The World Is Mine For The Taking

Princess Myrcella bid us farewell after we told her we'd think about her offer. After we told her we needed time to think about it, she reminded us to give her an answer before the next school year officially began. Her tone was polite, but there was an edge to it that hinted at her impatience.

The three of us decided to make our way back to the academy. The path was quiet, the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant hum of conversation from passing civilians filling the air.

As we walked, the question that had been simmering in my mind finally spilled out.

"Nia, are you going to accept?" I asked, glancing at her. I already knew Trill wouldn't go for this, and honestly, the idea of joining the student council didn't appeal to me either. But Titania? Between the three of us, she seemed the most likely to consider it.

"I don't know," Titania said with a shrug, her gaze fixed ahead. "I mean, it's not like I haven't thought about it. It's an opportunity, sure. But like I told you before, I didn't run for president back then because I wanted to revolutionize the academy. I did it because I wanted friends, people who'd stand by me. I didn't care about sitting on some pedestal. I just thought the title might bring me some company." Her voice trailed off, and for a moment, a shadow of vulnerability passed over her face. Then she smiled, a quiet warmth replacing it. "But now that I have you and Trill, I don't really need that anymore."

Trill scoffed, her steps quickening to match ours. "As for me, there's no way I'm accepting. Did she seriously think I'd believe all that bullshit about being perfect for the treasurer role? That was just a load of crap. I mean, did she really think that buttering me up with flattery about being 'perfect for treasurer' would work? What a joke. Even if she was serious, I don't trust her motives."

Titania smirked, stepping closer to Trill with a playful glint in her eyes. She leaned forward, her lithe frame casting a teasing shadow over Trill. "You're not exactly treasurer material," she teased, her voice lilting with amusement.

Trill flushed, her cheeks turning a deep shade of crimson. "Don't make fun of me!" she shot back, her voice cracking just slightly.

Titania laughed, the sound light and carefree, before turning her attention to me. Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "What about you, Leon? Are you going to accept?"

I shrugged, my hands sliding into my pockets. "No," I said, the word leaving my lips without hesitation.

Titania raised an eyebrow. "Really? It seemed like she really wanted you on her team. It was written all over her face."

I exhaled sharply. Well, she wasn't wrong. Princess Myrcella's intent had been clear from the start, her words laced with sincerity. But still…

"Even if that's the case, I'm not interested," I replied firmly. "You asked me to join the council when you ran for president, remember? I said no then, and I'm saying no now. Accepting her offer would feel like I'm favoring her over you, and that's not happening."

Titania tilted her head, a small smile gracing her lips. "I wouldn't mind if you did, you know. If you think she's the better choice for the academy, then it's not about picking favorites—it's about what's best."

I met her gaze. "I think you deserved to be president more than anyone. If you didn't, people wouldn't have voted for you. The fact that the election was so close shows just how much you deserved it."

Her cheeks tinged pink, and she looked away. "I knew you'd say that…" she murmured softly. "But even so, you're not rejecting her because of me, right?"

"I'm not," I assured her, my tone resolute. "This is my decision. I don't want to get involved with the student council. It's too much of a hassle—sounds like a pain in the ass."

"That sounds just like you, Leon," Titania and Trill said in unison, their laughter breaking the tension.

We continued walking until the academy's grand gates came into view, the familiar sight signaling the end of our little journey.

Titania and Trill decided to head to the Gold Dormitory for another sleepover. From what I overheard, some of the Gold Class students had returned from their vacations, filling the dorms with life once again.

Time was slipping through our fingers. Spring vacation was nearing its end, and with it, the beginning of a new school year. Soon, everything would fall back into its routine, but for now, there was a fleeting sense of calm before the inevitable storm.

Normalcy was just around the corner, though nothing about life here ever felt truly ordinary.

***

I made my way back to my dorm, already anticipating the quiet stillness that usually greeted me. But as I approached, I noticed something off—the door was ajar, swinging slightly with the faintest creak. Normally, this would set off alarms in my head. Someone breaking in? But what could they even steal from my barebones excuse of a room?

Pushing the door open, I stepped inside. And there she was.

Sprawled out half on the bed and half on the floor, Yr was in what could only be described as a sleep-induced disaster pose. One arm dangled lifelessly off the mattress while her legs were folded awkwardly beneath her. Her soft breathing filled the room, a quiet rhythm accompanied by a trail of drool glistening from the corner of her slightly parted lips. Calling it peaceful would've been a joke; it looked more like she'd collapsed mid-step and didn't even have the strength to get fully into bed.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. This girl could sleep anywhere. A lecture hall, the library, the cafeteria—you name it, she's probably dozed off there. It was almost a skill at this point, or maybe an art form. And judging by the blissful look on her face, she was having the sweetest of dreams, completely oblivious to how ridiculous she looked.

This was Yr—a classmate who had seemingly dedicated her entire existence to sleeping wherever and whenever she could.

I glanced around. Had she lost her key again? It wouldn't be the first time. Ages ago, I'd told her she could crash here if she ever misplaced it.

Shaking my head, I closed the door and moved closer. If she was going to sleep here, she could at least do it properly. Bending down, I slid my arms under her to lift her up, but the moment I did, she latched onto me like a damn cicada.

"Woah—!"

The sudden tug threw me completely off balance, and I toppled onto the bed, landing squarely on top of her.

"Damn it, Yr," I muttered, looking down at her still-peaceful face. Even with me sprawled on top of her, she didn't stir. Her breathing remained slow and steady, as if nothing in the world could disturb her slumber. How the fuck could anyone be this deep in dreamland?

I tried to peel her off me, gripping her shoulders gently and attempting to shift her away, but her arms tightened around me like a steel trap. Was she even human, or some kind of clingy insect in disguise?

"Mmm…"

She made a soft noise, her body shifting slightly as her hold on me grew stronger. Her chest pressed against mine, her warmth seeping through my clothes. No matter how much I tugged or maneuvered, she wouldn't budge.

Her soft, pliant body made the situation even more distracting. She wasn't toned by any means, but she didn't feel unhealthy either. Her figure was just... plush. Every part of her seemed to mold against me perfectly, like I was holding onto the world's warmest, coziest pillow.@@novelbin@@

Maybe it was exhaustion, or maybe the sheer absurdity of the situation wore me down, but my eyelids started feeling heavier. And before I knew it, sleep pulled me under.

***

When I woke up, she was still clinging to me like a cicada. My face, however, felt wet.

"Huh…?"

I touched my cheek, grimacing as I realized it was soaked in her saliva. Her drool had dripped all over me while I slept.

"Are you kidding me?" I muttered, pulling a handkerchief from my pocket and wiping myself off. At least her grip had loosened a bit while I slept, so I managed to wriggle free without much effort. As soon as I sat up, though, she stirred.

"Fuaaaaaaaaah~"

Her yawn was comically loud and wide, her mouth stretching open so much that I half-expected a fly to buzz right in. She rubbed her eyes lazily, blinking a few times before locking her gaze on me.

"Oh, Leon…" she mumbled groggily. "You're here. Why?"

"What do you mean, 'why'?" I shot back. "You're in my room."

Her sleepy expression shifted as her eyes widened, realization dawning on her.

"Oh, right," she said casually, like it was the most normal thing in the world. "I lost my key, so I came here instead to sleep."

I stared at her, dumbfounded. How the hell could someone so consistently lose their own keys yet somehow never manage to lose mine? It was honestly kind of impressive.

"Well," I said, rubbing the back of my neck. "I guess I'll hear you out."