Demetri had almost decided all karate teachers were the same. Sensei Lawrence was an asshole. Sensei Kreese didn't belong around kids at all. And Demetri had started to worry Mr. LaRusso was yet another example of a teacher who just wanted to make him feel bad for failing.
But then something weird happened. Mr. LaRusso slowed things down. He got on his level, without making him feel like a loser. Mr. LaRusso believed he could do it, if just given the right sort of attention.
It made Demetri believe he could do it, too. He'd forgotten what that felt like.
