𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍. 𝖠𝖫𝖫 𝖵𝖠𝖫𝖫𝖤𝖸

Zhen’s week had been a whirlwind of emotions, training sessions, and endless work shifts. Despite the exhaustion, she couldn’t shake the sense of purpose that had grown inside her since joining Cobra Kai. The dojo had become her second home, a place where she didn’t have to be constantly on guard. It wasn’t just about karate anymore; it was about belonging, about carving out a future for herself where she didn’t have to live in the shadow of her past.

---

That afternoon, the dojo was alive with energy. Johnny had gathered everyone for an announcement, and even though she wasn’t technically a core member yet, Zhen couldn’t help but feel the weight of the moment. Cobra Kai had been making waves—more students were signing up, and the dojo’s reputation was growing fast. But it seemed like there was a new challenge on the horizon.

“Listen up,” Johnny barked as he stood at the front of the room, a grim expression on his face. “I just found out that Cobra Kai’s been banned from the All Valley Karate Tournament.” He let the words hang in the air, and the room fell silent.

Zhen’s brow furrowed. The All Valley Tournament was the holy grail for any martial artist in the area. It was the event that defined careers, that proved who was truly at the top of their game. If Cobra Kai couldn’t compete, it would be a massive blow to Johnny’s efforts—and to their reputations as a dojo.

Johnny’s eyes hardened. “They think they can shut us down, but they’re wrong. I’m going to the City Council, and I’m going to make them listen.”

Zhen couldn’t help but admire Johnny’s determination. Despite everything that had happened—the fights, the tension with Daniel LaRusso, the growing list of rivals—Johnny wasn’t backing down. He had a fire that seemed impossible to extinguish.

As Johnny went on about his plans to challenge the ban, Zhen’s thoughts drifted. The All Valley Tournament was important to Johnny, but was it really her fight? She had her own battles to face—training, finding stability, making sense of this new life she had started to build.

Miguel, noticing her quiet demeanor, walked over with a slight smile.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice low so Johnny wouldn’t hear.

Zhen nodded, forcing a small smile. “Yeah, just thinking.”

Miguel raised an eyebrow. “You sure? This All Valley thing seems to have everyone on edge.”

Zhen shrugged. “It’s not my fight, Miguel. Not yet, anyway.”

Miguel paused for a moment, then chuckled softly. “Maybe, but I think you’ve got more fight in you than you realize.” His words were sincere, but Zhen couldn’t tell if it was just a friendly comment or if he was hinting at something more.

Before Zhen could respond, Johnny’s voice cut through the room again. “I need all hands on deck. This fight isn’t just about me. It’s about all of us.” He turned to Miguel. “You’re gonna be a big part of this, kid. You’re my best chance to show these people that Cobra Kai’s back, and we’re not going anywhere.”

Miguel nodded confidently, but Zhen could see the uncertainty in his eyes. He was still trying to find his place in the dojo, still trying to figure out where he belonged. It wasn’t just about winning tournaments; it was about identity, about what each of them stood for.

---

That evening, Zhen’s shift at the diner felt longer than usual. Her mind kept returning to the conversation at the dojo—Johnny’s plan, the tournament, and the growing sense that things were about to get even more complicated. When she finally clocked out and stepped into the cool night air, her phone buzzed in her pocket.

She pulled it out to see a message from Miguel.

“Hey, I know it’s last minute, but would you wanna grab some coffee or something? Maybe talk about everything going on with Cobra Kai. I could use a good conversation.”

Zhen stared at the message for a moment. Miguel had been kind to her ever since they’d first met, but something about the way he phrased the message made her pause. Was this just a friendly offer, or was there something more?

She typed out a response, hesitating before hitting send. “Sure. Coffee sounds good.”

A minute later, a reply popped up. “Great! Meet me at the coffee shop down the street in 20?”

Zhen put her phone away and made her way to the coffee shop, her thoughts racing. She had always kept people at arm’s length, especially since she moved to California. Relationships—of any kind—felt like a luxury she couldn’t afford. But Miguel seemed different. He didn’t expect anything from her. He understood what it meant to fight, to struggle, and to rise above it.

When she arrived at the coffee shop, she spotted Miguel sitting by the window, a cup of coffee in front of him. His smile softened as he saw her, and he gestured for her to join him.

“I’m glad you came,” he said, his voice warmer than usual. “I know it’s been a lot lately, and I thought we could talk about it—about everything that’s going on.”

Zhen nodded and sat down. The weight of the day seemed to lift as they talked. They discussed Johnny’s plans for the tournament, their roles in Cobra Kai, and how things were changing. The conversation flowed easily, and for the first time in a long time, Zhen felt like she wasn’t just another misfit, trying to fit in. She felt understood.

But as the evening wore on, Zhen couldn’t ignore the undercurrent of tension between them. Miguel’s compliments, his little glances, the way his voice softened when he spoke to her—it was all starting to feel like something more than just friendship.

She wasn’t sure what to do with it, though. She wasn’t used to people caring about her like this, and part of her resisted the idea of letting anyone too close. She had her own battles to fight, and relationships—complicated ones—only got in the way.

Just as she was about to change the subject, Miguel spoke up again, his voice quieter than before.

“Zhen, I… I was wondering if maybe you’d want to go to the tournament with me? I mean, if Johnny gets it all figured out, we’ll all be there, but… I’d like it if you were there with me.”

Zhen’s heart skipped a beat. She met his gaze, unsure of how to respond.

“I’ll think about it,” she said, her voice softer than she intended.

Miguel smiled, a hopeful look in his eyes. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

---

Later that night, Zhen sat in her apartment, staring out the window at the city lights. The All Valley Tournament, Johnny’s battle with the City Council, Miguel’s unexpected offer—it was all so overwhelming. She had so many questions, so many doubts.

But one thing was certain: things were changing. And for better or for worse, Zhen knew she would have to decide where she stood in all of it.

---

The next few days passed in a blur for Zhen. Johnny was relentless in his quest to fight the Cobra Kai ban, rallying the students and forcing them to step up their game in preparation for the possibility of the tournament going ahead. It was clear to everyone that Johnny had something to prove—not just to the City Council, but to himself. The dojo was buzzing with energy, but for Zhen, it felt like the pressure was building in more ways than one.

---

One afternoon, as Zhen was heading out for a quick break at the local diner, she received a text from Miguel: “You still good for tonight? Johnny’s giving us the night off to rest up.”

She paused for a moment, her finger hovering over the screen. The idea of going out, even just for coffee, seemed like a welcome distraction. But deep down, Zhen wasn’t sure where things were going with Miguel. He had been kind to her, offering her something she wasn’t used to—comfort and understanding—but she wasn’t sure if she was ready to lean into it.

Her mind shifted to the upcoming tournament, too. If Johnny won the fight to be part of the All Valley Karate Tournament, it would be a huge opportunity, not just for him but for all of them. And in the midst of it all, Zhen had to decide what role she was going to play—whether she would step up and be a leader, or stay in the shadows and let others take the spotlight.

“Yeah, I’ll be there,” she typed back, before locking her phone and heading out the door.

---

At the coffee shop, Miguel was already waiting. He looked up when she walked in, his smile warm, but there was a flicker of nervousness in his eyes. He stood up, his hands stuffed in his jacket pockets.

“Hey,” he greeted, his tone light. “I thought maybe we could get some air before everything goes down. I mean, we don’t know what Johnny’s gonna pull off with the City Council, and I don’t know… just feels like we could all use a little break.”

Zhen nodded, still unsure of where things were headed between them. She didn’t want to overthink it, but it was hard not to. There was a pull between them, a tension she couldn’t ignore. Maybe it was because she’d always kept people at a distance, always kept her emotions in check, but with Miguel, everything felt… different.

They walked outside, and the cool evening air felt like a much-needed reprieve. They talked about the usual—Johnny, Cobra Kai, the dojo—but it was clear that there was an underlying current of something more.

At one point, Miguel stopped walking and turned toward her, his expression serious. “Zhen, I don’t know if this is the right time, but… I just wanted you to know, I’m glad you’re here. You’re part of the team now, and that means more than I can put into words.”

Zhen felt her heart race, the weight of his words settling heavily on her. She wasn’t used to hearing things like that. Most people didn’t offer compliments or reassurances. They just took what they could and moved on. But Miguel wasn’t like that.

“Thanks,” she replied quietly, unsure of how to express the jumble of emotions swirling inside her. “I appreciate it. But I’m still figuring things out.”

“I get that,” Miguel said, his voice softening. “But you’ve got this, Zhen. I can see it.”

Zhen met his gaze, and for a moment, everything else faded away. The doubts, the uncertainty—none of it mattered in that moment. All that mattered was the quiet understanding between them.

“Maybe I’ll figure it out,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Maybe.”

---

Later that night, back at the dojo, Johnny had just finished laying out his plan to fight the ban. His face was set in determination, but there was an edge to his words, a sharpness that cut through the air.

“They think they can take us out, but they don’t know who they’re dealing with,” Johnny said, his gaze sweeping over the students. “I’m gonna fight this. And we’re gonna win. Because Cobra Kai never dies.”

The students nodded in agreement, some more fervently than others. Zhen, however, stood in the back, her arms crossed. Johnny’s confidence was infectious, but she wasn’t sure if she was ready to get swept up in the hype. She had her own battles to face, and the idea of being thrust into the spotlight again—whether at the tournament or in front of the dojo—felt like too much to handle.

Still, she couldn’t deny the part of her that felt a spark of excitement. For the first time in a long while, she was beginning to feel like she was part of something bigger than herself. And that was a feeling she wasn’t ready to let go of.

---

The next day, Zhen met up with Aisha after her shift at the diner. Aisha had been one of the few people at Cobra Kai who had truly reached out to Zhen, making an effort to be friends despite their differences. She had always been the more outgoing of the two, and Zhen appreciated the ease with which Aisha could make friends and build connections.

“You’re looking pensive,” Aisha remarked as they sat down at a park bench. “You’ve been quiet lately. Everything okay?”

Zhen hesitated, not sure how to put her feelings into words. “It’s just… a lot, you know? The dojo, the tournament, Miguel—everything’s changing so fast.”

Aisha raised an eyebrow. “Miguel, huh?” She leaned forward, a playful glint in her eyes. “I thought you guys were just friends.”

Zhen blushed, immediately feeling self-conscious. “It’s not like that,” she said quickly. “I mean, I don’t know what it is. We’re just talking.”

Aisha grinned. “If you say so, but I can tell there’s something going on there. You’ve got that look in your eyes.”

Zhen groaned, feeling a mix of embarrassment and confusion. “I don’t know what to do. I’ve never really had a lot of people around me, and now it’s like everything’s happening at once. I’m just trying to keep up.”

Aisha placed a hand on her shoulder, her expression softening. “You don’t have to figure it all out right now, Zhen. Take it one step at a time. You’ve got this. And if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here.”

Zhen smiled gratefully, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. For the first time in a while, she felt like she wasn’t alone. Even though things were uncertain, there were people who cared, people who wanted to see her succeed. And that was something worth fighting for.

---

The days leading up to the City Council meeting were tense. Johnny was relentless, pushing for the tournament to be reinstated, and everyone at Cobra Kai could feel the pressure mounting. But as Zhen stood in the dojo that evening, surrounded by her fellow students, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of calm wash over her. Whatever happened, she knew that she was exactly where she needed to be.

The All Valley Tournament wasn’t just about proving who was the best—it was about proving who they were, what they stood for, and how far they were willing to go to fight for what they believed in. And Zhen was ready to fight.

---

Zhen had always kept a strict routine—training at the dojo, working her shifts at the diner, and finding little moments to jog in the evenings. It was one of the few ways she could clear her mind, process the chaos of her new life, and find some peace. That evening, however, her usual jog took a terrifying turn.

It was a quiet night, the streets bathed in the soft glow of streetlights. Zhen had just finished a light stretch, lacing up her running shoes, when she set off down the familiar path she took every evening. She let her thoughts wander as she picked up her pace, breathing steadily, the rhythmic thud of her sneakers against the pavement grounding her. The air was cool, and for a moment, she felt like she could forget about everything—Cobra Kai, the City Council, her growing confusion about Miguel, and her fears for the upcoming tournament.

But the peaceful moment shattered in an instant.

Without warning, a car came barreling down the street, its headlights blinding Zhen for a split second. The sound of screeching tires filled her ears, and before she could even react, she was hit.

The impact was brutal. Her body was thrown onto the hood of the car, and then to the asphalt, her head slamming against the pavement. The world spun around her, and a sharp pain shot through her arm, making her gasp for breath. She tried to push herself up, but the pain was overwhelming, and her vision blurred.

The car screeched to a halt, and Zhen heard the door open. Panic set in as she struggled to stay conscious, her body aching all over, but her mind was still sharp enough to recognize the voice calling out to her.

“Are you okay?” a frantic voice shouted. It was a woman’s voice, trembling with fear. “Oh my God, I didn’t see you, I didn’t see you—”

Zhen tried to speak, to reassure her, but the pain was too much. Her right arm felt like it was on fire, and her head throbbed, making it impossible to focus.

Suddenly, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Someone else had arrived. The voice was familiar, but Zhen couldn’t place it in her dazed state. Then, through her haze, she saw a figure kneel beside her—Miguel.

"Zhen!" he called out, his face pale with panic. He reached for her, his hands gently pressing against her injured arm. "Don’t move. I’m here. We’re gonna get you help."

Everything was a blur after that. Miguel quickly pulled out his phone, calling for an ambulance, his voice shaky but determined. Zhen’s vision flickered as she struggled to stay awake, but the pain and the shock from the accident were starting to take their toll.

---

When Zhen awoke, she was in a hospital bed, her right arm in a cast, a bandage wrapped around her head. The sterile smell of the hospital and the soft beeping of machines were the first things she noticed. The world was slow to come into focus, but as her eyes adjusted, she saw Miguel sitting in a chair beside her, his expression etched with worry.

"Hey," he said softly, his voice a little hoarse. "How are you feeling?"

Zhen blinked, still disoriented. "What happened...?"

"You were hit by a car," Miguel explained, his voice tight. "It wasn’t your fault, Zhen. You were just jogging, and the driver wasn’t paying attention. You’ve been out for a while."

Zhen took a slow breath, her head still spinning from the events. "The car..."

Miguel nodded. "It wasn’t serious, but you broke your arm, and you had a pretty bad knock to the head. They said you were lucky it wasn’t worse."

Her mind raced as the pieces started to fall into place. She remembered the screeching tires, the feeling of being thrown onto the ground, and then... Miguel’s face. He had been there, had seen it all. It made her stomach turn with the thought of him seeing her like that, vulnerable and helpless.

"You stayed with me," Zhen murmured, her voice barely audible.

Miguel nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "Of course, I did. I wasn’t going to leave you alone. I’m just glad you’re awake."

There was a long silence between them. Zhen could feel the weight of his gaze, and despite everything, she couldn’t help but feel a connection, something unspoken in the air between them. He cared for her—she could see it in the way he was watching her, the worry in his expression.

"I'm fine," Zhen said, trying to sound stronger than she felt. "I’ll heal. It’s just a broken arm."

Miguel gave a small shake of his head. "It’s not just that. You’ve been through a lot. You were out cold for hours. I just... I just want you to be okay."

Zhen looked away, feeling her throat tighten. She wasn’t used to people caring about her, not like this. Her life had always been about taking care of herself, about surviving on her own. But in this moment, she felt something shift. She wasn’t alone. Miguel was there.

"I’ll be okay," she said again, more firmly this time. "I always am."

Miguel didn’t respond right away. Instead, he reached over and gently took her hand, his grip warm and reassuring.

"We’ll get through this," he said quietly. "Together."

Zhen was about to respond when the door to her hospital room opened, and a nurse came in, followed by Johnny. He didn’t seem angry or impatient—just concerned.

"How’s she doing?" Johnny asked, his voice softer than usual as he looked at Zhen.

"She’s awake," Miguel answered, still holding Zhen’s hand. "The doctor says she’s going to be fine. Just needs rest."

Johnny nodded. "Good. We’ll make sure everything’s covered. You focus on healing."

Zhen felt a strange sense of comfort wash over her. For the first time in a long time, she didn’t feel entirely alone. Even though her body hurt and the uncertainty of everything still loomed over her, she knew she had a place in this world—a place where people cared.

Miguel squeezed her hand again, his eyes soft. "I’ll be here, okay? You’re not alone in this."

Zhen gave him a faint smile, the edges of her lips curving upward despite the pain. "Thanks, Miguel."

---

As Zhen rested in the hospital bed, she couldn’t shake the feeling that everything had changed. The accident had made her realize just how fragile life was, how quickly things could change. She wasn’t sure what the future held, but she knew one thing for certain—she wasn’t going to give up.

She had survived this far, and she would keep fighting. She had people who cared about her, and maybe—just maybe—that was enough to keep her going.