Cunning Fish of the Forest - Chapter 8

Despite acting nonchalantly, the truth was I envied that seemingly insignificant broomstick.

Just looking at the broom’s handle, it resembled the practice swords my brothers used. I always envied and secretly admired what my brothers had, never considering taking up anything similar myself.

Just the thought of climbing fences already brought my mother to tears for days on end, let alone the idea of me wielding a sword – I couldn’t even begin to imagine her reaction.

“Let me have it.”

The lanky boy handed me the spare broom handle.

It felt surprisingly good in my grasp, the rough texture wrapping comfortably around my palm. Clutching it firmly filled me with an inexplicable confidence. I lifted my shoulders in readiness.

“Should you be playing like this, Miss?”

That was a dilemma I had been wrestling with too.

Given my mother, who’d cry over the mere sight of a cricket, and my father, who’d likely cut me in half for such endeavors, it was a legitimate concern. But it wasn’t about seeking permission or validation for a rightful claim.

I was merely on the hunt for something I might enjoy, and the broomstick had piqued my interest.

“It looks fun.”

“Shall I be your opponent?”

“Yes.”

It seemed fairer to spar with someone smaller rather than taking on a bigger opponent. My conscience had long since turned its head in shame. Standing cluelessly, not knowing how to position myself, the boy who volunteered as my opponent asked awkwardly.

“Would you like to attack first, Miss?”

He offered me the choice, seemingly hesitant to take the offensive role himself. I knew this wasn’t about honor or an official lesson. Still, I declined to be treated as if I were just a child.

His feigned consideration sparked genuine enthusiasm within me. I wanted to hold onto the slight thrill I felt from grasping the broomstick as long as possible. The apathetic posture of the boy holding the broomstick irked me more than when Ahmet mocked me for the painstakingly completed embroidery, turning my insides.

Even as my makeshift opponent, the boy’s attention seemed elsewhere. It gave me a prime opportunity to teach him a lesson.

With a shaky grip, I charged forward, my basic knowledge of swordplay gleaned from sneaking peeks at Ahmet’s training sessions since last year, guiding me. I gripped the broomstick with both hands, ensuring my balance remained steady.

The boy’s posture fell into disarray at my approach, his attempt to block with the broomstick raised too late; victory was already fluttering behind me.

“Ah!”

Trying to block with one arm, the boy was overpowered by my strike and dropped his broomstick, even tumbling down in a clumsy heap. As he lay on the ground, blinking in disbelief, I found my feelings difficult to articulate, caught in a complex mix of emotions.

“Wow, Miss, you’re amazing!”

The applause from the chubby onlooker brought a gust of wind down the narrow path, swirling above my head. As it cooled my sweaty forehead, I took a moment to inspect the broomstick, now marked by my grasp.

“Really?”

“Yes?”

“Is it always this fun?”

The chubby boy, helping the fallen one up, looked puzzled by my question. Before he could respond, my impatience prompted another question.

“What’s your name?”

“Me?”

My interest had shifted away from the defeated boy to the chubby one now standing attentively.

“Ger, Miss.”

“Ger.”

“Yes.”

The fallen boy managed to get up and retreated to the wall, his pride seemingly wounded by the loss to a girl.

It didn’t matter to me. Why should I care about the petty feelings of a nameless boy? My focus was now on Ger, my new opponent, and the weight of the broomstick in my hands.

“From now on, you’re my opponent, Ger. Got it?”

Seeing the fate of the previous boy, Ger hurriedly picked up the dropped broomstick, perhaps fearing he’d end up the same.

As I continued to approach, Ger swallowed nervously. The laughter of the boys previously engaging in their mock sword fights no longer filled the quiet alley.

In this narrow space, untouched by the spring sun, I wondered how long our secret encounters could remain hidden.

I hoped to be safe just for today and launched into action once more.