The Awakening

The day began with the familiar roosters crowing, signaling the dawn break. While Father and Taro were already outside, commencing their morning training regimen, the rest of us had our own established routines.

Mother, Hana, and Yuko were preparing for another day's work at the farm. They gathered their tools and essential supplies, ready to nurture the crops that provided for our family.

Indoors, the challenge of rousing Nen and Yuki from their slumber had fallen upon Daisuke, Fudo, and Annashia. As usual, the younger siblings displayed their impressive resistance to the idea of waking up. Their dueling whines and protests created the lively soundtrack of our morning ritual.

A smile crept across my face as I eavesdropped on Annashia's authoritative threats despite her diminutive stature. Nen's persistently grumbling voice was met with Yuki's spirited, albeit incomprehensible, counterarguments.

"Okaasan, Nen, and Yuki won't get up," Annashia reported, her tone a mix of determination and exasperation, as she hurried over to Mother.

Mother briefly contemplated the situation before offering a solution. "Well, if they don't get up, they might miss the opportunity to play when we arrive at the farm." Her words were delivered casually, accompanied by a nonchalant shrug, as though she weren't overly concerned.

This strategic declaration proved highly effective, as Nen and Yuki were immediately spurred into action. The promise of playtime held an irresistible allure for our youngest siblings, and they swiftly prepared themselves to follow Mother out the door.

Amidst the bustle within the house, I couldn't help but notice a familiar gleam in Fudo's eyes. He, too, yearned to partake in the fun. His gaze lingered on Daisuke, who effortlessly readied himself to shoulder the farm tools, a look of longing in his eyes.

In an unspoken exchange, Daisuke and I exchanged knowing glances, understanding that Fudo's enthusiasm for play mirrored our own. We shared a silent chuckle and watched Fudo as he dashed outside, his eagerness to partake in the day's adventures temporarily overshadowing his morning chores.

"Hana," Yuko inquired, "do you have everything you need for the farm? We can't afford to forget anything."

Hana let out a patient sigh. "Yuko, for the tenth time, YES! Now, let's set out before we fall behind. The crops won't tend to themselves."

Our eldest sister was always well-prepared and had little patience for repetitive questions. As she took the lead, we hurried to catch up with her.

With a sense of responsibility ingrained in her character, Yuko couldn't help but check again. "Annashia, Harumi, remember to lock the house before you follow. And please, don't lag."

Annashia and I nodded in acknowledgment, fully aware that our responsibilities extended to securing our home.

With these final tasks, we grabbed the key hanging near Mother and Father's door. I handed it to Annashia, who efficiently secured the house before we rushed to catch up with the rest of our family. As we ventured outside, the promise of a new day and the adventures it held awaited us.

"Today marks the beginning of your training, Taro. Our first lesson is controlling your breathing, a fundamental skill you'll need in various aspects of your training, be it archery, swordsmanship, spear combat, or hand-to-hand fighting," Father began, setting the stage for the day's lesson.

Father continued, sharing the finer details of the breathing technique. "After inhaling, resist the urge to exhale immediately. Hold the air within you for approximately two seconds before releasing it." He demonstrated.

With impatience and a hint of confusion, Taro questioned the purpose of such training. He hadn't yet grasped the significance of breath control.

Understanding his son's uncertainty, Father explained, "Controlling your breath serves to relax your muscles and optimize your strength, essential both on the battlefield and during training. Without proper breath control, you'd exert tenfold effort and exhaust yourself far more quickly." Taro, eager to learn, nodded as if he comprehended.

With determination, Taro declared, "Alright, Otousan, let's continue," while counting the swings of his bamboo sword.

Satisfied with Taro's readiness, Father instructed him on the importance of controlled breathing. "Begin with 100 swings while maintaining your breath control," he advised. "Inhale through your nose, taking deep breaths. The emphasis is drawing the air with your stomach muscles, not your chest. Keep the chest still to prevent opponents from predicting attacks based on your breath."

He continued, "When you breathe in, avoid exhaling immediately. Hold your breath for about 2 seconds. It's essential to control the release of air. Exhale slowly through your mouth, not all at once. The process should take 10 to 15 seconds to expel all the air."

Curious about the prolonged exhalation, Taro inquired, "Otousan, why is it necessary to exhale for such a long duration? It seems like emptying the air I've inhaled would take a while."

Father explained, "The extended exhalation helps maintain calmness. Additionally, deep breaths improve brain function. I've learned this through my battlefield and training experiences." He added a wink and a thumbs-up to assure Taro.

"Understood," Taro acknowledged.

Father then shared a valuable insight, "One last thing, my son. While you practice this technique, remember that you don't have to empty your mind overly. Attempting to clear your thoughts can backfire. Instead, concentrate on your breathing and let your mind naturally wander. Think about how you can improve in training and other aspects of life."

Taro's face wore a mix of determination and clarity, and he continued with his sword swings. Clearly, this lesson on controlled breathing had opened a new path in his training.

However, the complexity of the instruction had left Taro somewhat perplexed. He questioned, "Otousan, it feels like there's so much to think about when controlling one's breathing."

Father, realizing Taro's confusion, offered reassurance. "Don't overthink it, my son. Instead of emptying your mind, concentrate on your breath. Attempting to think about nothing often leads to thinking about something. Relax and engage in the practice of basic breathing. Although mastering breath control may seem daunting at first, with consistent practice at the beginning and end of each training session, it will soon become a natural habit."

Under the soft morning light, Father tried to alleviate the young warrior's concerns by placing a hand on Taro's shoulder. Taro nodded and resumed his bamboo sword swings, reassured by his father's support.

Unbeknownst to them, I had quietly returned to observe Father and Taro's training, hidden in the shadows, eager to learn from their shared wisdom.