"Flying back home, right?" He asked his sister, his hand rubbing her head.
"Yea…" Even if her voice was notably saddened, the smile across her lips showed opposite. "I really enjoyed my time here, though. I was having lots of fun spending time with you and your friends."
"It was awesome to have you around, precious one." His words ringed sincere and he wrapped her in a tight, loving embrace.
For a moment, she simply closed her eyes and listened to his heartbeats, quickly realizing they calmed her the same as when she was younger.
"We'll see each other soon, I promise," She whispered under his gentle breaths.
"Absolutely." He'd think so too, a moment later his hug loosening and she took a step back.
"Before we part, I want to give you a present so close your eyes for me."
"Really?" She inquired with childlike excitement.
"Yep."
"Okay, then," She said as her eyes closed.
"…"
A brief moment of silence passed by, she heard him giggle, but her suspicions came a moment too late as he simultaneously slapped both of her cheeks and quickly placed a kiss on her forehead.
"I love you!" He exclaimed while laughing, dodging a hook to his body.
She glared at him for a moment, pouting, though quickly relented and exhaled.
"I love you too!"
"Send everyone my warmest wishes, okay?"
"Kay." She reassured while waving her hand.
He waved back for a moment, then turned around and was on his way back to Beacon.
She stared at his retreating back for a moment, whispered something under the breath and turned around too.
She was mere moments away from entering the aircraft.
…
3 July, Monday
The big three.
The days leading up to third of July were quite peaceful, he'd say. The last bits of work Beacon required them to do-surprisingly enough-was not too difficult, and first years completion ceremony was rather standard, even bland, perhaps.
"This party's just begun! Ren, I demand at once you come back to the dance floor."
The party thereafter, not so much.
"But I just danced with you…ten times in a row."
"And you'll dance with me again!"
She at least was kind enough to let him know before dragging him back, her grin about as colorful as a disco ball while he…well, followed her whims and wishes without much resistance at all.
"You have my prayers, Ren." Jaune wished his friend to stay strong and vigilant, even while facing her atomic energy. This day especially so.
"She's even livelier than usual, isn't she?" Estelle asked incredulously, finding it incredible she'd even suggest something like that.
"Yes. Yes, she is." He affirmed of her notion, their eyes met and they both giggled.
"I think he's secretly enjoying it, though," Yang said as she walked over to them.
"Maybe so." He shrugged, and felt her fingers slip into his.
"Say, Estelle, would you mind if I stole your brother for a dance or two?"
"No, not at all." She shook her head dismissively, slowly inching away from the pair. "You can…y-you can dance with him for the rest of the night if you want. I have to go!" She barely finished a sentence before doing a crazy quick one eighty, and scurried away from the two.
"…"
After a brief pause, their gazes met and the duo burst into a laughter.
"She's as awkward as ever."
"I'd say even more so," He said, knowingly.
"Maybe she thinks we're a couple or something."
"We're not?" He inquired. His questioning tone so criminally perfect, she couldn't tell if he was trying to be funny or not.
"Depends." She curved her lips in a sly smirk. "I'll give it a thought if you've saved for me your best dance, tonight."
When he smiled in response, she got hold of his other hand too, pulling him closer.
"Forget about it, Blondey. You'll dance with me for the rest of the night…Your sister's orders, after all."
"I don't remember her giving out orders, though."
"Then you remember it wrong, of course," She said, making them both chuckle.
"And if I refuse?"
"You will?"
When he smiled in response, she pulled him even closer…And they danced for the rest of the night.
The two days following after were far more ordinary than that.
"Again?"
Mostly. Nora was a bit too persistent at times to challenge him at certain fighting game. Something about honing her skill in order to face her ultimate rival, which he later found out, was Estelle herself. A fact he found quite amusing.
"Name's Taiyang Xiao Long, though I'd prefer if you just call me Tai."
The arrival of third of July however, beginning of their long awaited summer break would vivify his life quite a bit. At the very least, Yang promised him so, and he didn't take her for a liar. Whenever he looked forward to it or not was yet to be seen, but for now at least, he wanted to be open-minded about it.
"Jaune Arc." He introduced himself and gladly accepted the offered handshake, realizing right away-the man's grip was no joke. He barely stifled a surfacing wince, his fingers squeezed unbearably and he was certain blood no longer circulated there.
"I-It's nice to meet you." Jaune barely managed a sentence, though immediately after wished he'd have stayed quiet. He wasn't certain about his face, but the way he squeezed out that sentence most definitely betrayed him.
"Likewise-oof!" His smirk was quickly replaced with a frown.
"Give him a break, dad." She chastised and ordered at the same time, prying their linked hands open. Once she did, Jaune couldn't help a relieved exhale, giving her a thankful look.
"Sorry Blondey, but forgive the old bastard." She pretty much apologized in his stead, carefully taking blondes fingers in hers, and blowing some air on them to help pain away.
"Hey now, that's certainly no way to call your own father," Tai said as he massaged one side of his ribs.
She gave him a dismissive, scolding look and then continued to soothe Jaune's pain away.
"I think I'm okay." He let her know after a brief moment, feeling slightly embarrassed about the whole thing.
"Okay," She acknowledged and let his hand go.
"Sorry about that." Tai apologized. "I have this old habit to test a man's spirit right from the get-go. Just don't take it personally, okay?"
"Yea, right." She interrupted, rolling her eyes. "More like you challenged him to see how'd he fare against you or something."
"That's pretty much the same thing."
"Not really because the way you said it, made it sound noble and having some bigger purpose, while in actuality it's just about your own ego." She rebuked him, though did so with a smirk.
"Isn't that right…dad?"
"Hehe." He chuckled guiltily. "You got me there, lil'dragon." He admitted, though guilt in his face faded quickly. "Let me apologize again-sorry about that. I can be bit of a nutcase when it comes down to seeking new ways to challenge and test myself. Didn't mean anything personal though, I didn't lie about that," He said, offering a handshake again.
Jaune, reasonably so, hesitated, but briefly inspecting the man's face decided to think better of him.
"Sure, no hard feelings at all," He said as their hands parted.
"But I have to say, you should have seriously fought back with more spirit than that, otherwise made it too easy for me to overwhelm you."
"Ahahaha…" Jaune wasn't sure what to say back so he simply settled to laugh it off sheepishly.
"No worries about that though," Tai reassured as he slapped the blonde across the shoulder. "I'm more than sure you'll have your chances to shine so keep that chin up, Jaune." He smiled at him, and Jaune realized that oddly enough, his words inspired him.
Looking to his right, he gave Yang a knowing look, his smile meaningful. She noticed it, smiled back though her brows were curved puzzlingly.
"Nothing." He shook his head, and then winced when she pinched his arm.
'Nothing' my ass. She knew better there was something behind his look, though decided not to question him about it.
"Anyhow, I suppose you'll be the new member starting from today," Tai said as he placed his hand atop of Jaune's shoulder, then moved aside a bit and gestured at anyone and everything what made 'Dragon slayer' gym.
Actually, I only promised to try this out so…Jaune thought to himself, but decided to go with the flow for now.
"Suppose so, yea," He said convincingly enough, took a step forward and stopped.
He noted right away how different the gym looked, felt, compared to the previous times he'd been here.
Brimming with life and energy, everyone was absorbed into doing their thing, be it hitting the mitts, heavy bag or testing their might and skill during a heated sparring. A few of them were simply testing their physical prowess by doing some grueling form of exercise. Whatever they did however, all of them sweated it out, frowned and occasionally cursed in frustration, painting a picture of struggle itself. Why for these people struggled so brilliantly? He had no idea, but even without knowing as little as their names, let alone anything more than that, he was certain they had their goals to accomplish. There was something, anything, which pushed them up and beyond past the limitations they thought they had in their minds.
Simply put, he was impressed by the display of determination and grit, even if atmosphere like this wasn't completely alien to him.
"Welcome aboard, kid. If nothing else, I can assure you your time spent here won't be boring," He said, his dubious smirk giving Jaune a bad feeling about those words.
"Yea, I'm sure it won't be!" He chirped with forced optimism, his grin twitching in all kinds of wrong ways.
"Hahaha!" Tai suddenly laughed, and Jaune hoped it wasn't because he noticed his nervousness.
"Anyways, since you two arrived when the practice is pretty much over, just sit back and relax for couple of minutes. You'll introduce yourself to everyone once the practice is over."
"Okay." Jaune nodded and followed Yang to a bench.
Tai observed him for a moment longer, turned one eighty and returned to his duties.
"So, what do you say, Blondey? Are you excited to be a new member here?" She inquired as they seated themselves, though already had a good guess.
"Maybe even nervous." He admitted, cocking his head to a side.
"Don't shake in them panties just yet." She chastised with harsh tone, yet the way she squeezed his hand into hers was gentle, kind. "You'll do far better than fine, I promise." She pressed her fist to his chin, her smile resembling her dad's.
He paused for a moment, then smiled back and his blue displayed a tiny glint in the corners.
"Wouldn't want to disappoint you now, would I?" He arched his arm above hers and pressed his fist to her cheek.
"Damn right you won't." Her smile turned into a grin, and he grinned back.
Otherwise, I wouldn't hear the end of it, right? He snickered to himself, and decided to observe the practice for whatever little time there was left.
15 minutes later.
Once the practice was over, Jaune briefly introduced himself to other gym members. From what little interaction they shared, he took them to be decent people, even if some did look too stern to his liking. When again, boxing was serious sport so he reasoned it required of you appropriate attitude.
Still…
Giving some members a second glance, it really seemed like concept of smiling was alien to them or it only occurred in rarest of occasions at least.
After pretty much anyone had left, Jaune counted six people were still present here; him, Yang, her dad and three other members of the gym he hadn't introduced himself to yet. The said trio diligently indulged in their exercises, making him hesitant to come over and interrupt.
"Hey, you three! Come over here and introduce yourselves to the new guy!"
Tai however, showed very little concern about stopping their doings and demanded them to come over at once.
"Okay!" One of them was quick to oblige, his short frame either just walking or at times jogging towards them; it seemed he had difficult time to choose between the two.
"Hi. It's nice to meet you, I'm Makunouchi Ippo." His baby face lit up as he spoke, he offered a friendly handshake.
"Nice to meet you too, I'm Jaune Arc." He gladly took his hand, rather appreciative how genuinely nice he seemed.
I'll probably get along fine with him. He was sure of that, their hands parting. As they did, someone else sauntered towards them. His appearance more striking than Ippo's or at the very least, his afro and scarred face stood out.
"Name's Joe."
His tone a fine contrast as well, calm yet determined opposed to ippo's almost child-like cheerfulness.
"I'm Jaune Arc, nice to meet you."
"Yea, I heard." He said, and didn't seem terribly interested in exchanging handshakes, making Jaune hesitant to even offer one to begin with.
"Forgive the guy, he's a bit of a hard-ass at times," Someone beside them suddenly said, his hand wrapping around Joe's neck. A gesture which afro guy didn't seem to appreciate, while the other one didn't seem to care that he didn't.
"But he's a decent person through and through. And by the way, I'm Apollo Creed, the future 'greatest boxer of all times', so feel free to ask me an autograph right now," He boasted and offered a handshake.
"Yea…sure." Jaune took it, a clumsy smile across his lips.
"At least enter the pro scene before you spout bullshit like that," Joe snickered, getting himself free from the involuntary hug.
"Give me a few more months and I'll clear out the amateurs nice and easy you cheeky pup."
"You wouldn't be able to clear out a clogged toilet you ass-cream."
"Hey, at least I didn't use to eat from them-"
"Ladies please, leave your bickering behind for now, I don't need that right now." Tai interrupted in no nonsense tone, successfully shutting them up. "Thanks. Anyhow, Ippo, you'll be the one work with Jaune today. As for you two," He turned to Joe and Creed. "Go back to do your own thing, got it? And if you have any differences left to settle, you know the right place, but after you've done your duty as athletes." Tai ordered, the duo paused for a moment but then nodded approvingly. Something, which Jaune found to be impressive as those two didn't seem the type to follow orders willingly. Then again, he barely knew them so maybe he was too quick to judge.
"Hey, daydreamer, get in a ring," Tai said as he snapped his fingers in front of blonde's face. "I want to see what you've got right now."
"See what I've got?"
"Yea, a few rounds of sparring between you and Ippo. I want to see where your boxing's at right now." Tai explained, the minuscule smirk in his lips unsettling for blonde.
"Dad." She intoned pointedly, giving her father a scolding look.
"Relax," He chuckled, unfazed. "it's not like I'm throwing the boy against a pack of beowolves or something."
"Sure," She remarked dismissively and placed a hand on blonde's shoulder, leaning in to his ear.
"Be on your guard, Blondey. The guy maybe looks soft, but he's actually quite capable." She whispered, wondering if maybe it'd be better to go into greater detail.
He gave her a worried glance.
"Just do your best and you should be fine," She reassured, squeezing and then tapping his shoulder.
If I'd tell him the truth, he'd be too worried right from the get go.
Of course, she knew the risks of not telling the whole truth, but decided she'd take that gamble and have faith in him.
"We'll see," He said, following Ippo into the ring.
Tai briefly disappeared into a separate room, then came back and entered the ring himself.
"Do a brief stretch and then put these on," He said, handing him a pair of hand wraps and boxing gloves.
Jaune did, moments later him and Ippo squaring off at the center of the ring.
"Let's do our best." His opponent smiled cheerfully, and Jaune felt how some of the tension faded. Ippo, he truly seemed like a kind, good-natured person, even while wearing a pair of gloves and about to fight.
"Sure." Jaune replied as they touched the gloves.
"I'll have you spar three minute rounds three times. I want to see clean, professional boxing only so don't even think of doing something funny, got it?" He inquired, his features soon softening as he saw them nod in approval.
"Excellent. If so, are both of you ready?"
"Yes!" Ippo chirped, a determined glint in his eyes, and only now did Jaune notice something; while lacking in height, his frame showed hints of carrying an impressive amount of muscle, even while covered in loose shirt and pants.
"I am."
"If so…" Tai started, and took a solid step back. "Box!" He exclaimed, distancing himself from the combatants even more. His daughter just outside the ring, her lilac primarily focused on Jaune.
That old bastard, to think he would…hang in there, Blondey.
She pursed her lips tight, her eyes worrisome.
Okay…it's just a spar, nothing too bad, right?
Jaune wanted to believe, inching closer to his opponent while he did the same.
A slow start, eh?
Tai noted, though wasn't really surprised by it.
Let's see how they'll test the waters…rather, how Arc will.
His eyes, much like his daughters, were too primarily focused on Jaune.
Okay, he should be within my range now.
Jaune was certain, his foe waving his head from left to right, gloves firmly pressed to his chin.
A peak-a-boo, huh?
Jaune figured, though couldn't really remember if he'd ever seen one this up close.
Well, I didn't really want to be the first one to attack, but I guess I'll-
Before he could finish the thought, Ippo ducked closer to mat and dashed forward.
Uppercut.
Instinctively, Jaune used one and managed to not only surprise him, but cut his dash short. It did land on a solid guard despite being quick, but it gave Jaune some space to breath and prepare something else.
Ippo's head snapped sideways, the left hook catching him flush. The following right straight forcing him to retreat, simultaneously earning some snippets of confidence for Jaune.
"Hey, you alright?" Still, he showed compassion and care for his opponent, concerned if he was all right.
"Y-yea. That was a good hook." Ippo admitted and started to wave his body again.
"That was a good one, Jaune! Keep it up!" She exclaimed, her expression more hopeful.
He gave her a brief look, his minuscule grin convincing.
"Yea, well, I did promise to try and not disappoint you, right?"
"Exactly." She clenched her fists. "Eyes up front! Fights only began!"
"I know, I know." He mumbled to himself, drew a good breath and instead of covering inches, took a solid step.
Well…here goes nothing!
He closed in the distance willingly, bravely, his eyes squinted and blue different unlike before.
For her-
Like a hail of bullets, his jab was fast and powerful.
He wanted to show his best.
Every punch he made thudded distinctly against his opponents guard, and the ones he missed clearly slashed air apart.
His left is quite something.
Tai was rather impressed, observing the spar with utmost interest.
And it isn't his jab alone. His left in and on itself is an impressive tool.
He noted as Jaune threw hooks and uppercuts like a seasoned pro. Even combining them all together at times to create a sight similar to that of a bird soaring through sky. Mesmerizing to observe from a distance, but difficult to handle to whomever was up close as Ippo seemed rather helpless in face of Jaune's offense.
'Ting!'
A bell rang, signaling the first round was over.
"Good job, you two. Now go back to your corners and take a minute of rest before the second round begins."
"Okay." They both nodded and retreated for now.
"Solid round, Blondey. You looked awesome in there." She wasn't shy to praise him as she entered the ring.
"Heh, sounds like someone's impressed," He said half-jokingly, though knew deeper within he enjoyed it so much.
"Of course I am." She wiped clean some of the sweat from his face. "Be careful not to tire yourself out though. And don't rely so much on your left. I can see it's crazy good and all, but switch up with some right hooks and uppercuts." She advised him, her hand resting against his face.
"No worries at all. It's just two more rounds, right? I can take them, for sure." He smirked at her, a glint in his blue genuine and not some fake bravado.
"Jaune…" She uttered his name, worry fading and being replaced with a proud grin. "I don't know where exactly you're drawing your confidence from, but I like it."
'Ting!'
"There's the bell," Jaune said as he rose to his feet.
She slapped him across the back.
"Don't settle just yet, you hear me? I know you can do even better than that."
He gave her a trusting look, his blue speaking of more than she knew.
"Keep those eyes open, Yang, I'll show you some really cool stuff." His voice clear and determined, he felt absolutely pumped and jabbed at her chest.
"…"
"A-anyways, I'm going now-ow!" He gasped as she spanked him across the butt.
"I'm watching, alright." She giggled as she slipped through the ropes, completely unfazed by his clumsiness.
So show me some really cool stuff you're capable of.
She believed with her heart, watching attentively how the spar would go on.
"…"
The second round was going smoothly as well for the blonde. He kept assaulting his opponent with his left hand, not giving him any room to breathe. Ippo continued to duck and slip or take punches right on the guard. He attacked little, and even when did, his gloves landed on nothing but air as Jaune gracefully moved away. His footwork quite literally beautiful, resembling an aggressive dance.
"Ten seconds left!" Tai announced loudly.
As he did, Jaune stepped on his gas even more and attacked with relentlessness of a hasty predator.
8…
7…
His left hook was dodged swiftly, but he moved away from the uppercut just as well.
6…
5…
He felt his left shoulder scream in pain and exhaustion, but clenching his jaw shut, he pushed through it.
4…
He fired two solid jabs in succession, paused, winced from the pain but thought of her and fired another one, slightly slower.
…3.
His opponent disappeared from the sight, as if his existence itself was erased completely.
Inside!
Jaune finally caught a glimpse of him, but a moment too late to guard or evade. Therefore, he clenched his jaw shut and steeled for the impact.
2
His body folded in two. The impact was so powerful his feet lost touch with the mat, and he quite literally was hurled into a corner.
1
The next attack came immediately thereafter, he didn't even get a chance to think and regroup.
'Ting!'
The bell rang at the same time as the canvas were painted with blood.
"He…he managed a counter?" Tai couldn't believe it, though knew his eyes did not betray him, as much as he thought otherwise. As much as it should have been otherwise.
Instead, not only he managed a counter resulting in dual exchange. Not only he managed a living punch-no-a living punch strong enough to make Ippo's legs buckle-no-buckle and force him to stumble backwards, he also managed to stay upright after taking a full swing to his face.
"I-I told you, right?" He tried a sentence, his words muffled by a stream of blood from his broken nose.
"K-keep those eyes open…" His blue found her stunned lilac. He smiled a bloody smile. "Cause I'll s-show you some r-really cool stuff." He finished, succumbing down to the mat.
She ran in the ring and embraced him. As gently and lovingly as she possibly could.