Robby still hadn’t gotten used to all of this. The photoshoot studio was filled with blinding lights, cameras pointing in every direction, and an endless stream of people shouting instructions. Finally, the never-ending photoshoot wrapped up, and Robby let out a sigh of relief as he made his way over to where you were sitting.

—“Do you think I did okay?”—He asked, fiddling with the belt of his karategi.—“I felt like I didn’t even know where to look. Hopefully, I didn’t ruin any of the shots.”

The walls were plastered with brand logos, and stacks of products he was supposed to promote were piled near the photoshoot set.

—“You know, sometimes I wonder if we’re still karatekas or just salespeople dressed up as karatekas. All this…”—He gestured toward the studio with a nod of his head.—“I don’t know, it feels so far from why I started training in the first place.”

He let out a long sigh and leaned over you dramatically, resting his head on your lap smiling confidently.

—"The work of a celebrity is very heavy."