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Robby couldn't take the image of Tory in the new Cobra Kai kimono out of his mind. He couldn't believe it. He just couldn't. That was a nightmare.
Maybe a shot to his heart would hurt less.
Worst of all, everyone was afraid to talk to him about Tory. Everyone looked at him with pity.
Robby didn't want anyone's pity.
He just wanted to cry. In fetal position. For hours.
But, Miguel, Eli and Demetri hadn't left him alone for a minute since they arrived. He and Miguel were sharing the same room at the hotel. Which was extremely sophisticated, to be honest. The binary brothers were in the front room.
After spending some time talking about college and video games to try to distract Robby, but without success, Eli called Miguel and Demetri to explore the hotel. Robby preferred to stay in the room.
Eli was clearly lying and Robby could hear the three of them talking in the hallway. Four, because Samantha had just arrived now.
"How is he? Has he said anything?" She asked.
"He's devastated. And no, he didn't say anything. I'm starting to get really worried." Demetri started biting the nails on his right hand.
Eli began pacing up and down the hallway.
"Damn, we should have saw it coming."
Samantha frowned at Eli.
"No one could have imagined that Kreese would appear here."
"Yeah, but it was obvious he wasn't going to come here without Tory." Eli said.
They were silent for a minute. The whole situation was very absurd and they still couldn't believe it. Kreese was back. Cobra Kai was back. Tory was with Cobra Kai. Again.
It would be comical if it weren't tragic.
"How is your father?" Miguel asked Sam and ran his hand through his hair.
"Freaking out. And so is Johnny. The two of them have been arguing for hours. Didn't they come here?"
"No. I think they're scared to talk to him."
At that moment, Robby got up from the bed. He needed to walk to clear his mind. And stop listening to that conversation.
"What if I talk to her? Maybe she'll listen to me."
Samantha felt extremely helpless. She wanted to help, but she didn't know how.
Robby opened the door.
"Tory made her choice. She's not going to change her mind."
He looked like he had survived a war.
"Robby, I'm so sorry..."
"It's okay, Sam. It's alright."
Robby felt everyone's eyes on him. He felt suffocated.
"I'm going for a walk, guys. I'll be back in a moment." Robby left in a hurry.
They didn't say anything until Sam lost her temper with her boyfriend.
"Go talk to him."
"Me? Why me?" Miguel was shocked by the task she had given him.
"He won't listen to me. And you already dated Tory."
Miguel's eyes widened. Eli and Demetri looked at each other, not knowing how to react.
"I'm over it, okay?" She justified herself to the binary brothers. "Miguel, please. He needs to talk to someone or he's going to explode."
Miguel remembered the last time Robby Keene exploded. He himself ended up in the hospital. Nobody wanted that to happen again.
It was wrong to think that, Miguel knew. Robby regretted that and they were both okay now. The issue is that some wounds had not yet healed. But Miguel didn't wish Robby harm. He just didn't know how he was going to comfort his stepbrother about his ex-girlfriend's betrayal. Who was also Miguel's ex.
This would make a great Mexican soap opera, if he thought about it.
"You're right, love. I'll try."
Samantha smiled and kissed her boyfriend's cheek. Miguel felt butterflies in his stomach. He prayed every night that he would never stop feeling this way.
"Be patient with him." Samantha warned him.
"Good luck, man." Demetri encouraged him.
"You're gonna need it." Eli put him back in the real world.
Miguel nodded and ran after Robby.
They were on the seventh floor of the hotel. Robby had taken the stairs and Miguel thought it best to follow the same path. He was quick enough and found Robby before he reached the ground floor.
"Hey, Robby... I'm glad I found you here..." Miguel stepped in front of him, stopping Robby from crossing the door.
Robby furrowed his eyebrows. Miguel was catching his breath.
"How did you get here so fast?"
"It doesn't matter." Miguel smiled. "I was just thinking... What if we talked a little about the Tory situation..."
Robby continued with a frown and crossed his arms.
"I imagine it isn't easy, right?"
Robby took a deep breath.
"Miguel, I thank you for trying, but I really don't want to..."
"I know, I know. You don't want to talk. I just want to tell you that, you know, you know Tory and…"
"Don't tell me I should wait for her to join Kreese."
There it was. The Robby Keene of few words that Miguel hated.
"I'm not saying it. It's just... Robby, it's Tory. This is her way of dealing with her feelings. She fights. It's the only way for her."
Robby's gaze softened. He seemed to be listening to what Miguel was saying.
"But, you need to focus on the fight. Listen to me, this is your chance. This could change your life. You told me that. Don't forget the purpose of Sekai Taikai."
Robby looked at the floor and seemed to get lost within himself. He walked to the nearest step and sat down. Miguel went to sit next to him.
Sometimes, all we need is for someone to stand by us in silence. Miguel knew that.
"I shouldn't have let her leave that day. I shouldn't have even come here."
He finally understood what Robby was feeling. It was guilt.
"Hey, man. Don't do this to yourself. It's not your fault. She chose this."
Robby looked into Miguel's eyes. His eyes were full of tears.
"We had made a deal. We promised that we would be on the podium together. Side by side. When she left the fight at the dojo, I should have run after her... I should have given up. All of this. I abandoned her."
Tears fell silently down Robby's face. And he looked away.
Oh, he's really being vulnerable with me, Miguel thought.
He didn't know what to do.
"I lost her, Miguel."
Miguel placed his right hand on Robby's shoulder.
"No, you didn't, man. Tory knew this was important to you and I bet she's not mad at you. I can't say the same about Mr. LaRusso. She probably wants to kick him." Miguel smiled. He was trying to cheer him up.
Robby let out a nasal laugh and wiped away his tears. That was a victory.
Then, Miguel said something he never imagined he would say.
"You really like her." He smiled, almost proudly.
It was a statement. The craziest statement of Miguel's life.
Robby seemed confused by Miguel's observation.
"What's the surprise?"
Miguel smiled more.
"No surprise, I'm just... Impressed by the fact. I don't think I've ever seen you so shaken. Not even when you saw me and Sam at the dojo."
Robby remembered the exact moment Miguel was referring to in a split second.
"I was heartbroken that day. And very angry."
Miguel didn't blame him for that. No more.
"And now?"
"I'm also heartbroken. And all I want is to talk to her. But, she won't listen to me."
Robby was completely insane without Tory. Miguel felt the same way when he was without Samantha.
Robby needed hope.
"You two will get along, I'm sure."
Robby didn't believe it.
"How can you be sure?
"Ahm, after that dance at the prom night? Tory never looked so happy with anyone else as she did that day. Not even with me. And you two looked like John and Jane Smith on the dance floor."
Robby laughed at the reference to "Mr. & Mrs. Smith."
"It was all an act for you and Sam."
Miguel knew that. But being sure of the fact was very good. Samantha would find out about this soon too.
"Well, I don't believe that. You guys wouldn't make such good actors."
Robby raised an eyebrow. That compliment felt like an insult.
"That chemistry wasn't an act, Robby. She really seemed like she loved you."
Robby's cheeks started to turn red. Miguel realized the mistake he made. And he was desperate.
"Oh, forgive me. I don't think you guys got to that part yet. I'm sorry, damn it. Don't feel bad, this really takes time."
"It's okay, Miguel. I know it."
Robby was feeling better after all. Who would have thought that Miguel Diaz would help him with love advice one day? The universe must have been laughing at him.
"Thanks."
Miguel smiled. And he got up.
"Do you want to run now? We have to prepare for the fights, captain."
Saying that left a bitter taste in Miguel's mouth. But, Robby needed to hear this.
Some sacrifices are necessary for victory.
"Let's go."