At school, while most students balked at the idea of part-time work even for a single day a week, Justice thrived as a part-time waitress, working every evening after class until midnight. Her passion for Japan fueled her. The money she earned was earmarked for a trip to the land of the rising sun during her summer holiday, where she planned to immerse herself in the culture she loved so deeply. Even before formally studying the language, Justice had begun teaching herself Japanese.

Justice’s intense dedication to work and study made some of her peers uneasy—those who either couldn’t or wouldn’t match her commitment. Among them was a detractor we’ll call Justice Hater, who would deride her to others, saying, “That Justice, she’s such an idiot. Why does she even need to learn Japanese?”

One day, as Justice struggled to read Japanese aloud in class, Justice Hater stood and shouted, “Why don’t you just study more! You’re slowing us all down!” The incident left Justice embarrassed and seething, a memory that, while painful, was etched vividly in her mind.

This vivid recollection is due to the brain’s neurochemical dynamics; intense emotions trigger the brain to form strong neural connections, helping humans remember and learn from experiences—both good and bad. While Justice was momentarily knocked down by the experience, she used it as fuel to double down on her Japanese studies, diving deeper into grammar and different textbooks.

Not long after, her efforts bore fruit. In a later class, while reviewing grammar, Justice not only used the required pattern but also incorporated another she had learned independently. “Very good, Justice!” the teacher exclaimed. “Let’s all follow her example.” As the class repeated the phrases, Justice Hater’s frustration was palpable, his face reddening as he gripped his pen tightly.

After a moment, Justice turned to him and said, “Thanks for the encouragement—I couldn’t have done it without you.” It was a sweet victory, a testament to the adage that those who laugh last laugh longest.

Outside the classroom, watching this unfold were Trinity and Unity. “She’s like you—she has Forging Force,” Unity whispered. Trinity smiled, replying, “It looks like justice was served. We’ve found our third team member.”

Justice always chose the challenging path, knowing that navigating through stormy seas offers faster and richer learning than sailing calm waters.