[WHILE TEAM WHITTIER WAS STILL OUT]


    While Team Whittier was out on their fishing trip, the vi had taken on an almost serene vibe.


    Team Chemasov had the ce to themselves, and for the most part, it was unusually quiet.


    A few fighters sat on the living room, chilling in the living room, without electronics all they could do was just talk, and that was what they did.


    The tension that usually came withpetition was at bay, at least for the moment.


    In the backyard, a couple of the fighters hung out under the gazebo, enjoying the fresh air.


    The mood was rxed, a rare break from the intensity of their training sessions.


    Kofi, as usual, had found himself a spot under the gazebo where he could quietly observe everything around him.


    He wasn''t the kind to force conversation, but his presence alone drew attention, a silent reminder of his strength.


    A few of the guys passed a football back and forth near the pool, makingzy throws and catching with half-hearted effort, just enough to keep the energy flowing without exhausting themselves.


    Every now and then,ughter would break out from inside, and one of the guys in the gazebo would nce toward the noise, smile, and shake his head before going back to the peaceful quiet.


    The tranquility of the house almost felt unnatural. Everyone knew this was only temporary.


    While Kofi sat there, hisrge frame exuding strength and confidence, his demeanor was theplete opposite.


    Despite his intimidating build, his teammates knew him as easygoing, always quick with a joke, and always ready to share augh.


    But the peaceful vibe was shattered when a loud shout erupted from inside the vi.


    Heads turned in the direction of themotion, tension creeping back into the air.


    Kofi stood up, stretching his massive armszily, his muscles rippling as he moved. "I''ll check it out," he said casually, shing a small grin. "I need some water anyway."


    The others just nodded, unbothered, figuring it was nothing serious.


    As Kofi made his way toward the vi, they leaned back, continuing their rxation, unaware of the drama that was about to unfold inside.


    As Kofi stepped into the vi, the sound of crashes and muffled shouts echoed through the hallway.


    He poked his head into the living room, quickly scanning the scene. Only two of his teammates were lounging there, oblivious to the chaos.


    He smirked, already guessing who was at the center of the disturbance.


    There were three others outside, which meant one person was unounted for, Brian.


    "Figures," Kofi muttered to himself.


    Without hesitation, he walked toward the source of the noise, his grin widening.


    The sounds grew louder, more distinct as he approached the back of the house.


    It was about to get interesting, and Kofi wasn''t one to miss the drama.


    Kofi leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching Brian with an unreadable expression.


    His lips twisted into a faint smirk as he took in the sight of Brian wiping tears from his face.


    "What''s up?" Kofi''s voice cut through the tense silence, his tone almost mocking.


    Brian, startled, quickly wiped his face, trying to pull himself together. "Fuck! You scared me, man... it''s nothing. Just... my little brother got eliminated, you know?


    This dream, it was his before it became mine."


    Kofi raised an eyebrow, his smirk growing wider. He tilted his head slightly, looking Brian over, his expression hardening. "Your brother''s a good fighter... better than Damon."


    He said it like he believed it, but there was a coldness behind his words.


    A calcted detachment. To Kofi, it was just another way to stir things up.


    Deep down, he knew Damon was the better fighter, But that didn''t serve his purpose here.


    If Kofi was going to stir the pot, he needed to keep Brian''s emotions fueled.


    Brian looked up at him, almost hopeful, as if he needed to hear those words.


    Kofi didn''t miss it, Brian''s desperation, his weakness.


    He didn''t respect it. A man sitting there crying over his brother? Pathetic. Kofi never understood men like that.


    He shook his head, his expression almost disgusted, but he masked it quickly.


    Kofi leaned against the doorframe, a sly smile ying on his lips. "I mean, your brother was a monster, right? I don''t know how he lost to Damon… not that I''m underestimating the guy. It''s just... he seemed to know every move your brother was gonna make.


    The takedowns, the setups… like he had a blueprint." Kofi let the words linger in the air, his tone casual butced with just enough curiosity to nt the seed of doubt.


    Brian looked up, confused, his face still flushed from earlier. Kofi could tell the hook was starting to sink in, so he yed it cool, shrugging like it was no big deal. "But, well… unless..." He trailed off, his voice fading as if he hadn''t meant to say thatst part aloud.


    Brian''s brow furrowed. "Unless what?" he asked, the desperation evident in his voice.


    Kofi smirked internally, knowing he had him. Gotcha.


    "Nah, man, it''s nothing," Kofi said, waving his hand dismissively. "Just some bullshit. I don''t wanna stir the pot or anything. You know how it is,petition makes you think all kinds of crazy stuff."


    Brian wasn''t letting it go. "No, seriously. What did you mean? Unless what?" He leaned forward, hanging on Kofi''s every word.


    Kofi paused, letting the silence grow heavier.


    His smirk faded, reced by a faux concerned expression, like he was debating whether or not to say more.


    He let out a long, exaggerated sigh, ncing around as if to make sure no one was listening.


    "Alright, look," he began, lowering his voice. "I don''t wanna say things that could hurt the team, man. But if I were to say... someone might be feeding info to the other side, it''d be bad for me. Really bad. You know how this stuff works.


    Rumors spread fast, and next thing you know, fingers are pointed."


    He stepped closer, speaking just above a whisper now. "But think about it. How did Damon know every move your brother was gonna make? Every single one?"


    Brian''s eyes widened, the gears in his mind turning. Kofi could see the doubt seeping in, the suspicion brewing. It was too easy.


    Kofi straightened up, shrugging as if he regretted even mentioning it. "But like I said, it''s probably nothing. Just some nonsense I thought of. Forget I even brought it up." He started to turn away, deliberately slow, knowing Brian wouldn''t be able to let it go.


    And sure enough, Brian called out to him. "Wait, what do you mean? Someone''s giving info? Who?"


    Kofi paused, not turning around right away.


    He let the silence drag out, building the tension just a bit more before ncing over his shoulder, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Look, man. I''ve been around long enough to know when something''s off. But I''m not pointing fingers. Just be careful, alright? You never know who''s ying both sides."


    Without another word, Kofi turned and walked away, leaving Brian stewing in his thoughts.


    As Kofi left the room, his smirk widened. He knew exactly what he was doing, and the seed of doubt he nted was already beginning to take root. Now, all he had to do was sit back and let it grow.


    Brian, meanwhile, stood there, his mind racing with possibilities.


    Could someone really be leaking information?


    He reyed the fight in his head, scrutinizing every detail, trying to find any sign that his brother had been betrayed.