Seeing Leiko take a step made Ryu feel something, a fire in his gut he never felt before. He couldn't, no, he _wouldn't_ let her show him up. She was, what, 3 years younger than him. Through a burst of will power, he managed to take staggering three steps towards her. A smile on his face, he stared her, his eyes seeming to burn like molten gold.. 

"I think we have ourselves a little rivalry, or at least, that's what I'd like to say. But then, that means I'd think besting you would be a challenge."