[ young and beautiful ]

. . .

au
a flower learning how
to bloom by itself

. . .

APHRODI was no more than six when he noticed the waves of hushed yet thrilled whispers spreading in the air whenever he walked through the halls in the quietest way he could. He could always feel the heavy weight of people's brightened gazes burning on his whole body, as though he was an auctioned item, deserving observation and attention.

The way he's treated in public always gave him an eerie sensation and it ripened the unease deep in his stomach. He often complained to his parents regarding the issue, asking them why his classmates keep touching his hair, his face, and his hands, or why he's given special treatment by the teachers.

His parents, who were unfeeling and cold, would frequently dismiss his words with a wave of a hand, calling him names like needy or ignorant. They'd tell him to ignore it, man up, and continue with his learnings.

There was only one thing important to them, and that was Aphrodi becoming a successful man.

And Aphrodi, being the obedient child he is, listened to them.

Without question.

&

APHRODI was eight when he witnessed a girl he wasn't acquainted with claw another girl, whom he was talking to.

He could only stand and watch as she pulled the other's hair harshly, with tears flowing endlessly on her cheeks. "How dare you!" She cried out, "I told you he's mine!"

He was frozen in his spot, not even moving an inch when other girls joined in the fighting, defending either one of the girls and screaming at each other on the top of their lungs.

That afternoon, his parents were informed about the conflict.

"This is bad," Aphrodi heard his father say with a shake of his head. "Our son is too good-looking for his own good. At this rate, he'll never be able to finish school."

"No," his mother retorted, her voice strict and firm. "There's still a chance. We'll be sending him to an all-boys school. We'll be watching him 24/7, and we'll make sure there will be no interruptions in his studies."

"Wait, honey, won't that mean we'll be imprisoning him?"

"Imprisoning him? Nonsense! This is for his own good. I don't want other women brainwashing him. Not just women but everybody he meets. He'll be a failure if this keeps up."

"But—"

"No. My word is final. We will watch Terumi at all times, got it?"

Aphrodi was eight when his freedom had been stolen away.

&

APHRODI was fourteen when he first kicked a soccer ball up in the air. He didn't mean to initially, but it all just happened so quickly.

Classes were done, and Aphrodi was supposed to attend a meeting at the Student Council Office, until the president cancelled it. Wanting some time away from his loud-mouthed mother, he decided to not inform his parents that it's been cancelled.

In the last four years of his life, this was the only time he could spend time with the outside world. Aphrodi decided to take a stroll around the park. He took his sweet time admiring the vermillion sky, and the yellowish hue the sun gave to everything its light touched.

Aphrodi nearly jumped on his spot when he heard an alarmed voice call out from the soccer field on the other side of the park, just a few meters below him.

"Hey, blondie, watch out!"

In an instant, Aphrodi saw the soccer ball headed towards him. He let go of his bag, and raised his leg. His bag lands on the ground with a soft thud just as the ball hits his foot, and Aphrodi used all his strength to aim it to a random direction.

To his surprise, the ball went in the goal, causing the people in the field shout in awe and shock.

Aphrodi used the back of his hand to wipe the sheen sweat forming on his forehead. He takes his bag from the ground, not even realizing that a boy approached him.

"That was so cool!" The boy with an orange bandana on his head exclaimed, his eyes glinting in joy.

Aphrodi blinked at him, searching for the right words to say. "Oh, uhm, thank you."

One by one, more people approached him, and Aphrodi tensed up from the sudden attention he's getting.

Run.

The voice in his head whispered to him; and he was about to until the boy with the bandana gave him the widest smile he's ever seen.

"You should play with us!" He chirped.

"Sorry, I don't actually know how to play soccer." Aphrodi watched as the faces in front of him etch a look of surprise. It was as if not knowing how to play the sport was some sort of taboo.

"EH?!" They all yelled in unison.

"You've got to be kidding, right?" A boy with teal hair mused.

"Yeah, you've got to be! That kick was so cool, and you even made a goal too!" Another cried out. Aphrodi let out an awkward laugh.

"Well," the boy with the orange bandana began, "let's play anyway!"

"Endou!" A girl with short hair said as she crossed her arms. "We don't want to waste her time!"

Her? Aphrodi thought as he blinked.

"A-Actually, I'm a guy." He stated, making the girl turn red in embarrassment.

"Ah! I'm so sorry! It's just..."

"It's okay, I get that a lot." Aphrodi reassured.

"Say, what's your name?" The boy in front of him asked. "I'm Endou Mamoru!"

Aphrodi stared at the outstretched gloved hand of Endou, feeling a strange sensation in his chest. He takes his hand and shakes it.

"Afuro Terumi, but just call me Aphrodi."

"Well, then, Aphrodi," Endou grinned, "Let's play soccer!"

Aphrodi was fourteen when he first felt what it's like to be free.

&

"I cannot believe you making a scene like that!"

Aphrodi was eighteen when he felt his mom's palm leaving a hot and stinging sensation on his right cheek.

"Terumi, just what on earth were you thinking?! Telling everyone that this business won't fall in your hands—You are supposed to be a professional, like your father and me. You are the heir to our business! We can't have you run around like some kind of—"

"Mother, this has to stop." Was the only thing Aphrodi said.

Confused, his mother furrowed her brows. "What do you mean?"

"I don't want your stupid business." Aphrodi stated, narrowing his eyes. "I'm not a little child anymore."

"I—"

"I'm sick of trying to hide myself from everyone. I'm sick of trying to live up to your expectations, even when they make me miserable. I'm sick of being your robot. I'm tired of all your rules."

"Afuro Terumi, you disgust me." His mother seethed, "How dare you—"

"If you won't change your ways, then I'm leaving."

Aphrodi was eighteen when he knew that this way of living brought him more torture than hell ever could.

He knew in that moment that he wasn't born for his father's failed dreams, or as his mother's puppet. He knew he wasn't raised up to be admired or to be noticed. He was born for something else entirely, and although Aphrodi had no clue what it was, he was determined to find it.

"You've got five seconds, mother."

This was where he needed to break free from his suffocating cage.

"Five."

(—Run away.)

"Four."

(—You don't have to pretend anymore.)

"Three."

(—You're not what they say you are.)

"Two."

(—Your destiny lies in your own hands.)

"One."

(—They don't matter.)

His mother didn't say a word, so neither did he.

Aphrodi was only eighteen when he turned his back on his mother as he walked away, slamming the door shut behind him.

(—You are free.)

〆

[l.] - everything is just a matter of choice and chance.