Six years passed. The time came for Akio to start school. He walked to class with a wide smile, his golden eyes shining like twin stars from sheer excitement.
Before his hand touched the classroom door handle, Akio remembered his father's advice that never left his mind:
"Remember, my son… there will always be people who hate you for no reason. But no one can take away the light of your smile. Keep smiling, and you'll always find someone who smiles back at you."
His smile widened. He pushed the door open and stepped inside. His golden eyes lit up at the sight of rows filled with students. With childlike excitement, he raised his voice:
"Hello! I'm Sakamoto Akio. Nice to meet you all! I hope we can all be friends!"
A brief silence followed, then whispers and muffled laughter spread among the students. A tall boy with skin the color of bronze and pitch-black hair stepped forward with a mocking tone:
"Hah? Looks like someone got lost on their way back to kindergarten!"
Akio didn't understand the insult. He stretched out his hand for a handshake, his golden eyes sparkling with the same excitement, his smile unshaken.
"Tell me your name… Can we be friends?"
The tall boy burst into laughter, then smacked Akio's arm away and said arrogantly:
"Of course not, idiot. Do you really think I, Kora, would become your friend that easily?!"
But Akio wasn't discouraged. He lifted his head, smiling with the same enthusiasm:
"Yes!"
Kora noticed something strange glinting on Akio's forehead, partly hidden by his bangs. Curious, he brushed the hair aside, revealing the golden lightning mark glowing under the light.
Some students stepped back in shock. Others whispered and snickered. Kora himself laughed uncontrollably and shouted mockingly:
"What's this?! Did your mother crave lightning bolts when she was pregnant? How ridiculous!"
Akio answered simply:
"I don't understand what you mean, but my father told me I should be friends with everyone here!"
Before he could finish, Kora's fist crashed into his face, knocking Akio to the ground. His smile faded for a moment from the shock. He stared at Kora, then at the other children. Seconds later, the smile returned as he slowly stood up.
"You're really strong… Isn't that an even better reason for me to want to be your friend?"
Kora froze for a moment at the strange words, then his anger flared.
"Haaah?! Are you mocking me, brat? Or are you just that stupid?!"
With a swift motion, Kora threw another punch at Akio's face. The children only watched, none daring to interfere.
He hit him again and again. Akio didn't block or scream. He just closed his eyes, his smile still on his face.
Inside, Akio thought:
"Why is he hitting me? I just… wanted to be his friend. But… I won't cry…"
Kora stopped briefly. Akio stood again, his face scratched, fists trembling slightly as he tried to steady himself. His golden eyes still gleamed. He smiled and said:
"Thank you, Kora… From today, you're my very first friend!"
Kora's body trembled with rage. He hadn't expected Akio to stand after all that, nor to hear such words. He had been waiting for tears and begging, just like other children. But the boy in front of him was too dumb to realize he was being bullied. Enraged, Kora charged at him again, raining punches, insults, and curses.
"Listen, idiot! Nobody wants to be your friend!"
The noise was cut short as the classroom door burst open and the teacher walked in. Her face froze at the scene, then she shouted at the top of her voice:
"Stop this at once!!"
The students scrambled back to their seats in panic. The teacher rushed to Akio's side. She knelt down to examine his bruised face, only to find him smiling as if nothing had happened.
Flustered, she asked nervously:
"Are you okay?"
Akio lifted his head with a smile:
"Yes… we were just playing!"
After school, Vanco came to pick him up. He froze when he saw his son's face covered in scratches, with bandages on his forehead and arms. He hadn't expected Akio's first day to end like this—especially knowing his son wasn't the kind to start fights.
He bent down in concern, voice urgent:
"Akio… what happened to you?!"
Akio smiled and replied in his usual tone:
"Nothing, Dad… I was just looking for friends."
Vanco clenched his fists, staring at him with a mix of worry and resolve:
"I didn't think you were this naïve, son! I swear I'll go to school tomorrow and teach every kid who hurt you a lesson they won't forget!"
When they got home, Akio's mother stood at the door. Her eyes landed on her son's bruised face, then shifted to Vanco with blazing anger.
She shouted:
"Wait, Vanco! Don't tell me you filled his head with your stupid advice again! Have you lost your mind?!"
She clenched her fist, stormed at him, and landed a flurry of blows that looked more comedic than threatening. Akio just stood there, unsure whether to stop her or laugh.
Finally, she pulled her son inside with care, leaving Vanco wobbling in pain at the door. She sat Akio on the couch, wiping his face with a damp cloth.
Looking into his innocent eyes, she spoke seriously:
"My son, the world isn't always kind. You must learn the difference between a friend and a bully."
Then she turned to Vanco, who was still groaning:
"And you… enough with your nonsense advice! If this happens again, I'll go to the school myself and show them how to deal with my son properly!"
Later at dinner, Akio's older sister, Murasaki, nine years old, sat beside him. When she saw his scratched face, she smirked:
"My foolish little brother… looks like you've gotten yourself into trouble on the very first day!"
Vanco gripped his spoon tightly, fuming:
"Those bullies… I swear I'll make them regret it tomorrow!"
His wife shot him a sharp glare:
"Are you planning to spend your life fighting children, Vanco? If you want to help him, then let him learn to deal with it himself."
Akio's eyes lit up as he looked at his mother:
"But Mom, I smiled at them… isn't that enough?"
Vanco burst into laughter, nearly choking on his food:
"Well said, son! That's my boy!"
His wife sighed, pressing her hand to her forehead:
"You two are going to drive me insane…"