Deuce gasps as he tries to catch his breath. He's…never had to run that fast—especially not while carrying around so much weight. At least they're far enough into the maze that no one can find them…
"Aaaugh, I'm so pissed off!" Ace lets out an irritated scream, his hands balled up into tight fists. "That little red-haired menace—who does he think he is? The Queen of Hearts?!"
"That went horribly, didn't it?" Yuu frowns as they look down.
"I don't…think we can go back." Deuce coughs into his hand. "Really…that's bad."
Just what is he going to tell his mother?
"At least we didn't get our magic sealed off…" Grim collapses onto the ground. "Uuugh…my legs."
"Wow, you really got yourself into quite the bind, huh?"
"Floating head!" Yuu points at the cat-eared, purple-haired head that floats in the air.
"Aahhhh!" The others scream in terror, making the head laugh as the rest of their body appeared.
"Oopsies! Forgot to show ya my body!" A young man stands right by them, grinning widely enough to show off his cat-like fangs. He is taller than all of them, with choppy purple hair and many earrings piercing his ears. A striped, fluffy tail swishes from left to right behind him, its coloration matching his hair. He is dressed rather casually, in a fashion that's somewhat chaotic. Yellow, cat-like eyes gleam in the light, pupils soon dilating as he reaches out to lightly tug on Yuu's headband. "Such a cute Alice~!"
"Ahhh, my clothes!" Yuu had almost forgotten about them! "My sweater!"
"You're worried about your sweater?!" Ace's eyes go wide. Really? After all of that?! "Geez…never change."
Well, that lightened the mood…so who's this guy, here?
"Who are you?" Deuce asks, no longer as frightened, though still just as wary.
"I am Alchemi Alchemivich Pinka~!" Alchemi snickers as he deliberately waves his tail in front of Yuu. Unsurprisingly, they grab it, fingers soon brushing over the soft fur. "Nya~! So forward!"
Really, this Alice could stand to be a bit more perceptive of their actions.
"H-Hey!" Grim scowls, feeling somewhat annoyed.
"Jealous?" Alchemi knows a jealous cat when he sees one.
"Alch…Ach…" Ace has a hard time even saying his name.
"Ufufufu~!" Alchemi laughs, having expected it. "Everyone just calls me Che'nya!"
"Nya, nya~!" Yuu exclaims, their fingers still touching his tail.
"Nya~!" Alchemi—or Che'nya—meows playfully, very much enjoying his time with Yuu. "As you can see, I'm very different from those guys over there."
"Which dorm are you from?" Yuu doesn't recognize his clothes as anything they've seen from Heartslabyul.
"Tryin' to guess where I'm from?" What fun, what fun~!
"I got it!" Grim pipes up. "You got cat ears, so you're from saba…the Sabanya Dorm!"
"Boo boo~! Wrong!" Che'nya laughs. "Mackerel live in the sea, remember? I'm a cat, not a mackerel!"
"And it's Savanaclaw!" Yuu corrects Grim.
"Besides, there are other students who have different types of ears in other dorms too, you know?" Deuce brings up. "Beastfolk aren't just in Savanaclaw."
"Uuurgh, who even cares?" Ace huffs, his face soon contorting into a scowl. "I'm not in the mood to joke around, thanks to that little tyrant, so get lost."
"Riddle's a tyrant, huh? Hehehheh…" Che'nya lets out another playful meow, prompting Yuu to mimic him. "I guess there's some truth to that~! Even when he was little, he's always been so serious."
"Ah! Do you know Riddle?" Yuu looks questioningly at Che'nya. "Are you friends?!"
Ace scoffs. "Why would anyone want to be friends with that little tyrant?"
"I don't mind being friends." But only after he apologizes for the tarts!
"So…do you know him?" Deuce asks Che'nya, who only laughs.
"Maybe I do, maybe I don't!" Che'nya places his hands behind his head.
"Which is it?!" Grim narrows his eyes.
"Ehh~?" Che'nya's pupils dilate. "You wanna know about Riddle?"
"Yeah, sure—whatever." Ace crosses his arms over his chest. "I want to know who raised him to be like that."
"Hehe, then go ask the glasses guy~!" Che'nya jabs his thumb over his shoulder.
"Glasses…oh—Clover-senpai." Now that Deuce thinks about it…Trey is usually by Riddle's side. But isn't that because he's Vice Dorm Leader?
"That guy's known Riddle since he was a child," Che'nya explains. "If you want to know anything, I'd go ask him."
"Ahh…childhood friends?" Deuce furrows his brow. That would make sense, but… "It doesn't really look like that."
Not with how distant Riddle is.
"If that's what ya think, then maybe that's what it is~!" Che'nya pulls his tail out of Yuu's hands and then gives their hair a playful ruffle. "Play with me again, Alice! I gotta go since it looks like ya no longer need me anymore. See ya~!"
His body is the first thing that disappears, leaving his head floating in the air. His grin is just as wide as before, his gaze fixated on them as he starts to hum a little tune.
"H-Hey!" Deuce calls out to Che'nya, but his head has already disappeared. All that's left is his voice, which lingers just a little longer before soon fading away.
"What a weird guy-nya…" Grim's eyes go wide. "Ah! I sounded just like him!"
Che'nya's verbal tic is contagious!
"Nya~!" Yuu paws at the air in a cat-like manner. It's oddly cute, though not enough to endear Ace to it as he reaches out to pinch their nose.
"Now's not the time to mess around!" As they are now, they have no dorm to go back to. Sure, Ramshackle is there, but… "I am not cleaning out a room!"
That would take too much time!
"I can still use my magic, but…" Magic means nothing to Deuce when he's still in such serious trouble with his Dorm Leader. "Let's go talk to Clover-senpai."
"I'm not apologizing." Ace releases his hold on Yuu's nose. "Even if you ask me to, I won't."
"Then let's ambush him!" Yuu pipes up, pumping their fist into the air.
"Hmm…I think I know where we can find him." Deuce has an idea, though they'll likely have to wait a while.
"Lead the way, though before that…" Ace tugs on his vest. "Think you can help me out of this? I'll stick out like a sore thumb with this uniform."
The last thing Ace wants is any more attention. No doubt, everyone in their dorm is already talking about them. As if the chandelier wasn't enough…
"I can try." A small bead of sweat rolls down the side of Deuce's face. "Umm…here goes!"
It goes exactly as anyone would expect from such an inexperienced mage. From a lab coat, to gym uniform, to back to the dorm uniform to a mish-mash of all three, it takes far too many tries for Deuce to get it right. By the time Ace is back into his school uniform, Deuce is out of breath.
"Geez, you really suck." Ace adjusts his tie, since it felt too tight. "But at least you can still use magic, so…thanks."
"Whatever…" Deuce wipes the sweat off his brow. "I'll…change later. Let's just go."
"Guess we're stuck like this." Yuu heaves out a sigh. "I miss my clothes."
Even if this outfit is super cute…
"Oh well!" Yuu kneels down to pick up Grim. "C'mon, c'mon~!"
"Mehh…" Grim exhales a cloud of smoke.
…
…
"Hey—you're pretty cute!"
"Wanna hang out with us?"
"Uhh…no thanks!" Yuu bows their head apologetically. "I'm just looking for a book."
Which is surprisingly harder than it looks, despite the fact that they're in a library. So many books, but not one interesting enough to read for the next few hours. This is the fifth time already, and each time Yuu tries, someone always approaches them to ask such weird questions.
"Back off!" Grim hisses, making his presence known as he props himself on Yuu's head.
Usually, people leave after that, but these students are especially persistent with the way one of them uses his arms to block Yuu.
"C'mon—don't play so hard to get!" he says, purposely ignoring Grim as he growls. "If you give us a chance, then we'll show you something cool!"
It's a tempting offer, but…Yuu doesn't feel like it. They don't know who these two students are, beyond the fact that they're from…Octavinelle? The color of their armbands matches their uniform, as does the shell on its emblem. Yeah…they're from Octavinelle!
"Still not interested!" Yuu says firmly. "Please move before I bite you."
Yuu won't hesitate, especially when they're the only one keeping Grim from setting the whole place on fire. Ahh, Grim is really annoyed, huh?
"Shh, shh!" Yuu reaches up to pet Grim's fur. "Calm, calm!"
Grim refuses to listen, letting out another hiss instead because Yuu's threat did nothing to discourage these pests.
"You know, for some, biting is a good way to show interest."
"Ahh, giving some mixed signals are we~?"
BAM!
"He said he's not interested!" Ace has had enough of these two being so persistent. They might be taller than him, but that doesn't make it any less difficult for him to shove them aside. Really, they should pay better attention to their surroundings. "C'mon—let's go!"
He grabs Yuu by the hand and drags him along. Deuce is nearby and manages to scare off the two Octavinelle students, keeping them from following after them. He turns a corner and pulls Yuu into an empty aisle.
"Geez!" he huffs out, his eyes narrowing on Yuu. "You're too open!"
"Ahh!" Yuu shuts his eyes as Ace starts pinching his nose. "H-Hey!"
"You need to be more aggressive!" Yuu also needs to stop making weird threats. "Just start throwing punches if they don't listen to you."
It's not like Crowley is around for them to get into trouble…
"S-Sorry!" Yuu didn't mean to cause Ace so much trouble.
"Don't apologize." Ace releases Yuu's nose. "It's not your fault."
Sure, the Alice outfit is cute…but that's not Yuu's fault. They're just clothes, after all—not a target that says, "Hey! Hit on me!"
"Anyways, just stick with me and Deuce." It's better that way, since they're a lot less approachable, compared to Yuu.
"Okay!" Yuu chirps, his smile quickly catching Ace by surprise.
"Geez, you're so peppy…" Ace rubs the back of his head. "Guess that's just how you are."
Honestly, Ace doesn't mind…not that he'll ever admit that, of course.
"Nope." Ace rubs his nose.
It's late in the evening when Trey finally shows up to return a book. If not for his current circumstances, then Ace would've cursed him out for taking so long. Instead, he gets straight to the point, and asks, "What the fuck is wrong with Riddle?"
It's short and sweet, and it certainly gets an immediate reaction from Trey. Of course, Deuce isn't at all pleased with his word choice, though there's not much that can be done about what's been already said.
"I should've expected this…" Trey exhales slowly.
"Aren't you Vice Dorm Leader?" Ace continues, quickly jabbing his finger against Trey's chest. "Don't you have any influence?"
"That's…" Trey averts his gaze.
"Is this how you've always been?" Deuce remembers what Che'nya had told them. "Letting him act however he wants, ever since you were kids?"
"Who…Who told you that?" Beads of sweat roll down Trey's face.
"Che'nya told us!" Yuu pipes up, letting out a meow afterwards. "Nyaaa~!"
"Ahh…him." Trey knows exactly who they're talking about.
"Hey, hey—aren't you older than Riddle?" Grim presses his paws down on Yuu's head, trying his hardest to bring more attention to himself. "Why don't you get angry at him?"
"I'll do so if it's necessary." Trey isn't without his limits, however…there are some lines he won't cross. "But I won't scold him."
Trey has his reasons, and when he's asked why, he answers. Because maybe—just maybe—if they knew, then they'd understand. He doubts it, but he tries anyways.
"Everything Riddle is now is because he was raised following such strict rules." Such a restrictive lifestyle, with a specific diet, enforced by an extremely strict mother. "His parents are very famous mages, well-known in their homeland. His mother is especially exceptional and wants nothing more than for Riddle to be the same."
Everything is decided for Riddle. All he can do is go along with it—even if it's not what he really wants.
"Can you imagine living such a harsh life?" Trey certainly can't, though he understands the damage that has been done. "Riddle thinks that being bound by such strict rules will benefit everyone in the long run."
Because that's how he was raised.
"Is that why he takes rule-breaking so personally?" Ace asks, recalling how angry Riddle got over a rule involving tarts. He still thinks it's stupid, but…at least it makes some sense.
"I understand why you think he's a tyrant, and I know the way that he goes about the small things is wrong…" Trey understands this very well. "It's all wrong, but…I still can't find it in myself to go against him."
The last thing that Trey ever wants to see again is that terrified face. He still remembers it well, even though he'd prefer to forget it.
"Dorm Leader's been through a lot, huh?" And Deuce thought that he had it rough…
Yuu reaches up to pet Grim. "How sad, how sad…"
What's even sadder is that Trey is all that Riddle has.
"How lonely, so lonely…" Such a terrible feeling to experience. The way it lingers, the way it hurts… "Scary, scary, scary."
Yuu doesn't want to think about it anymore.
"Hey…you've been pretty quiet." Grim looks at Ace.
"That's cuz I've been thinking…" Ace runs his fingers through his hair. Really, this is just so…annoying. "Yeah…Yeah, I definitely get it. It's your fault that he's like this."
The accusation catches everyone by surprise. Ace's words are so sudden…but not completely unwarranted.
"Dorm Leader can't do anything about his parents." Ace isn't going to blame Riddle for that. "But he can choose how he acts around others. And if you think he's making the same mistakes as his parents, then tell him!"
"That's…" This isn't what Trey was expecting to hear.
"Don't you hate how his parents treat him?" Ace certainly hates it. No one deserves to have such a restrictive lifestyle. "Stop feeling sorry and spoiling him—do something… Or are you just going to watch as he becomes more and more hated from a distance?"
"I…" Trey wants to say something, but his mind keeps drawing blanks.
"Pathetic!" Really, Ace doesn't know what he was expecting from someone like Trey. It's honestly pissing him off… "Just what kind of friend are you?"
"Now you're just being mean!" Yuu jabs their elbow roughly into Ace's side.
"Maybe I am!" That doesn't mean Ace is going to take it back—he said what he said.
"HEY! YOU GUYS! WE ARE IN A LIBRARY, SO PLEASE KEEP IT DOWN!" Maybe a bit too loudly, because Dire Crowley overheard.
"When did he get here?" Ace doesn't know, but his ears definitely hate this.
"You're the one shouting, ya know…" Grim coughs up a cloud of smoke. Really, that was just too sudden…
"Oh, pardon me." Crowley clears his throat and then whispers, "My goodness, this library is supposed to be a quiet place for studying and reading."
"Sorry Crowley!" Yuu quickly apologizes, causing Crowley's expression to soften a bit.
"I'm glad you understand…hmm?" Crowley tilts his head to the side. "Did something happen?"
Crowley was referring to Yuu's outfit, but Deuce misunderstands and tells him everything that has happened to them.
"Not what I meant, but…hmmm…" It's interesting nonetheless—ahh, his students sure are troublemakers. "If you dislike the way your Dorm Leader runs things, you can always switch dormitories. Although, it would be difficult, since the Dark Mirror saw the quality of your soul, so… There are quite a number of troublesome procedures and rituals that are required."
Far too troublesome for Crowley's comfort.
"Yeah, no—that'd be like admitting defeat." Besides, Ace likes Heartslabyul—it's Riddle who he hates. "For now."
"Well, then…" A smile spreads across Crowley's lips. "You can always challenge Rosehearts-kun to a duel, and take his place as Dorm Leader!"
It's certainly an option—one that neither of them had considered, which leaves Crowley to deal with their loud, sudden outburst of, "Eeeeehhh?!"
"Hey—keep it down!" Geez, his students are noisy!
"It's because you said something weird, Headmaster!" Ace quickly explains himself in loud whisper.
"Is it strange?" Crowley doesn't think so. "How else do you think Rosehearts-kun got his position in the first place?"
"Now that you mention it…how are Dorm Leaders chosen at Night Raven College?" Deuce looks questioningly at Crowley.
"I heard Riddle became Dorm Leader a week after starting school." Grim remembers hearing that from Trey.
"The position can be passed down by the previous Dorm Leader, or it can be won in a duel against the current Dorm Leader." Crowley crosses his arms over his chest. "Really, there are various ways to become Dorm Leader. A duel is one of the simpler ways, I'd say."
"But isn't it prohibited to use magic for one's own benefit?" Ace furrows his brow.
"For personal gain, yes." Crowley nods his head. "However, a duel appointed and approved by the Headmaster himself is something else entirely."
"If I remember correctly…" Trey adjusts his glasses in thought. "It's also forbidden to enforce a handicap on your opponent before a duel, so you can have that collar taken off without apologizing to Riddle. Ah, but…"
"New students are given the right to challenge their Dorm Leader, should they want to!" Crowley's smile widens. "What will you do, Trappola-kun? Will you challenge Rosehearts-kun to a duel?"
"Alright, then…" It's not like Ace has many options. "Let's get to it."
"I'll join you." Deuce has no other choice, since Riddle will collar him as soon as they see each other again.
"Me too!" Grim raises his paw into the air, his eyes closing shut when Yuu suddenly taps his nose.
"You're in my dorm, silly!" Yuu laughs. "You'd have to duel me instead!"
"Which is prohibited, as you have no magic." Crowley narrows his eyes. "So don't try anything funny with Yuu-kun."
"Grrr…" So much for getting revenge on Riddle…
"Wait—so does that mean we can only use magic?" Deuce asks, having realized the implication of Crowley's words.
"Hmmm, yes." Crowley places his hand on his chin. "Any attacks other than magic are forbidden."
"Shit." Ace scratches the back of his head. "I'm not very confident in my magic…but we'll manage somehow."
Hopefully—otherwise, they're screwed.
"Geez, I didn't think you'd actually accept." Trey sighs. This is going to be an absolute mess…
"You guys always have a place in my room if things don't go well!" Yuu doesn't mind.
"Pass." As fun as it is to share a bed (not really), Ace would prefer not to become a permanent resident of the Ramshackle Dorm. The ghosts aren't worth the hassle…
"Very well—I shall finish telling you everything tomorrow!" Crowley is looking forward to tomorrow's duel. "Please inform me when the duel will take place. Now if you'll excuse me…"
Crowley has to finish reading the latest addition to a certain novel before anyone else—not that anyone needs to know. Especially not Yuu, who he promised to help.
…
…
Ace is the first to wake up the next morning, no thanks to Yuu kicking him in his sleep.
"Must be a wild dream…" Ace rests his chin on his hand. He lays on his stomach, just watching Yuu continue to fidget in his sleep.
Deuce is nearby, sleeping just as deeply as Grim, who has since plopped himself all over his face. It's a funny sight—but not as funny as the face that Yuu makes when Ace pinches his nose.
"Heheh…" he laughs quietly, watching the way Yuu reacts the longer he pinches his nose. It certainly takes his mind off of things, like how little confidence he has in his magic skills. He knows that today's duel won't be easy, and that if he fails…well… "Maybe I'll just continue living with Yuu."
He's a weird guy who can't use magic, who likes to run around and eat a lot. He's an airhead who is far too open for his own good. He's not the type of guy that Ace would ever befriend, and yet…
"I don't hate you." Ace won't be admitting it anytime soon, nor will he ever be so upfront about being friends with him either… But he also won't be denying it. "Guess you're stuck with me."
For better or for worse.
It's why he's just about ready to accept the outcome of his duel with Riddle in the Heartslabyul's courtyard. As annoying as it is to admit it, the difference in their levels is too much—he and Deuce didn't even last five seconds. There just isn't anything that can be done about it, or the collars around their necks. Of course, that doesn't mean Riddle has the right to belittle them.
"You can't keep using the rules as an excuse to do whatever you want!" It's the first time that Ace has ever seen Yuu get so angry. He's come close a few times before, but it's never been this serious.
"What do you even know about rules?!" Yuu's outburst strikes a nerve in Riddle. "You were born from parents who can't even use magic. I'm sure that you didn't receive a proper education before stepping foot in this school. Truly, it's pathetic."
There is something about the way that Riddle looks at Yuu as he speaks that makes Ace act before he can even think. To say such horrible things, while looking down on someone…
BAM!
It makes him want to wipe the look off Riddle's face.
"He punched the Dorm Leader!"
"Holy shit!"
"That looked like it hurt!"
Ace knows that he'll get in trouble for this. After all, Crowley is still around, and there are plenty of witnesses, too. But as he stands in front of Riddle, who stares at him with such wide eyes…
"Yeah…" This is fine. "I don't care about you or this duel anymore."
He stopped caring about it the instant that Riddle started targeting Yuu, knowing fully well that there isn't anything he can do to defend himself.
"Really…" Ace runs his fingers through his hair. "It's you who's pathetic."
Pushing away the one person who wanted to befriend him…
Acting like he's superior, just because he can use magic…
Forcing everyone to endure the same strictness that he's experienced…
"Kids aren't their parents' trophies." Ace understands that Riddle had such a difficult upbringing…but that doesn't excuse any of his actions. "Your parents aren't the ones who decide what you're worth."
That's one of the first things that Riddle should have learned during his first year at school, had Trey not enabled his terrible habits. And the fact that no one has ever stood up to him until now… Really, no wonder Riddle can't say or do anything else.
What can he do, when he's already used his unique magic on Ace?
"I understand that your mom raised you the way you did, but can you not think for yourself?" That's probably what pisses Ace off the most about Riddle. "To hell with this 'Red Ruler' bullshit! You're just a baby who just happens to be gifted with magic!"
"A baby…you say…?" Riddle can barely even speak. "Me…? You know nothing! You don't know anything about me!"
"Yeah, I don't." Ace narrows his eyes. "I don't know a damn thing. How could I with that nasty attitude of yours? Are you stupid?"
Ahh…he probably said too much, especially with the way Yuu suddenly jabbed at his sides.
"Tch." Not like he cares—he's not taking it back.
"Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP! BE QUIET!" Riddle explodes in anger, his body shaking with rage. "Mother is right! That's why I am also right!"
"Riddle, calm down." For the first time ever, Trey puts his foot down. He might have not been able to do anything in the past…but not anymore. He's heard enough. "The duel is over already."
From now on…he'll have to keep Riddle in check.
"Clover-kun is right." Crowley places his hands on his hips. "Any attacks done outside of a duel will nullify your victory! If you continue to do any more than this, you will be breaking the rules!"
"Breaking…me?" Crowley's words catch Riddle completely by surprise. Breaking rules…him?
"The first-year is right! I can't handle this anymore!" And just like that, the rest of Heartslabyul finally voices their complaints.
Riddle barely has time to react before something hard hits his head, a slimy wetness soon spreading across his hair. He reaches up to touch it.
"Is this…an egg?" Trey's eyes go wide. "Did someone throw that?"
Bits of eggshell and yolk cover his dark gloves. An egg…someone threw an egg at him… "Who did it?! Who threw this egg?!"
Riddle stares at the sea of Heartslabyul Dorm residents that surround him. No one dares say anything. They just stare at him, as if wanting to say he deserved it.
"Ahahahaha…" His laughter is hollow, the way his heart aches making tears well up in his eyes. "You've had enough? Is that it? I'm the one who's had enough!"
He's put up with everyone for so long, and for what? For them to treat him like this?!
"No matter how much I warned you, no matter how strict I've gotten, you all kept breaking the rules!" The heat spreads across his face, turning it a visible shade of red. "Every single one of you… You're all idiots who only think of yourselves!"
Of course, now that he thinks about it… He's been going at this the wrong way.
"If no one will admit it, then I'll have you all take responsibility!" Maybe now, they'll stop looking at him like that. "Off with all your heads! OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!"
It's so easy…it's just so easy collaring everyone. One right after the other…ahhh, he should've done this to start with.
"Ahhh! RUN AWAY!"
"Urk…! This collar…!"
The sight of his fleeing dormmates bring him a sick sense of satisfaction. With this…with this…!
"Now none of you can raise a hand against me!" No more eggs nor punches… Just willful obedience. "I knew it. I'm the only one who's right because I protect the rules."
Now all the rulebreakers will have to listen…yes, even that Alice, who looks at him with those sad, sad eyes.
"Stop it." His magic doesn't work on someone who can't use it. "Stop looking at me like that!"
How can someone so insignificant make him feel so…small?
"Please stop, Rosehearts-kun!" Crowley steps in, making sure to push Yuu behind himself. "Violating the rules is not like you at all!"
"Trey, this is bad…" Cater turns to Trey, who can only watch as Riddle continues to lash out. Somehow—they've avoided being collared. "If he uses any more magic, he'll…"
These emotions, paired up with this excessive use of magic…
"Riddle—enough!" Trey shouts, hoping that his words would finally reach out to his friends. How could he have let this escalate this badly? "This is all my fault…"
"Hey—not everything will go the way you want, you know?!" Ace yells at Riddle. "Throwing a tantrum like is exactly why I called you a baby!"
"Take that back right now!" Out of everyone that Riddle has had enough of, it's Ace who angers him the most. "Do you want to get skewered?!"
"Fuck off!" Ace refuses to back down, even if it kills him.
And honestly, it might with how loudly Riddle screams at him, his face as red as a rose.
"This is really getting bad!" Cater starts pushing Deuce, hoping it encourages him to run. "You guys need to get out of here!"
Grim has since started cowering behind Yuu, who can only watch as Riddle activates his magic once more. Within seconds, all the rose trees in the courtyard are ripped out from the ground, now floating in the air.
"What distorted magic…!" Beads of sweat roll down Deuce's face. "Does he plan on using that on Ace?!"
Ahhh, he knew he should've shut Ace up the instant he opened his mouth!
"Rose trees, tear that man's body to shreds!" Riddle waves his hand, his gaze completely fixated on Ace.
"Trappola—get out of the way!" Crowley barely has any time to react while protecting the one student of his who can't even use magic at all. Of course, Ace is in a similar position, with the collar around his neck…
"Run, Ace!" Yuu wants nothing more than to run towards him to push him out of the way, but Crowley's grip on their arm prevents them from going anywhere.
"So this is it…" Ace always knew his mouth was going to get him into serious trouble. Ahh… "I never got to thank Yuu…"
For all that he's done for him…
"Man, this seriously sucks!" Ace shuts his eyes, bracing himself for whatever painful impact is headed his way. He expects to feel nothing but excruciating pain, but it never comes. "H-Huh?"
Instead of rose trees, it's cards that just hit his body. Cards pile up on the ground, as though someone decided to play 52 Pickup. A startled yelp leaves Ace's mouth as he's pull backwards, his back soon hitting Deuce's chest.
"You got too lucky." He heaves out a sigh.
"The collars…!" They're gone!
It's all thanks to Trey's Doodle Suit replacing Riddle's magic with his. Trey adjusts his glasses, his gaze focused on Riddle as he stares at him with a look of betrayal on his face. No matter how many times Riddle uses his magic, all that comes out are more and more cards.
"Riddle…please stop." Trey doesn't want to see this happen to his friend. The way such a proud boy could set himself up for destruction like this… "Just look at everyone's faces."
If there's any reason left in Riddle, then all it would take to convince him would be the look of fear on everyone's faces. The words they say about him, calling him a monster that has gone too far.
"Haaah…my magic was overwritten by Trey's…?" Unfortunately, Riddle is too far gone to think clearly. All he can think is just how much weaker he is than Trey… "His magic is stronger than mine…?"
"Riddle—please calm down!" Trey calls out to his friend, hoping to talk him down from whatever breakdown he was on the verge of having. "Just listen to what they're saying!"
"Are you saying that I'm wrong too? Even after I did everything that I could to enforce all those strict rules?!" Riddle takes a few steps back, this overwhelming urge to scream growing stronger and stronger within his chest. Ahh…it feels like he's drowning in such a nauseating mess of emotions… Filling, filling, filling—like an inkwell that's overflowing with black ink. "Even after I've endured so much!"
What was the point of everything? All those clothes he was forced to wear, the people he was told to avoid, and that restrictive diet that might as well have been the cause of his short height?
Was it all for nothing?
"I won't…I will never…I will never believe it!" The scream tears itself out of his throat. He can feel something bubbling up in the back of his throat, something sticky and disgusting… "Huuurk…"
He can smell ink—can feel something dripping down his mouth. It's gross, so gross, so cold and disgusting…!
"You mustn't, Rosehearts!" Crowley reacts immediately to the black ink that continues to spill out of Riddle's mouth. "If you use your magic further, your magic jewel will become tainted with Blot!"
"I am…!" Riddle wipes his mouth, black ink smearing all over his skin. His face turns an angry shade of red as the frustration continues to build up. "I alone am…! I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO IS RIGHT!"
The last thing he hears before his entire world goes dark is Trey's voice, calling out his name. It's overwhelming, the way it seeps through his clothes and skin. It drips down his face, like tear drops falling from his eyes. He can feel something emerging out of his back, almost ripping itself out of his skin.
Eventually, he can see again. And when he does, he can feel something bubbling in his throat.
"Ahahahahaha!" It's laughter. Such derisive, malicious laughter, aimed at the one person who continues to look at him with such sad, sad eyes—Yuu. "I do not need anyone who defies me in my world."
He especially doesn't need an Alice that has only caused him so much trouble, because they weren't bound by any of his rules.
"I am my world's absolute ruler." His pale skin has lost all color, his uniform replaced with tattered black and red clothes. Silver eyes have turned into an ominous shade of red as trails of black ink continue to drip all over his skin. "My world itself submits to me! I will not tolerate any other answer, except, 'Yes, Lord Riddle'!"
Yes, especially if it's coming from Alice…
"It's off with the heads of everyone who defies me!" The perfect solution for all rulebreakers. "Ahahahahahaha!"
"Ahhh…how could this happen?" Crowley laments his misfortune. "How could I let a student go into Overblot while I am here?"
"Overblot…?" Yuu repeats questioningly. "Is that why he looks so different?"
Those clothes, that crown made out of ink…the ominous figure that looms behind him…
"What's an Overblot?" Grim asks, his body continuing to press itself closer to Yuu for comfort.
"Overblot is the one situation that all mages should avoid." Obviously, someone like Yuu wouldn't need to worry about such a situation, though it's best to inform them anyways. "Right now, he has been enveloped by so much negative energy that he's lost control over his emotions and magic."
"I don't really get it, though?" Grim furrows his brow.
"I don't either!" It's all too new for Deuce.
"Ahh, geez!" Cater can't believe how little these two know about these things. "It's like an evil villain berserk mode!"
A very dangerous berserk mode.
"If this continues, Riddle's life will be in danger!" Which is the one thing that Trey wants to avoid.
"The other students' lives take more priority! I'll go help with the evacuation!" It's bad enough as is for Crowley that one of his students has gone into Overblot, but allowing the others to get hurt… That's something he can't let happen. "Rosehearts must come to his senses before his magic consumes him. Losing his life is an absolute worst-case scenario, but what's worse is…"
What's worse is losing everyone in the aftermath of this hazardous situation.
"In any case, all of you go get the rest of the staff and Dorm Leaders to help control this!" He gives Yuu a light shove, trying to encourage them to run. It's dangerous enough as is, but for someone without magic… "Ahh!"
Crowley quickly shoots a spell in the direction of a few Heartslabyul students, quickly shielding them from the massive rose tree that the monster behind Riddle swings around. He has to move now!
"TAKE THIS!" And then Ace starts attacking the monster himself.
Without the collar around his neck, Ace can use his magic again. This isn't any different from attacking that monster in the mine, though this one… This one has Riddle attached to it.
"Come forth, cauldron!" Deuce joins him in the attack, conjuring up a cauldron above Riddle's head. It almost hits him, but the monster behind him just slaps it away.
"You insolent little…!" How dare these rulebreakers attack him! "Just what do you think you're doing?!"
"You still haven't apologized to me!" Ace knows better than to add fuel to the fire, but with how things have escalated and how hostile Riddle has become…is there even a point to hold back? "I refuse to let you die like this!"
"It's a terrible way to die…" It's hard for Deuce to stay calm, but it's even harder for him to ignore Riddle while he's like this.
"Die…" Slowly, Yuu is starting to realize just how real everything is. This entire time, it felt like it was all a nightmare. From how helpless they felt from watching all these events unfold, to how quickly everything had gone wrong.
This is a nightmare that they want to wake up from…but no matter how many times they bite their cheek or pinch their arm, they just won't wake up. If they can't wake up from this nightmare at all, then…
Then…
"I'll just have to end it myself." Otherwise, they'll never get a chance to become friends with Riddle. "Run…"
They have to run…
"Run!" Yuu lifts Grim into their arms, their legs immediately moving towards Riddle and the monster.
"Y-Yuu!" Grim sinks his claws into Yuu's arms, his fur puffing out in fear. "What are you doing?!"
"Fire, fire!" the words come out of Yuu's mouth. There isn't much coherence to their train of thought, but eventually, something clicks in Grim's head.
"Fire…!" Yuu wants him to attack! "Fffgnnaaa!"
The flames shoot out of his mouth, and like usual, they're slapped away. However, unlike the other times before, this time…this time!
"Aaaugh!" Riddle's eyes go wide at the flames that quickly spread across the rose tree that the monster behind him wields.
There's an opening that Deuce sees, and without even thinking or having to be told… "Come forth—cauldron!"
C-Craaaackk!
The sound of glass cracking echoes throughout the maze. It catches Crowley's attention as he guides students to safety.
"Wait a minute!" he yells, his eyes going wide. "This is too dangerous!"
"It's dangerous enough as is!" Ace wants nothing more than to run away, with how fast his heart is pounding within his chest. This truly is dangerous…but he can't bring himself to leave! "It's as you said—we have to bring him back to his senses!"
And if someone like Yuu can find the strength to stand up to Riddle, despite having no magic to protect himself… Then so can Ace.
"H-Have you guys lost your minds?!" Cater's voice nearly cracks under the strain of his own emotions. His body won't stop shaking, and his mind won't stop screaming at him to run. He almost runs…but then he hears Yuu call out to him, saying a phrase that makes him laugh.
"We're all mad here!"
"Mad, huh?" Ahh, this is seriously so bad! "Then…I guess there's no other way!"
Or maybe there is another way, but for now—Cater has stopped caring. All he wants to do now is help Riddle out, before his body gives out.
"Yeah…" Trey adjusts his glasses. There is still so much he has to do. So much that he has to say… "I can't lose him yet."
For the very first time, he ignores the Headmaster's pleas to run. All that he's ever done is run away instead of facing the problem itself—that's why Riddle is like this. He's been a terrible friend…
"Cater, use your magic to cause a distraction." That's why Trey has to make up for his mistakes. Because that's what friends do. "I need to concentrate so I can overwrite Riddle's magic for a short time."
It's difficult enough as is, for what he's done for Ace and Deuce. And it's only going to get even more difficult, as the pressure builds up. He can't afford to make another mistake…
"Every single one of you are getting ahead of yourselves…" Riddle's face contorts into a scowl. "Off with your heads!"
The monster behind him swings the burning rose tree around. It goes immediately for Yuu, as they are the closest. Grim screams in terror, closing his eyes tightly as he waits for the impact.
It never comes, as when he opens his eyes, he finds that he and Yuu are safe. More than that, he can feel a sort of pressure on the scruff of his neck. Is that…is that Yuu?!
"H-Hey!" He flails his limbs around. "I'm not some kind of kitten, dammit!"
And yet, here they are—carrying him in their mouth!
"Are you some sort of animal?!" The way they're moving around reminds Grim of how he runs when he's on all fours. It's such an awkward position for Yuu, and yet that still doesn't stop them from avoiding Riddle's attacks.
"Come forth—cauldron!" Deuce uses this chance to conjure up another cauldron. It lands on the monster's head, adding more to the cracks in the heart-shaped glass that were already there from the previous attack.
"Enough!" Color returns to Riddle's face, sickly pale skin turning an intense shade of red. A disturbing smile spreads across Riddle's face. "Off with your head!"
The monster behind him moves towards Deuce, ready to strike him down with the burning rose tree. The impact of the attack is lessened by Ace's magic, and while it still sends Deuce flying.
THUD!
The landing isn't as rough as it would have been, had Ace not used his magic.
"You…!" Riddle points an accusatory finger at Ace. "This time…this time…!"
"You'll what?" Ace smirks. "Throw another tantrum?"
A scream tears itself out of Riddle's mouth as he has the monster behind him lunge at Ace. An ink-covered hand reaches out to grab Ace, but it narrowly misses him as he's pulled out of the way.
"Ya-ho~!" Cater sticks out his tongue at Ace. "Still got a death wish, huh?"
Ace barks out a laugh. "As if I'd let that little tyrant boss me around."
"Is that so, is that so?" Geez, Ace is such a troublemaker…well, maybe that's what makes him so cute. Cater lets out a loud whistle, his eyes practically gleaming with mirth as he watches the barrage of flames that pelt the monster's back.
The monster and Riddle turn around, a look of frustration crossing Riddle's face as he finds himself looking at another copy of Cater, who sticks his tongue out at him.
"You'd be a lot cuter if you just calm down!" Laughter escapes Cater's mouth as he dodges the burning rose tree as its swung around.
Another attack to the monster's back switches its attention over to yet another copy of Cater. There is barely any time for it to react before another attack hits its back. Riddle's face turns red at the sight of yet another copy of Cater taunting him.
No matter where he looks, there is always another copy of Cater keeping Riddle busy. At least once, it's Yuu who distracts him, using Grim to attack now that they were no longer carrying him in their mouth. It buys Trey enough time to use his unique magic to limit Riddle's attacks.
"Again…!" Riddle forces a smile, his face turning an even darker shade of red. "You're getting in my way again, Trey!"
"Wouldn't have it any other way!" Trey adjusts his glasses, very much relieved to have his unique magic land. It should keep Riddle from collaring any of them just a little longer… "Hey—we need to finish him off while my Doodle Suit is still active!"
The instant it wears off, the collars will return for Ace and Deuce, and worse yet—Trey, Cater, and everyone else will be at risk at getting collared as well. They have to make this count.
"Keep going for the head!" Yuu remembers the monster in the mine. Like the monster behind Riddle, it too also had a head made out of glass, filled with ink. And if they're exactly the same, then getting rid of the head…yeah—it should get rid of the monster as well.
"Cauldron!" Even now, it's all Deuce can come up with in such a short amount of time. He is thankful for how effective it is, paired up with Cater's distraction.
The cracks in the monster's heart-shaped glass head grow bigger, allowing black ink to trickle out. Soon, it starts spilling over Riddle like raindrops falling from the sky.
"This…This…!" The smell of ink grows stronger as Riddle smears the black liquid across his face. "I'm the only one who's always right! If not, then all that I've worked for was…no—it can't be! I won't allow it!"
The monster slams the rose tree into the ground multiple times, causing the ground beneath them to quake as the fire is finally put out. More and more ink spills onto the ground as time passes by and the cracks in the glass get bigger.
"Just one more hit…" Ace wipes the sweat on his face using his sleeve. He never realized how exhausting it could be to use magic so often… "No wonder Vargas is such a hardass."
Stamina really is important, which is why Cater is starting to lag behind from making so many clones. He collapses onto the ground, his clones soon disappearing into puffs of smoke. He has a hard time breathing, his body feeling far too exhausted to move.
Ace has to step in to pull Cater out of the way, narrowly avoiding another attack from Riddle. "You so owe me!"
"Can this wait until after we get out of this alive?" Cater would prefer to talk about this when their lives are not in such serious danger.
"Cauldron!" Deuce tries to land the finishing blow on the monster's head, but it manages to swing the cauldron away in time. "Shit!"
The exhaustion starts to set in, making it difficult for him to summon another cauldron. Ace tries to use his magic to compensate for Deuce, but nothing wants to come out. His brain is too fried to come up with anything solid.
"There's not much time left!" Time is running out for Trey's magic. "We have to end it now!"
Crowley is nowhere near close to help them out, and Grim's magic is mostly limited to his fire. The most Grim can do now is provide a distraction, which Yuu decides to make the most out of it as they try to figure something out.
"Break, break, break…" They have to break the glass…but with what? The cauldron isn't that heavy to throw around, but they're not fast enough to get it by the monster without them batting it away with the rose tree. "What to do, what to do…"
If only they had something—wait. Yuu pauses for a moment, their fingers currently touching the headband around their head. Their fingers trace around it, feeling the material.
"Stretch!" The headband has elastic to it! "Streeeetch…yes!"
Yuu removes their headband as they rush over to grab a few stones off the ground. They're somewhat thankful for the mess that Riddle has caused, as otherwise, they would have never found anything to use for their next attack. They run as far as they can get—just out of Riddle and the monster's sight. Using their headband as a makeshift slingshot, they place the rock inside and start to pull back.
"Aim, aim, aaaaiiim!" Grim has their attention, so Yuu can focus on aiming the stone at the monster's glass head. "Bam!"
The first one misses entirely, but Yuu doesn't give up. They try again—it misses, though this time, it's closer than the previous. The third time, it actually hits. And so does the fourth and then the fifth…
By the sixth, the glass finally starts to give out. And with the final seventh stone—it all comes apart.
Ink pours out from the openings, cascading over Riddle like a waterfall. The monster behind him slowly starts to dissolve in the black ink, taking Riddle down with it.
"M-Mother!" Riddle cries out, his hand reaching up for the sky as he looks towards anything for help. Deeper, deeper, deeper, he sinks into the puddle of ink, the fear finally setting in. "Motherrrr!"
He cries out for the one person who had always scared him. For all that she's done to him, he still looks towards her for acceptance. He knows that she'll only criticize him for his actions—tell him that he needs to be punished for breaking the rules. And yet, because of how he has acted…his mother is all he can think about.
It's why his eyes go wide when that magic-less student dives into the ink with him and grabs onto his hand.
"Yuu!"
…
…
Darkness is all that Yuu can see. It feels sticky and wet and cold. It seeps into their clothes and smells strongly of ink, making them retch. Their movements are slow and sluggish, as though they're wading through a pool of thick mud…
And yet, they just keep moving forward. Why—well, they're not sure, but there's something that's there… It's pulling them towards it.
Forward, forward, and forward…
There's a scene that plays out before Yuu's eyes—a memory of a young boy with red hair and silver eyes. He stares at cake that's made especially for his eighth birthday. It's lackluster in appearance, with no frosting nor any decorative toppings. It doesn't look so appetizing, despite the words that come out of that woman's mouth.
She lists its ingredients—it's low on sugar, made with nuts and soy flour. There are words that she says that Yuu can't even begin to understand.
Just what makes those ingredients so important? So long as they're not causing any serious harm, then does it really matter what things are made out of?
The boy thanks the lady, calling her, "Mama." He sounds so uncertain, his voice growing nervous as he brings up a simple request.
"Just once, I want to eat a tart filled with lots of red strawberries." Such a simple request for a pastry that he's never had…
It's immediately shot down—desserts filled with sugar are poison. Just one slice will exceed his daily intake of carbohydrates.
"Ahhh…" Something about the way the boy's mother talks about calories and carbohydrates—it makes something inside Yuu's chest hurt.
How little a growing child is forced to eat—shouldn't he eat more? Wouldn't this…hurt him?
Hurt hurt hurt, it hurts—it makes Yuu want to throw up as they're reminded of how painful it can be to starve. How much more would it feel on a child?
"I've always wanted to eat a tart filled with red strawberries—just like the ones displayed in the shop window of the cake shop that we pass by. Tarts that looked like jewels…"
The next memory that plays out, as Yuu continues to wade through the ink, is of that same boy again. This time, he is being told by his mother to study. It's so, so much for an eight-year-old boy. But he accepts what he's told without any complaints, even if it means reading over fifty pages for tomorrow's lesson.
"I was always surrounded by lessons that I had to finish. Every study session was extended if possible… But this was my normal."
How could something so intensive be so normal for such a young child? Yuu wants to cry out—wants to scream because this isn't fair.
The next memory is of the boy being called over to the window by a cat-eared boy with purple hair. He has such an interesting smile—so wide and full of mischief. A glasses-wearing boy with green hair stands by his side, the two of them peering into the window at the red-haired boy who sits at a table, reading through so many pages of his book.
He is invited over—told to join them for a game of croquet. It's only for an hour, but even an hour is too much for the boy…but he loves it nonetheless. He knows not of how to play croquet—or any game for that matter. Instead of poking fun at him, the two boys teach him how to have fun.
"Playing with Trey and Che'nya was so much fun. We played a lot of things that I didn't know how to play. The both of them taught me a lot. From that day on, during my one hour of self-study time, I would sneak outside to play without telling my mother."
Such fond, fond memories… It all comes to an end, on a day that the boy is finally given his wish—to eat a tart filled with strawberries. It's given to him by his friend, and the way he eats it is so painstakingly slow.
He has to savor each bite, the way it overwhelms his mouth. It causes his glasses-wearing friend to look at him with such sad, sad eyes.
"Atop a pure white plate, a brilliant red strawberry tart. For me, it shined brighter than any jewel. The first bite was wonderfully sweet. It was better than anything I ever had. I savored each bite, losing myself to its flavor that I lost track of time."
Such a brief moment of happiness that practically brought tears to his eyes… It all comes to an end when the boy's mother discovers her son's escapades. She scolds him so harshly, never once showing any lenience to a boy who is still so young.
She shows him the consequences of breaking her rules, taking away the friends he had cherished so dearly. She exerts more control over the boy who barely has any freedom. It's inexcusable—but no one does anything.
So the boy suffers in silence as he's forced to follow his mother's strict rules.
"I broke the rules, so my free time was taken away. That's why I had to listen to every rule that Mother made. Because Mother, who was best respected in town, is always right."
Those same rules that restricted this boy… Had turned him into someone who had to follow each, and every rule.
Each step that Yuu takes feels heavier and heavier. It takes so much more effort to make any more movement. But they keep moving forward—because they can hear something.
"But…hey, Mama. Why? Why does my chest hurt like this?"
Such sadness…such intense sadness—it makes the tears slide down Yuu's face. Someone…someone is crying.
Hic!
Sobs that grow louder and louder with each step that they take forward.
"I want to eat a lot of tarts—even if it's only on my birthday. I want to play outside a lot… I want to make lots more friends…"
"Ahhh…there you are." In the distance, is a pitiful figure, sinking deeper and deeper into the darkness. Red hair is stained black, pristine white clothes ruined by ink. The salty tears that slide down his face as he hiccups between sobs…
"Tell me, Mama. What rules should I follow to make this pain go away?"
"There aren't any rules…" Yuu reaches out to the figure, their fingers soon reaching out to touch ink-matted hair. "This is a pain that will always be here…"
Deep within this scarred heart…
"Yes…this is a hurt that will never go away." How sad, how sad… This pain will always be here—but that doesn't mean he has to face it alone. "I'm here."
Here to light the way in this never-ending darkness.
"There, there." Arms wrap around such a fragile figure. One touch is all it would take to break such a delicate boy… But he stays strong, his body going still as he finally opens his eyes. "You're not alone."
Not anymore.
…
…
The smell of ink is still as strong, but when Yuu opens their eyes, there is no trace of it left. Not anywhere on their clothes, nor on Riddle's either. He clings to them in his sleep, seeks out their comfort and warmth that had helped him in that inky darkness.
When Trey calls out his name, Riddle opens his eyes. And just like that, the nightmare is finally over.
"You guys nearly gave us a heart-attack!" Cater heaves out a sigh. "I don't even know what we'd do if you didn't wake up…!"
It was even more difficult, waiting for both Yuu and Riddle to come out of ink they had sunk into. Such a relief to see them appear, once the ink finally faded away.
"You guys were gone for a while…" Trey had almost gone into the ink himself, but Ace had stopped him.
It's hard for Riddle to breathe—his body is just so exhausted. More than that…his chest won't stop hurting. "What…What have I done?"
This regret…it hurts so much. But holding onto Yuu…it makes the pain a bit bearable—just a bit.
"What a relief…" Crowley is elated to see that both Yuu and Riddle are okay. "You've gave us quite the fright."
Really, his magic-less ward is so reckless…but no matter—it seems that they're giving Riddle the support he needs right now, while he's recovering from his Overblot.
"You don't have to think about anything right now," Trey reassures Riddle. "Just rest…"
He deserves it now, after all that has happened.
"It's because you coddle him like that that he throws tantrums when he's scolded!" Ace glares at Trey, who glares right back at him. "What he did was no joke, ya know? We could've died!"
"Y-Yeah…" Deuce nods his head.
"Geez…you can't go wild just cuz you need to release stress, ya know?" Grim prods Riddle's leg with his paw. He resists the urge he has to scratch him—only because Yuu wouldn't like it.
Riddle looks away from Yuu, his gaze slowly fixating itself on Ace, who stares angrily at him. Ahhh…he has every right to be angry, because of those tarts… "I…I really wanted to eat that marron tart…"
"Eh?" Ace blinks, confusion now replacing his anger.
"I like white roses, too…" Riddle thinks back on the white roses that were painted red. "And pink flamingos are totally fine… And I prefer honey over sugar in tea."
That cup of tea he had the other day, during the Unbirthday Party…the one that Yuu had made him—it's one of the best cups of tea that he's had in such a long while. He was just too stubborn to admit it, because he was envious of how carefree Yuu was acting.
"I actually like milk tea more than lemon tea…" How something he kept to himself for so long could actually come out so easily… "I want to talk to everyone after we eat too."
That day he refused Yuu's offer to eat with him… Ahh, he really wanted to listen to them.
"Riddle…?" Trey looks questioningly at Riddle. There is something about him that has changed.
All it takes is one look at those silver eyes as they well up with tears. "I've always…always wanted to play more with you, Trey."
The tears keep coming as Riddle starts sobbing. It hurts to think about the bittersweet memories that he's left behind him. How he wishes there was more of them…
"There, there…" Yuu's fingers gently stroke his hair. "There's always more time to play."
"No way…" Cater runs his hand through his hair. "Riddle-kun is crying…"
It's such a shock to see a proud person cry like a young child.
"H-Hey—come on!" Ace scowls. "Don't think I'lll forgive you just because you're crying."
Things are seriously starting to get awkward, now.
"You should really learn how to read the room." Deuce gives Ace such a judgmental look.
"I don't wanna hear it from you." Ace clicks his tongue.
"I'm…I'm sorry, too." Trey accepts part of the blame for this mess. "I always knew you were suffering…but I just kept quiet."
He should have acted long ago, instead of letting it fester like a wound.
"That's why I'll say this now." It's time for him to make up for his mistakes. "Riddle, you were wrong. You should apologize to everyone here."
No more excuses.
No more rules.
"I'm sorry…" Riddle wipes his eyes, but the tears keep coming. "I'm so, so sorry…!"
"You know…I actually wanted you to say sorry for everything you've done, but…" Ace scratches the back of his head. This apology…yeah—this isn't enough. "As if I'll be satisfied with a single sorry! I'll never forgive you!"
He's exaggerating—maybe some years down the line, he'll ease up on Riddle. But for now, Ace is adamant about his decision.
"Aren't you being too harsh?!" Cater's eyes are wide with shock.
"Like hell!" Ace places his hands on his hips. "I experienced a lotta trauma! And that marron tart that I worked so hard to make was thrown away like garbage!"
He did not get pelted with spiky chestnut shells for it all to go to fucking waste!
"I won't forgive you easily, even if you cry!" Ace stands his ground, despite how much his chest aches each time he hears Riddle sob.
"You're pettier than me…" Grim is not even that surprised.
"It's fine, it's fiiiine!" Yuu says with a smile on their face. "Ace doesn't really hate you. He just wants something in return for the trouble you gave him."
"Then…what should I do?" Riddle asks.
"Well…my birthday's not for a long while." Still a few weeks away, when anything can happen at Night Raven College. "Let's have a do-over of the Unbirthday Party."
It's faster that way and more than anything, yesterday's party was an absolute mess for everyone.
"This time, bring a tart you made." To make up for the tarts that Ace had made himself. "Ah—you can't ask Trey-senpai for help either! Make it yourself from scratch! If you do that, then maaaaaybe I'll forgive you…or not."
His anger has since subsided, now that he's managed to voice his own terms. He scowls at the knowing look at Yuu gives him. Just what does he want to say?
"You're not honest at all, are you?" Yuu can only laugh when Ace tells them to shut up. It's just what they've come to expect from him!
"I understand…" Riddle sniffs. "Tarts…"
He can make tarts…he'll definitely try.
"Indeed, indeed!" Crowley claps his hands together. "What a beautiful turn out this is. Let's say everything is settled for now, shall we?"
"Yeah, yeah…" Cater sighs in dismay at the mess he sees around the rose maze and courtyard. "The garden I worked so hard on is in shambles…doho~!"
This is going to take a while…
"I'll help out," Trey is quick to offer.
"You should take Riddle-kun to the infirmary," Cater suggests instead. "He just went into an Overblot, so I think a doctor should check him out."
"It's just as Diamond-kun says." Crowley crosses his arms over his chest. "I will accompany you."
"H-Hey!" Riddle exclaims, his face going red as he's lifted into the air in Yuu's arms.
"I can take him instead!" Yuu chirps out. "That way Trey can help Paisen~!"
It's better this way, because Trey can use magic.
"Are you certain?" Crowley tilts his head to the side. "Shouldn't you rest up as well?"
This reckless student of his had risked so much in the past hour…
"I'm fine!" Yuu waves off Crowley's concern. "He doesn't even weigh that much!"
"I can walk…" Riddle averts his gaze, his face turning an even deeper shade of red. "Please put me down…hey!"
Yuu outright ignores Riddle, instead choosing to start running as they make their way over to the exit. They have to take Riddle all the way to the infirmary, so he can recover. Crowley chases after them, calling out to Yuu to slow down, but Yuu is too busy humming to themselves.
It's a cheerful tune about a garden full of flowers…
While that goes on, Cater looks back on the scene before him—the way Deuce and Ace are criticizing Grim for eating a strange jewel he found on the ground. They're acting like a bunch of carefree idiots, despite everything that has happened.
"Really, now…" A wide smile forms on Cater's lips. "Thank you, guys…"
His words are barely audible, so when Ace asks if he said anything, Cater is quick to deny it. No one questions him—they have no reason to, when he's smiling so happily.
…
…
…
A/N Every time I want to end chapter one, the chapter keeps getting longer. I had to split up this chapter from what I originally had, which was nearing like 14K+ words. Anyways, we got Riddle's Overblot out of the way!
Have some of my headcanons by the way, and some Che'nya and Yuu interactions. Che'nya is really fun to write, as is feral Yuu! Been having an absolute blast just getting through these chapters.
Also, Riddle's mom can meet me in Denny's parking lot for a fight, because I am ready to square up! These hands are rated E for Everyone, dammit.
Moving on, Ace is a little shit, but he is seriously fun to write. He can be an ass, but he also means well. And if you look closely, you can see there's something that's there.
Pronouns are all over the place, because no one is asking Yuu the right questions. We're slowly making some progress, though, and the truth should come out by the end of chapter two. So until then, the misconceptions will continue, lmaooo.
This chapter is brought to you by Broken-Synchronicity's Twisted Wonderland fanfic, Lost in Translation! Had a blast reading through it, and highly recommend it to everyone!
As always, let me know what you think in a review! If not, you could always spam my inbox on tumblr at klonoadreams—might not always answer it fast enough, but I'll get to it eventually!
Hope everyone's enjoying the event in Twisted Wonderland! Can't wait for Chapter 6 Part 1 to drop this month, because it's time for Idia to leave his fucking room and officially interact with everyone else!
Until next time, y'all! Stay safe!
