She sure is taking her time. Then again, I would take my time in a hot spring as well.
Caspian sat cross-legged on the dark, polished wood floor of the dojo.
Looking around, he couldn't help but compare this dojo to Bang's. In terms of size, they were similar, but the layout differed. Suiko's dojo featured a wide hallway leading to several rooms and the hot spring, also the wood here was darker compared to the lighter tones of Bang's dojo. While the exterior showed a bit more weathering.
Footsteps echoed to Caspian's left, coming from the wide hallway. The sound grew louder, rhythmic and deliberate, as if someone were purposefully trying to attract his gaze.
His heart stirred when he saw her.
Suiko sauntered down the hall, wearing a white sports bra that revealed a glimpse of her toned abs, the rest covered by loose-fitting white pants. Her feet were bare, and her damp, spiky black hair glistened from the overhead light.
"Hm? See something you like?" she teased as she shook the stainless steel bottle in her hand.
Caspian rose to his feet. "Several things if you want to be more specific."
"Still a wanton womanizer, I see. Have you caught any more beauties besides Yuta since we last spoke?" Suiko set down her bottle before making her way to the center of the main hall.
"Maybe… Does that spark your interest? I came here today, so who I'm looking to catch is obvious."
I have to stop saying embarrassing shit like this!
Suiko narrowed her eyes, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Should I be flattered or offended?"
Thankfully, she ignored it.
"Flattered, always flattered."
"No doubt you'd like that." Suiko extended her left fist forward while drawing her right arm back. "Are you going to give me pointers or keep flirting with me?"
Caspian shrugged. "We'll see. Now, come at me with everything you've got."
¤ ¤ ¤
Suiko's adrenaline surged as she pounced forward.
Her first strike came low, a low kick aimed at Caspian's legs, but he sidestepped with ease, his movements lazy in their precision. Undeterred, Suiko shifted her weight, pivoting on her front foot to deliver a sharp elbow strike toward his ribs. Caspian leaned back just enough to let it whistle past him.
She pressed the attack. Her fists a blur as she alternated between high and low strikes, each one flowing into the next. A jab aimed at his shoulder was followed by a spinning backfist, but Caspian ducked and weaved, his body moving like water around her onslaught.
How? His movements really are that of an untrained person. I wasn't mistaken the first time I met him. Is he relying on his reflexes alone?!
Suiko adjusted her stance, her center of gravity shifting with each motion. She feinted left, then lunged right with a powerful roundhouse kick. Caspian slanted his head, the kick missing by a hair's breadth.
Despite her speed and precision, Caspian's movements were effortless, his dodges never failing. He didn't counterattack, simply observing and evading, as if studying the intricacies of her Void Fist style.
Suiko paused and observed the man before her. She knew he was strong, but facing him now, experiencing firsthand the gap in their abilities, only fueled her elation.
Caspian tilted his head. "You're good. But I know you've got more than this. Show me everything."
"You asked for it."
She planted her feet firmly on the dark, burnished floor, the wood creaking under her weight. The dojo's walls seemed to close in, the light casting long shadows as she prepared to unleash her techniques.
"'Void Shaking Tiger Fist!'" Her voice echoed through the hall as she slammed her foot down. The impact sent a shockwave through the floor, and she surged forward, her fist driving toward Caspian with crushing force.
He sidestepped, her punch grazing past him.
Suiko didn't pause. She leapt into the air, her body twisting as she shouted, "'Void Revolving Tortoise Fist'" Her legs and arms became a blur, a whirlwind of strikes that filled the dojo with the sound of rushing wind.
Without missing a beat, she shifted her stance mid-spin, her voice ringing out again. "'Void Sky Dragon Kick!'" Her focus shifted to her legs, her kicks now a rapid barrage that amplified her momentum. The speed and power of her strikes made her twist like a hurricane in mid-air, the force of each blow preserving her rotations. The dojo's air seemed to vibrate with the intensity of her attacks.
No matter how she attacked, Caspian avoided every strike. His movements seemed full of openings — his stance relaxed, his arms loose, his poise careless. Yet, every time Suiko thought she had him, his inhuman physical capabilities kicked in, closing those gaps at the last possible moment.
Suiko shot backward, landing perfectly on her feet, attempting to catch her breath. This is…
"I knew it. You are amazing."
Suiko let out a soft sigh and said, "You say that, and yet, why do I feel you aren't trying?"
"It's never trying with you." Caspian's lurched forward. "My bad. I can't seem to stop myself."
"I thought it was cute."
"Oh… that's good then. At any rate, you're still holding back, aren't you?"
"You're perceptive."
Suiko turned and walked over to her stainless steel water bottle, picking it up and unscrewing the lid. As she did, a potent scent hit her nose, and in one practiced motion, she downed the liquid contents.
After resealing the bottle and setting it down, she felt a rush of heat rise to her face as her eyes locked with Caspian's.
Despite her lack of success so far, the thrill of the fight, of pushing herself against someone so far beyond her, was electrifying. She realized that being around him filled her with an undeniable vigor and a sense of contentment she hadn't felt in a long time.
"This is me giving it my all. Prepare yourself." Her body shifted erratically, her stance limber and unpredictable. "'Drunk Tiger.'"