𝐒𝐈𝐗. 𝖰𝖴𝖨𝖵𝖤𝖱

Zhen stood at the bus stop, her eyes scanning the street as the world rushed by. It had been days since her conversation with Kreese, and though she was trying to focus on the dojo and improving her skills, her mind kept drifting back to what he had said about her mother. The past few days had been a blur of practicing karate, avoiding awkward run-ins with Sam, and trying to get some financial independence. The reality of life in California, without any family to rely on, was beginning to set in.

She had been to a few job interviews, each one more discouraging than the last. Her uncle’s money wasn’t enough to cover rent for much longer, and Zhen didn’t want to depend on anyone. She needed to stand on her own two feet. But jobs in California were hard to come by, especially for someone who was still figuring out where they truly fit in.

She was starting to lose hope when her phone buzzed. A text from Aisha popped up: “Hey, there’s a new opening at the diner down the street. I’ll put in a good word for you.”

Zhen felt a surge of relief. She hadn’t expected things to get easier, but maybe, just maybe, this would be the break she needed.

When she arrived at the diner, the sign outside was brightly lit, and the smells of greasy food and coffee wafted into the air. She stepped inside, finding the place almost empty. A few waiters moved quickly between tables, their motions fluid and practiced. Zhen approached the counter, where the manager, a middle-aged woman with dark circles under her eyes, looked up at her.

“You here for the job?” the woman asked, not bothering with pleasantries.

Zhen nodded. “Yes, I heard you’re hiring.”

The manager appraised her for a moment before gesturing toward the back. “Take a seat. I’ll get the paperwork.”

Zhen followed her instructions, feeling a nervous energy in her stomach. The job wasn’t glamorous, but it would help. She was about to fill out the application when her phone buzzed again. It was a message from Johnny: “Get to the dojo. We’ve got new recruits, and I need you to help show them the ropes.”

Zhen frowned, torn between the potential job and her commitment to Cobra Kai. In the end, she decided she could handle both. After all, earning money and honing her skills was the only way to build a future.

---

At the dojo, Johnny was working with a group of new recruits. They were a diverse mix of teens—some looking for discipline, others searching for a sense of belonging. Johnny had always been good at spotting the misfits, the ones who needed Cobra Kai to give them structure. But today, something felt different. These kids weren’t just the typical misfits; they were broken in their own ways. Johnny couldn’t help but feel a little bit of himself in them.

As Zhen walked into the dojo, she noticed the new faces. Some looked nervous, while others looked like they had something to prove. Johnny looked up and waved her over.

“Zhen! Glad you’re here. These kids need help. Show them how it’s done.”

Zhen nodded, stepping into the ring. She’d never been one to hesitate, and today was no different. Her punches landed with precision, her kicks swift and powerful. Johnny watched, a rare flicker of pride in his eyes.

The recruits watched intently, absorbing every movement she made. Zhen was fierce and unapologetic in her stance. She didn’t care about impressing anyone; she was here for one reason: to get better.

Meanwhile, Johnny was doing his best to keep the kids engaged. Some of them seemed more interested in the idea of being part of something than in actually learning martial arts. He knew that was part of the job—taking people who felt like they had nothing and showing them their own potential. But it wasn’t easy.

---

Later, after the lesson, Zhen pulled Johnny aside. “I need to leave early. I’ve got an interview for a job.”

Johnny raised an eyebrow. “A job? What happened to Cobra Kai being your focus?”

Zhen shrugged. “I’ve got to eat, Johnny. I can’t keep living off the little money I have left.”

Johnny hesitated, then sighed. “Alright, but don’t let it distract you from what matters. You’ve got potential, but you’ve got to stay hungry for it. Got it?”

Zhen nodded. “I’ll stay focused, don’t worry.”

Johnny’s eyes softened for a brief second before he waved her off. “Go on then. Get the job. But if you need help, you know where to find me.”

Zhen smiled faintly, appreciating the gesture. As she left the dojo, she couldn’t help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, she was starting to build something here.

---

Meanwhile, back at school, Sam had been spending more time with her new friend in science class, a quiet, bookish girl named Maya. Maya was the type of person Sam had always avoided—too quiet, too smart, not part of the popular crowd. But recently, Sam had been feeling the pressure of her social life weighing her down. She was tired of pretending everything was perfect, and she found herself seeking refuge in conversations with Maya.

Maya had a calm demeanor, and she was completely uninterested in the drama that surrounded Sam. For once, Sam didn’t have to pretend to be someone she wasn’t.

“You’re really good at this,” Maya said, smiling as Sam expertly dissected the frog in front of them.

Sam laughed nervously, glancing around to make sure no one was watching. “It’s just science,” she said, though there was a warmth in her voice that surprised her.

Maya raised an eyebrow. “Don’t sell yourself short. You’re better than most of the people in here.”

Sam smiled, feeling a bit lighter. Maybe she had more in common with Maya than she thought.

---

As Zhen sat at the counter of the diner later that evening, feeling the weight of a long day on her shoulders, she couldn’t help but think about how far she had come. She wasn’t where she wanted to be yet, but she was taking the steps toward building something solid.

Johnny’s dojo had become more than just a place to learn karate—it had become a place to discover who she was, and what she could become. She wasn’t a typical Cobra Kai student. She wasn’t even sure where she fit in. But for the first time, she was starting to feel like maybe she didn’t have to fit in at all. She just had to be herself.

And that was enough.

-

--

The diner was quiet that evening, the soft hum of the kitchen in the back blending with the clink of silverware on plates. Zhen wiped down the counter absently, her thoughts racing. The job wasn’t glamorous—far from it—but it was giving her the independence she so desperately needed. Money was tight, and while the shifts at the diner weren’t exactly ideal, they helped her cover the basics.

As she dried a glass, the door to the diner jingled open. A familiar face walked in, a face Zhen had seen in the dojo more times than she could count: Miguel. His usual energy was subdued today, and his smile seemed forced as he sat at the counter.

“Hey, Zhen,” he said, sliding onto a barstool. “What’s up?”

Zhen gave him a small, tired smile. “Nothing much. Just another day of trying to stay afloat.” She glanced around, feeling self-conscious. She wasn’t exactly proud of the fact that she was working here, but it was the reality she had to face.

“Yeah, I hear you,” Miguel said, his voice thoughtful. “We all gotta do what we gotta do.” He looked at her with a sudden spark of curiosity. “How’s Cobra Kai going for you? You still training hard?”

Zhen nodded, her fingers brushing over the cloth in her hands. “Yeah. Trying to keep up. Johnny’s been on me to give it my all. But between this job and everything else, it’s... a lot.”

Miguel tilted his head, eyes narrowing slightly as if he was weighing something in his mind. “You’ve got potential, Zhen. You just have to make time for it. Don’t let life get in the way of what you’re really after.”

Zhen chuckled softly, a little bitterly. “Easier said than done. When you’ve got no one to rely on, it’s hard to think about anything other than surviving.”

“Yeah, I get that.” Miguel’s voice softened, his tone more genuine now. “But you don’t have to do it alone. If you need help, you can count on us.”

Zhen met his gaze for a moment before glancing away, uncomfortable with how his words hit a little too close to home. “Thanks,” she said, forcing a smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

As Miguel left the diner, Zhen felt a strange mix of gratitude and loneliness. There were people around her offering support, yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that, in the end, she was the only one who could make things change for herself.

---

The next day, after finishing her shift at the diner, Zhen went straight to Cobra Kai for another round of training. Johnny had told her that there would be a “big test” for all the students today, and she needed to be ready. When she arrived, the dojo was already buzzing with energy. New students—mostly high schoolers with a chip on their shoulders—had started showing up in droves, eager to learn the ways of Cobra Kai.

Johnny was in the front, giving orders as usual. He looked up as Zhen entered, his eyes narrowing in approval. “You’re late. But I guess that’s to be expected from someone working a dead-end job,” he said with a smirk.

Zhen rolled her eyes but didn’t rise to the bait. “What’s the test?” she asked, her focus now entirely on what was happening.

Johnny gestured to the group of new recruits. “We’re doing a sparring session. Show them how it’s done, Zhen.”

Zhen was used to being the one called to demonstrate. She had spent months at the dojo, refining her technique. But today, there was a different kind of tension in the air. The students weren’t just watching; they were waiting for her to fail. And she wasn’t about to give them that satisfaction.

She stepped into the ring, her feet light but her heart heavy. As she sparred with one of the new guys—a lanky teenager who looked like he hadn’t seen a single fight in his life—she was aware of every single eye in the room. The pressure was building, but Zhen wasn’t the type to back down. She executed a series of precise kicks and punches, quickly gaining the upper hand. Her opponent stumbled, trying to recover, but she kept the pressure on, never slowing down.

Johnny watched from the sidelines, nodding in approval as she effortlessly knocked the kid off his feet. “Not bad,” he muttered to himself.

Zhen didn’t even break a sweat as she stepped back and offered her opponent a hand up. “Good effort,” she said. “But you’ve got a long way to go.”

The kid stood up, looking both impressed and humbled. Zhen wasn’t interested in gloating; she just wanted to show everyone that she could handle whatever came her way.

Johnny came over, clapping her on the back. “You’ve got that fire. I knew you did.” He grinned, his usual cocky attitude returning. “But don’t get too comfortable. There’s always someone better.”

Zhen nodded, wiping the sweat from her forehead. She wasn’t about to let that comment go to her head. “I’m not looking for competition. I’m here to get better.”

Johnny eyed her, his expression unreadable. “Yeah, well, if you’re going to stick around, you better learn how to deal with the competition. Everyone in here is fighting for something. You’d be smart to keep that in mind.”

---

That night, Zhen lay awake in her small apartment, staring at the ceiling. Her day had been a whirlwind—work, training, and dealing with the constant tension between her and the world around her. She knew she had what it took to make it, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was constantly fighting uphill. The job at the diner didn’t give her the sense of purpose she wanted, and Johnny’s dojo, while helpful, often felt more like a test of endurance than a place of growth.

She rolled over and grabbed her phone, scrolling through her messages. She saw a text from Miguel: “Keep your head up, Zhen. You’re not in this alone.”

Zhen smiled softly. She wasn’t sure what tomorrow would bring, but one thing was clear—she wasn’t ready to give up. Whatever the next challenge was, she would face it head-on, just like she always had.

---

The following week, Zhen woke up early to another hectic day ahead. The familiar buzz of her alarm dragged her out of sleep, and she squinted at the clock. It was barely 6 a.m. She quickly rolled out of bed and began her morning routine—brush teeth, change into her workout gear, grab a quick breakfast of coffee and toast, and then head out the door.

Today was important. Johnny had called a special training session for all Cobra Kai students. Word had spread quickly through the dojo about Zhen’s performance in the last sparring session, and Johnny was eager to see if she could continue to hold the attention of her fellow recruits. Zhen knew this was her chance to prove that she wasn’t just a random misfit who happened to stumble into Cobra Kai. She had to show everyone that she was in control and not just fighting for survival, but for something more.

---

When Zhen walked into the dojo that morning, the usual buzz of students practicing their moves filled the room. Johnny was already at the front, pacing as he instructed a small group of new recruits. Zhen’s eyes immediately went to Miguel, who was practicing his roundhouse kicks with another student. Their eyes met briefly, and Zhen nodded in acknowledgment.

Johnny saw her enter and gave a brief, approving nod. “Zhen, good you’re here. We’ve got some heavy hitters today, and I need you on your A-game.” His voice was firm, but there was a glimmer of something else in his eyes—perhaps a little pride.

Zhen nodded, her mind focused. “What’s the plan?”

Johnny looked over at the group of new recruits. “I want to see how well you can handle the pressure of teaching these kids. You’ve got a lot of potential, but today’s about making sure you can back it up.”

Zhen’s heart raced a little. Teaching? She wasn’t sure she was ready for that. But then again, that was always the story of her life—feeling like she was never truly ready for what life threw at her. Still, she trusted Johnny, and if he thought she could do it, she’d give it her all.

---

The class started, and Zhen was paired with a nervous-looking kid named Drew. He was a lanky teenager with shaggy hair, and his hands trembled as he tried to follow Zhen’s lead.

“Don’t worry about getting it perfect,” Zhen said, trying to calm him down. “Focus on your form, your technique. The rest will come.”

Drew nodded, but it was clear he was still unsure of himself. Zhen adjusted her stance, taking him through the basic moves slowly—punches, kicks, blocks. At first, he stumbled, but she kept her voice steady, guiding him through each movement with patience. It wasn’t easy, but she knew that teaching was about understanding and patience. She hadn’t had that in her life growing up, but now, as she showed Drew the ropes, she felt a strange sense of purpose settle in her chest.

As the session continued, Zhen kept an eye on the other students. Miguel was sparring with another recruit, and his moves had improved dramatically. She couldn’t help but feel a little proud of him, even though they weren’t close friends. He’d come a long way from the shy, unsure kid she first met at the dojo.

But there was something else on Zhen’s mind as she observed the room. She was keenly aware of how the other students—especially the new recruits—were watching her. They looked up to her, expecting her to be the best. And in a way, Zhen realized that she had become an example of what it meant to push through the hardships. She wasn’t a hero, not by any means. But to them, maybe she was.

Johnny interrupted her thoughts, calling her to the front of the room. “Zhen, take the lead on this next drill. Show ‘em how it’s done.”

Zhen’s pulse quickened, but she stepped up without hesitation. As she demonstrated a series of kicks and strikes, she noticed how everyone’s eyes were glued to her movements. It wasn’t about the power or the speed—it was about the precision, the control. She was teaching without words, showing them what it meant to master the art of Cobra Kai.

After the drill, Johnny clapped his hands together, his gaze turning toward the recruits. “That’s the kind of skill you should be aspiring to. You don’t get there overnight. It takes time. Dedication. And most importantly, you have to have that fire. Zhen has it. And so can you.”

Zhen felt a strange warmth spread across her chest. It was the first time in a long time that someone—Johnny, of all people—had acknowledged her as more than just another lost soul. She was part of something here, part of something real.

---

Later that afternoon, after the training session had ended, Zhen grabbed her bag and began to head out. She still had her shift at the diner, but the day had left her feeling more energized than she had in weeks. As she was about to leave, she heard a voice call out to her from behind.

“Zhen, wait up!”

She turned to see Miguel jogging toward her, a look of determination in his eyes.

“Hey,” he said, catching his breath. “You were awesome in there today.”

Zhen raised an eyebrow. “Thanks. I’m just doing what Johnny asked me to do.”

“No, seriously. You’re not just doing the moves. You’re teaching. You’ve got that instinct. I think you should think about leading some classes.” Miguel paused for a moment, as though weighing his next words carefully. “I mean, I know you’re probably not looking to be a teacher, but… you’ve got something a lot of the others don’t.”

Zhen took a deep breath. She wasn’t sure if she was ready for something like that. Teaching was a big responsibility, and it meant more than just passing on skills—it meant inspiring, motivating, and most of all, showing them the way. She had a lot to learn herself before she could take on such a role.

“I don’t know about that,” she said, shrugging. “I’m just trying to figure things out for myself.”

Miguel smiled. “I get that. But just know, you’ve got something that can help others. Don’t ignore that.”

Zhen felt a flicker of uncertainty. Could she really teach others? Could she inspire them the way Johnny did for her, the way he had inspired Miguel?

Before she could answer, Miguel gave her a small wave. “I’ll see you around, okay?”

Zhen nodded, watching him walk off into the distance. As she stood there in the parking lot, she couldn’t help but wonder if Miguel was right. Maybe she had more to offer than she had ever thought. Maybe she could help others the way she had learned to help herself. But first, she had to keep pushing forward, one step at a time.

As she drove to her shift at the diner, Zhen felt a quiet resolve settle over her. The road ahead was still uncertain, but for the first time in a while, she felt like maybe—just maybe—she was ready to face whatever came next.