The faint creak of the gym doors drifted into Eliza's half-conscious mind.
Mm...
Maids... already?
Please, not now...
She remained still, comfortably sprawled across the cool surface beneath her. The ring floor was pleasantly cold against her back. Then came the familiar voices as they entered the gym.
Lili...
Eliza knitted her brows, refusing to open her eyes.
Do go away, little sister...
"Mnh…"
Seconds later, a classical melody began to fill the hall. Her lips curved ever so slightly.
Ah... this one.
The music wrapped around her like a lullaby, smooth and elegant enough that she almost welcomed the interruption.
How pleasant...
Then another familiar scent reached her, warm at its core, yet laced with an unmistakable coolness.
Mm... He really is tempting...
I should have a little taste again.
… after a bit more sleep.
The voices that followed were still tolerable at first, blending into the melody in the background. But Asuka spoke, and Lili answered immediately. The exchange dragged on, growing louder with every passing second.
Oh dear...
Eliza's eyebrow twitched in annoyance at them
Do be quiet...
But the arguments only intensified, the voices rising until they became a din she couldn't ignore.
How troublesome these girls are...
Her chest rose as she slowly inhaled.
"Yaaawn…"
The prolonged sound cut clean through their argument, drawing every gaze toward the center of the gym.
To their surprise, Eliza was lying there as if the ring floor were the most natural place in the world to take a nap. Her hair spread further around her as she stretched lazily.
"What the— how long have you been there?" asked Kaido.
With slow movements, Eliza began to sit up. She stretched both arms above her head and arched her back languidly, every motion carrying her usual effortless elegance.
"So much noise... yawn..." she muttered, rubbing at her eyes with the back of her hands. "How am I supposed to rest with all this shouting?"
Still rubbing one eye with the back of her hand like a sleepy little kitten, she let her blurred gaze drift lazily across the group, reproaching them for interrupting her rest. The motion only stopped when her eyes settled on Kaido, her hand pausing for a brief moment before slowly falling back to her side.
The last traces of sleep faded from her expression as a sly smile curled across her lips.
"Well, well... my hero."
Slowly, she ran the tip of her tongue across her lower lip before rising gracefully to her feet. Without taking her eyes off Kaido, she stepped down from the center of the ring and began walking toward the group with slow, deliberate strides.
Kaido swallowed hard and instinctively took a step back.
"L-Lili...?"
Before Eliza could even reach the ropes, Asuka stepped forward and planted herself firmly in front of him, arms crossed as she met the vampire's gaze head-on. Eliza stopped at once and rolled her eyes.
"Oh, spare me the drama, Miss Kazama." She let herself fall forward against the ropes, draping over them lazily as though all interest had suddenly left her. "You wake me up, make all this noise... and still look at me as if I'm about to attack someone."
She absently brushed a hand through her hair, adjusting it with careless elegance as her expression grew drowsy once more.
"Yaaawn... wake me when you stop being boring." There she remained, languidly draped over the ropes, looking every bit like a spoiled cat.
"Non, non, ma chère sœur."
Lili stepped forward and came to stand beside Asuka, folding her arms beneath her chest as her smile sharpened with quiet confidence.
"You're staying awake. You're going to watch this."
"Watch what, petite princesse?"
"I have unfinished business with Asuka."
At that, Eliza slowly raised her head, and her gaze shifted from Lili to Asuka, then slowly scanned their bodies from head to toe and back up again, as a smile spread across her lips.
"Huh..."
For a brief instant, Asuka felt that scrutiny like a cold brush against her skin—unwelcome and invasive—but she kept her chin raised.
"...Keh."
Without any effort, Eliza leapt into the air and landed on the ropes, crossing her legs.
"Very well... surprise me, girls." Resting her chin against one hand, "But do try not to ruin the floor. It's cool, and quite perfect for— yaawn… napping on warm days."
- - -
Asuka stepped into the ring determined, each step firm and ready for action. Once inside, she cracked her fingers,
Crack. Crack.
"Let's get this over with."
"Um... good luck, Asuka!" Megumi cheered.
On the opposite side, Lili approached the steps elegantly, climbing them like a ballerina about to enter the stage. She stopped mid-step when her mother shout—
"I'm cheering for you, Asuka."
Slowly, she turned her head toward her mother, disbelief written plainly across her face.
"Maman...?"
Anne simply winked at her while enjoying her daughter's expression. Lili took a deep breath, feeling annoyed. Then her eyes shifted to Kaido, raised an eyebrow, and put her hands on the hip, waiting for him.
Kaido looked at her for a moment, taking in the intensity of her gaze.
Seriously...?
Lili narrowed her eyes, sending him a silent warning that made him get the message instantly.
Okay, okay... I get it.
He rubbed the back of his neck, put on a smile, and also shouted.
"Good luck, Lili. You can do it."
"Merci." a pleased smile instantly returned to her lips.
Asuka immediately glared at him, narrowing her eyes. And Kaido looked away, embarrassed. Then Lili kept climbing, but before she could even lift her leg to pass between the ropes— a purple blur cut through the air between the two.
The sound was almost imperceptible. Just a sudden displacement, and Eliza appeared standing in the center of the ring. Her hair slowly settled over her shoulders after the abrupt movement, like silk falling into place. Then she brought a hand to her mouth, trying to contain a delayed yawn.
"You know…" her gaze drifted from one to the other "you're taking so… so long that I'm already bored."
An almost innocent smile spread across her lips, though the glimmer in her eyes betrayed far more playful intentions.
"May I join? I promise to be friendly."