Night Party [2]

"What?"

"This place is somewhat special. Normally, we don't invite just anyone, but since you're already here, you're welcome," Max said, leading Robby in a completely different direction than where Miguel and his girlfriend had gone.

Everywhere Robby looked, he saw girls in swimsuits and others in extravagant dresses. There were guys his age, and some older, drinking while live music blared loudly through the mansion.

"Have you heard of our martial arts school?" Max asked, pointing to the cobra emblem on the banners prepared as decorations for the event.

Robby nodded slightly. "I know a bit about it."

Of course, he did—after all, his father taught at Cobra Kai.

"Would you like to join?"

"I train at another dojo," Robby replied, careful not to reveal his master's name, wary of being judged or encountering hostility.

To his surprise, Max simply smiled brightly and said, "Brilliant! Then you're more than welcome. This place is just one of many sites where we host these kinds of parties. We usually gather donations from wealthy families' kids, which keeps this place running without losses."

As they walked, they reached a bar area. Max signaled to the bartender with two fingers. "I suppose you don't drink, right? If you train in martial arts, I doubt you'd damage your body with that kind of junk."

"I don't drink," Robby replied, managing a tight smile as he accepted the non-alcoholic mixed drink served in a glass.

Max smirked slightly. "Thought so. Come on, follow me."

They continued walking through the enormous mansion until they reached an outdoor area. Across the way, there were seats for over five hundred spectators, and on a hilltop stood a combat cage.

"That's..."

"The main event for tonight. Here, people usually unleash their hidden frustrations by fighting their opponents—woman against woman, boyfriend against girlfriend, and even people switching roles. We have it all to ensure everyone enjoys an unforgettable experience."

Robby watched as a girl fought a guy in the cage. She was pounding his face with considerable force until the referee intervened to stop the fight.

When they reached the sign-up area for competitors, Max handed Robby a pen. "Your turn to sign up."

"No, I'm not fighting."

"You've come all this way, you train at a dojo whose techniques we don't know about, so you should enjoy yourself. Wait, are you afraid of getting hurt? Don't worry, we have a medical team ready to act if any hit is too serious," Max said, gesturing to paramedics tending to the guy who had just been knocked out by his girlfriend.

Still, Robby didn't want to fight. He didn't feel ready and hadn't come here looking for trouble. "I really don't want to fight."

"But you must. Everyone here does," Max insisted, his gaze fixed on Robby. Though he held no personal grudge against him, Max harbored disdain for Cobra Kai, rooted more in personal issues with Robby's father than with the school itself.

Max knew exactly who Robby was. He had come across some information Terry had shared, revealing Robby's connection to Johnny. It wasn't his concern, but it was clear that Robby needed to release his inner anger—and fighting was the best way to do that.

"Don't worry; I'll make it fair and sign up too," Max said, writing his name on the fighter list before stepping aside to let Robby add his name.

"Well, here goes..."

Max watched as Robby signed his name, then walked away to continue explaining the place.

While Max was with Robby, Miguel was talking with Sam, who wanted to explain all the problems she was facing.

"Being part of Cobra Kai shouldn't be a problem for us to be together. You know there are worse guys who don't even train in martial arts," Miguel said, feeling stifled by the seemingly unresolved tension among the adults.

"My dad asked me to never associate with anyone from Cobra Kai. He still thinks their approach to tough situations is just fighting," Sam admitted, struggling with the challenges surrounding her.

She was doing her best to keep seeing Miguel, but things around her were growing more complicated.

Miguel, trying to be understanding, said, "Don't worry. I'll do everything I can to explain to your dad that Cobra Kai helps people who feel oppressed find their own peace."

After all, they taught self-defense. Miguel found it hypocritical for Daniel to reject the notion of standing up to bullies, especially since even he had been involved in street fights as a teenager.

It would be absurd if Daniel couldn't accept someone defending themselves from a bully—someone who had even spread harmful rumors about his own daughter at school.

Miguel was determined to make that clear. And if Daniel still couldn't approve, Miguel didn't see the need to keep asking for it.