Chapter LIX: Preparations II, Part 2
Morning arrives not as an abrupt beginning, but as a slow unfolding of light across the sky. The University of the Constellations awakens gradually, its towering spires reflecting pale gold sunlight, its windows gleaming like fragments of fallen stars embedded in stone. The air is cool, crisp, and filled with anticipation... well, not the loud anticipation of celebration, but the quiet anticipation of preparation.
Another day begins for the Special Power and Defense Class. It's another day of learning and another day of strengthening mind, voice, and spirit; because in this university, knowledge is not separate from power.
It's like what they say, Knowledge is power, and power must be disciplined.
Inside the Aquarius District, inside the Special Power and Defense classroom, students settle into their seats as Marielle stands at the front.
She carries no visible weapon, well aside from whiteboard markers, erasers, projector, an HDMI chord, and a laptop.
And yet, she is one of the most formidable instructors they have, because she teaches language; and language shapes reality.
She turns toward the class, her calm eyes scanning each student.
"Today," she begins, her voice steady and precise, "we will discuss the comparison between Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji."
She writes three words on the board in clean strokes, from left to right:
HIRAGANA, KATAKANA, and KANJI
"These," she says, "are the three writing systems used in the Japanese language. They coexist. They support each other. They complete each other."
She turns back toward the class.
"As all of you may recall, (logograms) provide meaning for roots of words, while (syllabary) handles grammar and native words, and (syllabary) handles foreign loanwords and emphasis. Let's check each one out, then.", she reiterates.
"Hiragana," she continues, "is the foundation."
She writes curved characters across the board.
あ い う え お (A E I O U)
"Hiragana is phonetic. Each character represents a sound. It is used primarily for native Japanese words, grammatical particles, and verb endings."
She walks slowly across the room.
"Hiragana is soft, flowing, and natural."
She pauses beside Haruto's desk.
"It is the script of origin."
She writes an example:
たべる (taberu)
"To eat," she explains. "This verb uses Hiragana in its ending. Without Hiragana, verbs cannot function properly."
She looks at the class.
"Hiragana gives motion to language."
She then turns back and writes another heading, Katakana. This time, the characters she writes are sharp. Angular, and direct.
ア イ ウ エ オ
"Katakana," she explains, "is also phonetic. It represents the same sounds as Hiragana."
She pauses.
"But its purpose is different."
She writes:
コンピューター (konpyuutaa)
"Computer."
She faces the class.
"Katakana is used for foreign words. Loanwords. Scientific terms. Names of foreign origin."
She gestures slightly.
"It represents adaptation."
She smiles faintly.
"It represents evolution."
Students listen carefully. Even Ryujin leans forward slightly. There is something deeper in her words. Something symbolic. Finally, she writes the third word, Kanji.
The atmosphere changes, and it is because Kanji is different. She writes one symbol.
食
"This," she says quietly, "means eat."
She writes another.
水
"This means water."
She faces the class fully now.
"Kanji does not represent sound."
She pauses.
"It represents meaning."
The students fall silent.
"Kanji comes from Chinese characters. Each symbol carries not only pronunciation, but concept."
She places her hand on the board.
"Kanji is the essence of language."
She turns.
"In summary, Hiragana gives structure. Katakana gives adaptation. Kanji gives meaning."
She looks directly at them.
"Together, they create understanding."
She pauses before continuing.
"Language is not merely communication."
Her voice softens.
"It is identity."
After Marielle's class, Dr. Aoshima enters. His presence is calm, but carries weight. He does not rush. He does not raise his voice. And yet, everyone listens. It's because he speaks of research. And research shapes the future. He places his materials on the table.
"Research," he begins, "is the systematic investigation of phenomena. Behind every concept, there is science. That's why if you look into the etymology of almost all branches of science, there is the suffix -logy, which comes from the Greek word, 'logos', which means study or science. Biology, physiology, psychology, mycology, ecology, so and so for."
He looks around the room.
"It is how humanity learns. The system, providing evidence and the backbone of a study, as well as a concept, idea, theory, and others."
He folds his hands behind his back.
"Without research, there is no progress."
He walks slowly.
"In medicine, research discovers cures."
He glances at Miran.
"In engineering, research constructs from structures to buildings, and buildings into cities."
He glances at Inoshiro.
"In defense, research creates protection. Wherein, the evidences presented in such form, provides a cradle of work backed up by information"
He glances at Ryujin.
"And in this university... research reveals truth."
He writes on the board: PURPOSES OF RESEARCH
"To discover new knowledge."
"To verify existing knowledge."
"To solve problems."
"To improve systems."
"To understand reality."
He turns.
"Research answers questions. One's curiosity extends to the realm of unanswered questions. One can search it but is it really true? It is really validated? Is it... justified?"
He pauses.
"But more importantly..."
He points through air, like popping a balloon in front of him.
"Chook! It teaches you how to ask them."
He writes on the whiteboard: Chapter 1: Introduction
"This," he says, "is the foundation of any research. If one wants to do research, it starts by asking questions or queries, then tantamount into the first part which is your Chapter 1, Introduction. This chapter explains the 5 Ws and 1 H of your research. What, Why, When, Where, Who, and How. Let us now delve into the components of your Chapter 1."
He points to the first term, which is the Background or Rationale of the Study.
"This explains why the research exists."
He elaborates.
"It identifies the problem."
"It explains the context."
"It justifies the necessity."
Without rationale, research has no purpose. Next is the Conceptual Framework.
"This shows the relationship between variables."
He draws arrows connecting boxes.
"It visualizes the structure of the study."
Then, the Theoretical Framework.
"This connects the study to existing theories. Existing studies that are similar to your research, either a copy that has proven and out with a result of it."
"It grounds research in established knowledge."
Next, is the Scope and Delimitation.
"This defines the boundaries. From the words themselves, Scope meaning what your study covers, and Delimitation, defined to as the limits of your study."
"What is included."
"What is excluded."
"This ensures focus."
Then, they move into the Hypothesis.
"This is the predicted outcome."
"A statement that can be tested."
Finally, the Significance of the Study.
"This explains who benefits."
"How the research contributes."
He pauses, then writes: Definition of Terms.
"This ensures clarity."
"So no word is misunderstood. Each term is defined on how are they defined in the study. Like what are they in the study, specifically or generally."
He turns to them.
"Research is precision."
After Dr. Aoshima, Dr. Ruma enters next.
"Today," she says, "we discuss conjunctions."
She writes on the whiteboard: Coordinating Conjunctions
"These connect equal elements."
She lists: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.
"The seven English coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so; that join words, phrases, or independent clauses of similar grammatical rank are abbreviated as FANBOYS. These conjunctions; for (reason), and (addition), nor (negative alternative), but/yet (contrast), or (choice), and so (result); form compound sentences by joining related ideas to enhance flow and clarity. When two independent clauses are separated, they usually need a comma."
"Example," she says.
"I study, and I learn."
She continues. Subordinating Conjunctions.
"These connect dependent clauses."
She writes: Because, Although, While, Since, If
Example:
"I study because I want to succeed."
She points.
"The second clause depends on the first."
She calls some students. Each recites. Each learns.
Health class approaches, but there is an obstruction; Shinse does not arrive. In doing so, Arita texts him. Shinse replies that he can't make it, since he is finishing papers at the faculty. That having been said, the class now have a vacant. As Arita announces it, the class erupts quietly with excitement. They go to lunch.
At the cafeteria, Ryujin and his friends sit near the window. Sunlight reflects on their trays. They talk, about Memes, history, and life.
Inoshiro shows WWII memes. Haruto laughs and Ryujin listens. The latter then asks Hageshi about basketball. Hageshi pauses.
"Oh yeah, about that; I quit," he says quietly.
They are surprised.
"I'll just focus on the dance now."
His voice is calm yet certain. Because sometimes, choosing one path requires leaving another behind.
At the Aquarius Students' Park, Saki holds the silver key Ryujin gave her. It shines softly. She stares at it. It means more than metal, it means trust. She joins Kitsune and Rikiyo. They laugh. They talk about BTS... and life continues.
Elsewhere, Takeshi and the others sign up for the tournament. With lingering confidence, they are determined to compete and an unwavering hope they to invoke that they will win.
The days pass, and the practice intensifies. Choir voices grow stronger. Dance steps grow sharper. The university prepares in lieu of the return and reopening of the Starlight Festival approaches.
And when it arrives, the students will be ready.
Mind, body, voice, and soul.