❝ romeo and juliet didn't end at a karate tournament. ❞

SUNDAY ARRIVED MUCH TOO SOON.

The entire day, Ayane was a nervous wreck. She did her taekwondo practice with her dad, and after that she could not sit still.

Liana claimed to not need any help, which Ayane knew she probably didn't. But she still walked into the kitchen every five minutes to have something to do.

When her mother sent her out, Ayane was beside herself. She went up to her room, and finally, texted Miguel.

He seemed just as nervous as she was, though Ayane tried to mask her anxiety by sending memes. Miguel tagged her in a photo on Instagram, where they were both holding their stuffed animals.

Ayane smiled and looked at the picture for a long time, like she was afraid she'd forget it if she looked away.

She put a little unicorn emoji by Miguel's name, and he complained that it wasn't fair because there was no pink dragon emoji. Ayane grinned with amusement, then started getting ready for dinner.

The girl had never felt this kind of nervousness before. It made her stomach do flips, and not in a good way. Ayane just hoped she could hide that at dinner.

Just as she checked her phone to see the time, the doorbell rang.

"Shit," she said, running downstairs as quickly as she could. She had to beat Ennis to the door, or God knows what would happen.

Ayane's stomach lurched as she got halfway downstairs, seeing Ennis standing at the front door. On the other side of him was Miguel, who seemed surprisingly calm.

"Come in," Ennis welcomed in a voice that Ayane had never heard before. It was- warm.

She continued down the stairs, exchanging a look with Miguel. Ayane smiled, walking over and putting her hand over his shoulder.

"Let me show you around."

Really, Ayane just wanted to bring him upstairs to calm her nerves. She could not wrap her mind around Miguel and her parents being in the same room.

"This place is huge," he remarked, looking around.

"Yeah," Ayane breathed, "and we don't even need most of it. But anyway."

She stopped at her bedroom, opening the door and walking in.

Miguel smiled in that cute way he always did, looking around the room.

"Woah," he said, his eyes landing on the wall of trophies.

"Oh," Ayane replied, "yeah. That's- I forgot that was there."

Miguel began looking at the trophies, all taekwondo. "Holy shit, Ayane! You didn't tell me you were this good."

She shrugged, returning his look. "I figured you just- knew."

He shook his head with a smile, looking around once more. Her room was extremely clean, and didn't even look like a teenager's room. It was more like an adult's, and not a fun one at that.

"Hey, that looks familiar," he said, pointing to the pink dragon on her bed.

Ayane slowly smiled, walking over and picking it up. She sat down, and Miguel sat beside her.

"I can't believe I'm in your room," he shook his head in disbelief.

"I'm sure your sensei is somewhere jumping for joy right now," Ayane replied with a knowing smile.

Miguel laughed softly, nodding in agreement.

"Your dad seems pretty nice," Miguel commented after a moment, earning a sarcastic laugh from Ayane.

"To you, maybe. Although that in itself is surprising. But- I guess we'll see."

She stood, holding out a hand to Miguel to pull him up.

"You ready?"

Miguel nodded calmly. "Yeah. Let's go."

A few minutes later, they were all seated at the dining table. Ayane sat beside Miguel, bouncing her knee habitually.

He noticed, but Miguel didn't see what she was anxious about. Miguel and Ennis and Liana got along like they had known each other forever.

Ayane was somewhat in disbelief. They weren't even this nice to her.

"The sushi is amazing," Miguel remarked. "Did you prepare it?" He looked to Liana and asked.

She nodded with a thoughtful smile. "I was surprised when Ayane told me you liked sushi."

Miguel shrugged sheepishly, exchanging a look with Ayane.

"Yeah, I-I love it. And specifically the kind you prepared- sashimi, right?"

Liana looked impressed. "Yes, that's right."

She and Ennis exchanged a look, while Ayane was still shocked.

After dinner, Ayane and Miguel walked outside to talk.

"Ayane, your parents are awesome!" He exclaimed, shaking his head. "Why do you say they're strict? They seem pretty cool to me."

Ayane stared at him, annoyed. She crossed her arms, glancing at her shoes for a moment.

"They aren't always like that, believe me. Actually, they've never been like that."

Miguel shrugged. "Oh- and my mom works with your dad! She told me his name sounded familiar."

Ayane nodded shortly. She was visibly frustrated.

He frowned, pushing a strand of hair from her face.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

Ayane glanced up, her jaw clenched. "I..." She tried to think of how to word it.

She was jealous. Jealous that her own parents treated Miguel more like their kid than her.

"I think I'm just tired. I worked myself up for this and it was just- draining."

Miguel smiled softly, admiring Ayane. He was still dumbstruck every single day by how beautiful she was, and how her smile could light up a room.

"I understand. But hey, we got it out of the way. And now, maybe they'll accept our relationship."

Ayane nodded, drawing her lips in.

"Here's hoping. I'll see you tomorrow."

They hugged, Ayane holding him tightly as if this was one of the last good moments they'd ever have.

Hopefully that wasn't true.

. . . .

AYANE SEEMED TO BE in a better mood the next day.

She walked into school and found Miguel at his locker, a bright smile on her face.

"I told them."

Miguel shut his locker, giving her a wide eyed look.

"You told them- that we're-"

"Yep. And they took it surprisingly well. Actually, it wasn't that surprising. They fucking love you."

Miguel smiled cutely. "That's great. I mean, it's... amazing. I get to tell everyone that you're my girlfriend."

He paused, then ran out to the middle of the hallway and yelled, "HEY! AYANE'S MY GIRLFRIEND!"

Ayane stood there in shock, covering her mouth with her hands. Some kids gave him a look as they walked by, but dismissed it.

Miguel grinned at her, whilst Ayane was about to die.

"I'm going to kill you," she said as he walked back over, shoving Miguel.

"I would gladly let you," he replied cheekily, winking.

Ayane sighed, looking up at him. "It kinda sucks, though. I'm gonna miss sneaking around with you."

Miguel narrowed his eyes. "We don't have to stop, you know. I mean, we're still from different dojos. It could be like- Romeo and Juliet."

She laughed dryly. "Romeo and Juliet didn't end at a karate tournament."

He shrugged. "Who says we will, either?"

Ayane went quiet for a moment. That was one thing they had yet to discuss; the tournament. It was slowly becoming the elephant in the room, however.

"I'll see you in study hall," she cleared her throat, planting a quick kiss on his lips.

Miguel watched her walk away, sighing.

Unfortunately, he knew what was coming too.

During study hall, Ayane actually studied for once. Biology was kicking her ass harder than anything.

She sighed with frustration, shutting her textbook.

"What's wrong?" Miguel asked, looking up.

Ayane shook her head. "School being shit."

She looked around, tapping her foot boredly. Ayane looked at Eli for a moment, narrowing her eyes.

"Eli, do you know who you totally remind me of?"

He glanced up, his eyes flitting nervously. "Uh... no?"

Ayane leaned forward, tilting her head. "You remind me of Hawkeye. Dude, wait- that'd be such a badass nickname."

Eli smiled a little.

Ayane looked to Miguel and Demetri. "What do we think? Hawkeye? No- how about Hawk?"

Demetri shrugged, looking to Miguel. He turned his head to Eli, smiling slowly.

"Hawk. Sounds badass," Miguel nodded with approval.

Ayane leaned back in her chair, smiling at Eli- well- Hawk.

"I like it," he said, and for the first time, Ayane saw him fully grin.

. . . .

THE LAST THING AYANE was expecting when she got to the LaRusso's was to see Mr. LaRusso teaching another kid karate.

Ayane furrowed her eyebrows, hearing his voice before sliding open the door to the dojo.

Daniel turned, smiling. "Oh, Ayane. I'm glad you're here! I've got someone I'd like you to meet."

She slowly walked inside, eyeing a boy about her age. Ayane did not like him.

"This," he clapped the boy's shoulder, "is Robby Keene. Robby, meet Ayane Cain. My best student."

Ayane smiled at the compliment, but not at Robby. He offered a hand, which she reluctantly shook.

"This is great! Now, you won't be competing alone at the tournament."

Ayane's eyes met Robby's for a split second, then she turned back to Mr. LaRusso. She didn't want this kid thinking he could take her spot.

"Ayane, I want you to take my spot here. Now, I can observe you both."

She dropped her backpack, sighing. Ayane took Daniel's place, face to face with Robby.

He did not seem to think much of Ayane, but she knew that would change when she showed him how quickly she could kick his ass.

"You just want to demonstrate very simple strikes for Robby to block," Daniel instructed.

Ayane pursed her lips, getting into position.

Robby stood calmly, waiting. She could tell he thought she wasn't all that.

"Hai!" Ayane punched directly at his shoulder, Robby not deflecting in time.

Robby grunted, clenching his jaw.

"You okay?" Ayane asked, though she didn't really seem to care.

"Fine," he muttered, readying himself once more.

Ayane smirked ever so slightly.

"Hai!" She punched. Robby hit her hand away. Ayane kept doing it, determined to catch him off guard.

At once, her left fist made contact with his arm, Robby stepping back for a moment.

"You guys are doing great," Daniel remarked. "Robby, that's really great work."

Ayane gave Mr. LaRusso a look, a twinge of jealousy in her. She had done good, too.

"I would let you block Ayane's kicks if she wasn't so fast, so instead you can work with me on that."

Ayane sighed, moving out of the way with another glance at Robby. He was shooting her a look, too.

She watched him critically, observing as a judge might. Sure, Robby was good, but Ayane knew she was better.

Robby was much more at ease with Mr. LaRusso, she noticed. Ayane frowned, wondering why that was.

Surely he wasn't intimidated by her, right?

Ayane pushed him out of her mind. She tried to remind herself that they weren't competition, they were on the same team.

"Ayane, your turn," Mr. LaRusso said, drawing her out of her thoughts.

She took Robby's place, while he quietly watched. Ayane was so frustrated by him because she couldn't tell what he was thinking.

"Block," Daniel said, coming at her with a kick.

Ayane blocked the kick, then another kick, then a forward strike and an elbow strike. She pushed his elbow down and came up with her own, stopping an inch away from Mr. LaRusso's face.

At once, she stepped back, bowing.

"How long have you been doing karate?" Robby asked, surprising her. He seemed intrigued, now.

"A couple months," she thought, smiling briefly.

"Don't let her fool you," Mr. LaRusso added, "she also has background in taekwondo. Oh- and I forgot to mention this to you."

He pointed at Ayane and she turned, listening.

"Any taekwondo moves used in the tournament can result in your disqualification, so you're going to have to strictly rely on karate. Do you think you can do that?"

Ayane shrugged, placing her hands on her hips. "Sure. Sometimes I can't even tell the difference between the two."

Mr. LaRusso tilted his head. "Yeah, well these judges will be able to. I just want you to make sure you're focused."

She nodded curtly. "Of course."

Robby looked at Ayane for a moment, thinking. "Can you spar with me again?" He asked her.

Ayane looked at him, then to Mr. LaRusso. Daniel shrugged. "I don't see why not."

"Sure," Ayane replied, taking a few steps around the mat. Just then, Mr. LaRusso's phone buzzed.

He checked it, sighing. "This is something from work- I'll be right back. You two don't kill each other."

Ayane smiled rather deviously, turning to Robby with her hands up.

"You ready?"

Robby chewed his lip. "Teach me how to do that elbow thing."

She looked at him for a moment, exhaling slowly. Robby was not easy to warm up to.

"First, you'd have to come at me with a strike to my stomach," she explained, "then while I'm blocking that strike you come to the chest with your elbow."

Robby nodded, seeming to follow along.

"Can I- try it?"

Ayane shrugged. "Go for it."

He readied himself, then did the moves as she explained. However, Ayane had duped him and when he came forward with a strike, she grabbed his arm and flipped Robby over onto the ground.

"First fighting rule," she said, peering over at the dazed boy.

"Never trust your enemy."

NOTES!
we're getting closer to the all valley!! y'all think ayane and robby will become friends?