"START!"
Justin stood there, his expression calm and patient as his opponent shifted nervously.
The arena floor felt smaller suddenly, the energy of the crowd pressing down as if everyone was holding their breath.
His opponent was already inching back, shoulders tense, eyes darting around like he was trying to find a way out.
His hands were clenched tight, but even from here, Justin could see the uncertainty in his posture.
Justin didn't move. He just tilted his head slightly, as if he were studying the other boy's footwork.
A small smile played at the corner of his mouth, just enough to show that he wasn't worried.
The opponent's breathing was quick, sharp. Justin took a single step forward, and it was like a stone dropped into a still pond. His opponent flinched, his foot scraping backward across the sand.
Justin's eyes flicked down, noticing the slight gap in the other boy's stance. He shifted his weight slightly, just enough to draw in a breath.
Then he moved.
