A Two-Year Celebration Turned Sour

[Weonna]

My Characters in this scene:

Christina Perez

Hiro Takahashi

Kenzo

**Scene: RISING Pro Wrestling Gym**

The gym is bustling with activity as wrestlers train, spar, and hone their skills. Posters of past events and notable wrestlers adorn the walls, showcasing the history and prestige of the gym. In the center of the gym, a small stage has been set up with a banner that reads "RISING: Celebrating 2 Years of Success with Our Cover Athletes." Kenzo, one of the gym's owners, stands on the stage with a microphone in hand, ready to make an announcement.

Kenzo: (smiling broadly) "Thank you all for gathering here today. At RISING, we believe in celebrating the hard work and dedication of our athletes. As we mark our two-year anniversary, we're proud to announce our new cover athletes who will represent the spirit and strength of our gym. Please welcome Alexios and Fang!"

The crowd claps as Alexios, Christina's boyfriend, and Fang step onto the stage. Fang's boyfriend, Hiro, watches from the sidelines with a proud smile. The atmosphere is charged with excitement, but Christina, standing near the ring, clenches her fists in frustration.

Christina: (muttering to herself) "Unbelievable. After all the blood, sweat, and tears I’ve poured into this place... This is how they repay me? Fang hasn’t even been here half as long as I have! And Alexios... sure, he’s good, but this is ridiculous. It’s got to be Hiro. He’s always had it out for me."

Unable to contain her anger, Christina strides toward the stage, her eyes blazing with intensity. She points an accusatory finger at Kenzo.

Christina: (voice raised) "Kenzo, this is a joke, right? I was the first female member of this gym, and I've had more matches than anyone here! And yet, you choose Fang over me for the cover? This has Hiro's fingerprints all over it!"

The room falls silent as everyone turns to watch the confrontation. Hiro steps forward, trying to calm the situation.

Hiro: "Christina, it's not like that. This decision was made—"

Christina: (cutting him off, her voice rising) "Made by who, Hiro? You? Kenzo? I’ve busted my ass here, and this is the thanks I get? Fang’s barely been here long enough to know the difference between a clothesline and a Lariat , and Alexios... well, he’s my boyfriend, but even he knows this is messed up!"

Christina paces back and forth, her rant gaining momentum.

Christina: "I’ve been loyal to this gym from day one. I’ve taken on every challenge, fought every match, and you all just overlook me like I’m nothing. This isn’t just disrespectful, it’s insulting. And I know you had a hand in this, Hiro. You’ve never liked me. Always undermining me, always pushing Fang forward. Well, congratulations, you got what you wanted. But don’t think for a second that I’m going to stand by and let this slide."

With that, Christina storms off, leaving a tense silence in her wake. Kenzo watches her go, a small, satisfied smile playing on his lips. He knew this would happen, and it's exactly what he wanted.

Kenzo: (to the crowd) "Alright, everyone, let's get back to training. We'll address this later."

As the gym slowly returns to its usual buzz of activity, Hiro glances at Fang, concern etched on his face.

[ZorzLeth]

If Fang was not comfortable with this whole "making her one of the stars of this anniversary", then the verbal exchange between Christina, Kenzo and Hiro definitely did. Truth be told, she did not want to made one of the starring members of the gym for this occasion. Whether it was her being humble or telling the truth, Fang felt that someone else should've been the female representative in the gym and not her.

She told both Hiro and Kenzo this; trying to convince them that they should pick someone else over her. However, after talking about it, Fang would only eventually agree to it because she didn't want Hiro to feel bad or anything.

But oh boy did it go so well. Fang felt that things would not go smoothly, but she was not expecting Christina to come off as angry over not being the one to picked.

After Christina stormed off, Fang turned and could see Hiro have a concern expression on his face. Fang walked towards him, as the crowd dispersed.

"I knew someone else should've been picked." Fang said to Hiro, not feeling comfortable at all.

[ScylliasExoter]

Alexios wore a stunned expression on his face. He knew Christina was competitive but he hadn’t seen that side of her before. And it surprised him. Alexios did what any good boyfriend would do and followed his girlfriend to help her.
”Christina! Christina! Wait up!”
Upon catching up to her, he offered to hug and hold her.

[Weonna]

In a quiet corner of the gym, Christina melts into Alexios's embrace, venting her frustration with a mix of anger, sadness, and disappointment.

"I can’t believe this, Alexios..."

She started, her voice trembling.

"I’ve given 110 percent of effort in this gym, and they dont even acknowledge it! It’s not fair. I’ve worked so hard..."

Christina then pulls back slightly, looking up at Alexios with tear-filled eyes.

"After all the blood, sweat, and tears I’ve poured into this place... Fang hasn’t even been here half as long as I have! And Alexios, you know this isn’t right. Ive been here since Day One!"

*****

Hiro, noticing his girlfriend's discomfort, steps closer to her.

"Fang, you deserve this. You’ve worked hard just as much as Christina, and it’s time you got recognized for it."

Before Fang could respond back to Hiro, Kenzo steps in, clapping Fang on the shoulder and continuing,

"Hey Fang! There you are. Sorry about that...you know...Christina is just overreacting. You truly deserve the recognition, Fang. Don’t let her temper get to you."


Kenzo's words were supposed to offer comfort, but his tone betrayed his real motives, leaving Fang with a sense of unease that Hiro failed to notice.

Hiro tries to explain himself further, his voice gentle but firm

"Kenzo's right Fang, I know it’s tough, but this is your moment. Don’t let anyone take it away from you. Christina will come around. She just needs time."

[ZorzLeth]

As Fang was talking to Hiro, she heard Kenzo interrupt the conversation. Then, she heard his words of "encouragement", but it was clear that the tone of his voice betrayed his real motives. It was still clear to Fang that Kenzo hated her and was still a sleaze ball of an individual towards her. However, she was caught in a hard place as Hiro (seemingly unaware of Kenzo's tone of voice) agreed with Kenzo. Any attempt to call Kenzo out right now would spell disaster. She had to let it slide, but did not trust Kenzo one bit.

"Still, Christina has been here long before I have and has worked really hard." Fang responded to Hiro, "And I think other people can see that."

[ScylliasExoter]

Alexios listened to Christina cry and pour her heart out. He hugged her again.
”I’m sorry, babe. Let me talk to them. Smooth things over. I’m sure something can be worked out. I’ll be right back.”
He hugged her again and then took off to find Hiro and Kenzo.

Then a French-accented voice came from behind Christina.
“ Of course the two Japanese men fuck over the strong, beautiful Filipina woman.”
It was Marine. The Frenchwoman walked into view and put a hand on Christina’s shoulder.
”They’re threatened by you. They’ll never give you the top spot. You have to take it. So let it all out. Then go back there and take what is rightfully yours.”

Meanwhile Helen was paralyzed with indecision. Was this what it was like for all of her and Alexios’ mutual friends when they broke up? She gave them all ultimatums and made them choose. Now, to be on the other end where her friends are fighting, Helen was panicking. Alexios went to talk to Christina, so naturally she would avoid him by going to Fang. She attempted to pull her away from the men to talk to Fang alone.
”Hiro, I love you, but you are NOT helping right now.”

[Weonna]

Hiro, still grappling with his thoughts, glanced back at Fang.

“Maybe Christina does have a point, Kenzo. She’s been a pillar here since day one.”

Kenzo, not missing a beat, placed a firm hand on Hiro’s shoulder, leaning in slightly.

“Hiro, you need to understand that this gym is about more than just tenure. It’s about the future. Fang represents that future. Christina has her strengths, but Fang’s potential is what’s going to take RISING to new heights. We need to focus on what’s best for the gym, not just personal feelings.”

Hiro hesitated, the conflict clear in his eyes. He wanted to support Fang, but he also knew how much this gym meant to Christina.

“I suppose... you might be right, Kenzo. But we need to make sure this doesn’t tear the gym apart.”

Kenzo smiled, his grip tightening slightly on Hiro’s shoulder.

“Trust me, Hiro. This is the right choice.”

*****

He hugged her again and then took off to find Hiro and Kenzo. Christina let Alexios go, but not before stopping him,

"Wait baby..."

She then leaned forward and kissed him deeply on the lips! The kiss went on for a little while as Christina pulls away.

"I love you..."

This was the last thing Christina would say to Alexios as he leaves and as Alexios went, a French-accented voice came from behind Christina. It was Marine...and Marine alleges that Kenzo and Hiro feel intimidated by Christina, while Marine also mentions Christina's race as a factor.

Christina turned to face Marine, skepticism mingling with her anger.

“What are you implying, Marine? Are you saying they’re racist?”

*****

Hiro sighed as Helen pulled Fang away, leaving him standing with Kenzo.

As the tension lingered in the air, Fang, Hiro, and Kenzo prepared to face whatever fallout might come next, each with their own motives and uncertainties guiding their actions.

[ScylliasExoter]

Alexios was hurrying away so fast he almost didn’t hear Christina call out for him. He turned around and she told him she loved him! Alexios was stunned and then kissed her deeply.
“This wasn’t how I wanted to say these words to each other. I will save my feelings for a special occasion. For now, I will fight for you.”

Alexios left and hurried over to Hiro and Kenzo.
“Είσαι μαλακα! What the fuck are you doing, springing all this on us, no warning? You didn’t even give them a chance to make their cases! Now there’s division, thanks to you.”
*******
Meanwhile, Christina and Marine continued their exchange Marine shrugged at Christina’s question.
”I’m not saying they’re outright bigots. No. Though who knows what goes on in Kenzo’s head. No it’s always more subtle than that. Think about it. Their first instinct on who was best for the gym’s public image was the new white Canadian woman, not the Filipina who had put in all the hard work from day one. Where do you think that instinct came from?…” Marine trailed off, intending to let Christina come to her own conclusions.

[ZorzLeth]

Fang let Helen pull her away from Hiro and Kenzo. This whole thing was already out of hand. Once her and Helen were alone, she began talking to Helen.

"This all wrong." Fang admitted to Helen, revealing that she didn't want any of this to happen.

[Weonna]

Kenzo tried to explain himself as Hiro just crossed his arms.

“Alexios, calm down. We made the decision based on what’s best for the gym. As i said before Fang represents our future. We need to move forward.”

Hiro, still silent, glanced between Alexios and Kenzo, feeling the weight of the conflict pressing down on him. He knew they were at a critical juncture, and the decisions made now would shape the future of RISING Pro Wrestling Gym.

*****

Christina felt a knot tightening in her stomach. She wanted to believe the best about Hiro and Kenzo, but Marine’s words echoed her own unspoken fears. She had seen this kind of subtle bias before, masked as practical decisions, cloaked in well-meaning intentions.

“You think they don’t see my value?”

Christina looked down, her fists clenched. Part of her resisted the idea that Hiro and Kenzo could be influenced by such biases, but another part of her felt the sting of truth in Marine’s words. She had worked so hard, given so much, and yet here she was, being overlooked.

“I don’t know, Marine. Maybe you’re right,”

Christina said slowly, the conflict evident in her voice.

“But what do I do now? I can’t just stand by and let this happen.”