Chapter 47
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: What was that commoner's name again?
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20 minutes were up.
The students began their flower arrangements, each holding an assortment of blooms.
"Hmm."
Tail stared at the lone, ugly blue rose plunked into his vase.
"Hmmm..."
He glanced around. Most others had brought at least three flowers or some greenery.
Tail was the only one with just a single bloom, standing all by itself.
Ethan was artfully placing five golden flowers that matched his eye color.
Alice was creating her arrangement with a variety of delicate wildflowers.
Even Chromhel, sitting right in front of him, had hauled in a bunch of expensive, flashy blossoms that screamed luxury.
Seeing all that made Tail's own flower look downright pathetic.
'Is this too lame?'
Maybe he shouldn't have grabbed just one.
As he fretted over what to do, Professor Sophia approached his side.
"A blue rose, how lovely. Ho ho ho."
She continued with a warm smile.
"It's striking how you've only used the one rose."
Sophia turned her gaze to Tail and asked,
"Do you happen to know the flower language of the blue rose?"
"No."
He'd just picked it because it caught his eye. He had no idea about any flower meanings.
Professor Sophia gently caressed the blue rose petals and spoke.
"Miracle."
Tail's eyes widened.
"The flower language of the blue rose is miracle."
Miracle.
Why did that word resonate so deeply?
Tail's vision filled with the homely blue flower.
Yeah. Miracle.
Miracles come in all shapes and sizes.
Varied forms, varied features—every one unique.
A casual hobby post going viral? That's a miracle.
Cheating death in a dire crisis? Miracle.
That final breath tasting sweet at life's end? Miracle too.
Finding forgotten cash in an old coat pocket on the way home from work, enough to buy your kid that bread they've been craving? Miracle.
On a hopeless day when you just need comfort, looking up at the night sky to see stars spilling across it like a shower? Miracle.
Everything fate hands you, no matter the form, is a miracle.
Maybe...
'Maybe the miracle started the moment I arrived in this world and carved out a place for myself...'
Even something this strangely shaped could still be a miracle, right?
As his thoughts deepened, the flower arrangement class came to an end.
Lunchtime arrived, and Tail headed to the cafeteria with Yujin's group.
"Spaghetti today! Strawberry cake for dessert!"
Yujin shouted excitedly, and Riki's eyes sparkled.
"Strawberry cake sounds delicious!"
The two linked arms and dashed off in high spirits.
Tail, Alice, and Ethan trailed behind, chuckling at the pair's enthusiasm.
That's when Tail noticed the club recruitment posters.
'Makes sense. Early in the semester is prime club-joining time.'
Ethan approached Tail, who was studying the posters intently.
"Any clubs catching your eye?"
"Well..."
Just then, Yujin and Riki doubled back.
"What're you doing?"
"Club recruitment posters?"
They crowded in, scanning the notices with interest.
"Oh. There's a social club too?"
At Yujin's comment, Riki nodded knowingly.
"Yeah, yeah. Excluding the student council, the most popular and famous club is the social one, 'Black Fox'."
Black Fox?
Tail frowned at the unfamiliar name.
"It's like high society central. Every noble girl wants in. But they absolutely, positively don't accept boys."
Riki's eyes gleamed as he spoke.
"One of the founders was Lady Cecilia Duvier, I bet..."
Those last words hit Tail's ears like a dart.
"Lady Cecilia Duvier, right?"
"Ah..."
Yujin and Tail's gazes clashed in midair.
Yujin's green eyes brimmed with worry.
Tail gave an awkward smile.
"I... see."
Oblivious, Riki kept going.
"Most say the club was named after her favorite animal, the fox. There's even a rumor they keep a black fox in the clubroom..."
As Riki rambled on, Yujin grabbed his arm.
"Riki! Let's hurry and get that strawberry cake!"
"Huh? O-okay!"
Yujin dragged him off, but his eyes stayed fixed on Tail.
Tail let out a soft chuckle at Yujin's worried look.
It had been five whole years already.
Time to stop clinging to the past.
Then, Alice beside him murmured quietly.
"You look exhausted."
...Me?
Tail turned to her.
Alice brushed past lightly.
"Bottling it all up forever? It'll explode eventually."
Her deep navy eyes, once so cold, now held a subtle warmth.
"I don't know the reason. But don't hold back."
She walked ahead, leaving those final words.
"Humans, from what I know, are selfish creatures who put themselves first, always."
Casually tossed out, but...
Was it her roundabout way of saying to take care of himself? Or just Tail's imagination?
He watched Alice catch up to Riki and Yujin.
For some reason, her words felt especially warm today.
"Kiii-!"
A sleek black fox hopped lightly onto a girl's lap.
The girl in a lavish black dress extended her pale hand to stroke it.
"Kii-!"
The fox rubbed its face happily against her hand.
Its black fur gleamed, impeccably groomed.
The fox's eyes lit up at the keychain dangling from her bag—a little black fox figurine, worn and dirty from years of use.
It pawed at the keychain playfully.
But the girl, already onto it, snatched it away.
"No. This is precious."
The fox whined pitifully, "Kiiing-."
She brushed back her purple hair and shot it a stern glare.
"Tsk."
The fox drooped, laying its head sadly on her lap.
Before her, soothing the fox, sat a table so exquisitely carved it could pass for a work of art.
The room brimmed with treasures: a grand chandelier from the ceiling, priceless artifacts displayed everywhere too delicate to touch.
This opulent space was the clubroom of the social club 'Black Fox'.
Gathered around the long central table were the young ladies who had clawed through fierce competition to join.
Rachel, eldest daughter of Count Ellaum, producers of the most priests and saints.
Terieru, second daughter of Marquis Dina, who boasted the greatest knight commanders.
Becky, youngest of Count Leman, rulers of the culinary world.
Lielo, eldest of Viscount Bedina, kings of trade.
Scions of families that dominated high society, all in one place.
Yet these elite ladies giggled and glanced nervously at one among them.
The one with the black fox on her lap and flowing purple hair.
No matter how well you played here, one frown from her meant instant downfall.
Then, Lielo of the trade-dominating Bedina family sipped her tea and spoke.
"You all know about that commoner who topped the entrance exams, right?"
Another lady smiled softly.
"That's old news already. It blew up big time."
"But do you know this?"
Lielo grinned slyly.
"What that commoner's name is."
At her words, Terieru of the knightly house crossed her arms and scoffed.
"Why would we care about some lowly commoner's name?"
"Oh, but you'll be shocked."
Lielo elegantly set down her teacup.
"His name is..."
Her lips moved slowly.
"T. A. I. L."
"Oh my!"
"Really?"
The ladies gasped in unison.
Lielo narrowed her eyes in satisfaction at their reactions.
And understandably so.
"That's the name of our mascot here, the Black Fox!"
The fox kept by the Black Fox social club was named Tail.
"What an insane coincidence."
"Way too grand a name for a commoner."
The ladies burst into laughter.
But.
Clack.
The purple-haired girl slammed her teacup down hard.
The room fell silent instantly.
"Say that again."
A rough voice escaped her lips.
Breathing raggedly, she fixed her gaze on Lielo, the one who had spoken.
Blood-red eyes pinned the lady in place.
Lielo froze in panic.
"...P-pardon? Which part...?"
"What was that commoner's name again?"
Arrogant, informal speech.
Yet no one dared find it offensive.
"T-Tail..."
Lielo stammered it out with difficulty.
The black fox's ears twitched at the sound.
As if hearing its own name called.
The purple-haired girl, silent for a beat, bit her lip hard.
"No way..."