New Beginning | Tao vs Chanyeol x Reader

Chapter 7

*Dojo*

“OOOF!” I toppled over to the ground, having lost my balance again. I sighed and got back to my feet, subtly glancing around. We’re trying a new pose in class and it was much harder than anything we’d done before. I pushed down my embarrassment and tried getting into my position again. And of course, like before I fall again.

“Having trouble with your balance again?” Tao asked me.

“Yeah, it seems like it’s on the vacation at the moment.” I said to him while rubbing my hurting bum.

“I more think that it’s there, but you’re not listening to it.” Tao said again.

“How do you mean?” I gave him puzzled look.

“You’re too smart for your own good. I can see yoou thinking, planning everything carefully and you’re not letting your body shown how it works now. May I?” as he gestured to watch him demonstrate.

What I didn’t expect was for him to crouch down so we’re eye level. His hands to ghosted over my foot, pushed it into a different position-one parallel with my body. His finger were long, cool to the touch with a hint of hard won callus at their tips. My heart jump from place to place into my chest, but I tried to play it cool.

“It’s obvious that you’re used to your legs doing all the work. But they’re not quite willing to that anymore.” he then continued, “judging by this scar on your knee, you had surgery within past year or so.”

I was speechless that he had hit the nail on the head so offhandedly. “How did you know that?” I was surprised.

“I read a lot and I used to read even more when I was younger. I remember they’re some most common injury for soccer players.” He stood slightly.

His strong capable hands gripped either side of my hips, tilting them into a more vertical position. They were only there for a moment and certainly not long enough to be inappropriate. But my heart skipped straight from pounding into overdrive. And yet, he continued on, as cool as cucumber and sweet as ice cream. He gently grasped my leg, which was raised off the ground and rotated it slightly. My knee was perpendicular to the ground, rather than pointed to the sky and the wibbles and wobbles went away. I felt sturdy, like I could hold the pose for ages.

“There you are. That feels better, doesn’t it?” he said it with a sweetest smile. Again, I was surprised by how easily he can read me. For being a kind of a quiet guy, he certainly paid attention to everyone around him. And just like that, he seemed to interpret my confused expression.

“you’ve got a strong core, which is where most of your balance came form. I could tell you just needed a little nudge in the right direction and here you are. You actually seem to have a knack for this.” he said.

“It doesn’t feel like I have a knack.” Tao laughed and it was a welcoming sound.

“This is your second class and you’re keeping up with students who’ve been here a month. I would definitely say you’re impressing everyone” I blushed vermilion. Finally lifted out of the starfish post -rather gracefully, if I did say so myself.

“I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone quite like you before.” he said.

I didn’t know how to say to that but the infallible Tao seemed to realize to what he said and let out a blush. “Ah well, I should see to the other students. Good work.” he walked off, feet making no noise ad he moved across the floor, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

In the rest of the class, I tried to feel what my body wanted to do rather than trying to force it. Tao was right. I was still shaky on some other things, and had a hard time holding poses as long as others. But it was much easier now that I was controlling from my center, placing my feet correctly, rather than trying to powerhouse everything with my legs.

But...

Even though I concentrated on the new method, I couldn’t get out of the feel of Tao’s hands. I was being silly, but I couldn’t quite help it. He was handsome, smart and seem to be good at everything he did. I couldn’t help but want to learn more about him.

Even when the class ended, I found myself pondering one person I knew who talked less than me.

*****

Nana and Hyori approached me and we chatted like usual.

”Excuse me, ladies?” Tao interrupt.

“Oh, hey Tao. What’s up?” Hyori asked him.

“I was going to offer...” he paused then continued, “if you want a few more pointers on balance, I have free time tonight after the 6 o’clock class” he offered us.

Both girls fell silent beside me, but I could sense how badly they wanted me to say yes.

“That sounds like it could be fun.” I said. Then I realize what did I just said. I didn’t want to sound desperate or like I had no life!

“But I’ll have to double check my schedule and get back to you.” I tried to cover up.

“No problem. Here, just give me your phone, and I’ll program my number into it, if that’s alright.” he said at me.

I tried to seem cool and calm as I handed it over. Yeah, I was an adult lady. I was totally used to guys giving me their numbers.

“I hope you can squeeze me in.” he then give me a little bow and crossed over to the other side of the dojo. I was lucky that both girls kept their squeals in until we were outside.

“Oh myyyy goooooooooosh! I can’t believe you have a date with Tao!” Nana whisper-scream.

“A date? Nah, that’s silly.” I replied as I tried to hide my blush.

“Someone’s in deniallllllllllll~” sang Nana.

“You guys are hilarious. How about we go get a drink and pretend this never happened.” I tried to bribed them.

“I guess that might be kind of fun. If you can tear yourself away from Tao’s presenceeeeeee~” teased Hyori.

I stucked my tongue out at her and she playfully nudged me with her elbow.