Akio rolled her shoulders, the sound of joints popping sharp in the quiet air. She twisted her arm slowly, cracking her fingers one by one as if waking her body up piece by piece. She had been down for both the Aruther and Milly fights, but this. This was different. With Kira standing on the other side of the arena, her lips curved into a small, dangerous chuckle.
"I guess for you, Kira… I've heard all sorts of good things." Her voice was low, almost a murmur meant only for herself. She reached back, gathering her hair into her hands, pulling it tight. "So I'll take this one a bit more seriously."
Kira didn't flinch. She didn't even pretend to care. Her focus was absolute, her body steady, her gaze sharp and locked only on Akio. She wasn't here to banter. She wasn't here to entertain. She was here to test herself against the strongest; nothing else mattered.
