The rhythmic sound of fists hitting punching bags filled the air, accompanied by the steady hum of conversation and the metallic clinks of weights being set down. Catherine stood in the center of the gym, her hands wrapped and gloves on, eyes focused intently on the mirror in front of her. She exhaled slowly, concentrating on her form as she moved through a series of warm-up strikes.
"Your footwork's improving," Akira remarked, approaching her with a pair of focus mitts. "Ready to step it up a notch?"
She turned to face him, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "Always."
They settled into a familiar rhythm—jab, cross, hook, uppercut. Akira called out commands, and Catherine responded with precision. But today, there was a noticeable difference in her movements. They were less rigid, more fluid.
"You're lighter on your feet," he observed, adjusting his stance. "What's changed?"
Catherine hesitated for a moment, then shrugged lightly. "Just trying something new."
Akira raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Oh? And what might that be?"
She met his gaze, a subtle sparkle in her eyes. "Letting go a bit, I suppose."
He grinned. "I like the sound of that. Let's see how it translates." He held up the mitts again. "Roundhouse kick."
She nodded, taking a step back before launching into a controlled kick that connected with a satisfying smack.
"Nice!" Akira exclaimed. "Now, spinning back kick."
Catherine took a deep breath, pivoting smoothly and allowing the momentum to carry her leg around. The kick was higher than usual, more powerful.
"Excellent," he said, lowering the mitts. "You're really on fire today."
She laughed softly, a sound that caught both of them off guard. It was rare for her to express such unguarded joy. Akira smiled, pleased to see this side of her.
"What's so funny?" he asked playfully.
"Nothing," she replied, still smiling. "Just... it's a good day."
He leaned against the nearby equipment rack, crossing his arms. "Care to share what brought this on? I've never seen you so... uplifted."
Catherine took a sip from her water bottle, contemplating. She trusted Akira more than anyone, but talking about personal matters wasn't her forte. Still, something about today made her feel more open.
"Well, you told me to let people in", she said while punching through the air. "I met someone, a nice guy, we've gone out a couple of times." she admitted, glancing at him to gauge his reaction.
Akira's eyes widened slightly. "Really? That's... that's not exactly what I meant the other day. But, hum... that's great. Who's the guy?"
"His name is Daisuke," she said, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "We met at the boutique."
Akira nodded thoughtfully. "Daisuke, huh? And how's that going?"
"It's... nice," she replied, a genuine smile forming. "He's interesting and confident. Different from most people I meet."
"Different is good," Akira agreed. "As long as he makes you happy."
She looked down at her gloves, adjusting the straps unnecessarily. "I think he does."
A comfortable silence settled between them. Akira studied her expression, noting the subtle changes—a softness around her eyes, the ease in her posture.
"You deserve happiness, Catherine," he said sincerely. "I'm glad you're allowing yourself to experience it."
She met his gaze, gratitude evident in her eyes. "Thank you. That means a lot coming from you."
He clapped his hands together suddenly. "Alright, enough of this mushy stuff. Ready to try something new?"
She chuckled, rolling her shoulders. "What do you have in mind?"
"Well," he began, a mischievous glint in his eye, "I was thinking we could incorporate some Muay Thai techniques. Add some variety to your style."
She tilted her head thoughtfully. "Muay Thai? Isn't that pretty different from what we've been focusing on?"
"Exactly," he said enthusiastically. "That's the point. It could give you an edge, make your fighting more versatile."
Catherine considered this, then nodded. "Alright, let's give it a shot."
They moved to a different area of the gym where there was more space. Akira demonstrated a series of knee strikes and elbow movements, explaining the mechanics behind each one. Catherine watched attentively, absorbing the information.
"Now you try," he prompted.
She mimicked his movements, her form precise yet adaptable. As they worked through the techniques, Catherine found herself enjoying the challenge. The unfamiliar motions required her full attention, pulling her into the moment completely.
"You're a natural," Akira remarked, genuinely impressed. "Most people struggle with these at first."
She smiled modestly. "I have a good teacher."
He laughed. "Flattery will get you everywhere."
They continued practicing, the atmosphere light and collaborative. At one point, Catherine attempted a particularly complex combination. She stumbled slightly, her footing slipping.
"Whoa!" Akira exclaimed, stepping forward to steady her. His hands grasped her arms gently. "You okay?"
She looked up at him, momentarily surprised by the closeness. "Yeah, just lost my balance."
He released her carefully. "Maybe you've got enough Muay Thai for today," he joked.
She laughed again, a genuine, carefree sound. "Is that so?"
"Absolutely," he declared. "You've got to find your center, both physically and, well, maybe even emotionally."
She gave him a quizzical look. "Are you turning into some kind of philosopher now?"
He shrugged with a grin. "Maybe I've been spending too much time meditating. Or maybe I'm just trying to sound wise."
"Either way, point taken," she said, rolling her eyes good-naturedly. "I'll work on my balance."
They resumed training, and by the end of the session, Catherine felt a pleasant exhaustion settling in. It was the kind of tiredness that came from pushing oneself in a fulfilling way.
"Same time tomorrow?" Akira asked as they began to pack up.
"Definitely," she replied, wiping the sweat from her brow. "I'm looking forward to it."
As they walked out of the gym, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the city streets. They paused outside, the sounds of traffic and distant chatter filling the air.
"By the way," Akira said, turning to face her. "If you ever want to bring Daisuke by the gym, you're welcome to. It might be good for him to see this part of your life."
Catherine considered the suggestion. "Maybe," she said slowly.
He raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
She remained silent.
Akira gave her a reassuring smile. "If he's worth your time, he'll make the effort to understand this part of you too. And who knows, he might find it intriguing."
"Perhaps you're right," she conceded. "I'll think about it."
They said their goodbyes, and Catherine began the walk back to her apartment. The cool evening air felt refreshing against her skin. As she navigated the familiar route, her thoughts wandered.
Opening up to Akira about Daisuke had felt surprisingly natural. Sharing even a small part of her personal life was a new experience, but it was one she found herself appreciating. The walls she'd built over the years seemed a little less insurmountable.
Reaching her building, she retrieved her phone to find a message from Daisuke.
"Hope you had a great day. There's an exhibit tomorrow?"
She smiled to herself, typing a quick response.
"Sounds good. Let's meet at 7?"
His reply came almost instantly.
"Perfect. Can't wait to see you."