"So mental energy can be used like this..." Cloud murmured to himself.
He experimented with integrating this power into his [Shiranui Battle God Style] martial arts.
When he focused his mental energy into his eyes, the range and precision of [Mind's Eye] increased dramatically!
He could even sense a diligent cockroach doing sit-ups in the next room over.
When he channeled mental energy into his fists and feet, the qi force of his [Shiranui Battle God Style] became more refined and responsive.
"Interesting..." A satisfied smile curved Cloud's lips.
Just then, the old Nokia brick phone on his nightstand (liberated from some unfortunate soul) beeped with an incoming message.
It was a text from an unknown number.
"Good morning, Mr. Cloud! This is Athena Asamiya. I was wondering if you're free today? I'd like to fulfill my promise from last night and treat you to lunch. —Athena"
The message was just like her—polite, proper, with a hint of girlish sweetness.
Cloud smiled and his fingers flew across the keypad.
"Of course I'm free. Having lunch with Miss Athena is my honor. However..."
He paused deliberately, then sent the second half.
"Saving you last night caused me severe psychological trauma. My poor little heart is still pounding. I'm afraid one meal won't be enough to compensate for my 'emotional damages.'"
Send.
Cloud could almost imagine Athena's expression when she read this on the other end.
Sure enough, less than a minute later, his phone rang.
"Mr. Cloud!" Athena's voice came through, slightly flustered but maintaining her composure. "What... what do you mean by that?"
"What I mean is..." Cloud lowered his voice to a husky, half-teasing tone. "Emotional damages need to be compensated with 'emotional connection.'"
"So besides lunch, I'll also need Miss Athena's private contact information. You know, so we can have deep discussions about life goals and future plans anytime, anywhere—to soothe my wounded soul."
Five full seconds of silence on the other end.
Then came a poorly suppressed giggle.
"...You're really something else." Athena's voice carried a mix of exasperation and amusement. "Fine, I'll give you what you want. This number IS my personal phone. But no prank calls in the middle of the night!"
"Don't worry. I'll only call when you can't sleep—to tell you bedtime stories."
"Hmph. Smooth talker."
After hanging up, Cloud whistled triumphantly.
Nailed it!
He knew that with a kind, innocent girl like Athena—one who'd seen it all—being straightforward and proper would only get him labeled as a generic "nice guy."
Showing a little bit of roguishness and playfulness actually broke through her idol persona, making her remember him as someone "different" from her other admirers.
...
Noon. South Town's finest revolving restaurant.
When Cloud arrived at the restaurant entrance with Yuri Sakazaki and Mai Shiranui in tow, even the host was stunned.
A handsome young man with a unique presence, flanked by two stunningly beautiful women with completely different vibes.
This group would turn heads anywhere.
"Wow! This place is gorgeous! You can see all of South Town from here!" Yuri pressed herself against the massive floor-to-ceiling windows like an excited puppy, marveling at the view.
Having spent most of her time cooped up at the Kyokugenryu dojo, she rarely got chances to go out.
Mai maintained a more dignified air, though her beautiful eyes were quietly taking in the restaurant's luxurious decor. Cloud knows people this wealthy?
Soon, they spotted the host of today's lunch.
Athena Asamiya had been waiting at the best window-side table.
She'd changed out of her dazzling stage costume into a simple white dress.
Her purple hair fell loosely over her shoulders, giving her less of that radiant stage presence and more of a sweet, approachable girl-next-door charm.
"Athena!" The moment Yuri spotted her idol, she transformed into full fangirl mode and rushed over excitedly.
"Yuri? You're here too?" Athena's face lit up with pleasant surprise.
Athena's master Chin Gentsai and Yuri's father Takuma Sakazaki were old friends, so the two girls had met several times before and got along well.
The two young women quickly fell into animated chatter.
Mai, however, felt a flicker of... wariness the moment she laid eyes on Athena.
A woman's intuition is a mysterious thing.
She could keenly sense that this seemingly harmless psychic idol looked at the man beside her with something... different.
"Mr. Cloud, and this is...?" Athena's gaze finally settled on Mai with an inquiring look.
"Oh, this is my... hmm... confidante." Cloud introduced without missing a beat.
"You already know the energetic Yuri Sakazaki. And this is the gorgeous Mai Shiranui. When they heard I was having lunch with a national idol, they insisted on coming along to bask in your radiance."
This introduction made even Mai's expression turn slightly shy.
"Confidante" was such an... ambiguous word.