blows one day." She grinned, pleased that he was unlike most gorillas she was accustomed to dealing with. "Mm, good question..." Mai pressed the tip of her fan against her chin as she thought the answer through. "It'd have to be... against a guy called Kusanagi Kyo. Have you ever heard that name?"

It was good he bought that, otherwise, it'd have been awkward for her to explain herself more deeply. That told her how this young man was good natured despite it all, which, in turn, made her initial stiffness loosen up. "Oh yeah? Guess you must be really strong! We'd have to exchange friendly—

she didn't say anything on it, and instead kept an intrigued grin for this traveler. "And what about me? Have you met a Shiranui Mai in a different world?"

"Oh, wow..." She placed the tip of her fan against her chin, tapping it lightly in thought. It was crazy to think about it, especially with how the most recent threat to the world was a deity from a different dimension.

The thought alone of being involved in all that made her unenthusiastic, but—

/Benimaru/ who was born under a damned star of victory! Oh, how she wanted to punch that playboy then. "I have fought in them, but never to win! Only to prove myself~!" And to chase after the love she'd left behind. Now? At least her words were finally sincere, rather than an awkward lie.

"You better be~!" His enthusiasm was contagious. Even if she initially seemed irritated by it, all trace of that seemed to have faded.

... Until that last comment.

"Ah~! Well, you see...~!" How could she say she'd won none because of Kyo and his groupies? No, it was better to say that it'd been—

"Oh~? You want to steal my Shiranui techniques already?" She inquired playfully. Of course Mai knew that wasn't the case, but felt playful enough to prod. "Be a little nicer and I /might/ tell you which is it!"

"You won't have to worry about that with me, at least~!

Guess you're right. There is a whole lot of 'world' to see!"

Being praised was a quick way to earn her friendliness. For that reason Mai didn't hesitate to reach the gloved hand with her own in a firm grip.

"Shiranui Mai! Pleasure's mine!"

His laugh was reason behind her own entertained chuckke. "Glad it amused you! A guy with a huge responsibility ought to laugh here and there~!"

"Wow... that sounds rough." Her mind when to Chizuru briefly– but she didn't let her inner thoughts reflrct on her expression. "But it's better in the end. We don't need freaks getting a hold of your thingy."

That shifted Mai's expression into a pleased grin. Being acknowledged by her strength was rewarding to her ego. "Ohoh~! I don't doubt that. Sadly, there's no one like me." Fan spread, it hid her widening smile. "But I'm worth a lot! So keep being awed at my skill~!"