Warnings: minor violence, and a man pins down a woman, though it isn't sexual.

"You are still so weak," he said to her. His words caught her off guard long enough for him to push her off her feet.

"W—what?" she mumbled.

"I said,"—he leaned toward her—"you are still very weak."

She hesitated to stand back up. Instead, she only looked him in the eye and said, "How?"

He narrowed his piercing eyes. "Your stance is too stiff. You need to be light on your feet so you may dodge quicker. I've nearly hit you several times in the last three minutes."

She blushed as she shuffled to her feet. "I'm sorry," she murmured.

"Why are you apologizing?" He asked.

"Oh, uh." She looked away. "It's a habi—"

Before she could finish, she was already knocked onto her feet.

"Pay attention, Mew Lettuce," he said to her, slightly annoyed.

"I—I'm sorry!"

"Stop apologizing." He grabbed her hand, surprisingly with a gentle grasp, and pulled her to her feet.

She murmured her thanks quietly. He set to work showing her how to fight effectively.

"Always make sure you're paying attention to your opponent," he instructed.

"Pie-san, why are you helping me?"

"Stay focused. Don't change the subject."

"Oh, right." She looked down at her feet. Again, she was knocked to the ground.

"What did I just say?"

"Sor—!"

"No apologizing!" He sighed. "Please, Mew Lettuce, this is important."

"I ... I'm just very confused." She awkwardly stood up without looking him in the eye.

He grabbed her chin and and slightly pushed it up so she could look at him. She blushed intensely.

"Clear your mind," he whispered. She paused, then nodded. He let go of her chin. "Stand up straight and take a deep breath." She continued to obey.

"Now dodge!" he yelled as he threw a punch at her. She squeaked as she ducked. "Good. Again." He kicked her, but she moved before he could touch her. "Good. I am not giving you any more warnings."

He continued to try and hit her, while she dodged every single time. She was surprised when she realized he was starting to smile.

"You are doing well. Now we should practice punching and kicking," he eventually said.

"When did this become fighting class?" she asked.

He paused before saying, "No questions."

"Oh, okay."

"Punch me."

This took her off guard. "Um ... What?"

"Punch me, Mew Lettuce," he said again.

"Uh ... I don't think—"

"We're enemies. You should be used to this by now." He grabbed her hands, lifted them up, and shaped them into fists. Letting go, he said, "Punch me."

She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to punch him. Suddenly, she felt herself being shoved to the ground. She opened her eyes to see him on top of her, giving her a small amused smile.

"That's not how you do it," he said. "I believe it would be more effective if your eyes were open." She frowned as she realized that he was messing with her.

"I didn't want to hurt you," she whispered.

His smile dropped, and his expression turned serious. "You should."

He got off of her and lifted her to her feet.

"Punch me again."

She inhaled sharply before punching him hard in the chin. He hissed. "That's ... good."

"Oh my goodness! Are you okay?!" she cried in sympathy.

"I am fine." He brought his hand up to his jaw as he realized that he could taste blood. He was sure he'd have a bad bruise later. "Let's practice attacking a dodging enemy."

Written in early 2019.