FIGHT! FIGHT! I-RI-NA!

As the match started, Irina let out a battle cry before charging at her opponent, who was apparently a famous martial artist named Jade Drago, and leapt at her with a roundhouse kick. Jade barely even moved as she effortlessly blocked it with her palm.

"'Is that the extent of your power!? HAH! I'm disappointed, Irina' So she says!" Irina hollered out as she was repelled.

Jade didn't say a word, and simply balanced herself on one leg as her dragon holohair truly came to life and shot into the air, before hurdling down towards Irina.

"Heh, bring it, ya oversized salamander! I wrestle salamanders far worse than you, daily!" Irina grinned as she stomped her feet like a sumo wrestler and prepared to launch a counterattack.

As the dragon descended towards her with jaws wide open, Irina attempted to halt its jaws with her hands, but they just phased through the dragon, leaving Irina standing there awkwardly as if trapped inside the dragon. Jade meanwhile had maneuvered behind her and managed to knock her out with a karate chop to the shoulder.

This was the thee of the match as poor Irina found all her attacks being blacked, and all Jade's connecting. Needless to say, it was a one-sided slaughter. Yet Irina retained her fighting spirit, and bantering one as she fought on. Her constant banter made me realize that she was actually the loudest one in this whole stadium.

Looking around, people were smiling and watching the match intently, but compared to the crowds of my time, it was monotonous. I'd expect this kind of quiet and polite demeanor at a theater or music hall, not a sports stadium. Even Lyn didn't look like she was about to start cheering loudly. Thus, I let the spirits of crowd's past consume me.

"KICK HER ASS, IRINA! SHOW HER WHY YOU'RE JANTAR'S EVIL GREMLIN!"

People quickly turned towards me, yet seemed to turn away just as quickly, as if my little outburst was insignificant. Irina also took notice, but it was bad timing as it was her turn to defend and well...

Regardless, I kept up my cheer. "FIGHT! FIGHT! I-RI-NA! FIGHT! FIGHT! I-RI-NA!"

...

Hana's cheering... Heh, now that's the motivation I needed.

"Alright, ya bald dragon, banter's over cuz I'm getting serious. Prepare for an Irina sweep!"

As always, Jade kept that serious silent expression on her face. Seriously, why do I always get stuck with the serious types, and ones named after reptiles? Though I'm probably gonna get my ass kicked anyway. There's just no beating Jade at martial arts. But I can't disappoint the crowd, so here it goes, my final attack!

"GREMLIN THUNDER ELEPHANT ATTACK! GAAAAH!?"

...

Irina's attack was flashy and looked like it truly was straight out of an anime. But Jade not only dodged it, but countered it in style, ducking under the attack then karate chopping Irina on both shoulders, without even turning her body, sending Irina face-first into the ground. And with that, the match was over; Irina had lost.

"Well that was a nice payday and field test. Oh, did you bother betting?" Lyn asked.

I informed her that my focus was more so on the match, and that I hadn't really bothered with the betting. Lyn simply chuckled, remarking that I must be more of the play-it-safe type. Not like I'd dispute that, but that didn't mean I couldn't play a mean game of cards. Cards... I'll have to play some in downtime. It's been too long.

...

As we reunited with Irina outside the stadium, she shot us a grin. "Well, what did ya think?"

"You got slaughtered."

"Yeah, yeah. But thanks for the cheer. Really helped my psych, especially since no one ever cheers."

"Why is that?"

With a shrug, Irina stated it was because it expended unnecessary energy. I can kind of get the argument, but still, a sports stadium with no cheering?

"Do cheerleaders not exist anymore?"

"Cheerleaders? What's that?"

I quickly pulled up a video, causing Irina to nod and inform me that cheerleading did still exist, but just in competition form.

"That's kind of a downer. Back when I went to baseball games, there were cheerleaders and loud fans bringing the stadium to life."

"Baseball? Ah right, it's popular in the American and Japanese regions of the world. This area's mainly the martial arts hub, but even then, stadiums are still just as quiet."

"This makes me curious, what were stadiums like in your era?" Lyn asked.

Before I could tell her, a woman in kung-fu attire with a clean shaven head and a crimson dragon tattoo on it approached us.

"Irina, are you to partake in the post match ramen ritual?"

Something about this woman seemed familiar, perhaps it was her kung-fu attire. It looked just like the attire Jade... AH! Lyn mentioned you had to shave your head to get holohair, so then this is...

"Are you Jade!?"

Jade turned to me with a blank stare, confirming that's who she was, before turning away and ignoring my existence.

"Irina, will you partake?"

"Do I have to? I don't like slurping up noodles."

"It is required. A ramen consumption ritual must be completed following the match. You lost, so you are obligated to partake."

"Does she herself need to partake?" I asked.

"Yes, since she-"

"Could I not take her place?"

Jade paused and appeared to stare off into space for a bit before scowling. "Your name... State it if you will."

"Hana Hangetsu..."

"Hana Hangetsu, the rules state that only the winner of the match MUST partake. It seems the losers partaking is merely customary and not required, but the ritual must commence. Thus, if you wish to take Irina's place, you must consent so now."

"Bring it. I'm going to avenge her."

Jade simply nodded, not appearing to show any emotion whatsoever as she motioned for me to follow her.

"Ugh, you'd better not regret this. Do you have any idea what you're gonna have to do?" Irina groaned.

"Relax, I'll avenge you. Oh, but you'd better cheer for me."

A smile appeared on Irina's face as she let out a sigh. "Alright, I'll root for ya not to hurl everywhere."