"Cloud! Thank you!"
[DING! Yata Tsukihime's affection toward Host has increased! Current affection: +30 → +50 (Overwhelmed with gratitude, I... will never be mean to him again...)!]
"It was nothing, really. Happy to help." While speaking polite pleasantries, Cloud stood and naturally steadied Tsukihime's arm, and... using an extremely subtle, extremely practiced technique, gave her soft shoulder a light, imperceptible squeeze.
Mm, nice texture. Smooth and supple.
"Miss Tsukihime, don't get too worked up. Your brother just woke up and needs rest." Cloud's expression was that of a perfect gentleman as he spoke righteously, though his hand hadn't released its grip.
Tsukihime's mind was entirely focused on her gratitude, completely oblivious to a certain someone's "wandering hands." She just kept nodding and thanking him.
But the "Sister-Protection Maniac" on the hospital bed had seen everything crystal clear.
A vein instantly bulged on Iori Yagami's forehead!
"Get... your filthy hands... off her!" He practically ground the words out between his teeth.
He wanted to leap up and hit Cloud with a "Ya Otome," to sever that shameless hand.
But... he couldn't move.
And... he couldn't beat him anyway.
This realization filled him with unprecedented frustration and rage.
Cloud sensed the nearly corporeal killing intent radiating from Iori. Only then did he reluctantly release his grip, even throwing Iori a provocative eyebrow raise, as if to say: What? Upset? Upset? Then get up and fight me.
Pfft—
Iori couldn't hold it in anymore and sprayed out another mouthful of blood. From sheer anger.
He decided "out of sight, out of mind," using all his remaining strength to force his head to face the opposite wall, adopting a posture of "I see nothing, I see nothing at all, I am a cold, aloof stone."
That look—clearly furious beyond measure yet completely helpless, only able to express his protest with the back of his head—nearly made Cloud burst out laughing.
Tsk tsk, what an interesting guy.
Cloud looked at this pair of siblings with their unique dynamic, and new plans began forming in his mind.
Saving Iori hadn't just preserved a "Sacred Treasure"—it had also boosted affection with his sister. This was an absolute win.
Looks like life after the KOF tournament won't be boring at all.
He gazed out the window. Though the smoke of KOF 96 had cleared, an even greater storm was just beginning to brew.
And Cloud had already quietly placed his first piece on the board.
The KOF 96 Tournament had come to a chaotic, Hollywood-blockbuster-style ending that no one had anticipated.
Goenitz had been stuffed back into the "mirror" by Cloud using what could only be described as a "physics cheat," and the world had temporarily returned to peace.
But peace came at a heavy cost.
The top floor of the municipal hospital's VIP ward had been essentially commandeered by the Kagura Financial Group, becoming a "post-war sanatorium" for KOF star fighters.
In the most luxurious, most heavily guarded suite, a rather unique scene of "wartime romance" was unfolding.
The Kagura sisters, Chizuru and Maki, lay side by side on two soft, comfortable hospital beds, connected to various expensive-looking life-monitoring devices.
Their forced activation of the Yata Mirror at the crucial moment had successfully sealed Goenitz (with Cloud's help), but they had also suffered massive backlash. Both sisters were severely injured and wouldn't be bouncing around for at least a week or two.
At this moment, the "Savior" who should have been the busiest person present was instead wearing a pink apron printed with Hello Kitty, holding a bowl of steaming, fragrant century egg and lean pork congee.
"Come on, Miss Chizuru, open wide. Ahhh—" Cloud scooped up a spoonful of congee, blew on it gently, and brought it to Chizuru's lips. His tone was like a kindergarten teacher coaxing a child.
"This is my personal specialty, made with the finest ingredients, slow-cooked for eight hours—Cloud's Secret Recipe Divine Congee. One sip and your internal injuries will heal halfway, your spirits will soar for a whole day."
Chizuru's pretty face flushed slightly. A bit embarrassed, she opened her small mouth and took a sip.
The warm congee slid down her throat, spreading warmth throughout her body. That indescribable deliciousness made her close her eyes in comfort, like a cat being petted.
"Sister, you have some too." Cloud scooped another spoonful and turned to Maki in the other bed.
"Thank you, Mr. Cloud." Maki's personality was gentler than her sister's. She smiled and reached out to take the bowl herself. "For something this small, I can manage on my own."
She looked at this man wearing a cute apron—whose unparalleled charisma couldn't be hidden even so—and her heart overflowed with gratitude.
Half a year ago, when Goenitz had ambushed Kagura Shrine, it was Cloud who had descended like a divine soldier. Just as Goenitz was about to deliver the killing blow to Maki, Cloud had driven him back with a single punch, saving her life.
Though Cloud had still been hiding his true power then and hadn't fought Goenitz head-on, Maki had always remembered this life-saving grace.
This was also why the Kagura sisters had trusted and favored Cloud from the very beginning.
"Come on, Sis, just let him feed you." Chizuru fanned the flames from her bedside, winking at her sister. "Free labor this good—waste not, want not. Look at his technique—clearly he's fed plenty of people before. Very professional."
Cloud's face darkened with exasperation. "Hey, hey, hey, what do you mean 'professional'? This is my first time! I'm usually too lazy to even boil water for instant noodles—I just eat them dry, okay?"
Pfft...
The sisters looked at Cloud's flustered expression and couldn't help but laugh out loud. The heavy, oppressive atmosphere in the hospital room instantly became light and warm.
...
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