Winds of Change

Sota laid back in his bed - the rhythmic ticking of the clock being his only company. 

A few more days had passed since his visit to the dojo, and his brain was just as confused as ever. Having said that, there had been some positive movement. He was still lost, but he had at least begun eating and regaining his basic strength again. 

Still, the next steps weren't clear to him. Ren's words at the very end of his visit had rattled through his brain ever since his departure. It made him feel warm, but it also terrified him to have that pressure on his shoulders.

His thoughts were interrupted by his phone buzzing. He ignored it - probably just a random spam message. He sat up from his bed and made his way to his computer chair. 

Another buzz, and another buzz. He still let it be. Now, it was most likely Riku pestering him. 

But the buzzes continued. After a couple more, he finally relented and swiped his phone from the counter. He opened his phone with irritation and took a look. 

It was a sequence of texts from a number he didn't recognize. He opened them...

[Unknown]: Hello. I'm wondering if this is Senpai Sota?

[Unknown]: If so, this is Ren!

Sota's eyes widened and his heartbeat increased rapidly. He was still contemplating something as simple returning to class. How was he supposed to handle Ren having his number? How did Ren even get his number?

[Ren]: Sorry for reaching out so suddenly! 

[Ren]: I pestered Riku to see if he had a way to contact you. 

[Ren]: And this is what he gave me.

Rage welled up in his chest. He pulled up Riku's number immediately, prepping to give him a nasty call. This was crossing a line, even for him. 

His attempt to get to Riku's number kept getting interrupted, however - by Ren's continuous texts...

[Ren]: I know you said you'd be back soon...

[Ren]: But I was hoping I could ask you something. 

[Ren]: Though you've probably been on-break for a reason...

[Ren]: I'm probably overstepping big here...

[Ren]: Forget about it, actually. I'm so sorry!

As Sota read Ren's messages, his anger faded. The frantic and bubbly nature of the messages brought him back to their time training together. Mature as she was, she still acted like a frantic teenager when she felt she was doing something she shouldn't. She'd apologize relentlessly, and it wouldn't stop without intervention.

Taking a deep breath, he typed a reply. 

[Sota]: Yes, this is him. What do you need?

As soon as he hit send, he nearly threw his phone across the desk. It was an impulsive reaction from being a teacher, but it felt like a hot potato after the message went out. There was no going back now - he had engaged the conversation. 

He wasn't given time to think about it, either. The phone began buzzing frantically once again. He ignored the first couple, but eventually picked it up to read.

[Ren]: Oh, cool! Sorry again to disturb you. I hope it's okay!

[Ren]: Though, I guess you would've ignored me if it weren't okay...

[Ren]: Anyway, I was hoping you could help me? I've been trying to work on my forms, but I feel like they keep changing. I never had that problem before when you taught me. 

[Ren]: Not that I'm saying anything bad about Senpai Natsu and Sensei. They're both super great!

[Ren]: I guess I was just wondering if I could send you videos for practice and have you double-check them? Don't worry about it if it's too much! I just thought maybe it'd help...

As Sota read the messages, his mind returned to the previous class. His observations of Ren's struggle stuck out in his mind. He knew the others didn't have great memory, and it would cause confusion for all students. Typically it was not like him to care, but he knew how hard Ren practiced. Having that constant doubt would eventually kill her growth and her motivation. 

As the opportunity sat in front of him, he noticed that his hand was shaking as it struggled to hold the phone steady. His body was physically reacting to his anxiety. Within a fifteen-minute window, he had rapidly gone from safe reflection up to 'point of no return'. If he hit send, he was making a commitment - and he couldn't back out a second time.

His mind wasn't ready to fully return, but his desire to help someone in need was the greater force. It was a simple ask - he could at least handle this.

[Sota]: That should be fine. Just send me videos of them and I'll send back notes...

[Ren]: Awesome! You're the best, Senpai!

[Ren]: Actually, I've got a couple to send over now if you don't mind...

Sota watched as "a couple" turned into over a half-dozen videos over the next five minutes. It was an overwhelming amount of stimulus, but Sota couldn't help but chuckle to himself. He could almost feel her pent-up emotion bursting through the phone. 

He threw the videos over to his computer to review. Seemed like he had some work to do. 

***

As soon as Sensei announced to start, Ren performed her newest form. 

Several days had passed since she began communicating with Sota and getting direct feedback from him. She had been worried about pestering him, but he replied to everything diligently. His notes and feedback were clear and consistent, and it doubled her motivation to keep at her practice.  

She moved through the routine with the same grace and intensity she always did. When she finished, she bowed and eagerly awaited feedback. 

 "That was fantastic, Ren!" Sensei exclaimed. "It seems things have picked back up in your favor. The confusion you've had over the last few weeks wasn't present at all today. Keep up the great work." 

 "Thanks, Sensei!" 

 She bowed, and Sensei moved on to examining the next student. 

 Despite the success, her emotions were mixed. She was ecstatic to get such high praise, but it still felt off. Sota had given her all the feedback and tips, but wasn't here to see her progress for himself. 

 It wasn't just that, either. His calmness, his honesty, his ability to keep a conversation going for hours. The extent of their texts was videos and feedback, but it made her realize that it just wasn't quite the same. 

 His teaching was a better fit for her, for sure. But she didn't just miss that; she missed him. 

 She took a deep breath and continued her routine, hoping the day he returned would come sooner than later.