The next morning, Tang San was unusually quiet during their morning exercises. His stances were a little slower, his focus slipping now and then.
Ayan noticed immediately.
"You're thinking about it, aren't you?" he asked with a sly grin, breaking his own stance.
Tang San frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"Oh, come on," Ayan chuckled. "The dance, the music, those girls… You've got the look of someone replaying it in his head."
Tang San's face reddened slightly, but he kept stretching. "It was… different. I've never seen something like that before."
"Exactly!" Ayan said, puffing his chest proudly. "That's why I had to show you. Martial arts is important, but there are other things worth learning in life."
Tang San gave him a suspicious glance. "Like… dancing?"
Ayan smirked. "Not exactly. More like understanding people. A true master knows how to read emotions, movements… and beauty. If you can notice the way someone's body moves, you can predict their next step — in a fight or otherwise."
Tang San blinked. "You're saying that was… training?"
"Of course!" Ayan laughed. "Think of it as… movement observation practice."
They went back to training, but Tang San caught himself glancing at the rhythm of the leaves swaying in the wind, the way Ayan shifted his weight when swinging his staff. For the first time, he was paying attention not just to actions, but to flow and grace.
Ayan, watching him, grinned inwardly.
Good… He's starting to get it.