Chapter 11 – Meeting Kenichi
It was Saturday, the weekend. Leonard opened his eyes slowly, letting the sunlight filtering through the blinds wake him completely. He stretched in bed, releasing a long sigh.
"Man, I slept well," he murmured hoarsely, rubbing his eyes.
He stayed a few seconds staring at the ceiling, enjoying the silence of the apartment. No lab alarms, no calls from Sheldon, no urgent tasks. Just a quiet Saturday.
He got up slowly, walked to the closet, and pulled out a pair of athletic shorts. He put them on in front of the mirror, turning slightly to see himself from the side.
"How do these shorts look on me?" he asked softly, as if someone could answer.
He shrugged and smiled.
"Well, good enough for a Saturday."
He chose a gray T‑shirt and comfortable sneakers. While putting on a light jacket, he spoke to himself again:
"Today no work, no Sheldon, no lab. Perfect."
In the kitchen, he poured a glass of water. He drank it in one gulp and left the glass in the sink.
"That's enough. I don't need more."
He grabbed his car keys and left the apartment. The fresh morning air greeted him on the street. The neighborhood was calm: some neighbors walked their dogs, a couple of cyclists passed along the avenue, and cafés were just opening. Leonard walked to his car, got in, and settled into the seat.
He turned on the stereo. Music filled the car: Green Day — *Boulevard of Broken Dreams*. Leonard raised the volume a little and began to sing, following the lyrics completely, without pauses or comments. His voice blended with Billie Joe Armstrong's, and for a few minutes the car became his private stage. He sang each verse, each chorus, tapping the steering wheel lightly with his fingers to the rhythm of the guitar.
He sang with energy, almost shouting, enjoying the release. When the song ended, Leonard laughed to himself.
"Well, Leo, at least you sing better than Sheldon. This beats arguing quantum physics at eight in the morning."
The drive toward Pasadena was relaxed. Traffic was minimal, and Leonard enjoyed the feeling of driving without hurry. The city was waking slowly: cyclists on the avenues, traffic lights changing calmly, the first rays of sun lighting the buildings.
After about twenty minutes, he reached his destination. The sign confirmed it: *Dojo Shirahama – Martial Arts*. The building was sober, with a simple façade and wooden doors. No flashy lights or modern posters, just a place dedicated to discipline and practice.
Leonard parked, turned off the engine, and took a deep breath.
"Well, here we are. Martial arts gym…" he said, smiling.
He got out of the car and walked toward the entrance.
---
Leonard entered the gym with steady steps, though with the curiosity of someone stepping onto new ground. The place was full of energy: punches against bags, voices giving instructions, heavy breathing. The smell of sweat and freshly cleaned tatami surrounded him.
A tall man, solid build and firm gaze, approached. He wore a spotless white gi and a black belt that spoke for itself.
"Welcome. I'm Kenichi Shirahama. First time here?"
Leonard nodded and extended his hand.
"Yes. My name's Leonard… though I prefer Leo."
Kenichi shook his hand and looked him up and down. It was clear he was evaluating every detail. Leo's physique was surprising: broad shoulders, defined arms, good posture. He didn't look like a weak beginner, more like someone with condition and strength, but without the polished technique of a martial artist.
"I see," Kenichi said with a slight smile. "You've got a good physical base. It shows you train, though not in martial arts. What are you looking for here?"
Leo shrugged, relaxed.
"I want to learn to fight. I've got the strength, but I don't know how to use it. I'm not interested in competing or trophies. I just want technique, real power."
Kenichi nodded, amused by his frankness.
"That's interesting. Most come seeking health or medals. You already have condition; what you lack is direction. I'm curious to see how far you can go."
Leo smiled.
"Well, here I am. If you teach me, I promise to give it my all. And if in the end I look more impressive, I won't complain either."
Kenichi laughed briefly.
"That comes naturally. What matters is learning to move your body with precision. Strength without technique is like having a powerful car without knowing how to drive it."
Leo raised his eyebrows.
"Then teach me to drive."
Kenichi looked at him seriously, but with a curious gleam in his eyes.
"Very well, Leo. Let's see how far you can go. You've got the condition, you've got the strength. Now I want to see how you respond when you start truly learning."
---
Leo stood in the center of the tatami. His gray T‑shirt showed broad shoulders, defined arms, and a solid torso. He looked like an elite athlete, someone who had spent years training… though in reality he had never set foot in a dojo. His physique was imposing, but his movements were still clumsy, lacking technique.
Kenichi watched him closely, arms crossed.
"Interesting. You've got the body of a fighter, but the eyes of someone who's never fought. Let's test you."
Leo grinned, giving a thumbs‑up.
"Ready. Though if you make me look like a rookie, remember at least I look impressive."
Kenichi laughed briefly.
"Five tests. Strength, speed, reaction, endurance… and one final surprise. I want to see how far someone with your physique can go."
---
First Test: Strength
Kenichi pointed to a heavy bag.
"Hit it like you want to break it."
Leo threw a punch and the bag swung violently, the metal hook screeching. Then a kick that made several students turn to look.
Kenichi raised his eyebrows.
"That's pure power. If you had technique, that bag would be on the floor."
Leo shook his hands, satisfied.
"Well, at least I impressed the audience."
---
Second Test: Speed
Kenichi lifted a stopwatch.
"Ten punches in a row, as fast as you can."
Leo launched into a flurry of punches. His body responded like a well‑oiled machine: tense muscles, explosive strikes. The bag shook frenetically.
Kenichi checked the time.
"Very fast. Your arms are like pistons. Lacking precision, but the speed is there."
Leo panted, smiling.
"And here I thought I was only fast at opening chip bags."
---
Third Test: Reaction
Kenichi picked up a padded stick.
"I'm going to throw strikes at you. Just dodge. I want to see your reflexes."
Leo raised his hands, nervous.
"And if you hit me?"
Kenichi smiled.
"Then you'll learn."
The first strike grazed his shoulder, Leo moved just in time. The second he dodged with a clumsy but effective turn. The third he avoided with a backward jump that drew laughter from the students.
Kenichi lowered the stick.
"You've got natural reflexes. Your body responds, though your mind still hesitates. That can be corrected."
Leo raised his hands.
"The important thing is I still look good."
---
Fourth Test: Endurance
Kenichi sent him through a routine tougher than simple laps on the tatami.
"I want to see how much you can really take. You'll do a circuit: twenty explosive push‑ups, thirty deep squats, ten burpees, then run ten minutes nonstop. All in sequence, no rest."
Leo started strong. Push‑ups seemed easy at first, his body responding like a machine. Squats he powered through, dropping deep and rising fast. Burpees made him sweat, but he kept the rhythm. When he began to run, it looked like he could go for hours: long strides, controlled breathing, muscles tense but steady.
At the tenth minute, he was still running with the same intensity. The students watching were surprised; it wasn't common to see someone maintain that level without martial training.
Kenichi observed closely, a faint smile on his face.
"Impressive. Your body endures more than I expected. Not just strength, real stamina."
Leo finished the circuit and sat down, panting but still with energy in his eyes.
"Ten minutes… felt like twenty. But look at me, still smiling. Though if you ask me to repeat it, I'll collapse."
Kenichi laughed.
"That's what I want to see. Not just muscle, but endurance. With technique, this could become serious."
---
Fifth Test: Balance and Control
Kenichi placed a cushion on the tatami.
"Last test. Stand on one foot on this and keep your guard. If you lose balance, start again."
Leo raised an eyebrow.
"Is this training or a circus act?"
Kenichi looked at him seriously.
"Balance is everything. Go."
Leo stepped onto the cushion, lifted one foot, and raised his fists in guard. At first he wobbled, but then stabilized. His physique seemed built to hold steady. He lasted more than a minute before stepping down.
Kenichi nodded, satisfied.
"You've got strength, speed, reflexes, stamina, and balance. Your body is impressive, but you still don't know how to use it. That intrigues me. I want to see how far I can take you."
Leo, still sweating, grinned.
"Well, here I am. Superhero body, beginner technique. Teach me to fight."
Kenichi patted his shoulder.
"I will. And believe me, it's going to be interesting."
---
Kenichi finished observing Leo after the five tests. Sweat ran down his forehead, but his breathing stayed steady. The physique was there: broad shoulders, solid arms, powerful legs. What was missing was direction.
"Very well, Leo," Kenichi said firmly. "We won't wait. We start right now with Muay Thai. I want to see how you use that strength in real combat."
Leo stood up, still panting, but eager.
"Let's go."
---
Kenichi had him jump rope for fifteen minutes. At first Leo kept a steady rhythm, but soon sweat soaked his shirt. The rope hit the floor with cadence, each jump showing the power of his legs.
"Faster," Kenichi ordered.
Leo sped up, jumps shorter and more explosive. The rope's sound became a constant heartbeat on the tatami. When he finished, he was breathing hard, but not bent over.
"Good control," Kenichi commented. "Your legs respond well. Now let's work on mobility."
He made Leo move in circles, changing direction, always in guard. Leo moved with power, though still stiff.
---
Kenichi stood in front of him.
"Left leg forward, right back. Arms up, elbows close to the body. Chin down. This is your base."
Leo adopted the stance. His body seemed made to hold it, though at first the lack of habit showed.
"More relaxed," Kenichi corrected. "You're not a statue. You must be ready to move."
Leo adjusted, bending his knees.
"That's better," Kenichi said. "Keep that guard. We'll work basic strikes."
---
Kenichi raised the gloves.
"Quick jab with the lead hand. Strong cross with the rear hand. One‑two."
Leo threw the first jab, powerful but too heavy. The cross, however, landed solidly on the gloves.
"You've got power," Kenichi said. "The jab isn't a hammer, it's a sting. Make it quick."
Leo repeated, lighter. The movement began to flow.
"Now combine. I want a hundred reps."
Leo worked for several minutes, strike after strike, sweating more each time. His physique allowed him to keep the power, but precision was still irregular.
---
Kenichi led him to the heavy bag.
"Muay Thai lives on the legs. Roundhouse kick. Use the hip."
Leo launched the first kick, brutal, the bag swung violently.
"Good, but missing rotation. More hip."
Leo tried again, turning his body. The strike sounded cleaner.
"That's it. Now fifty reps per leg."
Leo began throwing kick after kick. Sweat dripped onto the tatami, but each strike grew firmer. His physique seemed designed for the movement: pure power, though still lacking the fluidity of an experienced fighter.
---
Kenichi stepped closer.
"Now short weapons. Elbows and knees."
He showed how to lift the elbow diagonally. Leo imitated, clumsy at first, then more natural. The impact on the bag was dry, forceful.
"Good. Now knees. Grab the bag and drive the knee upward with strength."
Leo held the bag and raised his knee. The strike was solid, repeated again and again until his breathing grew heavy.
Kenichi nodded.
"Your knees are weapons. With technique, they'll be devastating."
---
Kenichi had him put everything together: jab, cross, kick, knee, elbow.
"I want to see how you chain them. It's not just hitting, it's rhythm."
Leo started with jab‑cross, then kick, knee, elbow. At first messy, but little by little more fluid. His physique made every strike explosive, though coordination was still uneven.
"More control," Kenichi said. "Don't rush. Find the rhythm."
Leo adjusted, breathing between each strike, and the combination began to flow better.
---
Kenichi put on gloves and faced Leo.
"Let's try it in motion. I attack, you respond."
Leo raised his guard. Kenichi threw a jab, Leo blocked. Then a cross, Leo stepped back. Kenichi launched a kick, Leo dodged with a side step.
"Good," Kenichi said. "Now you attack."
Leo threw a jab‑cross, then a kick. Kenichi blocked, but the impact made him step back.
"Impressive power," he commented. "If you learn technique, you'll be dangerous."
Leo breathed heavily, but kept his guard.
"Then teach me to use it."
---
The session stretched over three hours. Kenichi had him repeat combinations, work the heavy bag, practice footwork. Each exercise was demanding, designed to polish raw strength into useful movements.
Leo finished drenched in sweat, muscles tense, but still standing. He sat on the tatami, exhausted but satisfied.
Kenichi looked at him seriously.
"You've got elite physique. What's missing is technique and control. Muay Thai will give you that. Once you master rhythm standing, we'll move to Jiu‑Jitsu. No point learning holds if you can't stay firm first."
Leo nodded, breathing deeply.
"Understood."
Kenichi patted his shoulder.
"Good start. This is only the beginning."
---
Leo opened the apartment door, still wearing a shirt stuck to his body from training sweat. The guys were gathered in front of the TV, each with a controller in hand, absorbed in a shooting game.
Howard looked up immediately.
"Whoa! Where the hell were you? You look like you came back from a secret mission. We were about to send a rescue team."
Leo dropped his bag on the sofa and poured himself a glass of water.
"I was at a dojo. Joined a martial arts place and just trained. Muay Thai, three hours of punches, kicks, and knees. I'm wrecked."
Raj's eyes widened in surprise.
"A dojo? You didn't seem like that kind of person… though now you do."
Howard looked him up and down, exaggerating his expression.
"Wrecked, he says… if I had those arms, I wouldn't need a gym, just tight shirts. With that physique you'd get into any party for free."
Leo, tired but amused, replied:
"For now the only thing it gave me was sore legs. Though I admit it looks a little impressive."
Sheldon, without taking his eyes off the TV, chimed in critically.
"Impressing is not a scientific objective. You wasted three hours you could have invested in reading, research, or even improving your skill in this game. Time is a finite resource, Leo."
Leo leaned against the wall and looked at him calmly.
"You know what, Sheldon? You're the one who set the roles. You said you were the smart one, Howard the funny one, Raj the foreign friend… and me, Leonard, the muscle. So I'm just fulfilling my part."
Sheldon paused, thoughtful, while his character froze on the screen.
"The concept of role distribution is acceptable. An efficient team requires diversity of functions. If you decide to be the muscle, then your training is not a waste, but an investment in group structure."
Howard raised his hands as if celebrating a goal.
"That's it! The team's muscle. Though I still say you should use it to open tough jars and carry heavy furniture."
Leo laughed.
"That's part of the contract too."
Raj, listening quietly, smiled sincerely.
"I'm glad you're doing it, Leo. Taking care of yourself is important. Not everyone has the discipline for that."
Leo dropped onto the couch, exhausted but satisfied.
"Thanks, Raj. At least someone appreciates me breaking my body for the common good."
Howard looked at him again, teasing.
"For the common good… sure. The common good of your mirror selfies."
Leo tossed a cushion at him without force, still laughing.
"You'll see when it's moving day. Then you'll be glad to have muscle on the team."
---