“I’m a loser. I don’t have a say in this.”
“That’s all you’ve been saying this whole time.”
“’Cause losers don’t have a say.”
“I want your opinion, regardless of whether you won or lost.”
“Then…I guess I’m on Edward’s side. I learned from fighting her that her power is abnormal. Honestly? I don’t think it’s something we can handle.”
“I see.” Lyle stared off thoughtfully into space before continuing. “I also don’t think it’s a good idea to keep Yuffie’s powers hidden forever. Like everyone has said, the impact her attack magic would have on this country…no, on the world, is immeasurable. However, if we choose to reveal the truth, we’ll need to determine who’s an enemy and who’s an ally because it goes without saying that her safety is on the line. If we’re not careful, many other lives could be at stake too, not just hers.”
Edward, Jack, and Erina nodded as they listened to him.
“Um… What do you mean by that last part?” Yuffie asked.
“It means that no one can attack you and come out unscathed.”
“I wouldn’t do something that cruel!” she cried.
“But you would defend yourself if necessary, right?”
“I mean… Yes… I don’t like getting hurt either…”
Yuffie was by no means a saint. She also had a strong survival instinct that kicked in at the first sign of danger. Of course, that didn’t change the fact that she strongly disliked the idea of hurting others.
“Trust me, I understand. I’m not attacking you. In any case, my opinion is that we should avoid bloodshed as much as possible.” Then Lyle looked at Noah, signaling he was done expressing himself.
“Thank you for honesty, everyone,” Noah said, his voice like the morning dew of early spring. Then he turned his attention to Yuffie. “What do you want to do, Yuffie?”
“Huh?! Me…?!” She sat up ramrod straight at the sudden question.
“This is about your life. Therefore, we must respect your wishes.”
“O-Oh…”
When he put it like that, he was absolutely right. But she was actually at a loss for words since she just assumed she had no say in this situation. Everyone’s eyes were focused on her, sending her body temperature skyrocketing. Her brain blanked.
“It’s all right, calm down.” Lyle placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “This is important. You can take your time to think about it.”
“Thank you…very much…”
Yuffie regained some of her composure thanks to him and sank into deep thought.
What do I want to do…? What kind of life did she want to lead at this school from now on? She’d enrolled in the Academy of Magic to master healing magic and become a fine Saint. But…is that my true wish…?
It didn’t feel right even when she asked herself that. Gradually, a wish she hadn’t even realized, or to be precise, had long been forgotten, began bubbling up inside her. She lifted her head, and determination filled her once downcast eyes.
Her mouth opened of its own accord, and she spoke, “I…just want to be friends with everyone and live a peaceful school life…”
Edward and Jack almost fell off their seats.
“Seriously? That’s the only thing in your head after everything we just said? Are you five or fifteen?”
“I-I’m sorry, but…that’s really all I want.”
She wanted to be a Saint, but that was just a means, not an end. Yuffie’s wish was very simple and hadn’t changed since she was a child.
“Yuffie, you’re always alone.”
It was to erase those infuriating words from her life. In short, to be surrounded by lots of friends and have fun.
Erina giggled and commented, “Yuffie, that’s so like you.”
“Well then, that settles it,” Noah said. “For now, we’ll leave the matter of Yuffie’s powers in the hands of the student council.”
“Are you certain, President?” Edward spoke up in response to his decision. “Yes, her powers are extraordinary, and yes, the Fundamentalists pose a risk. But we’re just students, and I really don’t think we can make this decision on our own…”
“Edward.” Noah’s enigmatic expression remained unchanged. “What is the role of the student council?”
He froze for a moment before answering. “To be there for the students, understand them, and lend a helping hand.”
“Precisely. Yuffie is an important student at this school. Her safety cannot be endangered, which is why, as the student council, we should adopt a policy of protecting her. That said, considering the potential influence of her power, we will eventually report this to the school and the country. But now is not the time. As Lyle said, at the moment, we don’t know friend from foe, so I think it would be remiss of us to reveal the truth so readily.”
Noah took a breath to gather his thoughts. “Nevertheless, I understand it isn’t realistic to continue hiding this matter. It’s not that I don’t trust you all to keep this a secret, but no one knows when or how information will spread. Since there’s a possibility that someone orchestrated the Flame Cerberus incident the other day, outsiders might become involved, if they aren’t already. So if we take all this into account…I’m of the opinion that Yuffie joining the student council is a very good idea.”
All eyes turned on her.
“As student council president, I propose that Yuffie Abisus join the student council. What do you think, Yuffie?”
“Um, well, um…” she babbled.
This whole thing confused her. She, a lowly commoner, was being asked to join the student council, which was filled by higher beings like Lyle and Erina. They were all people she would never be presumptuous enough to talk to ordinarily—and this fact scared her.
I don’t belong here… Is it even okay for someone like me to be a part of this group…? Negative emotions filled her chest, and she felt like she was suffocating.
Perhaps sensing what Yuffie was thinking, Lyle slowly stood up and spoke, “If you don’t join the student council, we won’t be able to protect you.” His words, meditated but persuasive, sent a shockwave through her. “Just like you, all we want is a peaceful school life too. That’s why we need you here. Don’t minimize yourself. It isn’t wrong for you to join the student council.”
Lyle’s words lightened the heaviness weighing her heart down. That was when she realized something.
I’m…scared…
She’d never experienced being accepted into someone’s circle before. All sorts of bad thoughts came to mind. What if people ended up disappointed in her after she joined because she didn’t live up to their expectations? Uncertainty swamped her.
But then everything will stay the same…
Just like when she was in the village, she’d be alone forever. Yuffie didn’t want that for herself anymore. She wanted to go to school, make friends, and have fun every day. These feelings were her truth.
I want to change…
Be brave. This was a rare chance to change herself. Yuffie stood up determinedly. Then she took a deep breath and somehow managed to soothe her trembling hands and shoulders. She bowed her head and yelled with all her might.
“I know I’m inexperienced, but…I look forward to working with you!”
A long, drawn-out silence descended on the student council room. Her face reddened as she stood there shaking.
I didn’t need to be that loud!
“Welcome to the student council!”
It was Lyle who broke the hush.
“If that’s the president’s decision, then I suppose it is what it is,” Edward grumbled with a sigh.
“I’m a loser, so I don’t have a say in this anyway,” still saying the same thing, Jack spoke with a smile on his lips.
“You’re officially part of the student council now! I can’t wait for us to work together, Yuffie!” Erina hugged her tightly, as if she were welcoming a new member to the family.
Their reactions clearly showed that they accepted her in their group. Yuffie felt so relieved that her soul almost left her body.
Stop it. Keep it together.
A suspicious heat flared in the back of her eyes. If she let her guard down, the tears would overflow. Knowing that crying in this situation would make things awkward, Yuffie pressed her face against Erina’s chest to stop her tears from falling.
“My, my, Yuffie, don’t you like being coddled?”
Erina gently stroked her head. She felt like there was some huge misunderstanding brewing, but Yuffie was so relaxed that she entrusted herself to the other girl.
Brow furrowed, Edward spoke, his words dampening the cheery mood. “What should we use as the official reason for her joining the student council?” he asked as he pushed up his glasses calmly. “Just because we know the real reason doesn’t mean it won’t be difficult trying to explain to the other students.”
“Oh, no…” Yuffie blurted out.
He-He’s right… Compared to all of them, I don’t have any redeeming qualities…
Her imagination ran wild:
The rest of the student body shouting insults at her, eyes filled with hatred…
“Why would you let a commoner join?!”
They’ll drag me around the city and then burn me at the stake…!
“I think we’ll manage,” Noah answered nonchalantly, as if trying to dispel her anxiety.
“Luckily, the members of the student council hold some of the highest titles in the country,” Noah said. “Among the aristocracy, hierarchy is everything, so if we can offer a logical explanation, I think the other students will understand.”
“That’s a very good point, President,” Edward replied.
“You’re good at this kind of thing, aren’t you, Edward? So I’m counting on you.”
Edward could only sigh and say “I understand” to Noah’s words, half tossed out as an order. Among the aristocracy, hierarchy is everything.
“Excellent. I think that should do it for today’s main agenda item,” Lyle concluded, like checking off a task on his list. “From now on, we’ll be doing the student council’s regular work, so you can head back to your room, Yuffie. Once we figure out what your exact role will be, I’ll let you know in a few days.”
“O-Okay! I’m excited to work with all of you.” She bowed repeatedly.
Then Lyle replied with a smile, “Oh, right, I’m sure you know this, but you’re not allowed to use offensive magic in front of anyone other than us, and you’re not allowed to tell anyone that you can use it either.” He lowered his voice. “If anyone finds out…you might be witness to a very bloody mess.”
“Eeek!” Lyle’s intimidation sent chills down her spine. “I’ll keep that in mind…”
“Good. See that you do.”
And that was how Yuffie joined the student council.
💠🌸💠