𝐈𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲, 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞?

𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬, 𝐦𝐲 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞

Decisions must be taken with caution, because what we decide can change our lives for better or for worse. And here comes the question: did we really do the right thing, or did we just do it out of pressure or because there was no way out? Did we really think it was necessary to do it?

Spain was the center of attention, and even more so if it was a tournament like the Sekai Taikai. Everyone was there: sponsors, senseis, students? It was being televised.

The dojos were lined up with their senseis, looking straight ahead, ready for what was to come. Some were rookies, like Miyagido and Cobra Kai, but others were already champions, like Iron Dragons. Tension pulsed in the air; gazes crossed.

The looks shared between everyone: Sam and Tory, Tory and Robby, Kwon, with a smile looking at Robby. Despite what had happened, he stood his ground, his heart cold and his goal fixed. This time they could fight without anyone getting in the way. He would not allow Tory Nichols, his partner, to now become a stranger, with feelings locked away in a padlock. No weaknesses.

Gunther was on his feet, announcing:

-Welcome, competitors, senseis, sponsors and esteemed guests to Barcelona, host this year of the largest karate tournament in the world, the Sekai Taikai.

That was enough for the people to applaud, excited. The long-awaited event had finally arrived. The presenter continued:

-The Sekai Taikai has a rich and proud history, and if you are here, it is because you embody everything it stands for: leadership, respect, sportsmanship.

He then asked the captains to step forward and said:

-Put on your ribbons.

So it was that the dojo captains stepped forward: from Miyagido, Sam and Robby; and from Cobra Kai, Tory and Kwon, putting on their respective ribbons.

For Daniel, that ribbon reminded him of Mr. Miyagi, the box he had discovered, unearthing the master's past. If he really fought, why was there blood on it? His worried look gave him away.

Once the captains had been fitted with their ribbons, Gunther continued:

-Captains, you will have the honor and privilege of competing in our televised tournament of champions, but that will only be possible if your dojo excels in the team competitions, to make it to the final 4. When the tournament is over, we will add up all the points obtained by your dojos. The dojo with the most points will win the Sekai Taikai.

As the presenter continued, Sam looked confused. He turned to Robby, asking him, "Did you know that?

Robby turned and denied- i don't have any idea.

The presenter continued-Today is about enjoying our host city and making new friends or enemies.

Kwon and Robby's gazes crossed, both with mutual hatred. As the presenter said:

-We have organized an excursion for our competitors and their senseis, a cocktail party with our distinguished sponsors, some of the best brands of the best martial arts. It is a beautiful day to make the first impression, and I suggest you enjoy it, because tomorrow your lives will change forever. Good luck and welcome to the Sekai Taikai.Finally, the presenter finished.

As everyone was leaving, Daniel and Johnny were directing their students to carry their bags.

-Boys, go get your room keys and get everyone else settled," Daniel asked Miguel, who was carrying the bags.

-If we pay the driver, go ahead," said Johnny.

Once they left, Johnny started to fight with Daniel.

-Explain to me what this is all about. Tory is here because of you.

-Wait a minute. After everything we saw, you're blaming me? Tory's mother died, and you still wanted her to fight. You fed her anger. No wonder she went back to Kreese.

-Don't worry about that, mark my words: Kreese is a dead man," said Johnny.

The discussion continued between them as Cobra Kai walked away with his sensei. The captains took off their sashes, heading for the exit. They were all heading that way. Kwon and Tory avoided looking at each other.

He had decided to focus on winning. Despite having Tory as captain, he would have to keep a cool head and prove himself.

Tory was following him. The senseis would go ahead, and she would follow them to the locker room, where she would take off her gi, but Kwon's knot was too tight. She cursed internally.

Damn Chinese, I'd kill you if you weren't my ally, Tory thought, trying to untie the knot. At that moment, he remembered one of the moments they shared together.

In the Cobra Kai dojo, Tory was hiding, crying. It was a month since her mother's death, but she still could not assimilate it. She, who had always been a fighter. They said that God takes his best warriors, but she was not supposed to leave. Her only way to deal with the pain was to strike.

That's how she started, by hitting a tree. If she could hit a solid rock, that was nothing. She began to practice hitting, more and more, thinking of her mother, until she hurt herself.

-Agh! -said Tory, holding his hand, which, though healed, was again injured.

Kwon, who had arrived and heard the noise, approached. Seeing her, he thought of going away and leaving her, but something stopped him. Why was she showing empathy? Why was her body guiding him toward her? What the hell was Kwon thinking?

Without further ado, he walked over and said-Good punches, but this tree is not a good boxer. What it stands up to best are boards.

-What are you doing here? -Tory asked, annoyed. You'd better leave.

-What are you doing here? -Kwon answered, looking down at her hand. You're a fool. If you break your hand, you won't be able to train. Do you want to lose?

-It's none of your business," Tory replied, pulling her hand away. But Kwon took it gently, took out a handkerchief from his pocket, tore it with his teeth and used it to bandage her hand.

-Look, I don't like you, nor do I like you, and it's obvious. But if I let you get hurt, I'll pay dearly for it. And I'd rather clean the old man's toilets than be a nurse with you," said Kwon, finishing tying the knot.

-Agh! -complained Tory, as he adjusted the bandage.

-Stop complaining. Wounds hurt, but they heal. So wear bandages and don't hit trees again," said Kwon, leaving Tory's hand. And by the way-he threw another handkerchief.

Tory caught it in her hand, confused, looking at the handkerchief.

-It's for your tears. You'd better not cry again. I'd rather it be for a win than a loss, Nichols," Kwon said before leaving.

Tory stared at his bandaged hand and the handkerchief he was holding. It was the first time he had shown empathy towards her. Then, already changed, she came out of the changing room and received a phone call.

-Hello," said the blonde.

-Hello, Miss Nichols. I'll get back to you. You remember we talked about your case.

-Yes, I remember. I'll send you the papers," said Tory.

-That's fine. Also, I wanted to know... Do you have any witnesses who can testify before the trial? -asked the woman.

-Yes, of course. Mrs. Parton, my neighbor, was very helpful," said Tory.

-Good. Your aunt has a lawyer. I'll set a date for the trial. Is a few months from now okay? -asked the lawyer.

-Yes, thank you very much," Tory replied. Once she was changed and in her new clothes, she left, but there was no one waiting for her. Not even Kwon.

Meanwhile, Kwon and the others were in the changing rooms, wearing the new jackets and feeling powerful, although they were broken inside.

-Hey, Kwon," Yoon called. Do you know where Tory is?

-What do I know? I'm not her babysitter," Kwon answered, annoyed.

-But it was your ex," said Yoon, oblivious to Kwon's approach. So, seeing him approaching, he slowed down:

-She and I were never anything. It was just to distract Keene. Now come on, I'm the leader of the group.

-So you and her...? -asked another boy, curious.

-What part of "nothing happened" don't you understand? I would never date someone who switches dojos," said Kwon, annoyed.

What Kwon didn't know was that Tory had heard everything. He didn't want to make a fuss, he didn't need to. He opted to ignore them and go along with the lawyer's requests. Besides, she couldn't blame him.

He had given everything for her, and she had cheated on him. Now he understood. He had become a traitor like his ex. He knew they would be headed that way, so he would bide his time. He didn't want to run into either Robby or Kwon.

There was Miyagido, and Robby had the cards that opened each door to the rooms. He approached the boys and said:-Well, which room do they want? -he asked.

-Ah, I'll go with you," said Demetri, without hesitation, taking a card.

-Really? -Miguel asked, surprised. I thought I was going.

-No, I'll stay with the snake," said Hawk, standing next to him, causing confusion in Robby and Miguel.

-Besides, gas boots," commented Hawk.

-It's a mistake," said Demetri, in his pessimistic tone. Whoever smells it first, has it underneath.

-And what rhymes? -answered Hawk, annoyed.

-You just rhymed," said Demetri, laughing.

-You rhymed first," replied Hawk.

Off to the side, Sam and Devon watched the conversation. It seemed silly to them, so they fought.

-Thank God we're not boys," Devon commented.

Sam laughed, but his look changed.

-Are you all right? -Devon asked.

-Why did Tory go back to Cobra Kai? I thought she changed," Sam asked Devon, just as Cobra Kai arrived, led by Kwon, walking with their bags.

-Wow," said Kwon, causing Miyagido to turn around.

-Are you the famous Miyagido? I heard about you, but I don't know why," he said, in a more serious tone. I don't see anything in you.

-No," said Hawk, annoyed, approaching him. You'll see when you step on the mat tomorrow.

That elicited a wry laugh from Kwon, but he was interrupted by the team captain, Robby, who grabbed his teammate and said:

-Come on, Hawk. Let's avoid fights, it's not worth it.

Miguel also supported:

-He's right, ignore them, they are just another dojo.

But at that moment, Tory arrived, with her Cobra Kai jacket, her hair loose and carrying her bag, passing in front of everyone. Robby turned to see her and called out to her:

-Tory, wait.

But Kwon, observing the situation, was also going to follow her. They passed Miyagido, and seeing one of the boys, Demetri went over to scare him while Robby followed Tory. She had already gotten on the elevator and Robby was late.

-Look at this guy," Kwon said in Korean, eliciting laughter from his classmates as they saw Robby frustrated that he couldn't talk to her.

-Should we be worried? -asked Hawk.

-No, Robby will be fine," said Miguel.

-I wouldn't be all right," said Demetri, in his pessimistic manner.

Hawk and Michael looked at each other, confused.

Tory had reached the part of the rooms. Once there, he went into his room and began to unpack his things until someone knocked on the door. Tory put everything down and opened it. Seeing that it was her senseis, she stood still.

Standing, Kim was in front and Kreese was behind. Kim was quick to command:

-Move those buses, they're leaving," she said, stepping inside.

Tory, still unpacking, replied:

-I didn't come here on a field trip.

-Your team is waiting for you," said Kim, approaching as Tory continued with her things.

-And I didn't come for them either," Tory replied firmly.

Kim, annoyed, slammed the blonde's bag shut.

-Let me be clear with you: I didn't want you on this team, and I still don't want you," Kim said, crossing her arms and looking at her.

-Well, I do... if I didn't have a better option," replied Tory, sarcastically.

-I saw your potential right away," said Kim, analyzing her. But I also saw that you're a rat. You whine, you get distracted by loyalties...the boyfriend.

-And for breaking my hand? -Tory asked, challenging her.

-You broke it on your own," Kim replied, laughing. I knew you weren't a leader.

-I don't want to," said Tory, looking down. I agree to be the last one to fight.

-And you'll be the last to lose," said Kim, before walking out of the room, leaving Kreese and Tory. Tory closed the door.

Tory returned with her suitcase, while Kreese watched silently. Until Tory spoke:

-I have nothing to say to you.

-I know you're struggling, but you made the right decision," Kreese said, facing her. Do it to make your mother proud.

Kreese's words came as a blow. He knew he had touched her weakness. Tory looked at him with a sad expression and replied:

-I hope so...

-I know," Kreese said. You don't have to like your team. Sometimes we have to pretend to get what we want.

With those words, Kreese left her, leaving Tory in thought. She stood there, staring at the closed door, questioning whether her decision had been the right one. She was willing to fight, to leave everything behind for karate. She had no other options. As her mother used to say, we are fighters and we must fight to achieve.