Cobra Kai: Under the Cobra Emblem

Max arrived at Devon's house in no time. She lived with her dad in a rather appealing area, ideal for those seeking a quiet place to settle.

The houses here were large, and the neighbors seemed to have good jobs. This made Max think about how he should approach a conversation with Devon's father.

He wasn't sure why her dad wanted him to come over for dinner, but the last time hadn't gone as he had hoped.

"You live pretty well," Max said, surprised. His friend seemed to have a good life compared to others.

"Are you kidding?" Devon asked. Compared to Max's lifestyle, hers paled in comparison, so she didn't quite understand his comment.

"No, many people at school don't have the same luck as we do, that's all," Max quickly explained, afraid of being misunderstood.

Devon smiled after hearing this; she had only been joking. "Come on, let's go inside. My dad should be waiting for us."

"Dad, we're here!"

Max turned his gaze toward the living room, where Steven Lee, Devon's father, sat. He was the same man Max had shared an awkward conversation with not long ago.

Steven glanced at Max and said, "You took your time. Were you training?"

"Yeah, I still have a lot to learn, so I'm working hard because I want to participate in the Valley Tournament," Devon said as she headed upstairs, leaving Max alone with Steven, who seemed to be a man of few words.

"Have a seat; let's talk."

Max gave a faint smile and sat in a single chair before saying, "Devon is incredibly skilled; she learns so quickly."

"Naturally, she's my daughter," Steven said with a slight sigh before continuing, "You're both too young to be thinking about romance, but I suppose it's something people your age are drawn to these days. That's why I'll ask you to be absolutely careful with my daughter. She's all I have in this world, and she's the reason I work so hard. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Hearing these words, Max grew slightly more serious. He nodded and said, "It's still too early for me personally to think about love. Honestly, I don't even feel ready to love anyone yet."

Max's sense of protection toward his friends was high. He naturally acted this way because he was strong and wouldn't let anyone harm what made him feel alive.

Still, even if he ever felt something more than friendship, Max would think twice about it because he still needed to start healing from his wounds.

"Devon told me about her mom. Mine, on the other hand, were murdered by criminals." Max's blood always boiled with fury whenever he told this story. In a colder tone, he murmured, "I was just a kid back then. I lost the full vision in my left eye, and I swore to learn how to defend myself."

Only by learning to defend himself could he figure out how to protect someone else.

Still holding onto that belief, Max said, "Devon was the first girl who approached me without judging me for my blind eye, my scar, or my dry personality. Thanks to her, I'm now fulfilling the dream my uncle couldn't achieve. Together, we've built a bond we're still trying to understand."

Only now did Steven better understand Max, who was simply a boy trying to heal his wounds while walking a complex path.

"I'm sorry. Perhaps I've been overly protective in how I've treated you so far. It's just that, after my wife's death, I've never seen my daughter so happy. She talks about you a lot and how amazing you are."

"She said that?" Max didn't see himself as anything special, but in Devon's eyes, he was. This realization made him feel happy in some way.

Steven smiled and said, "I just ask that you take care of her. She can be very impulsive, so as a good friend, I'd like you to watch out for her."

"Of course, you have nothing to worry about." Max understood this wasn't an obligation but rather a duty as a friend.

Before Max could say anything else, Devon came downstairs wearing pajamas. "What are you two talking about?"

"The dojo, martial arts, and school."

"Really, Dad?" Devon didn't want to make a bad impression, especially since it was the first time she had brought someone home.

Steven nodded slightly and said, "I didn't say anything strange, I promise. But let's eat—the food might get cold."

Feeling different from when he was at Miguel's house, Max walked toward the dining room, where they started talking about popular movies of the day.