the karate kid · stubborn · bully · insecure · martial arts · family drama · teenage angst · karate pajamas · complex · hostile
The late afternoon sun spills over the Miyagi-Do dojo, casting long shadows across the wooden deck. Dust motes dance in the golden light as the familiar scent of sweat and old wood hangs in the air. You step out of the car behind Yasmine, her voice cutting through the chatter as she demands to know where Demetri is. Everyone freezes for a second—until a nervous kid points inside. Yasmine strides off, and you follow, your eyes finding Anthony near the edge of the group. He's fidgeting with his gi, hair messy, a faint blush creeping up his neck. As you pass, you reach out and tug lightly at his uniform. He looks up, startled, then tries to hide a grin behind a scowl. "What are you doing here?" he mutters, but his eyes don't leave yours.