Catch-22: Training Sessions II
By: M14Mouse
Summary: Finally, Yu get to train the others without any incidents. Haha….like that is going to happen.
Disclaimer: Don't own them
"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires."
― William Arthur Ward
"Uhh…should I say congratulations?" Makoto said when they met up.
"For now, I am not sure," Yu said.
Makoto looked confused for a moment.
He rubbed the bridge of nose. What a mess.
"Mitsuru-san…."
"Before you talk, hear me out."
He sighed.
"Go on."
"You are aware of the current political situation in Japan. It has become more and more difficult to operate, especially our research department. I expect someone is making it hard for a reason."
"You know who?"
"I have some guesses. I have operatives looking into the situation. I have more pressing situations with increased shadows movements around the world and a government unwilling to see the truth. I had to make a choice for the sake of my company and for the world."
"That is why you have been traveling to Kenya and South Africa so much."
"Their governments are open to our presence…even welcoming. It is nice to have an ally instead of an enemy.
"That does make things easier for us. I supposed the others and I will be traveling there shortly."
"Yes, I am making arrangements as we speak."
"And…my promotion?"
"From your reports, you believe that the man in the black mask is the cause of the mental breakdowns. With your work with the Phantom Thieves, you also believe that there is someone else directing the attacks. This promotion would allow you access to people and places that you didn't have before. You will provide and allow access to more resources. It also gives you and possibly the Thieves some measure of protection if something were to happen. Most of all, you have the full support of the board and the staff."
He didn't deny that she did have a point. He also knew her well enough to know that there is more to it.
"And?"
"I expect you to do what you do best…find the truth."
"You make it sound like that is a bad thing?"
"I have seen you work, Yu-san."
"…Again, bad thing?"
"No, scary."
"…."
"…"
"I think that you are enjoying this."
"….Just a little."
"If it is too much trouble, maybe you should stop training us," Ren said.
Ren may be wearing a mask, he could see the statement and tone quite clearly. It was a tone that spoke of mistrust and sadness.
"No, I worked out my schedule for me to continue to train you," He said.
"Is there a reason that you told the others to stay back for a while?" Makoto said.
"They will distract you. I want your first session to be one on one just like the others. For the next part, I will bring in the others and we can do some group training."
"That is understandable…."
He nodded.
"Okay…you first, Queen."
"Yes, Sensei…," She said as she got up from her seat.
Since he didn't plan for the actual combat situation with this group, he figured that they could work by the stairs. He told the others to wait a level above them with his shadow friends. He also remembered the snacks. That should keep them busy…unless they fight over snacks again.
Then he would have to stop the session.
He waited for Makoto to stand in front of him.
"While Incubus and I were exploring the palace, I was able to watch some of your battles."
"Oh?"
"Your quick thinking and ability to analyze your enemies at first glance are impressive. So, tell me…why are you afraid of them?"
Her eyes widened slightly.
Makoto was almost as good at hiding her weakness as Ren. He didn't catch it until after watching several battles. When a shadow surprised her, he could see her body flitch. He wondered if she was conscious of it.
She took a deep breath and bowed.
"Queen?"
"I am so…sorry, Sensei. I promise to do better," Makoto said.
He sighed softly. Once Makoto stopped bowing, he put her hands on her shoulders.
"Queen, that isn't the point. I know that you will do better. I am worried about your fear getting the better of you in combat. I understand what you and the others must do but it doesn't stop me from worrying about my students."
Makoto stared at him like a deer caught in the headlights.
"You are very kind, Sensei."
"I don't know about it. I am too blurt sometimes," He said.
She smiled a little.
"Now, shadows come in different forms. Not all are like Black Frost and Lilim. I want you to be prepared."
"It isn't that the shadows scare me…."
His eye brow rose slightly.
"Okay…maybe a little but with the others here, it makes it better."
"What if you were alone and separated from the others?"
"I….I don't know."
"Then we will work on it as a team. Slime, come out, please," He shouted.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Slime crawl out of the shadows. He also saw Makoto flitch at Slime's appearance.
"Don't be afraid. Out of my shadows, Slime is friendliness," He said.
"Really?" She said as she looked from Slime to him.
"Black Frost can be shy around strangers. Since you are new, he wouldn't be a good choice. Lilim might be a good choice but she isn't too fond of Fox."
"I didn't steal her candy!" Fox shouted from the stairs.
He glanced over at Yusuke. Ren stood next to Fox…looking very amused.
He chuckled.
"HeY SenSei!"
"Hello, Slime. I am going to need your help. Queen is new. She hasn't quite adjusted to all of the shadows. Would you mind if she fed you some popcorn to adjust to everyone?"
"pOpcoRn! SliME LovEs PopCoRN!"
He smiled as he waved for Ren to throw him a bag of popcorn from his bag. Ren grabbed it out of his bag and tossed it toward him. He caught it and gave it to Makoto. He watched as Makoto took a seat on the stairs and opened the bag of popcorn. Slime moved over to her and Makoto started feeding Slime.
By feeding, he meant Makoto throwing pieces of popcorn at Slime. Slime wasn't complaining. Slime really likes his popcorn.
"Fox, it's your turn," He said.
"Yes, Sensei," Yuske said as he got to his feet.
"Joker has been telling me that you two have been working on finding your passion for painting again."
"That is correct."
"I believe that has helped you in battle. I did see improvement when you fought this time than last time. So, I think that it is a good idea for Joker to continue working with you. If it isn't broken, don't fix it. If Joker ever gets stuck, I will be happy to help. So, today, we are going to work on your agility since you are one of the fastest in the group."
"I…thank you, Sensei."
"Yaskini, your turn."
Yaskini came out of the shadows.
"Joker, if you please…"
Ren brought a basket filled with water balloons to him.
"Thank you," He said as he picked the basket and brought it to Yaskini.
"Is this training similar to Skull's training?" Yusuke said.
"Yes and no. Yaskini will be throwing water balloons while I watch. The goal is to improve your agility. The next will move onto the target practice. She will throw the balloons and you will freeze them with your ice spells. That will work on your reaction time."
"If you…say so."
He could hear the hesitation in his voice.
Hmmm….
"Think of your persona as your paintbrush."
"I don't think that he would like it if you called him that."
He chuckled.
"I can imagine that. How about you as the paintbrush? Your moves and your actions determine how your painting turns out."
"That is an interesting way to put it. I will try, Sensei," Yusuke said with a bow.
He stepped away.
"Ready?"
Both of them nodded their heads.
"Begin."
Yaskini started throwing the water balloon one at the time. Yusuke was dodging but not very well. After the fourth hit with the water balloon, he raised his hand.
"Stop."
"Sensei…" Yusuke said.
"You are putting a Mona. You are overthinking the exercise. When you paint, you feel. Just feel the movement of your body. Here…how about you watch me? Okay….ready, Yaskini," He said.
"Of course, Sensei," Yaskini said with a grin.
He had a feeling that Yaskini was going to enjoy doing this.
He dodged the first waterball but not the second. But once he adjusted without a weapon, his body started to move with ease.
Yosuke would be so proud.
"Enough," He said after the third water ball hit him. He wanted to save some water balls for Yosuke.
"Did that…," He said as he turned around to look at the students' wide eyed expressions.
"That was remarkable. Can I paint you sometimes, Sensei?! It was truly poetry in motion. Oh, I wish that I brought my brushes." Yusuke said.
"Wow…." Ren added.
"That is remarkable. How long have you been training?" Makoto said.
He flushed.
"Few years from now. I am a little rusty. So, teaching you has made me brush up a bit," He said.
"Truly remarkable," Yusuke said in awe.
"Thank you. Understand what I am going for?"
"Yes, I think I do," Yusuke said as he replaced his spot in front of Yaskini.
"Ready?"
Both nodded their heads.
"Begin."
This time went much better than before. He could see Yusuke move much more fluently and he didn't get hit with that many water balls.
"Stop…great work, Fox. Now, we will move on…."
A loud crash interrupted what he was about to say.
"YOU ASSHOLE!" Ann shouted.
"Yes, you big meanie!" Lilim joined hers.
He turned around to see Ann and Lilim with their hands on their hips standing over Ryuji, who was rubbing his head.
"I told you that was a bad idea,' Morgana said from the top of the stairs.
"PoPcorN?" Slime said sadly at the popcorn on the floor.
"Don't worry, Slime. I get you some more," Makoto said as she patted Slime on the head. Her eyes were solely on Ryuji. He would bet some yen that someone was buying Slime popcorn tonight.
"Tell him that he was a jerk-face, Sensei," Lilim said.
"I know, right?! Wait until you hear about this, Joker," Ann added.
He and Ren looked at each other.
"Hee Hoo?" Black Frost said as he opened his hands to be picked up.
He sighed as he picked up Black Frost.
Note to self, individual session or group session might be the way to go.
End of Training Session II
Next Chapter: The Shopping Trip
A/N: Don't worry. Ren will get his session soon enough and our first rank up. Some of my reviewers nail the reason for the twist but it has another purpose that you will see soon enough. As for your theory, Y, it is interesting one. Too many callbacks in Persona 5 kind of kill the theory for me.
Again, thank you for the wonderful support, reviews, favorites, kudos. You guys are awesome!