The next day I woke up blurry eyed but the soreness in my body was no longer present which was a relief. Maybe I was finally getting used to all of this training and sleeping on the hard floor.
Although remembering what happened yesterday aroused a lot of questions in my head, I decided to push them back a bit. I did not quite wanting to know the answers to those questions just yet. At least not this early in the morning. Procrastination is a human’s guilty pleasure after all.
I quickly freshened up, knowing Mr. Huang was probably already up and in the kitchen, preparing something organic to eat. The second I step foot into town, I’ll be hunting down some meat for myself.
This healthy food diet was driving me crazy, I need some fattening junk food in my system. I think I deserve some for having dealt with all of the absurd situations I’ve found myself in so far.
I walked with the pace of a sloth to the kitchen after my shower. I don’t know when they’ll be knocking at our door but they did say it will be noon so we have some leisure time. That’s assuming that Mr. Huang didn’t plan anymore training for today. I guess we’ll find out.
I pulled out one of the stool and sat on it, watching Mr. Huang cook us some breakfast in an undershirt and shorts.
“Wŏ zhī dao nĭ yŏu hĕn duō wèn tí dàn shì wŏ men xiān chī ba.” (I know you have a lot of questions but let’s eat first.)
I didn’t bother answering and simply waited for him to finish cooking. I was starving anyways so I wasn’t about to argue over his priorities. It might not be a greasy pizza but it’s edible food and my stomach’s been grumbling since I woke up.
Silence surrounded us during breakfast. I was there, barely keeping in all the questions that seemed to be budding into other questions in my head while Mr. Huang enjoyed his breakfast. I didn’t know where to start with all these questions and I’m not entirely sure that I wanted to know the answers to them.
When I gulped down the last drop of water from my mug, I gathered the plates and did the dishes. That was when Mr. Huang decided to start talking.
“Your brother fought Klovski during one of his visits here. He’s not a good man, very competitive and cunning.
We used to train together. He turned his back on me and our teacher and joined a gang. He’s a man who will not hesitate to play dirty so you have to be extra careful.”
Under no circumstances should you trust a man who would turn his back on his teacher.
I listened quietly while I continued to apply soap to the sponge and started washing the dishes. I tried to absorb every detail I can about this Klovski dude.
“Every time rumor goes around that I have someone looking for me to study martial arts, he’ll somehow get wind of it and pays a visit. None have been pleasant so far. In case you were wondering, I did notice his arrival when he came yesterday and yes, I purposely tried to fool him into in thinking I was you.” I snorted, he should consider being an actor or maybe that Klovski dude needs to consider getting prescriptions.
“You really do want to get rid of me, don’t you?” I joked and he let out a deep laugh. I continued my chore and turned the tap on to rinse the soap covered plates.
“I had to test your skills at some point, why not then? I knew you were more than capable and since Klovski was more or less an idiot, I was pretty confident you’d be alright and I was right!” I shook my head with a small smile.
“How confident is ‘pretty confident’ on a scale of 1-10?”
“Probably an 8?” I rolled my eyes, holding the plates under the tap one after the other.
“That’s not very reassuring, now is it.” I argued.
“Well, if it helps you feel better, your brother beat every apprentice Klovski has brought here and since you are your brother’s sister, I believe it runs in your genes; just like how your brother and you are both fast-learners.” He stated in a matter-of- fact tone.
“Well we’ve got a small problem this time. My ‘opponent’ is a friend from back home.” I pointed out to Mr. Huang who simply gave me a small smile.
“A friend should be trusted, Xiao Fu, and the fact that he doesn’t know your real name says a lot about the trust you have in him.” I stayed quiet at that, grabbing the cloth and wiping the plates dry instead of answering him.
Well at least now I knew a little bit about Klovski. He’s competitive, has some sort of losing grudge against Mr. Huang and has quite the temper, judging from yesterday’s events. Question is, how did Levy get stuck with him?
“So do I train before I go against my opponent?” Mr. Huang smiled at me with approval for some reason and I gave him the look that says ‘I don’t understand why you’re smiling and it makes you look mental in my eyes’.
“You didn’t say ‘my friend’ meaning you’ve learnt how to detach yourself from personal emotions. It’s a good start. Facing an opponent that’s a friend will not end well for someone who can't set aside their personal feelings. You hesitate to hurt them and that hesitation may be your undoing.” He lectured and being the smart person I was, I listened to him. I felt a newfound sense of pride in me. I did something that he approved of unconsciously. That has got to mean something right?
“No, you don’t need to train. You rest. You’ve done enough training. Wŏ xiăng xīn nĭ huì yang.” (I believe you can win)
I nodded and excused myself out of the cabin to get some fresh air to prepare myself.
I had to admit that Levy was not someone I could underestimate. He was one of the best fighters I’ve known but if Mr. Huang thought I was ready then I would have to trust his word. I knew my training was far from done but who knows, this might actually do me some good. Learn from my mistakes and all.
Although an injury before the competitions wouldn’t work in my favor since I’d have to work my way up the chain to face off the dude whose brother I injured. I truly do feel sorry for him.
Thinking about him made me wonder what would’ve happened if I had immediately sought him out and apologized earlier. Would things still turn out the way it did? Would that psycho still have threatened me?
I was probably a bitch in his eyes but I could imagine how hard it must be for him After seeing him with those kids the other day, I wasn’t so sure that he was that bad of a person. At least he couldn't be bad as Dom.
Dom never liked kids even when we were children. I should've seen the signs.
The fresh air of the outdoors did little to comfort my nerves. The thought of the two suspects who might have caused Adam a head injury made me so worked up. I still wasn’t convinced that it was an accident. I mean after what happened to my brother? Who’s to say that Dom didn't try the same trick again? I’m pretty sure he was the one who brainwashed Adam anyways.
And psycho brother dude? He threatened me right before Adam got into the accident. That couldn’t be a coincidence.
Maybe getting myself worked up will do me some good. It’d be nice to take some of this anger out on a fight. It’s been too long.
I know the saying is to not get into fights without a clear head but honestly? I could use some extra boost here. I’m going to fight against a friend and I need some recklessness in my system at the moment. I can think about the consequences after I win it.
Noon quickly came by and true to his word, Klovski came to the cabin again, just as I was done with my warm ups. Levy was trailing behind him with a scowl on his face. I could tell someone didn’t like this arrangement as much as I did. It sucks but I can’t say no. I need to do this for Mr. Huang and after everything he’s done for me, it’s the least I could do.
Oh just be honest with yourself, you’ve always wanted to try and fight against Levy. Remember that time when he joined in the laughing crowd during that fight as you tried to get the sexist asshole to fight?
Okay, I have to admit he had the right to laugh. If I wasn’t the one dealing with the sexist son of a chimp, I would’ve been laughing too. But right now, my conscience was just trying to reminisce every single annoying memory I have of Levy being an utter dick. I just hope this helps cross out my hesitation in fighting him.
“Should we start or what?” Klovski snapped impatiently while I straightened up. I was about to enter the cabin to fetch Mr. Huang but he beat me to it by exiting the small lodge instead.
“Patience is a virtue, Klovski. It’ll do you well if you’d bother remembering it.” I wanted to snicker at how much Mr. Huang sounded like those Asian Kung Fu masters but bit my lip instead. Nothing could hold the ends of my lips from lifting up though. I looked away from them so that they wouldn’t see me laughing soundlessly before regaining the expressionless facade. I knew I must’ve looked incredibly dorky to anyone who saw what I did but I couldn’t help myself. It was in my blood to be weird and quirky. If only I had better timing, that would be nice.
“Enough, let’s get this over with.” Klovski yelled angrily.
Dude, chill. It’s just us here, not a fucking military army. Hakuna yo tatas bitch.
The thought of actually saying that to Klovski caused another laugh to build up in my throat and this time, Levy seemed to notice as he raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
No one can know what my conscience is talking about or I’ll probably be sent to a mental institution. That wouldn’t be convenient considering everything that’s been going on, would it?
Soon, Levy and I were facing each other, he looked just as nervous and anxious to start fighting but when Klovski stepped aside and signaled for us to start the match, I looked straight into Levy’s eyes.
I searched his eyes as the questions that I kept me up last night rushed back to me. I didn’t bother asking Mr. Huang about Levy because if he really was a spy sent by Quentin’s gang, no one else but the people from his gang would know.
I felt uneasy the longer that I stared into his eyes. Maybe it was my paranoia talking but I suddenly felt like there was something unreadable in his eyes. It was like something that has always been there but I failed to notice before.
Could Levy really be a spy?
I shook away the ridiculous thought once I saw the familiar mischief in his eyes. This was Lev we’re talking about. The big doofus wasn’t smart enough to be a spy.
“You ready?” He asked in a low voice, probably trying to avoid getting yelled at by his coach or something. I shrugged, getting into a fighting stance.
“I’m ready when you are.”
Levy smirked and quirked an eyebrow at me. “No hard feelings on this one?”
“Oh I intend to count every hit and take great offense for each bruise.” A smirk worked its way up my mouth as I finished my sentence and squatted to swipe his legs under him.
He jumped, dodging my swinging leg, and shook his head. He stepped backwards and started to circle me.
‘This is certainly going to be interesting.’ I thought to myself as his face went stoic just as I felt mine lose every trace of humor in it.
Oh it’s on.