Hey, I Just Missed You... and Japan is Crazy (Koty)

[Koty Hura]

After finishing his sandwich, Koty took several sips of his water to wash it down before placing his chopsticks across his lunch and folding his hands to stare politely over at Vincent, a grin eventually cracking across his features.

"To this day, Sensei, there are few people I have shared more with or learned more from. One would imagine that such a connection would.. lessen nerves at a time like this. It seems that it has not. I thank you for your understanding. You have not aged a day since I last saw you, and you do not seem to have changed in the slightest. I mean both as nothing but compliments, I assure you. You are a familiar and welcomed face among a sea of.. 'new', and to see you healthy and remaining the person that I admire in this new place is a relief."

He took another sip of his water and leaned back in the chair. To Vincent, it would be quite obvious that Koty was forcing himself to relax.. attempt to be more casual. "I have a selfish request of you, Meian-Sensei. One that I do not wish you to feel obligated to fulfill. I simply wonder.. both if you have looked back on the time you spent with me fondly.. and if so, what times come to mind. Often when I think to the recent past our training sessions are the most noteworthy memories. The genuine concern and good in an otherwise stern and stoic man who has seen and done things few could truly comprehend. Your strength, both of will and of character. I frequently reference how I believe you would react to a given situation, and I believe that I have made better decisions due in no small part to your influence.."

But here Koty was just complimenting Vincent again. Gah. He smiled and shook his head. "Please forgive me, Sensei. I am sure I will.. 'get it out of my system' soon enough. If you are able to bear with me for a short while longer, I have no doubt that a more preferable topic will arise."

[Vincent Meian]

The trainer almost laughed but instead shook his head slightly. Of course he'd barely changed, if at all: he was a grown man, already past his days of youthful change, and it'd only been a year and a half since he last saw the boy. If he'd changed, it would have had to have been because of some dramatic altering of his life's path. "I am glad that I may be of help, though if I may comment upon it, you have grown considerably since I last saw you. Perhaps we will both see more of those changes in the coming months."

After all, unlike at Eisai, he did not doubt that Koty could easily make friends here. He was a polite and honest boy, looking out for others before himself. An admirable trait in a youth, and one Vincent had not possessed until later in life.

The direct and blatant actions were easily understood by the instructor. Koty wasn't one to be informal in front of authority figures of any kind, so that fact that he was forcing himself to relax probably meant that he was nervous. Given the admissions presented, there was good reason for that, though the tall Japanese man never quite felt out of place being looked to as a parental figure by his students. It was natural, in a way, and he felt proud to have an impact in the lives of so many youths that could otherwise have fallen by the wayside. Students like Koty Hura.

"Occasionally," he answered honestly. "It is not in my nature to reminisce, however I do wonder from time to time how my most eager student is faring. Now that I may see you any time I wish, I no longer need to wonder." A hint of pride, a touch of affection. "You may emulate whom you wish in your life without apology; such a path is your decision. Though, I am flattered and amused that you would chose one such as I regardless. There are other, more ideal candidates for such an honor."

And such were compliments smoothly deflected with other compliments. Japanese culture, ladies nd gentlemen, at its finest.

["Though, if it were up to me to decide, I'd tell you to find your own way and not bother with what a man like me thinks,"] he added in Japanese, taking another bite of the meal. ["You've thought like me since I've been gone, and it's led you right back to my doorstep. So, while flattered, I think your thoughts are better suited for you than mine."]

"I am sure you can find one suitable." There was more of the amusement in his face, though his tone was conversational. Perhaps teasing a student so enamored was not the best idea, but Koty could understand both his blunt Japanese and graceful decorum in English. Was probably one of the only people who could have understood why the difference existed.