New Boy | Miguel Diaz

Strike First

Miguel, Johnny, and I got the new place set up to have it look like a dojo. Johnny had painted "Strike First. Strike Hard. No Mercy." on the wall.

We were standing in front of Johnny and I noticed he was wearing a gi, with a headband on.

"So, are we gonna get the karate pajamas too?"

"Quiet! The student only speaks when spoken to. Is that understood?"

"Yes." Johnny gave us a weird look, hoping to hear more.

"Yes sir?"

"Always address me as "Sensei." Is that understood?"

"Yes, Sensei."

"These aren't pajamas. This is a gi. And you'll get one when you've earned it. Alright, you two ready to begin your training?"

"Yes, Sensei." We both answer. He grabs Miguel throwing him down. He groans and clutches his stomach.

"Lesson one. Strike first. Never wait for the enemy to attack."

"You could have gave me like a warning."

"Quiet! We do not train to be merciful here. Mercy is for the week. Here on the street, in competition, a man confronts you, he is the enemy."

I see Miguel pull out an inhaler. "An enemy deserves no mercy. What is the problem, Mr. Diaz?"

"There's no problem Sensei. You- you punched me and I have asthma so-" he was cut off, when Sensei threw the inhaler at the wall, breaking it.

"Not anymore."

"But Sensei what if it's serious." I say.

"Too bad. We do not allow weakness in this dojo. So you can leave your asthma and peanut allergies and all that other made-up bullshit outside. Understood?"

"Yes, but those are real medical problems. I was- yes, Sensei, understood."

"Cobra Kai isn't just about karate. It's about a way of life. Take that first lesson. Striking first is the initial step towards victory. Okay, like when you're at a party and you see a hot babe? You don't wait for another guy to talk to her first, do you?"

"I mean, I've never been to a party, so."

"Big surprise. Alright, look both of you. Striking first is about being aggressive alright? If you're not aggressive then you're being a pussy and you don't wanna be a pussy. You wanna have balls."

"Um, Sensei, don't you think you're doing a lot of genderizing?" I question.

"Yeah, what she said." Miguel agrees with me.

"What? No. What the hell are you talking about?"

"Well, using certain words perpetuate the sexist world view that can trigger-"

"Quiet! From now on we don't care about genderizing. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Sensei." We respond.

"Good. Now stop yapping like children and give me 50 push-ups on your knuckles."

We both get down on our knuckles and start the push-ups - well I did. Miguel had trouble coming back up on his first one.

"Alright, just do some crunches. Don't you have gym class or something?"

We start the crunches when another man comes through the door. "Howdy there, Mr. Lawerence."

"Oh, it's Sensei." Miguel corrects.

"Miguel shush." I tell him.

"What brings you in? Looking to lose that gut and learn how to kick some ass?"