Redepmtion (Chapter 4)

Dimitri stood outside the small circle of people watching Jorge teach. Jorge had asked him to come monitor his martial art class, as one of his assistants had gotten sick. Dimitri had called Shelly earlier to let her know where he was going to be found. He hoped that she had remembered to tel—

“Hey Masaki!”

Dimitri broke from his musings and turned at the sound of the voice. He groaned inwardly as he saw who the speaker was. It was one of Jorge’s assistants, named Henry. Henry had a reputation being cocky and aggressive. He sighed inward and hoped to end whatever it was early.

“What is it Henry?”

“Is it true that you’ve got some mad martial art skills? I heard you’re even better than our distinguished teacher here. So how’s bout it?”

Henry walked toward Dimitri as he spoke until he stood face to face with Dimitri.

“I wouldn’t know. Jorge and I have never tried to see who was better. It’s not something we try to do.”

“Well how bout you try on me and we’ll see how good you are.”

“Some other time.”

Dimitri turned around to walk away and Henry grabbed his shoulder. He pulled hard, trying to get Dimitri off balance so he could throw him. Dimitri moved on instinct flowing through his move and under his arm instead of over, kicking his leg down and pushing on the back of Henry’s leg, making it collapse under it’s weight. As he tried to recover Dimitri kicked out getting him straight in the chest and sending him flying back to land face down on the grass. There was silence in the field. The move had happened so fast that many students had almost missed it. Finally the silence was broken by Henry groaning as he stood up, slowly, spitting out grass.

“Ho..How did you do that? That move is supposed to have no counter move.” One of the other students said.

Dimitri looked at him for a few seconds.

“No move is ever unbeatable. Let’s continue the class.”

The class went on as normal after that. Henry had to sit the rest of the class out though, complaining about his chest and stomach hurting. The class wrapped up and Jorge walked over to Dimitri.

“That was some move you did back there.”

“It wasn’t much. I think it hurt his pride more than his chest.”

“You know…Some of the students were asking if you’d be back. They like you as an instructor.”

“Come on man. You know I don’t really do this stuff anymore. I just paid you a favor, that’s all.”

“Well, some of the others were asking if you’d be back, of the female variety that is.”

“Food and women, women and food. That’s all you think about man.”

They laughed together getting their stuff. Dimitri did notice some of the girls in the class hanging around. He figured that they might want to talk to him as Jorge had said. One of the girls made eye contact with him and smiled at him. Her name was Christy. Dimitri thought she was very nice looking, but knew how to handle herself well enough. They had talked a bit before having the same class together with Jorge. Jorge knew her roommate. Christy walked over to him and gave him another beautiful smile.

“Hi Dimitri. Those were some pretty nice moves you showed back there. Henry had it coming anyway.”

Dimitri laughed, “Why thank you Christy. I just did what came natural is all.”

“Dimitri!”

Dimitri turned to the call of his name and saw Shelly walking up the path. He waved to her and smiled. And then running up behind her…

“Daddy!!!”

Yohko ran up and jumped into his arms, knocking him down laughing. She kissed his cheek and grinned at him.

“Hi daddy.”

He smiled as they stood back up and hugged her close.

“Hi sweetie. How are you doing? How was school this week?”

“It was okay. Too much homework.” Yohko wrinkled her nose after the last comment. Dimitri smiled, watching her. He looked over to see Shelly talking to Jorge.

“Why don’t you go say hi to Jorge sweetie. I’ll be over in just a bit.”

“Okay daddy. Uncle Jorge!!” Yohko yelled running over to him. Jorge grinned and picked her up, spinning her around before putting her back down and talking to her.

Dimitri turned to a very suprised Christy.

“I didn’t know you were a father Dimitri.”

He smirked, replying, “Yes and no.”

She gave him a look, “Yes and no?”

“Legally she’s my daughter and I’m her father. But that’s about it. I adopted her after her father died, who was my friend and martial art teacher. Hiroshi didn’t have any family or friends. His wife had passed away about five years before. I adopted her and hired a caretaker to live with and watch over her during the week. She comes to visit me on weekends.”

“That’s very noble of you.”

Dimitri shrugged, “She’s seen too much death for her age and in the two people she’s closest to. I thought how could I not take her in. We had grown close since I met Hiroshi. It seemed wrong not to do anything. Not that I don’t love talking to you, but I’d better go.”

“Okay Dimitri. We’ll talk later. Bye!” She smiled, grabbing her bag and walking toward the dorms.

“Okay, bye!” He smiled back and grabbed his stuff walking to where those closest to him stood grouped together.

Damien