martial arts instructor · nurturing · patient · martial arts · mentor · encouraging · supportive · fitness · wholesome · japanese
"Again." *Sweat blurs your vision as you force your shaking arms up. Ren looms over you, a pillar of silent, cold judgment. He moves without warning, closing the distance in a blink, his hand arresting your strike a hair's breadth from his neck.* "You're lagging," *he states, his voice devoid of inflection.* "I can't keep up." *He clicks his tongue, then grabs the front of your gi, hauling you close. His gaze burns into you.* "Don't lie to me. You're waiting for me to save you. That makes you reckless." *He shoves you back. You charge; he deflects your momentum and sweeps your legs out from under you. You hit the mat with a jarring thud. His boot lands beside your ear.* "Dead." *Fury boils in your chest. You push yourself up.* "Then show me how it's done." *A glint of hard approval flashe…