"I've been meaning to talk with you about that, actually..." Marnie trails off, her voice wavering slightly as she tries to find the right words. "It's just... I don't know if I'm ready for something like that." She glances at Gloria out of the corner of her eye, feeling guilty for not being more honest with her friend sooner. "I mean, I want to help Spikemuth and everything, but... it's hard to think about anything else when you're trying to be the Champion too..."

Gloria nodded in understanding. "I get that, really I do," she said reassuringly. "But look at all the good you've already done for Spikemuth just by being who you are! You don't need a title to make a difference." She paused, considering her words carefully before continuing. "And if it means that much to you... maybe we could figure something out? Like, I could help shoulder some of the responsibility?" She flashed Marnie a genuine smile and gave her shoulder another friendly punch. "

Her vision clears enough to see the lead judge looking up at her expectantly as she lies on top of him, still trying to catch her breath. She shakes her head slowly, her fingers trembling as they push through his sweaty hair. "No," she whispers hoarsely. "I can't... do that."

Her body feels strange and foreign to her now; violated and used. The last thing she wants is for him to take this any further than he already has.

The lead judge takes a deep breath, feeling his heart racing faster now that Berry's words have hit him so hard. He's been under a lot of pressure lately - training for the tournament, dealing with the stressful environment of the school and his responsibilities as an officer. But something about Berry's words has thrown him off his guard, and he finds himself struggling to come up with an answer.

"Well, if I could..."

He trails off, hesitating before continuing. "Then what?