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Emiya wasn't stupid.
The way Ryo Sakazaki was looking at him was practically burning holes through his face. Combined with King's earlier expression, Emiya immediately understood what Ryo had misunderstood.
He just didn't bother to explain.
After all, King had subtly taken a few jabs at him earlier.
Getting a little payback felt reasonable.
"My name is Emiya. I'm King's friend."
He extended his hand openly, a faint smile on his face.
"Judging by your outfit, you must be Ryo Sakazaki. King talks about you quite a bit."
"That's right. I'm Ryo Sakazaki."
Ryo glanced at Emiya's outstretched hand and took it.
Then he quietly applied force, intending to embarrass Emiya before letting go.
Instead, he froze.
Emiya's hand felt like solid steel.
No matter how hard he squeezed, it didn't budge.
Ryo's expression shifted.
Then he felt it.
The pressure was increasing.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
As if Emiya were returning the favor.
Ryo didn't hesitate and increased his strength as well.
The two of them entered a silent contest.
While steadily crushing Ryo's hand, Emiya spoke calmly.
"I've heard of you. The Invincible Dragon of Kyokugenryu Karate. A regular in the KOF tournament. Your strength is said to be unfathomable. Seeing you in person, you live up to the name."
"...Thanks."
Ryo forced the words out.
Not out of pride.
Out of pain.
As a martial artist, Ryo had always been confident in his physical strength.
But now, he was being completely overwhelmed.
This man-who didn't even look particularly strong-was crushing him with raw grip strength.
Not technique.
Not ki.
Just power.
Ryo's hand felt like it was being trapped in a steel vise.
The bones were starting to ache.
He couldn't even speak properly anymore.
Left with no choice, Ryo activated his ki.
The moment he did, a sense of frustration welled up inside him.
The other man hadn't used ki at all.
Yet Ryo had been forced to.
That alone meant he'd already lost this exchange.
The instant Emiya sensed the ki, he released his grip.
Not because he was afraid.
But because continuing would make things obvious.
And Emiya had no intention of exposing anything yet.
After all, he still wanted to enjoy his little revenge.
Ryo immediately pulled his hand back as well.
The entire confrontation lasted only a few seconds.
To King, it looked like nothing more than a normal handshake.
She had no idea the two had already fought.
Ryo discreetly circulated his ki to ease the pain in his hand.
Then he spoke.
"Mr. Emiya... are you a fighter as well? Your strength is impressive."
"You could say that," Emiya replied. "But I'm different from you, Mr. Sakazaki. You trained hard. I took shortcuts."
"Shortcuts?"
"That's right. My strength comes from drugs."
Emiya sighed, wearing an expression of regret and envy.
"I just drank a few body-strengthening potions. That's all. I really envy people like you who train so diligently."
Ryo Sakazaki: ...
For some reason, it felt like he was being mocked.
King couldn't help asking, "Those potions... they don't have side effects, right?"
"None at all," Emiya replied earnestly. "I value my health. I don't touch anything with side effects."
Ryo's irritation deepened.
King was showing far too much concern for this man.
He spoke up stiffly.
"Strength gained through science is one thing, but experience and combat skills must be cultivated personally. Only then can you defeat opponents efficiently. If you're interested, Mr. Emiya, I can teach you Kyokugenryu Karate."
Emiya looked tempted.
Then he shook his head.
"I'll pass. I'm not someone who can endure hardship. Otherwise, I wouldn't have cheated my way to strength."
He paused.
"Instead, I think I'll just hire a few Kyokugenryu experts."
Then, as if remembering something, he added casually.
"Mr. Sakazaki, for a Kyokugenryu disciple who's graduated, is ten million yen per year an acceptable bodyguard fee?"
Ryo Sakazaki clenched his teeth internally.
He reminded himself to stay dignified.
If he lost his temper now, he really might smash this guy's head in.
King wasn't stupid.
She could tell something was off.
The conversation between these two was... sharp.
Loaded.
Did they know each other?
Why did it feel like they were stabbing each other with words?
Before things got worse, King stepped in.
"By the way, Ryo. Did you come here for something today?"
She addressed him naturally.
By his first name.
That alone lifted Ryo's mood slightly.
"Yes," he replied. "I came to ask whether you're participating in this year's KOF tournament."
King nodded.
"Yes. Mai and I have already signed up."
Ryo continued, "Did you find a new teammate? Since my father retired, Yuri had to join the Art of Fighting Team. Did that cause you trouble?"
He looked a little apologetic at the end.
King didn't hide anything.
"It was inconvenient, but we've already found someone. Her name is Kasumi Todoh."
Emiya suddenly spoke.
"Ryuhaku Todoh's daughter. The one whose father left home after losing to you and leaving a note."
Ryo's expression stiffened.
Emiya smiled faintly.
"I suggest you leave quickly. Kasumi doesn't have a good impression of you. If she sees you now, she might rush over and fight you to the death."
Ryo felt increasingly uncomfortable.
He'd beaten Ryuhaku Todoh fair and square.
No tricks.
No schemes.
Todoh leaving home had been his own decision.
Why should Ryo fear Kasumi?
Which meant only one thing.
This Emiya was deliberately trying to get rid of him.
So he could be alone with King.
Ryo ignored Emiya and looked at King.
As long as she didn't ask him to leave, he wouldn't.
He wasn't afraid of Kasumi Todoh.
King, however, recalled Kasumi's resentment.
She hesitated, then said carefully.
"Emiya's right. You should probably leave for now, Ryo. It wouldn't be good if Kasumi saw you."
Ryo's heart sank.
Both of them wanted him gone.
Was there really something between them?
He remembered King's flushed expression when he'd first entered the bar.
The discomfort in his chest deepened.
Emiya noticed.
The smile in his eyes widened.
But he didn't add fuel.
He only wanted a little revenge.
Not to break them apart.
Seeing that Ryo still hadn't moved, King grew more anxious.
If those two met and started fighting, she wouldn't know who to side with.
Left with no choice, she tried again.
"Go back for now, Ryo. I'll welcome you next time."
That was the last straw.
Ryo stood up abruptly.
"Fine. Since I'm not welcome, I'll come back another time."
He turned and strode out, leaving King standing there in a daze.
When had she ever said she didn't welcome him?
The door closed.
The moment it did, Emiya burst out laughing.
He laughed so hard he nearly leaned back over the counter.
King turned to him, confused and annoyed.
"What are you laughing at?"
Emiya thought for a moment.
Then decided to be honest.
"Ryo Sakazaki misunderstood our relationship. He thought something was going on between us. When we shook hands earlier, he was even testing me."
King froze.
Then her face flushed.
"What?!"
She wasn't stupid.
Thinking back on her own behavior, she immediately realized how things must have looked.
"That idiot..."
Emiya added casually, "If you chase him now, you might still catch him."
King instinctively took a step.
Then stopped.
She straightened.
"That's his misunderstanding. What does it have to do with me?"
Emiya rolled his eyes.
Two people misunderstanding each other.
Neither willing to explain.
Neither willing to take the first step.
No wonder they were still single more than ten years later.
This was a perfect example of-
You deserve it.
Ding-a-ling.
The bar door opened again.
Mai Shiranui walked in, looking exhausted.
"I'm back, King. Oh, Emiya, you're here too."
Emiya turned to look at her.
"You went to find Andy, right? Why do you look so disappointed?"
"I didn't find him," Mai replied.
King asked, surprised, "Didn't I give you his address?"
"I went," Mai said, sitting down in the seat Ryo had just vacated. "But he'd already left. People there said he left right when I arrived."
"We missed each other perfectly."
Emiya was speechless.
"It really feels like even fate doesn't want you two together."
Mai felt like she'd been stabbed.
Her mood sank even further.
King shot Emiya an annoyed look and comforted her.
"Don't worry, Mai. The KOF tournament is about to start. You'll see Andy soon."
Emiya nodded.
"That's true."
"We should also get ready."
"It's time to head to Tokyo."
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