Since then, Asia herself did not notice how she began to look for her even more eagerly in the crowd when they performed. And a strange sadness languished in her chest when she realized that this girl had not come. In her free time, Asia even walked through the park on purpose a couple of times on a fine day, so that she might accidentally run into her, but her efforts were not crowned with success. But she met a guy from their group, with whom she studied at the club, and they sat down in a cafe and chatted there until the evening, teasing each other. However, the magnetic voice from that bus did not let Asia go. She began to listen even more often to the voices around her, but nothing touched her heart so much.

So, Asia once again found herself looking out from behind the tent, looking for that girl with her eyes among the gathering people. She stamped her foot, angry with herself: why was she so worried? Why is she waiting for her? And why does the simple desire to thank her make her so worried? She just needs to come over after the performance and say thank you! Nothing complicated! Of course, it won't work to jump out to the benches right away, you'll have to change your clothes and at least wipe your sweat, but the girl certainly wanted to express her gratitude personally.

- Yes, this is exactly gratitude, nothing more, - Asia said to herself, resolutely clenching her fists, - be brave!

A strange excitement enveloped her heart whenever she thought about that girl. And today she planned to be decisive! Only in the end, everything did not go according to plan.

Murakami was surprised. This time the Kitty and her partner were fighting seriously. Although they both enjoyed it, Murakami internally felt worried that the Kitty might get hurt. However, it was her choice, and Murakami was nobody to her, so she just had to shut her strange anxiety away and just watch the fight. They both fought masterfully. Murakami saw it. And, to be honest, she didn't even think to help. Or rather, she did not think that their views with this nimble cute Kitty would cross at all. And only then did she realize that she had said almost aloud what was noticeable to an experienced viewer. Kitty won, and she was so happy! And Murakami had no choice but to also feel the pleasure of this beautiful girl's victory. However, it may be just a fantasy that she "heard" her through such a distance. In the end, it is clear that the Kitty has been practicing karate for years — maybe she understood her partner's jamb herself, and their glances crossed purely by chance.

It was strange for Murakami to realize his desires. Why did she really want to be in this girl's field of vision? She wasn't a particularly sociable person. Introvert by nature, and very lazy. Her favorite activities are lying on the couch, reading books, watching TV series and movies — well, there are no intersections with such an active and lively karate kitty. Murakami once saw that she easily flicked a losing friend's nose, whose sadness immediately changed to indignation. Murakami, of course, did not hear their conversation, but she could hear the echoes of her pleasant laughter and the cheerful voices of the other guys. Kitty loves to make fun, and she is also very sociable and friendly. Murakami liked to get to know her, albeit in such a dubious way. It is unlikely that they will be able to make friends, given Murakami's character. And anyway, it's not a fact that the Kitty will single out someone from the crowd, because she needs to keep an eye on the fight, even if it's demonstrative.

Well, most likely such a girl already has someone to communicate with outside the club. Murakami accidentally saw her not so long ago, when was walking in the park in the evening. Kitty was sitting on the veranda at a table with a good-looking guy, chatting and laughing. Murakami stared at her delicate olive skin with a slightly yellowish tinge. She was wearing a black striped top and blue shorts. Her body was sturdy, but at the same time rounded, and very attractive. Murakami had only seen her in a white kimono for performances, so she was very surprised. Although she immediately recognized her by her size and ringing laughter. Flexible, graceful, petite. And her invariable hairstyle: thick, shiny black hair just below the shoulder blades, gathered in a ponytail. However, the entire viewing of Murakami took only a few seconds: she did not want to strain the person and attract attention to herself, especially since it looked like the girl was on a date.

And today Murakami was thinking that it would be better not to go to the performances. They were released early from college, and she was too lazy to wait for the start. However, she was lured into her arms by a bookstore with novelties, and before she knew it, an hour and a half had passed and the performance had already begun. Murakami bit her lip in thought. Well, she's outside anyway, and it's not far to walk — you can stand for a couple of minutes and watch.

As Murakami thought, the performance had already begun, only the Kitty was not focused: she constantly looked into the crowd at every opportunity, as if looking for someone. Murakami also looked at the people with interest, sitting down in an empty seat: maybe she had lost that guy? And just as Murakami turned her head back to the stage, she suddenly met her gaze.

- Ah! - Kitty exclaimed, and suddenly missed a beat. It seems that her partner did not expect that the girl would not dodge, and hit her with all his might. The people gasped. Murakami almost jumped off the bench herself, flustered, but quickly came to her senses: after all, these people are not engaged in embroidery. Such things are in the order of things, if you take up this kind of sport. She knows: she's been punched in the jaw by her cousin many times. However, anxiety squeezed her heart — is everything all right with the Kitty? Had her teeth been knocked out? She didn't get a concussion, did she? Murakami really wanted to go there and calm her anxiety, but they didn't even know each other. Isn't it strange that a stranger would come up and ask about the well-being of one of the speakers?

Asia was sitting in the tent and wiping her bloody nose with a cold wet towel. It didn't bother her much, though. Her ears and neck were burning with shame. All red, she couldn't believe that such a thing had happened in front of that girl! How embarrassing! Why is she so unlucky?! Asia had already lost hope that she would come, she kept looking for her in the crowd, and when she saw her, she missed the punch! Like an idiot!

- What a shame! - she wailed, burying her face in a wet towel.

She hated looking weak. I hated losing. Especially in front of the people who attracted her! How embarrassing! It was awful.

- What are you howling at? – Derek was surprised when he entered the tent, - you'd think you'd never been hit in the face!

- Well, yes, - Asia gasped, turning more to herself, - and how do I approach with a bloody nose?..

Derek clapped his hands.

- By the way! Ceville came right there! He was looking for you, - he waved at someone. And there was that guy whom Asia had recently bumped into in the park, and with whom she had spent the whole evening in a cafe, hoping to meet that girl. Asia sighed.

- Yeah, hi, what do you want?

The guy blushed.

- I know, now may not be the best time, but maybe we can go for a walk tomorrow? And you can relax…

Derek smiled maliciously and, casting a sly glance at the guy and the girl, pointedly left. Asia was not inspired by this proposal. Is that the only reason he showed up? Ceville took a clean towel and handed it to Asia.

- Let me help you?

- Oh, yeah…

He gently touched her face with a towel, and Asia thought how great it would be if that girl were in his place. How she would look at Asia kindly and with sincere concern, and how she would gently touch her face with her gentle hands.

- Ah…

The guy smiled.

- You look like you've got something nice in mind.

- Yeah, - the girl muttered, closing her eyes, - very pleasant…

A blush appeared on Ceville 's cheeks.

- So, let's go tomorrow?

- Uh-yeah... - Asia muttered, not really listening and still remembering that girl. Excitement did not let go of her, and her current failure, although frustrating, did not diminish her determination. She really wants to meet her! She must be very interesting! And they even have the first topic of conversation — martial arts! What does she like? Does she have a hobby? Where does she study? Asia wanted to know everything. The girl was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even realize how she missed the moment when she found herself on a date with this Ceville. And when did she manage to give her consent? Although, on reflection, she decided that she needed to clear her head. Isn't it strange to think about a girl all the time? And is it strange when her heart is pounding so furiously just thinking about her?

Half listening to Ceville, Asia reflected that she had never been able to find the owner of that charming voice that had driven her crazy. It already seemed that maybe she just imagined it? Maybe she made it up to herself, because then she was sitting in her thoughts, and she blamed herself for her inferiority. Is that why the stranger's voice seemed so beautiful to her? She came to her senses only when she suddenly felt Ceville 's hand on her hip.

- Asia... - this guy suddenly muttered hoarsely, for some reason approaching her face and stroking her thigh. To say that Asia was stunned is to say nothing. And her body, trained since childhood, gave out the most natural reaction for her — she hit him. The guy almost flew to the other end of the hall of the small cafe in which they were sitting.

- Ah! Sorry! - Asia exclaimed, but then she burst into righteous anger, - what are you doing?!

However, no one answered her. She knocked him out by accident. That was the end of the date.

Murakami was haunted by that girl, that flexible Kitty. No matter what she was doing, her thoughts kept returning to her. She remembered how the Kitty missed the blow, and how unpleasant and painful it must have been for her. Especially to hit such a beautiful face! However, Murakami immediately recalled how her partners, both girls and boys, surrounded her with concern and care. And how she smiled, feeling the support of her friends. What's Murakami doing here? However, the cohesion of their club pleased her. Maybe she should go there too. Then the opportunity to cross paths with a Kitty in life, without arousing any suspicions, will become quite possible. Isn't she studying there? Maybe even Murakami can work out with her too? She really wanted to feel that burning gaze of her eyes on her. And that she didn't hold back, and knocked her right on the mats. Murakami took a deep breath and waved her hand near her head. What are these strange thoughts? It would be great just to get to know her, nothing special. Murakami had never really considered girls before, and had never really thought about her orientation, but seeing how her cousin just went crazy for a girl, without previously showing such signs, she thought about herself. She looked at guys, other girls, listened to herself, but none of the people she met caused such a thrill in her heart as Kitty. If she liked girls, shouldn't she be sexually attracted to all of them? However, this did not happen. It seemed strange and even somewhat funny. And Murakami, driven by her strange feelings, came to the club anyway.