"Okay, then, let's start working on a schedule," said Kim.
"Well, personally, I'd like to take some time off before we go to Yamanouchi," said Ron. "Could we aim for the end of summer?"
"That sounds good to me too," said Jenny, "I'd like a chance to goof off before we get down to business. I'd guess we'll be pretty busy there."
"You have NO idea," said Ron, and got a sleepy "uh huh" from Rufus.
"You won't hear any objection from me," said Kim, and pulled out the Kimmunicator. She keyed the 'connect' button, and Wade appeared.
"Hi, guys," he said, taking a sip of cola, "What's up?"
"We've been talking about what we're going to do with these offers we've gotten, and made some decisions," answered Kim, "We're going to take the summer off, then go to Yamanouchi for a year, then come back and go to Tri-Cities on the GJ scholarships."
"Sounds like a plan to me," commented Wade, "But you did remember that you won't be able to go on missions while in Japan?"
"Yeah, but Dr. Director said you can refer everything to GJ. If they really need us, they can still call. Sensei said he would make allowances if really needed," she answered.
"Okay, I can work with that. It'll give me a chance to finish some projects that will make Team Possible even better equipped when you get home," he answered.
Kim grinned. "Look forward to it!"
"Was there anything you needed right now?" asked Wade, fingers poised over the keyboard.
"Contact Yamanouchi for me, and put it on my computer monitor, please and thank you!" she said.
Wade grinned and disappeared. A few moments later the monitor's screen saver turned off, and a video window appeared on the desktop. In it was their friend Yori. She looked a bit sleepy, and stifled a yawn before speaking.
"Konnichiwa, Kim-chan, Ron-kun, Jen-chan," she said, ducking her head. "How may I be of service?"
"Hi, Yori," replied Kim, "Hope we didn't wake you."
"Iie, I am on night monitor duty this week, so I was..." she yawned, "...awake."
"Sort of," murmured Jenny, too low for Yori to hear.
"The three of us have decided to accept Sensei's offer, and come to Yamanouchi for a year," said Kim.
Yori's face lit up. "That is wonderful news! Sensei will be glad to hear it!"
"All three of us have things we want to do first, so we were thinking about coming over in September. Would that be a problem?" said Ron.
Yori looked thoughtful. "Not that I am aware of, but I will ask when I report to Sensei, and let you know his thoughts."
"Please and thank you," said Kim.
Yori grinned. "I am very much looking forward to seeing you again, my friends. I wish I could have stayed longer when I went to get the Luck Shield."
"We do too," answered Jenny.
"Sayonara, friends, I will be in touch soon," said Yori, and the screen went dark.
Kim went to the computer and typed a code into the video address box. The Global Justice logo appeared on screen, and stayed for fifteen seconds. Then it cleared to present the head of the secret organization, Dr. Director.
"Team Possible," she said with a smile, "How can I help you?"
"We wanted to update you on our future plans," answered Kim.
"You have my attention," said Dr. Director, turning serious.
"It's not set in stone yet, but in September we're going to Yamanouchi for a year, and when we get back we'll take the scholarships you offered," said Kim.
"And become full-time agents after that?" asked Dr. Director.
"Yes ma'am," said Kim, "And when the five years is up, we'll decide wether or not to stay longer."
"Understood," answered the brown-haired woman, "And I think you've made the best overall decision. A year's training there, and I'll get the benefit of the world's greatest team being even better."
The three teens blushed.
"Keep me informed," said Dr. Director, and signed off.
"That's two hurdles down. Now for the last one, telling our friends," said Ron.
They made some calls, and it was agreed they would all meet at Bueno Nacho for lunch the next day.
kpkpkp
Monique, Tara, and Felix had joined Ron, Kim, and Jenny at Bueno Nacho, sitting at a large table instead of the usual booth.
"So, let me make sure I've got this straight," said Monique, "The three of you are going to spend a year in Japan instead of attending T-CU?" she said.
"That's right," answered Kim, "But we'll enroll when we get back. There will be scholarships waiting for us."
"What are you going to do there?" asked Tara.
The three glanced at each other. "Training," Jenny answered.
"Is this related to your saving the world missions?" asked Felix.
"Yes, it is. But we really can't give you more details because it's secret," said Ron.
"Okay, I can respect that. But I won't see you for a year?" asked Monique, getting upset.
"No, you won't. I hate it too, 'cause you're my BGF, and I'll miss you," said Kim.
"When you get back and start college, you'll be a year behind us," said Tara.
"We know. That was a real sticking point, too," said Jenny, "But you can't put your lives on hold because of us. And it won't stop us being friends, anyway."
"Yeah, but it still stinks," said Monique, crossing her arms and looking unhappy.
"I don't like it either," said Tara, and Felix nodded in agreement.
"We're not going to just disappear," said Ron.
"We're taking the summer off first. We got that confirmed last night," said Jenny.
"We'll keep in touch when we can," said Kim, "Send an email or a letter, but we will be kept busy."
Their three friends were slightly mollified. "Well, if I can at least hear from you once in a while, I'll live with it," said Monique.
"Me too," said Tara.
"I agree," said Felix.
"The only thing is, you may not be able to reply," said Ron, "Where we're going is secret, after all."
"If that's the way it has to be..." said Monique.
"Sorry," said Ron.
"Tara, have you decided what you're going to study?" asked Jenny, changing the subject abruptly.
"No, and it's bugging me to death. I never have known what I want to do in life," she answered.
"Well, T-CU offers degrees in many fields, so I'm sure you'll figure it out," said Kim.
"Yeah, there are SO many options..." murmured Tara.
There was silence for a while, as they ate their food, fending off Rufus who kept trying to steal anything with cheese on it.
"Whatever happened to that monkey guy?" asked Tara suddenly.
"Oh, uh, he's still in the psych ward of Middleton General. Never has recovered from losing to Jenny," said Ron. He didn't want to go into the REAL reason, that Jenny's hex had transferred Fiske's portion of the Mystical Monkey Power into Ron.
"One less freak to worry about," said Kim, effectively closing the subject.
kpkpkp
After lunch, Monique had to go to work at Club Banana, Felix and his mom were going to the Middleton Science Institute to see about a summer internship for him, and Tara was going to the animal shelter where she volunteered.
Left alone, Ron, Kim, and Jenny talked about what to do. They strongly considered going to the GJ training facility to practice, but felt too lazy to do that. So they decided to go to Lake Middleton and hang out.
By the time they got home, changed, and got to the lake, more than an hour had passed, so they jumped right in, and had fun.
Team Possible, the world-famous crime fighters, planned to take full advantage of one last summer just being kids.