Pretty Baby.

prelude

A bus was running on the toll road heading north. At a very high speed, the bus was chasing after the big silver truck in front of it, splashing the slippery road like it was tearing through the cold morning air.

Nearly side-by-side, the two large vehicles both had rare, massive bodies and imposing exteriors. The drivers who were overtaken were almost always fascinated and looked up to get a glimpse of what was going on inside the cars. But the windows of the cars had their curtains drawn down, and it was impossible to see inside.

It wasn’t long before the sides of the road changed from mountains to flat land, and the light rain that had been lightly beating on the car windows abruptly stopped. In the distant air, the clouds were seen to part. The scenery and the road opened up. The bus pulled to the left and slowed down slightly, and the trucks in front of it suddenly became smaller.

Probably trying to catch his breath? From the driver’s seat, you could see a right hand sticking out. At the same time, the second curtain from the front shook and the window was slightly opened. A young girl poked her head out.

Her nose was covered with a bandage and her face was plump, making her look like a typical schoolgirl, but her strong-willed eyes and expression could not be felt as childish as it should be. The young girl narrowed her eyes at the cold wind blowing outside. However, she immediately showed a happy expression again and inhaled the fresh air.

“Who left the window open?” From the seat behind, came a sleepy voice.

“I’m sorry, Risako-senpai.”

The young girl looking out the window replied in a rather panicked manner. She immediately stood up and hung her head low. All the passengers, cast reproachful glances at her. The glances were all from women. The only male in the bus was the small, thin driver.

Freshly washed clothes were hanging all over the car, and the woman who sewed the clothes and was called Risako – she was no longer a teenager – took out the glasses that were in her bag and put them on, staring at the front.

“Yuuki-chan, what are you doing?”

The young girl known as Yuko was busy answering, “Sorry, it’s just…”

From somewhere else another voice came, “Aren’t you tired of seeing the outside?”

The person who made the noise kept muttering as he put the magazine over his face.

“And it’s going to be cold yeah.”

“I’m sorry, Uehara-senpai.”

Yushiko lowered her head and quickly closed the window. She gently poked the large teenage girl sitting next door on one side, glancing outward lightly before pulling the curtains closed.

“Still cold ugh.” Uehara’s voice came from behind again.

“Sorry, it’s closed.”

The young girl next door spat out her tongue and poked Yoshiko back.

As if he didn’t want anyone to notice that he was also breathing the outside air, the driver quietly closed the window, shrugged his shoulders, and stepped back on the gas.

Buses accelerating toward the north have bucket loads of words written on their bodies.

‘New Japan Women’s Wrestling’

Chapter 1

A town in Miyagi Prefecture.

Three female high school students, in their uniforms, walking in the fresh green of early summer, chatting happily. This is what you see everywhere after class.

One of them, a very spirited young girl, suddenly opened her eyes wide and exclaimed. “What? Women’s wrestling!”

The other two, startled by her shout, suddenly stood still, staring at each other inexplicably.

“Why are you so surprised?” The tallest-looking girl of the three asked, cocking her head.

“Kikuchi again.” The other young girl with the ponytail thought Kikuchi was joking.

Kikuchi, who had just yelled, didn’t speak again, but just stood flabbergasted. The other two girls, again, looked at each other.

“Hardly…haven’t you ever watched wrestling?”

“So you’ve all seen it?”

The young girl known as Kikuchi realized that of the three, she was the only one who had absolutely no interest in women’s wrestling; however, the other two weren’t exactly crazy women’s wrestling fans either.

They – Miyuki Kakuta and Hayao Yoshimura – started to talk about the women’s wrestling that will come to the city next Sunday.

“Shall we go and see it together?”

“Is Kikuchi going?” Miyuki asked.

“Um…that interesting?”

Kikuchi seems to be a little confused, so Hayate, who suggested going to the match, starts to deadpan her.

“It’s definitely going to be fun. I’ve only seen it televised as well, but it’s going to be great.”

“Isn’t it just pulling and kicking?”

“It’s not just a fight, they’re cool to put together.”

“But it’s all very scary people fighting…”

“No no. They’re handsome in appearance and looks, so we…” said Hayate, unable to elaborate despite his enthusiasm.

“They seem to fight until they bleed, don’t they?”

“No way?”

Along with Kikuchi’s question, Miyuki unknowingly started asking questions, feeling that the bloodshed scene was an obstacle to them going to the match.

“Really, even Miyuki asked that.”

“Sorry sorry sorry.”

“Probably not the one we’re going to see…”

“What? What if there is?”

“Heh heh heh, but…” said Hayate, turning to Kikuchi.

“Still, you don’t know if it’s interesting until you see it, do you?”

Everyone lapsed into silence. The trees beside them swayed slightly from the cold wind.

Kikuchi, whose head had been lowered into deep thought, suddenly raised her head and looked the two in the face and asked, “Do you both want to go?”

Hayate and Miyuki, who were looking at each other, had cheerful expressions.

“Alright, get it together!”

“Really? And where do we have to meet?”

They resumed their giddy jokes.

On the other side of the road a few elementary school students ran noisily by, almost brushing past Kikuchi and the girls, and at the second corner in the opposite direction, one of them stopped and stood in front of a pole for a moment before realizing that his companions had already gone far away, and then rushed to catch up with them.

Posters of ‘New Japan Women’s Wrestling’ were tied with wire on the poles.

Sunday is here.

Kikuchi and the girls from Hayate’s house were walking as usual, laughing and joking, and arrived at the stadium’s competition venue. In front of the stadium, there was a crowd of young girls who were the same age as Kikuchi, or a little older.

“Wow, I can’t believe it’s so popular…”

“See, only Kikuchi is completely unaware.”

Hayate took the two of them by the hand and entered the gymnasium that had just opened its doors. The young girls, who had gathered in a pile, also crowded into the venue one after another.

The packed stadium rang the bell. Starting with the first match without any gimmicks, the venue was soon filled with deafening cheers. The crowd gradually boiled over as teenage girls swarmed and chanted the names of the contestants.

The second match suddenly turned into a messy fight, and the crowd became even more energized. Kikuchi was shocked at the unexpected spectacle and couldn’t help but stare.

After five minutes or so, a novice in a light-colored bathing suit had been enduring attacks from his opponent. The attacking party looked like a more senior player.

“Yikes─is that guy a newbie too?” Kikuchi shouted.

“Hey, Kikuchi, you’re too loud, aren’t you?”

Hayate grabbed Kikuchi’s hand and whispered, “Both of them are newbie la.”

The taller player turned towards the audience and grunted through his nose. With that kind of attitude, along with the gorgeous golden attire and the long hair coiled at the back of his head, it was impossible to tell that he was a novice. But this was indeed a duel between two novices all right.

The contestant with the thinner figure was suddenly kicked violently in the face, and blood flowed out. Her face, as well as the ground of the ring, was suddenly colored a blood red.

“See Hayate, you were wrong.” Miyuki protested.

“Well, hey…” said Hayate, not knowing what to say.

Kikuchi couldn’t say a word as if she was disoriented.

But the bleeding player did not fall. No matter how much more he was attacked, he still stared dead upright at his opponent.

(Being beaten like this and all…) Kikuchi realized that the player’s eyes were blooming with a light she had never seen before. Her blood boiled. (Awesome, it’s so pretty…)

Kikuchi didn’t stand up with the same excitement as most of the young girls, but she clenched her fists tightly and watched the match intently.

The end was revealed when the taller contestant pulled off the Power Bomb, a move that doesn’t look like a newcomer’s specialty.

(Note: The “Power Bomb” is a well-known fatal move that involves pressing down on the opponent’s head, bending him at the waist, picking him up at the waist, lifting him up high and dropping him down heavily, so as to hit the back of the enemy’s head and shoulders.)

As the bell rang, the venue erupted in thunderous applause. The losing contestant, her forehead still bleeding, refused the staff’s assistance and stood up on her own. The victorious contestant walked out of the arena with a loud, maniacal laugh, the sharp eyes of the entire room trailing behind her. “Wow, that was strong.”

“Um…Hayate, is that guy really a newbie?”

Hayate and Miyuki were discussing enthusiastically, while next to them Kikuchi silently watched the defeated contestants in the ring. The stiffness lasted for who knows how long. Kikuchi was completely oblivious to the hot battle that ensued, and the frenzied screams that rocked the entire gymnasium couldn’t enter her ears. She just stared blankly at a single point, and of course, she didn’t hear any of Hayate and Miyuki’s conversation.

In no time at all, the ring begins for the grand finale of the day: a duo match. It’s the Ace Panther Risako team against the lanky foreigner duo.

“Woahhh, Miyuki, have you ever seen such a strong woman?”

“Haven’t seen it yet…”

The finale went on at an even faster pace. The two foreign competitors moved so quickly that one did not notice their large bodies at all.

Panther Risako danced all over the court with great skill. Hayate and Miyuki couldn’t help but open their mouths wide in fascination as they watched her run, but Kikuchi remained frozen in place, completely oblivious to the competition going on on the stage.

Suddenly, the second group started an off-court mess.

“Kikuchi, danger!”

“Ah!”

The bewildered Kikuchi finally came to her senses as Hayate yelled. At that moment, the foreign competitor wielding a folding iron chair was approaching her. It was so sudden that she couldn’t move her body. Hayate and Miyuki were also blocked by other spectators who were rushing to escape. The foreign competitor ran forward with a strange noise.

At that moment, a person ran up ahead, a large bandage taped to her forehead. The sound of a hard swinging chair crashing into the audience was constantly interspersed with gasps of surprise.

The one who helped the pursued player up was the rookie player who had lost the second match. After that rookie snatched the chair off, he immediately approached Kikuchi worriedly.

“Any injuries?” She finished her greeting to the glowering Kikuchi as if nothing had happened, and immediately restored the stacked and disorganized chairs to their original state.

Hayate and Miyuki ran over worriedly, and Kikuchi put his hands on their shoulders, finally able to speak.

“Hayate, what was that guy’s name just now?”

“What are you talking about? Are you okay?”

“It’s okay…. Hayate, who was that guy I was just talking to?”

Hayate, who froze, answered her as if he suddenly remembered something, “Her name is Yushiko. Although she lost just now, she’s still the most promising newcomer this year.”

“That’s awesome.” Miyuki said admiringly.

“Uh-huh-I just read the pamphlet describing the contestants.”

Hayate spat out his tongue.

“Yeah? It’s called Yushiko?” After asking that, Kikuchi began to say nothing again.

The Panther team wins the final victory, and the excitement in the room is so high that the day’s competition comes to an end. Seeing that Kikuchi is in deep thought alone, ignoring the excitement in the room, the two friends send her home a little worried.

When she got home, Kikuchi turned a deaf ear to her family’s inquiries, and her mother thought she was just too tired. In fact, she was too shocked to make a sound. Hiding under the covers, Kikuchi’s arousal could no longer be suppressed. (I didn’t realize it was so exciting…)

Unable to sleep, Kikuchi crouched on the bed with her hands propped up.

“Can I do the same?” She unconsciously uttered the words, startling herself.

The next day in the classroom. The students gathered around Hayate and Miyuki, who were excitedly talking about yesterday’s game. Everyone listened to the enthusiastic Hayate with envious eyes. Kikuchi was the only one who didn’t say anything.

“Kikuchi, I heard you got caught up in the off-field chaos?” The classmates pursued the question with gusto, to which Kikuchi replied only vaguely.

The topic of conversation among the classmates turned to the world of acting in no time. Hayate takes this opportunity to pull Miyuki and Kikuchi into a corner of the classroom, and as usual, they become a small group of three again.

“Kikuchi, you’ve been staring blankly, aren’t you even impressed?” Miyuki, who had been worried about Kikuchi, asked her.

“Hmm.” Kikuchi responded breathlessly. Hayate and Miyuki looked at each other again, but this time, as if she had made up her mind about something, Kikuchi suddenly leaned forward and asked, “Hey, what does it take to be a wrestler?”

“What?” The sudden question staggered the other two.

“What do you mean? Do you want to…” said Hayate, realizing that Kikuchi probably wanted to try it herself.

“That’s only if you pass their entrance exam.”

“Sure is hard…” mouthed Kikuchi as she stared off into the distance.

“That goes without saying.” Hayate, who had turned into a women’s wrestling maniac overnight, had a smug look on her face like she had become an expert. “Not just anyone can do that!”

“That’s right.” Miyuki nodded, as if yesterday’s intense fight was still following her.

“First of all, you’re not big enough to be brushed off during the written review.” Hayate had practically become a censor.

“How tall does it need to be?” Kikuchi pressed.

“At least as tall as Miyuki.”

“Me? I don’t have to.” Miyuki didn’t expect it to be about her and waved her hand nervously.

Her flustered behavior caused the entire classroom to burst into laughter, and Miyuki felt embarrassed.

“Also, it’s best to have experience in fighting…” the smugly upbeat Hayate added.

“…Did Yuki-chan ever learn to fight?”

Kikuchi’s question puzzled the people around him, and only Hayate quickly pulled out the pamphlet he’d bought at the venue and flipped through it.

“Uh, well–“

Miyuki came up to take a look as well.

“…I don’t think I’ve ever learned.” Hayate wanted to ask her, “What do you want?”

But Kikuchi had already spoken first, “Th, is that so? Then maybe if I work hard enough, I’ll be able to…”

The two couldn’t help but come up to Kikuchi.

“Kikuchi, are you serious?”

“It’s okay to be a wrestling fan, right?”

“Yes?” Kikuchi fell back into deep thought.

“Kikuchi, are you okay?” Miyuki asked her in a whisper, worried if Kikuchi was getting a little weird because of yesterday’s overly dramatic shock.

“Sorry.” Kikuchi nodded vaguely, and neither of the two asked her anything more.

From that day on, Kikuchi began special training. Although it was special training, it consisted of nothing more than running around the neighborhood and doing push-ups before bed.

Kikuchi’s motor nerves weren’t bad, but she still couldn’t surpass her former stamina from the softball club. She didn’t really know what kind of exercise to do, or how much to do. All she could think of was that she basically had to be physically stronger than normal, and then she just moved her body carelessly.

Before that, Kikuchi couldn’t have imagined that he would one day go through women’s wrestling magazines over and over again. Kikuchi had learned that Yushiko, who had given Kikuchi a huge shock that day, was known in the ring by her stage name, Miette Yushiko, and that Kikuchi had learned about this from the magazine.

“Yuki-chan seems to have gotten stronger again yeah…”

Kikuchi is not just a fan of Yohiko, but hopes to become Yohiko’s schoolmate. She constantly cares about Yohiko’s journey to becoming a famous competitor. She becomes able to answer anything about women’s wrestling.

Halfway through their summer vacation, Hayate and Miyuki are at Kikuchi’s house and see how much Kikuchi eats.

“Another bowl.”

“Kikuchi, do you really want more?”

“You’ll get fatter eating like that.”

“It’s okay it’s okay, find is eating for that.”

“What is it?”

“Just…”

Hayate seemed to know what she was going to say and instead remained silent.

“Why on earth?” Miyuki, who had been worried about her, was still baffled.

“You can’t be a wrestler if you’re not thick!” Kikuchi answered her with his mouth full of white rice.

“Kikuchi playing for real…” thought Miyuki. How could this happen? She couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh.

“Doesn’t your family worry?”

Kikuchi’s mother thought she was just a three-minute girl, but when she saw the bottom of the electric pot, she realized that her daughter’s determination was unshakeable.

“Kikuchi’s stubborn whenever he decides.”

(That’s right.) Kikuchi listened to Hayate’s self-talk with interest. Ignoring the uneasiness of those around her, she set her goals on the entrance exam, constant overeating, and weight training. Doing this over and over again every day. There was no way she was going to be able to meet the regulations for her height, but at some point, she had gained almost ten kilograms in weight.

Hayate and Miyuki had no choice but to look at each other in all directions.

Anyway, from the day she watched the fight, Kikuchi couldn’t fit anything else in her mind but wanting to be a women’s wrestler. She called every day to tell people, “I want to be a wrestler,” regardless of how expensive the phone bill was.

Six months after Kikuchi saw a wrestling match, she received a postcard from the New Japan Women’s Wrestling Association.

Kikuchi’s written review passed.

The entrance examination for the club was held at the New Japan Women’s Wrestling (or New Girls) dojo in Tokyo. Nearly 100 girls who passed the written examination nervously lined up in front of the dojo. Entering the arena, several tables are lined up side by side in front of the ring on the right. Judges, with the president and trainers acting as judges, are waiting for the future female stars of wrestling.

In the center of the judges’ table is the ace of the lineup, Risako the Panther. Unlike in the ring, Risako wore glasses and looked at all the candidates gently and quietly, not at all like a wrestler. Next to her is Uehara, who, in contrast to Risako, always has a serious expression on her face, adding a bit more tension to the entrance exam.

The star contestant was right in front of them, and most of the young girls had a gleam in their eyes, extremely excited. But Kikuchi was incredibly composed instead. After hurriedly finishing the introductions, the test of basic physical strength began immediately. Five people at a time were called up to the ring to do the designated movements as ordered. There was no rest at all, and the movements they were asked to do were extremely difficult.

(Indeed, it’s full of strictness…) Kikuchi felt very impressed.

“Wow, how do you do that kind of action!”

“No way.”

Around the ring, the young girls felt uneasy and began to make discouraging noises. Sure enough, almost all of the young girls on the stage were unable to complete the required maneuvers and couldn’t take it anymore and crouched down.

Uehara stood up a bit heartily and told the waiting teenage girl, “Anyone with the idea of just hanging around, please go back first!”

Risako laughed bitterly beside her and didn’t say anything.

“I think it’s better.”

“I probably won’t make it to the end either.”

“It’s enough to be able to see Risako this close…”

The candidates were frightened by the unimaginable rigor, and a great commotion arose everywhere. As a result, more than half of the young girls left the line. Uehara’s face darkened. Risako’s expression was also more disappointed than earlier.

(Uh, why? Doesn’t everyone want to be a pro wrestler?)

Kikuchi looked incredulously at the young girl leaving the group.

(And there are a lot of people who can’t even get here…)

Finally it was Kikuchi’s turn, and by this time the test was almost over.

“There! I’m Kikuchi.” Kikuchi stepped forward and answered in her usual loud voice, the eyes of the room focused on her.

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t tell the name, it’s already known.” Risako said.

Uehara looked up at Kikuchi with a troubled expression.

“Even she can pass a written review?”

Hearing Uehara ask that, Risako nodded back, “The body is just a bit shorter.”

Kikuchi didn’t realize that the two top players were wondering, but just kept saying, “Please teach me more!”

“Ah, is that the kid?” Kikuchi’s aura caused the president to speed up his rummaging through her information, then suddenly smiled as if he remembered something.

“Which child?” Risako and Uehara asked the president at the same time.

“Every day after we received the enrollment book forms, a child called and asked, “Did my enrollment form come in the mail?”

“Isn’t that every year?”

“Yeah, but even after I told her we’d vet her carefully and told her not to worry about it, she still called every day and asked nothing but, ‘Did I pass my vetting?’ In addition to that, she repeatedly emphasized, ‘I want to be a wrestler, so please teach me more.’ Because she was really energized, she called her in for a look.”

The president didn’t seem at all offended by the persistent phone calls.

“But if it’s just energetic…”

Risako, who had calmed down, re-read the information. The president then ordered Kikuchi’s group to take the test. The tests were all about basic physical strength, with no breaks in between, so it was quite a challenge to complete them. Among the members who had stayed behind, there were those who had been eliminated one by one.

Kikuchi also looked like she was working very hard. But even though it was hard, she was the only one among the testees who continued to answer the count out loud. And she did it in her usual loud voice. The sound of her answering the counting with her movements resonated in every corner of the dojo.

“Th-that seems to be full of sadness, yet still so energetic.” Uehara said unconsciously.

Kikuchi seemed to have inexhaustible energy and struggled to make his moves.

But when Risako said, “Then let’s do a five-minute frogman exercise,” Kikuchi’s face fell. Although she had always watched others do it, she had never done it herself, and she couldn’t even estimate how hard it was in her heart. Anyway, let’s do it afterward.

Kikuchi pressed his forehead against the floor of the ring, supporting his entire body weight with only his neck and fingertips, and immediately realized the high level of difficulty of the frogman maneuver. It was so much more difficult than other maneuvers done with two hands. (How can you be a wrestler if you give up just like that?) But her consciousness was fading.

(I want to be like Yushiko.) What supported Kikuchi was exactly that thought. Even though her frogging had collapsed, she kept reporting the count out loud, apparently not realizing that frogging wasn’t a requirement for the number of times, but for durability. (I absolutely have to succeed…)

Risako spoke up when Kikuchi was already hoarse. “Okay, that’s fine.”

Kikuchi’s strength was all used up, and that’s when she noticed her back was pressed against the floor.

(It’s over!) Kikuchi glanced anxiously at the judges’ table and saw Uehara shaking his head repeatedly to the president.

(I, I don’t matter…I must…)

Uehara looked back as if he sensed her sight. Kikuchi panicked and returned to a standing position. Uehara said with an unchanged expression, “Next, please do the look guard maneuver.”

Kikuchi hadn’t done this kind of maneuver either. (Hayate was right when he said it’s better to have experience in fighting. But, I can’t give up on this…)

She resolved to accept the challenge. For her next move, she slammed her body into the floor like the others. But what Kikuchi felt was pain far beyond imagination.

“Sick and dying.”

(Why is the ring so hard…) The moment she thought that, she let out a loud wail that she had never heard before.

The room raised a laugh.

(I must…) She anxiously stood up and tried to practice her guarding maneuvers again, but Risako stopped her.

“Kikuchi, that’s enough, no need to do it.” The cold voice made Kikuchi lose his fighting spirit.

(What do you mean by that? Does it mean I’m out of the game?)

“What’s wrong? If you don’t go down, the next person won’t be able to come up oh.” Risako continued coldly. Uehara next door also had a troubled look on her face.

Kikuchi walks out of the ring with her head hanging down, her exuberant fighting spirit from earlier gone. She kept her head down silently until the end of the review. (But I’m definitely not going to cry, as long as I pass next year…)

Risako Black Panther, who had taken off her glasses, began to announce the list of qualified candidates. Kikuchi still bites her lip. She couldn’t hear a thing.

“Kikuchi, do you hear me?” Risako confirmed it suspiciously, but Kikuchi’s mouth was still mumbling.

(Whether it’s froggy drills or guard maneuvers and interactive squat jumps next year, I’m going to work it to a thousand reps…)

“Kikuchi!” Uehara’s roar that shook the room finally called Kikuchi’s soul back.

“Ah, yes. Sorry, I’ll try again next year.”

“Pfft.” Uehara couldn’t help but laugh, but the others didn’t.

“Kikuchi, you…”

Risako ignored Uehara, who was laughing and trying to speak at the same time, and continued. “Kikuchi, uh…”

Risako reconfirmed the information. “Kikuchi, you passed.”

“Yes, look for next year will definitely pass all of them…what?”

Uehara and Risako looked at each other.

“You passed, energetic Ms. Kikuchi.” This statement from Uehara caused the young girls to snicker.

“Me?”

“If you don’t want it, why don’t you take the test next year?”

“No, no, how come? Thank you very much!”

What happened next─Shaking hands with the judges, and receiving cheers from the girls who didn’t pass: “Work hard even for our share!” Wait, all of these things were like a dream, Kikuchi couldn’t remember them clearly.

Sendai Station in the morning.

“Go for it, Kikuchi.” Hayate, who was wearing a ponytail, held Kikuchi’s right hand tightly.

“If it’s too hard, you can always come back, it’s okay…” said Miyuki, holding her left hand with tears in her eyes.

“It’s okay, next year at this time, I’ll be the newcomer king just like Yuuki-chan.” Kikuchi cried while saying strong words to inspire herself. However, the three ended up hugging and crying together.

“We’ll cheer you on.”

“We’ll always be good friends.”

“You must be the strongest wrestler oh.”

The three of them cried for a while, and the Tokyo-bound express arrived. Although they were reluctant to part, they remembered the purpose of the trip and parted with their hands clasped.

“See you later. Good luck to Hayate and Miyuki too.”

The two nodded silently.

“Bye, I’m off─” Kikuchi said in her customary loud voice to hide the tears, so the two looked at each other happily.

“Take care of yourself, Kikuchi!” The two replied with equal vigor.

The doors closed between them. Slowly, the train pulled away from the station. Hayate and Miyuki had been standing on the platform, waving their hands over and over.

Chapter II

The international airport lobby with many travelers and noisy people. People are dressed for the seasons, making it difficult to figure out what season it is. One particular group attracts everyone’s attention. This group is made up of large women, and all the members are wearing top and bottom sets of sportswear. On their backs was written “New Japan Women’s Wrestling”.

At the center of the group, the black panther Risako and Uehara, spoke to Yohiko, who was alone in her civilian clothes. “Yushiko, cheer up.”

“Way to go.”

Yukiko, a contestant whom Kikuchi adores, is about to embark on an overseas expedition, and before she leaves, all the contestants come to see her off.

Yukiko became the first generation of Rookie King after winning the tournament held at the end of the winter, defeating Ichiya, who was also in the same tournament. The privilege of being the first rookie king was to go on a long overseas expedition by herself. The first stop of the expedition was Mexico.

“Heh heh heh, you fit right in with that Mexico full of little players everywhere!” One of the players laughed maniacally and taunted Yushiko.

The speaker is a strutting plutocrat’s daughter who always emphasizes her beauty. She is Yukiko’s archenemy, the beautiful Ichiya. Ichiya’s unassuming attitude is highlighted by the variety of travelers.

“You’re annoying. The Mexican players all move quickly and beautifully. Players like you who are just strong and don’t grow a brain will always be just trainees oh, practice, practice, practice.”

These two are known to fight whenever they meet. The other contestants thought to themselves: here we go again. Couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

“Hmph, it’s only because I made a little mistake that I accidentally won by you.”

“What are you talking about? You totally lost to me yo!”

“Heh heh heh, that’s because I sympathized with you, a poor woman who hasn’t been out of the country, that’s why I didn’t use my full strength, don’t you know that I have good intentions?”

If we leave these two alone, they’ll never finish arguing. (I really can’t do anything about them…) Uehara put on a bitter face and interjected, “Hey, you two, what the hell are you doing making seniors wait so long…”

“Ah, Uehara-senpai, right down the line. Ichiya, I hope you’re not already fired when I come back, yo.”

“Heh heh heh, go flaunt your malnourished boobs in a foreign country!”

Yuushiko’s body type wasn’t bad, but it was also true that she had to give in to Ichiya on this point. The offended Yushiko’s face, instantly flushed red.

“That’s egregious, you hillbilly basilica!”

“Th…” the domineering Ichigaya began to fall silent. The plutocrat’s daughter, who came from the remote countryside, showed a rare inferiority complex.

“When you come back, you won’t be given a second chance to stand up!” Ichigaya dropped these words and left.

The new female members of the group gathered around Yushiko again as if nothing was wrong, each of them saying something inspiring to her, giving her advice and suggestions.

“Yuki-chan eats big no matter what, so I’m not worried at all, hahaha.”

“Hey, don’t amuse me.”

Yukiko and her contemporaries, Raijima, were joking with each other, and at some point a hesitant young girl stood next to them.

“Well, that…”

Kikuchi, who has been in the New Girl camp for only five days, has also come to see off her idol, Yukiko.

Risako came up to Kajima’s side and said, “This is this year’s qualified newcomer. She came in because she admires you, and her name is…”

“I’m Kikuchi.” Kikuchi’s loud voice made almost everyone in the airport turn around.

“Ah, really… practice hard.”

A little startled, Yushiko coped and answered her, and Kikuchi immediately showed a happy smile.

“Yes, I’ll try to be like Yushiko-senpai.”

“There you go, Kikuchi. Didn’t I tell you that the new people are waiting in line in the back?” Uehara said reprovingly.

“Right…sorry.” Kikuchi apologized to the seniors with a nod of her head, while rushing back to join her contemporaries at the back. Her flustered movements made the bystanders laugh.

The newcomers in the same period were thinking: how dare you do such a thing? Everyone was dumbfounded. Shortly afterward, Yushiko’s figure disappeared by the exit.

(I entered New Girl specifically for Yuuki-chan’s sake!) Kikuchi looked at Yohiko’s back forlornly.

Shortly afterward, the giant airliner left the ground with a loud roar. By this time, Kikuchi was curled up in the bus, asleep.

The bus was traveling on a high-capacity artery in downtown Tokyo. Loud car horns continue to be heard as the bus arrives in Tokyo’s East Ward, and a tall white building is seen in front of it. It was the building of the New Japan Women’s Wrestling Association.

Up from the office on the third floor were the dormitories for Kikuchi and the other rookie contestants. The dojo was on the first floor. Since the entire first floor was open, there was a very large area to use. To the right after entering was the ring, some sandbags, and many training machines.

The ring was a little smaller than the one used for official matches, and there were several young competitors sweating and practicing. One of them stood by the ring ropes with a towel in his hand.

“Newcomers! It’s your turn.”

Upon hearing this sudden stern voice, the two young girls, who were draped in bath towels and had been standing next to each other, had their expressions tense up. It had only been two weeks since the newcomers had begun their official practice.

The one who ordered the duo of Kikuchi and Fujishima was Bomb Raijima. She is a powerful fighter who is the same age as Yushiko, and has volunteered to be Kikuchi’s instructor. Her personality is just as bold as she was during the tournament, and although she teaches the newcomers in a strict and rude manner, she strangely gives off an impression of being extremely bright.

“I’m going to take a shower, and in between you’ll do the same number of exercises as before.” With those words she left.

So Kikuchi and the girls answered the count while starting their basic physical strength workout. The other young contestants watched them and thought to themselves: it’s almost time. Getting ready to end the practice.

“Way to go, two newbies.”

The last of the young contestants to go to the showers, Teddy Cat Hori, the head of the new women’s dormitory, smiled and encouraged the two of them. She was the one who took good care of the newcomers, and the two newcomers took a special liking to her.

“Okay.”

“Hori-senpai, I’ll do my best.”

Kikuchi and Fujishima answer the gentle and cheerful Hori with great spirit. As soon as Hori walks out though, Fujishima immediately runs to the side of the ring. Only his mouth continued to answer the count. Even though he’s only been a beginner for a short while, Fujishima starts to slack off whenever his seniors are not around.

“Fujishima, you’re being lazy again.” Kikuchi admonished her while practicing her body.

“Well, Kikuchi, you’re really serious.” Fujishima, who replied in a Kansai accent, made it difficult to tell if she was steady or cold.

“That goes without saying, don’t you want to be as strong as Yushiko-senpai?” The loud Kikuchi lowered the volume of her voice.

“Alright, alright.”

“Really, do you hate practicing so much?”

“It’s okay, no one saw it!”

At that moment, Laijima returned. Seeing the two whispering, Laishima gave a fierce look.

“Who was it that said you could talk and practice at the same time?”

“Raijima-senpai, I’m sorry.” Kikuchi replied in a panic.

“What happened?” Laishima looked at them skeptically.

“Sorry, there’s nothing going on.” Fujishima, who had been chattering behind his back, then stood upright to answer Raijima’s question.

“Go on then.”

After practicing for thirty minutes, Kikuchi and the girls finally finished their basic physical strength training.

“Next practice the loop rope rebound and defense maneuver.”

The maneuver involves bumping the ring ropes with their backs as they run, then using the rebound to go back and forth across the ring. To avoid a collision between the two, they adjust their timing to each other and run on a diagonal.

(Why is it so hard?)

There was a fairly thick wire hidden in the looped rope, which would produce a bruise on your back when you hit it. But of course Laishima ignored this.

“Hey guys! There’s no point in using walks at all oh.”

The two clenched their teeth and ran as hard as they could.

“Make good use of the bouncing power of the lap rope!”

The new girl’s dojo had no windows, and the room temperature kept rising as the exercise became more intense. Surely there must be an air-conditioning unit on such a spacious floor, but it operated outside of the hours of practice.

(Risako-san said that it would be even hotter when subjected to lighting during the official competition.) Kikuchi endured the heat with that thought, but even so, the incredible heat enveloped her.

“If you don’t do it properly, you’ll get hurt unnecessarily oh.”

After every five round trips to the ring, go to the center and practice your guards. First, the back guard, the turn guard, and then the front jump guard, all done individually. Every time the floor shakes, a loud vibration and wailing sound spreads through the dojo.

Practice Maniac Laishima had already showered, but grabbed his dumbbells and started practicing again. After an hour, Laishima finally spoke, “We’ll start with Fujima today.”

Kikuchi grabbed Fujishima’s wrist and threw her out as if he was carrying her. This is a defense move that actually throws her out.

“Hey yo!” Kikuchi shouted, throwing continuously without letting go of his hand on one side.

“Fujishima, watch where your feet are going!”

Laishima watches their movements carefully, and Fujishima, who was trying to be perfunctory, has to scramble for a guard. A full body slam by Kurushima follows. Fujishima’s body is lifted up high and slammed to the floor.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.”

Kikuchi looked at Fujishima, who was screaming in agony with his hand pressed against his waist, and couldn’t help but frown.

“Non, thank you very much senpai…” said Fujishima, finally standing up.

“Can’t catch it is unhelpful Kikuchi.”

(You don’t have to add those three words, do you…)

With his face still as cool as ever, Laijima asked Kikuchi to do frogman drills first, followed by pressing exercises. The training still continues.

“Why isn’t there an elevator?” Fujishima made sure to say this every day after practice, but Kikuchi was too tired to answer.

(You’re so wordy, but you’re full of energy.)

Whether it was his feet or his waist, in short, his whole body felt like it was going to fall apart, and even when he went back to his room, he found it very hard to climb the stairs. Meal time was the happiest time of the day for Kikuchi. However, Fujishima, who lived in the same dormitory, sometimes went to bed after eating.

“It’s too bad you don’t eat it.”

Kikuchi is not going to be able to keep the weight off no matter how hard he works.

“That’s okay, it’s just enough to thin it out a bit.”

“You really don’t care.”

“I’m not as useless as Kikuchi.”

(That’s outrageous.)

Fujishima had been like this ever since Kikuchi had moved into the dormitory. At first she’d speculate: did I do something to annoy her? But before long, she got used to Fujishima’s bad mouth.

“Fujishima, haven’t you been lazy yourself?”

“You’re the one who’s too energetic to take it any more seriously.”

“Don’t you want to be like Yukiko-senpai?”

Fujishima wore an expression that made a fool out of Kikuchi.

“That person, ah, would be more popular if they were as cute as me.”

(How dare you say such a thing!)

“Ah, I wish I had debuted earlier.” Fujishima said cheekily.

“Me, even if I’m not strong, I’ll still be popular.”

(I can’t believe someone thought that…)

Kikuchi felt a wave of mixed emotions, neither shock nor anger, which only added to her exhaustion.

(Never mind, leave her alone and go to sleep…)

Looking at Kikuchi, who had gotten under the covers, Fujishima shrugged and spat out his tongue.

“If you hesitate, you’re going to get yourself hurt.”

Returning from their second tour, the duo of Kikuchi and Fujishima continue to receive training from Laijima on a daily basis.

“Please.”

The duo had learned some attacking and wrestling techniques and were practicing more and more like professional wrestlers on weekdays. Even though they were dizzy from the demands of Laishima, the duo was no longer as tired as they were at first. Kikuchi on the other hand is of the mindset of (I should never lose to Fujishima) and goes to the dojo every day before bed to work out some more.

I don’t know if it’s because the human body is naturally accustomed to harsh environments? Or is it because they are encouraged by the idea that if they want to be a female wrestler, they have to have a body that’s better than the average person’s? Only Fujishima, as usual, would slack off when Laishima wasn’t looking.

On this day, dusk practice was over and about to go to the shower before.

“Hey, Kikuchi, this is from Ms. Risako, it’s the ‘Wide World of Sports Newspaper’ that was just published!” Laishima walked into the closet room with a newspaper specializing in women’s wrestling. She gently threw the newspaper at Kikuchi. Yuushiko’s picture immediately caught Kikuchi’s eye.

“Ah, this is Yushiko-senpai!”

(Yukiko-san is working really hard.)

As soon as Kikuchi realizes that this is news about Yukiko, whom she admires, she immediately forgets to even thank Laishima and just stares at the photo.

“Well, being a champion, huh?”

Fujishima, who was peeking from the side, suddenly mumbled in her peculiar accent with a Kansai accent.

“Hey, Fujishima, I haven’t read it yet, can you please not read it out?”

(What did you just say?)

(Is this about the championship?)

“Look at Yuuki-chan’s belt, and that big title!” Laishima was getting a little impatient.

“Risako-san and Uehara seem to already know.”

The Wide World of Sports newspaper reports the following:

‘July 11th in Mexico City. Special report on the Mexican Championships: Yukiko Meti of the New Japan Women’s Wrestling Association challenged World Women’s Wrestling Champion Rita Morina to a match. Rita Morena, World Women’s Wrestling Champion.

After an intense tug-of-war, Yukiko used a new technique she learned on her expedition, the Moonlight Thunderbolt Chop, to pin Morena in the opening twenty-five minutes of the match and win the belt in her first title challenge.

Yukiko is the most highly regarded young player among the new girls, and is expected to be active in Japan. A return date has not yet been set, and it seems that she intends to stay abroad for the time being to receive training in order to become a true all-around player.

Kikuchi’s mind grew more and more energized as she read down the report. “Wow! Yushiko-san is the champion!”

The contestants near the Kikuchi were attracted to her ultra-high decibel volume.

“Yah, Yuki-chan’s pretty good. Right?” Hori, who was sitting next to her, teasingly knocked Kikuchi’s back.

“Yushiko-senpai is the best!” Kikuchi was practically as proud as if she had gotten the title herself, looking at everyone with a smile on her face. “So worthy of being Yukiko-senpai!”

Kikuchi blinked and tried to say something else, when Hori blurted out, “You’re trying to say, ‘I want to be like Yukiko-senpai,’ aren’t you?”

(Uh?) Kikuchi turned around in surprise. “How did Gakuya know?”

Everyone in the room looked over at Kikuchi.

“You, have you counted how many times you’ve said that since you were initiated?” Laishima reminded her tiresomely, and a burst of laughter immediately exploded.

“Both of them are so lousy, so Mizuno won’t be able to debut!” Laishima couldn’t contain his rage.

In small country gymnasiums, there wasn’t even a stage, so you had to use the bus as a rest room.

The intermediates and above are still sleeping in their cars, while the Kikuchi duo are practicing in the ring that has been set up. In addition to Laishima, who had been acting as coach, there was another coach, Minami Rimi, who was about the same age as Laishima and Yukiko, but was already acting in the style of a veteran.

(It’s over. Today it’s Minami-senpai!) Kikuchi was rather hurtful to Minami. Not because of her personality, but because of the techniques she uses. (I really don’t understand joint techniques at all!)

If she charged with all her might like Laishima, she always still understood how strong she was, but when she practiced with Minami, she had no idea what she was doing, only that her whole body suffered from unexpected pain. She felt completely teased by her opponent and didn’t feel like she had learned anything.

Minami usually practiced with the seniors, or did basic physical training alone, and sometimes acted as an opponent for the newcomers. For the newcomers, this was nothing less than a catastrophe. To be clear, the newcomers were just her experimental tools.

“Kikuchi, you don’t have to do any movements, you don’t get tired at all.” Fujishima was really good at describing it.

Minami seemed to find it much more fun to teach Kikuchi, who was desperately struggling to resist, than Fujishima, who didn’t mind. So she designated Kikuchi to practice with her, and the overwhelming training was focused on Kikuchi.

As usual, Minami prodded Kikuchi with a stern look. Eventually they sat facing each other in the blue corner. This floor exercise, always kneeling forward, began with grabbing each other’s wrists. What happened next was the same as usual; by the time Kikuchi came back to her senses, she was already pinned to the floor by Minami, desperately pressing her joints all over her body. Even though she tried to resist, her body had been precisely controlled and she couldn’t move.

“Ouch!” Kikuchi hissed. （”I can’t help it.)

Minami and Kikuchi’s pre-match eyebrow practice soon became a routine affair for the new female celebrity. However, at some point, Kikuchi had been able to defend herself against the joint technique that had been restrained. It’s just that Minami was the only one who realized this.

This day was a little different than usual.

“Kikuchi, do it again!”

Minami and Kikuchi are once again intertwined on the ground.

(Ah, go around to the right and you can escape!) Minami was about to pounce and grab her right foot when a thought suddenly flashed through her mind. She had already stood up when she thought about moving her body a bit more naturally.

(Huh? What’s going on today…) She herself doesn’t know what’s going on.

“Kikuchi’s not bad.” Laishima and Fujishima said in unison.

Minami acted as if nothing had happened and resumed the position she had taken at the beginning.

“Kikuchi, now it’s your turn to fight back.”

“Even if I’m told to fight back, I…”

While Kikuchi was confused, Minami attacked without mercy. She grabbed Kikuchi’s wrist from above and turned back to her earlier state.

(Ah…it’s this way!) This time, Kikuchi knew exactly when she should move. She went around to the right side and stood up.

(But she told me to fight back…)

She saw that Minami’s right foot was broken─of course, Minami showed it on purpose. But Kikuchi didn’t know how to attack her. Kikuchi thought that she was being fooled, so she reached out and grabbed Minami’s foot. She grabbed it as hard as she could.

“Th.” Minami immediately broke free. Her feet, however, dragged painfully on the ground.

“Minami, is it going to be okay?” Laishima ran over in a panic.

Nan’s expression was extremely painful.

“Yeah, sorry…” said Kikuchi, not knowing what to do.

“Kikuchi, what the hell are you doing?” Laishima asked Kikuchi as he took off Minami’s shoes to inspect her feet.

“…It’s…it’s because I was told to fight back, so…” on Kikuchi’s face, an (how did that happen?) The expression of the

“Can I put a bandage on it?”

“No way…”

“What then? If I don’t talk to Risako-sama earlier…”

“I know.” Minami cut Raijima off and started walking to the bus. Laishima assisted her.

“Ah, I…” said Kikuchi, eyeing the duo as they entered the bus.

“That’s too bad.” Fujishima’s tone was surprisingly calm.

“What to do?”

“Are you stupidly sucking at using your strength again?” When scolding someone, Fujishima’s Kansai accent ran out of his mouth again.

“Yes, but…” (I hope the academy sister’s injury isn’t too serious.)

Kikuchi, sitting in the ring, hears her name being called.

“Kikuchi, come here for a second!” Minami stood at the entrance to the gym.

“Yes, yes.” Kikuchi ran at full speed.

“What are you practicing with me for?”

“That’s to be with Yuki-chan…, it’s to be strong.” Kikuchi realized that Raijima was also standing next to him, arms crossed over his chest, not saying a word.

“Grabbing as hard and as desperately as a fool. I’ve never done that before, have I?”

“I’m sorry, because I didn’t know how much force to use for this…”

“Do you know what happens when you get your opponent hurt?”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

“I can’t race today.”

(It’s over. This is the worst possible outcome…) Kikuchi, who had always been overly energetic, was practically like a deflated ball at this point.

“So Kikuchi, you’re going to race for me.”

(Ah…?)

“Risako-san just said that.”

“This, how is this possible? I can’t, I can’t come out yet.”

“Risako-senpai says it’s fine, and there’s nothing we can do about it.” Laishima interjected this with a tight face.

(It’s over. Even Laishima-senpai is angry.)

“Then you’ll take responsibility for making me get hurt and take my place in the race.” Minami said as she walked back inside the bus.

“Today is Minami’s singles match with me oh.” Laishima said unhappily.

(Ah! That’s why Laijima has a taut face…)

“Laishima-senpai, I’m so sorry!”

“You have race shoes, right?”

“Yes there is, but…”

“Well, then I’m going to show you how you should respond.” Laijima also returned to the bus unhappily.

(What to do…) Kikuchi was overwhelmed by this sudden situation, when Fujishima pulled Kikuchi’s t-shirt.

“Oi oi! Kikuchi, in that case, isn’t today your debut battle?”

(Yeah! This is going to be my debut fight…)

“Why are you the only one who can?” Fujishima seemed completely unable to accept it.

“Don’t you think I’m better suited than you?”

“I’m sorry! I wasn’t expecting this…”

“That goes without saying. You’re kinda good at getting people hurt on purpose!” Fujishima, who was getting angry, started cleaning the ring alone.

(Still, it’s a tough fight now…) Kikuchi silently helps Fujishima clean up.

Kikuchi puts on her competition boots on a corner of the gym. The white, brand new boots were a gift from Hayate and Miyuki. Kikuchi wore them several times a day before bed in her dormitory room. She practiced over and over again every day, and should be able to put them on quickly, but she was so nervous that her fingers became unruly.

“Why am I here to be Kikuchi’s assistant…” pouted Fujishima, angry as hell. She was here to greet Kikuchi.

“Sorry, I’ll be fine on my own.”

“What are you talking about? I had to come because I was told to help you…”

“Dressed.” Kikuchi’s loud voice was gone due to her nervousness.

Looking flustered, she entered the gym with Fujishima in the lead. Kikuchi was participating in the first match of the day. It couldn’t be said to be full, but there were a fair number of people seated, and it was filled with the pre-opening noises everywhere. The crowd next to the ring seemed to be shouting something at Kikuchi, but Kikuchi heard nothing. She bowed to the ring, and with Fujishima pulling the ring ropes for her, she entered the ring.

(Oh my God!) Not only because of the illumination, but also because of the eyes of the audience betting on her, making her feel dizzy. Kikuchi was too nervous to even take a deep breath.

The audience stopped stirring as the music started. At that moment, Laishima, who wasn’t even wearing a robe, entered the arena. Kikuchi felt that Laishima became particularly tall.

The first match of the day is now underway. In the blue corner, Kikuchi-Ri Yu──”

The ring announcer, who walks to the center of the ring, announces Kikuchi’s name in his distinctive tone. Kikuchi hastily salutes in all directions. Sparse applause breaks out.

“Next up, Red Corner, Bomb-Come-Island.

The applause and cheering at that moment was so loud that it couldn’t be compared. However, Laishima did not make any reaction, and stared straight in the other direction without moving his body.

“This match is Kikuchi’s debut.

“Whoa-“

“Go newcomers!” Cheering sounds also came out from the audience, cheering for Kikuchi.

The referee asked the two of them to go to the center of the ring. While listening to the referee announce the cautions, Kikuchi stares intently at Laishima, but she doesn’t turn her eyes toward Kikuchi at all.

(Laijima-san still doesn’t want to compete with me…)

(Must be thinking I’m too early for a debut.)

Kikuchi’s body stiffened at the thought. But the bell for the start of the match rang relentlessly. Laijima, who had been maintaining a calm stance, suddenly attacked violently towards Kikuchi.

(Wow, that’s scary!) Before Kikuchi could feel scared, his body was already floating in the air. Suddenly, Laishima makes a snap-neck backbreaker.

(Uh?) Kikuchi was suddenly startled by this first experience of the move, and immediately felt a sharp pain in his spine from the violent impact.

(Aah! It hurts like hell.)

Laishima grabbed Kikuchi, who was struggling on the ground, hard and cheered her on. “Hey, where’s your exuberant energy?”

That’s when Laijima grabbed Kikuchi’s wrist and threw her out continuously just as she had practiced. Kikuchi kept hitting the ring floor as her body finally remembered its usual training and began to complete the guard maneuvers.

Laishima grabs Kikuchi and slams her down hard, then pins her. Kikuchi resists the pinfall. Just as she had practiced, she arched her body in a frogman’s maneuver, and the entire crowd applauded and cheered her on.

As if he knows what’s up, Laishima drags Kikuchi to the center of the ring. Starting with a mix of moves such as the Scorpion Foot Cracker and the Neck Snap Choke, it’s all very much a practical attack and defense battle of joint techniques. Kikuchi, who is usually worked on by Minami, is almost always suffering in numbness.

(Th, so that’s how it is…) Laijima, who mumbled under his breath, suddenly slapped Kikuchi’s face.

“Hey, how long are you going to be beaten by me?”

After being slapped in the face by her, Kikuchi went berserk.

“Damn it, you son of a bitch─” she ran towards Raijima, making an elbow L-bump.

Whether it’s getting hit in the face or chest, Laishima takes Kikuchi’s attacks with complete disinterest. At some point, some seniors gathered near the exit of the stadium to watch the match. Kikuchi was attacking Laishima like crazy, but Laishima didn’t move no matter how many times he was hit. The venue was ablaze with hot offense and defense.

“Asshole-“

Kikuchi was getting impatient and ran to charge the ring ropes, using the rebound to hit Laishima hard. The moment they cross paths, Laishima’s ‘Bomb Wrist Strike’ instantly explodes with terrifying power. Kikuchi, who was bouncing in the air, heard the referee’s decision on the count of three as he lost consciousness.

(Ah, I’m going to keep racing…)

The first thing Kikuchi, who had awakened, saw was Fujishima’s face.

(Strange?)

A cold towel was placed on her forehead.

“Fujishima…, where’s Raijima-senpai?”

From behind Fujishima, who didn’t say a word and was full of unhappiness, Laishima poked his head out.

“It’s ordinary.”

Laishima held out her right hand, and Kikuchi held out his hands to hold her tightly.

（The game’s over!)

The duo shook hands on stage to thunderous applause from the audience.

“Fujishima, what just happened to me?” Kikuchi asked her in a small voice, to which Fujishima replied angrily, “Don’t you realize you lost?”

(Then, I’m unconscious after being attacked by a giant wrist. That way I lose…)

“Hey, if you don’t get out of the ring you’ll get in the way of the next match!” Fujishima urged her, so Kikuchi saluted the audience on all sides and stepped out of the ring. She nodded her thanks if anyone called out to her along the way.

“Hurry up and get changed and come back to work yo.” Fujishima dropped Kikuchi off at the exit of the gym before heading back to ringside to take care of chores.

Kikuchi staggered along at a fast pace when suddenly Minami appeared in front of him.

“Kikuchi, are you okay?”

“I’m sorry! I can barely remember what just happened.” Minami’s arms crossed over her chest as Kikuchi kept apologizing to her.

“I’m sorry! I wasn’t able to accomplish the task of replacing Minami-senpai.” Kikuchi, who had her head lowered, shook left and right again in sadness.

“The decision was rushed, it’s not something that can just be done.”

“But…”

Minami put her arms on Kikuchi’s shoulders and suddenly blossomed into a tender expression.

“You’ve tried so hard…”

(Uh?)

“As debut fights go, it’s qualified.”

“Minami-senpai…”

“It’s not good enough to come to the island and say it, but I think you’re ready to debut.”

（…？）

“My feet are fine.”

“It really doesn’t matter? Great.” Kikuchi, who was delayed, couldn’t figure out what Minami really meant.

“Idiot. Because yeah…I’m purposely pretending to be injured to get you into the competition!”

“Ah! So, is this about trying to get me to debut?” Kikuchi asked stupidly.

“Kikuchi, congratulations on your debut. It’s quite competent to be Laijima’s opponent.”

“Sister Nan… Sister Nan…, thank you! Thank you!” Kikuchi thanked her in her voice loud enough to make the audience turn around for a second before she couldn’t help but let out a sob. Minami stroked Riyuu’s head.

“Practicing hard really pays off, Kikuchi.” Laijima came to his side at some point and gently knocked Kikuchi’s back.

“Laishima-senpai, thank you!”

“That kind of fierce offense is really good. But now it’s time to work on getting stronger.”

Kikuchi wiped the tears from her face while holding her head up.

“Yes. I’ll try my best to be like Yuki-chan-san… uh… and also like Raijima-san…”

Laishima and Minami couldn’t help but look at each other.

“Hey hey, don’t you think about who gave you the chance to debut?” Laishima looked at Minami who showed disbelief while smiling.

“Yes, I’m sorry, I want to be like Minami-senpai!”

“You’re hopeless that way.” Minami deliberately cocked her head to the side.

“No, I’m…” said Kikuchi, confused at the callous reply.

“Hahaha! It’s good to have the target set on one person. Because you’re just a normal, useless little girl.”

“Uh, how’s this…”

Kikuchi’s mouth was open and her expression was starting to look off, almost in a semi-crying state, and all of a sudden Minami and Raijima started to laugh their asses off.

Chapter III

Winter. More than half a year has passed since Kikuchi first started playing. Though her days were filled with practice and chores, she was finally able to fulfill her dream of becoming a player and was living a fulfilling life.

The only thing that Kikuchi had in mind was─I’m going to play the game with the loudest voice I can muster. Although I can’t play the match of my dreams yet, at least I can gain a little more experience.

Fujishima, who debuted a week after her at the same time, quickly gained many of her wrestling fans with her recognizable face that rivaled even idol singers, and her unexpected dexterity. Fujishima still seemed to be thinking the same thing: as long as she’s popular, that’s all that matters. He was still not too enthusiastic about practicing. Almost everywhere these two wrestled, their individual matches were ranked first.

“Damn it.”

“Whoa! Eat this from me─” Kikuchi was always loud and energetic anyway.

“You can’t beat people and you’re still making so much noise!”

Though it seems softer, Fujishima’s moves seem to be calmer and work. It usually only takes five minutes to separate the winners from the losers.

“I will not lose you tomorrow!”

“I’ll keep winning until I die!”

The passionate fight between the two has already garnered a fair amount of praise from viewers.

On the other hand, there is a fierce rivalry between Risako and Uehara, the main contestants of the new girls.

Before Yukiko’s generation joined, Uehara formed a group called the ‘Hummingbird Team’, but at the time it was just to take on foreign competitors separately from Risako. But it just so happened that right around the time of Kikuchi’s debut, these two sparked outside the ring as well.

Since Uehara’s personality is one that is unwilling to compromise, it evolved from an argument between the two of them to eventually involving all of the New Girl contestants. This feud wasn’t the cute faction against the sultry faction of the past, but a whole new format. It was the first time in the history of wrestling that there was an official rivalry between Japanese wrestlers, and as a result, the New Girl’s reputation skyrocketed.

However, this time the fight between Uehara and Risako is not just a news topic, but there is a big gap between them. In the end, the two were betting on the most symbolic match of the new women – the Asian Heavyweight Championship. After nearly 60 minutes of intense fighting, Uehara was sadly defeated.

That night, Uehara suddenly disappeared without a trace. Even though they were rivals, it was still a big surprise that Risako was not informed of her whereabouts. Risako asks people everywhere for information, but she can’t believe this could happen.

Just then, something else happened.

This was reported in Wrestling Weekly at the time:

‘All Japan Karate Queen Izumi Yoshiwara suddenly disrupted the venue. She entered the wrestling venue directly and made her willingness to challenge in front of the audience. Risako Black Panther, of course, was undaunted and accepted her challenge. This battle of fighting techniques, unlike any other in the history of New Woman, took place with a unique sense of tension, and in the end, Risako Black Panther was victorious.

From the start of the prologue battle, Yoshiwara danced all over the ring chasing Risako, but after Risako got used to it, Yoshiwara’s attacks were pretty much all blocked out and she just desperately tried to keep her distance. Eventually, she was forced to attack with a high flying kick, but Risako caught her and split the match with a neck-and-foot double slam.

After Yoshiwara’s defeat, she showed her willingness to enter the New Girl. After that, she fought in the New Girl under the name Mimi Yoshiwara. For the New Girl, after Uehara’s disappearance, this unexpected addition of a new fighting force could be considered a great gain.”

Although newcomer Izumi Yoshihara is in the same generation as Risako, she still can’t replace Uehara.

“Kikuchi is always in such good spirits.” Risako called out to Kikuchi, who was cleaning the dojo. She looked rather tired.

“Yes… …Risako-senpai, are you okay?”

“Um…do I look this tired?”

(What the hell is going on…)

“Uehara-senpai will definitely come back.”

Risako took off her glasses and turned back. “Hey, Kikuchi, why don’t you come to the office and have a cup of tea with me?”

“Okay…is it just me again? I shouldn’t have had many losing battles lately…”

“It’s not like that, don’t worry!” Risako’s face regained its soaring expression when she saw Kikuchi, who was suddenly feeling uneasy.

“Well, come up here when you’re done cleaning. I’ll wait for you up there.”

Upstairs in the reception room of the new women’s office, Risako made tea and waited for Kikuchi.

“Kikuchi, it’s been a year since your debut!”

“Well, yes. But still, I can’t be as strong as Yushiko-senpai…”

“Yuki-chan’s gotten stronger now, too.”

“Gakuya is really something!” Kikuchi’s voice rose even higher than usual when she talked about Yukiko.

“It’s so nice that both Yukiko & Kikuchi’s prospects are just getting started.”

(Risako-san looks lonely…)

“When Uehara was around, it was really hard for me to keep being the number one in the group…”

“Because there can only be one at the top, and isn’t that what everyone is aiming for?”

“Yeah! But I don’t want to give up my position yet.”

(Th, seems really hard…)

“Actually, in terms of strength, the gap between me and Uehara isn’t that big…”

“Even so, Risako-senpai will continue to remain victorious.”

“But doesn’t everyone see me as a target? Even Kikuchi is trying so hard to be as strong as Yushiko, right?”

“Yes, and I’ll try harder.”

“As far as I’m concerned, there’s no one ahead of me who can make me work hard anymore.”

(Yeah, that’s right…)

“Right now just desperately trying to hold on to the status quo doesn’t inspire the desire to be stronger at all.”

“Championships are exhausting…”

“I got the Asian Heavyweight title early, that’s why I didn’t get a chance to work out overseas…”

(Yukiko-san was only able to go overseas because Risako-san was there…)

“I’ll be more energized if Uehara is there…”

“That…Uehara-senpai, will definitely come back…”

“Just because I’m the one who got the title belt doesn’t mean Uehara is weaker.”

“Risako-san…”

“Even if Uehara is the champion, I don’t care.”

“Are Uehara-senpai and Risako-senpai contemporaries?”

“Yeah. We’ve been working together.” Risako sighed deeply when she finished.

“Ha, maybe I’m worrying too much. Actually, I still want to beat everyone to keep the belt.”

“Yes. Because Gakuya is everyone’s unanimous goal!”

“Thanks. Kikuchi should practice harder and beat me sooner too, yo!”

“Ah─it’s still early! I’m still weak.”

“Haha! Yeah. You’re all energy and nothing else.”

“Why emphasize that?”

“Sorry sorry sorry! It’s already too much to make you listen to me whine.”

“No, it’s not that. I’ll definitely be cheering.”

“Yes, a little more fuel to make the new women in the future more energized.”

“Risako-senpai, please do pull yourself together…”

“No problem. Thanks so much for today.”

After sending Kikuchi away with a smile, Risako took a sip of the already cold black tea on the table and sighed deeply.

A full-scale rivalry match between the New Girl and another women’s wrestling organization, ‘World Women’s Wrestling’ (or World Girl for short), is also set to take place. The veteran New Girl doesn’t take the World Woman seriously, so the battle was not initiated by either organization, but rather by negotiation between the top competitors.

Seiya’s ace in the hole is the battleship Miyagi. Miyagi is known as the ‘Queen of the Wire’ and is a superb fighter. Although, she wasn’t able to beat Risako Black Panther, who possessed superior skills, the doubles match between these two groups was surprisingly exciting.

The tournament was a huge sell-out and the reputation of women’s wrestling has increased even more as a result. After this series of matches, not only the top competitors but also the younger ones found it very rewarding. All of them had the feeling of protecting the honor of the association and not being able to lose, and they performed at a superb level. Especially for the youngest players, Kikuchi and Fujishima, the experience of playing against the best players in the world was invaluable.

Kikuchi has always caught the attention of viewers because of her confrontation with Fujishima. However, in this match against the young Seiyuu player, Mitsuko Ogawa, she has improved tremendously.

In the end, the series of rivalry matches came to an end when unexpected results occurred.

Miyagi singles out Risako for the Asian Heavyweight title, but Risako gets a near landslide victory. Of course, Miyagi demanded a rematch. However, the World Women’s Association refused, fearing that it would lower their side’s image further. In the end, despite the contestants’ objections, the Seiyu unilaterally issued an ‘end of match’ statement, and the match was terminated.

Coincidentally, at this time, Yukiko Miette returned home from her long campaign overseas.

“Yushiko-senpai, I’m Kikuchi. Kikuchi Ritsuyu.”

It has been almost two years since Yukiko left. Kikuchi, who came to the airport to pick up Yohiko, was filled with excitement at the thought of seeing Yohiko again.

“Hey, hey, wait a minute. Don’t cry here!”

“I’m sorry! But I’m just so happy.” Even when she’s crying, Kikuchi’s vocal volume still scares the hell out of her.

Brokenhearted, Yukiko turns to a laughing Laishima behind Kikuchi and asks her for help.

“Laijima, do me a favor! Is she always like this?”

“You’ve been gone a long time, Yuuki-chan. Stronger now, aren’t you?” Laishima replied.

“Kikuchi…schoolmate? Became a pro, right?”

“Yes. Ah, please just call me Kikuchi.”

Just like when she set out two years ago, Yushiko was completely overwhelmed.

“Kikuchi is like this every day.” Laishima laughed bitterly.

“What a spirit!”

“Yuuki-chan, your spirit is also good enough, but the volume of sound is not as loud as hers.”

“I can’t be as strong as Yushiko-senpai yet, but I’ll try my best.”

“Hey, Laishima, I should look a little more composed now, right?”

Laishima couldn’t quite answer that.

“Right…. By the way, Kikuchi doesn’t have a big appetite like Yuki-chan!”

“Is Gakuya very edible?” No matter what people said, Kikuchi was happy as a clam.

“It’s not! Really. Laijima remember that for me!” Yuko retorted, pretending to be angry.

“Hahaha, time to talk about gifts next?”

“That… I’d also like to have a chance to talk to Gakuya…” said Kikuchi as if she had some qualms.

“Uh─Kikuchi has become as cheeky as a pro!”

“Yeah, sorry.”

“Alright la, Laishima. Kikuchi, it’s okay. I’ll be going to the Road starting tomorrow, so I’ll talk to you then.”

“Fantastic!”

“So true Yuki-chan. Alright, time to go.” Laishima followed up.

“What the hell- I haven’t even gotten to the…”

Looking at Kikuchi who couldn’t get enough of it, Yukiko and Raijima couldn’t help but laugh.

Starting from Mexico, Yukiko has traveled around the world to experience different competitions. This time, she brought back not only the IWWF World Junior Championship belt, but also a great skill that has never been seen in Japan, and which will make the audience’s hearts tingle.

(That’s really strong! Yushiko-senpai is really great…) Kikuchi grew to admire Yushiko more and more.

Kikuchi didn’t move an inch from Yukiko, not only at the practice field, but also on the way from the bus to the competition venue. Yukiko gets used to Kikuchi’s enthusiasm and tells Kikuchi in detail about all her experiences overseas.

“That Yoshiwara, she really is a karate champion…”

“That’s right! Everyone was shocked when she suddenly showed up at the race meeting.”

Kikuchi told Yushiko about the situation in great detail, accompanied by realistic realistic movements.

“Hmm…but she barely uses karate moves anymore.”

“Yeah. Right now it’s just practicing with Minami-san.”

“Ah, hasn’t Kikuchi been practicing with Minami in actual combat as well.”

“Yes. It’s because I was taken care of by Minami-senpai that I was able to make my debut very quickly.”

“Hahaha! Laijima told me about it. I heard you worked really hard back then.”

The two of them were sitting on the couch outside the new women’s office talking.

“At that time, I had been attacked by Laijima-senpai, and I don’t even remember much of what happened…”

“Exactly! The debut battle was like that. I was also so nervous during the first battle that I couldn’t remember what I was doing at the time.”

“Yeah oh…”

Talking to Yushiko, no matter what it was about, made Kikuchi feel very happy.

“Still, I find joint techniques really difficult…”

“Slightly sinister, hahaha.”

“Sister, is it okay to say that?”

“It doesn’t matter! Nan is supposed to be a bit more honorable. Haha…”

As Yushiko burst out laughing and pounded on the couch, a loud, laughing man approached from that end of the hallway.

“Oh-ho-ho-ho. The contestant who came back from tacky Mexico is talking about the rights and wrongs of others?”

“Phew! Ichiya, what brings you here? It’s so rare! Coming to practice?”

As usual, Ichiya was wearing an exaggerated fancy dress. During Yuko’s absence, her proud blonde hair had grown to her waist.

Ichigaya received approval to train at his home practice facility.

“And, and, ah, unlike you, I don’t have to work extra hard to go to a foreign country to disgrace the Japanese, and I can show everyone my beauty and skill. Oh─hehehehe…”

“Ichigaya-senpai, Yushiko-senpai is awesome.”

“Drink! Not only is your voice loud, but even your attitude has become arrogant!”

“I’m sorry…”

“It’s okay, Kikuchi, what are you apologizing for? This woman doesn’t know what she’s talking about, just ignore her!”

“You ugly newcomer, you dare to be upset with such a beautiful me. You’re a million years too early to challenge me.”

(It’s not my fault if I’m not pretty…) Even the always cheerful Kikuchi was a little upset.

“What the hell are you doing here? Come to the office once in a while just to talk about this nonsense?”

“Oh─huhuh. I just come to look at your unlovely faces once in a while to confirm my beauty.”

“Oh… you’re done confirming, then! Can we go back now?”

“What the hell are you doing back in Japan? As long as I and my supporters are around, New Girl won’t be a problem at all.”

“Not at all, Yukiko-senpai’s absence is the problem!”

“Kid, shut the fuck up!”

“Kikuchi, don’t get serious with Ichiya.”

(Since Yukiko-san said so…)

“Aye, you don’t want to get serious with me because you know you don’t have boobs, do you?”

Yoshiko jumped up and pointed right at the tip of Ichiya’s nose.

“Stop nagging here and get your ass back to your mansion in the country!”

“Ha, you’re the one who should get the hell out of the country and embarrass yourself, ohhhh.” Ichiya laughed maniacally and left.

“Ichiya-senpai is really, really over the top!”

“It’s okay, never mind.”

All in all, with such a bright Yukiko, Kikuchi felt that every day was a pleasure.

There were usually a few days off between each series of battles, but Kikuchi always put her head down and practiced hard. Kikuchi felt much happier with Yushiko than going out shopping.

On one of the days off. It was a very rare day when only Kikuchi and Yukiko came to practice.

“Where did Laishima-san go?”

“Oh, I think she went to visit a gym with some new training machine.”

Kikuchi happily helped Yukiko put on her towel. Early this morning, all of the men had gone out, leaving the dojo with just the two of them.

“That some new training machine, does it really work that well?”

“I don’t think there should be much of a difference…. But come on the island is practicing maniacs, hahaha! “

“She really likes practicing.”

“Doesn’t Kikuchi practice every day?”

“But I’ve wanted to rest so many times…” said Kikuchi, scratching her head.

“Besides, if we don’t practice a little more, we won’t be able to become as strong as Yushiko-senpai!” Kikuchi added in a strengthened tone.

Yoshiko smiled wryly.

“Well, then, in order for you to catch up with me sooner, let’s have a lazy day.”

Kikuchi cocked her head in confusion, “Uh─. We’re practicing together.”

“Hahaha! You really don’t understand my good intentions. Well, today it’s going to be strict training until you cry out!”

“Ah no, that would be a bit…”

Looking at her troubled face, Yushiko smiled, and Kikuchi, infected by that smile, involuntarily laughed out loud. Then the happy but strict practice began.

After practice that day.

“Kikuchi, Ikki.” Behind Kikuchi, who was in the shower, suddenly came Yukiko’s voice.

“Whoa!”

Yushiko pulled the shower curtain straight back.

“Yuu, Yushiko-senpai, is something wrong?” Kikuchi’s voice became high and shrill because she was nervous. She wrapped the towel around her in a panic.

“Yikes… a great body!”

“No, no such thing? Yushiko-senpai is only very…?” In the middle of his sentence, Kikuchi resumed staring at Yushiko’s body, almost oblivious.

“Hm? What’s wrong with you, Kikuchi?”

Yukiko wasn’t even wearing a towel and was completely naked. Kikuchi forgot that he was also naked and stared obliviously at Yukiko’s shapely body.

“Wow…”

Yushiko’s breasts were definitely not ‘malnourished’ as Ichiya had said. Moreover, it was still round and sharp that Ichiya couldn’t match. There was also the curve of the waist, which was also very delicate. Of course, compared to the average girl of the same age, Yohiko was much more robust and sturdy, and that worked out flesh exuded a much more appealing allure than a woman’s body that only had curves.

“Yushiko-senpai’s torso is, indeed, awesome.” Kikuchi focused on viewing Yukiko’s body.

“Hey, hey, Kikuchi, don’t stare like that.”

“I’m sorry. But Gakushu’s body is so beautiful…” fumed Kikuchi, exclaiming aloud.

“Hahaha, Kikuchi, yours is pretty good too!”

Hearing Yushiko say that, Kikuchi then noticed that his towel had long fallen to the floor at some point.

“I-I’m much worse.”

“Hahaha, it won’t be.”

Yushiko looked at the red-faced Riyuu and cracked a smile, but she then composed herself and began to speak very seriously.

“That…Kikuchi.”

“Yes.”

“…There’s something I want to talk to you about later, after you’ve showered, okay?”

“Ah, of course, Yushiko-senpai.”

(There must be something really important if you came all the way here to say that!) Worried, Kikuchi casually brushed her hair with a towel and quickly ran to the locker room. Yushiko’s expression was indeed a stony one that she had never seen before.

“Kikuchi, what do you think of Risako-senpai?”

(Uh!?) Kikuchi, who didn’t quite understand what it meant, said what was on her mind as it was.

“That, I think she’s really great. She’s always been the strongest player, and the mental burden must be quite heavy.”

“Uh…”

“It’s not just in the ring, she’s been nothing but kind to us.”

“Yeah, so everyone can focus on the game.”

(What’s wrong with Yushiko-san…)

“Risako-san is still the pillar of the entire New Girl!”

The moment Kikuchi said those words, Yushiko’s expression suddenly shifted.

“I don’t think that would work.”

(No!? What does that mean? What Yushiko-senpai said was so strange…)

“That means it won’t work for Risako-san to be the pillar of the new girl all the time.”

“Ah, right, sorry! Yukiko-san is also a pillar of the New Girl, and is a strong person that Laishima-san or Minami-san, and Ichigaya-san wouldn’t have thought of. I mean…”

“Haha, no la! Kikuchi. If that’s the case, Kikuchi can support the new girl too.”

“I can’t, I’m early.” Kikuchi said handily.

“I know that Risako-senpai is having a hard time…. But, as a player, is this really a good thing?”

“…？”

“I was thinking, wouldn’t it be strange if one didn’t seek to be stronger, that is to say, if one didn’t have a higher purpose?”

Hearing Yushiko’s strong tone, Furetsuchi couldn’t help but sit upright.

“Isn’t it bad if you’re satisfied with having the Asian heavyweight belt?”

“Ah, the Asian Heavyweight Belt is the New Girl’s townhall, are you saying that belt is bad?”

“No, it’s not that the belt is bad, I’m saying it’s bad that Risako-senpai doesn’t have the desire to capture a higher ranked belt.”

“But I think that Risako-san is working harder because Uehara-san is gone…”

“That’s right! So yeah, Kikuchi, I want to make it easy for her.”

(Ah, so that’s how it is?)

“In that case, let me do my part. I’m one of the new girls too!”

After Kikuchi finished speaking, she reconfirmed that she had become an official contestant and couldn’t help but feel an inexplicable wave of emotion. However, Yukiko sees the emotional Kikuchi and feels very hurt.

“Kikuchi, do you know what I mean?”

“Understand. No, probably get it…” said Kikuchi, lowering her voice hastily.

“That is to say…, it should be easier if Risako-san isn’t the first chair, right?”

(so to speak…)

“It’s not her time anymore.”

（It sounds like a storyline from a wrestling magazine. I never thought it would happen in real life.

“Me, I actually don’t want to compete with Risako-senpai for this position…but I don’t like to see this kind of new girl who is never energized…in that case, women’s wrestling will be on the decline.”

(I’ve always just taken my job seriously and haven’t even thought about that sort of thing.)

“I don’t want to be on par with her like Uehara-senpai. It’s just that if you want to go to the next level, you can do it now.” Yohiko no longer cared about anything, and her aura appeared to grow even more.

“After we beat her and sit on the throne, we can accept challenges from all over the world as the new women’s champion.”

(─Yes. Yukiko-san spent almost two years practicing alone, using the world as a stage.)

“I’m sure: if it’s Yushiko-senpai, it’ll be done, it’s just…”

“Laijima will help me too. Join me on the throne.”

“Yukiko-san is going to be paired with Raijima-san! I…”

(I’ll simply be a fan of Yushiko’s wrestling…)

Kikuchi wasn’t quite sure what position he was going to be speaking from.

“So, does Kikuchi want to do this with us?”

(Really?)

“Me?”

“Don’t be nervous, Kikuchi. I didn’t promise you a throne.”

“That’s right, I’m early.”

“I mean one is better than two, and two is better than three.”

(What to do about it…)

“You don’t have to make a decision right away. And, not to mention when to act, it’s still unknown whether you’ll even really get what you want!”

Kikuchi was always relieved.

“Yushiko-senpai, thank you very much for telling me something so important.”

“Hmm… I’m sure you can do it, Kikuchi.”

“Yushiko-senpai…”

Suddenly, Yushiko seemed to remember something. “Kikuchi, let’s go eat curry and rice, let’s go! “

“Yes, yes…”

“Don’t worry, eat as much as you want on me.”

“Curry rice again…”

“What? You mean you hate curry?”

“This…” it was really hard for Kikuchi to start.

“Aren’t you tired of eating, Sister?”

“Kikuchi, you’re exaggerating. It’s like you eat it every day, and your face looks so ugly.”

“I’m sorry. But it’s been five days in a row…”

Yushiko wondered if it was true that she had eaten for five days.

“Ah, yeah? Well then, just three bowls today.”

(That’s not the question…)

Yoshiko teased with a scowl.

“Kikuchi, you know I freak out when I’m hungry, right?”

(It’s over. It’s a red flag…)

“Ah, yes. Let’s go eat! “

“Hahaha, Kikuchi you can eat something other than curry, it’s okay.”

“Ah, is that so oh?”

“Let’s get a move on!”

Yushiko tapped Kikuchi on the shoulder and together they set off for dinner.

“Kikuchi, you’re hungry too, aren’t you?” Then without looking back, she added, “What I said just now, even though it’s for later… think about it!”

“Yes, yes.”

Although she answered with great spirit, Kikuchi was unable to organize her thoughts properly and was very troubled.

In the next series of fights, the last day of the finale, the defense of the Asian Heavyweight Championship Head Street. The challenger was Mimi Yoshiwara. This was the first time the two had encountered each other since the Fae Fighting Technique Battle. After a series of ceremonies, the duo glared at each other in the center of the ring.

“The time has finally come, don’t think I’m the same as last time!”

“It is different. But the result will definitely be the same.”

“Is that so?” Yoshiwara exclaimed as he grabbed Risako’s arm and pushed it towards the ropes.

“This is Mimi Yoshiwara’s surprise surprise attack. The announcer in the broadcasting booth shouted excitedly.

As Risako runs back, Yoshiwara moves in for an attack and then immediately chokes her. That’s when the bell rang for the match. The crowd saw this sudden attack and defense and emotions boiled over.

“This seems to be Yoshiwara’s ploy, out of Risako’s league.”

“Risako the Black Panther seems to find it very tricky to deal with this deadly attack.

Kikuchi was acting as Risako’s second-in-command at this match, and watched it from the corner. While she admired Yoshihara’s 180-degree turnaround, she was still watching Yushiko closely.

“Yoshiwara, stand up stand up!” Yukiko was desperately cheering for Yoshiwara from the sidelines.

Kikuchi looked at her for a long time, thinking about what to do about that. In fact, since that day, Yuko hadn’t heard another word about Risako.

(I’ll probably think of something good to do about that Yushiko-san thing…) Rather than her lack of self-confidence, it’s more like she doesn’t want to betray Yushiko.

“Ah, the first time Yoshiwara has landed a strike in this match. Panther is starting to get unsteady on his feet from this rapid hand attack.

“What’s Risako’s attempt to go around the back of Yoshiwara? Is she trying to do a chokehold standing up?

In that instant, Risako picked Yoshiwara up with her left wrist.

(Finished…)

Yoshiwara’s face turned pale all of a sudden. Risako’s right hand had reached under her knee.

“Ah. – It’s a neck-and-foot double snare.

Then Yoshiwara’s body was bowed up and his entire head touched the ground.

It’s time for the winner. Risako will be victorious with this perfect move!

The referee begins to read the seconds.

“Yoshiwara, kick your feet up! “

One, two.

“Can Mimi Yoshihara break free?

Three.

“Yoshiwara can’t move. Risako the Panther made a neck and foot double snap and pinned Yoshiwara to retain the Asian Heavyweight Championship.

“The throne of Japan’s top player did not change hands. Risako Black Panther wins.

At that moment, Kikuchi saw a figure seize the microphone at the announce table. Yukiko, microphone in hand, stares at the ring with wide eyes. Next to her stood Raijima with his hands tucked into his waistline. Both of these men cast their eyes on Risako, who had her hand raised by the referee.

(Y-Yuki-chan and the others are in a place like this…)

Kikuchi clutches the towel he’s supposed to be handing Risako and stands nervously in the corner of the ring.

What’s going on? It’s like Maddie and the Bomb are about to announce something…

Yoshiko steps into the ring and slowly raises her right hand up to point at Risako.

chap

“Ah… Yukiko Mette has a microphone in her hand…

This sudden situation caused a big commotion in the entire venue. Not only the audience, but also Risako, who jumped out to challenge Yuushiko.

“Risako, this is no longer the time for you to be satisfied with just the Asian Championship!” Yukiko, who had ascended to the ring, shouted at Risako.

“Our goal is to be placed in the world championship!”

(Yukiko-senpai really means it.)

“Does Yushiko mean she’s going to betray the Panthers!? The announcer stood up excitedly.

“Yuuki-chan, Laijima, I’m not going to let you guys have it yet yo.” Risako said calmly.

(What’s wrong? Risako looks a little weak…)

“Yukiko and Bomb, constantly glaring at Risako the Black Panther without moving a muscle. What kind of storm will they stir up among the new girls?

Amidst the several of them looking at each other, Kikuchi looked around nervously.

(However, if I don’t follow Yushiko-senpai now, I won’t be able to be with her in the future…)

“First, you’ll have to take away my Asian title belt before you talk big.”

“Then excuse me, please get down on the ground and let us step over it.”

Originally, there was only Raijima next to Yukiko, but at some point Yoshiwara, who had just lost to Risako, also appeared.

“Yuki-chan, I want to join you.”

Although it can be said to be the same time as Risako, Yoshiwara, who actually has very little seniority, adds ‘little sister’ to the name of almost all the contestants.

“Yoshiwara-senpai…”

(Huh? Yoshihara-san too…)

“I just lost to her, but my goal is to defeat Risako just the same. Can I cooperate with you guys?”

“…hmmm. There’s nowhere else we can run to anyway.”

“I know that, Yuki-chan.”

They clasped hands, but Yuukiko didn’t take her eyes off Risako.

“Whoo-hoo!

Not how often, the Ree Announcer just watched the events unfold and didn’t say anything.

At that moment, a gorgeous cocky laugh was heard, and everyone shifted the focus of their eyes to where the end of the passage was.

“Oh-ho-ho-ho, can you please wait until after you beat me?”

Of course this is the voice of the beautiful Ichigaya.

“How can a weak brat like you get a world crown single, Yushiko.”

“Nonsense. Ichiya, it’s none of your business!”

“Heh heh heh, you’re still in good spirits. But do you think you can maintain such a good spirit forever?”

“I’ll fight you next time, get the hell out of here!” Yushiko couldn’t take it anymore and let out a loud shout.

“You don’t have to worry about anything, it doesn’t matter.”

“Ugly blonde, what do you mean?” Laishima had been silent when his emotions suddenly erupted.

“Oy vey, you too?”

“You son of a bitch…”

“Oh─hahahaha. Anyway, Yushiko and Sakuma-senpai, you all don’t need to fight anymore. The New Japan Women’s Wrestling Association, leave it to me, the beauty, beauty, incarnation, the beautiful Ichigaya.”

Ichiya struck a gorgeous pose and waited for the crowd’s reaction. This makes Kikuchi’s brain even more disorganized.

(Yikes… even Ichiya-san…)

However, instead of the loud applause she was expecting Ichiya got boos.

“What, what is this? Yushiko, are you locking the 15 million Ichigaya fans who support me out of the venue?”

“Stupid!”

Laishima and Youteko looked at each other.

“I don’t know how you counted them, there were so many of them? Let’s call all of them next time.”

“How dare Laijima, who doesn’t even have a back-up club, say that…makes my ears sound uncomfortable enough, huh ah.”

“Damn it.”

Yushiko stopped the enraged Laishima and slowly walked in the direction of Ichigaya.

“Ichiya, get your ass back to the countryside.”

The venue couldn’t help but lose their laughter upon hearing Yushiko’s usual line.

“Forget it. Remember that. Next time it’s your turn to cry, oh-ho-ho-ho.” Ichigaya exited the arena with a long laugh.

(Uh? Minami-san too…)

Minami, who had stayed by the venue, followed Ichiya out.

“Really, don’t have that kind of free time to nag you.” Laishima said dismissively, and Yukiko prodded her a bit.

“Risako, I’ll kill you-” Yuko cried out, her face glowing even more brightly.

(So handsome…)

Risako, who had been keeping her head down, quietly took the microphone.

“Yushiko, even Ichiya said so…”

“That guy, I don’t give a shit about her!”

“You’re the one who split the new girl into three parts.”

(Wow, Risako-san is finally angry…)

By Risako’s rare angry roar, the venue became silent.

“…I know. But there’s no stopping it anymore. We’ll never make it to the world if Risako leads the New Girl!”

“That’s right!” As if he couldn’t stand the ambiguous attitude of Risako, Laishima began to get impatient.

“The three of you, can you do it?”

(Three people? There’s only three of them, Yukiko-san…)

“Maybe you’ll end up all by yourself yo!” Raijima yelled as he grabbed the microphone from Yushiko.

“Haha, the champion, there can only ever be one.” Risako couldn’t help but laugh.

“Kid, you know how I’ve made it through all these years on my own?”

“What did you call me…”

“Laishima, don’t let her get riled up so easily.” Yoshiko suppressed Raijima’s agitated emotions, then squinted at Risako.

Risako was putting down her microphone and talking to Kikuchi.

“What about you, Kikuchi? You’ve always followed Yukiko, will you do the same in the future?”

“I…”

(What should I do… Risako-san will be miserable if she becomes alone, but if I don’t join Yukiko-san here, I won’t be able to talk to her like I used to, so there’s no point in me coming here to join the new girl…)

Kikuchi felt dizzy all of a sudden.

(I came in here because I admire Yushiko-senpai… If I keep going like this, I’ll just stay behind Yushiko-senpai…? …If I get stronger, maybe I can…?)

“Kikuchi, let’s get stronger together.”

Suddenly hearing Yukiko’s voice calling out, Kikuchi finally made up her mind.

(Decision made!)

“Yes.”

Kikuchi ran to Risako first.

“Risako-san!”

“Hey! Kikuchi!” Laishima tried to run to Kikuchi, and Yohiko pulled her any with her hand and just shook her head silently.

“Risako-senpai, I’m sorry.” Kikuchi desperately bent over to apologize.

“Kikuchi, I certainly won’t lose to you either.” Risako whispered to her while smiling gently.

“Yes, but I’ll be cheering.”

(I must follow Yukiko-senpai.)

Kikuchi ran to the opposite corner where Yuushiko and the girls were, confirming her decision one more time.

(Because I think Yukiko-san is the best, that’s why I joined the new girl…)

“Kikuchi, you’re such a…”

Laishima doesn’t hesitate to kick Kikuchi’s ass. Despite being kicked forward, Kikuchi looked pleased. With the decision made, Kikuchi returned to his old spirit.

“Yushiko-senpai…I want to follow Yushiko-senpai.”

“Kikuchi, you can’t do this halfway, okay?”

“Yes.”

“If you don’t follow the practice properly, you’ll be kicked out oh.”

“Yes, more please.”

Kikuchi made his voice as loud as it could go, as usual. The audience was starting to get a little impatient watching the long back and forth.

Risako calculated the moment and once again grabbed the microphone and yelled. “Got you guys, let’s split!”

Yushiko’s expression was incredibly serious.

“Let’s split it if we can.”

In the midst of all the tension in the room, Kikuchi yelled out to Risako. “Please split!”

(Note: with the meaning of ‘please disgrace’)

In an instant, the entire venue fell completely silent. Laishima whispered to Kikuchi.

“Hey, that…means something a little different oh.”

(Huh?)

In an instant, all the people in the venue let out a loud laugh. Even Yuuzou-chan and Risako couldn’t suppress their laughter and couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

According to Yukiko and the girls’ resolution, from that night on, the new girl was in a three-way tie.

First of all, the leader, Risako, and the players who followed her were, needless to say, of course the regular army of the new girl. The four of them, Yukiko, were treated as the Revolutionary Army.

It’s just that Ichigaya, a group (a group, but just a doubles partner with the Minami duo) that plays more than half of its matches against foreign players, hasn’t really shifted much so far.

With some time left until the next series of challenges, Yukiko and the girls decided to try not to use the dojo for physical training, but instead to practice in the gym with the latest machines they had found on the island of Rai. Only the rings had to be staggered and used separately.

While the members of the regular army finished practicing, Yuushiko and the girls returned to the dojo from the gym. Might as well why, Minami, who was supposed to move together with Ichiya, was among them.

The time when the Kikuchi girls used the ring was almost always at night. This was for the sake of trying not to cross paths with regular army players. There was nothing that could be done about it, even though the amount of sleep would be reduced.

The rooms in the dormitory were handled in the same way, with Fujishima and Kikuchi, who shared the same room, taking the opportunity to move to their own rooms.

“Fujishima, even though we’re separated, we’re still contemporaries in the year 90, go for it!” Kikuchi said as she carried her luggage. She was as excited as a little kid before a hike.

“Are Yushiko-senpai’s supporters all in favor of her changing her stance?”

“Uh? Why do you ask?”

“…What why, she’s been following Risako-senpai all this time, how dare she?”

“Th-Though, Yushiko-senpai is very strict when practicing.”

“That hurts…” sighed Fujishima deeply as he felt unable to communicate.

“Hey! Fujishima, is the Revolutionary Army playing the bad guy?”

“…I’m not really sure. Does it matter?”

“Because, it’s not wrong for me to think about Yuuki-chan-senpai any more…”

“I don’t know. Even if it’s a revolution, what difference does it make?”

“Yeah. Th, different oh, I think.”

Wanting to go on and on without end, Fujishima silently went back to carrying her luggage.

Yuushiko and her group, the Revolutionary Army, were named the ‘Angels of the Ring’ by the pro wrestling media. Yushiko looked at the reports related to the Revolutionary Army and thought for a moment.

“Angel?…Laijima, what do you think?”

“I don’t like it.” Laishima still didn’t change his cold expression.

“Really, coming to the island all the time.”

“But wouldn’t it be nice to have an image of wings and flight?”

It wasn’t long after the four decided to get together that Yoshiwara acted as if he was the protector of the ‘Angel of the Ring’.

“Yeah, Yoshiwara-senpai.”

“Now is the time for everyone to fly off into a brilliant future, but I’ll forget it.”

“No such thing! Aren’t we going to beat Risako-senpai together?” Kikuchi didn’t know she was joking at all.

“You, you’re always so serious no matter what, won’t you be embarrassed about Yoshiwara-senpai?” Laishima lectured as he couldn’t stand Kikuchi’s stupid repartee.

“To choose, I think a name that feels powerful would be better.”

“That won’t do, our leader is Yuuki-chan-senpai yeah. It’s better to have a handsome and gorgeous name.”

“So I’m a fool…” said Laishima, slumping his shoulders in discouragement, and Yoshiwara couldn’t help but laugh.

It’s the fourth year of spring for pro Riyu Kikuchi. As soon as the series of battles began, even the schedule was separate from the regular single as in practice.

They do not take buses, but minibuses for business purposes. Sometimes a driver is not available, so Yoshihara, who has a driver’s license, drives.

These four, who often acted together, became stronger every day. The main matches were almost always Regulars against Angels, though the combo list would often change. Kikuchi’s job, of course, was to be the charge leader.

With a long white bandana tied around her head, charging for the Angel Army, Yohiko said, “This is what I used overseas, it will bring you vigor.” Yohiko gave it to her with a special cheer for her.

Sure, Kikuchi got beat up every day, but she still fought with grit. Kikuchi never even made it to the semi-finals, but she still put up a competent and good performance when she fought the finale with amazing gusto.

(Yukiko-san gave me a headscarf, and it’s fantastic…)

In the beginning, the other three had to cover and help Kikuchi all the time, but after the series of battles in the first cycle, there was no such need. Although I can’t say that Kikuchi is playing like a main event player, she doesn’t look like a novice anymore.

Summer.

Before the match, in the middle of the arena, Fujishima is doing an interactive squat jump.

“Oyah! Fujishima who hates practicing, what a rarity.”

Fujishima doesn’t answer her at all.

“What’s wrong? “

“…It’s so hard.”

“Ah yes, Fujishima is in the regular army and is not quite able to speak to us.”

“Hmph.” Fujishima looked back, seemingly rather upset.

“What gives you the right to play the finale and I’ll just keep playing the game before halftime?”

Indeed between the two, such a difference exists.

“How so…”

“If you’re really that strong, Kikuchi, I can accept it…” said Fujishima in an exasperated Kansai accent as if he had a very large amount of resentment built up.

“Fujishima should be cheering up too.”

“When it’s our turn to fight, I’ll never lose to you.”

(What’s going on? Ah, maybe I can…)

“Would Fujishima like to come to Yukiko-senpai? We can come together to change the new girl.”

“Why? Isn’t Yushiko-senpai less popular than me?”

Her answer was unexpected.

“Huh? No such thing!”

“Aren’t almost all of that guy’s supporters just wrestling fans?”

“Wouldn’t that be great?”

“…You don’t understand. Kikuchi you don’t understand me.” She waved her sweat-stained hair.

(What a pain in the ass…)

Kikuchi thought, “Anyway, we have to cheer her up first,” and held Fujishima’s hand tightly.

“If even I can do it, of course you can too, Fujishima. So work hard and cheer up so we can face each other in the finale someday!”

Fujishima had a rather disgusted expression after hearing that.

“Kikuchi you really have no nerve.” Suddenly flung a slap at Kikuchi.

Kikuchi’s entire body froze.

(Why are you hitting me…?)

“You’re nothing more than a follower of Yushiko-senpai.”

(What?)

“Fujishima you’re going too far. I’ve been very serious every day to get here today.”

“That’s just how you think of yourself.”

“In that case, you’d better get some gas yourself.”

“I don’t want to talk to you anymore. Poorly. Every day your angel army loses because of you.”

(POPPING)

“I don’t understand. Fujishima, you’re just jealous of me.”

Kikuchi couldn’t help but shed tears. The two began slapping each other’s faces hard.

“I don’t care, Fujishima I don’t care about you.”

“I don’t want to care about sons of bitches like you either…”

Fujishima is also agitated and crying desperately. At that moment, Hori, who happened to be passing by them, pulled the fiercely arguing duo apart.

“Hey, what are you guys doing? The audience is about to enter, yay.”

“I’m sorry. But Fujishima, she…”

“Really, if you want to fight go to the ring. It’s a waste of effort!” The warden was a bit angry.

“But Fujishima just said he was beating me because I fought the finale.”

“I don’t think so?”

“I’m sorry. I said that to Kikuchi…”

“There’s really nothing I can do about you guys. Aren’t you two contemporaries who live by each other’s side? Didn’t you get through the grueling practice together?”

“That’s what I thought.” Kikuchi calmed down a bit.

“Yeah. But I’m not weaker than her…” pouted Fujishima, still angry.

（What? You’re still dead.)

“Hey, what are you guys doing? What’s going on?”

As the gentle Hori began to feel annoyed, there came the sound of Laijima’s shouting.

“Kikuchi, come to practice.”

Yoshiko and the others have made their way to ringside.

“Raijima-senpai, I’ll be right there.” Kikuchi immediately darted in the direction of the ring.

“…” beamed Kikuchi as she ran.

“Ai, I really can’t stand these two brats…” as it turned out, he still couldn’t satisfactorily reconcile the two of them to Hori, and kept chattering under his breath.

“What exactly happened with Fujima?” Yukiko asked worriedly as she looked at Kikuchi’s crying face.

“She wanted me to be the only one treated better, so…”

“What! That’s because Kikuchi’s been working so hard lately!” Laishima said with a crooked head. Yukiko, who was beside her, thought to herself that that was the case!

“There’s no such thing, is there? That Fujishima kid, he can just blurt out such capricious words!”

“Uh…”

“She seems to think she’s the cutest girl in the world and doesn’t give a damn about me.”

Yohiko suddenly remembered and her mood turned a little sour.

“No, no, nothing like that….. Fujishima, she also admires Yushiko-senpai very much…”

“Ouch? Didn’t you just get out of a fight with Fujima?” Laishima’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Ah, that’s true though…”

“Kikuchi-chan is really a gentle little girl.”

At Yoshiwara’s words, Yushiko nodded her head in agreement on one side, but on the other hand her expression became a bit serious.

“But yeah, Kikuchi. He’s going to have to completely fulfill the spirit of a wrestler and not disgrace the name of the Angel of the Ring.”

“Yes…”

“That’s why Fujishima herself has to be cheered up. You can’t care what she says.”

“Kikuchi your heart is too soft.”

“But there’s no way I can be as cool as Raijima-san…”

“This isn’t going to work yo, Kikuchi. Yoshiwara right?”

“Yushi-chan, you’re hurting my brain by asking that yeah. In terms of wrestlers, Kikuchi-chan is my senior.”

“That’s no such thing. Before Yoshiwara-senpai joined New Girl, she was the queen of all Japan’s karate four-peat, and she’s much better than me.”

(I barely even passed my entrance exam…)

“Say what! You guys just have to treat me as a newcomer…”

“In that case it’s really true yeah, the Asian heavyweight gold medal that’s not something you can just say you’ll get.” Laishima’s expression suddenly became serious.

“Laijima-chan…”

“That’s right, especially since Yoshihara-senpai is the same age as Risako-senpai again.”

“Even Yuki-chan-chan says such things…. Well, well, well, I’m just an Obasan anyway.”

“That’s not true, Yoshiwara-senpai you…” said Kikuchi anxiously trying to lighten the mood.

“Kikuchi…do you think I meant what I said to Yuki-chan?”

(Uh?)

“Should have heard us joking, right? “

“Ah, what the…”

“Okay, okay, don’t be mad…”

“Yushiko-senpai, does everyone think I’m retarded?”

“Hahaha, you know it yourself.”

“Really─even Yushiko-senpai teases people like that.”

Although tired from the daily battles, the atmosphere of the Angel Army was always cheerful and cheerful. With each new series of battles fought, the Angel Army’s record became more and more impressive.

Although Risako never agreed to a one-on-one singles match with Yukiko, all but Risako were defeated by Yukiko in singles, forcing Risako to accept Yukiko’s final challenge.

At the exit of the station, on the leafy road, pedestrians are like mom and pop ants. After climbing up the slope, there was a magnificent octagonal building in front of her. In the basement lounge of this building, Yukiko covered her head with a towel and tried to concentrate her mind.

“Yushiko, it’s up to you!”

Raijima, who had just finished his last match, wiped away his sweat while cheering Yukiko on.

“Go for it!”

Yoshiwara had changed his outfit and was standing against the wall.

“Yushiko-senpai will definitely win.” Kikuchi’s psyche had been excited for a long time.

The atmosphere in this ready room actually seemed somewhat relaxed for the challenger.

It’s finally time for Yushiko to challenge Risako for the Asian Heavyweight Championship belt.

“Don’t worry, I won’t lose.” This was the goal that had been decided upon from the time of the split, the battle she was most looking forward to.

The cheerful Yushiko, more or less, could not hide the nervousness in her heart.

“But it seems like no one has ever taken the Asian title in their first challenge.”

“Laishima-senpai, is it okay to say that before the match…”

“Don’t worry! Kikuchi. I wouldn’t care.” Yushiko seemed to be able to talk and laugh.

“Uh…yeah.”

“Really, it’s true that it’s still Yuki-chan’s words that are useful.”

“It’s not like that, Raijima-senpai’s words are useful too.” Kikyou hurriedly defended.

“Anyway, I’m an Obasan and I’m Kikuchi-chan’s schoolmate…”

“Geez, Yoshiwara-senpai, you’re really an Obasan…”

Looking at the even more nervous Kikuchi, the three couldn’t help but snicker.

“Really, people are teasing me before such an important game!”

“Kikuchi’s smiling face will put everyone in good spirits, so what’s wrong with that?”

“Is it? Is it true? “

“Really yo!” Yushiko slapped Kiku on his shoulder.

“Th-that’s fine. Yushiko-senpai, please make sure you win!”

“OK! After we win, we’re all going to take on the world together.”

“Finally, we’re going to get out of Asia…” said Yuuzouko and Raijima as if looking into the distance.

“Anyway, if we don’t win the match later, it’s too early to tell. The opponents are not ordinary people!” Yoshiwara reminded Yuushiko once again.

“Okay, I know…”

“Yushiko-senpai, it’s time.”

Yushiko flared up with exuberance and sprang to her feet.

“Uh, okay. Let’s go!”

It’s been a long time since New Girl started, and it’s only now that we’ve come back to this mega venue for a match. This time, such an important fight was scheduled as the opening match, so the Nippon Budokan was filled with a particularly enthusiastic atmosphere.

The convention played their exclusive theme music as the duo entered in order from the aisle between the seats. The title fight filled the venue to capacity, and as a result, the sound of wrestling fans tearing their throats out cheering loudly was anything but typical for the event.

─’Blue-Corner-Fall-‘ The ring announcer’s voice is completely muffled.

“At last, the day has come.

As the duo is introduced, the ring is immediately sprinkled with ribbons of various colors.

(It’s been years, Uehara and I were young then…) Under the hot lamp, Risako recalled the past when she was still a newcomer.

“Is Risako the Black Panther calculating what she’s going to do with the young and impetuous Yuko Miette later on? Or is she reminiscing about the long history of battles she’s had so far in this overflowing Budokan?

Risako was as oblivious as if she didn’t care about the sharp knife-like eyes that Yuushiko was projecting.

(Well─Risako seems to be much more composed…) Compared to that, Yushiko does seem to be a bit restless.

Both men leaned against the post in the corner. The clear bell was rung and the match was officially underway.

The Bell has rung. Both men are now in the middle of the ring, stepping carefully around to their right

After holding each other back with a front punt and a foot grab, Yushiko extends her right hand and asks Risako to match her strength.

“The forces of the two are still evenly matched.

The two gripped each other’s palms, both with veins visibly popping out of their foreheads.

Does Yukiko Mati have the advantage? Whoops! Panther suddenly jumps up…

With their hands still on top of each other, Risako suddenly did a high flying kick straight to Yushiko’s chest. Yushiko was kicked down to the bottom of the stage.

Risako the Panther runs to the ring ropes. Is she going to use the bounce to jump off the pendulum?

A surprised yell rings out in the arena. However, Yushiko quickly returns to the ring.

“Does a lunging Risako fall? But she grabs the lap rope and does a front flip, standing on the edge of the apron.

(Note: the apron edge is the part of the ring that protrudes beyond the ring ropes)

It was clear from the back-and-forth battle of offense and defense that the two men were sworn enemies, and the crowd applauded enthusiastically. The two can be described as a chess match, wrestling each other.

About fifteen minutes into the match, the situation took a turn for the worse. Yushiko made a mistake and was grabbed by Risako and attacked with an inverted head plant to the back.

“Will Yukiko be able to stand up after being hit in the back of the head from such a dangerous angle?

“Yushiko-senpai, there’s a gap in the back.”

Yoshiko prepares to move across the room. The moment she was attacked by an inverted head plant, Yohiko circled around behind Risako.

“Ahhhh… Now Yushiko counters with the ‘Locking Face Palm’… and a beautiful attack is coming up…

This advance and retreat of offense and defense went on and on.

The two are completely at odds with each other. But there’s no way to decide the winner yet…

The duo kept making their own specialties. Yushiko uses a high speed front hold. Risako chimes in with a jabbing elbow strike. Yoshiko bounces off the middle ring ropes and hits a missile leg kick. Risako returns the favor with a ‘DDT’ attack.

(Note: DDT is a technique where you face your opponent and jump up with your armpits around his head. Then you land on your back and hit your opponent’s head or face.)

The continuous advanced techniques made the entire Budokan almost go crazy for these two.

At the end of twenty minutes, Yushiko, who had jumped up and was about to deliver a jumping knee strike, had her entire body grabbed by Risako.

This is the ‘Neck and Foot Double Snap’. Will Metty be crushed by this move like countless other challengers in the past?

Desperately struggling, Yushiko tried to grab the ring rope with all her might. Risako tried her best to drag her back. However, it’s too late, Yushiko has already grabbed it tightly.

“Yushiko is smart enough not to put herself in harm’s way. Then…kicks the Panther in the back of the head as hard as she can.

“Yushiko, it worked!” Laishima yelled, pointing at Risako.

(It’s OK, it’s NOW!!!)

Yushiko wants to split the difference on this, and she starts by slamming Risako into the near corner post.

This is the prelude to a fatal move. As Risako’s wrestling fans screamed in agony, Yushiko climbed down to the bottom post…

The perfect ‘Moonlight Thunder Slash’ struck Risako’s body heavily.

The referee counts to two, and the Panther stubbornly rolls over.

Turning to Risako, who was moaning in pain, Yushiko slammed her knee into her throat and climbed up the ring post once again.

“Another ‘Moonlight Thunder Chop! Will it work?

Matching the referee’s movements, Kikuchi and the others began to yell.

“One, two…aaahhh─”

“Breaking free again. It’s the willpower of the champion Panther Risako, and she won’t be defeated so soon.

“Yushiko-senpai, displeasingly let the match end!!!”

（This is my trick!)

Yoshiko dragged Risako up and around behind her. Like a dry land, she grabbed her waist and fell backwards. It’s a German-style reverse hold.

“Meti builds a beautiful physical bridge…this is the first time that Yukiko Meti has shown her German reverse fixation. I didn’t realize she was hiding such a great skill. The referee is starting to read the marvelous…

“One…”

(Risako-san, please just like this stop…) Kikuchi was so excited that she almost cried out.

“Two…”

Laishima has his hands on the ropes.

The Three! It’s a tie!

“Success! “

The moment the count of three was reached, the entire audience of the Budokan stood up together.

The Champion is crowned. Yukiko Miti destroys the undefeated Panther Rikugaiko with the ‘Original Explosive Solid’!

(Note: The German Reverse Fixation posture has been described as an atomic bomb explosion, hence the name ‘Original Explosive Fixation’.)

Kikuchi and other members of the Angel Army immediately swarmed and crowded the ring entrance.

“Yukiko Miette, in her first challenge, succeeded in winning the Asian Heavyweight Championship belt. She took it beautifully from Risako Black Panther, who symbolizes the indicator of the new female spirit.

Yushiko ascends the corner posts to acknowledge the crowd’s cheers. Laishima and Yoshiwara, scramble to shake hands with Yushiko, who is back on the ring floor.

“Awesome! Yuki-chan! “

“Youteko little sister, has you!”

As a result of this battle, the Black Panther Risako group, which had long been in control of the new women’s division, collapsed. The Legion of Angels, having succeeded in achieving supremacy, completed the generational change and ushered in a new era for women’s wrestling.

Next to Yushiko, who had her hand raised high in the air by the referee, Kikuchi cried tears of joy with excitement.

“It worked, worthy of Yushiko-senpai, Yushiko-senpai is the best…” said Kikuchi as she desperately raised Yushiko’s other empty hand high in the air.

Risako, who managed to stand up, approached while rubbing her neck.

“…a total loss!”

“Risako-senpai…thank you!” Yuushiko’s hands clasped Risako’s hands tightly.

“Say what thank you! I lost with conviction…” said Risako as she faced the four men of the Angel Army.

“I can see that you’ve all worked very hard. In the future, the burden of the New Girl will fall on your shoulders…”

“Yes, we’ll cheer!”

“Heh! Kikuchi’s gotten pretty good too!”

“Risako-san…”

“Now, Risako the Panther, is putting the title belt around Yushiko.

Risako took Yushiko’s hand and raised it high in the air so that all the spectators could see it, and began to answer the salute in all directions. Cheers like a great storm and the voices of wrestling fans chanting Yushiko’s name echoed nonstop.

After this battle, Miette Yukiko finally sits on the new queen’s throne.

Of course, the battle of the Ring Angels would not end there. For them, the greater and more daunting challenge of ‘the world’ awaits.

On the fifth day of this battle of generational change, in the new female office. Risako was sitting at her desk, and Yukiko and the other four were standing side by side.

“But Risako-senpai, if we’re leaving Japan so soon…” said Yukiko to Risako, looking somewhat apologetic, while the other three were silent.

“Never mind. This is a dream I can’t fulfill, and you guys have to go and do it for me.”

“Risako-san…”

“And, of course, you’re not allowed to come back until you’ve won the World Championship!” Risako kept waving her pen in front of the four.

“Got it? “

“I see. Risako-senpai, thank you very much!”

“The new girl is still centered on me at the moment, do you guys mind?”

“Is it really okay to bother you?”

“What are you talking about?” Risako stood up abruptly, staring straight at Yushiko.

“Do you want to make the same mistake I made when I couldn’t set foot in the world?”

“No…we’re definitely going to get the world title back…”

“Then you will fight to your hearts’ content!”

“Yes, please!”

Risako sighed softly as she glanced at the office door.

“The one in the most trouble right now is Ichiya…”

“I’m sorry for the sudden visit…” a cocky laugh turned up from behind Yushiko.

“Oh-ho-ho-ho, Yuki-chan, absconding overseas again?”

“Not at all, Ichiya-senpai…”

“It’s okay, Kikuchi. Ichiya, I’ll be in trouble from now on…”

“Do you think the new girl is in any danger with me around?” Ichigaya responded coldly, though the tone of his voice came lower than before.

“No, no, we’re at ease.” Laishima felt something was wrong and immediately interjected.

“…Oh─hahaha, even if you guys aren’t there, to the new girl’s popularity…anyway, just leave the new girl to me without any worries…”

Today’s Ichigaya doesn’t feel as if it’s quite the same as before, and Kikuchi can’t help but nod vigorously.

“Ichiya-senpai, I’ll have to favor you from now on!”

“Hmph! Even if you’re overseas, you’ll still experience the regret of not being able to fight me.”

（She’s got a good side, too!)

“Yes.”

“No matter what, with a great talent like me around, you guys definitely don’t have to worry. Oh─huhuh!”

Gazing at Ichigaya’s departing back, everyone was flooded with smiles.

It was finally the day of departure. The halls of the international airport were just as crowded as the day of Yuushiko’s first expedition. The four of them, Yukiko, Raijima, Yoshihara, and Kikuchi, were dressed in identical outfits. Risako tapped the four on the shoulders, constantly whispering in their ears. However, Kikuchi was looking around somewhat absentmindedly.

“Ah…” said Kikuchi’s eyes, suddenly stopping at a point.

“What’s wrong, Kikuchi? “

“Fujishima she…”

Behind the square beams, Fujishima stood there coyly.

“…Fujishima!” Kikuchi looked back at Yukiko and the girls.

“Go on!” Laishima pushed Kikuchi’s back.

Kikuchi walks towards Fujishima with the same pace he used when he walked into the ring at the start of the match.

“Haha, Fujishima, you’re still here…”

“Kikuchi…” said Fujishima, seemingly having trouble speaking.

“Fujishima, thank you for coming to see me off. I’ve been looking for you…”

“…Be cheerful!” Fujishima managed to squeeze out a little voice.

“Uh…”

“I’ll get stronger too!”

“Uh…”

“When you come back, the first thing you have to do is beat me…”

The two of them hugged their heads and cried at the same time.

“Thanks…”

“I’m sorry, I’m the one who was jealous of you and said nasty things to you last time!”

“I’m the one…”

Looking at the two embracing each other, everyone else felt a warmth in their hearts.

“You haven’t been talking to me…I thought you hated me already…”

“How come? There’s only two of us left among our contemporaries…”

“Well-we’re contemporaries…”

“Cheer up! The two who depend on each other…” said Kikuchi, wiping away her tears and smiling at Fujishima.

“Fujishima stop slacking off oh!”

“Ah, did you tell anyone?”

“Hahaha, sorry sorry sorry!”

Fujishima also broke into tears.

“You really have to go for it!”

“Well, so are you.”

The two of them clasped hands and clung to each other, when there was a call from Yukiko. “Kikuchi, it’s time to go.”

“Yes, Yushiko-senpai. See you later! Fujishima.”

“Kikuchi, take care!”

Kikuchi waved his arms and hurried toward Yushiko. The four of them walked into the boarding gate, and Fujishima still kept waving his hand. As Fujishima’s tears dried for the wind, the plane the Angel Army were on began to take off and march into the world.

Chapter V

The Angels of the Ring, who traveled all the way to the United States, have been bouncing around on their conquests and continue to pass on the good news. Since Yushiko had garnered considerable acclaim from her previous expedition, it wasn’t difficult to arrange the schedule, and even the US Heavyweight Championship was easily secured.

Laijima and Yukiko formed a doubles partner and went on to knock out many well-known competitors, while Yoshihara’s addition of karate, which he hadn’t used in a long time, to his wrestling repertoire was also quite popular.

Kikuchi was at a disadvantage during singles matches due to his smaller stature, but was very much on top of his game when paired with the other three.

“American standards aren’t that high!” Yoshiwara said this to Yushiko. It might cause a commotion if word got out, but the level of activity of the girls did prove that they had the strength to say that.

The Angels have traveled across the United States and Canada, racking up victories. They were received with the highest level of hospitality everywhere, and conquering ‘the world’ was no longer out of reach.

Next on the schedule is Yukiko’s challenge to IWWF World Queen Remi Dardan. She challenged the IWWF World Queen, Remi Dardan, to a match.

However, the Angels who were waiting to get to New York heard something shocking. There was no longer a title belt around Dadan’s waist. According to reports, the IWWF World Heavyweight Championship has been brought back to Japan ahead of Ichiya.

“That’s so uncharacteristic…” exclaimed Laishima, slamming the clothing closet.

“Didn’t we connect with the IWWF when we first arrived in America?” Yoshihara also looked downcast.

“Yeah…”

“What the hell is going on? What the hell is Ichiya up to?”

“How should I know, it’s not my fault…”

“Yeah. Raijima-senpai, the one who’s most disappointed is Yukiko-senpai…” even Kikuchi was a little bit unable to hold her tongue.

“It was taken from here, wasn’t it? Why didn’t Risako-senpai stop her?”

“Hey, it’s Risakoie…do you think she’ll stop it?”

“…said as well.”

“It’s so over the top. Her loss to Yushiko-senpai should be without expedition rights.”

“Something about giving her the new girl…”

“That’s right. Thought she was a good person, but told a big lie…”

As he kept chastising Ichiya, Yoshihara turned to Yukiko. “So, what should we do?”

“That’s true…” sighed Yuko helplessly.

“It’s not a bad idea to stay in the US, but haven’t all the players been beaten by us almost all the time?”

“That’s right, and I only have a few left.”

“Yeah, even Laishima-chan can’t find an enemy.” Yoshiwara continued.

“But I want to go back…”

“Yoshiwara-senpai?”

“Although this trip to America has been very rewarding. But, I haven’t defeated Risako yet…”

“Yeah. It seems like we’re kind of forgetting Yoshiwara-senpai’s original goal…”

Yohiko lowered her head in a not-so-good-natured manner.

“It doesn’t matter. Because I was initially just using Yushi-chan to fulfill a wish…”

“Because you can’t fight Risako-san if you don’t, it can’t be helped! “

“Yushiko, what should we do now?”

“Well…”

“Laijima-chan have any ideas?”

“…how about a visit to Europe?”

Surprised, Yushiko looked at Raijima who answered after thinking for a moment.

“Yeah? You think so too, Laishima…”

“Huh?”

“When I ran into the EWA players on the last expedition, they had mentioned it to me. So there should be a doorway to get there.”

Raijima gently knocked Yushiko’s back. “Alright, then we’ll go to Europe before returning to Japan.”

“Yeah! It’s a little embarrassing to go back to Japan in this condition…”

A much more relaxed Laijima, heading in the direction of Kikuchi.

“Kikuchi, you’re coming along, aren’t you?”

Kikuchi had been silent since just now.

“This…”

“Uh, what’s going on?” Yohiko asked worriedly.

“Yushiko-senpai, I…I’m not going…”

“What’s the matter? Kikuchi-chan, what a rarity!”

“Yeah, are you homesick?”

Everyone was taken aback by Kikuchi, who always followed Yuko.

“What the hell is going on?”

“No, it’s nothing…”

Laishima cocked his head in confusion. “Don’t know what you mean…”

Kikuchi, in deep thought, suddenly looked up. “I…I want to go to Mexico. I want to practice alone.”

Kikuchi baffled the three men with these sudden words.

“Kikuchi, are you okay being alone?” Yoshiko stared at Kikuchi.

“It won’t be a problem. I can’t keep relying on my schoolmates for everything…”

“Yaaaah, the little girl has finally grown up!”

“Well-Laijima-san is making fun of me again…”

“Haha give! But you really scared me when you said you were going to Mexico!”

“Yes, I didn’t realize that Kikuchi-chan was so uptight!”

“Yoshiwara-senpai made fun of me too. I’m a professional wrestler too!”

The four men began their preparations for departure.

“Yushiko-senpai, I’ll make a name for myself in Mexico just like you did.”

“Haha, you don’t want to be too energetic and get hurt instead!”

The four of them talked and laughed happily before saying goodbye at the airport.

As they move on to their respective destinations, a woman named Black Star Kayos, a rare Masked Man women’s wrestler, is traveling from Japan to the United States. Interestingly, she was carrying the IWWF World Heavyweight Championship belt she had taken from Ichiya.

In Mexico City. Kikuchi, who exited the airport, immediately took a bus to the city center. Close to the Mexico Stadium, the AAC office was located.

“Are you Kikuchi from New Girl? I’m Carlos.”

Carlos was the organizer of the Mexican tournament, and Kikuchi remembered him as a huge man with menacing eyes, but when he spoke he felt quite sincere.

“Yes, I’m Kikuchi Gekuyu. I’d appreciate your guidance.”

Karos frowned.

“Do you usually talk this loud?”

“Yes.”

“Well─that kind of energy is fine for the ring.”

“Never mind. I’ll acknowledge the crowd with a louder voice during the game.”

Not to be outdone by the energetic Kikuchi after all, Carlos would sigh softly.

“Okay! Then you’ll need some gas…”

The next afternoon, Kikuchi was introduced to Drake’s practice field through Carlos to begin her training. Yukiko had also been here when she was on her expedition. Drake was the name of Luda, the nemesis of Mexico’s Karas. Although Drake’s personality had many flaws, his dojo was well-equipped, and many competitors came here to train their physical fitness.

Just as Kikuchi was working out as diligently as many of the contestants, he noticed that there was someone who kept staring at him intently.

(I think I’ve seen that guy in a magazine…)

Kikuchi was desperately trying to recall it in her head as she did the frogman’s maneuver.

(Uh…it’s…Elle…right?) Xander, right?)

Elle Sande is one of the brightest stars in wrestling. A masked female competitor who was a comet in the wrestling world, Shand became a top competitor in a very short period of time and earned the title of ‘The Saint’.

(Does she rarely see Japanese people?)

Kikuchi stared back at Al. Xander, however, Xander quickly turned his head and walked into the bathroom.

(Yay? Hasn’t that guy been fighting against Drake…)

Kikuchi didn’t have time to think about it, however, and was soon practicing hard with his head in his hands.

Kiku he tour of the Mexican country was finally underway. She’s been traveling almost exclusively by bus, and her packed schedule has left her a little out of breath.

(Is that how Yukiko-senpai got through it, too? …) Because the match was so tight, Kikuchi had to think so.

After practicing every morning at each area dojo, she competed in the evenings. Being unguided, she didn’t learn the beautiful and fast fighting maneuvers of the Mexicans, but that same unchanging loud voice did earn her a lot of applause from the spectators.

After about two months, Carlos brought Kikuchi to him.

“You’ve been doing well lately!”

“It’s not bad! I’ve got the names of all the venues in my head.”

“Yeah? Still, it’s not good enough just to be loud.”

“No, I didn’t. I’m desperate too…” said Kikuchi with a somewhat disgruntled stumble.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I understand you have a lot of energy.”

(It’s not all about energy…)

“I asked you to come here today for no other reason than something important…”

“Yes.”

“Do you know Desbina Ripley? Ripley?”

(Uh, I think I’ve heard of it…)

“Despina holds the IWWF Youth Title and I’m currently undecided on who I’m going to send to challenge.”

“The IWWF Youth Championship is a title belt that Yushiko-senpai has held before!” Kikyou suddenly let out a high-decibel yelp, unconsciously pounding her hand on the desk with a lucky whack.

“Yukiko? Ah-you mean Yuuki-chan? Is she okay?”

“That goes without saying. Yushiko-senpai even got her hands on the US heavyweight belt.”

“Yeah? What a good player Metty is.”

“Of course!”

“I seem to recall that she seemed to have had a lighter experience then than you have now, didn’t she?”

(It seems that way. I can’t catch up with Yukiko-san at all…)

Kikuchi hung his head a bit as Carlos slowly took the cigar out of the cigarette case.

“Any interest in challenging for the title belt?” Carlos said fluently and briskly.

“Uh?”

“IWWF Youth Title Challenge with Despina. To fight or not to fight?”

(Title Challenge? I’m the challenger?)

It was so sudden that it left Kikuchi’s mouth open and speechless.

“What’s wrong? Still not confident?”

“No, no. I want a match. Please let me challenge.”

“Good, then schedule it for three days before the grand finale that will take place. I’ll connect with the IWWF President first.”

(I…I’m going for it…)

“Thank you. I must be victorious.”

Carlos lit his cigar and smiled thoughtfully.

“Oh? Really, then have a great game!”

Kikuchi forgot even about dinner time and excitedly ran back to the Drake dojo.

The Crescio Athletic Pavilion was filled to capacity.

(I’m going to challenge the championship belt that Yukiko-san held…)

Before the match, Kikuchi, who was waiting in the ready room, had a fantasy image in his head of being just like Yushiko, with the championship belt around his waist.

(I’m one step away from getting my wish…)

Kikuchi snickered secretly as she slipped her feet into her boots, all the while picturing Yuko and the girls congratulating herself in her mind.

“Ah, the previous match seems to be finally over.” Kikuchi muttered to herself as she stood up and re-tightened the headband that Yushiko had gifted her.

Elle Shand was wearing a mask and watching Kikuchi from behind. Shand, wearing a mask, was watching Kikuchi, who was standing on his toes, from behind, but Kikuchi didn’t even realize it.

The dimly lit venue was filled with the enthusiasm of the audience. Kikuchi, who entered first, used his feet to determine the feel of the floor. It was much harder than in Japan, and the soft cushioning that should be between the cloth and the boards was as thin as if it wasn’t there. The ropes also seemed to be quite loose.

(Be careful. Never get hurt here…)

Despina entered the venue from the other end.

“XXXXXXXX!”

（What’s that? I don’t understand a word of it.)

Despina pointed at Kikuchi and cursed. She scoffs at Kikuchi and looks back rather disdainfully. Her actions caused the audience to become extremely excited.

(Probably saying something bad about me…. Whatever, can’t understand it anyway.)

Even when she got to the center of the ring for the referee to check her body, Despina’s look of making a fool out of Kikuchi still hadn’t faded at all.

(This beast, I’ll show you!)

Kikuchi, who was never prone to anger, couldn’t help but get angry. But at that moment the match bell rang, and there was no more time left to lose her temper. Despina quickly swooped in, grabbed Kikuchi’s wrist, and threw her out.

(Ah? (Yikes!)

Kikuchi can’t seem to keep up, but she still begins to fight back in her usual way.

“You- you- you- you- you- you- you- you- motherfucker-“

Kikuchi lunged forward with a yell, only to be easily dodged by Despina.

It was hard to steady herself on her feet and stand, when Despina came around behind her and tapped Kikuchi on the head.

（Don’t make a fool out of me.)

Kikuchi extends her arm and asks to match her strength, but Despina lightly jumps up and clips Kikuchi’s arm before throwing her out of the ring in the process.

Despina drops a slide kick from the stage and Kikuchi crashes into the outside fence. Despina drags Kikuchi back up onto the stage again and immediately applies another front faceplant.

“It hurts, it hurts, it hurts.”

Kikuchi collapses to the hard ring floor.

(I haven’t even attacked her yet…)

Kikuchi is pinned against the post, but breaks free just as the referee is about to call for three.

(Heh heh heh! That’s what makes me awesome…uh? What’s this…)

By the time Kikuchi realized it, his arms and legs seemed to have been grabbed by the pillar, and his body was suddenly in an unknown and uncharted state.

(What kind of trick is this? It’s weird…)

The complex Mexican joint technique caused Kikuchi’s eyes to go black for a moment.

“Uh-oh.”

Kikuchi gets angry and uses all his strength to break free, then does a quick full body throw to throw Despina out. It finally caused Desbiener some pain. Then Kikuchi threw again and again.

(You can’t keep using this move, you need to use something more powerful.) At this point Kikuchi makes a high speed frontal inverted slam.

(That’s great. That’s it. I’m gonna win!)

Despina couldn’t move. That’s when there was an alarming amount of booing from the arena.

(Huh?)

The earth-shattering rolling boos showed no sign of stopping.

“I’m not a villainous wrestler-“

Kikuchi turned toward the audience, shaking her head vigorously and yelling, but of course the audience couldn’t understand her Japanese.

(Why are you shushing me?) Kikuchi got anxious.

“You guys-I didn’t do anything bad…”

(No way-)

With a jerk of her head, the Air Kick was already flying towards her, hitting Kikuchi squarely in the face.

(Ah, an oversight on my part.)

However, there was no second wave of offense immediately afterward.

（？）

Kikuchi floated a bad feeling and looked back, and sure enough, Despina had gone up to the pillar in the corner.

(Finished…)

A missile kick hits directly to the chest, and Kikuchi doesn’t have time to protect it.

(It hurts like hell. I can’t stand it…)

Despina grabbed Kikuchi and strangled her throat with her hand.

(This guy, don’t think I’m going to let you play with me forever…)

“It’s my turn! “

Kikuchi stood firm on his horse and did a backward backward slam in a dry land position. Tough as nails, Despina rolls around on the ground in pain.

(See how agile you are? Drop you again.)

Kikuchi’s arm wraps around Despina’s neck, preparing for a frontal inverted slam. But Despina takes the same position.

(Let’s see who can throw who over. I’m pretty strong…) Kikuchi started lifting upwards with all her might.

(I won’t lose to you when it comes to strength…huh?)

In a flash, Kikuchi’s head hit the floor straight on. Despina actually pulled off a DDT. it was a beautiful stunt that she used Kikuchi’s strength and agility to pull off.

(Oh…the body is paralyzed and won’t listen…)

It seemed that the move had worked to great effect, and Kikuchi was tightly suppressed. Her brain was buzzing, and her body couldn’t muster the slightest bit of strength.

(Asshole, asshole…)

The referee counts to three and the winner is decided…

(Neck hurts…) Kikuchi could only lean against the corner post, still unable to move.

Despina holds her belt high in the air to receive cheers from the crowd, while at that moment Kikuchi has a disgusting swoon in her eyes.

(I lost…) Kikuchi can’t stand up.

(It’s only been a short time…)

The sight of the championship belt around Despina’s waist deepened the heavy sense of frustration in Kikuchi’s heart.

(That’s Yukiko’s belt…)

Despina walks over to the drooping Kikuchi.

(How reluctant…but I’ll take it…)

Kikuchi extended her hand, but Despina actually slapped Kikuchi’s hand aside. She still glanced at Kikuchi again with that contemptuous look, before accepting the crowd’s cheers again.

（”How dare you look down on people like that…)

Looking at Despina, who was shaking hands with the audience while exiting the stage, Kikuchi couldn’t help but murmur.

“It’s great to be a champion…”

Back in the lounge, Kikuchi was so disheveled that he lost all his strength.

(Angry, but, I lost without words…)

Sitting in his chair, Elle Xander shot an icy glare from behind his mask. Xander, shooting an icy glare from behind his mask.

(Hm? Did she watch the game too? Does she think I’m a fool too…)

“Kikuchi…”

She called Kikuchi’s name and approached.

“Yes. Uh?”

(Scared me, how did she know my name…)

“Kikuchi, what have you been doing since you came to Mexico?”

“No, it’s all in…you─speak Japanese?”

Xander sighed dramatically.

“Really, still missing a muscle…” she said as she took off her mask.

(That’s true, but you’re being too direct…ah!)

Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh-” Kikuchi let out in surprise, her usual super-loud volume causing all the contestants in the lounge to cringe.

“Idiot! Why are you so loud?” Elle Xander, who had removed her mask, scolded her with a bitter smile. Xander scolded her with a bitter smile.

“Kami-chan, Uehara-senpai!”

It turns out to be Uehara, whose whereabouts have been unknown.

“It’s been a long time, you bouncy little girl!”

“Why is the schoolteacher here? Why? Why is she wearing the mask of Elle… Xander’s mask…”

“Well…”

Kikuchi was dumbfounded.

“Uehara-senpai, where the hell have you been?”

“Because ah…after I lost that match to Risako, I stayed in Mexico.”

“…That, does it mean that Elle… Xander is Uehara-senpai?”

“Kikuchi, you’re really slow…”

“…That’s true, but…”

Uehara laughed slightly, but immediately regained his seriousness.

“What’s the game?”

“I’m sorry…”

“Isn’t it pointless to come all the way to Mexico specifically to do the same thing as before?”

“Ah, but the audience remembered my name too…”

“Today?”

“Uh- but why does everyone think I’m the bad guy…”

“Well-probably because you and Luda are so different!”

“But it’s not like I’ve seen her play…”

“…This isn’t Japan yo, Kikuchi!” Uehara couldn’t help but get angry.

“You can’t become famous if you don’t take into account what the audience wants to see.”

“What the audience wants to see…”

“Every place has somewhat different audience preferences, and there has to be a method of fighting that caters to the tastes of the local audience.”

“……” Kikuchi began, a little bereft.

“And you didn’t even learn the Mexican wrestling skills, did you?”

“I’m so useless…”

“If you just yell a lot, the crowd will soon get bored, and no one will want to team up with you for a match. By then, you’ll be isolated.” Uehara’s tone was extremely serious.

“You’re here to be honed, aren’t you?”

“…Yes.”

“Instead of star players who are being paid a lot of money to play!”

(Yukiko-senpai must have worked really hard back then too…) Hearing about the star contestants, Kikuchi thought of Yukiko.

“So don’t just aim for Yuuki-chan…” said Uehara, reading her mind.

“But ah…”

“Kikuchi, you have your unique strengths. Don’t you want to try to become a great player that even Yukiko can’t learn from?”

Kikuchi’s mouth dropped open as Uehara’s words hit her hard.

(So I seem to be…)

“I think…”

“Yes?”

“I want to be second to Yushiko-senpai, but that doesn’t mean I have to do the same thing as Yushiko-senpai.”

“Hahaha, you seem to have finally gotten the hang of it!”

For the first time, Uehara felt that Kikuchi would be good for something and looked at her affirmatively. Kikuchi was immediately energized, but then sighed. “But what to do is the big question…”

Uehara put his face to Kikuchi’s ear. “First of all, do you want to turn yourself into a Mexican?”

“How can such a thing be done?” Kikuchi shook his head hastily.

“What are you talking about? Didn’t I do it?”

“Ah, that’s true!”

Uehara’s hand reached into the bag and fumbled with it.

“…Look at this, put it on.” Uehara pulled out a brand new mask and handed it to Kikuchi.

“I thought it might be, so I prepped it.”

It sounds as if everything is in Uehara’s hands.

“Don’t worry! Put it on and see.”

“Yeah, yeah. Uh─loosen this up and…” said Kikuchi as she slowly slipped on the mask.

“What the hell, really. Come on, turn backward.”

“I’m sorry, Uehara-senpai…)

Uehara helped her tie the straps in the back.

“All right. Look in the mirror!”

“Ah…is this me? “

“Well, it fits better than expected.”

“Is it true?”

“Ah, it’s outstanding!” Uehara deprecated a wink at Kikuchi in the mirror.

“Going to wear this for the race…”

“It’s going to be a little inconvenient until you get used to it…”

Kikuchi looked in the mirror, always in a calm mood.

“Try it?”

“…Yeah, I’ll give it a shot.”

“I’ll be your coach and make you a perfect masked player.”

“Uh? Is that good?”

“Only for these three days oh.”

“How so…”

“Take a few days off before you go out on the road again, and I’ll ask Carlos for help.”

“Then I’m counting on you! “

“What about the name…”

“It’s not a good idea to use Kikuchi Riki’s words. Think of something more appropriate, right? Still, the point is the content of the match.”

Kikuchi propped her chin on her fingers and thought a little.

“Well–it’s called Masked Metty, what do you think?”

Uehara is a little too much to handle.

“You… are too fond of Yuki-chan, have you forgotten everything you just said?”

Uehara had a disgusted look on his face, causing Kikuchi to only scratch his head in embarrassment.

“Uh-what do you call an angel in the Mexican word?”

“…Mexico speaks Spanish.”

“Uh-yeah! I knew it…”

Kikuchi can speak some simple everyday conversations, but still speaks almost croaky Japanese on a regular basis.

“Uh- called Angela, right? “

“Well─isn’t it a little different…”

“You mean the Ring Angel?”

“Does Uehara-senpai know about the Angel Army?”

“Uh-huh! Probably know some of it. I’m actually a little bummed I wasn’t able to participate…”

For a moment, a forlorn look actually flashed across Uehara’s face.

“But didn’t Uehara-senpai become a top player in Mexico, too!”

“It’s alright…all in all, your name is off the table for now. I’ll discuss it with Carlos and see.”

The next day, Kikuchi’s special training unfolded.

“As far as how you can make the local crowd cheer for you, you’ll just have to figure those things out on the ground during the game.”

“Yes.”

“If you’re sharp enough, you’ll slowly realize what it takes to drive the mood.”

“Yes…” said Kikuchi, still unable to dispel the uneasiness within her.

“It doesn’t matter, didn’t you seriously pull through with Yuuki-chan and the others?”

After Uehara finished, she launched her special training. She showed off the basic fast movements and eye-popping unique jumping skills of a Central and South American competitor. Slowly, Kikuchi could see that there was an overall coherence between all these movements.

“For the jumping technique, rather than more practice, the amount of support is more important. Just outside the ring is not even a mat at all, if you jump halfway to feel scared, that will instead make you hurt yourself oh!”

“If it’s about courage, I’m confident.”

“However, when you’re outside the ring you have to do protection training first, which is completely different from being in the ring. Anyway, I’ll teach you some tricks first.”

On the floor where nothing was laid out, Uehara suddenly used his full-body throwing technique and slammed Kikuchi out hard.

“It hurts-” Kikuchi wailed loudly.

“Uehara-san, the bones are falling apart…”

“Cut the crap, how can you come down from a higher place with a hundred-meter sprint in one whole swoop without this? Besides, the opponent might even dodge out of the way.”

“Yes…I’m sorry, please continue.”

Kikuchi rubbed his back and cheered himself up. Then, Kikuchi kept letting out a super miserable wail that could be heard clearly even outside the dojo. The practice was finally over, and Kikuchi hadn’t been this tired to stand up in a long time.

“As expected of a young man, his stamina is amazing…” said Uehara, who couldn’t help but spit out his tongue in surprise.

“Uehara-senpai, thank you!”

“Anyway, you need to have the knowledge that you’re no longer Kikuchi Rikuji, okay?”

“Yes!”

Kikuchi embarked on a second fresh start. As for the name, it turned out to be La Belfida, as suggested by Carlos. Belfida – which means perfect woman.

Uehara knew that Kikuchi’s technique was far from perfect, and Kikuchi thought it was awkward, and were at first opposed to using the strange name; but Carlos said, “I’ve already made posters with that name. And you’ll love it once you get used to it!” So Kikuchi and the girls finally accepted it.

In her second outing, although still a bit clumsy in her movements, Kikuchi played a markedly different game than before, giving no hint that she was Japanese.

Not only Carlos, but also Uehara thought that Kikuchi had passed, so Kikuchi participated in the AAC tourney, which started the next day.

After battling around, Kikuchi had gradually been able to grasp the psychology of the audience. Some places love to watch fights, while others value skill. Kikuchi was able to determine the different preferences of the audience, and gradually grasped the trick of making the audience crazy and excited.

Basically, Kikuchi fights with a focus on quick attack techniques, and then improvises depending on the reactions of the crowd. Kikuchi, who used to just fight with all his energy, is now able to calmly see his opponent’s movements, and his skills are gradually making Uehara marvel.

After six months or so, the popularity of La. La Belfida’s popularity was only a small gap from that of Elle Shande’s. There was only a small gap between the popularity of La Belfida and Elle Sande.

AAC’s Carlos said something that took Kikuchi quite by surprise.

“Kikuchi, want to go to Japan?”

Carlos is still sitting in his office smoking a cigar.

“This…I want to stay here and work on this for a while longer…”

Carlos added with a slight shake of his head.

“It’s not that I’m asking you to go back home, it’s that there’s a group in Japan that’s inviting Belphida to compete…”

“Invite Belpheta to a match?” Kikuchi sounded surprised.

“Japanese magazines describe you as an angry and good player!”

“I didn’t tell New Girl…when you say Japanese wrestling group, do you mean New Girl?”

“The New Woman, of course. The World Woman has been disbanded, don’t you know?”

“Uh? Is that true?”

(So what happened to Ogawa…) Kikuchi remembers Kou Ogawa, who she had a great match with.

“It seems to have split into two factions.”

(Is that so…)

“Have you decided?”

“Can you give me a little time? I’d like to discuss this with Uehara-senpai…”

“Xander…she won’t be back in Mexico City until the day after tomorrow. What a way to take you…”

Kikuchi gesticulated and croaked out the story, and Uehara listened quietly and carefully.

“What are you going to do, Kikuchi?”

Only Kikuchi and Uehara were left in the late-night Drake dojo.

“Uh…I’d really like to stay in Mexico and grind for a while longer.”

“Uh…”

“I want to take off my mask and try to see if the words Kikuchi Rikyu can make a name for themselves in Mexico. Since I lost to Despina and have never been able to leave any accomplishments with my name…”

“This…”

“Certainly thought about just letting go with the current getup…”

“Well…”

“Anymore, if we’re going back, I still want to return to Japan in triumph in the name of Kikuchi Rikyu…”

“Exactly. And I don’t want to go back to Japan under the name of El. Xander’s name back in Japan…never mind, I wasn’t planning on going back yet anyway.” Uehara looked a little glum.

“Yeah…”

“Never mind, it doesn’t matter, so…”

The two fell into a long silence. Uehara was in no hurry to rush Kikuchi into talking. After a while, Kikuchi finally spoke.

“Perhaps the new girl will be disappointed, but I still want to return to Japan under the name Kikuchi…”

“Well-I think that’s good, too.”

“There were a lot of things that dawned on me after I put on the mask…” said Kikuchi, closing her eyes and looking down in deep thought.

“Yeah oh…”

“Just like here, I started as a rookie, and if I’m in Japan, once again, to re-challenge, I think that what Bellefieda can do, Kikuchi will definitely be able to do it too…” a light blossomed in Kikuchi’s eyes.

“There’s no problem if you have that thought!” “Yes!”

“Then this mask is no longer necessary.”

“Ah…”

Uehara undid the mask for Kikuchi and placed it in her hands. Kikuchi gazed at the mask that gave her a new confidence and held it tightly to her chest before returning it to Uehara.

“This, would you please ask Uehara-senpai to keep it?”

“Why? “

“I will come to Mexico again, and when I do, I will make the battle of Belpheidar against Xander materialize.”

“Haha, if I hadn’t retired by then…” the sight of Uehara fell in dismay.

“No way, Uehara-senpai is so strong…”

“Thank you!”

“Uh, that-” Kikuchi suddenly stammered a little.

“Then should I tell Risako-san that Uehara-san…”

“Hmm…what’s better to do about this?” Uehara glared at the ceiling.

“Just keep it a secret for me for now. One day, I’ll connect with her…”

“Yes, but Risako-senpai is really worried about you.”

“I know…keep up the good work anyway.” Uehara gently put a hand on Kikuchi’s shoulder.

“Please take care of Uehara-senpai as well…” said Kikuchi with hot tears in her eyes.

“Don’t worry!” Uehara looked at Kikuchi and smiled gently.

“Thank you, thank you Hokage! Then I’ll go reply to Mr. Carlos.” After bowing deeply, Kikuchi immediately ran to the AAC’s office.

“Hey, he might not be here anymore─” Uehara yelled when Kikuchi had long since opened the door and ran outside.

“There’s really nothing I can do about her…” was all Uehara could say to himself with a bitter smile.

Chapter VI

“Kikuchi…did something happen to you in Mexico?” Risako’s words sounded a little strange.

“What is it? There’s been a lot of things…Risako-san, since I’ve been working really hard in Mexico, you shouldn’t be intimidated by my active behavior lately!”

Kikuchi, who returned home not as Belpheta but with her original face, was extremely active in the series. In the final battle of the series, Kikuchi also succeeds in suppressing the duo of Minami and Izumi, quickly showing the results of her training.

“Well, that I know, but it seems like there’s more to it than that…”

“…”

“La. Belfida, that’s you, isn’t it?”

“Ah…I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you, but why…”

(Did Uehara-san say that?) Although she thought that in her heart, Kikuchi couldn’t say it.

“Carlos from AAC just got through on the phone and said something about wanting us to loan him the Belfield, which is so drafty.”

“What? What’s it going to be…”

“He didn’t mention Kikuchi though, it’s just that at that time Belphida canceled her scheduled trip to Japan for no reason, and the phone call just now made me think it was really strange…”

“Did something happen in Mexico?”

“Not really. It’s because the IWWF is getting ready to gather the top players from all over the world to run a tournament, and they recommended Kikuchi as one of the Mexican representatives.”

“What─recommend me?” Kikuchi stared in disbelief.

“Yeah! That’s why I called you today.”

“…But would it be a problem if it’s not as Belphida, but as Kikuchi Riyuu?”

“That I’m not sure about. Hold on, I’ll call and ask now…”

Risako immediately dialed the international phone number over to confirm. After putting down the microphone, Risako smiled sweetly.

“He said OK, eligibility is fine.”

“Great! But is that good?”

“It’s the reward Kikuchi deserves for his efforts, you can’t have no self-confidence.”

“Yes, thank you!” Kikuchi’s eyes gleamed, looking quite excited.

“But, Kikuchi, why are you wearing a mask?”

“That’s because on…”

“What on?”

(It’s over… Uehara-san hasn’t contacted here yet…)

“It’s because I want to take it to the next level…”

“Uh-huh, that’s a good point!”

“Yes.” Kikuchi breathed a good sigh of relief.

The direct flight to New York flies over the Pacific Ocean. The passengers were almost all members of New Japan Women’s Wrestling. They were all being treated to a trip to a match at Madison Square Garden, the first mega-event in the history of women’s wrestling.

This worldwide women’s wrestling tournament is called ‘Athena’s Battle of the Bulge’, and there are two people representing Japan, one of them is the former IWWF World Champion – the beautiful Ichiya.

“What the hell is this airplane doing? It’s so narrow?”

Ichigaya, who usually travels long distances on his own plane, was unusually traveling with a group on this New York expedition.

“What’s with all the nagging, would you please leave me alone?”

This is another representative contestant, Yukiko Midi. They are still in the habit of fighting when they see each other.

“Oh-ho-ho-ho, you people really don’t understand what I’m trying to do. I am sympathetic to your fatigue from the long trip!”

“Don’t be a bitch, I’m not going to lose to your blonde-ugly-girl anyway!”

As soon as she got into a fight with Ichiya, Yushiko immediately showed her childishness.

“Ouch, a regional champion talking big in front of a former holder of the IWWF belt is a laugh.”

“If Ichiya-senpai hadn’t taken the championship belt back then, Yushiko-senpai would have easily taken it from Dadan.” The one who ran over to argue with Ichiya was Kikuchi, who was chosen to represent Mexico this time.

“It’s you again, you loud bitch. You’re always yelling about Yukiko-senpai and Yukiko-senpai. It’s so much fun being a follower of this breastless woman!”

“It’s too much! Yushiko-senpai’s breasts are much bigger than mine!”

“Kikuchi, I wouldn’t be happier if you said that…” said Yuko, completely defeated by Kikuchi.

“E-huhuhuhuh, how enviable!” Ichigaya’s icy cold sight was cast on Yushiko’s breasts in a mocking manner.

“Ichiya, even though you’re a plutocrat’s daughter, you must be overjoyed to be in New York, right? Compared to that countryside in Saitama, the metropolis is just different, isn’t it!”

“Really? Ichigaya-senpai.”

Yushiko almost laughed half to death at the simple Kikuchi.

“Oh-ho-ho-ho, you guys who haven’t seen the world, you’ll find out when you get to New York…”

“Know what?”

“When I walk down Fifth Street in New York, someone will put a golden carpet on the floor for me, and then famous stores from Chanel to Louis Vuitton will invite away their customers, waiting for my grand entrance.”

“Awesome…”

“Kikuchi, you’re such a good liar! How can this be true? Ichiya, why is it that I’ve never seen anyone welcome you like this on a tour of Japan?”

“You’re so…when exactly are you going to be honest and admit how good & beautiful I am?”

“I can’t even think of dying!”

The dispute that had been unending caused Risako, who was on the sidelines, to interject.

“Hey, you guys be quiet…”

“But, Risako-senpai…”

“Kikuchi, it’s not like elementary school kids are going on a hike now…Yuki-chan too…you’re the pillar of the new girl yay…keep up appearances a little bit, okay?”

“…I’m sorry!”

“Heh heh heh, that’s right! A look of growing up!” Ichiya seemed to think he had gotten the victory.

“…Ichiya, you pay attention too.” Risako didn’t seem to have the strength to speak anymore.

“Oh… Risako-san, I’m a former IWWF World Champion. Can you ladies who are satisfied with the Asian, continental, championships, please don’t approach me?”

(It’s over. It’s over…)

“You son of a bitch, show some respect!” Rikako’s expression suddenly changed, and she immediately stood up from her seat and rushed towards Ichigaya.

“Risako-senpai, don’t be like this…”

“Risako-senpai, calm down, take it easy!” Kikuchi deadpanned, blocking Risako and pulling her back to her seat.

“Hug, sorry…”

“Risako-senpai, let’s trouble you to be a competent supporting character this time!”

“What-what-what did you say!?” Risako pushed Kikuchi away and angrily ran towards Ichiya again.

“Hey hey…Risako, what are you doing?” Mimi Yoshiwara, who couldn’t stand the two arguing, stopped Risako.

This time, in addition to the regional representatives, Yoshihara, Raijima, and a few of their contemporaries with Minami and Yukiko among the new girls went to the tournament as contestants.

Of course Risako the Panther traveled to the US together because she was going to compete in a match outside of the league tournament, and is definitely not some Yushiko or Ichiya heel.

“…Sorry!” Risako finally regained her senses.

(Risako-san is still very concerned about not winning a belt other than the Asian Championship…)

“Risako-senpai, it’s still early before we land! It’s too much of a waste of energy for you to play the idiot with Ichiya right now!” Laijima, who had put a magazine over his face and was thought to have fallen asleep, suddenly spoke up.

“Yeah…”

(Raijima is a bit like the old Uehara…) Risako couldn’t help but think back to the days of the past, and a sweet smile bloomed on her face.

“Everyone will be competing as soon as they arrive in the U.S., so it’s best to try to rest now!”

“Today’s Risako-senpai has no look at all…” chimed Kikuchi with some regret.

“Uh? Kikuchi said that about me too?”

“Because you just pushed me away to fight…”

“Hahaha! Risako-senpai, today is Kikuchi’s victory…” said Yuukiko teasing Risako.

“…It’s finished. I can’t believe I lost to her…” said Risako, holding her head exaggeratedly.

“It’s not like that… Risako-san, that’s not what I meant…” Kikuchi’s serious expression as she hurriedly defended herself caused a burst of crazy laughter to resound inside the airplane. Then, the players who were tired of laughing, one after another, fell deep into sleep.

The plane landed at New York’s JFK airport. The new woman and her group walk out of customs and towards the departure gate. A gentleman wearing white gloves approaches them.

“Ms. Ichigaya, I’ve kept you waiting!”

The Rolls Royce super limousine that greeted Ichiya had actually arrived. Everyone’s eyes were focused on the Rolls Royce and Ichiya’s gorgeous clothes.

“Oh─huhuhuhuhuhuh, you guys finally understand my strength?” Ichigaya let out a loud and high laugh.

“What your strength, it’s your old man’s strength, right?” Even though Yushiko taunted her under her breath, she still had to resign herself to the fact.

“That bastard, is he going to practice alone at another practice field again?” Although Laishima was angry, he couldn’t help but show a look of jealousy.

“Laishima-senpai, whenever there’s no place where you can practice properly, you’ll freak out!”

“Kikuchi doesn’t pick a place at all, it’s really enviable.”

Instead, Kikuchi, who was teased by Raijima, childishly pouted.

“I’ve prepared a car for you as well, so everyone can ride oh.” As if suddenly remembering, Ichiya gestured to the driver.

“Everyone from New Japan Women’s Wrestling, please come this way…”

The limo driver led Risako and the other group to the back of the Rolls Royce.

“Wow…”

Behind it was a much larger bus than the new girl normally used, and, from the outside, many of the luxurious fixtures inside could be seen. Both of Kikuchi’s eyes opened several times wider than usual.

“Such a big bus, never seen it in Japan…”

“What a spectacle… a ridiculously large bus indeed.”

“Kind of makes you not want to ride it, though…” came the disdainful look on the island’s face. Eyes flicked to the car.

I.C.H.I.G.A.Y.A. VALLEY Zaibatsu – several large, distinctive letters hung high on the car.

“Hmph! Won’t we become Ichigaya’s entourage if we sit in this?” Yukiko was a bit indignant.

“Ah─how come?” After Kikuchi finished in disbelief, the Gentleman Driver half-urgently urged everyone.

“That’s right! Starting today, please live at the Ichigaya mansion in Queens, live together, and practice together.”

It seems that Yushiko’s will is still not high.

“In order for all the players to be in the best condition to face the upcoming tournament, practicing at Ichigaya’s house is the best…”

“Well, it’s not a bad idea if you can practice enough…” It’s hard to believe that Laishima wants to take the bus.

“Please take your seats in the car, contestants!”

Risako was starting to get a little flustered.

“But the IWWF Association should have already booked our hotel…”

“So, will you please dine in the humble abode first?”

“Hey, hurry up! There’s not much practice time left!” Laijima, the practice freak, couldn’t wait to get in the car.

“Well…okay! Let’s go then. Since it’s Ichigaya’s kind words…”

“Oh-ho-ho-ho, you’re welcome, everyone!”

“Risako-senpai…I’m still going to the hotel…”

“What’s wrong? Yuki-chan?”

“Because Ichiya and I are rivals…”

“Ah… yes! Yuki-chan is the contestant out of the Athena Contest…”

“I’m also going to the hotel with Yushiko-senpai.” Wherever she went, Kikuchi was Yukiko’s follower.

“Hmph! Even you’re going to be in the Athena tournament.” Laishima couldn’t quite accept that and pinched Kikuchi’s shoulder with his hand.

“Yeah…because I got stronger!”

“Kikuchi…” said Yukiko, her face turning a little hard.

“Yes, schoolmarm, what is it?”

“As you know, you’re going to meet me at the tournament…”

“Yes, I’ll try.”

“It’s not about that…”

Kikuchi was dumbfounded.

“We’re not under the same roof anymore…”

“Yeah! Finally, I can realize my dream of facing off against Yushiko-senpai in a singles match…”

“Yushiko, she doesn’t understand you at all!”

“Uh?”

“Ichiya’s not the only one, you two are enemies too!”

“Oh, of course. Laijima-senpai is so over the top, thinking that my training in Mexico was all for fun?”

Laishima shook his head lightly at the confident Kikuchi.

“Kikuchi, you’ve become an ass since you came back!”

“But…but I’m also in my fifth year…”

“Ouch! I’m so scared!”

Amidst a chorus of laughter, Laishima hurriedly fled into the big bus.

After seeing the limousine as well as the bus leave, Yukiko and Kikuchi boarded the bus and set off for Manhattan.

On a corner of Eighth Street, a white cylindrical building towers. The 100-year event of the women’s wrestling world – ‘Athena’s Battle of the Bulge’ – will be held in this Madison Square Garden stadium.

The scale of the competition is unimaginable. Just by looking at the list of competitors, it’s clear why this tournament is the talk of the world.

AAC heavyweight champion Karas

IWWF Mexican Heavyweight Champion Elle K. Sandy.

USWA World Heavyweight Champion Greta B. Barron.

EWA Heavyweight Champion Nolan B. Wangs.

IWWF European Heavyweight Champion Björk Jašić Jacqui.

IWWF World Doubles Champion Judy Kabia Kabija

IWWF Asian Heavyweight, US Heavyweight Champion Yukiko Miette

Former IWWF World Heavyweight Champion, Remi Dardan. Dardan

Former IWWF World Heavyweight Champion Beauty Ichigaya

In addition to Kikuchi, who was recommended to participate as La. Kikuchi, who was recommended to participate as La Belfida, the other participants were also world-class powerhouses.

A total of ten fighters held alliance matches, with the winners challenging the current IWWF World Heavyweight Champion, Black Star Kakis, for her title belt in the grand finale on the last day of the tournament.

It was a rare event.

The opening ceremony of the conference took place immediately, and the representatives of each group and the recommended players entered one after another.

Although Elle Shand refused to attend the opening, and Bick B. Shand refused to participate in the opening ceremony, and Biker B. Yash was absent, but the sight of the remaining eight of the world’s top women’s wrestlers in the ring was a spectacular sight.

As the opening ceremony began, sighs of disappointment came from the audience that had gathered 20,000 people. Why was it that the contestant representing the oath was Ichiya?

“Oh-ho-ho-ho. Ladies and gentlemen all over the world, it’s a blessing of eight lifetimes to be able to witness my beautiful Ichigaya’s wonderful and extraordinary performance!”

Ichiya still responded in her condescending Japanese. However, it kinda sounded like an imposing speech. Even though no one could understand what she was saying, the audience listened intently.

“I’m so proud to be the world’s number one metropolis, New York, and all of you know how to appreciate my beauty, oh-ho-ho-ho-ho!”

The whole place was abuzz with emotion.

“…Yushiko-senpai, Americans know Japanese!” Kikuchi said softly to Yukiko.

“…how could I possibly understand!”

Ichiya then curses in this direction as the two of them talk in secret.

“What’s going on over there? There are 60 million viewers who are listening mesmerized by my speech, why can’t you guys shut up? That’s why you’ll always be second-rate contestants!”

“Shut up, I’m sick of hearing your boasting!”

“Heh-heh-heh-heh, has staying in a hotel cubicle narrowed you all down?”

“What? That’s because I don’t want to breathe the same air as you. It looks like you came from that countryside in Saitama to the colorful metropolis and got dizzy all of a sudden.”

“Hmph! What do you mean? Anyway, the grand finale on the last day is definitely not going to be your flat-chested regional champion!”

“What are you talking about, thickly made-up stinking demon bitch!”

The heated back and forth of verbal abuse set off a flurry of whistles and cheers in Madison Square. Although it was known that a big fight was going to take place here, no one thought it would be such a low-level verbal battle….

After the two shrews had finished cursing, the opening ceremony ended hastily with the appearance of the champion Kayos, and the Risako’s who were watching the ceremony at the end of the aisle felt tired all over after only the first day.

Union jobs are finally at war.

At first, the tournament, which was held for ten consecutive days, was not too well received, but because each day saw five singles encounters between world-class players, the whole of the United States was abuzz with the event.

Of course, women’s wrestling fans from all over the world would not miss this event and came in groups to watch the matches. Madison Square was filled to capacity for days on end.

In this important historical battle, Yuwako and Ichiya won back-to-back victories. Kikuchi, as everyone predicted, was unable to add to her victory. On the third day, she finally realized her wish to fight Yuushiko, but the result was still a defeat.

“However, it’s quite impressive to have Yushiko make a Moonlight Thunder Slash against you.”

Even without this reassurance from Risako, Kikuchi had felt quite satisfied to be able to fight Yushiko in singles. Fighting against these top players was indeed a bit brutal for Kikuchi, who hadn’t even won a youth title yet.

On the fifth day of the tournament, Kikuchi was only able to fight Kabia to a draw, even with his best efforts. However, Kikuchi’s spirit of fighting with loud shouts was not only applauded by the Madison Square audience, but also highly evaluated among the competitors who had fought against him.

On the eighth day, the alliance battle climaxed. The previous day, Tatan and Shande were tied, leaving Yukiko and Ichiya as the only two players eligible to compete for the title. Again, Yukiko and Xander were still in a tie.

(Uehara-senpai is really something…) At first, Kikuchi was a bit touched, but after thinking about it, she realized that this was an extremely sad failure for Yuko.

(…In that case, Yushiko-san has to win tomorrow…)

Before entering the arena, Kikuchi brushes up against Yushiko, who is going back to the rest room, and Kikuchi cheers Yushiko on in a shaky voice.

“Yushiko-senpai, you absolutely cannot lose tomorrow…”

Yushiko was a bit surprised and answered her with a smile as she wiped away her sweat.

“Uh? Why? Haha! I’m not going to lose to Ichiya, am I?”

“Ah, yeah, must be a good game…”

Kikuchi was relieved by Yukiko’s bright attitude.

“But Elle… Xander is still really strong. I didn’t have the chance to fight her when I was in Mexico, so I don’t know her strength… Kikuchi, if you know, can you tell me?”

“I’m sorry! That man…that man was actually my master back in Mexico…”

“Is that so? Then you’ll be happy if I lose, right?”

“I…I wouldn’t!”

Seeing a flustered Kikuchi, Yukiko is overjoyed.

“Haha here, just kidding! But I always felt like I fought Kikuchi’s master there…”

(Not good anymore…)

“Um-uh…I don’t think so?”

“Yeah? Probably…”

At this point, Kikuchi’s exclusive theme music plays.

(Saved…)

“Well, cheer up. Beat Ichiya to a pulp so I can win her tomorrow as easily as I can eat.”

“Yeah. Uh, I’ll cheer…”

Kikuchi’s opponent on the eighth day was the beautiful Ichigaya. Of course this is their first matchup.

In the ring, when the two came face to face, Kikuchi was shocked to think that Ichigaya appeared to be much taller than before.

“Oh─Oh…Oh…Oh… , finally it’s your turn too, let you be the living sacrifice of my wonderful victory today.”

Always this tone of Ichigaya seems to be full of popularity with the Madison Square audience.

“Ichiya-senpai, please teach me more.”

Ichigaya grunted disdainfully and immediately attacked Kikuchi.

“Three seconds is enough to clean up a brat like you.”

Suddenly Ichiya grabs Kikuchi and does her original Beauty Throw technique, just as the referee is ready to ring the start bell.

(Yikes! What’s going on…)

The bell rings as Kikuchi is dropped to the ring floor. The entire arena reads the seconds together.

“One, Two…”

(Can’t lose…at least give Yushiko-san a little bit of suffering for her sake.)

“Three…”

The venue was so excited that they were about to call for three. Just as the referee was about to rule, Kikuchi’s shoulder left the ground.

“Oh-ho-ho-ho, it’s too cheap to end this kind of sub.”

(Just getting started, but here’s a beauty powerbomb for you.)

Kikuchi can no longer hear Ichiya’s sarcasm in her ears. After that, Kikuchi showed her superior toughness and kept giving Ichiya painful blows. By the time fifteen minutes had passed in the match, the situation had dramatically changed.

At this point, the crowd cheers, overwhelmingly in favor of Kikuchi.

“So, next I’m going to decide the winner of the match.”

Ichiya also got anxious and hit a second Beauty Powerbomb on Kikuchi to end the match. When the fight was at its peak, Kikuchi, who was being held high above his head, suddenly clamped his foot on Ichiya’s neck, and violently turned back into a position where Kikuchi was sitting on Ichiya’s neck.

(It’s my turn to play!)

“What’s going on…”

(Is it my negligence?)

Ichigaya was so stunned by this totally unexpected and unexpected situation that he could only brace his hand on Kikuchi’s knee and stare in disbelief.

Kikuchi thought to herself that failure wouldn’t make any difference anyway, so she tried to use the techniques she had learned in the Belpheta era. She pulled Ichigaya’s feet in her direction, then pinned Ichigaya’s shoulders with her feet, and quickly Ichigaya was rolled into a circle.

(That’s it!) This is the Maestra Press, the first time Kikuchi has pulled off this technique in a match.

Ichiya lands on both shoulders and the referee begins to read the seconds.

“One, two-“

Whether it was the entire crowd of 20,000 or the competitors watching the match, or even Kikuchi himself, it was assumed that Ichiya would kick and move his feet hard and break free of the hold.

“…Three!”

(Uh?)

The referee compares three fingers and Kikuyu looks at the referee in surprise.

(Yay! What the…mistake, right?)

Ichiya, who had gotten up in a panic, had a look on his face that something had happened.

“I…did I win?”

The referee grabs Kikuchi’s wrist with a surprised look on his face.

“Success, success! Yushiko-senpai, everyone, I won, I won!”

“How… how could… I’m so powerful that I would lose to Kikuchi?”

Next to Ichiya, who was having trouble accepting the truth and muttering to himself, Kikuchi happily jumped up and down in the whole room alive.

“I must be having a nightmare…I don’t believe it ……” Ichigaya mumbles under his breath and walks down to the ring as if he were sleepwalking.

Kikuchi’s beautiful victory was met with stormy applause and cheers all over Madison Square.

“Kikuchi, you’re amazing.”

When they returned to the lounge, Yukiko and Raijima flew over to embrace Kikuchi.

“Thanks…”

“Kikuchi, you’re amazing. Even I haven’t cleaned up Ichiya yet…”

“Not at all…Risako-senpai, I’m just lucky.”

Kikuchi’s cheeks were being pinched by everyone, and as the laughter overflowed, a voice came from inside the lounge.

“What a perfect method of Mestra suppression. Belfida Kikuchi. Kikuchi.”

The new female contestants looked in the direction of the voice. There stood the man who had put Yuko in a difficult battle, Elle… Shande.

“Ah…”

“Kikuchi, you’re still a pretty good fighter with your mask off…”

When she heard Shande’s voice, who was speaking towards Kikuchi, Risako cried out in disbelief.

“Uehara, you’re Uehara?”

The new legion of women outside of Kikuchi gazed intently at Xander with unbelievable eyes.

“Really…”

“U…Uehara, Gakuya? “

It was as if the air was frozen at this point.

“Kikuchi, you knew it all along, didn’t you? Why didn’t you say anything?” Risako asked reproachfully, and Kikuchi tried to speak but couldn’t.

Xander takes off his mask to reveal the face of Kodachi Uehara, who rushes to Kikuchi’s defense.

“Don’t blame her! I’m the one who told her not to say anything…”

“Why?”

“It’s always not very nice! But luckily I’m becoming famous in Mexico too.”

After Uehara finished speaking, he approached Risako while gently stroking Yushiko and the others’ hair.

Kamigata turned to Risako, who remained silent and tense.

“I’m sorry…” apologized Uehara with a soft smile as Risako put her arm around her shoulders.

Rikako choked badly, unable to utter a word.

“Let’s get out…”

In the rest room, only Uehara and a sobbing Risako remained, with Uehara constantly stroking her hair.

The League Battle reached its ninth day and entered the final day of the final round. Fighting today are fellow new girls Yukiko and Ichiya.

The fight was fought so intensely that it made no sense that Ichigaya had been defeated the day before. By the end of the match time, the two still ended in a draw.

In the end, the total for the Alliance match was Yushiko sixteen points to Ichiya fifteen, with Mitty Yushiko finally getting the Athena Shocker victory and a chance to challenge the IWWF World Champion Kayos.

“Yushiko-senpai, finally we’re going to get the world championship belt.” Kikuchi was as happy as if she had gotten the yusho herself.

“Well, but it was really thrilling…”

“Uh? But I’m betting on Yuuki-chan-senpai to win!”

“What are you talking about? I mean, if you lost to Ichiya yesterday, then Ichiya and I will only fight to a draw today as well, so that opportunity will be taken by her. What a lucky…”

“Ah, that’s the thing…”

“Kikuchi, thank you. But tomorrow’s match, I have to win…”

While Yushiko and Kikuchi were talking, Risako hurried over.

“Kikuchi, good news…”

“Uh?”

“It was just announced…tomorrow, you’ll be fighting in a title challenge as well.”

“Kikuchi, that’s great! Risako-san, who’s the opponent?”

“Needless to say? It’s Despina, the IWWF World Youth Champion, of course.”

(Great…)

A surprised Kikuchi is excited at the thought of the opportunity to stand side by side with the Yushiko duo around the title belt.

“Yushiko-senpai, let’s the two of us celebrate together tomorrow.”

“Good – celebrate together.”

Risako was on the sidelines, watching the confident duo with anticipation.

The final day of Athena’s Battle of Shock and Awe. The exciting matches of the players after the second place of the Alliance Battle also took place one after another on this day, which was extremely appropriate to the luxurious closing atmosphere of this event.

These uninterrupted heated battles have long made the Madison Square Arena crowded and overflowing with spectators, gripped with excitement to the highest point.

Kikuchi’s match is scheduled to be the one before the title belt fight.

The entire crowd of wrestling fans, all applauded in support of this tentatively scheduled IWWF World Youth Championship Challenge match.

All the way up until the start of the match, Kikuchi concentrated with his eyes closed.

(Today I’m going to be in the mood for La Belfida. I’m going to fight in the mood of La Belfida. If I win, I’ll make the whole audience move for me…)

This time, Despina didn’t move her body at all, just leaned against the pillar in the corner.

The bell for the beginning rang.

Kikuchi lightly dodges a suddenly charging Despina and runs towards the ring ropes. The moment the two were bounced back and crossed over again, Kikuchi suddenly made a sorrowful turn and delivered an elbow strike.

（It worked!)

The match had only just begun, and with this kind of skill, the crowd’s atmosphere was quickly burned by Kikuchi. Whether it was speed or power, Kikuchi was very different from the last time he challenged.

(I did it, Yushiko-san. I’m going to win at this rate!)

Kikuchi used the Mexican fighter’s fast movements as the main axis, and then supplemented it with power to overwhelm Despina. This is Kikuchi’s ‘Personal Combat Method’ that she has devised after much deliberation, and everyone in the audience thinks that her momentum is far superior to that of the World Champion, Despina. “Kikuchi, well done!” Uehara, who had taken off her mask to act as her second-in-command, couldn’t help but praise Kikuchi’s performance.

At fifteen minutes, Despina clamped down on Kikuchi’s neck from the front.

(I don’t want to get hit by DDT again…)

In an attempt to counter Despina’s DDT, Kikuchi quickly backbends her wrists, bends down and around her back, immediately snapping Despina’s neck.

“Uh-oh.”

The moment Kikuchi’s arm exerted a lot of force, the agonized Despina immediately abhorred and started cursing Kikuchi.

“Why can you be recommended by the AAC to race Athena?”

(Stop nagging!)

Kikuchi, enraged by the provocation, lifts up Despina’s body and delivers a superb back body slam, three times in a row. Desbiene falls to the ground, unable to stand.

(This is the moment, just like the time when Ichiya-san was defeated…)

Kikuchi grabs her feet and somersaults forward, trying to press Despina’s body into a salty circle shape.

“Let’s use this move to separate the winners from the losers!”

The excited yells of frenzy from the top, who served as deputy, almost overpowered the cheers of the crowd.

(That’s it, ah…)

As the two turn around, Kikuchi’s shoulder unknowingly touches the ring floor.

“Whoa-“

Kikuchi was startled and yelled as hard as he could while desperately trying to keep his shoulders off the ground.

(What’s going on, what the hell’s going on?)

Using the bouncing power of the ring rope, Despina rushed at high speed towards Kikuchi, who was standing dumbfounded.

(Ah, it’s over…)

In a flash, Despina jumped, clasped both feet around Kikuchi’s neck and spun back toward Kikuchi’s rear with terrifying speed. Despina’s pendulum aerial leglock caused Kikuchi’s head to hit the floor at high speed.

“One, Two…”

(It’s over. The referee has timed it…)

Kikuchi tried hard to break free, but the reaction force of the rotation caused her feet to be held tightly in the air by Despina’s arms. The weight of Dexbina completely fell on Kikuchi’s shoulders.

“…Three!”

（Wait a minute!)

Kikuchi lost!

“It’s that close…the dominance of the conduct of the match and the atmosphere of the audience is in your hands!”

Uehara’s reassurances couldn’t reach Kikuchi’s ears.

(How could I be so stupid? Another slip of the tongue…)

After Yushiko’s IWWF World Championship match began, Kikuchi was still thinking about the unacceptable truth and crouched dejectedly in the lounge.

In the ring, Khaos, wearing an ugly mask, is going after Yushiko with terrifying power.

“Kikuchi, what’s wrong with you? Yuuki-chan’s match has already started, yo.” Risako, who came to visit because she was worried about Kikuchi, said loudly.

“Ah… yes, I’ll go now…” said Kikuchi as he stood up and ran towards the ring.

She was still disoriented and had a blank look on her face. When she came back to her senses, the venue was broadcasting that the match had been going on for twenty minutes. Although Yushiko’s match was in full swing in front of her, Kikuchi was just absentmindedly watching the field.

(Yushiko-senpai, please win…) Her heart still prayed earnestly.

Yushiko, in the ring, seems to be getting beat up all over by Kaos, but it’s clear that she’s waiting for a favorable moment to arrive.

Thirty minutes into the match, Kaos poses with her arms raised in cheers, telling the crowd that she’s ready to end this match before running to bounce off the ring ropes and charging at Yushiko, who’s frozen on the stage.

“Yoshiko, attention!”

Amidst the crowd’s frenzied screams, Raijima’s yells reached Yushiko’s ears.

Just as everyone was roaring ‘Black Star Hammer Wrist Strike’ under their breath and waiting for Kaos to use her unique wrist strike technique to hit Yohiko’s head, Yohiko, who was shrinking her body, suddenly grabbed the left arm of Kaos, who was attacking fiercely, with her right arm. Yuushiko circled around behind the off-balance Kayos and grabbed her other arm, then clasped it tightly behind her back.

“That’s the move, throw her out hard!”

As if echoing Raijima’s shout, Yushiko’s body drew a graceful arc. Yushiko completed a perfectly contorted German reverse fix.

“One, Two…”

As soon as the referee counted to three, the New Girl’s competitors excitedly flocked to the ring.

Yushiko holds the championship belt aloft and runs around the ring piled high with trophies and prizes in excitement as the entire 20,000 strong crowd rewards Yushiko, who is celebrating her victory, with an overwhelmingly frantic cheer.

All the audience stood up and clapped enthusiastically.

“Yushiko-senpai finally did it…”

Kikuchi was in tears, but unlike her previous excitement, she just quietly congratulated from the sidelines.

Yushiko, finally standing at the top of the world’s players.

After ten days of intense battles, culminating in Yukiko Miette capturing the IWWF World Heavyweight gold medal, this historical event came to a grand conclusion.

“Congratulations.”

“Awesome…you won, Yuuki-chan.”

Yukiko, who became the center of attention after winning the ‘Athena Surprise Battle’ with superior strength, was greeted into the lounge like a hero by the New Girl Army.

Everyone congratulated Yohiko, and Yohiko returned the favor with the biggest smile she could muster.

Some had their entire faces sprayed with champagne, others rubbed their belts against their faces in disgust, and all in all, the New Girl’s lounge was enveloped in a frenzied maelstrom of joy. There was, however, one rather remorseful contestant who could not catch the happy atmosphere.

Laishima noticed Kikuchi with a depressed expression and walked towards her with great incredulity.

“What’s going on? Kikuchi, your Yushiko-san won!”

“Yes, I’m glad…”

“That last move is one that the two of us have been practicing secretly in hiding. Was it a shock?”

“That’s fantastic… that kind of skill, only Yushiko-senpai can do that…”

Risako also thought that Kikuchi was looking a bit strange, and hurriedly came over.

“I don’t think Kikuchi, who’s always the first one to jump up and come alive with excitement every time…didn’t seem to run up to the ring just now to help Yuuki-chan celebrate, did she?”

Uehara took Risako and Laishima’s hands and winked at them with a shake of his head.

Of course, Yukiko, who had already noticed Kikuchi’s strange behavior, came over at that moment.

“Kikuchi, I got the title belt oh! Thank you so much…”

“Congratulations, Yushiko-senpai…but I…”

“What buts? Aren’t you always my number one cheerleader, Kikuchi? It’s because you cheered me on every time that I was able to be in such good spirits…”

“Nothing…” said Kikuchi as her shoulders began to shake.

“I didn’t get this belt alone. It’s because of Risako-senpai, Uehara-senpai, and you guys, Raijima and Kikuchi, who got this championship belt…”

Uehara wrapped his arms around Kikuchi’s shoulders from behind her.

“Kikuchi, who’s been trying so hard to become Yushiko’s second, finally played a different match from Yushiko’s style today…”

Yoshiko nodded.

“There will surely be many young girls in the future who want to come and become wrestlers because they watched Kikuchi’s matches. You’re already such a good competitor, is it necessary to be so frustrated when it’s just one defeat?”

“Yes…yes. Yes, I can’t get down. I’ll cheer!”

“Haha! If the spirit has been restored, let’s celebrate together…”

Kikuchi immediately flew to Yushiko’s side with open arms.

“Congratulations! Yushiko-senpai is really something!”

However, Riku’s mood hadn’t changed a bit too quickly, and all the players couldn’t help but face each other in a daze.

Within moments, the lounge was instantly surrounded by thunderous bursts of laughter for a long time.

Chapter VII

Yushiko, who won the IWWF World Championship on a stage that was watched around the world, was greeted by women’s wrestling fans from all over Japan with a huge cheering ceremony when she returned home with her accolades.

From then on, Yushiko, who served as the finale, made the crowd go even more crazy in every venue with the toughness of a world champion and the fighting skills of a champion.

Yohiko’s reputation has caused the venue to fill up more often than before. For Kikuchi, who still longs to be Yukiko’s second, the days of practicing as hard as before are waiting ahead.

“Anyway, I don’t have any more free time to get frustrated about that game.”

Kikuchi’s activity at the Athena Competition has of course spread back to Japan, thus increasing her cheerleading squad by a lot. However, for Kikuchi, who is determined to become stronger, the most important thing she needs to devote herself to at the moment is honing herself.

Kikuyu is a coach for newcomer Shinobu Koshi, who made his debut in the spring of this year, and at the same time, he is busy with competitions and practice, so every day is full of life and seriousness.

Quickly, another six months passed.

“Risako-senpai, is it true?” Kikuchi said to Risako in her loud voice that made everyone in the office turn around to look at her.

“It’s true. Carlos said he wanted to give you a chance to try again anyway. But the tournament isn’t in Japan…”

Before Risako could finish, Kikuchi braced both hands on his desk and pulled back his voice again.

“I’ll go there all the time. Whether it’s Africa or Antarctica, I’ll go.”

“Kikuchi, there’s no women’s wrestling in Bipolar, is there…”

Even though Risako had relinquished her throne to Yushiko, she was still in charge of the schedule and all the other details of the meeting. It was an appropriate arrangement, as it allowed Yuukiko and the others to focus on the ring.

“If I lose to Despina again this time, I probably won’t have a chance to challenge her.”

“Yes…”

“This time it’s the third time, right?”

“Yes…”

“What to do? No confidence left?”

“No way, I’m going. I want to race, Risako-san, please let me go.”

Kikuchi, who has decided to challenge for the IWWF World Junior Championship for the third time, comes into the dojo where Yukiko and Raijima are practicing.

“Yeah? That’s great. It’s a must-win this time.” Yohiko smiled and mallet Kikuchi’s back.

“If you lose…you won’t have a chance later, right?” Laishima was still rough around the edges and spoke without thinking.

“Laishima-senpai, could you please stop saying such things that will be embarrassing?”

Yushiko looked at the two and smiled cheerfully.

“Isn’t Kikuchi the one who twice said, ‘I wanted to win at the beginning, but then I neglected to do so’…”

“Yeah! Though it’s true…”

“Never mind. You’ve gotten stronger again lately, Kikuchi, haven’t you?”

“Yushiko-senpai, thank you. However, every time I fight with Despina I feel like she’s getting stronger and stronger, and adding a lot of new techniques as well.”

“What about you Kikuchi?”

“How can I put it? It seems like it hasn’t improved much since the Athena tournament…”

Yushiko’s expression suddenly became a little scary.

“Kikuchi, it’s not very nice to say such things. What exactly have you learned since you went to war with me?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“How can you lose your confidence so easily…”

Laijima’s busy training hand didn’t stop for a moment to join their conversation once again.

“If─want─to─surpass─Yoshiko, you should never─think too much.”

“Laishima, what do you mean…”

Yushiko smiled helplessly, but only mouthed the words.

“And you’re going to have to eat a lot more – a lot more – curry and rice, heh heh! You can’t get beyond─hoo-hoo─Yoshi-chan until you’ve eaten─thirty plates or more. Uhh!”

“Hey hey…Laishima, will you practice quietly?”

“Hahaha! Don’t worry, Laishima-senpai, I’ll do my best.”

“That’s just it, there’s nothing wrong with being confident.”

Laishima finally stopped practicing.

“Right. Heh heh! Come on, let’s get you revved up a bit before we leave.”

Kikuchi shook her hand while hurriedly pulling her legs out and running away in a huff.

However, in the final match of the September series, the New Girl really did schedule a special match to cheer Kikuchi on. The opponents were Yukiko and Raijima, the golden pairing of the New Girl, and Kikuchi’s partner, Risako the Black Panther, who hadn’t fought a finale in a while.

“Hey, Kikuchi, you guys are a strange pair.”

Fujishima chats with Kikuchi at the bubble tea store in this neighborhood.

“Well…this is the first time I’ve been in the same group as Risako-chan.”

“But there was a race with Yukiko-senpai in New York, right?”

“It’s completely different from a singles match again…. And of course even less so when I’ve played against the Yushiko and Bombshell duo…”

“Those two must be doubly strong when they join forces…”

“I think Fujishima had a match with them.”

Fujishima’s face clearly had the expression ‘just thinking about it gives me a headache’ written on it.

“Kikuchi has been practicing quite hard to get where she is today which is more than, me, more, hard, hard oh.”

“Hey, hey, Fujishima, why do you still love to be jealous of me…”

“Just kidding, sorry sorry sorry!”

Fujishima spat out her tongue. Not how long ago, her Kansai accent had disappeared.

“All in all, it’s just a matter of doing the best you can.”

“Well… there’s no way to play against that duo without trying your best, it’s too strong.”

“You don’t think about anything, just punch it hard.”

“Well…just do it.”

“That’s right. It’s not like Kikuchi-Geki Yu without the spirit.”

“Uh-huh. Fujishima, thank you.”

On the way in, Risako whispered softly to Kikuchi, who was in a nervous mood.

“Kikuchi, I’m going to let you play by yourself today.”

“Huh?”

“Today you have to go into the match with the mental preparation of one against two. Destroy those two men violently with the feeling that you must not lose.”

“This?”

Risako waved her hand at the crowd to enter while talking to Kikuchi without changing her face.

(How so…could she be serious when she says it so easily?)

Being in the center of the ring, face to face with the duo of Yukiko and Raijima for the first time of course, Kikuchi’s nerves could not be quelled at all.

“Kiku Oil, do your best to attack. Just follow your instincts…”

“Yes, Yushiko-senpai.”

“You’ll get hurt if you try to run away.”

“Yes, Laishima-senpai.”

Each person stayed in separate corners waiting for the bell to ring, and Risako silently stepped out of the ring ropes and stood outside the apron.

Laishima stops Yushiko and walks forward himself to become the opponent’s starter.

(I’m going to calm down! Anyway I’m going to take the initiative and attack her first…)

The moment Kikuchi took a hard, deep breath, the start bell was rung.

“Whoa-“

Without looking away, Kikuchi charged forward and delivered a few consecutive L-shaped attacks with elbows. Unprepared, Raijima took a few steps backward slightly.

“The–the– the– the– the– the– the– the– the– the– the–“

Laijima, who had been cornered by Kikuchi’s ever advancing attacks, suddenly had a gleam in her eye. She swung her arm handsomely. The sudden wrist strike directly hit Kikuchi’s throat.

“Ahem…”

“What’s the matter, is it over?”

“Bastard-” Kikuchi stomped hard, once again surging towards the island.

“What are you panicking about?”

Raijima, who had gathered her spirit, then wrapped a strong arm around Kikuchi’s neck to neutralize her attack. Switching hands with Yushiko at this point. Yushiko puts Kikuchi, who is still trying to rampage, down on the ground and lifts her foot up for the pin.

Although he breaks free just before the readout, control of the match quickly falls back into Yushiko’s hands. Yushiko pushes Kikuchi towards the ropes. As Kikuchi bounces back, Yushiko hits a high point of attack and a huge, artistic leaping kick. Second, third… ten rounds in a row, hitting Kikuchi in the chest and face. Kikuchi’s situation is getting more and more critical.

“Risako-senpai, change…uh?”

Kikuchi, who can barely stand it, reaches out in the corner, but Risako is standing under the ring and is having Hori wrap the tape around her foot.

“Kikuchi, you’re on your own today.”

“What?”

(Is she hurt anywhere? If you don’t change hands with me soon, you’ll lose…)

Kikuchi dies and turns back around, the opposite side of the room has changed to Laishima. Raijima grabbed her feet to keep her down, and from above kept dropping hard elbow L-attacks.

(No mercy at all…)

Kikuchi, who yells once every time he gets hit by an elbow, is flipped over by Laishima grabbing his feet.

“Uh-whoa-ahh-” Kikuchi let out a miserable moan.

“What’s wrong? Is that a loss?”

“Who’s gonna lose! Bastard─Bastard!” Kikuchi shouted defiantly, and the atmosphere in the venue boiled over.

“Well, then, just a little more gas!”

Raijima grabs her feet, pulls her back to her corner, and switches hands with Yushiko.

(The two of them really work well together…)

Kikuchi’s feet are hanging from the middle ring ropes and his body can’t move.

“This isn’t the time for admiration, is it?” Yushiko, who had a keen sense of sensation, kicked Kikuchi hard with her foot after she said that.

(Risako…)

After Yushiko grabs Kikuchi by the hair and gets her to her feet, she throws her towards the ring ropes.

Kikuchi gathered his thoughts for a moment, trying to find his opponent’s flaws, and then he used the rotating elbow L-attack that he had used in the battle with Despina, stopping Yuuhi’s movements.

Kikuchi immediately runs back to his corner. Kikuchi goes back to the apron and looks out at Risako on the outside of the ring.

“Risako-senpai, please.”

Risako said coldly from outside the arena, “Didn’t you hear me just now? Today is your fight alone.”

The audience, who sensed something unusual, began to murmur. From behind Kikuchi, who was frozen with his hands outstretched, Yushiko reached out her wrist and strangled Kikuchi’s neck.

(Ah… you mean it… you want me to fight these two alone…)

While Kikuchi’s mind was still racing with these thoughts, Yushiko had released the neck and lifted Kikuchi’s body high into the air. Yushiko prepares for a frontal inverted dropkick, holding Kikuchi high in the air and stationary.

(There’s no way to escape.)

Kikuchi made his decision and stomped his legs in the air, descending behind Yushiko in a flash.

“You─this─asshole!” Kikuchi shouted, and after slamming his forehead into the back of Yushiko’s head, he resolutely threw Yushiko out with a backbreaker.

Seeing Kikuchi countering this golden duo alone, the whole crowd started cheering for her. However, Kikuchi’s offense did close after only a single shot. Yushiko and the girls changed hands so quickly that Kikuchi could no longer find an opening to attack.

Although Kikuchi tried to show some more moves to return the favor, he was almost always in a position to take a beating. Ignoring the gasps of shock from the entire crowd, this arguably lynching scene went on for nearly twenty minutes straight.

“It’s almost time for you to finish.”

Yohiko yelled towards the audience. However, the loud booing that applauded Yuushiko overpowered the sparse clapping.

“So, here’s a backside reverse slam for you!!!”

Like pulling up green onions from dry land, Kikuchi’s body rose vertically upward from the ground.

(Backward fall? You’re gonna die.)

Almost yelling with a loss of will, Kikuchi flipped backwards in a smooth motion and landed on Yukiko’s back again.

(Feeling lighter and lighter, almost unconscious…)

Kikuchi, who used to move completely by instinct, now naturally produced a lightness and agility that had never been seen before. Thud! With a muffled sound, the elbow L-type attack hit the back of Yushiko’s head. Kikuchi grabbed Yushiko, instinctively clamped his hand on her head and used a high speed DDT.

(Yikes? Yukiko fell down…)

Kikuchi, with what little awareness he has left, rushes to pin Yushiko as the referee begins to read the limit.

One, two…just as the referee’s hand is about to hit the ground, Laishima’s foot flies in.

“It hurts─ah!!!”

Sparks of anger rose in Kikuchi’s eyes. At this point, she no longer cared about the ethics of being a schoolmate or a schoolmate.

Just then, Yushiko stood up. Yushiko and Raijima exchanged glances and suddenly launched a fierce attack like a storm together. Raijima quickly charged and made a high-speed flaming wrist strike, swinging at Kikuchi, who had been grabbed by Yuushiko in reverse.

That one move would have been enough to end the match, but this duo didn’t want it to end just yet. A powerbomb from Raijima follows, causing Kikuchi to take a severe blow to the head, but then Yushiko jumps from a height to deliver a Moonlight Thunderbolt Chop.

Yushiko didn’t squash it that way, & instead grabbed Kikuchi up, before hitting a German backbreaker to secure it. Laishima turns to the audience and starts reading the seconds with the referee.

“One, two…”

The audience stomped their feet on the floor, making a horrible thud-thud-thud-thud sound that resounded throughout the venue. Laishima turned his head in shock and froze face to face with Yukiko, who had been wrenched free by Kikuchi. Impossible was written on both of their faces, wasn’t it?

Yukiko looked at Raijima’s face and nodded. Grabbing Kikuchi’s arms, she crosses them behind her back. This is the Morphing German Reverse Hold that Yushiko used when she won the IWWF World Heavyweight Championship.

Of course, the game ended there.

Kikuchi was carried by Fujishima and Risako, back to the rest room, amidst loud applause from the audience. Kikuchi was almost completely unconscious.

“Kikuchi, are you okay?” Fujishima shed tears.

“Risako-san, does that make sense?”

“Depends on whether Kikuchi understands it or not you have to experience it…”

(Ahhhh… Fujishima, what are you crying about?) Kikuchi’s mind regained a little bit of consciousness.

“That…Risako-senpai…the match…what happened?”

Fujishima replied instead of Risako.

“Kikuchi, you were great. Being attacked by those two without mercy, and still being able to fight back tenaciously…”

“Fujishima, why are you crying? At what point did I lose?”

“Kikuchi…”

“You only lost at twenty-five minutes when Yuushiko used the Morphing German Reverse Immobilization.” Risako said to Kikuchi as she put her face close to her.

“Great fight, Kikuchi.”

At that moment, the duo that performed that brilliant attack came in.

“Ah, Yushiko-senpai…did I pass? Did you play well?”

“That was awesome, Kikuchi. To be able to make me pull off that Morphing German Fixation move…”

“Thanks…”

Looking at Kikuchi, who was desperately trying to speak, Laishima wore a rare worried expression.

“Kikuchi, you’re really good. To be attacked as hard as we were and still be able to come to your senses so quickly…”

“Laishima-senpai… I can still talk yo…” said Kikuchi, desperately moving the muscles in her face, trying to open her mouth and smile.

“Stop trying to be strong, Kikuchi…” tears welled up in Fujima’s eyes like a spring.

“Kikuchi, your DDT is strong.”

“DDT? mine? “

“Hey, hey, you almost made Yushiko lose the match back then, don’t you remember?”

“Is it true? “

“If Laijima hadn’t come in and messed up, maybe I really would have lost to you?”

Risako and Fujishima looked at each other.

“Yushiko, is her DDT really that strong?”

“It’s true, Risako-san. It was really dangerous back then. Right, Raishima?” Yushiko solicited Raijima’s approval with a serious expression.

“Risako-senpai, that’s true…I haven’t been as nervous as I am this time since the two of us were paired up.”

“Kikuchi’s gotten so powerful…”

Just as Fujishima’s words caused the four to sigh, Kikuchi added in a breathless voice. “Fujishima, today can be stricter than the newcomer’s period…”

Fujishima burst out laughing while shedding tears.

“Hey, what the hell are you talking about…”

“You’ll die if you don’t practice properly, yo Fujishima.”

All four were laughing uncontrollably.

“Kikuchi…, you’re a strange one.”

Following the four who were in tears on one side and bursting into laughter on the other, Kikuchi laughed feebly.

October 15, at the Mexico Stadium.

At the start of the match, Kikuchi was in a bitter fight. Contrary to her previous bout, Bina Daiken took the initiative this time. This is Kikuchi’s third challenge for the title. It’s been five minutes since this finale of the IWWF World Youth Championship Challenge.

(I was thinking I’d definitely play well this time…)

Despina suddenly beats Kikuchi with the title belt, a surprise attack that has left Kikuchi vulnerable to the assault so far.

Enduring a barrage of attacks made up of a combination of all of Desbiener’s techniques, including a series of throws, slams, and leaping techniques, Kikuchi was still able to calmly watch his opponent’s movements.

(I guess I was a little annoyed at being pinned down last time…)

Despina clearly showed what she had in mind─I won’t let you have a chance to strike today!

(Son of a bitch, all her attacks seem to be blocking my reversal moves.)

Even though it was recognized that Kikuchi had unlimited stamina, after ten minutes, she was still constantly taking attacks and unable to take the initiative, and her situation seemed quite critical.

As the overbearing Despina prepares to deliver a DDT, Kikuchi’s chance to fight back finally comes.

(Just dodge it like last time.) Kikuchi crouches down in defense.

(Using the same move probably won’t work…so be it.) Kikuchi grabs Despina’s left wrist from below and twists it upwards.

“Uh-wha-” cried Despina, suddenly and strangely, scurrying for the ropes.

(Strange. Was I that hard?)

Kikuchi had to adjust his breathing while waiting for Despina, who had fled to the outside, to step back into the ring.

(But I’ve been attacked by you long enough…)

Kikuchi grabs the arm of Despina, who is back on the stage, and throws her out with a contorted backbreaker. Despina slowly gets to her feet, still squeezing her left wrist. It looks like she wants to get away from Kikuchi for a while and rethink her fighting style.

“I’m going to attack.”

Kikuchi, who roared towards the audience, attacked Despina with a revolving elbow L Attack, using the rebound force of the ring ropes.

“Eat me again.”

This time it was a spinning flying kick. Despina, who was defending her face with her hands, took Kikuchi’s flying kick solidly to the body.

(Hmph. Unsteady on your feet, huh?)

Wanting to indulge in some moves he’d never used before, Kikuchi turned Despina’s entire body upside down and prepared to deliver a backwards headbutt.

(Give you a straight bump!)

However, in an instant, Kikuchi’s wrist was unable to bear the entire weight of Despina. Nimbly utilizing her feet and body slewing, Despina landed easily. Kikuchi, who had fallen to the ground, was grabbed up, and Despina aimed a low jumping kick at her body, out of nowhere.

(YAWNING)

Kikuchi is kicked down to the outside. At some point, Dai County Bina had climbed up onto the corner post and dove down towards Kikuchi, who was getting up left and right.

“It’s over, she’s too fast.)

Kikuchi thought to herself that she couldn’t avoid it, and was ready to capitalize on the high-flying lunge and crash. She stood in a stable stance with her arms wide open. However, it was Despina’s flying leg that came flying at Kikuchi.

(I can’t believe I can make a missile jump attack from that high up!)

A direct hit on Ju’s face.

(Damn…that’s a tough one…)

Kikuchi, who was badly hurt, was dragged back to the stage by Despina.

At this point boos erupt and Despina, regardless of the crowd’s backlash, pulls Kikuchi’s hair and kicks her all over her body. She then stabs Kikuchi in the chest with her fingernails and drives a knee right into her face.

(Isn’t this a foul…) Kikuchi was in the midst of gradually losing her will.

(Asshole- If you lose to this kind of move, you won’t be able to go back to Japan.)

Kikuchi, who was dragged back and forth across the ring, clenched his fists and took the onslaught.

(This isn’t a race for me alone…I’m going to fight for the seniors who taught me! Remember how Fujishima and I survived the training of Raijima-san and Minami-san…)

By the time Kikuchi came back to his senses, he was already being set up on the corner post.

(Uh? When did I get carried here?)

Kikuchi, who was grabbed up by Despina, drew a circular arc with his body and hit the floor solidly. Dexpina used an avalanche headstand, and Kikuchi fell to the point where his bones were falling apart.

“Uh-wha-” Kikuchi’s scream was like a wail of grief when facing the brink of death.

(Bastard─Uehara-senpai…would it be better if I wore a mask…)

From above Kikuchi, whose consciousness was fading, Despina’s moonlight thunderbolt chopped down. Thud! The sound of it made an appalling and terrifying noise.

Despina confidently begins to press Kikuchi.

(Ahhhh… Yukiko-san… Yukiko-san?)

Kikuchi jumps to his feet as the referee counts to two.

(What am I doing…didn’t I want to win the same championship belt as Yushiko-senpai…)

Despina comes around behind Kikuchi and holds her waist in preparation for a German reverse hold.

(I’ve broken free from Yukiko-san’s Moonlight Thunder Chop and German Fixation…)

Kikuchi’s body was slowly lifted.

“Son of a bitch─Yukiko-senpai’s German hold is much faster than yours.” Kikuchi yelled, rolling forward with her feet pinning Despina’s body.

The referee reads the seconds…to two when Despina breaks free.

(By the way, I grabbed Yushiko-san’s neck at that time…)

“Théohh.ohh-“

Kikuchi, who had revitalized his spirit and jumped up, threw his foot towards the back of Despina’s head with force, making a medulla oblongata chop.

“It’s now!”

With her eyes about to fall to the ground, Despina’s neck was clamped tightly by Kikuchi. A perfect super high speed DDT explodes violently into the air the moment before Despina’s knee even touches the ground. Despina’s head hits the hard Mexican ring floor directly at a near vertical angle.

“Look at me-“

Kikuchi pressed his full weight against her.

“One…”

(This is the last of my power!)

“Two…”

(Sisters)

“…Three!”

(I did it…)

The bell, which was rung hard, announced that the match was over. Kikuchi lies in the ring and stretches his arms up to the ceiling.

(There’s a loud noise in the distance…)

A moment of fuzzy consciousness began to return, and Kikuta’s ears were filled with the loud cheers of the crowd. Lying beside Despina in the ring, Kikuta’s body went out of control.

The Chairman of the Meeting makes his way to the ring and smiles as he hands Kikuchi the title belt.

Kikuchi raises the IWWF World Junior Championship belt high in the air and yells to the crowd.

“Yushiko-senpai, I…finally got your belt!”

This hard won belt, Kikuchi cherished it and held it deep in his arms .

In the mercury lamp, the belt and Kikuchi’s tears glistened.

“Kikuchi, it finally worked!”

“I can’t believe she became a champion…”

In the middle of one of the towns in Guan Cheng County, the early winter air, bitterly cold, stung the hands of pedestrians.

On the balcony of the newly opened cafe in front of the station, two girls – Hayate and Miyuki, Kikuchi’s friends from middle school, are chatting while reading wrestling magazines.

“Miyuki, you can finally stop worrying about her, right?”

Hayate, who has long hair, is now a college student in the prefecture.

“But… occasionally there’s still a hang-up about whether or not Kikuchi is going to get hurt?”

Miyuki, who got married not long after graduating from high school, already had a rounded belly.

“Don’t worry, you should be worried about the baby that’s coming!”

“Really…isn’t Hayate himself worried about her?”

Hayate, who was flipping through a magazine, suddenly “Ah!” Grunting.

“What’s wrong? “Miyuki is her usual nervous self about everything.

“The new girl is coming here next month, yo!”

“Where? Is it the gym where the three of us went together?”

“That’s right! Miyuki…do you want to come along? Ah, no? You’re carrying a small baby, it’s not really appropriate to watch women’s wrestling…” but Miyuki’s eyes gleamed.

“Hey, hey, no such thing. Let’s go watch!”

“Great, it’s been a while since the three of us diehards got together, let’s go help Kikuchi celebrate her getting the title!”

“Will she meet us?”

“That goes without saying! Ah…but will your husband─will he, answer, answer, answer?”

“Don’t worry, I’m the head of the family!”

Hayate gently tapped the naughty Miyuki on the forehead. The laughter of the two echoed in the clear winter sky.

A bus runs toward the north.

On the side of the car, ‘New Japan Women’s Wrestling’ is written in large letters.

These words have remained in the hearts of new female fans.