everyone. The air smelled of sweat, adrenaline, and

expensive athletic gear. Men and women with

chiseled physiques paraded around, displaying their

colorful belts like badges of honor. Darius, with his

tired eyes, scruffy beard, and worn-out clothes,

stuck out like a sore thumb.

He guided Leo to a quiet corner, away from

the intense sparring sessions happening in the

center rings. "Alright, buddy," Darius said, his voice

soft, a stark contrast to the aggressive grunts

echoing around them. "Let's start with some basic

stretching. Just follow my lead, nice and slow." Leo

nodded enthusiastically, dropping his gym bag and

trying to mimic his father's movements with clumsy

but adorable precision.

above a calm, conversational tone. "We paid for our

spot. We aren't in anyone's way." Thorne stepped

forward aggressively, invading Darius's personal

space. He looked Darius up and down with

exaggerated disgust, making sure the crowd saw his

contempt.

"Paid for your spot? With what, spare change

you begged for outside?" Thorne spat. "That hoodie

looks like it hasn't been washed since the nineties.

You're disrespecting the dojo by walking in here

looking like absolute trash." Leo shrank behind his