“MAYBE things won’t work out, after all…”
The next morning, Yuffie felt like her stomach was about to explode in the classroom. If she let her guard down, the burdock salad she had for breakfast would come back up.
“Why is a girl like that in the student council…?”
“What kind of connections did she use?”
Everyone was whispering, but they were loud enough for her to hear. The rumor that she’d joined the student council had spread like lightning today, causing shock, confusion, and jealousy among the entire school.
“A commoner who can’t even use healing magic properly in the student council is so out of bounds…”
Urk… I know that better than anyone, okay?!
Every word she heard tore Yuffie’s heart to shreds.
“What on earth is all this commotion?”
“Lord Edward!”
Edward had just entered the classroom, and their classmates surrounded him.
“Lord Edward, please explain!”
“Why did a commoner like that join the student council and not one of us nobles?!”
The boy pointed at her as if he didn’t even want to mention her name, and Yuffie instinctively hid behind her textbook. Edward followed the direction of his finger and saw her trembling like a frightened critter.
“Oh, is that all?” The lenses on his glasses glinted as he answered, his expression impassive. “Who here can recite the student council’s philosophy?”
Their classmates looked at each other, then fell silent.
“I thought so. This is a good opportunity to memorize it. The philosophy of our student council is…” Edward raised his right arm toward the ceiling and barked. “To be there for the students, understand them, and lend a helping hand!”
His words created a buzz in the classroom, but he didn’t let it deter him.
“Accordingly, we need to consider not only those of high status and abilities like us, but also those who are on the opposite end of the spectrum,” Edward spoke matter-of-factly as he pushed up his glasses. “And so, we decided that Yuffie Abisus will join the student council! She’s an exceptional underachiever with questionable behavior and a poor command of healing magic. By her joining the student council, the other members’ horizons will broaden, allowing us to understand more students better!”
STAB, STAB, STAB!
His words pierced Yuffie’s heart.
Yes, Edward’s explanation makes sense…but…but still!
They hurt so much it wasn’t funny. In short, he was saying that her becoming a part of the student council was to create balance in terms of demographics. It was a compelling argument, especially because it came from Edward, a high-ranking aristocrat.
“I-I see…”
“That’s a fair point.”
The atmosphere in the classroom, critical of Yuffie, began to change. Someone swallowed in awe at Edward’s attitude, which was reminiscent of a general making his grand speech before a battle. He continued in the same strident tone.
“And the one who made the final decision was…none other than the student council president himself, Lord Noah!”
“Whaaat?!”
Everyone’s eyes widened in shock. Among the aristocracy, hierarchy is everything, after all. Since Noah was also an incredibly high-ranking noble, the mere fact that he’d been the one to make the final decision was persuasive enough for her classmates.
“In that case…I guess we just have to accept it.”
“I mean, if Noah thinks she’s worthy…”
“We don’t have a right to gripe.”
No one was criticizing Yuffie now. Just like the rumors of her joining the student council, it would only be a matter of time before this too spread to other classes.
Edward harrumphed triumphantly, like he was saying, “My work here is done.” Then he walked over to her seat. He stared down at her. She looked like she was on the verge of death. He might as well have ripped her heart out of her chest and stomped on it. But his expression said, “I told them what’s what, so be grateful, (you commoner).” Then he sat down in his seat.
“That was a bit harsh, don’t you think?” Erina came over, looking annoyed, her gaze reproachful.
“Says you. As for me, I was simply carrying out the mission given to me by Lord Noah,” he countered.
“I think calling her an underachiever was a little too much.”
“I did mention she was an ‘exceptional’ underachiever, didn’t I?”
“Which does nothing to take away from the insult. Would you be happy if someone referred to you like that?”
“Agree to disagree. What matters most is that we were able to put an end to the confusion created by Yuffie joining the student council. She should be grateful, not resentful.”
“Mmm… I still think you could have been nicer about it.”
Erina looked unconvinced, and Edward sighed with disappointment at her.
“Nobles are creatures with a great deal of pride. The quickest way to convince everyone here was to position her as inferior in both rank and ability.”
“O-Oh, then that was your way of being considerate, Edward?”
“I…may have been a bit harsh with my choice of words, so for that, I’ll apologize,” Edward responded uncomfortably.
Erina put her hands on her hips in exasperation. “Goodness, you honestly are so terrible at communication… Anyway. Yuffie, are you all right? You seem dazed,” she asked, concerned.
Yuffie, whose HP had gone to zero after all the damage she’d taken, raised her head with a smile. “Yes, yes, I am fine. Very fine indeed. I am just a dung beetle crawling around the neighborhood, after all. I do not mind what people say about me. Ha ha haaa.”
“You’re clearly not fine at all,” Erina replied with a rueful smile.
“Yuffie.” Lyle appeared seemingly out of nowhere and placed a gentle hand on her dainty shoulder.
“Aaack!”
The sudden touch startled her. Lyle leaned close to her ear and whispered softly, “Everyone in the student council, including me, knows you have great powers.” Then he gave her an encouraging pat. “So don’t worry. Be confident.”
“Lord Lyle…” Her face brightened, like a lost child who had finally found her mother. Yuffie was simple-minded and, therefore, easy to cheer up with just a little bit of praise.
“Lord Lyle! Good morning!”
“Lord Lyle, you’re in a good mood today!”
Two girls came over, looking nervous.
“Good morning, Anna, Sophie. You’re both looking even more radiant today.”
“Oh my gosh! To hear you say that is enough to give me the strength to do my best today!”
“Thank you so much! I’ll remember today as the day I got to talk to you for the rest of my life!”
Their eyes were wide, and excitement filled their voices.
“Haha, please, you’re making me blush… Oh, right, this is a good chance for me to introduce you to the newest member of the student council, Yuffie… Huh?”
Yuffie had vanished without a word.
“Where is she?” Lyle asked Erina as he surveyed the classroom for her.
“She left so quickly, she might as well have been a blur.”
“Ah…” He scratched his head like he had an epiphany. “Apologies, Yuffie’s a bit shy…”
“Please don’t! That’s not something you should apologize for, Lord Lyle!”
“It’s really nice of you to give a commoner the opportunity to introduce herself!”
“Thank you for your kind words,” he replied with a smile that pierced straight through their hearts. The two girls swooned in reaction.
Meanwhile…
Darn it… He was nice enough to give me the chance to talk to them, and I did what I always do… As soon as she left the classroom, Yuffie started drowning in self-loathing. The moment she thought someone would talk to her, she ran away automatically. Socializing is still so hard…
Lyle and Erina were the ones who always initiated conversations with her, so it was easy with them but tough for her to be proactive. The Terror of Speaking to Others’ Disease that had been eating away at her body for fifteen years was still very much alive and well.
“I hope I can manage someday…” she mumbled to herself.
“…You are ridiculous. I can’t stand you.”
A voice filled with clear hatred rang out.
“Huh…?”
She looked around but saw no one else nearby.
Am I imagining things?
Yuffie tilted her head in confusion.
💠🌸💠