❝ with all due respect, i don't exactly see you kicking ass the way we do. ❞

"THEY WHAT?" JOHNNY ASKED in disbelief, shaking his head with confusion.

"Th-they can't do that," Miguel protested weakly, shaking his head as well.

Ayane bit her nail, frowning deeply. Honestly, this was not the worst thing to her. It would at least be a way to keep Miguel from getting hurt again.

"I'm sure it's not that bad," she tried to console, placing her hand on Miguel's shoulder. "I don't think it would take too much convincing for them to change their minds."

Only, she hoped they wouldn't.

Ayane went to Reseda with Miguel and Johnny, as Miguel still wanted to train more.

"You need to tell them what karate means to you," Miguel said to Johnny as they got out his car. "How you started Cobra Kai to help kids like me, taught us how to stand up for ourselves."

Ayane adjusted the strap of her backpack on her shoulder as she walked alongside Miguel, frowning again.

"Maybe this is a blessing in disguise," Johnny finally replied thoughtfully.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Miguel quickly countered.

But Ayane knew what Johnny meant.

"It's not like you were even gonna fight anyway," Johnny continued, turning to face Miguel.

The words clearly hurt Miguel as he retorted, "Of course I was."

Ayane looked up at him, shaking her head. "Not with an accident as bad as yours. You're not up to your full strength, Miguel. I know how it feels."

He exchanged a look with her. "Yeah, but you still ended up competing anyway, didn't you?"

Johnny cut into their conversation, "Look. Training with no contact is one thing, I can't risk you getting hurt again."

And for once, Ayane and Johnny agreed on something. But Miguel was not having it.

"That's not fair!" he defensively replied. "I'm working hard, I'm getting better!"

"But it's not safe-" Ayane tried to reason, but Miguel snapped at her, "I wasn't talking to you."

She jerked her head back, raising an eyebrow. Miguel turned his head from Johnny back to her, quickly realizing he had messed up.

"Ayane, I didn't mean-"

"Why don't you call me when you get a better attitude?" she cut him off, shaking her head with a small frown before turning and walking toward the gates of the apartments.

Miguel looked back to Johnny, who only raised his hands and shrugged. Rolling his eyes, Miguel quickly went after her.

"Ayane!" he called her name, rounding the corner and catching her on the sidewalk. He reached out for her arm, but Ayane pulled it away as she faced him.

"I'm so sorry for snapping at you like that. I-I don't know why, I just- I'm frustrated."

"I know," Ayane replied, sighing deeply and unfolding her arms. "I know you are. And I know exactly how you feel, believe me."

She paused, looking up at Miguel with a small, sympathetic smile. "I want you to get better more than anything, Miguel. Honestly. I miss my favorite sparring partner."

Miguel smiled, his nose scrunching as he glanced down.

"But it takes time to heal," Ayane continued in her calmest voice. "Again- learned from experience. It doesn't matter to me if you're in the All Valley or not, or if there even is an All Valley. I still love you just the same."

He finally looked back up at her, tilting his head a little.

"Well if you really love me... then you'll help me convince the city council not the cancel the All Valley, right?"

Ayane fought the urge to roll her eyes, throwing her hands up with a shrug.

"...Alright. Fine."

Miguel broke into a grin, continuing, "Great. And then we'll go on a date after."

Ayane raised her eyebrows in amusement. "We will?"

"Yes."

.    .    .    .

MIGUEL PULLED AYANE INTO THE BUILDING, pushing the doors to the meeting room open hurriedly.

Ayane looked around at all of the people in there, her stomach dropping as she saw Daniel, Johnny, and Kreese.

"Sit down!" the councilwoman ordered to the three men, to which they all reluctantly took seats.

Ayane and Miguel watched from the back, hoping they were not too late.

"It is clear that this karate tournament is causing division and rivalry in our community," the councilwoman spoke. "You gentlemen have made an excellent case today as to why this tournament should not continue."

"Wait!" Miguel suddenly said, startling Ayane.

Everyone turned to them as he started down the steps, Ayane nervously following after him. Sam was sitting in a middle row, watching them with confusion before looking away.

There were mutters around the room, but Miguel ignored them all and walked right up to the podium. Ayane tried to ignore the stares from both Kreese and Daniel, facing the council.

"My name is Miguel Diaz. This is Ayane Cain. We were both in the school fight. I was the one that got kicked off the second floor."

Eyebrows raised and the council's attention was grabbed, now. Ayane's eyes flitted back and forth between them and Miguel anxiously.

"Uh," Miguel continued, "I thought I was gonna be paralyzed. I relearned how to stand, and walk. And I want the tournament to continue."

"We are very happy for your recovery, young man," the woman replied. "But I'm afraid you don't understand-"

"Oh, give him a break," Ayane interrupted, Miguel moving over as she stepped up to the podium. "With all due respect, I don't exactly see you kicking ass the way we do. So I don't get why you guys think you can make the decision for us on whether or not we get to compete. Fairly... and safely, of course."

Miguel smiled a little at Ayane, then turned and added, "When I first moved here, I was bullied. And I realize that there's no escaping it. There's always gonna be a kid who wants to steal your lunch money, or give you a wedgie, or give you a swirlie-"

"A swirlie?" the councilwoman questioned.

"When you uh, dunk someone's head in the toilet and flush it," Johnny explained from behind them, smirking. "Pretty funny, actually."

Miguel shot Johnny a look, then turned back around to continue.

"Instead of burying your heads in the sand, pretending that bullying doesn't exist, or that you could just- get rid of it- what you need to do is teach kids how to defend themselves."

"Not only from other kids, but from anyone," Ayane added. "Adults can be just as cruel to kids as other teenagers."

Miguel nodded. "Karate is about discipline. It's about inner strength, it's about confidence. I doubt I would even have a girlfriend today if it weren't for karate."

"I second this," Ayane added with a curt nod.

He halfway rolled his eyes. "These are lessons that you can use for the rest of your life. I don't know where I would be today, or who I would be today, if it wasn't for my sensei and Ayane. They're the two most badass people I know, and they can do karate better than anyone I've ever met."

Ayane looked down with a smile.

"We don't need this tournament to do cool kicks or to sell tickets," Miguel said. "We need it to show the bullies of the world that we're not afraid. It's called the All Valley because it's for everyone, to give everyone the chance to show what they can do. To fight, to become a champion. And we deserve that chance."

The councilpersons all looked around at each other, exchanging silent nods. A feeling of excitement grew in Ayane, grabbing Miguel's hand and squeezing it tightly.

"To be honest, I don't get the Valley's fascination with karate," the councilwoman said with a sigh.

"Because it's badass," Ayane interjected, smiling briefly.

The councilwoman sighed once more, continuing, "But... if it means that much to all of you, and you're willing to sign waivers stating that the city is not liable, then... the All Valley Under-18 Tournament is officially back on."

Ayane let go of Miguel's hand and immediately threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly.

"Those were some good lines you had there," she said with a small laugh. "Did you practice them beforehand or...?"

Miguel pulled away with an eye roll and a dumb smile on his face.

"Shut up."

. . . .

"I DON'T THINK WE'VE EVER gone out for dinner before," Ayane said, looking at Miguel who sat at the booth across from her.

He shrugged. "We had to celebrate properly, right?"

Ayane laughed lightly, flipping over her menu. "Yeah, sure. You're better at public speaking than I thought you'd be."

Miguel placed a hand over his chest and pretended to be offended.

"What- just because I'm a former nerd you think I'm awkward."

She snorted. "It's not exactly 'former' nerd. And I know you're awkward, thank you."

He rolled his eyes, setting the menu on the table.

"Yeah, yeah. So... have any exciting news for me? I figured now would be a good time to catch up."

Ayane leaned back, shrugging a little with a faltering smile.

"Well, it's not exactly exciting news but- it's news. My dad, he uh- he gets out in a week."

Miguel's eyebrows quirked up. He had nearly forgotten about Ennis, but somehow that man managed to turn up every now and then.

"So are you gonna get like a- a restraining order or something...?"

Ayane laughed, tapping her fingers on the table. "I probably should. But other than that, no, not much has happened."

The waitress brought by their food and Miguel popped a french-fry into his mouth, thinking for a moment.

"So when do we get to take that nice car of yours out for a joyride?" he asked, earning another sarcastic laugh from Ayane.

"Hmm... maybe when I actually learn how to drive."

Miguel shrugged a little. "I can help you. I mean- I know I'm not the best driver but I know what a gearshift is, so..."

Ayane grinned, throwing a french-fry at him. "Dumbass."

"Smartass."

After they finished their food, Miguel drove Ayane to the LaRusso's.

"Isn't it kind of weird having Miyagi-Do kids here but not being in Miyagi-Do?" he asked, placing the car in park.

Ayane shrugged a little. "I don't pay attention to them. They might hurl the occasional insult my way but it's nothing I haven't heard before."

Miguel frowned. "Insults? Who?"

"Depends on the day," Ayane quickly replied, trying to dismiss the subject. She unbuckled her seatbelt but Miguel reached over, grabbing her by the arm.

"Ayane. Who's been insulting you?"

She rolled her eyes, knowing he was not going to let this go.

"Mostly Demetri. Sometimes Chris, and sometimes some of the others. It's not a big deal, really. They're just immature little losers."

Miguel sighed, letting go of her arm. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Ayane paused, looking over at him. "We can go hang out at the dojo, if you want. I mean- if you're not sick of me yet."

He narrowed his eyes at her, already unbuckling his seatbelt with a sly smile on his face.

"How could I ever be sick of a face like yours?"

They walked through the gates of the dojo together, sitting down on the deck that Ayane had memories of sanding. That felt like centuries ago, now.

"This is a really nice place," Miguel sighed, looking around. "It's a shame everyone in it is a spineless asshole."

Ayane snorted a little, leaning back against her hands. "They aren't assholes. They're just misguided. You know, like Cobra Kai."

Miguel looked over at her, surprised by her words. "You think Cobra Kai isn't a bunch of assholes? Boy, have I got news for you-"

She cut him off with another laugh, looking up toward the night sky.

"Do you know constellations?" Ayane asked after a moment, her gaze fixated upward. Miguel looked up as well, tilting his head sideways.

"Let's see..." he trailed off, squinting. "I think I need to lay down for this."

Miguel laid back on the deck and Ayane looked over at him before doing the same, pointing up at the sky.

She squinted. "I think that one is Ursa... something. And that one's the bear. I think. Actually, I have no idea."

He laughed, turning his head to her. "You are very, extremely off. But I'm gonna let it slide because you're pretty."

"Oh, so I get pretty privilege now?"

Before Miguel could reply, a voice suddenly came from their right that made Ayane's heart stop for a moment.

"Ayane?"

She sprang upright as fast as she could, not believing her own two eyes. Ayane pushed herself off of the deck and stood there, her hands instinctively balling into fists. Miguel stood up as well, placing a hand cautiously on her shoulder.

It was Robby.

"Ayane-" he took a few steps closer but she defensively stepped back.

"No. Don't come near me."

Robby's expression softened, visible guilt in his eyes. But it quickly turned to anger when he saw Miguel.

"You're still with this asshole?" Robby said in disbelief, pointing to Miguel. "After he cheated on you?"

"I didn't cheat," Miguel said through gritted teeth, taking a step forward. "I would never cheat on Ayane."

Robby scoffed, looking back to Ayane. "I wanted to come and find you, hopefully so I could apologize. But I think it'd just be best for me to go."

"Why are you trying to apologize to me?" Ayane asked with anger shaking her voice, furrowing her eyebrows. "If you should be apologizing to anyone, it's Miguel."

He began to laugh. "I can't believe you're still siding with him," Robby said in disbelief.

"Yeah, well I didn't kick anyone over a railing now did I?" Miguel quickly responded.

Robby reacted impulsively and suddenly, attempting to throw a punch at Miguel that Ayane stepped in and blocked, grabbing Robby's wrist and pulling it so far behind his back there was the sound of a crack.

"I suggest you leave now before I decide not to show mercy to you," Ayane said in a dark, threatening voice.

She let him go and pushed Robby away, who stood there for a moment with no words.

"Don't ask for my help ever again," Robby said, shaking his head. "Don't ever ask me for anything, ever again."

Ayane laughed dryly as he began to walk away, unclenching her fists.

"Believe me, I won't."

NOTES!
am i going to write two episodes into one final chapter?? yes i am. i'm so sorry it took me so long to get this out, i lost inspo for a hot minute because votes and comments and whatnot have been kinda down so idk i needed a small break. but now... the final chapter will be a very long, wild ride. so prepare yourselves while you can ;) i love you all, and thank you so much for making it this far with me!!

also don't be upset ayane didn't beat the shit out of robby, it's coming 

p.s. i also have another cobra kai book out called serpentine, it's a robby/tory love triangle and it's so fun to write