“FRIEND, I’m off now.”
“Have a great day at school, Yuffie.”
After handing the burdock to Catherine, Yuffie got ready as usual and left the dorm. The sky was a clear blue, and the cool breeze felt good as it brushed her cheeks. It probably wasn’t just her imagination that her heart felt lighter than usual.
“Good morning, Yuffie.”
When she arrived in the classroom, Lyle greeted her cheerfully.
“Good…good morning, Lord Lyle.”
Maybe because of her embarrassing display yesterday, her voice was more strained than usual. She sat down quickly and buried her head on her desk, trying to shut out information from the outside world until homeroom started.
“Yuffie.”
“Y-Yes?” She turned around, only to find Lyle staring at her with a scowl. “Was I rude? Did I do something? Urk, I’m so sorry…”
“No, no, nothing like that.” He scratched his cheek. “It’s about time you stop with this ‘Lord’ business and just call me Lyle.”
She understood right away what he meant. He was the third prince of the Kingdom. In terms of status, he might as well be the sun while she was just an ant, so to her, it had been natural to address him as “Lord Lyle.”
But if Lyle himself says I don’t have to…
Yuffie decided it would actually be less rude to do as he said.
“Then…um, Mr. Lyle?”
“Aw, come on, that isn’t much better. I told you, just ‘Lyle.’”
“I think that’s a bit too high a hurdle for me. What would people say?”
Even if Lyle were okay with it, the majority of the other nobles wouldn’t approve of her addressing him so casually.
“Ugh. Fine. I guess that’ll do. For now.”
He seemed a little disappointed, but Yuffie was relieved that he had compromised. She also felt closer to him now, and that knowledge warmed her heart.
This is really nice…
When she went to school, her friends said good morning to her. This was probably a normal thing for most people. But for Yuffie, who’d been alone most of her life, it was such a joyful exchange that it made her smile.
“You look really happy. Why don’t you let me in on the secret?”
“It’s nothing, Mr. Lyle.”
And then.
“Lord Lyle! Good morning!”
“Lord Lyle, you’re in a good mood today!”
Two young ladies, dressed just as gorgeously as the day before, spoke to him. Not wanting to talk to strangers, Yuffie buried her face in her desk again at the speed of light.
“Good morning, Anna, Sophie. You’re both looking lovely as usual.”
“Omigosh, omigosh, omigosh! I’m going to remember those words to help me get through the day!”
“Thank you! Thank you so much! I’ll remember this day forever as the day I spoke to Lord Lyle!”
“Stop, you’re exaggerating,” he replied with a wry smile.
Maybe they were being thoughtful because today, they didn’t show any signs of reeling her into the conversation like the day before yesterday.
Urk… I wish I could join in too…
The moment they started talking to her last time, Yuffie ran out of the classroom and vanished. She was fine when it was just Lyle, but she still got nervous when others joined in.
But…
Ever since coming to this school, she’d been able to talk not only to Lyle, but also Edward, Jack, Erina, and Noah. Her social skills used to be awful, but now she felt like she’d improved just a bit, and…
“Even if you couldn’t use offensive magic, I’d still be your friend, Yuffie.”
Lyle’s words echoed in her head. Magical words that dragged her out of her negative mindset.
BANG, BANG.
“Ouch!”
She raised her head so quickly, that the back of her head struck the seat behind her. It hurt. A lot.
God, I’m such a mess…
Yuffie couldn’t help the rueful chuckle that escaped. But this was who she was.
It is what it is.
“Uh, are you okay, Yuffie?” Lyle asked worriedly.
“Oh, no, what happened?”
“Um, you’re Yuffie, right…?”
Her sudden movement after staying stockstill startled and confused the two girls.
She turned to them and did her best to relax her tense expression.
I need to be brave!
Yuffie straightened her hunched back, took a deep breath, and began to speak.
“Ummm…”