Vignette 4: An Aspiring Martial Artist
Breath.
Breath is essential for the flow of oxygen and the alertness of the mind.
Mind.
The mind never knows when a threatening situation may arise, so it is essential to always exercise self-discipline.
Self-discipline.
Self-discipline leads to self-control, and self-control promotes perseverance, and perseverance opens the path to inner strength and calmness.
JAB! CROSS! HOOK!
"Stop that…" Seifer says without looking up from his book. "It's annoying."
Zell continues to perfect his shadowboxing with silent determination.
His punch hand is closed. His guard hand remains open. This way, he conserves energy. He won't get tired as quickly.
His feet are pointed in the same direction as his punches.
For maximum punching power, he needs to shift his weight from the rear leg to the lead leg.
JAB! CROSS! HOOK!
"I have no idea what I'm looking for," admits Seifer as he closes the book. "I need a better strategy than this! Whatcha got for me, Zelly?"
Zell pauses mid-uppercut. "When I'm stumped, I just ask the librarians for help."
"Good thinking," agrees Seifer. "Go and do that for me, will ya?"
"I don't know what Quisty likes to read! Plus, isn't the list of books supposed to be from you?"
"If you get the process started for me," wheedles Seifer, "I'll buy you a Wagyu steak dog for dinner."
Zell looks at him with some incredulity. Seifer sure is nice to him these days.
"Really…?"
"Cross my heart and hope to die."
"Can I have it now?" asks Zell excitedly.
Seifer looks mildly offended by the question. "Dude, the restaurant's all the way in downtown!"
Zell points to the front of the library where patrons have dropped off their T-boards, skateboards, and longboards. "Dude, you have reliable transportation!"
"Dude, I literally got my T-board yesterday! I'm still learnin' how to ride it."
"Dude, why you bein' so selfish!? Scrooooge!"
A stern-looking librarian with spectacles pokes her head into the aisle. "SHHHHH!"
Seifer lowers his voice to a whisper. "Alright, fine. You'd better come up with at least thirty books by the time I come back."
"Tch! I'll have DOUBLE that number for you."
Seifer leaves to buy the world's most expensive hot dog while Zell searches for a librarian (not the one who shushed them earlier).
His heart does a little somersault when he spots the Library Girl with a Pigtail in the study area.
She's here just once a week, every Wednesday afternoon for a couple of hours. He doesn't know what her name is, or what school she attends—he just knows that she's studious and intellectual, as she is always reading something (much like Quisty), and he once eavesdropped on her conversation with the librarians concerning the advantages of the Dewey Decimal System.
To his shock, Library Girl suddenly looks up from her book, notices him, smiles, and—and waves (!).
Zell glances behind him, certain that the recipient of the wave will be some other, better-looking guy.
Nobody's there.
He turns around to find her still smiling at him with that cute, freckled face.
He points to himself and mouths, Me?
She nods shyly.
In a daze, he walks over, takes a seat across from her, clears his throat, and stammers out, "H-hi."
"Hi." Library Girl's voice is even more soft-spoken than he remembers. "How are you?"
Zell is so nervous that he begins to fidget in his seat. If she's asking him how he's doing, does that mean she's noticed him hanging around the library all the time!? "I'm good. How 'bout you?"
"I'm great, thanks." Her eyes sparkle with new passion. "I saw you practicing earlier! Your stance was perfect: staggered, shoulder-width apart, weight on the balls of the feet."
Zell's anxiety disappears in the warmth of her compliments. "Heh, thanks! I'm an aspiring martial artist," he states with pride.
Her smile grows big. "Me, too."
"WHAT!? That is so freakin' cool! I've never known a female martial artist before. I mean, not in real life."
Library Girl blushes at his enthusiastic response. "Thank you. Which dojo do you belong to?"
"Ah, well…I don't have one." Zell shrugs. "I just practice on my own."
"Oh, wow! That makes you a real natural…" she says in awe. "If it interests you, would you consider stopping by my family's dojo sometime?"
Martial arts lessons require money. Matron gives them all a weekly allowance, though certainly not enough for every kid to fund their own extracurricular activity.
(…Come to think of it, how does Seifer always seem to have so much cash on him?)
Library Girl senses Zell's hesitation and adds, "We have an introductory program where you can try three lessons at no charge. If you don't enjoy your experience, there's no pressure to commit."
Should he take up the offer?
But what will he say to her after the complimentary lessons are over?
If he starts saving up money now, maybe he could just attend classes every now and then, and tell her that he's busy the other times?
He sighs, but it's more out of happiness than anything else.
"I'd LOVE that," says Zell honestly, his grin so wide that he feels goofy. "Sign me up, yo!"
Library Girl giggles into her hand.
It's a good sign, making a girl laugh!
Zell suddenly remembers his mission.
"Hey, have you read any good books lately…?"