The Waterbender's Love and the Mechanic's Passion (Korrasami fanfiction)

Chapter 24

The mansion was much happier with Karina around again. Riko was starting to get along better with everyone now, too. With the couple reunited, they almost brought new life to the family. For many days in a row now, they had ventured through the town to find new things to do together because Karina was determined to see more of Republic City now.

One time when they went to try a new bar, the venue was having an arm-wrestling tournament. Karina tried to hold her back, but Riko was determined to show off her strength in front of her girlfriend. After downing a few shots, Riko rushed over to the table where a crowd had gathered. She could tell most of the men there were earthbenders due to their stature and composure. It only made sense. Earthbenders are all about that strength and stance.

Karina cautiously followed, avoiding walking into the strong men. Riko went up to the ringleader, but the bald man laughed. “Look kid, if you wanna get to me then you have to get through my boys first.”

Riko looked behind him to see twin brothers, likely in their late 20’s, who crossed their arms and sneered at her.

Riko shrugged her shoulders. “Alright then. Let’s get it on.”

Karina slapped her forehead. Her girlfriend definitely had too much liquid courage, she thought. However, Riko easily defeated the twins in an arm-wrestling match. Karina blinked twice in surprise. Was Riko really that strong?

Riko smirked daringly as their father scowled at her and kicked out the seat across from him. “Alright then little missy, take a seat.”

Riko sat down and the two put their arms up to prepare to start. Someone counted down as they stared at each other. Then it was on.

Karina couldn’t believe her eyes, neither could the crowd of earthbenders around them. The two had been matched evenly, for over an hour.

The man’s two sons began whispering in his ear, as did Karina to Riko. “Riko just call for a draw. It’s been an hour already and you two haven’t budged!” Similarly, the twins were begging for the same thing from their father.

Riko sighed and the man scowled deeper. “Sir? How would you feel if we called this a draw for now?” Riko struggled to speak as they were still putting all of their strength into their arms.

The man seemed to growl and thought before answering her. “Let’s call this a draw, for now.”

Riko smiled tiredly as they, at last, released their hold on each other’s hand. She slid her hands under the table to hide that fact that she was cradling her hand. The older man let out a tired laugh and stood up. He welcomingly held out his hand for her to shake. She smiled and stood up to reciprocate it. She winced slightly as he roughly shook her hand. “Little miss, I never got your name.”

She chuckled. “It’s Riko. Riko Sato. You?”

The man immediately started bellowing in laughter. “Sato? As in daughter of Asami Sato? I would’ve never guessed, kiddo! I guess that means that you’re Miss Karina?” The man asked of the waterbender behind Riko. Karina smiled and nodded in return. “Well you can call me Cato. These are my twin boys Yang and Yui.”