❝ don't get too excited, chico. i'm still gonna kick your ass. ❞

MIGUEL DIAZ WAS A HUGE NERD.

Ayane was not sure how she had not seen it before, but he undoubtedly was.

And she was unsure of how to feel about Miguel. Whenever they talked, or whenever he was close to her, she felt a weird feeling in her stomach. Not necessarily bad, but weird. Different.

Ayane was not allowed to date. Dating was probably out of the question until she could escape the clutches of her parents. And she has never even thought about it, being homeschooled and whatnot.

But every corner she turned at West Valley High, someone was trying to flirt with her.

Ayane did not know how to respond to it, other than threatening to kick their ass.

When the third or fourth boy of the week had run away from Ayane in the hall, holding a bloodied nose, Miguel finally said something.

"You do know that they're flirting with you, right?" he asked with precaution.

Ayane turned her head sharply, furrowing her eyebrows. "They're what?"

"Flirting," he repeated slowly. "You know, when they want to... date you. Well, some of them don't really want to date, they just wanna do other things..."

"Other things? What does that mean?"

Miguel scrunched his nose, thinking. He had no idea homeschooled kids were so clueless.

"Um... uh- it's like, you know."

Ayane shook her head, not following.

"No, I don't."

She glanced over at the boy walking past her with a bruised cheek, averting her gaze.

That was when it hit her.

"Oh. You mean sex."

Miguel nearly choked.

Ayane slowly smiled, then burst into laughter. "I'm messing with you, Miguel. I know what they want. But they've got to learn very quickly that that's not what I'm into."

He frowned. "Into? Like- you're not into guys...?"

"I'm not into hooking up, dumbass," she rolled her eyes and pulled her schoolbag strap over her shoulder.

"Oh, that makes more sense."

Ayane laughed a little, shaking her head.

"Hey, if you're still down to get your ass kicked, I might be able to come by the dojo Friday."

Miguel leaned against the lockers, running his tongue over his teeth.

"Works for me. Sensei Lawrence asked about you."

Ayane barely raised an eyebrow, pursing her lips. "Oh really? What'd he say?"

"He said that he'd kill to have you as a student. I kind of spread the word about the multiple, er- mishaps."

"Is that so? Well, I've only been doing karate lessons with Mr. LaRusso for one day, so I've got to stick it out a bit longer."

Ayane did not add the part about how her parents would never ever allow her to be affiliated with a man like 'Sensei Lawrence'. He was not their type. Type meaning rich.

"Shame. I'd love to see the look on your face as I knock you onto the ground," Miguel teased, pushing off the locker as the bell rang.

Ayane watched him walk away, getting that same feeling in her stomach.

She had a crush.

.    .    .    .

LUNCHTIME WAS VERY DIFFERENT TODAY.

Kyler and his friends remained at bay from Ayane's table, and she stayed away from them.

They had bad news written all over them, anyone could see that. But most importantly, Kyler seemed to have started up a thing with Sam.

Which was going to make Ayane's job of befriending the girl a hell of a lot harder.

"Are you sure you don't sit with us just to spy?" Demetri asked, earning an eye roll from Ayane.

"Spy on you for what? So I can go reporting how interesting the millionth installment of the X-Men comics is? Shut up."

Miguel and Eli laughed, exchanging looks with Demetri.

"Are you sure you were homeschooled? Because you're as mean as a public schooler."

Ayane set down her fork, staring dead into Demetri's eyes. He looked back, seeing cold, dark, emotionless voids.

"Homeschool has made me dead inside. Anymore questions?"

Demetri glanced down at his tray, muttering something.

Ayane tilted her head, setting her jaw. "What was that, Bilbo Baggins?"

It turned out that she had said that a little louder than intended, because some students from around them began snickering.

She felt a twinge of guilt, sitting back in her chair. Demetri did not reply.

Miguel was giving her a weird look, and she could practically feel him staring at her.

"Stare a little harder, I don't think you've burned holes in me yet."

Miguel leaned over to her, whispering, "Are you mad because you- you're on your... you know what?"

Ayane rolled her eyes over at him, in disbelief.

"Are you seriously asking me this right now?"

Miguel shrugged, leaning back cautiously. He did not want to be the next to catch Ayane's Converse to his jaw.

"I'm sorry," she huffed, "I just didn't sleep well last night."

Miguel could see the tiredness under her eyes, but he did not mention it. Didn't want to anger the beast.

"I want to hit something," she sighed, leaning forward and resting her chin on her hand.

"Uh, why?" Miguel asked, confused.

Ayane cut her eyes at him. "Stress relief. Why else?"

Miguel shrugged, holding his arm. "You know, you could always hit something at the Cobra Kai dojo."

The girl closed her eyes briefly, wishing he would shut up about the stupid dojo.

"Come on, you could be our first female student-"

"Yeah, right," Ayane said with an eye roll, recalling Sensei Lawrence's sexist bout when she had visited there.

Miguel nodded happily. "I've gotten Sensei to reconsider. You know, since- you came."

Ayane rapped her knuckles on the table, bouncing her knee.

"I don't have to be at the LaRusso's until four," she finally sighed, turning her head to Miguel. "I guess I can come by today-"

"Yes!" he exclaimed, grinning widely.

Shaking her head, she replied, "Don't get too excited, chico. I'm still gonna kick your ass."

Miguel smirked.

"We'll see about that."

.    .    .    .

AS IT TURNED OUT, Miguel did not have any other means of transportation besides a bike.

"We can walk," he suggested as the two stood outside of school. "It's not that far."

Ayane sighed, reluctantly shrugging.

"Fine. Race you-"

"Ayane!"

The girl turned at the voice, hiding her irritation. Sam approached her, smiling brightly.

"So, are you coming with me?" she asked.

Ayane shook her head. "No, I won't be there until four. Is that... is that alright?"

Sam shrugged, her smile faltering. "I-I guess, yeah. I'll see you then."

With a nod, Ayane watched the girl walk away. Miguel observed, curious.

"Do you not like Sam?" he asked Ayane.

She looked back at him frowning. "She's okay. I'm just not good at making friends."

"You made friends with me just fine," he replied, arching an eyebrow.

Ayane rolled her eyes. "That's different. You were the first person that talked to me. Usually the first friend you make sticks around."

Miguel finally dropped the topic, taking his bike by the handles and walking along. Ayane followed, the two crossing over the street and down the sidewalk.

"Do you like karate, Miguel?" Ayane asked.

He looked over at her. "Absolutely. Why?"

She shrugged, trailing her eyes to her feet. "You know that there's very few people who continue with martial arts their whole lives? I mean, most do it as a kid or teenager, and then drop out as adults. It takes a toll on the body."

Miguel nodded slowly, not sure he was following. "Yeah... so?"

Ayane inhaled deeply. "I guess what I'm saying is... it feels pointless to do something that you don't plan on doing for the rest of your life. The same thing goes for practically every part of being a teenager. Making perfect grades, dating, petty drama... it all comes to an end."

Miguel was quiet for a long time, until Ayane snapped her head over to him to see what he was doing.

"You're too smart for your own good," he halfway laughed, his eyes meeting hers.

Ayane laughed with relief, glad that he did not consider her a lunatic.

"Here it is. Cobra Kai."

The two were in front of the dojo, Ayane examining it once more in the same way she had before.

They went inside, Ayane mentally preparing herself for the sensei she remembered.

"Oh good, you're here- wait, why are you here?"

The same blonde man walked out of a room and into the main dojo, pointing at Ayane.

She gritted her teeth, and Miguel spoke for her.

"Sensei, she's here to learn karate."

Ayane frowned at the lie, but did not say anything.

At once, the man looked back over at her, analyzing her.

"Alright hotshot, take off your shoes and get on the mat."

Ayane did so, and just then, another girl came strolling in the door.

"Oh, another one," Johnny remarked, sighing.

Ayane looked over at the girl, offering a smile.

"Are you a new student?" the other girl asked excitedly.

With a shrug, Ayane replied, "Don't know yet. I'm Ayane."

"Aisha."

The two shook hands, then Johnny said, "Alright, cut the chit chat. Diaz, get on the mat with Ayannie."

Frowning instantaneously, Ayane sharply glared at him.

"It's Ayane."

"That's what I said. Come on, let's go."

Ayane rolled her eyes, stepping on the mat. Miguel had seemingly disappeared.

"Diaz!" Sensei Lawrence yelled, turning to the back rooms.

At once, Miguel reappeared, wearing different clothes.

Ayane smirked, crossing her arms.

"Sorry, sensei," he muttered, running onto the mat.

The two finally made eye contact, Ayane not bothering to hide her smug expression.

"Let's show her how it's done at Cobra Kai," Mr. Lawrence said, folding his arms behind his back and standing to their right.

"Turn to me, bow."

They did so.

"Turn to each other, bow."

Ayane looked directly into Miguel's eyes once more, never looking any other direction.

"Go!"

Ayane struck first, and fast. She swept his leg, Miguel falling on his side with a groan.

"Can I get a replay?" Mr. Lawrence said, his eyes wide to recall what he just saw.

The girl reached down, offering a hand to Miguel.

He considered pulling her down, but that would have been a dirty move.

"Again," Mr. Lawrence said slowly, watching.

Ayane turned her body sideways, deciding to take a different approach and wait for Miguel to strike first.

He took the bait, lunging with a forward strike. Ayane sidestepped, rotating on her left leg and hitting his side with the other.

Miguel stumbled, but was persistent. He went forward once more with a grapple, taking hold of Ayane's arm. She wrapped a leg around his abdomen, turning over him and flipping Miguel onto the ground.

She could see the frustration in his eyes, now. But that only gave her more motivation.

Miguel had barely gotten up when Ayane came off the ground, turning in a 360 and bringing her foot around to make contact with Miguel's head.

It all happened in a split second, Miguel falling to the ground once more.

"Okay, okay," Mr. Lawrence finally stepped in, looking at Ayane.

"What the hell is with all the kicking?"

She placed her hands on her hips. "I do taekwondo. It's all about kicking."

Miguel pushed himself to his feet, rubbing his head.

"How long you been doing taekwondo?" Mr. Lawrence asked, glancing at Miguel with some disappointment.

"Since I was five."

"Well no wonder," he rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "Why do you wanna learn karate then, huh? You seem to be doing pretty good with your other godforsaken sport."

Ayane exhaled. "I don't. My dad wants me to."

Mr. Lawrence narrowed his eyes, finally beginning to understand.

"I see. Your dad rich?"

Ayane nodded, and Mr. Lawrence smiled in an instant.

"Well then, Ayannie, I believe I can make room for you at Cobra Kai."

The girl shook her head, dropping her hands. "I'll pass, thanks. I already have karate lessons elsewhere."

She walked over to put her shoes back on, Mr. Lawrence turning to face her.

"Oh yeah? Where? There's not a place around that is better than this dojo-"

"It's not a place, it's a person. Daniel LaRusso."

Mr. Lawrence's face fell.

"You gotta be shitting me."

NOTES!
i kinda have a soft spot for my ecuadorean bby