As expected, the KOF tournament became a wildly popular global event. While its influence still fell short of the World Cup, it was on par with the European Championship.
On one hand, people truly had plenty of free time and desperately needed some entertainment to ease their tense nerves. On the other hand, the tournament itself was simply too newsworthy.
Aside from martial artists and fighters from all over the world, the most famous participant was naturally Masked X, played by Shizuku.
The Asahi Shimbun even specifically sought out Shizuku for an interview. During it, she took the ancient scroll Rui Fumizuki had given her earlier and embellished it heavily, praising her clothes-stripping martial art as something fit only for the heavens. She even seemed to be suggesting that Japan's government apply to have it recognized as intangible cultural heritage...
"Shizuku, are you really sure it's okay to say that?"
Mayu Hinase was left speechless as she watched Masked X's interview on television.
"I wasn't wrong. That's simply the truth."
Shizuku spread her hands, sitting behind the desk with a cheerful grin. Kagari no Kiri-e glanced at Rui Fumizuki, who sat nearby and was equally speechless, then shook her head.
"That's exactly why it's so baffling... I never thought such a pervert could exist..."
"We're not perverts..."
Rui Fumizuki weakly protested, but in front of Qiu Dragon and Vampire, a local yokai like her had no confidence at all.
"We were originally planning to go cheer for you in person, Shizuku..."
Mayu Hinase sighed helplessly. They had discussed it beforehand, but after Shizuku pulled this stunt, none of them dared go. Shizuku had thick skin and wore a mask, but they were all young girls and could not afford such embarrassment. Even Shiragiku and Yose Kurosawa felt awkward. Whether at