Ring Ring! Ring Ring!
"Ughhh, shit."
His alarm clock wakes up Kevin. The night before, Kin, Ming, and Kevin all had dinner together. It was awkward for Kevin, and he couldn't speak much to Ming. He was afraid of getting off on the wrong foot and didn't know what to say. However, slowly but surely, they started to bond over small things like music tastes, Favourite shows, and how different America is from Qiawu. Afterwards, while they were putting away the dishes, Kin pulled Kevin aside and told him to meet him at a specific address, which Kin sent to Kevin's phone bright and early. Kevin, being full of initiative due to their talk on the porch, agreed almost immediately.
"Goddamn it, this is the second time I've had to wake up so damn early!" Kevin groans. He pulls himself off the bed and gets ready to start his day.
"Why did I even agree to meet that guy at 6 a.m. in the fucking morning? I was way too pumped up yesterday…" Kevin complains. He puts on his clothes and walks downstairs.
When he gets down, he sees Ming sitting at the table. Not doing anything specific, just… sitting there silently, looking down at her hands.
"Uhhh, hi, Ming," Kevin says awkwardly. Ming is a little shocked, then quickly turns her gaze to Kevin.
"Oh! Hi, Mr. Kevin. You startled me," Ming says. "Good morning."
"Sorry 'bout that. Whatcha doing up so early?" Kevin asks.
"I'm an early riser; it's good to start the day bright and early, you know," Ming lectures.
"Yeah, I guess so. I hate waking up early, though," Kevin replies. Ming chuckles.
"Where are you off to, Mr. Kevin?"
"Kin said he needs help with… something," Kevin says, averting Ming's gaze. He doesn't want her to know what he's up to. He doesn't know why, but he wants to keep what he's going to do a secret as long as he can. Ming can tell something's up but doesn't push it.
"Oh, right, I did see Kin leave a little earlier. I was wondering what that's about. So you're going to meet him?" Ming asks.
"Yep. 6:30 sharp, he said," Kevin groans. His face shows clear signs of fatigue.
"Well, alright. Have fun! Don't hurt yourself, Mr. Kevin," Ming says, smiling at Kevin.
"Yeah. You have a good day too. I'll probably be back before you're home from school."
Kevin replies, and Ming gives a small wave before he leaves and closes the door behind him. Standing on the porch, he smiles to himself. It's been so long since he had a proper talk with his sister. Though she doesn't remember him, Kevin believes that he's off to a good start. In a good mood, he decides to walk to his destination rather than call a cab. He checks his phone for the address Kin gave him and starts walking.
Passing through the neighbourhood, he notices a lot of things he didn't notice the first time around, having been too focused on what he came here for. The air feels a lot colder than yesterday, but it doesn't bother him. There's something different about the air here. Kevin enjoys the walk to his destination, though it takes him longer than intended.
"Oh, Kevin! There you are. I thought you weren't gonna show up."
Kin sees Kevin running toward him. Kevin stops, out of breath and gasping for air. He takes a look at Kin. Windy as it is today, Kin is wearing a tank top with long pants, with a gym bag on the ground.
"Damn it, why is this place so far? Huf, huf… what even is this place?"
"Can't you tell? Just look at it, idiot!"
Kevin looks up, gazing at the logo on the building.
"Uhh, dude. I can't read that," Kevin says.
Kin palms his face. "Right, I forgot you're stupid. Sorry about that. Here, let's just go inside."
Kevin rolls his eyes. Kin picks up his bag and goes to unlock the door, and Kevin follows behind. When they get inside, Kevin sees weights near every wall, change rooms, punching bags, and a big circle in the centre, which he can only assume is the fighting ring.
"Whoa… this place is a gym!"
"That's right! It's pretty old, that's why the logo on the front is still in Mandarin. Still, it should serve its purpose," Kin replies.
Kevin keeps looking around. The gym brings back memories from his training days. They were good times. Soon, the bad memories start to set in, and he tries his best to push them out of his mind. He won't allow his drive to be shaken. His footsteps echo as he walks around. His shoes squeak against the blue floor beneath him. He walks closer to the ring in the center.
"What's with this circle on the ground? It's much more different than any ring I've ever seen," Kevin asks.
"Oh, right. Yeah, it's different in martial arts. I'll explain all that later. For now, let's see what you got!" Kin grabs some clothes and throws them to Kevin.
"Go get changed and meet me out here in ten."
"Alright, I'll go ahead and get changed." Kevin walks into the change room and gets changed. A couple of minutes later, he comes out.
"Heyyy, looking good, kid," Kin says.
"Dude, what the fuck is this?" Kevin comes out wearing all green fighting clothes, with a black line arching across the collar.
"Ah, come on, you look good. Like a proper fighter," Kin smiles at Kevin.
"You can't be serious. I look stupid," Kevin retorts.
"Ah, just suck it up. It's all we got. It might not be fashionable, but it works," Kin says.
"Ugh, I guess you're right. It does look stupid, but it is nice to move in," Kevin replies.
Kevin throws a punch. The fabric is flexible and smooth.
"Alright, let me put on some gloves. We'll see where you are and work from there."
Kevin nods. He walks to the ring. Kin grabs a pair of focus pads and steps into the ring to join Kevin.
"All right, just throw me a left. Let's see where you're at."
"Alright!" Kevin throws his left punch, connecting with Kin's pad. Slowly but surely, Kevin's experience starts coming back to him.
"Is that it? Come on, you can do better than that!" Kin taunts.
"Huh? Alright then." Kevin throws another left punch, once again connecting.
"Come on! I didn't know I would be training a sissy!" Kin continues to taunt Kevin, successfully making him mad.
"Dammit. Rah!"
POW!
Kevin throws one more blow; the sound of it echoes across the whole gym. The impact sends Kin's arm flying back. He grins.
"That's what I'm talking about! Again! This time give me a right."
Kevin pauses; it's been a while since he threw a punch like that.
"What are you waiting for? I said again!" Kin yells.
Kevin smiles with Kin and continues throwing punches; the blows echo more and more with each punch.
"All right! Let's see that footwork. Follow me and try to hit the mitts!" Kin dashes back, Kevin follows, hitting the pads with high accuracy. Kevin had a slow start, but is now following the rhythm. Kin dashes to the left and right, still with the mitts up, Kevin in close pursuit.
"Not bad, kid!" Kin laughs.
"Not bad at all!"