Some downtime.

Ethan was sitting on a bench in the backyard of his mansion, watching Mirko take on the robotic twins, she was getting better.

Nora was sitting next to him in sportswear, she and Mirko were working on Mirko's reaction time, Rumi still thought that it was t necessary but Ethan said otherwise.

"You okay?" Ethan wrapped an arm around Nora and pulled her close.

Nora lightly blushed. "Yeah don't worry, light bruising but it'll heal." Nora leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Thanks for doing this." Ethan whispered to her ear, causing Nora to shudder.

"I-its fine, I enjoyed sparring with her." Nora looked at Ethan who grinned and kissed her softly, Nora returned in kind.

"FUCKING BLU!" Mirko screamed and then ate dirt as Red took her down with Blu assisting.

Ethan pulled away and called out. "They're programmed with multiple tag team styles and one on one combat Mirko, don't rage too hard."

"Cheating that's what it is!" Mirko got up and wiped her cheek of the dirt.

Nora looked at Ethan. "So what's the prize for first place?"

"In her league, characters and money, also a trophy." Ethan commented. "She could go to a higher tier but I won't allow it, she's strong but... I think it'll be too much for her."

Nora nodded, remembering that the higher tiers had stronger and powerful characters. "Why not let one of the stronger girls compete?"

"Not many, the strongest here would be Ei am Kara, but I don't think Ei will fight for me, she tolerates me but mostly because of Ai." Ethan explained.

It was true, when Ethan tried talking to Ei, he received the cold shoulder, only when he was with Ai, it seemed she was softer.

"Maybe you should fight her and show her who's boss." Nora smirked a bit.

"Maybe, maybe I'll just do that, but not any time soon." Ethan chuckled. "Kara is strong maybe I'll have her compete but I need to get a character she can train with and not hold back, she could tear the twins apart and Ei wouldn't be willing to fight."

"Babeee!!!" Ethan lurched forward as Meru jumped onto his back. "I missed you! You've been avoiding me."

Ethan looked back and saw Meru's pouty face. "One, I haven't, just been busy." Ethan chuckled and pulled Meru around and placed her on his lap, to which she wrapped her arms around him. "And two, you've been busy in hell."

"It's fine but boring without my boyfriend there." Meru huffs and kisses his neck as he tail swishes around happily.

Nora leaned back to avoid the tail.

"Now now." Ethan pets her head. "I'm just relaxing Meru, no sex stuff."

"Awe..." Meru whined but cuddled up to him.

Ethan's phone started to ring, taking it out, he checked who was calling and then picked up. "Hey Andrew how've you been?"

Nora blinked, she never heard of an Andrew, she looked at Meru who just kept cuddling Ethan.

"I can see that happening, listen, I can loan you my car but you need to be careful with it, if you break it you pay up." Ethan said as he rubbed Meru's head.

"... Yes I'm cuddling Meru right now... No you can't see her, get your own." Ethan hung up and chuckled.

"Who's Andrew?" Nora asked a bit confused.

"Oh a friend of mine, college buddy, his car was towed and he asked to borrow mine, I'll have Meru drive it over since she can teleport." Ethan explained.

Meru huffed. "Trying to get rid of me?" She asked.

"Just making good use of that ability sweet ass." Ethan smirked.

"Damn right." Meru smirked back.

Nora leaned her head on Ethan's shoulder as he wrapped an arm around her and pulled Nora close.