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King of Fighters 15, The
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Fascinating Kunoichi
Mai is a kunoichi and successor of the Shiranui style of ninja arts.
Her opponents are at the mercy of her graceful movements and fascinating attire. Using large fans as weapons, her fighting style is to "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee".
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Dead or Alive
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The Alluring Ninja
Mai is a kunoichi and successor of the Shiranui style of ninja arts. Her opponents are at the mercy of her graceful movements and fascinating attire. Using large fans as weapons, her fighting style is to "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee".
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King of Fighters II
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King of Fighters '94
"If I say no, I mean no! Absolutely not! I will absolutely not permit it!"
When she recalls the words of her brother, fuming his objections, Yuri puffs out her cheeks in a pout.
"Who does he think he is that dumb brother of mine! He didn't have to get so peeved! And what a weasel, teaming up with Pop and Robert like that!"
Yuri's still steaming about her spat, but, in an instant, she regains her cool.
"What am I gonna do...? Three members for a team...? Hey, I got it!"
"Man! I can't believe you did that, Andy! How unfeeling can you be?"
Just when Mai thought they'd be entering together...
Mai, at her wit's end, mumbles. Andy has quickly teamed up with Joe and Terry, and all of her other possibilities have not panned out.
"Oh, what in the name of the Supreme Ninja am I going to do...?"
A girl of the same age suddenly appears before Mai, whose shoulders droop from dejection.
"Mai...Shiranui, I presume?"
Yuri Sakazaki, quite unlike her normally perky self, addresses the ninja rather stiffly, owing perhaps to the fact that this is their first meeting.
"Why yes. Yes, I am...May I do something for you?"
Yuri replies:
"Well, as a matter of fact...that is...."
"What? You, too?"
"Really?! Wow, that's so harsh!!!"
A few minutes after their first meeting, the two have completely opened up to each other.
"But where are we going to find another person to team up with us?"
Mai poses this question to her newfound soul sister.
"Yeah, she's in England."
"What?!! In England?!"
And in no time the ravishing Women Fighters Team is ready for KOF action.
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King of Fighters '95
King is tending bar on the graveyard shift at her tavern. As she spies the time, she mumbles with a sigh.
KING: "It should be anytime now."
And just as she utters this, Yuri perkily pops into her place of business.
YURI: "Howdy-do, Kingly-poo!"
King appears overwhelmed by her perkiness.
KING: "Geez.... I saw this coming down Main Street...."
YURI: "Aw come on...I thought I'd surprise you coming all the way to England, so why don't you look at least a little surprised?"
KING: "Now hold on there, toots...."
Just then, the door opens and in waltzes Mai.
MAI: "King! Konnichiwa-ha-ha!!!"
YURI: "Mai! Konnichiwa-ha-ha to you!"
MAI: "Oh, Yuri! Long time, no see!"
KING: "Good grief.... You guys are easier to read than the funny papers."
MAI: "Aw, geez. Are we so predictable...?"
KING: "I got one of these, too...."
King produces a King of Fighters invitation from her breast pocket.
YURI: "Aw, nuts! Well, it'll save me some breath. So, we're teaming up again, right?"
KING: "Uh, I hate to say this...."
MAI: "What's wrong, King? You don't mean...."
KING: "I'm sorry, guys...I'm thinking about sitting this one out."
YURI: "What?! What do you mean?! If you're not with us, we'll...."
MAI: "Yeah! We three are supposed to be inseparable!"
YURI: "Tell us why. Why?!
King casts looks down grimly, and then her shoulders begin to shake and she burst out laughing.
KING: "Haaah, hah, hah, hah!"
MAI, YURI: "...?"
KING: "What a couple of stooges! You fell for it!"
YURI: "Aaaah!!"
MAI: "Oh! You are nasty, girl! You really had us going...."
KING: "I'm sorry. I just couldn't help myself. Seeing you two stooges again...."
MAI: "Well, then, what's it going to be?"
KING: "Hey, I got burned by you once before, remember? I've been waiting for this for a whole year!"
YURI: "All right! So you're with us and Ryo's gonna get a whippin'!"
MAI: "Looks like the mighty babes are back in action!"
KING: "Since you two are entering, I guess we've just got to win! You with me?"
MAI, YURI: "With you, girl!!!"
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King of Fighters '96
England. Mai Shiranui energetically bursts into King's bar "Illusion."
MAI: "K-King! We're in a real pickle!!!"
King, in the midst of closing up her bar, is struck dumb by Mai's outburst but manages a response.
KING: "Wh-what's all this then, Mai?!"
MAI: "I-it's...this year's King of Fighters! Yuri won't be teaming up with us!"
KING: "What?! Yuri?!"
MAI: "Yeah! It seems that Yuri is a part of her father's designs, so if we don't find a replacement, we won't be able to join the competition."
KING: "...Really? Well, it looks like things are working out to my advantage...."
MAI: "Huh...?"
KING: "...Mai. As a matter of fact, this is a little hard to say...."
MAI: "What is it?"
KING: "I want out of this year's tournament."
MAI: "Huh?! What did you say?"
Mai can't believe her ears.
KING: "...My younger brother was in an accident just the other day."
MAI: "Your little brother?!"
KING: "Yeah, it was no big deal, but he's my only kin. I'd like to be by his side. ...So this time around, I'm sorry but...."
MAI: "O-OK, I understand. I hope your brother gets well as soon as possible. I'm sure this must be tough on you, so hang in there, OK?"
KING: "I'm sorry, Mai. I'm sorry I can't help you. Hey, isn't your boyfriend...yeah, it's Andy, isn't it? How's he doing?"
MAI: "...Andy always enters as one of the three stooges..."
KING: "Oh...is that so.... W-well, how about staying the night here?"
MAI: "...No. I've reserved a hotel room nearby, so don't put yourself out. See you...!"
And with that, Mai bursts out of the bar.
KING: "Ah, Mai!"
Mai looks heart-broken as she walks through the town.
MAI: "Looks like I'm all alone again...."
Feeling pathetic, Mai's face flushes red and she loses her composure.
When she comes to her senses, she realizes that tears are flowing down her cheeks.
After Mai leaves, King remains alone in "Illusion."
KING: "The King of Fighters, huh...?"
King gaze fixes onto a flashy ad broadcast on her bar's tele.
The next day, Mai packs her bags in preparation to return home to Japan.
MAI: "Sigh. I've exhausted all my options; they didn't pan out.... So much for this year's KOF."
Mai heaves a sigh of disappointment.
"Bing-bong."
The doorbell to Mai's room rings.
MAI: "Yeah. Is it the bellboy? I'm coming!"
But just at the moment Mai opens the door, "BAM!" A stinging fist comes toward Mai's face.
Mai barely avoids it.
MAI: "Wh-what the?"
Mai is momentarily dazed but she realizes her opponent's a woman and her mode of combat appears to be some sort of ancient martial art. She closes in on the retreating Mai, gradually pushing her out into the hall.
MAI: "Uh!"
As she grunts, Mai repeats a series of kicks. The woman slips by the attack.
MAI: "There's a lot more where that came from, sister!"
Mai adds a special move to her attack.
MAI: "Dragon Flame Romp!"
The flames alight on the hakama-wearing woman.
This attack catches her off guard, but the woman in the hakama manages to guard against the attack and winces.
"Now!"
MAI: "Ahh!"
Mai rushes toward the woman in the hakama.
She unleashes her Deadly Ninja Bees.
"Gashee."
Mai guards against the onrushing woman. She grabs onto Mai.
At that moment...
"OK, that's enough!"
The two look in the direction of the voice. A single woman stands in the doorway.
MAI: "K-King!"
Seeing the figure of King, the woman dressed in the hakama releases Mai and begins to speak.
WOMAN: "Forgive me for being so rough. I am Kasumi Todoh. King told me all about you and I felt I had to come and greet you, Mai."
MAI: "Huh? King? And why couldn't you just settle for a simple ŽÔhello' or something?"
KING: "That's right. I directed her here. She's our new team member."
KASUMI: "That's right. I've been dying to enter King of Fighters. But along with entering the tournament, I'd sure love to win it. This little scuffle tells me that you've got what it takes. With you on our side, I know winning the competition is no mere pipe dream."
MAI: "H-huh...? So why are you here, King?"
KING: "Uh-yeah. My kid brother saw right through me. He said he didn't want to see his sister without her usual glow. He prefers to see me in action and told me he's so proud of seeing me fight. When he told me he wants me to enter the competition, battle it out, and win, I realized then I could do more for him winning KOF than sitting by his bedside.
MAI: "Th-then, King..."
KING: "Yup...! I'm in, of course!"
MAI: "A-all right! If you're with me King, I have no complaints!"
KING: "Well, that's settled then! Mai! Kasumi! We're going for the top!"
KASUMI: "You said it."
MAI: "Naturally! This one's for King's kid brother!"
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King of Fighters '97
A press conference with Chizuru Kagura about this year's KOF tournament is currently playing on the TV in "Illusion," King's bar in England.
CHIZURU: "...I know this has already been mentioned in the various media, but once again I'd like to take this opportunity to announce the beginning of the King of Fighters '97."
REPORTER 1: "What exactly is the scale of this year's tournament?"
CHIZURU: "We plan a larger scale than last year for this year's tournament."
REPORTER 2: "As the scale of the tournament gets bigger, I think it will be more difficult to handle any occurrences like those of last year, so what comment do you have about that?"
CHIZURU: "We've strengthened security far above that of the previous tournament and are doing our utmost to provide everyone with a safe tournament."
REPORTER 3: "Didn't you fight at the end of KOF '96? According to the rumors, you plan to enter this year's competition as well. Care to comment on that?"
CHIZURU: "As far as that goes, I can't say that the particulars regarding my team have been decided, but, yes, I will most certainly be entering this year's tournament."
Click, click. Mumble, mumble. Flash, flash.
REPORTER 4: "What's the reason for your entering the competition?"
CHIZURU: "I am, after all, a fighter, and I want to see just how I stack up."
REPORTER 5: "You said things haven't been decided, but just who do you plan to team up with?"
CHIZURU: "Let's just say that for the time being I can't give any names, but I'm going to be negotiating with fighters with whom you are all quite familiar."
KING: "Hmm, so Kagura will be entering, too...Doesn't matter to me, though..."
King watches the press conference broadcast from behind the counter. Just then, Sally the waitress comes toward King, holding something in her hand.
SALLY: "King, you have a letter. Here it is."
KING: "Th-thanks."
The air-mail letter is addressed to King, and Mai Shiranui's name is written in the return address space.
KING: (From Mai? What could this be?)
King takes a quick peek at the contents.
KING: (An airplane ticket?)
Inside the envelope there is a letter and an airplane ticket for Japan. The contents of the letter read: "I have to talk to you about this year's KOF. See you in Japan."
KING: (...This is weird. Ah, well, I guess I'll go since I have something to discuss with Mai as well.)
A few days later, King is in Japan. Relying on the map that was enclosed in the letter, King sees that Mai has already arrived at a modest coffee shop and sits at a seat by the window.
MAI: "King, it's been ages."
KING: "It has been a while, hasn't it?"
MAI: "So, have you got the shop covered?"
KING: "Yeah, I left everything to Sally and Elizabeth."
MAI: "Those twin waitresses of yours. Is that so? Well, I'll just jump keep you up to speed about the King of Fighters, then. It looks like I not going to be finding a third member."
KING: "What about Kasumi?"
MAI: "I tried to contact Kasumi, but she said she's still looking for her father so she took off after him."
KING: "...Ah-hah...Is that so?"
MAI: "And Yuri has to team up with her brother, it seems. I tried a number of other possibilities, but they came up empty too."
KING: "Is that so?"
MAI: "So, it looks like this time, I think I'll give up entering."
KING: "That doesn't sound like you. You're always so gung-ho about gathering up teammates and now you just give up?"
MAI: "I'd like to enter, but it doesn't look like we'll be able to find a third member. And Andy'll probably enter as one of the three stooges again, so maybe I'll just go cheer him on."
KING: "Great, then it all works out. I was thinking of sitting this KOF out too."
MAI: "Oh, really?"
KING: "As a matter of fact, I had planned to take the summer off and travel with Jan. Since Jan was, you know, up till now, I haven't been able to take him anywhere. And since I entered last year, my bar got famous and I've just been so busy, so, since Jan has gotten better, and we haven't spent any time together..."
MAI: "I see.... Jan must be excited."
KING: "Well, no, I haven't told him yet¼Óit's still just in the planning stages."
MAI: "Ah, I see. But if you've decided so quickly, wouldn't it have been faster to call me?"
KING: "I suppose. But you went to all the trouble of getting me a ticket."
MAI: "Huh? A ticket? What're you talking about?"
KING: "Yeah, it was in your letter."
MAI: "Letter? But I got a letter from you...."
KING: "Impossible, I didn't send you any letter...."
WOMAN: "I called you two here."
MAI, KING: "?!"
Mai and King turn in the direction of the voice to find the woman who appeared at the press conference on TV a few days ago standing there.
WOMAN: "It's been a while, hasn't it King and Mai?"
KING: "You're...Chizuru Kagura...it all makes sense now. I had a feeling."
King shows the letter addressed to her to Mai.
MAI: "This is it...?"
KING: "That's the letter that came with the airplane ticket. I thought something was queer about it...I'm sure you got a letter similar to this one, right?"
MAI: "Yeah. I thought it was pretty bizarre too."
CHIZURU: "Forgive me. I thought that if I didn't resort to such a ruse, you two would never have come."
MAI: "Well, the last KOF was no picnic, I'll give you that."
KING: "It's doubtful that I would have come without your name written on the envelope. I'm in no mood to get caught up in some freaky blood feud. But since we're all buddy-buddy now...This must be what you were talking about at the press conference."
MAI: "Ah, the story about her team, yeah!"
CHIZURU: "Yes. I was counting on the power that you showed me in the previous tournament and hope you'll enter with me this year."
MAI: "Unh...well...it's all right with me. How about you, King?"
King takes a moment to think it over and formulate an answer.
KING: "...Can't you try someone else? I would have liked to have entered with you, but this year I'd like to devote my time to Jan and give him something special to remember."
MAI: "...Well, if King won't enter, I think I'll pass, too."
KING: "Mai..."
CHIZURU: "Very well.... I guess I'll have to cancel the four sets of tickets I prepared for each venue..."
KING: "Four sets of tickets?"
CHIZURU: "Yeah, an extra set for your brother."
KING: "Tickets for Jan?"
MAI: "Ah, I see. That means you can enter the tournament and Jan can join you, too."
KING: "...But...do you think he'd enjoy traveling around for KOF?"
MAI: "Are you kidding? Didn't he tell you how proud he was to see you fight? If that's the case then he should really be glad to actually see you in action."
CHIZURU: "How about it? Will you do me the honor?"
KING: "..."
MAI: "King...."
KING: "...OK...I'm in. I'll enter. But in return we'll have to do our best to win our matches and go on to all of the venues to show Jan around the world. If we don't, it won't be worth it."
MAI: "Leave it to me. We're in this to win."
KING: "OK.... Well, then, Chizuru, it looks like I'm in."
MAI: "It'll be my pleasure to enter with you."
CHIZURU: "No, the pleasure will be all mine."
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King of Fighters '99
When I met up with him again, he didn't sense anything different.
While I was training, it took a while for me to realize that the phone was ringing.
When I became aware of it, the phone must have already rung 10 times, and I managed to pick it up just as the caller was about to hang up.
A familiar voice on the other end of the receiver chewed me out.
"Hey, thanks for finally picking up lead butt."
The tone of his voice was more reassuring and calm than complaining, I felt that he was smiling on the other end, happy to be talking to a friend after a long while.
After exchanging one or two pleasantries, the caller soon got right to the reason for his call in his typically matter-of-fact way, or put more bluntly, in his usually rude way, but when I heard his story, I felt a feeling of relief.
"It looks like a private event this year. And it looks like we'll be able to enter as a team of four. The other two...you know who they are! Let's meet at the place we always do, you know when. You do remember the place, right? ...I'll let the other two know myself. Let's win this again, OK?"
Apparently the invitation had only been delivered to him, and he called me up right away.
Of course I had no reason to turn him down. No...not since I wanted to test the results of my unsparingly grueling training, anyway. I left Japan right away. It had been a while since I last saw the gang too, so I checked into a Southtown hotel a few days before the tournament and anxiously waited for them to show up.
The morning of the appointed day.
That day was more blisteringly hot than usual, and I realized that the bed was cool because it was drenched with sweat when I woke up.
When I think about it I must have had the dreadful premonition then too.
It took about 30 minutes to the meeting place from my room.
I checked out of the hotel quickly because I wanted to walk to take a jaunt around the old streets of Southtown I had not seen for a while.
The moment I got out of the hotel, a familiar voice called out my name a few times.
When I looked back I saw him walking quickly toward me, wearing that familiar red cap, the brim down over his eyes.
So the both of us headed to the meeting place together, and I gave up any thought of enjoying a pleasant walk through the streets of Southtown.
At that time I didn't think that anything in particular had changed with him. He talked in his usual outgoing manner with that winning smile on his face, didn't appear to be injured in any way, and looked his usual strong selfE figure whom even the meanest-looking military types strutting confidently down the street made a point of getting out of his way, his arms of steel rippling with those muscles, and that unnatural chest that the buckshot of the most powerful shotgun would bounce off of even though the weapon would drop a lion with a single shot.
We came to Southtown's main street. The city had been changing dramatically these days I heard, and my eyes were struck by the sight of skyscrapers I had never seen before and the streets of high-quality fashion shops and jewelry stores.
It was Sunday and people thronged along the streets of the shopping district, clearly oblivious to such matters as "economic downturns" and "war footing;" they exhibited the prosperity brought by peace.
While gazing at the children, laughing with joy while accompanying their parents who had come to ship, he muttered,
"...I wonder if I'll be coming back this time..."
His comment shocked me.
When I saw the unfamiliar expression on his face, different than anything I'd ever seen, I finally was able to realize the graveness of the matter.
Yes, it was like he was going to his death...!!!
Realizing the amazed expression on my face, he quickly changed the topic to other unrelated matters, as if trying to get me to forget what he had just said.
I, too, tried to come up with something suitable to say, but I could only get through the awkwardness of the moment with a nod and a nervous laugh.
An sense of dread choked us, and we walked on for a while in silence. I tried not to think about what grim fate awaited us, but that expression then burned itself into my memory, and I couldn't shake it out of my head.
The voices of two people calling our names shattered our silence.
Apparently, unawares to us, we had already reached the meeting place, but when I glanced at my watch, I discovered that we were about 15 minutes late for our meeting.
"Wow, those guys are fast. Oh, Joe already here, too. If you don't hurry up, pal, Mai's gonna thump you upside the head."
He said this with a laugh and the two waiting for us ran toward us.
Sure enough, Mai appeared a little miffed, striking her usual pouty pose at the slightly late Andy and me.
Looking back, when I recall the image of the back of him running toward them, maybe it was a result of the ungodly heat of that summer day, he looked so far away from me.
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King of Fighters '00
Yuri and Mai sit on a couple of chairs on the train platform. They appear to be in the middle of an argument.
YURI: "Aw, come on, Mai. Are you still angry?"
MAI: "Why did he boot me off the team? I can't believe it! Oh, Andy!"
YURI: "He said that he had to let Mary on the team for her to complete the job she had, so what are you going to do?"
MAI: "What are you going to do? If it were that simple, than why would you need a cop on your team?"
YURI: "Don't take it out on me, Mai. More important, if we don't get cracking and find some new team members quickly we'll run out of time."
MAI: "I know, I know! There's nothing we can do so we have to make another team!"
YURI: "Geez, why are you getting all snippy with me?"
Yuri eyes dart around the surroundings as she gets off one last shot.
MAI: "Hey, Yuri. Are you expecting someone?"
YURI: "Heh, heh. I just got an idea about a possible team member."
MAI: "Really? Who is it?"
As Mai finishes her question, a train slides up to the platform.
YURI: "Ah, this is the train. She's supposed to be on board."
POOH-SHAW!
The train comes to a stop and the passengers file out. Among them is a young woman dressed in a traditional style that seems out of place and carrying an umbrella.
MAI: "Hey, isn't that...?!"
YURI: "Heeey! Kasumi-eee! Over here, over here!"
KASUMI: "Oh, Yuri-eeee!"
MAI: "Why if it isn't the girl who traveled 12,000 kilometers to see her father."
YURI: "Hey, back off, Mai. ...Ah, Kasumi. It's been ages."
KASUMI: "It sure has. Thank you for inviting me onto your team."
MAI: "Hello, Kasumi. So you found your father, I take it?"
YURI: "Mai! Put a sock in it, would you?! I'm sorry. Mai's a little touchy now. Pay her no mind, okay? So, since you're here, all we have to do is find one more member."
KASUMI: "Yeah, speaking of that, I have an idea!"
MAI/YURI: "An idea?"
"Hey, this is an audition hall, isn't it?"
A young girl obviously the product of well-bred family, gets out of a posh car in front a Japanese-style mansion.
On the gate to the house is a sign written in large letters, WAY OF TODOH DOJO-GYM.
The woman walks briskly through the gate and enters the mansion.
YURI: "Whoo!"
MAI: "Well, Yuri, did you find any good candidates?"
Yuri plops herself down on a piped chair while she wipes the sweat from her with a towel.
YURI: "How did it go...I don't mean any disrespect to you, Kasumi, but no one really had what it takes, Mai. I hope it all works out, though, and we can find another teammate."
KASUMI: "Really...I thought that a general audition for a teammate wouldn't be such a bad idea, but...Mary helped me when I last tried it, and I think she used something called the Intertrap to do it."
MAI: "That's Internet. Yeah! Yeah! So just why does someone like Mary have to join Andy's team anyway! Geesh! ...I got it! It's a conspiracy, a conspiracy carried out by this year's sponsor! The harmonious relationship I had with Andy was too much for them!"
YURI: "Not again, Mai...I told you to put a sock in it. ...But if this is the way it's going to be, I wish I hadn't introduced King to Ryo and the gang."
KASUMI: "I guess that's true, but, for the time being, there are still people waiting at the general auditions, so let's get on with it? Yuri?"
YURI: "Yeah, you're right. For the time being, there are those who've come to be on our team, so we should really meet them."
MAI: "OK, next!"
The next contestant enters the practice hall. She's the person who had gotten out of that posh care shortly before.
"Hello, my name is Hinako Shijo. It's a pleasure to meet you."
All three rise up as she enters and their jaws drop to the floor.
She has blond hair, an elegant and charming face, and a sailor uniform that seems like that of a high school student to boot.
It appears that a girl who has nothing to do with the martial arts is standing before them.
MAI: "Uh, excuse me, Hinako, is it? So you'd like to enter this year's KOF tournament, would you?"
HINAKO: "Yes. By all means I'm hoping you will grant me the opportunity to audition for the open position on your team. The honor to be here is all mine."
YURI: "Um, have you ever participated in a fighting tournament before, Hinako?"
HINAKO: "No, this is my first time."
YURI: "Ah, oh, let's see...(Mai! She's a freaken' amateur!)"
MAI: "(I know!) So, well...uh, yeah. Well then, I know it's a bit sudden but would you care to spar with Yuri here?"
YURI: "Say what?! (I'm not going to be the one to slap some silly kid around!)"
MAI: "(If you show her the difference in our abilities, she'll run right on home!)"
KASUMI: "(And it would be just plain rude to send her on her merry way without giving her a chance.)"
HINAKO: "Uh, is there a problem here?"
YURI: "Uh...no, no problem. Well, then, shall we have a little match then?"
HINAKO: "Yes, please."
The match begins.
At that moment Hinako immediately begins to stamp the ring to warm up.
MAI/KASUMI: "What the...?! Ah! That pose...!! It can't be!"
YURI: "S-Sumo?!"
Seeing a chance for an attack, Hinako stomps down on the canvas and lunges toward Yuri.
YURI: "(Oh, Oh no! She's got my waist!)"
MAI/YURI: "Aaaaaah!!!"
And the moment Yuri becomes aware of her predicament, Yuri goes falling to the mat.
MAI/KASUMI: "An overarm body slam!"
Hinako's sumo moves are masterfully applied to Yuri.
MAI: "N-No way...."
KASUMI: "Wow! You tossed Yuri on her caboose in no time!"
HINAKO: "How did I do?"
The serious look in her eyes during the match has already vanished, giving way to her unassuming visage.
MAI: "W-We got a good idea of your abilities. I just have a question for you: why do you want to enter the KOF tournament?"
HINAKO: "Uh-huh. If I go into to much detail it would become quite a long story, but if I win a well-known tournament, the school that I go to says that they would help me make a sumo team at my school, so I thought KOF would be the perfect opportunity."
MAI: "Uh, huh.... (I'm not sure I'm following her, but I really think we've hit paydirt this time...but there sure is a gap between her style of combat and her looks, isn't there...?)"
HINAKO: "If we're able to win the KOF tournament, I won't have to practice alone anymore. I wonder how many people would sign up? And I'll have to get the school to make a suitable training gym, too. Maybe that space at the right of the school gym...?"
YURI: "Uh, Mai...She seems to be getting all worked up alone over there...."
KASUMI: "But she's really something. With a body like that, what refined technique! And she must be the same age as I am, so it looks like she'll make a fine teammate! I want her on the team."
YURI: "That's fine with me. I'm a little humiliated that she could throw me so quickly, though...."
MAI: "Y-Yeah, she's a bit , though, isn't she? But she does have ability...Uh, Hinako?"
HINAKO: "And I'll have them make a window with a beautiful view of the hill outside...Uh, yes? Did you call me?"
MAI: "We'd like to welcome you as the new member of our team. We're looking forward to having you with us."
HINAKO: "Yes! Thank you so much. I won't let you down, and I look forward to receiving your kind guidance. Whooo-hoo!"
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King of Fighters '01
"Yes! This year I'm entering for sure!"
A lone girl mutters this with a touch of excitement as she squeezes the KOF invitation in her hand.
Her expression brims with her enthusiasm towards entering the tournament.
Now we're in Southtown's Chinatown. The young woman works here part-time in her Grandfather Bai's Chinese restaurant.
Her name is Li Xiang Fei. Ever since she can remember she has loved a good fight and works as this shop's bodyguard as well as one of its waitresses.
"Last year was a real letdown. Even though I got an invitation, Mary and King ended up entering on other teams, and Mai's team was already decided...."
Xiang Fei still stings with the regrets of being unable to find team members for the previous tournament, but this time, for sure, she's determined to enter KOF.
"OK! This year for sure I'm absolutely going to gather together some teammates and quickly form my team!!!"
Once she makes up her mind, Xiang Fei's quick to act. She bursts out of the early morning mist that shrouds Chinatown.
Meanwhile, inside Andy's gym in the middle of Southtown, Mai's voice echoes through the structure to no avail.
"That Andy. I'll never forgive him! This is the second time in a row he's left me in the lurch, and I won't forget it! Come on! Show yourself, Andy, you bleach-blond girlie-man!!!"
With almost perfect timing and no prior notification, in pops Xiang Fei, right in front of a truly peeved Mai.
"Hey, Mai! I thought you'd be here!"
"Say what?! You're Xiang Fei, right?! What're you doing here?!"
"Eh, heh, heh. I heard Andy had opened a gym, so I came to check it out. And just as I expected, here you are Mai!"
"Well, yeah. I don't mind about Andy opening a gym here, but...Nuts! The loser's not here! It's just getting to be more and more of a chore trying to find out where that pretty-boy is! Uh, anyway...do you have something you want to ask me?"
"Yeah! I thought I could convince you to be on a team with me this year!"
"Huh?"
Xiang Fei tells Mai relates her experience with last year's tournament.
"Hmm...the dickens you say...Well, all right! I understand. Let's kick some but, Xiang Fei! And I want to make Andy scream ÔUncle.'!"
"...Y-Yeah, that sounds nice. So let's do it together! (It's not the way I pictured it, but it'll have to do...)."
"Hmm, looks like the whole world's on the skids these days...."
A solitary woman sits inside a bar that boasts a reserved atmosphere.
She looks over the newspaper spread out on the table and sighs.
Meet King. Along with being the owner of the bar "Illusion," she is an figure well-known among fight fans.
There is still a while before she's set to open her shop. King takes her eyes off the newspaper and shoots a glance at the envelope placed casually atop the thick oak counter. It's an invitation to King of Fighters.
"...It's come uninvited once again this year...ah, whatever...."
And just at that instant, "bing, bong" rings the doorbell.
"I'm sorry, we're not open yet."
King answers melancholically with her back to the door.
"Is that...King? Long time no see!"
"!! Xiang Fei?! And Mai, too. Hmph...."
The instant King saw their two faces, she knew it was another invitation to enter KOF. But this year she has not intention in the least of entering the tournament. So that's why she would tell the two the real reason and get them to leave. But as a result of Xiang Fei and Mai's persistent pleadings, King's chance to give these two the boot never arises. King eventually gives in.
"All right. All right already! I'll enter on your team, so enough of this whining!"
"Really?! All right!!!"
The two go wild with joy.
"But what are you going to do about the fourth team member? You can't join with a team of three members."
"Uh, I forgot about that...What'll we do? ...Kasumi said she saw her father in the last tournament so she set out to find him and can't be reached...and Yuri has already joined up with the Kyokugen Karate team...."
"Mai, uh, what about that sumo chick that entered last year. Won't she do?"
"Ah, you mean Hinako? She has school to worry about now...."
"That's not a problem. I'll convince here!"
Xiang Fei confidently comes to a credible conclusion.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Hinako Shijo."
It didn't take especially long for Hinako to show up at the bar "Illusion." What a coincidence that she shows up on a trip to Southtown at this very moment! It looks like the final pieces have fallen into place, so Mai's beside herself.
"So you're that sumo fanatic, Hinako, are you? Well, today everything's on the house so eat up!"
"!!!"
King stops wiping the glasses momentarily and takes a deep breath. She resigns herself that there's nothing she can do, today's just not her day. Not her day, and not her month: accounts this month will surely register in the red.
"Oh really? Thank you very much. I oblige myself of your kind hospitality."
"...So, Hinako, won't you enter KOF with us? With you on our team, I know we can win for sure."
"Oh, really-eeee? I'm truly honored to hear that. And if you provide me with another opportunity to enter...I'll be able to get more sumo club members, and...yeah, can I bring my sumo club teammates to the event?"
"Uh, yeah, the more the merrier, right?! It would be nice to have our own cheering section!"
"U-Uh, that's fine with me. Well, anyway, we have all of our members lined up, eh? Oh, good grief...."
"And in the event of our victory, I'll be happy to treat you and all your friends to a dinner party here at my place."
"Huh?!!! Really?! All right! Now I feel more psyched than ever. We're really going to bust some heads!"
And so, with Xiang Fei's passion, Mai's rage, and King's tolerance (?), the new Women Fighters team came into being.
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King of Fighters '03
"Mai, King, sorry to have kept you waiting. So let's have some fun."
A baseball field on the outskirts of Southtown.
Although the baseball season has already ended, the double "A" league is playing a tournament to appeal to the local baseball fanatics.
The one who has asked Mai Shiranui and King here is none other than Mary Ryan. She's a female agent who's known for her considerable talent in the field.
"Both of you have no objections to a dog and some suds, do you? The hot dogs here are legendary."
"You sure are all worked up today, Mary."
"So what's with those clothes? Are you planning to play catch in the stands or something?"
King and Mai are mutually impressed. Looking around the stadium, it's questionable whether there are even a thousand or so fans in attendance. So it's close to a miracle that a hot dog stand is open for business.
And Mary is no slacker either, decked out in her usual leather jacket, baseball cap, and even a broken-in glove in her left hand.
"Oh, this thing? It's to snag those home runs. Hey, some hot dogs over here please."
There are no seats in the outfield of the ballpark but a well groomed lawn instead. The fans sit her on sheets laid out to their liking. Among them are some who have removed their shirts, enjoying a bronzing session along with the ballgame. It's well into autumn, but today is a paragon of an Indian summer day.
Mai loses no time sinking her teeth into her hot dog.
"Wow, this is really good - just the right amount of onions."
"I told you so. These are the perfect accompaniment to a tall glass of beer."
"By the way, Mary, although I do know my pool, baseball's all Greek to me."
"Don't worry about it. It's fun enough just watching the players throw, hit, and run the bases."
"Hmm, I guess so. How many points do you get for a homerun?"
"Uh..."
"All I know is battledore and shuttlecock, myself, so, come on, teach us the rules. How many points for an out?"
"Uh...Oh, don't sweat the details now. Watch and learn"
The batter smacks a fly ball, high and deep.
The white sphere shoots into the serenely blue Southtown sky, but the centerfielder snags it with barely a move. It's the third out and the sides change. King tries to strike up another conversation once the play comes to a halt.
"By the way, Mary."
"That was an out. You don't get points for that."
"That's not what I was trying to say..."
"We're surrounded."
Mai seems to be aware of the situation too. There aren't too many of them.
But some clearly well-conditioned individuals around the stairs to the seats, in the shadows of the billboards, and behind the light posts have them encircled and are gradually closing in.
"Five, no I'd say six. Mai?"
"At least in the immediate area I'd say so. There may be more waiting in the wings."
"I'm sorry, looks like I got caught with my pants down here."
With that remark, Mary shoves the last bite of her hot dog into her mouth, washes it down with a swig of beer, and then licks the ketchup off her fingers.
The eyes of the three remain on the action on the field.
"They don't seem too anxious to use guns. I say we let them move closer into range, sound good to you?"
"It's your call, Mary."
With the previous change-up the match completes the top of the third and the visiting team is now looking at a man on first with no outs. The clean-up batter is at the plate.
Crack!
Along with the short bang of the dry bat smacking the ball, Mai backhands the nose of the man who has approached her from behind. She takes his right hand and it no more than a couple of seconds she twists it up behind him.
In a flash King swings her feet along the ground to trip up the feet of another man coming to the aid of Mai's assailant. The man falls flat on his back onto the grass. King's heel then lands in a flowing motion down on his unguarded solar plexus.
The baseball meanwhile bounces into left center and the runner makes a beeline towards home.
The small crowd erupts in cheers and applause for the runner.
"Tish."
Still another man witnesses the unfavorable series of events unfolding before his eyes and tut-tuts his accomplices in spite of himself, then glances backward.
"What are you doing? Malin!"
"You're busted!"
The moment he lets his guard down, Mary seizes his arms.
It's a brief and speedy action that appears as if she shook her arms up and down just a few times. And with that, there is a disagreeably dull snap accompanying the dislocation of his shoulder.
The final brawl is drowned out by the cheers for the batter just making the slide into third base. The home (visiting?) team has just taken the lead with a three-base hit. A flashy display appears on the scoreboard and the screaming color commentary of the announcer from a radio of one of the fans echoes in the area. No one appears to be aware of the action taking place in the stands.
"I suppose this is a warning for me. They're telling me to go home. But Blue Mary doesn't give in to threats."
"Damn, no one told me something like this would happen. So it wasn't just him?"
"You're not very up on your intel for someone in your line of work. Just try pulling something like this with my pals here. You'll have to answer to me, Mai Shiranui!"
"And your friendly neighborhood bouncer, who wishes to remain anonymous."
"?! ...Y-you're those fighter chicks from KOF, aren't you? Tch, I'm out of here!"
In spite of the shape of their bodies, the men retreat in a right quick and orderly fashion.
"My precious hot dog is ruined!"
Unlike Mary who managed to gulp hers down in the knick of time, King and Mai's superlative sausages rest on the lawn, splotches of ketchup and mustard color the grass.
The three are not at all fazed by their predicament, nor are they in the least afraid or jittery. They are seasoned fighters, pros who have survived scuffles more severe than this.
"I'll go get us some new ones."
Mai gets up and makes her way to the singular stand that served them before.
"I'll take two hot dogs (Hmm, Mary could probably use one more too). No, make that three."
"Hey, you were just here, weren't you? You don't need to pay."
"Huh? But why?"
"It's already been covered. Here you go, three hot dogs."
"Covered? By who?"
"What? Don't you know her? She's a petite, cute little thing. Her name was, uh, yeah...it was Maria, or Mario...no, something like Marie, maybe? Nah, I think it was Mariko?"
"Do you mean, 'Malin?'"
"Yeah, yeah. That's it! It was 'Malin.' She left me a message for you, too."
Mary and King immediately sense that things aren't right with Mai.
"What's up, Mai?"
"It looks like someone already knows of our plans to enter this year's KOF."
"So what's the big deal, we're in it every year? Was she scrounging for an autograph or something?"
"No, just the opposite. She sprang for our hot dogs."
"What's all that about!"
"And she left us a message. It reads, 'This competition looks like it's going to be a blast, so you'll be seeing more of me later. Your pal, Malin.'"
"Malin? ...Didn't that bunch of thugs mention that name?"
"Oh, whatever. We'll find out all the details once the tourney starts. Look, another hit!"
The dull roar of the crowd emanates from the baseball stadium on the town's outskirts.
And the sun has begun its westward descent.
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King of Fighters XI
"Hooray for Master Kim!"
"Best of luck!"
Chang & Choi gave a hypocritical--that is to say, blatantly false--er, rather, heartfelt cheer for Kim and Terry as they waited in the airport lobby.
The path leading to this particular turn of events had certainly been a twisted one.
On one of Mai's chance encounters with Andy, she lost her temper and told him it would be just fine with her if they "didn't participate," and dragged him off on a forced vacation... and Joe Higashi had been forced to abstain, as he had a scheduling conflict with a Muay Thai title match.
Finally, Tizoc, who had joined with Terry last year, had already joined a different team for this year, leaving the Lone Wolf in a bit of a tight spot.
It was then that he ran into Duck, looking as carefree as ever.
"Hey, Terry? What's up? You don't look yourself."
Flashy clothes, sunglasses, a mohawk and those high-tone dance steps.
Terry felt his spirits lift slightly on seeing one of Southtown's minor celebrities, and thought he might have a way out of his jam. He replied immediately with a cheerful, "KOF? Sure, why not? Might help relieve the boredom!" Perhaps the gods were smiling down on Terry again.
"But aren't we missing someone, Terry? KOF teams need three people, right?"
"Yeah, I'm working on that part..."
Terry planned on getting the leader of the Korean team, Kim, to split from them.
Since Choi Bounge hadn't participated last year, due to the inclusion of Jhun Hoon, it made sense that he might not participate again this year. And since Jhun wasn't planning to fight this year, the Korean team's roster had was a bit short of the three needed.
"Well, if we invite Kim, that ought to settle things, right Terry?"
"It would be great if he joined us, but I don't think he will."
"Why not?"
"He's worked hard with Chang & Choi. KOF is where they've done most of their training. It wouldn't really be fair of us to cut in on that."
Duck gave an exaggerated shake of his head. He looked remarkably exasperated.
"Uh, Terry, you really should think a little harder."
"Huh?"
"Kim's students have improved themselves during KOF, right?"
"..."
"Am I right?"
***
"Hooray for Terry and Duck!"
"We just know you're going to win!"
When presented with Terry's offer, Kim had been reluctant and unsure, while Chang and Choi looked as though they might burst into song and dance. Unsurprisingly, they offered much encouragement.
"If you go without us, Master Kim, you can fight much more powerful opponents," said Chang.
"We can use the time to train more for next year's KOF!" added Choi.
They have not forgotten their feelings are just window-dressed and just want to justify it. As the three boarded the plane, they waved small flags in the lobby, wishing them a safe trip, and the like.
If they'd learned anything in their time with Kim, it was that he was very observant, and was not easy to fool.
"You've done a good job training them and steering them on the right path. Are you a little worried, Kim?"
"Of course not. Hah hah hah!"
He wore his usual smile, and seemed quite confident.
Now his team would be at full fighting strength, but still...
Terry considered their plans, and elbowed Kim in the ribs. He sat down and whispered quietly to avoid letting Duck hear him.
"Hey, Kim. Is it okay for Duck to dress like that all the time?"
"..."
"If you think about his prospects, KOF could be the chance to kinda steer him right, you know? Put him on the right track."
"Ah, I see... you may be right, Terry."
Now that he'd been given a goal to work toward again, Kim folded his arms and pondered.
Suddenly, he felt another elbow in his ribs, this time coming from Duck.
"Hey, Kim. Don't you think it's time Terry stopped playing the part of the wandering warrior and settled down somewhere? As a friend, I kinda worry about him."
"..."
"If there's anyone who could show him the value of a traditional life, it's you."
"Ah, I see... you may be right, Duck."
Kim was feeling more cheerful than ever.
In unity, there was strength.
Now that he had new goals for which to strive during this new KOF, he could begin his preparations like always. The plane holding the three flew high above Southtown.
***
"...They're finally gone," said Choi.
"Yep."
"Those two just don't understand Master Kim one bit, do they?"
"You got that right."
"It ought to be fun to see what kind of changes he's inflicted on them when they get back."
"..."
"..."
"You know, it's actually a little bit lonely here now..."
"Yeah, just a little bit."
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King of Fighters III
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Mai Shiranui
Mai is a kunoichi and successor of the Shiranui style of ninja arts. Her opponents are at the mercy of her graceful movements and fascinating attire. Using large fans as weapons, her fighting style is to "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee". The future of her romantic relationship with Andy is on her mind...
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Andy and Mai are finally actually dating as of KoF XIV.
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Capcom vs SNK 2
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Capcom vs SNK 2 Endings
"What?! How frustrating! Where is Andy, anyway!?" In a hotel room, a man is breathing a sigh of relief... There's marriage papers pasted to the tournament papers...
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Neo Geo Battle Coliseum
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NEOGEO Battle Coliseum
The Ninja Arts of the Shiranui has a history of 400 years. With the death of Hanzo Shiranui, the preservation of this tradition has fallen to Hanzo's granddaughter Mai. While she seems to be overwhelmed by the legend and status of the Shiranui legacy, this unfortunate female ninja bravely endures her destined lot....But far from the tragic figure, Mai faces today's training cheerfully, guides her disciples, and stays on @char=andy_faf@ like ugly on an ape. The stoic Andy does not resent Mai for this, but doesn't exactly feel put out by her excessive affection. That's why finally...
"Put a sock in it. We're both in the middle of training for Pete's sake..." he exclaims. And then it was out there.
"Now you've done it. I'll show you I don't need anymore training!"
And to prove this Mai joins the Battle Coliseum.
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