Ljimekko, the Bully - Part One
~ Love and a cough cannot be hidden. ~
Ljimekko was a Royal. He was also a bully, and he was the best first-year student when it came to martial arts and the sword. The bully was among the worst first-year students regarding scholarly pursuits, the pen. There was no accord in young Ljimekko. He terrorized the smaller and less capable students every day in physical training.
Ljimekko's father was Master Kenshi, a member of the island nobility, and everyone on the island knew of Master Kenshi. As far back- as islanders can recall, the Kenshi were known for their sword-making abilities and sense of honor.
Kenshi is highly respected, as was his father and his father's father. It was also well known that the Kenshi and the Masuta families hoped to marry Himeko and Ljimekko and combine their royal lines.
Yet, Ljimekko remained a bully, a boy without honor, fond of saying, "The weak are meat."
Kimyo was the smallest of the first years. He showed his potential as a great scholar early on. The new trainee soon became the favorite target of the Kenshi heir and his pack of dogs. The young man was a foreigner with no family or friends and had different eyes from the other islanders.
The young man who had everything and wanted for nothing was fixated on breaking the young man who had nothing. Some would shake their heads in puzzlement at this scenario, while others shrug and claim it was the Way of the World.
Kimyo was late for his second day of martial arts training. He had been absorbed in reading the Warrior Code and had not noticed the other boys leaving.
The new trainee heard Master Shisho clearing his throat. "Hmm... hmm;" when he looked up from his reading scroll, Master Shisho nodded toward the practice yard.
Kimyo quickly grabbed up his belongings. As he sprinted towards the yard, the youth was too busy to notice Ljimekko and two of his favorite followers lingering by the yard entrance.
These two cowardly followers acted like dogs or jackals. They were faceless and nameless nothings. Who were destined to be nothing for the rest of their miserable lives?
Ljimekko tripped Kimyo, who fell into a cloud of dirt. The bully and his cronies quickly snatched Kimyo and pulled him away from the yard entrance into some bushes at the side of the yard's stone wall.
Ljimekko cursed and battered the much smaller Boy with punches and kicks as the two members of his jackal pack held one of the Boy's arms. The three boys laughed and spat upon the huddled body of Kimyo lying on the ground as they quickly ran to the dojo practice field.
Kimyo shakily pushed himself off the dusty ground. A smallish Earth Spirit stood in front of him, blocking his way. The Spirit appeared to be a tiny troll-like creature made of dust and leaves, held together by mud.
The Spirit was laughing and holding his pudgy troll belly.
🧌 ~ Boy, you looked funny rolling around on the ground like that. ~
Kimyo spoke in a rush, "You must be Master Kami. Mizuko told me about you. I am sorry, sir, and I don't mean to be rude. I must hurry now because I am late for practice." Kimyo bowed his head in respect and tried to hurry around Kami.
The Earth Spirit tumbled and rolled until he blocked Kimyo again.
🧌 ~Not so fast, Boy. I wanna know whatcha gonna do about that beating? Are ya gonna cry? Report it to the training master? Tell me 'cause I wanna know. ~
Kimyo looked directly at the Earth Spirit Kami. He answered in a calm voice that sounded firm as iron, "If you wish to see how I will handle this and any future beatings. Then stick around and watch for yourself, sir." Kimyo quickly dashed to the dojo entrance.
The Earth Spirit stood silently watching the retreating backside of Kimyo. Finally, the troll-man spoke aloud,
🧌 ~I might do that, young man. What an interesting human you are, indeed. Perhaps Mizuko was right about you after all.~
Some five minutes later, the limping figure of Kimyo, dirty and bloodied, entered the yard. Master Shihan immediately confronted the Boy, barking at him for his tardiness. Kimyo stood in front of Master Shihan, not speaking for several moments...
END
Questions you might consider:
Why are some people bullies?
Why do others stand by and do nothing -to stop bullying?
Have you ever been bullied?
Have you witnessed others being bullied?
What would happen if everyone stood together and told a bully to stop?
YOU ARE READING
The Boy With Strange Eyes
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