Boy Meets Ai

Chapter 51

Chapter 51

The night before

Seiko had his hands on his head. He sat on the bench in the park, Shinobu pacing back and forth through the grass, carving a path in front of him. They had been there for an hour or so.

"He's insane!" Seiko said again for the third time.

"He'll definitely ask you to turn the pain dampeners off. He did the same with Hati. He refused of course but any time he fights someone, he gives them the option." Shinobu recalled Ogun's previous match.

"So even those lunatics knew better." Seiko scoffed. "But you still think that its my best option?"

"I know its not ideal, but if we come up with a solid strategy, you could end the fight super quick through a surrender!"

Seiko just watched her as she continued to pace.

"I appreciate you trying to think of something but its alright. You should get some rest. Thomas is no slouch either you know. You're gonna need all your energy when you fight him tomorrow."

Shinobu ignored him, mumbling to herself. "He's just too fast. He'll see a ranged attack coming from a mile away." She bit her bottom lip in contemplation. Suddenly, she cried out in frustration, pulling at her long black hair. All the pacing wasn't helping her at all.

"Gaagh! I cant think in abstracts. We have to act it out. Stand up."

Seiko stood up nervously.

"Ok, I want you to come at me like I'm Ogun."

"What?" Seiko was taken aback. He couldn't attack her all out. It felt... odd.

"How else are we gonna come up with something? We have to be in the moment." Shinobu did her best to mimic Ogun's fighting stance.

Seiko was still apprehensive. Not entirely sure what to do, he drew his bow. He aimed it at her chest hoping this would be enough to convince her that he was serious.

In a blinding flash, his friend lunged forward, knocking it out of his hand with a single swipe.

"Hey!" He yelped in surprise.

"You rely on it too much! What happens when he gets inside like this?" Shinobu threw lightning fast punches at his abdomen, pulling short so as not to hit him, but still getting her point across. She told him to pull out his scimitar and he did. They went at it for a while, his blade glinting in the moon light as it swooshed past Shinobu. She masterfully dodged each strike, using soft punches to show Seiko where he was open.

"Sorry to say it, but your swordsmanship is totally unrefined. It would take months to get you to somewhat passable."

The young man cursed and stabbed his sword into the ground. He was exhausted from just that short exchange as well. Not only that, he was drained emotionally from the day's events. Sitting on the grass, Seiko tried to catch his breath. Why was he here? Why was he still fighting?

Shinobu squatted down next to him. Her hand rested softly on his shoulder. A cool breeze washed over them in the night, tickling their skin. The soft glow of the yellow moon became obscured behind a patch of clouds. Everything became quiet and dark in the garden. The two of them could hear the faint noise of music coming from the town square.

"What are you going to do with your share of the winnings?" Shinobu broke the silence.

Seiko furrowed his brow. His face told a story of uncertainty.

"I think it would help to have a goal you know? Something to fight for?" she asked.

"I feel like any time I put my wishes out there, it almost guarantees they won't come true. Its like a curse." He sighed. His mind wandered back to his mother's fearful eyes. "So, I stopped wishing for things." More stillness. The night soaked up his words like thirsty grass soaks in water.

AAAACHHOOOO!

Shinobu let out a loud and dramatic sneeze, spraying particulate through the air. It made Seiko jump.

"Oh man! Sorry about that! I'm just very allergic to pity parties."

"Ha Ha." He said dryly.

"Listen man. The world doesn't give anyone good luck. At the end of the day, it finds a way to crap all over all of us in one way or another. If you don't like it, then get an umbrella."

The boy gave her a confused look. "And what does the 'umbrella' represent in this metaphor?"

"It means to prepare for the worst, but don't accept it as the only reality."

Seiko sat in contemplation for a moment before speaking again. "What if the crap comes at you sideways?"

Shinobu chuckled lightly. "Well, I guess it's getting you then. But if there's nothing you can do about it, you still have to keep moving forward."

"Yeah... I guess..."

"So, you don't know what you want. Ok. Then why are you trying so hard to win? Why not just give up?"

Shinobu was caught off guard as Seiko rarely ever made eye contact with anyone. He was now staring at her as he spoke.

"I've never had people counting on me before." The way Seiko spoke was unlike anything Shinobu had ever heard from him. He almost seemed like a different person. "No one ever expected much from me. I just want to show them that they should have. I want to show you that you can believe in me." his stare glimmered with determination as he spoke. Shinobu couldn't help but believe his words. He said them with such conviction.

"I trust you. I know you can do this." she said sincerely.

Seiko smiled and nodded. No matter what, he wouldn't let his friends down.

"Did you want to go grab some food at the festival? I'll buy as a thank you for helping me out." He asked her. Shinobu was surprised once again. Seiko? Asking her to eat with him? She blushed slightly.

"Weeell, if you're really gonna twist my arm I suppose we could- "

Before she could finish, Seiko shot up like he had been electrocuted.

"What!? What is it? Is everything ok?!" Shinobu's tone became concerned.

"That could work actually." His voice trailed off as he thought.

"What could work? Hellooo? Seiko?"

He turned back towards her with a spark in his eye.

"Would you mind going a couple more rounds before we go get food? I have an idea."