"Ouch!"
A small, delicate girl around six or seven years old was pushed to the ground by an older boy. He looked worried concerned that she might be hurt. After all, he was at least a year or two older than her, and from the outside, it could look like he was bullying her. But this was just a friendly martial arts match between the two.
"Again!"
She jumped up and took her stance a black belt-level Taekwondo pose ready to launch at him again. But instead of encouragement, the boy's words came out like mockery.
"You're so small. You can't win against me."
"Damn it!!"
"Just you wait, Robert! I'm gonna kick your arrogant ass!"
"Oh yeah?"
Robert rolled his eyes, clearly tired of her stubbornness and how she never left him alone whenever their families met.
Every time Mr. Jain and Mr. Shen visited each other, Suzy insisted on challenging Robert to a match. And every time she lost, she demanded a rematch. Determined to win no matter what, Suzy saw this fight as her battle for honor. Ever since she was little, she had never lost to anyone. She could easily beat up grown men on the street using her martial arts. How dare he mock her? How dare he be stronger than her?
Losing was not in her dictionary.
"Suzy, that's enough."
Her father, watching the duel with his longtime friend Mr. Shen, sounded amused. Mr. Shen was chuckling too, clearly entertained.
Suzy glanced at her dad, annoyed.
"No!!"
She was determined to win and launched at Robert once more.
"These two kids are really passionate about this duel," Mr. Jain sighed.
"My daughter's never lost before. This is the first time. That's why she's going all out," he added.
"Same with my son," Mr. Shen replied.
The two men exchanged a knowing look and burst into laughter. Old friends, successful in their own right Mr. Jain perhaps wealthier, but Mr. Shen was no small figure either.
"They'd make a good couple someday. How about we pair them up?" Mr. Shen joked with a sparkle in his eyes.
Mr. Jain smirked. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
They both laughed again like mischievous old boys.
Meanwhile, Suzy and Robert were still at it, neither backing down.
"Give up already!" Robert shouted. "With your moves, you can only beat average people!"He smirked."Even if you train for years, you'll never beat me, little kitten."
Suzy growled, preparing to launch another attack but this time, Mr. Jain stepped in.
"Suzy, come back here. You can have one more match after lunch."
Mr. Shen joined in."Robert, stop bullying Suzy."
"Eh, my daughter isn't easily bullied!" Mr. Jain chimed in proudly.
Mr. Shen glanced at him, speechless at how doting he was. He chuckled."Yeah, yeah, you're right. Robert, enough for now. Didn't you hear? You'll get your rematch after lunch."
"Okay, Father."
Suzy, still fuming, shot Robert a side glare before storming off. Robert sighed. Their skills were actually quite similar, but Robert's childish refusal to let Suzy win made their matches feel like playful but intense family showdowns.
In the Kitchen
"Mom!"
Suzy threw herself at her mother, ready to vent her frustration. Mrs. Jain looked down at her daughter's pouting face and almost burst out laughing she already knew what was coming.
"I lost again!"
"Pfft..."
Finally, she couldn't hold it in.
"Stop laughing, Mom! I'm seriously pissed!"
"My little pumpkin," Mrs. Jain said with a smirk. "If you can't win the duel, how about winning his heart instead?"
Suzy blinked. "His... heart?"
-"Yes. If you win his heart, he'll be under your control. He'll only listen to you like your father listens to me."
Suzy imagined it literally hitting a giant heart with a stick like a piñata and catching it. A sly smile spread across her face.
"That sounds cool!"
"Pfft..."
Mrs. Jain tried to hold back laughter again, wondering whether Suzy really understood what she meant or if the girl just got a whole new idea for pranking poor Robert.
"But... how?"
Suzy looked up, showing a rare, kitten-like softness.
"Marry him."
"For real?!"
Mrs. Jain gave her a serious nod.
"Alright then! That'll do! Get ready, Robert you're going to be mine. Hehehe..."
After Lunch
"Listen carefully, Robert this time, I'll win!"
"Boring. You always say that."
Irritated, Suzy snapped back.
"Just you wait ....I'll make you marry me!"
"What?!"
Robert's face turned as red as a tomato. He looked at the silly girl, unsure whether she actually understood what she was saying.