Setting a Pattern: Spectre vs Yuri Yoshika & Natsuki Muramoto

[Malkavia]

The world had become waterlogged. Bleary, so that it was hard for Monika to see the ring. How long had Monika been crying? She was used to tears of emotion. These seemed simply to be a leak, streaming constantly down her cheeks.

God. Oh God.

She could no longer feel the individual places Spectre's knee had crushed her stomach. The hurt had spread into one hot burn. It felt as though the muscle had frayed, and each pump of blood through her body rekindled the burn.

"Oh. O-ok..."

Sayo...

Which blur was her best friend? She wiped her eyes with the one hand not cradling her stomach. Sayori was ringside. She was picking up Natsuki, heaving her in both arms, the way one might complete a barbell squat.

Why?

Why did Spectre even want Natsuki in the ring?

Monika would never find out. Sayori never intended to give up her sub-100 pound friend. Instead, she whipped an about face and began to sprint down the entrance ramp towards the exit—Natsuki in her arms.