Time After Time 🌹 Daniel LaRusso [1]

Chapter 7: Wax On, Wax Off

Rosalía arrives at Daniel's door at 9:57 AM. She knocks and the door quickly opens to reveal the dark-haired boy. "Hi," he greets her, admiring her features as he studies her face. "Hi," she returns with a bright smile that melts the boy's heart. He steps out and locks his door before following Rosalía down the stairs. "Are you scared?" she asks him. "Of what?" Daniel questions. She peers up at him and says, "of what's gonna happen when we get there." The boy thinks about her question. He doesn't know what to expect today but just hopes that whatever happens works in his favor. "I don't know," he answers. The girl nods and Daniel asks her, "are you?"

"I don't want to see you get hurt again... so yeah, I guess I'm a little scared," she admits. Daniel halts and takes her hands in his. "Don't worry, I'll be fine," he assures her. Rosalía nods and looks down to hide her flushed face. She looks back up and voices, "you better be... or else I'm kicking his ass into the next century." Daniel smiles fondly at her protectiveness. Rosalía meant it; she fights for the people she cares about and she cares an awful lot about Daniel LaRusso.

The pair makes it to the parking lot just as Mr. Miyagi exits his room. "Good morning, Mr. Miyagi," Rosalía acknowledges him. The man turns to them and Daniel waves at him. "Oh, good morning. How you feel this morning?" He addresses the two. "I'm good, thank you," Rosalía replies. "I'm a little sore, really," Daniel answers as he stretches. "Ah," the man acknowledges before leading the teenagers to his truck. "You, uh, know how drive?" he asks Daniel. "Uh, yeah, yeah. I do, really," he responds as he slides into the truck. Rosalía slides in next to him and Mr. Miyagi goes in after her. He reaches over her to hand the keys to Daniel.

"No, no, no, I'm not- I'm not very good at it, Mr. Miyagi," he protests. "Me neither," the man responds as he closes the door. "Well, I really don't have a license," Daniel adds. "Me neither," Mr. Miyagi says again as he makes himself comfortable. Rosalía holds in her laugh as she listens to the interaction. Daniel looks at the ignition and smiles. "Alright, I guess it's okay then," he pipes up as he inserts the key and starts the vehicle. The truck jerks as he begins to drive. He really wasn't kidding when he said he's not good at this.

———(🌹)———

The trio walks into the Cobra Kai dojo and stands at the back as a class takes place. Rosalía watches as the Sensei throws a kid to the floor then sends him to do push-ups on his knuckles. Ah, yes, the famous John Kreese that Johnny is so fond of. I can tell this dude is crazy just by looking at him, she thinks. The class forms a circle for one on one combat. Two students fight and Bobby wins. When he remains still, Sensei Kreese pushes him to finish his opponent. Oh, yeah, he's definitely crazy. All the students jump up in a standing position as the Sensei walks around and lectures. "We do not train to be merciful here. Mercy is for the weak..."

Johnny catches sight of the three people in the back and glares at them. The fact that Rosalía is with them upsets him even more. "Here, on the street, in competition... a man confronts you, he is the enemy. An enemy deserves no mercy, what is the problem, Mr. Lawrence?" Kreese asks when he notices Johnny's distracted state. He whispers something to him and the man turns to look at the trio, making Daniel nervous. "Hey, come on. Let's forget this," he tells Mr. Miyagi. The man holds his hand up and says, "wait, not yet." Rosalía clutches Daniel's hand in an effort to comfort him. He looks down at her and she smiles, letting him know that she's right there. He smiles back, feeling a little better.

"Class, we have visitors. Fall in behind me. Aits!" Kreese announces. He and Johnny approach the trio and Rosalía watches the rest of the class stand behind them like mindless drones. Ew, I knew this was a cult. "I hear you jumped some of my students last night," Kreese accuses Mr. Miyagi. "Afraid the facts mixed up," the older man states. "Are you calling Mr. Lawrence a liar?" he voices again. "No call no one nothing," Mr. Miyagi replies. Daniel and Rosalía stay silent as they watch the interaction. "What are you here for, old man?" Kreese immediately questions.