Opposing Hearts - Kwon Jae-Sung x Reader

Chapter 1: Eyes Don't lie.

*All characters apart from y/n are not mine. Characters are owned by Cobra Kai on Netflix, and this story is partly based on Cobra Kai's s6 p2 storyline.*

"I love you, I'm sorry."
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Hours and hours spent training and practicing karate had finally brought you to this moment, standing in front of the Sekai Taikai, where the best of the best fight for a chance to have your name praised around the world, every fighter's dream. Glistening orbs of lemon light reflected into your hopeful eyes. This was your chance to make it big.

It was time. Disoriented, you walk into the arena where many teams, each representing their country, already stood-fuelled with determination. Being able to stand there felt like an honour, let alone representing your country as a captain. As your team reached their designated spot, you took a single breath. You had made it.
Robby turned to you: "You ready to show the world what you have got, y/n?"
"Ready as I can ever be." You whispered assertively.

Suddenly, breaking the deafening silence, footsteps emerged as the next team arrived. However, something felt different. They walked in, cockiness almost radiant,
chanting a certain mantra. But this mantra was familiar, and you could have almost sworn you heard the chant: "Cobra Kai."

But Cobra Kai was just a distant memory, a dojo that soon crumbled and disappeared due to the arrest of the senseis: Silver and Kreese. You had trained there briefly against your father's wishes; you would never admit that the lessons you learnt there helped shape you as a ruthless fighter who would be able to defeat anyone without question.

Disrupting your thoughts, the team representing South Korea was now visible, all wearing black gis. However, that's not what caught your eye; the large snake symbol of the cobra became apparent. Your lungs felt empty. Sweat began to cling to your forehead like melting toffee. How is Cobra Kai back? Smirking, the group stood opposite your Miyagi Do team, looking down at you all as if you were weak and inferior compared to them.

The senseis soon came to light as they marched behind the Cobra Kai team along with one other student, the captain. It was Tory and Kreese.

Shock circled you like a relentless tornado, suffocating every inch of your lungs. Tory chose the other side to fight. Although you and Tory had initially not been on the best terms due to Sam's rivalry, you decided to work through your differences together and focus on becoming stronger. It was hard enough to focus on winning without the threat of Cobra Kai. Now it was clear-Cobra Kai was here to win.

After all the groups had arrived, the speaker stated, "The tournament starts tomorrow; use today to get familiar with your surroundings; the bar is open down below with refreshments." You stuck with various members of your team: Miguel, Robby, Eli, and Demetri, as they explored this place.

Now handed the room keys, your team was stuck with the task of deciding who would share rooms.
Robby stated, "Looks like I'll share with Migu-"
Demetri eagerly interrupted. "I'll share with you, Robby."
Making eye contact with Robby, you both share a confused look. Hawk and Demetri were best friends, so surely they would want to share? There seemed to be some hidden animosity in the air within your team; tension was not needed while you needed to be in your utmost focus.

Before this conversation could continue, black gis swarmed around the Miyagi Do group like hungry lions, waiting for a fight.
A boy assertively bellowed, "The famous Miyagi Do's, though I don't know why; you don't look like much."
A scoff left your lips in distaste; who did he think he was talking to people like that?

Hawk retorted, "Yeah, you will see better when you are on the mat."
Robby replied, "Guys, it's not worth it; leave it; come on."
Kwon forcefully pushed into Hawk with the Cobras trailing behind him like he was their leader. As he passed, Kwon turned to each person in the Miyagi Do team, smirking belittlingly.

But as he turned to you, it felt different. His cold, calculated brown eyes gave you the same automatic harsh glare as they did your teammates, but you could almost sense something inside them. A spark-maybe? No, how could Kwon, Captain of Cobra Kai, show any emotion? Like Kreese once told you while you trained at Cobra Kai, showing emotion is weak. Still, as they marched off, something about that glance unsettled you and gave you that unfamiliar feeling.

Robby questioned, "Hey, y/n, are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine; let's go." You responded, still slightly unsettled.

After checking out your rooms, the Miyagi Do team began to explore the arena. However, you all begin to notice some sort of commotion forming in one of the rooms where the majority of the fighters were huddled.

Curiosity hugged you in a childlike grip: "Let's go check it out; it sounds like trouble." You spoke inquisitively.
Miguel responded, "Let's go."

Upon arrival, you notice the teams huddled around a rectangular board with various markings of chalk drawn on it. This was a competition. Looking proud, a boy from the Cobra Kai team jeered. "Nobody beats mine; do I have no other challengers?" Kwon then almost robotically turns to face your team, expecting a contender.
Kwon smirks: "Miyagi Do, I'll tell you what: let's make a deal; if you win, you can have my room, but if I win, I take your room."

Apprehension wrapped around the Miyagi Do team, unsure whether to rise to Kwon's challenge or save the fighting on the mat. Kwon gave another glance mockingly: "No contenders?"
However, before someone could respond, Robby Keene, the male Miyagi Do captain, spoke, "I'm in."

Robby Keene was first. With a breath of hope, he closed his eyes. Determined, Robby charged towards the board and performed a flying kick with ease, marking the cardboard just above Kwon's initial line.

Pressure lingered in the air. Surely, Robby's kick was enough to beat Kwon.
Kwon, with anger starting to radiate from him and an intimidating glare glued to his face, removed his Cobra Kai jacket in an instant. Preparing himself, Kwon gave Robby a smirk and then locked eyes with you. Those eyes again. The glance that caught you off guard earlier. The cockiness, arrogance, and thoughtlessness remained, but that foreign feeling his eyes made you feel still lurked.

Shaking you from your unsettling thoughts, Kwon ran up to the board, performing a roundhouse kick with ease, marking a line above Robby's. Kwon had won.

Kwon victoriously smirked. "Keys." He demanded.
Robby, defeated, handed them over without a response.

The Cobra Kai team proceeded to wander off, back to the hotel. Discreetly, Kwon paused for a few seconds, turned to you, and gave you a smirk before diverting his gaze. In response, a perplexed expression had contorted on your face as you let out a sigh of exasperation.

Demetri bellowed, "Great, now we are down a room. At least I'm going to MIT after this."

You were unsure what sort of mind games Kwon was attempting to play with you, but you weren't going to fall for it. Not yet, anyway.