Scenario:A Thousand Reasons - Chapter 2: 2nd Bout - Episode 2

A Thousand Reasons - Chapter 2: 2nd Bout - Episode 2

Feather eagerly asks the Masked Cypher to match fists with him, angering Randall, who is scheduled to face Feather first. Aliza meets Soriz in the dressing rooms and learns that he is participating in order to pursue a life surrounded by beautiful women. He advises her to learn all she can by watching the matches.

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Feather: Heeey! Wait up! What's your name, uh...

Feather: Masked Cypher!

As the Masked Cypher heads down the corridor behind the ring, Feather's voice rings out.

Feather: I caught your first match! It was really something!

Feather: The passion behind your punches called out to me!

Feather runs up, flushed with excitement while talking a mile a minute.

Feather: You and I need to have a conversation and let our fists do the talking! I think we'll end up facing each other in—

???: Jumping the gun a bit, aren't you?

Feather: Wha... Randall!

Randall: You'd have to reach the finals to fight the Masked Cypher. We're on opposite ends of the bracket.

Feather: Really?

Randall: You're facing me in round two. Don't run your mouth like you've already won!

Feather: I plan to win this tournament!

Feather: That means I won't lose to you either, Randall!

Randall: Cocky little punk... I'm gonna bury you in the ring!

Feather: Haha! That's what I like to hear!

Feather: This ring's gonna be the stage for our showdown, Randall!

Feather: Aaahhh, I'm so pumped!

Randall: Ugh...

Randall: What'd you even enter this tournament for?

Feather: What do you think? To meet the best fighters in Phantagrande and see what their fists have to say!

Randall: ...

Feather: Not only that... I feel like this tournament has something even greater in store for me!

Feather: It won't simply be a meeting of like-minded pugilists—oh no! These fists of mine are in for a truly fateful encounter!

Feather: I owe you one for tipping me off about this event!

Randall: Listen, you punch-drunk pinhead—

Randall: Oh, forget it. Words don't really get through to you, do they?

Feather: What do you mean?

Randall: I'll meet you in the ring. It's the only place you'll understand me!

Feather: Yeeeaaah! You got it, Randall!

Feather: Don't you dare lose before our match!

Feather's voice echoes down the corridor as Randall stalks away.

The tournament organizers have prepared a dressing room for each entrant, tucked away deep inside the colosseum.

Aliza: Almost time for my first match...

Soriz: Oh? What're you doing in here, little lady?

Aliza: Huh? Is this the wrong room?

Soriz: Hahaha, don't worry about it!

Soriz: I was gettin' bored anyhow. If you don't mind the company, stay a while!

Aliza: Guess I'll take you up on that. Thanks!

Soriz: Sure thing! Make yourself at home.

Aliza takes a seat across from Soriz.

Aliza: I saw your match earlier.

Soriz: Really? Good thing I won then!

Soriz: I wouldn't wanna look the fool in front of you!

Aliza: Whether or not you look foolish depends on how you lose...

Aliza: But I could tell by watching you that you have a lot of combat experience under your belt.

Aliza: You're a fighter to be reckoned with.

Soriz: Hahaha, you're gonna make this old man blush!

Aliza: Well anyway, I'm glad I joined this tournament, especially if it's gonna be full of opponents as strong as you!

Soriz: So you're here both for training and to test yourself, huh?

Aliza: You can tell?

Soriz: Hahaha! It's pretty clear from the way you talk.

Aliza: What about you, Soriz? What do you want out of this tournament?

Soriz: Why, the prize money, of course!

Aliza: The money, huh?

Soriz: You sound disappointed.

Aliza: Is that the only reason?

Soriz: All I want is a life spent in the company of beautiful women!

Aliza: Beautiful women?

Soriz: Well, every fighter has their own motivations.

Aliza: Yeah. That's true.

Soriz: ...

Soriz: I don't know what drives you to hone your skills...

Aliza: Hm?

Soriz: Well, whatever the case, this is a golden opportunity. Keep your eyes peeled and learn all you can from each match.

Aliza: That's the plan!

Soriz: Glad to hear it!

Soriz: Speakin' of which. Your first match is against Randall, isn't it?

Aliza: Yep. So?

Soriz: That upstart's got a lotta potential. And he ain't half bad in the ring already.

Soriz: I'm lookin' forward to that matchup.

Soriz: Give him a good stomping. He can use it!

Chuckling to himself, Soriz leaves Aliza alone in the dressing room.