CHAPTER 10: CHOI vs DOMINAKA
1251 Words
ODESSA
“I thought I was fighting Kiyoko?” I walk into the mat to find Kaizer stretching.
He is shirtless and in shorts to show his back tattoo, of course, he is also looks like a typical villain in a Kung-Fu movie.
‘Ready for the kill’—which is me.
“Saya told him not to fight, guess she is running that marriage now.” Kade clicks his tongue and I look over my shoulder to where she is sitting.
“Good luck,” Saya mouths helplessly because she knows Kaizer is definitely going to give it his all.
Kiyoko might be crazy but Kaizer is as heartless as Miyo which means throwing this fight is not an option—not that it ever was. This being in front of a live audience it meant to prove something.
“To the centre,” Kade instructs as the referee. “As you can see, this is a school tournament which means 3rounds, no weapons and tap out is validated.”
I look up to see all the students watching from the stands in uniform which explains the traditional attire and why my hair is gelled back into a braid bun and away from my face.
A gong is banged and immediately the room turns silent like a prayer is about to start.
“Morning everyone, let us cut to the chase.” Kade shows humour I didn’t know he possessed as he speaks into the mic in his hand. “On the left, we have the 2nd son of Choi. Professor Kaizer, gun machine specialist and combat record holder.”
The students cheer and clap while I look at Kudo, only he whispers something to Kai.
“On the right, we have Miss Vecker. Though many of you don’t know, she is the Miscellaneous Activity & History professor but she is also a highly ranked workmen and ain’t she a beauty girls and boys?”
Surprisingly, people cheer for me too even Saya and Kairo. At least I know they are routing for me for real.
“Fighters, are you ready?” Kade looks at me and I nod but Kaizer barks.
That is…promising (not).
“Fight!” Kade leaves the middle and Kaizer takes an offence position which means he attacks first with a flying kick to my face.
It is exactly where Miyo struck too, so it is very predictable hence the numbing gel I already on my face.
“Ouu,” the crowd yells as I go down with no effort.
“Get up!” Kaizer spits on the mat, “I am not done with you.” He flexes his muscles to show his determination.
I look at Kudo and this time, Kai is the one to whisper in his ear and like clockwork I see it all in slow motion once my feet touch the ground.
As Kaizer lunges his foot into my stomach repeatedly, I feel that fire that was burning my skin the moment I woke up in Korea tied up and surrounded by them all ignite in me like an eternal flame. The pain I felt as the cab drove away from the airport, pulling me away from Liam.
As Kaizer drags me by the hair and knees my face, I see what will happen next. Miyo might be gone but someone worse will replace her and the longer I am in Kook Academy, the longer Liam will pull away from me.
I know him like the back of my hand and I have lost enough chances to know when I am facing my last days.
And these are truly my last.
“Call,” Kade pulls Kaizer back when I don’t stand back up. “End of round one, Odessa can you continue?”
His voice glitches like I am watching a bad simulation but my eyes move to Kudo and this time no one whispering. Both their attention is on me as I raise my thumb up.
Now, the real show can start.
“Round 2 will begin soon.” Kade yells once they are done wiping blood, sweat and whatever liquid Kaizer got out of me. “If you are not going to fight, why don’t you just tap out?” Kade checks my eyes for internal and brain injury.
But that is when I see it.
“I needed a reason to fight,” I check my fingers for mobility and surprisingly nothing is broken. “Tell Kai and Kudo, I said thank you but this one, is for you.”
“Me?” Kade steps back to show how confused he is.
“Tell me, do you believe in magic Kade Choi? Because you don’t look like someone who believes in magic.” I smirk manically because I am losing vision on my left. “But don’t worry, I am one hell of a magician.” I pop in my mouth guard and count from 5.
They trapped me and have been using me from the start.
4.
They pulled me away from Liam and probably my last chance of an honest reunion with him.
3.
They pulled me away from my family, from my brother, my cousin, Yaya and my parents.
2.
They do nothing but watch from the side-lines! First it was Saya, now it is me.
1.
They lied, probably have been since the start because there is no plan here. I am just leverage for something bigger.
0.
Kade f*****g Choi.
“Fight!” Kade leaves and I exhale to focus my force.
I am not a natural fighter nor lover. I am musician and for an entire year, I was at peace. Well, the closest I will ever come to it.
I had music, I had Liam, I made sure not to bother anyone but still, that wasn’t enough.
Kai was probably the reason the Choi’s came to my aide but Ivan is definitely the purpose I stayed with them which means I was right. A bigger plan is in motion here and its time, I started falling in line.
It is time I stop playing Vecker and started being frostbite.
“Enough, Jesus!” Kade pulls me back from a motionless Kaizer on the ground.
That was fast, even for me.
“Kaizer can you continue?” He doesn’t move an inch as blood runs down his nose, lip and ear. “He is out.” Kade tells the medic and they run on to the mat as I return to my corner.
This time I don’t have to look at anyone to know what they are thinking but I do remove my mouth guard to face Kade, this was all for him.
Out of all the brothers, he is the only one that couldn’t bear to look at me getting beaten in what seemed like an unfair fight. Out of the 7, he flinched when he saw my face and even checked on me yesterday and today.
Kade might be mister cold but I know he had the deciding vote against Miyo and probably backed up Saya when Kiyoko volunteered. He is intelligence so he has no business being down here with us in combat.
So yeah, I finally get what Kudo meant with his advice and it seems Kade Choi is the key to my fighting chance.
“Do you believe in magic now?” I retreat back to my corner with a bloody smirk.
- Writer
