9 Chapter 9

When Tyler became a black belt, Sensei Melissa took him aside and explained that helping others was as much his duty as his own training. Over the years, students came and went. As long as they walked out of the dojo having learned something about themselves, he felt he had lived up to Sensei Melissa’s words.

“Line up.” Sensei Melissa’s voice called everyone to attention.

* * * *

By the end of class, Jaime was tired and happy to bow out. Sensei Melissa was feeling particularly energetic and ran them through a double set of basics. Jaime was among the many kyu-ranked students shuffling out of line like zombies, stiff-legged and groaning from the effort. When the floor was almost empty, he took advantage of the space to practice his kata. It wasn’t until he finished that he noticed Sempai Tyler was the only other person still on the dojo floor in uniform.

“Sayonara, Sempai.” Steve and Ed said in unison as they bowed at the door.