Time After Time 🌹 Daniel LaRusso [1]

Chapter 20: Oh, So it's Like That?

Rosalía and Kumiko hang out while Daniel is having a training session with Mr. Miyagi. Kumiko offered to show her around while the boy takes his karate lesson. Rosalía gleefully accepted. She planned to sleep through Daniel's lesson but she loves the thought of exploring Okinawa a lot more. Kumiko takes her sightseeing. "This is beautiful," Rosalía comments as they stand on some rocks, looking over the water. Kumiko smiles. "Hai. Oh, I have a great idea!" she chirps. Rosalía eyes her curiously. "You should bring Daniel-san here on date," Kumiko suggests. Rosalía instantly gasps, getting excited. "I like that! This is a beautiful spot for that," she responds. The couple hasn't been able to go out together yet since they arrived, so she's all for date ideas.

"Come, there are more places you can go in town," Kumiko says, pulling the girl by the arm. They hop into the car and drive into town where Kumiko shows her different shops and restaurants. Rosalía pays close attention, not wanting to look dumb for when she comes here next time with Daniel. They return to the village and Kumiko claims she has a dance class to teach, so the girls go their separate ways. When Rosalía returns to the house, she sees Daniel exiting the dojo. "Hey," she greets him, walking up to him and pecking his lips. "Hey," he returns with a smile. "Where'd you guys go?"

"Oh, here and there. She was showing me around," she claims, shrugging. He nods and the two start walking to their room. "Well, me and Mr. Miyagi are going to the docks for our next lesson. Want to come?" he asks. "Sure, you know I love to watch you train," Rosalía replies, smiling smugly. Daniel slightly blushes and chuckles. "Okay, wait here, I'm just gonna get something," he tells her. The girl waits outside while the boy goes inside to fetch a long-sleeve shirt to wear over his black tank top. He returns and the pair meets up with Mr. Miyagi and they commence their stroll through the village.

"You know, I don't get something," Daniel voices, making the older man hum in response. "If Sato hates you so much, why does he give you time to mourn?" he questions. That's actually a very good question, the girl thinks. "My father was his teacher. Inside the heart, Sato still know right from wrong," Mr. Miyagi answers. Rosalía looks up and sees Kumiko passing by with a little girl. They smile and wave at each other. "But he still wants to kill you," Daniel says confused. "Sometime what heart know, head forget," the man replies. "Yeah but the guy's looking to go to war, I don't understand," the boy says.

"Never stop war by taking part in one," Miyagi responds. The girl shrugs. "I don't think staying neutral is always an option though," she points out. "Maybe but in this case yes," the man says. I hope that's true. "Okay but what if he threw that punch over there? What would you have done?" Daniel questions.

"Block."

"You think you could've?" the boy asks. "Even you could've," Mr. Miyagi replies, gazing at him. "I'm not that strong," Daniel replies. "Not matter who's stronger, matter who's smarter," the man claims. "And that's why you won the tournament," Rosalía tells her boyfriend. This makes Mr. Miyagi chuckle. "You are correct, Rosalía-san."

The three make it to the dock in front of the old cannery. "From very first karate lesson, Miyagi father always say, 'best way to avoid punch, no be there," Mr. Miyagi begins. "I don't get it," Daniel responds. "Miyagi say same thing until I work here," the man claims. "Really? It's pretty easy to understand," Rosalía remarks. Daniel gently nudges her. "Okay, Miss Smartypants," he mocks. "Oh, I'm sorry, who was the one that kept getting his ass beat because he didn't know how to avoid confrontation?" the girl sarcastically asks. Daniel playfully rolls his eyes and replies, "oh, so it's like that?"

"Yeah, it's like that," Rosalía fires back. "Okay then, remember when you and that lady started arguing because you wouldn't stop talking back..." the boy commences. The two lightly bicker, bringing up times where they both fuelled conflict. Bored by their childish antics, Mr. Miyagi quickly shuts them down. "Aye!" he exclaims, causing the two to abruptly stop talking and face him. "Sorry," they apologize. The man stays silent for a moment before resuming what they were initially talking about. "Miyagi first job, work for Sato father," he informs them before climbing onto a platform. "One day, Miyagi mind on something other than fish when empty net return."