How did she expect him to give her pointers? This question faded from Caspian's mind the moment he witnessed Suiko's lithesome, dazzling movements as her attacks billowed toward him.
While evading her strikes, a realization struck him. He felt foolish for not considering it sooner: he, too, possessed 'Technique Mimicry' — the ability to learn and master any technique or power of his opponents simply by witnessing it once. In fact, his mimicry is superior to Garou's, if memory served him right.
By recalling all of Suiko's attacks and movements, his use of the Void Fist had already far surpassed that of a beginner. Though obviously not yet on par with Suiko or Suiryu in terms of understanding.
Was there a major benefit to learning the Void Fist or other martial arts? Maybe, maybe not. But it certainly amused Caspian. This amusement led him to a decision: he would create his own ultimate martial art, one capable of rivaling, or even surpassing, the 'Monster Calamity God Slayer Fist.'
And with the 22nd Super Fight tournament approaching, wouldn't this be the perfect opportunity to absorb multiple martial arts styles at once?
"'Drunk Tiger.'"
Suiko stepped forward, her movements loose and unsteady. In a sudden change of pace, she lunged at Caspian, her fist arcing in a wide swing only for the punch to veer off-course halfway, her body tilting sideways as she stumbled into a spinning elbow strike instead.
Caspian hopped back, the attack coming from an angle he hadn't anticipated. This style is fun.
Before he could regain his footing, she staggered backward, only to lurch forward with a low, sweeping kick. Her posture shifted in motion again, turning the kick into a stumbling cartwheel that ended with a wild, overhead slap aimed at his shoulder.
He sidestepped the slap and the next moment she was leaning so far back it seemed she would fall, only to spring forward with a sudden jab. After, she spun in a clumsy circle, her leg hooking around in a wide arc that somehow turned into a precise kick aimed at his knee.
Caspian swung out his leg, avoiding the kick. "You're fantastic! You must have been training harder than usual for quite some time now."
"D-Don't flatter me. I must seem like a s-silly girl to someone like you. Why won't you attack me?" Suiko frowned, her words a bit slurred.
How much of a lightweight drinker is she? And girl? She's all woman to me.
"If you insist…"
"I—"
Caspian vanished from his spot and reappeared behind Suiko. With a gentle push, he sent her stumbling forward.
To Caspian, her fall unfolded in slow motion, a phenomenon discovered he could control at will. He adjusted his perception, giving himself just enough time to move back around and lie on the floor in front of her. Then, he returned the world around him to its normal speed.
"Ahh—" Suiko fell, now laying on top of him, her face close to his.
Caspian smiled, staring into her widened blue eyes.
Suiko froze for a moment, then a playful grin spread across her flushed face. "I-It looks like you caught me…"
As the scent of her sweat and natural sweet musk filled his senses, he felt his the lower portion of his jumpsuit tighten, his erection pressing against the fabric.
"Have I?"
In response, Suiko lowered her head and nibbled on his bottom lip. "I believe so," she murmured, pulling back.
His heartbeat quickened, a familiar phenomenon he hungered for, one that only surfaced in moments like these.
They locked eyes, the tension between them thickening, stretching taut.
Suiko licked her lips, then tilted her head in a slow, agonizing manner, bringing her mouth close to his until their noses nearly touched.
It took almost nothing. Just a breathless, surrendering choice to yield, and his lips closed the tiny distance to meet hers.
Her lips surprised him, smooth but with a faint texture, like satin or a petal's edge, and radiating a surprising amount of heat.
The tension snapped.
Suiko's tongue slipped into his mouth, and he eagerly reciprocated. Their tongues tangled fiercely, the taste of cherry liquor lingering on hers. Their heavy breaths echoed through the dojo as they lost themselves in each other. With every movement, he felt the press of her perky breasts against him.
His hands slid down her back, gripping her big firm ass and squeezing, drawing a sultry moan from her that almost made him tear off his jumpsuit in order to be closer to her.
In one swift motion, he rolled her onto her back, their mouths still locked. He stood, lifting her with him, her arms wrapping around his neck as he carried her to the wall and pressed her against it.
They broke apart briefly, gasping for oxygen, though one of them didn't truly need it.
Suiko's eyes, half-lidded with desire, met his. "C-Caspian, you're the best thing to happen to me in… such a long time. Will y-you fill my dull gray days with color from now on?"
Caspian froze at her slurred words as clarity washed over him.
Was this right? There was no questioning that Suiko was under the influence of something — in this case, alcohol. As ridiculous as he found it to believe that she became so drunk from just that bottle.
Caspian isn't a good person and would gladly watch another city get annihilated if it meant he would benefit from the decision. Sure, he could save cities or portions of cities that he knew would be destroyed like he had just done in Y-City. But really, he came here for Suiko.
What would happen if he went through with this and slept with her and then she resented him for it? If she regretted it? What if she didn't want this? Caspian wouldn't dare take this kind of avoidable risk and end up losing her.
No matter how strong he is, he can't force her to love him. A great weakness of his would be just that — the inability to force love. Even if he could, he couldn't stand the thought of something false or forced.
His first time with her would be one where they were both solely under the influence of the feelings they had for each other.
Caspian lowered her until her feet touched the ground. "I'm sorry. I can't—"
Suiko staggered back, bumping into the wall. "O-Oh…" Her expression turned sorrowful as teardrops gathered in her eyes.