𝐓𝐖𝐎. 𝖡𝖠𝖢𝖪 𝖨𝖭 𝖡𝖫𝖠𝖢𝖪

Liam stepped into the dojo early the next morning, his muscles sore from the previous day's intense training, but his resolve was stronger than ever. The bruises he’d accumulated during the last few days were nothing compared to the emotional weight he carried. He'd been at Cobra Kai for a few weeks now, but it still felt new. Not just the dojo, but the people—the lives he was becoming a part of.

Today, Johnny had something different planned. He’d been looking at Liam in ways that were hard to decipher—sometimes approving, sometimes disapproving. But now there was an edge to Johnny’s demeanor that Liam hadn’t seen before. He had his work cut out for him.

As he entered the dojo, he was surprised to see a new face standing near the edge of the mat. It was a guy around his age, looking a little out of place in a Cobra Kai gi. He had dark hair, a scruffy beard, and a look on his face like he wasn’t sure what he was getting into.

Johnny was talking to him, arms crossed, as he glanced over at Liam, then back at the stranger. "You’re gonna learn the Cobra Kai way, kid. It’s not about the punches and kicks. It’s about how you react when you get knocked down."

Liam raised an eyebrow, curious about what Johnny had in mind. He was used to Johnny's unorthodox methods by now, but there was something about this guy that made him wary.

Johnny turned to Liam as if reading his mind. “Don’t worry, you’re not getting off easy either. I’ve got a new plan for you both.”

Liam didn’t argue, stepping forward to join them on the mat. As Johnny began explaining the day’s lesson, Liam glanced at the new guy again. He looked like he was just as confused as Liam had been when he first walked into Cobra Kai.

"You're going to get paired up for this," Johnny said with a mischievous grin. "This is the first lesson of many. You’ll learn what it means to be a real fighter. No more of that fancy, clean stuff. We're about raw survival here."

The new guy gulped, looking nervous, but Johnny's confidence was contagious. Despite his doubts, Liam stood a little taller.

---

The training that followed was like nothing Liam had ever experienced. Johnny had them spar with random, uncoordinated movements designed to throw them off-balance, to break their focus and make them react instinctively. Johnny’s approach was chaotic, a mix of brute force and unpredictable tactics.

Liam had always been trained to think ahead, to plan his next move, but Johnny wasn’t giving them that luxury. He was teaching them to react, to fight in the moment, not worry about what came next. It was brutal, exhausting, but oddly liberating.

As they trained, Johnny occasionally looked over at Liam, offering a slight nod or a sharp word of critique. The training was intense, but Liam could feel himself improving. He was stronger, faster, more attuned to the chaos around him.

As the session went on, Johnny called for a break. He grabbed a towel and wiped his face, his voice gruff. "You’re gonna learn this the hard way," he said, looking between the two of them. "The dojo's not here to hold your hand. We’re here to teach you to survive."

Liam's thoughts drifted briefly to Lilu. He hadn’t seen her much since their conversation at the park. She was always busy with her own struggles—her complicated past, her family issues. But every time he saw her, he was reminded of how much she had been through. And how much he still wanted to help her. Maybe it wasn’t just about fighting. Maybe it was about finding a way to get through life together.

His phone buzzed from his gym bag, snapping him out of his thoughts. It was a message from Lilu: Meet me after training. We need to talk.

---

Later that day, after a brutal session of sparring, Liam made his way outside, where Lilu was leaning against the side of the dojo, waiting for him. She looked even more serious than usual, and Liam’s heart skipped a beat.

“What’s up?” he asked, walking toward her.

Lilu didn’t waste time. She looked at him, her expression unreadable. "I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but things are getting a little out of control."

Liam frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"

She pushed herself off the wall and started pacing, her frustration clear. "Johnny’s not just teaching you how to fight. He’s pushing you to become something else—something dangerous. I don’t know if it’s a good idea for you to stay in this dojo."

Liam opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off, shaking her head.

“I’m not trying to tell you what to do,” Lilu said, her voice softer now. "But you need to be careful. There’s more to life than fighting. There’s more to you than just being Cobra Kai’s next top fighter."

Liam felt a pang of guilt. He knew she was right. Johnny’s methods were extreme, and sometimes he didn’t feel like he was learning anything that would help him beyond the mat. But at the same time, it felt like something he needed to do. He didn’t know if he was strong enough without it.

“I’ll figure it out,” he said, trying to reassure her. "But I can’t just walk away. Not now."

Lilu stopped pacing and faced him directly. There was a long silence before she spoke again. "I just want you to be careful, Liam. This dojo, this philosophy—it changes people. It might change you."

Liam nodded, understanding the weight of her words. He wasn’t sure what the future held, but right now, Cobra Kai was his only way forward. He had to keep pushing, even if it meant risking everything he had left.

“I know,” he whispered, looking into her eyes. "But I have to try."

As Lilu watched him, her expression softened. She didn’t agree with his decision, but she understood it. Sometimes, people had to make their own choices, even if it meant walking down a dangerous path.

“I’ll always be here for you,” Lilu said quietly. "Just don’t forget that."

Liam gave her a small smile, grateful for her unwavering support. "I won’t."

The night was quiet, and for a moment, they just stood there together, each lost in their own thoughts. Despite everything, despite the chaos and the uncertainty, Liam felt like he wasn’t alone. And for once, that was enough.

---

The next day at school, Liam walked through the crowded hallways with his head held high, but his nerves were on edge. Being the new kid wasn’t easy, especially in a place where everyone had already found their social circle. But it wasn’t the cliques or the gossip that bothered him—it was the way people looked at him.

He wasn’t like the others. He wasn’t from around here. And he wasn’t sure how long he could keep pretending he fit in.

Lilu had warned him that school life in America wasn’t exactly friendly, but he hadn’t expected to be thrown into the deep end so quickly.

As he made his way to the cafeteria, he noticed a group of guys eyeing him from the side. Kyler, the same guy who’d been bothering Miguel during their earlier encounters at the dojo, was part of the group. Kyler’s cocky smirk made it clear that trouble was brewing.

Liam had seen this before. The way people acted when they wanted to prove something, to assert dominance. It was a game, and Kyler had already decided he was going to make Liam his next target.

“Hey, new kid,” Kyler called out from across the room, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “I haven’t seen you around here before. You don’t look like you belong.”

Liam didn’t let it faze him. He’d dealt with bullies his whole life. And as much as he hated the situation, he knew how to handle it. He ignored Kyler for a moment and walked over to where Dimitri and Lilu were sitting.

“You’re late,” Dimitri said with a slight grin, already knowing Liam was never on time for anything.

“I had a run-in with the local welcoming committee,” Liam replied, his tone casual but there was an edge to his voice that Dimitri immediately recognized.

Lilu looked up, sensing the tension in the air. She noticed Kyler and his friends standing not too far away, watching the scene unfold with increasing interest.

Kyler, sensing he wasn’t getting a rise out of Liam just yet, made his way over to the table, flanked by a couple of his friends. “What’s up, new kid? I see you’re already hanging out with the geeks.”

Liam’s jaw tightened, but he kept his cool. “What’s it to you, Kyler?” he said evenly. "Got nothing better to do?"

Kyler snorted, stepping closer to Liam, his face inches from his. “You think you're tough? You’re nothing but a soldier who doesn’t know the first thing about real high school life.”

Lilu stood up from the table, sensing the impending confrontation. “Kyler, leave it alone,” she said, her voice firm, but her eyes were sharp with concern. She had seen enough of Kyler’s behavior to know this wasn’t going to end well if they didn’t stop it now.

Kyler shot her a dismissive look. “Oh, you’re defending him now? The new guy is too tough for you, huh?” he mocked.

Liam didn’t flinch, but he could feel the heat rising in his chest. He didn’t like being underestimated. And there was something about Kyler’s arrogance that made his blood boil.

Kyler’s friends circled around, eager to see where this was going. A few others from the cafeteria were starting to take notice. It was turning into a public spectacle.

Before anyone could say another word, Kyler pushed Liam’s shoulder roughly, trying to shove him back into his seat. “I don’t care where you come from, you don’t talk to me like that, new kid.”

Liam’s eyes locked onto Kyler’s, and in an instant, something inside him snapped. The anger that had been building up from all the tension of being new, the isolation, and the constant reminders of how different he was all came crashing down.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Liam reacted. He dodged Kyler’s next move, swatting his hand away effortlessly. He knew how to fight—how to read his opponent—and Kyler was about to learn that the hard way.

Kyler swung again, this time aiming a punch toward Liam’s face. Liam didn’t hesitate. He dodged to the side, grabbing Kyler’s arm mid-swing and flipping him onto the floor in one smooth motion.

The cafeteria went quiet as everyone watched in shock. Kyler was sprawled out on the ground, his pride wounded more than anything else. The group of friends he’d been with backed off, looking uncomfortable but unsure of what to do next.

Liam stood over him, his chest rising and falling with controlled breath. He didn’t look down at Kyler with anger, just an expression of cold, steady resolve. He had made his point.

“You’re lucky I’m not interested in starting something here,” Liam said coolly, his voice unwavering. "But if you ever try something like that again, I won’t hold back.”

Kyler didn’t move for a moment, laying there on the ground, humiliated. His friends were awkwardly looking away, unsure if they should step in. They could tell that Kyler had just picked a fight with the wrong person.

Finally, Kyler pushed himself up, glaring at Liam. “This isn’t over,” he spat, wiping the dirt off his shirt. But the venom in his voice lacked the usual confidence. He knew better than to push Liam further.

Liam turned to walk away, giving Lilu and Dimitri a quick look before heading back to his seat. As he sat down, Dimitri raised an eyebrow, impressed.

“That was some move, man,” Dimitri said with a chuckle, while Lilu just shook her head with a mixture of concern and admiration.

“I didn’t want to make a scene, but he kept pushing,” Liam replied, his voice calm, though his adrenaline was still pumping.

Lilu leaned in, whispering, “I told you to be careful. Kyler’s got a big mouth, but don’t let him get under your skin. It’s not worth it.”

Liam nodded, his mind already moving past the fight. He didn’t want to make enemies here, but some people just didn’t know when to back off.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, the tension in the cafeteria started to ease. But Liam knew this wasn’t over. Kyler would probably be looking for a way to get back at him, but Liam was ready. He’d fought harder battles in his life than this.

Lilu gave him one last look, her eyes softening. “Just be careful, okay?”

Liam smiled faintly, “Always am.”

But as he walked out of the cafeteria, he couldn’t shake the feeling that things were only going to get harder from here.

---

As the day wore on, the tension from the cafeteria incident lingered in the air. Liam had hoped that standing up to Kyler would set the record straight, but as he passed through the hallways, he could feel eyes on him. Whispers followed him wherever he went, a mix of curiosity and intrigue, as if the entire school was trying to figure out who he was and why he had no fear of taking on their resident bully.

Lilu, Dimitri, and Tory were the only ones who really understood what was going on. While Dimitri was more cautious, always the strategist, Tory had an edge to her that Liam recognized. She didn’t care about the popularity games, and neither did he. They both had a history of having to stand on their own two feet, and neither of them liked people who thought they could push others around.

Later that afternoon, as Liam and Tory walked to their next class together, he couldn’t help but feel the weight of the looks they were getting. The hallway was full of students who had clearly seen the viral video of his fight with Kyler. Some looked at him with admiration, others with a bit of fear in their eyes, but none of them dared to challenge him.

“I didn’t expect you to do all that,” Tory said, her voice low but filled with a hint of amusement. “Not the best way to make an entrance, but I guess it worked.”

Liam gave her a side glance, smirking a little. “I didn’t exactly plan on it. But sometimes, people like him need to be taught a lesson.”

Tory raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed by his no-nonsense attitude. “You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, Liam. I can respect that.”

Liam smiled, though his eyes remained focused ahead. “Yeah, well... sometimes life doesn’t give you much choice but to fight back.”

They reached their next class, and Liam hesitated for a moment before opening the door. He wasn’t used to this kind of attention, and it made him feel a little uneasy, but he wasn’t about to let it show.

“Hey, new kid,” a voice suddenly called out from behind him. Liam turned to see Kyler, flanked by a few of his friends. His face was still flushed with the humiliation from earlier, and his jaw was set tight with anger. “You think you can just walk around here like you own the place?”

Liam’s eyes narrowed as he stepped back from the door, letting Kyler approach. “I don’t own the place. But I don’t let assholes like you push me around, either.”

Kyler’s friends exchanged uncertain glances. They didn’t seem too eager to get involved this time. Kyler, however, wasn’t backing down. “We’re not done with this, you and me,” he spat, taking a step forward.

Liam didn’t move, his stance steady and relaxed. He had learned long ago that it wasn’t about trying to intimidate your opponent—it was about knowing when to strike, when to hold back, and when to just walk away.

Before Kyler could take another step, the bell rang, signaling the start of class. Liam shot Kyler a look, his expression unreadable. “Save it for later,” he said coolly, turning to enter the classroom.

Tory followed him inside, her eyes flicking back to Kyler for just a moment. She was clearly curious about how far this was going to go, but she was also aware that Liam wasn’t someone to mess with.

The rest of the school day passed in a blur. Every time Liam turned a corner, he felt like he was walking straight into a conversation about the fight or a stifled whisper about him. It didn’t help that his reputation as the new kid who had taken down Kyler spread like wildfire. People were either in awe or a little afraid of him.

At the end of the day, as Liam made his way out of the school building, he noticed Lilu standing near the gates, waiting for him. She had a serious look on her face, her arms crossed in front of her.

“You really don’t know how to stay out of trouble, do you?” she said, though there was a hint of affection in her voice.

Liam chuckled, running a hand through his hair. “What can I say? It’s in my nature.”

Lilu smiled despite herself, shaking her head. “I can tell. But next time, try not to start a war on your first day, alright?”

Liam grinned. “I didn’t start it. He did.”

Lilu rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. “Yeah, yeah. Just... be careful. People like Kyler don’t let things go so easily. And you might’ve made an enemy of the entire school.”

“That’s fine by me,” Liam replied, his tone unwavering. “I’ve had worse enemies.”

As they walked to the parking lot together, Liam couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. Things in this school weren’t as simple as they seemed, but he was used to handling the chaos life threw at him. And he didn’t plan on backing down from any challenge that came his way—whether it was Kyler or anyone else.

Tory walked alongside them, glancing at Liam with a thoughtful expression. “So... you’re not from around here, huh?”

Liam turned to her with a grin. “You could say that. I’m a little... different.”

“You’re more than different,” she teased. “You’re a whole new level of trouble.”

Liam laughed, but there was a certain weight in his eyes as he glanced back at the school. "Maybe. But it’s the trouble that keeps things interesting, right?”

Tory snorted, and Lilu gave him a sideways glance. “You really don’t know how to take things easy, do you?”

Liam shrugged. “Taking it easy never helped anyone.”

--

As they walked out of the school gates, the sun was starting to set, casting long shadows across the parking lot. The air was cool, a faint breeze ruffling through the trees nearby. Lilu and Tory walked side by side with Liam, but there was an unspoken tension in the air. Lilu had noticed how the whole school seemed to be buzzing about him, talking about his fight with Kyler.

“Don’t think this is over,” Lilu said after a long silence, glancing up at Liam. Her voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. “Kyler doesn’t just forget things like that. And now the whole school has their eyes on you.”

Liam smiled wryly, his eyes distant as he stared ahead. "Let them look. I’m not here to be a target. But if they want to try me, they can. I’ve dealt with worse.”

Tory raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest. “Is that supposed to impress us?”

Liam turned to her, his gaze steady but thoughtful. “It’s not about impressing anyone. It’s just how I’ve always been.”

Lilu didn’t say anything at first. She had her own reservations about Liam’s brash approach to things, but part of her admired his confidence. She had always been used to taking care of herself, and it seemed like he was the same.

“I know you’ve been through a lot,” Lilu said softly, her eyes flicking between Liam and Tory. “But school’s different. People won’t just fight you with their fists; they’ll do it with their words, their reputation. And Kyler... he’s not going to let you walk away from this easily.”

Liam nodded, understanding the weight of her words. “I get it. But if he wants to come at me again, I’ll be ready.”

Tory smirked, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth. “You really do like trouble, huh?”

Liam chuckled lightly, shrugging his shoulders. “Sometimes trouble’s the only thing worth chasing.”

The three of them reached the parking lot, where Lilu’s car was parked. She had her keys in hand, the weight of the moment lingering in the air. She glanced over at Liam, who was still looking at the school with a focused expression. For a moment, it felt like he wasn’t even there with them, his mind somewhere else.

“We should get out of here before the rest of the school catches up with us,” Lilu said, breaking the silence.

Tory nodded, giving Liam a sideways glance. “Yeah, before Kyler’s little minions show up to give you a round two.”

Liam didn’t respond right away, but when he finally did, it was with a knowing smile. “Bring it on.”

The three of them piled into the car, and Lilu drove them to a nearby diner. The night air was cool, and the diner’s neon lights flickered slightly as they pulled into the parking lot. It was a familiar place, a little run-down, but it had always been a place where they could escape from the world.

As they sat down at a booth, Liam could feel the eyes of everyone in the diner on him. He wasn’t used to the attention, but it didn’t bother him as much as it used to. After everything he had gone through, he had learned how to block it out.

“So,” Tory started, breaking the silence as they all settled into the booth. “How does it feel to be the new guy, and already the most talked-about person in school?”

Liam grinned, leaning back in his seat. “It’s... interesting. I never thought I’d be making a name for myself like this.”

Lilu watched him closely, her eyes narrowing slightly. “You might want to be careful. If you keep going like this, you might end up becoming someone else’s problem.”

Liam leaned forward, his gaze meeting hers. “I’ve already been someone’s problem. You think this school can intimidate me?”

Tory let out a small laugh, clearly enjoying the dynamic between the two. “This guy’s got a big chip on his shoulder.”

Lilu rolled her eyes but couldn’t help a small smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah, and sometimes he doesn’t know when to back off.”

Liam looked between them, his expression softening. “I’m not here to make enemies. I just don’t take crap from anyone. And if that puts me in the firing line, so be it.”

Lilu studied him for a moment, then turned her attention to the menu. “Well, I don’t know about you, but I could use a burger right about now.”

Tory raised her hand. “Same here.”

Liam gave a small chuckle and raised his hand as well. “You’re buying, right?”

Lilu shot him a playful look, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Don’t push your luck.”

The conversation shifted to lighter topics as the night went on, but the tension from earlier still lingered in the back of their minds. Liam’s fight with Kyler was far from over, and it was only a matter of time before the school would either rally behind him or turn on him completely.

But for now, they could enjoy the relative calm. For a brief moment, it felt like things might be okay. At least, until the next round of drama came knocking.

Liam leaned back in the booth, his mind racing with what lay ahead. He had learned the hard way that life didn’t give second chances, but he also knew that he wasn’t someone who would just fade into the background. He had been through too much to just be another face in the crowd. And as the night carried on, he couldn’t help but feel that, for better or worse, he was about to become a permanent fixture in this school’s story.