Chapter 7 : The Clocktower's Silence

The morning sun barely lit the corners of Iris House when Saki found herself pinned by the intense stares of her closest companions. The dorm common room was unusually packed for such an early hour, but it wasn't the promise of breakfast that had summoned everyone.

It was her.

Specifically, what she'd done the day before.

"Sooooo…" Riku leaned forward on the couch, chin resting in her palm, her grin practically splitting her face. "Any reason why the Princess of Primrose was waltzing through our chaos kingdom yesterday? Wearing our colors, might I add?"

Makoto tilted her head, arms crossed. "I thought I imagined it. But nope. That was her alright."

Saki blinked. "Wait. You all… saw?"

"Oh, everyone saw," Rei chimed in, half-laughing. "She was practically glowing like a rare bird in the middle of a food fight. Honestly iconic."

Saki tried to brush it off, waving a hand. "We're just… friends. And besides, factions shouldn't matter."

"Uh-huh." Riku grinned wider.

Rei rested her cheek on her knuckles. "You keep saying that, but your blush says otherwise."

Saki scowled, tugging her hoodie over her face. "It's not like that."

"Right," Riku grinned. "You just risked your social life, broke ten unspoken laws, and gave her the grand tour of Chaos Central… as friends."

Only one person in the room hadn't teased her.

Chihiro, leaning against the far wall, arms crossed, finally spoke. "I want you to be happy."

Everyone quieted.

Chihiro's voice was calm, serious. "But don't get your hopes up too high. We're not there yet. Whether you believe in the factions or not, they do matter. Right now, we're still divided. If something is going to change, it won't be overnight."

Her words struck hard. Saki opened her mouth to protest but… nothing came out. She couldn't argue with reality.

Rei and Riku, usually the loudest, nodded slightly. Even Makoto, ever silent, wore a rare frown of agreement.

The silence was broken by Riku again, holding up a piece of toast with suspiciously burnt edges. "Okay but seriously, did someone try to cook using a hair straightener again?"

Groans and laughter returned, the weight momentarily lifted. But in the corner, Minami Tsukishiro sat quietly, unusually still. She wasn't laughing. She was watching Saki.

Saki stood up and muttered something about needing air. As she left the room, Chihiro and Minami locked eyes. No words were spoken, but something passed between them—an old memory: "We've seen the same thing before"

---

Later that afternoon

The Primrose Union's tower clock stood tall over the campus like a silent judge. Few dared enter the uppermost chamber—except for one.

Yukiko Saionji, student council president, stood near the window, arms crossed, the morning light brushing her pale features as she looked out over the pristine courtyard.

"You always come here when you want to feel tall," said a voice behind her.

Yukiko didn't flinch. "You always come when you shouldn't."

Minami stepped in with that usual mischievous glint dulled by something heavier today.

"What do you want?" Yukiko asked, still not looking.

Minami leaned against the wall. "Do you ever think what it'd be like if the students weren't split by ancient grudges? If they were just… friends. Or even more than friends."

Yukiko turned her head slightly. "Is that what this is now? A peace pitch hidden behind poetic daydreams?"

"I'm serious this time."

Yukiko finally faced her. Minami's expression was unreadable, eyes sharp, yet holding something else beneath—hope?

Yukiko gave a quiet, sharp laugh. "That's the most ridiculous thing you've said."

Minami didn't react. "We're already seeing it happen. People crossing lines, making connections. Something's blooming. And it's not all chaos. Some of it's real."

Yukiko's voice was cool. "You mean someone is reaching across. You think I don't know what's going on under my nose?"

Minami didn't respond. But the lack of denial was louder than words.

"You think those stories will have a happy ending?" Yukiko asked. "They won't. Not in this climate. Not with this history."

Minami stepped forward. "You...You've seen this before."

Yukiko froze.

A beat of silence.

She turned away again, her voice low. "And I remember how it ended."

Minami didn't push. Whatever story was behind Yukiko's steeled gaze—it wasn't for her to drag into the light.

But now she knew.

Minami had come here hoping to persuade Yukiko.

Instead, she was leaving with something heavier. A truth she didn't ask for.

Something personal. Something painful. Something she would never use, even if it meant winning.

"I guess the war is still on then," she finally muttered, before walking away, her footsteps echoing down the tower stairs.

Yukiko watched her leave, the wind catching the edge of her sleeve. The tower fell quiet again, except for the distant laughter of students who didn't know they were on the edge of something bigger than all of them.

And Yukiko stood there alone, staring into the distance—

—with just the faintest crack in her regal mask.

She closed her eyes.

Just for a moment.

And the tower clock ticked on.

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