Andy gathered his books, ready to leave the class.
It's been a long day. He couldn't wait to get back at the dojo and work
out. He quickly made his way out of the room and was walking outside when
he heard a couple of voices talking just beyond the corner. He would've
just walked past and not bothered with anything until something caught
his attention.
".....chick Mai?" Andy tensed when he heard the
name. His eyes narrowed as he listened to the content of their conversation.
"What a babe! that Bogard guy sure is lucky to be
living with her, d'ya think that they're..."
One guy snorted. "Nah. My sister told me that they
were just friends.."
"Really? How can you just be friends with a hot
girl like that? I mean, what... she's only fourteen, fifteen? and look
at that body!"
"So, what happened when you asked her out?" another
voice asked. There was a complete silence before the guy replied.
"She turned me down" his response was met by snickers.
"Hehehe, looks like Mr. Cassanova is loosing his
touch!" another commented.
"It's not over yet! I'm gonna get her to go out
with me, whether she likes it, or not!" he declared proudly. "Or else..."
"Or else what?" Andy asked, deciding to make his
presence known. From the way they were talking, he recognized the group
of guys talking, and seeing them, confirmed his suspicions. It was Koji
Mimayoto and his gang. They were a year older than Andy, even though they
were in the same year; and frankly he didn't give a damn. He saw Koji's
friends tensing. He suspected that they knew he's been practicing martial
arts, but he also knew Koji was as well, unlike him and Mai, however, he
chooses to brag about it.
"Look who's here..." Koji said, as he walked near
Andy. "We were just talking about your friend..."
"Stay away from Mai. If you as much as touch a strand
of her hair, you'll be sorry," he said in a low voice. Koji's friends laughed
uncomfortably. After all, Koji was the 'leader' of the most feared
gang at school. Koji snorted at this.
"What are you going to do about it Bogard? Besides,
Mai's just your friend, right?" he asked. He failed to notice Andy's fist
tightening. "Let me tell you something, my gaijin friend. There isn't
one girl in this school who says no to me..."
Andy took a deep breath before answering. "Last
I heard, somebody already did," he said before walking away. He heard Koji
shout a number of obscenities but chose to ignore it. He made a mental
note to talk to Mai later. He saw her waiting outside the school gates.
"What took you so long?" she asked, obviously annoyed.
"I'm sorry I was late, I had to take care of something.."
he replied.
"Let's just go" she said as she started to walk
away, fuming. Andy scratched his head.
"Mai, come on... I said I was sorry..."
She continued to walk, but her eyes were still flashing.
"It's not you, I just had a bad day," she replied. Andy nodded his head.
"Koji Mimayoto?" as soon as he said the name, Mai
abruptly stopped and looked at him, her mouth opened wide. "I overheard
him talking with his friends. He seemed to be pretty determined in taking
you out," he finished grimly. Mai scowled at this.
"The nerve of that guy! he actually thought I should
be pleased because he wanted to take me out! That slime ball! He even tried
to..."
"Tried to what?" Andy suddenly asked, his blue eyes
flashing.
"Uh-oh," Mai thought. She recognized that
look from Andy. That was the exact same look he had when she first came
to high school and got picked on by the older boys. From the look on his
face, he might actually turn back and beat up Koji. "Uh... tried to take
me to lunch today" she finished lamely. That was true, although she could
see that Andy didn't believe her. "Andy, don't worry. I can handle that
creep and his friends any day"
He continued to frown as they continued to walk.
He let the subject drop and just decided to keep a closer eye on
Mai. "Hey Andy, why are you practicing more often than the usual?" Mai
asked, quickly changing the subject.
He shrugged his shoulders "I think I need more practice.
My speed needs some improvement," he replied. Mai just rolled her eyes.
She noticed that Andy's becoming more distant. He continued to walk,
he felt Mai's eyes upon him, and was glad that she was not pursuing the
matter further. They continued to walk home in silence, both vowing silently
to watch the other's back.
******
Everyone in the Shiranui home was asleep. Almost
everyone, anyway. Andy quietly made his way outside the dojo, making sure
no one was watching him. He has been doing this for the past month, and
was hoping that he would not get punished much if he gets caught. Unknown
to him, he was being followed by somebody as he walked to his destination.
Half an hour later, Andy reached an alley and walked
into it. He continued to walk until he reached a metal door. He banged
his hands five times and waited. Seconds later, the door opened and he
was let in. It has been almost a month that he has been fighting in underground
ring matches. After all, he would soon need the money. Working in the local
paper as a copy person doesn't exactly give him much, and besides, he has
only at least three more years to go, before he meets with his brother.
Fighting underground has earned him more cash than working in the paper
anyway. He took the time waiting for his turn by preparing himself physically,
and mentally. Soon enough, it was his turn. He walked to the ring and ignored
the crowd's noise. "And for tonight's last event, for $1000 American dollars!!
On my right is Joe Higashi!!! Fighting Style: Muay Thai!!! On my left,
is our reigning champion, Andrew Bogard!! fighting style, Kopo-ken!.."
As the man continued his introductions, Andy and his opponent eyed each
other critically. They took measured, confident steps to the center and
prepared their stance.
"FIGHT!"
******
Andy groaned as he massaged his neck. That Higashi
guy was one hell of a fighter. Once the game finished, he didn't stay long
for the formalities. Back in a corner that's been made to a dressing room,
he sat down for a while and rested.
"Good, you sure can use that money to shut me up."
Andy looked up in horror as he recognized the voice.
"M... Mai?" she walked up to him and observed his face. He didn't get bruised
much, but he sure was hurting. "I... I can explain..." She didn't answer
him, but instead walked behind him and placed her hands on his shoulders.
"Hurts?" she asked, although she sounded more angry
than concerned. She didn't wait for his answer though, but started massaging
it. "How long has this been going on?"
He gulped. "A month." She squeezed his shoulder
a bit harder and he winced. "Ouch!"
"Serves you right! why didn't you tell me?" she
asked. "I'm your best friend!"
"You don't tell me everything, do you?" he asked,
countering her. He heard her hesitate. She didn't reply but continued to
massage him. "I'm sorry... okay? I just needed to do this for myself, to
see how well I fare up with others."
She stopped massaging him and sat down next to him.
"You're not in any trouble, are you?"
"Of course not..."
She looked away from him for a moment. "How long
do you plan on doing this?". Mai looked at him when he didn't answer. She
felt her stomach tighten up. She felt as if she was loosing him everyday.
Sure he was always quiet, shy, reserved, but there was always something
about him that he kept from her. Something that he didn't want to share
with her. Her grandfather has told her to trust Andy, if there was something
he was hiding from her, it was because he was just looking after her.
Andy stared at Mai after she asked him. How could
he tell her that he was saving up so he could leave Japan and return to
America to avenge his father's death? Avenging his father's death was what
pushed him to the limits. That was his main goal. He distanced himself
from others, since he figured that there was no point in being close with
them, except of course for Master Hanzo who has been his guide, and Mai.
Ever since that day in the gardens when they first met, she has grown attached
to him, and him to her. Now, at fifteen, she's practically all grown up.
He knew Mai has a crush on him, she never did hide her feelings from him,
and he could never understand what she saw in him. He tried to distance
himself from Mai since he knew he has to leave soon, and he couldn't bare
to open up to Mai until his father's murderer was dead. Looking at her,
he felt guilty knowing that she'd surely be hurt when he leaves. He looked
away from her and took his bag as he stood up. "It's getting late, we'd
better go home," he told her as he offered her his hands. She glanced up
at him and gave small smile. She placed her hands on his as she stood up.
The two friends stared at each other. "Truce?"
Andy nodded. "Truce."
"Oh, and Andy?"
"Yeah?"
Mai gave him a kiss in the cheek. "Congratulations."
Andy blinked as he tried to find his voice. "Thanks...."
With that, two of them walked out, hand in hand.