Later

"I'm busy the following week", you state, "It's ok when you come back. I will be ready for you". She is satisfied and kisses you on the cheek, "Be ready…", she whispers in your ear, "Because I don't want let you go. Don't underestimate me. Train and try your best if you want have a chance…". You are goosebump shivery. There is a horde of thoughts in your mind on your way home. The girl that you like is a kind of sadistic maniac and the only way to convince herself of dating you is being involved in a sort of ordalia with her. You are walking absentmindly when a voice stops you altogether "Chris! Don't you say hello to your big bro?". Returning to the present you see in front of you the big frame of your brother Matt, still fully dressed in his uniform. "Matt!", you hug him happy, "Sorry my mind was wavering. Did you just blow in?", "Yeah", he replies, "A six months leave to help Joey with the newborn".

In a gleeful mood, you walk with your brother for a while. Matt is a man in his early 30, stands almost 188 cm high, five more than you, and on your opposite, he is a former athlete. "What's up boy?", he asks, studying your face, "You've got an awkward facial expression, I don't like it". The memory of Grace keeps ruminating around your head and you would like to share with him those concerns, but at the same time you're ashamed for the weird situation that you got into. On the other hand though your big brother can offer a viable help for your purpose. You need a mild truth to take him on board. "Matt", you begin, "I know that you've been always pretty fond of combat sports…what did you train into more precisely?", "Well a lot of things...catch wrestling in high school, then kickboxing growing up. Today, I do only a bit of mixed martial arts with my pals when I've spared time. Why?".