"Good morning, class," he said, his voice ringing out across the room. "Today, we'll be discussing a philosophy called existentialism."
A few students raised their eyebrows, intrigued by the topic. One of them, a young woman with short hair and a studious look in her eyes, tentatively raised her hand.
"Yes?" the professor asked, nodding in her direction.
"It's the study of our existence, right?" she asked.
The professor smiled wryly. "Well, that's one way to put it," he said. "But it's a bit more complex than that. Anyone else care to take a stab?"
There was a moment of silence, as the students looked at each other uncertainly. Finally, a boy in the back raised his hand.
"Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes individual freedom and choice," he said. "It's about taking responsibility for our own lives and finding meaning in a world that can seem chaotic and meaningless."
The professor nodded approvingly. "Very good Neo," he said. "Existentialism is all about confronting the realities of our existence and making the most of the time we have. It's a challenging philosophy, but also a rewarding one."
As Joey sat behind Neo in class, he couldn't help but observe the boy's appearance. His large glasses with ropes attached to them seemed almost comically oversized, yet they were clearly functional. Neo's long, black hair was impeccably groomed, and his hazily purple eyes were entrancing. His smooth brown skin looked almost unreal, as if it were a work of art crafted by a master painter.
But it wasn't just Neo's physical appearance that caught Joey's attention. Neo's academic prowess was equally impressive. He seemed to effortlessly ace every exam and assignment, always getting the best results every semester. It was no wonder that girls flocked to him after class, always asking for tutorials.Joey couldn't help but feel envious of Neo's seemingly perfect life.
As the lecturer asked the question, "Who created us?" the class responded in unison, "GOD!!!" The students were confident in their answer, but the lecturer seemed to have a different perspective.
The room fell silent as the lecturer looked around at his students with an intense stare. He then let out a small grin, leaving the class wondering what he was thinking.
"Even I don't know how," the lecturer said. "Everyone is connected by the winds of fate. Each one of us here has some sort of influence on what the others do. That is what I believe in, and that's what Existentialism is all about."
The class continued for half an hour as the lecturer explained his philosophy. The students were intrigued by his ideas, and many began to question their own beliefs.
Joey followed Eitou out of the lecture hall, trying to catch up to his friend's brisk pace. "Hey, Eitou," he called out. "Wait up."
Eitou stopped in his tracks and turned around, his expression sour. "What do you want?" he asked.
Joey frowned, sensing Eitou's frustration. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay," he said. "You seemed pretty upset back there."
Eitou scoffed, crossing his arms. "I'm fine," he said. "I just can't stand all that talk about God and fate. It's a load of bullcrap if you ask me."Joey nodded, understanding where Eitou was coming from. "I get it," he said. "But you don't have to believe in it. Everyone has their own beliefs and opinions."
Eitou rolled his eyes. "Yeah, but it's all so pointless," he said. "I just want to live my life, explore the world, and have fun.
Joey smiled, seeing the passion in his friend's eyes. "That's just who you are," he said. "But for some people, religion gives them comfort. It helps them make sense of the world and their place in it."
Eitou scoffed, looking away. "I guess," he said. "But it's not for me."
Joey nodded, sensing Eitou's stubbornness. "That's okay," he said. "You're entitled to your own beliefs. And so are they."
Eitou sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I know," he said. "But sometimes it feels like they're trying to force it on me."
Joey placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, offering comfort. "I know how you feel," he said. "But the important thing is to respect each other's beliefs. That's what makes life interesting, right?"
Eitou nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yeah," he said. "I guess you're right."
Joey grinned, happy to have helped his friend. "Of course I am," he said. "I'm always right."Eitou rolled his eyes, playfully shoving Joey. "Yeah, yeah," he said. "Let's just go get some food already."Eitou and Joey were making their way towards the food court when they heard a voice from behind. "But what if you die?" the voice asked. It was Neo, one of their classmates. "What if you die, then what? You stay in forever ending darkness? Have you thought about it?"
Eitou turned around, his expression annoyed. "What are you talking about?" he asked.
Neo approached them, his eyes intense. "I'm talking about life after death," he said. "Have you ever thought about what happens to your soul when you die?"
Eitou rolled his eyes, feeling frustrated. "I don't believe in all that stuff," he said. "I just want to live my life and enjoy it. I don't have time for thoughts about the afterlife."
Joey stepped in, trying to defuse the tension. "Alright, let's just go get some food, man," he said, shoving Eitou away from Neo. He looked back at their classmate, who stood there with his head slightly tilted. "Maybe we can talk about this some other time."
Neo nodded, still looking pensive. "Yeah, sure," he said. "But just think about it, okay? What if there's more to life than what we see?"
Eitou shrugged, unconvinced. "I'll stick with what I know," he said. "And what I know is that I want to enjoy my life to the fullest."
Joey grinned, clapping his friend on the back. "That's the spirit," he said. "Now, let's go get some food before we starve to death."
Eitou laughed, feeling the tension ease. Maybe he didn't have to believe in everything that others did. Maybe he could just focus on living his life and enjoying it to the fullest. After all, that was what really mattered.