Author's Notes: In this universe, I've named the Library Girl Keavy. :)

I've also reimagined the NPC "Conceited SeeD" (who appears to like the Library Girl) as a "Conceited Girl" (who appears to like Zell).

Vignette 10: Love At The Dojo

Zell flawlessly breaks the wooden board with his hand.

Keavy applauds in earnest from the sidelines. She's not taking any classes today but is here to help her mom and dad tidy up the building after closing.

Conceited Girl's cheers drown out Keavy's applause.

Keavy inwardly sighs.

It took her forever to muster up the nerve to make eye contact with Zell, talk to him at the library, and invite him to her family's dojo.

Now that Zell is here and has just breezed through his third complimentary lesson, he is on his way to becoming the most sought-after crush on this side of the city.

Zell and his classmates bow respectfully to Fujin Sensei, who dismisses the students in her usual curt manner.

Keavy reaches a careful hand into her backpack. She has prepared a special gift for Zell. Valentine's Day is next week, but she doesn't know when they'll see each other again, so she has decided to give her gift to him early.

"Hi, Zell!" purrs the voice of Conceited Girl. "I have something to give you!"

Keavy looks up in surprise.

Zell is excited. "Really? What for?"

Conceited Girl flips her hair and gives him a flirtatious smile. "Valentine's Day, of course!"

Keavy can't believe the coincidence.

Zell's cheeks redden. "Oh! Wow. You didn't have to get somethin' for me…"

"Actually, I made them myself." Conceited Girl hands him a cute little basket. "Hope you enjoy my baked goods!"

"Thanks a bunch!"

Keavy quickly turns her head away and pretends that she is still searching for the gift in her backpack.

Hers is definitely not as impressive as Conceited Girl's. Perhaps she should just return the item to the bookstore while she still has the chance.

Zell sidles up next to her.

"Yo, Keavy!" He flashes her a grin as he lifts up the basket of baked goods. "Snack break with your favorite martial artist?"

Her lips turn upward in a helpless smile. "I'd like that very much."

Boy and girl sit contentedly on the front stoop of the dojo, their faces aglow in the neon-washed twilight of Deling City.

The baked goods are turtle-shaped buns. Each one is dyed in a different hue of green or brown.

Keavy tries a dark brown bun. "Ooh," she says after a bite. "Chocolate-flavored."

Zell devours a green one. "Melon," he reports. "Honestly, it's not my favorite flavor, but I'm really hungry so this'll have to do."

He stuffs a second bun into his mouth.

And another bun.

Yet another…

He stops chewing, goes bug-eyed, and clutches his throat.

"Zell!" exclaims Keavy. "Zell, are you okay!?"

He seems to be choking on the bread and having a panic attack at the same time!

Keavy rustles through her backpack and uncaps a new water bottle.

She pushes the bottle into his hands. "Drink this!"

Zell gulps down the water as best as he can with his chipmunk cheeks.

She gently thumps his back as he coughs and splutters.

When he has finally swallowed the numerous buns lodged in his mouth and throat, he offers a sheepish smile.

Keavy lets out a giggle. "Feeling better now?"

"Loads better," affirms Zell. "Thanks for savin' me!"

"Oh, it was nothing…"

It's a petty thought, probably a mean thought, but Keavy finds a bit of satisfaction in the fact that Zell didn't enjoy Conceited Girl's melon-flavored buns and that he ended up choking on them.

"I'll try to come back for more lessons in a couple of months," he says suddenly. "Gotta save up my allowance and stuff…"

"No worries," she says to ease any awkwardness he may be feeling. Many of the dojo's students can't afford to pay for lessons consistently, so this isn't her first time dealing with this sensitive situation. "I look forward to seeing you again soon, Zell."

"Yeah," he says wistfully. "Me too."

"If I may be so bold…" She gathers up her courage and brings the Valentine's Day gift out of her backpack. "Each time…well even just sometimes when you read this book…please think of me. Even if it's just a little. That would be enough…to fill my heart!"

Keavy presents a magazine to Zell.

"COMBAT KING 003!?" he shouts in happiness. "KEAVY, YOU ROCK!"

Zell hugs her in a blitz of emotions.

Keavy returns his hug with the pinkest blush.