Chapter Fourteen: Why We Fight
Tatsumi collapsed on the small hill, leading down to the entrance to the city. It was still hard for him to believe that his school was way different from what he was told back at his village. He could still remember Sayo, Ieyasu and him, dreaming of coming to Empire High, together, obtaining a good education and earning high paying jobs so they could support their village. All three were even willing to work the dirty jobs to earn money to attend high school. But, after taking a placement test, Tatsumi found himself being shipped off for his education, forced to leave his friends behind.
"Sayo. Ieyasu." He whispered to himself, staring at the partly cloudy sky.
As he calmly shut his eyes, Tatsumi's mind started working as he began dreaming about a great life he wish he could have. One where everyone from Night Raid and Sayo and Ieyasu could enjoy the afternoon, together in peace. Everyone would be sitting in a grassy field, close to a lake and enjoy a picnic and swimming and other activities. Sayo and Sheele would happily chat while Lubbock and Ieyasu would probably try at Leone and Chelsea while they swam. Bulat would even be giving encouraging words to the two of them; knowing full-well that they would probably get beat up. Akame would more than likely be fishing further away from them or hunting. Of course, Tatsumi would be sitting at the top of a hill, cloud gazing, with Mine resting comfortably against his shoulder, as they enjoyed a day of nothing.
Tatsumi's dream soon came to an end as a pair of lips pressed down on his. It was too difficult for him to see who was kissing him but he knew the only two who would do something like that were Mine or Esdeath, if the latter found him.
As his lips broke away, he immediately spotted the familiar pink dress, his kisser, was wearing. He smiled as Mine looked down, caressing the top of his forehead.
"You look like you were having a good nap." She giggled. "You almost looked like a little kid."
"You say that about everything I do." Tatsumi frowned, grabbing Mine's hands and pulling her down on top of him.
Mine shrieked as she was unexpectedly pulled down to the ground, falling on top of Tatsumi as her knee accidentally hit him in the face. She quickly rolled off his body and sat up, bowing before him as Tatsumi held his nose.
"I'm sorry. Are you okay?" Mine asked.
"Y-Yeah, I'm good." Tatsumi said, checking for blood but finding none.
"Good then." Mine said before punching his arm. "Never do that again." She warned him before lying down next to him.
They two happily watched as the clouds passed by over them. The last time Tatsumi checked what time it was, it was around one o'clock in the afternoon, but somehow, it felt as though time froze.
Tatsumi slowly felt Mine's hand wrapping and interlocking her fingers with him. As he turned his head, towards her, he couldn't help but admire how happy Mine looked.
The past few weeks, she had been barking orders at everyone, including Ms. Najenda. It got bad to the point she threatened to lock people on their rooms if they would only get in the way. No one saw Lubbock ever again but Chelsea made rest assured that he was still alive as she slipped him his daily meals.
"Mine?" Tatsumi asked.
"Yes?" Mine said, looking at Tatsumi.
"Is your goal to become the student council president, just so you can abolish Esdeath's Policies?"
Mine nodded her head. A confused look on her face as she wondered where he was going with this.
"Do you have any other things you want to do, if you become president?" Tatsumi continued to ask.
"If you're wondering if you'll become the first lady, then rest assured, that position is yours and yours alone." Mine said, believing she knew the true purpose of Tatsumi's question.
"Tha-That's not what I'm asking." Tatsumi said with a slightly irritated look. "Where did she even come up with that?" He wondered. "I just wanted to make sure you plan on taking the responsibilities if you become student council president?"
Mine looked at Tatsumi with a puzzled look on her face. She sighed, nonetheless, she should've expected Tatsumi to start questioning her sooner or later.
"Yeah, I'm prepared." She said with determination. "And once I've become the student council president, I'll change this school and it's warped system."
Tatsumi smiled as he made a fist, with his hand, and placed it over his heart, while sitting up. "Mine, I promise to give it my all; to aid you even if my body refuses to move and my brain stops working."
Mine blushed and could only nod her head in silence before holding Tatsumi's hand after he lied back down to continue cloud watching.
The Next Day
Tatsumi slowly opened the door to Esdeath's office. He could still perfectly remember the first time he had been to Esdeath's office. It was the day after she invited him to lunch as he went to check on her after Aria's attack on Sheele.
The sounds of the single clock, ticking back and forth, made the room feel like an old person's office. Even the paintings that decorated the office made it even more older looking.
Sitting at her desk, Esdeath was reading some papers before noticing Tatsumi. A slight blush on her face before she quickly got rid of it and motioned Tatsumi to sit in one of the chairs, opposite of her.
"I bet you're wondering why I've asked you here?" Esdeath asked, knowing full well Tatsumi's uncomfortable behavior he was giving her.
"Yeah, actually I was." Tatsumi replied, trying to sit normally in the chair without arousing and lowering his guard in case Esdeath planned on trying one of her kiss attempts again.
"Don't worry," She reassured him. "I didn't call you here to try and seduce you. I don't have time for stuff like that at the moment."
Tatsumi looked at her, astonished that the one time they met, face-to-face, she didn't try making any moves on him. However, he still continued to be ready for anything, thinking it was a ploy she was making.
"As you know, the student council elections are nearing and the top two candidates for the spot are myself and Mine." Esdeath informed him. "I'm sure Wave has told you this but each semester, the two candidates must choose a champion to fight for them."
"So I guess Wave was right." Tatsumi thought.
"I suppose Wave also mentioned the number one rule for those who are selected as champions?" Esdeath asked. "Never reveal you're a champion. If you do, your chances of success drop."
"Esdeath, you know then?" Tatsumi asked, understanding where she was leading too.
Esdeath nodded her head. "To be honest, it didn't come as much a shock and a lot of people actually predicted Mine choosing you. Honestly, " She shook her head. "You lovebirds are becoming more and more famous around the school."
Tatsumi didn't know whether to take it as a compliment or an insult. Regardless, he stayed quiet and let the Jaeger leader speak.
"Of course, my champion will still be a secret." Esdeath said. "I plan on winning this election like I have, every single month, since I first came to this school."
"Ms. Esdeath?" Tatsumi asked, grabbing her attention. "I've been meaning to ask you, but what's with all the fighting that happens at this school? What I was told and what I've experienced are completely different from an ordinary high school."
"So you've finally noticed?" Esdeath assumed. "Huh, I supposed I should tell you why we fight here then." She said, clearing a spot on her desk and placing her arms and hands on it. "I told you that my father raised me after my mother died when I was still at a young age. Correct?"
Tatsumi nodded his head.
"Well, the village, my father was the chief of, honored a simple code. Only the strong survive and the weak perish. It was because of this code, that allowed me to survive against the odds against my favor. Soon, I became the student council president after taking down the former one and claiming this school as my own. Of course, the vice-principal, at the time, wouldn't allow it until he mysteriously disappeared and Honest arrived. He helped incorporate my ideals of the survival of the fittest and granted power in my favor." She said, not even blinking once. "It's because of the code, events such as Spring Break Brawl exist. Even the Five Grand Policy System I've created as well as testing grades."
Tatsumi seemed astonished by Esdeath's willing nature to tell him all of this. Of course, it all made sense, to him now, why she loved fighting. But there was one question still bothering him, that he couldn't help but ask.
"Esdeath, how long have you been the president of this school?"
"Hmm…." Esdeath pondered. "About eight years since coming here. Why do you ask?"
"Because, if you've been the student council president for eight years, then that means you've proven you're the strongest throughout the school, correct?"
"Yeah….what are you getting at?"
"If you're really the strongest, then how come you haven't left the school?" Tatsumi finally asked, stunning Esdeath. "While helping Mine out, I happened to have found an old school yearbook in the library. It was dated eight years ago and I found your photo." He said, shocking Esdeath even further. "So I decided to dive a little deeper and found out that those students who were with you, eight years ago, had moved on, but you….you've stayed here and I can only think of one reason."
"Don't you dare…" Esdeath threatened.
"You're scared that you're really weak outside of this school."
Esdeath quickly stood up from her desk, the feeling of her killing intent was rising rapidly and Tatsumi could feel it. The, not so calm, president slowly placed her hand on the small lamp, next to her, and punched it off, breaking it.
"Tatsumi…." Esdeath said in a dark tone. "If I'm re-elected again, you are to be expelled from this school. Understand?"
Tatsumi smirked. "If Mine wins...well then she can get rid of your policies." He said, standing up and walking out the door.
"Heh, you've got bronze, I'll give you that." Esdeath chuckled. "But don't think you can win against my champion." She said.
Tatsumi stopped and turned around, giving Esdeath menacing glare. "I won't lose." He said before walking out and slamming the door behind him.
Esdeath let out a loud sigh before sitting back in her chair.
"You've heard all of that? Didn't you?" She asked the shaded person looking through the window, outside.
"Yeah." He replied.
"You better not lose. Understand?" Esdeath warned.
Things have been getting pretty intense after my meeting with Esdeath. Now that everyone knows I'm Mine's champion, I'll need to train even harder. Luckily I have bro with me to help hone my sword skills and use Incursio to its fullest ability. However, something seems to bother him every time I take Incursio off and it wasn't until I realized my right eye had the mark of Incursio and turned the color red. Leone and Chelsea laughed, saying I have holiday eyes. Fortunately, the mark goes away but the doctors warn me that over using Incursio could potentially have severe side effects. Anyway, I don't have much time to worry about it as there are only two days left until I fight for Mine at the coliseum.
Wish me luck you guys!
-Tatsumi
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