Matthew sat at the dinner table, his mother and Hazel alongside him.
"How was your day, honey? Did something happen?" Mary gently asked her sweet boy, noticing a deep contemplation in his eyes.
Stirring for a moment, Matthew tilted his head left and right. "...Should I join the student council, Mom?"
Raising an eyebrow, Mary stabbed her fork into a potato and stuffed it into Matthew's mouth. "Why in Gaiah's name would you be hesitant about such a decision, sweetie? My brave boy has never hesitated even once in his life, why would he start now? Do what you think is best, but in my opinion, you should join."
Matthew chewed the soft and salty mashed potato, gazing at his mother who appeared more beautiful than ever. All the worries seemed to vanish from his mind, it finally becoming clear.
He gulped down his food, a toothy grin plastered on his face. "Sure, why not?"
.
.
.
"Your gonna be joining the student council?!" Gordon's eyes nearly popped out of his head, "that's amazing! You're amazing, Matthew!"
"No, no, I can't yet, not until I'm like twelve," Matthew shook his head, "I'm just gonna be like...what did he say, an internship!"
Gordon rapidly punched his seat in excitement, "that's still awesome! The student council is like, the spies from the comics I read! They go out on quests and stuff to stop bad guys!"
"Really?"
"Okay, that's cool and all, but will there be any fighting?" June got bored of just listening and barged into the conversation, "I don't like to read comics, so I don't know about spies."
"Yes there are fights!" Gordon started jumping in his seat, "you fight stuff like demons and monsters! Its awesome!"
While June and Gordon had stars in their eyes, getting really uppity for Matthew, he was feeling the opposite of how they were. A weird mix of dread and resolute determination surged in his chest.
'I don't think Mom knew about that part...'
Nonetheless, if it was a stepping stone in getting stronger, Matthew felt like he had to take it anyways.
Hazel stirred next to Matthew. "...loud..."
June and Gordon immediately stopped, speaking in low, hushed whispers.
"You were being too loud!"
"No, you were!"
"At least I'm not illiterate..."
"Y-you!"
Matthew giggled quietly as he watched the two silly siblings bicker and fight quietly. Its not like they were the direct reason why Hazel stirred in the first place, I mean, they weren't the only four on the bus. There were many more children, so noise was in surplus.
After seeing June and Gordon off, Matthew went to class.
That day, Matthew was a little bit off. He was paying attention to class, but was a tad distant and not very in the moment. He was thinking of the future. His future.
Before he even knew it, the bell rang, signaling the beginning of recess.
"Oi, Matthew, you coming to the student council?" Demitri approached Matthew, Zayne alongside him. "Have you decided?"
Hesitating for a moment, Matthew nodded.
The three of them walked to the upstairs of the senior building, where, on the way, an argument ensued between Zayne and Demitri.
"Why are you even coming? You aren't even a member of the council!" Demitri scowled in frustration.
Hands behind his head, Zayne leisurely skipped forward. "It's no big deal, relax! I was just thinking, if all the sons of the grand trio except the wind aren't there, that'd look real bad! So, I'm joining! Surprise!"
Demitri puffed out of his nose, shoving his hands down his pockets. "Sure, fine, whatever...just make sure to listen to orders!"
Inside, Constance was patiently awaiting their arrival with Lauren already sitting down on the couches.
"Welcome!" The handsome blonde boy beamed, "I see we have a new visitor, hopefully recruit! Have you come to a decision, Matthew?"
Shutting the door behind them, the three sat on chairs in front of the giant desk.
Matthew kneaded his brows together, in deep thought. The conversation with his mother replayed in his mind, casting all the doubt in his head away. "I want to join!"
Constance smiled even brighter than before. He outstretched his hand for Matthew, whom took it and shook. "Nice to have you with us, Matthew, I'm sure you'll be a great asset! Now that you're a member, your first mission starts now!"
Matthew blinked. 'What?'
"Just a simple one, really. A new student has just arrived, show him around the school and give him a good impression."
"What? Okay...um, who is he?" Matthew scratched his head.
Constance stood up, shoulders relaxed and eyes closed, wearing a loose smile. "Oh, just a kid that's rumored to be a bit hard to handle, around your age. Prince Erkas, first name Prince, last name Erkas. Son of billionaire philanthropist and entrepreneur, Horacio Erkas, one of the biggest supporters of Kiertzche academy, no big deal."
A muscle on Matthew's face twitched. ".....WHAT?!"
As this was transpiring, the sound of a helicopter approaching could be heard all around. Inside, a small figure wearing the school uniform sat buckled.
A few minutes later, a young boy with light brown hair and golden eyes barged into the student council.
"Why was there nobody to greet me at the gates? Have you all lost your minds? Don't you know who I am?"
Matthew sighed, now understanding the assignment. 'Got it, endure.'