Chapter 8: meaning of friendship

My name is Shiro I came to this academy to make me stronger to fulfill my promise.

But lately things have been getting complicated since the previous events, the teacher is very angry with me.

The guys talk to me but as for my classmate Zoe she avoids me... she's been doing it for several days... and... for some reason that bothers me.

Now I'm in the cafeteria eating with red and black.

Shiro: *sighed* black.. can i ask you something?

Black: of course what's wrong?

Shiro: you see I decided not to pay attention to her since she must have her reasons but Zoe lately is avoiding me even when we share a room she falls asleep quickly to avoid talking to me.

Black: honestly... I'm not one to say this but I think you made her mad.

Shiro: how can I make someone angry without knowing what they're doing?

At that red would interrupt

Red: *sighed* then the real problem is that you have no idea what she's feeling.

Shiro: how do you know a person's feeling if they don't show facial expression.

Red: oh.. she doesn't have to show expression to know if she's upset , my dad once made my mom mad and what she did is she left without showing any sign of anger later at lunch time.. well my dad suffered a lot

Shiro: ...well I see... those situations are very problematic.

Black: honestly women can hide their feelings and express them in other ways unlike us men who express everything, they are cunning in that sense and deadly in the other.

Shiro: that doesn't help me

Black: Shiro: At worst you'll have to ask him how he feels.

Shiro: exactly because it's the worst-case scenario.

Black: because the girl realizes that you don't know what you did in that case she gets angrier.

Shiro m: that's not in a dating relationship ?

Red: exactly I didn't hear him he's a stubborn guy your asking him calmly what's wrong with him you won't lose anything by trying to do it.

Shiro: I guess I'll have to do it we're partners *gets up* I'll see you later.

He would walk out of the cafeteria leaving the two alone.

Black: Hey Red, is there really no problem if you ask him?

Red: yes there will be problems if he's avoided him for so long it's clear that there are problems.

Black: You called me stubborn because I said that if the worst comes to the worst, he'll get madder.

Red: Of course you're stubborn... at worst there will be a fight.

Black: Shouldn't we stop it?

Red: waiting will be more problematic, it could increase her anger. she needs to be relieved and he needs to get out of doubt.

Black: you didn't mention that so he'll avoid going right?

Red: who knows.. anyway we have to make it clear to shiro what friendship is.

Black: I know you find some things annoying but you're smart, you must already know what's wrong with Zoe.

Red: maybe... *smiles*

Black: I just hope the problems are solved.

With Shiro

He was walking to the training camp

Shiro: Lili told me she saw her coming this way.

Zoe would find herself punching a gigantic tree it was part of her training you could see the other ones made by her fists

Zoe: uff... I still can't get it.

Shiro: Zoe!

Zoe: uh ? *turns around* shiro ...

Shiro: we need to talk

Zoe: talk about what ?

Shiro: you've been avoiding me all this time I want to know why ?

Zoe: uh ?

Shiro: tell me why you're avoiding me I don't remember doing anything bad to you.

Zoe: you don't remember .. right I guess it's hard to notice .

Shiro: what are you talking about

Zoe: shiro let me ask you something Lili, lucy, red, black and me what we are to you.

Shiro: my partners...

Zoe: wrong

This one would swoop down to hit him.

Shiro: *dodges it* hey what's wrong with you!?

Zoe: if you don't figure it out I'm going to beat you until you do!

*? punch ?

*blocking*

Shiro: I don't want to fight Zoe!

Zoe: are you afraid! You're a coward who won't fight me because I'm a woman!

Shiro: *draws his sword* don't make me do this.

Zoe: you must be very strong but you're just an idiot!

Shiro: who's the one who's been acting like an idiot you or me !

*shock*

*Hit*

*Impact*

Zoe: I'm strong! I am, aren't I!

Shiro: what's with that now of course you're strong!

Zoe: Bullshit! You're a liar!

Shiro: ( is she bipolar ) what do you want me to say!

*Shock*

Shiro: *Hit*

Zoe: I want you to tell the truth, I want you to apologize, I want you to understand how I feel!

Shiro: how do you want me to understand something I don't know!

Zoe: semi-human technique *wolf claws* !

At that moment Shiro's arm would spurt out a large stream of blood.

Shiro: ha !

Zoe: you treat me like a child right ? do you want me to tell you why I'm upset ?

Shiro: aura of tranquility ! *imperfect cut*

A cut was made on Zoe's arm.

Zoe: *holds back the pain* it hurts.. i guess we're even.. but i won't stop here

Shiro: i know... you know... sometimes i wish... i could understand feelings better.. but something in me shut down a long time ago and now it's hard for me to understand some things.

Zoe: that's your excuse for not trying!

*Bang*

*blocking*

Shiro: tch.. the reason for your anger is because of something I did.

Zoe: right !

*Strike*

*crash*

Shiro: aura of tranquility *serene tree* ?

A view of green leaves forms and shiro disappears from Zoe's sight.

Zoe: his presence is gone

Shiro: you're upset .. because the time i fought the monster i left you behind

Zoe: right!

Shiro: that's what's bothering you the most

Zoe: wrong ! you haven't approached what bothers them yet , semi-human technique *air claws*.

The green leaves would be destroyed by that attack however they would reappear.

Shiro: I don't understand why bother you when I fought alone .. you were nervous you wouldn't have been able to fight.

Zoe: it shouldn't have been your choice

Shiro: you've killed! have you ever killed in your life! killing is killing no matter how broken it is, it requires a lot of mental strength that only mortal combat can give you.

Zoe: That's something that bothers me too! You lie and say I'm strong but I'm weak!

Shiro: you're not! you're just not mentally prepared for what killing is!

Zoe: and you are!

Shiro: yes!

Zoe: how was it

She was looking in all directions looking for her location

Shiro: i was 14 years old when i killed someone.. it wasn't a situation i could avoid.. when one must kill it's because you either kill or you die it's simple.. then i felt a light was lost an imperceptible change.. but subtle.. killing changes people no matter what we face it's not considered human killing is killing nothing changes that.

Zoe: do you think I can't carry that burden?

Shiro: no.. i just don't think i'm ready to kill...

Zoe: but that's up to me to decide.. I wanted to be there supporting you, I didn't want.. you to be.. just fighting.

Shiro:.. that's all you wanted.. to be with me?

Zoe: you're going to tell me why right?

Tears came out of Zoe's eyes like a little girl's tears.

Shiro: *stops*

All the space would return to normal

Zoe: *crying*

Shiro: upset for leaving you behind , upset for being weak for not trusting you.. but most of all.. upset for not acknowledging.. that we're friends

Zoe: right *crying*

Shiro: *comes closer* I'm sorry Zoe.. I'm so sorry *hugs her*.

Zoe: you're such a fool...

Shiro: i know i'm a fool forgive me ..

I always said to myself if my sister died and my parents too what am I left with.

I said that to myself so that no matter what will happen I'll move on without regrets.

I asked myself what else do I have to lose, I have nothing to protect and I have no one to love.

But I was wrong if I have something to lose

It may be minor or major but I've got something to lose

Where will that take me...

At the end of my road what awaits me is pain or happiness?

I never thought it through but my choices have a weight...

I finally get it I choose what I choose there will always be consequences.

It may be good but there is still a price to be paid.

Happiness for me may be suffering for others

This is the real world here not everyone can be happy the majority can be but there will always be someone unhappy even if there is peace

I am selfish for seeking what I want and cruel for using all the means I have at my disposal.

Now I understand all that I will try to improve myself but mistakes I will always make after all

I am human

To be continued...