Sephiroth

He came to the meetings with a firm intention to speak clearly, firmly, and to the point — as befits the leader of the student council. He even wrote down brief notes, rehearsed his phrases, practiced his intonation in front of the mirror. All to avoid looking foolish — especially in front of you.

But the moment you looked at him — just a slight narrowing of your eyes, businesslike — all his words evaporated. His mind went blank, warm, as though there were only cotton in his head. He felt himself becoming insecure, awkward, almost embarrassingly childlike. And yet, he looked forward to these conversations. He waited, nervously, trying to label it as “work-related tension,” though deep down, he knew it was about something else entirely. He just wanted you... well, to notice him. Not as the headmistress of Shinra Academy, but as you.

During an event that involved student performances, two of the actors on stage got into a fight, ruining everything they had spent so long preparing, all their hard work and rehearsals.

The next day, you had to call him in for a meeting. You decided it should be a personal one, where he would have to explain how he planned to handle the situation without damaging the reputation of the academy.

He stood there, nervously holding a box of chocolates, looking as if he had walked into a job interview with someone he secretly had feelings for, not a meeting with the headmistress. His gaze darted around the room, unsure where to focus, his hands restlessly clutching the box.

“I’m sorry…” – he muttered, forgetting everything he had rehearsed in front of the mirror. His voice trembled, and when he added, “I talked to them,” it sounded like an apology not just for what happened on stage, but for his entire awkwardness.

He handed you the chocolates, as if this was his last chance to make things right.