Dedicated to @AbbyWatson4, @Robby2Keene, and @Billyshowwalterss

"Okay, above all else, I need to learn how to block a punch and make sure my sister doesn't outdo me," thought Anthony firmly as he walked into the backyard behind the "dojo."

The yard resembled that of a car's murder site, metal pieces strewn against the unkempt grassy ground below his feet. The air even smelled like mechanical oil, just as the workshop did in his parents' company.

I'm starting to seriously wonder if this place used to be a factory of my dad's...

"Are you ready to begin your training?" asked Chozen, politely.

He was standing in front of the dojo's back door, his arms tucked behind his back, elegantly.

"Yeah, but where's Sam and my dad?" responded Anthony, skeptically as he walked over to the middle of the yard.

I know they usually prefer to ditch me for their "father-daughter" time, but would they do that day one?

"This lesson is only going to be the three of us. But do not worry, your dad will be teaching you tomorrow," answered Chozen, clearly.

"Um, okay, I guess. Wait, did you say..." but his question was answered before he could even finish asking it.

Eli walked out of the dojo, bowing to his Sensei as he stood next to Anthony.

So bowing is a thing here. Good to know.

"Why aren't the others training with us, Sensei?" asked Eli, raising an eyebrow.

"Because I believe there is a very important lesson Anthony must learn before joining our dojo and I have been told that you are the best person to assist me," explained Chozen.

"You know, I don't really like the way you're saying "lesson," commented Anthony, nervously.

"Don't worry, we don't do things like that here," reassured Eli, patting him on the back.

This guy is actually pretty nice which means he probably hasn't dated my sister, yet. They definitely hold grudges.

"Thank you, Eli-San. Now, let's begin," announced Chozen, nodding.

Anthony didn't really know what this signal was so, he just shifted on his toes in an attempt to stand up straight. Eli readied his fists, holding both arms in front of his chest in a fighting position.

"This lesson will not require body, only mind," corrected Chozen as he kneeled onto the ground, crossing his legs over one another.

"Hopefully, this leads to some special Miyagi-Do trick I can use to defend myself against Kenny because yoga is not my thing," thought Anthony, rolling his eyes as he dropped onto the ground, folding his legs just as his Sensei had.

"I thought it was boring at first too, but you'll learn to love it," whispered Eli, slyly leaning over next to Anthony.

He could tell from Eli's sports suit that he was one of the cool kids in his sister's friend group, but his face wore a supportive smile that felt soothing in a way.

Is he always this nice or is it just with me?

"Now, we must close our eyes and then breathe," instructed Chozen before taking a deep breath.

Anthony did as he was told, though he was pretty sure the breath he took was much sharper than what his Sensei had intended.

"Now what?" questioned Anthony, struggling to keep his eyes shut with the surrounding noise emulating from within the dojo, most notably, Johnny's blaring rock music.

"Now, you must think of your worst mistake," answered Chozen as if the task were the simplest thing in the world.

"Why would I want to do that!" exclaimed Anthony, throwing his arms against the ground.

Chozen took a heavy breath, his expression changing into one of sympathy.

"Because everyone must face the choice between being the hero and villain and we have all been unfortunate enough to have decidedly wrongfully," reasoned Chozen, his facial expression still emotionless.

"Which is why you invited me here," added Eli, sighing.

Chozen just nodded, approvingly.

"So what? We're just going to all talk about how we used to be bullies?" asked Anthony, agitatedly.

If they've moved past their time as bullies then good for them, but that's still a fresh one for me.

"That's why we will not be talking about it, merely thinking," stated Chozen before shutting his eyes once more.

"This is ridiculous!" muttered Anthony, closing his eyes in anger.

When he signed up to do Miyagi-Do with his father, he'd thought that they'd be actually learning defensive skills, not talking about their mistakes.

Maybe that's the real reason why none of the rest of my family's here because I've always been the screw-up.

But as he sat there on the uneven, dirt-covered ground, his mind slowly drifted to the many pranks he'd played on Kenny. The rude insult at basketball try-outs in middle school, the milk explosion in his locker and worst of all, when he pretended to be Lia on Fortnite. Each one seemed worse than the last, building more and more tension inside Anthony's chest until he threw open his eyes, unable to take the regret any longer.

"I don't want to do this any more," said Anthony, his breathing heavier with each breath as the guilt consumed his every thought.

"I think that was the point of the lesson," said Eli, his fingers visibly clenching uncomfortably against the palms of his hands.

"You are correct," nodded Chozen, gently opening his eyes.

For the first time since he'd met his dad's friend, Chozen looked pained by something.

At least, it's not just me.

"Then what was the lesson for?" asked Anthony, his voice lowering a few notches.

"It was to show you that we all carry demons from our past, some worse than others, but redemption can always be found. Although you must accept your own actions first," explained Chozen, wisely.

The air turned still, the three past bullies thinking regretfully of their mistakes.

I never meant for things with Kenny to go so far, I just got so caught up in trying to be popular that I didn't realize who I was hurting.

"That was actually a pretty good lesson," smiled Anthony as he stood up, feeling a heavy burden leave his shoulders.

"Yeah, thanks, Sensei," said Eli, gratefully bowing.

"It is my honor," stated Chozen, smiling at his two students.

I think this karate thing might work, after all.