[This is why, despite everything, Sayo still wanted to believe in Johnny. He stumbled, he tripped, he occasionally flailed around in mud and insisted that everyone else was being hoity-toity and that the only way to be a REAL man was to splash in the dirt with him, but... he tried. On some level, he knew that the best thing he could do for his students was to make sure they were better than him; a hand pushing them up even as it splattered them with mud.

That initial push is what gave Sayo the courage to expose herself and leave Clockhouse—no, more than that. If Sayo hadn't joined Cobra Kai, she never would've found a way to be Sayo, not just a hollow doll named Shannon.

A ghost of a smile tugs at Sayo's lips, but she still sighs, unable to completely lift herself out of her own personal cesspit of self-loathing. At least Johnny helped, if nothing else.]

If you did, I'd probably be able to handle it. Would've been more bearable than getting dressed down by the madam back home for the umpteenth time.

[She leans back, staring at her fist as she clenches and unclenches it. A scowl creeps across her face.]

It's just frustrating. That's all. I've worked so hard for months, learned how to execute every technique you've taught me as close to perfection as I can get it, but...

[She snaps a forward straight into the air.]

I'm not strong enough. Simple as that. My body keeps on holding me back.

[A sigh.]

Same as it ever was, really.