Standstill Bonds

Chapter 6 ~ Lessons and Observations

Later that day it turned out to be Biology on Josephine's timetable with Jotaro himself. The atmosphere in the classroom shifted as Jotaro, his presence commanding attention, stepped in carrying a sense of quiet authority. His eyes swept across the room, settling briefly on Josephine before focusing on the assembled students.

"Good afternoon," his voice was steady, cutting through the murmurings and setting the room to silence. "Today, we're looking into the process of photosynthesis in aquatic plants."

The students straightened in their seats, their interest piqued by Jotaro's aura of expertise. He was well liked and highly regarded by the pupils of the school for his excellence of the subject he taught along with his no nonsense, firm, yet quietly supportive approach to learning. Josephine, sitting attentively at the front of the class, mirrored the curiosity of those around her, her gaze fixed on him.

"In biology," Jotaro continued, "photosynthesis is a fundamental process. But in aquatic plants, this process unfolds in a visually captivating manner, unlike their terrestrial counterparts."

With a fervor that seemed to ignite from within, Jotaro embarked on a detailed explanation. He illustrated the dynamics of light absorption, the utilization of chlorophyll, and the consequential production of oxygen, painting a vivid picture of the intricacies of photosynthesis in aquatic flora.

"Unlike plants on land," he explained, his voice carrying a hint of passion, "aquatic plants have adaptations to thrive underwater. They absorb light differently, utilizing their chlorophyll in a manner that allows for efficient photosynthesis even in submerged conditions."

As the lecture progressed, Jotaro elucidated how light acted as the catalyst for the synthesis of sugars and the liberation of oxygen, a symphony of biological processes orchestrated by the chloroplasts within the cells of plants.

Once the groundwork was laid, Jotaro set the class a task; to witness and record the manifestation of photosynthesis first-hand. Each student was entrusted with placing a piece of pondweed in a tumbler of water, exposing it to direct light from a lamp, and documenting the emergence of bubbles, a visual cue of the photosynthetic process.

"Observe closely and record your findings." Jotaro instructed, his voice carrying a hint of encouragement.

With that, he left the students to their experiment, taking notes at his desk before embarking on a round to observe their progress and ensure comprehension.

As Jotaro moved among the students, Josephine followed the task diligently, her mind absorbing the wealth of knowledge he had imparted. When he reached her desk, her notebook lay filled with meticulous sketches and scientific notes; a clear indication of her dedication to learning.

"How long did it take?" Jotaro inquired, his eyes flickering from her notes to her, a silent expectation in his gaze.

"Three minutes and forty-two seconds," Josephine responded, her voice confident, her eyes meeting his.

Jotaro nodded in silent approval, a subtle acknowledgment of her diligence, before continuing his observations, leaving Josephine filled with a sense of purpose and determination to excel in her understanding of the scientific realm he so adeptly navigated.

-

The lesson ended and Josephine went about the rest of her day, classes finishing without too much excitement. Entering Jotaro's classroom for her inaugural training session, Josephine found herself faced with the familiar sight of him at his desk, engrossed in the mundane task of marking papers. His acknowledgment of her arrival was curt, a nod preceding his return to the paperwork laid out before him.