❝ that's a good way to get a black eye, you know. ❞

AYANE HAD LOST.

But strangely enough, she felt a sense of relief.

Miguel helped her up and Ayane hugged him tightly, a smile on her face.

He hugged her back, hearing Ayane whisper, "You deserve this."

She pulled away, allowing the other Cobra Kais to fill in and congratulate him. Ayane walked over to Mr. LaRusso, still smiling.

Daniel narrowed his eyes at her. "Ayane, I saw what you did."

She looked up at him, furrowing her eyebrows. "What- lose?"

Mr. LaRusso rolled his eyes. "No. You let him win. Why?" He wasn't mad, but he was genuinely curious.

Ayane faltered, shrugging a moment later. "It's okay to lose to your opponent, but not to fear. Isn't that what you said?"

The truth was, Ayane's fear was Ennis. And by losing this tournament, by giving him the biggest 'fuck you' in history, Ayane had conquered her fear.

She wasn't afraid of him anymore.

Daniel nodded. "I guess so. Well, you know what? As long as you're happy."

Ayane smiled, hugging Mr. LaRusso briefly.

"Oh- I have to go get my trophy."

There were two trophies waiting on the table, one slightly bigger than the other. Ayane found it funny that now she'd have a second place trophy to go with all of her first place ones.

They presented the awards, and from the crowd Ayane could see Ennis and Liana. Her father's expression was unreadable.

But Ayane was not even scared to face him. She was actually excited to.

After they presented the awards, Miguel approached her.

"Hey."

"Hi," she smiled.

Miguel drew in a breath. "So- we were gonna go out and celebrate. I was wondering if you wanna come, too?"

Ayane grinned. "I'd love to. But- I'm still grounded."

He sighed, nodding at once. "Alright. Then I'll come to your house as soon as I can."

She laughed dryly. "Good luck. My dad probably hates you now."

Miguel's eyes widened, hoping that wasn't true.

"I'm just messing with you," Ayane continued, laughing once more. She hugged Miguel again, having missed his touch.

She pulled away at once, inhaling. "Well- I'll talk you later."

Miguel nodded, watching her walk away. He looked down at the trophy in his hands, and for a moment he didn't even want it anymore. Ayane was a million times better than him, and everyone knew it. She had hesitated; he wasn't oblivious to that. But Miguel just wanted to know why.

Ennis and Liana were waiting on her, and Ayane had never seen him so pissed.

"Hi," she bounced up to them, smiling.

"Let's go," Ennis simply said, starting for the door.

Ayane smirked, following him and Liana outside.

However, as soon as they got outside Ennis did the unexpected. He turned on Ayane, grabbing her trophy from her hands and throwing it across the parking lot.

Ayane stood there in horror, her eyes wide.

"What the fuck was that for?" She said angrily, still in disbelief.

Ennis glared sharply at her. "You lost on purpose. Everyone could see that. You disappointed me enough to have lost but to have done it on purpose?"

He shook his head, and Ayane noticed his tightly clenched fists.

"What- are you gonna hit me? You wouldn't be the first parent to do it, believe me."

Liana's eyed went as big as saucers. She turned to Ennis, who looked down at her with realization.

Ayane realized what she had just done, but she didn't care. Ennis would have found out sooner or later.

"Get in the car," Ennis finally spoke, unlocking the vehicle.

Ayane went to do so, but she stopped. She turned, walking a few yards over and picking up her trophy. It was broken, and there were a few missing pieces she couldn't find.

The ride home was completely silent. Ayane normally would have been crying over a loss like this, but she was exhilarated.

When they got home, no one said anything to Ayane as she went straight up to her room. She got out of her clothes and took a shower, trying to calm herself down.

Ayane was trying to keep her cool, but out of nowhere she began to sob. She sat on the edge of her bed, shaking with tears streaming down her face.

Nothing she did would have ever been good enough for her father. Not a single thing. She could have won the tournament and Ennis still would have criticized every wrong move she made.

Ayane finally got herself to stop crying, picking up her phone and seeing a few pictures she had been tagged in on Instagram.

One of them was from Miguel. It was of both of them holding their trophies, arms around each other.

She smiled at once, liking the photo. Ayane was solely happy because she and Miguel had talked things over. She cared about Miguel more than a stupid trophy.

Miguel didn't come by that night, which was fine with Ayane. She had advised him that that might be the best option.

But the next day, Ayane nearly screamed as she woke up and saw Miguel standing there.

"Miguel! I- What the fuck!"

He laughed, grinning. "Your mom let me in," he explained, sitting on her bed.

Ayane pushed herself up, pulling her legs up to her chest. "Jesus... that's a good way to get a black eye, you know."

Miguel smiled at her, shrugging. "Wouldn't be my first. Anyway, I brought you something."

From the other side of him, Miguel brought out a Tupperware container and handed it to her.

Ayane narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"My yaya made it for you."

She popped the lid off, finding with surprise that it was funnel cake. Ayane looked up at him, grinning widely.

Before he could say anything, Ayane leaned forward and kissed him deeply, holding his face firmly. It had been much too long since she had kissed him.

Miguel smiled as she pulled away, licking his lips. "Wow, it's only eight o'clock."

She shoved him with a smile, getting out of her bed and stretching. Her back was very sore this morning, and Ayane just realized it.

"Is your back okay?" Miguel asked, noticing the strained expression on Ayane's face.

"Yeah," she quickly replied, resting her hand on her back for a moment. "Yeah, it's fine."

Miguel gave her a look. "Where have I heard that before?"

Ayane rolled her eyes. "Seriously, I'm good. I still do physical therapy and I can get back to training now."

She did not mention the fact that Ennis was extremely upset with her about the tournament, but Miguel noticed her broken trophy at once.

"What- what happened to your trophy?" He asked, picking it up off her dresser.

Ayane hesitated, trying to think of a good cover. "Um... I dropped it."

Miguel turned his head to her, not buying it for a second. "Ayane, seriously. What happened?"

She swallowed, glancing around the room. Miguel felt like he already knew.

"Did your dad- did he do this?"

Ayane's face hardened, and she finally nodded.

"Yeah," she laughed dryly, "of course he did. It's a second place trophy. Those don't make it to the wall." She gestured to the trophy case.

Miguel set the trophy down, fuming. He couldn't believe Ennis would do such a monstrous thing.

"Ayane, why did you let me win?"

She frowned. "I-I didn't-"

"Yes, you did. We both knew you were about to win it, everyone in that room knew it. But you hesitated. Why?"

Ayane intertwined her fingers, pursing her lips.

She inhaled sharply. "I didn't want to win. I wanted to lose so it would piss off my dad. That- is the complete and honest truth."

Miguel finally nodded in understanding. He was coming to dislike her parents just as much as her, and regretted not seeing them for who they truly were.

"I'm so sorry, Ayane. I didn't know your dad was..."

"The biggest asshole in the world?" She finished, smiling briefly. "Yeah. It is what it is."

Miguel shook his head. "You know, you could always come live with me. I mean, we don't have much room but I'm sure my family wouldn't mind-"

Ayane began to laugh, shaking her head.

"Miguel. I can't just up and leave. Although I feel like one of these days they might disown me, so here's hoping."

He could not even bring himself to laugh. Miguel just wanted her out of this house.

"You know what," he finally said, "screw them. Let's go do something fun."

"Miguel, I can't just-"

He cut her off with a look, until Ayane finally caved. "Alright, fine. You're right. Screw them!"

Miguel nodded curtly, hooking his arm around Ayane's and pulling her downstairs. As they reached the door, Ennis appeared suddenly.

"Where do you think you're going?" His voice rang out.

Ayane stopped, whipping around. "Out."

She opened the door, them Ennis yelled, "You are not going anywhere! Come back here right now!"

Miguel looked at her, subtly shaking his head.

Ayane shot a deep glare at Ennis. "Screw you."

She and Miguel both ran out of the house, Ayane feeling a rush run through her. She couldn't believe she had stood up to her dad like that.

They both ran until they reached the corner of the block, five blocks away from Reseda.

"I left my bike at your house," Miguel said as they stopped, catching his breath.

"We can go back and get it if you want-"

"No way. Not now!"

Ayane smiled, shrugging. "Alright. So... where are we going?"

Miguel furrowed his eyebrows in thought. "You know, I didn't think about that."

She laughed, pulling her hair back into a ponytail.

"Some quick thinking you've done, Mr. Diaz. Well, I guess we'll just stay right here until you think of something."

"Okay..." he thought, drawing in a breath. "Okay. I know. Come on."

She followed Miguel down the sidewalk, not sure where they were going. She was familiar with Reseda, but not like he was.

Ayane realized at once that they were nearing the beach.

"Shoot- I didn't bring my sunscreen. Guess we have to go back," she said, squinting in the harsh sun.

Miguel turned to her, shaking his head. "What, you don't like the beach?"

She scrunched her nose up, shielding her face from the sun with her hand.

"It's alright... I've never been a fan of water that fish shit in."

Miguel laughed, replying, "Well, it's a good thing we aren't going in the ocean."

She followed him, still confused, until Ayane saw at once where they were going.

Standing at a volleyball net was Demetri, Moon, and Hawk. Ayane gave Hawk a look of disgust, turning to Miguel.

"Why do I feel like this was premeditated?"

Miguel gave her a sly smile. "Shh. I believe Hawk has something to say to you."

The three looked up as Ayane and Miguel approached them, Hawk's smile dropping.

"Hawk? Don't you have something you'd like to say to Ayane?" Miguel asked, giving him an almost challenging look.

The boy clenched his jaw, walking over to Ayane with the volleyball in his hands.

"Ayane, I am- I am very sorry that I kicked you when your back was turned. That was a pussy move and I've learned from it."

Ayane narrowed her eyes at him, crossing her arms. Hawk waited, hoping she would accept his apology.

"It's all good," she finally said. "Sorry for elbowing you in the face."

Hawk grinned. "Nah, I kinda deserved it. Anyway, wanna play some volleyball?"

. . . .

THE FIVE TEENAGERS STAYED out on the beach until about dark, then they had to start getting home.

Home. Ayane didn't even know what that was anymore. She certainly did consider that place a home.

Miguel walked alongside her with an arm around Ayane, but he noticed how unusually quiet she was.

"Hey- seriously. If you need a place to stay, you can come to my place," Miguel said, peering around to see her face.

Ayane smiled softly. "Yeah... but I should probably go back. They'll report me as a runaway if I don't."

Miguel frowned, nodding at once.

"I-I can come with you, if you want. I know you don't need me to, but- you know."

Ayane drew in a deep breath, sighing. "Yeah. Yeah, sure."

They walked back to her house, just as the sun completely faded. Ayane hesitated, and she realized with a sinking feeling that she was scared.

Ayane was frustrated with herself, because that was her biggest problem. Being scared of her parents was what caused everything.

She opened the front door, Miguel following behind her.

As soon as she walked in, Ennis was waiting on her.

Ayane smiled cynically. "You look happy to see me," she remarked dryly, her smile turning to a look of disgust.

"Get out," Ennis replied.

She frowned. "What?"

"Leave. If you want to disobey me then you are no longer welcome in this home."

Ayane felt a pit form in her stomach. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Sure, Ennis was crazy, but he had never kicked her out before.

"You're just going to kick me out like that?"

"LEAVE!" He roared, taking a step closer.

Ayane backed away, her eyes suddenly swelling with tears.

Miguel could feel her trembling with his arm around her shoulder. He pulled her outside, slamming the door behind them.

Ayane let out a choked sob, falling into Miguel's arms. She couldn't breathe, and Ayane was unsure if she was having a panic attack or not.

Miguel held her, never recalling a time in his life that he had been angrier. It was a sick thing to do to kick out your own child.

Ayane cried for a long time; she just couldn't stop it. But Miguel didn't complain. He would have stayed right there forever if it meant she was safe.

At once, Ayane tilted her head up, wiping her face. She was still shaking.

"I hate him. I hate him so much."

NOTES!
poor ayane- maybe i should give her a break LMAO