Just like that, my third match in the World Warrior Tournament came to… a very strange close. I won the fight. My opponent and mentor, Dan Hibiki, was defeated and eliminated from the competition. How it all happened, though, is where it gets weird… Mr. Hibiki used his most powerful technique, the Haoh Gadoken. It was such a massive ki blast that I was forced to deal with it head-on. No jumping or rolling or swaying, I just put my arms up and tried to tank the blow… And it actually worked out fine! It was a big attack, but not so dangerous that I couldn't defend against it.

As soon as I got done dealing with that, I found out that the match was over. I… didn't have a clue what had happened. All I saw was my master on the other side of the Saikyo-Style Dojo with his head stuck in the wall. I had to ask some of the spectators just what the heck was going on, and this drunk guy told me "Aw dude, you totally missed it! The Karate guy in pink? That dude you're fightin'? When he unleashed that mondo fire blast, he couldn't properly handle all that gnarly power! With a huge kaboom, he shot himself backwards at mach speed! Cuh-rassssh! He plowed into that wall, man! Check it out, he got his head stuck in there and everything. But hey, looks like you won, girl! Nice goin'!"

…So… yeah… Mr. Hibiki knocked himself out with his own attack… I'm glad that I was the winner, don't get me wrong, but… this match left me feeling more than a little frustrated. On the plus side, I found my family and friends in the crowd, and we got to lose ourselves in the celebration for a few minutes. It feels really good to see your hard work pay off. It's especially sweet when the people you love are there to join in and hype you up. What an amazing feeling! My parents asked if I was coming home with them so we could have a big victory feast in my honor, but I told them I needed to stick around until Mr. Hibiki woke back up… The two of us had unfinished business, after all.

"Hey, Master… How're you feeling?"

"Blehhh… Like a million bucks, kid… Can't ya tell?"

"I'm not trying to make you feel even worse about your loss, I promise… but what the heck were you thinking?! You have only yourself to blame for that!"

"You're saying it's my fault?! Sakura, you're the one who goaded me into unleashing my ultimate art! I had no choice! Not in front of all those raving fans!"

"I can't believe you… I didn't even land the finishing blow. You KO'd yourself. I've never even heard of something like that occurring before."

"H-How was I supposed to know that'd happen? Ki attacks aren't supposed to be that strong! I was caught by surprise, that's all! Could've backfired on anyone!"

"…Are you serious right now? You should have known the risks because that's your own technique! You've used it before!"

"Nuh-uh! That was the first time the Haoh Gadoken has ever graced the eyes of mortals - mine included!"

"…Wait… You've never practiced that move?"

"…N-No… I mean, I'd been theorizing about it for a while, but… I've always been kinda nervous about actually giving it a go. I have to put a lot of energy into that bad boy! It would have been grossly irresponsible of me to attempt such an attack before I was ready."

"Then why did you use it against me?!"

"You backed me into a corner! You called me out! I've got a reputation to uphold, don't you remember?"

*sigh* "Yeah… and look how well you upheld it…"

This is probably the dumbest conversation I've ever been a part of. Every time I think he can't disappoint me more than he already has, he says something that completely throws me for a loop. Sure, Mr. Hibiki… The best time for you to start using your most powerful technique is in the middle of a tournament with all eyes on you… Yeah, you totally can't be blamed for that… What a joke.

"Alright, alright, I don't care about that, okay? We have more important things to talk about."

"Hmm? What's the matter, kid?"

"…You've been lying to me."

"Wh-What? Lying? I'm no liar!"

"I should have realized it a long time ago… I probably did, but I just didn't want to believe it. It's cuz you're my master, y'know? You were kind enough to take me under your wing, teach me, travel with me… I so badly want to pretend that you're this amazing martial arts warrior… but you're not."

"H-Hey, what's with this slander?! That's no way to talk to your master, young lady!"

"That's another thing… Sorry, Mr. Hibiki, but I'm done being your student."

"…W-Woah, wait… What?... You… You mean that, kid?"

"I defeated you in a real street fighting tournament. If I'm being brutally honest, you weren't that much of a challenge either… Why should I act like we're student and master when I've already long surpassed you?"

"…Well… I'm… not showing my true power, did you forget-"

"Come on, Mr. Hibiki! We both know that's a load of crap! You blame your losses on luck, and stomach aches, and injuries, but you've never won big events or taken matches against strong fighters. Your dojo is empty, and I'm your first and only disciple. You don't have any proof that you are what you say you are."

"…I…"

"That's why you don't spar with me, isn't it? The first day we met, when I came to you with no experience but so much enthusiasm… You realized, even back then, that I might make you look bad. You were afraid of losing to me and for me to learn the truth about you."

"…"

"What makes it all hurt even more is that I care about you, Mr. Hibiki! You've done so much for me, and you're one of my best friends. You might not be a great warrior, but you are a great teacher. You taught me how to use ki, something that seemed impossible when I was starting out… Truth be told, I don't even think I'm giving you enough credit… You are a decent fighter. I know that for a fact… but you're no master."

"…"

"Can you please just admit it? Drop the act… I want to be your friend, but I'm not willing to be friends with someone who hides behind a lie like this. Face reality and let's move on, alright? We can grow stronger together and test ourselves without worrying about who's better. Your pride and ego are only holding you down, Mr. Hibiki, so let those things go! You'll do it, won't you?... For me?"

There's no one left inside the Saikyo-Style Dojo except for me and Dan. I'm grilling him so hard, I don't think I'd have noticed if anyone else was around. We're seated on the floor, my fierce gaze on his sullen form. His head is face down, his eyes are closed, he won't look at me. I understand that there's a struggle going on within right now… Maybe he's facing emotions and truths that he's buried deep down… but I won't accept anything else! Tell me the truth, Dan! I know you're strong enough!

…Seconds tick by… Even minutes… We sit there in silence, and my former master refuses to speak up… I'm just about ready to get up, say goodbye, and leave him for good… but he finally finds his courage…

"…Okay… Okay, I'm… no martial arts master… I'm a coward, alright? Is that what you want to hear?"

Yeah, that is part of what I wanna hear, but I won't respond just yet. This isn't enough, so I simply look at him and wait. Thankfully, he continues…

"I… I really wanna be strong… I need to be strong… but yeah, you're right. I guess I'm not… No, I know that I'm not. I've always known that I'm not strong. I just… figured I'd reject reality. Fake it 'til I make it, y'know? If I trick myself and the rest of the world into believing that I am strong, maybe I will be one day. At least, that's what I told myself. Saying it out loud, I'm starting to realize how stupid it all sounds… Yeah, I don't know, kid… It hasn't worked out too well for me."

I release a sigh… Guess that's why he's always been such a show-off. The boasting, the taunting, the focus on reputation rather than results… He tries to compensate for his lack of skill with a false public perception.

"Why are you so interested in becoming stronger? Is it really just fame and fortune you're after?"

"N-No! I mean… That stuff's great n' all. Who doesn't enjoy a crowd chanting your name, right? Spreading my name was just another way to convince myself that I was genuinely making progress, though. This'll probably sound unlike me, but… the actual reason?... I'm trying to avenge someone."

"Revenge?... So that is why you got turned away by that Ansatsuken master."

"Oh… Y-Yeah… Suppose you had that figured out, eh?"

"You're… not a very good liar, Mr. Hibiki… So, do you mind if I ask about what happened? Who you're trying to avenge?"

"W-Well… It's… my father… His name was Gou Hibiki, a real martial arts master. The kind I wish I was… He was killed in a fight, and I… need to…"

Gosh, he looks like he's on the verge of tears… I never knew he had such a sad past!

"It's okay, Mr. Hibiki! You don't have to talk about it anymore if it bothers you… I get it."

"…Guess I should apologize then… Sorry, Sakura… I didn't really understand how much this was affecting you. I've been holding onto this hatred for a long time, always trying to act tougher, but painfully aware that I'm not strong enough to defeat the man who killed Father… Even now, I know that I'll never be, but it's… so hard to give up!... *sigh* Well, either way, this is good for me, right? It kinda hurts to rip the band-aid off, but… I think I needed to do this."

"I think so too, Mr. Hibiki. I think this is the first step toward becoming the warrior that can avenge your father."

"Y-Yeah… I'd, uh… I'd really like to put my hope in that."

"Then I will too. You've got Sakura Kasugano on your side! What do you say, Dan Hibiki? I might not be your student anymore, but that doesn't mean we can't push each other further! Rivals? Partners? Friends? All of the above? What'll it be?"

"Psh! You're on, kid! Just don't come cryin' to me when I take the lead back from you! This is Dan Hibiki reborn, baby! The soon-to-be master of Saikyo!"

Ah, good… I'm so happy we were able to fix this… I know I was the one who brought this all up, but a boisterous Dan is way better than a somber one. He just needs to keep the gloating and theatrics to a minimum, and we'll be great!

"So… you sure then, kid? You don't even wanna learn Saikyo with me anymore?"

"No, Mr. Hibiki… I wasn't intending on learning Saikyo in the first place, don't you remember? It was pretty stupid to act like we were student and teacher when I didn't even practice the right fighting style, don't you think?

"Ehhh, alright… Well then, Sakura, I'm proud to announce that you have officially graduated from the Saikyo-Style Dojo! You can't quit because you're fired! Or… something like that…"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever… And, hey, thanks for the fight, Mr. Hibiki. It didn't end the way I wanted, but I'm still glad I finally got to square off with you."

"…Y'know? Same, kid. I was feeling seriously embarrassed when I realized that a huge crowd just saw me get beat up by a high school girl… but getting all that sentimental garbage of my chest might'a helped. This loss isn't bothering me like the others."

Who the heck is banging on my door?! I get a few days at home to rest before my next match is scheduled, but I can't even enjoy them in peace!

"Yo! Sis! Lemme in!"

"The door's unlocked Tsukushi! Stop or you're gonna break it, you moron!"

My dumb, younger brother busts into my bedroom with the grace of a gorilla. He had all this energy before, but now that I let him in, he looks timid as a mouse.

"Well? What is it? Spit it out already."

"L-Look… I'm feeling physically sick trying to find the right words for this, okay? Gimme a sec…"

What? My brother routinely makes stupid decisions, and, in general, hardly ever behaves in a normal fashion, but this is odd even for him…

"Ughhh… Okay! Okay! I'll say it! Sis… After watching your battle yesterday and seeing you destroy that pink idiot… I guess I'll admit that I was wrong just this once!"

"Wrong about what? I don't even know what you're talking about."

"Come oooon… You are so annoying! Of course, you hafta go and drag this out… Dumb, bratty, sister…"

"Hey, if you don't quiet down, stupid, I'm kicking you out! You either say what you're here to say or leave. Pick one!"

"God! You're making my insides shrivel up in pain! I hate you, but I'll say it!"

"Tsukushi, I'm not asking you to do anything!"

"…You were… kind of… sorta… mayyybe… sightly cool back there… Alright, happy now?!"

"Awww! That's what this is about? You're so sweet, little bro! I could give you a great, big hug for that!"

"No, no, no! See, I knew you'd start with this! That's why I'm in serious life-threatening agony right now! Do you see my skin? Look, if you squint you can see that it's turning purple! Purple, Sakura! All cuz I had to admit that you didn't look like a dork for once! Urrrgh, this is terrible…"

"Well, Tsukushi, I appreciate your support! If you want me to sign anything for you, all you have to do is ask! I'd never turn down my biggest fan!"

"Sure, sure, ham it up… Okay, but seriously now, do you think Capcom would put you in a fighting game? I think you've got a decent shot."

"Huh? Why would they put me in a fighting game?"

"Tch! Well, I dunno! Maybe cuz they make the best fighting games on the planet?!"

"Yeah, duh, I know that, but if they made a realistic fighting game about martial arts and stuff, they'd go for stronger fighters. No one would pick me!"

"Bzzzt! Wrong! There's people out there who'd definitely pick a dumb, girly character like you. As much as I hate to admit it, you'd stand out pretty well."

"You think so?"

"Yep. You'd be a breakout character. They should just hire me now, cuz my genius is going to waste over here… Ooooh! You know what'd be great! They could give you an install super!"

"A what? I'm not a video game nerd like you are. I don't know all the terms."

"I know you're dumb, but you're not that dumb! You've played Guilty Gear, haven't you? You know Sol Badguy's move, Dragon Install? That's an install super. You spend meter for a power-up."

"Oh… okay… but what kind of install super would I have?"

"Heh! You're gonna love this idea! Remember when you got sunburned at the beach that one time? Your whole body was burnt to a crisp! You were so angry that you crushed everyone in volleyball using your girlish rage! They'll put that in the game, and when you turn sunburned, you become the strongest fighter on the whole roster!

"What?! That's the lamest power-up ever! They'd never include something that stupid!"