Lurking

The bell rang sharply, signaling the start of the day. Tayo Anurak walked through the crowded hallway with her usual composed demeanor, her bag slung over one shoulder. She ignored the glances of her peers as she entered the classroom, heading straight for her seat at the back.

Her reputation preceded her—brilliant, aloof, and unapproachable. It was a role she had grown accustomed to, one she carried with a quiet confidence. As she sat down, she pulled out her notebook, already preparing for the morning lecture.

The chatter in the room ebbed and flowed until a soft voice broke through.

"Tayo?"

She glanced up to see Kanya standing by her desk, clutching her books to her chest. Kanya's eyes darted nervously around the room before settling on Tayo.

"Morning," Tayo replied, her tone neutral but not unkind.

"Good morning," Kanya said, her voice barely audible. "Do you mind if I… sit here?" She gestured to the empty seat beside Tayo.

Tayo raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Go ahead."

Kanya smiled shyly and sat down, carefully arranging her belongings. For a moment, the two sat in silence, the stark contrast between them evident. Kanya exuded a quiet sweetness, while Tayo's cold, analytical air kept most at bay.

Before the silence could grow awkward, the classroom door burst open, and Niran Mai strode in, his usual entourage following close behind. His voice carried above the chatter, brash and attention-seeking.

"Ah, Tayo," Niran called out, a mocking grin spreading across his face. "Back at it again, huh? Always so serious."

Tayo didn't bother looking up. "Some of us take our education seriously, Niran. You should try it sometime."

The room rippled with muffled laughter, and Niran's grin faltered. His pride pricked, he walked closer to her desk, leaning in slightly. "You know, you're not as untouchable as you think."

Finally, Tayo looked up, her dark eyes meeting his with an icy calmness. "And you're not as important as you think."

The room fell silent, the tension palpable. Niran's friends exchanged uneasy glances, unsure whether to intervene.

"That's enough," Kanya said softly, her voice trembling but determined.

Niran turned his gaze to her, sneering. "What's this? Your new sidekick?"

Tayo stood abruptly, the motion causing her chair to scrape loudly against the floor. "Leave her out of it. If you have a problem, it's with me."

"Damn right, it's with you," Niran snapped, his bravado returning. "You think you're better than everyone else just because you're Phuwadon's daughter and the top fighter at his gym."

"I don't think it," Tayo said coolly. "I know it. And that's what bothers you, isn't it? That I'm better than you—in class, in the ring—and to make it worse, I'm a girl. That's what really eats at you, doesn't it?"

Niran's face flushed, his fists clenching at his sides. "You—"

"Easy there," a voice drawled from the corner of the room.

All heads turned to see Sukhum Boonmee lounging casually in his seat, his trademark grin firmly in place. "You might want to take a deep breath, Niran. You're looking a little… fragile."

Niran shot him a glare. "Stay out of this, Sukhum."

"Oh, but it's so entertaining," Sukhum replied, leaning back with an exaggerated stretch. "You losing to Tayo in a battle of words is the highlight of my morning."

The class erupted into laughter, and Niran's face turned an even deeper shade of red. With a frustrated growl, he stormed back to his seat, muttering under his breath.

As the teacher entered the room, the commotion died down. Tayo sat back in her chair, her expression unreadable. Kanya glanced at her, her eyes filled with quiet admiration.

"You're amazing," she whispered.

Tayo shrugged, her focus already back on her notes. "I just said what needed to be said."

But as the lesson progressed, her thoughts lingered on the exchange. She could feel Niran's eyes boring into her back, his simmering resentment clear.

---

The school day passed uneventfully after that, and by the time the final bell rang, Tayo was more than ready to leave. She packed her things quickly and made her way to the Anurak Muay Thai School, her pace brisk as she navigated the crowded streets.

The familiar scent of sweat and leather greeted her as she entered the gym. The rhythmic sounds of pads and punches filled the air, a steady cadence that always calmed her.

"Tayo," Phuwadon's voice called from across the room.

She turned to see her father standing by the ring, his arms crossed. His stern gaze met hers, and she nodded respectfully before heading toward him.

"Start with the younger students," he instructed. "They need to work on their footwork."

"Yes, Father," she replied, her tone measured.

As she worked with the students, correcting their stances and demonstrating techniques, she felt a sense of purpose. Here, in the gym, she was in her element. But even as she focused on the task at hand, her mind drifted to the underground arena—the place where she could truly test herself.

---

That evening, the atmosphere at the underground arena was electric. The dimly lit space buzzed with anticipation as fighters and spectators alike crowded into the makeshift venue.

Tayo stood in the shadows, her hood pulled low over her face. The sounds of the crowd echoed around her, but she blocked it out, her focus entirely on the fight ahead.

She adjusted her wraps, her movements methodical. This was her sanctuary, the place where she could shed the expectations of her father and her peers and simply fight.

As her name was called, she stepped into the ring, her heart steady, her mind clear. The crowd roared, but she barely heard it. Her opponent was a towering figure, his muscles rippling as he cracked his knuckles.

They circled each other, the tension between them palpable. The first strike came fast, but Tayo was faster, her movements precise and controlled. She dodged and countered with a sharp elbow, her opponent stumbling back.

The fight was a blur of motion, a dance of calculated strikes and swift evasions. Tayo's opponent, clearly relying on brute strength, swung wildly, trying to land a hit. But Tayo was in her element, her every move calculated. She sidestepped his punches, her counterattacks finding their mark with precision.

The crowd roared louder with every hit she landed, their energy feeding into the fight. Her opponent, frustrated and desperate, charged at her with a low kick aimed to sweep her off balance. Tayo anticipated the move, leaping into the air and bringing her knee down hard against his shoulder.

The impact sent him stumbling, his balance lost. Tayo capitalized on the opening, delivering a devastating spinning elbow to his temple. The man crumpled to the ground, unconscious before he hit the mat.

The referee rushed in to confirm the knockout, and the crowd erupted in cheers. Tayo stepped back, breathing heavily but otherwise unscathed. She raised her hood, obscuring her face once more as she exited the ring.

As she made her way through the narrow corridors leading out of the arena, she felt a pair of eyes on her. She glanced over her shoulder and saw a familiar figure leaning against the wall, his arms crossed and a curious expression on his face.

Yi-jun.

"You're getting faster," he remarked, his tone light but tinged with genuine admiration.

Tayo ignored him, pulling her hood tighter as she continued walking.

"Still not a fan of conversation, huh?" Yi-jun called after her.

She paused, turning slightly to glance at him. "What do you want?"

"Nothing," he said with a shrug. "Just watching. You're good, Tayo. But you already know that, don't you?"

His words hung in the air, and for a moment, she didn't respond. Finally, she turned away and continued down the corridor, leaving him behind.

By the time Tayo returned home, exhaustion had settled into her bones. She dropped her bag by the door and headed straight for the shower, the hot water washing away the sweat and tension of the day.

Tayo wrapped a towel around herself and stepped out of the shower, her mind still buzzing from the adrenaline of the fight. The quiet of the house was almost unsettling after the chaotic energy of the arena. She moved to her bedroom, pulling on a loose shirt and shorts before collapsing onto her bed.

The weight of the day pressed down on her, and she closed her eyes, exhaling slowly. She could still feel the phantom echoes of the crowd's cheers, the dull ache in her muscles a reminder of her victory.

But as the minutes ticked by, an uneasy feeling crept over her.

She opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling, her instincts prickling. The room was silent except for the faint hum of the overhead fan, but something felt… off.

Tayo sat up, her gaze sweeping the room. Everything appeared normal—her bag slumped against the wall, her training gloves on the desk, the faint glow of the streetlights filtering through the curtains.

But the feeling persisted, a weight pressing against her chest.

She stood and moved to the window, pulling the curtain aside to peer outside. The street was empty, the faint rustle of leaves the only sound.

Shaking her head, she let the curtain fall back into place. "Get a grip," she muttered to herself, retreating to her bed.

But as she lay down, her mind wouldn't quiet. A flicker of movement from outside caught her attention, and her head snapped toward the window. She stared, her heart thudding in her chest, but saw nothing.

It was probably just a stray cat or the shadow of the trees swaying in the wind.

Still, the feeling of being watched lingered, a subtle prickle at the back of her neck.

She glanced at her bedside table where her phone lay. With a deep breath, she reached for it and dialed a number she never used.

After a few rings, the call connected, and Chai's familiar voice came through, light and playful.

"Shade? Wow. Didn't think you'd ever call me. What's the occasion? Missing me already?"

"I need you to keep an ear out," Tayo said, skipping the pleasantries. "Anything unusual—people asking questions, strangers showing up where they shouldn't. Let me know."

Chai let out a low whistle. "Straight to the point as always. Don't even get a 'hello' first?"

"This isn't a social call, Chai," she said flatly.

"Clearly," he replied with a soft chuckle. "Alright, I'll bite. What kind of unusual are we talking about here?"

"I'm not sure yet," Tayo admitted. "Just… anything that feels off. You'll know it when you see it."

Chai hummed thoughtfully. "Well, aren't you cryptic tonight? But fine, I'll keep my eyes and ears open. Funny, though. You calling me like this—I didn't even think you'd kept my number. You never call."

"I kept it because I knew it might be useful someday," she said curtly.

"Oh, ouch. That's cold, even for you," he teased. "But hey, since you've finally decided to use me, I guess that means you owe me now."

Tayo's brow furrowed, her grip on the phone tightening. "If that's what it takes."

"Oh, don't sound so dramatic, Shade," Chai said, his tone full of mock hurt. "You know I'm happy to help. But still, having you owe me a favor? That's something I'm going to enjoy."

"Just don't waste my time," she replied, her voice sharp.

"Relax, I won't," he said with a laugh. "I'll keep watch and let you know if anything comes up. You know me—always ready to lend a hand to someone so… special."

"Good," Tayo said briskly, ending the call before he could say anything else.

Setting her phone down, she exhaled slowly, her mind still racing. She wasn't thrilled about the idea of owing Chai anything—he'd surely make her regret it. But for now, his playful tone and teasing words weren't enough to distract her from the gnawing unease that lingered.

Her gaze shifted to the window, where the streetlights cast long shadows across the quiet street.

Tayo straightened, her resolve hardening. Whatever—or whoever—was out there, she wouldn't let it catch her unprepared. Not in the gym, not in the arena, and certainly not here.

Still, as sleep pulled at her, the feeling didn't entirely leave. And somewhere, in the shadows beyond her window, a figure watched, their presence masked by the stillness of the night.