Daisies

LOUD ROCK BEATS boomed through the arena as she barrels through the backstage curtain, taking long, quick strides, her booted steps coincidentally matching with song's beat.

A permanent and dangerous scowl plastered her bruised and cut face , her slitted eyes narrowed into fiery and sharp glares as she barged through an office door.

A pot bellied man scrambled off his rocking chair, slowly approaching her with his arms spread apart in welcome, a provoking smile gracing his rounded face as he rambled

"Ah! my favorite fighter, my lottery ticket, there she is"

"Business is once again booming and the prize money overflowing, the arena was filled to the brim the moment I announced your retur...." his monolog was cut off by the pained grunt escaping his meaty lips.

Kim Minki had quickly closed the distance between them, slamming him to the wall as his brown, polished shoes dangled a few inches in the air.

He cackled as her grip on the collar of his shirt choked him, Minki pressing closer as both her bloody hands fisted around his collar tight, pushing him inches higher.

Her breaths left her in strained huffs with the scars on her lower back and abdomen on full display, her ripped shirt tucked unceremoniously in a pocket of her combat trousers.

"There you are" he croaked "you looked so dull earlier but it seems you're back to normal"

"There's that killer glint I'm fond of in your eyes, the real you" he chokes a laugh.

"Iyo Kai did a great job of pissing you off like I ordered her to and bringing back the monster in you, who knew her ripping off your mask would be all it took to tick you off, too bad she got mauled by the monster she stirred awake".

"But don't worry, she'll live, but definitely not to fight another day, you did a number on her and I'll admit the mask, although clever was not my idea" he gaggles, legs kicking in the air and eyes widening as Minki pressed tighter, the pressure on his throat cutting his breath and voice as she raged.

Just as his hands were falling limp beside him, another hand rubbed on her exposed arm, breaking off her hold as his wheezing body dropped down just as Minki slammed the woman to the wall as a replacement, her hands pushing on her chest.

Wang Eunbin rolled her eyes, manicured nails running along Minki's arm in calming motions as she whispered "Words Kim" before expertly breaking the hold and straightening the crease on her clothes, grabbing the man and slamming him on the wall.

Ma Dongfang sighed, raising his hands in surrender "Not you too Eunbin"

"What's with you women and strangling me"

Wang Eunbin smiled, ramming her knee into his ribcage before letting him fall down in spluttering coughs.

"That one's for risking her identity" she pulled him to his feet, patting his suited shoulders and his creased collar, she clocked him on the face, Minki receiving his falling form with her boot rammed through his nose.

He crawled for the table holding his bleeding nose "It's not like anyone would recognize her" he spat out a clog of blood, smiling through his blood stained teeth "No phones or electronic devices are allowed down here, so her identity will not be leaving this arena, it'll only bring more money" he points a crooked finger at the fighter's face

"Her current face has a pretty charm"

"Ma Dongfang!!" Eunbin warned

"Not like the previous one wasn't goo...." he was cut off by Minki's fists barreling down on him.

The third punch was held back inches from his face, Minki twisting off the hold on her elbow and immediately replying with two swift hits that were blocked expertly, the hold on her wrist tightening as her dark eyes leveled up to equally dark orbs challenging her, the familiar name leaving her busted lips in an annoyed huff.

"Haruto Sai"