Chapter 16: Lilia's Tsum II

In the Exterior Hallway, Lilia and his Tsum are ready to have some fun. However, their type of fun involves them playing tricks on some students. And they spot their first target near the vending machine.

Lilia says to his Tsum, "All right, Tsum. Let's see what you've got."

The Tsum shows a happy expression.

In the hall, a Heartslabyul Student is drinking his beverage, "Ahh, this drink is delicious. It's a shame it's only around for a limited time. I gotta savor every last drop…" and suddenly, something falls on his head, causing him to cough out his drink and spill his cup.

The one that has landed on his head is the Lilia Tsum.

The student sputters, "Wh-what just dropped on my head? A bug?!"

When he tries to touch his head and look up, the Tsum has already hopped away.

He looks around, and says to himself, "Huh... I don't see anything... Was I just imagining it...?"

Unknown to him, Lilia has been watching from the corner of the hall as the Tsum returns to him.

Lilia smiles and says, "Ah, you're back! Don't worry, I had a good view of his reaction from the shadows. Landing on his head the moment he took a sip was superb timing. And fleeing before he could see you…" He then snickers, "Khee hee hee, wonderful work! Keep it up!"

Lilia Tsum shows a happy expression.

And the fun for both Lilia and his Tsum is only the start.

In the library, Lilia and his Tsum are ready for the next part of their tricks.

Lilia walks over to a Diasomnia student and says, "Hi there. Fine weather today, hmm?"

The student, who is reading, looks up and says, "Ah, hey Lilia. Yeah, it's nice and warm, perfect for—"

But suddenly, Lilia disappears and his Tsum look alike takes his place.

The student reacts in shock, "BWHA?! What just happened? There's a strange creature where Lilia was just standing! It looks like Lilia, but smaller, and not quite the same shape... What is this magic? Shapeshifting, or—" But then the creature disappears, leaving the student confused, "Wait, now the creature's gone too?! What's going on?!"

In the interior hallway, Lilia and his Tsum have a grand time with their prank.

Lilia says, "Yay, high five!"

And he and his Tsum give each other a high five.

Lilia giggles, "Khee hee hee, Operation Switcheroo went swimmingly. Now for another!"

And with that, Lilia and the Tsum continue to play their pranks on any student they come across.

Sometime later, at Main Street, Sebek and Silver are searching for Lilia and his Tsum.

"Father's been out for a while now. I wonder what he and the Tsum are up to…" Silver replies.

However, his question is answered when he and Sebek begin to hear students talking about Lilia and his Tsum, and not in a good way.

A Savanaclaw Student asks a Scarabia Student, "Hey! Have you seen Lilia Vanrouge and that mini version of him?"

Sure have. They scared the daylights out of me…" Scarabia Student answers.

"They got you too, huh. Savanaclaw Student says, "Wanna help me get 'em back?"

Absolutely! Let's find them right now!" the Scarabia Student says.

Then the two boys leave the scene.

Silver replies, "Father…"

"It sounds like Lilia and the Tsum are the talk of the campus. How splendid!" Sebek says.

But Silver says, "I wouldn't want Father to gain a bad reputation." Then says to Sebek, "I think we'd better find them before this gets any more out of hand. Sebek, I'll check around outside. If you could check the school building…" but he holds his breath in shock.

Sebek turns to Silver, "SIlver? Why are you holding your breath?"

"A chill just ran down my spine…" Silver says.

And then, Lilia pops in from behind, "BOO!"

Sebek and Silver turn around in shock.

Sebek reacts, "Hrk—Lilia?! How long have you been behind us?!"

"If you failed to detect our presence, you're both clearly in need of more training," Lilia says.

"'Our'...?" Silver questions.

And right on cue, the Lilia Tsum peeks out from behind Silver.

Sebek reacts, "Ah! Silver! The tsum's lurking behind you!"

Silver turns to see the Tsum, "Ah, that explains the chill."

"Okay, Tsum. We gave them both a good scare. Now come back to me," Lilia says.

And the Tsum returns to Lilia

But then Silver says, "About these pranks of yours… The students are starting to talk. May I suggest calling it good and wrapping it up before it's too late?"

"Hmm…" Lilia thinks for a minute and says, "If word's getting around, that means the students will be more guarded."

Then says to his Tsum, "All right, Tsum. I think it's time to head back."

However, the Tsum shakes its head in response.

Hm? Why are you shaking your head? Do you want to keep going?" Lilia asks.

And without another word, the Lili Tsum scurries off.

Sebek cries out, "Ah, the Tsum ran away! It refused Lilia outright... How disrespectful!"

"We wouldn't want any more trouble. We'd better follow it!" Silver says.

However, Lilia smirks, "Now it's starting an escape act? This Tsum really is a bundle of fun."

The three then follow the Tsum into the campus, and into the school's courtyard. The Tsum hops around and begins climbing up an apple tree. Lilia and the others arrive to see the Tsum.

"Ah, the Tsum climbed an apple tree!" Silver says.

"All right, I'll grab it!" Sebek says.

But Lilia says, "Wait! There's someone sitting on the bench near the tree…" and his eyes wide, "It's…"

Silver and Sebek have the same reaction as Silver.

The Lilia Tsum has climbed onto the branch and jumps down, landing on someone's head. This someone has dark hair and black horns. That someone is Malleus.

When the Tsum lands on his head, it earns his attention, "...Hm? Something's fallen on my head... This strikes me as familiar for some reason…"

Then the Tsum hops down and sits on Malleus' lap

"Aha, I knew it. It's the same manner of small creature as before," Malleus says, and gives off a smile. He then picks up the Tsum and holds him "Only this time it looks like Lilia, rather than Sebek."

That's when Lilia and the boys approach him.

"Nice catch, Malleus!" Lilia says.

Malleus looks up to notice them, "Ah, Lilia. I see Silver and Sebek are with you. Now I understand. You've come to pay me a visit with these three."

Silver then says, "I apologize for disturbing your reading time, Malleus. The Tsum didn't hurt you when it landed on your head, did it?

"Not in the least," Malleus answers.

Then Lilia asks, "What do you think, Malleus? Isn't it just as delightfully cute as me?"

"I can certainly see the resemblance. Both in terms of looks, and its tendency to pop up out of nowhere without warning," Malleus says.

The Tsum shows a happy expression, same with Lilia.

Then Sebek says, "My liege! This Tsum has shown an appalling lack of manners… Ah, I mean, it's been acting a tad bit out of hand. Should we punish it? Ah, I mean, would a remonstration be fitting?"

The Tsum hops in response.

But Malleus says, "That's hardly necessary. It takes more than a bit of mischief to irk me."

"I knew it wouldn't ruffle your scales," Lilia says. Then turn to the Tsum, "Still, you've got quite the bold disposition to dare scaring Malleus of all people," and snickers, "Khee hee hee, I can tell there will never be a dull moment with you around."