Shin Valentine
Kick. Punch. Tackle to the ground. The crowd roared.
"And Shin wins the fight!"
I felt the pain in my right hand as I clenched my fists. My whole body ached and I wiped the blood that trickled down my forehead. I could still hear the painful ringing in my ears from the recent punch I got. My opponent was strong, I must say. He could throw a really good punch. But his defense was weak which made him fall.
I stared at the guy sprawled across the floor as he clutched his stomach. It must have hurt a lot when I gave my last tackle.
"You just need to balance offense and defense if you want to win." I spat at him. He breathed heavily as he gave me a death glare.
I walked out of the arena and picked up my backpack that was placed in a corner. I slung it over my shoulder and took the cash from the referee's hand.
Another fight won.
The prize money was huge for a stupid little fight but I didn't care. All I need was to be known.
I have to be known.
"My man!" Jace called up to me as he slung his arms over my shoulder. He was a short guy, dark-skinned, semi-bald hair. He's crazy about fighting. He could have been an expert if only he wasn't a wimp.
He definitely was the last person I wanted to see right now.
I hissed at him. "What?"
"You nailed it once again, man! I can't believe you beat the hell outta that guy." He shadow-boxed enthusiastically, his eyes shining in pure adoration. "That was just awesome."
I stopped his fists in mid-air by grabbing it with my own hands. "Stop that."
"Stop what?" He asked, feigning innocence. "Anyways, you goin' to fighting school tomorrow?"
I started to walk. "No."
"Why not? Man, not everybody gets the chance to go to fighting school. You have the money, why not use it?"
I stopped walking to give him a glare. "Because I don't care."
"That is not a valid answer." He raised his finger to silence me. I glared at him once more. "Fighting school is a step to the Final. I thought you wanted to go?"
I didn't say anything. I just continued to walk. Of course, I have to go to the Final. Hell, I needed to go.
As we almost reached the street's intersection, I turned to look Jace in the eye. He never stopped blabbering nonsense on the way. So I gave him his fair share.
I grabbed his hand and placed a 50 dollar bill on his palm. His face lit up as he saw the money.
"No way. You're giving me half the prize money you got?"
I groaned. "So you would shut up."
He nodded eagerly and zipped his mouth. Money was what he needed to shut up. Besides, he had helped me a lot of times in fighting. He taught me techniques and stuff. In return, I gave him some of the prize money.
He always wanted to go to fighting school. That could help him.
"Guess I have to go now, Shin." He smiled, then pocketed the money. "See you at the fighting school tomorrow!"
I rolled my eyes. I could never say no to him. Every time he went to fighting school, he ended up beat up and bruised. That was why, I had to stand up for the guy. And I had to teach him to fight.
I walked home alone. I also have to get cleaned up or people might think I was some sort of delinquent.
I stopped by a public toilet in the park.
It was already dark. But the people were still busy in their stands.
I washed my face. The fresh wound stung when the cold water hit my face. I didn't mind. I was used to it. I started to head home after getting cleaned up.
