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"GOOD NEWS." The doctor's voice began, as she gently adjusted the back of miguel's gi, "Looks like it's just a pulled muscle. It may ache for a bit, but you'll be fine."
Carmen let out a relieved breath, "Oh, thank God," she murmured.
Miguel turned his head slowly, weariness running across his face. "So does that mean I can keep fighting?"
The doctor regarded him for a moment, her expression serious. "They've given you 30 minutes to recover. So let the pain guide you. If it's telling you to sit this one out, I'd listen." She then turned on her heel, "I'll get you an ice pack."
As the door closed behind her, Miguel mumbled a small thank you, the words barely escaping his lips. Johnny was the first to break the silence. "How does it feel now?"
"Not bad. Just a little sore," Miguel replied, offering a small shrug, but the worry lines on his brow remained.
"Miggy, you don't have to continue," Carmen reassured him. He had already damaged his back before, so the risk was high.
Though, Miguel just gave her another small, reassuring shrug. "Don't worry, mom. If something feels off, i won't fight."
Carmen nodded, her heart still racing, before turning to Johnny. "Just keep an eye on him, okay?"
While rosa stepped forward to speak to Miguel in Spanish, Charlie sat nearby and watched them with a smile. Although she couldn't understand the words, the smile that flickered across Miguel's face told her it was something good.
Charlie hopped off her seat and walked over, wrapping her arms around Miguel's head in a hug, before giving him a gentle pat. She then followed after Carmen and rosa, to give Johnny and Miguel some time to talk.
"Nervous for your next fight?" Carmen asked, linking her arm with Charlie's as they made their way back into the room.
Charlie nodded slightly, "Not nervous for the fight, really. Just going up against my friend. And then if I win, it'll be against Tory too."
Carmen smiled encouragingly. "Well, I think you and Sam will do great. Your mom told me to wish you luck." They entered the main room just in time to see Demetri now fighting Robby.
Charlie smiled at Carmen and rested her head on her shoulder for a brief moment before breaking away to return to her team. As she approached, some of the Miyagi-Do students rushed over to check on Miguel.
"What's happening?" Sam asked.
"It's a pulled muscle. I don't think he's decided yet, but he said if he feels something's off, he'll sit it out," Charlie explained.
Just then, Charlie glanced over at the mat, where Robby scored a point. They cheered for him while they quickly took a time out for pointers.
When the fight resumed, Charlie cheered loudly when Demetri managed to block all of Robby's hits. But her excitement was short-lived; Robby pulled Demetri to the ground and kicked him in the chest, getting the win.
