Chapter 4
“Since a new young lady has joined us today, we will briefly review what an Awakened is.”
I was a little nervous, but the class was fun.
There wasn’t really time for introductions, but everyone seemed to already know who I was.
I have to do well.
Because I need to become vice leader.
I tried to sit up straight with my tiny body.
But instead of a hard chair, there was a soft cushion, so it wasn’t easy.
“Why are Awakened important? Would someone like to explain?”
The teacher here wore a round monocle and had gray hair tied and draped over one shoulder.
And there were dark circles under their eyes—they looked very tired.
I want to give them Chuu’s special carrot soup.
It gives you lots of energy!
While I was thinking that, a boy suddenly raised his hand high.
A plump potato…
The boy, with potato-colored hair and blue eyes, spoke confidently.
“They are essential for both offense and defense during territorial wars. Without Awakened, a territory cannot be protected!”
“That is correct. To add one more thing, quality is more important than quantity. Recently, the territories surrounding Bellarion of the Lunar Eclipse formed an alliance and attacked, but they were completely annihilated. They had seventeen Awakened, yet they could not defeat Bellarion’s Awakened.”
Flap.
A large map spread across the board.
Next to it was a drawing of a person, with glowing shapes surrounding them.
“A Bijou is proof of being an Awakened. Everyone here either already has a Bijou or at least a place where one will grow.”
I knew about that. The Carrot Class teacher had been surprised when she saw my left shoulder blade.
But I had never seen it myself.
“Territorial wars can happen at any time, and your duty is to protect Pashayen. There are many ways to protect it. Who can explain?”
Wait a second.
So why aren’t they explaining what a Bijou actually is?
Curious, I quickly raised my hand.
The teacher looked at me steadily.
“Your name?”
“Chuu-eo.”
“Miss Shu, I see. Go ahead.”
Why does everyone call me Shu when I’m Chuu?
I didn’t understand, but I wobbled as I stood up from the cushion.
“I… have a question.”
“A question?”
“What is a Bijou?”
“Pfft.”
The moment I asked, laughter burst out behind me.
Then that potato boy started laughing the loudest.
“You came crawling in here without even knowing that?”
There was a kid like that at daycare too. I was always the one who guided kids like that.
So I placed my hands on my hips and said firmly—
“You can not know things. If you don’t know, someone should teach you.”
“Oh really? For a commoner orphan, you sure talk a lot.”
Snicker, snicker.
The potato boy and a few others laughed.
They were all at least twice my age, and much bigger than me.
It wasn’t scary… but it did make me upset.
“As for what a Bijou is… find out by next class.”
“Yesss.”
I’ll ask Rina.
We never learned that at daycare.
“Anyway, the administrative aspects of a territory are handled by the family head and the heir. The military is commanded by the admiral. Then what role does a resonator play?”
I became like a honey-eating bear—silent.
Because I didn’t know.
“It seems you don’t know that either. Then, Young Master Ricardo, please explain.”
The teacher turned to the potato boy.
I plopped down weakly.
If they asked how much flour and sugar you need for ten chocolate chip cookies, I could answer perfectly!
It felt unfair to be looked down on for something I hadn’t learned.
My nose stung.
But I held it in again.
“The resonator is a religious figure who conveys the words of the ancestral whale. During battle, when the resonator sings a blessing, Awakened gain greater strength and their wounds heal!”
“That is correct. The one with the highest resonance with the ancestral whale becomes the resonator. Well done.”
When he was praised, the potato boy—Ricardo—glanced at me and smirked.
Seeing that smug face…
I… I……
felt something burst inside me.
“I won’t let that slide.”
I muttered quietly, clenching my fist tightly.
It seemed like I needed to show him how I knead dough properly.
For the rest of class, I studied hard.
When there were things I didn’t understand, I made sure to remember them separately.
I had never formally learned to read, but I could read, so keeping up wasn’t too difficult.
“Ahh…”
But sitting for so long was tiring.
I held the chocolate chip cookie from snack time in both hands and took a big bite.
Crunch, crunch.
While I was chewing, a shadow fell over me.
It was the potato boy and his group.
“Hey, you came with the Admiral earlier, right?”
Thud.
One of his friends—a boy with purple sweet potato-colored hair—pushed my shoulder.
My cookie fell to the ground and shattered.
“……”
It happened so suddenly that we both froze.
“My cookie.”
It was mine. I hadn’t even eaten half.
But I took a deep breath and held it for three seconds.
Then I put my hands on my hips and spoke clearly.
“Apologize.”
“What?”
“You shouldn’t hit or push friends. You should say sorry and give a hug.”
“What is this kid saying? A commoner acting crazy?”
But the purple sweet potato boy snapped at me instead.
He poked my shoulder again. Again!
If someone hits you, bite them.
The uncle’s words flashed through my mind.
I’ll endure just one more time. Just one.
Because the Carrot Class teacher said—
When Chuu gets angry, you must endure three times, for three seconds each. Promise me, okay?
This was the second time.
Three seconds.
One more left.
Then—
The potato boy suddenly snatched the name tag from my chest.
It happened so fast I couldn’t react.
“Give it back!”
No.
That… I couldn’t lose that.
It’s important.
For the first time, tears welled up.
But none of the other kids helped.
They just watched.
It’s break time. The teacher isn’t here.
What do I do?
What do I do, what do I do, what do I do?
Someone help me.
“Hey, you’re an Awakened too, right? You have a Bijou spot, right?”
Even while saying that, the bad boy mocked me.
I jumped up and down trying to grab my name tag, but I was too small.
“Then take it back. How dare something like you become Lord Diegon’s child? I can’t accept it. That position… that’s what I… what I wanted!”
Poke, poke.
Ricardo jabbed my chest with his finger—
Then suddenly shoved me hard.
I stumbled backward and fell on my bottom.
And then—
“This worthless thing. Class leader? Do you think you’re something special? You’re just a commoner. A filthy commoner!”
Riiip—!
A terrible sound rang out.
Right in front of my eyes—
My name tag was torn in half.
Something I cherished so, so much.
Really, really treasured—
My pride.
I can’t hold it in anymore.
Snap.
My patience broke.
At the same time, everything turned white.
“What is this?”
“Water drops?”
“Wait… this power—guh!”
Bubbles of water began rising around my small body.
At first, they were just like soap bubbles—
But soon, my pink hair began to float.
My pupils disappeared.
Ricardo stepped back in fear—
And then—
A terrifying force exploded.
“Aaaah!”
“S-save us!”
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry—waaah!”
What… is this?
I don’t have any strength left.
I think I heard screams far away.
But I wasn’t sure.
The last thing I heard was the uncle’s voice—
“It’s alright. Calm down and sleep. I’ll take care of the rest.”
It felt so warm…
Like it was okay to fall asleep like this.
So I hugged the uncle tightly.
“Sniff… Chuu’s name tag… I-I’m not class leader anymore… waaah!!”
And just like that—
All my sadness burst out.
