Out of Place [Cobra Kai OC x Robby Keene]

127 - Puzzle

"So is there any chance the five of us don't make the top six?" Miguel asks as he, Sam, Tory, Robby, and I walk through the halls of the school.

"Maybe when hell freezes over," Tory says.

"Let's hope there's not a tournament category for humility," Sam jokes.

"C'mon, we got two All Valley champs, two runner-ups-one of which is a four-time taekwondo sparring champion- and the Bonsai Badass, we're so in," Miguel says. Okay, it's a fair point. We're the most accomplished people at Miyagi-Fang. The real question is who's taking that last spot...

"I think I might be more nervous about making it into MIT or Stanford than I am about making it onto the team," I say.

"Me too," Miguel agrees, "early action decisions come out soon. D'you end up applying anywhere Rob?"

"Yeah, the state schools that Parker applied to, then a community college not far from here. She said it'd be good to have backup plans," Robby says, "she's very persuasive."

I beam back at him. Again, it's his choice to go to college, but I want the option to be set up for him. I want him to have every opportunity possible to have the amazing future that he deserves. In my incredibly idealized world, Robby and I will be captains of the team, we'll compete in the Sekai Taikai and win, then the doors will just open wide for both of us. Things are gonna get better for us. I'm gonna make sure of it.

———

"Please welcome our guest for the weekend, Sensei Barnes" Mr LaRusso introduces, "in order to keep things unbiased, we brought in Sensei Barnes to observe then select our top six."

Interesting... he looks intense. But if we want to hold our own at the Sekai Taikai, we need that intensity.

"During my years as the Tournament Terror, all I wanted was to be in the Sekai Taikai," Sensei Barnes says, "but I blew my chance. I am here to ensure that you maximize yours. Everyone I know who has participated in this tournament has horror stories," he continues as he steps down and walks amongst us, "this thing is intense. Unpredictable. People have died. Who's ready for that?"

He's trying to scare us. It seems like it's working. The thing is, I already knew the Sekai Taikai was dangerous. My own instructor of nine years has a horror story that I've heard and has in fact scared me a little. I know the danger. I know the risk. But this seems to be the first time my peers are hearing about it- aside from Robby, who I've told about Mr Abelardo, and who's read all about the Sekai Taikai.

"I will do to you what the Sekai Taikai will do to you. I will surprise you with events. I will push you to your limits. And if any of you delicate flowers feel like going to your senseis and crying? Don't. I've been given full authority for these eliminations,"

"Selections," Mr LaRusso corrects, "let's keep this positive."

"You came to me," Sensei Barnes says, "the deal was my way or the highway," he turns back to us, "get on the sparring deck. Now!"