Our story begins right here on earth, somewhere at a small island located in Malaysia, an island that is called Rintis Island. A story that starts with a boy that visited his grandfather living in Pulau Rintis for summer break, what seemed to be suc...
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[Name] gave out a big puff of breath as she stretched out her sore limbs after a sparring practice with a taekwondo classmate and of course with her winning another match. The sensei was proud of her winning streak of fifteen in each spar the (H/C-nette) had participated.
"Man, you really are amazing, [Name]." The voice belonged to Abel—Abe, as he preferred—a quiet, timid boy she had befriended in the dojo about a year ago. He was smaller than most of the other students, his posture slightly hunched as if trying to make himself invisible. Always lingering at the back of the group, he rarely sparred with higher-ranking students, and even those of his own level often outmatched him with ease.
In school, he was an easy target. His meek demeanor and lack of confidence made him the perfect prey for bullies who thrived on finding the weakest link. That was why he had come here— to learn, to grow, to fight back. He had hoped self-defense lessons would grant him the strength to stand his ground, to no longer be the boy who cowered under the weight of cruel words and sharper fists.
And yet, standing beside [Name] now, watching her move with effortless precision and power, he couldn't help but feel both admiration and a tinge of self-doubt. She was everything he wished to be— strong, unshaken, and respected.
"Thanks, Abe." [Name] smiled down at him, her expression warm and reassuring as she took a swig from her water bottle. The casual ease in her stance, the effortless way she carried herself, was something Abel had always admired.
To him, she was more than just a skilled martial artist— she was kind, brave, and unwavering in her loyalty. Unlike others who had dismissed him at a glance, [Name] had never judged him for his weaknesses. Instead, she had extended a hand of friendship, helping him keep up with the other students. She took the time to offer pointers, sharing techniques and advice that deepened his understanding of Taekwondo.
But beyond that, what Abel appreciated most was her unwavering support. He had witnessed it firsthand— the way she stood up for him when others had the audacity to mock or belittle him. She wasn't just a friend; she was a protector, a force to be reckoned with. [Name] always had his back.
And for that, Abel was endlessly grateful.
"I wish I was as strong as you." Abel sulks feeling dejected that he is still a yellow belt student. He looks over at the others that were sparring on the mat. He felt envious of those who have progressed, like [Name]— nearing the rank of receiving her black belt, the first amongst the class.
The tall (E/C) eyed girl sighs, anticipating this conversation once more, he always had low self-esteem and she often tries to cheer him up and give Abel the encouragement he needed. "Come on, Abe, we've talked about this. You don't need to rush to earn the next belt, just baby steps; you'll eventually get there. Just keeping training and you'll be a black belter in no time."
Abel pouts impatiently. "Easy for you to say, you're [Name] Utouyama, always the best at everything. You're talented in everything."
His complaining earned him a light swipe to the head. "Hey, talents don't grow on trees, Abel," [Name] reminded him, crossing her arms. "I got to this level because I practiced— over and over— until I finally mastered it." She wasn't some overpowered protagonist from a novel, effortlessly perfect at everything without effort. No, every skill she had was the result of hard work, sweat, and countless hours of training. People often praised her, telling her father how lucky he was to have a daughter like her: an academic achiever, a skilled athlete, a standout in extracurriculars. They spoke of her as if she were some flawless angel who could do anything. But they didn't see the late nights, the frustrations, the failures she endured to get where she was.