Simmering to a Cool

[Dubski]

Mihoko walked through the door and kept dragging her bag to her side, clearing her throat as they walked side-by-side. She wasn't going to dare start the conversation back up, so she waited for Kokoro to speak first. She looked slightly confused when Katakura stated she was curious about her. Nobody was ever curious about Mihoko Tanaka. But... there was a first time for everything, and she figured she could try to answer Katakura the best she could. And the idea of why she was a wrestler came up first. A reasonable question considering Mihoko was acting now like she couldn't even throw a single punch at anyone, let alone go through a full on battle with them.

But Tanaka would have to come up with an adequate response, and she took the moment to think on that, furrowing her brow. "...Oh, um. I just... like to fight. It's the only time I really... I guess, feel good. Like strong, powerful, seen," said Mihoko, glancing back at Kokoro with a shrug as she bit her lip. "And I'm just not very used to intimate contact, I guess. But I got a contract here because it pays the most and has the most exposure. It would be silly if I turned it down. But I just, umm... Well nobody ever really seems interested in me either, so I just don't have to deal with that sort of thing a lot." She shrugged again, not sure what else to say. She was either a timid wallflower or an out of control brat. Neither of which seemed to be adequate romance material.

[BlackAkuma]

Freezer nodded along with Mihoko’s answer, seeing the sense in it. LAW was the best paying promotion in Japan, there was little question there, and it gave talent freedoms and contracts that would’ve bankrupted most promotions into oblivion. Granted, none of that had attracted her to it - no, she’d mostly come for the challenge and the chance to pit herself against an unending stream of sensually active women. But it was certainly a draw for others.

”’Nobody, hm’? Well, we both know that you can’t very well say that anymore, now can you?” She dipped to the side and gave Mihoko a playful bump on the shoulder. ”That was me teasing you. Just a little. Sorry, I couldn't resist.”

With that out of her system, she backed off and put her hands behind her back as they walked, musing. ”But your…I suppose ‘duality’ is the right word? It’s intriguing. It’s always been the opposite for me. In-ring or outside, I’m much the same. It’s great that you have such an outlet, though - you really do get wild in the ring. It’s hard to believe you can keep all that energy bundled inside.”

[Dubski]

Mihoko Tanaka was surprised by Kokoro's good-natured teasing at first, before she blushed, smiling shyly. That certainly seemed like it was the truth though--Katakura was the first in LAW to make any kind of move on her. But her former opponent went right back to a more serious discussion after, remarking on the dual nature of Mihoko's personality.

Giving a slight nod, Mihoko looked thoughtful again as she considered that. She knew she wasn't normal in that respect--but it was the ideal situation for her given her normally shy demeanor. "I know I'm... weird. The energy just kind of doesn't come out unless I'm excited, or emotional. And then I just... I just can't really control it, you know? It's like a lot of adrenaline and I can turn off my worries and concerns and anxiety and I can just... fight and be free," explained Mihoko with a sigh. She bowed her head and then added, "And I don't know how much I like me when I'm like this--awkward--or when I'm all excited like that. I don't really have a balance so I just make the most of what I can when I'm fired up and fighting." Mihoko concluded with a shrug, allowing Kokoro to take that as she would.

[BlackAkuma]

The more they talked, the more Freezer realized that Mihoko wasn’t simply beautiful - no, she was achingly cute, too. The way she smile, with that little blush, was enough to warm even the coldest heart. So shy and timid, despite her physical prowess. And with such a great body, too, though she clearly wasn’t of a mind to show it off. Freezer was the first and only one to show interest in her, really? She liked to think she had an eye for this sort of thing, but she never imagined she was so far ahead of the curve.

”I see what you mean. You’re like an automatic car stuck in gears. Drive, reverse, neutral. Simple, but it doesn’t allow for much control.” Freezer tapped her chin, thinking momentarily before she pointed back to Mihoko.

”You know,” She inched a little closer as they walked, careful not to be too abrupt about it. ”It might be a matter of practice. You’re clearly well trained, but getting these feelings under control, it’s something that comes with experience, and you’re only going to be able to do that with a live opponent. Do you have a regular sparring partner?” Freezer felt she knew the answer, but it would be imperious to assume.

[Dubski]

Mihoko nodded along with Kokoro's explanation. It made the most sense--the analogy to a car. "That seems accurate..." remarked Tanaka before her attention was grabbed by it being suggested she have a sparring partner. Her face scrunched up in concern at that suggestion as she groaned under her breath. She briefly shook her head. "No... I don't," said Mihoko softly.

She sighed, glancing down. "I don't really have an opportunity to spar anyone... and anyone I do spar with doesn't like how intense it becomes and..." Mihoko trailed off, letting out another sigh. "I know you're being nice and want to offer to spar with me but... I just don't think that's a good idea." She shrugged her shoulders, looking back at Katakura apologetically, hoping she would understand what she meant, and that she wasn't just being rude.

[BlackAkuma]

Freezer nodded at Mihoko’s reply, not terribly surprised by it. It was already achingly clear the woman didn’t have the highest appearance of herself, likely thinking that any effort to try and help was doomed in disaster. She couldn't help but wonder if she had always been this way, so shy and reserved, keeping to herself, solitary and secluded. It struck as a rough way to go through life.

Still, that wouldn’t stop her from making a case for it. ”I think we’ve firmly established that I don’t mind your intensity. Quite the opposite, in fact - I wouldn’t be here, now, if that was the case.” Freezer wagged a finger her way, as they came close to the entrance of the LAW building. ”But I can’t force that on you if you’re uncomfortable with it. I would like to keep that door open, though - please, at least take my number and give it some thought, hm? Consider it a small favor.”

[Dubski]

Hearing her former opponent and now turned would-be friend out, Mihoko bit her lip. She didn't understand why Katakura didn't mind her in the ring. She was hard with strikes, insulting, and wasn't afraid to bend rules. She was everything that people wouldn't want to face most days, but here was Kokoro, saying she liked it.

Tanaka nodded a few times, clearing her throat. She took out her phone from her pocket before unlocking it, shielding it slightly so Katakura couldn't see on it. Then, she would get it ready for her to input her contact info. "Umm... I can give it some thought, I think," murmured Mihoko. She would, indeed, give it some thought. She did find that it might be helpful for her, and Kokoro Katakura was quite kind to her so far, so maybe, possibly, potentially, she had made a friend...? "You can put your number here," said Mihoko, handing over her phone with the rather obvious instructions.

[BlackAkuma]

Freezer had to put a hand over her mouth to keep from giggling when Mihoko went to cover her phone. Little things like that were just too adorable. She managed to get herself under control by the time the phone was handed to her, and she promptly put her contact info in, along with her name - the real one - and a cute snowflake emoji, just for a small reminder.

”There.” She gave the phone back. ”Call me whenever you like, I will always answer. It was a pleasure meeting you, and I look forward to our next encounter.” She fought her instinct to move in for a hug, knowing that was far too intimate with the way they were now. As much as she wouldn’t have minded getting close with Mihoko, some things needed to be developed with time. Patience was key, here, and she intended to exercise it.

”Until next time, Mihoko-san.” She turned to make her way to the exit, looking over her shoulder with a fond grin as she went. ”Take care.”

[Dubski]

Mihoko took back her phone after Kokoro had put her information into it. She smiled slightly at the little snowflake emoji, for the special touch of it. Surprisingly, Katakura encouraged Tanaka to call her whenever she wanted, vowing to always answer, which made Mihoko smile even more. She wasn't sure she believed her, but it was still very kind.

And when Kokoro Katakura bid her farewell, Mihoko gave a little wave to her, smiling more genuinely. "Good bye, Kokoro..." said Mihoko Tanaka, waiting until her friend was a few minutes gone before deciding to leave herself--not wanting to run into Kokoro again so soon after leaving.

But Mihoko may well give Kokoro a call sometime, if she could build up the courage.