The training started with warming up by jogging around the village for 30 minutes and running on the treadmill at full speed for 5 minutes, Punching the speed bag to find the rhythm for 10 minutes. Punching at the wall for 10 minutes by touching only the surface. Jumping the skipping ropes 200 times by taking a break when it hits halfway.
Kicking the sandbag in a low, mid, and high position for 2 minutes per position, each leg for 3 laps.
At noon, Mr. Laith took us for lunch. After lunch, I ran an errand with him at the big bold center building on the 4th floor; he did his thing; I just carried his files for him.
Back to the Playground, observing Raden and Emris's training. I loved this session of my training the best because I could rest. I could see their movement, mostly Emris's, because he needed it for his category and because he has a coming next match. His training was tougher than mine, hard-core than mine. At night, he needed to train in the Dark room, under the underground, where Xin showed his body to the coach.
I had to wait for them to finish so I could clean the equipment and floor. Then, I was done for a day.
The following day, I did the same thing, adding 5 minutes on the treadmill and 10 minutes on punching the speed bag with a new rhythm. Same as the next day, adding 5 minutes for full speed and 10 more minutes with another new rhythm. I have done this for a week.
On the first day of training, I passed out in front of the village entrance, and Xin carried me to my apartment.
While we were doing this, Xin had to be under my nerves and veins. He needed to learn how my blood runs, how my nerves play with my body, and how my breathing goes during the pace and rush, including my muscles on every step I take.
The Playground
Today, I own the playground. Emris has been in the Dark room since morning. Raden is busy outside doing his business. Mr. Laith has also been doing his work in the center building since morning.
"Go in the ring."
Coach tells me after I finished the morning daily routines
Finally!!
"Yes."
I answer him calmly, but my eyes smile excitedly.
Hehe.
I get on the stage and look at the coach patiently with my eyes while he's wearing the hooking pad and wait for him to order.
"The first rhythm on the pad."
He tells me and
"..."
Well, it's not the same. It's a different target.
"Punch me normally, but keep the first rhythm on your punch. Try."
"Yes, coach."
I nod.
Then, I throw my punch on the pad, following the pad that he forwards me. I punch left and right repeatedly, and for almost a minute, I can catch the rhythm.
"Keep your pace."
"Thug-Thug-Thug-Thug."
"Good Rhythm 2."
"Ah!"
Then, Coach changes the style of the pad.
It takes me a minute to catch and do it smoothly on the second one.
"Switch to the first."
"Oh!"
"Thug-Thug-Thug-Thug."
"Second."
"Thugthug-Thugthug-Thugthug."
"Third."
"Thugthug-Thug-Thugthug-Thug."
I can do it without pausing.
"First, second, third, then reverse."
I try to keep my pace and work together with my cerebrum.
"Good. 4-5-6"
I nod to him and start to play my punches along with him. It's kind of fun and exhausting, but fun.
"From the start and finish at 7 with energy."
"Yes, coach."
We kept doing this for a few laps, and Coach told me to take a break.
I rest my body on the stage instead of on the proper sofa in the resting area.
Emris, he hasn't come out yet.
"Rookie… tell me, what did you get so far?
Coach asks
"Hmm. Tiring."
I answer him while relaxing and worn out on the stage floor.
"…thug."
And then Coach throws the pad on my head.
"Hehe, I'm sorry. Umm…tolerance."
"What else?"
"Muscle memory?"
"...correct and also to acknowledge your body. Kid, you already knew some techniques before you came here. I teach you more about the basics so you can have strong roots for further movements… I have seen that you have some unique skills and movements. And if I guess it right, you're good at solving problems."
"Solving problems?"
"When you're under specific circumstances, you definitely can find yourself out of the tangles."
"Ah…"
"And your brain or yourself create the new moves or particular ones for that situation."
'Ballcut is right.'
Buzzcut!
"And next, I will create a new train for you. Because training you like the rest is not going to help much, and your body might not be up for it. If you know your own body and when and how or what it can do, you'll be able to use or perform it on another level that nobody else can."
"…yes, coach."
"It might be hard work for me too…"
"You can do it, Coach!"
"Heh, of course, I can… you. You're getting ready for it."
He gives me a playful smirk.
"Coach! Where's my Roelle?"
"My Roelle?"
I mumble.
'My Roelle?'
"Oh… you're here… hem."
Mr. Laith halts his action after notices me.
"…"
Coach and I stare at Mr. Laith.
"You got the first match."
"…"
"!!!"
I open my eyes wildly, and my spine is chilling a bit.
"What!? Really!?"
I get up and run to the ring near him.
"Yes, you have the first match, heh."
He looks up at me happily.
"Wow… Thank you, Mr. Laith."
I smile at him while tilting my head down to him.
"Are you excited?"
He asks me, and he also seems to be happy for me.
I can see his dark green eyes clearly and a bit of amber peeking through. That's pretty.
"Yes…"
I answer.
"When?"
Coach asks.
"First of next month."
"Only one month for her…"
Coach.
"Do you think I'm not ready?"
I turn my face to Coach.
"Yes and no… the usual training is not for you. We need to create a new and specific one right away…"
"Hehehe, yes!"
I laugh softly and smile widely.
"Aren't you scared?"
Mr. Laith.
"Yes, but I'm more hype right now."
"..heh, why?"
"Well…I will get the money now."
"Ah!"
And then Coach throws another hooking pad at my head.
"!"
Mr. Laith quickly gets on the stage and holds my head.
"You can't do that to my fighter."
Mr. Laith tells Coach and glares at him.
That…
"Raden and Emris must be jealous that their team leader has a bias."
Coach says to him and goes downstairs in the Dark room.
"…"
'This fucker gets your han—'
I hurriedly push Mr. Laith away before Xin gets angry.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Laith."
"It's okay, hehe. He's true, though... you're my responsibility."
"Mr. Laith, I like you."
"!!!"
He's stunned, and his face is getting red.
"So please don't fall in love with me… you're a genuine person…I still want you in my life."
"...that's a contradictory version of confession I've ever heard."
Hmm.
'Why is this guy full of himself?'
Just let him be.
It's past noon. I haven't seen Emris yet.
Then, the white-haired person pops up in my head, worrying about him under there. I haven't seen him these days.
"Why isn't Emris coming out yet? He's going to be hungry…"
I ask Mr. Laith, but I likely talk to myself.
"…"
"Should I go get food for him?"
I mumble to myself while getting down the stage. Let the man talk to himself alone.
Mr. Laith loves to talk to himself and rumble as if he prays a prayer. I rather not get involved with that.
"Heh, confess to me and talk about another man?…heh…heh."
I'm going to pick up my jacket on the couch in the resting area and see fish swimming in the blue fish tank adorably. I'm about to turn my body when I notice Mr. Laith still on the stage, mumbling to himself, smiling mischievously.
"Is he okay?"
I am kind of worried.
'Hmpt.'
"Let's go to lunch, I'll treat you."
He tells me.
The Kimbok Restaurant
"Here, Kimbok noodles for two."
"Thank you."
I tell the owner of the restaurant.
"It smells so good."
Mr. Laith.
"You've been at the center building since this morning?"
I ask.
"Actually, since yesterday night."
"Woah, have you slept?"
"2 hours."
He answers me and sucks the noodles into his mouth.
"I have no idea the team leader position is this tough."
I talk to him while my right cheek is full of food.
"Right? I had to gather the files, search for information, and give them the details about fighters... especially your files."
"Oh...You must be tired. You should find time to rest, Mr. Laith. I know you've been busy because I am a new member. Try to help me and stuff."
"...You're my responsibility. I got you in. I have to make you proud of me."
"Eh, proud of you?"
"I told you all the benefits, and you have to risk to get that...more like I give you hope, and I want to make it happen."
"Risk?... It's just another job, isn't it? Every job has its own type of risk."
"...heh."
He makes a sound softly and glances at me.
"Right?... And Should I be the one to make you proud, Mr. Laith? You're my team leader, and I'm your fighter."
I tell him while I'm eating.
"Hehe."
He chuckles wryly. And pats me on the head.
"!!"
And he moves to wipe my lips.
His physical touch is increasing every day. Even if I keep expanding my distance from him, he keeps erasing the line I draw. Apparently, I draw too blurry.
"Can I have another one to go?"
I ask him.
"Sure."
He smiles.
"You like it?"
"It's for Emris."
"...heh...hee."
He chuckles while clenching his jaws.
"You look like a psychopath, Mr. Laith."
"Yeah?...maybe I am... Roelle, about your training, we only have one month to prepare you. It's better if you live here."
"Huh?"
"It might be best because you don't waste your time back and forth to the city. There's a room available on the second floor... Emris and Raden sometimes stay the night when they have the coming match."
"..."
"It saves time. And you can focus on your training."
Xin...What do you think? I don't have to crawl myself back to the apartment.
'You didn't crawl. I was the one carrying you. But I agree with this psycho...But I don't like the idea of living with other shadows under the same roof...but it's good for you, so go for it.'
"Okay."
I answer Mr. Laith.
"Good."
Mr. Laith.