Aftermath (for SuckerPunch)

[CaptainL]

Continued from here

"You did your best, Kazikura-san...don't forget that, okay?"

"Yeah. Thank you..." Yuki took a short bow as the last of her friends and classmates stepped off, after a much-prolonged meet and greet after the match. The girl was already a well-known name at her school, where many of her friends had been following her ever since the beginning of her career. And, as tonight marked its highest point thus far, they had turned out in droves to support her, along with her family and more fans than Yuki could ever have dreamed of having. It wouldn't be the first time Yuki had headlined a show, not even the first time in LAW. But even those moments were but mere stepping stones for what the girl who had debuted back in the indies as the Dynamite Schoolgirl had now achieved. Not only would she be in the main event, but now it would be in an arena packed to full capacity, facing off with the Lightweight Champion for the ultimate prize.

Everyone had been counting on Yuki to win it. And, for some time, she was so tantalizingly close to realizing the dream. Yet, it wasn't to be. Her back, weakened from the strain of the match, had failed her for long enough for Aoi to reverse things on her, and she ended up taking the pin, in the end.

Yuki let out a sigh as she thought back on these things, leaning against the wall behind her to catch her breath. Aoi herself had complimented her on her efforts, and she was thrilled to have shared the ring with her - no less to have her approval. Knowing that the champion was proud of her, and believed she deserved to come as far as she did, was encouraging. And yet, so many people were counting on her. A few of her underclassmen had been moved to tears when the call was made. On one hand, Yuki knew that to these people, she was their hero. She was the one they were counting on. But at the same time, that put great expectations on herself, expectations she didn't know if she could shoulder.

Rubbing a little at her still-sore back, Yuki finally caught her breath and pushed herself back to her feet. She turned to head backstage, as the crowds began to file out of their seats.

Spoiler

[SuckerPunch]

And standing just beyond the doors to the backstage stood a familiar face. A petite blonde in pink and white. Her enviable golden hair pulled back in a cute red hairband. Her amber eyes were alight as she saw Yuki approach and her lips pulled into an eager, warm smile!

Kelsea Rose

"Oh my gosh Yuki! You were amazing!!!" She charged the dynamite schoolgirl like Barcelona's running of the bull! She thrust something towards her, clutched tightly against her chest. And as she reached Yuki she thrust it towards her a bouquet of roses.

"I'm so proud of you! You looked so beauti-...Err... Powerful out there! Oh my gosh Yuki! Oh my gosh!!"

[CaptainL]

With the last of her classmates disappearing, Yuki had thought that her small army of supporters was all said and done. But there was still one more she hadn't accounted for - and it was the last person she would've expected to find.

"Kelsea..?" Upon seeing the familiar blonde, Yuki stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening at the sight. She hadn't thought Kelsea would be here - but, at the same time, she soon realized that she probably should have. After all, Kelsea was the reason she'd had this much of a turnout in the first place. Yuki thought back to their first meeting, not long ago, when the two had crossed paths outside Korakuen Hall, and the energetic girl had steered her into a nearby coffee shop to check in. It was when it had at last dawned on Yuki that she had fans - fans this devoted to her. It wasn't long before Yuki would see the full breadth of her support when she saw everyone coming to the ring to cheer her on. But that, too, was Kelsea's doing. It was she who had encouraged Yuki to make the announcement official, drawing an impromptu press conference that got plenty of talk on social media about the upcoming title bout. And now, she too was here.

Yuki also saw that she was carrying something, and when she came close enough for her to see the boquet of roses she held in her hand, a wave of emotion uncharacteristic to Yuki's normally stoic self came over her. Her face went red, her mouth hanging open in a gasp as she clasped her hands over her mouth. A display like this was so...personal. She'd had flowers thrown into the ring after some indie victories before, but nothing like this!

"Ohh my god! It's...for me..?" Yuki said, moving to take the roses. "Thank you..! Thank you...you...really shouldn't have..."

[SuckerPunch]

Kelsea released the roses to her friend eagerly. The look on Yuki's face made all of this worthwhile. Yuki had performed magnificently on one of the grandest stages out there. She had bled and sweat for the sport and come within a hair's breadth of the most sought after prize in her division.

"Of course I did silly!" She corrected Yuki jovially! "How else was I supposed to show you my support! I wish I could have been with you at the ring to see everything up close!" She looked off wistfully. She knew she couldn't have been by the ring. Kelsea was never by any ring.. That was someone else's domain...

"But I'm glad I got to cheer you on with everyone else in the crowd!" She punched her palm before reprising her brilliant smile.

"That Aoi is something else huh? If you ask me, she got pretty lucky! You were about to close the match, right?!" She pantomimed the closing moments of their match, just before Yuki's back had given out on her.

It wasn't until she'd finished her cherades that she looked Yuki over with concern. "Is your back okay?" However, after the question her expression reddened with embarassment.

Yuki's attire and body had been drawn in all sorts of directions. And from the hectic match, it had been pulled taut against her beautiful body. Exposing a bit more than the Dynamite Schoolgirl intended, surely. Kelsea did her best not to let Yuki see her wandering eyes, but her adoration and appreciation was plain to see.

[CaptainL]

Hearing Kelsea's comments, Yuki nodded to her, smiling wide. She was happy to have her support, practically overflowing with emotion. Knowing that she had such a dedicated and devoted fan, here to cheer her on in the greatest moment of her career, Yuki wanted to gush. She opened her mouth, about to expel Kelsea's virtues and how thankful she was to have her as a friend, but she soon caught herself, taking in a breath and issuing a polite bow. She wouldn't want to be too untoward; she had self-respect, after all.

"Ah...thank you, anyway. I didn't notice you in the crowd, but I'm happy you were there to watch me..." Yuki walked over to a table, where she set the flowers down for now; carrying them around everywhere would have gotten awkward. Then, though, something came to her mind, as she realized where she was. She was pretty sure only wrestlers and staff were allowed back here; how did Kelsea get in, and why wasn't security doing anything about it? "Hey, wait, why are you-?"

Despite the question Yuki started to ask, she was soon cut off, both in her speech and her train of thought. If Yuki had reservations about getting too carried away with her energy, Kelsea evidently didn't have the same concerns. She smirked a little as she mimed the end of the match, and it was encouraging to see that anyone could get so invested about what she did. But then, she paused, as Kelsea's attention turned to those final few moments - Yuki had attempted to take down the champion with her shiranui, only for her back, already weakened in the strain of the match, to fail her, leaving her open. Thinking back on this, Yuki frowned, her gaze turning down at her feet.

"Yeah, she did, huh...and yeah, I'm fine." Remembering the soreness in her back, Yuki reached behind her to rub at it, wincing as she did. She also noticed now how much her backside was showing, and, blushing, she covertly went to pull the bottom half of her leotard back down to properly cover herself. She hoped no one noticed that too much. But there were other things on her mind, too. Like how the outcome of the match had fell short of Yuki's expectations.

"I'm...sorry I couldn't win it for you," she said. While Yuki was honored to have gone so long against the champion, and to even have Aoi recognize her for it, being reminded now, by Kelsea, was different. Her body seemed to deflate, with her shoulders slumping as she continued. Feeling like she'd let down her fans was one thing, but Kelsea was another thing entirely. She was the first stranger that had approached Yuki with a genuine interest in getting to know her better, and she was the one who had encouraged her to take ownership of her shot at the title. The raven-haired girl in yellow knew she would be cheering her on louder than most, and yet, she had still seen her fail. Now more than ever, Yuki wished she would have had other news to tell her about the outcome. "I tried my best, I really thought I would..."

[SuckerPunch]

Kelsea's smile widened, if that was even possible, as Yuki reassured her about her back. She was happy Yuki was okay. Though, something swimming beneath the surface was drinking in every move Yuki made. Like a hungry shark. From Yuki's soothing of her spine to her need to fix her attire. A darker desire drank deeply of Yuki's defects.

It was that same mal-intentioned stowaway that kept Kelsea from answering Yuki. That held her hostage within her own heart and kept her ffom confessing her true profession. From telling Yuki she would be her next opponent. Behind those sweet amber eyes lurked a caustic, corrupted competitor...

"I'm so glad you're okay! That's what really matters!" She reassured Yuki!

When Yuki apologized Kelsea's expression turned from placid joy to a sorrowful frown. She couldn't imagine the pain Yuki was feeling. Pro Wrestling, unlike most other sports, was uniquely solitary. It was one woman against another woman! Baring their souls and skills... and bodies. And losing was just as dramatically painful as winning was triumphant. You had noone to blame. No lies to tell. You simply weren't good enough...

Kelsea could see Yuki's sorrow building and she knew she needed to stop it. Without hesitation the sweet amber eyed blonde leapt into Yuki and wrapped her arms around her. She buried her face in the nape of the Dynamite Schoolgirls neck and held their bodies together. The embrace one of sheltering warmth. Yuki could smell Kelsea's hair. It was sweet, like the rest of her. Like frosted strawberries. Her palms pressed between Yuki's shoulder blades, symbolically helping to bear the burden her strained back was tasked with.

She spoke gently against her neck. "Oh Yuki. You were amazing! Your best was incredible! You're beautiful! And powerful! And you will! Even if you didn't win tonight! You will! I believe in you!"

She released the hug and grasped Yuki's hands in her own. She looked into her eyes, as if she could transfer her raw emotions into the younger woman through them alone.

"Ganbaru Yuki!" The words were an intimate whisper... The hushed tone somehow making it feel louder than when she'd screamed those same words inside the coffeeshop.

[CaptainL]

Regardless of whatever darker urges Kelsey might have harbored, Yuki was still yet to be aware of them. She remained blissfully ignorant, only seeing her as a very devoted fan. A sponsor perhaps, even. And perhaps now that Yuki had a moment to herself, trying to catch her breath and dull the pain of a prolonged duel of submission holds, Kelsea had what she really needed, after all.

Kelsea expressed her relief when Yuki confirmed she would be okay - she just had a sore back, but it would be nothing she couldn't recover from with rest. But that knowledge didn't help Yuki as she grappled with the disappointment she held towards herself in failing to win the match for her friend. A new friend, perhaps, but a friend nonetheless. When she saw the grin leave Kelsea's face, she was sure she had done it.

But when Kelsea closed in and pulled her into a hug, it was as though the tension was released from the girl. She stopped, blinking a few times, but soon she let out a breath, allowing her body to relax into the contours of Kelsea's own. She could feel her warmth against her, and her touch felt so oddly soothing, in a way Yuki couldn't place. But there was just something about her that made her burdens feel a little lighter, and her troubles distant. She sighed, and with it her chin came to rest against Kelsea's shoulder. Her palms pressed into her sore back, and yet, her touch didn't aggravate the pain; if anything, it felt to her like a firm but relaxing massage. And then, she heard her words.

"Amazing...really?" She looked up at Kelsea again, a smile creeping its way across her face. She listened on every word, taking in her praise. She thought back to that first meeting that afternoon, and tears began to well in her eyes. If she had been afraid of showing her emotions earlier in this meeting, she had no such reservations now. She leaned in closer, throwing her arms tight around Kelsea and hugging her against her chest, as she buried her face against her shoulder.

"Thank you, Kelsea...thank you. I'm going to win it for you. And for everyone." She pulled her even tighter now, enough for Kelsea to practically feel her heartbeat. "You've done so much for me already, I swear I'll pay you back..."

[SuckerPunch]

Kelsea's heart fluttered as Yuki pulled her tight against her. Her stomach filled with butterflies and her cheeks shifted to a soft shade of red as their bodies pressed against each other tightly. Separated only by their clothing, and between the two of them, only Kelsea felt really dressed at the moment. She liked being held by the young Japanese woman. Her athletic body was soft, but firm. Her grasp felt strong and comforting. Like no one could pull her away without Yuki's permission.

She idly ran her hands down Yuki's arms comfortingly. Her fingers massaging and kneading the sore muscles as she felt wetness of her face against her shoulders. She moved back slowly so that she could look into her eyes and confront her emotions. She leaned forward, placing her forehead against Yuki's. Her blush deepened as she felt Yuki's heart. Her own, speeding up as the women held each other, hip to hip. What had started off as a friendly hug was fast beginning to feel more intimate.

Her hands unconsciously returned to Yuki's back as her fingers pressed their tips gently into her beaten body. She just wanted to make the girl feel good. To hurt no longer. Massaging and kneading her discomfort out as she had with her arms. But the action of doing so pushed them even closer together. With Yuki's tight hug, and Kelsea's massage, there was no line between their bodies.

"Okay." She stated in that same shy, intimate whisper. Yuki would be able to feel the exhale of her words against her lips. Their noses touching cutely as she smiled shyly. Yuki could see the adoration in Kelsea's eyes. The affection. "But I only accept payment in the form of more dates."

[CaptainL]

With Kelsea's hands tracing the contours of her well-toned arms, and her forehead leaning in against hers, Yuki was no stranger to how close the two were coming to one another. Now, leaning in against her body, Kelsea was practically plastered against Yuki, enough for the two girls to feel one anothers' breath against their skin as they exhaled. The blood was rising in Yuki's face, her cheeks growing warmer and redder. With each little bit that Yuki adjusted her posture, Kelsea could feel the muscles moving under her skin and the planes of their bodies gliding against each other. Yuki had...never been so close to anyone before.

And yet...she really didn't mind it, she found. Kelsea's presence was almost comforting, even as she drew her out of her comfort zone. It all felt so...natural. That when she so much as breathed around this girl, those breaths were easy ones. As unused to this as she was, Yuki was still smiling. In terms of appearance or personality, the two had little in common, and at the same time, Yuki felt closer to her than anyone. Even Mayori didn't provoke such responses, despite being a close friend. She gulped. Could it be..?

At last, it was Kelsea who vocalized the thought that was on both of their minds. Even if Yuki was thinking it too, hearing it put in words at last broke through her defenses, as she drew back, her eyes widening. "D...dates-?" she stammered. "Er-! Does that mean we're...a thing?" It was quite apparent that Yuki wasn't used to thinking this way!

[SuckerPunch]

Kelsea was short of breath as the two women held eachother. She wasn't entirely aware of what she'd been implying. Afterall, Kelsea had never had a girlfriend. As Yuki drew back and looked into her own amber eyes, the young blonde's heart skipped a beat! The world froze and she panicked!

"Oh no!" Kelsea's eyes widened as she screamed the words in shocked engrish! No face had ever been redder than Kelsea Rose's at this precise moment in time. What had she done!? What if Yuki didn't feel that way about women. Or worse... About her...

"Unless... Unless you want to be a thing?" She asked meekly. Despite her panic, she hadn't let go of Yuki. Her hands hadn't left her and their bodies had drawn no further apart.

"D-do you want to be a thing... with me?" Tears began to build in sweet Kelsea Rose's eyes as the emotions were now overwhelming her! Yuki was part of the reason she was here... Part of the reason she even had a career here in Japan... She was kind. And lovely. And... did she like Kelsea? Like... that?