Two Steps Behind

-

Bruises Benea

he next morning. The janitor had swept up the torn cloth, the tack, and the scattered trai

mpty space where he

n the time to ma

w and exhaled slowl

s voice reached

awstring duffel with red stitching. He looked like he hadn't slept m

he said. "Didn't want to wait till

ed. "You did

w. But

ice gloves-clean, firm, high quality-and a new jutsu belt folded nea

up, startle

shop. I asked her to

t tightened.

tle. "No one gets to break your

The light through the window had soft

sound of footsteps approac

epped forward. Ren tu

Coach N

ad flecks of silver at the temples, and his eyes missed nothing. Everyone respected him, but

you two,

" they replied a

His eyes dropped to the

no

You'll

o you know anything about

a long second, then gave a s

andling it, but they're being careful. Election week,

round the strap of the d

ly. "And I've seen people pushed out of t

u think someone wants Ai

he mat." The coach's eyes met Aiko's. "But I've watched you trai

ko's chest lifte

you,

her a small

shut, Ren turned to he

gered behind her eyes. "So why do I

-

ms, pairs sparring along the length of the mat. Aiko warmed up quietly, pacing herself through

cipes?" she as

"Kind of. I'm thinking of combining

. "Is that e

en, everythi

and it felt

called from a

u've got

f the junior

grabbed a towe

Said they wanted to talk. Looks

You want me

hen shook her hea

and stepped out into the small courty

stood by

ir and a leather jacket worn over a school uniform.

n't reco

ou?" Aiko ask

e," the girl said

fro

y everyone's fussing about. Cut

o the

ed forward. He

of the t

es narrow

we won't just t

stood tall. "You're one of the

n't get it, do you? This whole thing isn't about wh

ned my

ts picked. Real money. Real pressure. An

as quiet, but sharp. "Tell whoeve

Then I guess I'll see you a

walked off, slo

till, her he

atching silently from behind

-

outside humming quietly. She replayed the conversation again and

s back

rget Aiko

ne buzz

wn nu

er me

to look closer. Whi

then typed a quick

ans

screen long after