STRIKE FIRST - A COBRA KAI STORY

C H A P T E R F I V E

After school finished, Rae and Miguel walked to the dojo.

"Today was good." Rae claimed to break the silence.

"Yeah, but it could be better."

"How..?" Rae asked suspiciously.

"Well, you could join in with the training. I'm sure sensei would love you to."

"Sorry, Miguel, but no."

"How come? I've done so much for you, you might as well do a small thing for me."

"What have you done for me?"

"Well, for starters, I walked you to class."

"I didn't ask you to."

"Hmm. Oh yeah, I ate lunch with you."

"I already have friends."

"And..."

"And?"

"Yeah, no. That's it."

"Sorry man, no can do. Demetri bet me a dollar that I couldn't beat his high score on Subway Surfers."

Miguel went inside the dojo whilst Rae stayed outside. She was considering trying out karate, but every time someone told her to try it, it put her off. She just wanted to see her dad since she didn't have the best day at school. It was a mix of some annoying kids and it being that time of the month.

When Johnny eventually arrived, Rae brought him into a big hug.

"Hey, easy there. What's that for?" Johnny asked, calming her down.

"I love you."

"Shit day at school then?"

"A bit." Rae chuckled. "Miguel's inside."

"Okay kiddo. You go chill in the office. Catch up on that sleep."

"Alright dad." Rae ran to have a nap.

Johnny walked in to the dojo feeling a bit off. He could've inhaled a bit too much paint, or it might just be the fact that he was hungover. One thing Johnny was sure of was that he needed more students.

"Hey sensei, I uh-"

"QUIET."

"Oh. Sorry."

At this point, Rae had already fallen asleep. After who knows how long, she woke back up to hear her dad lecturing Miguel.

"Can't strike first if you don't know how to strike. The cobra strike is composed of two parts: the lunge, which requires the use of the whole body, and the bite, which is everything that happens after you make contact. All right? You don't stop here where knuckle hits the bone. You punch through the bone, like the guy you really wanna hit is standing behind this asshole. All right?"

Johnny exhaled then aggressively punched the dummy.

"All right? Strike here, you break his nose. Strike here, you break his teeth. Strike here, you could severely damage his trachea." Johnny saw Rae walk into the room and give a look to him.

"Obviously, that's only for extreme situations." Johnny claimed sheepishly. "All right, line up."

"OK." Miguel nodded.

"Focus. I want you to practice."

Johnny's phone began ringing. Upon seeing who it was, he wandered to his office.

"Keep practicing. Punch through the dummy." He ordered Miguel.

Rae tried to listen in on the phone call. She could only hear Johnny.