Kick, Push

Competition Day: +8

Pumping iron was never Zayn, and he doesn't think that it ever really will be, but he also knows that if he wants to stay fit and keep his impressive health record clean competing in an extreme sport, he's got to condition his body outside of just clearing boxes. Before Camden enforced the gym time, Zayn didn't see the point, but he figured that the extra work out couldn't hurt his chances of being as prepared as he could possibly be for the event next week.

There were hundreds, maybe even thousands, of articles online that claimed the endorphins from working out reduced stress. This wasn't new knowledge to Zayn, yet as he showered after an hour session of squats and lifting weights, he still felt a nervous itch under his skin.

It's a feeling that isn't new, not in the least. Zayn's become accustomed to it over the years, considers it a part of who he is now, come competition season - a devilish part. As he's gotten older, Zayn's tried to think of the moment when it started, but he can't pinpoint a specific memory, just remembers that all of a sudden it was there, and in full force. He's had to learn how to live with it when it sneaks up on him, and that includes getting creative when something that worked well in the past starts to get too comfortable, becoming immune to the sensation. At one point he fell into a dark place from the frustration of having to battle something so evasive. Luckily Niall was quick to pull him out before it got too bad. Now he tries to see the positive side of getting to explore new vices, like sitting across from Liam at a traditional Japanese tea house.

What stemmed from Zayn missing the ability to ask his Mum for a cuppa after a rough training session, led to him asking Harry if there were any places he recommended for tea in the city. Finding a spot wasn't the problem, it was the fact that reservations only came for parties of two or more, and while Harry had offered to come, Zayn knew that also meant Louis wouldn't be far behind and the whole point of the booking was to relax. Time with Louis wasn't always that.

Niall was always an option, and while his best mate usually took advantage of wherever they were posted up for a contest, Zayn knew that Liam would appreciate the speciality of the tea house more than Niall. The boy would probably rather edit or take a nap anyways.

"Adding this to the Tokyo bucket list, just so I can cross it off." Liam makes a ticking motion in the air with his pointer finger as he adjusts to sitting on the wood paneled flooring.

Getting comfortable himself on top of the floor cushion, Zayn replies, "I'm surprised you didn't have it on there to begin with."

"Me too," the physio comments while taking in the minimalistic room around them. There's a low, wooden table in front of them with several cups and tea pots filled with hot water. Exposed panels decorate the walls of the spacious room, along with thin paper 'windows' that allow the outside sunlight to act as their main source of lighting. "I don't know how I overlooked it."

Zayn doesn't know either. When he offered up the invitation to Liam after dropping by his room for a post gym massage, he was shocked to hear that the man hadn't thought to add it to his list. Tea. Japan. They seemed like two things that went hand in hand, especially with a travel guide to reference, but apparently Liam missed that chapter.

"Some people associate tea with China more," Zayn suggests, hoping to make the other not feel as bad for overlooking the delicacy.

Liam inspects the various dry teas that are in their jars, some leaves, some ground up flowers, some that looked like roots. "I associate tea with home."

"Yeah me too." Zayn instantly thinks of his Mum and what got him here in the first place. "But I mean internationally."

"Do you like it better from home or abroad?" Brown eyes look up to hazel, inquisitiveness swimming in them.