𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘 ― e. moskowitz / hawk [ COMPLETED UNTIL SEASON SIX PART TWO ]

xxxiii

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𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗬

chapter thirty-three
summer daze

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IT WAS THEIR first karate practice after the All Valley. Coming back into the familiar backyard of Miyagi-Do felt like home to Alyssa, as it always had. Especially since her hand was interlocked with Eli's as they came in, her now official boyfriend. Not to mention that school had ended, meaning summer had officially started, and now they had at least some stress off of their backs.

"Everyone, gather round," Sensei LaRusso called.

Alyssa sandwiched herself between Eli and Sam. She glanced over at Sam with a small smile. Sam gave her one back, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"It's great to see you all back here again. You know, we had one goal going into the All Valley. Beat Cobra Kai. We walked away with a first place trophy thanks to Eli."

All of them clapped for him. Well, not Alyssa. She just squeezed his hand gently, and he glanced over at her, his blue eyes glinting with nothing short of adoration.

"As far as the rest of the tournament, well, it just didn't go our way," Sensei LaRusso continued. "We said we'd close our dojo if we lost. And . . . that's exactly what we're going to do."

Alyssa's smile immediately fell off of her face.

"As of today, I am shutting down Miyagi-Do Karate."

That was an absolute punch to the stomach. Alyssa suddenly felt like she had no air left inside of her. No more Miyagi-Do? The place where she had found herself, the place where she had found the best friends she could ever ask for, the place where she had gotten stronger, the place where she always felt confident in . . . just, gone?

"What?" Sam asked.

"Wait, Mr. LaRusso—" Eli started to insist.

"I know that's not what you were hoping to hear, but with everything going on at Cobra Kai, continuing to operate Miyagi-Do only leaves a target on your backs," Sensei LaRusso said. "Guys, I have to keep you safe, okay? Just remember what you've learned. This dojo may be closing, but Miyagi-Do lives inside each and every one of you still."

"Great," Demetri commented. "Guess I'm getting a summer job."

At once, Demetri started to lead all of them out of the backyard. Alyssa felt a tug on her hand, and she gave Eli a tight smile as she followed after him. Guess they were getting coffee earlier than she thought (they had planned to get some after practice.) However, there was one person left behind. Alyssa stopped in her tracks and looked back, only to see Sam talking to Sensei LaRusso, a solemn expression on her face.