Brainstorming

"Where were you hit?" Miguel looked at Dash's bruises and was surprised to see that he was still visibly injured.

Dash looked at the bruises and said, "They don't hurt; it was worse before."

"How are things at your dojo now that you only have one sensei?" Devon suddenly asked, expressing her curiosity.

Tory, who was eating, looked up and said, "Things are better than before. Many have set aside that unjustified hatred for Miyagi-Do and all those absurd things."

Taking full control of the dojo, Johnny worked hard on the discipline of his students and how they behaved towards other people. When he found out how the exchange meetings between Cobra Kai and Sakura Bushido students had gone, he knew how beneficial those classes had been for many to understand another important aspect of life.

What they were now looking for was a healthy rivalry between both dojos. Johnny didn't want his rivalry with Daniel to be used by his students, and it was something he couldn't reverse until recently. Kreese had planted many bad doubts in the kids, changing them little by little, but when they found out what he had done to Dash, many got scared.

For Dash, this was much better considering all the problems that were arising between students, and now it seemed that everything had calmed down a bit more.

"The cafeteria food has improved; it seems our comments have actually made a difference." Dash murmured as he looked at a more balanced meal now.

Devon smiled slightly and said, "I think that's due to what was mentioned to the principal a few weeks ago. I can't imagine how excited she is about that inter-school tournament."

The conversation took different turns. Dash, who was a bit disinterested, headed to a quieter place. During all this time, he had experienced situations he had never imagined. Now he had a girlfriend and many friends.

"Now what?" Dash asked as he sat down to think a bit.

"I heard you were injured. How are you now?" Robby appeared by his side a few minutes after Dash wanted to think to himself in silence.

Dash, who was leaning on a bench outside the school building, looked at him and said, "I'm fine. How about you?"

"You know it's complicated to have a conversation with you?" Robby sat down next to him, visibly uneasy.

"I could have died, but I'm fine. Fortunately, I didn't break any bones or get stabbed," Dash said in a calmer tone.

Looking out at the soccer field where a game was taking place, Robby smiled slightly and said, "Another wouldn't have been as lucky."

"How is your relationship with your father going? Everyone mentions that he has changed a lot. Has he reached out to you at any point?" Dash looked at Robby to gauge his thoughts from his mere expression.

"I haven't tried. Taking the first step is complicated, and I don't know if you understand."

"Do you feel anger seeing his relationship with Miguel and the other Cobra Kai students?" Dash asked, understanding Robby's situation a bit.

Seeing that there was a long silence, Dash sighed and said, "I was about to leave home after a fight with my father. I even came to hate my brothers because they did receive a love life at a young age when I was raised in a different way."

Apart from Devon, Dash had not confessed these words to anyone else until now, and that surprised Robby a lot. He thought Dash's life was perfect but was surprised to know that it wasn't as he believed.

"Have you overcome it?" Robby found a very close familiarity in those words.

"I could do it. I made peace with my father, so now we have much calmer communication," Dash said, feeling a bit more open in this conversation.

"I always wanted to have a brother."

Dash looked at Robby and advised him, "All I can tell you is that you'll feel better forgiving your father. Many say we'll regret it when they're no longer with us, but what I believe is that you'll feel better."

Obviously, the relationship with absent parents is complicated. Many won't agree to let go of the differences, but that would be the best way to move on with life in a more open way. When Dash did it, he felt better. He knew he couldn't find in his dad what he expected from him, but that was okay. When he understood that he couldn't demand what he wanted to happen, he knew that was life.

He now had no problems with his family. They knew there was a limitation in their communication, but that was okay because that was how they had chosen to treat each other.

"You always surprise me." Robby smiled slightly because he didn't know what to say.

"I'm a box of surprises," Dash said as he stood up to walk a bit and asked, "How are things with Sam? I don't recommend falling in love with her. Devon has a cousin I can introduce you to."

Robby quickly said, "It's not necessary. I'm not looking for a girlfriend right now."

"Yeah, that's what Hawk said before having a girlfriend."