A week had passed, and it seemed Jacob and Trivia had grown accustomed to sharing the same bed. But this time was different. Jacob had fallen ill and was quarantined, assigned to his own room to prevent spreading the sickness to other students.
"Urgh," Jacob groaned as he tried to pull himself up, but his strength failed him, and he collapsed back onto the bed. "I finally get my own room, but it's because I'm sick. This sucks," he muttered softly, his eyes wandering aimlessly up at the ceiling.
Silence enveloped the room as his gaze lingered on the ceiling, his thoughts drifting. "I shouldn't have gone out and fought that Grimm a few days ago. Now I've probably got Grimm aids or some dumb shit," he complained, his eyes shifting downwards toward the TV. "I need to hear something, or I'll go insane," Jacob thought, slowly rolling over to the right. Each movement was a struggle as he stretched out to grab the remote on the dresser.
After reaching for the remote, Jacob managed to grasp it, but the effort left him drained. His body slumped into the bed, his arm dangling off the edge while his face sank deep into the pillows. "Ughhhhh!" he groaned into the pillow, his complaints muffled and barely audible.
After a few moments of gathering his strength, Jacob finally rolled back over and aimed the remote at the TV, clicking it on.
"A criminal by the name of Ro—" the newscaster's voice began, but Jacob quickly changed the channel, an annoyed expression crossing his face. "I hate the news. It's nothing but drama and depression every single day," he muttered with disdain, scrolling past several channels until he finally landed on an anime channel.
A small smile spread across his face as he recognized what was on. Relaxing back into the bed, he slowly lowered his arm and let himself get lost in the anime, a welcome distraction from the misery of being sick.
In the midst of watching anime, Jacob's eyes suddenly widened. "I haven't trained today," he thought with a jolt. "I've been in bed and haven't gotten anything done," he said out loud, a sense of urgency creeping into his voice.
Determined, he quickly tossed the covers off and tried to get out of bed, but his body protested with every movement. Groaning, drenched in sweat, and weakened by illness, Jacob managed to sit on the edge of the bed, his arms trembling as they attempted to push him up.
With a loud thud, he collapsed onto the floor, his legs unable to support him. "Urgh, fucking hell," he spat out in frustration as he lay there, momentarily defeated. "I gotta go work..." he muttered weakly, his resolve still burning despite his condition. He began to crawl towards his bag, which sat atop a chair in the corner of the room.
Finally, he reached out and knocked the bag off the chair, causing it to fall within his grasp. Jacob slowly reached into the bag, pulling out his portable katana. As soon as his hand brushed against the hilt, the katana sprang open from its closed form.
Using the sheathed katana as support, Jacob pushed himself up, wobbling as he struggled to get his legs under him. "Come on, body. Don't give up on me now," he whispered weakly, taking shaky steps toward the door, the katana dragging under his weight as he forced himself to keep moving.
Once he reached the door, Jacob's hand softly wrapped around the knob. With a weak twist, he opened it and slowly stepped out of his room. His mind was focused on one thing—training and improving, despite his weakened state. But as he turned to the right, he spotted Trivia crouched in the corner.
Trivia perked up at the sound of the door opening. Her eyes were nervous as she quickly ran up to him. "Did you wait out here for me?" Jacob asked slowly, his voice tinged with surprise. Trivia nodded frantically, her gaze shifting to his face, her expression a mix of concern and anxiety. She tilted her head in confusion, then shrugged, clearly trying to understand his intentions.
"I'm going to train," Jacob said, beginning to decipher her unspoken gestures. He started to walk forward, his sword dragging heavily behind him.
Trivia's eyes flared with frustration, and her brows furrowed in anger. She put her hands on her hips and pouted, stepping in front of Jacob and pointing back toward his room.
"No," Jacob replied, shaking his head stubbornly. "I haven't done anything for days. If I don't work, I'll feel useless and fall behind," he said. He attempted to walk past Trivia, his determination unwavering despite her objections.
As Jacob began to walk away, he was suddenly wracked with a harsh cough. Trivia watched with growing sadness. She didn't want to stop him, knowing how much training meant to him, but the more she watched him struggle, the more she felt compelled to intervene. She knew it wasn't healthy for him to push himself this hard, but she wasn't sure how to convince him to return to his room.
After a few moments of watching him struggle, an idea sparked in her mind. Trivia walked over to Jacob, standing directly in front of him and locking eyes with him.
"I already told you, I'm not—" Jacob started to say, but before he could finish, Trivia swiftly kicked the katana he was using for support.
Jacob immediately lost his balance, falling onto all fours as he tried to catch himself. He looked up at Trivia, his frustration clear, but before he could voice his complaints, she moved around him and grabbed the back of his collar.
"Let me go, you small, short piece of—! Urgh!" Jacob squirmed and struggled against her grip, trying desperately to escape, but he was too weak to resist. Trivia dragged him back to his room, stopping only when he was safely in a corner.
Without a word, Trivia skipped out of the room to retrieve Jacob's katana. She carefully placed it against the wall near his bag before returning to the hallway. Retrieving the chair she had been sitting on outside, she brought it into the room and placed it near Jacob, determined to keep an eye on him. She sat down, her gaze fixed on Jacob as he lay on the floor, ensuring he wouldn't attempt another escape.
"Trivy, I am not dealing with you right now. Let me go," Jacob complained, using the wall for support as he tried to stand. Trivia just watched him, unmoved. Jacob slowly attempted to walk past her again, but Trivia sprang up from her chair and playfully pushed him back onto the bed.
"Urgh, stop!" he whined, his voice filled with frustration. "Let me leave!" Jacob insisted, rolling over weakly. Trivia's expression remained playful as she watched him struggle, but her amusement gradually faded into something more somber. Despite the fun she found in seeing him so weak and defenseless, she was genuinely worried about him and didn't know how else to get him to listen and stop pushing himself.
After several failed attempts to stand, Jacob's breathing became ragged, and sweat dripped from his brow. He lay on the floor, looking up at Trivia, who sat in her chair with a saddened expression. Finally, she reached for her whiteboard, her face serious as she began to write.
"WHERE THE HELL DID YOU PULL THAT FROM?!" Jacob exclaimed playfully, despite his exhaustion, as he watched her write.
Her eyes remained focused on the whiteboard until she finished. Then, she got up from her chair and sat on the floor near him, turning the whiteboard around for Jacob to read.
"Why do you train so much anyway?" the message read, her eyes locking onto his with a seriousness that demanded an answer.
Jacob's playful demeanor faded as his eyes hardened, understanding that she was asking out of genuine concern. The weight of the question hung between them, and for a moment, the room was silent as he considered how to respond.
"Because if I don't, I feel like I'm useless, like I'm not working hard enough, like I'm falling behind," Jacob admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. But Trivia began writing again. She held up the whiteboard, which read, "Who are you falling behind?"
Jacob's eyes scanned the board before he tilted his head to look at Trivia, his brown eyes meeting her mismatched ones. He opened his mouth to answer but found himself speechless. "I, uh…" he stammered, the words failing him as silence filled the room and Trivia watched him patiently.
"Myself, I guess. I mean…" He paused, his voice growing sadder. "It's not like I'm good at much or particularly talented." He looked up at the ceiling. "If you were to take away my work ethic, then what else would I be?" he asked softly. "The answer is… a nobody," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "I need to work hard to achieve what I want. No one else is gonna do that work for me."
Trivia took a deep breath before writing her next message. "You can't achieve what you want if you work yourself to death. Can you even get any actual training done in this shape?"
Jacob looked at the board, his mind conflicted. He knew she was right, but admitting it felt like surrender. He didn't want to lie to her, but the truth was hard to accept. "I don't know," he said softly
Trivia looked down at him, her expression softening. She gently tapped the whiteboard against his head before pointing caringly toward his bed. Jacob glanced at the bed and then back at Trivia.
"But I can't just lie in bed all day. I need to do something," he protested weakly.
Trivia quickly scribbled another message: "Sometimes the best thing to do is nothing."
Trivia extended her hand to Jacob, offering him a warm smile. "Damn, I can't say no when she looks at me like that," Jacob thought before tentatively taking her hand. She gently led him to his bed, making sure he was fully covered by his sheets before stepping back with a small, satisfied smile, her hands clasped in front of her.
"Sometimes the best thing to do is nothing," Jacob repeated out loud, mulling over her words. "You've gotten wiser. Maybe you're hanging around me too much," he added with a joking tone. Trivia smiled, placing her hands on her hips and shaking her head in playful disagreement.
With a more genuine smile, Trivia waved goodbye and turned to leave Jacob's room. Just before closing the door, she glanced back over her shoulder to check on him one last time. Satisfied, she softly closed the door behind her.
As silence settled over the room once more, Jacob let out a sigh. "That girl… I know she's just trying to care for me, but I hate sitting here doing nothing," he muttered to himself, his thoughts wandering. "But it's hard to argue with her when she's so nice and gives me that look," he added quietly. After a brief pause, he smiled to himself. "Man, she's cute," he murmured before reaching for the remote to turn on the TV.
Outside the room, Trivia leaned against the door, her cheeks burning bright red. She slowly pushed herself away from the door and began to walk down the hall, her high-heeled boots echoing softly with each tentative step.
As Trivia walked down the hall, her thoughts drifted back to a conversation she had with Jacob days ago. "I know that expression. You don't think it's possible for them to change, do you?" she recalled him saying. Her brows furrowed as she continued down the corridor, her pace quickening with the growing frustration that accompanied the memory. "My point is, you have to understand each other and also attempt to reach out to them," She tried to shake off the thoughts, pushing away the idea of forgiving her parents.
Despite her attempts to dismiss the memories, Trivia's steps gradually slowed until she stopped in front of the main entrance. She stared down at the ground, her teeth clenched, and her head bowed. She wanted to believe Jacob, to trust in the possibility of reconciliation, but reality wasn't a fairy tale. Years of abuse and emotional disconnect couldn't simply be forgiven.
Standing at a metaphorical crossroads, Trivia reached into her pocket and grabbed her scroll. She opened it slowly, watching as it expanded in her hand, her gaze fixed on the message icon.
Her fingers tentatively hovered over the message icon, trembling slightly as she hesitated. Memories of her childhood surfaced, unbidden and painful.
Trivia remembered her younger self, desperately seeking her parents' attention throughout the years. One particular memory stood out: the time she had excitedly wandered into her parents' room, eager to share a fun game she had found online. She had hoped they might join her, that maybe they'd play together and share a rare moment of connection.
But as she turned around, her happiness was quickly replaced by fear. Her father had approached from behind, his face twisted in anger. She had forgotten the rule—never enter her parents' room without permission.
Her father had grounded her on the spot, confiscating her books and consoles, leaving her isolated in her room. The joy she had hoped to share with them was crushed, replaced by loneliness and the sting of rejection. All because she wanted to be with them.
In the present day, Trivia lowered her scroll slightly, reconsidering her next move as another memory resurfaced.
One day, she had practiced acrobatic flips and moves in front of a group of kids. Her parents had ordered her to perform, and she complied, impressing her mates with a simple cartwheel that flowed seamlessly into a backflip, finally culminating in a perfect split.
Trivia had smiled in her black turtleneck, maroon jacket, and jeans, soaking in the praise from the easily entertained kids. But even in that moment of triumph, the enjoyment was stained by the knowledge that her parents had forced her to entertain them. Their approval felt more like a demand than genuine admiration.
Once that day concluded, she woke up the next morning feeling extremely sick. This wasn't anything new; after all, most kids confined in a room and abandoned by their families often fell ill. As Trivia lay writhing in bed, she caught sight of the door just as her mother walked in, closing it softly behind her.
Trivia looked up at the ceiling as her childhood friend, Neo, rolled her eyes at the sight of Trivia's mother entering the room. Carmel approached her daughter, immediately noticing her sickly appearance. "You're sick…?" Carmel whispered softly, concern flooding her voice. In the background, Neo slumped her shoulders, mouthing, "DUH!?" as she raised her eyes in exasperation.
Carmel reached out, placing her hand on Trivia's forehead. Her eyes widened as she realized the extent of her daughter's fever. "You're burning up!" she exclaimed, quickly getting to her feet and rushing out of the room.
Trivia and Neo exchanged wide-eyed glances, both surprised by her protective demeanor. But Neo's expression soon shifted to one of skepticism. She crossed her arms, growing annoyed as the seconds ticked by.
Suddenly, Carmel returned, arms laden with various items gathered from the kitchen and garden. Neo's anger simmered beneath the surface, feeling somewhat vindicated, but as she observed Carmel crouch down to care for Trivia herself, the irritation began to fade. Carmel was focused and attentive, eschewing the idea of calling for a doctor.
Watching the scene unfold, Neo's expression softened into a smile, and she slowly began to fade away, leaving the two alone in the moment.
Trivia's eyes locked onto her mother's worried gaze. "Grimm fever," Carmel whispered, causing Trivia to tilt her head in confusion. "It's an illness that's commonly seen in children and the elderly," she explained, her hands deftly grinding dry nightshade leaves into a bowl.
For the first time in years, Trivia looked at her mother with a sense of awe. Then Carmel asked, "Have you been bitten by a Grimm?" Trivia shook her head, and Carmel murmured under her breath, "Must've gotten it from another kid…" She continued working, mixing in water dust and earth dust to turn the leaves into a mushy paste.
Trivia questioned how her mother could identify the illness without consulting a professional, but she felt too weak to type. Carmel rubbed the paste onto a pad and gently placed it on Trivia's forehead.
"Get some rest. I'll return in three hours to keep you hydrated and change the pad," Carmel said softly, placing a gentle kiss on Trivia's cheek before standing to leave. "I love you," she added, closing the door quietly behind her.
In the present, Trivia looked downwards, a small smile gracing her face as she recalled a single good memory amid the sea of bad ones from her childhood. Most importantly, she nodded to herself, remembering the remedy that could help Jacob.
She tucked her scroll into her pocket, deciding against messaging her parents, and rushed out of the school's main entrance.
As she ran, she glanced at various stores and soon spotted a dust shop called "From Dust Till Dawn." Intrigued, she peered through the windows at the plethora of dust options before stepping inside, the bell above the door chiming to signal her arrival.
Inside the shop, an old man stood behind the counter. Trivia approached him kindly and pulled out her scroll, activating the AI voice to communicate. "My friend is sick, and I need some water and earth dust, please," the voice pleaded.
The old man let out a grunt, pointing to the lien register and stretching his hand out expectantly. Trivia's eyes widened in realization—she didn't have the funds to cover the cost.
Trivia took a step back, her mind racing. Before she could find the words, the AI voice spoke for her: "Well, you see… I don't have any lien. I was hoping you could be nice and give me some for free." She bowed slightly, her expression one of embarrassment. When she raised her head, she was met with the old man pointing sternly at the exit.
Her eyes widened in disbelief, and anger flared within her at being denied. She shot a dark glare at the old man, who took a nervous step back under her gaze. Just then, a voice came from behind her. "Your unlucky streak continues, grandpa…"
The old man sighed, looking down before meeting the man's eyes.
"What do you want, Qrow?" the shopkeeper asked, annoyance evident in his tone.
Qrow walked over casually, reaching behind the glass display to grab a piece of fire dust. "This right here," he answered gruffly, the scent of alcohol wafting from him as he stumbled past Trivia.
The shopkeeper reached out, snatching the red dust from Qrow's hand. "Pay first, grab later," he replied.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," the huntsman said, tossing a stack of lien onto the counter.
The shopkeeper eyed the lien, surprise evident on his face as he looked up. "This is enough for a cas—" but he was cut off.
"Yeah, and I'm gonna need it. Now please hurry up. I don't need Tai getting… antsy," Qrow replied, slightly annoyed. He stepped back and accidentally bumped into Trivia.
"Oh, I'm sorry," he said, still wobbling. Trivia felt a surge of nervousness watching the carefree huntsman move around so casually, clearly drunk. The old man reached behind the counter, grabbing a bunch of red dust and placing it into a suitcase before handing it across the counter.
"What's the occasion?" the shopkeeper asked.
"Yang is 13 and just made it into Signal Academy. They want her to create her own weapon, and she already has a concept for it. I'm just here to buy the dust," Qrow explained, taking the suitcase.
"Did Tai send you?" the shopkeeper inquired.
"Who else would have? My mother?" Qrow said sarcastically as he began to walk away.
"He must've promised you something; you don't often do favors for anyone," the shopkeeper stated.
"Yeah, a few more of these," Qrow said, lifting his flask in a mock toast as he reached the door. He stopped suddenly, growing more serious.
"Also, let her have the dust. She seems to really need it," Qrow said softly, eyeing Trivia's startled expression. He tossed a handful of lien onto the counter to pay for it.
Trivia's eyes widened in awe and confusion. She was grateful but found the man oddly unsettling. Nevertheless, she happily grabbed the two pieces of dust from over the counter, stuffing them into her pocket before rushing out of the store.
She skipped outside, eager to thank the huntsman, but her heart sank when she realized she didn't see him. Sighing, she looked up at the sky, realizing she still had time. Determined, she ran to the next store on her list.
After 20 minutes, Trivia walked into a flower shop. She scanned the area, searching for nightshade, and eventually found it. Approaching the counter, she got the cashier's attention and pointed to the flower she wanted.
The cashier walked over, carefully picking the flower with gloved hands. He eyed Trivia, his voice low. "You best be careful; these are poisonous."
Trivia nodded, understanding the caution. She reached out, grabbing the flowers and moving toward the counter.
"I've been avoiding it, but I think I have to steal these," she thought to herself. "I was trying not to freak him out, but… he's not even here. This is fine, right?" Her nerves began to rise.
Reaching into her pocket, she used her semblance to conjure enough lien to pay for the flowers. "But he needs this. Surely this is fine…" Doubt crept in as she worried about what he might think of her. But she swallowed her fears, pulling out the illusionary lien and handing it over as if it were real.
She looked down, slightly disappointed with herself, but as she realized the reason behind her actions, her frown began to fade. With a new outlook on stealing, she approached the school again.
As she walked, she noticed two figures in the distance. Unable to make them out at first, she tried to brush it off. However, as she drew closer, she recognized the unmistakable silhouettes of the Malachite twins.
Fear washed over Trivia's face as they approached and circled around her. "Where are you going?" Militia asked. "What's in your hand?" Melanie added, narrowing her eyes.
Instinctively, Trivia clutched the nightshade closer to her chest, shielding it with her arms as the twins bombarded her with questions.
Suddenly, she felt a hard shove from behind, causing her to stumble and drop the nightshade to the ground. Dust spilled out of her pockets, scattering across the pavement. Panic surged in her chest as she looked down at the items strewn around her, anxiety swirling in her eyes as the twins smirked with malicious delight.
Noticing Melanie raise her leg to stomp on the flowers, Trivia made a split-second decision. She rushed forward to tackle her. Miltia, however, was ready; she executed a quick kick, sending the water dust spiraling upward and back in Trivia's direction.
As the crystal floated through the air in slow motion, Trivia reached out to grab it, but the momentum sent her tumbling onto her right shoulder. In a swift motion, she transitioned into a breakdancing move, causing Melanie to trip and roll onto her back as she scrambled for distance.
Trivia quickly regained her footing, eyeing the twins as she tossed the dust crystals into the nearby tall grass along with the nightshade, making sure to dust off her clothes and slip her hands back into her pockets.
The twins stood up in perfect sync, their posture rigid with annoyance as they rushed toward Trivia. As they approached, she closed her eyes and recalled her constant training with Jacob, summoning the determination and skills he had instilled in her.
Trivia opened her eyes just in time to instinctively sidestep Melanie's incoming kick. She barely managed to lean back as Miltia aimed a kick for her head, narrowly avoiding the strike.
With a burst of agility, she backflipped, dodging their synchronized attacks once more before landing on her feet. Remaining on the defensive, she blocked the next series of blows with her arms. This was her preferred style: patient and strategic, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
As she began to recognize their patterns, Trivia started parrying some of their attacks, swatting their kicks away. But despite her efforts she struggled to find an opportunity to counterattack.
Then came the feint. Melanie launched an attack that Trivia didn't fall for, but she was caught off guard when Miltia followed up with a swift kick to her jaw. The blow sent her reeling, and before she could recover, Melanie delivered a punishing knee to her ribs. The twins finished their combo with a synchronized kick that sent Trivia tumbling through the grass, pain radiating through her body as she landed hard.
As Trivia pushed herself up, she wiped the blood from her mouth with the back of her hand, her annoyance flaring as she locked eyes with the twins. "Don't get cocky!" she thought. The Malachite twins rushed at her from both sides, but as they closed in, Trivia spotted a stick on the ground.
She stomped the tip of it, launching it into the air. Timing her movements perfectly, she leaped into the air, executing a backflip that left her hanging momentarily above the twins. As Miltia charged from the right, Trivia landed squarely on her back, pushing her heels into Miltia's spine. The impact caused Miltia's legs to buckle, stunning her.
Seizing the opportunity, Trivia jumped off Miltia's back and onto Melanie's head, using the momentum to propel herself even higher. Grabbing the stick mid-air, she descended rapidly, smashing it down on Miltia's head with a satisfying crack, the splinters scattering in all directions.
Melanie, fueled by rage, rushed Trivia from behind, but she was ready. With a quick sidestep, Trivia caught Melanie's leg and tossed her into her sister. The twins collided and tumbled together in a heap, groans of surprise and frustration filling the air.
Trivia's smile widened as her confidence surged; her training had clearly paid off. She began to softly hum a song that she and Jacob often played during their sparring sessions. "I'm tired of being what you want me to be / Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface."
With the rhythm fueling her, Trivia charged at the twins, throwing a punch at Melanie. But the twin's reflexes were sharp, and she dodged with ease. Undeterred, Trivia swung rapid punches at Melanie, but each one was skillfully evaded. It was clear the twins were stepping up their game.
Just then, Miltia approached from behind and grabbed Trivia, restricting her arms as she struggled against the grip. Panic surged through her. In a split-second decision, she activated her semblance, turning invisible.
The twins exchanged confused glances, looking for her as she slipped away. Trivia materialized again, delivering a headbutt directly to Miltia's nose. The impact startled Miltia, causing her to lose her grip and stagger back.
Seeing Melanie rush toward her, Trivia clapped her hands together, summoning a billowing screen of pink smoke. The vibrant haze enveloped her, obscuring her from view as she quickly repositioned herself, preparing for her next move.
As Melanie coughed and swatted at the pink smoke, it quickly began to dissipate, revealing two figures that looked exactly like Miltia. Confusion flashed across her face as she stepped closer, calling out, "Mil?"
The two Miltias exchanged wary glances, each taking a step back. Just as Melanie prepared to charge, one of the figures began to glow pink, flickering before transforming back into Trivia.
"Gotcha!" Melanie taunted, a smirk spreading across her face as she rushed toward Trivia, landing a fierce kick directly to her face. The impact sent Trivia tumbling to the ground, pain radiating through her as she struggled to get back up.
As she writhed in the dirt, Melanie's smirk faded into confusion when she noticed the transformation had triggered again. "Wait, what?" she exclaimed. The girl who had just been struck turned back into Miltia.
Her eyes widened in realization, a surge of annoyance bubbling within her. "T-that bitch…" she muttered under her breath, frustration lacing her voice as she walked over to help her sister up.
With urgency driving her, Trivia dashed toward the school, clutching the precious items in her hands. As she ran, the exhilaration of battle coursed through her veins, and she felt her disguise flicker and fade as her aura shattered. "That was close, that was so close!" she thought. The thrill of the fight and the adrenaline of her narrow escape ignited an intoxicating excitement within her. This was her first real fight, and she relished the rush.
"I would've lost if I hadn't done that. It was risky, but I couldn't endure both of them at once," she thought, determination propelling her forward.
Finally reaching the entrance of the school, she paused, her breath coming in quick bursts as she leaned against the wall, her hands resting on her knees. After a moment of gathering herself, she pushed through the doors. A few curious gazes landed on her, but no one dared to speak up, creating a tense silence that followed her as she stepped further inside.
Trivia walked directly to the infirmary, her clothes smeared with dirt and her body marked by fresh injuries, silently signaling for help.
The nurse looked up, a hint of annoyance crossing her features. "Fought Jasmine again?" she guessed, raising an eyebrow. Trivia shook her head.
"Then how did you—" the nurse began, but quickly cut herself off. "Nevermind, I don't care."
With a frustrated sigh, the green-haired nurse swept her bangs aside, clearing her vision before activating her semblance. As she focused her gaze on Trivia, her irises transformed into intricate patterns, a sign of her semblance to see injuries.
"Bruised shoulder, a few more bruises are going to appear, and… oh, an out-of-place toe. That's interesting," the nurse noted, her voice a blend of professional concern and mild curiosity. She approached Trivia, her hands gently guiding her to a nearby chair. "Sit. Let's get you sorted out."
"I can heal you, but I can't do that if a bone is broken or dislocated," the nurse stated, crouching down to remove Trivia's boots. "Have you ever had something out of place?" she asked, glancing up at Trivia. The girl slowly shook her head, a hint of nervousness in her eyes.
"Okay, well, this is going to hurt," the nurse warned as she grasped Trivia's foot firmly. "I'm surprised she isn't in pain right now," she thought, observing the adrenaline coursing through Trivia. "Maybe that's why."
Taking a deep breath, she began to count down. "Three… two… one…"
With a swift motion, she grasped Trivia's toe and snapped it back into place. Trivia's body arched in the chair as she screamed in agony, tears welling up in her eyes. "There, there…" the nurse murmured soothingly, patting her leg in an attempt to offer comfort.
As quickly as the sharp pain had shot through Trivia's body, it began to fade, the sensation of warmth gradually enveloping her as the healing process took effect. The nurse rose from her kneeling position, stretching her arms above her head and yawning, her demeanor now more relaxed. "You'll be fine in no time," she assured, returning to her desk to gather her supplies.
"I need me a cup of coffee," the nurse muttered in a tired tone. Trivia glanced down at her feet, quickly slipping on her socks and boots.
As a tear escaped from her eye, she wiped it away with her sleeve. With a deep breath, she stepped out of the infirmary and made her way upstairs. "So that's how it feels to almost break a bone… Yeah, I never want to go through that pain again," she thought to herself, her resolve to stick with her defensive combat style only growing stronger.
"I think it was when I jumped on her back. I probably landed incorrectly," she mused. Lost in her thoughts, she looked up and realized she had reached the door to Jacob's room.
She reached out, softly opening the door and finding Jacob comfortably nestled in bed, absorbed in watching anime. A smile spread across her face, pleased that he had followed her request to stay put. As she walked over to him, she held up the items she had gathered in her hands.
"Uhhhh, what am I supposed to do with that?" he asked, a blank expression crossing his face. Trivia's bright smile quickly transformed into a pout. Undeterred, she reached for her whiteboard and began to write, "I'm using them to make you a remedy."
Jacob's eyes widened, a grin spreading across his face. "Oh, well thank you!"
With a bit of her regained aura, she conjured a bowl, carefully placing the nightshade inside. She followed her mother's steps from memory, determined to replicate the remedy with precision.
As Jacob watched her work with awe, a tinge of guilt mixed with newfound respect swelled within him. "She did all of this for me? That's actually insane," he thought. "Why would she go through so much for just… me?"
"I do appreciate it, though. The school didn't have any medicine for this, but she went out and made her own... I-I... I don't know what to say," he thought.
Trivia carefully took the now-prepared paste and applied it to his forehead, using napkins and tissues from the bathroom as a makeshift pad. Once she stepped back, a proud smile graced her face as she surveyed her work, and the room fell into a comfortable silence, each of them simply enjoying the moment.
Breaking the stillness, Jacob softly spoke up, "I know you went out and did this for me, but why are you so dirty? Did you grow the plant yourself?" His joking tone brought a chuckle from Trivia, and she nudged his side playfully with her elbow.
Trivia, not wanting to delve into the details of her fight, shook her head and turned away, keeping the truth to herself.
Jacob let out a huff as Trivia walked away, closing the door behind her. On the other side, she smiled and began walking toward their dorm room. "Thank you, Mom," she thought, feeling a wave of heartfelt gratitude wash over her.
The next day, Jacob was cleared to leave the infirmary due to his health improving. He grabbed his bag and made his way back to the dorm room.
As his footsteps echoed through the hallways, he paused in front of the door, staring at it. His hand gripped the doorknob, but he hesitated. "You know what? I got an idea," he thought, letting go of the knob.
Checking his scroll, he noticed a notification that read, "12,658 Lien has been sent to your account," accompanied by the message, "Here's the money I owed. Sorry it took so long, lil bro."
"Perfect timing," Jacob mused, a grin spreading across his face. "I was just about to ask." He whispered the words to himself as he turned and walked away.
In her room, Trivia lay sprawled across her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling as thoughts swirled in her mind. "What am I doing?" she wondered. A Grimmtube video played softly in her ears, asking, "When you look in the mirror, what do you see?"
She paused, contemplating the question. "What I see is someone lacking purpose. Someone lacking reason," she admitted to herself, sitting up in bed and letting the weight of her thoughts settle around her.
"Ever since I completed my goal of gaining a friend, I haven't thought about anything else. I haven't searched for something more," she reflected, a frown creasing her brow. "Everyone in this school has some sort of goal or dream, some want and need that's bigger than mine. But what do I have?" Her emotions threatened to overwhelm her, stirring a sense of inadequacy.
"Nothing. I had something…" The thought rang out in her mind like a haunting echo. "But what else is there I want? Well, I wanted to be free." A flicker of a smile crossed her face. "I wanted to have fun."
Yet that glimmer of joy quickly faded, overshadowed by doubt. "But compared to other people, that's so meaningless. Everyone has dreams of saving the world, becoming a huntsman, making people happy, yet here I am," the voice in her head lamented.
"Everyone just seems so perfect, and what am I?!" she shouted inwardly, her mind flooded with painful memories of her parents' disdain for her appearance.
"Trivia, behave!" her father's voice echoed in her head, followed by the sharp click of a camera shutter as the family posed for a photo.
Clutching her hair tightly, Trivia curled into a ball on her bed, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Why won't this pain end?!" she cried in her thoughts. "Why am I still ashamed of who I am?" Despite achieving her goal of making a friend and enjoying their time together, a heavy cloud of unhappiness lingered, leaving her confused.
After writhing in frustration for several minutes, she suddenly stopped, gazing up at the ceiling with teary eyes. "I want to figure this out," she resolved. "I shouldn't be ashamed of who I am," she reminded herself. "Because this is who I am…" A small smile began to grace her lips, a flicker of acceptance igniting within her heart.
As she leaned forward, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, Trivia heard the door creak open. It was Jacob, holding a bag in his hand. Curious, she looked down at the bag before meeting his gaze.
"Here, I got you something," he said, pulling out the gift and extending it towards her. Trivia's eyes widened as she beheld a white umbrella, the very same one she had admired when they first went out together.
Her fingers gripped the sheets beneath her, her mouth opening in surprise as her lips quivered. Jacob smiled, closing his eyes and remaining blissfully unaware of the emotions swirling within her. "It wasn't much but…" he trailed off, his voice filled with sincerity as he opened his eyes to meet her gaze.
The weight of his thoughtful gesture was overwhelming. This was more than just an umbrella; it was a symbol of their friendship, a tangible reminder of someone who cared. Unable to hold back her emotions any longer, she clutched the umbrella tightly, its closed canopy resting upon her head as she sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Trivia's mind flickered with memories of her parents giving her gifts, but this was different. It wasn't the most expensive or impressive, but it mattered so much to receive something she truly cared for from someone she genuinely valued.
In a sudden rush of emotion, she leaped into Jacob, wrapping her arms around him tightly. He looked taken aback at first but soon tentatively returned the embrace, his hands slowly trailing up to rub the back of her hair.
After a few moments, she pulled back, her face flushed and streaked with tears, yet a grateful smile illuminated her features. She mouthed the words "Thank you," though no sound escaped her lips. As her tears continued to fall onto the bed, Jacob spoke in a soft, caring voice, "You're welcome."
The silence lingered as they locked eyes, an unspoken understanding passing between them. Eventually, Jacob stood up, turning his back to give her space. "I'll give you a minute. You may want to clean your face and stuff," he said.
Trivia smiled at his thoughtfulness before getting up and walking to the bathroom, her cherished parasol in hand. As she entered, she took a moment to collect herself, wiping away the remnants of her tears. She glanced at her reflection, determined to embrace her feelings and the connections she was forging.
After a few minutes, Trivia emerged from the bathroom, her confidence noticeably boosted. With a determined glint in her eye, she opened the umbrella and flung it open, striking a playful pose for a moment. Jacob watched her, a blush creeping onto his cheeks as he admired her.
Once she approached him, she closed the parasol and flipped it around, using the handle to gently grip the back of his neck. His eyes widened in surprise as she yanked him forward, their faces mere inches apart. Time seemed to stand still as Jacob froze, his breath hitching in his throat.
With a mischievous smile, Trivia pushed him back, causing him to fall onto the bed. She reveled in the teasing, knowing now that he was attracted to her. Tilting her head, she wore a smirk that conveyed she had him exactly where she wanted him.
Jacob looked up at her, attempting to steady his racing heart as their eyes locked. With a shaky voice, he stammered, "I-If you wanted, I could upgrade it as well. My brother can give me some tips on it."
Trivia's eyes sparkled at the idea, and she nodded enthusiastically, a smile brightening her face. Spinning happily on her heel, she felt a surge of excitement at the thought of what they could create together.
"Maybe I don't have a purpose, and maybe I just follow people around. But if I'm happy, is it really that bad?" Trivia thought for a brief moment, feeling a sense of clarity wash over her.
As the day turned to night, Jacob sat on his bed, scrolling through designs for the parasol Trivia had envisioned. A smile crept across his face as he admired the ideas before he turned off his scroll, closing his eyes and trying to drift off to sleep.
After several minutes of tossing and turning, he sat up with a sigh, noticing that Trivia was absent from her bed. "Ugh, I guess I could look for her," he muttered softly to himself.
Meanwhile, Trivia stood in front of the mirror, a lock of her brown hair clutched in one hand and a pair of scissors in the other. She felt nervous and anxious as she stared at her reflection. Taking a deep breath, she poised the scissors near her hair, ready to make the cut. Just as she was about to snip, a voice interrupted her from behind.
"That's a shame; I think you look really good with your long hair."
Startled, Trivia whipped around, her eyes wide. It was Jacob, standing in the doorway. She scanned him for a moment, her mind racing. Confused, she traced a question mark in the air with her finger, pointed to him, and then mimed a sleeping gesture with her hands.
"I was trying to sleep, but then I noticed you weren't in bed," Jacob explained, taking a step closer. "I looked around for a few moments and saw the bathroom lights on, so I walked in to check on you. After all, I heard your breathing was unstable." He pointed to his ears with a smirk.
Trivia's eyes widened, and she quickly wrote, "I thought faunus only had one trait."
Jacob chuckled lightly before retorting, "Physical... But if all faunus had only one trait, why do most faunus have good eyesight? Why can most faunus see in the dark? And why are we considered more dominant than humans?" He moved closer, curiosity sparking in his gaze.
Trivia lowered the scissors, intrigued by his explanation and the warmth of his presence. She hadn't thought about faunus traits in that way before, and it gave her a new perspective on her identity.
Trivia pondered Jacob's words for a moment, trying to make sense of them. "Instinct, perhaps? Skill? No, not really," she mused silently. Jacob met her gaze, standing face-to-face with her, and continued, "It's because of genetics. Faunus can see better, smell farther, and are naturally stronger. The media might make it seem like faunus traits are only physical, but history shows we've always had a range of advantages for various reasons."
Jacob's voice grew more serious. "Why do you think sports are dominated by faunus? It's not just the elephant trunk that gives the reach advantage, though that plays a part. Regulations exist to level the playing field, but we still have a hidden edge."
He paused, his gaze shifting back to her. "But rather than that, why are you cutting your hair?" he asked, his expression more serious than before. Trivia looked up at him, her attempt to lie faltering. She took a deep breath, feeling that honesty was the best approach with someone who had always been open with her. She reached for her whiteboard, marker in hand, and began to write.
"I don't know," she wrote first. "I always tried to be the person everyone wants me to be. The person my parents want me to be." Her gaze dropped in shame as she wrote.
Jacob's eyes softened. "Why don't you try being the person YOU want to be?" he asked gently.
Trivia hesitated, then tentatively wrote, "I am, and I don't know who I want to be. What I want to be. Who I am." Her body tensed with the weight of her emotions, her eyes avoiding Jacob's.
"But you do know who you are," Jacob said softly. "You're Trivia. The happy, fun-loving, charismatic, sarcastic, and flirty girl." He smiled warmly before his expression turned serious. "In all honesty, I think you know yourself more than you realize. You know what you like and dislike, right?"
Trivia's gaze remained troubled. "Is that really enough?" she questioned, her voice tinged with doubt.
Jacob nodded thoughtfully. "Does there need to be more? Think about it. If you knew every single thing about yourself from the start, would you really be living? Sometimes, all we need to know is what we like and dislike. The rest will come to us in time."
His words hung in the air, a soothing balm to her swirling doubts. As she considered his perspective, the weight of her uncertainty began to lift, replaced by a glimmer of hope and understanding.
"I always liked superheroes, cartoons, and fairy tales as a kid. I loved being creative and making things to inspire others. Now look at me—everything I did back then, I do now. But I'm also learning more about myself as I grow older. I used to hate baked macaroni, but now I eat it all the time," Jacob said with a laugh at his own joke, before shifting to a more serious tone. "If Neo is supposed to be the manifestation of what you want, then think about these two versions of yourself and decide."
Trivia paused, considering his words. Was Trivia really her? Was Neo really her? Was she both people at once? The more she pondered, the more complex the answers became. She felt like she couldn't say she was fully Trivia, shaped by the expectations and circumstances thrust upon her. Yet she also couldn't claim to be fully Neo, burdened by guilt for some of Neo's actions. With a deep sigh, she turned away from Jacob and faced the mirror, examining her reflection and how she truly felt about herself.
Slowly, Jacob approached from behind and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You can just do what I did. I thought Soul and Jacob were two different people, but it turned out they were just different sides of me that I needed to embrace," he said softly. Trivia turned to look up at him, her eyes filled with a mix of pleading and confusion.
"But what if I fail?" she wrote, holding the board up for him to see.
Jacob reassured her gently. "Then you try again. We have all the time in the world. Time may be finite, and it may feel like it's approaching faster than we can grasp, but it's also essential for understanding yourself."
Trivia gazed at him for a moment, appreciating his caring demeanor. Then, a playful impulse struck her. She punched his arm lightly, a teasing smile on her face, before quickly writing, "I didn't know you cared about me so much?"
"I, uhm, I…" Jacob stammered, his cheeks flushing bright red.
Trivia couldn't help but chuckle at how easily she could fluster him. She grabbed her marker again and wrote, "Relax, Mr. Wisdom. I'm just joking. Although I do appreciate it, oh wise one."
Trivia's gaze returned to the mirror, taking one final, thoughtful look at her reflection. Turning slowly to face Jacob, she mouthed the words "Thank you." Jacob smiled warmly, giving her a reassuring nod before he turned to leave, allowing her some privacy. "Take as much time as you need," he said softly, his eyes closed in quiet contemplation.
As he walked toward the door, his mind lingered on her recent teasing. "She's really something... She almost caught me off guard," he mused, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks. "But I need to be careful. She's never had a friend before, let alone a boyfriend. I don't want to freak her out by being too forward."
Just as he reached for the door, it unexpectedly closed with a quiet click. Startled, Jacob spun around to find Trivia standing there, her semblance at work. She had conjured a nearly invisible illusion to shut and lock the door, trapping them both inside the bathroom.
Confusion flickered across Jacob's face, but before he could speak, Trivia quickly scribbled something on her board. She turned it toward him, revealing the words, "I've decided."
His eyes widened in surprise. "Already?" he asked, disbelief lacing his voice. Trivia responded with a soft nod, her cheeks tinged with a delicate blush as a shy smile played on her lips.
Jacob watched her intently, waiting for her to elaborate, to pick up the marker and explain what she had decided. The air grew thick with tension as she prepared herself, placing a hand over her heart, steadying her breath.
With her eyes closed, Trivia took a moment to calm her racing thoughts. When she opened them again, she gestured for Jacob to turn around, twirling her fingers in a silent command. Nervously, he complied, closing his eyes as he did.
Trivia turned back to the mirror, shaking her head gently as her hair cascaded down her shoulders. With a deep breath, she used her semblance, watching as half of her hair transformed into a shade of pink. Staring at her reflection, a small smile tugged at her lips, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Trivia turned back toward Jacob, her footsteps light and silent as she walked slowly toward him. Leaning to the side, she peeked around him, noticing that his eyes were tightly closed. A playful smirk crossed her lips as she deliberately moved in front of him, standing on her tippy toes to reach out and touch his face. Her fingertips grazed his jawline, sending a jolt of nervous energy through Jacob as his heart began to race.
Feeling the warmth of her touch, Jacob's cheeks flushed a deep red. He slowly opened his eyes, and there she was—more adorable than he had ever imagined.
Trivia leaned in closer, causing Jacob to blush even more, his face feeling like it was on fire. She smiled at his reaction, savoring the moment while wanting to hear his thoughts. "Y-you're..." Jacob stammered, struggling to find his words. Finally, he managed to compose himself, mumbling, "You look really good," his voice barely above a whisper as he glanced away.
The praise made Trivia beam, a wide grin spreading across her face as a blush crept onto her cheeks.
Feeling emboldened, she wrapped her arms around Jacob's neck and leaned against him. The sudden closeness caused him to blush deeper and stumble back, caught off guard. "W-What are you doing?" he asked softly, his words tinged with surprise. He felt the back of his legs hit the wall, unable to pull her away, though he had no desire to do so.
With a soft giggle, Trivia slid down to sit between his legs, his back resting against the wall as Jacob slowly sank down beside her.
Trivia looked up at Jacob, chuckling at his flustered reaction, her eyes sparkling with delight. She closed her eyes, a broad grin on her face, and summoned her semblance. Behind her, the words "Call me Neopolitan" materialized in vibrant pink, white, and brown colors, signaling a fresh start. As Jacob read the message, Neopolitan playfully buried her face into his neck, snuggling in close.
Jacob squirmed beneath her, his voice muffled as he repeated, "Sensitive, sensitive, sensitive!" Neopolitan, fully aware of this, relished the moment, her warmth enveloping him as she held him tighter.
After a few moments of squirming, Jacob gradually relaxed, surrendering to the comfort of their embrace. Time seemed to stretch, and what felt like hours passed in blissful silence, though it was only a few minutes. Eventually, Neopolitan pulled away, a smile lighting up her face even as tears glimmered in her eyes. With a playful skip, she turned her back to him and opened the bathroom door.
Jacob sat there for a moment, confusion swirling in his mind as embarrassment washed over him. But beneath it all, a deeper feeling bloomed—love. Slowly rising from the ground, he pressed his hand against his chest, feeling his heart race as if it might burst.
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he gathered his thoughts, then stumbled out of the bathroom and into the dorm room, eager to join Neopolitan in bed. As he entered, the weight of the moment settled over him, and he knew that this was just the beginning of something beautiful.