KOF: Rise of the King of Fighters

Northern Japan.

A port city by the sea.

Night fell, and the bright moonlight shone on the shore. A tall, handsome man sat alone on the rocks by the sea, quietly playing a delicate guitar.

The sound of waves rising and falling, the sea breeze gently blowing, lifting the hem of Iori Yagami's robe and his red hair, his eyes focused and lonely.

His fingers danced across the strings, playing a melodious tune, as if telling a story from the depths of his heart.

The lighthouse in the distance flickered faintly, adding a touch of tranquility to the peaceful beach.

Soon, a young girl's figure quietly approached. Iori Yagami quickly heard the girl's footsteps, his eyes flickered, he stopped what he was doing, and turned to look behind him.

The girl wore a blue-green off-the-shoulder dress, her long brown hair flowing like silk, swaying gently in the breeze. Her sunny and lively smile could dispel gloom and bring endless hope and vitality. Coupled with her fair and smooth skin, which shimmered softly in the moonlight, she looked like a fairy quietly dancing in the night.

Iori Yagami gazed at the girl before him, a subtle, complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

"What?" Iori Yagami then resumed his cold demeanor, frowning slightly as he said in a low voice, "It's you."

The girl maintained her gentle smile, her gaze fixed on Iori Yagami, her tone revealing a hint of liveliness and curiosity, "Is Mr. Iori practicing here?"

Iori Yagami's tone was icy. "Is it not allowed?"

The girl gently shook her head, then turned her gaze to the boundless sea and said softly, "No. It's just that I especially love the sea at night, especially on a bright moonlit night like this, the sea seems particularly tranquil, making one feel relaxed and comfortable."

After speaking, the girl slowly closed her eyes and gently opened her arms, as if to embrace the whole world. The sea breeze brushed against her cheeks, bringing with it a salty scent and the murmuring of the waves. The breeze stirred her skirt and hair, making her figure appear dreamlike in the moonlight.

The girl's lips curled into a slight smile, and she appeared exceptionally comfortable. She spoke softly in a gentle tone, "With such scenery as this, inspiration really flows endlessly when I'm writing lyrics."

"Write lyrics?" A hint of doubt flashed in Iori Yagami's deep eyes.

Seeing this, the girl looked flustered and quickly explained, "Uh, it wasn't something I suddenly thought of. I have recently started trying to write lyrics. I've always wanted to sing like you, sister... cough cough..." As she said this, she couldn't help but cough a few times.

"!" A hint of worry flashed in Iori Yagami's eyes.

The girl forced back her cough and continued, "But I can't do it myself... so I really hope someone can sing these lyrics for me... cough cough... although I know my level is still very poor."

After she finished speaking, she lowered her head slightly, her long eyelashes casting a shadow under her eyelids, making her look somewhat disappointed.

"..." Iori Yagami remained silent, simply standing there listening to the girl's slightly weak voice.

"Um..." The girl looked at Iori Yagami, "I heard from my sister that Mr. Iori is composing a song?"

"Ah." Iori Yagami nodded.

“My sister said the lyrics aren’t finalized yet… so I thought…” The girl hesitated, then continued, “The song is called ‘Sunset and Moon’.”

After hearing this, Iori Yagami muttered to himself, "Sunset and Moon?"

"If possible, please take a look after I finish writing it..." As she spoke, the girl secretly glanced at Iori Yagami, her eyes filled with anticipation.

"Hmph, acting on your own initiative." Iori Yagami did not refuse, but still spoke coldly.

Seeing this, the girl thought Iori Yagami was unhappy and quickly said, "I'm sorry..."

Ignoring the girl, Yagami turned and began playing his guitar, still exuding a cold and distant aura. The girl stood quietly to the side, gazing at the sea.

But soon, Iori Yagami stopped strumming his guitar. He suddenly said to the girl:

"Hey, what are you dawdling for?"

"What?" The girl seemed not to understand.

Iori Yagami coldly said, "Aren't you unwell? Get back here right now."

The girl smiled and said, "It's okay, I'd like to stay a little longer."

"Going back would be a hindrance."

"I understand, I'm sorry." The girl seemed a little disappointed, but she was very obedient and ran away after saying that.

Just as Iori Yagami was about to continue practicing, the girl suddenly turned around and said with a smile:

"that……"

"what happened?"

"Mr. An, you are indeed very gentle." The girl's voice was innocent, cheerful, and full of energy, like the warm sunshine that illuminates a winter day.

However, Iori Yagami frowned and coldly replied, "What a joke, don't you dare have any silly feelings for me..."

"Goodnight then." The girl interrupted Iori Yagami directly, and then said, "I'll show you the lyrics as soon as they're finished."

After saying that, the girl quickly disappeared.

"Hey!" Iori Yagami watched the girl's retreating figure with some surprise, then shook his head helplessly: "Hmph, whether it's the older sister or the younger sister, they're all the same..."

After speaking, Iori Yagami looked at the sea with a complicated expression, lost in thought, his figure appearing even more lonely in the moonlight.

……

At the same time, Osaka Castle Hospital.

Mature lay in Yan Yue's arms, stroking Yan Yue's cheek with one hand, and said coquettishly, "That little girl Athena can sense me, you know. If I'm discovered, I'll have no choice but to kill Kusanagi Kyo~"

Yan Yue was on the verge of tears. It was truly one wave after another. She had finally managed to defeat Rugal, but now the Eight Heroes had come looking for her, not giving her a chance to catch her breath.

"Forget it, monitoring Iori Yagami is fine too. At least he's a successor of the Three Sacred Treasures." Thinking of this, Yan Yue sighed helplessly. He was still a bit weak. If he didn't have the Three Sacred Treasures, he would have no chance of winning against the Four Heavenly Kings of the Eight Orochi.

"Then I'll go write something, to explain things..." With that, Yan Yue had made up her mind. She immediately pushed Mai Zhuo off her and walked back to the inpatient department on her own.

Mai Zhuo, however, looked at Yan Yue with amusement, a smug expression on her face, and immediately stood up, saying, "Little Yan Yue~ hurry up, or I'll make my move~"

"I know!" Yan Yue replied somewhat impatiently.

Afterwards, Yan Yue returned to her hospital room, took out a piece of paper, wrote a few words, and placed the paper on the cabinet.

After finishing everything, Yan Yue checked the backpack in the cabinet. It was sent back from the base by General Haderen.

After confirming that everything was in order, Yan Yue tidied the bed, glanced at Kusanagi Kyo lying next to her, and sighed.

"Thigh, you'd better step up! I'm sacrificing myself for you this time."

"If you have time, learn that [Ama-no-Kumara] and [Totsuka] style. Or at the very least, learn [Musou] or [Shin-no-Kumo]..."

After saying that, Yan Yue kicked Kusanagi Kyo's bed again to vent her bitterness, and then jumped out of the window.

At the hospital's main entrance, a luxurious black sedan was parked. Mai Zhuo sat in the driver's seat, watching Yan Yue slowly walk in with a meaningful look.