Ch.23
Bonnie couldn't help smiling at Tara's excitement. What could she say, seeing Tara happy had a similar effect on her. Still, there was something she had to clarify for her. "Um, Tara."
"Yes?" Tara asked.
"Today's Wednesday." Bonnie clarified.
"Oh!" Tara said blushing. "This week is so slow." She said looking to the side, not willing to admit her excitement had made her forget.
"That aside, remember the plan, when..." Bonnie spoke, reminding Tara of the important details.
~~~~~~
Although Ron hated to admit it, having a conversation that included everyone, even Josh, as they walked to school wasn't going anywhere. Josh, for his part, answered without a problem, as Ron asked about upcoming school events that might interest Yori. Yori asked about a couple of things but mostly focused on the coming spring formal. Sadly, Kim couldn't tear herself from Josh long enough to participate, her answers were vague as she was absorbed with Josh. So, after a while of trying, Ron gave up group talk and with the subtlest movements, slowed down with Yori to give Kim her 'Josh time'.
Ron had to admit it, his hope of beginning to fix the gap that formed between him and Kim wasn't going to work as long as Josh was involved. Her attention span around Josh was unilateral and anyone could tell that she wasn't interested in other things while he was around. Ron briefly considered talking to her about it but she would likely take it the wrong way, so he dropped the subject and conversed with Yori.
Making it to school, they ran into Monique at the entrance, splitting up with Kim and Josh. Monique, Yori and Ron continued talking while they accompanied the others to their respective lockers. As they were doing so, Ron confirmed with Monique to make sure she was still up for tutoring. "We still on for later Monique?
"YMPAS(yeah my place after school)." Monique replied.
"Cool." Ron agreed.
When Ron finally made it to his locker he spotted Bonnie and Tara next to it. "Hey Bonbon, Tara. Good morning! You're timing's excellent." Ron greeted.
"Morning!" Monique/Yori/Tara/Bonnie
"What do you mean our timing's excellent?" Bonnie asked.
"Not much really. Wanted to confirm a couple things." Ron began explaining.
"Sure, what's up?" Tara asked.
"First, I wanted to know if you guys are okay hanging out with Yori? I want her to able to enjoy herself while am studying and try different things." Ron explained. He wanted to make sure that Yori made other friends.
Bonnie exchanged a look with Tara before agreeing for the both of them. "Yeah, no problem."
Looking to Monique, Ron heard her agree. "YMT(yes me too)."
"Seond, what do you guys want for lunch." Turning to Monique and Yori he added. "You too."
"OITGTBART(oh is this going to be a regular thing?" Monique asked getting excited.
"Huh?" Tara/Bonnie/Yori/Ron
"Oh, is this going to be a regular thing?" Monique repeated for their benefit, her excitement obvious.
"Yeah, got the okay from Mr. Barkin, as long as he gets a portion we have access to the Home Ec. room and school supplies." Ron explained. "So ladies, what is it going to be?"
~~~~~
By the end of the tutoring session that afternoon, Monique was impressed. She originally wondered if Ron was going to procrastinate and look for a way to avoid it, but he was completely focused. He asked questions on everything he was confused about. What surprised Monique more was how quickly he was picking up on what she explained. They had even gone back to the last subject he grasped fully before starting, to correct any mistakes Ron might have had.
"SHPBI(still having problems believing it)." Monique said as Ron bent over his notebook in her livingroom.
"It's not that hard, is it?" Ron asked just as he finshed what he was writing.
"RYFMTDOP(ron you forced me to do our project)." Monique said in answer. "SINSTTA(so I need some time to adjus."
"Good point." Ron said a grin at the corner of his lips. "So abo--."
Ron words were cut off by a phone ringing. Pulling out her cellphone, as she recognized the tune, Monique answered. Two minutes later, frustrated, Monique looked at Ron before speaking. "TWTJ(that was the job)."
"Evrything okay?" Ron asked.
"YIHAHSTSMCWBIL(yeah I have a half shift tomorrow since my coworker will be in late)." Monique sighed and answered. Seeing Ron's blank look she explained. "Yeah, I have a half shift tomorrow since my co-worker will be in late."
"Oh." Ron said. "Want me-."
"NICSTY(no i can still tutor you)." Monique began speaking before Ron could finish. "ISBYPA(I'll stop by your place afterwards)."
Monique waited for his reply and it took a moment before she realized that he didn't understand her abbreviation. Blushing she repeated. " No, I can still tutor you, I'll stop by your place afterwards."
"Okay, I'll have a treat ready for you." Ron said once she explained. "I won't take no for answer, so bring room for dinner."
"YFOS(you'refull of surprises)." Monique said. "FD(fine deal)."
~~~~~
After the tutoring was over for the day, Ron sent a text to both Shego and Yori, letting them know he was on his way home. Asking them for some prep work for tonight's dinner, he ended the messages. Ron was feeling great. At first, he was confused on how to go about some the problems but once Monique went about explaining them, things just clicked. In all honesty, it was like he was finally letting the information in.
Once that thought went through his head, Ron again decided to prepare a treat for Monique. 'Afterall, he is a man of his word.'
It took Ron nearly fifteen minutes to make it home. Upon arriving, he announced his presence with a quick 'I'm back' as he left his bag at the livingroom. Hearing 'In the kitchen' as a reply, Ron made his way over, ready to finish dinner.
After dinner and taking care of the dishes, Ron had a sparing session against Shego. This time though, he was only to evade or dodge, any offense was prohibited. Taking a deep breath, Ron took a stance and waited. Looking at Shego across from him, Ron noted her stance as he tried to figure out her first attack.
Ron failed to see the attack coming. In his defense, he didn't even consider the possibility for the attack, that was all he could say. Once Yori declared the start, Ron saw Shego start to move. Her approach was steady, once she was within striking distance, Shego feinted a strike to his temple. Ron could easily tell it was a feint, so that added to his confusion when he hit the ground. 'What happened?'
It didn't take Ron long to figure out the answer. Once he saw Yori step into his line of sight. 'Yori swept my legs while I was focused on defending myself from Shego.'
"Defense, Ron-san, is not limited to Shego-san. You must pay attention to your surroundings so that you may avoid a surprise attack or other mishaps." Yori explained. "Loosing your balance while changing positions can be just as dangerous as an extra opponent. Thus, this training exercises will help in this area."
'That puts it nicely.' Ron thought as he stood. "Let's continue."
Ron made it to the end of the training session with pain all over his body. The concept of defense and being aware of his surroundings but as his body as a witness, it's a painful lesson to learn. 'Still, hopefully with time I'll get that hang of it.' Thinking till here, Ron stretched his body, before sinking down into the lotus position to wait for Master Sensei.
~~~~~
In a few moments, Master Sensei's form appeared before Ron and Yori. "Master Sensei." Ron/Yori greeted with a slight bow.
After a brief discussion, Master Sensei had Ron start meditating.
Master Sensei was able to see the great improvements Ron was making in his meditation. Without even his assistance, Ron was able to enter a state of selflessness which would have taken months to achieve normally. 'I guess I'll have to take a more flexible approach. Let's start testing the depth of his meditation.' Upon making a decision, Master Sensei smiled behind his beard, signaled Yori and transmitted his voice over in Japanese. "I believe Stoppable-san would like some water."
A moment later, Yori came back with the hose as he requested. After adjusting it slightly, so the water was coming out in a nice spray, Yori pointed it towards Ron. It took just over a minute for Ron to fall out off the proper state of mind and wake up.
"Impressive, Stoppable-san." Master Sensei acknowledged. "Only Yori has lasted longer when it was her time to take this test. We will continue to sensing the energy around us soon but for now that would be all for today."
~~~~~
"Thank you, Master Sensei." Ron thanked and bowed as Master Sensei's astral form dissapeared. Heading inside, Ron was just about ready to crash. Still, Ron managed a shower before half dragging himself to the couch. Not long after he drifted into sleep.