L.A.W. - League of Anime Wrestling

That was definitely one of the sweetest threes Valerie had heard in a while.

Valerie sat up and coughed as her throat was freed from restriction for the second time in the match. She rubbed her neck and winced at the scratchy feeling, knowing cough drops would be in her future. But that was a small price to pay for another win, one she’d happily take. The audience seemed to agree to, throwing a fresh round of applause her way.

She was about to stand up and make her way out of the ring, when she looked over and did an actual double-take. Raya was still on her back, looking away in shame, like she wanted to crawl up into a little ball and hide from the world. There was a petty part of her that wanted to rub it in the redhead’s face after all the junk she’d talked about at the start of the match, but then that deja vu struck again. She’d been here before, hadn't she? She had more than few losses in her amateur career that felt like the end of the world. Coming up short in a tournament, losing a match that the team needed to win, stuff like that.

Valerie pinched her nose and shook her head. ”No.” She rolled over to her chest and pushed her way up. ”No, no, no. You’re not going to come that close to beating me and wallow like that. I’m not having it.”

She stepped over and extended her hand, the same one that Raya had rejected at the start of the match. ”Get up. We had a good match. They’re cheering for you, too, Raya-san.”

When Raya saw her opponent walk over, she prepared herself for a barrage of gloating as a retort for all of her own trash talk, but she was shocked when she heard some words of encouragement and an extended hand.

Raya made eye contact with her and stayed silent for a second, before reaching up to take the arm and get up.

“I-uh…I’m…sorry, I guess.” Raya mumbled while looking down at the floor. “I’m sorry for disrespecting you…Valerie. I guess I just got in over my head a little. And…yeah, I guess we did have a good match. I’ll definitely beat you next time, though.”

Raya added that last remark with a bit of a smile on her face, before waiting for Valerie’s response and after that she’d finally get out of the ring with a few deep breaths and head backstage to lick her wounds and reflect on herself and the events of the match.

Valerie pulled her up and helped her dust off a bit, trying to help her save some face. As irritating as she had been through the match, she’d fought well, had a lot of spirit, and could’ve absolutely beaten Valerie if it came to it. She had to respect her, even if she didn’t like her much.

This time she took the hand, and even gave her some apologies after she’d been helped. Valerie nodded her way and waved it off. ”Heat of the moment. You don’t have anything to apologize for. I get it.”

With that said, Raya promptly departed, and Valerie let her go, not wanting to drag this out too much - no doubt, the woman wanted some private time. After a quick wave to the crowd, she was gone as well, ascending the ramp and slipping back between the curtains.

Winner: Valley Doll III