worry, I won't punish you if you happen to touch a little extra... unlike someone."
"Sassato hajimero!" [4]Asuka demanded impatiently.
"Hehe," Lili laughed, offering a dramatic, elegant bow before shifting into her fighting stance.
Kaido stepped forward and lowered his stance, turned sideways for Lili. Extending his left hand forward with fingers loose, while keeping his right hand pulled back near his chest, palms open. His posture balanced, fully prepared for the challenge.
"Oh, Kazama Style... how intriguing," Lili murmured, her eyes narrowing with genuine intrigue as she recognized the stance.
GET READY FOR THE NEXT BATTLE
[1] You two are absolutely ridiculous!
[2] I'm sorry, but...
[3] I can't take it anymore!
[4] Just start already!