I am not a politician, I have played video games since my youth, and another large part of that time I spent watching anime and reading books. I enjoy entertaining the prospect of learning the Japanese language to perhaps finally understand the songs that I’ve become so enraptured by. But even if I don’t, I can still feel what they mean. And sometimes, that’s enough.

Stanley considered what he had written today in his diary, unsure if he should continue, before once again putting pen to paper.

It has been a week since I met Kerala. And it feels like I’ve been speaking to large groups of people almost every day since, even if that isn’t quite true.

He paused to glance out a window to see the clear blue sky.

I was actually planning on speaking again today, but I realised something before stepping out the door, I didn’t know what to say. I was worried at first, panicked about losing the momentum that our movement was gaining. Thinking that I should at least show up, if only to let everyone know that I was still there. That I hadn’t yet given up hope. But then I remembered something. I am not a politician. Never will be, don’t want to be. I hate politics. Despise it. It makes me ill. Never being allowed to truly express yourself without fear of reprimand. Deciding what you should and shouldn’t tell the people that depend on you because sometimes the truth can be more damaging than any lie. I can’t live like that. I refuse to. Political systems interest me, but only because it is through them that people can secure their freedom, and thus their continued happiness. But that is not the same as politics. And I am glad it isn’t.

Seeing that the song he was listening to was finished, he selected one he recalled as being somewhat uplifting. “ato hitotsubu no namida de hitokoto no yuuki de negai ga kanau-“

I let them know that I wouldn’t be showing up today, and they were very supportive. Apparently I’m not the only one with something to say, because that man I’d encountered on occasion, Norfolk I believe his name is, volunteered to fill in for me.

“Hey, we’ll be leaving in half an hour or so, you still coming?” asked Toby from just outside the make shift office Stanley was writing in.

“Sure, just finishing up some stuff,” He answered.

Some of the people that have taken to listening to what we have to say might think that our goal is just to build a bridge across a river, thus uniting a divided town. It isn’t so. The point was never what ‘goal’ we would accomplish, but that we did it together. To remind people that it is up to them to bend the universe that surrounds them to their will. That together, it is very hard, if not impossible to stop us. I obviously have hope that the things they set their hearts on accomplishing will have a positive impact on society, but if there’s anything about movements I’ve learned from history, it is that none are incorruptible. Until it falls though, I would like to lend it my support. In this, I am resolute.

“Wow,” came a voice from behind him, startling him at how close they were. “Even in your diary you’re so dramatic. You know we’re supposed to be taking a break today right?” Kerala continued while shaking her head in disappointment.

Stanley was mildly infuriated by the intrusion on his personal space, but chose not to let it show, lest he encourage her. “Very true,” he said, closing his diary. “Today we fight for relaxation!” he mock shouted, making sure his voice was not loud enough to disturb his neighbours.