Chapter Text
When Bobby caught up with him at the club the week after Aspen, he had the wildest story.
“Sen-- Kreese did what?”
Bobby told him again, with details he forgot the first time around. Like LaRusso spotted around town with a Cobra Kai gi, what the fuck.
“Did we even know that Terry Silver--” THE Terry Silver, the Terry Silver that got on the covers of the types of magazines his step-dad subscribed to. “-- was even behind Cobra Kai?” He shook his head as he sipped at his draft beer.
Bobby shrugged. “I was there man, and I still think it's a joke. Like, LaRusso didn't even know he was being scammed by Terry Silver? C'mon man, would you believe it?”
Johnny tilted his head in what he hoped was an ironic way. LaRusso was from Reseda. You wouldn't know with those people.
“Yeah, I guess.” Bobby sat back in his seat in agreement. “Oh man, I forgot to tell you the other thing. That old man sensei of his. He's got a shop now, opposite the tracks? Real estate's cheap there, that's what my dad said, but there's a reason you know?” He nodded with borrowed wisdom.
“He sells crane kicks per hour or something?”
“He sells trees, man! Little trees!” Bobby guffawed.
That last All-Valley championship gossip didn't die out fast enough for Johnny's taste. Or maybe people just wouldn't let it die, because it's either talking about why he's not in college or Europe, so the only choice left seemed to be updating him on every schadenfreude development with his old dojo and his jerkoff sensei. The first few times was fine, but the more he had to listen to it, the more it’s bugging him out. Did he have to know that Terry Silver had to sell off all those properties at a loss? Did he have to know that John Kreese was last seen in the Valley drunk on his ass, though at least not after getting his ass kicked by an old Japanese man? Or that Dutch totalled a car, and his lawyer got him off blaming his Cobra Kai training for mental distress? At least Bobby, who still talked to him, cut it out early on since it seemed to be bugging him the same way. But that just left everyone else. Even his step-dad went out of his way to bring news, if only it obviously delighted him to be proven right, that Johnny could never be trusted to make anything good. Yeah, he knew that.
The one nice piece of gossip was finding out Ali dumped that LaRusso kid, since his mom thought he might as well skip senior prom and he was already inclined to agree after all the drama. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. He’d seen her around, but she’s in Harvard now and he’s a slacker, so there was never much point for him to start a conversation. LaRusso, he never saw since he came back, because why the fuck would he be anywhere in fucking Reseda?
Well, right at that moment, he’s in fucking Reseda, driving aimlessly around because he was trying to find those little trees Bobby was talking about and he’s feeling a little stir-crazy while also vaguely hoping his mom might like those trees, since she always loved cute miniature shit, and she could use some cheering up too. She looked a little better today, and Sid wouldn’t be back for hours yet, so he’s taking a time out with his bike.
He was about to call it quits when he spotted a lanky figure that could be LaRusso. As he drew closer, he could see he’s filled out some, but he was still the same shrimpy twerp that took him out with an illegal kick. They’d been cordial at school since his sensei literally took Kreese off of Johnny’s back (and windpipe) but by mutual unspoken agreement they steered clear of each other.
LaRusso was bent slightly over the wooden shelves in front of the store, rearranging those little trees, with one more held in the crook of his arm. He’s got fading bruises, and probably because he thought no one saw him, was wincing every so often. Right, the fucking crazy tournament this year that Johnny deliberately missed. His head perked up at the oncoming sound of the motorbike, and his eyes widened when he realised who it was.
Johnny rolled his eyes when LaRusso’s step back nearly tripped himself. “Relax LaRusso, I’m just here to check out your old man’s shop.”
LaRusso huffed but didn’t comment on how Johnny said it. ‘His old man’s shop’. “I haven’t had the best experiences with Cobras so you’ll have to forgive me,” he said instead.
Johnny squinted at the store sign and back to the tree still in LaRusso’s arm. “Is that one of ‘Miyagi’s Little Trees’?”
LaRusso looked at him askance. “Yeah.”
“It’s a stupid name.”
“Like people here even knows what a bonsai is,” LaRusso snarked.
“Yeah, sure,” Johnny drawled. “I’m sure you’re such an expert.” LaRusso’s face reddened, so he took that as a win, and took the pause to come off his motorbike.
LaRusso was still looking at him warily, like he just couldn’t believe Johnny was serious. Johnny crossed his arms. “You treat all your customers this way?”
He straightened. “You’re a customer?” Somehow he managed to sound both excited and suspicious.
Johnny rolled his eyes again, and waited for LaRusso to put down the… bonsai tree, and lead him into the shop.
It’s a dump. Like, they were obviously trying but it’s a dump. It looked barely able to keep out rain. The shelves were unfinished planks of old wood (probably came with the lot), and there was barely any paint left on the walls. It looked like a crack den then an actual shop. There were barely any trees either.
Johnny tilted his head at the giant open windows. “The wind took your inventory or something?”
LaRusso flashed him a look that was almost close to hate. “Why don’t you ask your sensei about that?”
He answered immediately. “He’s not my sensei. Not anymore,” he allowed.
All LaRusso did was turn his back on him, and muttered, “Yeah right. Cobra Kai never die, right?”
What is his problem? “What is your problem?” Johnny asked.
This time it’s LaRusso who rolled his eyes, as he kept moving to the front, where his sensei (Miyagi? Yeah that’s right) was standing over a pot, small clippers in hand.
“Ah, Daniel-san,” Miyagi called out.
“Hey Mr Miyagi. We got a customer,” LaRusso jerked his thumb towards Johnny behind him. Miyagi turned, and looked over his glasses. His expression barely changed, but he did a cursory bow. “Welcome Mr Lawrence.”
The last time he saw Miyagi was just like every other time he’d ever been around the guy: flat on his ass, in pain. He was almost tempted to move to somewhere with a softer landing, just in case. He nodded instead.
LaRusso was looking at him expectedly, catching him in the eye. He blinked and looked back at Miyagi. “Just looking for… small trees -- for my mom. She likes cute sh-tuff.”
Miyagi looked at LaRusso at that. “Daniel-san can help.”
“But Mr Miyagi, don’t you need me to get the shelves outside sorted out?” LaRusso was as pleased as Johnny felt.
“Shelf later, customer now,” Miyagi said, turning back to his tree.
LaRusso looked like he was going to protest, and there was a moment, but all he said was, “Fine. C’mon.”
He brought him over to the main table where there were more than a couple squat trees in various roughhewn pots. They looked rustic, if you’re into that sort of thing.
“So here they are. The inventory,” LaRusso announced, with a lazy wave.
“Wow, really selling the goods here LaRusso.” No wonder this shop looked about as ready to close as soon as it opened.
“Okay, look. What’s the deal here? You ain’t here for no trees,” LaRusso got to his face, but Johnny stood his ground.
“Fuck you LaRusso. I’m totally here for the trees. These trees. Your trees.”
“Didn’t know you’re into horticulture.”
“I told you, my mom is into cute shit. I was hoping your trees would be cute. These look gnarly, man.”
LaRusso squinted at ‘gnarly’. Guess that was one West Coast bit that he hadn’t picked up yet, but he got the meaning just fine. “These are fine,” he said hotly. “If you're just coming in here to disrespect Mr Miyagi--”
Johnny held up his hands. “Dude, chill. My mom really does like all these miniature stuff, but I just don't know…”
LaRusso pursed his mouth, looking at Johnny and the plants contemplatively. “Well,” he began. “Obviously, I'm no expert, but if you take a look here--” He turned to one in particular and rotated the bonsai plant a bit, trying to catch a good angle. “This one is actually one of our prettiest ones.” Johnny raised an eyebrow at that, but LaRusso, not noticing, kept going.
“It's one of our survivors actually so that's why it looks a bit more matured compared to these new ones right here--”
“Survivors?” Johnny interrupted. Immediately LaRusso clammed shut.
“Nah, we had an accident, just new business luck ya know,” Larusso started but Johnny was putting two and two together. Between the shop and whatever else he could recall from that one epic gossip session with Bobby.
“Damn, LaRusso,” Johnny breathed out as he took another slower look around the shop. “I'm sorry.”
LaRusso flicked his eyes away from Johnny's gaze. “Ah, well, it's not all their work, this shop décor came with the lease,” he shrugged minutely. Next thing Johnny knew, there's a pot with a plant with bendy limbs in his hands. “Just take a look, will ya? Real bonsai trees, they don't grow up small, but the way Mr Miyagi tells it, if you find the right kind of trees, you can sorta nudge them this way and that way, and you get a bonsai tree.”
“Right…”
“It might not look like much to the untrained eye, but it's a skill. It's all wires and clippers and I think a coupla other things Mr Miyagi won't let me touch yet, but we're not looking at naturally petite trees. I mean, this is a pine tree man.”
“No shit,” Johnny said, reluctantly impressed.
LaRusso was warming up, his eyes bright as he was looking at the tree. You almost didn't notice the bruises underneath the enthusiasm. Johnny ended up following LaRusso around, as he was showing off his deep puddle of knowledge. There was a couple that he thought his mom would like, but he wasn't rushing. It was kinda relaxing listening to the chatter, but also he realised, with great clarity, that he knew absolutely fuck all about Japan, for all of his six years studying karate and being a black belt for one. All Kreese ever taught was how to hurt, but he could've used all the terms he used in German and there probably wouldn't be that big of a difference.
Eventually LaRusso wound down. Somehow they had ended up back at where Miyagi was still standing. To Johnny's untrained eye, he couldn't see any difference to the tree that Miyagi was assiduously working on.
“What do you think, Mr Miyagi? I gave a pretty good tour I thought.”
“No sale, Daniel-san.”
“Naw naw, Mr Miyagi. I'm just about to close one. He's so gonna get one, right?” LaRusso looked at him hopefully.
Johnny was tempted to say no, but instead he found himself in the passenger seat of LaRusso's yellow classic Ford convertible, as there was no way he was going to risk handling the plant on his bike to an accident.
He couldn't help his low whistle. “This is one hell of a sweet ride.” The inside is as gold as the outside. He couldn't even be sorry that he had to leave his bike behind.
“Yeah, Mr Miyagi fixed it up for me,” LaRusso patted the dashboard gently. “Twice.”
“Twice?”
“Ali with an I, man.”
Johnny laughed. Yeah, he could bond with LaRusso over that.
“Oh, Johnny, it’s so darling,” Mom breathed in delight. There was some colour in her today, but still he was glad he talked himself out of inviting LaRusso in out of courtesy. LaRusso didn’t seem to expect it either, which rubbed Johnny the wrong way, but he knew if Mom was even aware they had guests (even if it’s only LaRusso), it would tire her out.
He didn’t say any of that to LaRusso, only that he’d figure out a way to get back to the shop for his bike.
LaRusso just squinted up at him, against the setting sun’s glare. “I could always ride it over,” he offered with a smirk.
“Over my dead body LaRusso.”
“Jeez, just let a guy down gently already,” LaRusso joked. “Also, do you need permission or something? Just call me Daniel, man.”
“Ok. Danny.”
La-- Daniel shook his head. “I shoulda figured. Bye. John-ny.” He started up the car, but didn’t immediately set off, instead looking back at Johnny. “You’re coming around this time? Earlier?”
Johnny paused. “Maybe around the same time I came by,” he thought aloud. “Why?”
“So we know when to expect you!” Daniel raised an arm out as he drove off.
Thankfully, the commotion from the convertible didn’t wake Mom up, though him tiptoeing into the room did. But it was worth it because the bonsai plant was a hit. He might have messed up the explanation a little, but he got the basics right. Hopefully.
“It’s still alive, so you do kinda need to water it a bit. Maybe even a trim but that’s not as often. I think.”
Mom clapped her hands together. “Then have it by that window, dear. It can get the sun, and I get to look at it first thing.”
Johnny carried it over as directed. “I can do the watering,” he called out. “It’s no problem.”
Mom smiled. “Thank you dear. But maybe that won’t be a long-term plan, hmm?”
“Mom…”
She patted the bed, motioning him to come over. “I don’t want to keep you away from your life, honey.”
“But this is my life Mom!”
She looked away. Johnny could feel his stomach turn. They were having such a nice conversation too.
“Mom,” he sat down beside her on the large spacious bed. “I swear, you’re not keeping me from anything. I’m just helping out while you’re taking the treatment right? I promise Mom, I’m looking at next semester for late intake. Maybe even next year. But I’m looking, I promise.”
“It’s just-- you barely go out these days honey. We have help, you don’t have to spend all your time looking after me.”
Johnny thought quickly. “That’s because a lot of my friends are away at college, but I did meet up with another friend today. That’s why I went out. I didn’t know he’s putting off college too. I’m planning to catch up with him again tomorrow”
“Really?” Mom placed her hand on his cheek. “You promise?”
So that was why he had to make a production of getting ready to leave the house the next day. He was probably going to have to sneak to the back entrance and use the kitchen phone to call a cab, but whatever, his mom looked positively happy that she was being abandoned.
That was the plan anyway. But LaRusso-- Daniel was literally pulling into the driveway the moment he stepped out through the main doors.
“Hey, I'm supposed to be early!”
“You're not even supposed to be here in the first place!”
“I figure you wouldn't want to slum it by taking a public taxi,” Daniel said, grinning.
Johnny shook his head. “Then what were you gonna do? Stand outside like an idiot?”
“Well, I was going to go inside and say hi to your mother like an idiot-- oh, is that her?” Daniel looked up to the second floor window where his mom was waving out of. “Hi, Mrs Lawrence!”
“Weinberg,” Johnny said from the side of his mouth.
“Weinberg! Bye Mrs Weinberg!” Daniel kept waving without missing a beat.
“Come on, you nerd,” Johnny said hurriedly after waving goodbye as well. Daniel chuckled as he pulled his car into drive but said nothing else.
Like yesterday, Daniel had the top off as well. With his aviator lens and olive-tan skin, he looked California native enough. Between the breeze and sun’s glare, it made for a drowsy drive. Johnny’s wide awake though.
“I can hear you thinking from here,” Daniel broke the silence. “Thinking of a cover story for your ma?”
Johnny shot him a look. “Good guess,” he allowed. “That obvious huh?”
Daniel kept his gaze forward on the road. “A man can take a hint, ya know.”
“She’s sick,” Johnny blurted out.
“Oh, I’m sorry man,” Daniel said quietly, shooting him a quick look.
“She’s going through treatment now. It’s Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and we caught it early enough, so it’s looking good. But you know…” Johnny looked out into the freeway.
“It’s fine, Johnny. I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”
“Yeah well--”
“Sometimes it’s hard to see, through this chip on my shoulder ya know? I mean, can you see how big this thing is?” Daniel shook his upper back comically.
“You’re so weird.” Johnny couldn’t help but laugh. “Thanks man. But I was thinking of a cover story,” he admitted. “I can’t exactly say, ‘hey Mom, this is Danny--” Daniel groaned at this. “-- this kid I was beating up at school for moving in on my girl--”
“Your girl!” Daniel interrupted in outrage.
“My girl,” Johnny repeated. “But then my sensei got involved, and he took it really personally, and then, Mom, he kicked my butt at the tournament I won the year before with an illegal kick--”
“You shits broke my leg!” Daniel shouted.
“--after we kinda sorta maybe--”
“--definitely!”
“--committed an injury to his lower extremities upon the instruction of our sensei--”
“Who is a fucking psycho.”
“Oh, no disagreement there,” Johnny muttered. “But now we’re just the bestest buds, riding on the highway, the two amigos--”
“Now who’s being weird,” Daniel said with a big grin. “So it’s gonna be a long story, is what you’re saying.”
“Or I could just say you’re my boyfriend and I’m finally ready to ‘come out’.”
They were at a red light when he said this, but Daniel was laughing so hysterically, he got honked at for taking too long when the light turned green. He was still gulping for air when he finally gasped out, “No offense Lawrence, but I’m taking a break from all you blondes from Encino Hills. You guys ain’t nothing but trouble.”
Johnny grinned. “It’s not our fault if we’re high-maintenance. Hey,” he said, turning around to look at the turn they just took. “We’re not heading to the shop?”
“We brought your bike back to Mr Miyagi’s house. I mean, it’s a nice bike, and that’s not a nice neighbourhood,” Daniel said sardonically.
“I would’ve left you my keys if you’d told me.”
“To be honest, I think Mr Miyagi was looking for an excuse.” At Johnny’s uncomprehending stare, Daniel continued. “His training is basically me doing a lot of chores that magically reveal themselves to be some slick karate moves.” Johnny noticed the Japanese lilt to how he was saying ‘karate’, which was so incongruous to everything else that was coming out of his mouth.
“So what was the bike then?”
“I think that’s just for weights. He keeps saying I’m too skinny.”
Now it’s Johnny’s turn to burst out into laughter. All he could say in between roars of laughter was, “yeah, you shrimp,” which just set him off again. And Daniel wasn’t even upset, which somehow made it even funnier.
“Oh god,” Johnny said, exhaustedly clutching his sides as he stepped out of the car. “Oh wow,” he said next, once he noticed the compound of Miyagi’s house.
“Hey you’re back. I thought you’re gonna need to be checked in for hysteria,” Daniel said sarcastically, taking off his glasses and throwing it carelessly back into the seat.
Against the backdrop of Motor City’s finest, his trendy two-wheeler dirt bike looked out of place and gauche. He couldn’t even feel self-conscious though, because these cars were truly something else to see in real life.
“Don’t you rich people never seen a car in real life before?” Daniel poked him on the shoulder.
“The kinds of people who’d keep and restore these classics won’t let a punk like me get anywhere close,” Johnny answered. “Also they’re old and boring, and then they’d ask me questions about my future,” he sneered in recollection. “Do they work?”
“For the most part,” Daniel peered into the lot. “Some might need a bit more elbow grease than the others, but yeah.”
“Miyagi owns them all? How the hell man?”
“Yeah, it’s Mister Miyagi’s,” Daniel emphasized. “But I don’t know the story neither. I think that’s another couple of chores away. Or good whiskey. Yech,” he shivered reflexively.
“Pussy,” teased Johnny.
“Uhuh, you’re so cultured.” Daniel pushed him a little. “Hey, um, you wanna see the rest of the house?”
“If it’s as impressive as the front…”
“Oh you bet,” Daniel said with a giant smile, already moving away.
“Holy shit,” was all Johnny could say once he passed the fence.
“Right?” Daniel was beaming, practically bouncing on his feet.
“He did all these??”
“Yeah. I mean, I helped with the um--” Daniel laughed to himself. “--sanding, waxing, painting…”
Johnny looked around. “That’s a lot of chores.”
“It’s a lot of karate.”
Johnny couldn’t quite see it. How? Did Sensei Miyagi make Daniel punch wooden planks to size? He looked at Daniel suspiciously. Was this kid for real?
“No, it’s true!” Daniel cried, seeing his face. “Um, okay here, see?” Daniel was kneeling on the wooden platform. “I was supposed to sand it like this,” he motioned in giant half circles on the platform. “I was doing it the whole day man.”
“Yeah,” Johnny agreed, looking at the platform. It’s a long platform. “Not surprised.”
“Okay, then,” Daniel stood up, wiped off his knees and came closer. “Now give me a kick.”
“What?”
“A kick, c’mon.” Daniel urged. Johnny shrugged, and began taking position, his feet in a diagonal line to his torso.
“Wait! Wait!”
“What now?” Johnny demanded.
“I mean, a front kick. Torso and hips facing front.”
“Jesus Christ,” Johnny muttered. “What is this karate-by-numbers bullshit.” He took his position as instructed anyway.
“Gently!”
“I get it!”
Johnny kicked. It was instantly blocked.
“Do you see it?” asked Daniel, form forgotten.
“Can you show it again?” Johnny asked sweetly, as he brought his leg up again, but this time pushing his heel out to an unprepared Daniel, who flailed as he fell into the grass.
“Ow! Johnny! Ow!!”
“Sorry,” he said insincerely.
“Ugh.” Daniel complained. “I skinned my elbow.”
Johnny instantly felt like a turd. “C’mon, you big baby,” he said instead, pulling Daniel up. “Where’s the first aid in this big house?”
“Permanently in my room for the foreseeable future, it looks like. C’mon.” Daniel hobbled ahead, though he didn’t shrug off Johnny’s hand on his back. A fall like that shouldn’t cause him to move that way. “Don’t worry, this is just an old injury,” he assured him.
“How old?” asked Johnny, not reassured at all.
“Uh, however long that last tournament was. And a bit more before that,” Daniel replied airily. “But we LaRussos are built sturdy -- good old Jersey labor stock. Like Timex ya know, takes a licking and keeps on ticking.”
“Better not make it a habit, you already sound like you got a few screws loose.”
“Everyone’s a comedian,” said Daniel, settling heavily on the bed. Johnny eyed him, but kept his mouth shut. He only helped Daniel with pulling out the first aid case out from the bed drawer between their legs. He let Daniel quietly work, waiting to see if there was anything he could do.
“Okay,” Daniel finally said. “Time for the big guns.” He looked up seriously at Johnny. “Promise you’re not going to breath a word to Mister Miyagi ok? Or my ma?”
“Daniel, I don’t even know how your mom looks like.”
“Ok. I’m only doing this because it goes on better with an extra pair of hands, and you do karate, you know how Cobra Kai was like, you won’t be surprised--” Daniel rambled nervously, hands twitching at his t-shirt hem.
“Daniel.”
“So you know, this is totally not serious okay.” And he pulled off his t-shirt.
All Johnny could think was, Daniel LaRusso was a goddamn liar. “Yeah, I’ve seen worse,” he said instead.
Daniel blinked his anxious wide eyes away. “That’s what I thought! Like, this must be normal for you guys, which is totally insane by the way,” he looked at Johnny in mock severity.
“Oh yeah, bananas,” Johnny agreed.
“Anyway, this is taking a while because I didn’t wanna worry Mr Miyagi, and if I keep going into his special medicine stash, he’s definitely gonna worry.” Here Daniel handed him some large packets to tear open. Inside were single pieces of massive band-aids. “Oh, these are medicated plasters,” Daniel explained, not that it meant anything to Johnny. “It’s good shit, but not quite the same as Mr Miyagi’s. Maybe he got his special, but I did go to the same Asian market he goes to,” he kept going, while his hands were showing Johnny how to peel and where to apply the plasters. “I asked the shopkeeper and all that, but if only I could read the packaging ya know? Ah,” he winced as Johnny peeled off the ones on his body and applied the fresh ones. “Like, I am learning Japanese-- did you know they have three sets of writing? It’s crazy man. Sure, Mr Miyagi knows I’m picking up the language, but it’s one thing to practice naming all the stuff he makes for dinner but it’s another to ask him how to say ‘muscle bruising’, you know what I’m saying.”
“Daniel,” Johnny paused. “I absolutely don’t know what you’re saying.”
“I’m just saying, he’s smart,” Daniel said, turning back to the front.
“He doesn’t need to be a rocket scientist for this,” Johnny muttered.
“What?” Daniel asked.
“Do you need more help after today?” Johnny asked, louder.
“Oh! Oh, sure, if you don’t mind? Wait, ow, my elbow, hand me the iodine will ya?”
“Do you need me to put on plasters here too?” Johnny touched his upper back. He could feel goosebumps erupting underneath his fingertips
“Um, usually I put on this salve, but since you’re here, could-- could you do it?”
“Is it like the liniment the school nurse gives if you sprain something?” Johnny asked, eyeing the tiny pot with its tiger logo suspiciously.
“Sorta? It feels different though. Maybe ‘cause this one’s Chinese, I don’t know. The shopkeeper swears by it.”
Johnny pulled a face at the smell. Ugh, he’s going to have to wash his hands before heading home. But at least it doesn’t sting with evaporating alcohol the way he was used to. The salve certainly glides on easier, as he massaged it into Daniel’s back. Daniel sighed at the sensation. “You’re a wreck LaRusso.”
“Hey at least I’m out of a body bag,” Daniel replied easily. Up close, Johnny could see how much he’s filled out. At least puberty finally arrived. He could admit to himself that the kid’s cute, or else he wouldn’t have caught Ali’s eye so easy. Easy company too.
He shook himself out of that train of thought. “We done? This stinks.” He obnoxiously swiped his hands down Daniel’s arms.
“Hey!” Daniel turned around. “Ugh, fine, thanks for nothing, John-ny.”
“No problem, Dan-ny.”
They stared at each other. Johnny broke first, and handed Daniel back his t-shirt.
“I just remembered, I promised my mom I had to pick something up for her from the club, the country club,” Johnny said into the silence.
“Oh yeah, the country club,” Daniel said, nodding through his t-shirt.
“Maybe one day I’ll give you a tour of the non-kitchen parts.”
Daniel gave him a dirty look. “Remind me to send you my dry-cleaning bill.” His face cleared a little. “You dropping by tomorrow at the shop? Or whenever,” he shrugged.
“I dunno,” Johnny said vaguely. Looking at Daniel’s somewhat disappointed expression, he continued, “My mom, she’d love it if I’m outside of the house more, but the treatments aren’t taking that much longer and she’s gonna get tested again, this and that, and maybe we’re in the clear. Point is, she doesn’t get that it’s not that big a deal to kinda wait on her for the moment.”
“Hey,” Daniel softly, “I get it.” The crazy thing was, Johnny had a really strong feeling that Daniel truly did get it. “Sink’s over there.”
“Wha- Oh.”
Daniel swung himself up off the bed. “I’ll be outside. I gotta go to the shop anyway, put my partner hours in. Lemme show you the way out to the main road.”
Johnny nodded. He washed his hands and splashed his face. He looked around. The closest sensation he had to Daniel’s room was when he went to the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco back in 5th grade. But unmistakably as well, he could see a typical American boy lived here, in the ticket stubs and sports jersey, the magazines lying about. Just like that, Daniel LaRusso gave him the pass to peek into his life.
Johnny shook his head, and left, sliding the door carefully behind him.