IRON FISTS || Axel Kovacevic

IX - Fragile Resolve

Chapter 9: Fragile Resolve

Jisoo sat on her bed, her gaze fixed on her knee, now enveloped in a stiff, suffocating brace. The memory of the illegal blow replayed in her mind, each throb of pain a cruel reminder of her vulnerability. She clenched her fists until her nails dug into her palms.

The brace felt like a prison, mocking her with its presence. Her heart pounded in frustration, and her throat burned with unshed tears. The Sekai Taikai wasn't just another tournament. It was her chance—her only chance—to prove that everything she had endured, every ounce of pain and sacrifice, had been worth it.

The bitterness surged, and before she could think, her hand shot out, grabbing the vase from her nightstand. Without hesitation, she hurled it across the room.

The crash was deafening, shards of porcelain scattering like her shattered hopes.

The tears she'd been holding back finally broke free, spilling down her cheeks. Her body shook with sobs, and she buried her face in her hands. It wasn't just the pain in her knee. It was everything—the fear, the anger, the possibility that it might all end here, that her shot at redemption could be taken away in an instant.

The sound of the door opening broke through her haze, but she didn't look up. She didn't need to. The measured steps and commanding presence told her who it was.

Her senseis.

"Breaking things won't heal your knee," Kreese said, his tone dry but not unkind.

Jisoo didn't respond, wiping her tears hastily as Sensei Kim stepped forward.

"Jisoo," Sensei Kim began, her voice firm yet tinged with a rare softness. "We need to talk about what happens next."

Jisoo finally looked up, her expression fierce despite the streaks of tears on her face. "I'm not gonna stop competing."

Kreese raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flickering across his face. "We didn't come here to tell you otherwise."

Sensei Kim folded her arms, her sharp gaze locking onto Jisoo's. "You're one of our best assets," she said. "But if your knee is seriously injured, you won't be able to compete at your best. And if you're not at your best, you're a liability."

Jisoo's jaw tightened. "I can handle it."

Her voice was steady, but the desperation in her tone betrayed her. She wasn't just trying to convince them—she was trying to convince herself.

"This is my only chance," she continued, her voice trembling slightly. "I've worked too hard for this. I'm not going to let one injury take it all away."

Kreese's eyes gleamed, a predatory smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Then it's settled," he said, stepping closer. "You'll sit out the third round today. Rest, recover. If you're ready tomorrow, you'll fight."

Jisoo hesitated, her fists clenching against the urge to argue. But she nodded, her head dipping slightly in reluctant agreement.

Sensei Kim studied her for a moment, then turned and left the room, her footsteps brisk and purposeful. Kreese lingered for a beat longer, his expression unreadable.

"Don't waste this chance," he said, his voice low and pointed.

And then he was gone.

The door clicked shut, leaving Jisoo alone once more. She exhaled shakily, her gaze falling back to her knee. The brace seemed heavier now, a burden she couldn't escape.

Her mind raced as she leaned back against the headboard, staring blankly at the ceiling.

The competition wasn't over—not yet. She still had a chance, no matter how slim. But doubt clawed at the edges of her resolve, whispering cruel truths she didn't want to face.

The Sekai Taikai had always been about more than winning for her. It was about proving her worth, to herself and to everyone who had ever doubted her. If she couldn't fight, if she couldn't finish what she'd started... what did that make her?

The thought made her chest tighten, a knot of unease settling low in her stomach.

For now, all she could do was wait.

//

Jisoo sat in the farthest corner of the arena, tucked into the shadows where no one paid her much mind. Her jean shorts felt stiff, and the tube top she wore exposed more of her than she was used to. She felt out of place without her gi, her sense of belonging stripped away along with her ability to compete in this round.

The air was electric with the tension of the ongoing match, but to Jisoo, it all felt distant. The platform floated in the center, wobbling with every step the fighters took. A sharp inhale from the crowd signaled a dramatic fall, followed by another cheer when the next competitor leapt up to take their place.

Her eyes followed her teammates automatically, watching every strike, every block, every step with a bittersweet pang. Cobra Kai was holding its own, dominating the match with a ferocity she admired and envied.

When Tory launched a final kick that sent her opponent tumbling into the mattresses below, the crowd erupted. Jisoo clapped politely, though her heart wasn't in it. She shifted uncomfortably, adjusting her brace as the familiar ache flared up again.

The match ended with Cobra Kai victorious, and the crowd began to filter out of the arena. Jisoo stayed seated, her gaze wandering aimlessly over the emptying seats.

"Hey."

The voice startled her, and she turned to find Axel standing a few feet away. His gi was disheveled from his earlier fight, and his hair clung to his forehead with sweat.

She blinked, unsure how to respond. She hadn't expected him to seek her out.

"I just..." He hesitated, his eyes flickering to her knee brace. "I think what happened to you was really messed up. It wasn't fair."

Jisoo stared at him, her mouth opening slightly before she managed to find her voice. "Thanks."

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of unsaid things hanging between them.

"About what you saw earlier—" Axel began, his tone uncertain.

He didn't get to finish.

"What are you doing with her?"

The sharp, cutting voice made them both turn. Zara approached, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene. She stopped at Axel's side, her gaze flicking to Jisoo's knee brace.

"That's a shame," Zara said, her voice laced with mock sympathy. "I really wanted to beat you in the finals."

Jisoo raised an eyebrow, her tone cool as she replied, "I'm still competing."

Zara's lips curved into a smirk. "In that case, it won't be as fun to end you in the finals."

Jisoo's eyes narrowed, a fire sparking in her chest despite the dull ache in her knee. "You shouldn't worry about whether it'll be fun or not. Because it's not going to happen."

The smirk faltered for a brief moment before Zara laughed, her hand wrapping around Axel's wrist. "Let's go," she said, tugging him toward her.

Axel glanced back at Jisoo, his expression unreadable, before following Zara out of the arena.

Jisoo watched them go, her hands balling into fists. The pain in her knee was forgotten for a moment, overshadowed by the quiet determination that burned brighter than ever. She wasn't done yet.

a/n:

finally another interaction

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