Five AM. Kofi's alarm went off like a fire bell. Tournament day.
Nina was already up, making coffee in the kitchen. "Couldn't sleep either?"
"Too much adrenaline."
They dressed quickly and headed to the dojo. The sun was just starting to rise, painting the sky pale orange.
The dojo was already busy. Yuna had been there since four, directing the setup crew. Tables for registration, chairs for spectators, medical station, judges' table.
"Coffee," Nina said, handing Yuna a cup.
"Bless you."
By six, the rest of the core team had arrived. Ruby was setting up the registration table with Jake. David was testing the live stream equipment with his computer science friend.
"We're live in thirty minutes," David reported. "Already have fifty people waiting in the stream."
Tanaka-sensei arrived with four other senseis, all in formal traditional dress.
"My colleagues from around the region," he introduced them. "They've come to judge and demonstrate their support."
