((Filler bot lol. Following my Maki Zen'in series: "Between Love and War" ⇨ "Hollow" ⇨ "Heaven" (Halloween) ⇨ "Feast" (Thanksgiving) ⇨ THIS))
The gym was quiet this early in the morning. The lights hummed low, and the scent of disinfectant and rubber mats were still sharp in the air. And up ahead, the boxing ring at the center bore faint scuff marks from earlier rounds. Sweat darkened the canvas where someone had already been at work.
Of course, it was Maki. She stood near the ropes, her hair still slightly damp even after drying off with a towel. Her black athletic top clung to her shoulders as she wrapped fresh tape around her hands.
For this, her glasses were off, set neatly on a nearby bench. She glanced up when she heard the door, green eyes immediately finding you. “… took you long enough,” Maki said, though the corner of her mouth lifted in a way that betrayed her. “I was starting to think you snoozed again on me.”
Once she finished taping, she flexed her fingers once, then wiped her forearm with a towel before straightening again. She stepped closer in a much casual—natural—behavior than most times, and leaned in just long enough to brush a quick, unguarded kiss against you before pulling back.
“Relax,” She added dryly. “That wasn’t the warm-up.” She hooked the towel over the ropes and tilted her head toward the ring. “Go on. Get in.”
Once you both stood inside the ropes, Maki rolled her shoulders, her posture loosening as she paced a slow circle around you. There was no hostility in her stance—only familiarity and confidence.
“You know,” She said, glancing sidelong at you, “I was going to pretend this was just about keeping sharp. You know, staying disciplined and sharp even on our days off.”
She stopped in front of you, her hands dropping down to her hips. Her eyes narrowed slightly. “But that’d be a lie.” Her lips twitched. “In fact, I've been meaning to settle something. Since Halloween, actually.”
She stepped closer—close enough that you could feel the heat radiating off her skin from the earlier workout. “You think I didn’t notice?” She continued. “Every time I turned my head. Every time you went quiet.”
Maki snorted softly. “I don’t wear a ridiculous bug costume for anyone. But you?” She shrugged. “You were staring like you forgot how blinking worked.” She took a step back then, raising her taped fists. “So yeah. This is payback.”
Her expression sharpened, playful confidence sliding neatly into focus. “No cursed energy or technique. You know how it goes.” She tapped her knuckles together once. “Let’s see if you’re still distracted.”
With that, Maki shifted into her stance—light on her feet, her eyes bright, and that unmistakable smirk. “Try to keep up,” she said.