For instance, the milk he drank in the morning would mysteriously "boil over."
The clean clothes he'd just changed into would "accidentally" be burned with several holes by a flying, spark-trailing fan.
Even when he slept at night, the temperature under his blanket felt hotter than the Sahara at noon.
And at every "accident scene," there was always a figure in red, dressed lightly, arms crossed, lips pouting.
Cloud knew—his household's number-one jealousy jar had been knocked over.
Mai Shiranui's obsession with titles and ceremony ran deeper than anyone's.
Athena's worldwide confession had precisely stepped on her "sore spot."
"Sigh, the romantic debts I've incurred must be repaid, even on my knees."
After another "accidental" incident turned Cloud's favorite game controller into charcoal, Mai was finally cornered against a wall by Cloud.
"Tell me, Mai." Cloud pinched her chin, looking into those evasive eyes full of grievance and expectation, smiling helplessly. "What exactly do you want? Keep this up and you'll burn down the whole house."
"I... I did no such thing!" Mai stubbornly turned her head away, but her eyes were slightly red. "Who told you to... to be so biased! Giving that singing girl such a grand production... I... I was clearly the first..."
Seeing her adorable, jealous, attention-seeking appearance, Cloud's heart completely softened.
He sighed, pulling her tightly into his arms, speaking by her ear in an unprecedentedly tender yet solemn tone:
"Who said I was biased?"
"I was just... preparing a gift for you that's even grander, even more ceremonious than any concert."
"Mai, will you marry me?"
...
One week later.
A piece of news swept across the barely calmed world like a tsunami.
—"The Merciful God" Cloud would hold a grand traditional Chinese wedding for "KOF's Number One Heroine" Mai Shiranui!
The venue wouldn't be any real-world city, but a one-to-one replica of the dreamlike Tang Dynasty capital Chang'an that Cloud had created with divine power within Infinite Manor!
When the news broke, the entire world erupted.
If Athena's concert had been a romantic carnival for the young.
Then this "Divine Wedding" was a martial world event that moved the entire fighting community and even alarmed countless reclusive masters!
On the wedding day, the divine city Chang'an was festooned with decorations, packed with people.
The guest list was luxurious to an insane degree.
The Fatal Fury Team—Terry, Andy, Joe—arrived early as Mai's "family."
The Art of Fighting Team—Ryo and Robert—came with Yuri to offer congratulations.
The Sacred Treasures trio—Kyo and Iori—miraculously attended together without fighting.
Even Haohmaru and Ukyo from the Samurai Shodown world, and Ryu, Ken, and Chun-Li from the Street Fighter world, came through Cloud's "VIP dimensional passage" to witness the ceremony.
At this wedding, any random guest could make entire regions tremble—all legendary figures.
And the most special guests at this wedding arrived on time.
One was the elderly but still sharp-spirited head of the Shiranui school—Hanzo Shiranui.
He looked at this "Chang'an City" created by divine power—more magnificent than any ancient Japanese castle—then at his "divine" son-in-law who was currently arm-in-arm with Terry like brothers, and stroked his beard with a satisfied smile.
My cabbage finally sold for a good price!
"The auspicious hour has arrived—! The groom shall fetch the bride—!"
With the MC's (Kim Kaphwan guest-starring; he believed this was the best opportunity to promote "family justice") high-pitched announcement, the wedding reached its climax.
Under everyone's gaze, Cloud—wearing a fiery red groom's outfit designed by Shermie that fused traditional hanfu with modern fashion—rode a "Qilin Divine Beast" condensed from Dimensional Power, its entire body wreathed in golden flames. Surrounded by his "groomsmen squad" (consisting of Kyo, Iori, K', Terry, and others—the strongest muscle team in history), he marched grandly toward the bride's "boudoir."
The bride's "boudoir" was a "Phoenix Pavilion" carved from a single piece of white jade, floating in the air.
Blocking the Phoenix Pavilion's entrance was the "goddess-tier" bridesmaid squad—Athena, Kula, Leona, Chun-Li, and others—with their layers of challenges.
Challenge One: Literary Test.
Host: Athena.
Question: "The groom shall compose a poem on the spot expressing his love for the bride."
This stumped our Dimensional Sovereign, whose "martial prowess" was maxed out but whose "literary talent" was basically zero.
Just as he scratched his head in frustration, the groomsmen's "strategist" Iori spoke coldly.
"The moon has risen."
Cloud: "That's it?"
Iori: "Hmph. Concise words, profound imagery. You wouldn't understand."
In the end, Cloud improvised by using divine power to reshape the clouds in the sky into the characters "Mai, I Love You"—barely passing.
Challenge Two: Martial Test.
Hosts: Chun-Li and Leona.
Content: "The groom must, without using any divine power and while blindfolded, identify the real bride from among our hundred identical clones."
This time, the groomsmen were dumbfounded.
Over a hundred Chun-Lis and Leonas in bridesmaid dresses—who could handle that?
However, Cloud simply smiled.
He covered his eyes, took a deep breath, then walked straight toward one particular "clone," lifting her into a bridal carry under her astonished gaze.
"How did you know it was me?" The one he picked up was Leona.
"Because..." Cloud whispered in her ear with a soft laugh, "only your heartbeat, when you see me, secretly speeds up from 60 beats per minute... to 61."
That single line of sweet talk instantly turned the ice-cold female soldier's cheeks crimson.
...
After a series of ridiculous "challenges," Cloud finally pushed open the Phoenix Pavilion's doors.
Inside, red candles flickered, fragrance filled the air.
That familiar figure sat quietly by the bedside.
...
Get 20+ chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"