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The circus (aka the NWC) had returned to Nerima and scattered back to their (ab)normal lives.

Shampoo was artfully posed on the street corner next to the Neko Hatten. Leaning against the building she had casually brushed her long purple hair over her shoulder and was toying with the end of it, as if checking for split ends.

Akane, not to be outdone, had assumed a similar position on an opposing street corner and lacking the same fullness in her shorter hair decided instead to carefully file her nails with long smooth strokes with the occasional pause to show them off, while pretending to examine them.

Ukyou was posed on the street corner across from Shampoo, seeming to be completely relaxed and had the hair to one up both of them, but instead had polished one of her throwing spatulas to a mirror finish and was using it to ‘accidentally’ reflect the sun into Shampoo and Akane’s eyes, on and off, while she ran a whetstone along the edge.

Kodachi had possession of the final corner across from both Akane and Ukyou and was using it to perform a series of languid stretches.

A large group of Furinkan students had gathered in the street and were watching with rapt gazes.

“I thought Martial Arts Catfighting would be more energetic.” A boy muttered, only to be shushed by all nearby.

One of the girls in his class took pity on him. “Most Martial Arts styles were developed by watching the way animals moved and fought. Female cats often show their ranking by the way they pose and groom themselves. It’s subtle, but deadly in the social arena, as each pose and movement symbolizes a feminine trait. Shampoo is showing off her bust and hair, while assuming a physical superiority to the others by the casual way she’s standing. Akane is sharpening her claws and showing off her legs, trying for a subtle air of strength and menace. Ukyou is sharpening her claws, and really pounding the others with her show of being able to reach them without moving. Demonstrates a brilliant tactical mind on that girl, as well as showing off her beauty by how she’s hidden it. Kinda, a casual cute. Kodachi is demonstrating her flexibility and grace, but she really loses points because of the amount of effort she’s showing. That move should only be done when the male is present anyway, but then, she is new to the sport.”

The boy stared as Akane began slapping herself and cursing. “What does that symbolize?”

The girl focused in on Akane with her binoculars and groaned. “That she’s standing on an anthill.”

A boy in the hand, Chapter 10