"Hah, since your sister isn't here to protect you anymore, I can have all the fun I want tormenting you!"

Shiori wondered if Fumi realized what would happen if she left? Did she realize that she was the only thing keeping students from bullying her? Did she understand that?

If she did, did she do it on purpose? Did... did Fumi hate her? Is that why she left without a word?

Shiori really didn't know. She thought they were close, but looking back, Fumi had started driving away from her recently. She didn't understand why. All she knew was she hated Fumi for leaving. Because of her, she was right back to where she started.

Back to not being accepted again. Not having anyone to protect her. Being nothing but fresh meat for the other students.

She knew better than to fight back. The one time she did, she ended up in trouble instead. So, she didn't do anything. Fumi intimidated them enough to leave her alone. Normally she didn't have to worry.

But now she did. Comments were thrown at her everywhere. She was being tripped in the halls, pushed into lockers, kicked in the ankles.

It was hell. And she didn't know if she would ever get out of it.

...

Shiori knew little about the edels. Fumi only told her so much. She didn't know much about them personally. But, she decided it was her best bet to possibly get the bullying to stop.

Had Fumi told them about her? Even if not mentioning that she was trans, just the bullying problem itself would be enough.

She was about to find out. She managed to find one of them just leaving the school. Mei Fan, to be exact. Fumi spoke nicely of her, so Shiori hoped she was the best one to go to.

"U-um... hi?" Shiori nervously approached her.

"Hmm? Can I help you?"

"U-uh... you were friends with onee-chan, right?"

Mei Fan nodded, "Yes. We were friends."

"Can I... ask for some help?"

"With what?"

"I... I'm being bullied... and I don't know what to do. Onee-chan always dealt with them and now she's gone and I'm lost!"

Mei Fan placed a hand on her shoulder, "Deep breaths. Calm down. Why are they bullying you?"

"B-because I'm trans..."

Mei Fan didn't respond for a while. She seemed to be thinking. Shiori was starting to wonder if this was a bad idea.

"Reporting them has done nothing?"

Shiori nodded, "I've tried so many times, but they won't do anything."

"Hmm..."

"I've fought back before... and then I was the one who got in trouble..." Shiori added.

"That's not good. I'll talk to someone who might be able to do something, okay?"

Shiori nodded, "Okay..."

"For now, wanna hang out with me?"

"S-sure."

Shiori never got to talk to whoever it was that Mei Fan spoke to, but the bullying seized pretty quickly. Shiori didn't know what to think. Just who had helped her? And how did they do it do fast?

She should at least thank Mei Fan for helping her. If she hadn't put everything into motion, this never would have happened.

"Mei Fan-senpai!"

"Oh, hey, Shiori."

"I... I wanted to thank you for helping me."

"I didn't really do much."

"But I would've never known who to tell."

Mei Fan let out a nervous laugh, "Let's just say, sometimes people aren't what they seem."

"Huh?"

"You wouldn't have guessed they would be the one to tell, trust me."

"Oh... okay."

"Though, there is something I wanted to ask you."

"What is it?"

"Are you considering trying to become and edel?"

"Huh? That? Um... would I be allowed?"

"Yes? Why wouldn't you be? We let junior high do it too."

"But... because I'm..."

"Oh, that. No one cares. I promise. Actually, you aren't the only one."

"I... I'm not?"

"Nope. But I'm not telling you. If you want to know, you'll have to join us."

"You just want me to try."

"Maybe? A little motivation wouldn't hurt, though, right?"

"No... um... I'll do my best for you."

"I'm sure you will."