Chapter 10:The Equilibrium of the Center

The 5 o’clock air at the ruins was no longer just cold,it was still. Rei sat in the center of the stone courtyard,his legs folded in a perfect meditation position.Across from him,Kenji was attempting the same,though he accidentally got distracted by the flying insects.

“Focus,Kenji,” Rei said,his eyes closed.”Martial arts isn’t just about moving fast.It's about the ‘Still Point’,the ability to keep your center of gravity perfectly balanced even when your mind is screaming to move.”

“My center of gravity… feels like it’s shifting… toward my cramped legs…. after climbing up thousands of steps.” Kenji whispered.

“That’s your mind fighting the friction of reality,” Rei replied calmly.”Breathe.Let the surroundings and your body move in one rhythm.Zen meditation is just mental physics,you’re clearing the noise to find the anomaly.”

After an hour of silence,Rei stood up and moved into a series of Hand and Leg Block/Attack Combination Pattern.His movements were slow,deliberate,and terrifyingly precise.He finished with a high Yeop Chagi or Side Piercing Kick,his kick rippled through the air,it launched the leaves on the ground with swiftness and his foot stopping a leaf falling to the ground.

“Endurance isn’t about how long you can run,Kenji.Its about how long you can maintain your posture under pressure,” Rei said ,wiping a thin layer of sweat from his eyebrow.”Now ,let's move on to strength training.”

Rei took out a resistance band from his gym bag,”Now tie these ropes to your legs,and we’ll be practicing basic kicks.”

Kenji took them and tied them to his legs.He tried lifting his legs but the resistance from the resistance band only let Kenji to lift his feet off the ground by 1 centimeter.

“Why do these bands have so much resistance?!” Kenji questioned which Rei answered,”To let your body strength adapt to the resistance band and increase your strength and stamina,which are essential for the next training.”

After an exhausted Kenji finished his kicking quota from Rei,”Go home.Rest.You’ve earned your ‘peace’ for today.”

Later that morning, the town center was buzzing with pre-festival energy. Rei waited by the clock tower, feeling unusually exposed without his school blazer. He wore a simple dark shirt.

"Rei!" Hiyori’s voice broke through the crowd. She was wearing a light sweater and carrying her camera bag,she was standing right in front of him. "You’re early. Did Kenji survive the morning?”

“He survived… on the ride back home to which he looked like he'd been through a warzone.” Rei said,a smile appearing. “Where to first?”

He saw Hiyori laughing,”He’s hardworking,isn’t he? Next time,give him lightly.” Hiyori said.

They spent hours wandering the landmarks of Inuyama. They visited the castle overlooks and a small traditional restaurant where the smell of grilled dashi filled the air. For the first time, Rei wasn't scanning the room for exits; he was looking at the way Hiyori's eyes lit up when she found the perfect "frame."

While at a small street-side stall, Rei stepped away for a moment. "Wait here, I'm going to grab those peach skewers you liked.”

Hiyori leaned against a stone railing,checking her camera settings.Suddenly,two older boys,presumably college students from the city,crowded into her space.

“Hey,you’re a cute little photographer,” one of the boys sneered,leaning over her.”Why don’t you show us your pictures? Or better yet,come take some of us at the bar down the street.”

“I’m..I’m waiting for someone,” Hiyori said, her voice small as she pulled her camera bag closer.

“He’s probably some nobody,” the other laughed,reaching for her camera strap.”Give us a look,come on–”

A sudden shadow fell over them,a very tall cold shadow.

“She said she’s waiting for someone,” Rei’s voice was lowly threatening .

The older boy turned,ready to shout,but he saw Rei's lean athletic build and the dead stare that had flattened gangs and delinquents in Tokyo.Still,the boy tried to act tough,lunging forward to shove Rei’s chest.

Rei didn’t punch nor kick.He stepped into the boy’s lead side,catching the shoving hand and performing a Wrist Redirection Technique used in various martial arts but known technique in the martial art “Hapkido”.Using the boy’s own forward momentum and mass,Rei pivoted.

The boy felt his own weight betrayed him. He didn't understand how, but suddenly he was face-down on the pavement, his arm pinned in a way that didn't break bone but made it impossible to move.

Rei whispered into the boy's ear. "I'd suggest you don't test it with your fist again. Move.”

He let go.The two boys scrambled away without looking back. Rei turned to Hiyori,his expression instantly softening.”You okay?”

“You used… ‘gently’?” she asked,her eyes wide but filled with relief.

“I used his own weight and mass against itself.” Rei corrected, handing her the peach skewer.”He provided the energy. I simply redirect it to the sender.”

“I see,looks like you remembered your promise,” Hiyori let out a sigh of relief.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, they walked up to a secluded shrine overlooking the river. The sky was a deep violet, turning to a star-speckled black. Hiyori meticulously set up her tripod, her fingers moving with the same focus Rei had during training.

"The exposure needs to be long," she murmured. "To capture the light of the stars, the shutter has to stay open, taking in everything without moving."

She clicked the remote, then stood back. They stood in the silence of the shrine, the town's lights twinkling below them like a fallen constellation.

"Rei," Hiyori said softly, looking at the sky. "Do you think things can actually stay like this? No friction... just this?"

Rei looked at her, then at the camera capturing the light. "In physics, a perfect vacuum with zero friction is a theoretical ideal. It doesn't exist in nature." He paused, reaching out to touch the railing near her hand. "But for tonight... I think we've reached an equilibrium. It’s enough."

Hiyori leaned her head against his shoulder. "It’s more than enough."

They walked home under the moonlight, the quiet streets of Inuyama feeling like a quiet and peaceful town.When they reached her gate,they didn’t need words.A simple nod,a lingering glance,and the “Still Point” was achieved.

Rei walked back to the Sato household,his mind at peace.But as he looked at the school in the distance,he knew his life was just getting better.

Author's note:

✍️ Fun Fact:

Rei’s "Wrist Redirection" on the older college student is a major character milestone. In earlier chapters, he was like a Wall—if you hit him, he hit you back harder. Now, he’s acting like a Pivot. By using the bully's own weight against them.