𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄. 𝖥𝖨𝖱𝖤 𝖠𝖭𝖣 𝖨𝖢𝖤

𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈: 𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟

The early morning sun streamed through the windows of the Cobra Kai dojo as Johnny paced back and forth, his brow furrowed in thought. The dojo was quiet for now, but his mind wasn’t. The events of the past few weeks had been a whirlwind, and with every step Daniel took to boost Miyagi-Do, Johnny felt the pressure mounting.

Meanwhile, across town, Lilu sat alone in her small apartment, a plate of untouched food in front of her. She stared at it, her appetite long gone, replaced by a gnawing anxiety that clung to her every thought. Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen to see a message from Tory.

Tory: Meet me at the park later? Need to talk.
Lilu: Sure, see you there.

Lilu sighed, pushing the plate away. The thought of eating made her stomach churn. Ever since the pressure of the tournament and the expectations from both Johnny and her friends, she had felt herself spiraling. She tried to shake off the feeling, but it lingered like a shadow.

---

At Miyagi-Do, Daniel was busy with a new group of students. He moved gracefully, demonstrating a kata, his voice steady as he explained each move. Robbie watched from the sidelines, his respect for Daniel growing with each passing day. But as Daniel glanced at the small crowd, he couldn’t help but feel the weight of competition. Cobra Kai’s influence was growing, and he needed to step up his game.

---

Later that afternoon, Lilu met Tory at the park. Tory was sitting on a bench, looking unusually tense. She glanced up as Lilu approached, her expression softening slightly.

“You okay?” Tory asked, her eyes scanning Lilu’s face.

Lilu forced a smile. “Yeah, just... tired.”

Tory frowned but didn’t push. “Look, I’ve been thinking. We’ve both got a lot going on, but we need to stick together. You’ve got my back, and I’ve got yours.”

Lilu nodded, appreciating Tory’s loyalty. “Always.”

They sat in silence for a moment, the sound of kids playing in the background filling the air. Finally, Tory spoke again. “Lilu, you’ve seemed off lately. If something’s wrong, you can tell me.”

Lilu hesitated, her heart pounding. She wanted to tell Tory about the pressure, the way her thoughts about food and control were consuming her. But the words caught in her throat.

“It’s nothing,” Lilu said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Just stress.”

Tory didn’t look convinced, but she let it slide for now. “Alright, but if you ever want to talk, I’m here.”

---

At Cobra Kai, the dojo was alive with energy. Miguel and Hawk sparred intensely, their movements sharp and precise. Johnny watched from the sidelines, his arms crossed. Despite the dojo’s success, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing.

As the class ended, Johnny called out, “Alright, listen up! You’re all doing great, but remember, Cobra Kai isn’t just about fighting. It’s about discipline, strength, and loyalty. You’ve got to be ready for anything.”

Lilu lingered at the edge of the group, her mind elsewhere. Johnny noticed and called her over after the class dispersed.

“Lilu, you alright? You’ve been looking distracted lately,” he said, his tone surprisingly gentle.

She hesitated, her eyes meeting his briefly before looking away. “I’m fine, Sensei. Just trying to keep up.”

Johnny studied her for a moment, then nodded. “Alright. But remember, if something’s bothering you, you’ve got to face it head-on. Cobra Kai never backs down.”

Lilu nodded, but the weight in her chest didn’t lift. She knew Johnny meant well, but some battles weren’t fought with fists.

---

That evening, Lilu sat alone once more, the same untouched plate in front of her. The hunger gnawed at her, but she pushed it aside, the cycle continuing. Her phone buzzed again, this time a message from Liam.

Liam: Hey, haven’t seen you around much. Everything okay?
Lilu: Yeah, just busy. You?
Liam: Same. Let’s catch up soon?
Lilu: Sure.

As she set her phone down, Lilu felt a pang of guilt. She was surrounded by people who cared, yet she couldn’t bring herself to open up. The pressure, the expectations, the fear of letting everyone down—it was all too much. But deep down, she knew she couldn’t keep this up forever.

Tomorrow would be another day, another fight. And for now, she would just have to take it one step at a time.

---

The next day, Lilu walked into school with her usual composed expression, masking the storm brewing beneath the surface. The halls were buzzing with students talking about Daniel’s new Miyagi-Do class and Cobra Kai’s rising influence. Posters advertising both dojos were plastered on walls, each trying to outdo the other.

As she made her way to her locker, she spotted Liam standing nearby, his tall figure leaning casually against the wall. His presence was a quiet comfort, a reminder of the bond they shared from their past in China.

“Hey, stranger,” Liam greeted, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “You’ve been hard to find lately.”

Lilu shrugged, forcing a smile. “Busy, you know how it is.”

Liam gave her a knowing look. “Yeah, but don’t disappear on me. It’s been a while since I had someone around who actually understands.”

She nodded, her heart warming slightly at his words. But before she could respond, a familiar voice called out.

“Hey, Lilu!”

It was Dimitri, walking over with a stack of books in his hands and an awkward grin on his face. He glanced at Liam and gave a small wave. “New guy, right? Liam?”

Liam nodded. “Yeah. You’re Dimitri?”

“Guilty as charged,” Dimitri replied, shifting the books in his arms. “You survived Kyler, so you’ve officially earned my respect.”

Liam chuckled. “Thanks, I guess.”

The three of them fell into a casual conversation, but Lilu’s mind kept drifting. The pressure of school, training, and her hidden struggles weighed heavily on her. She listened to Liam and Dimitri talk, their words blending into the background as her thoughts spiraled.

---

During lunch, Lilu sat with Tory and Aisha, their usual table a mix of laughter and Cobra Kai pride. Tory was animated, talking about the latest training session and how Johnny had pushed them harder than ever.

“I swear, he’s trying to turn us into machines,” Tory said, smirking. “But I’m not complaining.”

Aisha nodded. “It’s paying off, though. Did you see Miguel’s last match? He’s unstoppable.”

Lilu tried to join the conversation, but her mind felt distant. She poked at her food, moving it around her plate without taking a bite.

Tory noticed and frowned. “Lilu, you’ve barely eaten. You good?”

Lilu’s heart skipped a beat, but she quickly masked it with a smile. “Yeah, just not hungry.”

Tory didn’t seem convinced, but Aisha chimed in. “You’ve been pushing yourself hard lately. Maybe you just need a break.”

Lilu nodded, grateful for the change in focus. “Yeah, maybe.”

As the lunch period continued, Lilu felt the walls closing in around her. The noise of the cafeteria, the conversations, the pressure—it was all too much. She excused herself, saying she needed to grab something from her locker, and slipped out of the cafeteria.

---

In the quiet hallway, Lilu leaned against her locker, taking a deep breath. The emptiness in her stomach felt like a hollow ache, but it was the only thing she felt she could control.

She didn’t hear Liam approach until he was right beside her. “Lilu.”

She jumped slightly, turning to face him. “Liam? What are you doing here?”

“I saw you leave,” he said, his voice calm but concerned. “You looked... off.”

Lilu forced another smile. “I’m fine. Just needed some air.”

Liam’s eyes searched hers, and for a moment, it felt like he could see through the facade she had carefully constructed. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” he said softly. “But I’m here. You know that, right?”

Lilu’s chest tightened at his words. She nodded, unable to find the right response. Liam had always been someone she could rely on, but opening up felt like exposing a vulnerability she wasn’t ready to face.

“Thanks,” she finally whispered.

Liam nodded, stepping back but keeping his eyes on her. “Anytime.”

As he walked away, Lilu felt a mix of emotions—gratitude, fear, and the weight of secrets she wasn’t ready to share. She took another deep breath, straightened her posture, and prepared to face the rest of the day.

One step at a time.

---

Later that afternoon, the Cobra Kai dojo buzzed with energy. Students were lined up, practicing their strikes with sharp focus. Johnny paced in front of them, barking instructions with his usual intensity.

“Faster! Stronger! If you don’t give it your all, your opponent will crush you. And we don’t lose in Cobra Kai!” Johnny’s voice echoed through the dojo.

Lilu stood near the back, her punches landing with precision but lacking the usual fire. Every strike felt heavier, her body betraying the exhaustion she refused to acknowledge. Sweat dripped down her temple, but she kept pushing, determined not to show weakness.

Johnny’s gaze swept across the room and landed on her. “Lilu! Front and center.”

Her heart sank, but she quickly composed herself and stepped forward. The other students watched, their eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of anticipation.

Johnny crossed his arms. “You’ve been distracted. Your punches lack power. What’s going on?”

Lilu clenched her fists, willing herself to stay composed. “Nothing, Sensei. I’m just tired.”

“Tired?” Johnny raised an eyebrow. “Cobra Kai doesn’t make excuses. We push through.”

“I understand,” she said, her voice steady but strained.

Johnny stared at her for a moment before nodding. “Alright, then. Show me. Pair up with Hawk.”

Hawk, standing nearby with his trademark smirk, stepped forward. “Ready to get your ass kicked, Zhen?”

Lilu shot him a glare but said nothing, taking her stance. The room grew quiet as the two faced off. Hawk moved first, a quick jab aimed at her midsection. Lilu blocked it with ease, her movements calculated and sharp.

But as the sparring intensified, Lilu’s focus wavered. Her body, already pushed to its limits, began to slow. Hawk noticed the opening and swept her leg, sending her crashing to the mat.

The impact knocked the wind out of her, and for a moment, everything blurred. The room spun, the weight of exhaustion crashing down on her like a tidal wave.

“Get up, Lilu!” Johnny’s voice was firm, but it felt distant.

She struggled to her feet, her vision narrowing. The whispers of her classmates filled her ears, but she couldn’t make out the words. Everything felt distant, like she was underwater.

“Enough,” a voice cut through the noise.

Lilu blinked, her vision clearing to see Liam standing at the entrance of the dojo. His jaw was set, and his eyes were locked on Johnny.

Johnny raised an eyebrow. “Liam. What are you doing here?”

“I’m here for Lilu,” Liam said, his voice steady. “She’s not okay.”

Lilu’s heart sank. The last thing she wanted was for Liam to draw attention to her. “Liam, I’m fine—”

“No, you’re not,” Liam interrupted, stepping closer. “You’ve been pushing yourself too hard. You need to rest.”

Johnny crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. “Cobra Kai isn’t a place for rest. We don’t stop just because things get tough.”

“And that’s why she’s collapsing,” Liam shot back. His tone was calm, but there was an underlying intensity. “She needs a break, not more pressure.”

The dojo fell silent, the tension thick in the air. Lilu’s cheeks burned with a mix of embarrassment and frustration. She hated feeling weak, hated that Liam was right.

Johnny stared at Liam for a long moment before finally speaking. “Lilu. Take the rest of the day off.”

Lilu opened her mouth to protest but stopped herself. She nodded silently and grabbed her bag, her movements slow and deliberate.

As she walked toward the exit, Liam fell into step beside her. Neither of them spoke until they were outside, the cool evening air hitting them like a relief.

“You didn’t have to do that,” Lilu said quietly.

“I did,” Liam replied, his voice gentle but firm. “You need to take care of yourself.”

Lilu glanced at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and frustration. “I don’t want to be seen as weak.”

“You’re not weak,” Liam said, his gaze steady. “You’re one of the strongest people I know. But even the strongest need to rest.”

For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of the day hanging between them. Finally, Lilu sighed. “Thanks, Liam.”

He smiled softly. “Anytime.”

As they walked away from the dojo, Lilu felt a small weight lift from her chest. She wasn’t alone in this fight. And for the first time in a while, she allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, she didn’t have to carry it all on her own.