“Oh, and I suppose you were just poured into your uniform, Sempai.”
Tyler shook his head. “No, I thought I was going to be the next Chuck Norris defending the innocent and powerless with my amazing karate moves.”
Sarah started pulling out books in the dojo’s library.
“I’d better get changed before she starts cleaning the windows,” Randy pointed over at Sarah. She seemed to be trying not to look like she was impatiently waiting for him as she rearranged the books for the third time.
“Subtle.”
“It’s one way to look like she isn’t two steps away from dragging me off the floor regardless of rank.”
No matter how much Randy joked about Sarah, he still looked like he was staring at the moon whenever he watched her. Their honeymoon stage didn’t end even after the first year of marriage. It was something Tyler envied. “Doesn’t Jenny practice passive aggressive cleaning?”
“Jenny doesn’t clean—passively or aggressively.”
Randy just shook his head. He was a good enough friend not to ever say too much about Tyler’s girlfriends. Considering none of them had stuck around for more than a year, Tyler didn’t hold it against him.
“See you on Wednesday.” Randy bowed. “Sayonara, Sempai.”
“Sayonara.”
Soon the dojo emptied as the remaining students changed and headed for home. Jaime continued to practice, seemingly oblivious to the departing students. It wasn’t long before they were the last ones left.
“Jaime, get your gear,” Tyler said as Randy and Sarah left the dojo.
“Excuse me, Sempai?” Jaime’s wide eyes were partially hidden behind his long bangs.
“We’re going to spar.”
“Hai, Sempai.” Jaime stumbled over the words.
“Don’t worry.” Tyler smiled, trying to be reassuring. “I’ll go easy on you.”
“Hai, Sempai.” Jaime didn’t seem convinced, but he got his gear on nonetheless.
* * * *
Jaime hadn’t sparred much since he’d joined the dojo. It used to be his favorite part of class, but he was so out of practice he wasn’t sure jumping right in was a good idea. Besides, Sempai Tyler was a real ball-buster. Nothing was ever good enough for him. No technique sharp enough. No kiai loud enough. No punch hard enough. Jaime could always feel the man’s disapproving gaze on him whenever they worked together. The only consolation was Sempai Tyler held himself to the same high standard. The guy was good, and that only came with years of dedication.
“I haven’t sparred in a long time,” Jaime explained as he pulled on his sparring gloves and warily advanced toward Sempai Tyler, who waited for him at the center of the dojo.
For the first time, Jaime realized how empty the room was. He and Sempai Tyler were the last ones left. An uneasiness fluttered in the pit of Jaime’s stomach. It was always dangerous to be alone with someone he barely knew. Usually Jaime controlled those situations. Now he would have to see how Sempai Tyler behaved when no one was looking.
“We’d better get started then.” Sempai Tyler offered his hand. His grip wrapped firmly around Jaime’s. Even if Sempai Tyler was intimidating, there was no trace of maliciousness about him, unlike with Steve or the other testosterone junkies.
When they squared off in fighting stances, Jaime wasn’t sure what to expect. His body hummed with so much nervous energy he leaped halfway across the room to avoid the first obvious back-fist Sempai Tyler threw. Jaime stayed glued in place and waited for Sempai Tyler to take advantage of the situation. Instead, Sempai Tyler just frowned and signaled for Jaime to return to the center of the room. Jaime’s eyes never left Sempai Tyler.
The next time Sempai Tyler attacked, he matched Jaime’s retreat until Jaime slammed into the wall between the weapons racks. Jaime raised his arms to shield his head and tucked his elbows to cover his ribs. Even if he hadn’t sparred in a long time, it didn’t mean he hadn’t found himself on the wrong end of some homophobe’s fists or boots. The best thing to do was to protect and wait them out. Hitting back only made things worse.
“You can only run for so long.” Sempai Tyler tapped on the wall beside Jaime’s head. “Eventually, you are going to have to stand and fight.”
An angry heat suffused Jaime’s cheeks. Sparring in the dojo was one thing. Getting the crap beaten out of you in a back alley was another matter altogether. Jaime had to fight all his life just to be who he was.
“Hai, Sempai.” Jaime forced the words out.
Sempai Tyler gave him a quizzical look as he backed off to the center of the room and waited for Jaime to follow.
“Have you ever gotten into a real fight?” Sempai Tyler asked.
“I’ve had to defend myself, if that’s what you are asking.” Jaime’s voice strained against the memories of black eyes and bruised ribs. Sempai Tyler looked surprised, but Jaime wasn’t going to sugarcoat the reality of his life.
“Then do it now.” Sempai Tyler was determined to antagonize him. Jaime couldn’t figure out how he’d ended up on his shit list. “When you don’t give it your all, you cheat yourself and the person working with you.”
The comment struck Jaime as hard as any punch. This wasn’t a fight for Sempai Tyler. It was a sparring match. There was nothing personal about it, the guy just wanted to practice. Jaime still couldn’t detect any animosity in Sempai Tyler. The man had had more than one opportunity to press his advantage over Jaime and inflict pain, but he hadn’t. It had been a long time since anyone had treated him like just a man and not a gay man.
“You aren’t afraid that I’m going to hit on you or touch you inappropriately?” Jaime wasn’t sure whether to trust his instincts or the friendly vibe Sempai Tyler gave off.
At first, Sempai Tyler didn’t respond. How he answered would show his true colors.
“Are you planning to?” Sempai Tyler asked. Then he smiled.
Jaime couldn’t hold back a chuckle from bubbling
