Memories in the Past: Ernesta and Lisa

"There she is!"

"Woah! She's pretty, I should try asking her to go out with me."

"Nah, I'm gonna do that first."

This kind of thing almost happens every day. Every time I enter this school, everyone starts talking about me.

"Tsk!"

*Why don't these people mind their own business.*

I always ignore all of them, but sometimes is very annoying.

It starts when I always win in everything. Literally everything! I'm always the top one in school. I'm always the highest in our test.

I don't mind if people get amazed at me but what I hate is what they always say...

"You're very talented Elizabeth."

"Yeah, you were born gifted."

"I'm so jealous. I wish I was born like you!"

*Why do people always say that! Born talented? Do they know what I went through just to reach the top? And they only say that I'm just born like this?*

I really want to say this thing to all people who think of me like that. I always study and practice at home, even during my vacation. I do this every day until I pass out.

I didn't do this to become popular with people. I want to become a Commander someday just like my mother, a former Commander of A-1 HQ. My father is one of the leaders who protect our city.

In junior high, my teacher often says to me to change my dream. They always remind me that my dream is too high to reach by someone like me. That's why I try my best to achieve.

But now in Senior High. People never acknowledge my hard work. Because of my parent's position, they think I just inherit their skills.

"Ahhh."

I sighed.

"I should get used to this."

In the afternoon, during our lunch break, I always eat alone since I don't have friends. Although many people ask me to I always reject them. There's nothing I can get for having a friend.

Chewing my lunch. I feel something

*Stareeeeeee*

"Hm?"

*It's cold*

I hold tight my arms.

"I thought the weather today will be sunny."

I ignore the cold temperature and continue my lunch.

*Stareeeeee*

"....."

*Stareeeeee*

*Just what the heck is that?*

This is the first time I got scared of being alone.

I finished my lunch faster than I used to and went back to the classroom.

My next class will be PE, although this is not a normal PE class that I used to in junior high. This class will be graded base on your fighting skills. Since being an HQ member is the most famous job but also the hardest, they included this kind of system for those who want to become one.

I never lose to a single fight ever since I study here.

"Woah! You're really good as ever Elizabeth."

"Ahhh."

*This again.*

*Stareeeee*

"Hm?"

After the class, I went straight home to study and practice again. Since my house is just nearby, I just take a walk.

*Stomp**Stomp*

Someone walking behind me.

"Hm?"

*I thought I was the only student to walk here.*

*Stomp**Stomp*

The steps become faster as if it's chasing me. I stop walking. I looked behind me and saw a small girl with black hair and golden eyes staring at me.

"....."

*Stareeeeeee*

"Ugh. What do you want."

*Stareeeeee*

She's not speaking.

I turn around and walk again.

*Stareeeee*

I stop walking again and face her.

"Hey, what do yo--"

She disappears.

"Is that a ghost?"

*Tap*

"Eh??!!!"

The girl behind me is now in my front touching my belly using her finger.

"W-What are you doing?"

"Oh, it's hard. You have abs huh."

"Eh? S-So what?"

"That means the rumors are not true."

"What humor?"

"That means you're not born talented at all."

"What did you just said?!"

"Yeah, you're working too hard."

"Eh?"

"What I mean is you're a hardworking person."

That's the first time someone acknowledges my hard work.

*Just who's this girl?*

"Who are you anyway?", I asked.

"I'm Ernesta!", she shouted.

That's the first time I meet Ernesta.

"How about you muscular lady?"

"I'm--what did just call to me?"

"Hehe.", she giggled.

"I'm Elizabeth."

"Hmmm, I see I see. Lisa!"

"It's Elizabeth."

"Lisa!"

"E-LI-ZA-BETH!"

"Lisa!"

"Ugh. Nevermind."

I turn around and continue walking.

After a few minutes of walking, I finally reach my house.

"Hm?"

The girl named Ernesta is still at my back.

I turn around and face her.

"Hey, um... Ernesta."

"Lisa!"

"Cut it out already!"

"Hehe."

"Hey, why are still following me?", I asked.

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"Huh? I'm asking why are still at my back following me?"

"Hm?"

She tilted her head like she has no idea what I'm talking about.

"But I'm always going this way."

"Wait, really? But I didn't even see you once?"

"What? But we're always walking here at the same time every day?"

"Eh?"

"I was always on your back."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah."

*No wonder why I feel like someone following me every day. *

"Is this your house? Woah, it's big."

"Yeah. Want to come in?"

"Nah, I still need to do something. The Orphanage is this way."

She starts running.

"Orphanage? Hey, wait!"

"Ciao!"

She's waving her hand while running.

The day after that, I went to school earlier than I used to be, and as usual, students looking at me while walking.

*I wonder when this going to end?*

*Stomp**Stomp*

I hear the sound of steps that coming in my direction. It looks like someone is running towards me.

"Lisa!"

"Ah!"

Someone hit me at the back.

*Lisa? Don't tell me...*

"E-Ernesta?"

"Yes, I am."

"What's with that?"

"Hm? Did it hurt?"

"Not really."

Her hit is just light, but I was shocked since I didn't expect that.

"Let's go."

"Eh? Where?"

"To the classroom, duh."

"Eh?"

I have no idea that Ernesta is one of my classmates. What the worst thing is she's sitting at my back. Even though she's listening to the lesson all the time, knowing she's sitting at my back is enough for me to lose concentration. I ended up thinking so much that I couldn't understand a single lesson.

After the lesson, I went outside to eat my lunch, but instead of eating alone like I used to, Ernesta is with me now.

Our next subject is Physical Education.

After wearing our PE uniform, I started stretching while waiting for my opponent. I didn't care or think who's going to be the opponent. All of them didn't last for ten seconds in every fight.

*I wonder, what kind of finishing moves should I do? Kick or punch or maybe both?*

"She's here.", one of the students said.

My eyes widen when a small girl with black hair and golden eyes walks forwards to me.

"Go easy on me, Li-Sa."

*I have a bad feeling about this.*

"You two, are you ready."

""Yes""

I ready myself for incoming attacks from Ernesta.

"I didn't expect you will be my next opponent."

"Hehe. Please don't be hard on me."

"This is the first time I saw you here. Why going in now?"

"Because it looks fun. How about you? Why are you doing your best?"

"That's a secret. You have to defeat me first."

"Wooo. Scary."

"Be ready because I won't hold back!"

I dash towards her and try to punch her face. She immediately leans backward. I spin and lower my body, I try to kick her feet but she jumps backward.

"That was close, Lisa."

"Heh! You're good."

I crack all my fingers before I jump to her. Clenching my fist while I'm in the air, I try to punch her but she jumps back.

"You won't win if you just keep dodging."

"I know, I know. Well then."

Ernesta lowers her stance like preparing herself for my incoming attacks.

I run towards her and clench my fist. Punching her towards her stomach, Ernesta blocks it using her two hands and jumps backward creating a distance between us.

*She's blocking my attack now.*

Dashing towards her while clenching my fist. Ernesta is already cornered between me and the wall. Pushing my fist towards her, Ernesta step on the wall and leap backward.

*She could do that?*

After the landing, Ernesta spins towards me and tries to hit me using the back of her palm. I use my arms to block her attack.

*She starts attacking now.*

She spins again but in the opposite direction and jumps and kicks my face. It was so fast I couldn't react to block it.

*She's getting serious.*

She dashes towards me. I get up and try to jump backward but she's too fast. She already hit my stomach with her knee.

"Guh!"

Before I could recover from her attack. Ernesta dashes towards me again and hits me with an uppercut as a finishing blow.

*I....lose.*

Falling on the ground. I realized that the first time I lose in a fight.

*This is what it feels like losing huh. It's awful.*

"Hey.", Ernesta said.

She extends her hand towards me. I grab it and stand upon the ground.

"I lose huh."

"Come on, it's not important. This is not a real fight in the first place."

"Yeah."

"Hey, Lisa."

Ernesta leans forwards.

"Yeah?"

"Did you have fun?"

"Eh?"

*Did I have fun?*

If I excluded the result of our fight.

"Yeah, I think it's fun fighting you, Ernesta."

"Woah! You finally smile, Lisa."

After that, no, ever since Ernesta came, all of the things change in my life. There's so many first times that happen to me.

______________________________

"Ugh."

"You sure you look tired, Lisa."

"Yeah."

After the fight, I train much harder and longer than I do before. Not because I want to reach my dream but to win against Ernesta one day. This is my first time doing my best not because of my dream. No, maybe defeating Ernesta is one of my dreams now.

"Oh! Relaine!", Ernesta shouted.

We pass through three girls walking in the opposite direction. The one that Ernesta called is a small girl with black hair and blue eyes.

"Ernesta, it's been a lon--"

"What is it?"

The girl named Relaine look at me.

"Oh, this is Lisa."

"Hello.", I greet her.

"I see."

She stares at me with her sharp eyes.

*Scary*

"I'm going now."

The girl continues walking.

"Bye-bye!"

"Who's that?", I asked.

"It's Relaine, my childhood friend."

"I see."

*What's with that look before?*

After the class, the two of us went home together.

"Hey, Lisa!", Ernesta shouted.

"What is it?", I asked.

"You promise!"

"What promise?"

"Huh? I couldn't believe you! How can you forget your promise to me?"

*What is she talking about?*

"You promise you will tell to me why you're trying your best!"

"Wait, did I said that?"

"Boo. How could you?"

She pouted.

"Okay, okay, I'll tell you now."

"Really? Then what is it?"

"I want to become a Commander."

*Don't laugh, please.*

"That's all?"

"Eh? Y-Yeah."

"I see, I see. Then, I'll be Vice-Commander!"

"Huh? You don't need to do that."

"Why?"

"How about your dream job?"

"I don't have any. Actually, I haven't think about it."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, I just want to find the way to help in the Orphanage ."

"Orphanage?"

"Yeah."

*Yeah, I remember. She mentions something about the Orphanage when we first met.*

"Hey, Ernesta, do you often visit that Orphanage?", I asked.

"Well, yeah, of course."

"Why?"

"Well, that's because was living there."

"Eh?"

"Oh, you didn't know? I'm actually an orphan."

At first, I wasn't convinced, but when Ernesta brought me to the Orphanage. I couldn't believe how many children does Ernesta need to take care of.

According to Sister Mary, one of the nuns who take care of Ernesta. Ernesta's parents died in an arson attack when she was four years old.

Knowing how painful her past is, I didn't ask Ernesta anything about her past.

As the years pass, finally, Ernesta and I going to graduate. We're getting closer to our dream.

After graduating, we have to train to become a member of HQ. It will take two years of training.

"Woah! It's Relaine!", Ernesta shouted.

Ernesta and I are going to train now. As we walk, we pass through Relaine who's walking alone.

"I see, it looks like you two decide to train here huh."

"Yeah. Hey, Relaine, do you planning to be a Commander too like Lisa?"

"How about you first?"

"Me? I'm going to be a Vice-Commander!", Ernesta said while raising her fist.

"I see. Hm?"

Relaine looks at me sharp just like the last time we met.

"Okay, good luck then."

Relaine turn away and left us.

*She's smaller than Ernesta but still scary.*

After two years of training or should I say living in hell, because Ernesta and I almost give up on training. We become an official member of HQ, and fortunately, the Commander and Vice-Commander of each HQ need to retire because of their age. I become a Commander while Ernesta takes the position of Vice. As for Relaine, she's indifferent HQ and she got the same position as Ernesta. We also receive our uniform where the amulet is attached.

"At last! We finally reach our dream, right, Lisa?"

"Yeah. By the way, Ernesta, I have a request."

"Hm? Anything for you."

"You and I, let's fight!"

"Eh?"

"Remember the last time we fought?"

"Yeah, you lose there right?"

"Yeah, I want to see whether you still win."

"Woooo. I see I see."

Two of us get in position.

"Hey, can we use amulet?", I asked.

"Of course."

"I won't hold back now!"

Ernesta starts cracking her fingers, after that, she punches her palm with her other hand.

"Alright! Let's fight!"

_________________________________________

"That's all I can remember."

"No, I think that's enough. By the way, who wins the fight?"

"Well, of course, me! I beat her out.", Commander said proudly.

"Hehe."

"So, Hiro, are you okay now?"

"Eh?"

"I know you already make Ernesta calm before she disappears. You thought that Ernesta is still not okay but Hiro, you're actually the one who's not calm after all."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Asking me this is not just to find Ernesta but to make yourself calm down, right?"

"Yeah, you see right through me huh."

"Of course, as a Commander of this group, I should know anything about my team, even what they thinking."

"I see... I should go now."

"Do you already know where Ernesta is?"

"Yeah."

"Hello, Elizabeth and Hiro!"

"Huh?"

The Commander of A-2, Leo, appears at the door.

"What are you doing here?", I asked.

"I asked him to take care of our HQ."

"Eh? Don't tell me..."

"Yes. I'll go with you."

"Don't worry, I take care of this place. I can even clean this for you."

"Don't bother, I'm thankful enough for taking care of our HQ."

"I see."

"Hiro, let's go. Let's beat some Outsider!"

Commander punches her palm with another hand.

"Yeah!"