~~~~~~~
The Quest for Marron Tart
~~~~~~~
There stood Heartslabyul's dorm leader, Riddle Rosehearts, arms crossed and baring a frown. Heart-shaped face, two flat cowlicks that form a heart... He's pretty slim and small, though his authority as the dorm leader is mightier than what his appearance suggests.
"Oh my, Riddle-kun. You're super crazy cute today~" Cater spoke over for Ace's blubber.
Steely slate gray eyes glance to the third year. He scoffed at his attempt. "Hmph. Cater. If you talk too much it's going to cost you your head."
Cater laughed nervously, "Hey now, gimme a break!"
Grim recognizes him now. "This is the guy who put that weird collar on me during the entrance ceremony!" The same redhead who temporarily sealed his magic.
He looks over to our circle. I almost shrank upon his eyes resting on me. As I awkwardly held his gaze with polite yet distant respect, a myriad of emotions flickered in his. Contempt was one I recognized among many all too well.
This eye contact only lasted for a second before he addressed to us, "You're the freshmen that caused all that fuss of explosion yesterday. Will you knock it off, calling someone's unique magic a 'weird collar'?"
Riddle tossed a glance to Grim before sighing. "For goodness sake. The headmaster is soft. If you forgive rule breakers the whole system would collapse. All you have to do is cut the head off of those who don't follow the rules."
"The things coming out his mouth don't suit his looks..." Ace muttered lowly to himself. He may have an adorable, pretty face but he says extreme stuff so nonchalantly.
"The headmaster appears to have forgiven you but make no mistake. The next time it happens, I will not." Riddle frowned.
"...By the way, dorm leader, is there any way... you could, say, remove this collar?" Ace asked as politely as I've seen him could be. It was half-assed, frankly speaking.
Riddle seems to share the same sentiment I was thinking when he spoke, "I was going to if you had learned your lesson, but the way you were just talking shows that you haven't at all. Keep it on for a while longer. Don't worry, as first years you'll only be learning fundamentals, not actually using magic."
I would have breathed a sigh of relief if it wasn't for Riddle's imposing presence. So I was right, first year we'll take it easy. Though I hope to go home before second year comes...
He continued, "You also won't be able to cause a scene like yesterday, isn't that great? Now don't just sit around chatting away, finish lunch and head to your next class. Laws of the Queen of Hearts, number 271: 'One should eat lunch and leave their seat within 15 minutes.' If you break the rules... I'm sure you understand?"
Ace sighed and slouched his shoulders. "Another weird rule..."
"Answer with, 'Yes, dorm leader!'" Riddle bellowed.
"Yes, dorm leader!" Ace, and even Deuce, answered, sitting up straighter.
Riddle crossed his arms. "Very good."
"Now, now, I'll look after them for you." Trey placated.
Riddle's eyes are less severe when he looks to Trey. There was familiarity in them that spoke of chemistry prior to Night Raven College. "...Hm. You're the vice dorm leader so I'd expect you to not act foolishly. Following the Laws of the Queen of Hearts, number 339: 'After a meal one must always drink lemon tea with two sugars.' I must go buy sugar cubes from the school store, so I'll be on my way."
Riddle excuses himself, muttering something about sugar cubes running out being a huge offense. I noticed he spared a quick fleeting icy cold glance over to my direction before reverting ahead. He must really have something against my being here... It's understandable, as I shouldn't even be here.
The sound of dripping rings in my ears.
I perked up and glance around. Nothing is leaking, yet I clearly heard droplets of something. Must've been my imagination.
Once Riddle was gone, Cater released a sigh. "That was close."
"That guy is so obnoxious." Grim grouches.
"Hey! That's rude!" Scolded Deuce.
"He's right, Grim. I'm sure Riddle has his reasons..." I tell him. You can't judge someone's personality from so little interaction.
From a table beside us, a pair of Heartslabyul students spoke in hushed whispers.
"Did the dorm leader leave?"
"I broke the Laws of the Queen of Hearts, number 186: 'One must never eat a hamburger steak on Tuesday.' I was so terrified of what would happen if he found out I ate one."
"Ugh... At least let us eat whatever we want..." Moaned the anxious student.
Trey and Cater were silent as they listened.
The former spoke up for our circle, "...In his first week at school, Riddle took the seat of dorm leader. He speaks harshly but he's trying to make the dorm better. He doesn't have bad intentions."
"Someone with good intentions doesn't randomly collar people!" Grim retorted, being a victim himself.
The two third years sheepishly chuckle. When he phrased it like that, especially without context, how do you defend that?
However, I shot the gray beast a look. "You're at fault for going crazy during the ceremony. Riddle had to use his collar magic to make you stop."
Grim gritted his teeth. "...But that collar cuts off your magic. It's horrible and it sucks!"
"Hm? You mean Riddle-kun's unique magic?" Cater inquired.
"Unique...means that it's magic only he can use?" Deuce asked.
"It's magic that's strictly limited to one person... Simply put, it's magic that reflects the character of the user that only they can use, so 'unique magic'. You'll learn about it in class eventually." Trey explained.
Cater says, "Riddle-kun's unique magic lets him seal another person's magic for a fixed amount of time. It's called..."
"Off With Your Head!"
Wow, I can hear Riddle say that as clear as day in my head. What an iconic catchphrase of the Queen of Hearts.
Grim squeaked. "Just the name is terrifying!"
"I think he did say that..." I mutter. When he said that phrase, the collar appeared on Grim. Huh. Just exactly like the Queen of Hearts herself, it's practically uncanny.
"As a wizard, having your magic sealed hurts like losing your head. Therefore, you shouldn't break Riddle-kun's rules inside the dorm." Cater advised.
"It also means he isn't scary if you follow the rules." Trey added.
"So what you're saying is I have to go buy a tart or Cater-senpai will kick me out again?" Ace asked.
"That's right. As decided by Laws of the Queen of Hearts, number 53. In particular, Riddle-kun really looks forward to eating the first piece of a whole tart so he won't forgive you unless it's whole." Cater stated.
"You said you want to be friends so can't you overlook that!" Ace squawked indignantly.
Cater simply replied, "That is that, this is this."
"But aren't whole tarts pretty expensive?" Deuce inquired.
"Blegh. I don't have that kind of money." Ace groaned. Meanwhile I myself don't even have money in the first place.
"Then how about making one? The other tarts were all made by Trey." Cater suggested.
"That's unexpected." I remarked. At first glance Trey doesn't really seem like the type to bake, but I'm pleasantly surprised I'm wrong. Who would have a problem with a guy that bakes? A guy that bakes good sweets?
"Trey-senpai, you made that tart? Amazing! It was as good as a pro's." Ace praised. Damn, now I really want to try out his cakes.
Trey chuckled, now at the center of attention. "Thank you. It's true I have all the tools and seasonings... but I won't help you for free."
Ace's jaw dropped. "Eeeh?! I have to pay for it!"
"Haha, I'm not gonna squeeze money out of underclassmen. If we're going to make the tart Riddle wants to eat next, we need a lot of chestnuts. Could you gather them for me?" Trey requests.
"Either way is a pain. Well, how many do you need?" Asked Ace.
"To make it for the Unbirthday party we'll need...about 2 to 300, I think."
"That many?!" Deuce, Grim, and I exclaim. So much for a single marron tart...
"Then I'll have you roast them and remove the outer shell to take out the nut." Trey said.
The three of us stared.
"Can I go home?" Grim spoke up.
"Me too." Followed Deuce.
"Me three." I chimed dully. I didn't get roped in this mess to peel chestnuts.
Ace gasped at us. "Traitors!"
"You know, tarts that everyone makes together are always the best. To make memories? You might even debut as a good blogger." Cater encouraged.
"Keep it a secret from Riddle, but freshly baked marron tart is the most delicious. Only those who help make it get to try some." Trey said with a knowing smile.
Grim suddenly turned a 180. "Ooh ooh ooh! Let's get a move on! We're gonna pick chestnut after chestnut after chestnut!"
I got reeled in by the incentive as well. Why would I skip out on delicious cake?
I ask, "Where do we get the chestnuts?"
"There should be plenty of chestnut trees in the forest behind the campus botanical garden." Trey replied.
"All right. Then we meet after class in front of the botanical garden." Ace confirmed.
"Go! Go! Chestnut picking!" Grim cheered.
...
Just before we would meet up at the woods to go chestnut foraging, Grim and I were in the library to search up things. Well, more like I pulled him along so he doesn't cause trouble behind my back.
I wanted to research the lore behind familiars and beast tamers. It's been bothering me for a while even before I had the dream. There were some other books that caught my interest but my main focus is regarding those colorful creatures. I couldn't find anything about Meow Wow or rainbow creatures that appear in your dreams.
Then could they be unique? But why? What's so special about me that attracted them? How did I even establish a connection with them?
While Grim took a nap beside me in the peaceful silence of the school library, I sketched a rough doodle of Meow Wow and the green and yellow bunny. Something peculiar about them was the heart symbol on their chests.
I try to recall it. It looked like a heart morphing into a tear drop-like shape. I feel like I recognize the heart-shaped crest before. Where could I have seen it?
I leave the table to investigate any covers that have a heart shape. Maybe that will lead me closer to their existence.
In the midst of my search, I had pulled a random book from the lower shelf when I discovered the back of someone's head peeking out from behind the shelf. Sleek silver locks blocked the view.
Is someone...on the floor? They were completely still until I had moved the book that their head tilted at an angle now.
An apology stumbled past my lips yet I have yet to hear a reaction from the student.
Out of concern, I walk around the aisle to approach the sole individual sitting at the same spot. He sported a neon green vest.
My body stilled upon a dreadful realization.
There's a dead body in the library...!
No, wait. Upon closer inspection, I can hear snoring. He was sleeping. On the library floor.
I silently exhaled. What a relief. I wouldn't know how to deal with that in a school setting. I was caught up in jumping to that conclusion that I now realized: haven't I seen this guy somewhere? Was he with that vampire-looking Diasomnia student from lunch break?
As I recall the meeting, I found myself drawn to the boy. Such long silver eyelashes. I have never seen light pigments in eyelashes up close until now. His hair is so shiny and sparkles like aurora lights even with the ceiling lights. I could watch him forever and not get tired of how beautiful he looks asleep. Almost like...
I stifled a mortified gasp and shook my head vigorously, rubbing my eyes. What am I doing?! Staring at someone's sleeping face like a creep...
I debated whether to wake the sleeping boy up. I'd hate to disturb his nap if he was truly tired, but his sprawled legs are obstructing the path and he could be blocking books that someone might need to look into. Someone like me.
I call out to him, "Um, excuse me."
No response.
"Hello? Wake up, please."
No response. Could he be a heavy sleeper?
I reach out to place a hand on his shoulder.
A jolt of electricity crawls through my hand. The shock caught me completely off guard that I took a knee to the floor, gripping the wrist of my tingling dominant right hand.
I sucked in breath. What was that? That was no ordinary shot caused from friction. I can't feel my hand!
The contact somehow also roused the boy awake. Before I realized, he was already hovering me with tense shoulders. "Are you okay?"
I shake off the numb sensation from my hand. "I'm fine..."
Azure blue moon meets aurora silver hues dilating upon eye contact.
I was rendered speechless. His eyes were a beautiful color reflecting the light of dreams, a sea of blue, pink, and violet. They were somehow...familiar.
We were lost in the other's gaze, emotions and thought swirling within yet melting to nothing on our tongues.
"How long are you two planning on kneeling on the floor?"
We swerved our gazes to the new presence.
"Riddle?!"
"That's Riddle-senpai to you." The redhead swiftly retorted to me, eyes turning steely in disapproval.
I didn't think I'd see him so soon after we first officially met during break time. I think I left a bad impression for me and the others' infamous reputations, though. He gave me a cold glare before, too.
Riddle glanced to the Diasomnia student. "I was looking for you, Silver. You were absent from your equestrian duties today."
The boy named Silver bowed his head. "Right. Sorry, Riddle. I'll take care of them right away."
"School has just started and here you are, loitering in the library with the prefect of Ramshackle Dorm." The Heartslabyul dorm leader sighed into his breath.
Riddle bored his eyes into me as if piercing holes with lasers. "Everything I hear about you always involves trouble with the students. Not to mention students from my dorm, no less."
He stepped forward, towering me when I remained kneeling on the floor. "A woman fooling around with male students will not be excused here. If you prove detrimental to the student body of Night Raven College..."
A fire burns in his gaze. "I will personally execute you."
A solemn expression gripped hold of me throughout the lecture.
When I said nothing, Riddle turned halfway around on his heel. "...You best study diligently despite being a non-magic female. Anyone who wishes to attend Night Raven College would want to be in your shoes, so don't take your enrollment too lightly. Excuse me."
Without awaiting my response, I watched the upperclassman walk away with a regal stride befitting of a queen.
As I did, I remember what Trey had said about Riddle as a dorm leader.
"He speaks harshly but he's trying to make the dorm better. He doesn't have bad intentions."
A deep frown settled on my lips. I'm just another intrusion in the end. My "enrollment" continues to be a mistake. I'm never going to fit in anywhere.
When he disappeared, I was left alone with the silver-haired boy beside me. Silver was the silent witness to the tension between Riddle and I, yet he doesn't remark on it.
Instead he spoke, "I'll be taking my leave as well. Thank you for waking me up. Dozing off is a bad habit I can't control."
Upon helping raising my feet up from the floor, he gently took my hand in his and kissed my gloved knuckles. An aura of sparkles practically radiated from him. Yet it wasn't the pompous kind of flair. The gesture was humble, just like a gentlemanly prince would be.
My body tensed. I'm not used to handsome gentlemen giving me knuckle kisses. I don't think I could get used to that.
With a final nod of acknowledgment, Silver leaves.
I stared at my hand. In the end, I still don't know what happened when I touched his shoulder for the first time. I can't stop thinking about it.
"Oh, that's right. I forgot to give him my name..." I mumbled. I'm sure we'll bump into each other in the academy sooner or later.
I glance to the wall clock. We should get going.
I return to rouse Grim from his sleep, insisting we have to depart now and began clearing the table from books and sketches. Until we arrive to our destination, I pondered about Riddle's unusual behavior towards me. I still remember the eye contact we made in the cafeteria.
He has to be assessing how much of a disruption I could cause to the academy. I'm pretty sure he doesn't like me regardless. I don't think I'm a trouble magnet in my world, though. In fact, Grim and the boys tend to rope me along their antics. If anything, I'm a victim.
My eyes fell to the stone pavement.
To be honest, if I was given a clue to return home that requires me to leave this school, I'd have little to no problems doing so. I'm not wanted here, nor is my presence appreciated. I'd have no strings attached, and if I did, they were easy strings to cut.
I'd do whatever I can to return home, after all.
...
We finally stopped behind the campus. Sunlight seeps through the foliage of the woods. Accumulated chestnuts were littered across the verdant grass.
Grim marvels at the sight. "There's so many chestnuts all over the place! It's a forest of all you can eat marron tart... Let's get picking... Ow ow!"
When Grim had reached for one, he sharply drew his paw back in pain. Tears nipped at his eyes. "The thorns pricked my paw!"
I sigh, crouching to check if he had a thorn embedded. Fortunately none are stuck, and he didn't get punctures. I rubbed his head to soothe him of his tears. "Be careful next time."
Deuce examines the chestnuts sprawled near the trees. "We can't pick them up with bare hands. It'll also be good to get a basket or something to put them all in."
"The botanical garden probably has whatever we need inside." Ace suggested.
"Let's go take a look." Prompted Deuce.
We enter inside what is called the temperate zone of the garden.
I admire the scenery. It's so pretty, and quite serene. I'd love to come by and take a nap from all the mayhem at least once in a while.
"Wow, it's bigger in here than I thought." Ace remarked.
"There should be a caretaker of this place. We should split up and find them." Deuce suggests.
"I'll go right."
"And I'll head left. Grim and Strix, you guys can go straight to the back." Deuce told us.
With unanimous agreement, we parted separate ways.
Grim was walking ahead when he noticed an array of unfamiliar fruit I've never seen that must be unique to this world. "Hey, hey, look at this. There's a bunch of fruit! They smell so good!" He comes closer to them.
"Hey, no swiping!" I was about to walk over to stop him from snatching strange fruit without permission when I felt something under my foot.
I shivered. It felt like...flesh.
I heard a grunt. It was uncharacteristically deep for it to belong to Grim.
"Oi. You've got some nerve stepping on someone's tail without saying anything." A baritone voice rumbled.
Grim and I swerved to discover a dark-skinned student who definitely appears older than me as my senior. He wore the uniform loosely with the top few buttons of his dress shirt popped open, exposing a bit of his muscular physique. He even has sandals on. I swear, some students I find make my uniform look tame by comparison.
I glanced to the space above his head. Rounded tawny brown feline ears sat atop his thick chocolate brown messy locks. What really took the cake was the long jagged scar across his left summer green eye.
The orange yellow vest and gold dorm insignia resting on his hip... The long tail with dark tufts at the tip lashing irritably low at the air... This guy is from Savanaclaw. He's a lion. He's Scar.
"Are you the caretaker here? You seem like a rude guy..." Grim says, to which I chided him harshly for saying something rude right off the bat himself. Is he asking for a fight?!
"I was right in the middle of a nice nap, then you go and walk all over my tail. This sucks." The man grumbles.
"That was your tail? I'm so sorry!" I bow. I didn't even notice. How could I do something so cruel?! Tails are so delicate, it's like another limb to them!
"You... Aren't you that human the mirror said can't use magic? Hmm..."
When I returned to my full height, I was startled to see him lean forward. He had closed his eyes and began sniffing me intently.
I stiffened. To think an overgrown cat would be sniffing me... I hope I don't smell bad...
The brunet pulls back, staring at me with eyes too mysterious to make out. "...I really don't smell a speck of magic on you."
He can actually smell magic? What does that even smell like? I'm so tempted to ask but I still know the meaning of fear to not dare to do that.
His brows furrowed, perplexed. "Even then, you smell...sweet...?"
I stood my ground. From under my lashes, I meet his cat-like pupils. We stared for a bit, neither of us saying anything while Grim took refuge behind my leg, cowering a little. I refuse to show weakness as much as possible.
However, the more I delve into his gaze, I found myself almost lost in them. While they belong to an intimidating man such as this lion boasting with haughtiness, I can't help but admire the deep green color.
My determined gaze slowly settled in ease, having slackened its edge in my stare as I lost sense of urgency. His eyes are really pretty, is an embarrassing thought I wouldn't want to admit out loud.
I was calm, however. "I'm really sorry for stepping on your tail. I didn't see it, and to be fair, you should be careful to not put your tail in the walkway in the first place."
I take one step back while keeping my gaze on the unknown student. Grim separates from me to follow suit. "Right now it's chestnut season, so... Excuse us!"
We quickly take our leave and return to where we once split up with our friends. It didn't sound like he had intent to chase after us. Or maybe he doesn't see the effort in doing so. Regardless, we avoided a potential nasty confrontation.
"I'm sweating bullets! What's with that intimidating caretaker?!" Grim spoke, finally relieved to have avoided him.
"I sincerely don't think he's the caretaker..." I mumbled. Probably a student playing hooky in the gardens.
Up ahead, Ace and Deuce spots us. The former called out, "We found a basket of tongs over there!"
"...Did something happen to you two?" Deuce asked after seeing us sweating nervously.
"...We royally stepped in a lion's den." Is what I told him, much to his confusion.
"Ah, that's right! The chestnuts! Our tart will get smaller if we don't get a bunch. We'll talk about our encounter with the caretaker while we work." Grim told the duo.
When we relocated to the woods again, I retold the events to the pair. I told them how this intimidating lion dude had threatened to beat us up for stepping on his tail and ruining his nap.
"There is absolutely no way that was the caretaker." Ace bluntly said.
"That's what I've been telling Grim." I attested in a heartbeat.
"If I think back now that I've calmed down, that guy was wearing a yellow vest, so he must be from the Mackerel dorm." Grim concluded.
I bit back a chuckle. "You mean Savanaclaw, Grim."
"Yeah, that dorm!"
Meanwhile Deuce was mumbling something to himself about delinquents being common among the students.
"All right. Our chestnut pile is pretty big. Let's get them back to Trey!" Ace announced, lifting his basketful of raw chestnuts.
"Nyaha! This tart is gonna be awesome." Grim skipped in his step with a mini basket in tow.
...
We arrived to the school's kitchen. Trey was waiting inside until we came back with baskets of chestnuts.
"Welcome back. You picked quite a lot." Trey remarked, glancing at the large pile gathered on the countertop.
"With this we can make a huge tart!" Grim said, flaunting his basket.
Trey nodded. "Peeling all this is going to be a challenge but... Let's get to it."
Deuce's peacock green eyes flew over the chestnuts. "All of this... There's no end in sight..."
I made a face. "So tedious..."
"Making sweets is all about preparation." Trey said, waving a finger.
"Yeah yeah, we get it! I'm so ready to get this over with!" Ace is suddenly fired up about this, I noted.
"It takes a bit of work to peel off a chestnut's shell. Let's use magic to cleanly peel them off." Trey instructed.
"Ace and Strix can't use magic, so peel them off normally, please." Deuce said.
"I'll show you I'm faster than your magic!" Ace declared with competitive spirit.
"You guys—" Grim was munching on the chestnuts as he peels each one. "You guys should just watch me and learn!" He snickered.
"Grim, stop snacking and actually do your job." I told him, heaving a sigh.
"Look at me, Strix! I managed to peel them off cleanly!" Ace shows me his progress, to which I suppressed a smile. It was cute seeing his boyish side appeal to me like I'm his parent.
"I'm surprised. You're very dextrous, Ace." Trey praised.
"Pretty much~ I'm a different caliber from Mr. Serious and that cat over there." Ace grinned.
Deuce tossed a competitive glare at his rival. "I peeled them cleanly, too! Take a look for yourself!"
"Me, too! Compare mine to Ace's!" Grim said.
"Yeah, they're clean, but you guys need to pick up the pace." I tell them. Not that I'm doing better but I'm trying!
"Haha... We still have a lot to peel, but look at you being so energetic." Trey chuckled.
Somewhere down the line I fell asleep and assumed auto-pilot mode. Continuously picking, peeling, and sorting the shells and the nuts themselves makes my eyes droop.
"Hey, Strix, pass me the... Strix?" Ace does a double take and closely examines my face.
I was peeling the chestnuts like usual, except my eyes are not focused on anything in particular. They were hazy, teetering between the dream world and reality. Soft snoring escapes my parted lips. Occasionally my head would tip up and down in finding balance to keep my upper body standing.
The boys take a moment to watch me perform my tasks.
"She's sleepwalking...?" Deuce concludes.
"Ehh, with her eyes open? That's not cute..." Ace said. I look like a zombie.
Trey placed a hand on my shoulder. "Strix?"
I jolt out of my sleep and look to the boys, eyes squinted and bleary. I tilt my head and hummed questionably like a sleepy owl I am.
"Focus, Strix! Your head will fall off by itself in that position. It's unnerving me." Ace told me.
"My bad." I break out into a yawn as I rubbed my neck. It always felt sore, including my lower back. I really need to take care of them somehow.
"This is the last one... There! All right, we're finished!" Deuce said. After what felt like hours of peeling and sorting, we have finally emptied the chestnut pile.
"Ah...!! We finally finished peeling them all!" Ace cried.
"My arms hurt..." I mutter and roll the joints of my arms. My hands never got to rest.
"Thanks for the great work. We finished so quickly even though we have non-magic users. I'm sure that hard work will all be worth it." Trey said with a smile.
"I'm full from just the smell." Grim muttered.
"Next we mix butter and sugar into the chestnut paste then add oyster sauce as the secret ingredient." Trey said.
"Oyster sauce?!" We exclaimed, though for me it's a different reason. You mean that one poem with the walrus and the carpenter?! Do the references never cease to amaze me?
"Yep. The savory flavor of the chestnuts adds depth and richness to the cream. And then to make it better, I use this Walrus-brand young oyster sauce. There's no famous patissiere who doesn't use this for their tarts, you know?" The third year held a bottle of oyster sauce for demonstration.
I squinted dubiously at it, however. Suure, dude. I believe you. I believe that nonsense.
"Seriously... That's a pretty salty sauce." Deuce furrowed his brows.
"Even chocolate gets put in curry all the time... It might be good." Ace was being reeled in by this. Seriously guys?
I watched as Trey's composure cracked into snickers.
"It's a joke. There's no way I'd put oyster sauce in a dessert, you know." A wide mirthful grin was on his face.
I knew it. Even if I didn't know the poem, I'd still doubt it.
"What the heck! You said it with a straight face." Ace felt betrayed.
"Haha! If you took a second to think about it you'd figure it out. Don't just accept things without a healthy amount of skepticism. Better study up." Trey teased.
"This guy looks nice but is pretty good at lying..." Grim whispered. Trey does exude a big brother energy that you can rely on. Probably has younger siblings, assuming he is the eldest in the family.
"Next is the fresh cream... Ah!"
"What's wrong?" Ace asked Trey.
"You all gathered so many chestnuts that I got ahead of myself and made too much marron paste. We're a little short on fresh cream." Trey admits.
"I can go out and buy some." Deuce volunteered. "Is it sold at the school store?"
"You can find anything at that place so it should be there. Could I ask you to pick up a few other things?" Trey then scribbled a list on a paper: two cartons of milk, a dozen eggs, aluminum cups, and five cans of fruit.
"I don't think I can carry all that alone. Strix, do you mind coming with me?" Deuce asked, looking at me.
I was curious. I've never been there up to now. Might as well take the opportunity. "Sure. It's my first time going to the school store."
"I'm going too! I'm tired of mixing flour endlessly." Grim said, abandoning his station to hitch a ride on my shoulder as always. I made sure he was clean from powder white flour stains before he did.
And so, Deuce, Grim, and I take off to the school store.
...
A sign labeled Mr. S's Mystery Shop hung above the door. Upon entering, we were surprised to behold a variety of the items on sale. A Halloween-like theme creates a spooky but festive atmosphere. As a result, the interior feels cluttered, though not necessarily in a jarring way.
"Pardon us... Wow, what an amazing shop. Crystal skulls, magical texts, and...wh-what sort of animal is this...?" Deuce was baffled by the questionable accessories we see lying around.
"Whoa. Do they really sell fresh cream here?" Grim looks around.
My eyes roamed around the shop until they suddenly came to a stop upon a voodoo mask propped on a chair. That's...
A man in purple suddenly pops in front of us.
"Hey! Little lost lambs, what can I help you with? Welcome to Mr. S's Mystery Shop. What is it that you wish for today? A charm against cheating? An ancient king's mirror? Or maybe, some cursed tarot cards?" There was a glimmer in his magenta pink eyes as he smiled before us, his customers. The eyes of an overly enthusiastic seller with work ethic looking to milk wallets dry.
My mouth gaped speechless.
Dr. Facilier's a shopkeeper now?!
Grim flinched. "Wha-?! You scared me!"
"Um, we'd like to buy the things written here." Deuce hands "Mr. S" the paper as Grim chirped, "And some tuna cans!"
"No, Grim. We don't need tuna cans." I scolded the cat, much to his disappointment.
"What do we have here? Fresh cream and eggs... What a pretty sweet line-up. Okay!" The voodoo man suddenly chimed, "I shall bring them out now."
We watched as he leaves to gather the requested items.
"Whoa... He really has them." Deuce marveled.
I perked up. If he has anything from raw eggs to magic stones, then I hope he has what I really need...
The shopkeeper returns by the counter. "Sorry 'bout the wait. It's a bit heavy, you got it?" He then offers, "If you order now you can get a 1/100 size floating platter to carry your purchases for 30 percent off."
"What's that, it sounds cool!" Grim was excited by the offer. I didn't think there'd be such a thing as a floating platter and it piqued my interest, but we're fine without it.
"W-We'll have to decline! Let's go, Grim!" Deuce said, grabbing the little beast as he carried half the purchased goods and leaving despite the monster's protests to want to hang out more.
"Hold on, Deuce!" I called before lowering my voice to Sam the shopkeeper, "Do you happen to sell women's necessities?"
Sam grinned, bobbing his head enthusiastically. "In stock now! I have a variety of them in the back room."
I breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. I'll definitely come back then."
"Okay, okay. I shall be waiting for your return, lost little lambs! Bye~!" He waves as I follow after Deuce with supplies in my arms.
The sky darkened as we were crossing the Main Street.
"That store was crazy." Deuce said.
"No kidding." I agreed. It's pretty convenient though if Sam really has nearly everything. He has a freaking ancient king's mirror of all things.
"Boo, you're so stingy, Deuce." Grim grouched.
"Who are you calling stingy?" The navy-haired male shot a glare before looking over to the groceries in my arms. "Strix, that bag of cans looks pretty heavy. I'll carry it. I'm used to carrying heavy stuff."
Before I could decline, he already removed the burden from my hands. Seeing how nonchalant he was seemed like a natural occurrence for him.
"Do you usually buy a lot when you go shopping?" I asked.
"Yeah. My mom always buys more than we need during timed sales, and I get stuck carrying all the heavy stuff." Explained Deuce.
So that's why he panicked when Sam made that offer at the end of our purchase. Sales are tempting offers, after all.
"Since I'm the only boy it was my job to take care of anything requiring hard labor... Oh, my bad. I've just been talking about myself." Deuce sheepishly said, cutting himself off.
I shook my head. "It's fine. You're amazing for helping your family out."
He frowned. "...No, that's not true at all. I... Mother was..."
I was wondering why the gloomy face until suddenly Deuce bumped into a student.
Then came the dreadful sound of cracking.
"Aaah! The eggs!" Grim exclaimed.
"Shit, half of the eggs are destroyed!" Deuce cursed. "There's egg whites all over the bag...!"
"That hurt! Watch where you're...wait... You're the guys that wrecked the egg in my carbonara earlier."
I suddenly remembered this guy. Oh yeah, the student who complained about a single egg. Wow, who would have thought this whole egg thing came full circle?
His friend was also with him. "Damn, it's you guys again. You can't catch a break!"
Deuce was frowning deeply. I could tell he's trying to suppress his anger as he spoke lowly but as composed as he could, "You were the ones who jumped out from behind the corner. At lunch, it wasn't like you couldn't eat the egg anymore but you still came to pick a fight... Just now, you destroyed half of our eggs."
"Yeah, that's right!" Grim said, supporting Deuce.
"The hell? You sayin' it's my fault?" The student raised his brow at the navy-haired boy.
"Yes. Please pay for the eggs. And please apologize to the chickens, too." Deuce said.
"Hah~? Makin' a ruckus over eggs, are we?"
Deuce twitched. "...Huh?"
"It didn't hit the ground so you can still eat it, right? Stop makin' a fuss over little things."
"We saved you the trouble of breaking them!"
The two students laugh.
I was frowning deeply. They didn't learn their lesson after all. They're just being petty with revenge and getting the last laugh instead of manning up and accepting their mistakes.
I look over to Deuce, only to hold my tongue once I acknowledged the trembling of his fists.
"...to laugh about."
They stopped laughing. "Huh?"
"This ain't something to laugh about!" Deuce roared, "You don't get to make decisions for us! These eggs... Instead of becoming a chick they were gonna make us a delicious tart! Do you understand?! Huuuh?!"
"That's what you were pissed about...?" I mutter to myself. Whatever floats your boat, I guess.
Startled by the sudden 180, one of the students stepped back. "What's this guy's problem all the sudden?!"
Deuce slowly placed the bags on the floor.
"If you don't wanna pay for the six eggs you broke... I'll punch you six times instead." He cracks his knuckles.
"Huh?!"
"Grit your teeth, assholes!"
And so, Grim and I witness a thug fight you'd see at a dark alleyway. No magic, just fists flying and strange comical sound effects I'm hearing, though that could just be my imagination.
I had the composed face of a "Yep, that's how it is" as we stood watching from the sidelines. Just closing my eyes and listening to the pows and grunts was enough to visualize. There's nothing I could do, nor did I want to do anything.
I had no obligation to save the two students since they've been jerks. Sometimes words just never reach a person's heart. You have to beat the hell out of folk to make them realize it. That's what I understood in this world. Deuce completely wiped the floor with two upperclassmen.
A student held an arm around his torso, wailing, "Th-This guy's a total madman! That was more than six hits, you liar!"
"Oh, crap! Let's run! I'm so sorry to all the chickens!" Squealed the other in fright.
"Apologize 100 times next time you eat eggs! Dumbasses!" Deuce spat as the two students ran away shrieking.
"Deuce! Calm down!" I tell him, standing in front of him to grip his trembling shoulders. He might start sprinting after their tails at any moment. Meanwhile Grim whimpers from behind.
Deuce pants heavily, the adrenaline catching up to him. His shrunken pupils blazed with fury reflects my concerned expression. Suddenly he gasped, ripping himself away from my touch.
Grim and I watch him bewildered, the former asking, "What's wrong?"
"I-I screwed up... I vowed that I'd definitely, definitely be an honors student this time...!" He looked really torn up about it, much to our concern.
He continued, "I wanted to be different from who I was back in middle school... I always skipped classes, and I got into fights every day. I disrespected all my teachers, hung around sketchy upperclassmen, and bleached my hair to death. Even ran around all over the place riding a magical wheel."
A question mark floated above our heads. "Magical wheel"? Is that a motorbike or something?
"I was a terrible person that went as far as to use magic on guys who couldn't." At this, Deuce shunned his face from us, more specifically me.
I crestfallen.
"Just now you went full bad boy on those guys!" Grim remarked.
"I never would've guessed." I said. Appearance-wise, he looks like a respectable student; though if you get to know him more you might see a glimpse here and there of his past self.
"Then, one night... I saw my mom hiding away in tears as she called my grandma. 'Was the way I raised him wrong? Would it have been better if he had both parents?' But that's not it at all. Mom never did anything wrong. It was all me! So when the carriage from Night Raven College came to get me, my mom was so happy and I don't want to make her cry again. This time, I'm going to be an honors student my mom can be proud of... And yet... Damn it!"
It was apparent he is in a turmoil. He's been doing his best to keep a refined character, but once aggravated by others' hostility he reverts back to his thug mode.
It makes wonder about myself and my past. Am I truly the one who has to take the fault of everything? Is it all my responsibility?
A voice echoed in my ear, ["Why her? Why did it have to be her? The poor thing..."]
I clenched my fist. Why am I remembering all the painful, annoying memories again and again?
"But, y'know... Is enduring all that part of being a model student?" Grim asked.
Deuce meets Grim's eyes, confused. "Eh...?"
"Those delinquents deserved another 10 punches if you ask me! You fought them off before I could, though." Grim said.
I nodded. "He's right!"
His visage softens. "You guys..."
"Honor students get mad, too." I told him. "I respect how you want to improve yourself, though this side of you is also refreshing. I don't dislike it."
Deuce blinked at me with wide eyes. "Strix..." He looks away, suddenly abashed with warm cheeks. A soft smile lifts his visage. "I see... Hehe. May those baby chicks rest in peace."
How cute. He's a mama's boy, though I didn't voice that aloud.
I was confused, however. "Those eggs aren't fertilized. They won't hatch in the first place."
The moment Deuce heard this, his eyes widen like dinner plates and swerved to me sharply that his beck could have snapped. His screams practically wake the whole Night Raven College grounds, "E-Eeeeeehhhh?!! You've gotta be kidding?!!!!"
Grim and I deadpanned. Yep, he only managed to ace the look of an honor student. This boy is a pure baby dumbass on the inside. Most likely on the outside, too.
Deuce fell his gaze to the stone pavement. Poor guy looks like the world shattered on him that he even collapsed to his knees.
Feeling responsible, I rolled my eyes at the silliness of it all before extending my hand to him. "Come on, we have to go buy another dozen eggs to make up for the loss."
Still in a daze, Deuce wordlessly accepted my hand.
I had underestimated his grip strength. Just when I was going to help lift him up, Deuce was rigid that I fall forwards and crash on top of him, who slipped and became my human cushion on the ground.
"Curse my weak stick arms..." I grumbled under my breath and removed myself off the stunned Deuce. "Sorry, I ended up pushing you down instead."
Deuce slowly sits up. Color blossoms on his cheeks, and the pupils of his eyes flared wide open, never leaving me. "No way. Y-Y-You're..."
I stared at him oddly. What's getting him worked up now?
"You're a GIRL?!!!"
A pregnant pause.
"Are. You. Serious." My voice was laid on thick.
Deuce grows increasingly flustered. "I-I didn't know..."
"You didn't put two and two together and realize I'm the infamous female magic-less student that got enrolled here with a fire-breathing monster and got placed in Ramshackle Dorm? And you only figured that out after physical contact?"
Deuce visibly flinched at the last part. "I-I'm really, really sorry! I didn't mean to...! You referred yourself using 'boku'(1) the whole time, I didn't think you'd actually be a girl..."
"It's to make me more masculine and blend in with you guys, of course." I explained. I'm guessing he really zoned out on those details, especially with all the chaotic things that happened in the span of two days. But still, this realization is late.
Deuce is a stuttering mess now. Why do I feel like I'm bullying a poor kid?
I calmly spoke, "Look, I'm not going to slap you for the misunderstandings."
"You're not...mad?"
"I'm not. I understand you're not the type to be freaky. I thought you also knew who I really am. But now you realize who I am on the inside, right?"
Deuce was at a loss for words. Flies are going to wander into his gaping mouth whose jaws are sunken low with incredible disbelief. I wonder if it was really that hard to believe. That means my male disguise is actually pretty convincing. Or that Deuce is truly too dumb for the world to comprehend this walking disaster.
The navy-haired boy shyly averted his eyes. "Th-Then... Back when we talked about girls in the cafeteria..."
"I'm the only exception. I'm not supposed to be here, but since it was the school who brought me here in the first place, the headmaster took responsibility and allowed me to stay until he finds a way for me to return home." I explained.
One could see Deuce zone out as he recalls all the moments of our time together up to now and looking back in a different light.
Grim blew a raspberry. "Pfft, looking so lame in front of a girl! Pathetic!"
I drilled my knuckles into his temple area, eliciting screeches from him. I spoke evenly with an unacceptable frown. "You're not helping."
"I-I can't help it! I'm not good at talking to girls..." Deuce cried defensively, trailing into quiet mumbles at the end.
I released my hold on Grim and internally sighed. This is one of the reasons why I didn't want to rub the fact that I'm a girl. Boys who are not comfortable or used to girls act completely distant with me. It hurts to not be able to hold a conversation with them like normal human beings without something dividing us.
I began, "Deuce..."
"I'm sorry!" Deuce performed a dogeza before I could say any more, potentially fearing my response. His brow scraped the stone pavement of Main Street, hands placed either side of his head and tucking his arms and legs close in prostration.
I was bewildered from the use of Japan's extreme gesture of begging for forgiveness. Fortunately no one was around to witness what would have been a very awkward sight. "What are you...?"
He raised his voice, "I've been so inconsiderate to you! I... I even showed you my pathetic side..."
"On the contrary, you were one of the few people that actually treats me with decent human respect." I mumbled before continuing, "And don't beat yourself up about your vulnerabilities. Everyone has their weak, lame sides they don't want anyone to see. That includes me, of course."
Deuce lifted his head. "Strix..."
I internally sighed at myself. I don't usually like to talk this much. It makes me sound like I'm preaching for something. But speaking to him directly about what I feel is what effectively reaches him, I believe.
I resumed what I was about to say before Deuce had cut me off. "Deuce, you don't have to treat me differently just because I'm a girl. I liked how we were up to now... as friends."
"Friends?" Echoed the boy, blinking at me owlishly.
My mind fell blank. Did he not think the same...? To be honest I was trying to use the term lightly to move the conversation forward. It's like people here are allergic to that "intimate" word and refuse to breath that word even if their lives depended on it. The boys I've met seem to never be straightforward with that.
I elaborated, "Think of me as your bro, your homie, or whatever makes it easy."
"Homies? Us?" Deuce perked up rather excitedly, eyes sparkling wide like stars. He abruptly shook his head, however, mortification replacing him the next. "No, I can't do that! That'd be rudely presumptuous of me. You're a lady, after all."
I ruffled my spiky ponytail out of frustration. I feel like we're tiptoeing each other excessively now. "I don't care about that stuff enough to chew you off. I want to be like one of you guys."
I awkwardly speak, "So... Let's be bros."
He stared before beaming a wide, youthful and boyish smile. He stands up. "Bros for life then!"
I refrained from rolling my eyes at how corny this was playing. I can't believe I'm doing this, but I don't hate it. I just think this might be out of character for me, the anti-social butterfly who actively avoids interaction back in her home world.
I raised my fist and reciprocated with a sheepish smile. "Bros for life."
Underneath the twilight sky, we shared a fist bump.
Meanwhile Grim stood between us with a dull expression.
"Gross."
...
We have finally returned to the kitchen. Ace notices us filing in with the ingredients in our plastic bags."Oh, they're finally back. That sure took a while."
"Sorry for the wait. We bumped into an inconvenience on the way back." I explained. One would also notice the dejected state a certain spade boy was in behind me, solemnly placing the ingredients on the counter.
Trey props himself off. "Let's finish this up."
After we mix the marron cream in the tart, Grim volunteered to put some marron glacé on top and fortunately didn't mess up the tart.
"All right, the last step is to sprinkle some powdered sugar on top and then..." Once Trey added the finishing touches, the marron tart has finished.
"We're done!" We cheered. Well, everyone aside from the gloomy Deuce, who made a dejected "hooray". That was a really sad hooray I've heard.
"What happened while you were out shopping?" Ace asked me, since getting an answer out of Deuce wouldn't get him anywhere.
"Let's leave him be for a while." I simply told him, readjusting my turtleneck comfortably for a breather.
"For 16 years I've believed that..." The navy-haired boy mumbled, shaking his head. "Was I really the only one who didn't know...?"
"Who knew that making desserts would take this long? I'm so tired..." Ace slumps his upper body over the counter and relaxed.
It was then Cater arrives in the kitchen. "Good work~ Is the tart finished? The decorations are super cute! It's totally Magicagrammable! Let me take a pic!"
Once he took a flashy snap of the tart, Ace shot up. "Ah! What'd you come here for?"
Cater replied, "I came to check on my cute underclassmen working so hard. Ahaha, you look beat!"
"Doing things you're not used to can be tiring. In any case, sweets are the solution for a weary body. Go ahead and try the marron tart we made." Trey invited.
By his cue, we eagerly snatched a slice of the tart. "Yay!"
Ace shot an accusing look at the ginger. "Cater-senpai, you did come here just in time to eat the tart!" That's right, how come he gets to eat when he wasn't even there to help?
"Now now, you can just think of me as the taste-tester." Cater said, avoiding the topic.
Meanwhile Grim was sniffing the aroma of the marron tart. "It smells so deliciously sweet. The chestnuts on top are so smooth while the cream underneath is so fluffy! Let's eat!"
We take a bite.
Ace's red eyes shot open wide. "Holy crap!"
A wide smile was on Cater's lips. "So good!"
I couldn't suppress a grin from how delicious the tart is. "So worth the prep..."
"Amazing, it's like what you get in stores." Deuce said.
"It's not overly sweet but still has richness to it! It's like a garden of chestnuts in my mouth!" Grim blissfully remarks, pressing his paws to his cheeks.
Trey sheepishly smiled. "Is that a compliment?"
"Oh, yeah. Hey, Trey-kun, do the thing." Cater said to the fellow third year.
"The thing?" It took Trey a second before realizing it. "...Ah, that."
We looked at the two in confusion.
"'That'?" I repeated and tilt my head slightly.
Trey then suddenly asked, "You guys, what are your favorite foods?"
"Mine's cherry pie and hamburgers." Ace replied in a heartbeat.
"Mine is canned tuna. And cheese omelette, and grilled meat, and pudding~" Grim rambled happily.
"If I have to pick, omelettes, I guess." Answered Deuce.
"Mine is grilled lamb with diablo sauce." Cater chirped. Wow, this guy's got exquisite taste.
I was glancing up at the ceiling and replied, "...Konpeito."
"All right, here we go." Trey lifts his magic pen and waves over to our marron tarts, "Doodle Suit!"
A trail of sparkles sprinkled atop them. Nothing seemed to outwardly change.
Deuce quirked a brow. "This is?"
Trey smiles knowingly. "Now take another bite of the marron tart."
We followed albeit curiously and bite the tart again.
Suddenly my tastebuds registered something sugary sweet. The chestnut flavor was nowhere found. I'm eating a marron tart, yet what I'm tasting is...
Ace was savoring the bite until it hit him. "Hm? This is...marron tart but it tastes like cherry pie!"
"It tastes like canned tuna!" Grim gobbles another few more bites. "Ohh, now it's cheese omelette! And grilled chicken," More munching. "And pudding!"
"It's interesting, right? Don't you think this'll fly well if you do this at a tea party with girls? Right, Stri-chan?" Cater looks to me.
I was almost absorbed in comprehending the nostalgia of my favorite sugary candy contrasting the cake's texture that my response was a second delayed. "Yeah, sure."
"It's amazing. Is changing the flavor of food your unique magic, Clover-senpai?" Deuce asked.
"To be more precise, it's magic that 'overwrites a component'. So not just taste, I can also overwrite the color or scent or anything. The overwrite only lasts a short time so that's why it's like a doodle or scribble. That's why I've named this magic 'doodle' since it's not permanent." Trey explained.
"That's so cool!" I exclaimed. That's strong and useful for a lot of things!
"With your Doodle Suit my dream of all you-can-eat canned tuna isn't just a dream. It's so much better than the magic Riddle used to bully people." Grim offhandedly commented.
Trey crestfallen. "No... My magic is nothing more than child's play when compared to Riddle's. He's on a different level."
I noticed the light dim a bit in his eyes before he perked up as soon as he did. "It's gotten late. Let's go home and give Riddle the tart tomorrow. Tomorrow is the Unbirthday Party. Don't be late."
"Strix, will you let me sleep over again?" Ace drawled in an ask. "It seems like this bully upperclassman won't let me back in yet~" He said as he jabbed a thumb over to Cater.
"Oh, my. What passive-aggressive wording~ ...Wait, 'again'?" Cater blinked, glancing between me and Ace. I avoided direct eye contact with the young man and pretended to not have heard it. I smell a potential digression in the chat I want no part of.
"Ace, don't force Strix to spoil you too much." Deuce chided with crossed arms.
"Yeah! You better pay rent if you're gonna stay with us again! Ten cans of tuna!" Grim demanded with paws on his hips.
"Whaaat! Are you telling me to sleep outside?"
"The ghosts will keep you company, I can guarantee it." I chimed in.
"That's not reassuring!" Ace retorted.
"How about we have Deuce stay over in Strix's dorm, too, to help keep an eye on Ace." Trey suggested. "As the vice dorm leader, I give you permission."
"Trey-kun, aren't you spoiling the newbies?! How nice~ Hey, Stri-chan, can I go too?" Cater asked.
Cater was about to shuffle over to me until Trey placed a hand on his shoulder with a thin smile. "You're not included."
Cater slumped dejectedly before pouting. "Tch. Bringin' me down."
I sheepishly chuckle at this.
"Then, Strix, I'm sorry about forcing these two on you. We're counting on you tomorrow." Trey nodded to me.
I bobbed my head. "No problem. See you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow is the Unbirthday Party. This damn collar is definitely coming off! Just you watch, Dorm Head!" Ace swore to the ceiling.
...
"Allow me to formally welcome you to the Ramshackle Dorm. I'm the prefect of this dorm, and including Grim, us two make up the entire Ramshackle body." I introduced blandly as I enter the foyer and allow the two Heartslabyul students inside.
"Pardon the intrusion," Deuce said as he closed the door behind him.
"Somehow this already feels like a second home to me..." Ace said, despite how shabby the building is. It's more like a shelter than a home, but I don't want to admit that out loud just so I would become depressed by the fact.
"There's still time before we go to bed. How 'bout we kill time with playing cards?" Ace suggested. "I brought my own deck."
"Playing cards?" Grim inquired.
"Oh, you're a monster, so I guess you wouldn't really know. Then let's play Old Maid. It's really simple." Ace briefly explained the rules to the gray beast as he shuffled the cards.
We were sitting around the table in the lounge room with a fan of cards in our hands. I'm confident I can retain a poker face, but my luck with cards? Not so much. I'm just average, I guess.
I held my cards face down for Ace to pick. While his hand ghosts the fan, he was searching my face for any indication that I have the Old Maid card and if he came close to plucking one out. Unfortunately for him, I was as still as a statue.
I could almost hear him think in his mind wondering how the hell I could manage a perfect poker face as he finally selected a card. I don't even have the Old Maid card, so hah!
The same can't be said for Grim, though. He was like an open book. Whenever Ace or Deuce reached over to pick a card, he would perk up like the sun and become depressed as the murkiest of clouds whenever they neared to and strayed from the Old Maid card. He also kept falling for the middle card peeking just slightly out to tempt him.
It was officially the saddest game of Old Maid I've seen, as Grim was not mercifully spared by either boys. Not that I would have played along either way. Ace looked like he was relishing in the despair while Deuce could only sigh at his dorm mate's pettiness towards a little beast.
When we finished the game, Grim came out last place, unsurprisingly (I was the first out, yippee). He demanded we keep playing until he was satisfied with at least one victory. There was not much we could do in the dorm regardless, so we continued until it was time for bed.
Grim was whining over his losses while I ignored them and had left to gather blankets from other rooms for the boys to use. Fortunately there was a few futons spared, so all four of us could sleep over in the lounge together.
Deuce was hesitant with my joining since I should be sleeping in the comfort of my bedroom and not mind them. It was also because I'm a girl, but I never thought of the situation to be uncomfortable for me.
"I'm the prefect of this dorm. It's poor hospitality to not make my guests feel comfortable. Plus, I have my ghost friends to watch out for any fishy games." I had told the boys after laying out the futons.
"Wait, since when did you become buddy-buddy with ghosts?" Ace asked. "It's only been three days since you came here, right?"
"Three nights, actually." I had corrected him before continuing, "I asked myself that this morning, too. I guess they're just really bored and want company to stick around. Tried to kill us the night we stayed over, though. But that's water under the bridge." I said dismissively.
"You'd shrug that off so easily...?" Deuce said.
"Don't worry, I won't let the ghosts add more comrades to their circle." I assured. Tonight I'm not too tired enough to go straight to sleep. A nocturnal owl is best awake at the darkest hours. I can be like their guardian.
"What a roundabout way to say they won't kill us in our sleep..." Ace deadpanned.
"They'll say that just to scare you. That's just how ghosts are." I simply said and make my way over to the light switch. "I'll be staying up for a bit though. A night owl like me can't follow the same sleeping schedule as humans."
I flicked the lights off and closed the door to the lounge area after wishing them a good night. I had decided to take a stroll around the outside of Ramshackle when the night is peaceful.
Crickets chirped in the distance. Under the moonlight, the vast empty field by the dorm is spacious enough to make a basketball court of sorts.
I wander aimlessly through the field. Three nights, huh. I wonder if Crowley has made progress about the way back home. I sincerely doubt it, but it doesn't hurt to dream.
I breathe in the crisp cool air of nightfall and grass. Now that I think about it, aren't we pretty much the only ones in the entire school grounds right now? Everyone has their dorms to return to and they're from a different realm.
I'm not familiar with such a broad campus as the prestigious Night Raven College. Living the life as a student here must be a privilege for the inhabitants of this world.
I admire the crescent moon before looking down at the wristwatch I brought in advance in times when I feel unsure of myself. I crank the knob three times. A music box melody plays.
(Please refer to Kingdom Hearts' Simple and Clean music box version.)
I lift it to my ear and listen. A smile lifts my lips. I adore music boxes. It never ceases to ease my mind. They have a certain charm to them that always succeeds in bringing a genuine smile from me. As a child, I would never get bored staring at the tiny people and objects spin and rotate.
Since I loved music boxes so much, Sidney gave this wristwatch that functions as a music box for my eighth birthday gift. It's been eight years since I held onto it. The leather blue strap is chipped and the face has been through a lot of careless scratches that I had long gave up preventing. It was bound to be worn out, after all.
I stared. I wonder how Sidney is doing. Would the time in my world only pass by a minute compared to here or vice versa? I wish I knew. I'm worried about him. He could be devastated.
I glance to the castle-like building that is Night Raven College.
I have to get back home as soon as possible. I wouldn't want to get comfortable with this life. I can't imagine myself living in a world that relies on magic. Though there are other non-magic users, I'm still an alien. As long as I have a family and a home to return to, I don't have the obligation to stay here.
I gripped my heart lock from underneath my sweatshirt to reaffirm my unwavering determination. With one last glance toward the building, I return inside the dorm to quietly slip inside my futon and sleep with the others.
The rustling of leaves followed soon after. A mysterious dark figure protrudes from the shadows of the woods, watching the scenery of Ramshackle Dorm afar behind the gates. A flicker of green lights drift about.
A deep voice mused, "It appears the nights will be lively from here on..."
...
(1) - "Boku" in Japanese is usually used by males when referring to themselves. Strix has been using it ever since she disguised herself as a boy to blend in. Before, she usually used "watashi", a gender-neutral term that is also mainly used by women but not limited to men.