Swimming with a Shark... or Koi, Actually (For Leviathan)

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Fuuka Yamagishi

Fuuka Yamagishi walked into a LAW gym, but did not make her way towards any work-out station in particular. The bluenette was here to train, but she had something else to take care of first. Fuuka was looking for somebody: Mizuko Kajiwara. A newer face in LAW, but still an already established star in the ring from her exploits in the Leviathan promotion.

Fuuka was seeking out Mizuko because she was hoping that she could convince the Koi Fish to train her in the art of offense. She saw Mizuko like an upgraded version of herself as a wrestler. Both were insanely resilient and durable, to the extent that submission holds seemed to have almost no effect on them at times. But unlike Fuuka, Mizuko was actually capable of dishing damage back out onto her opponents.

Furthermore, Mizuko was a woman who didn't just beat her opponents, she hurt them. Admittedly, that wasn't something that Fuuka herself wanted to be doing to other people, be she thought that with her brand sheer impotence on offense being the starting point, she should try to find somebody vicious, who holds nothing back, to try to draw something out of her. And Mizuko fit that bill.

There was a rather glaring flaw in Fuuka's plan, though, actually convincing Mizuko. The Koi Fish was commonly described with very nasty words, none of which lent themselves to making people think that she would want to mentor anybody. But Fuuka had more experience than somebody her age probably should at interacting with people who had an... antagonistic disposition towards her, and the techie believed that if she could get an incredibly skilled yet socially shunned individual like Mizuko to help her, then she might be able to learn moves and techniques that nobody else knew or were ready for, because they hadn't been shared with anybody else. Fuuka saw real potential in having Mizuko as a teacher, so she was willing to put in the effort and push through the challenges if that's what it would take to even get her to say yes.

After a bit of searching, Fuuka spotted the splash of bright orange that she had been searching for. She had been told that Mizuko usually trained at this gym at this time on this day of the week, and it seemed that Fuuka's informant (Shiori Takeda; who else?) had been spot on. Seeing that the Koi Fish looked to be between exercises, Fuuka quickly approached and tried to strike up a conversation, "Um, excuse me, Mizuko Kajiwara? Could I please speak with you for a short while? I'm Fuuka, Fuuka Yamagishi. Another wrestler here at LAW."

[Leviathan-Inc]

Spoiler

Mizuko Kajiwara, as fans and other competitors may know of her, is one of the Leviathan’s best submission specialists and is known for her sadistic tendencies within the ring. Often advertised as the black and blue brand’s Elites, a unit of fighters that represent the absolute best of Leviathan. The group would be often called upon to train younger talent, become a respectable celebrity in the media’s eyes, and be an overall role model for the brand. Mizuko did not fit this bill whatsoever. Many of her former pupils went on record calling their former teacher things along the lines of cruel, immature, and just plain unqualified for the role of an instructor. When it comes to her status as a wrestling celebrity, Mizuko was deemed highly unmarketable by many of Leviathan’s partnering brands who elected to go with more likable and noncontroversial options. Lastly, Mizuko did indeed establish herself as a role model for her fellow competitors, laying out a blueprint of how to not be a top star within a fighting brand.

Many to this day are still questioning how this gremlin managed to climb the ranks to the top of Leviathan. Giving an oversimplified answer to this question, the two main factors were Mizuko’s unique combat prowess with submission holds and the unexplainable resistance to these same holds. Some would say she was an innovator in these creatively devastating techniques. But it was her ring personality that would often overshadow these attributes. As for the second reason, many point out that it could’ve been the intense relationship that she had with Umiko Sakaguchi. A rivalry between these two which expanded from all the way to two wrestling brands! Their matches quite literally paved their way to stardom in the wrestling industry so their legacies and success would forever be tied to each other in some sort of way.

Catching up to the current status of Mizuko within the Leviathan brand, things have been shaky for her admittedly. After coming off a massively devastating loss in Leviathan’s TitleWave PPV where for the first time in Mizuko’s career she has EVER tapped out to a submission move, things have been getting worse for her. Going on a massive 5-match losing streak, Leviathan officials have been questioning whether or not Mizuko’s status of Elite-hood should still be applicable. So for Mizuko to prove her worth, Leviathan unofficially banished her to fight overseas on different wrestling brands to turn her career around and recruit new talent for the black and blue brand! The Koi Fish did manage to snap her losing streak and even debuted her new finishing maneuver known as the Shimabara Stretch! As for the recruiting side, Mizuko’s efforts turned out to be more detrimental than helpful for her brand. More often than not, Koi Fish pushed more people away than brought to her and Leviathan’s cause.

This is where we see Mizuko end in the league of LAW, hearing about an immense amount of talent and opportunities, Leviathan sent Ms. Kajiwara to play here for a while. Since then Mizuko has gotten into some matches and even made a poor competitor retire early in their wrestling career. But Mizuko knew her lifeline with Leviathan heavily depended on the success she had with LAW and was aware that she could screw this up!

So hitting up the gym, Mizuko could be seen in her workout attire and trying to get some good reps in with a Leg Press Machine. After just finishing one of her sets, she noticed a particular blue-haired lady approached her. At first, Mizuko thought this individual was a fellow gym member who wanted to use the machine after her. The Koi Fish promptly showed how polite she was and said, “Butt off bish I got a few more reps on this thing! Go somewhere else.”

But the young lady corrected Mizuko and introduced herself as a fellow wrestler who wanted to have a civil conversation with her about another matter. Safely resetting the machine and not bothering to wipe down the workout station, Mizuko got up and eyed up Fuuka from head to toe. Glaring at this lady, Mizuko didn’t think very much of this self-proclaimed ‘wrestler’ just from her appearance but at least wanted to hear what this gal had to say. So she crossed her arms and leaned back. “Go ahead and make it quick- um… What's your name again? I didn’t catch it.”

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Fuuka actually considered Mizuko's initial reaction to her as better than expected. At first it looked more like what the bluenette had been expecting, with the Koi Fish blowing her off from 'go,' but when Mizuko understood that Fuuka didn't want to take her workout station from her, the orange-tipped heel decided to listen to the smaller girl completely willingly.

"Fuuka, my name is Fuuka Yamagishi," repeated the techie. "I've been looking for somebody to help me with my offense as a wrestler, and I think you would be really well suited for that Mizuko. We have very similar defensive profiles as wrestlers, we can both take incredible amounts of punishment. Especially with submission holds, to the point where it can almost seem like we don't feel the hold at all."

"But my problem comes from the other side," Fuuka continued. "You can dish out submissions as much as you can take them, it's truly amazing. But I just can't as I am now. Barring some sort of circumstance helping me, all I'm really good in the ring for is just taking and taking attacks. It's practically my tag team's strategy even. I come in just to kill time and endure whenever my partner who can actually deal damage needs to recover."

"So what I'm asking is if you can train me to be a fighter more like you?" Fuuka said. "To help me go from someone who can hit back just as hard as she can take." Fuuka let out a bit of a sigh, knowing that she may as well answer Mizuko's question of why she would even want to bother before it was asked, "I'm not naïve or entitled enough to expect you to even consider doing this for me out of charity, so for starters, I'm more than willing to have you use me as your example opponent when you show me things. I'm well aware that you quite enjoy getting to lock up other people with your moves." With that, Fuuka was done. She looked up at Mizuko, waiting for an answer. Even if it ended up being getting laughed at, Fuuka was prepared to keep trying until she figured out what it took.

[Leviathan-Inc]

Fuuka, who bravely pitched the idea to Mizuko for her to become Fuuka’s mentor and teach her the ways of submission holds, did what many would consider an adequately good presentation. She was clear, punctual, and overall heartfelt in her delivery. The only problem is, she was giving this speech to Mizuko of all people…Someone with a huge listening problem and who may as well have ADHD. And if Fuuka noticed, there were several times in her pitch that Mizuko couldn’t help smirking and holding in a laugh. It wasn't until at the very end that the floodgates burst and Mizuko let it all out.

In a howling laugh, Mizuko lurched forward and belly laughed so hard she snorted and sounded like a honking goose on several occasions. “Oh my gaw- *Inhale* I’m sorry I’m dying. It’s not you, but it is but- haha.” Mizuko again began to belly laugh and took another minute before Mizuko kind of composed herself. “S-so your name is…*ahem* Fuuka?” Mizuko said in the middle of her giggles. “Please tell me it isn’t and you’re pranking me. But if it is, your parents must’ve really hated you enough to give you that name hahaha. Bullies at school really loved you huh?” Mizuko would say as she began wiping tears from her eyes.

“Phew ok ok, I’m done done- *Phew*, So Fuuk- *snickers*, Fuuka what I heard is essentially, ya want me to be your teacher huh? Hm, ballsy of ya to go up to me directly instead of contacting my agent. Granted, I keep blocking his number because he’s reallyyyy annoying.” Mizuko would say as she casually sat back down on the workout machine, kicked her feet up, and sat back. “Hm but what do I get out of it? And YES, I’ve been offered things like this before where I’m allowed to put fools into good bends. Yet they end up pussying out halfway through, or using me to boost their own careers, and even one idiot pissed me off so bad I accidentally dislocated his shoulder. Don’t ask me why- but let’s just say the asshole deserved it. But-" Mizuko leaned in and narrowed her eyes at the blue-haired Fuuka.

“What do YOU bring to the table huh? What benefits me in the long run and makes this even somewhat a fair deal?” Mizuko would say before leaning back and sitting once more with an eyebrow raised. “I got some ideas, but I wanna hear what you have to offer.”

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As Fuuka was prepared for, and borderline expected, Mizuko's immediate response to her request was, in fact, laughter. Fuuka was surprised, however, by the Koi Fish still being caught up on her name. The coder did eventually see where Mizuko's mind was with this, made obvious my the heel practically calling her 'Fuck.'

There were a couple other points, but the one Fuuka was counting on Mizuko bringing up against her was a lack of belief in the bluenette's ability to actually endure the submission specialist's holds like she claimed. Fuuka didn't let it show, but she knew the moment Mizuko said that, that she had more than a foot in the door. Fuuka didn't want to get so far ahead of herself that she was already mentally scheduling the first session, but this conversation had gone in a way she was ready for.

Fuuka would still start with addressing the topic of her name, "Less than you'd think actually. They teach English in school, yes, but most kids, and adults for that matter, don't really get too much of an opportunity to pick up on the swear words though. I will grant you that my parents and I have a mutual distaste for each other at the best of times, but that didn't start until well after they had named me."

"As I see it, every student is trying to use their teachers to boost their careers," Fuuka continued. "Though if you mean that in the sense of people saying that they were 'trained by Mizuko' in order to gain recognition, I promise you that I'm not remotely that shameless. The only way I'd use you to boost myself is by using your teachings to become a better wrestler, and get noticed because of the fact that I am a better wrestler."

With the other business out of the way, now it was time for Fuuka to drop the hook, "I do understand your concerns that I wouldn't be able to take your training. I understand that I don't exactly look like much." The bluenette then gave Mizuko her most confident look before saying her next line. "So what if I proved to you that I can take it?" Fuuka said. "We'll have a match that will serve as a test of sorts. Of course, I'm not saying I'll beat you. If I thought I could pull that off, I would be asking you to train me. But if I can last with you, get you to acknowledge what I am capable of, then you'll train me. But if I fail, if you break me, then you can tell me to buzz off for good. And you'll still have gotten to make me cry mercy and humiliate me in front of a roaring crowd." Fuuka knew what she was doing; betting on herself with her body on the line. But she knew, that was the kind of dedication it took to get through to people like Mizuko Kajiwara. And Fuuka wasn't particularly keen to gamble on things she wasn't confident with either.

[Leviathan-Inc]

When Fuuka finished her response, she could tell Mizuko was giving this some real thought or the orange-hair-tipped girl was really caught up with another thought. Taking some time, Mizuko finally sighed and stood up from the workout machine she was just leaning against. Hoving over the surprisingly smaller Fuuka, Mizuko peered down at the blue-haired lady before giving her final thoughts on this deal!

“Alright alright, I’ve decided! You got yourself a match blueberry, but I got some conditions for ya first!” Mizuko said as she flicked at Fuuka’s forehead to emphasize for her to listen up!

“Firstly, I accept these conditions for the match, BUT I want an additional punishment for you if you fail! Which you probably will! To make things more entertaining, if ya tap like a little bitch, for your next matches you will have to wear a new attire that says exactly that- little bish! And no, I ain’t buying that attire it would be entirely up to you to do it!” Mizuko would say with an evil grin as the thought of Fuuka having to wear attire is already funny to think about.

“Secondly! Even if you managed to beat my gauntlet and SOMEHOW become my new apprentice, you listen to me and only me for wrestling advice! If I hear you cheating on me with another teacher, you better stick with them because the next time I see you I’ll bend you into a suitcase! Capeesh Fucka?” Mizuko would say as she mispronounced Fuuka’s name as (Fuck-a).

“Lastly-uh hm…Buy me food and consider the match booked. I kinda lost my credit card and I really don’t want to contact my agent or the banks to get a new one. It’s a real hassle ya know and I kinda didn’t eat all day.” The little Koi Fish would say as she dropped the gremlin persona momentarily. She pressed her index fingers together while puckering her lips before looking off to the side. “Look don’t judge me on this, I just have a habit of losin- misplacing things.”

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Fuuka had been fully expecting Mizuko to jump at the challenge that had been put to her, but she was also ready for the Koi Fish to set her own terms. This was the turning point to see whether or not this was going to be feasible. Whether Mizuko's demands were reasonable, a starting point, or just plain worthy of Fuuka turning around, walking away, and saying that she tried.

The first term wasn't a problem, simple humiliation as a punishment for failure. It'd be embarrassing, but Fuuka had certainly been put through worse in the ring. "I'll do that if I fail," she said. The second term wasn't as clean cut. "As long as I will still be able workout and train with my tag partner. It's not like she's a mentor for me or anything, it's an equal partnership, and I'm not ditching my friend to train with somebody else, even if they are stronger." Fuuka's face twitched as Mizuko intentionally botched her name again. The bluenette let it pass, knowing that problem would be solved if and when she earned Mizuko's respect.

The third thing threw Fuuka for a loop though, "Oh my!" she said as her face instinctively flipped from annoyance at Mizuko's nickname for her to concern for the Koi Fish. "Hold on, you need to contact the bank immediately," Fuuka said. "If some stranger gets their hands on your card, they could buy whatever they want with it and stick you with the bill. I can cover a meal if you want, but you need to cancel your credit card first before you end up with a mountain of bills for things you didn't even buy! Make sure you tell them how long ago you lost it too, so that they can try to block any purchases in your name that might have already happened before they get processed." Fuuka did know how any adult, much less a sports star celebrity who likely had a big bank account and likely people from her native promotion advising her on how to be smart with it didn't know the dangers of losing your credit card, but the techie had no desire to force Mizuko to learn the hard way if it could be helped.

Only after Mizuko had made a much needed phone call to her bank would Fuuka indulge the orange clad woman's request for a meal. Even if Mizuko tried to blow Fuuka's concern off or got upset with her, she would hold her ground. Her day job was cybersecurity, after all. Fuuka knew as well as any other person in the world just how in deep Mizuko could end up if she didn't take care of this as soon as she could. But once Mizuko had saved her own financial bacon, Fuuka would gladly ask with a cheerful smile, "So then, what are you hungry for?"

[Leviathan-Inc]

Hearing Fuuka’s response to her terms, the first one her would-be pupil had no gripes with it was the second was where the blue-hair gal had some reservations with. Learning Fuuka had a tag partner, Mizuko simply shrugged it off as no big deal and didn’t really impact the original deal too much in that case. Yet when the conversation went over Mizuko’s misplaced credit card, Fuuka showed absolute concern which Mizuko did not. As the bluenette implored Mizuko to make the necessary calls, the Japanese wrestler at first tried brushing it off as no big deal and no calls would be needed. But as Fuuka bugged and bugged, Mizuko would finally let out a stubborn groan and shake her head. “FINE fine fine! Geez just get off my non-existent balls awright?!?” Mizuko growled as reached into her gym pants and produced a phone.

Mizuko would turn around a walk a few paces to make a series of calls. All the while she did this, she would periodically look back at Fuuka while giving her a glare. Approximately 10 to 15 minutes passed, and Mizuko appeared to be finished with her necessary. Turning back around and walking up to Fuuka, the submission specialist at first didn’t say anything for a second before sighing. “Thanks…” Mizuko said in a low embarrassed and still semi-annoyed tone. Mizuko would look up with eyebrows raised. “Guess that was needed… someone has gotten it after all and spent about a grand or two… so yaaaaay. Yeah, my manager wasn’t happy and chewed me a new one, BUT at least was satisfied that I reported it this time so-...” Mizuko would pucker lips and balance back-n-forth on her heels.

With her ego, not letting her to go further to say thanks to Fuuka, Mizuko would suddenly break the silence by saying, “Yeah can we just go get something? Something at least filling? I’m granting you permission to pick since you’re buying” Mizuko would say as she crossed her arms and awaited for Fuuka’s response.

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It took more convincing than Fuuka would've liked, but she did eventually get Mizuko to handle the issue of her missing credit card. "Thank you," she said once the Koi Fish finally began to pull out her phone to make a call. "Apologies for the inconvenience, but an unsecure credit card far more dangerous than I think you recognize."

Fuuka was a humble, mindful, and tactful individual, so it wasn't too difficult for her to suppress the urge to say 'I told you so' when Mizuko got off her phone and muttered her gratitude to the bluenette with her eyes to the floor. Fuuka was also thankful that she did so once the orange haired wrestler revealed that she had been hit with the consequences of losing her credit card to the tune of four digits.

"Oh my! Well at least you took care of it quickly," Fuuka ended up saying instead. "At least now, there may be a chance for the bank to be able to reverse the fraudulent purchases. And even if not, losing one or two thousand is much better than whatever the thief could've spent between now and whenever you got your next bank statement."

"I suppose it makes sense you'd want something filling," Fuuka said as she began to think. "How about yakiniku then? I bet some nice grilled strips of fatty beef would really hit the spot," she eventually decided. "I usually get mine on top of an order of garlic rice with soy sauce, but since you're really hungry, you could probably get a beef bowl from one of those restaurants that stuffs so much food into their bowls that some of them make a challenge out of whether or not you can finish it in one sitting."

[Leviathan-Inc]

Mizuko nodded intently at what Fuuka was saying about this yakiniku place, yet that was all a ploy. She already had a secondary location in mind at the thought of Japanese food remind When Fuuka was done, the orange-haired Koi Fish clapped her hands and exclaimed “Actuallyyyyyy, on second thoughts I may have another place in mind we could go to hehehe.” Mizuko cooed to herself for some reason.

(Moments later)

At a nearby Japanese fast food joint known as Octodogs, Mizuko kind of- may have indulged herself in Fuuka’s generosity and bought a shit ton of food from the menu. Granted the price was reduced since it was a fast food establishment after all, but with the quantity of food that the Koi Fish bought, it was still severely out of Fuuka’s budget. In addition, Mizuko just may as well wasted her time with her workout as she gained all of that weight back with the food she was chowing down on.

Mizuko was in the midst of munching on a batch of the establishment’s signature Pack of 8 Octopups before a thought occurred to the gal. Rather than offering Fuuka one of her Octopups, Mizuko began digging in and casually asking between her munching “Hav- ya.. Been… ear- before?” As the orange-haired Mizuko said while finishing this latest dish and about to dig into the doggy bowl of fries.