Chapter 7

Assembly

After filing the claim to Kochou, the news spread around the school like fire, especially after it was posted on the bulletin board outside. Girls all around Maisen whisper comments to each other, excited for the assembly to arrive. It goes on at lunch time as well. Ageha, Yoshimitsu and Matsuri are eating when Kaede walks toward them.

"Excuse me, Ageha-san," she says.

"Yes?" The Spaniard looks up at the braided girl.

"This is becoming a big deal," Kaede says. "I mean, with you filing the claim and all…"

"W-well, to be honest, I'm a bit embarrassed."

"No, it's a good thing to have a strong opinion and fight for it." Kaede turns to the Native American. "Good luck, Matsuri-san."

"Thank you!" Matsuri says.

However, a few other girls are glaring at the little tanned girl.

"So that's Matsuri-san," one girl says.

"She comes to school every day with Onee-sama," another adds.

"Who does she think she is?" Another girl says from behind Matsuri. "Having Onee-sama defend her for breaking the rules."

Matsuri gasps softly at this and slumps on her chair. She didn't really think it would turn out like this when all Ageha is trying to do is help her.

"Matsuri-chan?" Ageha says, taking notice of the Native American's sad expression.

Matsuri jolts her head up and tries to smile. "A-ah…sorry. It's nothing." She goes back to eating her food.

**History Class**

Ageha is having a hard time focusing on the lectures the teacher is giving. I did file a claim, she thinks. But…I have nothing against Kochou-san. She takes a glance at the student council president. However, the brunette catches her doing so, even when Ageha tries to turn away.

"What is it?" Kochou says.

"It's nothing. I'm sorry," Ageha says.

The brunette lets out a heavy sigh. "Why do you always apologize?"

"R-really…it's nothing." It's Ageha's turn to let out a heavy sigh.

Kochou jots down notes while speaking. "If you have done nothing wrong, why the big sigh?"

"That's true, but…I don't think that just because you're right. It's okay to be brazen."

The student council president stops writing and looks up towards the Spaniard. "Why not?"

"Because there isn't always just one right way."

"Meaning?"

Ageha looks at the president with a serious expression on her face. "For example, purely hypothetically…"

**Next Day**

Matsuri pours some tea into the little cup for Ageha when Karasu notices a white band-aid wrapped around the Native American's right hand.

"Whoa! What happened to your hand, Matsuri-chan?" the blonde floats towards her to look at it.

"Oh, um, I just fell," The tanned girl answers with a sad smile. "It's not a big deal."

"Please be careful!" Karasu says.

All Ageha could do is stare at the small tanned girl. She knows something's definitely wrong and she needs to talk to someone.


"I see," Yoshimitsu says as she sits across Ageha from the table. "This thing is a pretty big deal, so I'm sure she's worried."

Ageha looks down at the table. "Am I…overreacting?"

**Later**

Meimei comes running toward Ageha in a panic. "Ageha-Onee-sama!"

The Spaniard turns as soon as the Chinese girl runs into her, panting. "What's wrong?"

"Onee-sama, please help Matsuri-chan! She's in trouble!" Meimei cries.

Ageha gasps at the terrible news. "Where is she?"

**Back Garden**

4 girls are gathered around Matsuri, who is up against the wall, trembling in fear.

"Just because you live in the same dorm," one girl says. "Who do you think you are anyways?"

"Always so clingy with Onee-sama?" another says.

"And you expect her to bail you out of this?" the third girl adds.

"Don't you think that's being selfish?" the fourth one says.

Matsuri clutches her wounded hand and puts both of them towards her chest, closing her eyes tightly. "No, I…"

The third girl points a finger at her, cutting her off. "Do you know how much trouble you've caused since she arrived?"

"I-I just…" Matsuri stutters when she gets cut off yet again.

"It would be better if you got expelled!" the first girl says.

"Stop this!" Ageha shouts, making the four girls turn towards her. She walks angrily towards the girls. "What do you think you're doing to her!?"

"O-Onee-sama…" one of the girls stutter.

"If you've got something to say, go on," Ageha says as she walks beside Matsuri. "I'll listen."

"W-we were just…" another says, but gets cut off by the Spaniard.

"Matsuri is like a little sister to me," Ageha says. "I filed the complaint of my own free will. Hurting her is the wrong thing to do. As students here, is that an appropriate thing to do?"

The four girls just stare at her with guilty expressions.

"You should…" Ageha points her finger at all of them. "You all should be ashamed of yourselves!"

The other girls back away, startled by the Spaniard's anger. They then bow in shame.

"Please forgive us!" they say in unison and then they turn and run.

Matsuri immediately hugs Ageha, burying her face into her chest while crying. "Onee-sama!"

As the Spaniard returns the hug, comforting her, Yoshimitsu's words echo in her head.

"If you love her like a little sister, why didn't you protect her?"

And Ageha's answer in her mind is: "I was…pathetic."

**At the Dorms**

"Forgive me, Matsuri-chan…" Ageha says sadly as the little tanned girl pours her some tea.

"Why are you apologizing, Onee-sama?" Matsuri asks.

"I didn't know anything or…do anything…to prevent your injury…and for what happened today."

"That's not true!" Matsuri objects. "You've done so much for me since you've been here!"

"But in the end…I only bought you more pain…" Ageha says sadly. "Sorry…"

"No, I just wanted to keep this headband on no matter what," Matsuri says. "So for all you did for me makes me happy."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yes?"

"Why is the headband so important to you, Matsuri-chan?"

The Native American nods and closes her eyes. "The truth is…I don't know what my mother and father looked like when I was young."

This surprises Ageha. "Huh!?"

"My parents passed away after I was born, so my grandmother took care of me," Matsuri explains. "We were really close back then, almost like we're real family. But…as years passed, she fell ill and was going to die soon. So, she gave me this headband to remember her. I felt like this headband gave me courage and has helped me get this far."

Ageha's expression is sadder than before. "Matsuri-chan…you're always smiling. I had no idea. Your headband has such significance." She can hear Karasu shedding some tears from the story as well.

"Yes…" Matsuri says, sadly. "That's why I didn't want to part with it."

Ageha immediately stands up and wraps her arms around the Native American. "Matsuri-chan, if you don't mind a big sister like me, you can count on me anytime."

Matsuri looks up at her and smiles. "Onee-sama, you're too kind. You're a wonderful Onee-sama…"

**Auditorium**

At last, the day of the assembly has finally arrived. Everyone is in their seats with the lights pointing at the stage. Ageha is at the podium with Chihaya next to her while Kochou is sitting behind them.

"Thanks for accepting my claim," Ageha says over the microphone. "I would like to take a moment to respond to the president's decision. First of all, there are no dress code regulations for accessories. It is assumed that the school's image will be honored and upheld. This brings me to the second point, which is our subjective opinion of these accessories. How is it possible to say that one person's opinion is the correct opinion?"

Kochou just stares at the Spaniard while standing up.

"I am not denying the right of the president to have an opinion," Ageha continues. "But…for one person's opinion to determine how we all live is nonsense. Therefore, I would like to know what each of you think." She looks behind her where Meimei, Leo, Yoshimitsu and Leo are sitting at a large table. She nods to Matsuri, signaling her to stand up. "Please take a close look at Matsuri-san."

The Native American walks up to the front and faces the audience.

"Please remember your impression of her," Ageha continues.

Everyone stays quiet, looking at Matsuri's headband.

"Now take a look at this."

Yoshimitsu stands up and helps put on the headband on Ageha. "Alright, Ageha," she says.

Ageha faces the audience, smiling. She then twirls around to have everyone look at it in every direction, with her long, dark tresses swaying gracefully.

"What do you think?" Ageha says. "Doesn't this headband not look strange than it did on Matsuri-san?"

"Huh!?" Kochou is at a loss for words and so is the audience.

"President Kochou, if I wore this at school, would you cite me?" Ageha asks.

The brunette slightly turns away. "N-no…"

"It's wrong for Matsuri-san, but not for me to wear this. Doesn't that seem unreasonable?"

The audience turn to one another, whispering things to each other and such. Ageha takes off the headband and hands it to Matsuri.

"Thank you, Matsuri-chan," she says.

"Sure." Matsuri replies as she takes it.

The Spaniard turns back to face the audience. "I think we have the right to defend our decisions. Our representative doesn't have the right to force a decision upon us. Based on these points, I ask that you revers the president's decision."

Both Ageha and Matsuri take a bow and the girls start applauding. Each and every one of them.

**Later**

Matsuri and her friends exit the school with the Native American smiling like she was having a birthday party.

"You must be happy that the president's decision was reversed, Matsuri-chan," Meimei says.

"Yes, I am~!" Matsuri replies. She runs ahead, turns around and bows. "Onee-samas…thank you very much!"

Everyone smiles until Yoshimitsu turns to her best friend.

"Hey, Ageha," she says. "Do you still feel bad for Kochou?"

"Yes," The Spaniard answers.

"You're so kind, Ageha-san," Leo says.

**Student Council**

Kochou stands by the window, staring at the sky, thinking back on the conversatoin she and Ageha had during History class.

**Flashback**

"For example, purely hypothetically," Ageha said. "If we were to win, your opinion would not change, right?"

Kochou shook her head. "No, of course not."

"I made the claim because I feel I am right. However, I don't think either of us is wrong."

Kochou was about to speak, but just bit her lip. She felt that she cannot argue with that there.

"I don't want to fight with you, Kochou-san," Ageha said. "No matter who ends up being 'right', I feel bad."

**End of Flashback**

Kochou just closes her eyes. I don't understand… she thinks as she puts her fist on her chest. Why don't you just say that I'm wrong? She can feel her heart beating rapidly again. More importantly…are you my friend…or my enemy?