A Matter Of Understanding

What Words Once Broke, Words Can Heal

Chise could swear that her body wasn't responding to her demands properly.

She was just standing there, her legs weren't moving, and her heart was beating faster than on the day Elias brought her to her new home. She was clenching her fists, visibly shaking and regretting her life choices.

"This isn't a good idea," she muttered to herself. There were so many things that could go wrong, the mere thought of it was enough to make her want to puke.

But, it was their best bet, and knowing that it didn't involve murder, it was the best idea that could come out of Joseph's mind. Or hers.

So, she took a deep breath and started walking.

The courtyard had never seemed so ominous and scary. It was just a pavement esplanade, with a few spots with grass and some trees. Now it seemed like a walk to the death row.

Agatha and her gang were chatting calmly in the same spot they had shown her a few months ago. At first, that place was a very warm spot for her to laugh and be with friends, but now it was a cold sight, full of people that hated her for a reason she didn't know.

But everything was going how they expected.

Hopefully.

Agatha was the one to first saw her approaching. Connie and Lauren were talking to her, showing their back to Chise. As the somewhat leader of the three of them, Agatha raised her hand, and the other two hushed immediately. They turned to face Chise.

"Oh, look who it is," said Agatha with a smirk on her face, "I have to admit, it's pretty brave on your part to come here."

"I didn't come to fight, Agatha. I just want to talk." Chise replied, clenching her fists.

"I don't know what else is to say, Hatori. I think we told you everything on that bathroom door. Unless you couldn't even read that?"

Lauren and Connie laughed, but Chise didn't lose her determination.

"Those weren't civil things to say, Agatha... but I am not here to blame you. I am here to ask you something."

Agatha seemed surprised.

"And what's that?"

The redhead took a deep breath.

"I want to ask you, why do you hate me?"

Those words shocked the three girls. It was obvious neither of them were expecting such direct confrontation. There were mixed feelings. Lauren was about to say something, but she hushed herself. Connie just looked away.

After a moment of silence, Agatha started laughing and the other two joined her.

Chise sighed. So close.

"Why do we hate you?" said Agatha, still laughing, "What a weird question to ask."

"I think it's obvious." replied Chise, confident, " that I haven't done anything to the three of you, to be treated this way. I want to know why you are doing these things to me. Let's talk it out like adults."

"You don't know..." started muttering Agatha, "This is hilarious..."

The other two stopped laughing.

"Look at this oblivious child! She doesn't know what she did to be treated this poorly! Poor thing... This is so unfair, is it?"

Agatha walked closer to Chise.

"Poor Chise Hatori doesn't know why anyone could hate her. Poor Chise Hatori doesn't know the impact that she has on other people's lives..."

Chise stepped back.