Lesson one! Realization kicks in!

Don’t desire anything. Face any weakness head on, as if it doesn’t exist. You are imperfect, but it takes a real man to embrace it, and most importantly look cool doing it.

I'm not one of those men...

"O' great and handsomely perfect hero, I thank you for saving the kingdom and all its inhabitants! If it wasn't for you we would all be dead!"

Surrounding me were a number of respectable high figures in royalty. Dukes, sons, monarchs, kings, queens, and in the center of it all was me.

I responded confidently “I humbly accept.”

Saying so brought a few people in the crowd to their knees, like they were basking in the presence of a god.

The king took a few minutes to calm down and finally said “We would like to reward you for all of your heroic efforts you have done in saving this kingdom. Sooo~ we were thinking of gifting you~... wait for it … a statue for your honor!”

The room erupted in applause, extracted “WOO” and “ALL RIGHT” were mixed in and when it finally stopped I asked “So where is it?”

The king, as if expecting that question, responded “It’s in the process of building of course! We gathered all materials and as well as all of our house's material to build one! I'm sorry to say that it will be measly 300 feet tall. We will try our best to show your greatness to everyone in the world!”

Having to pee, I got up and casually responded “No problemo, can I leave now?”

“HALT!” the king demanded. Then his face came red to a blush and muttered the words

“...A-are you single”

He wasn’t joking, it was as if he was genuinely looking for an answer. “... Why are you asking me this?”

“BECAUSE YOUR PERFECT!... A-Ahem- Only because some of the girls in the crowd were wondering.” He focused his gaze towards the girls, like he was looking for an escape.

When my gaze fell upon them, they had eager looks in their eyes- well, that's to be expected because of my sheer perfection. *chuckle* “Sorry girls but I am unavailable until I complete my real goal…” I fix my gaze up words *sigh* “That's right… it's all for her…”

I turned around, headed towards the door. I myself don’t know what the hell I just said but that’s not the point, I said it because I sounded cool- and surely enough. “Eeeeek!” The loud squeals of girls fill the room. Like music to my ears, I bet I look so awesome right now.

I walked down the seemingly endless hallways, and headed towards the bathroom. Walking in I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

“Perfect… huh?” Chiseled jawline, well-proportioned face, plentiful hair, really I just looked like some prince out of some Disney movie or something. Some kids would dream of looking like that.

I stared at the mirror for a second, and then reached for my reflection. “I wonder if someone like this truly exists…”

What am I saying? Of course not.

“Valentino!” The familiar voice of my dad snaps me back into reality;

This reality where I'm one of those “kids”, where perfection is just an illusion, an imposs-

“I said Valentino!” my dad shouted, angrier than last time.

“Boo~ I'm coming” I growled back

I stood up in my room. As you may have guessed, I am no hero. I actually live in a relatively peaceful town of Chester, it's often criticized for not going with the times and having too medieval of a feel, but we have our own culture making us pretty well known in the area.

It's not like I care though. I hate it here. It's not somewhere someone like me should grow up. I want to grow, be the best man I can be! “Yeah… I’ve got many years to grow after all” I said to myself as I grabbed my mask.

This mask hides one of my deepest insecurities. It shows I'm still afraid, and I'm not ready.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As I go downstairs I notice the shop is quieter than usual… My dad runs a sandwich shop by himself– it was originally an idea that my mom started but died before she got to see the creation of it. These days business is slowing down, meaning we don't get as many customers, but my dad still persistently runs the shop with a warm smile… still it’s too quiet…

My dad was patiently waiting for me at the counter. “good mornin’ Valentino!” he said with his usual smile

“I told you not to call me that…” I said with an embarrassed look in my face.

“What? Grumpy because I woke you from your beauty sleep?” He said with a smirk. “Don't worry! I told you to be patient and one day you would be looking like me!”

“Geh- I sure hope not” I mean I do want to look like a man, but to look like my dad… Definitely not.

My dad gave me a stern look, all traces of the look before are all gone. “You really shouldn’t hide your face with that mask, you have the face of your mother growing up. You shouldn’t treat it as a burden… well, I guess you wouldn’t listen to me anyways”

“...” I choose not to reply. because he is right. I wouldn't take this mask off even if my life depended on it.

My dad turned around, and handed me a brown bag. I wonder what this could be…

Seeing my confused observation, he responded “I need you to deliver this to the other side of town.”

“But we never delivered before!” I said still confused

“Most of our competitors have started doing it… desperate times call for desperate measures as they say!”

Knowing the direction that this business is going, desperate might be an understatement. But I do appreciate the courage. “Fine I get it” I responded indifferently, and took the bag.

Headed towards the door I saw 2 grown men with tuxedos doing the same, they looked much like actors from the ‘Men in Black’ series, very particular… and bald. They stand out way too much, are they tourists? No… maybe they are actual Men in Black?!

I notioned to open the door but they did it themselves, and went in . ‘Very particular indeed.. Hope my dad can handle them fine.’ I thought to myself after I left after them.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Walking down the old streets of my hometown, you can really see the old fashion culture with horse carriages, dirt roads, and old fashion wooden houses still being the norm. I decided to take a quick break, and sat next to a tree. “What do people like about this crappy old town anyways?” I whisper to myself. “I really don't get it…”

I looked towards the sky. ‘Maybe someone from the city is looking up at the same sky… lucky them… Wait, maybe we can intertwine minds this way!’

“HMMMMM” I started humming while looking up at the sky waiting for a miracle to happen”

“Valentino?”

I hear it! Far off in the distance! I closed my eyes and hummed louder.

After about a minute I eventually realized it wasn't going to work, but what was that voice earlier?

Now frightened for my safety I frantically look around. Even so, all my fears were dispersed when I found out the identity of the mysterious voice.

“Akari?”

What was waiting for me was a petite girl waiting patiently, staring off to the distance. She looks different from other girls in this town. It's hard to explain but if all the girls were coal, she’d be in my opinion, a gleaming diamond. Not to call the other girls in the town ugly, but she just stood out that much. Seriously, looking at her like this makes it look like she is entirely from a different world.

Hearing her name being called, she looked back at me with a huge smile on her face. Contrast to how she was a second ago. Just like a light switch being turned from off to on.

“Valentino! I just wanted to know what beauty like you was doing by your lonesome!”

Geh! I didn't expect her to backfire! I tried to look calm and replied.

“I-I was just using spiritual connection to connect with someone from the city… yeah”

Living in such a town, people try to find any means of “entertainment”, we children additionally have a pact to not keep any secrets from each other. That being said, I told the truth.

“The city… sounds nice” she too looked at the sky with the same unchanging smile.

Me and her formed a special bond, we both yearned for the city. When we were younger we talked about what we wanted to do when we were older. She talked about being a star idol, me a world famous wrestler. Both are nearly impossible to make out if we are stuck here. But still looks like she hasn't given up. It's good to know I'm not alone.

“What did you want to be again… a female wrestler?” Akari jokes

I internally scream

“...Akari, are you doing this on purpose..” I said

“I’m sorry Valentino.. Tis’ just fun teasing you.” Akari said letting some of her countryside accent fall out and sounding defeated.

“I don't need to hear that from someone who is younger than me, you know.” I fired shots back

“I’ll admit that I'm younger… but you have to admit your cuter!” She suddenly sprung up. Which got my heart racing.

I knew it! She is just a thieving cat! I won't admit nothin’! You fell into my trap..

“No! I am not!” I sprang up with the same energy.

With her face just inches away from my face. I thought “It seems like I overpowered her! I’d become one hell of a man!” Wait…

“Then who is..?”

With her face this close, I can examine all her features. Her long eyebrows, glossy lips, perfume that I presumed to be cherry blossoms, earrings that reflected the sun's sharp rays, and her eyes that resembled perfect blue oceans staring right back at me, even with my mask on… it was the perfect counter.

“I- M?” to even converse, the best I could do was… run - not the most manly choice but to face off with a natural manipulator of her caliber, was deadly to my ego.

“Ah! Valentino you forgot something!” Looking back she seems to be carrying-

THE BAG!!!

I ran full speed to retrieve the goods.

“Thanks Akari!” I said with a nervous smile reaching for the bag-

But as soon as I did so she pulled her hands to her back; with it the bag, and said with a sinister smirk

“You forgot to give me a kiss~”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I managed to retrieve the bag, but lost something more important; my dignity. I'm scared to see what kind of person she will be in the future…

I once again walk alone in the streets of my hometown, holding the bag my father entrusted me with.

Hearing the scattered sounds of birds chirping, I once again began to think.

I’ve had it with all these people teasing me. I thought to myself.

I’ve had it with boys secluding me. I thought to myself.

I’ve had it with having to cover myself in order to avoid attention. I thought to myself.

All thoughts I wouldn't have if I had this face. As soon as I came to that realization, I clench my mask in frustration. Is this how ugly people live..? No, even ugly people have it worse off than me. I might as well be an ogre, but if I have this mask…

Wait.. Mask, Wrestling?

Ah! I got it! I can be one of those wrestlers from lucha libre! 1, they look sick 2, they wear masks 3, they’re manly as heck! Ahaha maybe you're not as bad as I thought Akari! But what would my name be… how about El Valentino or… El Hombre.. or maybe I should learn Spanish first…

As I walked and pondered I seemed to have lost track of time.

Half an hour passed and looks like I came across another enemy…

“Just my luck.” Seeing my path blocked by a row of humans put me back into the present.

And by the sounds of it, there are many more on the other side, maybe even every resident in town..

Is this a gathering I wasn't invited to? Why didn't Akari or my dad tell me about it? Could this be why the town seems less populated than usual?

Questions appear all over my head. Still, none of them could be answered unless I talk to one of the intendants themselves. So I decided to present all my questions to a rather tall fellow. His head, (just like all the others) was faced towards the crowd.

“Umm excuse me” I spoke forcefully to get his attention.

“Yooo what up dude” he unexpectedly responded. Is he a foreigner?

“May I ask what lovely event you have been willing to partake in '' I don't know how to deal with people like this so I might have spoken a little too formally.

“Ohh yeah sure, sure. This is called a princess parade. It's an event hosted once every 4 years or so to announce the new top 5 from some princess academy. This parade goes to many big towns, it's a way to show the new “star” figures of our country. They are respected and, from what I heard , make some big cash.” He informed me

“Wow. you sure know alot about this, don't you”

“Naww I just came here to see the hot babes. They are top in the country after all… how about you little man interested?” he foolishly said

“Haha princess? No way. Too girly, for I am a man.” I said with confidence

“Whatever bro” disinterested he soon turned back around

That was embarrassing, anyways how am I going to get around? Seeing 2 of the large roads being blocked by people, it was impossible to get through such a crowd. Maybe I should give up…

As I too began to turn around and head back to tell my dad the bad news, I remember the state that the shop was in today. This morning my dad did have his usual happy-go-lucky face. But behind that you can see an exhausted man, you can especially see that when he mentioned my mom. He undoubtedly works hard to keep his- no my parents shop afloat. With that…

I once again began my journey. I decided I will protect these sandwiches with my life.

I walked and found a side alleyway, it was dark but I could faintly see a ladder. This is my only shot. I climbed it, putting the sandwich bag in the mouth to make sure it didn't fall, like a mother trying to carry its baby to safety. One step at a time I make it to the top

Sunlight blinds me. As my vision came to fix itself I found myself on the top of a roof with a fence surrounding it. Hey this can make for a cool secret spot! Maybe I can bring Akari!

I slowly walk across and hear faint thumps of music. Is it the festival?

I reminded myself that it is not relevant to me. I mustn't get distracted, especially from some kids dress up.

Princess? Haha the ‘princess’ are probably kids who watched one too many Disney movies. I thought to myself

Yes. and it takes a real man to acknowledge that. Good job me. Now to find a way down…

Slowly fluttering by the wind a single colorful piece of paper, confetti has caught my eye.

That single piece was what ignited my curiosity.

Why does this feel like a crime?? I said to myself as I was tip-toeing to the edge to sneak a peek. What could a princess parade look like..? Is it really just kids playing dress up?

As I was tip-toeing, I grabbed the piece of confetti that was inches away from the edge. Now inches away from the edge myself I cautiously looked up.

BAM!

Colorful lights flash like the brightest firework, bundles of confetti fluttering in the air, like butterflies in spring, Smiles even bigger than a never ending sea.

I was in awe not by the sheer amount of people but the thing that's in the middle of it all…

1,2,3,4 ‘Princess’ showering everyone with gifts and candy looking naturally mesmerizing doing it. Each one of them look different, but none of them were off-beat from the rest. Just their presence alone makes the mood… colorful, like it was painting the world.

The 5th ‘princess’ was sitting at a royal chair in the middle waving to the outgoing crowd, normally this would look strange with any other person but with her… she shines elegance and power.. she must be the leader.

The only words that escaped my mouth during this moment; the only words I can think of were “beautiful…” I covered my mouth in disbelief of the words I just said. I’ve never felt like this before. Me, who is always thinking of bettering myself, not caring a damn about anyone else, and them, who brightens people like a god giving a blessing… What is this feeling…

I fall back in confusion unable to process my thoughts.

SMUSH

…

…

..

.

“AHHH THE BREAD!!!”

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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