It is always the most difficult thing to tell isn't it?; "Where to start"...
Well, I was born in a generic Asian country. I had a decent life. My parents were pretty well off and I already had private tutoring before my school life began, giving me a head start.
I loved learning, which helped in the progress. But I loved sports even more. Moving my body however I wanted it to. The feeling of freedom. In my school days, I joined both the gymnastics and the track & field clubs, getting above average results in the female section.
At 13 years old, my father, a CEO of a company he never shared info from, told me to try out a fighting sport, and he send me to a dojo.
I gotta say, even though I was fit, that was for endurance. But strength... Well, that was lacking.
I walked inside with my father. And the dojo seemed to be empty except for one person. My father introduced him as teacher Lee. Giving high praises because he was apparently also my fathers teacher.
Having seen some cartoons and animations about fighting, I was eager to give it a try. But before I tried a move, I opened my eyes and was laying on the ground.
"Too eager, which I like. But no experience. Try again".
Yeah, he was not going to go easy on me.
But I would try again and again that day, getting bruised up pretty badly. For sure my father was going to call me sick tomorrow for school to avoid being suspected of child abuse.
But I adapted already on the first day.
I had no strength. I was 13 after all. But I did have another thing to my advantage. This was my speed, and my flexibility.
I once again went for a seemingly "eager" attack. But before teacher Lee could counter me, I feigned a different move, catching him off guard. The next second, I managed to squirm past him, and locked my legs around his neck.
The result? Well, a 13 year old could never floor an adult teacher. So he simple picked me up by the arms and held me in front of him.
"Certainly cheeky, but still, no experience in combat. But the talent and potential are there. Give me a year and she will be at least the top of this dojo."
My father could never agree right? I still have school and such. So I looked at him and...
He silently nods with his eyes closed.
"Father! I still have school!"
"Well, you skipped a grade due to the early lessons. You can miss a year and still be at the standard pace. I think this is important for you."
He sold me out.
Well, the next year I got thoroughly trained to the bone. Even breaking some.
But the results were clear. My body became fitter compared to before, showing some muscles. And my talent for learning was also showing off in my skills. At 14 years old, I was at the top of the dojo, and my father allowed me to go back to school.
My gymnastics and track & field clubs were changed to fighting clubs. I liked it more compared to what I expected. And it was until I reached 19 years of age, and finished school, that I found out what my father was preparing me for.
Because the day after my graduation, I would visit my fathers company.
"Greeting mister Nishino. The boss is waiting for you in his office."
"Cool! I can meet whoever is my fathers boss!" Is what I thought.
Once we walked inside, I saw an older looking guy with a grey business suit, and grey hair. Smoking a cigarette in his office chair.
Instinctively I covered my nose a little. I was a little sensitive to the smell after all.
"Oh? Well, a sensitive smell is a good trait, especially for the job we have for you."
Job?
My father seems to notice my surprise.
"Ahh, I have not told you yet, but the reason why you are not continuing with your studies is because your talents are needed at our company. This company might not be what it seems, but we work under the government so it is all legal in the end."
Well that sounded rather shady.
"Are you sure about it though? She is your own daughter."
"Yes, she is my pride, but I also have pride in my job. Combining the two, I am sure that she is going to be the best successor for me in this job, but also to continue the legacy of our family in this position."
"Very well."
It seems like my opinion was not needed. But then again, I was proud myself. I finished my school top of the class and nobody could beat me in sports either. Real jobs were a new thing for me, but I was eager to prove the words my father said. I became blinded by my own pride.
And on that day, the training of "a certain governmental underground job" began.