Chapter 8: The Poisonous Fame

I wasn't really in any condition to fight but I only had one night to rest. I did eat well and I did rest well. I told myself, as a way for my body to not give up on me, that it is just one more fight and it will be done soon. Katy helped me get ready and I helped her get ready since I missed her semi-final fight. What matters the most is that we are in the finals and we got one goal. To win!

"Are you sure you are fine?"

"Damn Katy this is like the thousandth time you asked me. Are you that worried about me?"

"...Yes."

I blushed, "Wait really?"

Katy looked at me and hugged me. She hid her face into my center chest just above my stomach. I hugged her back gently. Stroked her hair from the top of her head.

"I'll be fine," I reassured her.

"I'm sorry I put you through this."

I pushed her away gently, arms length from me, "Don't tell me that you are sorry. I'm having the time of my life. It would be this or staying in my room all the time. So I should be saying thank you."

"Shush. I pushed you too much. Even when I slapped you at the beginning of the tournament was a bit too much."

I closed my eyes and looked away with confidence, "You did everything right. I don't know what you are talking about."

She gave me another tight hug and I hugged back. We got out to our posts and kept our focus on the tournament. It will be quick as these two fights will happen at the same time. One giant circle with four fighters. The crowd was getting hyped and making bets. The referee was in the center having a mic in his hand. He rallied the crowd and I just stared down at my opponent. I look to my left and see Katy having her eyes death-stare at her opponent. Then we took a moment to look at each other. The referee begins the countdown and the fight begins. My opponent was on the opposite corner of the ring and so was Katy's opponent. We ran up to our opponents and as we looked like we were about to collide. I continued to run and lower my back leaning forward more. Making me run faster. Katy pressed her hand on my back and side jumped over me. She performed a flying kick right at her enemy out of surprise. Katy's opponent had no idea that was coming. I thought that was the coolest thing to show off to the audience and I just went all out. My heart, mind, and soul were all pumped up on adrenaline and I went all out. Went to attack first with kicks hitting him everywhere. Doing my best to hurt his arms as much as possible to get him weaker. My opponent kept blocking with the thought of counterattacking. I quickly dodged and swept his legs. His body went upside down in the air so I followed up with a downward punch to spice a combo. My opponent got up quickly and threw some punches but this time I was a pro at this. I seem to have the momentum. I was able to predict his moves and counter each attack he threw and knocked him out of the ring. I was victorious and pumped my fist up while I got a tap on my back which made me jump defensively. I put my hands up, about to throw a punch. "Whoa relax. It's just me. Katy." She puts her hands up and slightly smiles.

I went to hug her as the fight was over and we both won first place. It was one of the best days of my life and I will always cherish this moment for eternity. I couldn't believe I pulled it off and the whole dojo was in an uproar. Guaranteed one of the best weekends of my life. We celebrated together by getting some cake. We got a trophy and a medal. The girls at the dojo went up to me and wanted to talk to me all of a sudden. It was pretty nice but I didn't like the crowding too much so I stuck with Katy the entire day. The dojo did a firework show and provided the whole dojo food for everyone.

The next day I took a nice long nap which eventually helped me wake up early for class on Monday. I got my uniform on and I opened the door to see Katy waiting for me again. This time she was going to class for once since she was understanding the material as I taught her. Now she is motivated to get a good score and pass her year. We went walking to class together and I was expecting Katy to flex with some of her friends telling her congratulations on the win but this time. This time a lot of girls went up to me and started to get my attention. Two girls were holding my arms like I was being constrained. I tried to talk to them and they were asking so many questions at once. One girl even tried to kiss me on the cheek and Katy stomped her feet which caused the ground to shake. Katy took my hand and pulled me away and went to class. I can clearly see her cheeks puffing out.

"What... just happened?" I asked Katy.

"You seem to enjoy being famous." She pouts.

"Is it because of all the girls around me?"

"... Yes."

I gasped, "Wait! Are you telling me you got jealous?"

She didn't respond to my answer. She just moved on as the class was about to start. At the end of the class, I was grabbing some lunch and walking to Katy while a girl called my name from afar. "SHADOW!" I stood still and checked to see where the voice was coming from. Knowing it was coming from behind, I turned around and a girl almost the size of Katy but a little taller had a letter in her hand.

"Here I want you to have this."

"What is it?" Even though I had the tray in my hand. I balanced it with one hand and grabbed the letter.

"I'll wait for you there." Was her final words before she ran away.

"That was... weird."

I walked to Katy. Everyone is getting interested in our partnership of sensei and student. As I sat next to her on a bench next to a tree for shade, I took out the letter and started to open it.

Katy immediately noticed the pink-purple letter in my hand, "What the hell is that?"

"Hell if I know. Some random girl yelled my name and didn't give me her name. Then she gave me this letter."

"Um... fine." Katy resumed to eat but got more curious. "What does it say?"

I began to read it, "Come by at the school pond at midnight. I got something-..." After that part, my voice lowered and I began to blush.

Katy got even more curious, "What?!?"

"N-nothing. I will just go and settle it myself."

At the end of the day, I did my normal training which was easy today. I learned how to meditate and understand the meaning and true importance of being one with your soul. I took a shower and wore my normal clothes with my favorite hoodie. I like it because it's easy to wear and my face doesn't show when I put my head down. Only my braid hangs out of the hoodie. I took my phone and walked down to the pond. It was dark. Barely visible to see where I am going. As I walked, I checked my surroundings and just saw her alone. Under the pond lights. I approached her. The place seemed like the natural part of the campus. A place where the student would sit down to enjoy the warm weather. There were tons of trees above us and a circle line of a bush making it look like the border of this section.

"I'm here." I was behind her and it seemed like I appeared out of nowhere for her since she jumped and placed her hand on her heart.

"Oh my God, yey." She runs up to hug me.

I have this sudden feeling of being watched. "Uh-... So what's up?"

"I have a gift for you!" She takes her gift out and it was a bracelet that had my name on it.

"Oh thank you."

"No problem for the new beast in the dojo." She winks at me. I don't know if she can see my facial expression since I have my hoodie on.

"I never got your name."

"My name is Angela."

"Sweet name," I replied.

I checked around me one more time because I had this strong feeling I was being watched hard. Just a deep stare into my soul. A clear warning of immediate danger. I looked above and around and saw two glowing blue eyes in the darkness. My heart stopped and I began to think.

Angela asked, "What's wrong?"

I turned back looking at her. "Nothing to worry about. I am being superstitious for no reason."

I began to think if this was going to be my first ever ambushed attack. But it didn't seem like that was the case since I would be seeing multiple pairs of eyes instead of one. I began to process who I told about this meeting that I would be going to... Oh shit. "I just wanted to..." She stopped talking mid-sentence and began to approach me slowly. She slid her hands into my hoodie to push it away and my face began to show. I was blushing and worried about what was happening next but the girl in front of me thought it was cute. She then got closer to my face as I can start to hear her breathing.

I leaned back a bit because I didn't want my first kiss to be taken from her. I didn't want to be mean either and I was caught in this situation where I didn't know what to do. Do I tend to my feelings and push her away or let her express her feelings. It will be a bad first kiss but I heard a lot of people have it and move on. I don't know, I don't know! Then a rustle in the bushes, sounds were going everywhere around the park. There was no wind this time. It sounded like sudden movements were going around us. I looked back at where the blue eyes were and a tiny glow. Shit, she is using her magic.

Angela worried, "What's going on?"

"We might be under attack."

"What?" Angela hugged me tight for safety.

"We need to run. I will distract them and you go run to the dorm. Understand?"

"Oh my God, no."

"Just do it. Three... two.... one... GO GO GO!"

I acted that we were under attack and I took out my pocket knife like I was ready for a fight. Angela ran away to her dorm and lost sight. I put my pocket knife away.

"You can come out now. She's gone."

Katy comes out of the bushes. "Good job."

"Thanks for the save."

"No problem."

"My first kiss almost got stolen."

"Pft." she flipped her hair and walked away.

"Whoa, Katy, wait!" I pulled on her sleeve to stop her.

She turned around and whispered into my ear, "Mine."