San Gabriel Hospital
Devon had missed classes for the past three consecutive days, solely dedicating herself to accompanying her mother, who had been awake for some time. But knowing the worst that could happen, the last thing she wanted was to be away from her mother's side, just like her father.
"Daughter, is there something you want to tell me?" Zoé Lee wasn't distressed; the last memories she wanted to leave her daughter, if she were to die, were not unpleasant.
Devon, who had been silent by her side watching the television, smiled a bit and said, "Mother, I have important news to share with you. Dash and I are dating."
"Hmm, since when?" Zoe didn't know how long her little daughter and Dash had been a couple, but both had been acting like one for a long time, so it's not a surprise now.
Devon was petrified and said, "A few days ago, what do you mean?"
"Well, daughter, we thought you two were a couple for a long time. Come on, you both are more mature than kids your age, so we considered not intervening in your relationship, which seemed very healthy."
Zoe said with a charming smile on her pale face. Devon nodded, understanding something; it seemed that everyone knew they were a couple even before they officially were. Not understanding how a couple acted before she became interested in Dash, she realized there wasn't much difference, as Dash had mentioned some time ago.
These events seemed to have given the wrong idea to everyone around them, but now that they were officially a couple, she believed there was no need to clarify things.
Zoé looked at her daughter and asked with a concerned expression, "Daughter, where is Dash right now? I heard from your father that he came a few days ago but didn't come to visit me. Is he still training?"
"No, he... Dash wanted to help us. His relationship with his father is peculiar, and they don't usually have open communication. That's why, upon learning about your illness, he decided to travel to Japan to participate in a tournament where the monetary prize is substantial, and he plans to help us with the expenses his family is currently covering."
Devon stopped mid-explanation, realizing she had said too much, but now that she knew things were delicate, she didn't think much of it.
"Dash is a charming guy. Since we met him, we knew his parents gave him a strict education, as if they were drilling him for something. Knowing that his family has a lot of money, and now he has siblings treated like any other little kid, it's not hard to think that Dash was treated differently, as his parents expect to give him everything they have been working for."
Zoé, not hiding her thoughts, said, "He has always depended on you, and you on him. You've decided to improve together, and that's something that rarely happens in life. I met your father thirty years ago, and since then, we've never been apart. You must understand how special such a relationship is."
Devon nodded in understanding. Both she and Dash had never been apart for a long time, and everything had been fine. They knew each other perfectly and never needed to hide anything. They acknowledged their mistakes and exposed things that bothered them, like the mature individuals they were. That's how they had stayed well together, and now that they were more than just friends, it was easy to see that their relationship was much stronger than any normal couple.
"You have to show him that you care too. When is the All Valley tournament? You should participate and return to school. There won't be much of a difference whether you stay here at the hospital or not."
Zoe looked at her daughter with love and said, "It would help me a lot if you became the champion again. Many people admire you, and now that Dash may not participate in that tournament, you should at least win the women's division."
"I have no plans to stay away from you, mother. I don't want to..." Devon felt bad for a moment and squeezed her mother's warm hand.
Zoé smiled and said, "Daughter, there won't be any difference, and I don't want to see you depressed in this place. I am strong; I will overcome the operation when the time comes, and we will celebrate together with the championship you will win. You are strong, and you have worked very hard since you were little. Your father's and my dream is to see you as a world champion in the sport you have dedicated so much time to."
Caressing her daughter's face, Zoé cried in distress and said, "Regardless of what happens, remember that this is also your life, and what will happen cannot be avoided even if you are by my side. Seeing you strong and determined will give me more strength to witness that longed-for moment."
Devon nodded silently; she hugged her mom in her vulnerable state, and all she could do was cry. Even though she remained strong, she was very worried; she didn't want to lose her mom, and she still believed she wasn't ready to live without her by her side.
As the minutes passed, Devon raised her head and said, "Then stay strong. I will win that tournament and dedicate it to you. All my victories are your victories, mother, so dedicate to me your victory over this little obstacle, okay?"
Zoé smiled and said, "Of course, daughter. Where do you think you got that winning spirit? Your father is smarter, but my tenacity is what won over that man. So fight and bring that fourth championship home."
After talking for a few more minutes, Devon returned home. Although she had Dash's car, she didn't know how to drive, so she took a taxi back, and after a shower, she sat at her desk.
But just as she was about to try to sleep, a video call from Dash arrived on her computer and phone simultaneously, so she immediately answered.
"My dear Devon, how is my wonderful girlfriend?"
Dash's affectionate voice reassured Devon's anxious heart, so she replied, "I'm fine. Has the food not affected you?"
Dash on the other side of the room shook his head and showed her a black Kung Fu uniform with a golden Sakura tree and the name Sakura Bushido printed on the arms. "Look, they made me a customized uniform."
"They take it seriously, huh? Is it really as impressive as you mentioned?" Devon looked at the uniform and was surprised that they had made a custom uniform for Dash so quickly.
"I told you; the people organizing the tournament are amazing."
"Since you mentioned the tournament, I will participate in this year's All Valley tournament and win."
"Are you sure about that? You don't need to pressure yourself; it's not a major tournament. If we really wanted to win it, we would send the more experienced ones."
"I am the star of the women's team; I have to win that tournament in your absence."
Dash smiled and said, "Checking dates, I won't be able to participate, but if you do, you will surely take the women's division championship. Show those Cobra Kai boys how incredible you are."
"I will!"