Aalhya’s dig at Ishikori Katzushita’s smile made the rounds fast this week — and Katzushita’s response, when a DRC staffer read the quote back to her, was to laugh.

“She says smiling is not a strategy. She is right. It is not a strategy. It is just who I am when I am about to enjoy myself.” She paused, then added, without losing the smile: “I have been training since I was seven years old. I will still be smiling when my hand is raised on July 31st, and hers is not.”

No match has been announced between the two, and Katzushita stopped short of calling Aalhya out directly — but with the DRC Women’s Title still vacant heading into the promotion’s first night, it’s the clearest signal yet that Katzushita considers herself part of that conversation.