Sempai HQ is special to me, and the very first reason you need to fill to build a true startup is kind of overticked and shaded too deeply.
It solves a problem and pain point I lived for over half a decade.
I had a gift but could only use it for others then.
I could never be too proud to dirty my hands to work. Or build with someone I respect.
I used to write 50,000 words worth of novels and novellas for around $55 or less.
Conversation would sometimes move to "prediction markets" , but there was always that confidence.
And I'd wonder, was there a confidence that older age ranges brought?
Guess who wings most things and powers through with that same confidence these days? π
Yu.
Younger me would always wonder at the jockey confidence of older males when they talked about money problems.
Needing to get something paid for in a week's time and no expectation of income.
Like we're loafing around and we know the older are broke asl, but such confidence!
Rising Water Fun Fact π :
Denn's name is a shortened form of the yoruba word, D'eni (To become someone).
Alongside the Lumi surname which means Light, his name could be said to mean: One who strives to become seen/one with the light.
Ring of Fire Arc will last 15 chapters at least. π§‘
~RW Author Notes, 2026.
Was without a working device most days of the day. Had a break between batches in the ovens.
So I borrowed a phone, opened Google docs and shared a new document with myself then began writing the second chapter in the Ring of Fire Arc for RW.
Technology is a blessing. π€
A boy called me a coward once. But has never faced the kind of danger that he put me in.
He might see this and get enraged, as I have doubtless infuriated so many of those who love or hate me. But it is not an attempt to make another feel less.
A reminder of what simply is.
A boy called me a coward once.
Years later, I know I'm not. But in that moment, I knew then that I was not.
He called me that so he could sit back in self praise and watch for any reckless actions on my part. I felt rage, but mostly sad and understanding.
I had to drop the second degree I was pursuing because of this and several other things. A BSc I had gotten a matric number for. (Yes, when I want sumn good, I am stubborn just like Jacob was for Rachel.)
And it taught me to take responsibility for my actions even more.
Would like to travel the world. Meet the ones I've read about, know about and would love to work with.
Know what I would talk about with them. Good stuff. We'd build great stuff. I would hate to waste any of their time.
But I'm also happy with never meeting my idols.