❛ She's without a doubt the biggest bitch here. ❜

     Following between Johnny and Miguel, Ayane could see that something was seriously wrong.

"What– what's wrong with my mom?" Miguel asked, his face paling.

They walked out of the arena together, Johnny seeming to be in a hurry.

"She's in the hospital," Johnny replied, "there's something wrong with the baby."

Ayane's heart sank, looking over to Miguel who looked as if he were about to cry.

Johnny continued, "We're gonna get a flight to California. You gotta go pack your stuff."

He walked away at that, Miguel standing there for a moment with a distraught look. Ayane twisted her fingers, wondering if she should say something.

Miguel finally looked over at Ayane. His eyes were glistening with tears, the girl hesitating for a moment before she went forward and hugged him.

He hugged her back tightly, trying to hold back the tears from falling.

"It's gonna be okay," Ayane said, patting his back reassuringly.

She pulled away at once, placing her hands on his shoulders. "Keep me updated, alright?"

Miguel nodded, wiping his face with his sleeve and sniffling.

"Yeah, I will," he muttered, meeting her eyes.

"You better win this thing, alright?" Miguel said with more firmness, not letting her gaze go. "I know you can win. Everybody knows you can win."

Ayane held his eye contact, beginning to nod after a moment.

"I will win."

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

     There was a knock on Ayane and Sam's hotel room door.

Sam got up and answered it after a moment, to see Eli, Robby and Demetri standing there.

"Ladies," Demetri said as he burst into the room. "Get up and get dressed. We're going for a night on the town."

Ayane looked up at him from where she lay on her bed, the other two boys entering the room behind him.

"You guys got permission to do that?" Ayane questioned, sitting up at once.

Demetri flopped down on her bed, throwing his arms behind his head as he laid across it.

"Sensei Chozen said we could," Eli informed her, leaning against the wall.

Ayane exchanged a look with Sam, both of the girls debating if it was still a good idea.

At once, Ayane threw up her hands. "What the hell, sure. Are you guys gonna get out so we can change?"

She shoved Demetri with her foot as she said that, the boy getting off of her bed at once.

"Make it quick, we wanna get there before the line gets long," Eli said as he headed for the door.

Ayane knit her brows. "What line?"

"At the bar," he replied, opening the door.

She only shook her head, getting out of her bed at once. Robby had not said anything the entire time, Ayane noticed. She looked over at him, the boy glancing away from her.

The three boys waited outside for Ayane and Sam to change, and then they all left the hotel to catch a bus to the nearest bar.

Ayane followed the others inside, seeing some other dojos already there. Since they were in Barcelona, Ayane was technically old enough to drink, but the thought barely crossed her mind. She was going to pass up that opportunity.

Her and Sam and Robby all took a seat together at a table, Ayane scoping the place out. She did not see anyone she had issues with– at least, not yet.

"I hope Carmen's okay," Robby said at once, taking a sip of his soda.

Ayane nodded with a sigh. It was all she had been able to think about for the past couple of hours, nervously waiting to hear something from Miguel. She knew he and Johnny were still on the plane, so it would be awhile.

"It sucks that we lost Miguel and Sensei Lawrence," Sam remarked. "But I think my dad is trying to get Kenny here to replace him."

Ayane didn't think that was a bad idea. Kenny was a solid fighter. She was surprised he had not made the cut for the Sekai Taikai in the first place.

Just then, she looked up as she noticed a group of black jacket-clad kids enter the bar, a familiar face leading the way. Sam noticed them as well, seeing Tory walking up to the counter to order a drink.

Jae looked around the room, his eyes landing on Ayane. She held his gaze, the boy starting to smirk before he turned away.

Ayane tapped her foot underneath the table for a moment, then stood up.

"I'll be back," she muttered before walking over to the Cobra Kai students.

Jae was sitting at the bar, Ayane climbing into the stool beside him before he noticed her.

"You're not old enough to drink," she said, Jae turning his head to see her sitting there.

He rolled his eyes at her, taking his drink from the bartender and downing a big gulp of it.

"Are you trying to play big sister?" Jae remarked, Ayane narrowing her eyes at him.

"I am your big sister," she retorted.

Jae started to laugh, laced with cynicism. "I hardly know you, Ayane. You and I are about as close as me and the rest of your team. All you are to me is an opponent."

Ayane's jaw tightened, shooting him a glare. She pulled her lips in and shook her head.

"What do you think I'm doing now, huh? I'm trying to fix our relationship. I know we can't exactly catch up on the last seventeen years of our lives but we can at least try to start somewhere."

She paused, Jae not replying. His cocky smirk was gone, his expression serious now.

Ayane continued, "I know you don't know any better, but I left Cobra Kai for a reason. A lot of reasons, actually. I wasn't trying to abandon you, Jae. I had to make a huge sacrifice. It– it was the hardest decision of my life."

Jae brought his drink to his lips, thinking for a minute before he replied. Ayane could see that her words were actually getting to him now.

He set down his drink, looking over at her.

"You made a selfish decision."

Jae got up, taking his drink with him before walking away. Ayane turned and watched him disappear into the crowd, her face full of hurt.

"That looked like an intense conversation."

Ayane whipped her head over, seeing that none other than Zara had approached her. The girl halfway glared at her, visibly irritated.

"And it wasn't really your business," Ayane replied, Zara tilting her head with a smile.

"Seems like the convo didn't go your way," Zara laughed.

Ayane almost shot out of her seat, but remained her composure. She slid off the stool at once, stepping closer to Zara.

"I think this conversation should end now, before you end up with no front teeth. I don't think you'd have as many Instagram followers then, do you?"

Zara's smile faded, turning into a glare as she narrowed her eyes at Ayane.

"That's big talk for a girl whose ass I already kicked once."

Ayane leaned in a little. "You wanna try it again?"

"Hey, Ayane, are you good?"

Both Ayane and Zara looked over, seeing Tory standing there. Ayane cut her eyes back to Zara, giving her a fake smile.

"Yep."

Zara eyed her for a second, then turned around and walked away. Ayane rolled her eyes, looking over to Tory.

"She's without a doubt the biggest bitch here," Ayane remarked, Tory starting to laugh.

"A bigger bitch than me?"

"Mm..." Ayane tilted her head as if it were debatable, returning laughter.

The Nichols girl leaned against the bar, looking around the room. Ayane noticed her eyes on Sam.

Ayane had not talked to Tory at all since their fight before the Sekai Taikai, when she heard of her mom's passing. Ayane felt bad for not reaching out.

"You doing okay?" Ayane asked at once, unsure of what response she was going to get.

Tory looked back at Ayane, shrugging after a second. "I don't know. I think I'm kind of in the denial stage."

Ayane chewed her inner lip, frowning a little.

"I... I'm really sorry, Tory. I'm so sorry that this happened to you. And I wish I had reached out sooner, but–"

"It's fine," Tory cut off, dismissive. "I don't really wanna talk about it."

Ayane nodded understandingly, drawing in a breath.

"You, uh, you're kicking some serious ass. Sucks that you aren't with us, though."

Tory smiled weakly, seemingly distracted once again by Sam. "Thanks. So are you."

Ayane saw her eyes on Sam once again. "You should go talk to her. She really misses you."

Tory shrugged her off at once, turning to the bar and grabbing a drink from the bartender.

"I can't. I'll lose focus on the tournament."

She walked away at that, Ayane watching her go. Ayane felt really bad for Tory, and wished she could do something to help. But if Sam couldn't even get through to her, then Ayane knew it was no use.

Ayane sighed, looking around the bar. She decided she would go back and sit with Sam, or maybe go for a walk.

Just then, she noticed Robby sitting at the bar, downing a shot. Her eyebrows raised, finding that odd. Robby was not the type to drink.

She walked over to him, the boy seeing her and smiling a little.

"Hey."

"Hi," Ayane replied, taking a seat beside him. "Since when do you drink?"

Robby shrugged a little, visibly a bit tipsy as he rubbed his eyes.

"I don't know, I just felt like I needed it. Something to take the edge off, you know?"

Ayane frowned. He slurred his words a bit, the girl sighing slowly.

"What's been going on, Robby? You... seem like you've been struggling at the tournament. I know you're a way better fighter than how you've been performing. I mean– you're captain for a reason."

Robby poked his tongue in his cheek, twirling the shot glass on the counter.

"Miguel seems to think otherwise," Robby replied after a moment. "So does everyone else."

He looked over at Ayane, who reached over and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I don't," she replied. "I think you're just in your head too much. But Robby, you've got what it takes. Shit, I mean, you're a captain in a karate tournament against the best fighters in the world. That counts for something."

Robby slowly began to smile, softly melting under Ayane's gaze.

She removed her hand from his shoulder, lightly slapping the counter as she stood up.

"Don't drink too much. The last thing your ass needs is a hangover."

Robby laughed a little as Ayane walked away from him, the girl making her way through the crowd.

She was headed for the door, deciding that she was going to take a walk and get some air. Barcelona was a beautiful city, and she hoped that she was going to have some more time to explore it. But, Ayane figured she might just return to the hotel for the night.

Ayane found herself wandering down to the beach, which was across the street from the bar. She noticed someone down there, a guy. He was all alone, and seemed to be performing some kind of kata.

Curiously, Ayane got closer to him, and then recognized his face. It was Axel, the male captain from the Iron Dragons. Honestly, Ayane felt a little intimidated just by looking at him.

He halted his routine as he noticed her walking up, giving her a brief smile.

"Kata?" she asked, gesturing with her head to what he had been doing.

The boy gave a curt nod, replying, "Uh, yes. I-I am not supposed to speak with opponent."

Ayane shoved her hands in her jacket pockets, smiling with a small shrug as she looked all around her.

"I mean, I don't see a mat, or a scoreboard, or referees."

Axel looked up at her, giving a slight chuckle.

She held out a hand. "I'm Ayane."

The boy hesitated, then extended his hand as well and shook hers.

"Axel. I-I know who you are. I heard everyone chanting your name earlier today."

Ayane laughed softly, glancing down. "Yeah... I didn't expect to turn out as a fan favorite. You definitely are, though."

Axel dropped his head with a smile, brushing her off. He turned and leaned down to pick up his shirt, Ayane's eyes widening a little as she saw multiple bruises on his back.

"Uh, what happened to your back?"

He pulled his tank top on, scrambling for an answer that was clearly a lie. "Um– from bo staff competition."

Ayane raised an eyebrow, not buying it. "But... no one's landed a point on you."

Axel paused, picking up his jacket. "You either," he replied, pulling his jacket on.

She folded her arms, tilting her head. She was surprised that he knew this.

"Sorry," Axel apologized, "I... have been watching your matches. Zara, she told me about you."

Ayane glanced away, giving a dry laugh. "What'd she say, that she thinks she can still whoop my ass? Just for the record, we fought when we were nine."

Axel laughed once more. Ayane was surprised by how nice he was, because he looked terrifying as hell.

"She is not a fan," Axel replied truthfully. "But I think it is because she is intimidated by you."

The girl smiled upon hearing that, finding it satisfying.

"Good. She should be." Ayane paused, eyeing him. "So really, what happened to your back?"

Axel's mouth hung open slightly as he tried to think of something to say, but he knew there was no use in trying to lie. He was a terrible liar.

"It's from training," he finally told her. "My sensei, he wants me to be the best. Which is why I never lose."

Ayane frowned, though she had somewhat been expecting that answer. She related a bit too well to it.

She inhaled slowly. "Do you wanna walk back to the hotel with me? I was gonna turn in for the night."

Axel hesitated, then nodded. "Um, sure."

Ayane began to walk, Axel following alongside her. She was quiet for a moment, taking in the sights as they made their way to the street.

"For what it's worth, I know how you feel," Ayane said at once, thinking about Ennis. She had not yet encountered him since being here, but knowing that he was around was enough to make her uneasy.

Axel frowned. "Your dojo is the same way?"

She quickly shook her head. "No, no. Not Miyagi-Do. It was just... the way I was raised. My father was kinda like your sensei."

Axel seemed saddened by this, walking alongside her down an empty street.

"Maybe that is why you are such a good fighter," Axel responded at once.

Ayane raised her shoulders. "Maybe. I think there are better ways to make a good fighter, though."

Axel did not reply to her statement right away, pondering on her words. Just then, from around the corner, Ayane heard a familiar voice.

"How cute!"

She saw none other than Jae come around the corner, along with one other Cobra Kai student.

Ayane immediately rolled her eyes. "Jae, what the hell are you even doing out here? Isn't it past your bedtime?"

Jae cut her a glare, scoffing. "You fit the stereotype for annoying big sister."

She narrowed her eyes, shaking her head and trying to continue walking. But, Jae and his teammate stepped in her way, blocking her path.

"Say the magic words," Jae taunted, leaning down to eye level with her.

Ayane stared at him, then proceeded to laugh.

"Alright, nice try. Now it's time to go."

Jae looked between her and Axel. "Wrong!"

Ayane huffed with irritation, knowing that her brother was just looking for a fight.

Another Cobra Kai appeared from behind Ayane and Axel, and she began to realize what was happening.

"Are you– are you seriously trying to jump us? Is that what's happening right now?"

Before Jae could reply, his teammate jumped into a spinning kick at Axel. The boy was barely hindered, Ayane looking back to Jae.

"Hit me, c'mon," he said, tapping his face.

Ayane shrugged. "Don't have to tell me twice."

She turned on her heel and kicked Jae back, the boy stumbling with some surprise. The other Cobra Kai grabbed her from behind, but Axel stepped in and took hold of him, throwing the guy off of her with ease.

"Kwon, come on," his teammate grabbed him by the sleeve, "we can't get caught!"

They began to hear sirens sounding, Ayane realizing that the police were nearby. She looked over to Axel, grabbing his arm.

"Come on, let's get out of here," she said as she pulled him away, sprinting off while he followed.

Ayane and Axel ran until they were back on the beach, evading the cop car that drove by. The girl finally slowed up, leaning over with her hands on her knees as she panted.

She looked over at Axel, shaking her head. "That was my asshole brother. Sorry."

Axel laughed a little. "Nice back kick."

Ayane smiled. "Nice... throwing that guy on the ground like a ragdoll."

He returned her smile, Ayane bringing her hands off her knees and straightening up.

Axel eyed her for a moment, Ayane not expecting what happened next.

He leaned in, eyes closed like he was going to kiss her. Ayane held her hands out to his chest, stopping him.

"Woah, I– I have a..."

She paused, realizing that she currently did not have a boyfriend.

Axel shook his head, stuttering, "I-I'm so sorry, I thought... you have a boyfriend?"

Ayane met his eyes, unsure of how to respond.

"I... no, but, I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to give you the wrong idea."

Axel looked around, trying to brush it off. He cleared his throat, glancing down.

"Already after curfew, I... I must go. Sorry. Goodbye."

He turned sharply, running away at that. Ayane watched him go, feeling bad.

She stood there in shock for a moment, processing what had just happened. Then, the girl made her way back to the hotel.

Ayane got in the elevator, running a hand through her hair. She checked her phone to see if she had any texts from Miguel, but nothing.

The elevator door opened on her floor, the girl putting her phone in her pocket and stepping out.

She saw two people in the hall, squinting as she realized she recognized them. Zara and Robby. The girl had Robby's hand in hers, while he stumbled down the hallway. He was clearly drunk out of his mind.

Zara stopped at her room door, reaching in her pocket for her keycard.

Ayane quickly approached them. "Hey!"

They turned to her, Zara's smile dropping.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Ayane snapped at the girl.

Zara looked at Robby, then back to her. She raised her shoulders. "Robby and I are hanging out. Is that a problem?"

Ayane knew exactly what was going on. She stepped closer to Zara, visible anger across her face.

"Do you think I'm a fucking idiot? You're trying to get Robby in your hotel room. Drunk. And you don't look all that drunk to me."

She turned her head to Robby, pulling him by his sleeve. "Robby, come on. You're going back to your room."

"Hey," Zara scoffed, reaching out for Ayane's wrist.

The girl turned on Zara, towering over her.

"Zara, I wouldn't fucking try it. I'll expose you to every single one of your followers, and that's after I beat your ass. Got it?"

Zara looked furious, but she did not say anything. Ayane stepped away, guiding Robby away from her.

They got back into the elevator, Robby barely able to stand up straight. Ayane had to hold on to him so he would not fall over.

"I think I got too drunk," Robby slurred, Ayane wrinkling her nose at the smell of alcohol on his breath.

"Yeah, no shit. Just hang tight, we'll be at your room in a second."

Robby leaned into her, Ayane keeping his arm around her shoulder. The elevator stopped on his floor, Ayane helping him down the hall until they reached his room door.

"Alright, I need your keycard," she said, reaching into his pocket to find it.

Robby suddenly put a hand under her chin, bringing her head up to his.

And then he leaned in before she could react, kissing her.

Notes.
well THAT just happened 🤣🤣

this chapter contained a LOT... two mfs trying to kiss ayane, one succeeding... she got bitches all on her dick

realizing that ayane has now only kissed two people, them being miguel and robby

personally, MY favorite part of the chapter was her and miguel's hug idk about you guys

anywayyy, what did you guys think about robby kissing ayane?