The air pressed against her skin as she flipped over the flying rattan balls. Korra landed on a wooden post and launched forward to the finished line.

 “That was… very good.” 

 “Did I do something wrong?” Korra said nervously. Tenzin looked thoughtfully and stroked his beard.

 “I didn’t think this new training would work.”

 “I have the best teacher!” 

 Tenzin had built this new Airbending obstacle course for her ever since she struggled with the Airbending gates, and she had practised with it for the last three months. It felt great to release her energy while still able to train the way Tenzin wants.

“Korra. You have a visitor.” Pema called. She walked heavily toward them while a person followed behind her. Looking at her round belly, Korra guessed she would be expected to giving birth soon. Tenzin quickly rushed toward his wife and insisted on Pema to go back inside. They left Korra alone with the visitor.

 “Aren’t you said Air temple Island is a restricted area? How did you get in here?”

 “I told them I know you.” Mako shrugged, “I need your help.”

 Korra raised an eyebrow. They sat on the porch while Mako started talking. 

 “Bolin and I had a fight.”

 “Is it because you broke your arm last time?”

 “Well, yes and no. More like, why I broke it.” Mako looked at his hand. The bandages had come off. The healer said it was a buckle wrist fracture, and it would recover before the final game start, so they had nothing to worry about.

 “You were running out of the street without looking,” She recalled, “but why?”

 “I tried to find a new job, and I forgot the time. When I realised it, it was almost too late, so I ran. That’s when Asami crashed into me. She was going to visit her father, the owner of the factory that I’ll be working on.” He moved his hand around the wrist, avoiding her gaze. “I’m not going to play Pro-bending anymore. Bolin wasn't happy, but I told him you could play for me in the future.”

 “You didn’t ask me first!” Korra bawled.

 “Didn’t you like playing it?”

 “It was fun. I got to play with my friends, but that’s it. I’m not a Pro-bending player. I’m the Ava-” She bit her lips before she could finish the words. Korra wasn’t sure if Mako had heard it, but he appeared to be drowning in his own thought.

“Bolin needs me.” He said, “And I need this job. If I don’t do it, then we won’t get enough money till the end of the month.”

 “Why would you need money that much? What happens at the end of the month?”

 Mako flicked his gaze between her and the pavement, “I made a mistake. I loaned money from someone that I shouldn’t.”

 “Why would you do such a thing like that?” 

 He instantly stood up and his eyes flashed with anger. “We were hungry!" He yowled, "Bolin would have died in the street if I didn’t get the money. You don’t know how it feels like! You live in a fancy house!”

She jumped back like he just Firebended her. She stared blankly at him and then turned her gaze to the city in the distance. Korra remembered the time she met Bolin and how he joked about eating garbage. Only this time, she realised it wasn’t a joke anymore.

 “I’m sorry. What about your family?”

 “My parents are dead,” Mako didn’t even flinch when he said that “That’s why I need this job, and that’s why I ask for your help. Will you help me?”

 “Are you sure you don’t want to play with him one last time?” 

 He shook his head, “I don’t want to give him any hopes that I might change my mind.”

 She let out a defeated sigh. “Alright. I’ll play the final for you, but that’s it. No more Pro-bending. But I have to ask Tenzin’s permission first.”

She was hoping that Tenzin would say ‘no’ and she would have an excuse to change Mako's mind, but the man just gave her an approving nod and left with his sky bison.

 “Thank you, Tenzin.” Korra said bitterly.

 “I can take you to the training room now so you can practice with the team until the final, which is tomorrow night,” Mako said.

 “You always spare me plenty of time to prepare.”

They arrived at the training room. Bolin was playing with his red ferret, Pabu, on the bench while Tenga was practising his waterbending.

 “Bolin, I got her. She agrees to play in the final for me.” Mako said.

 “Whatever.” Bolin didn’t look at Mako. He scooped up his ferret into his jacket and marched outside.

 “Are we not practising?” Tenga asked, but Bolin left without answering him.

Everyone turned their attention to Mako.

“What?” He spoke. 

“Stop being a jerk and talk to him,” Korra growled. 

“How am I a jerk? I did find someone to replace me.” 

“There’s gone the championship,” Tenga scoffed and stormed out the door as well.

 “What’s wrong with everyone?” Mako rolled his eyes. 

Korra thought about using him as a practice sandbag, but she decided to save her energy to find Bolin. She walked out, leaving Mako alone in the room. Naga was waiting for her and they tracked after Bolin. He was eating in the Narook's Seaweed Noodlery, so Korra took a chair in front of him. When he saw her, the boy began to break into tears.

“I’m sorry. Men are not supposed to cry.” He sobbed.

 “That is a stupid rule. You’re allowed to cry when you’re sad, and I’ll beat anyone who said otherwise.”

Bolin started lying face down on the table and cried louder. She sat quietly, waiting for him. After a moment, he stopped, wiping his tears away.

 “Mako is not going to play Pro-bending anymore.”

 “I know.”

“This morning, he told me he has never liked Pro-bending. He didn’t say it before. I wouldn’t ask him to play it if he didn’t like it, but he didn’t tell me.” Bolin sobbed.

 “He likes to keep things for himself.”

 “I feel like I’m a spoiled, selfish brat, and I hate how he always treat me like a little kid.” Bolin took a tissue from the box, “I don’t know if I should even play the final. We have prepared many years for this moment, but now I didn’t feel the same anymore.”

 “Are you sure?”

 Bolin nodded, “I’m sorry. I knew you played really hard last time for me, and I owe Tenga an apology.”

As he was talking, a group of people came toward them. Unfortunately, they were the last people she wanted to see right now.

Tahno stood in front of them and swept his hair to one side. The people behind him laughed and giggled like a pack of hyenas.

 “What do we have here? A crybaby?” 

 “Get loss,” Korra said.

 “I saw you played last time.” Tahno said, “You’re a talented girl. Why bother to stick with the losers?”

 “We’re not playing the final, so stop bothering us!” Bolin growled. Korra was surprised by his attitude. Last time the boy barely dared to look at Tahno.

 “Wow. That’s good to hear you finally realise your place.” Tahno brushed his hair again.

 “Hey Tahno, did your golden fish brain forget my companion or do you want me to introduce her again?” Korra jeered. She waved her hand and Naga peeked her head through the window, baring her long pointy teeth.

 Tahno and the gang took a step back. He swung his hand goodbye and left with a laugh, “I see you and your pet dog decided to sit in the garbage.”