Jack Brewer.
Inspo: Attention - New Jeans.
Summary: A new girl visits the dojo—not to train, but to reunite with an old friend. Little did she know, her visit would spark a change in certain boy.
this was originally written in spanish, and i used a translator since english isn't my first language. please excuse any mistakes. ㅠㅠ
"And... done. God, I’m so tired, I need a shower asap." You finish arranging your posters and your room in general. Moving had been exhausting—all that unpacking and organizing.
You have to go to the school to handle your enrollment papers. It was just a matter of showing up, handing over the folder, and being told which day you’d start classes.
At the front office, after submitting your paperwork, it took less than an hour for them to give you your schedule and assigned class. You were definitely on edge—not because you lacked social skills, but because you hated change.
You decided to take a walk to the mall, exploring the city again and maybe checking if that old friend remembered you. About three years had passed; according to you, the change wasn't that drastic.
You browsed the clothing stores, but nothing really caught your eye… until you walked into a makeup store. You adored makeup, and your perfect excuse was that you had run out. And… apparently, you went a little overboard. Just a little. You were carrying a full bag.
You kept walking until you finally found the place. You hesitated whether to go in or not since there was no one there… but you decided to do it, even though your mind said it was a bad idea and your body started to feel anxious.
"Helloooo?" you called out. You felt so nervous and embarrassed saying that.
You walked a bit further and glanced at the trophies: “He’s been doing well.” A half-smile appeared on your face.
"Oh, are you interested in training at the dojo?" The voice behind you made you jump. You spun around quickly and saw him.
He hadn't changed at all, and his smile filled the room with joy.
"Wait, I feel like I know you from somewhere," he said, narrowing his eyes slightly.
You let out a soft laugh. Puberty had brought a big change, but you worked magic with your hands, and you knew how much makeup changed your look.
"Has Rudy Tutti Frutti forgotten me? That’s mean; you promised you wouldn't." You knew that with that nickname, he would finally recognize you.
"y/n? Seriously, is it you?" You nodded. He hugged you tightly.
"I’m so glad the dojo is doing great." You pulled away from the hug.
Rudy invited you to his office, offered you water, and soon the conversation flowed as if years hadn't passed. You felt at home, even if it had only been one day.
"Wow, it’s incredible. You’re back here again, after..." he paused.
"Three years, Rudy," you reminded him.
"Right! So tell me, what have you been up to?"
"Nothing major. Dance, makeup, buying manga—the usual." You leaned your head back; the couch was actually really comfortable. "Tell me about you, seriously. I’m so excited to see you again and hear about everything that’s happened." You sat up straight again.
"Well, a while back the dojo was in danger of closing, but someone joined and since then, this place has been on the rise. In fact, Bobby Wasabi himself has been here! He’s so good!" he said excitedly. "We’ve won several trophies; those kids are really talented and cool. I have two young black belts—it’s just great." A huge smile was on his face; it was clear he was very proud of his students.
The conversation kept flowing; you really missed these chats with your "almost-brother." You talked about the pranks you used to pull and how many times he turned pale because you were so slippery. He kept telling you about competitions, experiences, practices, etc.
"That’s incredible, you deserve it. You’re an amazing person and teacher; you must feel very lucky to have them."
"Yeah, those kids are the best. You know, you should join. That way you’d make new friends, too," he suggested.
"Join? No, no. I’m very... you know," you paused briefly, "hmm, I’m just not at that level, and I never will be." The discouragement in your voice was obvious.
"Don't say that. You're incredible, and with you, there’d be three of us, plus you have more—" You felt the sincerity in his words.
“He’s probably just saying that out of pity.”
"No, I’m fine like this. Anyway, what time do they start?" you dodged the subject.
He looked at the clock. "Oh, actually they started 15 minutes ago. Do you want to stay and watch?"
"Oh no, I’ve taken up too much of your time already. I’m sorry, I should probably head home." You stood up quickly.
"What? No. Don't apologize, it's fine, really. It’s so nice chatting with you, especially after all this time. I’ll walk you to the door, okay?" You nodded, embarrassment clear on your face.
You walked out of the office, and five teenagers turned to look at you.
"Hey, why were you hiding this beauty in your office?" a dark-haired boy asked. "What's up, babe? I’m Jerry, the number one in this dojo." He approached you in a way that made you laugh.
"Shut up. You’re not even number five, Jerry," a blonde girl spoke up. She also approached you. "I’m Kim. Your makeup is gorgeous! What products do you use?" she asked excitedly.
"Why are they leaving us behind?" asked a tall redhead. Soon, three boys approached.
"Shut up, Milton. You shouldn't even be signing up—you have a girlfriend, remember?" Kim turned her head and arched an eyebrow.
"I just want to be polite, okay?" he replied in a high-pitched voice. "I’m Milton, the one on the right is Eddie, and the one on the left is Jack—the real number one, by the way." He emphasized the word 'real' heavily.
You waved and gave them a smile. However, your gaze lingered on Jack for a few extra seconds, and he did the same.
"Guys, this is y/n," Rudy said with a smile. "Well, you’re welcome at this dojo anytime. I really hope to see you around; I’ve missed you."
"I missed you too. Anyway, it was a pleasure meeting you all. Good luck with practice. See ya!" You waved again and left.
"She’s a sweetheart. I hope to see her tomorrow or Monday at school." Kim was excited; having another girl in the dojo would make her feel more confident and give her a new friend.
"She seems cool," Jack said in his usual nonchalant tone, but deep down, a small spark of curiosity was lit.
Monday arrived. Ugh. You had stayed up a bit late watching SpongeBob, but you couldn't blame yourself—it’s a great show. You did your usual routine, then started what you enjoyed most: doing your makeup while listening to your favorite music.
After that visit to the dojo, you looked in the mirror and hated the fact that you’d be nothing without makeup, while that blonde girl was pretty without a single drop of it.
You were able to see beauty in everyone else except yourself. You shook your head before you started tearing up; you didn't want your makeup to get ruined.
"California girls, we're unforgettable," you sang while polishing the final details.
Time passed quickly. Before you knew it, a shout startled you.
"It's time to go, come down now!" You heard your father's voice.
You grabbed your backpack and ran downstairs.
"Have a great first day, honey. You look beautiful." Your mother gave you a tight hug, and you returned it with a smile.
You took the keys and waved goodbye. You got into the car and it started. It was about a 15-minute drive to school; it went by fast.
"Alright, we're here. Be careful, kiddo. You look beautiful—must be because you're my daughter," your father joked. "I'll call you to see if I can pick you up later. Either way, you know the route back. Now go and have a good day!" A smile made you feel better than you already did.
"Have a good day. See you this afternoon." You got out of the car and headed into the school.
The bustle made you feel a bit anxious; being the "new kid" made you feel like a freak. You headed to your first class: Chemistry. One of your favorite subjects. When you arrived, almost all the seats were taken. A boy waved for you to sit next to him; you recognized him immediately.
"Hey, I didn't know you were assigned to our class!" he said with a smile.
"I’m glad to know someone in this class. Eddie, right?" I gave him a smile.
"Yeah. Do you like chemistry?" he asked.
"I actually do! It’s one of my favorite subjects. How about you?" You got slightly excited.
"To be honest, I'm not very good at it. In lab practice, I always end up messing things up," he laughed nervously and scratched the back of his neck.
From a distance, Jack froze for a moment. A tingle ran down his spine. His eyes settled on you for just a few seconds, but he ignored it and headed to his seat.
"Hey Eddie," he greeted. "Hey... you too." You waved back in greeting.
Class began, and with it, your first day of school. When lunch arrived, several girls had already approached to talk to you—they were cheerleaders, and they seemed very cheerful and energetic.
A group of boys walked in and noticed you quickly. "Kim, isn't that the girl from yesterday?" Jerry pointed. Everyone turned.
"And she’s with the cheerleaders, Jerry. Do you know what that means?" Kim exclaimed, overly excited.
"No, no idea." Kim rolled her eyes at his response.
"She can get me back into cheerleading!" A smile spread across her face. "Plus, I can get closer to her and be her friend. Anyway guys, see ya later!" She walked toward the table where you were sitting.
"Hellooo! Do you remember me? I’m Kim. Can I sit with you guys?" she asked excitedly.
"Oh my god, your makeup looks amazing. Teach me how to do mine, pleeeease!" She looked at your face with admiration.
"Yeah, of course, Kim. And I hope your friends don't mind that you sat here instead of with them. I don't want to cause any trouble." You looked down.
"What? No, pff, not at all. I’m tired of hanging out with those animals. You should come to the dojo this afternoon. I really want to talk to you more and, well, show you how fabulous I am." She flipped her hair. You couldn't help but let out a light laugh.
"I can tell you are, Kim. But I don't want to ruin your atmosphere." You twisted the corner of your lip.
"Don't say that. In fact, I can teach you some moves." She leaned in very close. You pulled back a bit; you didn't expect her to get that close.
"Uh, yeah, okay. But just for today," you replied.
"You’ll see it won't be just for today." She gave you a smile.
The conversation flowed. When lunch ended, she asked what class you had next and was thrilled to find out you shared your last few classes with her. She took your hand, said a quick goodbye to her friends, and you headed to the classroom.
Classes ended, and you went to your locker to drop some things off. "So, are you coming to the dojo?"
You heard a voice behind you. You closed your locker and turned around.
"Yes, unless something comes up," you laughed nervously.
"What do you mean 'something comes up'?" He arched an eyebrow and crossed his arms.
You were about to answer, but just then, that boy with the distinctive moles arrived.
"Hey, what are you guys talking about?" He stood between you.
"I invited y/n to the dojo today, but she says if 'something comes up'—" she made air quotes with her fingers, "—she won't be able to make it." She looked at you again.
"A lot of things happen; everything can change," you shrugged.
"Is that a yes or a no?" Jack said with a confused face.
He got interested rather quickly. He didn't know why he had asked that; just an innocent question, right?
"Rudy said he has a gift for you," Kim said quickly.
"Really?" You were surprised. "Well, then I’ll be there. See ya!" You flashed a big smile.
When you got home, you packed a bag with your essentials. Your phone vibrated; it was a text from Kim: "Are you coming? Rudy was so happy to hear you're coming to the dojo." You smiled and put your phone away.
You grabbed your bag and left for the dojo. It was definitely a beautiful day. You felt a bit nervous; you prayed Rudy wouldn't let his mouth run—that he’d keep your secret.
You pulled the door and stepped inside. They had already started. You couldn't help but feel nostalgic.
"You made it! Come, sit down and enjoy. I was stalling until you got here. I’m glad you’re here." Rudy took your hand and sat you on the benches. He gave you a big smile. "Alright, now let’s start sparring one by one. Milton and Eddie first."
The fight was funny—both were a bit fearful, but in the end, Eddie was the winner.
"Oh yeah, I'm an orange belt for a reason," he smirked.
"Yeah, you just got lucky," Milton said, getting up.
The second match was Jerry versus Kim. It didn't last at all; she took him down easily.
"I let her win!" He stood up quickly and looked at you with an embarrassed smile.
"Seriously? Then let's do a second round," she prepared herself quickly, her words sounding like a challenge.
"Forget it, she won fair and square." Jerry hid behind Milton.
You gave them a smile. Kim approached you excitedly.
"When the last match is over, I can teach you some moves! Come on, say yes!" She grabbed your shoulders and shook you.
"Oh, I'm not good, let's just leave it," you smiled nervously.
"Let me teach you some moves, okay?" She did little hops.
"Oh, Kim, she doesn't nee—" You interrupted him quickly.
"Shut up, Rudy." You looked at him. "You know I'm not good, remember?" You emphasized that last word heavily.
"Well, the last match will be my two best students," he spoke quickly, changing the subject.
"I'll give it my best. Wish me luck!" She took your hands.
"Good luck, cutie," you smiled at her.
That match was intense. The moves were precise, with good technique, and that’s not even mentioning the strength Kim started to show. She really pushed herself, but one wrong move let Jack win.
Kim bit her lip. You went over to her and helped her up.
"You did great, Kim. I really liked it. You're very talented, keep it up!" You gave her a sincere smile; from her movements, you could tell how much effort and practice she had put in.
You saw a shadow, turned your head, and looked at him.
“Nice hair. Cute.” you thought.
You looked back at Kim, and she gave you a hug. It caught you off guard, but you accepted it and patted her back.
"Good match, Kim." He finally spoke; his words sounded sincere.
But there was something Kim noticed: Jack was staring at you longer than usual. Kim flashed a very slight smirk seeing that.
"Well, I better get going. You guys are excellent, keep it up!" You stood up and went to where Rudy was.
"Hey, remember the promise?" he whispered.
You nodded. How could you forget?
"Yeah, I haven't forgotten. But let it be another time, when no one else is around, okay?" You didn't want anyone to see you in that state.
"Why?" He crossed his arms.
"I don't like being seen like that. Besides, it would look bad if the sensei lost in front of everyone," you patted his shoulder.
"In your dreams. I'm the best; even Jack hasn't been able to take me down," he said confidently, shaking out his wrists.
Actually, you believed that too. But you weren't going to drill your head with pointless thoughts and nerves until that day came.
"So when do you want to set it for?" he asked you.
"Whenever you decide, Tutti Frutti," you smiled.
"How about a week after the next tournament?" He arched an eyebrow.
"Which means...?" You narrowed your eyes.
"Very well. Then I’ll see you in two months. Is the song still on?" You tilted your head.
"You bet. Gotta keep the vibe relaxed." He winked.
From a distance, Jack watched the interaction feeling curious: "What are they talking about so much?" he thought.
Kim looked over at Jack and quickly realized he was watching you. A mischievous smile framed her face; she would make sure to be a good Cupid... plus, your locker was right next to Jack’s. Everything was going to be very easy, even if it took some time.
"Alright guys, you’re dismissed. Well done!" Rudy announced.
"See you later, Rudy!" You waved goodbye. You were about to turn around, but he stopped you. "What’s up?"
"Your dad called and said he’s inviting me to dinner, so we’re going together—just like old times." Jack overheard those words.
Now he understood. You were very close to Rudy. He figured they were just talking about old memories or something like that.
"We’re going to Phil’s Falafel, you coming, Jack?" Kim asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Yeah, let’s go. See you tomorrow, Rudy." Jack said goodbye.
Something about you felt familiar, intriguing... and definitely worth his attention.
espero que sea entendible... aunque aún no entiendo porque no lo publique en español. supongo que eso en otra plataforma, JAJAJAJA.