Things have changed a lot since Lelouch the Demon was assassinated by Zero. A lot can happen in two years. The world isn't exactly peaceful, but it's not chaotic. Area 11 is permitted to be called Japan again. We even have a Prime Minister. It still amazes me how Emperor Lelouch managed to become one the most accomplished and the most hated man in the world. He must have really had some ambition. With Empress Nunnally being the ruler of Britannia, Britannians aren't so bad. Granted, there are still some people that prefer the old Britannia, but that's just what they were taught. Emperor Charles brainwashed them. Some people will never be able to understand change. I don't like it, but I do understand it. It's up to this generation to stop the racism and discrimination.
I'm glad that I was able to remain indifferent through everything that's happened. I grew up in the ghettos because I was an 11. Even though Japan belongs to us again, it still doesn't feel right to call ourselves Japanese. I'm proud to be able to call myself Japanese, but I hesitate, clench even, at the thought. I keep thinking that someone is going to strike me. My pride was something that always got me in trouble. Anyway, Japan is rebuilding quickly with the help of most Britannians. However, all schools are segregated with the exception of Ashford Academy. I go to the academy even though I am older than most of the students. I am 19 years old and considered a senior at Ashford. Now, I have an opportunity to further my education. I have resources I didn't have when Japan was area 11. People like to tease me about my age or call me stupid because they think I was held back. School wasn't even an option in Area 11. We had to educate ourselves. I started at Ashford a year ago. I had to take a placement test to see what grade I would be in. I placed as a junior. I'm thankful that my father would take books from Britannians' garbage and bring them home for me to read. He wanted to at least give me some opportunity.
"Tsukishima-chan. Tsukishima-chan!" Empress Nunnally shouted. She was younger than me but also very wise. Wisdom is a trait I respect with admiration. Empress Nunnally and I are closer than acquaintances but not as close as good friends. However, she respects my culture enough to address me as if we're old friends and by my family name. My full name is Tsukishima Yuki. I usually just have people call me Shima or even Tsuki if they want. Most Britanians don't use honorifics when regarding the Japanese. Not even many Japanese use honorifics anymore.
"Oh, sorry my Lady. What can I help you with?" I responded. Whenever Empress Nunnally is in Japan, I serve her here at the Academy. The president of the academy assigned me to. I suppose it's because I'm the oldest. Either way, I've served her since I began school. It's kind of nice though. I don't have to join a school club since I help out.
"You're always dozing off and gazing at nothing. I wonder what goes on in that mind of yours." She muttered, trying to make conversation, "May I call you Shima-chan?" she asked. I nodded with a smile. I don't even know why she asks; we've known eachother for two years. "Shima-chan, what did you think about my brother?" I immediately focused my attention on her, but I could not answer right away. I never expected her to ask me a question like this.
"Well, my Lady, from what you have told me along with what I've heard from the media makes it difficult for me to come up with any answer. I can't tell you what I thought of him as a person because I didn't really know him. I only saw him on the television. However, I did admire his ambitions. Even though he destroyed the world and put it though hell, he didn't fade from his plan –whatever his plan was. That took determination, and I admire it. I like to think that there was an ultimate goal from it, but I suppose we'll never really know what he was thinking." I responded. My answer to Empress Nunnally wasn't entirely truthful. I did see Lelouch once in the Shinjuku ghetto. He was picking on some drug dealers and about to inject himself with refrain, but Kallen Kozuki stopped him. There's no way I could ever tell Empress Nunnally about that. It would crush her. Even after everything he did, she still puts him up on a pedestal. Maybe one day I'll understand it.
Before that moment, I never laid eyes on him before. Then, gossip among the Black Knights and 11's revealed that he was Zero. I never really was extremist or activist. I thought about fighting with resistance groups and joining Zero, but it just felt wrong. I couldn't kill anyone. I wanted the fighting to stop. I didn't think that more fighting would resolve anything, only cause more bloodshed. I just wanted to live in peace. I didn't understand why people couldn't put away their differences and just coincide. I admired Zero and the Black Knight's efforts, but I didn't look up to the way they solved issues. Even though I could have become an Honorary Britannian, I saw no point. The system was pointless, and I never thought that anyone could change it. But then, Suzaku Kururugi started coming up in the world. He even became a Knight of the Round. He was the Lancelot pilot. I started to think that if he could do it, then maybe other Japanese people had a chance. Maybe the system could work.
"I suppose I didn't really expect a different answer from you. You're Japanese. You probably hated my brother most of all. Especially after he used your people for his own gain," interrupted the Empress. I nodded my head,
"Empress, believe me when I say I felt no resentment toward your brother. I have no resentment for anyone. We're only human. People make mistakes and grow from them. Nunnally, you're brother practically raised you. Look at what a beautiful young lady you've become. He taught you compassion and forgiveness. There's no way he could be as cruel as the books or anyone make him out to be. Even though he did commit harsh crimes, there was compassion in your brother somewhere." She smiled slightly, but I could still see that she didn't believe me. "The least we can do is still keep his memory alive in our hearts."
"Shima. Why are you so forgiving and why do you give people the benefit of the doubt?" asked Nunnally.
"Well," I started, "I'm not really sure. I've always been that way. I guess I realized that there are always two sides of a story. Who are we to deem which side is correct?" Empress Nunnally smiled,
"Shima, why don't we become official friends? I really enjoy your company. Some of my advisors suggested that I find a Britannian maiden, but I'd rather keep you. I've never really had a close friend, well, besides Euphemia," The conversation practically came to a stop, as flashbacks of the first attempt of the special zone invaded my mind: images of Princess Massacre and all the Britannians gladly helping. I was there with my mother that day. "Shima? What do you say?" she urged. I forced myself to respond in a timely manner, my voice started to break,
"Forgive me, my lady. You just caught me off guard with the mention of Princess Euphemia. It was just a tragic day for my people. But I acc-" A knock on the door interrupted my response. Right before my eyes entered Zero. I never understood who this new Zero was. He obviously isn't the original Zero because this Zero never speaks; if he does it's very rare. He doesn't have the same dramatic flair as the previous Zero. He just silently observes and justly defends. He is also more skilled in hand-to-hand combat and a better athlete in general. I wonder if anyone else has noticed. Maybe I just noticed because I've been able to observe him for the past two years. I know for a fact that this can't be the same Zero.
"Is it time?" asked Nunnally. Zero nodded. "Shima, I have to go to a meeting, but you're free to hang out in the room or go back to the your place. I wont be upset about what you choose."
"I'll just stay in here. I'll organize some papers or something. See you whenever your meeting is finished!" I replied. Zero escorted her out of the Academy. Even though Nunnally is powerful, she isn't a very good organizer. I'm not a clean freak, but I do like to keep things picked up whenever I have time. Although, I do understand that she doesn't exactly have time to keep the place clean, as if she could really do much because of that restricting wheel chair. I unpacked her bags, hung her clothes up, dusted, vacuumed, and saved the worst for last: the paper work. I hate organizing paperwork the most. I feel like I'm looking at forbidden knowledge. It was piled on the desk. Most of the papers were political issues or territory. Britannia keeps losing territory. All that's going to be left is the Homeland if they aren't careful. Maybe that's what Empress Nunnally wants. Within two hours, I had all of the papers organized and laid out on her desk in alphabetical order. Underneath it all, I found something strange for a Britannian Empress to have: an origami paper crane.