The Story of Kuge

~ Cold rice and cold tea are bearable, but cold looks and cold words are not. ~

~🧌 As told by Kami, the Earth Spirit...

Herein follows the story of Kuge-friend and warrior-brother to Kimyo.

~🧌 On Kimyo's third day, the bully and his friends gave Kimyo another beating, and Kimyo evoked another challenge. The beatings and the challenges became a nasty routine. Many noticed that Kimyo was fighting better and lasting longer against the bully with each challenge.~

~🧌 Kuge's frustration with the bullies was visible. Kuge spent every hour inside the dojo practice field working with his young friend. Kuge was a kind and gentle giant who never lost his temper or started a fight.~

~🧌 Kuge had long known that Ljimekko was a bully. He was pleased to see the martial arts Master Shihan finally notice how callous and uncaring Ljimekko was and how much pleasure he took in beating a much smaller boy.~

~🧌 I had long respected Kuge before Kimyo came. He was protective and patient with the younger students. Kuge was appreciated and well respected. He was the exact opposite of Ljimekko. Kuge's core values were in alignment with young Kimyo.~

~🧌 Ljimekko and his cronies feared him. Kuge was fearless and comfortable within himself. I often wondered if Kuge was a better fighter than Ljimekko. He didn't feel the need to prove it to anyone.~

~🧌 Ljimekko, the bully, was disrespectful to everyone and showed no kindness towards anyone he felt was lesser than he was. Ljimekko went out of his way to point out faults in others, tease and ridicule, and shame publicly whenever the opportunity arose.~

~ 🧌 The Kenshi Royal was the best first-year martial artist and was better than most second-year students. After Ljimekko and his two friends had beaten him, Kimyo did not tattle; he did not cry, run, or hide.~

~ 🧌 No, he strode directly up to the bully, stood inches from his face, and evoked his right to challenge. Within minutes, Kimyo received his second beating of the afternoon. Kuge respected Kimyo for how he handled the situation.~

~ 🧌 Kuge knew that the bully hated Kimyo because he was all the things Ljimekko was not. Kimyo was a foreigner and had no family ties or connections. He had strange eyes and did not fit the mold of what the bully thought was important.~

~ 🧌 Kimyo was different, making misunderstanding or misjudging someone easier. Yet, many of the first-year students admired Kimyo. Kuge found himself forming a deep friendship with the smaller warrior student.~

~ 🧌 Kimyo tried to keep hate out of his heart after that first beating. Ljimekko and his cronies made beatings an almost daily routine. Kimyo became the favorite victim of their pranks, jokes, and ridicule. Whenever Kuge was with Kimyo, the bullies left his new friend alone.~

~🧌 Ljimekko quits anything and everything that becomes too difficult. While Ljimekko remained the biggest and strongest, he progressed very slowly. Kimyo was getting better with each loss.~

~🧌 Due to the early losses in his life and Kimyo's desire to become a good man, he refuses to give up and surrender. Kuge feels his respect for Kimyo grows with each challenge.~

~ 🧌 Under Kuge's daily tutelage, Kimyo's martial arts improved quickly. He is beaten whenever he challenges Ljimekko, but it takes work for the Kenshi heir. The bully showed his frustration and lack of discipline during their fights. Kimyo started scoring occasional punches or kicks, which infuriated Ljimekko even more.~

~ 🧌 When the bully and his followers tried to grab Kimyo for abuse or a beating, it was a full-fledged fight. Ljimekko's followers became increasingly reluctant to bully Kimyo or anyone willing to fight back. That is the way of bullies: They choose weaker, smaller victims and those who will not-or could not-fight back.~

END 

Questions you might consider:

Kuge and Kimyo seem to have much in common. Does it make a difference if two stand up to bullying instead of one?

No bully is tougher than everyone else altogether. Why is it that people allow bullies to pick on people one by one?