COBRA KAI: Back on the Mat

"So... is this our dojo, sensei?" I asked Johnny, a little intrigued by the state of the place.

"Yes, this is where you'll be training from now on. First, start by setting up the tatami to begin your first lesson," he said. I nodded and set to work on the tatami. After 6 minutes, I was finished and standing face to face with Johnny.

"Well, since this is your first lesson, I'll explain the dojo's motto to you," he said. I answered, "Yes, sensei."

"Alright, first of all, HIT FIRST. If you hit first, you gain the advantage over your opponent. Second, HIT HARD. To win, you need a strong blow; giving your opponent a thousand light taps won't help. Lastly, NO MERCY. As a martial artist, mercy is a luxury we can't afford. When the chance arises, finish off your opponent without mercy."

"I understand, sensei. Hit first, hit hard, and no mercy," I replied.

"That's right. Now, let's move on with the training. Get down and give me 50 push-ups," he said. Before doing that, I asked, "Aren't you going to give me a gi to train in?"

"No, you have to earn it first. Train, and we'll see later," he answered. He then pushed me to the floor to do the push-ups. As I worked, I thought, Damn, this body feels weaker than my previous one. I need to work harder. Just then, the door opened, and someone came in.

I lifted my head slightly and saw a short, fat guy. I ignored him and kept doing my push-ups.

Johnny walked up to him with a slight grin and asked, "What brings you here? Trying to lose that belly?" He patted the guy's stomach a few times.

The man replied, "I'm just here to check if you comply with the health codes." He handed Johnny a paper.

Johnny read it for a moment, then, surprised, asked, "Why so many things? We're a dojo, not a gym."

The man replied, "I don't want this place to end up with a rat infestation like the last gym in this plaza."

Before Johnny could respond, the man walked towards the door and said, "Well, I'll leave. I'll be back next week to check if you comply with the health codes. If not, I'll have to shut this place down." And with that, he left.

Johnny turned to me, lying on the tatami, resting after the 50 push-ups. "Alright, kid. Training's postponed for now. We've got other things to do."

"Okay, sensei," I replied.

We spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning and fixing up the dojo.

---- THE NEXT DAY --- (SCHOOL)

"Thanks," I said to the cafeteria worker as I grabbed my food. I took a few steps and looked around until I found who I was looking for—Eli and Demetri. I walked over to their table and asked, "Is this seat taken?"

"Let me check the schedule. Maybe you'll have a spot in a month," Demetri answered sarcastically. I just smiled and sat next to Eli. "My name's Miguel, nice to meet you."

"I'm Demetri, and my quiet friend here is Eli," Demetri said. Just then, three girls—Samantha, Moon, and Yasmine—walked by.

"What I wouldn't do for Yasmine to spit on me... I think I'd kill both of them for just one word from her," Demetri said.

I replied, "She's hot, but you can tell she's a bit of a bitch. Don't you see the way she's looking at us?"

Eli lowered his head, like he wanted to hide.

"What's up, Eli?" I asked. He answered softly, "She's probably making fun of my lip."

When he said that, I stared at Yasmine. Her gaze shifted from Eli to me. I just smiled and winked at her. She stopped looking at me and started talking with her friends.

We chatted while I ate, although Eli barely spoke—only when we talked about video games. Time passed, and then the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. We headed back to class.

--- DOJO --- (AFTERNOON)

"First of all, we're going to work on a straight punch," Johnny said.

"Yes, sensei," I nodded.

"When you punch, don't pull your arm back after the hit. Hit as if the person you're striking is behind you, like you're going through them. Like this." He then showed me a quick demonstration.

"BAM," "BAM," "BAM."

"Got it?" he asked.

"Yes, sensei," I replied.

Before he could say anything else, his phone rang. As he walked away to answer it, he said, "Alright, start practicing that punch." I nodded and began practicing the straight punch. "Haa, haa, haa," I thought, No doubt, getting back to training feels amazing. I kept going and, by accident, overheard Johnny talking about someone named Robby, who I assumed was his son.

When I finished the punch series, I decided to try something: a spinning back kick. "HAA!" I launched the kick at the punch bag, sending it flying, and ended in a fighting stance. "Haai!"

"Good job, kid. Looks like you've got potential. Keep training a little more and then we'll fix the dojo," Johnny said.

"Yes, sensei," I replied. After a short break, I got back to training.

--- LATER ---

While I was scrubbing the floor, Johnny came out of his office and handed me a bucket, a plunger, and a mop.

"Alright, kid. Here, clean the bathrooms so we can leave," he said. I grabbed the supplies and jokingly asked, "How much are you paying me for all this, sensei?"

He just responded, "I'm teaching you how to fight, kid."

I went to clean the bathrooms, and as I was working in the one closest to the door, I overheard Johnny talking to someone about a few guys. With a mischievous grin, I interrupted the conversation.

"Mr. LaRusso, right? Tell your daughter's friends that the next time they want to fight 6 vs. 1, I'll kick their asses."

Both of them stared at me for a moment, and then Daniel shook his head and said, "I didn't come here to fight. I just came to see why Cobra Kai was open again. I'm outta here." And he left.

"Alright, kid, if you're done, let's go," Johnny said. We headed out to our homes.