❝ you chose the wrong side . ❞

―

CLAPPING AND CHEERING COULD BE HEARD AS THE TOURNAMENT BEGAN.

"Welcome, everyone, to the 50th annual All Valley Under 18 Karate Championship!" the announcer spoke into the microphone. "You'll love the new mats!" He laughed. "All right, let's start by welcoming all the local dojos competing today."

Achara took a deep breath. She felt nervous and she couldn't stop thinking about what happened with Miguel. It was like a pressure that was weighing her down, filling her entire body into an intense feeling of stress. She just needed to talk to him. She needed to understand why it happened, but first, he needed to get ahold of herself and walk out there and fight.

She couldn't let what happened distract her from winning until she had the chance to talk to him.

"From Reseda, returning to the tournament, we have—"

"Cobra Kai! Cobra Kai! Cobra Kai!" the Cobras, led by Miguel, chanted repeatedly as they emerged from the locker rooms.

"Now that's what I call an entrance!" the announcer said. "And a badass name for a dojo! Let's hear it for Cobra Kai.

Decha glanced around, looking for his parents. Instead, he found Demetri. Decha nodded in Demetri's direction, but he quickly turned away, ignoring him. Decha stared at him a few seconds longer before he faced forward. He didn't understand. He thought that everything was going well between them and that after they kissed, that maybe Demetri was starting to like him. But after he ran off so suddenly in panic, Decha wasn't sure what to think. Now, he couldn't even look at him.

"And finally, fighting unaffiliated from North Hills, we have Mr. Robby Keene!"

Achara's eyebrows knitted together. She turned to look at Decha who stood right beside her. He turned his head to face her, the same look of confusion mirrored her own. The twins watched as Robby ran past them, not even daring to look at them.

"All right, folks. Get ready," the announcer said. "It's karate time."

The audience clapped and cheered as he walked off the stage.

The fighting began.

Achara's first opponent was a guy from Yoshukai Karate. He took one look at her and chuckled to himself, looking her up and down as he took notice of her tiny frame. She couldn't wait to wipe that smug expression right off his face.

"All right, you know the rules," the referee said. "Three points wins. Step on the mat."

Achara stepped on the mat, her fellow karate students cheering her on.

"And face me," the referee said. "Bow."

Achara turned and bowed, then turned to face her opponent.

"Face each other. Bow."

Achara bowed at him. She thought that the expression on his face couldn't get any smugger. She thought wrong.

"Ready?"

Achara got into her fighting position, staring the boy down with a fierce look on her face.

"And fight!"

As if he were an alligator snapping at his prey, the boy lurched forward and swung his arm, but Achara ducked out of the way, avoiding the blow completely. He faltered, but caught his balance. He turned around, ready to strike another shot, but Achara stood on the balls of her feet and spun around him, her fist colliding with his back. He fell with a thud.

"Point!" the referee said. "That's one point, Thirasawat!"

Achara looked at her opponent as he stood back up, a sly smile on her face.

"Fighting positions!"

Achara returned to her fighting position, glaring at the boy as he did the same.

"And fight!"

The boy raised his leg to send a kick flying Achara's way, but she leaned back in the nick of time, folding her back sideways as her hands touched the ground, her leg went up. It connected with his stomach. He grunted.

"That's two points, Thirasawat!"

Achara could hear her teammates cheering her on and clapping. She just needed one more point. Achara got into fighting position, prepared to get the last point.

Judging by the look on the boy's face, he was regretting underestimating her.

"And fight!"

He sent one jab punch after the other Achara's way, but she ducked and dodged every single one. He wasn't playing now. But neither was Achara. She ducked, and when he was least expecting it, Achara extended her leg and pushed. The boy went falling backwards on the mat. She gave him one last jab to the face.

"That's three points! Winner, Thirasawat!" the referee grabbed her wrist and held up arm in the air.

It was Decha's turn to face his first opponent. To say that he was nervous was an understatement. He wasn't as good of a fighter like Miguel or Achara, but he could pack a mean punch.

He faced the referee and bowed before turning to his opponent.

"Fighting positions!" the referee said.

Decha kept his eyes on his opponent as he adjusted his stance. He took one last deep breath, in and out.

"And fight!"

Decha hadn't even had the chance to move before the boy swung his fist at him.

"Point, Morris!" the referee announced.

"You've got this, Decha!" Achara cheered from the sidelines. "Just focus!"

"Come on, Decha!" another student said.

Decha got back into position. The second the referee said fight, Decha sent a punch at Morris, hitting him directly in the chest. He faltered, but didn't fall. He tried to punch Decha back, but Decha lifted his knee up and jabbed into his stomach. As he started to stumble, Decha extended his leg and kicked, sending him to the ground.

"Point, Thirasawat!" the referee said. "1-1."

"That's it, Decha!" Achara said as she clapped.

His opponent stood. Decha assumed fighting position. At the sound of the word fight, Decha didn't hold back. Morris swung at him, but Decha ducked. As he stood, Morris attempted a roundhouse kick to Decha's jaw, but Decha blocked his leg. He grabbed it and kicked his leg that remained on the ground, sweeping his only way of support. Decha let go of his other leg as he fell.

"Two points! 2-1. Thirasawat."

One more point, Decha repeated over and over again in his head, just one more point.

"Fighting positions!" the referee said. "And fight!"

Decha stepped forward. Morris didn't stand a chance as Decha sent a roundhouse kick straight to his jaw. The referee lifted his arm.

"Winner!"

Achara embraced Decha in a hug. "That's what I'm talking about!"

Achara's next match was against a girl from Topanga karate. She was a small, tiny little thing who couldn't have been more than five feet tall.

"And fight!"

The girl might have been tiny, but it was an advantage. She could avoid punches and kicks like no other. Just when Achara thought she had her, she elbowed Achara right in the groin.

"Point, Jameson!"

"Come on, Achara!" Decha cheered.

Achara assumed fighting position.

"And fight!"

Jameson wasted no time as she started to send punch after punch in Achara's direction. Achara kept blocking her strikes. She spun around her, distracting her opponent for a split second. That was all it took for Achara to send Jameson onto her back with an elbow to the groin. Payback sure is a bitch.

"Point, Thirasawat! 1-1."

Jameson stood up, glaring at Achara as they returned to their respective sides of the mat.

Achara was starting to get a sense of Jameson's fighting style. She went for the jab punches, and groin jabs. It was all too predictable. Achara was able to anticipate her every move, scoring two more points.

"Winner!"

Decha's next opponent, a boy from Cutting Edge Karate was far too easy to beat. It was almost like fighting with a brick wall. The boy had no defense whatsoever and zero offense skills. He flinched if Decha just breathed in his direction.

It almost didn't seem like a fair fight. But nonetheless, Decha was still happy to hear the word, "Winner!" in regards to himself.

Fight after fight and match after match, no one stood a chance against Cobra Kai. The Thirasawat twins were on fire. Until the fourth round.

Decha was fighting against a boy from Yoshukai Karate. He was doing flips and kicks that Decha had never seen before. He flipped right over his head, did triple jumps and spins. Decha had no idea what to do. He tried to sweep his leg. He tried to roundhouse kick him. He tried everything, but he didn't stand a chance.

Decha lost.

"It's okay, Decha," Hawk said, patting him on the back.

"You were amazing," Achara told him. "Look at Mae." Achara pointed out to the audience. Decha followed her finger to see his mother smiling at him and applauding.

Decha grinned. He couldn't believe it. She actually seemed proud of him. Decha couldn't remember the last time she was proud of him for something. It was one of the greatest feelings Decha had ever experienced.

Achara won her fourth round. She looked up at the board to see who she would be fighting against in the quarterfinals. Her heart sank. This couldn't be happening.

She was fighting against Robby.

Achara approached the mat. Robby stood in front of her.   Achara glanced over her shoulder to look at Decha. He looked as concerned as Achara felt. Achara's gaze switched to Miguel. He gulped and just stared blankly.

"Face me," the referee said. "Bow."

Achara bowed.

"Face each other. Bow."

Achara bowed at Robby. Her hands were visibly shaking as she raised her fists in the air, getting into fighting position.

"Fight!"

Neither one of them moved. They both just stood there, unsure if they wanted to make the first move. Achara remembered the first rule of Cobra Kai. Strike first. If she was a true cobra, then she wouldn't be afraid to strike first and strike hard.

They circled around each other.

"You chose the wrong side," Robby whispered to her.

Achara shook her head. "No, you did."

Achara landed a quick jab to Robby's torso with enough force and precision that Robby groaned. Achara extended her left leg forward, kicking Robby in the exact same spot that he had previously punched him.

Robby tumbled backward and fell.

"Point, Thirasawat!"

They returned to their positions on the mat, staring at each other once again.

Achara didn't miss a beat as she pulled out all the stops. Roundhouse kicks. Spin hook kicks. Swing hook kicks. She was spinning like mad, tearing to get a kick in, but Robby blocked every single time one.

"Is this how you want to fight?" Robby asked. "Dirty?"

"What? Are you afraid that I'll beat you?" Achara asked.

Robby shook his head. "No."

Robby managed to land a back fist punch, hitting her jaw with the back of his hand. She didn't have the chance to block it. Achara attempted to strike another jab punch, but Robby blocked it and side kicked her to the mat.

"Point, Keene!"

Once they were back in their fighting positions, Achara looked over at Miguel. He gave her a nod. Achara gulped and turned to Robby.

"Fight!"

Achara punched. She swung her arm to hit Robby's face, but he ducked and she missed. She tried again, but this time, swung her leg into a kick, striking Robby in the shoulder. He stumbled.

"Point, Thirasawat!" the referee said. "2-1. Thirasawat."

If she scored just one more point she'd be in the semi-finals.

"Fighting positions!"

Achara inhaled a deep breath and then exhaled slowly.

"You've got this, Achara!"

"Come on, Achara!"

"Kick his ass, Achara!"

There were so many overlapping voices cheering her on that Achara was finding it hard to focus. She just needed to breathe. A few more deep breaths.

"And fight!"

No mercy.

Achara didn't hesitate. She went straight for Robby, sending punch after punch and kick after kick his way. Robby managed to block every single one. His defense was probably the most impressive defense Achara had seen all day. He countered all of her attacks.

Achara swung at Robby's shoulder, but he leaned back before her fist could make contact. He landed a front kick into her stomach. Achara groaned as she clutched her stomach.

"Point, Keene! 2-2."

It was neck and neck. Whoever scored the next point would be the winner and Achara tried everything she could to guarantee that it was her.

Nothing seemed to work. She couldn't land a single hit.

"That's three points, Keene!" The referee grabbed Robby by the wrist. "Winner!"

Achara swallowed the lump in her throat.

Johnny patted her on the back. "It's okay, Tiredsarat. You did good."

Achara stood next to Decha.

"Are you okay?" he asked her.

Achara stared blankly, glaring at Robby. "I'm fine."

Decha could tell that she most definitely wasn't fine.

"Over on mat three, Robby Keene advances to the semifinals!" the announcer said.

The semifinalists—Miguel, Hawk, Robby, and Xander Stone stood on the stage. Achara watched from the sidelines, her arms folded across her chest.

"Yes! Let's give it up for all our competitors," the announcer spoke into the mic. "You're all winners. We have seen some great fighting today, haven't we?"

The audience continued to clap and cheer.

"There can only be one true winner," the announcer continued. "And he is standing on this stage right now. Will it be Miguel Diaz from Cobra Kai Karate? Will it be Hawk...well, I guess it's just Hawk from Cobra Kai Karate? Will it be Robby Keene, unaffiliated? And last, but certainly not least, last year's champion, fighting out of Topanga Karate, Xander Stone!"

The audience gasped and cheered as Xander flipped on the stage. Achara rolled her eyes. Decha just stared at him, face scrunched up in a mix of confusion and disgust.

Xander grabbed the microphone. "I just wanted to say, even though I love to fight, we all need to fight together against hatred..."

Achara and Decha turned their heads to look at one another as Xander continued to ramble on and on.

"And as I look around this arena, I pray for every race, religion, and gender that we can all live together in peace," Xander continued. "Please join me in a moment of silence as we strive to end intolerance in our time."

Achara and Decha didn't bow their heads. They just looked at each other with confused expressions.

"What does he think this is?" Decha whispered to his sister. "A beauty pageant?"

Achara snorted as the announcer grabbed the microphone back. "First up, Stone versus Diaz! Let's go!"

Everyone but Miguel and Xander stepped off the stage. Achara watched intently, chewing on her fingernails in anticipation. Decha watched, wide eyed and trying his best to follow along with the fast-paced action that was going on as they fought.

The entire audience was on the edge of their seats. There wasn't a person in that arena that wasn't completely captivated.

"Focus, Diaz!" Sensei shouted.

With a kick to Xander's face, Miguel scored a second point. Achara cheered along with everyone else. She might have still been mad at Miguel, but she wanted him to win more than anything.

"Come on, Miguel!" Achara shouted. "You got this! Su su na!"

Miguel kicked Xander in the rib cage, pushing him to the floor.

"Point!" the referee said. "And winner!"

Achara cupped her hands on her mouth and hollered, cheering Miguel on.

"Miguel Diaz is headed to the finals," the announcer said. "Next up, Hawk versus Keene."

Robby stepped on the stage. Hawk jumped on the stage. They bowed at each other and got into fighting position. Achara blinked and it seemed like the fight had already gone full out.

Hawk scored the first point.

"Remember what you learned, Robby!" Mr. LaRusso shouted from the bleachers.

Robby closed his eyes and started to exhale, trying to get his focus back. Hawk didn't give Robby the chance to prepare before he came at him, but Robby managed to block his attacks and score.

That stood in front of each other for a moment. They were talking, but what was said couldn't be heard. Robby started to walk away. Hawk angrily walked towards Robby and kicked him in the shoulder. Robby face-planted onto the mat.

Sensei ran onto the stage and kneeled down next to Robby.

"That's enough!" the referee said, holding Hawk back. "Illegal contact! You're disqualified!"

The referee pushed Sensei back to the sidelines. Achara stood in place, her jaw dropped.

"With that disqualification, Keene earns a trip to the finals," the announcer said. "We'll see him back here after a short break."

Achara tapped Miguel's shoulder. The break would be the perfect time to talk. He turned to look at her.

"Can we talk?" Achara asked.

Miguel nodded. "Please."

They walked out into the hallway, standing face to face.

"What happened, Miguel?" Achara asked, looking up at him. "Why'd you start a fight with Robby? Why'd you hit me?"

"I—I didn't mean to," Miguel said. "It was an accident."

"You shouldn't have been trying to hit anyone," Achara told him. "What you did really hurt and I don't just mean because you hit me."

"Achara, I'm sorry," Miguel apologized. "I was just jealous because I can tell Robby likes you. It's obvious."

"Even if that's true, we're just friends," Achara responded. "If I forgive you and we continue to date, you can't be jealous of him."

"If you forgive me?" Miguel question.

Achara nodded. "If I forgive you."

"I promise," Miguel told her. "Please just forgive me. I can't stand not being able to talk to you and kiss you and text you. I love you and I miss you."

"You..." Achara couldn't believe what she just heard. "You love me?"

Miguel's checks turned pink. "I do. Are you mad at me for saying it?"

Achara smiled and shook her head. "How could I be mad at you for saying you love me?"

She embraced him in a hug. Miguel hugged her back.

"Does this mean you forgive me?" Miguel asked.

Achara nodded, her head on Miguel's shoulder. "Of course, you idiot. Chan rak khun. I love you."

"You do?" Miguel asks her.

Achara broke the hug. "I do."

Miguel smiled at her, a big wide grin.

"And uh...I don't think we'll really have to worry about Robby anymore," Achara told him. Miguel gave her a questioning look. "I don't think we're friends anymore."

"Is—is it because of me?" Miguel asked worriedly.

Achara shook her head. "No, it's not."

Miguel didn't quite believe her, but he didn't say it.

"We should probably get back in there," Miguel said.

"Yeah," Achara agreed. "Make sure you kick Robby's ass, okay?"

Miguel nodded. "I will."

"Su su na!" Achara said to him.

"What's that mean?" Miguel asked.

"It means fighting!" Achara translated. "It's a way of saying don't give up! I believe in you! You've got this!"

"Thank you," Miguel said. "It makes me feel a lot more confident knowing that I have you rooting for me."

Achara grinned. "Of course. Now come on, you have a tournament to win."

Achara grabbed his hand and dragged him back into the arena.

The tournament started back up again. Achara watched Miguel stand confidently on the stage.

"This is it, folks," the announcer said. "The moment we've all been waiting for. The final match to determine who will be victor and who will be champion. Will it be Miguel Diaz of Cobra Kai Karate? Will it be Robby Keene, unaffili—" he was interrupted by a woman running up to him.

She whispered in his ear. Everyone was wondering what she was saying and what was happening.

"Daniel LaRusso's gonna coach?" he asked quietly and then repeated it louder. "Daniel LaRusso is gonna coach!"

The audience and the other dojos started clapping. Achara couldn't believe it and judging from the looks on their faces, neither could Miguel and Sensei.

The announcer spoke again. "I'm sorry, folks, there's been a change. Robby Keene will now be fighting for Miyagi-Do Karate with former champion Daniel LaRusso as his sensei!"

The announcer bid Miguel and Robby good luck. Sensei spoke to Miguel and with that, the finals began. They both went right for it. Robby managed to kick Miguel down, scoring the first point.

Achara groaned. "Come on, Miguel!"

"No mercy!" Aisha shouted.

The second round began. Achara thought watching Miguel fight Xander was anxiety inducing. Watching Miguel fight Robby was ten times worse. By the end of the tournament, Achara's fingernails were going to be nubs.

Achara, Decha, and the rest of Cobra Kai cheered as Miguel scored a point.

"Let's go, Miguel!" Decha yelled.

Decha had nothing against Robby, but if Miguel beating him was what it took for Cobra Kai to win, then he was going to cheer for Miguel without giving it a second thought.

The score was one to one when the third round started. Miguel elbowed Robby's shoulder and then swept him to the floor. When he was down, Miguel punched him in the shoulder again, scoring a point.

"Time! Time!" Daniel LaRusso called out.

He walked up to Robby and talked to him before the fight continued. Miguel kicked, but Robby blocked it. Robby blocked every punch and hit that Miguel threw at him. He managed to grab Miguel's arm and yank him to the ground.

"Stop! Out of bounds!" the referee said. "No point. Out of bounds."

"Ready? And fight!"

Miguel pushed Robby, causing him to tumble. He kicked him before he had the chance to get up and tried to stomp kick him, but Robby rolled out of the way. As Miguel went to strike him again, Robby did a handstand on one hand and lifted both of his legs in the air, kicking Miguel right in the chest.

That meant two points for Robby.

Robby tried to help Miguel up, but Miguel yanked his arm. He hit a warning for unsportsmanlike contact. The audience started booing.

Achara started to pick at the skin on her lips as the fight commenced again.

"Whoever wins the next point will be our new champion!"

"It's 2-2," the referee said. "Next point wins!"

Decha started bouncing his leg as he watched them fight. Achara's hands were shaking.

Miguel kicked Robby to the ground.

"Stop! Point!"

Achara started jumping up and down. Decha cheered loudly, practically screaming.

"Winner!"

Achara ran on the stage and jumped in Miguel's arms. Achara jumped down as the rest of Cobra Kai surrounded them, congratulating Miguel on winning.

"Without further ado, let me present the trophy to this year's new champion, Miguel Diaz and the Cobra Kai dojo!"

A chant of "Cobra Kai!" broke out.

As the tournament ended and everyone began to disperse to leave, Achara followed Miguel over to his mom and his grandma.

His mom hugged him. "You were amazing."

"Thanks, Ma," said.

"And who's this?" his mom asked.

Achara glanced at Miguel and he nodded. "Sawasdee ka, I'm Achara Thirasawat. Miguel's girlfriend."

"Oh?" she asked. "I'm Carmen. It's nice to finally meet you. Miguel has said so much about you."

"Ma..." Miguel said, embarrassed.

"What?" she asked.

While Achara chatted with Carmen and Miguel, Decha walked up to Demetri.

"Hey," Decha said to him.

Demetri didn't say anything. He just lifted his head up.

"Can we talk what happened at the Canyon party?" Decha asked.

Demetri sighed. "Let's just pretend it didn't happen, okay?"

He began to walk away, but Decha grabbed his arm, stopping him in his tracks.

"I don't want to forget that it happened," Decha told him. "I like you, okay? And I think you like me too."

Demetri gulped. "Look, I get it. You like me. You've made that very, very clear. But I just can't, okay?"

"Can't what?" Decha asked. "You can't go out with me?"

"Exactly," Demetri responded.

He started to walk away again, and this time Decha let him. He stood there, watching as Demetri stopped to talk to Miguel and Achara.

What reason could Demetri possibly have?

— EMILIA'S NOTES + TRANSLATIONS

the last chapter of season 1!!! this chapter ended up being way longer that i intended it to be...

the first chapter of season 2 will be out soon <3

alternative chapter title: the thirasawat twins kick ass!! (and get knocked on theirs)

TRANSLATIONS:
- su su na
su su is translated to fighting! and means to give encouragement.

na is a polite particle added to the end of sentences.

- chan rak khun
chan rak khun means i love you.

- sawasdee ka
sawasdee means hello. ka is the polite participle for females.