"Miguel, I thought you wouldn't come since I didn't see you outside." Dash was surprised to see Miguel on the bus and greeted him as soon as they locked eyes.
Miguel smiled faintly and said, "Well, I thought maybe taking a breath of fresh air could help me handle my problems better and, in the process, improve my attitude towards people who don't know me."
"You're right about that." Dash walked towards where Devon was and sat beside her without saying anything else.
Interestingly, Hawk sat at the back, and the person who sat next to him was Demetri, who was looking for a good spot to read his comics in peace. "Before you get all dramatic, I did try to find other places, but Professor Daisy sent me to this seat, so behave."
"Don't tell me what to do."
The rest of the people on the bus, which were no more than twenty students, all tried not to look at the duo, who seemed to have many problems.
"Why is a bully coming with us?" asked a glasses-wearing boy, looking at Hawk, who had blue hair.
Another boy in the group replied, "Possibly, he's with us to defend us from other guys who might report us to the school we're going to."
"That makes sense. How didn't I think of that before?"
Near that discussion, Devon shook her head and murmured, "This is mind-blowing."
To think that Hawk and other Cobra Kai guys had come with Dash's group for the trip where the debate would take place is seriously hard to believe. And now, everyone thinks they are somehow protectors of the weaker ones, which is even more mind-blowing.
On the side, Dash had remained silent all along. As the instigator of the chaos that was unfolding, he preferred to try and close his eyes and listen to music in silence. In fact, he couldn't say much in these situations because he was simply a spectator after creating magic on this trip. In a way, it made it more interesting, and this was his contribution to making the trip more intriguing. The problem was that he was the one who had to solve the problems if they arose.
'Is it really worth it?' Dash silently wondered as they approached the school. Dash couldn't stay still because the consequences of fighting in a school that wasn't his would be more complicated than a simple expulsion. But being in a different place, it's hard to imagine that the guys would want to fight; at least that's what he thought.
"From what I've heard, there are good dojos in the area we're heading to."
"Let's not talk about karate when we're about to engage in a debate."
"Hmm, then, what are the chances of us winning this debate against Seaford School?" Dash opened his eyes and looked at Devon, who was reading a book criticizing the education system.
Devon looked up, and after thinking about it, she said, "We have good arguments, but we're also morally on the weaker side."
What Devon meant by this is that many didn't want to accept that technological evolution would bring problems rather than benefits. In other words, many jobs would cease to exist, and people wouldn't find that fair. Nowadays, if you say something against morality, many come out shouting about injustice.
"Then we should address those concerns by talking about other dojos that are in competition."
"We shouldn't."
"We have to."
"No..."
"So, what am I supposed to do after the debate in this place?"
Dash wasn't sure if they would have time after class simply because they were coming from far away. For that reason, they needed to leave very soon after finishing the debate.
"We'll figure something out," Devon said, turning her attention back to the book in her hands.
After many hours of travel, the bus arrived at the school grounds, and some teachers who were attentive to their arrival were waiting for them in the parking lot.
While Professor Daisy got off to greet them, Dash stood up and said, "We're here for one thing, and that is to win. We are the competition, so there will be a bit of hostility towards us, but we must not get aggressive."
"If one of them responds aggressively, I'll break their face." Hawk and two more Cobra Kai guys were sure of that.
Miguel, on the side, asked, "Aren't we here to change?"
"That..."
Confused by everything that was being said, Dash waved his hands and shouted, "Get your things and follow us; don't separate."
Getting off the bus, everyone walked in an orderly manner to where they were being directed.
"Welcome to Seaford High School, where education meets an inspiring environment. Our school grounds extend over a dynamic landscape, merging green spaces with modern facilities," a woman said, handing out energy drinks to each student.
"We have innovative classrooms and vibrant sports areas; each corner is designed to foster learning and academic excellence."
Daisy forced a smile and muttered, "They have so much energy..."
"Do you know that woman?" Devon looked at the expressions of that woman and asked.
Daisy looked towards where Devon was pointing and replied, "She's my debate rival. We've had many discussions, and we certainly have our differences. All I ask is that you crush them; don't let them breathe in the debate."
"Oh..." Dash fell even more silent. Were they being led by a teacher or someone who came with more personal intentions?