Don’t Stop Fighting

“Nice work, kid.”

Katie stared at the engineer’s memorable face. Programs like All These Parks would show him on TV all the time. From what she heard, he was the best trickery surgeon in the universe, commissioned by park owners the world over.

“T-thanks!” She tried smiling again. What’s been with me lately…? The big sister couldn’t help but wonder as one excited tear just barely managed to escape from the inside of her eye, just as she removed her mask and equipment. “H-honor to meet you, sir!”

“I… wouldn’t be too sure about that one.” He bashfully declined. “But it’s a wonder to see some newcomer perform like that. I should be thanking you…” He itched at his long gray hairs.

“Oh yeah? Thanks, thanks… you know, I… think I really wanna be a swordfighter one day! A real good one… in addition to exploring every theme park in the world.”

“Oh, I, uh, see…” Arrow seemed not to have heard everything she said or was otherwise ignoring it as he dug around in his coat, taking out an outdated ticket and handing it to the girl.

“What’s this?” Examining the green thing, it was like some kind of coupon for cyberpunks.

“Figured I’d be retiring, but… If you get your hands on some trickery you need installed anytime soon, just… call that number, I’ll be there.”

“Woah… never considered it, but okay!” She beamed, as Frankie just stared at her awkwardly, as if to ask why she’d ever need something like that.

“Let’s see… now what would a “human” do in this situation…” The old Arrow then scratched his beard. It took the introvert too long to answer, so Miyano leaned against his shoulder and half-whispered in his ear.

“Maybe share a meal?” Smirked the animator.

“Uh, yeah… Tara, you wanna bring your friends out with us to eat?”

“Do I?” The fighter pumped their metal fist, happily reunited with their master.

“Then let’s go get some karaage…” Arrow took one step towards the door, expecting everyone to follow as he-

“Sir.”

Sejun Shori stopped him. Her fists balled, her face wiped of its emotion again, she stood in his way like a solid rock wall.

“What’s that, Shori?”

<I’m sorry… for letting you down.> The silver-haired warrior girl bowed.

“You’re the only one from my oldest class… who’s still here.”

She looked up at the man, still trying to deny her excellence as he looked at her like she was the most important thing in the world.

“You went from a kid crying after getting beaten over and over… to a swordswoman who never gives up. Now you… you’ve got nothing to prove.”

And with that, it all came crumbling down. Arrow let Sejun cry on him for a while before the girl turned her attention to Katie.

“…Come back and fight me again. Okay?”

“Any day!” Katie smiled broadly, almost seeing Sejun mirror the gesture before she walked away. Having that conclusion to things, both of them were honestly happy. Good game, Katie thought, before moving out herself, following her friends.

That was the last time she talked to her.