Disclaimer: Final Fantasy Type-0 belongs to Square-Enix. Amélie's soundtrack belongs to Yann Tiersen. This is a fanmade work created for fan purposes and to be enjoyed among the fans.

Song for this chapter: "J'y suis jamais allé" by Yann Tiersen.

Chapter 1: On the Humble Beginnings of Optimism

If there ever was a piece of advice I'd want you to remember for life, it would be, without a doubt, "Easier said than done." Also known as "nothing is what it seems," "expecations are different from reality," all that shebang. Coming from the de facto class joker, this idiom applies to me a lot. The typical role of a joker is to make a fool of yourself for the happiness of others. But somewhere along the way, I got a promotion – to optimist. So instead of Jack the Idiot Clown, I became Jack the Motivating Cheeryupper, ensuring happiness anywhere I'd go to anyone I'd see!

That said, I think I speak for all optimists when I say that "Easier said than done" is our creed to live by. Normally, optimists are frowned upon for being too hopeful and cheerful and just so idealistic – but what's wrong with being positive? People these days are just letting their problems seem a lot heavier than they should, and too unnecessarily. If only they realize nothing is impossible and that every problem has a solution, then they can achieve anything! It's as simple as that!

But...do we optimists actually understand the weight (or weightlessness) of our words? Do we actually understand the pain people go through? Or do we just say things like "It's okay! Cheer up! You'll be just fine!" because we think people can just perk up and shrug off their burdens like it's no big deal?

Hence the creed, "Easier said than done." Don't worry, I learned my lesson the hard way. And that hard way is gonna be the story I'm about to tell you. Here's the catch – if we optimists can have so much positivity, more than the usual, then you can expect us to have just as much negativity, also more than the usual. Being super idealistic, we're often so lost in our dreams that when reality comes back to bite us, we're never ready. We're never ready for the truth or the consequences. The only things that keep us going are a bunch of starry-eyed hopes and promises, and you can't get through life on that alone!

So on a personal note, I'd like to say that even before this all happened, it already was difficult for me to get through trials thrown in my way. I'm a "forgive and forget" kind of person, so no matter how many tests I get low marks on, or how many times I get caught sleeping in class, I just never learn. How can I learn from my mistakes if I don't even remember they happened?

But, cue in the one shining exception. We call it love. Because being in love, as I can truthfully testify to you now, is "easier said than done."

Welcome to a Jack fic...inspired by France. The basis for this fic is the entire 20-track soundtrack for Amélie by Yann Tiersen. As such, each chapter is themed around a certain song based on its track number, which is announced at the start of the passage. Listening to the soundtrack is highly recommended, as it will give some direction as to where this fic's going. However, it's also perfectly okay to read the fic standalone without the music. No spoilers for the film. This fic only takes after the soundtrack and draws on from there. Thank you, and enjoy reading. Cheers!