Chapter 4: TYFMB

Chapter 4

“Since we have a new young lady joining us today, let's do a quick review of what an Awakened is.”

Chu was a little nervous, but the lesson turned out to be fun.

There wasn't any time for self-introductions, yet everyone seemed to already know who she was.

I have to do well.

After all, she was the vice-class representative now.

Straightening her tiny body as much as possible, Chu tried to sit properly.

Unfortunately, that was easier said than done when the chair was topped with a soft, fluffy cushion instead of a hard seat.

“Who would like to explain why Awakened individuals are important?”

Their teacher was a woman with a round monocle, ash-gray hair tied and draped over one shoulder.

Dark circles hung heavily beneath her eyes.

She looked utterly exhausted.

I want to give her Chu's special carrot soup.

It makes you full of energy!

While Chu was having such thoughts, a boy shot his hand into the air.

That chubby potato...

The boy, with potato-colored hair and blue eyes, puffed out his chest proudly.

“They're vital offensive and defensive assets during territorial wars. Without Awakened individuals, it's impossible to protect a territory!”

“Correct. To add to that, quality matters more than quantity. Not long ago, several territories surrounding Bellarion of the Eclipse formed an alliance and attacked together, only to be completely annihilated. They had seventeen Awakened among them, yet they stood no chance against Bellarion's Awakened.”

Fwoosh.

A massive map unfolded across the blackboard.

Beside it appeared a drawing of a person surrounded by glowing geometric shapes.

“Vizu. The proof of being Awakened. Everyone here has either already developed a Vizu or at least has a place where one will emerge.”

That much Chu knew.

The teacher from the Carrot Class had been shocked when she saw the spot on Chu's left shoulder blade.

Still, Chu herself had never actually seen it.

“Territorial wars can break out at any time, and your duty is to protect Pasayen. Protection takes many forms. Who can explain?”

Wait a second.

Then why wasn't anyone explaining what a Vizu actually was?

Curious, Chu immediately raised her hand.

The teacher gazed at her.

“Your name?”

“Chuu-eo.”

“Miss Shu, then. Go ahead.”

Why does everyone keep calling me Shu when I'm Chu?

She didn't understand, but she climbed off her cushion and stood up anyway.

“I have a question.”

“A question?”

“What's a Vizu?”

“Pfft.”

The moment she asked, laughter erupted behind her.

The loudest of them all was that potato boy, who doubled over snickering.

“You got into this place without even knowing that?”

There had been kids like that at daycare too.

Chu had always been the one who lectured them.

So she planted her hands firmly on her hips.

“People can not know things. If they don't know, you should teach them.”

“Oh, really? Pretty mouthy for a commoner orphan.”

Snickers spread through the classroom.

Several children laughed along with him.

All of them were at least twice her age and much bigger than she was.

Not that they scared her.

But it still hurt.

“As for what a Vizu is... find out before next class.”

“Okaaaay.”

She'd ask Rina later.

They hadn't taught that at daycare.

“Anyway, the administrative affairs of the territory belong to the Lord and the Young Lord. Military affairs are governed by the Admiral. Then what role do Resonants serve?”

Chu became as silent as a bear with its mouth full of honey.

Because she had no idea.

“It seems you don't know that either. Then Ricardo, please explain.”

The teacher turned toward the potato boy.

Chu plopped back down onto her cushion.

If someone asked how much flour and sugar were needed for ten chocolate chip cookies, she could answer perfectly.

Being looked down on for something she had never learned felt unfair.

Her nose stung.

Still, she swallowed her tears.

“I'll explain. Resonants are religious figures who convey the words of the Ancestor Whale. During battle, when a Resonant sings a blessing song, Awakened individuals gain greater strength and their wounds heal!”

“Correct. The person with the highest synchronization rate with the Ancestor Whale becomes a Resonant. Well done.”

At the praise, the potato boy—Ricardo—shot Chu a smug glance and smirked.

Seeing that triumphant expression...

Chu...

Chu...

Felt something snap inside her.

“I'm not gonna let that slide.”

She muttered quietly, clenching her fist.

Maybe it was time to demonstrate the same skill she used when mercilessly beating bread dough into shape.

* * *

For the rest of the lesson, Chu studied diligently.

Whenever something didn't make sense, she carefully committed it to memory for later.

Though she had never formally learned to read, she could read well enough that keeping up wasn't too difficult.

“Ugh.”

But sitting for so long was exhausting.

Holding the chocolate chip cookie given out during snack time with both hands, she took a huge bite.

Crunch, crunch.

As she chewed, a shadow fell over her.

It was the potato boy and his group.

“Hey. You came here with the Admiral earlier, didn't you?”

Thud.

One of Ricardo's friends, a boy with purple-sweet-potato-colored hair, shoved her shoulder.

Her cookie slipped from her hands.

It hit the floor.

Crack.

Shattering into pieces.

“......”

The suddenness of it made them both freeze.

“My cookie.”

It was hers.

She hadn't even finished half of it.

Taking a deep breath, Chu held it for three seconds.

Then she placed her hands on her hips and spoke clearly.

“Say sorry.”

“Huh?”

“You shouldn't hit or push your friends. You have to say you're sorry and give them a hug.”

“What is this kid even talking about? Has the commoner gone crazy?”

The purple-haired boy only scoffed.

Then he poked her shoulder again.

Again.

And again.

If someone hits you, bite them.

The old man's words flashed through her mind.

I'll only endure it one more time. Just one more.

Because her daycare teacher had said:

When you're angry, Chu, count to three. Then wait three seconds. Promise me you'll do that.

This was the second time.

Three seconds.

Only one chance remained.

Then Ricardo suddenly snatched the nameplate hanging from her chest.

Everything happened so fast that Chu couldn't react.

“Give it baaack!”

No.

That couldn't happen.

She absolutely couldn't lose it.

It's precious.

For the first time, tears welled in her eyes.

Yet none of the surrounding children helped.

They only watched.

It's recess. The teacher isn't here.

What do I do?

What do I do?

What do I do?

Someone help me.

“Hey, aren't you an Awakened too? Don't you have a Vizu spot?”

Even then, the boy who had stolen her nameplate continued sneering.

Chu jumped up and down trying to grab it back.

But she was too small.

“Then take it from me. A little runt like you dares become Lord Diego's child? I don't accept it. That should've been me! That's the position I wanted!”

Poke.

Poke.

Ricardo jabbed her chest with his finger.

Then, finally, he shoved her hard.

Chu stumbled backward.

And landed on her bottom with a thud.

That was when it happened.

“This worthless thing. What, you think you're special because you're class representative? You're just a commoner. A filthy commoner!”

RIIIP!

An ominous sound echoed through the room.

Right before Chu's eyes, the nameplate split cleanly in two.

The thing she treasured.

Treasured so, so much.

The thing that represented her pride.

I can't take it anymore.

Snap.

Her patience broke.

At the same time, the world turned white.

“What is this?”

“Water droplets?”

“Wait—that power—GAAAH!”

Tiny droplets bubbled into existence around her small body.

At first they were no bigger than soap bubbles.

But soon her pink hair began to flutter wildly.

The moment Ricardo saw her eyes—empty of pupils, terrifyingly blank—he instinctively stepped backward.

Then an overwhelming force erupted.

“AAAAAH!”

“P-Please spare us!”

“We're sorry! We're sorry—WAAAHHH!”

What was happening?

I don't have any strength left...

She thought she heard screams somewhere far away.

But she couldn't tell anymore.

The last thing she heard was the old man's voice.

“It's alright. Calm down and sleep. I'll handle the rest.”

For some reason, he felt so warm.

Like it was truly okay to fall asleep.

So Chu wrapped her arms around him tightly.

“Wah... hic... Chu's nameplate... I'm... not class representative anymore... waaaahhh!”

And then all the sorrow she had been holding back exploded at once.