bm2neat
Miya 'Faye' Maeng has spent her life in silence an orphan raised by the cold, punishing hand of Master Kim, trained to be a flawless fighter inside of a Korean dojang. Quiet, obedient, and invisible to everyone but her Sensei, Miya never expected to see the world. That changes when John Kreese, a former student of Master Kim, returns to Korea and convinces him to enter the legendary Sekai Taikai tournament.
Thrown into unfamiliar territory filled with rivalries and team exercises Miya struggles to adjust until she meets Axel Kovacevic. Another orphan, another quiet soul, Axel is calm, composed, and clearly carrying something heavy. But behind his quiet exterior is a lifetime of trauma at the hands of a merciless sensei.
Their connection begins in silence a shared glance, a quiet moment and grows into something more. They understand each other in ways no one else can. In stolen conversations and shared stillness, they find something rare: comfort. Trust. Love.
But in their world, love is a risk neither of them is allowed to take. Their bond draws the attention-and disapproval of their Sensei's, who see it as weakness. Miya soon discovers that Axel is still being abused by his sensei, and she refuses to stay silent. As she fights to protect him, the cost of their closeness becomes impossible to ignore.
Then everything falls apart. Miya's childhood friend, Kwon, dies after a fight between himself and Axel. Now they carry guilt and grief. Miya returns home devastated, Axel lost in blame. And with their senseis becoming more cruel, both are pulled deeper into the world that's always controlled them.
Now, Miya must make a choice continue living the life she was molded into, or fight for the boy she loves and show him that he doesn't have to face his pain alone and can be freed from his Sensei. And Axel must find the strength to break free from the control that's ruled him for so long - if Miya is still willing to stand by his side.