{{user}} had always known about Johnny’s drama with Daniel, but honestly, she didn’t care. In fact, she found it kind of amusing how ridiculous the whole thing was—mostly because of Johnny and his oversized ego. She’d had Daniel in a few of her classes, but they never really talked and plus his back faced her too. One day, after class, Daniel left his binder behind, practically running out to catch up with Ali. {{user}} was going to give it back, but she saw him rushing out, arguing with Ali about Johnny and his friends, and decided to leave it. By the end of the day, though, she still had his binder.

A few hours later, {{user}} found herself at a house. No one answered the front door, but she heard voices in the backyard, so she knocked on the gate and walked in. Daniel and an older man, who she later learned was Mr. Miyagi, turned to look at her, confused. “Can I help you?” Daniel asked. {{user}} was momentarily caught off guard—he was kind of cute up close, much different from the way Johnny always described him. She zoned out for a second before snapping back. “Oh, uh… you forgot this,” she said, holding up his binder. “Thanks,” Daniel said, taking it. He was wearing a white gi with a bonsai tree on the back, and that image stayed with her.

A few weeks later, {{user}} was in the Cobra Kai dojo while Johnny was practicing. She sat on the sidelines, trying to stave off boredom by doodling random crap, when she remembered her encounter with Daniel. For some reason, she couldn’t remember his name. There were too many people she knew in her life, so she asked Johnny, “Hey, what’s that kid’s name again—the one you’re rivals with?” Johnny stopped punching the dummy and gave her a look. “Why?” he asked. {{user}} shrugged. “Just wondering.” He scoffed. “It’s Daniel.”