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The morning sun filtered through the windows of the school hallway, casting warm streaks of light across the bustling crowd of students. Belle leaned casually against a locker, her arms crossed, her lips curled into a smile as she laughed at Demetri's latest dramatic retelling of his summer misadventures.

"So, I'm digging through my backpack, panicking, thinking I lost my locker combination forever," Demetri said, his voice dripping with exaggerated despair. "And where do I find it? Under a stack of textbooks that I swear I didn't even touch since June."

Belle tilted her head, laughing softly. "Sounds like a classic case of overthinking, Demetri. Did it ever occur to you to check there first?"

"See, I knew you'd say that," Demetri said, pointing a finger at her. "But in my defense, I'm pretty sure the books were plotting against me. Like, why else would they cover up the paper?"

"Right, because textbooks are sentient beings now," Eli chimed in, his tone laced with mock seriousness. He smirked, leaning against the lockers beside them. "Admit it, Demetri, you're just terrible at keeping track of your stuff."

"Hey! I'll have you know I've got a system!" Demetri shot back, looking indignant. "It's just... not always a perfect system."

Belle was about to tease him further when she suddenly felt a pair of hands gently wrap around her waist from behind. A warm presence leaned in close, and before she could react, Miguel pressed a soft kiss to her cheek, sending a wave of butterflies fluttering through her stomach.

"Hey, you," Miguel said, his voice low and teasing as he rested his chin on her shoulder.

Belle turned her head slightly, her cheeks instantly flushing pink. Her smile widened as she met Miguel's warm brown eyes. "Hi," she replied softly, her voice almost a whisper.

"Oh, come on," Eli groaned, dramatically rolling his eyes as he stepped back. "Do you guys have to be this cute? It's way too early for this."

"What? It's romantic," Demetri said, grinning at Belle and Miguel. "But yeah, we should probably leave before the PDA gets out of hand."

Eli gave Miguel a mock salute. "Have fun, lovebirds," he said, nudging Demetri to follow him. "Just don't make us late for class."

As they walked off, Miguel chuckled, his attention never leaving Belle. He slid his hands into his pockets and leaned casually against the lockers beside her. "So, how's the first day of senior year going for you?" he asked, his tone warm and curious.

Belle's smile grew, her excitement bubbling over as she shrugged lightly. "Amazing! But... also kind of terrifying. I only have, like, two classes left to take, so it feels like the year's already over before it's even really started."

Miguel nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah, I get that. It's kind of weird, right? Like, we're so close to the end, but it feels like there's still so much left to figure out."

"Exactly!" Belle said, her hands gesturing animatedly. "It's like, part of me is so ready to move on, but the other part is just..." She paused, searching for the right words. "Nervous, I guess. There's so much to think about, and sometimes it feels overwhelming."

Miguel reached out, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. His touch was soft, lingering for a moment before he let his hand drop. "Hey," he said gently, "you don't have to have it all figured out right now. We've got time."

Belle's heart swelled at his reassurance, and she couldn't help but smile up at him. "Thanks, Miguel. That actually makes me feel a little better."

Miguel grinned, his dimples making an appearance. "Good. Because you're gonna crush it this year, Belle. I know you will."

For a moment, they just stood there, lost in each other's gaze. Belle felt her nerves melt away, replaced by a warm, giddy feeling that she couldn't quite describe. Miguel had that effect on her-he made everything feel lighter, like she could handle anything as long as he was by her side.

The spell was broken when the bell rang, signaling the start of the next period. Belle sighed softly, glancing down the hall. "Guess that's our cue."

Miguel nodded, though he didn't seem in any hurry to leave. "Yeah, but... remind me-when do I get to see you again?"

Belle giggled, her cheeks still slightly pink. "Lunch," she promised, giving his hand a quick squeeze. "We can catch up then."

Miguel smiled, watching as she turned to walk away. "Can't wait," he called after her, his voice full of affection.

Belle walked down the hallway, her heart fluttering as she replayed the moment in her head. Senior year might be full of challenges, but with Miguel by her side, she was certain it was going to be one of the best years yet.

As Hawk and Demetri stood proudly beside their covered board, anticipation hung thick in the air. Belle and Miguel exchanged excited glances, practically bouncing on their heels as the two boys prepared to unveil the new dojo name.

"It's been a long road, but we're finally all on the same side," Eli said, his voice carrying a sense of determination. "And as a reward? The toughest test any of us have ever had to face."

"The Sekai Taikai is the most prestigious karate tournament in modern martial arts history," Demetri added, his excitement evident. "For over a century, fighters from across the globe have gathered every two years to compete for the title of World's Best."

"If the All Valley is March Madness, this is the Olympics, plus the gladiator games and the kumite from Bloodsport all rolled into one," Eli continued, his intensity matching the occasion.

Johnny, standing beside Belle and Miguel, nodded approvingly. "Yeah," he muttered under his breath, clearly caught up in the hype of the moment.

Demetri began, "If we win-" but Eli quickly cleared his throat, cutting him off. "Excuse me. When we win, the spoils will be life-changing."

Eli's expression grew more serious as he continued. "But it's gonna take all of our focus and all the wisdom our senseis have to offer." His eyes darted to Johnny, Chozen, and Daniel, all of whom stood nearby, watching with interest.

Demetri then took over, full of confidence. "Yes, which is why we decided to take at least one thing off your plates. Coming up with our new dojo name."

"Yes! After some spirited brainstorming and ad hoc focus-grouping, and also a dojo-wide vote, we have a winner!" Eli announced, his excitement infectious.

Belle bit her lip anxiously, barely containing their curiosity. The air was thick with suspense as Eli and Demetri turned toward the covered board. "We give you..."

In one synchronized motion, they pulled off the tarp.

The reveal was... not what anyone expected. On the board, in bold colors, was a cartoonish version of Mr. Miyagi with a giant head, standing proudly beneath the newly revealed dojo name: Miyagi-Fang Karate.

Belle's jaw dropped. Miguel and Belle exchanged wide-eyed looks, stifling laughter, unsure whether to applaud or cringe. The name, Miyagi-Fang, was perfect. But the logo... it was definitely something else. Mr. Miyagi's exaggerated, cartoonish head looked both comical and out of place, almost like something from a Saturday morning cartoon.

The dojo erupted in applause, clearly embracing the name. Belle sneaked a glance over at their senseis. Johnny was clapping enthusiastically, clearly on board with the entire concept. But Daniel and Chozen? Their expressions were an entirely different story. Daniel's eyebrows were furrowed in disbelief, and Chozen looked like he was struggling to process what he was seeing.

Belle leaned toward Miguel, whispering with a smirk, "Okay, the name? Awesome. The logo? Uh..."

Mighel bit back a laugh, whispering back, "I think Mr. Miyagi would be proud... maybe."

The couple chuckled quietly as Eli and Demetri stood there, soaking in the approval. Even with the slightly questionable design, the dojo had a new identity. And with the Sekai Taikai looming ahead, it was clear that Miyagi-Fang Karate was ready for the challenge, giant cartoon head and all.

The arcade buzzed with life-flashing neon lights, the hum of machines, and the occasional cheer or groan from players. Belle stuffed her hands into the pocket of her hoodie as Miguel stood beside her, his arm lightly brushing hers. The tension of the double date was palpable, mostly stemming from the stark contrast between her and Tory. While Belle's natural warmth and bubbliness had her trying to make the best of the situation, Tory's closed-off demeanor made it feel like walking on eggshells.

Robby's fist collided with the punching bag of the strength test game, sending it flying upward. Numbers flashed across the screen before settling on 868. He turned to the group with a self-satisfied grin.

"What can I say? It's all in the legs," Robby boasted, leaning casually against the machine.

Miguel laughed, crossing his arms. "Yeah, well, congrats on your rather average leg strength, sir," he teased, shooting his stepbrother a playful smirk.

Belle chuckled softly at Miguel's sarcasm. "Wow, I'm impressed," she added with a light tone, though her gaze flitted between Tory and Robby, unsure how Tory would take Miguel's ribbing.

Robby ignored the jab, instead turning to the girls. "All right, who's next?"

"I'm good," Tory said quickly, folding her arms and looking away, clearly uninterested.

Belle hesitated, glancing at Miguel. "I... yeah, me too," she muttered. It wasn't that she couldn't hit the bag-she just wasn't in the mood to make this already awkward situation worse.

Miguel nodded, clearly trying to salvage the mood. "Okay, what about the batting cages? I heard there's a new fast pitch," he suggested, his voice hopeful.

Belle perked up. "Sure!" she exclaimed, flashing Miguel a supportive smile. She glanced at Tory, who simply gave a blank stare.

"Sounds fun," Tory said monotonously, her tone devoid of enthusiasm.

Belle sighed inwardly, following Tory and Robby as they began to walk toward the batting cages. Miguel fell into step beside her, leaning slightly closer.

"For some reason, I don't think Tory actually thinks it sounds fun," Miguel said under his breath, mock-imitating Tory's flat tone.

Belle stifled a laugh, nudging him with her elbow. "It's a double date with your ex, who is also kind of Sam and I's nemesis. So... yes, this is a bit awkward."

Miguel tilted his head, frowning slightly. "I didn't think she was your enemy anymore."

Belle shrugged, her gaze drifting ahead to where Tory and Robby walked. "I mean... I'm not really sure. Things are... complicated. Whose idea was this double date, anyway?" she asked, furrowing her brows.

"Robby's," Miguel replied, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

Belle nodded slowly. "Figures. I'm not even sure if Tory wants to learn Miyagi-Do or if it's just a way to get to the Sekai Taikai," she admitted, her voice lowering as her frown deepened.

Miguel gently bumped her shoulder, drawing her attention. "Just give her some time, okay? She'll come around."

Belle let out a small sigh but nodded, trusting Miguel's optimism. The group slowed to a stop as Robby's attention shifted, his gaze locking onto someone nearby. Belle followed his line of sight and spotted Kenny at the basketball game, shooting hoops with impressive accuracy.

Tory tilted her head toward Robby. "He's still not talking to you?" she asked, her voice softer than usual.

Robby shook his head, a flicker of frustration crossing his face. "No. I've gotta give it another shot. He needs to know there's another way besides the crap Silver was feeding him. At least here, he can't send my call to voicemail."

Belle glanced at Miguel, sharing a silent moment of understanding. They'd all seen how much Silver's manipulation had affected Kenny-and how much Robby regretted letting it happen.

Kenny finished his game, stepping away from the machine. Robby straightened, determination hardening his expression. He turned back to the group.

"I'll be right back," Robby said, already taking a step in Kenny's direction.

Miguel and Belle nodded, watching him walk off before glancing at Tory, who stood with her arms crossed, her eyes following Robby intently.

As Robby disappeared into the crowd, Miguel looked back at Belle and offered a small smile. "Well, this double date's off to a... unique start," he joked.

Belle laughed softly, though the tension between her and Tory still lingered in the air. "Yeah, you could say that," she replied, trying to focus on Miguel's comforting presence instead of the awkward dynamic surrounding them.

The atmosphere at the arcade table was thick with awkward tension as Belle, Miguel, and Tory sat together, waiting for Robby to return. The bright neon lights of the arcade flickered across their faces, but the vibrant energy of the place didn't seem to reach their little corner. A half-melted cup of ice cream sat in the middle of the table, spoons resting untouched on the surface. Miguel, trying to lighten the mood, had bought the dessert to share, but so far, he was the only one indulging in it.

Miguel scooped up another bite, glancing between Belle, his current girlfriend, and Tory, his ex. "So, I mean, it's our senior year, right? College right around the corner. Kinda crazy," he said, his tone overly casual as he attempted to steer the conversation into safer waters.

Belle gave him a small smile, leaning forward slightly. "Yeah, I mean, it does feel just like yesterday you walked up to me in the middle of the school hallway and asked where the health classroom was," she said, her tone warm with nostalgia. "And now we're planning our futures between training every day."

Miguel's lips curved into a grin, his eyes softening as he looked at Belle. "Yeah, pretty wild how far we've come."

Belle's smile widened, and she tilted her head. "I'm also excited to see what Stanford will say-if you got in or not. Which I hope you do," she added, her voice genuine and encouraging.

Miguel's face flushed slightly at her words, and he held up crossed fingers. "Fingers crossed," he said, his voice light and hopeful. Then, as if remembering they weren't alone, he glanced over at Tory. "What about you, Tory?"

Tory, who had been sitting with her arms crossed and an unimpressed expression, leaned back in her seat. Her tone was biting as she replied, "It's kinda hard to get in anywhere when you spent almost a year on probation."

Miguel winced at the harshness of her words, clearly unsure of how to respond. "Right," he muttered awkwardly, his gaze dropping to the ice cream.

Belle shifted uncomfortably in her chair, glancing nervously at Tory, then at Miguel. She bit her lip, unsure of what to say to ease the growing tension. Miguel, sensing Belle's discomfort, hesitated before scooping up another spoonful of ice cream, focusing on it like it was the most fascinating thing in the world.

"Um..." Miguel started, as if trying to think of something to say, but the words never came. Instead, he sighed and kept eating, his shoulders slumping slightly as the silence stretched between them.

Belle fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve, her usual cheer dimmed by the situation. She glanced at Tory, who seemed completely unbothered, her sharp expression betraying nothing but indifference. Belle turned her gaze to Miguel, who gave her a small, apologetic smile before looking down at the ice cream again. The arcade noise around them continued to buzz and hum, but their table felt like it was in its own little bubble of unease, waiting for Robby to return and hopefully burst the tension.

The evening at the batting cages had taken a sharp turn. Miguel and Robby were in the middle of a heated brawl with Shawn and Kenny, tension crackling like electricity in the air. Belle and Tory had just walked out when they saw the chaos unfolding. Kenny was on the ground, scrambling for a baseball bat nearby.

Without hesitation, Tory sprinted forward, her foot landing firmly on the bat before Kenny could grab it. "Really?" she asked, her voice dripping with disbelief as she glared down at him.

Kenny looked up at her, his face twisting in irritation. "Out of my way, Nichols. I don't wanna hit a girl," he spat, his bravado masking the tension in his voice.

Belle stepped into the batting cage, her presence calm but commanding. She let out a scoff, drawing Kenny's attention. "That's sweet. But don't worry, you won't," she said, crossing her arms as she stood beside Tory.

The two girls shared a quick glance, an unspoken understanding passing between them. It was rare for them to be on the same side of a fight, but tonight was different.

Kenny lunged at them, but Tory and Belle moved in perfect sync, each grabbing one of his arms and spinning him around. Kenny staggered back, his frustration evident.

"Kenny, you have a place at our dojo," Belle said earnestly, her voice softer but firm. "Everyone has a home at Miyagi-Do. It doesn't matter what happened."

Kenny's expression hardened as he shook his head. "It matters to me," he snapped, his tone filled with a mix of anger and hurt. He started to move toward his brother, who was still locked in combat with Miguel and Robby.

Determined to stop him, both girls grabbed Kenny's hands again, trying to hold him back. But Kenny was quick. He used their grip against them, pulling them forward with unexpected force. Belle stumbled back as Kenny smacked her hand away, a flicker of pain crossing her face.

"We're just trying to help you, Kenny!" Belle said, her voice rising as she steadied herself.

Kenny ignored her, his focus solely on the fight ahead. Tory stepped in, struggling to keep Kenny at bay, but his determination was unrelenting. As Kenny pushed forward, Belle lunged, delivering a well-aimed kick that sent him crashing into the chain-link fence.

Breathing heavily, Kenny tried to bolt again, but Tory and Belle wouldn't let him pass. When Kenny made another attempt, the girls sidestepped simultaneously, causing him to lose his balance and stumble into the fence once more.

Shawn, now fuming, loomed over them, his sharp glare slicing through the air. He reached down, grabbing Kenny by the arm. For a moment, it looked like he might retaliate, but instead, he pulled Kenny to his feet. Shawn's eyes flickered with warning as he glared at Tory and Belle one last time before retreating with his younger brother.

As the dust settled, Robby and Miguel jogged over to join them, both slightly out of breath but relieved the fight was over.

"Well, that could have gone better," Robby remarked, running a hand through his hair.

Miguel gave a breathy laugh. "Could have gone worse," he said with a grin, clearly trying to lighten the mood.

Belle looked at Tory, a small, genuine smile tugging at her lips. "You picked up Miyagi-Do pretty fast," she said, her voice warm despite the tense situation.

Tory glanced at her, a flicker of surprise crossing her face before she smirked slightly. "Yeah, well, I fought you and Sam enough. I guess some of it must have rubbed off."

Belle chuckled softly, the sound easing some of the lingering tension. It wasn't often that she and Tory found common ground, but in this moment, there was a sense of mutual respect.

Miguel and Robby exchanged a look, their expressions triumphant. Their plan to get Tory and Belle to work together had worked-maybe a little messier than expected, but it was a step in the right direction.

ASH SPEAKS!

im smelling a prologue book in the future...

im sick guys🤧 i have a bad cold

can we just talk about how miguel s6 part 1 and s6 part 2 has 2 different emotions?? part 1 he was so soft and happy but part 2... he was just angry :(

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)