Remember that. Back at Golden Dragon, an unexpected development was unfolding. Tyler had cornered Josh near the locker room, but instead of his usual aggression, his demeanor was hesitant, almost apologetic. I saw Erica with the tournament judge yesterday, he said, glancing around to ensure they weren't overheard. She gave him an envelope.
Pretty sure it was cash. Josh frowned. She's bribing officials now? Been doing it for years, apparently. Tyler ran a hand through his hair.
Look, I know we're We're friends, but this is messed up. The whole Dojo is splitting apart, and I'm starting to think I'm on the wrong side. Josh studied him skeptically. What brought on this sudden crisis of conscience? Finding out my coach has been lying to me for years, Tyler replied bitterly.
And watching you change. The way you fought last week, that wasn't your dad's style. That was something else, something real. After a moment's consideration, Josh extended his hand. Truce?
Tyler hesitated, then shook it. Truce. For now. The uh next day brought another unexpected visitor to the Dojo. Mia was leading a warm-up session when her parents entered, watching proudly from the sidelines.
After class, they approached Thelma, who was assisting a young student with a kata. Mrs. Gardner, Mia's mother began, we wanted to thank you personally. Thelma looked up surprised. For what, exactly?
For Mia, her father explained. She was being bullied at her previous school, nearly dropped out. Since finding martial arts, especially since training with you, she's become confident, focused. It's like having our daughter back. Your daughter has a natural talent, Thelma said warmly.
And more importantly, a good heart. We saw the video, Mia's mother added. Your story is inspiring. Would you consider that is, we'd be honored if you would join us for dinner sometime. As the conversation continued, Rick observed from his office, noting how naturally Thelma connected with the parents, how genuine her interest in their daughter seemed.
It was a stark contrast to Erica's approach, which treated students primarily as revenue sources. The regional tournament arrived on a bright Saturday morning. Golden Dragons team gathered early, excitement and tension palpable as they prepared. The venue, a convention center converted into a multi-ring competition space, buzzed with activity as teams from across the state set up their areas. Josh's first match was against a stocky competitor from a neighboring city's dojo.