Two Sides of the Medal

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Dewi walked quietly in the classroom hallway, accompanied by the admiring and envious gazes of her friends. She stood tall with her jet black hair flowing beautifully with every step, her graceful posture made the uniform she wore look neat and perfect, her calm demeanor and sparkling blue eyes made many students fascinated. She was one of the best in school and respected by many for her intelligence and ability in sports.

"Today Dewi looks beautiful, huh," whispered a student.
"Usually she is beautiful," replied her friend.

"Just like a princess," said the student.

Dewi's hearing was sharp, she could clearly hear every whisper spoken by the people she passed, but she ignored it and headed straight to a classroom, when she arrived at the door her blue eyes stared at the figure of a girl sitting on a neat wooden chair in a quiet classroom. Beside him lay an idle book with the cover turned upside down indicating that he had just finished reading it, his gaze was looking out the window, his soft brown hair neatly spread over his shoulders flowing with a red ribbon and a gentle breeze coming in through the open window beside him.

Dewi entered the classroom while observing the girl, a student who had a reputation not far from her, the girl was Sari, her big brown eyes stared at Dewi when she entered the room. The students in the class were talking about Dewi behind her back, but Dewi didn't really care about them.

"Um, do you need me, Dewi?" asked the girl, hesitantly.

"Take it easy when you meet me Sari, I'm a student here just like you," Dewi answered calmly.

Their eyes met, Sari looked worried even though Dewi could see the enthusiasm and courage hidden behind her self-doubt. Dewi sometimes wondered if Sari had been acting all this time.

Sari took a breath, "So what is a princess like you doing in this class?" asked Sari hesitantly.

Dewi felt uncomfortable with Sari's response and said, "Don't call me that! After school I'll wait for you on the balcony of the school roof."

Without waiting for an answer from Sari, Dewi just left the classroom. Sari and the people in the class were confused and curious about what would happen next. The school bell rang indicating that all subjects were over, Sari left her class climbing the top step, when she arrived at the door Sari took a breath then the light shone into her eyes, there Dewi stood straight near the high fence, her black hair fluttering in the gentle breeze that blew softly, adding an elegant and graceful impression to her figure, her gaze was fixed on the city that stretched in the distance, a moment before changing into her sharp glance Because Sari had come.

"What's wrong, Dewi?" asked Sari kindly.
Dewi seemed hesitant for a moment before finally saying in a loud voice, "I want to challenge you, fight me here."

"No need to fight to prove who is stronger, Dewi. We can show our strength in other things," replied Sari trying to refuse.

“No need to tell me that, it takes wisdom and skill to carry out a responsibility, I completely understand what you mean, but do you understand what I have been trying to convey all this time? Stop pretending to be innocent and fight me!” Dewi said challengingly.
“It seems like those eyes are not just sharp, okay I accept your challenge,” Sari replied with a thin smile.

Both of them prepared to face each other, taking a stance. A gust of wind blew through the leaves between them, there was a moment of silence before Sari suddenly shot at Dewi with a hard punch, but Dewi nimbly managed to dodge it easily, showing good reflexes. Dewi then returned the attack with a kick to Sari's stomach. However, Sari who was quite tough was able to block the kick with her leg, showing her strength and physical endurance. Sari saw a gap in Dewi's defense and immediately attacked Dewi's leg which was still standing. However, Dewi swiftly jumped back to avoid the attack.

"Why, princess, are you tired after just one move?" asked Sari, now her gaze serious.
"So this is what you are like when you fight seriously," said Dewi in a ready position, her eyes watching her opponent carefully.
"No matter how weak my opponent is, I never underestimate them," replied Sari.

Dewi launched a fast and powerful punch towards Sari, but Sari managed to block it agilely. Without giving up, Sari retaliated with a counter punch, but Dewi with incredible speed managed to avoid it this time Dewi managed to grab Sari's wrist and prepared to launch the next attack.

However, Sari did not give up so easily. Before her arm was completely locked, she quickly twisted her wrist to release Dewi's grip. Although Sari was not given the opportunity to counterattack, she still watched her opponent's movements with full concentration.

Dewi launched a series of attacks that reduced Sari's stamina, but Sari did not give up. She remained alert and looked for an opening. When the opening appeared, Sari quickly took advantage of it and managed to paralyze Dewi's balance, before Dewi fell to the ground, Sari kicked Dewi hard in the stomach, causing Dewi to be thrown and hit the barrier.

Dewi got up from the previous blow and wiped her sweat. She looked at Sari with a serious look and said, "You are strong, but you wasted that opportunity.".

“I feel you are better for the position, you have more potential than me, confidence, skills, communication skills, all of that is beyond doubt, especially since they already respect you, princess,” Sari answered without letting go of her stance.
“You are just afraid of your past,” Dewi replied coldly.
“What?” Sari asked, frowning.

Dewi chose not to answer and watched her opponent carefully. This time, she tried not to get too emotional in the fight. Dewi took out her weapon, holding the katana with both hands, and slowly pulled the sword out of its sheath. She felt the vibrations in her hands as the blade of the katana cut through the leaves blown by the wind. Sari prepared herself as she saw the flash of light reflected by the sharp metal.

Dewi let out a long breath, opened her stance, and handled the approaching dagger threat with a slow impression in her gaze.

"First technique: Rokuban Tsuri Uchi," said Dewi.
She said she swung slashing all the daggers and cutting them in two in a matter of seconds and throwing them in various directions, in between that time Sari darted quickly while swinging her dagger, the sound of clashing weapons was deafening, Sari was forced to jump back when Dewi was about to slash her.

"Second technique: quick slash," said Dewi again.
Dewi slashed quickly at Sari when she jumped back even though she was able to block the next attack no less quickly Sari was forced to continue to block and dodge testing her endurance, while Dewi seemed to dance with her sword, her movements were graceful but agile and effective, each of her attacks was very difficult to avoid, Sari did not give up she tried to counterattack Dewi, their weapons that had clashed earlier were like fireworks in the afternoon.

"Third technique: flash of death," said Dewi while increasing her speed.

In an instant Dewi was in front of Sari with her katana swung quickly. Sari tried to block the katana with her dagger, but because her strength was too great, the dagger was thrown. At the same time, Dewi's kick hit Sari's stomach, making her fly away and hit the fence hard. Before Sari could get up, Dewi's katana was already in a position threatening Sari's neck.

"You like to learn difficult techniques huh, okay I give up, if it's like this you won't force me to fight again right?" said Sari raising both her arms.

Dewi was silent for a moment, the third technique was already very burdensome for her body, both of them were injured and exhausted. Dewi pulled her katana back into her saru, then extended her hand to Sari.

"Okay, if you accept your defeat" replied Dewi while pulling Sari up.
"Now you don't need to hesitate anymore to become the leader of our club, from the beginning the right one was you not me Dewi, it doesn't mean I'm throwing the responsibility to you but because I believe you are better, don't other members think so," said Sari stepping looking at the city from above.

“But it still feels disappointing, your contribution is so much that you deserve to be in the position of leader, don’t you believe in your own abilities?” Dewi asked looking at Sari who didn’t look away from the beauty of the sunset.

“Listen Dewi, I once led an organization, I think you already know, there was a conflict and something unwanted in the end the organization disbanded and I was branded bad, maybe you’re right that I’m just afraid of my past,” Sari said looking at Dewi softly, this time they met eyes.
“You just lack confidence, actually you’re quite a skilled and intelligent person, even admired by the students and teachers here, it’s just you who don’t realize it, I understand how you feel but what I know is that failure is part of success, not everything you try once can be done right away,” Dewi said while leaning on the fence.
“Maybe you’re right, but it still feels very difficult,” Sari said, her voice getting softer.

“Okay then I will be the leader of our club, then I will appoint you as the vice leader, be my support,” Dewi pointed, making Sari speechless.
“But—”
“No buts, the loser must obey the winner, it is stated in the challenge letter that I sent the day after tomorrow, I went to your class because I didn’t get an answer, don’t tell me the letter didn’t reach you,” Dewi said looking at Sari seriously.
“Actually I haven’t read it, sorry,” Sari replied smiling shyly.

Dewi sighed, “I won’t force you, I just see you are always alone, at least we can be closer if you become the vice leader.”
“I thought you picked a fight just because you were disappointed, it turns out you also wanted to be close to me, you should have just said so from the start,” Sari said smiling.

Dewi looked away, her face slightly red, "n-no, the previous chairman had considered various factors such as your abilities, commitment, and suitability for the tasks and responsibilities that must be carried out, moreover most of our development and planning are the result of your own ideas, it would be unfair if I were suddenly appointed," Dewi argued. "Come on, do you want to know? Decide now, if you still refuse I will not force you anymore, you will look like you prefer to avoid responsibility rather than take the opportunity to lead and help the extracurricular."

Sari closed her eyes and exhaled, "Okay, please help me, Chairman," Sari extended her arm.
"Please help me too, we will get through it together," Dewi said while shaking Sari's hand.

"Then let's go home, it's getting late," Dewi invited, smiling sincerely at Sari.

The two of them left the school towards the sunset, today ended with Dewi's victory even so they were still looking forward to the challenges they would face tomorrow

The End