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CHAPTER NINE, Our Language ❝ You're very convincing when you're bossing me around. ❞
THE DOJOBUZZEDWITHINTENSITY. The sharp cracks of punches and kicks echoed off the walls, each sound a reminder of the stakes ahead. Morning light streamed in, catching the beads of sweat rolling down the fighters' faces. Zara and Axel faced each other in the center of the room, their movements calculated and precise, but the tension between them was undeniable.
"Come on, Axel," Zara taunted, dodging his strike with ease. "That's the third time you've missed. What's going on with you?"
Axel reset his stance, his breathing controlled but his jaw tight. "Nothing's going on. Stay focused."
"Oh, I'm focused," Zara said, circling him like a predator. "The question is, are you? Because this..." She tapped her temple, smirking. "This isn't your usual game. You're off."
His fist came faster this time, forcing her to block and stumble back a step. "Drop it," he growled, his tone low.
But Zara wasn't one to back down. She steadied herself, her grin widening. "Touchy, aren't we? Maybe it's not nothing. Maybe it's someone."
Axel's eyes narrowed, his muscles taut as he fought to keep his composure. "You done?"
"Not yet," Zara replied, leaning in as though sharing a secret. "Whoever's got your head spinning better not show up when it matters. We're not here to play games, Axel."
"Then stop playing," he shot back, his voice like steel.
The exchange didn't go unnoticed. Other teammates had started glancing over between their own drills, sensing the crackling tension.
"Alright, enough!" The sensei's voice cut through the room like a blade, silencing the fighters. He clapped his hands twice, signaling the end of the session. "Wrap it up!"
Zara lowered her hands, still smirking as she whispered, "You'd better pull it together, Captain. We're counting on you."
Axel didn't respond, his eyes fixed ahead as the fighters began filing out, their chatter filling the space with echoes. But Zara lingered, hanging back just long enough to catch the sensei's attention.
"Sensei," she said casually, her voice low but purposeful. "I think you should have a word with Axel. He's... distracted. Might need a reminder about what's at stake."
The sensei's expression darkened, his sharp gaze cutting across the room to where Axel was adjusting his gi. "Thank you, Zara," he said, his tone cold.
