It was crazy, how one quick action could mean so much. How a simple slap was enough to bring a stinging sensation to prickle at your skin, to bring tears to line your eyes, to bring change.

“Don’t you ever recklessly gamble with your life at stake!” Fukuzawa’s voice was raised as he berated you for your careless behaviour, but not raised with anger, rather with concern.

It was hard to discern which one hurt the most; the slap, his words, or maybe the weight they both held behind them.