Breathing in, breathing out.
My eyes were on his hands as he tightened his black belt circling around his waist. The color stood out against the all-white Hapkido uniform that he was wearing. I shook my head quickly, wanting to clear my head from anything else. Taking a deep breath, I made one quick move to come closer and threw the first kick.
Given his excellent skills in this field, I wasn't surprised how he was able to dodge it easily. Breathing out, I did my best to avoid his eyes not wanting to give him the chance to read me. With my heartbeat beating wildly behind my chest and sweat already forming on my face, I advanced and executed different kinds of hand and leg combinations. Holding my breath as if it could hinder my speed. He, on the other hand, settled with defense, blocking my every move. Every single move.
I was growing frustrated unable to hit him properly.
Why did he have to be good at this?
I could hear him panting too, his heavy breathing loud whenever we got closer. The first time I ever mistakenly met his eyes, there was an absolute confusion in them. He stared back at me as if he had been wanting to since the fight began.
There was no way I would let him get to me right now, so I looked away and surprised him with a kick on one arm which sent him a few steps away. Seeing him back off for a few seconds, I exhaled like I had been holding my breath.
I heard our teammates' gasps as they saw him on the ground which was a rare sight. I, on the other hand just stood on my spot and waited for him to get up. I could almost hear my heartbeat in my ears as I balled my hands into fist, holding them in position.
He looked a bit hurt as his hand was on the part where I hit him. For a second, I thought that he looked betrayed. I gulped as his stare turned into a glare in a millisecond. He was mad and this only meant that I have to get ready.
He was the best among us, he could easily knock everyone out in the room if he wanted to. My black belt status was nothing compared to his advance skills. Bracing myself as he finally stood, he fixed his uniform before he positioned his fist in front of him. I could feel my sweat dripping down my face as the tension built up between us as we moved around the mat, watching each other's every little move.
We had our eyes fixed on each other for a few good seconds before he startled me with his quick punch combinations. I barely avoided his fists before I did a round kick. The way he dodged it like it was a piece of cake, got me stunned as well as the others in the room. My stupid act giving him the advantage to attack me with his low spinning heel kick. He did it so perfectly and swiftly that it sent my entire body on the mat right away. I felt dizzy for a second and when I opened my eyes, he was already next to me, offering his hand to help me get up.
"Let's stop this now." He said in a low voice, his eyes giving me the implied message clearly.
I took his hand, not having any intention to stop at all. So, as soon as I was back on my feet, I pushed him real hard. My unexpected act obviously taking him by surprise as his eyes widened, a scoff painting his face.
I just knew that I had completely gotten into his nerves now. Not wanting to give him more advantage, I advanced with various punches, targeting his arms, wrists, elbows and shoulders. However, his fists and arms were like machines knowing how to handle every punch I threw like he knew exactly knew what I'd do next.
I grew more and more frustrated yet transforming ever bit of it to anger. I was on fire as I backed a step before I did a stepping round kick which successfully hit him. Without giving him a chance to recover, I advanced to execute a defense punch I mastered all these years. I reached or his wrist, twisted it which earned a groan from him before pushing his back with my knee until his face was just inches from touching the floor.
