Shodown in the Bamboo Forest (Kumoko v Yuuto)

Alright, this was it. Despite pretty much every bone and muscle in the girl's body screaming at her to just stop, there was no way Kumoko could do so. Not against Yuuto. Even if her body could not match it, her spirit still burned intensely. She did not want to just end this by collapsing or giving up. No, that was the easy way out of the fight. After the intense battle Yuuto had given her, ending it on such a pathetic note was completely unacceptable!

If I'm doing this, it'll be in the proper way. Let's end this!

Nodding at Yuuto's words, Kumoko let out a loud battle cry as she ran over to him, intent on fighting as hard as she could. It did not matter if he was stronger than her, more experienced at combat than her. The spider-headed girl had no intention of holding back. She would throw as many punches as she could manage while doing her best to endure every single one of Yuuto's attacks for as long as she could.

Despite her best efforts, however, she could only delay the inevitable for so long. Even if she was trained well in martial arts, Kumoko was simply too exhausted. The fact that she pushed herself this far for this long was simply incredible. But enduring attack after attack was only making it that much clearer just how tired she was. Her reactions were becoming more sluggish, her attacks less intense, her blocks less effective. She would quickly find herself overpowered as her punch got intercepted.

And finally, it was over. Yuuto had the girl down on the ground and in a pin, one that she was simply too tired to escape from. As Kumoko weakly struggled in vain, it was clear that she had hit her limit. So this is it, huh? Kumoko sighed, listening to Yuuto's words. Slowly, a small smile formed on the girl's face. She then nodded. "Y-yeah, it... definitely looks that way." With how much she was panting, it was a miracle Kumoko could even get any words out.

First Graham, and now Yuuto. Even if the announcer did not already declare the end of the match, Kumoko was no fool. It was over. She had lost again. Still, that was not really something that had bothered her all too much. Before the tournament started, Kumoko was unsure of whether she would even be able to survive for more than a minute at best. But having shown in two fights now that she was no pushover was nothing short of admirable. Just thinking of that made her smile. I did it. I conquered my fear of fighting. Just long enough... to shine. There were no regrets. Having done her best, it did not matter that she had lost. If anything, getting to show off what she could do, actually providing Yuuto a decent challenge, and even lasting as long as she did, it made her feel like a winner.

"Yuuto." Kumoko's voice returned to its usual sweet and cheery tone. "Thank you. For the match, for getting me out of my shell, for helping me overcome my fears, for giving me the chance to shine. Thank you." Even as she continued lying down on the ground (as she was still too weak to get up on her own), the spider girl smiled cheerfully. "I'll be watching your fights for the rest of the tournament. Continue to shine, alright? I'll be cheering you on! And..." Kumoko's smiled widened. "Just like with Graham, I'm looking forward to a rematch with you someday. Count on that!"

And so, the curtain closed on this fight. The shark had conquered the spider. But that would not necessarily have to be the end of things. Someday, perhaps the two could battle again. And who knows, maybe the outcome would change. It was something Kumoko looked forward to. Until then, continue to improve and grow. And I'll make sure to do the same!

WC 666