My Little Mind Reader

16. Training Day

Phana's POV

Yo was busy all day today. First, he spent the morning working in the Science Faculty, even though he didn't have to help. Then he'd had to go straight to rehearsals which had taken most of the afternoon. Now Ming and Yo are grabbing their things so we can finally leave. It isn't late, so I'm hoping to ask him on a date. I'd like to go to a movie, a dark theater, sharing some popcorn, maybe a thriller so I can hold Yo when he gets scared.

"We can just wear these clothes," Ming said as he and Yo walk toward me. "It's not like we're not going to be sweaty anyway."

"True," Yo said, taking a drink from his water. "Let's fill up our water bottles here though, the water there tastes like chemicals."

"Do you two have plans?" I asked, wondering where they were going and how I could get an invitation, my dreams of going to a movie already crushed.

"I've got martial arts training," Ming said, grabbing Yo's bottle to fill it with his own. "Let me fill up the water."

"So why are you going?" I asked Yo. Ming didn't need an audience, he could go alone. "I thought we could do something together."

"I'm sorry, Pha," Yo said, smiling at me, "but I do martial arts training too. It's not like I just watch."

"Why do you need to do martial arts?" I asked. Even if he didn't have bodyguards, I could protect him.

"I do it because I enjoy it," he replied. "Besides, everyone has the right to be able to defend themselves."

"Why don't you come with us?" Ming asked as he walked back with Yo's water. "Forth comes too, he's been working with this instructor since he moved to this university."

"Sure, I'll come," I said. Forth has martial arts training too? With my Yo? No way in hell I wouldn't be there.

Forth's POV

Ming and Yo walked up to the doors of the martial arts studio, laughing and talking to each other. Pha was walking along with them, but he looked like he'd been forced to swallow vomit.

"Hey Pha, what's got you looking so upset?" I asked. It was probably just the fact that Ming refused to leave him alone with Yo, but I could be wrong.

"He wanted to do martial arts training," Ming said, answering for Pha, "but since he's never had lessons before, I said he couldn't join the advanced class with us."

"It's okay, Pha," Yo said, patting him on the shoulder. "Why don't you just watch for now?"

"We'll be sparring today," I said, shrugging my shoulders. "I bet they'll let you try if you want."

Pha seemed to cheer up with that news and we all walked inside. Pha and I got changed into workout clothes alone since Ming and Yo were already wearing theirs and then we all went to the mats. After a few others had some matches, Yo got up to spar with Ming. I'd never actually seen Yo fight, but Ming was trained in several martial arts including Krav Maga, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

As soon as the match started, my eyes opened wide in disbelief. What the hell? I assumed that Ming would have to go easy on Yo, but it looked like that would be totally unnecessary. Both of them moved swiftly, switching from one type of martial arts to the other, completely oblivious to the outside world as they punched, kicked, spun, and blocked. Why did Yo need bodyguards? I doubted I could best him and I'd been training for nearly ten years.

Next to me, a spray of water and coughing sounds alerted me to Pha's surprise. Clearly, he hadn't been aware that Yo was a badass either. We both watched in amazement until they returned to their seats, sweat dripping from their bodies. Yo lifted the bottom of his shirt revealing his abs as he wiped the sweat from his face. I caught Pha's gasp, but was grateful I had controlled my own reaction, which was a mixture of surprise and lust. I was willing to bet that Yo looked even better naked than he did in clothes, which was dead sexy to begin with.

"How long have you been training?" I asked Yo, hoping I didn't sound as turned on as I was.

"I've been taking private lessons since I was 5 years old," Yo answered. "Ming joined my lessons when he moved in with us, but he's better than I am."

"You looked pretty evenly matched," I said. If Ming was better than Yo, it hadn't showed at all.

"That's just because Ming and I have sparred so often that it's easier to follow his patterns and know what he's going to do next," Yo explained. "Ming is better than I am when he has to face a new opponent, but my dad is always complaining that he's too predictable."

"It's something I've been trying to work on for a long time," Ming said, sounding a little annoyed that we're discussing his failings. "Then again, Yo has an advantage that I don't have."

"You know I don't use that advantage when I'm sparring," Yo said, rolling his eyes. "That would be cheating."

I realized they must be talking about Yo's ability to read minds. Would he be able to see his opponent's next move every time they touched? Just as I was about to ask if that was possible, Pha asked, "What advantage?"

Ming and I looked at each other anxiously. We'd all kind of forgotten that Pha didn't know Yo's secret. What advantage could we possibly come up with?

"His looks, of course," Ming said, jumping in to answer the question. Yo looked down with a slightly guilty frown. I already knew how much Yo hated to lie, but it was the safest alternative. "It's a natural camouflage. No one would suspect that this adorable face actually hides a lethal fighter."

Fortunately, that answer seemed to satisfy Pha. After a few additional matches, I got up to spar with Pha. I'd never seen him fight either, so I was interested to know what he could do. I let him take the offensive, waiting to see what he would do before deciding how hard I'd need to work.

Pha punched and kicked like a street fighter, but unless he was hiding it, he didn't have any formal training. He was strong though, and what he lacked in experience he tried to make up for with determination. It wasn't a difficult fight for me, but I'd been training for a long time. Pha was better than a lot of other guys. He would probably do well with some training.

I was hoping to spar with either Ming or Yo, but time for sparring ran out. Chatting with Ming as we were leaving, I noticed how Pha was looking at Yo. I knew Pha wanted to ask Yo out, and he'd been told by New that he should spend time with Yo or leave him alone.

I'd expected Pha to quit at the first sign of opposition, but he hadn't done what I expected. Maybe my friend was finally going to man up? That didn't mean I'd allow him to hurt Yo, but if he made Yo happy, I was willing to give my blessing.

I just wondered what Pha would do after the Moon and Star Competition. Yo was already popular and well known in the university. When he got up in front of the whole school, he'd probably be in high demand. Pha was totally going to lose his shit.