Fist Of Fate: Child of Perak

That afternoon, Crystall met Ali near the lockers. "Zahra told me about Jason's dad," she said softly.

Ali sighed. "I didn't mean for her to find out."

"She didn't post it, so don't worry," Crystall said. "But... it makes you think, doesn't it? How often do we assume people have it all together, when they're actually struggling?"

Ali nodded, her words striking a chord. "Yeah. I guess I never thought about it before. Jason always seemed so... perfect."

Crystall smiled faintly. "No one's perfect, Ali. Not Jason, not you, not me. We're all just doing our best."

That evening, Ali returned to the gym for another session. Jason was gone, but the heavy bag still swayed slightly, as if echoing the force of his punches.

Ali tightened his gloves, his thoughts lingering on Jason's words. "Maybe he's not as invincible as I thought," he murmured.

For the first time, he saw Jason not just as a rival, but as someone fighting his own battles. And somehow, that made Ali even more determined to prove himself—not just to Jason, but to himself.

---

The bus ride to Taman Tasik Taiping was a mix of chaos and excitement. Zahra and Farid were leading the charge, shouting over each other about plans for the day. Meanwhile, Ali sat quietly, stealing glances at Crystall as she sketched in her notebook. Her silver pencil danced across the page, capturing fleeting images of the scenery outside the window.

Farid leaned over, grinning. "So, Ali, what's the game plan? Romantic stroll? Heroic act? Or just standing there and hoping for the best?"

"Farid, stop," Zahra cut in, though her smirk betrayed her amusement. "We're not going to let you mess this up. Leave the matchmaking to the experts."

Ali groaned, sinking deeper into his seat. "Can you guys just... not?"

Zahra winked. "No promises."

When the group arrived, the tranquil beauty of Taman Tasik Taiping took Ali's breath away. The lake shimmered under the midday sun, framed by lush greenery and distant hills. Students scattered to explore, but Ali found himself drawn to a quieter spot near the water's edge.

To his surprise, Crystall was already there, her sketchbook balanced on her lap. She looked up as he approached, her eyes sparkling.

"Hey," she said softly. "Needed a break from Zahra and Farid's antics?"

Ali chuckled. "Something like that. They're, uh, a little much sometimes."

Crystall smiled, gesturing for him to sit beside her. "They mean well, though. You're lucky to have friends like that."

As they sat together, the sound of birdsong and gentle ripples filled the air. Crystall resumed her sketching, and Ali couldn't help but admire the grace in her movements.

"What are you drawing?" he asked.

She hesitated, then turned the page toward him. It was a rough but beautiful sketch of the lake, with a small boat drifting in the center.

"It's amazing," Ali said sincerely.

Crystall blushed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thanks. I want to get better, though. Someday, I'd love to study art professionally."

Her voice carried a wistfulness that tugged at Ali's heart. "You will," he said firmly. "You're too talented not to."

She glanced at him, surprised by his conviction. "What about you? What's your dream?"

Ali hesitated. "I guess... I want to honor my dad's legacy. He used to box, and I want to make him proud. But sometimes, it feels like I'm still figuring it out."

Crystall nodded, her gaze steady. "That's okay. Dreams don't have to be perfect right away. They just need to be yours."

Her words settled over him like a warm blanket. For the first time, he felt like someone truly understood.

From a distance, Zahra and Farid observed the scene like covert operatives. Zahra peeked out from behind a tree, her phone poised for a candid shot.

"This is perfect!" she whispered. "The lighting, the vibe—it's like a rom-com!"

Farid, holding a handful of flower petals, frowned. "Are you sure about this? I feel ridiculous."

"Trust me," Zahra said, grinning. "It'll be hilarious!"

She signaled Farid, who began tossing petals into the air with exaggerated flair. Unfortunately, a sudden gust of wind blew the petals straight into Ali's face.

Startled, Ali flailed, nearly toppling into the lake. Crystall burst into laughter, her melodic voice echoing across the water.

"Zahra!" Ali yelled, spotting her poorly-hidden figure.

"Oops! Gotta go!" Zahra shouted, grabbing Farid's arm and running.

After the commotion died down, Crystall returned to her sketchbook, her smile lingering. Ali, still wiping petals from his hair, glanced at her.

"Sorry about them," he said sheepishly.

She shook her head, still amused. "Don't be. They're funny, in their own way."

Ali hesitated, then leaned closer. "Mind if I help?"

Crystall looked surprised but handed him the pencil. "Sure. Just don't ruin it."

Ali grinned, carefully adding a small detail to the boat. When he handed the sketchbook back, Crystall examined it, her eyes softening.

"It's perfect," she said.

Her gratitude was so genuine that Ali felt his heart skip a beat.

Not far away, Jason leaned against a tree, watching Ali and Crystall. His eyes were unreadable, but there was a tension in his posture that betrayed his thoughts.

"Enjoying the view?" a voice said behind him.

Jason turned to see Zahra, arms crossed and smirking.

"None of your business," he said coolly.

Zahra raised an eyebrow. "Sure it isn't." With a shrug, she walked away, leaving Jason to his thoughts.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky turned a brilliant shade of orange and pink. Ali and Crystall sat in comfortable silence, watching the reflection of the sunset dance across the lake.

Crystall turned to him, her voice gentle. "You're stronger than you realize, Ali. Don't ever forget that."

Ali looked at her, the sincerity in her eyes leaving him momentarily speechless.

"Thanks," he finally managed, his voice soft.

They walked back to the group together, side by side. For Ali, the weight of her words lingered in his mind, sparking a new sense of determination.

---

The next day,

The sound of gloves striking punching bags filled the gym, a rhythmic cacophony of determination. Ali wiped sweat from his brow, catching his breath after finishing a particularly grueling set of drills. He barely had time to unwind when Coach Rahman's booming voice echoed across the gym.