061. Activating the [Girlfriend Card] Subcard

North Town covered a vast area, but finding Geese Howard proved simple enough. As the overlord of this city, nearly everyone recognized him. At the very heart of the metropolis, Geese Howard had erected a skyscraper bearing the name Howard Global Trade Center, serving as his headquarters and a testament to his dominance. Of course, locals preferred to call it the Geese Tower.

Suye and his two companions, though here to settle a score, weren’t reckless enough to barge in unprepared. Before confronting Geese Howard, they needed to gather intelligence. After paying respects at the cemetery, cleaning Jeff’s grave for Old Su, the trio made their way to the base of the Geese Tower.

As the city’s landmark, the tower bustled with office workers and tourists alike. Today, however, it was livelier than usual. Three men were embroiled in a brawl at the entrance, drawing a crowd.

One wielded a cane: Billy Kane, North Town’s reigning fight champion, Geese Howard’s top enforcer and loyal hound. Another, barefoot and clad in an orange martial arts uniform, was Ryo Sakazaki of the local Kyokugen dojo—nicknamed the Invincible Dragon, famed for his Tiger Flame Punch, a dragon’s technique channeled through tiger fists. The third was Benimaru Nikaido, whom Suye had spotted earlier at the airport.

Suye and his companions had no intention of meddling in the fight; they were merely scouting the area. With a casual glance, Suye nodded from afar to Kyo Kusanagi, then departed.

Night descended. The trio found themselves near the Geese Tower, entering a bar named ‘Muse.’ Three men visiting a bar at night were not out to carouse or pick up strangers; they were respectable men, here strictly for work. Bars, filled with all sorts, were the best places to gather information—and this one was owned by none other than Geese Howard.

Inside, the atmosphere was pleasant. No pulsing EDM or wild dancers—just a central stage where a glamorous, stylish woman in a daring slit dress sang blues to the mellow music. Her appearance and attire were clearly tailored to the tastes of local patrons; the drinkers below whispered lascivious rumors and exchanged furtive glances. Yet she remained unmoved, evidently well accustomed to such attention.

That changed the moment Suye entered. Her gaze lingered on Suye—and then, more intently, on Terry behind him—for a full five seconds before reluctantly turning away.

Suye pretended not to notice, selecting a booth. Dong Joe headed for the billiard table, while Terry sat at the bar. Their roles were clear. When the song ended, the singer approached Terry and struck up a conversation. Suye remained unfazed; the woman’s name was Angelina, Geese Howard’s adopted daughter. Terry’s interaction with her might yield valuable information.

According to the lore of King of Fighters, Angelina and Terry had been childhood friends. She recognized him, though he did not remember her. She loved him, but he feared to love her. Their story unfolded in tragic fashion, ending with her sacrificing herself for him.

Shaking his head, Suye scanned the bar for intelligence and spotted a familiar figure: a tall blonde girl in a tight, sleeveless red crop top, blue-violet cargo pants adorned with pentagram patches, and a wide decorative belt slung around her waist. In the Fatal Fury and King of Fighters storylines, this outfit belonged to a truly iconic character—Blue Mary, Terry’s later ambiguous companion, though their relationship never fully blossomed, remaining somewhere between friends and lovers.

Now, Terry’s first love and future paramour appeared together. Was fate orchestrating a dramatic showdown for Terry? Suye, as his older brother, felt compelled to step in and shield Terry from the impending storm—such was a brother’s duty.

Of course, to approach Mary directly would only make things awkward; better to wait for the right moment. In a bar, such opportunities abound.

Sure enough, it didn’t take long. A group of obviously drunk men passed by Blue Mary, one leaning into her, uttering crude remarks and reaching for her. Blue Mary frowned and pushed him away, but he persisted, even threatening to get physical.

Suye sighed; thugs everywhere were the same. A bit of liquor, and they forgot themselves, thinking money granted them license to act as they pleased, harassing women and resorting to violence when rebuffed.

In the ordinary world, Suye might have just called the police and snapped a photo for evidence, powerless to intervene, needing to protect his own family. But here, even knowing Blue Mary could handle herself, Suye refused to stand idly by.

As the thug raised a hand to strike her and Mary prepared to retaliate, a figure darted in. With a scream, the thug was sent flying several meters, crashing into a distant wall, bloodied and unconscious.

His eight companions, confused but emboldened by alcohol, roared and charged forward.

Seeing their numbers, Mary shifted her shoulder, ready to assist. But Suye’s large hand pressed down on her shoulder first.

“A small matter. Leave it to me.”

Before the words finished, Suye had already stepped forward, kicking out—kick, kick, kick! He didn’t want to dirty his hands with these shameless louts, so he dispatched each one with a single kick, including the two women among them, plastering them all against the wall.

After finishing, Suye casually took a seat beside Mary, wearing an elegant smile. “Would you mind buying me a drink?”

Mary’s lips curled instantly. “I mind.”

Seeing Suye’s surprised face, Mary burst into laughter. “Waiter, bring me two bottles! One glass isn’t nearly enough.”

The last line was directed at Suye.

“I thought you’d have them bring over a barrel,” Suye joked, shrugging. As he spoke, he noticed Angelina, seizing the commotion’s distraction, stealing a kiss from Terry.

Ah! This little enchantress was certainly bold.

Mary glanced that way, her tone subtly teasing. “So, are you here for Miss Angelina? Now that you see her getting cozy with another man, are you jealous?”

Suye shook his head. “First, that man is my brother. Even if they married, I’d only be happy for them. Second, in my eyes, Angelina—whether in temperament or appearance—cannot compare to you.”

No sooner had he finished than Suye’s brow arched, a voice sounding in his mind.

[Ding! ‘Beautiful Coach’ card sub-card effect triggered. You have acquired a girlfriend who is a private detective…]