She had removed her usual revealing ninja outfit, donning instead an elaborate, magnificent traditional Chinese phoenix crown and rosy cloud robes embroidered with golden phoenixes greeting the sun.
Her cloud-like hair was elegantly pinned up, adorned with exquisite pearl hairpins and dangling ornaments.
Her stunning face wore light makeup—red lips, white teeth, painted brows and eyes.
In the candlelight, her usual fiery, sexy aura was replaced by an unprecedented grace, shyness, and wifely tenderness.
In this moment, Mai Shiranui was breathtakingly beautiful.
Seeing Cloud enter, she shyly lowered her head, hands nervously twisting at her hem, like a new bride awaiting her husband's return.
Cloud stepped forward and gently lifted her veil.
Their eyes met.
A thousand words dissolved into the endless affection in that exchanged gaze.
"Mai," Cloud's voice was tender enough to melt, "you're so beautiful today."
"Idiot."
Mai's eyes instantly reddened.
She had waited for this day, waited for so very long.
From that naive, love-struck girl at the start, to the jealous, coquettish "fiery temptress" of Cloud's harem.
Her heart had finally found its ultimate, most perfect home.
Cloud leaned down and gently kissed her.
...
The wedding banquet filled the entire Vermilion Bird Avenue of "Chang'an City."
Tables stretched endlessly from one end of the street to the other.
Divine-brewed celestial wine flowed like spring water, inexhaustible.
All guests set aside their usual identities and pretenses, celebrating freely.
Terry, that hearty "Legendary Wolf," naturally took up the duty of getting the groom drunk.
He carried a wine bowl bigger than his head and found Cloud, who was making rounds of toasts.
"Cloud! Today, we don't talk about gods, we don't talk about the world! Only brothers, only wine!" His face was flushed, tongue thick. "My... my sister, from now on... I'm counting on you! If you dare mistreat her, I'll... I'll be the first to come for you!"
"Deal!" Cloud also heroically raised his wine bowl. "Today, we don't go home until we're drunk!"
And so a "relay race" targeting the groom officially began.
After the Fatal Fury Team, the Art of Fighting Team stepped up.
After the Art of Fighting Team, Japan Team.
After Japan Team, Samurai Shodown Team.
...
Even Ryu, who never touched alcohol, was forcibly dragged by Ken to toast Cloud.
Meanwhile, at the bride's table, an entirely different scene unfolded.
Mai, in a light red toast dress, was surrounded by her "sisters"—Chizuru, Athena, Kula—chattering away in "girl talk."
"Mai, you're so beautiful today!"
"Tell us quick—how does it feel to be personally carried through the door by Cloud?"
"On your wedding night, you'd better work hard... try to make Cloud unable to get out of bed tomorrow!"
Hearing her sisters' bold teasing, Mai's face turned red as a branding iron, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into.
This grand wedding banquet continued until the moon hung high in the sky.
Most guests had drunk themselves into various states of collapse.
Terry never managed to out-drink Cloud; instead, he ended up hugging a lamppost, snoring away, mumbling "Mary..." in his sleep.
Kyo and Iori, after more than thirty jars of wine, had once again become "brothers," arms around each other, singing some incomprehensible, terribly off-key "rock song."
The entire "Chang'an City" was immersed in a joyful, peaceful atmosphere.
...
Inside the bridal chamber, red candles burned high.
Cloud pushed open the door, carrying a hint of wine on his breath.
His bride had already bathed and changed, wearing a thin, diaphanous red silk nightgown, sitting shyly by the bedside, waiting for him.
Those enchanting curves, in the candlelight, radiated deadly temptation.
Cloud stepped forward, gently embracing her from behind.
"Mai..."
"Mm..."
"Thank you... for being willing to wait for me."
"...Idiot." Mai turned around, taking the initiative to kiss his lips.
The red candles were quietly extinguished by a gentle breeze.
The full spring radiance of the room merged with the moonlight beyond the window.
...
The next morning, when the first ray of sunlight entered the room.
Cloud looked at the gorgeous bride sleeping soundly beside him, her face still flushed with happiness, and smiled with satisfaction.
He knew this wedding for Mai wasn't just giving her closure.
It was also his most solemn promise to himself and to this world he loved so deeply.
The KOF story might have concluded. But a new story was already on its way.
...
Afternoons at Infinite Manor were always so... challenging.
Cloud, the nominal "Dimensional Sovereign," was currently assuming an extremely humiliating posture—dogeza—kneeling on the soft grass.
Before him sat an empty ice cream bucket.
The "judge" was Kula Diamond, cheeks puffed out, eyes brimming with tears, staring at him.
"I... I was wrong." Cloud confessed with utmost sincerity. "I shouldn't have stolen your treasured last bucket of Häagen-Dazs rum raisin ice cream while you were napping."
"Wuu... that... that was what you promised to buy me last time..." Kula's voice carried a sob, aggrieved like a three-year-old child.
Nearby, the harem goddesses had formed a circle, enthusiastically "observing the punishment."
"Alas, the dignity of the head of household has completely vanished." Chizuru helplessly pressed her forehead, but the smile she couldn't hide at her lips betrayed her true feelings.
"Serves him right! Who told him to drag someone into 'discussing the ultimate form of flames' last night, making it impossible to get out of bed this morning!" Mai, wearing a revealing yoga outfit, gloated, her cheeks still carrying traces of unfaded blush.
"Exactly! For such a tyrannical despot, we must punish severely!" Yuri waved her small fists, righteously indignant.
Cloud internally rolled his eyes.
Ever since that "Queen's Coronation" farce, Kula had become this household's "supreme authority."
This move was basically a dimensional strike against Cloud.
In the end, this "Ice Cream Theft Case" concluded with Cloud signing an unequal treaty: "For the next month, he must provide Her Majesty the Queen with a different flavor of handmade ice cream every day."
After handling this "family dispute" more troublesome than any cosmic crisis, an exhausted Cloud decided to find somewhere quiet.
...
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