@shoryucannon.bsky.social

“Oh, hey! How’re you enjoying the game? I found a machine for it at the arcade but — it’s really hard to get combos going on it…”

“It probably was. Akira and I, we’re friends. I guess the question is now if you two are…”

@rammuaypreecha.bsky.social

“Uh, the arcade’s closed for tonight. I’m just locking up.”

The tomboyish fighter would explain as she faced the other, doing just as she said she was doing. Her first night shift — and probably not the last explanation she’d give out.

While the name was… strange, Sakura raised a brow and went a bit more relaxed with her body’s positioning, seeing his knife pocketed.

“Sakura.”

- be just like that, and he’ll see just how strong I’ve become!”

“Traveling the world, getting into tough fights! I don’t really see him a lot, but he sends me a lot of advice over the internet!”

Sakura explains with a little wave of her hand. Though she presses a hand close to her chest, knowing his resolve is set just as hers should be.

“Someday, I’m gonna -

“Yeah, that’s definitely Ryu! He’s the coolest ever, and I’m training to be just like him! Heheh-!”

It felt like she could talk about her mentor day and night, but, gaining at least a little bit of self-awareness back, she introduced herself before she got carried away.

“Name’s Kasugano Sakura!”

“So… do you.”

That grin gave all kinds of weird vibes to the blooming fighter. She backed up slightly, on her guard, just in case she needed to spring into action.

“What’s your name?”

“Then you must know my sensei! I mean, how could you not?! He’s only the best fighter in the whole world!”

Her confusion made a drastic switch into pride and enthusiasm!

A rush of energy leapt into her as she threw punches at the air, striking a tough pose to copy the spirit of her inspiration!

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee !!!

@cosmicvirtuosoc.bsky.social

“Ooh, you painting something?”

Sakura tilted her head, interested in the other’s craft. It was always nice to see an artist gaining some inspiration from the world around them.

Maybe her fighting spirit did just the same for him—?

“I-I dunno… But you definitely don’t look like anyone I’ve ever met before on account of… all that…”

Sakura made a little invisible outline with her finger, gesturing to Rock’s armor, shape, pretty much everything that made him stand out.

He looked like some kind of mascot.

@dontcallhimeiji.bsky.social

“Mm-? Whatcha staring at?”

Sakura’s water break has been interrupted. Clad in a tanktop, some shorts, and her signature converse, she spots someone watching her…

Kinda rude to drop in uninvited…

@variableweapons.bsky.social

“You kinda look… familiar…”

The tomboy tilts her head and gives his metallic physique a hard look. It feels like they must have met somewhere before. But the memories are so fuzzy in her head…

Maybe from a passing glance?

@aoihimezaki.bsky.social

“You gonna start teasing me again? I’ve got training to do, so I don’t have time for games!”

She puffed out her chest a little, trying to seem as tough as she could. Martial arts was her ultimate focus right now.

Not getting….. poked fun at.

“That’s… O-Okay, I’ll watch my guard.”

That was……. pretty much the simplest advice he could possibly give out. Sakura wondered if he pulled that out of a pamphlet or something.

“I guess I could use the money too…”

“Uh huh! It pays pretty well. I’m just kinda torn. It’s starting to take up a lot of valuable training time…”

Sakura looks partially ashamed, like even in the smallest way, she has let her idol down. Her next sigh is particularly heavy, expelling the warrior’s burden.