118 The National Competition

So time passed like a flowing river. In the real world, Kira still went to the MMA club and started helping Vince again after his apology.

Her anger was soothed after seeing him apologise, and Alice accept it.

Vince focused on the competition like his life depended on it. Until it was the day.

...

Monday, 31st May 2049, 3:01 PM

Vince stood next to the MMA club instructor dressed in the traditional taekwondo uniform with red protective gear on. He then walked up onto the ring and stood against his opponent. This was his final match, he had been able to win all of his matches till now. If he won this he would come in first.

The two greeted each other.

"Begin," The referee said as he moved back.

Vince's feet moved as he started to lightly hop, watching the opponent. He then struck first kicking at the opponent.

The other man jumped back letting the kick pass to his side and sent one back himself. Vince blocked with his arms, so he sent in another. Vince seeing the kick was going to hit his truck he used his leg to block it. Both of them stumbled back. His opponent gained a point as he was penalised for blocking with his leg.

'I'm doing good, If he hit my truck I would've lost two points, so this way it is one. I just need to make the difference back. Stay focused!' He said to himself. Taekwondo as a sport was about competing for points, he didn't need to beat his opponent up, he just needed to get more points than them till the three rounds were up.

They then focused on each other again, trying to find the right moment. His opponent moved in close Vince did the same they ended up grabbing each other.

Hup! The referee came and separated them.

Repositioning themselves they started circling each other. The opponent moved, Vince moved even faster, he twisted his body as his left leg rose, swish! He sent a turning kick onto the side of his opponents head.

Five points!

'Yes!' Vince celebrated internally as he moved back and started the bout again. He just needed to keep the lead.

The opponent got aggressive, he sent multiple kicks. Vince blocked them and then ended too close to each other. The referee separated them.

Vince was able to hold out and for two minutes and the first round ended. He went back to sit with his coach, he sipped his bottle.

"Well done! Now keep at it. Don't let him get the hits on you. Just do it as we have practiced," The coach advised. Vince nodded then got up. It was the start of the second round.

The opponent continued an aggressive onslaught, Vince was pushed back until the end of the arena where the opponent finally got a punch to the truck. One point!

Again the two started, the opponent kicked up. Vince ducked letting it pass. He then kicked back. The opponent dodged, he then lifted his leg up and dropped it. It hit Vince's chest part of the protective armour. Two points!

'He's almost caught up, I need to be more aggressive.' Vince thought he then pushed back.

...

In the distance, Kira watched from the audience with the rest of the MMA club. She was on edge seeing how tense the fight was. She judged Vince's opponent to be as good as him or even better. It would be difficult for Vince to win.

As someone who taught Vince, his victory was directly involved with her. She squeezed her hand tightly hoping he would do well. The others with her all did the same, the few others who had joined the competition with Vince had failed. So they supported Vince instead.

"Damn!" Kira said as she moved back in her seat seeing the opponent get another kick in and the second round end. Now Vince's opponent was winning. She shook her head seeing the defeated look on Vince's face. Her phone vibrated, she pulled it up to see it was a message from her parents.

...

Vince at the front felt down, he had just been overtaken even with his lead, his coach motivated him. But those words were going to deaf ears. Vince looked back and saw Kira's uninterested as she texted someone.

'She thinks I'm going to lose... second place isn't bad either, it's much better than the last time I participated. I'll still get a medal and would have proved myself.' Vince thought unmotivating himself further. 'No! Don't do this to yourself! I know I can win, don't let yourself lose to the circumstances. I'm not the same person I used to be two years ago! I need to come first no matter what!'

Vince had fire light up in his eyes, his coaches words started getting through to him. He nodded as he walked back.

The two stood against each other. Vince moved kicked the man dodged as he moved back. The two went back and forth.

10 seconds on the clock he was one point down. Vince felt the pressure.

Hup! The referee moved back.

Vince kicked out, the opponent blocked it with their arm, Vince remembered a similar scene where he had the same to Kira. He remembered her response and channelled, His other leg still up he kicked with the leg he was standing on. His foot hit the opponents truck. He then landed.

BUZZ! Time was up. Vince had gotten two more points winning!

"WOAH!" The MMA members in the crowd celebrated. Some standing up and jumping.

Kira stood up as well and clapped. She was proud. He had told her he would win and he actually had.

Vince on the stage saw him he gave a hug to his opponent then moved to his coach. He then looked at Kira clapping, he laughed in happiness.

...

After the award ceremony, the whole group got on a bus. Everyone still congratulating him.

"Well done! You've made me proud!" The instructor said as he gave the medal wearing Vince a hug.

"Amazing!" The others all came in and congratulated him.

"Everyone to celebrate, I'm taking you all to dinner!" The instructor announced.

"Woho!" "Yay!"

In all the excitement he noticed that Kira hadn't approached him. He then ended up sitting separately on the bus.

At the restaurant. Kira sat further away while he sat with the instructor. He constantly looked in her direction but she was just eating, not noticing his gaze.

"Vince eat up! You've barely had anything, should I order something else?" The instructor said.

"No, it's just I'm still excited!" Vince answered, he was frustrated but he couldn't do anything about it. He couldn't disrespect his instructor.

Finally, Kira got up to leave, she was the first one to go. She came to the instructor, "I'll be leaving now, it was great teaching under you." She now didn't have to come to the MMA club again and said her goodbyes. She gave Vince a light nod as she left before anyone could say anything.

Vince immediately stood up. "I need to say something to her!" He chased behind.