AFTER school the next day, Yuffie put on her backpack and arrived at her destination—a certain corner of the central school building.
“Th-This is the student council room…”
In front of her was an ornate door that at first glance looked like a castle gate. The wooden door was intricately crafted down to the last detail, with carved patterns depicting mythical heroes fighting, almost making it seem like the student council room was a place where heroes gathered. The words “Student Council Office” were written in a stately font and complemented the gorgeous, golden handle. Overwhelmed by it all, Yuffie even forgot to breathe.
“I-I can’t…” She felt burdened by what opening this door meant. The weight was too much. “I’m not going in today…”
Just as she was about to turn around.
You’re an important friend to me.
Lyle’s words kept repeating in her head.
“Friends…” As soon as she muttered the word, her whole body tingled. It was the first time someone had said to her, “You’re my friend.”
Until now, even if I thought of someone as a friend, they didn’t think of me that way… This is the only pattern of my life…
Bitter memories came rushing forth. How old had she been back then?
Lisette, who sat next to her, dropped her writing instrument, so Yuffie picked it up for her.
“Thank you, Yuffie!”
That was the first time she had a conversation with Lisette.
“You thanked me…”
Something changed with that one word. For Yuffie, who had never spoken to anyone outside her family before, those words from Lisette were like a breath of fresh air in her heart.
After that, Yuffie started to actively talk to Lisette.
“Lessons are so…boring, huh…”
She would casually bring up all kinds of topics during class.
“Cleaning…is fun, huh…”
She would try talking to her while cleaning after school.
Most of Lisette’s responses fell along the lines of “Mm-hmm” and “Sure is.” Still, Yuffie thought of her as a friend she could talk to freely.
Until she overheard the following conversation between Lisette and another classmate.
“Hey, Lisette. You’ve been getting along well with Yuffie lately. Are you two friends?”
“Huh? Uh-uh… I’ve never thought of us as friends. I mean, her voice is so quiet I can’t hear what she’s saying.”
SHOCK!
Yuffie never spoke to Lisette again after that.
In hindsight, this incident had made it even harder for her to talk to others, something she’d already had trouble with. The shock of that time made Yuffie’s stomach turn inside out whenever she thought about it.
“I-I need to shove these crappy memories away!” She shook her head vigorously to regain her composure.
Lord Lyle definitely called me his friend… He was the first friend Yuffie had ever made in her life. And that was exactly why… I can’t just turn a blind eye to a request from my friend!
She narrowed her eyes and scowled at the heavy door to the student council office. Then she took a deep breath and reached for the golden handle.
“Here I go…”
Just as her fingertips were about to touch it…
“What the hell have you been doing all this time?”
“Gaaah!” Yuffie jumped at the low, combative voice, then turned around timidly. “Eeek…”
There stood a young man, his rough appearance immediately putting Yuffie on edge. She wasn’t great with his type. He had short red hair slicked back and wore his uniform sloppily. At first glance, he looked like just another delinquent. But his muscles were proof of daily training, and his sharp eyes revealed a strong will and pride. The color of his tie clearly marked him as one of her classmates, but his fighting spirit and intimidating aura were enough to put any adult to shame.
“I-I’m sorry, please forgive me…”
“I haven’t even said anything yet,” he frowned at Yuffie’s stammering, his gaze sharp. “You got business with the student council?”
His stare reminded her of an eagle stalking its prey, and Yuffie froze in reaction. With the intense pressure radiating from him jabbing at her, the part of her brain that controlled language began to malfunction.
“Ahh… Um… Uhhh, uhhh…”
“Damn it, use your words!”
“Eeek! I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”
Yuffie, the pacifist, was completely overwhelmed by this young man, and his aura burned with combativeness. So she grew more and more awkward.
S-Someone help meee…
“Jack, keep bullying Yuffie and you’ll wind up dead.”
Out of nowhere, Lyle appeared between them.
“Lord Lyle…!” Her face brightened as her tension instantly eased.
“Yuffie? That’s her name?” Jack’s eyes widened in response. He then looked at Yuffie again, as if he were saying, “Is this her?” Not understanding why, Yuffie tilted her head curiously.
“All right, both of you, don’t just stand there. Let’s head in,” Lyle stated, leading her inside protectively.
Jack followed after them. As she walked, a tidbit of her memory activated.
Oh, that’s right… Jack…the son of the minister of war…
She remembered what Edward had said at the entrance ceremony. Her thoughts were interrupted the moment she entered the student council office.
“Wow…” Yuffie exclaimed involuntarily.
The room was decorated lavishly, like a palace. The walls were studded with gold decorations and lined with tall bookshelves full of books. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, there was a velvet sofa fit for royalty, and warm sunlight poured in through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Already seated at the large marble table in the center of this luxurious space were two familiar faces.
“Yuffie Abisus. Normally, it would be impossible for a commoner like you to set foot in this room. So burn this image into your puny brain.”
“Goodness, Edward, must you be so harsh?”
“Hmph. I’m simply stating the truth.”
It was Edward and Erina. They made a lovely picture sitting there, which only heightened the sense of guilt that Yuffie shouldn’t be here.
I-I want to go home…