iThe mirror glows in my mind. /i

iA cliff, the sound of wind. A lion walks with a strange monkey behind it. They scale slowly as large clouds hang overhead. A bird flies above the proudly standing lion./i

iA money holds a golden object; a female lion stands beside the male./i

iThe monkey lifts a cub into the air as golden rays of sunshine shine on the golden cub. /i

I wake up to my room, with Grim of all creatures thrashing on the bed in excitement. After yesterday's drama, I guess it's nice to see him so enthused?

I could do without the shouting.

I still feel a little bit like garbage after what I'm dubbing the Peaches Incident, or the case of the No YOLO. I'm a hundred percent positive that because of social media it's definitely… we've got a really good rumor and story market for an all-boys school.

"What a dream…" I mumble.

"How was it?! Now you've behind the power of the Great Grim!" Wait, is he dreaming?

He's dreaming. "GRIM! WAKE UP!" Oh we are going to figure out how to solve that nonsense.

"I'll be victorious over the teapot tyrant!" Fuck that nickname needs to never be uttered in front of Riddle as long as we live. Grim, no.

That's when he wakes up, wide-eyed and surprised. "Oh? Ramshackle? Aww… it was a dream…" He's so deflated and disappointed in life that I feel better. "I thought I took down Riddle… this sucks."

Dreams lead to disappointment, Grimmy.

Oh man I'm feeling weirdly bitter today.

"That why we're going to classes, Grim—get big, strong, and maybe one day you'll kick Riddle's ass." Maybe. Maybe.

"You're right! Then we gotta go to school and become great magicians! Or at least, I will!" Thanks for that rub in, buddy.

We have a special long class this Friday with Trein, which, I am so excited! Fridays are a little random in their scheduling, but I'm not complaining. We at least get proper notice, and unlike a certain cat demon, I actually really enjoy history. This is all new to me, and while some concepts are a little harder to grasp because I don't have the basis of growing up in Twisted Wonderland, I have enough of a… grasp on how people work to parse out what I need to know from things.

That, and I'm glad I'm responsible for essays and other long-written materials, because otherwise we'd fail quick. I'm already well aware Grim is top-tier shit at paying attention.

We head into the school, probably earlier than Ace and Deuce as we haven't ,met up with him yet. We're on the way to one of the large lecture halls when…

"You!" I turn because someone's raising their voice in my general direction. Yep, they are talking to me and approaching rapidly. "If you put your arms through the Night Raven College uniform sleeves, you must conduct yourself as befits it." I have no idea who this is that's lecturing me—but wait! I recognize the pretty guy from the entrance ceremony.

Huh. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Don't just stand there, show some spirit." I don't know who made this particular person in charge of school spirit but I want him to perish today. "And isn't that uniform too big on you? If you don't wear one with the proper fit, it makes you look sloppy."

"You know, where I'm from-" Oh no my temper is definitely shot today. "—we have a phrase, it's imind your business./i" I should not be picking a fight with a senior but what else does my dumb ass do but do it?

He's so taken aback, that I manage to escape with Grim. "Who IS that jerk?" He asks.

"Fuck if I care, Grim." I have a bad feeling about this.

The man is stunned long enough for us to get into class. I doubt even an upperclassman would come in here and throw a fit in front of Trein. We are early today! We're the first one's here as the professor is busy preparing materials. "Morning, Professor!" I'm chipper as Grim heads and sits down.

I think he has a bit of an issue with Lucius. "Morning Lucius." I greet the cat, who chirps a little meow at me.

"Good morning, No Wei." He greets politely, eyes still on what I assume are his notes.

I take a seat, and pull out my textbook and notes. Neatly organized and in order. Grim looks over at it and sighs. "Right… we had this today."

"I'm excited." I reply. "Since I'm from a different world, everything here is fresh and new." Okay, I'm definitely chipper in direct response to probably pissing off pretty boy earlier. Or—as a reaction to actually getting to have a normal day that isn't filled with weird stuff. Who even knows at this point.

It's Ace and Deuce I spot next coming in—weird for them to be this early but then I'm not surprised when I see Riddle with them. Oh. Ooo.

Why is he here.

He comes and stands right before my spot, and I look at him with a very neutral expression. "Morning Riddle." I have no sense of formality.

"No." He's looking over me carefully, before he makes a satisfied nod. "Good day."

He turns heel, leaving.

I look at Ace and Deuce, thoroughly confused.

"Peach inspection." Deuce answers gravely.

"Yeah, he's not going to trust you for like a week after that bullshit you pulled yesterday, No." He grins. "He yelled at Cater when he pointed out that you're not part of our dorm. I guess our teapot tyrant's got a soft spot for you."

"That's called friendship, Ace." Deuce looks a little concerned.

I sigh. "Okay, sit down you two."

They take their seats, and we're casually chatting as the class fills up with students—and finally, class begins.

And within five minutes, Grim's asleep. I keep having to wake him up, but he's out again and again. Ugh, it interferes with my note taking too!

By the time we're done with class, I'm back to being annoyed—but at least it's lunch time. Off we head, and Grim's quiet with how sleepy he is. Maybe I need to make sure he has breakfast in the mornings?

Hm.

As we enter the cafeteria, Grim yawns. "I think Professor Trein cast a sleeping spell to make us fall sleep…." He grumbles. "No matter how hard I tried, I kept falling asleep!" Sure, tried hard.

"Five minutes after class started, Grim—you didn't struggle." Deuce looks a mite irritated too.

I'm going to review the material tonight and supplement my notes. We'll have a quiz on this soon, at least that's what he told us. Ugh.

Ace has already forgotten class. "It's lunch time! What is there to eat~?" I mean, I have a stomach grumbling too.

"The cafeteria smells great today." I comment.

Actually, as Ace points out, "It's pretty crowded today."

"Attention students!" We hear one of the cafeteria ghosts call out. "Today is our once-a-month special! The Valley-side Bakery is catering today!"

"The what?" I approach, asking.

"It's a famous bakery from the village at the bottom of the mountain." The ghost explains to us—and that is a really cute chef's hat.

"Do we just… go like usual?" I see a line and a set up… it looks like the norm.

Kinda?

"Yes, just start with your tray and plate!"

"Thanks!" And I head off to rejoin my troupe.

"Hurry before it all sells out!" The ghost calls after me.

This means it's on Crowley's dime. The BEST.

Students are calling to the workers to snag a variety of items while others are wrapped and being snatched.

The ghosts are announcing when items are sold out and what's low in stock. I snag a pretty good drink, it looks like a tea.

We're finally up and Ace grins. "Everything looks amazing—what should I get?"

"It's all so popular. What are you and Grim getting?" Deuce asks.

"…" I look and see that there is no Grim.

He's basically forced himself further down. "I'm getting that mincemeat sandwich!" He huffs out. Oh no. The monster is loose.

"Grim! Come back!" I call out.

He's getting into a tussle with some upperclassmen from Heartslabyul. Fuck me I am going to get in trouble with this dorm the entire time I'm at this school.

Deuce is taken aback, "He doesn't remember anyone exists when there's food!"

"Yep." I reply.

"Ah… Here we go again." A sigh of proper exasperation from Ace.

I sigh, and rush up to Grim and the seniors.

But Grim snags the sandwich of his dreams with a laugh. "Of course it's all mine!" Dodging the seniors just as we get up. He's got MANY things on his tray. I'm literally impressed.

"Grim, you need to cut that out! Seniors, we're sorry." Deuce scolds and apologizes at once.

Ace takes advantage of our position. "Excuse me, could I have the grilled roast beef sandwich with extra lettuce?" A wonder nods, handing the shameless student the prize.

Deuce turns to scold ace. "Don't just start ordering!"

Grim proceeds down the line with his tray full of stuff, oblivious to everything else around him. "I get to get all of this~ what a wonderful day~"

"I'm sorry." I apologize to the seniors. "He's—um… weird about food."

"Oh, you're… the Ramshackle Dorm Prefect?" One asks, I nod.

"Ah—you helped with Riddle." The other, a blond, looks me over.

"Yeah… that's us." Oh boy.

"Well, you can cut." The blond gestures. "Thanks for helping with everything. It's been… better."

I smile. "I'm glad to help!"

And I go on, ordering too, quickly, and going to catch up with the too-happy Grim.

That worked out so nicely!

I notice that he's accosted by a hyena-earned class man from Savanaclaw, by the yellow of his vest. He's grinning suspiciously at Grim, and I think I catch, "Ah, that was pretty amazing! You got a hold of the deluxe minced meat sandwich!"

Uh. Mmm. I'm getting early Ace vibes as I try to move around to intervene.

"Hey No, you want a chocolate pastry!?" Ace calls out.

I'm distracted, turning to-"Yes."

Okay, so that's nice of him.

"Who are you?" I think I hear Grim say.

"Hey—I need that sandwich, so—how about a deal? How about-"

I turn around to see a very distressed-looking Grim… trading? That's not right. Grim is a glutton through and through. He doesn't really get the concept of trading and sharing yet. I am struggling with this with him right now. Ace isn't helping with his attitude problems, but at least Deuce is helping me be an example of how that works.

"That's not right…" I comment.

"Trade complete!" The kid laughs. His messy blond hair is mixed, sort dark, ashy blond. It's pretty, don't get me wrong, but I am definitely not fond of this person. Grim doesn't look okay, either. "Glad you traded with me! I promise that bun is amazing!"

As I approach I notice he has light eyes that are down-turned.

"See ya!" And… off he runs just as I get there.

"No! My sandwich!" Grim cries out in horror.

"Grim…" I take him to the end of the line, and we get settled away with our lunch. Finding a place to sit.

Grim's in such a tizzy, but eating. "Worst. Day. Ever!" As he eats everything on his plate with the same gusto as always. "That guy took my sandwich!"

I am so thankful Crowley pays for lunch. That tray is piled high with food.

"...But you're still eating…" Ace comments.

"But… if you had wanted it, why did you trade?" Deuce is asking the pertinent questions.

"No! No! That's all wrong! I can't explain it—when he moved, my arms moved on their own! And before I knew it, he had my sandwich!" At least it wasn't paid for and not gotten, Grim.

"Ah, I get it, you just went with the flow. Happens to all of us, Grim." Ace is trying to be comforting I guess?

I take a bite of my own sandwich. It's good… I understand why everyone's here today.

"That's not what I'm saying!" The monster huffs. "—I just can't explain it right. I don't get it so I'm going to eat my feelings! Deuce—gimme some pasta!"

Oh boy.

Deuce tugs his tray closer to himself in response. "I didn't do anything! Leave my pasta alone!"

I sigh. "Grim, we've talked about this—don't take other peoples' food unless they give it over." I scold a little.

Ace, however, changes the topic. "Aren't we seeing the Headmaster at his office after classes today? I wonder what this is going to be about…"

"I guess the incident with Housewarden Rosehearts?" Deuce speculates. "Maybe No's incident yesterday, too?" Ah, great, that I'll never live down.

"Oh, that shit? Yeah, might be it." Ace gives a hum, taking a bite of his sandwich.

"I might finally get that canned tuna!" Oh boy Grim, probably not.

I also doubt he's going to know anything more about getting me back to my original world. He doesn't seem very concerned about that.

"Doubt it." Ace, don't destroy his hope.

"I wonder who that guy was…" I comment, "from Savanaclaw, right?" Hm. I have this weird feeling, and I don't like it.

We're eating lunch in relative peace at least. "Hey, I'm going to the bathroom—I'll catch up." I take in a long breath as I finish, and put up my garbage and tray. WE have a little bit before our meeting with the Headmaster so I head over to the bathroom to wash up.

"No peaches!" Ace calls after me. My eyes roll.

I head nervously into the bathroom. They have basically closet stalls here and urinals. Which is the latter that I avoid for obvious reasons. There's only one guy standing there with… a hat with a large feather.

I look away, of course. And quietly slip toward the toilets. No one questions you for using them at least.

"Uniforms are the perfect marriage of form and function. Wouldn't you agree?" I hear this blond say to me, and I stop.

Isn't there a bro code about no talking in the bathroom while people are using it?

"Sure?" I look confused, as the green-eyed… oh God he is wearing a musketeer-esque hat and a bowl cut or something close to it. What even is this.

"How do you like it?" Did this man really just ask—I-I did not mean to look down as he did. This is the most awkward conversation of my life.

"I—Uh—what?" Okay I am stumbling hard. I did—he's not even phased. Who IS he?

"Your uniform!" A grin, because I just looked—oh God why me. "Uniforms can only be worn for a limited period of one's life. That gives them a transient beauty, don't you agree?"

"Sure?" I answer. "Uh—pardon me. Need to go." I slip away, locking myself into the bathroom with a sigh of relief. What. Even?!

"I am Rook Hunt!" He calls to me. What happened to not talking to someone in the stalls?!

"N-nice to meet you?" I am trying to sit here and pee not chat.

"It is a pleasure, No Wei! Or, I should say, Roi du Non!"

The fuck. "Y-yeah! Maybe… later?"

"Oui, oui, Roi du Non! Until then!" I hear the steps retreat… and I get to do this in peace.

What the actual fuck.

I get to wash my hands without any weird meetings of—what dorm was he even from? I don't even want to think about it right now. That was just a weird experience and as a blessing to myself to never think about it again, I'm keeping it to myself. Forever.

I don't have to wait long to find Ace and Deuce with a full-belly Grim. They're chatting casually, and I rejoin the conversation.

"Are we ready to meet Crowley? It was just Trein's long session, right?" Making sure, as I am trying to be a studious student here.

"Yeah, yeah. Let's go Prefect." Ace laughs a little, and we head off to somewhere that's a little too familiar to us all: the Headmaster's office.