Uploaded On: 6th February 2023.
Hushed whispers have been circulating Garderobe all morning.
Alongside the rumours of Natsuki's argument with Shizuru, Saeko Kruger's health is sporadic news. Drama like this rarely occurs, so it's mind-boggling that a single student—a Trias, even!—is responsible.
To fan the flames, Natsuki hasn't been seen since last night.
"Mai." Carla Bellini, the Number IV Pearl hisses, wafting her hand to the Trias member. "Where's Natsuki?"
"I have no idea." Mai sighs, getting more worried by the hour.
They stand together outside their classroom, awaiting the teacher.
How many times has she been asked this question now? Mai mulls it over, realising that she hasn't seen Shizuru either. Something happened between them again, didn't it?
"Do you think she left?" Another student whispers, shamelessly gossiping with the group at the back of the queue. "I saw her storming outside last night!"
At this moment, Laura Bianchi, the Number III Pearl and Trias Secretary arrives. Within her hold is a newspaper. "I've got bad news." She discreetly notifies Mai, pulling her aside from the queue. "It's about Natsuki's mother."
Mai snatches the newspaper, quickly scanning it.
It says here that Saeko Kruger, the Chief Executive of Kruger Industries has cancer. "Leukaemia." Mai breathes. "Oh, that's just awful." She could only smear a palm to her temple, handing back the newspaper.
"Yeah." Laura says. "...Yeah." She repeats, her tone duller this time. "Do you think she dropped out?" Rolling up the newspaper, Laura sweeps her gaze across the corridor. There's always a chance Natsuki will show up. She usually does at the last moment, after all.
"Who, Natsuki? Not a chance." But… As stubborn as Natsuki is, it's rather different this time.
Woe is Me
Volatile Contention
"Natsuki." Yohko Helene, the Chief Medical Officer, announces her presence as she enters the small room. "Here you go." Within her grip is a scorching mug of coffee which she sets upon the bed's nightstand. "Archmeister Viola just arrived, should I let her in?"
"I suppose." Natsuki mumbles, sitting within the bed and staring at the adjacent wall.
As the scientist departs, Natsuki sighs, her gaze pulling towards the steaming coffee.
She still cannot believe they had actually incarcerated her in the Underground Facility. Well, not quite incarceration, but still. The staff are probably afraid of the gossip on the surface.
Do they seriously think she's that weak or oblivious?
"Natsuki?" Shizuru's voice sounds at the door.
For a brief moment, she has the mind to ignore the Archmeister. That wouldn't do. Ultimately Natsuki knows Shizuru will enter either way. "Yeah." she mutters, turning her head away from Shizuru as she enters.
A crippling silence overwhelms them.
Shizuru remains by the closed door, feeling unsure.
"Why didn't you just tell me?" Natsuki asks so quietly it almost goes unheard. "... That she has cancer."
"Because we were on the surface, Natsuki." Sitting herself down beside Natsuki, Shizuru's gaze falls to her lap. "What would have happened if others came when I told you?"
"'You don't believe in me?"
Scarlet pulls to viridian. "It is not like that and you know it."
"Then what is it?"
'What am I supposed to do? Anything I will say could cause an argument.' Shizuru thinks, because right now most things will trigger Natsuki.
Silent treatment? Natsuki eyes her Archmeister angrily, watching her uncomfortably set her foot more forward than the other. Her hands too—they're tense. Shizuru always does this when sensing incoming conflict.
"What is it?!" She leaps out from the bed, practically snarling at the Archmeister.
Crimson gaze flees once more, Shizuru refusing to look at Natsuki who snatches her collar.
It's always like this… Shizuru never fights back… Head pulling downwards, Natsuki's hands lax with stress. "I—" Her hands are gripped and she peers back up at Shizuru warily. Delicately her hands are untangled from Shizuru's uniform and held securely.
"What could I have done, Natsuki? You were already so heartbroken when I told you. I feared you would crumble and never mentally recover if I told you everything all at once."
That's—no! Shizuru is wrong! A struggle commences between them, and soon Natsuki finds herself overpowered. "Get off." She wheezes furiously, hating her body for how it's reacting to Shizuru's atop her.
"P-please, Natsuki." Shizuru kept her wrists pinned, easing her face close to hers. "Please understand, I—"
"—Get out." A broken whisper escapes from Natsuki.
A hesitation then the subtraction of weight. Soon Natsuki's left alone within this room, her only occupant a still steaming mug of coffee.
What has she done?
Regret and realisation tears Natsuki apart mercilessly.
Of course Shizuru is trying to help, but she—Swallowing hard, Natsuki grinds her teeth. A frustrated sigh releases from Natsuki as she wraps her arms around herself.
She's fucked up.
Throwing the door open, Natsuki stoically steps inside of the classroom. All startled eyes are upon her which she swiftly ignores.
"She's here?" — "Kruger didn't quit?" — "Then where's the Archmeister?"
Closing the door, Natsuki walks down the seat aisle towards the back. Here she sits herself down between Mai and Laura. With this, the awkward silence is broken by the teacher.
Later as this class ends, Natsuki quickly departs, leaving the others confused, concerned and frustrated. The haphazard murmurs flood the room, causing Mai to shake her head.
It's been two days since she last saw Natsuki! What is happening? Standing, she quickly makes chase.
"Natsuki!" She calls after the retreating Trias member. "Wait!" Somewhat surprisingly, she does so, halting in her tracks.
"What?"
Fellow students eye them silently within the corridor as Mai steps forward before her.
"Where have you been? Are you al—"
"—The Founder appointed me as the Headmeister."
W-what?
A heavy silence cuts between them intensely.
Natsuki, the Headmeister? Officially there hasn't been one since Una Shamrock's disgraceful exit ten years ago. Ever since then, Maria Graceburt has been acting as her temporary replacement. At least, as temporary as a decade sounds.
"When did this happen?" Mai steps closer for privacy, gesturing for Natsuki to follow her outside.
"Yesterday."
"Are you…" Mai pauses with uncertainty. "...going to take it?"
"I… I don't know." Natsuki sighs as they leave the building, peering up into the cloudy horizon. "I just don't know anymore." What's she supposed to do?
Yesterday she also called Saeko, and—well, that went as well as it sounds. "I told mom about it. She wants me to become the Headmeister, but…"
"But?"
"Ah…" Natsuki palms her temple. "...Fuck sake."
Why is nothing ever straightforward?!
Well, whatever. Natsuki motions to start walking but Mai tails her.
"What did she say, Natsuki?"
"She just told me to accept the position, okay?!" Natsuki spins around, snapping at her. Glaring, Natsuki's hands clench into fists before relaxing.
Why is she always so outrageously angry?
Spite, aggression, stubbornness, anxiety—it all just blends together chaotically. One moment she's perfectly fine, then the next? "Sorry." She mutters, gaze falling to the paved floor. "I need to go, I have an appointment."
"Where—" Before Mai can get another word in, Natsuki power-walks away. Alas, for the rest of the students arrive, blocking her view from the departing Trias Representative.
But… where is she going?
"Just let her go, Mai." Laura slings an arm around her shoulders. "She'll come back when she's ready. Kruger always does in the end."
"B—"
"—No buts. Come on, it's break. Let's go to the hall."
Being dragged away, Mai distractedly looks at the pathway Natsuki had taken.
The Teachers' Quarters, neither the Underground Facility is in that direction though? Feeling totally useless, she has no choice but to head the opposite way.
Today is cloudy with the chance of rain.
A/N: I figured I should have Natsuki use Americanisms given the Aries Republic is a strange American Roman-France.
Some fun facts about this: Arlate (meaning "by the marsh") is a Roman location in southern France. Today it is called Arles. (AKA, the Aries Republic). Historically its rival is Vienne (named Vienna in Latin). Why is this latter fact important? Because in Roman Austria, there was a location called "Vindobona" (meaning "white settlement"). This is modern day Vienna, not to be confused with Vienne. Is this Windbloom? (of course it also means Fuuka, but that's beyond the point). Their Imperial Order of Leopold even somewhat looks like Windbloom's star icon. Look it up!
