“Confident words! Incredible!” Mina exclaims, her fake smile as wide as ever. “Perhaps you really will become the next Floor Master.”
Alex leans back, crossing his arms with a smirk, feeling the interview winding down. Inwardly, he wonders how long Menchi can hold herself back from ripping into Mina after this circus of an interview.
“I’ll gladly invite you to my personal floor once that happens… Ah, that came out wrong,” Alex says, stumbling over his words as he glances nervously at Menchi, who looks ready to explode. “I mean… I invite you and your good friends here for a tour of my floor.”
Menchi, already furious, steps closer and enters the camera’s view, her glare practically burning a hole in Alex.
Mina seizes the moment with a mischievous smile. “Oh, and who is this lovely person? Could it perhaps be your girlfriend? I bet many of your female fans are disappointed right now. Turns out you’re not available… or are you the open type with multiple spots available for female ‘support’?”
Menchi’s glare sharpens, her hatred for Mina almost palpable. Alex, feeling like he’s cornered, scrambles to salvage the situation.
“This is Menchi, a world-famous Single Star Gourmet Hunter and my teacher,” he says, attempting to sound calm. “She’s not my girlfriend… I haven’t become worthy enough to ask her out yet. Maybe after today, that will change. I’m not looking for anyone else because nobody even remotely compares to her in the first place.”
Wait… that came out wrong! Alex realizes instantly. Now it sounds like a damn confession! I was trying to say that after today, I’ll finally be worthy—not a student anymore, but a Nen master of my own.
Menchi, blushing furiously, immediately steps out of the camera’s view.
Mina’s smile grows even wider as she leans into the drama. “Wow, a confession on live television! I recognize that lovely lady—she’s indeed the beautiful Gourmet Hunter. It looks like she hunted herself a different kind of prey—not for cooking but for keeping.”
“No, it’s not that, it’s—” Alex tries to protest, but Mina cuts him off.
“No need to be shy—that’s quite manly of you,” Mina teases. “I think we all respect this! So, will you confess to her directly after the match, or save it for later?”
Alex is visibly flustered but quickly changes the subject. “Well, I can’t say… Anyway, Mina, I’m afraid I have to leave now. My fight is starting soon, and I need to prepare.”
Mina, ever the opportunist, wraps things up with a coy smile. “Thank you for your time, Alex, and good luck in both your fight and your confession. I’ll be rooting for you two!” Turning back to the camera, she adds, “There you have it, folks—Alex Kerber, not only aiming to become a Floor Master but also head over heels for his younger teacher and master. An oddly romantic couple, wouldn’t you agree? I think that deserves respect! Looks like there’s no space for me to intervene between those two lovebirds.”
As the interview concludes, Alex’s frustration simmers. Damn, this bitch. She’s only acting like a bimbo, but she’s clearly a money-hungry, greedy opportunist.
“Well… see you around then,” Alex says, slightly embarrassed, as Menchi grabs him by the arm and pulls him out of the room.
“Menchi, I’m sorry, that came out wrong. I can clarify things afterward so your reputation doesn’t suf—” Alex starts to apologize, but Menchi interrupts him, her face half-embarrassed as she says, “It’s fine!! Just win, so people won’t laugh at me!”
Damn, Alex thinks, she’s kinda cute when she’s embarrassed. It’s a welcome change from her usual sadistic, arrogant side. I wonder if I should really confess… if she stayed like this all the time, it’d probably be worth it, Alex jokes to himself.
Back in their room, Alex decides to rest for a couple of hours, lying down to clear his mind.
Finally, 30 minutes before the fight, Menchi wakes him up and says, “It’s time. You can do this. Do you want to warm up?”
“Okay! Let’s spar… and please, go easy on me. Just warming up, no Nen!” Alex replies, getting into position.
They begin sparring, but Alex can’t seem to focus. His eyes keep drifting to Menchi, his mind wandering. To his surprise, Menchi seems distracted too, and after just a few minutes, they both stop.
“Sorry,” Menchi says with a small smile. “That wasn’t much of a warm-up. Just win tonight, and we’ll celebrate big! I promise you!” Her tone is serious, but there’s a tiny trace of worry in her expression.
“Don’t worry. I will,” Alex replies confidently. Then, after a brief pause, he adds, “And Menchi, sorry about the interview. But just to say the truth… I think you’re a lovely woman. Beautiful, smart, talented, and funny. I’d honestly feel honored if people thought I was dating you.”
Menchi grins, her usual confidence returning. “As you should! Now go out there and get that title! If you fail, don’t think sweet-talking me will save you from your punishment. You better win if you don’t want to become my maid.”
SHIT, can’t she let that go? Alex curses inwardly, but he forces a confident smile. Together, they make their way to the Arena, the anticipation thick in the air.