Chapter 6 [The following week
[Middleton HS
After another losing battle with the mystery meat in the cafeteria, Kim swapped books for her afternoon classes at her locker. She was relieved to see Ron walking better on the monitor during the previous Friday's class. (Well, at least stumbling around was better for him anyhow.)
As she slipped the last book into her bag, Wade's face came onto her computer screen. "Hi, Kim."
"Hey, Wade. What's the sitch? I've got class in a couple of minutes."
"Yeah—about that. I just heard from Sensei. Apparently Ron's got something really big planned for that class," the genius informed her.
Despite knowing that she would find out in a few minutes anyhow, she wanted to know right then and there. "And you know?"
"I might."
"And you're going to clue me in?"
"Nope."
"Not even a whiff of a hint?"
"Nope."
She sighed. "I can make you talk." She shot him a PDP.
He rolled his eyes. "Kim, I'm immune to it. Nice try though."
"RRRRR!" she growled. "Wade, SPILL!"
"Hey. You'll find out in five minutes. Chill out," he advised before tuning out.
She fumed her way down the hall, stomping into the classroom and slumping into her seat.
Needless to say, Rick's antennas were on full alert. "Uh, Kim, what's going on?"
"Wade knows about Ron's report and won't spill!" she snapped.
"Oh too bad, K," Bonnie teased. "Even the nerd's blowing you off now."
Kim wheeled around.
"Okay, stop it." Rick jumped between them. "Bonnie, leave it alone now."
Before the brunette instigator could continue, Mr. Barkin walked into the room. He glared at the group. "Cool your jets, people! How many times do I have to tell you this is a classroom not a playground!"
Everyone let the matter drop, not wanting to provoke the ex-marine any further.
"Better," Barkin told them upon hearing the quiet. "Before we tune in, I want to make something very clear to all of you. Mr. Sensei's informed me that Stoppable and Matsumaru have some surprises for us. While I normally don't jump in where Stoppable's concerned, I like the effort he's been showing since he's been in Japan. Am I clear? Rockwaller?"
"Fine! Single me out!" Bonnie sulked.
"You aren't the only one. Now let's hear what they have to say." Barkin turned on the TV to find the Yamanuchi contingent sitting in their places. "Are we set?"
"We are," Sensei agreed. "Stoppable San, the floor, as you Americans say, is yours."
"Thanks, Mr. Sensei." Ron stood up and took the microphone. "Hey, guys. Yori and I are set to do this talk on Chanukah. She's going to start off with some historical background. Then I'll round things out with some things on the holiday itself. And finally—we've got a surprise for ya!" He glanced toward his GF and handed her the microphone.
"Thank you, Ron San," she expressed before beginning her half of the report. For the better part of fifteen minutes, she laid out an expansive timeline and embellished it for their classmates on both sides of the Pacific. Then she handed the microphone back to him, adding, "It is your turn, I believe."
"Thanks. Time to get into the good stuff on the holiday," Ron indicated before jumping in to his end on rituals and celebration. Granted, his piece wasn't as in-depth as hers had been. Still, he managed to talk about the ties between the home and temple, cooking, lighting of the candles and worship. He (with Kim's permission of course) talked about previous instances of sharing the holiday with his friends of other faiths.
Both talks featured extensive multimedia—pictures, graphics, text and even some sound clips.
For his classmates at Middleton (and Barkin), they were blown away by the quality of the whole production. While Yori's influence on Ron was quite obvious throughout, the latter still needed to dedicate himself to the task at hand. The library preparation and research was there.
From her seat, Kim recalled her observation from their visit to the ninja school right after Nakasumi. He does fit in there better than here. The thought depressed her. Still, she was happy for her best friend. Sensei and Yori know how to motivate him. Wish we could've done that here!
As he ended his talk, Ron broke in to her reverie. While he recognized the introspection on her face, he wouldn't expose her on camera. He glanced over at Sensei for a prompt,
"Perhaps it is time for the lighting of the candles?" the teacher suggested while motioning to the menorah behind himself.
"Yeah. That would be cool," Ron agreed albeit hesitantly. "Since this is just the first day, we'll do two. Then every day, we'll light one more. By the end, we'll have lit them all. Course, we'll only leave 'em that way for a little while. Can't burn the place down, can we?" He smirked good-naturedly.
The comment solicited chuckles from both audiences. Knowing his personal history, they wouldn't have put it past Ron to do exactly that. For the ninja students, they still remembered the exchange week's mishaps (and the following renovations). The Americans had a whole list of things they could throw at him.
Strangely though, nobody did…..
Despite Sensei's care to conceal Yamanuchi's true nature, the American contingent remained silent—almost reverently so. They could sense the purpose under the surface. Hell, it had to be considering how focused Ron had been over the past few months…ever since Yori's impromptu visit during the previous summer. While he was still him, they could see how he was trying to be serious despite his nerves.
Sensei nodded to Yori who struck a long match.
"Show us the way, Ron San," she urged, letting him (and everyone else for that matter) see the caring and faith she had for him. She held the burning match out for him.
He smiled and accepted the taper, feeling her support strengthen him and wash the insecurities away. "Yeah," he whispered, knowing that she did the same for him. He turned to the camera, bringing Kim into it as well.
From her place, his BF nodded while motioning to the candelabra with her head.
Almost reverently, he lit the two candles and blew out the match, cutting off chance of disaster. Then he bowed his head and whispered a couple of prayers before smiling. "Thanks, gang, for sharing that with me. Questions?"
A few hands went up on both sides.
Ron motioned for Yori to join him then they both took the queries.
It was a moment to be noticed…for all of the right reasons.