❝ intimidated? is that what you think? ❞

THE LAST THING ANYONE WAS expecting to see at school was Eli Moskowitz with a blue mohawk.

Ayane, Miguel and Demetri all stared at him in disbelief as he approached them.

"You mean to tell me Hawk... got a hawk?" Ayane asked, raising her eyebrows as he smirked.

"I took Sensei Lawrence's advice," he announced, leaning coolly against the lockers.

Demetri scoffed. "You took advice from that man? He assaulted me!"

Ayane turned to Miguel, shaking her head with confusion. "Did I miss something?"

Miguel shook his hand sideways. "A little bit."

She looked at Hawk once more, finally unable to help but smile.

"It's badass," she nodded with approval.

Hawk smiled back. "I know."

Ayane exchanged another look with Miguel as Hawk walked away.

"Are we sure that's not his evil twin or something?"

Miguel chuckled, throwing an arm around Ayane. "Sensei... wasn't so nice to him. And so I guess- this is his retaliation."

She made a face, shrugging. "I dig it."

The lunch periods were becoming less and less boring, as mostly everyone in the friend group had established a badass reputation. Everyone except Demetri, anyway.

"Get this," Ayane said to Miguel, rolling her eyes. "Last night I go to the LaRusso's for lessons, and Mr. LaRusso is there with some kid, teaching him karate."

Miguel frowned. "Wait- isn't that a good thing? It's another student. That's less pressure on you."

Ayane pursed her lips, quickly replying, "No, it's annoying. The kid is annoying. His name is Robby, and he's supposedly in college. But- in my opinion- he looks the same age as us. Something doesn't add up about him."

The boy nodded slowly. "So... why don't you like him? Other than him being annoying?"

Ayane huffed with frustration.

"I don't know. He just seems like an ass."

Miguel shrugged. "I guess that's a valid reason to not like someone. But- don't you hate everyone you meet?"

"Yes," Demetri and Hawk said, the two having been listening into the conversation.

Ayane shot them a look, holding up her middle finger.

"Trust me," Ayane said, looking back at Miguel. "There's something off about him."

Miguel chewed his inner lip. "As long as he doesn't mess with you."

Ayane smiled. "Aw, that's cute. You think I can't defend myself?"

He quickly shook his head, stammering, "N-No, that's not- not what I-"

"God, it's too easy," Ayane laughed, messing with her food.

. . . .

WHILE AYANE WAS BUSY trying to get Robby to stop flinching, her phone was going off nonstop.

She paused with a sigh, her fist centimeters away from Robby's face.

"Do you need to check that-"

"I got it," Ayane replied shortly, walking over to her bag and grabbing her phone.

No surprise; it was Miguel.

He was in the middle of trying to call her, so Ayane picked up.

"What the hell is going on!" She exclaimed.

"Sorry-" Miguel replied, sighing on the other line.

Ayane's voice softened. "What's wrong, Mig?"

"Sensei Lawrence just told me that Cobra Kai is supposedly banned from entering the All Valley Tournament. It's- it's bullshit."

For some reason, Ayane had never felt so relieved. If it meant she could get out of having to fight her boyfriend, she'd accept it.

"Damn," she replied, trying to mask her relief, "I-I'm sorry. I don't know what you guys can do."

Miguel huffed. "Yeah. How are things with the newbie?"

Ayane glanced over at Robby, who was looking around like a lost puppy.

"Um- it's okay. How's attendance over at your dojo?"

"Kids are dropping like flies. Most of them didn't take to kindly to Sensei."

Ayane laughed. "Yeah, I wonder why."

Miguel paused, then said, "So I was wondering if you might want to come over tonight. I need some help getting this rear hip throw, or whatever Sensei called it."

She pursed her lips, thinking. "Sure, what time?"

"Eight?"

"I'll be there." Ayane paused. "Are you sure this isn't just another excuse to get me to your place, like last time?"

Miguel did not respond right away. "...Would you be mad if it was?"

Ayane laughed. "I'll see you later. Bye."

"Bye."

She hung up, dropping her phone back on her bag and looking back to Robby.

"Boyfriend?" He asked, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Sorry- or girlfriend?"

Ayane tilted her head, walking back over to him.

"I don't think that's your business."

Robby's expression hardened as he studied Ayane.

"You don't seem to like me very much," he finally said, crossing his arms.

Ayane laughed halfheartedly. "I'm just being myself. Sorry if I'm not the friendliest person."

She could not wait for Mr. LaRusso to get back, before she strangled Robby. He had to help Amanda with something at the auto shop.

"No, I think you just don't like me," Robby pushed, narrowing his eyes.

Ayane breathed in deeply, closing her eyes for a moment.

"You're making me consider it. Now, let's go over these kick blocks."

Robby was not finished, however. "No, I think you don't like me because you're intimidated. Either that, or you just don't know how to be a team player-"

Ayane lost it. She stepped back, kicking Robby forcefully in the stomach. He fell into the wall behind him, sliding to the ground while gasping for air.

"Intimidated? Is that what you think?"

She took a step closer, looking down at him with disgust.

"Don't you ever think I'd be intimidated by some asshole white boy like you."

Robby glared up at her, holding his stomach. But he did not have a snarky comment this time.

"Everything okay in here?"

The two both turned, finding Mr. LaRusso in the doorway.

"Yes," Ayane quickly replied, holding out a hand to Robby.

He rolled his eyes discreetly, taking it.

She wiped her hands on her jeans, looking to Daniel. "Um, Mr. LaRusso?"

He turned, arching an eyebrow. "Yes?"

Ayane hesitated, then said, "Did you know that Cobra Kai has a lifetime ban from entering the All Valley?"

Mr. LaRusso's face lit up quickly.

"Oh... I almost forgot about that. Speaking of, I have to get to the committee meeting in a bit."

Ayane tilted her head, thinking. She was conflicted. On the one hand, she didn't want Cobra Kai in the tournament so she could avoid fighting Miguel. On the other hand, she knew it would absolutely crush Miguel if they didn't get to compete.

"This committee- do they decide who gets banned and unbanned?"

Daniel shrugged. "More or less, yeah."

Ayane paced a little. "What if you guys let them back in? I mean, I don't know why they got banned but I don't think they're going to do anything bad-"

"Ayane, trust me. Cobra Kai is bad news, and the tournament is better off without them in it. Besides, this means you won't have to fight uh- what's his name? Miguel."

She chewed her nail, nodding at once. Ayane did not know what else to do.

"Let's go over the kata methods before I have to go. Then we'll cut today's lesson short."

Ayane turned to Robby with a sigh. He was pissed at her, she could tell.

And, unfortunately, Mr. LaRusso could tell too.

"You know what I actually think we need?" He said, tapping his chin. "Team bonding."

Ayane didn't like the sound of that, whatever it was. She exchanged a look with Robby, who also did not look thrilled.

"Come on. I know just the thing we can do."

A few minutes later, they arrived at LaRusso Luxury Auto Motors.

"You gonna give us a Porsche?" Ayane joked, watching as Daniel unlocked the door.

He turned, giving her a look. "Yeah, yeah. Come on."

She and Robby followed him inside, to the back of the building. It was dimly lit and cool in the room, with a fence inside of it.

"These," he opened the fence gate and walked inside, "are my bonsai trees. I give one to every customer, but today I have a job for you two."

Daniel picked up one of the tiny little trees, unsheathing a pair of scissors from his pocket.

"I want you to trim the tree as you imagine it. Come on over, grab a pair of scissors and a tree."

Ayane and Robby both did so, Ayane picking out a tree that she liked. They all kind of looked the same to her.

"Now, close your eyes and imagine the tree in your mind. Only the tree."

She did so, though Ayane found it hard to concentrate. She was not exactly sure how this was supposed to be bonding.

Ayane opened her eyes at once, snipping off pieces of the bonsai tree.

"Alright, I have to get to the meeting. I'm going to trust you two to lock up when you're done. Okay?"

He pulled a key out of his pocket and placed it on the table, looking between Robby and Ayane.

They both nodded solemnly.

"Okay. I'll see you both tomorrow."

Mr. LaRusso left at once, leaving Ayane and Robby to themselves.

They were both quiet for a moment, until Robby spoke up.

"Seriously, why don't you like me?"

Ayane closed her eyes for a moment, inhaling sharply.

"Okay, you want the truth? I don't like having to live with the constant fear of being replaced, or someone being better than me. I-I was fine until you came along."

Robby frowned, going quiet.

"Why do you have that fear? I mean, anyone can see that you're really good at karate."

Ayane pulled her lips in, shaking her head.

"No offense, Robby, but I'm not trying to have a therapy session. Just- cut your little tree."

Robby scoffed, giving up. "Okay. We don't have to be friends. But at the very least, can we try to have some kind of mutual understanding?"

Ayane busily snipped at the tree, clenching her jaw. At once, she set down the scissors and turned to him.

"Alright, fine. Let's make a deal. We can do karate together, make chit chat when Mr. LaRusso is around. But when we're done, we don't know each other."

Robby held his hands up, shrugging. "Deal."

They did not talk for awhile after that, until Ayane checked her phone with wide eyes. It was nearly eight o'clock, and she had to get to Reseda.

"Shit," she muttered, setting down the scissors. "I have to go. Can I trust that you'll lock up the place?"

Robby shrugged. "I don't see why not."

Ayane sighed, standing up and walking out of the fenced area.

She didn't say anything else to Robby and walked out. But Ayane was taken by surprise when she saw two guys, maybe college aged or a little older, standing outside.

They looked sketchy right off the bat. Ayane narrowed her eyes, shining her cellphone flashlight at them.

"Who the hell are you?" She asked with a look of disgust.

The two guys exchanged a confused look, then both shrugged.

"We ain't got no business involving you. Run along," one of them said, gesturing away.

Ayane did not move. They were up to no good, and she knew it.

"No, I don't think I will. What kind of business do you have here-"

"Ayane- shit."

She turned, seeing Robby in the doorway. He seemed to recognize the two guys, and judging by the look on his face they were bad news.

"Robby, what the hell is going on?" She asked in the calmest voice she could muster up.

"Don't- don't worry about it. Just go."

Ayane knew she wasn't going to do that; not now. They were responsible for the auto shop as of right now.

"Look, homegirl," the white guy said, "this don't concern you. So why don't you get up outta here so nothing bad has to happen to you?"

She scoffed, licking her lips. Robby walked toward her, standing beside Ayane.

"Seriously," he said in a low voice, "go."

Ayane furrowed her eyebrows, checking the time on the phone. She turned off her flashlight, putting her phone in her pocket.

"No."

Robby pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Man- this is taking too long. Robby, where's the code?"

Ayane turned her head to Robby, shaking her head.

"You- you're working with them? What's happening?"

"Ayane. Please. Go."

"No! I'm not leaving until I know what's going on!"

Robby looked back to the two guys. "I can't give you the code- I won't give you the code."

They both looked at each other, laughing in disbelief.

"You serious right now?"

Ayane dropped her hands, making fists. She knew what this was going to come to.

"You know what, fine. Have it your way."

One of the guys went at Robby with a punch, but Robby blocked it.

Ayane stepped back, narrowing her eyes at the other dude.

"Look," he said, "I ain't never hit a girl."

She smiled cynically. "Good thing you won't have to."

Ayane kicked the white guy in the stomach, sending him a few feet. He landed on the concrete with a thud, laying in a daze. She turned to Robby, seeing that the other guy was advancing on him.

She ran over, pulling the guy back by his shirt.

"Surprise," she smiled briefly, sending an elbow to his nose.

There was a crack, then a gush of blood. Ayane pushed him back, spinning in an aerial and kicking him hard in the rib cage.

The other guy had gotten up by now, though Robby took care of him. She looked at the big dude, who dabbed at his nose and then looked at her angrily.

"What- you think you a ninja or something?" He asked with a dry laugh.

Ayane crossed her arms, tilting her head. "You can still leave, you know. Run away now and never look back, and I won't tell anyone about this."

The dude laughed again. "I try not to hit girls, but I guess there can be a first time for everything."

He came toward her, but very slowly. Ayane looked at him like he was walking in slow motion. She easily ducked under his swing, pivoting on her heel and kicking him square in the back.

"Trey, let's just go man!" The other one said, scrambling over to his friend and pulling him up.

They both ran off at once, Ayane letting out a heavy breath.

She looked over at Robby, who seemed to be unhurt aside from him holding his side.

They both looked at each other for a long time, until Ayane finally shook her head and said, "Robby, I don't know what kind of shady assholes you're friends with, but I'm not doing that again."

Robby swallowed, glancing down.

"I'm sorry. I-I didn't know they were gonna do that."

Ayane sighed, pushing her hair back. Then, her eyes widened as she realized she should have been at Reseda ten minutes ago.

"Dammit- I have to go. Please just- lock up."

Robby nodded, watching Ayane hurriedly walking away.

"Ayane!" He called.

She stopped, turning impatiently.

"We make a good team," he shrugged, giving her a small smile.

Ayane did not smile back, but she had to admit that they had done a good job.

"Yeah. I guess so."

NOTES!
yay they're finally getting along! i'm so excited to write the all valley tournament chapters, y'all might hate me but anyway 🏃‍♀️