International Connections - Axel Kovačević

CHAPTER 1

As the plane lands on the tarmac of the Barcelona Airport, I find myself looking out at the different things around me. As a Captain I have to stick with my team and at like leader, which I am not the best at since I'm more of a keep to myself kind of person. My sensei told me that the best of the best should be able to lead everyone else. Good thing we have another captain Andres Martinez. Now he's a real leader. He told everyone to get up once there is room for us to exit to the aisle. We exited and reunited with our Sensei at the gate. He wanted to fly first class while we sat in economy, some complained but I really didn't mind. He gathered the six of us a started to speak, "Okay everyone, we're here. I expect you all to be on your best behavior here, we want to show how good our dojo is, we are always representing our country here. Now let's take roll call."

Cristian Perez. Very aggressive and if we had a real fight he'd get us out of it.

Maria Jose Hernandez. Majo has the best defense out there and she's even better with a bow staff. She's also my best friend, always will be.

Felipe Garcia. Or like we call him, Pipe. His round house kick can knock you out in a second.

Paloma Castillo. Super calm but extremely strong, never underestimate her.

Andres Martinez. One of the best on the team and the other team captain.

Y/n L/n. I'm trained with several weapons, one being a machete to fight with Colombian grima.

We got our bags from the baggage claim and made our way to the exit to find the van we would be taking to get to our hotel for the Sekai Taikai. We made our way there and all I could think about is getting there and starting to train, I always need to train. When we got out we entered the hotel only to be welcomed with a couple dojos already having problems when we haven't even hit the mat yet. Seemed more like drama, which we shouldn't be having at an international competition like this, so stupid. We all get our key cards, the ones for the boys room and for us girls. When we head for our room, Paloma and Majo drop their bags on the ground and proceed to collapse on their bed. 

I begin to change into a nicer looking outfit since our first event was a dojo meetup at an aquarium of all places. I put on a pair of low rise jeans, some New Balance sneakers and a fitted red shirt. I turn on the light in the bathroom and jesus was it fancy. I look at my reflection in the mirror to check my hair and apply some lip gloss. I look pretty good considering I just got off an international flight. I made my way to the room, "We have to be down in the lobby in 10 minutes for the field trip so please hurry." The girls finished and we met our dojo down at the lobby.

We all made it to an aquarium and it was beautiful, I felt like I was in a magical place. They gathered all the captains for a group photo, I stood next to Andres and looked around a bit at the other captains. They looked strong and some were a little to confident for not fighting in an event yet. I don't like taking pictures, especially awkward group ones, But I knew I had to put a smile on my face for the camera. The photographer was definitely a little unsettling with his comments. "you there in the back, show some emotion!" I turn to see a tall guy with a very serious expression on his face. I had to admit he was intriguing, handsome too. I turn back and I put on another quick smile for the camera and when the photographer stepped away I dropped it. I felt like I could breathe again without having to smile for the camera in front of these people.

I walked around the aquarium with my dojo a bit and watched some of the sea life roam in the tunnels of water. This was probably the first time I had a moment to relax without crazy disruptions around me, at least that's what I thought before I heard a bunch of chants for team USA. I walk over to see what all the commotion is about and I find Majo in the crowd, "what is this, what i happening here?" Paloma responds to me as Majo in watching diligently, "USA and Korea are having a wager on who can land a kick higher, the winner get's the losers hotel room." I look at what is unfolding in front of me and it's so utterly stupid. I watch as the cocky captain from Korea taunts the USA captain as he goes in for his kick. He lands it higher than the other marks and everyone cheers for him. Then the Korea captain go in and his kick is godly, he goes at least 3 inches higher than the other guy. This guy is so fucked for doing that wager, it's so wrong.