Yukino knew that Nashi was there to back her up, and that made her feel just a little more prepared when she knew she was flying straight into the fire. But at the same time, she knew Nashi was just as nervous as she was. She could feel the anxious energy radiating off of her friend, and she could see how every muscle in her body was tense. She knew what this meant. When Yukino had taken on Kira, Nashi had been there the whole time - she had seen all of her cruelty and brutality first-hand. When even Nashi, who could
take on Astrid Ostberg herself in a steel cage without so much as a second thought, was afraid, that said something.
It didn't help that Yukino was already sure of what Kira would have to say. As part of their stipulations, when Kira beat Yukino, she would decide her opponents for her Apex qualifiers - an event that Yukino had never even intended to enter, but when Kira challenged her, how could she possibly turn it down? To back away now would be a confirmation of her cowardice and her hopelessness. But Yukino had beaten the odds. She'd taken on every opponent, all of whom seemed far above her skill level, and managed to hold her own, showing she had the willpower and the potential in her to succeed if she pushed herself to that level. It was that determination that qualified her for Apex. But now that Kira was calling her out, Yukino could be sure what lay ahead for her. It was time for the Golden Goddess to decide who her opponent for Apex would be. And it would almost certainly be Kira herself.
Yukino was tense as she made her way out to the ring. Her heart was pounding in her chest. Even after how far she'd come, she didn't know if she could withstand another match with Kira, after she'd seen what she could do to her. But her previous successes had told her that, just maybe, there just might be hope for her yet. That possibility still existed. And that was what she would have to hold onto for dear life, even if she couldn't hold onto anything else.
Her fists were balled tightly and her back stiffened as she turned her head up to lock her gaze onto Kira. Even when she flinched, seeing Kira laugh at the very prospect of Nashi and Yukino
competing for a championship, she knew she couldn't let her composure break. If Kira saw how scared she was, she would almost certainly use that against her. And if the fans saw that, her career was hopeless. She balled her fists tighter, gritting her teeth to try and stay focused.
But it was what Kira said next that truly left Yukino shocked. She had tried psyching herself up for having to face Kira...but she never even considered she would have to face Nashi! Her eyes went wide, and her jaw dropped into a gasp.
"WHAT!?" When Yukino spun back around to face her friend, her eyes were still open in a glassy stare, as she stared back toward Nashi. She knew exactly what this meant. One of them was going to have to win this match. Both of them wanted to reach for the stars. But now, only one of them could make it to Openweight Champion status - the other would have to go home disappointed. Yukino didn't want to have to do that to Nashi - and she knew Nashi wouldn't want it to happen to her, either.
A tear began to bud at the edge of Yukino's eye as she trembled, thinking about her predicament. But she knew what Kira said next was true, too. If Yukino denied this match, it meant she would be admitting defeat. She'd prove she had let Kira beat her at a battle of wits. And when both Nashi and Yukino had blossomed into capable wrestlers, the fans were already starting to cheer at the prospect of a rematch, wanting to see how much they had grown. Backing out now would indeed mean disappointing all of their fans - and when Yukino was eternally grateful for all their support, to do that would be simply unthinkable.
There was no good option. It seemed like an eternity passed where she could only stare into space in silence, never looking anyone in the eye for fear of what she'd see. But some time or another, she would have to make a choice. At last, Yukino cleared her throat, turning back toward Kira. She tried to focus her gaze on her, but she quickly glanced away. She began to stammer, and her body shook. Yukino wanted to hold firm, but she was simply overwhelmed by everything hitting her at once. She didn't even have time to think of how she was letting everyone down. She couldn't help it.
At the same time...if there was one thing Yukino knew, it was that she couldn't surrender now. She couldn't let Kira win.
"I...I...If that's...what you want..." Suddenly, the white-haired girl cleared her throat, blurting out a few words of defiance.
"...t-then I ACCEPT!!" The whole crowd gasped at such a statement.
"If I need to face my best friend...just to show you I have a future...t-then I'm willing to risk even my chances at the title for it..! I can have faith that whatever happens...Nashi won't be mad. That she will always take my side..! Because we're best friends!!" Lifting her head, Yukino looked back at Nashi, waiting on her response.