Chapter 8 — The Price Of Being Seen
453 Words
Mia
I wanted to disappear.
The photo was everywhere.
Phones.
Social media.
Group chats.
People I barely knew suddenly had opinions about my life.
“She’s betraying her team.”
“She’s using Kai to get attention.”
“She’s just like her father.”
That last one hurt the most.
Because it wasn’t about Kai anymore.
It was about everything I had tried to escape.
───
I walked into the dojo expecting anger.
I got silence.
Everyone watched me.
Then Ren stepped forward.
“Mia.”
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
“I need to ask you something.”
I swallowed.
“What?”
His eyes moved to Kai, who stood across the room.
Then back to me.
“Are you choosing him?”
The question felt heavier than any match.
“I don’t know.”
And that answer hurt him.
I saw it.
───
Ren laughed softly.
Not because it was funny.
Because he didn’t know what else to do.
“I spent months helping you.”
My chest tightened.
“I know.”
“I believed in you.”
“I know.”
“Then why is it him?”
I had no answer.
Because the truth scared me.
───
Before I could speak, Kai stepped forward.
“Enough.”
Ren looked at him.
“This doesn’t involve you.”
Kai’s expression darkened.
“She said she doesn’t know.”
A pause.
“That means you don’t pressure her.”
The room went silent.
Ren stared.
Then laughed.
“You really think you’re different?”
Kai didn’t answer.
Ren continued:
“You hide behind that cold attitude and pretend you don’t care.”
His voice sharpened.
“But you’re just as selfish as everyone else.”
For the first time…
Kai looked hurt.
───
After everyone left, I found Kai alone.
“You didn’t have to defend me.”
He looked away.
“Yes, I did.”
“Why?”
A long silence.
Then:
“Because I know what it feels like.”
I frowned.
“To be judged?”
He nodded.
“To have people decide who you are before they know you.”
My anger faded.
Because suddenly…
I saw him.
Not the rival.
Not the fighter.
Just Kai.
───
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
He looked at me.
“For what?”
“For thinking you didn’t care.”
His expression softened.
“You were right.”
I blinked.
“What?”
He looked away.
“I didn’t.”
A pause.
“Not before.”
My heart raced.
“But now?”
He looked at me.
And for the first time…
Kai Nakamura looked terrified.
“Now I do.”
───
End of Chapter 8
- Writer
