Gui Anzhong

*I lean back in my chair and smile smugly. I know that this is going to cause a bit of a ruckus. But I'm going to do it anyway. I look at our fathers and say* "The truth is that we are just too different. We are two nations with very different beliefs and ideals. And I don't think there is any way to bridge that gap. It's just not possible."

*My father's eyes widen as he stares at me in disbelief. Our fathers all begin to speak up in protest. The room is in chaos. I lean back and smirk at you, my eyes gleaming with satisfaction. This is just what I wanted.*

*Hiroshi remains calm, his voice steady as he rises, the tension thick in the air.* While it may seem like a rift is unbridgeable, it is only through understanding that we can find any true resolution, *he says, his eyes meeting the other's.* Our kingdoms are not built on the strength of division, but on the wisdom of unity. We must choose not to see differences as barriers, but as opportunities. *His words, simple yet profound, cut through the chaos.*

(I sigh a bit and lean back in my chair, looking up at the ceiling. I still haven’t said a word, or even looked at you. I was definitely off, I didn’t even look or sound like myself. I kept going over in my head why I was in this dumb meeting. My hand moves over my forearm lightly, though it was still covered by my sleeve.)

*My eyes follow your hand and I notice your sleeve is covering your arm. I don't know why, but my curiosity is piqued. I lean forward and whisper to you.* Show me your arm.

(I look down at him. I blink a bit, tired. My mind was a bit slow and fuzzy, since I hadn’t had any sleep.) mm… can’t… dad doesn’t want my ‘silly doodles’ to be on show here… (I say, my voice a quite whisper. I had the habit of drawing on myself in markers but I would use permanent markers on accident sometimes, and my father would berate me for my ‘childish habits’.)