*Many hours later*
Grace and Sunz were standing outside, waiting for Sogae to arrive.
Grace was holding onto a pink stuffed alligator and Sunz had a pair of sunglasses.
Grace: You have fun today?
Sunz: I did, and I assume you too.
Grace: It was fun, probably in my top 3. Stuffed animal is kind of a cliché date gift. You could have done better.
Sunz: Sure, it is cliché but still better than the sunglasses you bought me.
Grace: Those are good sunglasses, they now have your prescription, protect you from the sun, and help you see clearly.
Sunz: I can still see things clearly, I'm not blind like you…
"How blind are you anyway?"
Grace: Can see up close not far. In one word, nearsighted.
Sunz *takes off the sunglasses for a bit*: This thing feels quite annoying after a while.
After saying that Sunz got jabbed by the stuffed alligator's mouth a few times.
Alligator: Wow! The guy who loves to see his girlfriend wearing glasses can't stand wearing them. You are a bad boy and I'm a talking alligator.
Sunz: You want to wear it, Alligator?
Alligator: Don't put it on me, I have stubby arms that can't reach the sunglasses. It will fall if you put on me, now be a good boy and wear them.
Sunz: Ok, pink Alligator… So Grace, when you don't wear your glasses, you wear contacts?
Grace *petting the alligator*: Once and never again. So inconvenient to wear and frozen in cold weather, which is bad when having a cold-related ability.
Sunz: Fun fact, nice. So, how can I make it to your top 1 and 2?
Grace: Hmm… that, will be hard. My top 1 and 2 can't be replicated or replaced.
"In my top 1, the date was simple. We chased each other throughout the city all night then went on a light ice skating trip."
Sunz: That doesn't sound like something you would enjoy and the activities are very limited.
Grace: *sigh* that is all you get when you get a sudden notice that you have a date in 5 minutes. And you're right, I probably didn't enjoy that, but my feeling, did enjoy it a lot.
Sunz: What about the top 2, how did it lose to top 1?
Grace: Top 2 was a way better date than top 1, the two of us fighting for our lives, protecting each other.
"Top 2 should been the top 1 but I did not want to die that day."
Sunz: Your date ranking is very strange.
Grace: I know, but not as weird as the guy who took me on those two dates. I can't believe I would go out with someone inferior to me.
Sunz:… Didn't you ask him ou-
Alligator: The Lady is talking, show some respect.
Sunz *giggle*: I'm sorry, please continue.
Grace: Sure he is inferior to me but, I enjoy spending time with him. *smack the alligator's jaw on Sunz's head* So you better think of better dates if you want to surpass those two.
Sunz:… You are really good at using that alligator.
Grace *smirk*: What can I say, anything can be a weapon in my hands.
…
Grace: But I'll be honest, no other date can top those two. The first date chains my feelings to you and the second date chains your feelings to me… well, for you it needed more force.
Sunz: "Chain", why "chain"?
Grace: Can you think of a better word to describe two people falling for each other, that haven't been used before?
Sunz:… No.
…
Grace: Hmm… anything else… oh right.
"You've never told me that you can speak multiple languages."
Sunz: Apparently so.
*beep*beep*
A black car pulled up next to them and honked
Sunz: You think this is our ride?
Grace: Wait for the window.
The window rolls down to reveal Grimm sitting in the front and Sogae driving.
Grimm: Looks like your favorite couple had a great time.
Sogae: They sure did.
"Come on you two hop in the back."
Sunz quickly opens the door then the two of them get into the car.
*On the way to the tournament location*
Sogae: So Grace, what did you two do on your date?
Grace: We, uh… you konw, just wakl aroudn and find things to do.
Sunz: What just happened?
Grace: The alligator got me…
Sunz: Ok then.
Grimm: Having a date night before an important match, didn't know you had that much confidence!
Sunz: I have nothing else to do…
"Why are you reeked of alcohol? So is Sogae."
Grace (oh my god) hugs the alligator tightly.
Grimm got a quick glance at the rearview mirror and saw Grace's expression.
Grimm: *sigh* I was having drinks at the bar and Sogae was bartending for me.
Grace also saw that Grimm just glanced at her, so she decided to sink into the car seat, then hide her face with the 'Windbreaker' hood and the alligator.
Sunz: So are you showing up drunk?
Grimm:…
Sogae: Don't worry, he's not. I made sure there was no alcohol in his body.
Sunz:? So did he just drink until it's time to go?
Sogae: Oh god no. I don't need another person on my "Drinking out of grief" list… After a while of drinking, I opted for a better activity.
"After hearing that you two were practicing baking and brewing coffee, I decided to teach Grimm how to make some drinks."
"And I must say, his skill is quite decent. A bit more practice then we could give him a job here."
Sunz: So until now, Grimm was only drinking and practicing making drinks?
Sogae: Yeah.
Sunz: Then why does he smell like blood?
Sogae:…
Grimm:…
Grace (There blood?)
Sunz: Ok, you two suddenly got quiet. What happened?
Sogae: Well, Grimm's drinking session was interrupted by a very powerful person. Grimm attacked the man then got retaliated.
Sunz: How…bad was you injured? You were invincible throughout the tournament.
Grimm: Could have been worse, could have been dead.
Sunz: Are you sure you can fight at your full strength?
Grimm: Less worry about me and focus on yourself, kid. I have a move, that is guaranteed to make you completely useless. Unless you have an ace up your sleeve.
Sunz: What, you going to break both of my arms? Because I have no ace for that.
Grimm: Consider your weak build, way too simple. I want to create a challenge for you and me, not losing badly.
Sunz: Hmm, ok back to that last conversation. Do you know who they were?
Grimm: The person disguises their face with other people's appearance, but their voice doesn't match the appearance.
Sunz:…
"Was this person named Merchant?"
Right after hearing that Sogae immediately slammed on the break, which resulted in Sunz and Grace slamming their face into the seat in front of them. It wasn't that hurt for both of them and Grace felt almost nothing as the alligator took most of the impact.
Sogae: We might need to seriously talk about that now.
Grimm: How did you know about this Merchant?
Sunz: I probably don't know him but he knows me. I've encountered him a few times, but those encounters are always very random. He was also the one that told me he beat you up, while testing my eyes.
"If that didn't happen, I would've not think that you got into a fight."
Grimm: It seems information about this Merchant is low… well then only have one thing to ask you.
"Is this person trustworthy?"
Sunz: I think he is. I think all he wants to do is see what will happen next.
Grimm: That is reassuring… I guess. *sigh* Ok, that is enough talking. Save that energy for the fight.
After saying that Grimm just closed his eyes.
Sogae: I also won't partake in any more conversation. You two keep each other busy.
Sogae continues driving the group to the location.
Grace was quiet during the conversation and continued being so… until.
*ping*
*ping*
*ping*
Sunz received messages from… Grace
Grace: Feel like I was not there.
"Is this Merchant person important to you?"
"Did he teach you how to speak multiple languages?"
Sunz: He is important in my history in a way. For languages, he gave me a candy that helped me understand every language after consume. Well, I don't know how many languages are in the candy, all I know is I now also understand French and Korean.
Grace: I knew that you weren't smart enough to learn multiple languages!
Sunz: I'll be honest, I don't have the patient and the above detail.
Grace:…
"I have officially run out of things to talk about."
"This is bad!!!"
"You! Think of something!"
Sunz:…
"You said you feel like you were not here."
"What does that mean?"
Grace:…
"I was feeling like I wasn't part of the conversation. I know nothing about what you two were talking about."
Sunz:…
"Isn't that normal?"
"We can't always have the knowledge of everything."
Grace:…
"But now I have nothing to talk about with you."
"Won't that make me boring?"
Sunz:…
"You're being insecure?"
Grace:…
"No!"
"Maybe…"
"…"
"yeah"
Sunz:
"Don't worry too much, you can only talk to someone for so long."
"You just need some alone time to regain your social skills or talk with others that is not me."
Grace:…
"Really?"
Sunz:…
"Professional Loner for 15 years until Jihu shows up. So I know how things go."
Grace:…
"That is sad."
" It seemed we were in the same boat."
Sunz:…
"?"
Grace:…
"Nothing."
"What now?"
Sunz:…
"We stop talking for now, until something comes up."
"Also I am more boring than you."
Grace:…
She was about to type something then she just stopped. After all that texting, the two just put their phone away and everyone sits in silence.
…
*Destination reached*
Sogae: Ok you two we are here, get out.
*tapping on Grimm's head until he wakes up*
"You too, you have a kid to beat up."
Grimm: *yawn* yeah got it.
After getting out of the car, Grimm did some stretching then punched his hand into the pavement.
Grimm: Whooo, that was painful.
Sogae: Really, injuring yourself before the match.
Grimm: Just waking myself up.
Sogae: I'm going to stab you before the match. You and Sunz go prepare, I'm gonna take Grace to the viewing place.
Grace: Sunz, make sure to win. Grimm, beat him up really hard.
*Grace and Sogae leave*
Grimm: I hope your body got tougher kid.
Sunz: It did not.
*Grimm and Sunz go prepare*
*Grace reunited with Jihu and No Name in the viewing area*
Grace: Hey you two… sorry for kicking you out of the room and not giving you any follow-up information.
Jihu: At least nothing bad happened. But you should never kick the doctor out. I'm the only person who knows if he is still alive.
No Name: You were also sleeping… so you are only useful when awake.
Jihu:… That is not wrong. Ok let's leave all that in the past, it seems Miss Grace had quite the fun time, judging by the souvenirs in her hands.
No Name: A pink alligator. And a box?
Grace: Oh, the alligator was his gift for me and this is the sunglasses I gift him. He asked me to hold onto it during the match.
Jihu: Wait isn't that sunglasses brand quite expensive? What kind of gift are you two giving to each other?
Grace: Well… I give the expensive gift and he gives the, normal gift…
"Move on then. What did you two do before now?"
Jihu: Advance training and hit the library.
No Name: Nothing.
Grace: Really? You didn't do anything, No Name?
No Name: I'm just using the last few days as my vacation.
Grace: Make sense.
No Name: So you and Sunz are like ok now? No more problem?
Grace: Oh yeah, we are good, better than ever. We are now an official couple.
Jihu: That is good to hear.
No Name: I hope you two fun times didn't cause him to lose.
Grace: I won't worry too much about that… plus he wasn't planning to train after waking up.
*Before starting the match*
Sogae meets up with Grimm and Sunz.
Sogae: It's almost time to fight, you two ready?
Sunz: Ready!
Grimm: Let's go!
Sogae: Good.
*Summon two water swords in each hand then stab Sunz and Grimm in the heart*
Sunz (She stabs us.)
Grimm (This girl is a bit too honest!)
Sogae: Hmm, good. You two are at full strength.
The two swords then vaporize and Sogae disappears onto the stage and starts announcing.
Sogae: Hello everyone we are now one step closer to seeing who will be our clan's newest member. We will only have one match today and it will be between SUNZ and GRIMM!
"Sunz has shown us his ability to use different elements and how he can turn Lost into Win."
"Grimm hasn't even break a sweat and his weapon hasn't been shown throughout the whole tournament. Will he finally show us what his weapon is or will this match end quickly?"
"Now let's welcome our contestant!"
Grimm and Sunz walk onto the arena and into their position, they can feel gazing from their friends, foes, and clan members.
"The two contestants are now in position."
"PREPARE!"
"3…2…1…"
"FIGHT!"
Sogae disappears from the arena and Sunz immediately takes the first attack while Grimm allows him to.
Sunz didn't use any elements on his first attack and he charged at Grimm in a straight line.
When Sunz reached within his blade striking distance, Grimm immediately grabbed onto Sunz's sword with his bare hand. Stopping Sunz's movement entirely.
There was no blood dripping from Grimm's hand after stopping the blade.
Grimm: Time to show me your full strength. Show me your second phase!
The blade of the sword Sunz was using slowly turned into rust and crumbled like sand. There was nothing left except the sword handle.
Sunz lost his balance after losing his blade and Grimm kicked him back to his position.
Sunz was fast enough to block the attack and minimize the damage but wasn't strong enough to withstand the knockback.
Sunz stood up and pointed the handle at Grimm.
"I would have lost if I didn't prepare my second phase."
"Time to get serious!"