“DAMN you! Are you even interested in the Academy?!”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!!!”
In the first-year students’ classroom, a male student was tearing Yuffie a new one.
“How could you be so late on the day of the entrance ceremony?! Don’t you have any self-awareness or pride as a student of this renowned school?!”
“Nnngh… Anything I say will only make things worse…”
The one reprimanding her was a serious-looking young man with black hair and glasses. Based on his appearance alone, he was obviously the type of student who had a strong sense of justice and believed in maintaining order, meaning he probably scolded people just for falling asleep in class.
Yuffie could only shrink in on herself and apologize as he blasted into her in front of everyone. While going to bed early last night had been a good thing, it was a shame that her delusions had grown too intense. All that excitement meant she didn’t fall asleep until morning, and when she finally did, she ended up oversleeping. Despite getting ready faster than ever before in her life, Yuffie was spectacularly late for the orientation held in the classroom before the entrance ceremony.
Reading? Taking a walk? What a pipe dream. (Blank stare)
“That girl is crazy…”
“Plebes really need a lesson in discipline.”
Uuugh… Their glares really hurt…
Whispers, backbiting, and snickering. Yuffie had learned from experience that once the atmosphere turned like this, it was too late for her. From what she could see, most of her classmates came from schools specifically for nobles. No surprise, then, that most of them had already formed cliques.
She thought that no one would want to be friends with someone who was not only a commoner but stood out in a bad way from day one. But then…her eyes met the goddess of salvation’s. The girl who had given her directions to the dorms yesterday was smiling and waving at Yuffie.
We’re in the same class…! Just being in the same class with someone so kind made her feel loads better. Note to self: Ask her name later…
“Hey! Are you even listening to me?!”
“Y-Yesh, Sir!”
The moment she stood up straight, an elderly teacher, who seemed gentler than the male student, came to her rescue.
“Now, now, Edward, that’s enough.”
“Hmph. Fine, Professor, if you say so.”
Maybe because he was faithful to the power dynamics, the male student backed down and ended his lecture, freeing Yuffie to take her seat. She was relieved that it was a little higher up in the middle of the spacious classroom.
“A tough first day, huh?”
She was shocked when the boy sitting next to her spoke.
“Lyle…?!”
“Hi, Yuffie. Fancy seeing you again so soon.” Sea-blue eyes, a straight nose, and soft blond hair. As always, he radiated a luminous aura. “Thanks for the burdock. It was…delicious. Hey, what’s wrong? Why are you covering your eyes like that?”
“Don’t worry about me. I just don’t have any resistance to the light.”
At least now she knew she didn’t need to worry about falling asleep in class.
“Oh, yeah…? Anyway, I’m sorry about Edward. He’s sort of a stickler for the rules.”
“P-Please don’t apologize. It’s my fault for being late. Is he…a friend of yours?”
“Yeah, we’re childhood friends. We’ve known each other for over ten years now.”
“Childhood friends…”
Her eyes widened—childhood friends…blessings bestowed only to those chosen by God. To Yuffie, who’d never had a friend in her life, they were like heavenly beings.
“Yuffie, are you all right? I’m worried you’re going to leave us mortals for the heavens.”
“Eep! I’m sorry, I almost fainted from how sacred you are.”
“Honestly, where do you even come up with this stuff?” Lyle put his hand over his mouth and chuckled. “You really are funny, Yuffie.”
She didn’t think she’d said anything funny, but at least he didn’t seem to dislike her, which was a relief.
“Omigosh, look, it’s Lord Lyle.”
“Ohhh… He’s sooo beautiful… My eyes are practically melting.”
“Handsome and smart, he passed the entrance exam with a perfect score… He’s just so perfect.”
When she overheard some of the other girls whispering, Yuffie suddenly blurted out, “Um… Are you famous, Lyle?”
“That’s a good question. Technically, I am the third prince of this country, so I suppose some people know me.”
“Y-You’re the what…?!”
“Some people” is the understatement of the century!
“What the heck? Why are you suddenly on your hands and knees?!”
“Forgive me, Lord Lyle. A dung beetle like me should never have cozied up to you like this…”
“Hey, stop putting yourself down so much,” he replied with a rueful smile.
When Yuffie raised her head, the kind expression on his face was the one you’d have for soothing a crying child.
“I’m not a fan of formalities, so just treat me like you have been, as equals.”
He’s so nice…
“O-Okay then. Thank you, Lyle…”
“Hey. You there.”
FLINCH!
Her heart nearly burst through her chest at the sound of the gruff voice from behind. When Yuffie turned around, she saw the student who had bit her ear off earlier…Edward, arms crossed and a fierce look on his face.
“Don’t tell me a mere commoner like you just addressed the third prince without any titles?”
“O-Of course not…” Yuffie, with a strained smile and sweat streaming down her face, bowed to Lyle again. “Once more, I would like to ask for your kind consideration for this dung beetle, Lord Lyle.”
“S-Sure. Also, sorry about that, I guess?” He said with his usual gentle smile. But there was a hint of loneliness on his face.
At the time, though, Yuffie didn’t notice because she lacked the ability to read the people around her.
“Who does she think she is?”
“She’s way too close to Lord Lyle…”
While Yuffie was talking to Lyle, some of the girls in their class were glaring at her with jealousy.
💠🌸💠