RECONCILIATION

The vice president of the disciplinary committee, Sasuke Nobuta, pasted a notice on the centre board for the students after school.

Students gathered immediately when they saw the white and red paper stapled to the board. They had troublemakers, but their homeroom teachers mostly handled it since they shoved them to E class.

This is to notify students that Akage Akazawa of class 2E is suspended until further notice during the investigation and safety measures. Hisa Akiyama of class 1B is suspended for active involvement in the case and will be demoted to class 1E on her return. Any student caught spreading information about the investigation or suspects of harming the people involved in the case will be expelled without trial.

“The punishment is cruel for offenders.”

“Who is Akiyama?”

“I always knew Akiyama didn’t belong in our class.”

“I wonder if this means that Akazawa-san is innocent?”

Hisa lowered her head, letting her hair cover the judgemental eyes that whispered and insulted her. Her heart was troubled and her mind even more burdened.

Everyone she loved hated her. The girls she worked so hard to gain their acceptance didn’t hesitate to scorn her.

I had many friends, but they all left me without asking my side of the story. I’m at the lowest point of my life, but I have no one. She thought as tears clouded her vision. If I could go back in time; I would be friends with Ena and Yumi just like when we were kids and in middle school.

This was karma. Every horrible thing she did to Ena and Yumi, all the times she pushed them away, spoke horribly to them and bullied Ena, especially in their last year of middle school.

She remembered what Akage told her on the roof and for the first time in two years… Hisa saw she was lonely.

Heading home, six girls from class 1B surrounded Hisa with disdain and mockery on their faces. Hisa recognised them – her classmates, her friends, but she knew their approach with good reasons.

They laughed at her.

“I always knew you were a pretentious bitch. Always acting like you were better than us and a suitable way for everyone to see.” Yoshino Fumidaki said as she placed her hand close to her mouth.

“A little brat like you doesn’t deserve your talent, but the student council must be very lenient because of it. You deserve worse.” Kana Toda said.

“To think we actually called you our friend,” Kaname Aoi gagged. “I’m getting goosebumps from the disgust.”

“You thought of me as your friend?” Hisa asked.

The girls exchanged glances and laughed like Hisa’s serious question was a joke.

“Listen ex-girlfriend, your only value to us is your famous family or we wouldn’t hang around E-class material trash.” Jia Zaizen said.

“It was annoying to listen to you mumble about those dumb friends of yours in 1E.” Nanami Shino chuckled. “I forgot; ex-friends.”

They all laughed as Hisa lowered her head and clenched her fists.

“Our school has no place for you. Akazawa-senpai doesn’t need you, so do us all a favour and die. Your death will be repentance for hurting senpai and things will be easier if you’re gone.” Eureka Sakagami, the leader of the group, said fiercely.

She poked Hisa’s chest and Hisa stumbled back into Nanami who pushed her towards Kaname. They shoved Hisa around within their circle, teasing her and laughing as Hisa drowned deeper and deeper in her thoughts.

She fell on her face.

My parents always say I’m a disappointment. I’m not good at studying or intelligent like my twin brother, Hideyoshi, I can’t act like mother, and I constantly embarrass father. That’s why they decided my value was cheap public schools because I will never be good enough for them. Hisa thought.

The only people who ever cared were the people I pushed away because I was afraid to admit that I wasn’t good enough when it was them. I’ve been trying to be strong, trying to prove myself, but it didn’t matter because Yumi and Ena never needed me to prove anything; they just needed me to be there, and I let them down. It’s too late.

Hisa stared at the sky, her mind slowly drowning the surrounding noise.

I’m somewhere between giving up and seeing how much I can take. Hisa thought. “It’s slowly getting dark.” She whispered.

“You guys should stop right now!” The familiar voice stopped Hisa from passing out.

They all faced the direction of the voice.

Hisa was shocked to see Yumi and Ena standing there. Seeing them at a bad time, she felt more ashamed because she looked pathetic.

Yumi stomped up to Eureka and shoved her. Yumi grabbed Hisa’s elbow and helped her to her feet.

“Stop judging others when you have skeletons in your cupboard too. You’re just as guilty as her in someone’s life.” Yumi warned Eureka.

Why would Yumi defend me after…? Hisa stared, dumbfounded.

“Treating an outcast well Yumi, but then again, trash of any kind belongs together.” Eureka replied. “You’re too good for these people.”

Yumi smiled and glared at her. “I will rather be trash than be a worthless person. Trash can be recycled and someone’s treasure, but you’ll be forgotten after high school.”

Kana raised her hand to slap Yumi in Eureka’s defence, but Yumi held her wrist.

“How can you support that witch after what she did?” Yoshino asked.

Ena stood beside Yumi and stared at Yoshino.

“Because Hisa was, is and will always be our friend.” Ena stated in her soft voice.

“Maybe you’re protecting her because you’re involved, too. 1E shouldn’t be involved in 1B class matters or you’ll be reported.” Kaname threatened.

Yumi frowned, her eyes fiercely focused on Kaname. “You talk a lot. It’s great to know you’re good at something other than spreading your legs for any man.”

Kaname clicked her tongue and pushed Ena, triggering Yumi’s instincts to respond to the aggression.

She slapped Kaname.

The other girls charged for Yumi, but she effortlessly brought them to the ground. All the Izumi family self-defence classes felt useful to her.

After taking down the last of them, she grabbed both Ena and Hisa and they ran away.

Akage, watching from the shadows, stepped out and headed to Eureka’s group.

Shocked to see Akage, Eureka smiled, but the blank expression on Akage’s face caused her heart to beat fast.

“Shhh.” Akage placed a finger on her lips.

Eureka gulped and nodded.

She loved Akage, but the look in Akage’s eyes terrified her – she couldn’t move.

Akage left them. Jia and Kana her on her feet as she watched Akage leave.

“What happened here today stays here.” Eureka commanded.

“But Eureka-”

She interrupts Kaname. “Understood?”

They all frowned. “Yes.”

Yumi, Ena and Hisa kept running until they stopped at a bus stand. Yumi fell on the seat, gasping for breath as her other friends struggled greedily for breath.

Silence broke the heavy breathing.

Ena stared at Yumi, worried when Yumi's eyes held anger while focused on Hisa, who had her head down. She held Yumi close.

“Let’s go buy drinks. I think we could use it. What would you like, Hisa? Is it still mango juice? We’ll get one for you.” Ena smiled at Hisa.

Ena held Yumi and took her along with her, but before Yumi complied, Yumi pointed at Hisa with a serious stare.

“Don’t even think of running away. We know where you live.”

Hisa sat down on the bench, shoulders slouched, and gazed at her feet.

“Ena still remembers what I like. I can’t understand why you both are so kind and calling me your friend when I don’t deserve it.” Hisa whispered and clutched her chest.

Yumi pulled off her blazer and tied it around her waist as they headed back to the bus stand. Hisa’s sobbing alone in an open space tugged on Yumi’s heart.

It wasn’t a good feeling, watching her cry, and it wasn’t fair to Ena and herself.

Yumi coughed. “You can sit there forever, lamenting about how bad you’ve been, condemning yourself with guilt, but it won’t change or solve a single mistake you’ve made.” Yumi said and heaved. “Changing your face will change nothing but facing the change can make a big difference.”

Hisa stood up with tears streaming down her eyes. “I don’t understand! Why are you two acting like we’re friends?! Why are you two talking to me after everything I did and said to you? Why won’t you just be honest and hate me?”

Tears escaped Ena’s eyes and Hisa's eyes widened with her mouth slightly gaped.

“You idiot! It’s because of our promise when we were kids! To always be friends forever!” Ena yelled. “We knew that one day you’d come around and now that you have,” Ena smiled. “I missed you.”

“Ena-chan!” Hisa cried as she stretched her hand towards her.

“Hisa-chan!” They hugged each other and cried together.

“Hey!” They faced Yumi whose eyes glistered with tears. “If you don’t stop crying, I won’t stop crying too.”

They opened their arms to Yumi, who joined their small circle, crying and laughing at their reconciliation.

Akage observed, satisfied with the outcome before she headed for a black car waiting.

The driver opened the back door and Akage entered before the car moved.

Just one more thing and I’m done.

“Hisa,” Hisa turned. “Now we’re friends again; how about you join us to sing? Like when we were in grade school.” Ena gushed.

Hisa raised a brow, puzzled. “Are you sure? You both have great voices; I’ll just ruin everything.”

Yumi handed Hisa her phone with a video actively playing. It was a private performance of Yumi and Ena from yesterday and watching them perform it sparked excitement in her.

“Do you notice what it’s missing?” Yumi asked.

Hisa glanced at the video, then returned her gaze to Yumi and shook her head.

“We have a band called Dreaming Angels. It’s the name you gave the band when we were in middle school. You aren’t as great at singing and songwriting as Ena or have a strong vocal range with dancing skills like me, but no one can beat you at rapping, presentation, and group coordination. Our band needs you, Hisa.” Yumi pleaded.

“We need you.” Ena added.

They offered their hands to Hisa, waiting for her answer. She stared at their open palms, opening their hearts to her so easily and so soon.

I want to prove myself to them. Wait no! I want to be with them because they are the only ones who will never leave me. Hisa thought.

She held their hands and smiled.

“Yes!”

They cheered until Ena remembered the condition and terms of their band.

“There’s one condition our manager stated for the band. We must work a part-time job as maids to pay for our expenses at the Maid Paradise café and restaurant.”

Hisa raised her fists and nodded. “I’ll work hard, so I’ll be modest and humble.”

Yumi checked the time and shrieked.

“We’ll be late for our job if we waste any more time. You can come along with us tomorrow, Hisa, and don’t worry about practice; it starts Monday.” Yumi stated.

Yumi and Ena boarded the bus, waving at Hisa, who smiled as she watched them go in the opposite direction. She couldn’t believe she was smiling, but she felt happier.