The Cut That Always Bleeds | Cobra Kai

Chapter 35

Miguel glanced at his phone, rolling his eyes as he declined Isabelle's call for what felt like the hundredth time. She hadn't stopped texting and calling all morning, but he didn't have the energy to respond. After everything they'd been through, she went and joined Cobra Kai. He knew they'd need to talk eventually, but right now, he was focused on trying to get Johnny to see reason and patch things up with Daniel, especially now that the tournament rules had changed so drastically.

"This is the worst thing that could've happened to us," Johnny was ranting to his students. "Skills competition? What a joke. Kata isn't karate—it's dancing. And a girls' division? What happened to all that 'women's lib' talk? They gotta man up and take a punch like the rest of us."

Miguel cleared his throat, choosing his words carefully. "Sensei, it sounds like we could... use some female students, though."

Johnny sighed, folding his arms. "Fine. Do any of you know any girls?" He looked around expectantly, but none of the students had an answer. "Of course you don't."

Berk raised his hand hesitantly, "There's this girl on my debate team–"

"Debate team?" Johny scoffed. "We need killers, not more nerds. All right, go run some laps, maybe it'll job your memories."

As the rest of the students started running, Miguel approached Johnny again. "Look, Sensei, I know things got heated with Mr. LaRusso at Miyagi-Do, but with these new rule changes, having Sam on our team would really help. So maybe if you could talk to him—"

"I have nothing to say to him, got it?" Johnny cut him off, crossing his arms stubbornly. "And don't think I didn't notice you dodging the Elsa situation."

Miguel cringed. "Can we not talk about her?"

"Oh, we're talking about her," Johnny said, giving him a pointed look. "We need a girl champ. So... just talk to her."

Miguel sighed, reluctantly nodding, "Yes, Sensei."

~

Isabelle had just finished training when she checked her phone and saw a text from Miguel.

Can we talk?

She responded immediately, and they agreed to meet at the high school field. When she arrived, she was surprised to see Johnny and Miguel standing on the sidelines, watching the girls' sports teams on the field.

"What're you guys doing?" Isabelle asked, her confusion evident as she hadn't expected Johnny to be there.

Miguel took a deep breath, his gaze softening as he turned to her, a smile tugging at his lips before disappearing. "Uh, Sensei, we'll be right back." Johnny gave a distracted nod, still scanning the field. Miguel gently took Isabelle's hand, leading her to a quieter area, away from any prying eyes.

Isabelle opened her mouth, an apology on her lips, her eyes starting to tear up. But before she could say a word, Miguel leaned in and kissed her. Isabelle's surprise melted into relief, and she reciprocated. When they finally pulled away, she whispered, "I thought you were mad at me." She blinked back a few tears, which Miguel gently wiped away.

"At first, I was," he admitted, "but then I thought about it. I know you wouldn't join for no reason, so I figured I should listen to what you had to say. I'm your boyfriend, and I should start acting like it. I'm here for you, Cobra Kai or not."

Isabelle let out a relieved laugh, resting her forehead against his chest. "That means a lot. I just joined because my dad did, but I was so scared to tell you. I thought you'd break up with me."