Chapter 4 [Three Days Later
[Infirmary
Despite the doctor's initial prognosis for Ron's ankle, the teen ended up sitting out an extra day. During that time, he'd meditated on things—both his own abilities and how the use of them had hurt his friend.
On the third morning, he wrapped his ankle well and returned to the courtyard. With Sensei watching to make sure he didn't overdo it, he only went through the motions rather than hurt himself worse.
Then he and Yori made their way for the infirmary.
As the visitors entered, Hirotaka looked expectantly at them. "Come to check on me?"
She nodded. "Hai. We missed you at drills this morning."
"I cannot believe Stoppable San beat me back out there," the patient jabbed while conceding a warm glance for the other teen in question. "This must be a record of some kind."
"Sensei's been riding me about the procrastination stuff, you know," Ron fired right back in the same vein. "The ankle's no big, Hiro. Really."
Hirotaka nodded. For all of his jabs at the gaijin, he admired Ron's toughness. "I am sure. Meantime, do not be dumb about it. When I get out of here, you owe me a rematch."
"Yeah sure." Outside, the gong rang, calling students to the lunch meal. "Gotta run," Ron agreed.
"Rest, Hirotaka. Take your own advice to Stoppable San," she added as they left.
After the visitors left, Hirotaka shook his head. I am still glad I do not have a girlfriend.
[After Lunch—Ron's Room
After a quick round of sushi for most (except Ron and Rufus), the latter two and Yori returned to the dorm and considered their notes for the upcoming report. Both had spent hours in the school's library reading on the holiday as well as skimming web sites for their information.
"It is good that Sensei gives you permission to have the menorah, Ron San. I look forward to seeing it," she told him.
"Thanks." He took a deep breath. "It feels weird to be doing it over here." He handed Chippy a couple of bananas. "Make sure you dump them in the bag this time. Okay?"
The monkey nodded, recalling how upset his friend had been at the mess from the last time.
"Thanks, Chippy. That's cool," Ron reassured his friend.
"What do you mean by 'feeling weird', Ron San?" she inquired.
"Well, I'm used to celebrating a combined Christmas-Chanukah holiday with KP and her family," he noted anxiously. "Hey, it's cool that Sensei wants me to share and stuff. I just don't want people laughing at me."
"Nobody is laughing," she admonished while looking purposefully into his eyes.
Seeing the intensity there, he gulped. Anyone who did laugh would get a full dose of a very angry Yori. He nodded silently, recalling how she had stood up to Hiro and the others right after school had started several months earlier.
"Good. Now that we, as you Americans say, have settled that, I suggest that I do the history. You talk about celebrations," she proposed.
"Sounds bondiggity," he agreed.
"I will be checking on your progress this weekend, Ron San. No procrastinating," she continued firnly.
"Aw man!" he whined.
She smiled and kissed him. "Just hold up your end and everything will be fine." She stood up. "Class will be soon. We should get ready."
"What is it with girls anyhow?" he groused while glancing at Rufus.
"Don't know," the mole rat conceded.
"That makes two of us," he agreed while getting his Middleton attire out for class.