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THE QUIET HUM OF THE VENDING MACHINE FILLED THE AIR as Kwon Jae-sung carried y/n l/n across the expansive lobby, his steps steady and unhurried despite the firestorm she had just unleashed. When he finally reached a desolate corner, far from prying eyes and judging glances, he set her down with surprising gentleness.
Before she could take a step, his hand pressed firmly against her shoulder, pinning her back against the cool wall. His dark eyes bore into hers, unyielding but not unkind.
"What the fuck was that, y/n?" he demanded, his voice low and measured, though there was an edge of frustration to it.
Y/n's lips pursed, her hands clenching at her sides as she struggled to find her words. "What that was?" she snapped, her voice cracking. "That was me giving a fuck. About the fact that our team—our dojang—just got humiliated in front of the whole world. And for what?!"
Her voice wavered as the anger in her tone morphed into something shakier, more vulnerable. Tears welled in her eyes, not of sadness but of sheer, unrelenting stress.
"You don't get it," she continued, her words spilling out in a frantic rush. "Do you know what people are saying about us? About Tory? I saw the comments. The videos. They're tearing us apart online. Cobra Kai lost because of its captain. Tory Nichols, the female captain. My best friend. And you know what? They're not wrong. I gave her my spot, and now look at us. We lost. It all comes back to me. My mistake. My--"
"Stop."
Kwon's voice cut through her rambling like a blade, and she froze, her tear-filled eyes snapping up to meet his. His face betrayed no emotion, but his hand stayed firm on her shoulder, grounding her.
"Are you done?" he asked, his tone calm but firm.
She blinked, stunned into silence.
"Good," he said. "Now listen to me."
He stepped back slightly, giving her room to breathe but not to escape the conversation.
"First of all," he began, crossing his arms over his chest, "if anyone deserved to be captain, it was you."
Y/n opened her mouth to protest, but he held up a hand, silencing her.
"You gave up your spot out of pity," he said bluntly, his words cutting but not cruel. "And I get it. Tory's been through some shit. Losing her mom? That's tragic. But do you honestly think this captaincy would've changed anything? Would've brought her mother back?"
