The Night Party

"Where have you been all this time?" Ryan, searching for his best friend, found Max sitting at a bar, devouring a pile of fried snacks.

With his mouth full, Max replied, "Am I your girlfriend?"

"What?"

"I said, Am I your damn girlfriend?"

"Too bad you're a guy." Ryan joked as he sat beside him.

"This party's quieter than I expected." Max glanced around, not seeing anything out of the ordinary.

Everyone was seated in their reserved areas. There was an open bar and plenty of tables where people enjoyed their meals peacefully.

After returning from his run earlier, Max had taken a shower, changed into casual clothing branded with Cobra Kai logos, and joined his friends in a private section designated for their gathering.

The bar district near California's beaches was one of the busiest areas, drawing diverse crowds of locals and tourists alike. It was packed with dance halls, casinos, nightclubs, specialty clubs, and restaurants, all housed in large, bustling buildings.

For Max, who often attended Ryan's private parties, such events didn't leave much of an impression anymore.

After reuniting with Ryan, they wandered to the west end of the area, where a circular setup surrounded by black chairs caught Max's attention.

Max decided to take a detour to check it out.

Upon hearing his suggestion, Miguel and Ryan, who had been searching for Max, followed him to see what kind of fight arena was being prepared for the night.

As the place slowly filled with spectators, Miguel turned to Max and asked, "How much do you think a seat costs?"

"Ha, ha, ha, probably a few thousand dollars. Maybe more if well-known street fighters are on tonight's card," Ryan replied, nudging Miguel with his shoulder as they walked toward the arena.

"This kind of place isn't just for anyone," Max explained. "You can only get in if you're a fighter or famous. Connections are key, and underground fights like these are the perfect networking spots."

Max went on to explain how such events could be organized without much regard for the formalities.

"You make money—a lot of it—but if you're a fighter, there's no guarantee of your safety in matches like these."

"Cobra Kai represents martial arts. We need to gain fame and influence to grow nationally. Places like this could open doors for us to find champions who'll represent our brand," Max said, scanning the crowd to see if he recognized anyone.

His goal was clear: to make Cobra Kai a self-sustaining mixed martial arts school that could generate enough income to pay its most experienced fighters.

The idea was solid, but the school needed to explore different aspects of the business to truly expand its reach.

"Enjoying the party?" A young man about Ryan's age, with blonde hair and blue eyes, approached them.

Ryan stepped forward and greeted him, "The famous Joey Quinn. Who'd have thought you'd be into such a laid-back vibe?"

Joey shook his head slightly and explained, "I've got guests from China. Great fighters, but they love their tranquility. As their host, how could I not respect the peace they find in silence?"

"Got anyone who could beat Max?" Ryan pointed at Max, who had been keeping his distance from the dull conversation.

"Is he strong?"

"The best Cobra Kai has to offer, I can guarantee that." Ryan patted Max on the shoulder with a grin.

"Well, we'll see about that." Joey Quinn gave Max a meaningful look before walking away.

Hawk, who had joined them, asked, "What's his problem?"

"He thinks he's got better fighters than we do. Honestly, I wouldn't mind taking on some Chinese fighters. Statistically, they're among the best in the world," Ryan said as they made their way back to their table.