Sorry for taking so long! I had major writer's block, but I have returned with big passions! I hope you like this chapter! I'll definitely be updating more!


The King of Fighters: Regulation Blue
by Natsuke Takeda

Chapter Two

"A Prideful Duel and Hard Decision"


Shingo quickly made it back home, forgetting about his bike and even forgetting about his break from the Sacred Treasures. Right now, he had more important problems.

"Get it together, Shingo!" he quickly said to himself. Taking off his track suit in his room, he quickly put on his battle gear. His KoF entry was on the line against a girl he barely had any time to speak to. The pressure upon him was definitely visible. Taking a look at a mirror, his prepped himself up before stopping.

"…ah."

Shingo quickly realized the gloves he was wearing. It was his teacher's, his mentor's, his idol's gloves of the Kusanagi clan; gloves that Shingo no doubt adored. But for the first time upon looking at himself in the mirror, he quickly noticed that he felt out of place wearing Kyo's gloves. He wasn't fighting Kasumi as a representative of Kyo's teachings. Rather, he was going to fight to keep himself, Yabuki Shingo, as an entry into The King of Fighters tournament.

He quickly took the gloves off and looked at the mirror. He felt naked without gloves, and so he looked for an alternative. Eventually, he found a quick solution and used long white bandages to form gloves that were like the Kunsanagi length-wise. Taping himself up once more, Shingo quickly looked back at the mirror and nodded.

"Sorry, Kusanagi-san."

---------------------------

"Keep it together, today." A young man spoke in front of the mirror, slapping his cheeks with his palms as he watched himself. Sie Kensou shook his head rapidly, turning off the water faucet and going out of the bathroom.

"Sensei, I'm done!"

The sound of snoring could be heard, and all Kensou could do was tip over in sweat, looking at his sensei, the drunken Chin sleeping. "S-sensei, you're supposed to be helping me!" It only made Chin roll over to find a more comfortable spot on the couch, snoring once again. Kensou could only sigh as he leaned down, blowing the dust off his guitar and wiping dirt off it. After a bit, he took a good look at his work, the guitar shining brighter than anything in the hotel room.

"Always the one in the background, huh?" He spoke to himself, looking at the guitar. He was, after all, the guitarist for Athena's performances. These days, however, he felt an odd pull in himself after mastering his hidden potential. Raising his palm up a bit, he looked down at it before clenching it into a fist.

"I must be over-thinking it!" he laughed out loud to himself, "I have the spirit of the Dragon in me, right? I'll do fine!"

Standing up, he looked at the couch, his sensei's back facing him as he bowed. "I'm leaving now!" He stood up straight after, smiling. "Watch me closely, I'll catch up to Athena in no time. She'll see soon enough what I'm made of!"

With that, Kensou took his jacket and took off, closing the hotel door behind him.

Inside the room, Chin's eyes were slightly open as he still lay.

"You're feeling lonely, aren't you, boy?"

------------------------------------

"I think this is the place…." Shingo looked around, finding himself in a large area full of sakura blossoms and other various plants. It was quite the large estate, with Shingo getting lost quickly.

"Ah…."

Shingo looked around rapidly.

"I'm lost…" he cried, Walking around, he could have sworn he just passed by the same shrubbery a few minutes ago. "Am I… going in a circle?!" Shingo fumed, suddenly dashing forward quickly, running to find the estate.

He winded up in the same place again, panting for breath.

"WHAT IS THIS?!"

Shingo inhaled deeply, his lungs filling up as he raised his head up towards the sky. (Screw this! I'll just scream and wait for her to find me!)

"KASUMIIIIIIIIIIII!" Shingo screamed, his voice making the birds fly away.

Silence.

He screamed again. "KASUMIIIIIIII!"

Silence.

"…….KASUM-"

"BAKA!"

"Eh-OW!" Shingo's face met with a flying slipper, his body falling down. Kasumi appeared from the thick bushes in her battle attire, her face angry and red.

"We barely talk and you dare call me by my FIRST NAME?! It's Todoh! TODOH!" She smacked him more with the slipper.

"I-I'm already losing?!" Shingo spoke as he covered himself up from the barrage of attacks.

"Hmph!" Kasumi put her slipper back on, crossing her arms and puffing her cheeks. "Serves you right! My mom thought you were an admirer who I broke up with and is now stalking me! You're lucky my mother didn't release the guards!"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry, Kasum-"

"TOOOODOH!" She stomped on him repeatedly.

"T-Todoh-san!" Shingo weakly spoke. Kasumi crossed her arms again.

"Geez! How would you like it if I called you Shingo, huh?!"

Shingo sat up, scratching his head. "I wouldn't mind, though."

"W-what?!" Kasumi was taken back, shocked. "Don't you realize how intimate being called by your first name means?!" Shingo merely blinked.

"But we're friends, aren't we?"

Kasumi stood silent for a moment, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.

"NOOOOO WE'RE NOT!" She screamed, so loud that Shingo covered his ears and fell to the floor.

"O-oh…" Shingo laughed nervously.

"YABUKI!" She pointed angrily at him. "You and I are rivals! Warriors who do battle in respect toward each other's skills."

Shingo nodded, "But I still think you're my friend!" Kasumi stepped back. "W-we barely talk, we don't even talk outside of the tournament."

"But we're both fighters, right, right?" Shingo nodded, "We both share the same passions and dreams, don't we? We wanna be the best!" he pumped his fist forward, smiling.

"E-enough, Yabuki!" She jumped back more. "Our match begins now! You remember the stipulation?"

Shingo nodded, stepping back as well and going into his own stance.

"By the way, Todoh-san…"

"What?"

"Let's be friends!"

"W-wha?!" Kasumi blinked and stepped back for a moment, then went back to a stance. "You can't say that before a match!"

"Really?" Shingo dropped his guard, blinking. "I just wanna be friends if we become teammates!"

"That's only IF! And since you're going to lose, we won't be friends, only enemies!"

"Lose?!" Shingo went back into his stance. "I'll show you!"

Kasumi narrowed his eyes.

"READY?!"

Shingo grit his teeth.

"LET'S GO!"

-----------------------

"Athena!" Kensou exclaimed, waving his hand to catch her attention from afar. They both were at the rendezvous point; an outdoor train station. Athena's attention was caught, and she turned towards the waving male.

"You're late!"

"Ah, sorry sorry!" Kensou scratched his head, bowing. "Sensei couldn't get up."

"What?! Gentsai-sensei isn't here?" Athena looked around as Kensou laughed nervously. "But we need him this year! The original team is supposed to enter!"

"I'm sure he'll catch the next train, Athena." Kensou did a fist pump after Athena turned around. (It's just Athena and I for the ride! Sweet!)

"I hope we do good this year. This time around, I'd like to make the semis. We made the quarterfinals last year, but we got bad luck and ran into Ash's group too early." Athena sighed.

"I wouldn't worry too much about it." Kensou said to relax her, "Ash's group was real good last year! I mean, they took out the Sacred Treasures team, though it was on illegal terms."

"Yeah, they did…" Athena placed a hand on her chest lightly. "…I hope Kyo's okay."

Suddenly, Kensou's eyes widened, feeling an odd vibe that flowed through him. (W-what was that?)

"Y-yeah, I hope Yagami and Yabuki are okay too. Yabuki didn't look so good." Kensou smiled, trying to continue the conversation. But Kensou could only look at Athena's eyes, which seemed to be looking at the distance, deep in thought.

"I-I'm sure Kusanagi's okay." Kensou knew quickly that she was worried about Kyo, and tried to comfort her as best as he could. "He's one of the best fighters in the tournament, maybe THE best. He'll be fine!" He gave a big smile and thumbs up, but could feel an odd pull in his chest as he watched her. (I feel so odd.)

Athena smiled, "You're right, I'm sure he'll be fine!" She perked up instantly and picked up her bag, turning towards the train tracks.

"Yeah, let's just focus on our team for now!" He flexed some muscle, laughing, "We're gonna go real far this tournament, no doubt!"

Silence.

Athena's cellphone rang, prompting her to pick up. Pressing a button on the phone, she placed the item next to her ear. "Hello?"

It was her agent, and as she spoke to him, Kensou looked at her silently, his hands gripping his bag tight.

(Was it always like this?)

"Wow! That much fan mail?" He could only watch her smile.

(Were we always silent when it was just us?)

(No, that can't be. We've known each other for so long. I'm sure we talked about something… But why can't I remember the good things?) Kensou's eyes were hidden under his hair. (It would usually be about me slacking off and not training.)

He gripped his bag tighter.

(But I'm different now, right? I have new powers, and last year, I felt so good, I wasn't even tired one bit.)

(But still…)

"Oh, I have to call you back!" Athena hung up the phone and dashed to the side, catching Kensou's attention. "Athena?"

She was running towards a familiar figure.

Kyo Kusanagi.

The pulling feeling in his chest happened again as Athena happily approached the flame user.

(Jealousy?) Kensou thought to himself. Athena pointed at him, and Kyo looked at Kensou. By reaction, Kensou smiled and waved, and Kyo gave a smile and a nod before the he and Athena continued their conversation.

(Ah, but Kusanagi has a girlfriend, doesn't he? Yuki, yeah, I remember. I met her a while ago.)

(But that still doesn't mean anything. Athena has always worried about Kusanagi.)

In a flash, Kensou remembered the distant look in Athena's eyes, watching the sky with worry. It was then that he finally realized what that feeling was in his chest. It wasn't jealousy, after all.

"It… sure is lonely." Kensou spoke to himself, his face still giving off that cheerful demeanor. The distance he felt with Athena was now clear as day. Though they were teammates, trained together for years and even lived under one roof sometimes, they were never really close.

He laughed for a moment. "Nah, it can't be that." Even as he said that, it was as if… After he completed his training and wasn't slacking off anymore, there was nothing much to talk about. Kensou kept his heart on his sleeve, after all. He was always trying to confess his affections toward the other Psycho Soldier, yet he was always derailed at the last moment. He didn't have what Kyo had; that charismatic aura that kept people guessing and, moreso, kept him interesting.

Sie Kensou wasn't that kind of person.

Athena started to run back, but turned and gave Kyo a wave before skipping back towards the Kensou. "Eh? Kensou?"

"Ah… Hey!" He gave a big smile, "Good thing you finished quick, I was getting hungry! I could go for a meat bun or two."

"You okay? You looked a little spaced out." Athena looked at him with worry.

Kensou shook his head. (It was my imagination after all.) "I'm fine, just excited about the tournament!"

The train finally arrived, stopping and opening its doors. Athena nodded and smiled, turning and walking towards the train.

"Great!"

Kensou nodded and smiled again, walking behind her.

"Hopefully you weren't slacking off while I was on tour."

He stopped, just before going inside the train.

"H-hey… I'm not as bad as back then, you know!" He laughed, looking at Athena who turned around to face him, a serious look on her face. "I thought last year proved that."

"Yeah, but it was only one tournament, you know!" She giggled. "As much as you progress, you can also turn back as well. Your track record isn't really top-notch you know!"

She continued to laugh softly while Kensou stood there, that pulling feeling aching inside of him.

(This is always what we talk about.)

"It's not like you were off training hard this year, either, Athena."

Athena was taken off guard, her face in surprise as she looked up at Kensou, blinking. "H-hey! I was on tour!"

"Sensei said that your singing career would be fine as long as you were still driven to train, remember?"

"Excuse me?" Athena looked a little annoyed, "I've always been able to balance out my training and career, unlike you!"

"Well I'm just saying that I'm hoping you didn't slack off either!" Kensou retorted.

"You sure have some nerve, Kensou! You know real well that I want to make it at least to the semifinals this year!"

"You want to? Or did you mean 'we' want to?"

"Kensou! What's wrong with you?! I was the one who wanted to have the original team back!"

"Well I'm telling you that I'm not who I used to be! I'm much better than I was even last year! This is important to me, too!"

"It's only been recently that you even cared about winning! You always worried more about reading manga and getting fan mail than bothering to train!"

"Hey, I love getting fan mail! I always want to read every single one because I don't get as much as you! I'm only getting fan mail because I play the guitar for you during nearby concerts! Don't forget that even in concerts I'm a big source of support for you!"

"I didn't need your support, Kensou! I can sing AND fight fine without you always wanting to come to my rescue!"

"…Don't you get how much I'm willing to sacrifice for you?!"

"S-Stop worrying about me and focus on yourself, Kensou! Of the team, you're still the one who needs to train more!"

"Fine! Then I won't worry about you! If you ever need help, don't come cryin to me!"

"That's fine with me! Me and sensei can probably get to the semis without you anyways!"

That was the trigger.

Athena's eyes widened after she said that, and she immediately looked at Kensou, who's eyes were hidden behind his bangs, his teeth grit.

"K-Kensou…"

"I'll wait here for sensei."

"Huh?"

"You go on ahead. I'll stay and wait here, and catch the next train with sensei."

"But Kensou-"

The doors closed, and Athena could only watch as the train began to move, and Kensou stood, not even turning his head to watch Athena ride away.

Kensou made a fist.

(We were distant, after all.)

"I'll show you." He shook, trying not to break down in front of the crowded station. "I don't need your help, either!"

He pumped his fist forward, towards no one.

"I'll make it to the top without you!"

-------------------------

"SHINGO KICK!" Shingo's body twisted forward in midair, delivering a downwards kick towards Kasumi, who immediately dived forward to evade it, rolling on the ground to recover quicker as Shingo landed, the dust kicking up as his body slid on the ground before making a full stop.

(She sure knows how to evade!) Shingo ran towards Kasumi who kept her feet planted and her stance up. Shingo purposely stopped, making his body slide towards the blue-haired female, keeping his body low.

"Oniyaki! …M-Mikansei!" Using his legs as springs, he immediately shot his body up once he reached Kasumi, his body twisting up with his fists high. She rolled back, Shingo immediately whiffing his attack and left vulnerable. "C-crap!"

Kasumi immediately followed with a short jump, her hands raised up high above her head. "Kasane Ate!" Shingo's eyes were wide open as he witnessed her push her hands down, creating a slicing wind of energy, hitting Shingo hard as he was launched away from her, hitting the ground.

He immediately kicked himself up, wiping the blood off his cheeks. (Not good…!)

"Ei!" Kasumi huffed as she went back to her fighting position. "Aikido is number one! I can stop anything you throw at me!"

(She didn't even do any Aikido moves yet…) Shingo scratched his head. "I'm not done yet!"

Shingo dashed forward again and jumped up high and went for a flying kick, but his eyes widened as he saw her hands raised up high, catching his feet. "Oh man!"

"Messhin Mutou!" Kasumi flipped Shingo violently behind her, her eyes closed as she did so with calmness as she turned towards the flying Shingo, who was about to land on the ground.

"I said, NOT YET!"

Kasumi's eyes opened, and saw Shingo twist his body in the air again before he hit the floor, and he suddenly changed trajectory, his twist forcing him towards Kasumi with a downward kick.

"Aerial! SHINGO KICK!" Kasumi tried to dodge, but the sudden change in Shingo's direction took her by surprise, and the kick connected to her face, sending her flying back and landing on the floor. Shingo landed, doing punches in the air with a big smile.

"YOOOOOSHA!" Shingo exclaimed, smiling widely. "Shingo Style is number one! I can break right through you!"

Kasumi's eyes narrowed, suddenly running towards and jumping up, delivering a kick that Shingo dodged. Kasumi landed and immediately went for an open palm chop towards Shingo's neck, which the boy moved back to dodge. Shingo retaliated by leaning his body forward in return, swinging his fist at her.

Kasumi immediately parried, her hands waiting for Shingo's fist to pass her a bit before grabbing it. One of her hands immediately thrust her fingertips forward like a knife thrust towards Shingo's neck again, but he parried as well, grabbing her wrist quickly just before her fingertips got to his neck.

The girl, however, smiled. "Got you!" Shingo's eyes widened as her thrusting hand grabbed his wrist, and using her hips and shoulders, she swung towards the back of her from a low to high position, launching him up in the air.

Shingo recovered in mid-air, twisting in the air again, but this time Kasumi was ready as Shingo's body made his way towards her. She raised her hands, ready to counter him.

"Messhin mu- ah…"

Kasumi didn't make contact with anything as Shingo didn't kick her, instead doing an empty jump; landing in front of her without any physical aggression.

"Ah!"

"BURNING!"

Shingo leaned forward and swung his fist with all his might, connecting to her body.

"SHIIIINGOOOO!" he screamed.

A massive combo followed up, ending with his own version of Kyo's Dokugami swing haymaker, sending Kasumi back a good distance and landing hard. She stumbled trying to get up, her body aching.

(Such hits… Every single one stunned me so much I couldn't even move!) Her eyes narrowed more, her hair in a bit of disarray as she readjusted her headband. (I can't let him hit me again!)

Shingo kept his fighting stance, a huge smile in his face. He was having too much fun now. (I can win this!)

Kasumi went back to her stance. (This time around…)

Shingo clenched his fists harder. (This time around…)

(I'LL GET THE EDGE!) Their thoughts echoed in their heads.

Shingo charged while Kasumi held her ground. Shingo immediately twisted his body as he ran, using the momentum to try and hit a massive Shingo-version Dokugami, but Kasumi hopped back.

"Kasane Ate!" She performed her slicing move in mid-air again, but Shingo, immediately after the Dokugami, leaned low and used his legs to spring up again. "Oniyaki Mikansei!" He went for his anti-air again, but Kasumi suddenly grabbed one of his hands and pulled him to her, placing her other palm against his face.

"SHIRANUI!"

Shingo suddenly felt a invisible yet massive, heavy force slam down his face, smashing his head and body down to the ground with a large thud, so hard that the ground gave way a little.

"U-ugh…" Shingo was dazed. (An aerial Shiranui. She can do Aikido even in mid-air…)

"You give up, Yabuki?" Kasumi said, landing on the ground.

Shingo slowly got up, shaking his head rapidly to shake the cobwebs from his head. Going back into his stance, he grit his teeth. "You first!"

Kasumi suddenly leapt up and went for another Kasane Ate, but Shingo leapt back, dodging it. However, his reflexes were dulled from the Shiranui, and Kasumi was easily able to dash in front of him and go for a swinging open-palm chop towards his head.

"Senkou Nagashi!" Her chop connected, and again Shingo was dazed.

"Ougi!" Kasumi twirled her body and went for another chop, connecting.

"Mizo!" She connected again.

"Takayori!" Shingo's eyes were blurry by now.

(N-no…)

"MUKURUUU!" Kasumi went for a back thrust kick, but Shingo suddenly snapped out of his daze, moving his body to the side to avoid her thrust. He spun his body forward.

"One more time! Shingo Style Dokugami!" He went for his haymaker again, his fist about to collide with the back of Kasumi's head, but she ducked low, Shingo missing. She grabbed his arm and pulled herself up in the air as Shingo was still being spun by his move. Turning in mid air herself, she lifted her hands again.

"Kasane Ate!" She brought her hands down and went for another slicing attack. (The end!) She said, a big smile on her face.

Her jubilation was cut short quickly as Shingo suddenly used the spin of his Dokugami, pushing forward and spinning his body again and launching up in the air, right towards her, using another move out of pure instinct.

"SHINGO KICK!" Kasumi was taken aback, but she kept her stance. (His physical attack can't beat my Kasane Ate!)

Her eyes went wide as she saw her slicing attack blown away like smoke. Shingo was launching right towards her, his foot already thrusting forward for the kick.

But both their eyes were wide at the reason why his kick smashed the Kasane Ate.

(Yabuki's foot… It's…!)

"A spark!" Shingo screamed, watching a very visible streak of sparks plow through her attack. Kasumi immediately raised her forearms to block, and Shingo's burning kick connected with her wall. A sudden small explosion launched her back, her body hitting the floor with black smoke.

Shingo landed down, the sparks leaving a small amount of smoke in the air.

"New Technique!"

Shingo thrust his fist forward.

"Shingo Spark!"

The wind blew as Kasumi wobbled, getting up slowly, her breathing heavy.

"I did it! I made a spark! I USED FLAMES!" Shingo's body suddenly gave way, his knees buckling as he kneeled on the floor, his body shaking. (Oh man… I've hit my limit!)

Kasumi's eyes pierced through her bangs, shaking her head. (That's not it…)

(The velocity of his kick… No, just the massive power it had made enough friction in the air to cause that trigger! His power is key! He didn't produce flames!)

"Shingo's specialty is cutting wind so fast it actually made a spark…!" She muttered to herself.

"NO!" Kasumi shouted, grabbing the boy's attention. "I… I won't lose! For the honor of the Todoh family… I'll strike you down!"

She raised her hands up to the sky as high as she could, and a visible amount of energy was emanating from her palms. "I'll end this right now!"

(Crap! I can't move!)

Kasumi's eyes glowed for a moment. The two had fought all over the estate and found themselves right in front of Kasumi's home, the sun setting.

(Move, Shingo! MOVE!)

His legs weren't budging.

(If I lose now… I can't enter the tournament!)

Kasumi took a deep breath as she brought her hands even more back, winding up her final attack.

(No, this time, I wanted to win this tournament as myself!)

Shingo's hands clenched into fists again, his vision blurry.

(Not for Kusanagi-san. Not for anyone! FOR ME! YABUKI SHINGO!)

His eyes slowly focused on Kasumi, her hair flowing in the wind, the sunset behind her. He suddenly remembered the same view he saw her in earlier; a true warrior of beauty.

"You're strong, Kasumi…" He grinned, his eyes hidden under his hair.

"That's why… That's why…!"

Shingo's legs finally reacted, and all Shingo could do was charge forward blindly at her.

"I WANT YOU WITH ME!"

Kasumi's eyes widened at his proclamation. "E-ah…" She was speechless. She shook her head, her eyes focused as she leaned her chest forward.

"CHOU!"

She brought her hands down.

"KASANE ATE!"

A massive wave of energy exploded from her hands, the large slicing pillars making its way towards Shingo.

An explosion followed. (I got him!) Kasumi smiled. She had scored a direct hit.

The smoke rose up into the air as Kasumi smiled. (I beat him! I beat a former KOF Champion!)

"I beat-"

"DOOOOOOORYAAAAAA!"

Kasumi held her breath as the smoke suddenly parted, and Shingo appeared, his body all bloody from the massive cuts of her Chou Kasane Ate, charging forward at an incredible pace with blood splattering on the grass.

"N-no way…" Kasumi was stiff from pure shock, her eyes wide as he watched Shingo get closer.

Shingo opened his mouth.

"SHIIIIINGOOOOO!"

He leaned his body forward as he dashed, suddenly lunging at her.

"KAKE HOURIIIIIN!"

He thrusted his shoulder right at her, connecting with an immense force that sent Kasumi flying in a straight line in mid-air. Kasumi, however, was still in shock, unable to feel the pain.

"I… I lost…"

Her body smashed through the railings of her front porch, and skid along the floor of her abode. Her body lay still as Shingo stopped, his feet skidding on the ground before stopping completely.

"Hah… hah… hah…" Shingo breathed heavy, not even able to see straight at all as he clenched his fists and raised his head up to the sky.

"YEAAAAAHHHHHHH!"

With that one scream, Shingo's body finally collapsed, unconscious on the floor.

Kasumi, however, came to. She slowly stood up, her body aching as she got to her knees and hands. "M-my porch…" She saw the damage, but past the broken railings, she saw an unconscious Shingo. "I lost…."

"I lost… I lost…" She repeated it over and over again.

A small smile appeared on her face. "I lost."

--------------------------

"U-ugh…" Shingo moaned, slowly waking up. In an instant, he suddenly felt the pain in his body. "OWWWWWWWWW!!!"

"Hey, keep it down!" A female voice was heard.

Shingo opened his eyes slowly, letting his vision focus, realizing that it was Kasumi's voice. "A-ah, Kasu-"

Smack.

"OWWWWWWWWW!"

"TODOH!"

"T-Todou-san..."

Clenching his wounds, Shingo took a few deep breaths, looking at the ceiling.

"Did I win?"

Silence.

Shingo sighed for a moment. "Guess I'll have to wait next year."

"Yeah, you're right."

Shingo placed his arm over his eyes. "This sucks."

"Yeah… you can't enter as a team if you don't have a third member. Better luck next time."

"Yeah, I k-… Third member?"

"Mhm."

Shingo sat up immediately. "Wait, if all I need is a third member, then that means…!"

Kasumi sighed, her eyes closed as she leaned back on the chair she sat on, crossing her arms. "…I lost."

Shingo jumped up on the bed he laid on. "YEEEEES- OWWWWWW!" he immediately fell back down on the bed.

"Didn't I say to keep it down? You'll just hurt yourself more."

"W-where am I."

"Home."

"….But this isn't my room."

"I meant my home."

"Oh…. WHAT?!" Shingo's head looked around. He was in a rather big room that had nothing but a bed, a nightstand and a tray of bread and milk.

"You passed out, and I couldn't drag you home. Your bike isn't strong enough."

"Oh, that's tru- YOU HAVE MY BIKE?!"

"I thought it was mine."

"It had my name on it."

"….It was in English."

"….Yeah you do kinda suck at Engli-"

Smack.

"OWWWWWW!" Shingo rubbed his wound again. "But wait… if I passed out and you're awake, doesn't that mean that you won?"

Kasumi smiled, "No, you won. Fair and square."

Shingo smiled back, "You could have just said you won, you know."

"Hah!" Kasumi puffed her cheeks, "I am a Todoh! I have my honor."

Shingo chuckled, lying flat on the bed. "You sure are strong, Todoh-san."

Kasumi's cheeks flushed a bit at his statement, "R-really? I practice everyday."

"Yeah, it definitely shows. I'm sure your Father is proud of you!" He gave a thumbs up.

"I hope so." She nodded, filling up the glass on the tray with milk.

"….I'm glad you're with me, Todoh-san."

Kasumi smiled. "Todoh is just fine."

Shingo nodded as Kasumi gave him the glass of milk.

"Um… Hey… Why milk?"

"Milk makes your bones stronger and helps you grow."

"But I'm pretty tall already."

"Well, we kind of have too much milk here."

"Oh, I see."

He sat up and drank the milk.

"Ah."

"What?"

"Could it be that you have too much milk because you think you're too shor-"

Smack.

"OWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!"

"DRINK IT AND HEAL QUICKLY SO WE CAN FIND ANOTHER MEMBER, YABUKI! AND YOU OWE ME FOR BREAKING THE RAILINGS ON MY PORCH!"

"What?! I don't remember even stepping foot on your Porch! Are you sure it wasn't you who broke it, Kasu-"

Smack.

"OWWWWW"

"TOOOOODOHHHHH!"

"Todoh. Todoh… Todoh……"

With that, Shingo began to pass out, smiling.

"We're friends, right?"

She did not answer. After a bit of silence, Kasumi watched Shingo fall asleep, smiling.

"You sure are strong, Yabuki."

---------------------------------------

Athena looked at the time on her watch. "9:00. It's been five hours already." She had arrived at the location where the tournament would be held a long time ago. Normally, she'd check-in at the hotel already, but she decided to stay and wait.

"Kensou…"

She lowered her head, recalling what she said to him today. "I shouldn't have said that." However, she also recalled what Kensou said, and she puffed her cheeks. "But he shouldn't have said that either!" Placing her hands on her hips, she sighed. "We'll definitely settle this when they get here."

The 9:00 train finally made its way and stopped, prompting Athena to look at the people who exited the train. "I hope they took this train."

(I must've really hurt Kensou.)

She walked around with her bag, putting her sunglasses on to avoid being spotted by fans and having to put up with a crowd. Just a few hours ago, only a few people were at this station, so Athena had no problem signing autographs, but now there were too many and she didn't have time.

"…Don't you get how much I'm willing to sacrifice for you?"

Those words rang in her head, and it only saddened her mood.

"Ah, Athen- errr.. Asamiya-chan!" Athena's head quickly shot up and saw her sensei, Chin, wave to her. She smiled and quickly rushed to him, bowing in front of him as a show of respect. "It's been a while, sensei!"

"Yes. I hope your skills have improved since last time we met?"

"Yes!" She spoke proudly.

(I don't ever neglect my training!)

(I'll show you, Kensou!)

"Ah, Sensei, where's Kensou?" She looked around, tipping her toes to look above the taller figures.

"ATHENAAAAA!"

Athena blinked as a small figure jumped and hugged her.

"M-Momoko!" Athena was confused, but hugged back, smiling. "Why are you here? Did you come to cheer us on?"

"No?" Momoko looked at her, confused. "Gentsai-sensei said I was going to be on your team this year! YAY!" She hugged Athena again.

"Eh?" Athena's eyes widened, no longer hugging Momoko who went back down to the ground. Athena's head slowly moved towards Chin.

"S-sensei… Where's Kensou?"

"Hm? Didn't he call you?"

Athena immediately fumbled for the phone, almost dropping it as she flipped it open and checked her messages. "N-nothing."

"…I see."

"Sensei, what's going on? Didn't you see Kensou at the station?"

"…Athena…"

Chin tried to find the right words, looking down left and right. Athena could only watch. Her sensei eventually looked up, one of his eyes peeking out.

"Athena, Kensou has quit the team."

"Eh……?"

"As of today, he is no longer a member of the Psycho Soldiers."

Athena's body was stiff as a rock, yet shaking. Her eyes were huge and wide open, looking at nothing with her mouth slightly agape.

"K-Kensou… left?"

Athena's head rose up a little as she suddenly felt a pull in her chest, placing a hand on it, her body still in shock.

(W-what is this feeling in my chest?)


End Chapter Two

Next Time:
The search for a third member begins as Kasumi and Shingo scout out talent, old and new! Will they find the last member in order to qualify for an entry? Meanwhile, Kensou contemplates his own future, not realizing that a shadow is lurking near him, and Athena struggles with the fact that Kensou is perhaps gone for good! Will Athena be able to overcome the sudden realization? Will Kensou be able to fight off the new threat?

All this on the next chapter of The King of Fighters: Regulation Blue!


And now, a small side story:

Kyo is waiting to get off at the location for the tournament, sitting in a train.

"….I know Chizuru said that she's already there, but where the hell is Yagami?

Sitting down, he grabs a book from his bag to read and opens the first page. His eyes suddenly start to twitch as he reads something written on the first page in red marker.

"This is a Death Note. Whoever's name is written down on this Death Note will die from a massive heart attack.

……

……

KYO KUSANAGI.

MUAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAH! YOU WILL DIE NOW!

HOW DOES THAT FEEL, HUH?! HOW DOES IT FEEL TO KNOW YOU WILL DIE IN MERE MINUTES OF THE DAY?! MUAHAHAAHHHAAH! DIE KYO!

Your Executioner,
Iori Yagami

……

……

DAMNIT I WROTE MY NAME ON IT."

Kyo shook his head.

"Idiot."