╰┈➤ 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬! ๋࣭ ⭑⚝
✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩
⭑.ᐟ ˊˎ- In the aftermath of her mother's death, Tory Nichols finds herself at rock bottom, struggling to care for her younger brother and keep her life together...
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꩜ .ᐟ
𝐓𝐡𝐞 next afternoon, Tory paced back and forth inside the Cobra Kai dojo, her brow furrowed as Kreese watched her from his usual spot. His arms were crossed, his demeanor calm yet calculating.
"It's a simple request, Tory," Kreese said, his voice steady and authoritative. "Your friend clearly has the resources. If she truly supports you, she'll want to help the team."
Tory stopped pacing and looked at him. "Yuko isn't just some bank I can go to whenever I need something."
"She's more than that," Kreese countered, leaning forward. "She's your friend. And friends help each other. You want this team to succeed, don't you?"
Tory bit her lip, frustration evident in her stance. She hated feeling like she owed anyone anything, especially Yuko, who had already done so much for her and Brandon. But Kreese's words had a way of digging into her insecurities, twisting her loyalty into something transactional.
"She might say no," Tory said quietly.
Kreese smirked. "Then she's not the friend you think she is."
Tory's jaw tightened, her fists clenching at her sides. "Fine. I'll ask her. But this is a one-time thing."
Kreese nodded approvingly. "That's all I need to hear."
ᡣ𐭩.ᐟ
Later that evening, Tory and Yuko sat on the back patio. The garden was bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, and a gentle breeze rustled the perfectly manicured hedges. Yuko was perched on a lounge chair, sipping an iced tea, her demeanor relaxed as always.
Tory, on the other hand, fidgeted in her seat, avoiding Yuko's curious gaze.
"You've been quiet," Yuko said, breaking the silence. "That's not like you."
Tory exhaled sharply, deciding to rip the bandage off. "Look, I need to ask you for something."
Yuko set her glass down, her expression shifting to one of concern. "Okay. What's up?"
"It's for Cobra Kai," Tory began, her words tumbling out in a rush. "We need new uniforms for the tournament, and Kreese suggested... well, he thought maybe you could help."
Yuko tilted her head, her brows furrowing. "Help as in... pay for them?"
Tory nodded, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. "Yeah. But I get it if it's too much or if you don't want to."
Yuko didn't respond right away. Instead, she leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.
"Is this really about the uniforms, Tory?" she asked after a moment.
"What do you mean?" Tory replied, caught off guard.
"I mean, are you asking because you believe in the team, or because Kreese told you to?"
