"Welcome, my dear fans and martial arts enthusiasts!" Mina begins, her voice overly enthusiastic as she beams into the camera. "This is your lovely, gorgeous host, Mina, bringing you an exclusive interview with a very special martial artist. Do you know what the hottest fight everyone's talking about is? Yes, the challenge to Floor Master Darius! And the challenger is none other than the man himself, Alex Kerber! Welcome, Alex, and thank you for spending some time with me. Hehe!"
Alex can practically feel Menchi's glare burning into the back of his head. She must hate this fake bimbo, he thinks, but the absurdity of the situation actually helps calm his nerves. He responds smoothly, "Nice to meet you. Usually, I'm a busy guy, but for you, Mina, nothing's too much to ask for, as you know."
"Teehee, you're such a sweet man," Mina replies, giggling dramatically. "So, how do you feel about the big fight? Since you challenged the Floor Master, you must be confident, right?"
Alex smirks internally. Time for some revenge, he thinks, remembering Darius's earlier insults about his armor and his daughter's remarks. "Yes, I'm very confident," he says. "This fight is a bit personal for me—not just a test of skill. I'm not only giving Darius a lesson in the ring, but I'm also teaching his spoiled daughter a thing or two. She openly demeaned my character, and that won't stand. There's also a private bet between Darius and me, so neither of us can afford to lose this fight. But trust me, I'll take down that brute of a fighter."
"Wow!" Mina exclaims, clearly eating up the drama. "This sounds like a real contest! So what's your strategy?"
Alex leans forward slightly, his tone growing even more smug. "My strategy is simple: I'll beat him. I've noticed a weakness. Just like he's half-baked as a father for spoiling his daughter, he's half-baked as a fighter. He has numerous obvious weaknesses, and today, I'll give everyone a master class on how to dismantle fighters like him."
Mina gasps, her eyes wide. "So what exactly is the strategy? Tell me pleeease!" She grabs Alex's hands and presses them against her chest, leaning in with exaggerated enthusiasm.
Alex blushes slightly but manages to stay composed. "I can't tell you, obviously," he says coolly. "You'll see it soon enough. Anyway, while I was developing my strategy, I was also busy finishing my groundbreaking research. I've discovered a whole new world while studying various weapons and armor. This research is now complete, and the best scientific minds in the world—as well as the Hunter Association—will be reviewing it shortly. People might remember me for my fighting skills now, but in a few months, they'll know me as a world-famous Hunter."
"Wow, groundbreaking research and a big fight?" Mina says, feigning amazement. Then she shifts gears dramatically, her voice turning somber. "Back to the fight… Do you know how many people Darius has already killed? I don't want you to die. Are you sure you can handle it?"
Alex doesn't miss a beat. "I just hope Darius himself is strong enough to survive my assault," he replies smugly. "Not only for his sake, but for his daughter's. I'll do my best to hold myself back. Neither of us wants anything… unfortunate to happen. I actually like the guy a lot!"
"Confident words! Incredible!" Mina exclaims, her fake smile as wide as ever. "Perhaps you really will become the next Floor Master."
Alex leans back, crossing his arms with a smirk, feeling the interview winding down. Inwardly, he wonders how long Menchi can hold herself back from ripping into Mina after this circus of an interview.
"I'll gladly invite you to my personal floor once that happens… Ah, that came out wrong," Alex says, stumbling over his words as he glances nervously at Menchi, who looks ready to explode. "I mean… I invite you and your good friends here for a tour of my floor."
Menchi, already furious, steps closer and enters the camera's view, her glare practically burning a hole in Alex.
Mina seizes the moment with a mischievous smile. "Oh, and who is this lovely person? Could it perhaps be your girlfriend? I bet many of your female fans are disappointed right now. Turns out you're not available… or are you the open type with multiple spots available for female 'support'?"
Menchi's glare sharpens, her hatred for Mina almost palpable. Alex, feeling like he's cornered, scrambles to salvage the situation.
"This is Menchi, a world-famous Single Star Gourmet Hunter and my teacher," he says, attempting to sound calm. "She's not my girlfriend… I haven't become worthy enough to ask her out yet. Maybe after today, that will change. I'm not looking for anyone else because nobody even remotely compares to her in the first place."
Wait… that came out wrong! Alex realizes instantly. Now it sounds like a damn confession! I was trying to say that after today, I'll finally be worthy—not a student anymore, but a Nen master of my own.
Menchi, blushing furiously, immediately steps out of the camera's view.
Mina's smile grows even wider as she leans into the drama. "Wow, a confession on live television! I recognize that lovely lady—she's indeed the beautiful Gourmet Hunter. It looks like she hunted herself a different kind of prey—not for cooking but for keeping."
"No, it's not that, it's—" Alex tries to protest, but Mina cuts him off.
"No need to be shy—that's quite manly of you," Mina teases. "I think we all respect this! So, will you confess to her directly after the match, or save it for later?"
Alex is visibly flustered but quickly changes the subject. "Well, I can't say… Anyway, Mina, I'm afraid I have to leave now. My fight is starting soon, and I need to prepare."
Mina, ever the opportunist, wraps things up with a coy smile. "Thank you for your time, Alex, and good luck in both your fight and your confession. I'll be rooting for you two!" Turning back to the camera, she adds, "There you have it, folks—Alex Kerber, not only aiming to become a Floor Master but also head over heels for his younger teacher and master. An oddly romantic couple, wouldn't you agree? I think that deserves respect! Looks like there's no space for me to intervene between those two lovebirds."
As the interview concludes, Alex's frustration simmers. Damn, this bitch. She's only acting like a bimbo, but she's clearly a money-hungry, greedy opportunist.
"Well… see you around then," Alex says, slightly embarrassed, as Menchi grabs him by the arm and pulls him out of the room.
"Menchi, I'm sorry, that came out wrong. I can clarify things afterward so your reputation doesn't suf—" Alex starts to apologize, but Menchi interrupts him, her face half-embarrassed as she says, "It's fine!! Just win, so people won't laugh at me!"
Damn, Alex thinks, she's kinda cute when she's embarrassed. It's a welcome change from her usual sadistic, arrogant side. I wonder if I should really confess… if she stayed like this all the time, it'd probably be worth it, Alex jokes to himself.
Back in their room, Alex decides to rest for a couple of hours, lying down to clear his mind.
Finally, 30 minutes before the fight, Menchi wakes him up and says, "It's time. You can do this. Do you want to warm up?"
"Okay! Let's spar… and please, go easy on me. Just warming up, no Nen!" Alex replies, getting into position.
They begin sparring, but Alex can't seem to focus. His eyes keep drifting to Menchi, his mind wandering. To his surprise, Menchi seems distracted too, and after just a few minutes, they both stop.
"Sorry," Menchi says with a small smile. "That wasn't much of a warm-up. Just win tonight, and we'll celebrate big! I promise you!" Her tone is serious, but there's a tiny trace of worry in her expression.
"Don't worry. I will," Alex replies confidently. Then, after a brief pause, he adds, "And Menchi, sorry about the interview. But just to say the truth… I think you're a lovely woman. Beautiful, smart, talented, and funny. I'd honestly feel honored if people thought I was dating you."
Menchi grins, her usual confidence returning. "As you should! Now go out there and get that title! If you fail, don't think sweet-talking me will save you from your punishment. You better win if you don't want to become my maid."
SHIT, can't she let that go? Alex curses inwardly, but he forces a confident smile. Together, they make their way to the Arena, the anticipation thick in the air.
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