Under the shimmering canopy of stars, the evening cast a tranquil hue over the park where Udo and Alko engaged in their friendly spar. Kimberley, Ren, and Atamai stood as spectators on the sidelines, their eyes trained on the two combatants.
Udo, with determination etched across his features, charged at Alko with vigour, launching a series of punches aimed at his nimble opponent. Yet, Alko effortlessly sidestepped Udo's assault, evading each strike with a nonchalant grace that belied his confidence.
Unyielding, Udo pressed on, intensifying his offensive barrage. However, Alko's elusive movements continued to prove Udo's strikes futile. A wry grin adorned Alko's face as he taunted, "Too slow, Udo."
In a lightning-fast response, Alko retaliated with a blistering three-punch combination, leaving Udo momentarily dazed. The flurry of blows culminated with a powerful kick that sent Udo sprawling across the grass.
As Udo rose to his feet, determined to continue the battle, Kimberley and Ren observed with a hint of concern.
Undeterred by his earlier setbacks, Udo charged at Alko once more, launching a barrage of strikes. Yet again, Alko danced away from the attacks with remarkable agility, leaving Udo frustrated.
"It's gonna take some time before he gets used to having such a weak vibration," Kimberley mused.
Ren added to her sentiments, pondering their circumstances. "The question is, do we have time to wait for him?"
However, just as it seemed Udo was about to face defeat once more, a spark of determination ignited within him. He deftly evaded Alko's impending punch, much to Alko's surprise. In a swift manoeuvre, Udo spun around Alko, seizing him around the waist and unceremoniously slamming him to the ground.
Kimberley and Ren watched in awe as Udo displayed a newfound skill, and a smug grin stretched across Udo's face as he hopped away from his downed opponent.
Meanwhile, Alko's expression transformed into one of amusement as he rose to his feet. Ren couldn't contain his astonishment, exclaiming, "Incredible."
Kimberley, however, questioned Udo's tactics, reminding him of his unique Iche abilities. "Udo, aren't you an Iche?" she inquired.
Udo nodded in affirmation. "Yeah."
Kimberley continued, "So your Soma is Igbo Wrestling, isn't it?"
"Uh-huh," Udo confirmed.
Kimberley's advice was clear. "Then what the fuck are you striking for?"
Alko, undeterred, charged at Udo once more, aiming to finish the match decisively. With a powerful punch, he lunged at Udo, who once again managed to slip the incoming strike, leaving Alko baffled.
As Udo deftly evaded Alko's punch, Kimley continued her encouragement. "Focus on your strengths!"
Udo seized the opportunity and, with his Iche expertise, grabbed Alko by the arm and executed a shoulder throw that sent his opponent crashing to the ground.
Alko's exhilaration was evident as he praised Udo's manoeuvre. "Nice!"
With a swift kip-up, Alko resumed his assault, launching a flurry of strikes at Udo. Udo, now honing in on his Igbo Wrestling skills, narrowly evaded most of the strikes, efficiently parrying away others.
Kimberley, watching his progress, emphasized the importance of adapting to his new status as a first-rate host.
"He has to get used to not being the top dog for now," Kimberley explained. "He's a first-rate host. No matter how good his vibration control is, he'll be the underdog in every fight he's in until he levels up. For now, he has to focus on one thing, countering."
As Alko aimed a roundhouse kick at Udo, Udo displayed his newfound tactics. He expertly ducked beneath the incoming kick, wrapping his arms around Alko's waist, attempting another backwards suplex. However, Alko's agility came into play as he landed gracefully on his feet.
Perplexed, Udo exclaimed, "What the-"
Before Udo could react, Alko capitalized on the moment. With lightning speed, he clobbered Udo with a jumping knee to the face, causing a blackout.
A few moments later, Udo's eyes fluttered open, greeted by the concerned faces of Kimberley, Ren, and Alko.
Alko inquired, "You good there, bro?"
Atamai, always practical, asked, "Anyone have an ice pack on them?"
Ren responded with a chuckle, "Who walks around with an ice pack, Ata?"
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Later, inside the "Kroeg van Liefde" bar at night, Squad 0 entered and engaged in light banter.
Udo, sporting a white nose tape, was the centre of attention.
Alko commented, "The nose tape doesn't actually look that bad, you know?"
Kimberley chimed in with a teasing tone, "Yeah, he actually looks kinda cool with it, I can't lie."
Ren responded playfully, "Okay, that's enough lies for today."
Alko, grinning, needled Ren, "Someone's jealous."
Ren retorted, "Shut up."
Their attention was then drawn to a hooded girl sitting at a table with a beer bottle in hand.
Kimberley expressed her surprise, "Huh? How did she get in here?"
Alko scratched his head, puzzled. "Strange, I thought I locked the bar..."
Ren and the others decided to leave Alko to handle the situation.
Ren teased Alko, "Go beat her up man."
Alko approached the hooded girl's table and inquired, "Sorry if you weren't informed, but we aren't usually open at this hour on Sundays."
The hooded girl responded coolly, "Yeah? Then why did you give me the key earlier?"
Alko was taken aback when the hooded girl casually produced a pair of keys, leaving him in disbelief.
Alko stammered, "Huh? When?"
Desperately searching his pockets, he realized the keys had disappeared into the girl's possession.
The hooded girl held up the keys, leaving Alko dumbfounded. She then dropped them onto the table and made her way toward the exit, chuckling softly.
As she reached the door, she quipped in Dutch, "You should pay more attention to your stuff, dumbass."
Alko couldn't help but chuckle as she teased him. In Dutch, he responded, "Aren't you a feisty one?"
The hooded girl paused momentarily, seemingly surprised. Alko continued in Dutch, revealing his language skills, "Didn't think I spoke Dutch, did you?"
Turning back to face him, the hooded girl hesitated before asking, "Alko?"
Alko was astonished as he exclaimed, "Huh? How do you know my name?"
With a dramatic reveal, the hooded girl removed her hood, exposing her identity to Alko.
His eyes widened as he uttered in astonishment, "Leah?"
FLASHBACK
Amidst the lively Amsterdam nightlife, two spirited youngsters sprinted through the bustling city streets. Alko and Leah, both only twelve years old, were laden with bags filled to the brim with stolen treasures. Their breaths came in frantic gasps, their hearts pounding with adrenaline as they navigated the throngs of pedestrians.
The people on the crowded streets scattered like startled pigeons in response to the youngsters' mad dash. Alko and Leah pushed forward, their bags swinging perilously at their sides. A SHOPKEEPER, determined to protect his storefront, yelled and took up the pursuit.
"Stop! Return our merchandise!" he pleaded.
But Alko and Leah remained undeterred, ignoring the shopkeeper's demands as they charged forward, their sneakers pounding against the unyielding pavement. The city's bustling sounds merged into a disorienting symphony as they delved deeper into the labyrinth of narrow alleys.
In one such narrow alley, their eyes fell upon a rusty fire escape ladder leading to a precarious rooftop. Without hesitation, Alko pointed upwards, and they both made a snap decision.
"Up there, Leah!" Alko declared with a mischievous grin.
Leah, fueled by a surge of adrenaline, nodded in agreement. They hastily ascended the ladder, clutching their bulging bags tightly.
Upon reaching the rooftop, their hearts pounded like war drums, and the brisk night air swirled around them. They now found themselves perched on a precarious rooftop obstacle course.
Leaping over gaps between buildings and dashing through a convoluted maze of chimneys and AC units, Alko and Leah embraced the adrenaline of their daring escape.
Down in the narrow alley, the SHOPKEEPER and a POLICE OFFICER, left behind in frustration, pondered how to pursue the elusive duo.
"Are they kidding me?" the SHOPKEEPER grumbled, panting in exasperation.
Amid the heart-pounding escape, Alko and Leah finally reached a narrow rooftop connecting to another building. There, they faced a daunting gap, too wide to simply leap across. A determined look was exchanged between the two young adventurers.
Leah, eyeing the challenging divide, remarked, "We can't go back. We have to jump!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Alko took a step back and then sprinted toward the edge. He launched himself across the gap, executing an impressive leap that barely carried him to the other side.
Leah followed, her heart pounding, her determination unwavering. With a final, desperate push, she managed to clear the gap, landing safely beside Alko.
Perched on the neighbouring rooftop, Alko and Leah paused to catch their breath, their bags still held securely.
Alko, with a grin, remarked, "I'm surprised you were able to keep up."
Leah retorted with playful sarcasm, "Just don't hold me back next time, yeah?"
As they continued their escape, the mischievous pair strolled down a dimly lit alleyway, their ill-gotten gains in tow.
However, the atmosphere suddenly shifted as they approached a group of young adults. The alley was scattered with cigarette butts, empty beer bottles, and the sound of raucous laughter.
The gang members, adorned with tattoos and flashy jewellery, wore streetwear that exuded a menacing aura. The leader of the gang, radiating an air of authority, confidently approached Alko and Leah as they placed their bags at their feet.
Surveying the situation, he casually removed a cigarette from his mouth.
"You got everything on the list?" he inquired.
Leah replied with unwavering confidence, "Everything."
The gang leader swiftly inspected the contents of their bags and then lifted his head with a self-assured grin.
Alko and Leah exchanged glances, their eyes gleaming with anticipation as the gang leader produced two bundles of cash from his pockets, handing it over to them.
With an exuberant nod, the gang leader commended their success, "Well done."
Alko and Leah exchanged an excited look, sharing a triumphant fist bump to celebrate their profitable escapade.
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The sun beamed over Zandvoort Beach as a group of teenagers formed a circle around two barefoot kids, their feet kicking up little clouds of dust with each swift movement.
In the middle of the ring, Volker Hendriks, a lean 10-year-old with a steely gaze, squared off against his opponent, a taller and bulkier 14-year-old.
Volker moved like lightning, his fists a blur as he darted in and out of his opponent's range. He delivered a rapid succession of punches to the older boy's midsection, each blow landing with a sharp thud.
The bigger boy staggered, trying to fend off the assault, but Volker was relentless. A swift kick to the shin followed by an uppercut sent the 14-year-old reeling, his defences crumbling.
Perched shoulder to shoulder on a beach fence, Alko and Leah savoured their burgers, their eyes fixed on the fight. Alko's smirk widened with every successful hit Volker landed. "That brother of yours is really... something."
Leah, her tone a mix of pride and casual detachment, replied, "Trust me, I know."
Volker's opponent, desperate now, threw a wild punch. Volker easily sidestepped, retaliating with a powerful kick to the ribs that knocked the air out of the older boy. The crowd erupted in cheers as the 14-year-old hit the ground, defeated.
"Smashing kids twice his size, he's gonna be a monster when he gets older, isn't he?" Alko laughed, shaking his head in disbelief.
Leah took another bite of her burger, her voice calm and untroubled. "10 years old and he's already street champion. As long as he makes us money, I'm fine with it."
Alko giggled, the sound almost incongruous against the backdrop of the fight. Volker stood over his fallen opponent, his victory assured, the sun casting a triumphant glow around his small but formidable frame.
Gazing at the mesmerizing sunset, Leah couldn't help but remark, "Beautiful day, I can't lie."
Alko, with a mischievous glint in his eye, responded, "Not as beautiful as you."
Leah playfully rolled her eyes at his response. "Overused."
Undeterred, Alko simply grinned and remarked, "Still works though, look at you struggling to hide your smile."
"Shut up," Leah retorted, her words laced with affectionate banter.
A comfortable silence enveloped them as they continued to savour their food and the breathtaking scenery. Eventually, Leah broke the silence.
"Alko," she began, her tone contemplative.
Alko, lounging comfortably on the fence, replied with an inquisitive "Hm?"
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" Leah inquired, her gaze thoughtful.
Alko couldn't help but smirk as he pondered his response.
"I wanna be a free man," he replied, his voice carrying a sense of determination.
Leah's curiosity piqued, and she probed further, "You always say that but what does freedom mean to you?"
Alko mulled over the question, his eyes fixed on the horizon. "Good question. For me, freedom is having nothing to fear. When there's nothing to worry about, there's nothing to lose. When I grow up, I want to live life to the fullest."
Leah nodded, intrigued by his perspective. "Oh. I like the sound of that. But, if that's your definition, aren't you already free? Is there something you're worried about?"
Alko's chuckle hinted at deeper thoughts. "Well, I sometimes worry even that wouldn't be enough."
Intrigued, Leah pressed further, "Enough for?"
Alko, with a hint of mystery in his voice, playfully deflected, "Don't worry about it."
As Alko delved into his waist bag and retrieved a can of beer, Leah couldn't help but sigh, her expression a mix of concern and amusement.
Leah's voice carried a hint of admonishment as she questioned, "What did Mr. Lars say about drinking?"
Alko, unperturbed by her concern, simply shrugged, a mischievous grin gracing his lips as he took a sip from the can.
With a playful "Shh," he leaned against the fence, swaying slightly in the gentle breeze. "He doesn't have to know."
Setting the can down, Alko hopped down to his feet, his face radiant with a bright smile. Extending his fist toward Leah, he posed a question that carried the weight of their dreams.
"What do you say, Leah? Wanna grow up free together?"
Leah, equally spirited and determined, met his gaze with a smirk of her own. Without hesitation, she fist-bumped him, sealing their pact.
"Better not hold me back."