The Trials of Neo City [WINWIN • YUTA]

🖤 10. Unbreakable 🖤

"They could really throw you two into anything. Poisonous jungles, tropical islands, frozen tundras... you need to be prepared. Now, you're lucky; There's a lot of younger kids close to yours and Renjun's ages this year, but that doesn't mean they aren't bloodthirsty and trained to do this." Lay warned, looking out into the training gym through the glass windows, the large District Two boy swinging a weight as if it were a child's toy before flinging it into the target. The room echoed with a large thud and Renjun looked away.

"He's... strong." Sicheng breathed out, shocked. Lay looked back with a grim look.

"He's your age. You have a chance against him." Lay nodded, pointing towards the doors. "Of course, mentors can't enter the training ground. But, try to make alliances and don't show all your tricks at once."

Sicheng nodded, Renjun staying silent. The youngest walked through the doors without a word and Sicheng soon followed suit.

The room smells sweaty and yells and groans were heard throughout. On a mat, the District Three boys practiced what Sicheng assumed were chokeholds and pressure points. One tribute with bubblegum pink hair studied the graph and charts of berries and fumes possible within the arena and another one stood nearby in a glass case and protective armor, practicing with what looked to be a very sharp Chinese fan.

Renjun had walked off to the District Ten boy, who'd been practicing making traps in a corner of the training room. Sicheng looked around until spotting an approachable crowd; one of the District Nine tributes stood by as another tribute taught Shotaro how to shoot an arrow, a warm smile on his face as if he wouldn't be pitted against this kid in a mere matter of days.

Shotaro shakily held the bow, docking the arrow and taking a deep breath before aiming and firing. The aim was off, but the older boy -Sicheng remembers hearing his name, Kun- cheered him on anyways. The kid beamed and shyly handed off the bow to the other boys, before standing by and waiting his turn again.

He seemed so... wholesome. He was only a kid, and nearly three years younger than himself. Sicheng's gut twisted at the thought of poor little Shotaro, body mangled and bloodied in the unforgiving arena.

An older kid standing by Shotaro and the others -maybe the oldest- waved Sicheng over with a smile. Short in stature, the boy held a knife over a rope, more likely than not practicing cutting traps. His choppy brown hair barely fell over his eyes and his jacket looked a little bit too big for his small body.

"Hi! I'm Taeil." He greeted, waving over Sicheng. "We're cutting out of restraints and tying knots. I'm teaching... what's your name again?" He asked a younger kid what his name was, memory fleeting.

The younger kid flashed a smile as Sicheng kneeled near them. He brushed his long, dark hair from his eyes and smiled sweetly. "Yangyang. Liu Yangyang!"

Sicheng nodded and looked over at the knives and ropes questioningly, Taeil showing him gingerly how to tie a knot to secure something and how to escape one as well. Sicheng watched dutifully, not noticing Yuta sit reminiscent to a guarding gargoyle nearby.

Taeil sat, glancing at Sicheng with a pink, blushing face. Yuta couldn't help but notice the flustered glances he'd sneak at Sicheng as he taught him to tie knots, just the pair of them together and a kid about Shotaro's age watching carefully that he hadn't recognized.

Taeil led Sicheng's hands and held onto his wrist as he cut, the moment much too personal in Yuta's opinion. The two cut through the rope, Taeil already looking downright infatuated with Sicheng. Yuta rolled his eyes and got up from his spot where he sharpened a sword idly, making his way to the pair.

Yuta stood over them suddenly, prying Taeil's grip from Sicheng's arm, admittedly with more force than needed. Taeil looked confused as Yuta narrowed his eyes and let go, turning to Sicheng sweetly.