"Hey look! Our dorms are in the same hallway!" exclaimed Yuzu when they finally reached their door.
After the closing ceremony and having their class schedules be sent to their scrolls, the newly inducted students had finally let go of their worries and rushed to the city to celebrate, either with just their new teams or in groups. Even with the bitter taste of knowing Reiji would be their leader, Yuya had been looking forward to let go of some stress.
Of course, as soon as he had proposed the idea, Glynda swept forward and declared that three quarters of Team RYGY (he still wasn't sure how he felt about the name) were mandated by the nurse to rest and 'let the unguent do its job,' thus smashing any hopes he had of going out that night.
So, when they found the guys from MSST (of course they had to get a cool name) in the way, he felt too grumpy to care too much about the placement of the rooms.
"Oh hey you guys!" greeted Masumi, who by the looks of it, was supervising the moving of luggages, which included a closet of all things.
"For the last time, Sawatari, there's not enough space to put that ridiculous thing in the room. It's cramped enough as it is!" yelled Hokuto, even giving it a kicking to the side.
"Ridiculous?! Do you even know what you're talking about? It's a piece from the beginning of the century! One of a few left after the Great-"
"I don't care if this very ridiculous thing existed since the dawn of humanity! It's old and it smells like moths! And another thing, what's the deal with all these pillows and blankets?! Did you seriously think they wouldn't provide such basic amenities?"
"I'll have you know that these are 400 hundred thread made of 100% cotton from Vacuo, and besides-"
It didn't look like they were heading anywhere, and Yaiba and Masumi seemed to have lost all interest in any kind of 'supervising' long before they arrived.
"So…Having fun?" asked Yuya.
"You have no idea," deadpanned Yaiba, playing around with his scroll.
"I thought you guys would be going to the city," mentioned Yuzu, eyeing the still going on argument.
"That was the plan, but…" replied Masumi, pointing at her two arguing dorm mates, "…it's safe to say that the ship has sailed." She blew a fleck of hair from her face as she finished.
"If it serves any consolation, we were banned from going too," said Gongenzaka.
"Only the three of us were on medical orders. You could have tagged with one of the groups Gongenzaka," reminded Reiji, of all people.
"Which is why I stayed with my team. If we're gonna settle down, you'll need raw strength since you were instructed to rest," countered the big guy, bringing back to attention that he was the one shouldering all their luggage.
"Yeah! And who are you to comment on that anyway? I mean, sure Gongenzaka is not the most fun loving person out there, but next to you? He would be a great comedian or something," Yuya finished with an accusatory finger waving at Reiji.
"Yuya…" reprimanded Yuzu.
"Fair enough," said Reiji with a smirk of his own, and headed to unlock their dorm. Well, that was no fun. Did anything ever get to this guy?
…Now he understood why the gabble started in the first place. Their so called dorm was nothing but a single room with four beds lined together and two nightstands. There was a door in the far left which he assumed was meant to be the wardrobe, and a small bookshelf attached to the wall in between two huge windows.
And they were supposed to be all cramped up here for the next four years? Yuya always hated cramped places; they were suffocating.
"It seems…cozy?" commented Yuzu, sweat dropping in an attempt to cheer things up.
"It does seem practical," agreed Gongenzaka placing all their stuff in the floor which only reminded Yuya that they still had to make the most of this space with all their things added up.
"Now you understand our predicament?" questioned Masumi, leaning into their door frame, and Yuya didn't miss the theatrical tone in her voice.
Right on cue, a flying pillow passed behind her to hit Sawatari in the face.
"Mmmm, Gongenzaka do you think you can lift the beds?" asked Yuzu from the middle of the room, hands made into a frame and all.
"Sure, no sweat there," he answered, nearing one of them.
"In that case, if we manage to lay the four beds adjacent to the corners of the walls, we can make the most of the space provided," commented Reiji, adjusting his glasses.
"Oh oh! Dibs on the bed next to the windows," Yuya said, immediately with his arm lifted like a child asking to be called upon by a teacher.
"This is not an auction," rebuked Reiji. "It would be better to if we put it to vote."
"Wha-" Yuya was about to start a rant, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him; it was Yuzu's.
"It's ok Reiji, really. I could never sleep tight with all the currents from the window anyway" she told him.
"Same here, I have no special requirements for sleeping," added Gongenzaka. While Yuya was a heavy sleeper, good old family discipline had taught the big guy to not be picky about such things.
Yuya tried very hard not to look too elated when looking back at Reiji smiling, but he knew he had failed miserably.
Sighing, their team leader (he tried not to snort at the thought) just adjusted his glasses and made his way out of the dorm.
"I will be heading to the library for some reading material," he said.
"But your stuff…" tried Yuzu.
"Just put it next to whichever bed is free by the time you're settled," he responded, already in the hallway.
And only when his steps were no longer heard did Yuya feel like relaxing, up until a pillow came crashing onto his face.
...
"I'm glad to hear from you, sir," said Nakajima from the screen currently from his room, without his suit jacket and a loose tie. It was a bit disconcerting.
He should have checked if he had clocked out already or not.
"You can tell mother that initiation went without major incident." He looked at how the man released a breath and his back didn't look as tense anymore. "I assume she'll be satisfied to know I was made team leader as well," he added.
"That's…excellent news." The pause caught his attention. Did he expect a different outcome?
"Is Reira around?" he asked, not wanting to beat around the bush.
"No sir, I apologize. He is currently dining. Should I-"
"No need to interrupt his meals." He ate little enough as it was. "How has he taken my absence?"
"He seems doing well sir, but…" the man stopped, obviously worrying about overstepping his boundaries.
"Yes?" he encouraged, fighting the urge to drum his fingers on the speaker.
"It would do him well if Reira could be updated more…regularly about your status. Are you positive you can't send him letters?" asked Nakajima.
"…I already considered that option, but it's too impersonal." Not to mention that any letters would undoubtedly end up on either of his parent's desks rather than in Reira's hands.
"I see," accepted the older man.
"I will try to text him on a semi-daily basis," Reiji conceded.
"That's perfect sir. Will that be all?" he questioned, looking visibly relieved.
"Yes, good evening Nakajima…and take care." '…of Reira' was the unspoken command.
The man nodded and disconnected almost at the same time he did. That went as well as expected. Now, it was time for some research.
Engravings, flowers, cryptic messages, and bright red eyes crossed his mind as he headed to the Ancient History section.
...
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!"
Yuya, standing on top of Sawatari's precious furniture, held imaginary mic in his hands. "It is with great honor that I inaugurate the annual pillow fight to commemorate the inauguration of this …hallway belonging to Teams RYGY and MSST!"
Masumi joined in the roars of the other six people in the hallway. She had to admit, the boy had presence.
"This gracious event has been created in order to settle the dispute over this fine piece of history I'm currently standing on. People have chosen their sides and accepted the stakes, which are written on this agreement I'm holding," he continued, holding a notebook sheet with a hastily scribbled paragraph on it, along with several signatures.
"On this side, advocating for the 'throwing away' option we have the Luminous Knight and the Constellar Warrior!" Yuya yelled, holding both of their hands in the air.
"On the side partaking for the 'keep it/we can work it out' option, we have the Melodious Diva and the one and only ….Neo New Sawatari?" he asked while reading the name Swatari chose for himself and then just shrugged.
"And finally, on the side of 'I don't care, I'm just bored' your humble host the Pendulum Magician and the Time Samurai! And because of that, I'll leave the refereeing task to our resident pillow war champion who didn't want to choose a side: Gongenzaka!"
Masumi watched as Yuya stepped down and gave Gongenzaka a bunch of papers (including the agreement) and even pretended to hand him the imaginary mic. Despite his reluctance, he just sighed and cleared his throat, continuing the 'job'.
"Ladies and gentlemen, remember that as per the treaty, all weapons and semblances are off the table. The projectiles will be the pillows distributed fairly to each team. There's no time limit, and the winning team will be the last one standing. Aside from those terms, everything else is fair game. On your marks, ready, set, go!"
The first attack came courtesy of Hokuto and his pent up frustration, which predictably hit Sawatari right in the face, but was avenged by none other than Yuzu and two consecutive blows to the stomach.
Then, before she could scream victory, a pillow hit her from the back, right into the nape from none other than Yuya. Masumi didn't miss her chance and kicked five pillows at him, which were unfortunately intercepted by Yaiba, who redirected them to Sawatari and Yuzu.
This was so stupid, so silly and so much fun. Masumi couldn't even remember the last time she had partaken in a pillow fight.
Then, from the being buried under the pillows came both members of the 'work it out' team, emerging armed and ready to pummel a barrage of munition against the bored ones.
Both of them ended up on the floor with some feathers stuck in their mouths.
"Yuya- I mean the Magician and the Samurai are eliminated! Now everything depends on these two teams. While having a successful attack this time, their ammunitions were severely depleted while the other remaining team has plenty of it, not to mention motivation lacked by the bored ones!"
Masumi and Hokuto exchanged looks and prepared their assault on them…only to have another barrage directed at them, bringing Hokuto to his demise falling into a fetal position.
"I can't believe you! Hok- I mean Constellar fellow warrior, don't leave me! Please I was going to let you light fire to that hideous thing!" she exclaimed, holding his hand.
"You forced us into this, Luminous Knight! You had the chance for a peace offering but you chose the battlefield instead. Now surrender to us!" Sawatari exclaimed with a dramatic laughter.
"Keep on dreaming, Sawatari, but you made way for your own grave. Now you're out of weapons and I will make you pay for my fallen comrade!"
Then she went about throwing pillow after pillow. At this point, all the hallway had was a bunch of scattering feathers floating in the air and blocking their view.
"Out of weapons you say? Well think again Luminous Knight, because once again you have underestimated the Melodious Diva!"
"AAAARRRRHHHHGGGG!"
The only thing Masumi saw after hearing that familiar howl was the terrified face of Sawatari crashing into and then on top of her.
The world was spinning and it looked so pretty with so many specks of light, dust and feathers in the air.
"It's official! With a splendorous revival, the annual Pillow Fight prize has been earned by Yuz- the Melodious Diva and although in an unusual way by…Neo Sawatari!" exclaimed Gongenzaka picking them both up from the floor.
"Wow, I'm so proud of you Gongenzaka. You really got into character this time!" complimented Yuya.
"Um, yeah, well don't get used to it. That was still a ridiculous situation," he said, pretending to cough little.
"Can you put me down? I feel like throwing up," begged Sawatari from his place on Gongenzaka's shoulder.
"Here Masumi," she heard Yuya above her, offering his hand.
She took it and they both looked at each other's faces covered in feathers and both started laughing wholeheartedly, causing her stomach to hurt and she felt tears forming at the corner of her eyes.
"That was really fun," she said, finally recovering and letting the contentedness settle in her person.
"When in doubt, there's nothing a good pillow fight can't fix, right?" he responded with a cheeky smile.
"I guess so. Now I have no choice but to wake up every morning to see that thing in my room," she remarked in a defeated tone.
"It's not so bad. It's just big and old, and smells kind of musty," he attempted.
"Ha-ha, not helping Yuya." She sighed and continued. "Either way, I wanted to apologize for the things I said back in the shrine," she finally admitted, playing with a strand of hair.
"It's not such a big deal," Yuya said in a sheepish voice.
"Yes it was. Look, sometimes when I feel stressed, I say some really awful things that I later end up regretting, but even then that is not an excuse."
"I do the same too, and really, you were right about defending Sawatari. I was just kinda fooling around, but sometimes I don't know when to stop and end up making stupid jokes that nobody finds funny, even me," he said in a muted voice.
"So, how about we call it even then?" she suggested, a bit relieved to hear his sort of admission too.
"Deal. Now we have to decide who gets the spoils of war," he said with a grin.
When they finally settled the spoils of war 'meeting,' the only thing left to do was move the newly acquired nightstands into the room of Team RYGY.
Yuzu knew Yuya found it weird, but she actually liked the ring of it.
As per the agreement, Sawatari was allowed to keep his closet, as long as he accepted that it was to be shared by all the members of MSST and that it needed a serious clean up, in turn making for two useless pieces of furniture in their room, which Yuzu had been more than glad to take as 'prize.'
Now they could save themselves from any discussion about whose things would go in either place and have one for each member. It was almost too good to be true.
"Um, Yuya, where are Reiji's things?" she asked, noticing his practically empty side of the room.
"Dunno. I think they winded up under the bed?" he said in a disinterested voice, while playing around with some of the feathers left from their game.
"Yuya, he asked us to do one single thing, and you couldn't be bothered to even check that they wouldn't be trashed around?" reprimanded Gongenzaka, who was fixing his bed while Yuzu started to look under the beds for them.
"Hmmpf." She heard as a matter of answer. She guessed he plopped his head into his pillow, like he did every time he was grumpy.
"Very well. What exactly is your problem with Reiji Akaba?" asked Gongenzaka. "You seemed to be getting along before the initiation."
"I don't know, ok? It's just he's so…weird," he said, refusing to look up from the pillow. "Ugh! I know you're giving 'the look,' but please don't pretend I'm the only one who noticed," he said,finally sitting up on his bed.
"He has an …unusual way of approaching things, I'll give you that much," agreed Gongenzaka with a hand on the nape of his neck.
"And what about you, eh Yuzu? Don't try to pretend he doesn't creep you out at least a teeny tiny bit. I may be a bit oblivious, but even I could tell that much." Yuzu felt a frown making its way on her face but it fell short because she knew Yuya spoke the truth.
"Why does it matter? You saw what he did back in the cave, he distracted that…thing so we could escape remember? Are you going to storm the Headmaster's office demanding that he'd be expelled just because you think he's weird?" she asked.
"Fine! I get it. He's not the worst possible team mate, but so far, he's not a very good leader or else tell me where is he?" asked Yuya, extending his arm to the empty bed next to the door.
As if reinforcing Yuya's statement, an owl had landed outside their windows, howling into the night.
"Talking about it, where is he anyway?" asked Gongenzaka.
"He said he would go to the library…" answered Yuzu, finally finding Reiji's stuff carelessly piled up inside the closet.
...
'Nothing.'
Not a single thing about that place below the earth or about the symbols beyond the same fairytales over and over and all of its variations. He did find some information about the older Grimm, and something about them developing some sense of self with time, which, considering that it was in the same sections that called them Creatures of Darkness, Destruction and Anonymity, it came off as more of a poetic line than an actual fact.
It was disappointing that even the largest and oldest library in Vale didn't seem to have that much on Grimm knowledge that the ordinary public didn't already know.
His fingers went to linger again on the same spot he still had the itching bandages on (hopefully he would be allowed to remove them by tomorrow) something about the injuries had alarmed Glynda much more than she had left on.
The others may not have thought so, but Reiji had seen the same look one too many times whenever his parents were withholding some really bad news; either to their sons or employees.
Something about the Academies withholding such knowledge didn't sit well with him, but then again, maybe he was overthinking things? Could he really pretend that he wouldn't do the same were he in a position of power? With millions of lives at stake?
Talking about power, he still had his teammates to worry about.
First was his partner, Yuzu Hiragi. Not a necessarily bad choice. There was no question about her fighting skills, but on an interactive level, she seemed to have a tendency to favor others over her own wellbeing and opinions, which weirdly enough, often clashed with her temper.
Noboru Gongenzaka was by far the most grounded of the three, and seemed to share Reiji's interest in weaponry and history, and even seemed to understand a little bit about the expectations placed on an heir, but it was too obvious that his friends had a great hold on him.
Then there was Yuya Sakaki, a fast and agile fighter. A bit of a goof, perhaps a little too attached to the former two, he guessed, but still quite a temper which he was the apparent recipient of, puzzling Reiji to no end considering the seemingly decent head start they had.
It needed to be fixed somehow, those were the things people expected from a leader. He knew that much and it was something that came with his choice of sticking with them through the Forest. It was something he could simply not back out from. He was not one for avoiding responsibilities and he wouldn't start now.
After he was reminded by the librarian that it was time to close, he checked some books out and headed to their dorm, only to be greeted with a hallway semi-covered in feathers that he recognized from pillows... 'They wouldn't have...'
His suspicions were confirmed when he opened their room and even more feathers were all over the floor; so much for resting.
He noticed they had given him the bed next to the door, which was already made and he presumed, given his empty bags, that his stuff was already in the nightstands ...which had suspiciously doubled in number, but he was too exhausted to inquire them about it.
"Oh, you're back," he heard Yuzu say from the bed across from his, wearing her pajamas. Strangely enough, she was the only one still awake despite it being just a quarter past eight, but it was likely that they were exhausted after their…activities.
"Thank you for arranging my bed," he said.
"Uh? Oh, you can thank Gongenzaka for that. He can be such a neat freak sometimes," she said. "Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that the nurse told us you had to go to the infirmary before class to have your bandages removed," she informed him.
"Thanks again."
"Sure thing. Well, sleep tight," she said plopping down her mattress and turning the lights off.
Once he was sure she was asleep, he changed into his sleepwear with some effort and allowed the drowsiness to take over.
...
It was a beautiful night. The moon was shining bright in the sky, making the sea look like a milky way with its reflection. As it was, however, the boy on the pier couldn't bring himself to enjoy the view. There were far more pressing matters to attend to than to enjoy star gazing.
But an old song came to his memory and he found himself humming to the wind.
Lunar silvery light shining through the mist
bleeding into a crimson hue
And the wind bringing the golden leaves
Of a forgotten fall.
He stopped when he felt another figure approaching him, but he still didn't tear his eyes from the moon.
"How long until the next boat to Vale sails out?" he asked to the figure behind him.
"I'm sorry, but given the recent…happenings, security has ordered all scheduled trips between kingdoms to be delayed for another two months for inspection, at least," he explained.
While considering the news, he threw a rock into the ocean, watching it skip over the water's surface before responding.
"Don't apologize, it was to be expected. But it does seem like an extreme measure given that the preparations for the Vytal Festival must have begun already…"
"Are we sure this is not another dead-end, or maybe even a fake lead?" A trap he meant. Yes he had considered that too but…
"We'll have to settle for now. We don't have anything else to go with." For now, they were stuck on this beach.
Dancing to its sweet melody
The memories swirl inside a fabricated heart.
His scroll beeped and he almost dropped it when he read the message and the attached files in it.
"Change of plans, we can't waste two months here," he said, changing his demeanor immediately. He squared his shoulders and straightened his back. "Tell everyone that we leave at sunrise."
"But we don't have…" the other said in a stutter.
"We leave tomorrow," he repeated. "And tonight we get a boat. Rally everyone up," he finished, gripping the handle on his waist strap.
"Yes," the other responded with a bow.
Once he was left alone again, he reread the message, staring back at him with its mocking words.
"LIKE THE MOON THE SEASONS ARE CHANGING, AND FALL HAS GONE BY."
So yeah this chapter is both a tiny lull in between "arcs" and sort of a set up for future events as well.
So here you go more awkward Reiji (because there's not enough of it in canon :P), more grumpy Yuya, and lots, lots of silliness.