The dojo was silent, with the muffled sound of paced breathing echoing in the tension-laden air. The morning light filtered through the high windows, casting shadows that danced around the two competitors positioned at the center. It was a decisive fight; both, a blue belt and a purple belt, kept their feet firmly anchored on the mat, each observing every subtle movement of the other.

The blue belt student, Kevin, was known for his almost surgical precision, his strikes quick and calculated. He moved first, leaning forward with his right fist ready to strike a direct punch to his opponent's torso. His technique was clean, and his focused gaze revealed the determination of someone who understood every detail of the movement. Just as Kevin threw the punch, his opponent, Hiroshi, a purple belt known for his adaptability, dodged fluidly, shifting his body to the left with a quick hip rotation. Hiroshi not only avoided the blow but used the momentum to advance towards his opponent, delivering a side kick with his right leg.

Kevin quickly defended, raising his forearm to absorb the impact, but Hiroshi’s kick was powerful enough to push him back a few steps. The shock reverberated through Kevin's arm, but he stood his ground. Their eyes met briefly — a silent acknowledgment of respect and rivalry. Both knew the fight was just beginning.

In an agile move, Kevin took two steps forward, balancing with precision as he launched a quick combination of punches. Hiroshi blocked the first and second punches, but the third struck his abdomen, momentarily knocking the wind out of him. With his guard down, Hiroshi recognized the vulnerability and used the impact to spin on his axis, executing a spinning kick aimed at the side of Kevin's face. The kick missed by mere millimeters, but Kevin managed to duck in time, rolling to the side of the mat in a skillful evasion.

Both got back on their feet, their faces now glistening with a slight sheen of sweat. Every strike, every block, every dodge had been part of a complex, flawless dance, where they both knew a single mistake could mean the other’s victory. Their breathing rhythm quickened, but their focus never wavered. It was as if the world around them had vanished, leaving only the mat, the strength of their bodies in motion, and the pulsating energy of the confrontation.

Hiroshi stepped back and raised a hand, signaling a pause. His breathing was labored, and he regarded Kevin with a measured gaze, tinged with a hint of respect and slight disbelief. Kevin, for his part, held a steady stance, his eyes calm and his breathing already beginning to slow. Even after the intense bout, he didn’t seem the least bit shaken.

"You're fast, Kevin," Hiroshi admitted, a slight smile playing at the corner of his mouth as he tried to catch his breath and mask his surprise. "It’s been a while since anyone put me on the defensive like that."

Kevin shrugged modestly, though his eyes sparkled with an intense curiosity.

"I just train, Hiroshi. It’s nothing compared to you," replied Kevin, with genuine sincerity rather than humility. "You’re the national champion. I just come here to improve... I’m not a competitor."

Hiroshi chuckled, unable to hide his admiration.

"Well, if you keep going at this pace, you’ll surpass a lot of people who are just ‘training.’ Have you ever thought about competing? The pace you set in the fight just now... not many purple belts could keep up."

Kevin hesitated, looking at the floor for a moment, as if searching for the right words. It was clear the idea of competing had crossed his mind before, but there seemed to be something that kept him away from it.

"I don’t know… Maybe I just like testing myself, seeing how far I can go," he replied, still deep in thought. "I’m not sure if I’m ready to step into the world of competitions. I prefer to improve gradually, at my own pace."

Hiroshi frowned, intrigued.

"You're a mystery, you know that? Most people who reach your level want to be out there, in a championship, testing their skills in the real world. But you... you prefer to stay in the dojo, facing whoever shows up here." He tilted his head, assessing Kevin from top to bottom. "You could give any black belt a run for their money in official competitions, you know?"

Kevin looked away, a slight blush coloring his cheeks. Although he received compliments from many in the dojo, he knew that Hiroshi, with his experience and status as a champion, had a unique perspective. He understood the weight of those words.

"I appreciate it, Hiroshi," Kevin replied, smiling slightly. "But there’s still so much to learn, and I feel like I still need to understand my own style, my own way of fighting. Competitions can wait. Right now… my challenge is to improve for myself, without the pressure of a championship."

Hiroshi nodded slowly, as if absorbing each word. In part, he admired that philosophy. The calm with which Kevin shaped his own training, the focus he maintained on every detail, everything seemed to set the boy apart. Still, a persistent curiosity grew within him.

"Well, maybe you're right," Hiroshi admitted. "Competing brings pressure, and not everyone is ready for it. But I say this because I see the potential you have. Anyone you’d face in a championship would be in trouble."

Kevin nodded, but this time with a firmness Hiroshi didn’t expect.

"Maybe one day, Hiroshi. For now, staying here, training with you, is all I need."

"Alright, then let’s go, I’ll take you more seriously. Be prepared," Hiroshi said, getting ready for another round.

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Kevin just smiled, bracing himself for some hard-hitting blows.

He had been honest with Hiroshi; he had thought about entering a competition a few times, but he simply couldn’t bring himself to feel truly excited about fighting in front of a crowd or being observed as if he were a circus animal. He wanted a place to fight with all his might, to truly tap into his instincts in a way that wasn’t really possible in training. But such a place didn’t exist, so he had to settle for tough practice.

Kevin left the dojo still feeling the adrenaline from the session. His legs were a bit heavy, but his mind cleared as he breathed in the fresh morning air. He checked his watch and realized he had some time before his next commitment: he needed to stop by home to organize a few college tasks before heading to class. Aware of his tight schedule, he quickened his pace.

In addition to being a final-year student in the not-so-easy field of Mechatronic Engineering, he also had to split his time with training, helping out in his parents’ shop, and, of course, spending time with his girlfriend. Not that he found the last obligation very difficult.

When he arrived home, he headed straight to his room, a space practically organized with stacks of engineering books and electronic components neatly arranged on his desk. Kevin connected his laptop and began reviewing a project that was nearly finished — a simulation for one of the control systems he’d been developing. Each detail was designed with precision; he knew he couldn’t afford any slip-ups. After saving his notes and checking the upcoming deadlines, he took one last look at his agenda for the day and grabbed a backpack, ready for his next destination.

Shortly after, Kevin was on his way to college. Arriving on campus, a familiar figure was waiting for him at the entrance: his girlfriend, Julia. She was finishing her Chemistry degree and greeted him warmly as soon as she saw him. Her eyes lit up every time Kevin came near, and he knew that this moment, brief though it was, was an essential pause in his fast-paced day.

"Hey, don’t you ever get tired?" she joked, laughing when she saw that he seemed as energetic as ever.

"With you here, I almost forget what being tired feels like," Kevin replied, pulling her in for a quick hug. Their world was hectic, with studies, responsibilities, and projects. But there, with Julia, he felt he could breathe, if only for a moment.

Julia nudged him playfully before taking his hand and guiding him into the campus.

As they walked, Kevin looked at Julia with a curious expression.

"So, Ju, working on any new experiments? Something explosive, maybe?" he teased, though with genuine interest.

Julia smiled, shaking her head, used to Kevin’s curiosity.

"Nothing explosive, I promise." She laughed. "Actually, we're focusing on a project about catalysis for organic reactions. The idea is to create a more efficient development process, you know? Something that reduces the reaction time and increases the purity of the final product."

Kevin nodded, attentive to every word.

"So, are you working with solid-state reactions or something in solution? If it’s in solution, I bet controlling the temperature and concentration is giving you a headache, huh?"

Julia’s eyes widened, surprised by his understanding.

"Exactly!" she exclaimed, excited. "We’re experimenting with solution reactions, and it’s a challenge to keep the temperature stable. Another issue is the partial pressure of gases. It’s really tricky to adjust."

Kevin pondered, reflecting on the problem.

"Have you considered using a control system to maintain the balance of more sensitive reagents? Maybe something that adjusts automatically based on fluctuations."

Julia furrowed her brow, intrigued by his suggestion.

"Are you suggesting some kind of automated system? Like a control interface?"

Julia smiled, impressed.

"Exactly," Kevin replied. "There are some interfaces used in Mechatronic Engineering for real-time adjustments, like in the control of sensors and actuators. I bet, if adapted to chemistry, it could help you maintain the ideal temperature and pressure."

— "I never thought of that, Kevin. I think I'll talk to my professor about it... this might be an amazing idea to optimize the process."

They kept walking, and Kevin felt a special satisfaction seeing her excitement over a new idea. He loved seeing Julia so engaged in her work, and even though their courses were different, every conversation like this seemed to bring them even closer.

As they passed near the cafeteria, Julia nudged Kevin with a smile.

— "How about a snack? My treat this time, okay?" she said teasingly, knowing full well he would never accept.

But to her surprise, Kevin didn’t respond. He was standing still, staring off into the distance, his eyes wide and his expression serious. Julia frowned, confused, and tried calling him again, giving him a light push on the shoulder.

— "Kevin? Hey, earth to Kevin!" she said, laughing softly, but her laughter faded as she followed his gaze.

The sky, which had been clear moments before, was now dominated by a surreal sight: a massive mushroom cloud of smoke and dust, similar to nuclear explosions seen only in movies and documentaries, rising in the distance. The enormous column of smoke rose into the sky, spreading into a vast dark cloud that covered everything around it, blocking out the sun. A deadly silence took over the campus, with students and teachers stopping where they stood, their gazes equally shocked, as if time itself had frozen.

Julia felt a chill running down her spine, and she instinctively held Kevin’s hand. He squeezed back, his eyes fixed on the terrifying sight.

— "This… this can’t be real," Julia murmured, her voice almost inaudible, as the muffled sound of screams and sirens began to echo around them.

Kevin, with a tense expression, still in shock, whispered:

— "We need to get out of here… now."

They exchanged a brief glance, filled with uncertainty and fear, before starting to run together, not knowing exactly what awaited them, but understanding that, in that instant, their lives had changed forever.

Kevin held Julia’s hand tightly, and they moved in the opposite direction, hearts racing as chaos settled around them. His mind, trained to think in solutions, was on high alert, calculating every route, every possible escape as they weaved through people who were screaming and trying to take cover. But then, something in his perception shifted — a dense shadow covered everything around them, and the air grew heavy.

He stopped running. His body froze as he looked up and saw a giant rock, enormous and imposing, descending from the sky. The fall seemed slow and deliberate, as if destiny itself was sealed. In seconds, Kevin understood a brutal truth. There was no escape. He had already done the calculations; there was no angle, no movement that would save them.

His heart raced wildly, and he turned to Julia, who was panting, her eyes wide. Amid the despair, he pulled her into a tight embrace. Everything around them seemed to fade as he felt her warmth against him.

— "I love you," he whispered in her ear, his voice filled with a sincerity he had never felt so deeply.

Julia gasped, holding him with the same intensity, as if, in that moment, everything focused on the safety of his arms.

And then, the world around them darkened completely, leaving only the feeling of their embrace in one last moment together.