Aspiratically

"Where life is more terrible than death, it is then the truest valor to dare to live." - Thomas Browne.

———

"-me absolutely tearing up the chewy, undercooked, dry, Quanclivilous school chicken sandwich after saying 'I'm not eating this ninja turtle ahh meal' As the entire lunch table watches hornswoggled." I spoke my presentation to my class. I had taken classes in their fine arts, such as art, poetry, theatre, music and more. "Me and my acquaintances having dubious thoughts about the cataclysmic nourishments the school facility has apportioned us to digest but out of nowhere they become aghast as I eradicate the ghastly nourishment we so dreaded or better known as 'bruh Ian eatin that goof aahh plastic aahh cheese.'"

As I finished, I watched as the teacher gained a confused look on her face. "Im sorry Yamamoto, what was that poem about?"

It didn't take much to form a response. "It is said that even the most ignorant, innocent child will eventually grow up as they learn what true pain is. It affects what they say, what they think… and they become real people."

The class was silent as they tried to grasp my meaning, until a fellow student spoke up. "But what does that mean?"

"No one is immune to suffering. We would be blind if we didn't have suffering. It teaches us how to deal with life's challenges. All we can do is try to decipher the message hidden behind the suffering, since we are here to learn, develop, and find a way out of the mess that is our lives." I replied.

"But how does that correlate?" The teacher asked. She leaned in from her desk, intently watching for a response.

"The presence of pain is unavoidable. It's an inevitable part of life, and there's nothing you can do about it.-" Eyes full of surprise meet me. "-To understand things and bring yourself together, you must feel everything totally. And, in the end, the suffering you endure will help you become stronger.

People are changed by suffering and pain. Only by experiencing suffering can we learn to develop and become stronger. Even the strongest of us must bend our will and transform ourselves in the face of great sorrow.

We grow courageous because we have experienced suffering. Pleasure makes you numb, while suffering makes you empathize with people because you can truly grasp what it's like to be in the worst of circumstances. Finally, you may offer more and ask for less.

Love is the source of suffering. To love someone needs a lot of bravery and fortitude. However, love has the potential to harm you at any time. Emotional suffering is primarily caused by love." I rambled on for 5 more minutes.

I saw, as I finished my speech, the teacher arise from her chair and walk over to me and engulf me into a deep hug. "How beautiful." She sobbed into my chest as the rest of the class erupted into cheers.

'Bruh…..I was just talking, I have no idea what I was saying.' I rumbled internally.

——

As Yama exited his class many of his peers had ran to him. Yamamoto had gained quite a name for himself in the Academy. A genius unlike any other graced their classrooms and walked their hallways. Yama didn't shy away from it. He basked in it carefully, always portraying himself as a big brother/natural leader figure. His peers came to him for advice and help and Yama obliged. 'Who knows what connections I could form just by doing this.' He thought to himself.

(Think of how Sasuke would be thought of if he was cordial and welcoming. Effortlessly cool, and a beam for his peers to look to.)

Loyalty was formed by just by being nice and teaching his fellow classmates. "Hey Yamamoto, can we hang with you today?" He was asked this question multiple times over the course of the day as many.

"Sorry guys, I have to get to class and then study tonight." He told them all apologetically. 'Hell nah I dont want hand out with yall.'

As he strolled to his next class, a particular person passed him. He looked back, "Hanma." He spoke to the now 16 year old. A blank face greeted him. Yamamoto's eyes traced the scars across his former friends face. It was disgusting but also kinda cool.

The first time I saw him….I felt like my heart stopped. The right side of his face, next to his mouth, was missing. You could see his muscles flex and contract. 'What the fuck happened to you?' Obviously I confronted him about his face but he said nothing. He looked at me like I was beneath, like he shouldn't even waste breath on me.

Since that day, two years ago, we never spoke. I always wondered why he left for the academy without a word, why he never visited, why Han never even spoke of him.

"Hanma…I've stopped you to say…good luck."

He said nothing, only looking on me impassively. 'Did those executions years ago break him?'

After a few tense moments, "I wont need it...watch as I claim my destiny." What spewed out of his mouth was filled with loathing at me?