LOGAN WAS THE FIRST PERSON HAYDEN WANTED TO TELL ABOUT THE SEKAI TAIKAI.

She laid sprawled out on Logan's couch, phone in hand, scrolling through clips of past Sekai Taikai fights. The adrenaline of it all—watching the best of the best compete, the sheer intensity of every match—made her stomach buzz with anticipation.

"Okay, so get this," she started, glancing up at her sister, who was lazily stretched out on the other end of the couch, staring at the muted TV. "The Sekai Taikai? It's being held in Barcelona. Like, you know how the All Valley was a big deal? This is, like, a hundred times bigger. I've never been out of California, and now I might get to go to Spain. Spain, Logan." She laughed, shaking her head like she still couldn't believe it.

Logan shifted again, resting her elbow on the couch arm, fingers brushing against her temple. "Yeah," she said vaguely. "That's pretty cool."

But Hayden was too caught up to notice how flat her voice was.

How her eyes seemed unfocused.

How she was fidgeting, rubbing her thumb along the side of her finger absently.

Hayden barely noticed.

She was too excited.

"It's gonna be televised. Like, all over the world. Millions of people watching." She leaned forward, her energy practically radiating off of her. "People get scholarships all the time from this, sponsorships, offers to train at insane dojos—this could change everything for me."

She sat up, grinning, voice picking up speed. "Like, imagine that. Imagine actually getting paid to do karate. Living off of it. Not just doing it because you love it, but because you're one of the best."

She waited for Logan to match her enthusiasm.

For her sister to smile and say something like
Damn, kid, that's incredible or I always knew you'd make it this far.

But all Logan did was nod slowly, her eyes still trained on the screen.

"Yeah. That's cool."

Something in Hayden's chest deflated.

She tried not to let it show.

Tried to ignore the way Logan's response felt like a slap to the face.

Because this meant everything to her.

This was the biggest thing to ever happen in her life, and Logan was treating it like she just told her she got a decent grade on a test.

"It's more than cool," Hayden laughed. "This could literally be life-changing. If I make the six. Which I will."

Logan barely reacted, shifting and stretching her arms above her head. "Yeah, I know. It's just..." She trailed off, waving a vague hand. "I've just got a lot on my mind, that's all."

Hayden finally looked up, catching Logan's expression—distant, unreadable.

A flicker of something passed through her chest, something nagging, uneasy.

"You good?" she asked, but it was casual, just a passing thought, a question she didn't expect a real answer to.

Logan blinked, sitting up straighter.

And just like that, it was gone—whatever that look was, whatever disconnect had been there, Logan tucked it away like it had never been there at all.

A slow smirk pulled at her lips. "Yeah, dude. Just life shit. You know how it is."

Hayden nodded, satisfied with the answer.

Because why wouldn't she be?

Logan was fine. She was just tired. Nothing more.

So Hayden smiled, brushing it off like it was nothing, and kept talking.

Because she had a tournament to prepare for.

—

Miguel tossed a roll of tape at her mid-stretch, but Hayden caught it effortlessly, barely breaking form.

It had quickly become their thing—taping each other's fists before practice, even though they both knew how to do it themselves.

Maybe it was habit. Maybe it was something else.

Miguel had even grown accustomed to the spots that made her flinch, knew which areas to be extra careful around and which ones needed more pressure.

It wasn't something they ever talked about.

It just was.

"Today's the big day. You think we'll make the final six?" he asked, stretching his leg out as she unraveled the tape.

Hayden shot him a look. "You think there's a version of this where we don't?"

Miguel chuckled. "What if it's not a sure thing?"

Hayden didn't hesitate. "For me, it is."

He raised a brow. "That confident, huh?"

She smirked, starting to wrap his wrist, her fingers delicately wrapping around his wrist. "No. But I know what I bring to the table. And I know what you bring to the table." Her eyes flicked up to meet his, steady, unwavering. "We've got this shit in the bag."

Miguel felt something settle in his chest at the certainty in her voice—like she wasn't just hoping they'd make it. She knew they would.

"Just like that, huh?" he teased, tilting his head slightly.

She gave him a knowing look, smoothing the tape over his knuckles. "Just like that."

Miguel exhaled, rolling his wrist as she finished. "Alright, then." His lips twitched. "Guess we better not prove you wrong."

Hayden smirked. "Guess not."

And for a moment, just a moment, it felt like there was no other option.

Miguel's eyes sparked as he got an idea. He pulled a black marker from his pocket, twirling it between his fingers before flashing it at her.

Hayden raised a brow, amusement flickering in her eyes. "What's that for? Gonna start signing autographs already?"

Miguel smirked. "Nah. Just a little something for luck."

Before she could question it, he gently took her wrist, flipping it over so the inside of her taped hand faced upward. He uncapped the marker and, with deliberate strokes, wrote an 'M' right in the center.

Hayden blinked, glancing between the ink and his face. "Seriously?"

Miguel grinned. "It's for good luck."

She scoffed lightly. "That's not how luck works."

Miguel shrugged. "It's working for me."

Hayden hesitated. Because letting people in wasn't easy for her. Because this wasn't just some ink on tape—it was letting herself believe someone would be there with her at the end of this.

Her therapist's voice echoed in her mind. You don't have to do everything alone, Hayden.

Before she could talk herself out of it, she grabbed the marker from him.

"Fine," she muttered, gently taking his wrist in her hand. Carefully, she wrote an 'H' onto his tape, her fingers lingering just a second too long before she let go.

Miguel flexed his fist, admiring the mark before glancing up at her, his smirk softer now.

Hayden called the marker with a small smile. "I just bought you a one way ticket to Spain with one letter."

"Your initial holds that much power?"

She gave the mark back. "Of course it does."

She rolled her neck, and just watching her, Miguel could tell she was laser focused. Locked in on making the final six.

"You ever think about it?" Miguel asked.

Hayden tilted her head. "Think about what?"

"The moment." He glanced up at her. "Stepping onto that mat. The cameras. The crowd. The whole world watching."

Hayden's hands paused for half a second—just a fraction of hesitation before she went back to wrapping.

"Yeah," she admitted. "I think about it."

Miguel studied her, eyes searching. "And?"

Hayden finished securing the tape, patting his knuckles lightly before sitting back on her heels.

"And I'm not stepping onto that mat without winning." Her voice was firm, leaving no room for doubt. Then, with a smirk, she added, "And you better get with the program."

Miguel blinked, caught off guard for a split second—then huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head.

"Yes, ma'am," he murmured, flexing his fingers against the tape.

Hayden just smirked, rolling her shoulders back.

Because losing wasn't an option to Hayden.

The sharp sound of Sensei Lawrence and Mr. LaRusso calling them over to the sparring deck cut through the air, breaking the moment between Hayden and Miguel.

They glanced at each other—one last second of stillness before stepping into the fight for Barcelona.

"Please welcome our guest for the weekend, Sensei Barnes."

Hayden's brows lifted slightly as she took in the man standing before them. He had an intensity that felt different from their usual senseis—like he had seen things, done things. The murmurs scattered around the group confirmed she wasn't the only one who felt it.

"Silence!" Barnes' voice boomed through the space, sharp and demanding.

Everyone snapped their gazes forward, mouths clamping shut in unison.

Daniel stepped forward. "In order to keep things unbiased, we brought in Sensei Barnes to observe, then select our top six."

Barnes folded his hands behind his back, pacing through the students like a general surveying his soldiers. "During my years as the Tournament Terror, all I wanted was to fight in the Sekai Taikai." His eyes flicked briefly to Daniel, something unreadable behind them. "But I blew my chance."

He exhaled through his nose. "I'm here to ensure you maximize yours."

Hayden felt a shift in the atmosphere—like the weight of what they were about to do doubled.

Barnes continued, his voice edged with something almost menacing. "Everyone I know who has participated in this has horror stories. This thing is intense. Unpredictable. People have died."

A student stood just slightly out of line, hesitating in his stance.

"Move!" Barnes snapped, and the kid jolted back into place.

Hayden exchanged a glance with Robby, brows raised slightly. Who the hell is this guy?

Barnes' eyes scanned the group, daring someone to show doubt. "Who's ready for that?"

Demetri furrowed his brows, muttering, "Wait. Ready for the tournament... or to die?"

Barnes ignored him. His voice hardened. "I will do to you what the Sekai Taikai will do. I will surprise you with events. I will push you to your limits. And if any of you delicate flowers feel like running to your senseis to cry, don't."

His stare lingered, daring someone to challenge him. No one did.

"I've been given full authority over these eliminations."

"Selections," Daniel corrected quickly. "Let's keep this positive."

Barnes turned his head slowly—the kind of slow that made Daniel's correction seem like a mistake.

"You came to me," Barnes said, his tone almost amused. "The deal was my way or the highway."

A beat of silence.

Then, his sharp eyes turned back to the class.

"Get on the sparring deck."

For half a second, no one moved.

"Now!"

The class moved at once, scrambling onto the deck. Hayden's muscles were already tensed, already preparing.

Throughout the day, Barnes had pushed them to their limits, throwing challenge after challenge their way. Hayden made sure to exceed every single one of them.

The wall sit test was brutal. A massive boulder balanced on her thighs, muscles trembling, sweat dripping down her spine—but she refused to be the one to break. One by one, they dropped. Mitch, then Kenny, then Robby.

Leaving her.

Barnes barely acknowledged the win, simply jotting something down in his notebook. Hayden saw it, smirked—and then let herself collapse with a sharp breath, arms resting over her knees.

Next was board breaking—she shattered three thick boards in one strike, her knuckles barely feeling it.

Endurance challenge? She pushed past the burning in her lungs, ignored the screaming in her muscles, and forced herself forward until no one else could keep up.

And when it came to teamwork sparring? She and Tory moved like one person, sharp and precise, finishing off their opponents before Barnes could even call the match.

The one thing she hadn't exactly excelled at? The damn chicken catching.

"Seriously, what is this?" she had muttered under her breath after thirty minutes of chasing the thing in circles.

Barnes had watched, unimpressed, while Kenny snatched it up in less than five minutes.

Finally, when it was all over, Barnes turned to the exhausted group.

"Congratulations," he said, though the word lacked warmth. The huffs and puffs of the students around her filled the air. "You didn't die." He continued.

"Still, half of you wouldn't last one match at the Sekai Taikai." His gaze was cutting, daring anyone to argue. "To the twelve who might, join me up here when I call your name."

Hayden felt her pulse quicken, her fingers instinctively curling into her palm—but Miguel had been wrapping the tape specifically around that area of her hands to keep her from doing that, so it was useless.

"Hawk. Robby. Miguel. Hayden."

She exhaled, something victorious sparking in her chest as she stepped forward, a small, satisfied smile tugging at her lips. The applause felt like fuel.

"Sam. Tory."

The three girls glanced at each other, something competitive but respectful flashing in their expressions.

"Muscles."

The group stilled, confused.

"Yeah, you." Barnes pointed toward Mitch.

Mitch blinked, pointing at himself. "I have a new nickname?"

Barnes gestured him over. "Get up here."

Mitch grinned. "I have a new nickname!" He practically skipped up to the deck.

"Kenny. Good job. No one ever catches the chicken."

Hayden huffed, crossing her arms. Yeah, yeah, show-off.

"Chris. Demetri." There was a pause as he looked down at his notebook, then Barnes exhaled sharply, almost like he was annoyed by what he had to say next.

"Oh, right. Devon."

The girl visibly exhaled.

"And the last name... Anthony."

Hayden glanced at Sam, catching her surprise at hearing her little brother's name called.

Barnes snapped his notebook shut. "Congratulations, top twelve. Meet me back here tomorrow for round two. The rest of you?" He waved a hand dismissively. "You're out. Better luck next time."

The weight of it settled in—twelve fighters left, six would go to Barcelona.

Barnes turned to Sam, Tory, and Hayden, his gaze sharp.

"You three. Fierce. Keep it up."

Hayden met his stare, nodding slightly. She already knew she was fierce. But hearing it? Validated it.

Tory smirked. Sam grinned despite herself.

They turned to each other—silent agreement passing between them—before high-fiving as they stepped off the deck.

Hayden smiled at the sight of Miguel walking up to her, meeting his high-five halfway. "We're a step closer to Barcelona, baby." Miguel cheered, intertwining their fingers.

Hayden snorted. "Yeah, don't celebrate yet. I'm staying extra to train a little more. Gotta be ready for whatever Barnes throws at us tomorrow."

Miguel nodded, "Alright, I'll stay back with you."

Hayden raised a brow. "You don't have to."

"You kidding? If we're gonna make it to the final six together, we gotta train together."

Hayden stared at him, eyes flickering before slowly, she nodded. "Okay. Together."

Hayden wasn't sure if she'd get used to that.

Across the dojo, Sensei Barnes stood with his arms crossed, his sharp eyes locked on Hayden as she adjusted the tape around her knuckles.

"Sanders," he said abruptly, turning his head toward Daniel and Johnny. "How long has she been training?"

Daniel followed Barnes' gaze toward Hayden, watching as she shifted seamlessly from perfect stance to perfect strike, her movements calculated, efficient, and brutally precise.

"Two years," Daniel said, though his tone held something reluctant—because Hayden didn't train like someone with just a couple of years under her belt. She fought like someone who had spent a lifetime perfecting her technique.

Barnes shot him a look. "Bullshit."

Johnny smirked. "Nah, he's serious. Couple years, tops. She's got a Cobra Kai bite with a Miyagi Do brain. Deadliest combo in the game. She's a total badass."

Barnes hummed, watching as Hayden pivoted effortlessly, knocking Miguel off balance in one quick sweep before resetting like it was nothing.

"She's a natural." His voice was lower now, almost like he was speaking to himself. "That instinct, that control? That's not normal."

Daniel exhaled, nodding. "We know. She's got something most fighters never will."

Barnes tilted his head, eyes narrowing in that calculating way of his.

"She's your best shot."

Johnny and Daniel both looked at him now.

"You want to win the Sekai Taikai?" Barnes continued, nodding toward Hayden. "She's how you do it."

Daniel frowned. "I don't want her to think of herself as just a weapon."

Barnes turned to him. "Then you're a fool. You think you can afford to hold her back? You think the Sekai Taikai is about finding balance?" He scoffed, shaking his head. "This tournament is a war. And she's the only one here built to win it."

Daniel hesitated.

Because a part of him knew Barnes was right.

Hayden wasn't just good. She wasn't just skilled.

She was unstoppable.

Barnes scoffed. "You don't step into the Sekai Taikai unless you're ready to dominate. You either send your best fighter, or you don't bother showing up at all."

Johnny grinned. "Good thing we're showing up."

They watched as Hayden landed another clean strike, her opponent hitting the mat hard. She didn't even flinch. Just reset, focused, ready to keep going.

Barnes smirked. "She's already got that killer instinct. Now the question is—"

He glanced at Daniel.

"Are you gonna let her use it?"

—

Hayden practically ran up the stairs to Logan's apartment, her breath slightly uneven—not from exhaustion, but from excitement.

Final twelve.

She was in the final twelve.

She could already see it—the Sekai Taikai stage, the lights, the cameras, the entire world watching. And she wasn't just some long-shot fighter trying to make a name for herself.

She was one of their best shots.

Pushing the door open, Hayden stepped inside, already calling out, "Lo, you home?"

A beat of silence, then a muffled rustling from the bedroom. "Yeah, yeah—just a sec!" Logan's voice was off. Not groggy like she'd been sleeping, but rushed.

She glanced around the apartment as she waited, noting the barely-there mess.

A couple of discarded takeout containers on the table, one of them overturned. A hoodie crumpled near the couch. A spoon resting on the counter, clean. Like it had been wiped down instead of washed.

Logan finally stepped out of the bedroom, rubbing her face, her hair slightly mussed. "Shit, sorry, I've been cleaning my apartment like a madman—what's up?"

Hayden's grin returned instantly, holding her arms out. "You are looking at one of the final twelve fighters for the Sekai Taikai."

Logan blinked, then smiled wide. A true, genuine smile filled with pride. "Shit, seriously? No way!"

"Way." Hayden nodded, beaming.

Logan let out a low whistle, stepping forward and pulling Hayden into a one-armed hug. "Holy shit, kid. That's huge."

"I know, right?" Hayden pulled back, eyes bright. "It means I'm one step closer to actually going to Spain—to competing on a world stage. People get scholarships from this. Offers. Everything. This could be it, Lo."

Logan chuckled, ruffling her hair. "You deserve it."

Hayden paused, looking at her. "You think so?"

"Hayd." Logan gave her a look. "You're a fucking beast. Of course, I think so."

Something eased in Hayden's chest at that.

Because Logan had never been the type to just hand out compliments. If she said it, she meant it.

Hayden needed to hear it.

"So, what now?" Logan asked, leaning against the counter.

"Another round of cuts tomorrow. But I'm not worried." Hayden shrugged, confidence rolling off her in waves.

"Good." Logan smirked. "That's my girl."

Hayden smiled at her. "You know, If I win this whole thing, opportunities from all around the world will be knocking at the door."

Logan nodded, wiping her nose with a sniffle.

"And, I think— no— I know something for us will come up. I'm gonna get us out of here." She spoke determinedly, like it wasn't a 'what if' situation.

It was a, 'when I do.'

Logan looked at her, and for the first time that night, really looked at her.

Hayden—fierce, stubborn, all fight and fire, but beneath all of that, still the same little sister who had spent her whole life just wanting her big sister back.

Logan forced a small smirk, nudging Hayden's shoulder. "You win that trophy first. Then we'll talk about my 'dream job,' alright?"

Hayden knew Logan was deflecting. That this was her way of brushing it off before she got too emotional, too real.

But she'd take it.

For now.

"Alright," Hayden nodded. "But when I do win, you're gonna let me help. No arguments."

Logan sighed dramatically. "Ugh. Fine. But only because you're such a pain in the ass."

Hayden grinned. "Love you too, Lo."

—

The next day, Hayden had done what she'd always done when she had first joined Miyagi Do.

She showed up an hour early, practicing, training, working.

She wanted this. Hayden wanted this more than anything.

This time it wasn't for revenge. Wasn't to spite anyone or embarrass anyone. And it wasn't to prove herself to anyone but her.

This was hers.

Her fight. Her future.

She was going to win.

"Early bird, huh?"

The sharp voice broke through her focus, and she turned to see Barnes standing at the edge of the mat, arms crossed, notebook in hand.

"Yeah," Hayden exhaled, reaching for her water bottle. "Just wanted to get a little training in before."

Barnes studied her for a beat, something unreadable in his expression. "Good. That's good. The Sekai Taikai's brutal."

Hayden wiped her forehead, glancing at him. "You ever know anyone who won?"

Barnes tilted his head slightly. "No. But I think I will soon."

She blinked, her breath hitching slightly before nodding, catching onto what he was saying immediately.

Before she could think too hard about it, he handed her five red flags. "Put these on each arm and legs, and one in the back of your belt."

Just then, students started filing in, each receiving their own set of flags.

Hayden was about to secure them herself when a familiar voice spoke up beside her.

"Need help?"

She turned to see Robby, already taking the flags from her hands like it was second nature, like he didn't even have to ask.

She didn't stop him.

Didn't fight the way he effortlessly moved closer, fingers brushing against her skin as he secured the velcro around her elbow.

Didn't stop the way her heart skipped—just barely—as he knelt down, fastening the flag to her knee, his touch light, careful.

Robby glanced up at her, catching the way she was chewing the inside of her cheek, scanning the rest of the group.

"Nervous?" he asked, his voice lower now.

Hayden scoffed. "No. I got this." But the way she exhaled a little too sharply made her feel exposed.

Robby smirked slightly. "Just... strategizing, huh?"

She lifted her chin. "Exactly."

He hummed, finishing the last flag and standing back up, way too close now. "Okay, so what's the plan?"

Hayden smirked, arms crossing as she looked up at him. "What, and give away all my secrets to the enemy?"

Robby raised a brow. "I'm the enemy now?"

Hayden shrugged, her smirk deepening. "To beat the enemy, it helps to know the enemy's playbook."

Robby let out a breath of laughter, shaking his head because he knew exactly where she got that from.

"Using my own words against me? That's low, Sanders."

She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Guess you should've been more careful about who you shared them with."

For a moment, neither of them moved.

The sounds of the other students, the low chatter, the shuffle of footsteps—it all faded.

It was just them.

Robby's eyes flickered down, just for a second, before he forced himself to take a step back.

"Guess we'll see who really knows the playbook," he murmured, voice light, teasing.

Hayden rolled her eyes, but there was something else in them when she looked at him. Something lingering.

Something unspoken.

She finished securing her flags, shaking out her arms.

"Hope you're ready to lose," she muttered as she walked past him.

Robby turned, watching her go, his smirk softening just slightly.

"Top twelve, get ready!" Barnes announced as the students lined up in rows of six, facing each other.

"Today's challenge is a Battle Royale. The rules are simple. Protect your flags. Steal the others. Lose your flags, and you're out. The ones with the most flags at the end go to Barcelona. The rest of you will be judged on performance. You have two minutes. Ready?"

The students bowed together, keeping their eyes locked on their opponents. Hayden honed in on Eli's cocky smirk, her lips twitching.

He was going to be her first victim.

"And—fight!"

The dojo erupted into chaos.

Some scrambled to run, others lunged at the first person in sight. Hayden, however, didn't hesitate—she was hunting.

Mitch was the easiest target. He made the mistake of jumping. Hayden barely broke stride as she snatched a flag off his arm mid-air.

"Aw, man!" Mitch groaned, but she was already moving.

She heard the whoosh of a kick behind her and whipped around just in time to see Eli's foot flying toward her ribs.

She dodged, ducking low, her movements fluid, waiting for the right opening.

There.

Eli's leg was extended—too extended. Hayden grabbed his arm, yanking him forward before sending a sharp knee into his ribs. His balance shattered, and she ripped the flag from his knee.

"Thanks, Eli," she grinned before spinning off into the fray.

"F—!" His curse was cut off as someone else barreled into him.

Her eyes locked onto Devon next, who was distracted, watching Johnny and Barnes bicker.

Big mistake.

Hayden struck fast, slipping behind her with near silent steps before ripping the flag from her belt.

Devon barely registered it before Hayden was already gone.

"What the—?!" Devon spun around, but Hayden was three steps ahead.

Chris was next. Too slow. Too predictable.

He turned just in time to see Hayden leaping.

A devastating spin kick crashed into his chest, sending him crumbling to the floor. Before he could recover, Hayden ripped two flags off of him and vanished into the fight.

She weaved through the chaos with precision, eyes sharp, movements calculated.

Anthony was cornered by Kenny, his focus entirely on his opponent.

Hayden made it two feet behind him before he even noticed.

A swift, sharp tug. Two of his flags were gone.

By the time he whipped around, Hayden was already dancing out of reach.

Hayden was growing a collection, brushing her fingers over the multiple flags she'd managed to collect in seconds.

And it wasn't only the first thirty seconds of the challenge. Hayden wasn't even close to done.

She'd weaved through the crowd effortlessly, taking any open flags that she knew would be easy grabs. Her flag collection was growing quickly.

She looked up at her new opponent, her eyes glinting.

Hayden's grip tightened, feet shifting into a perfect stance as she locked eyes with Robby.

He'd been smirking at her already. "You said something about knowing the enemies playbook?" He quirked a brow at her.

Hayden shrugged, motioning him forward.

He moved first. A sharp step forward, a quick grab for her flag.

Too slow.

She twisted away, his fingers barely brushing the fabric before she snatched his wrist, pivoted, and used his own momentum against him.

One of his flags dangled between her fingers. She tucked it onto her belt before he could react.

Robby exhaled sharply, resetting, but before he could make another move—

Sam attacked from the side out of nowhere.

Hayden ducked low, barely avoiding the swipe for her belt, but Sam was fast—faster than she expected.

She managed to rip Hayden's left knee flag off, but Hayden didn't have time to dwell on it.

A sharp spin, a leg sweep, Hayden jumped over it, rolling across the mat to create distance.

Sam and Robby regrouped, circling her like predators.

Two against one.

Hayden didn't even blink.

Robby lunged, going for a feint—left, right, back to left. Hayden saw it coming a mile away.

She blocked the hit, redirected his momentum, planted her foot, and rammed her elbow into his ribs.

Another flag.

Sam was already moving, throwing a high kick toward Hayden's side. Fast. Precise.

Hayden ducked under it, twisted behind her, snatching a flag from her belt in the process.

Sam barely had time to react before Hayden shoved her forward, creating space.

Hayden exhaled, adjusting the new flags on her belt.

Just as Sam moved to take another one of her flags, a yell broke them out of it.

"Time! That's it!"

Hayden exhaled sharply, rolling her shoulders as she loosened her grip on the handful of flags she'd collected. Her chest rose and fell with every breath, but the adrenaline still buzzed beneath her skin.

Around her, the others gathered back in line, each of them huffing, sweating, barely holding themselves upright.

Across the mat, she caught sight of Mr. LaRusso leading Anthony inside, blood dripping from his nose. Barnes, meanwhile, looked irritated, impatient as he swept his gaze over the group.

"Let me see those flags! Come on!" He barked, eyes scanning them all.

Hayden lifted both hands, an overflowing pile of flags spilling from her fingers. Then she remembered the ones she'd tucked into her gi. With a small smirk, she reached in, pulling out even more, letting them pile up in her palm like a trophy.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Barnes raise a brow slightly. Impressed.

"All right, we've clearly got our top five," he announced, scanning the group. "Tory. Robby. Sam. Miguel. And Hayden."

The words hit her like lightning.

They were going to Barcelona.

She turned immediately to Miguel, who grinned at her, nodding.

Then she bumped Robby's arm, unable to contain the excitement buzzing under her skin.

"You bottom four are tied," Barnes continued, glancing at Devon, Eli, Demetri, and Kenny. His eyes flickered over his notes. "I'll go back tonight and review my scores. Final two spots will be announced in the morning."

The tension shifted instantly. Relief and excitement for some, anxious uncertainty for others.

But Hayden could still feel the weight of the flags in her hands. She won.

And now, Barcelona was waiting.

—

Coyote Creek was... weird.

Hayden was willing to bet so much money that it would've been Eli or Kenny to come back with the red flag that Barnes had hid in the forest.

So, when Demetri was the last one standing? Hayden thought she'd look up and see pigs flying.

She stared at the flag in her hand, smiling at it.

Barcelona.

The red flag felt heavier in Hayden's hands than it should have.

She ran her fingers over the fabric, still trying to process the fact that she had made it.

She wasn't supposed to be here. Nobody thought she ever could.

She wasn't supposed to be standing at the doorstep of something this big, this life-changing.

Yet, here she was. Holding proof of it.

A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.

"Come in," she called, sitting up a little straighter.

Robby stepped inside, hands tucked into his pockets. He gave her a small smirk, eyes flickering down to the flag in her hand. "Still can't believe it, huh?"

Hayden exhaled, shaking her head. "Not even a little."

He walked over, settling beside her on the edge of the bed. "You know this could change everything, right?" His voice was quieter now, more thoughtful.

She nodded, staring at the flag. "Yeah."

Robby glanced at her. "I mean it, Hayden. Whoever wins this... their whole life is different after. It's not just about fighting anymore. It's about opportunities. Sponsorships, scholarships, careers."

Hayden swallowed, staring down at her hands. "I think about that more than I probably should."

Robby studied her. "And?"

She let out a slow breath. "And... for the first time, I feel like I'm fighting for me. Not for revenge. Not because I have something to prove. Just... because I want this. Because I want to see what's out there."

Robby nodded, understanding in his eyes. "I get that."

He did. Better than anyone.

Hayden looked at him then, really looked at him. "What about you? What happens if you win?"

Robby was quiet for a moment. Then, softly, "I don't know. I never thought I'd make it this far."

Hayden exhaled a small laugh. "Me neither."

They sat in silence for a moment, their shoulders almost brushing.

It felt big.

Like they were on the verge of something they couldn't name.

Hayden turned her head, finding Robby already looking at her.

Her pulse skipped.

And then—

Tap. Tap. Tap.

They both turned just in time to see Miguel's face appear in the window.

Hayden blinked, dragging a hand down her face before getting up and making her way to the window.

She unlatched the lock and slid it open, stepping back as Miguel climbed inside like this was something they did all the time.

But the second his feet hit the floor, his entire body tensed.

Because he finally noticed Robby.

Sitting on her bed.

"Oh, uh, Robby," He said, chuckling a bit awkwardly as he rubbed the back of his neck.

Robby, for his part, didn't move. He leaned back on his hands, completely casual. Like he hadn't just been looking at Hayden like she was the most important thing in the world to him.

Hayden closed the window behind Miguel, turning to find the two boys just staring at each other.

The air was tense. Charged.

Like something unspoken was hanging between them, thick and heavy and impossible to ignore.

"You, uh... You used the window?" Robby arched a brow, feigning amusement.

Miguel crossed his arms, gaze flickering between the two of them. "Yeah. We do that sometimes."

Hayden stilled.

It wasn't what he said. It was how he said it.

Like he was staking some kind of claim. Like he wanted Robby to know he wasn't the only one with history here.

Robby's lips twitched. "Huh."

Silence.

Hayden looked between them, feeling the heat rising in the room.

They weren't fighting.

But they were.

A battle of proximity. Of presence. Of who knew her better.

Miguel was standing, rigid but familiar, like he belonged here.

Robby was sitting comfortably on her bed, making no effort to move, like he belonged there.

Neither of them said it outright. But the tension between them was loud.

"We were just, um, talking about the Sekai Taikai. How it's crazy that we all made it." She broke the silence, looking at Miguel.

Miguel nodded slowly, still sizing up the situation. "Yeah. Crazy."

Hayden exhaled through her nose, rubbing at the tension in her temple. "You needed something, Diaz?"

Miguel finally tore his eyes away from Robby, his face softening just a little when he looked at her. "Yeah, actually. I was just—" He hesitated, glancing at Robby again before finishing, "—gonna ask if you wanted to train. Get some reps in before tomorrow."

Robby tilted his head, the barest smirk forming on his lips. "That's funny. We were just talking about training."

They definitely weren't.

Miguel didn't react, but Hayden could see the way his jaw tensed slightly.

"Well," Miguel shrugged, playing it cool. "Guess great minds think alike."

Robby nodded, just as casual. "Guess so."

Another beat of silence.

Hayden sighed, looking between them. "Yeah, alright. Give me ten, Miguel."

Miguel's lips twitched like he wanted to smirk, like he had won something.

Robby only exhaled through his nose, his eyes flickering between them before finally pushing off the bed.

"I should go anyway," Robby said, his tone even. He met Hayden's gaze, and for just a second, his expression softened. "See you tomorrow?"

She nodded. "Yeah."

Robby gave Miguel one last look before making his way to the door.

Miguel waited.

Waited until the door clicked shut.

Waited until it was just the two of them before finally turning back to Hayden, arching a brow. "So, you and Robby?"

Hayden rolled her eyes. "Don't start."

Miguel just grinned, and damn it, that was worse.

authors note.
TANNER AND MARY ENGAGED??? I CANT IM SO HAPPY I LOVE THEM SM
anyways im not ready to say goodbye to miss sanders yet im so sad guys