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HAVING SPENT THE REST OF THE DAY AVOIDING EVERYONE, y/n had never felt so out of the loop. Her mind churned restlessly, replaying every word she overheard between Miguel and Robby. Miguel and Robby—once bitter foes who could hardly be in the same room without it erupting into chaos—now allies, bound by shared goals and years of growth. It was almost surreal.
Back when she last saw them, their fights had been raw and personal, fueled by anger and misunderstandings. Robby was the troubled son of Sensei Johnny Lawrence, and Miguel was his star pupil, were two halves of a rivalry that felt destined to combust. They didn't see eye to eye on anything, their clashes only intensifying when Tory and Sam became involved. Their conflicts had spilled into every aspect of their lives, culminating in the school fight that changed everything.
But now? At the Sekai Taikai, things were... different. The grudges were no longer there, or at least, they were buried beneath the need to work together. They weren't best friends by any means. That spot was most definitely still occupied by Eli. But there was a respect between Miguel and Robby. Almost a state of brotherhood, hard-won and fragile.
Miguel had always been the optimist, the one trying to bring people together. Robby had grown from the rebellious kid to someone willing to fight for the team. And yet, the cracks were still visible—the frustrations, the insecurities.
y/n had seen it firsthand today, and it left her feeling untethered, unsure where she fit into this new dynamic, or if she had any idea about it at all...
Dressed in her gi, the familiar black fabric hugging her frame, y/n made her way to the arena five minutes later than usual. Her head wasn't in the right place, and it showed. Her feet dragged, her mind foggy, distracted by an endless loop of thoughts. By the time she reached the main hall, the crowd had already begun to swell.
The buzz in the air was electric. Fighters from dozens of dojangs milled about, some wearing expressions of nervous anticipation, others exuding cool confidence. Some of the rival teams glared at her, openly hostile, while others didn't even notice her presence. The arena felt like a battleground before the first clash, and the energy was contagious.
Y/n tried to stay intact, weaving through the masses, dodging elbows and shoulders. Her heart raced as she struggled to navigate the chaos. Her focus sharpened when she finally caught sight of Sensei Kim's familiar ponytail in the distance. Relief flooded through her, and she quickened her pace, her goal clear.
But just as she closed the gap, a gentle hand caught her arm, pulling her back.
"Y/n/n," a familiar voice greeted her, soft yet insistent.
