Nothing Special

Chapter 77

It was a rainy day, Aceso was just leaving the lab when she saw Lee sitting on the bench across from the door. He got up the minute he saw her.

"Are you finished with your work?" Lee asked walking up to her. 

"Yes," Aceso answered. "Why? What about your mission?"

"Went on without a hitch. Can you help me build a dojo?" Lee requested as he put his hands together.

"A dojo?" Aceso asked. " I will help you no matter what, but...Why do you want to build a dojo?"

"It will help further my training!" Lee exclaimed getting in her face.

"Your training?" Aceso asked as she took a step back.

"You see, I've been so preoccupied with my missions lately, I have not been able to devote enough time to developing my skills," Lee explained as he got closer. Aceso stepped back again, she was up against the wall, and Lee stepped closer. "And even when I did. It was hard to find experienced practice partners, so I could not train effectively."

"I am sorry about that," Aceso apologized as she looked at the floor.

"That is not your fault," Lee denied as he lifted her head back up. "Back to where I was...just when I was wondering what to do, I saw something in another village, on a mission." He explained how he saw this person from another person challenge someone from another dojo. "That is when I realized that if I opened my own dojo, someone with his high level of skill would surely come to challenge me! I want to get some real practice!" He took her hands into his...they were bigger than hers. "You say you will help me build it? So will you for sure?"

"Yes, of course," Aceso smiled at him, she closed her eyes, she could feel her cheeks burning.

"Thank you so much, Red Rose!" Lee exclaimed he kissed her forehead, let go of one hand, and bolted out of the hospital.  Aceso's face turned completely red.

"You want to start building it in the rain?" Aceso asked as he continued to run in a certain direction.

"Better to start now than later," Lee answered as he looked back at her. He dragged her to a spot out far from the buildings. It was on a hill, right before the forest. For the next couple of weeks, Aceso and Lee had built the dojo together in between the missions and other responsibilities. 

****

Aceso and Lee were now sitting on a beam they had to support the roof of their dojo, a lot still needed to be done. They were eating some riceballs and meat buns Aceso had made.

"I've been thinking," Lee said as they munched on some rice balls. "You should have an office here!"

"Hm?" Aceso asked as she looked up at him.

"My challengers will need a medic after I am through with them," Lee declared with fire in his eyes. "So we should add an infirmary room of sorts."

Aceso titled her head. "This is your dojo." Lee tilted his head. "You should be the one to have an office here."

*****

By the time they finished, they sat around a piece of paper trying to come up with a flyer. They were up on the laundry rooftop. They made a tent out of some sheets and sat inside.

"Do you have a name for the dojo?" Aceso asked 

"How about...Hot-Blooded Dojo?" Lee suggested.

"That sounds good," Aceso nodded. "Do you have a marquee?"

"I'm glad you asked," Lee said as he pulled it out. "Whoever beats me gets to take it." Aceso looked at his art piece.

"You go make the sign for the name of your dojo," Aceso suggested. " I'll finish the flyer."