you're the best around - (daniel larusso x oc)

ch.27

-- playing The Best Around by Joe Esposito --

[The Miyagi Do students watch the matches around them, particularly Johnny Lawrences'- Daniel didn't know why, but he felt as if he was going to face Johnny at some point during this tournament. And Daniel was ready- but that didn't mean that he wasn't nervous/anxious about it. The last time he faced Johnny he lost, and he lost hard. Daniel Larusso bites his nails as he watches Johnny mercilessly defeat his opponent without losing a point. Scarlette nervously watched as well, then she was suddenly called by a referee for the next match. Daniel pats her back encouragingly as she steps onto the mat. Almost all eyes were on this matchup, from Cobra Kai to Miyagi Do. Other dojos watched as well because Scarlette was well known- she was at least semi finalist every All Valley tournament. Scarlette bows to her opponent and the match begins. She takes a deep breath in and exhales, no nerves are left as she blocks three attacks and jab punches her opponent's stomach as a counterattack- wanting to strike first as instinct but did things the Miyagi-Do way instead. The crowd cheers, as she has won the first point- she loves it when the crowd cheers, The All Valley Tournament was the place she felt that she fit in the most, people liked her here. Daniel especially cheers loudly and Mr. Miyagi can't help but smile with a small proud laugh] "Yes!" [Daniel cheers, whistling and clapping loudly with excitement. Johnny Lawrence cannot help but smile, proud and happy for his old friend but keeping it to himself in burying it behind his angst and competitiveness. Although he did note that Scarlette looked different during this tournament than she normally did- she used to have this look on her face, a look of hate and rage. Scarlette eventually wins the match, stepping off of the mat with a smile on her face. Daniel hugs her tightly, catching her off guard a little bit]

"He's happier right now than he was when he won his own match.." [Scarlette thought, appreciating how much her boyfriend cared as she hugged him back. He had always cared more than Scarlette understood- and her trust issues would take control like they had the first day the two had met on the beach. But now she was in the right place, she was balanced]

"You did great!" [Daniel said, still holding her while looking at her with a smile. She remains smiling as well- it was a small smile, yet powerful. Mr. Miyagi walks over to the couple and pats Scarlette on the back twice, he smiles to his two karate students]

"Thanks." [Scarlette says aloud, breaking the hug to speak to her sensei. Daniel slightly sighs, he wished he could hold onto Scarlette forever- Scarlette makes a small chuckle at Daniel's humorous and childish sigh]

"Ai. Good job." [The old okinawan man says nodding. Minutes later they watched Bobby's match, he had the same aggressive fighting strategy as Johnny did. The two Miyagi-Do students watch with their arms crossed, Scarlette keeps catching Johnny staring at her instead of the match up in front of them. They both lock eyes then look away, numerous times. Scarlette shakes her head and groans silently at this without her sensei or boyfriend noticing- Mr. Miyagi and Daniel were invested/focused in the match in front of them. Johnny notices, and he's gotten the message that Scarlette does not want to have anything to do with him- the boy denies this to himself anyways. He groans at this but just becomes more determined to win the tournament and defeat Daniel. Bobby wins this match, heading back over to the Cobra Kais and high-fiving them. Daniel is soon called up for another match- he steps onto the mat, facing what seems like a stronger opponent, a Cobra Kai. But he know that things will be easier now that he's more used to the ruleset]

"C'mon Daniel!" [Scarlette cheers, clapping then becoming silent for the match has begun. Daniel blocks a couple attacks then counterkicks, winning the first point] "Yes, Daniel!" [Scarlette cheers again. Daniel looks back at the Miyagi-Dos with a smile, Scarlette and Mr. Miyagi smiled back and continued to clap] "Great, Daniel Great!!" [Scarlette cheers as Daniel wins the rest of the match and walks off with confidence, it was the first time he'd beat a Cobra Kai in a fight- and it wouldn't be the last. Scarlette high-fives her boyfriend. Then something feels off to the couple, they turn their heads to glare over at Johnny as they notice that he's watching them. Jealousy was in the blonde rich boy's eyes, but Scarlette no longer cared about it] "Don't worry about him, Daniel." [Scarlette says, looking away from the Cobra Kais, Daniel still glared with his own look of annoyance at Johnny Lawrence. She puts her hand on Daniel's chin and moves his head over to look at her] "Hey-" [She says taking her hand off of Daniel's chin and finally getting Daniel's undivided attention as he's looking right at her now. Daniel keeps the same facial expression, somewhat worried and somewhat annoyed at Johnny] "Focus." [Scarlette says firmly, Daniel slowly nods and puts his hand on her face, stroking it once]