L.A.W. - League of Anime Wrestling

Aya’s fingers twitched against the mat, her jaw tightening as she forced herself to move. Pride burned hotter than the pain radiating through her body. She ignored Angela’s outstretched hand, instead rolling onto her side with a grunt before pushing herself up onto shaky knees. The crowd’s murmurs faded into the background as she steadied herself, her breaths measured and controlled.

She rose to her feet without assistance, her hair clinging to her sweat-slicked skin. Though her posture was rigid, there was no bitterness in her gaze—just the quiet intensity of a warrior who refused to stay down. She met Angela’s eyes and gave a single, curt nod. "Next time," she said, voice low but firm, "I won’t be so easy."

Aya glanced toward Kimi and Kuni, her voice low but commanding. "Come on, girls. Let’s go." Her tone brooked no argument, but the twins didn’t move. Instead, they exchanged a quiet look, their usual playful demeanor replaced by something more serious.

Kimi stepped forward first, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "Not yet," she said firmly, her voice steady but carrying an unspoken weight. "This wasn’t just about you, Mom. It’s about us—our family, everything you’ve taught us. And we’re not just walking away like that."

Kuni nodded beside her sister, her jaw set. “You showed tonight why we do things the way we do. Why it matters. And if anyone thinks this is over, they’re wrong.” Her words weren’t loud or dramatic, but there was a quiet intensity in them—a promise that lingered in the air.

Aya didn’t respond right away. She studied them instead, her gaze moving from one daughter to the other. The exhaustion was still there, etched into every line of her posture, but something else flickered beneath it—something steadier. Pride, perhaps. Or recognition.

She said nothing—remaining where she stood, silent, watching.

Kimi stepped forward with measured confidence, her expression sharp, calculating. “This doesn’t end here,” she said coolly, her eyes locking onto Dizzy. “Not after everything that’s been set in motion.”

Kuni followed without hesitation, more direct, more forceful. She jabbed a finger toward Dizzy, her voice cutting clean through the air. “Your daughter carries your name. Ours carry Mom’s legacy.” Her gaze didn’t waver. "So let’s settle this properly—your heir against one of us."

Angela just sighed and pulled her hand back after it was ignored, sadly not surprised. Aya had what her father would’ve called a ‘bad case of pride’, never the type to take a loss all that easily. She supposed it didn’t matter all that much if she wanted to be stuck up about it, though. She’d fought well, honorably, and given it her best. She had Angela’s respect, even if she didn’t want it.

She was willing to let it go and be about her way, when one of the two girls spoke up. Angela listened at first, though she couldn't help but perk up at one word in particular in the conversation.

‘Mom’.

Angela looked between the twins and Aya, trying to make out any resemblances, but couldn't find a single one - not that she was anyone to talk in that department. A quick elbow in her side drew her attention to Dizzy, who stood on her tiptoes and whispered her way. ”Adopted.”

”Oh.” Okay, that made sense. At least, on paper. Aya didn’t strike her as the type to just take in orphans, but maybe her impression of the woman was off. Her daughters certainly seemed attached enough to her.

So attached, in fact, that they didn’t seem content to let their mother’s loss stand. For a moment, Angela thought they might even try something, and she tensed up - hurt as she was, she still had enough energy to toss them across the ring if it came to it, especially if they made a move on Dizzy. Thankfully, that wasn’t on the menu. Though that didn’t mean they weren’t without some violent intentions.

”You guys want to wrestle me?” Dizzy’s eyebrow quirked as she looked between them, not bothering to hide her befuddlement. Despite growing up with a wrestler, somehow things like this still took her off guard. ”I…sure, sure.” She bounced on her heels, looking a little excited as she rapidly looked between her opponents.

”You.” She pointed at the one in black. ”Kuni? Kuni. I’ll take you on. Just name the time.”

Not what Angela expected, but she welcomed her daughter’s enthusiasm. It was rare to see her energetic about a wrestling opportunity that could’ve been watched without parental consent. Whether she could back that enthusiasm with skill was another thing, but that was what training was for…a lot of training. Dizzy had a hard weekend coming up, and she didn’t even know it yet.

The Winner: Angela Belti

-THE END-