Spark of Attraction

The instructor's voice cut through the din of the training room, "Alright, pairs! We're moving on to partner stretches. Yeji, Ryujin, you're together." Yeji's eyes met Ryujin's, a fleeting moment of acknowledgement before they both turned to face the instructor. As they walked to the center of the room, the thumping bass and counting beats created a sense of urgency, but Yeji's mind was elsewhere. She was acutely aware of Ryujin's presence, the way her black cargo pants hugged her legs, the fluid motion of her loose white tee as she moved. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and stale air, a familiar scent that Yeji had grown accustomed to over the months of training. The instructor demonstrated the stretch, and Yeji and Ryujin mirrored her movements, their bodies inches apart. Yeji's skin prickled with awareness as Ryujin's hand brushed against hers, a brief touch that sent a spark through her body. "So, Ryujin," Yeji said, trying to sound casual, "how's it feel to be here?" Ryujin's eyes met Yeji's, a hint of amusement dancing in their depths. "It's...interesting. I'm still getting used to the pace." The music was low-volume, but the beat pulsed through Yeji's body, making her feel alive. She shifted her weight, trying to focus on the stretch, but her eyes kept drifting back to Ryujin. Their hands touched again, this time for a beat longer, and Yeji felt a jolt of electricity. As they moved into the next stretch, Ryujin's body pressed against Yeji's, their faces close. Yeji's heart was racing, her breath catching in her throat. She pulled back, trying to create distance, but Ryujin's eyes never left hers. The instructor shouted, "Five, four, three, two, one! Switch!" Yeji and Ryujin separated, their hands lingering for a moment before they let go. The rest of the practice was a blur for Yeji. She went through the motions, her eyes drifting back to Ryujin again and again. Ryujin seemed oblivious, or maybe she was just pretending to be. She danced with power, her movements fluid and controlled, drawing admiring glances from the other trainees. As Yeji watched, she felt a flutter in her chest. She tried to brush it off, telling herself she was just reacting to Ryujin's charisma. But as she caught Ryujin's eye, she felt a spark of connection, a sense that there was something more going on beneath the surface. The other trainees were whispering, their voices hushed but their eyes darting towards Ryujin. Yeji heard snippets of conversation, rumors and speculation about Ryujin's past and her skills. But Yeji wasn't listening. She was too busy watching Ryujin, too busy feeling the electricity between them. As practice drew to a close, Yeji felt a sense of relief wash over her. She was exhausted, her body aching from the intense training. But as she glanced over at Ryujin, she felt a pang of disappointment. She didn't want the day to end, didn't want to leave Ryujin's presence. The instructor called out, "Final stretch! Everyone, get into position!" Yeji and Ryujin moved into place, their bodies side by side. As they stretched, Yeji felt Ryujin's hand brush against hers, a fleeting touch that sent a shiver down her spine. As they finished up and the trainees began to file out of the room, Yeji felt a sense of uncertainty. She didn't know what was happening, didn't know what she was feeling. But she knew one thing - she couldn't ignore the spark of attraction that had ignited between her and Ryujin.