Work Text:
“You know, if Floyd wasn’t moody all the time we could have won so many games already,” Ace stated to no one in particular. Basketball practice just ended and Jamil just tried tuned out his surroundings to lessen his headache but his teammates voice were too overpowering.
“Jamil, are you really not coming along?”
The whole team decided on eating dinner together at Mostro Lounge but Jamil passed since he still had unfinished duties in their dorm.
“I’ll pass, I’ll make it up next time,” Jamil replied as he opened his bag. A piece of paper fell out but he wasn’t bothered, thinking it was just a piece of scrap paper. When he noticed an unfamiliar writing he immediately picked it up.
His first thoughts about the paper is that it contained a probably cheesy poem. He had been receiving love letters when his second year started. It was not a lot but it was enough to make him question what he did to make them confess like that.
The idea was disregarded when most love letters he received had been in a neat envelope with a name signed on it. But this particular paper was just as it is, no name, no envelope.
When he finally read the letter, it piqued his curiosity. It was not a letter but rather a note with only a sentence written in a pretty flourish.
I love you, ain’t that the worst thing you’ve ever known?
“Oi oi~ What have you got there sea snake~?” Floyd appeared beside him, trying to read the note he was holding.
Jamil immediately crumpled up the note and pocketed it, guilt immediately seeping in. “It’s just a to-do list.”
“Hm~? Okay! See you tomorrow then.” Floyd waved and smiled before exiting the changing rooms.
“What was that about?” Ace asked while drying his hair with a towel.
“I have no idea.” Jamil shrugged before taking his bag, hurrying to go back to their dorm. “I’ll be leaving now.”
“Yeah, don’t be late tomorrow for pratice!” Ace shouted to him while waving his hand.
Jamil scoffed at the remark. “Who do you take me for, Trappola?”
The last thing he heard was Ace’s laugh before he ran to the hall of mirrors. He felt adrenaline rushing through him as his thoughts wander to the sender of the note. What made him suddenly want to know whoever sent it?
He needed to compare it to the other letters he received. He’d thank Kalim for stopping him from throwing out the letters he received.
“It’s a way to at least acknowledge their feelings! It’s rude to just throw it away without reading.”
Jamil rolled his eyes when Kalim’s voice rang in his head. While his mind was occupied he didn’t realize that there was a person in front of him. It was too late to stop so he collided into the said person.
“Ouch, that’s going to leave bruises for days.” Cater whistled as he helped Trey and Jamil stand up. “Are you two alright?”
“I’m good, this is nothing.” Trey dusted his clothes and smiled.
Jamil had a horrified look on his face before he bowed. “I am so sorry, it’s my fault I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.”
“No worries,” Trey said with a smile that made Jamil feel even bad.
He stood up straight and nodded. He was looking at his two seniors when an idea suddenly came to mind. “If you two are not busy, can I ask a question?”
“Sure! We’re not really in a rush,” Cater answered with a smile. Huh, Heartslabyul students really love smiling.
“I’m just wondering if you happen to know if this handwriting is familiar?” Jamil then showed them the note.
“If I remember correctly only a few students come to mind when I see that kind of handwriting.” Cater then started whispering and counting his fingers.
“As far as I know that’s a common calligraphy writing but every calligrapher has their own style of writing so it’ll be quite hard to determine since styles can be easily altered.” Trey then nudged Cater who was still counting.
“Riddle, Malleus, Vil, Rook, Jade, Azul, and Jack!” Cater excitedly listed them. He laughed when he saw Jamil’s surprised face. “I’m sure you’re surprised but Jack really has a nice handwriting, I saw him teaching Epel and Sebek a few days ago.”
“Huh, that’s a list of people who are busy to even meddle in things like this,” Jamil said before pocketing the note. “Are there no more people who comes to mind?”
“You should try Octavinelle and Pomefiore students! Riddle doesn’t really require us to have nice handwriting but we never know.”
Jamil nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you for your time.”
“By the way, have you seen Ace?” Trey asked while looking around. “Riddle needs to talk to him.”
“He’s in the gym changing rooms. We actually just finished basketball practice when I bumped into you, literally.”
Trey laughed before tugging Cater. “Just be careful when running and don’t let Riddle see you run!”
Jamil nodded before walking to the hall of mirrors. He was not going to bump into anyone again, that was embarrassing already. But he in his mind listed the students that Cater said.
Riddle has Floyd. Not even Diasomnia students see Malleus in a full week. Vil and Rook are out of the question. Jade and Azul are too busy with Mostro Lounge. Jack is occupied with his training.
Jamil sighed, he can’t devote his time to looking for the anonymous sender. When he reached the hall of mirrors Kalim was in front of the Diasomnia mirror talking with Silver.
Kalim spotted him and waved both his hands while Silver waved with a slight smile.
“I’m surprised you managed to match Kalim’s energy, Silver.”
“I got used to it after he kept on pulling me to fly with him after classes.” Silver laughed, which surprised Jamil even more. “I need to go back now. I’ll see you two around.”
Kalim nodded before waving goodbye to Silver. “Say hi to Lilia for me!”
Silver put a thumbs up before passing through the Diasomnia mirror.
“Did Light Music club take a break?” Jamil asked before he was dragged into their dorm. The trip was short but it always made Jamil’s stomach turn.
“Yeah! We’ll be resuming practice next week.” Kalim then let go of him once they were in front of the dorm’s main entrance. “Now, take a shower then we can prepare dinner together.”
“You can start preparing the ingredients. I stuck a list of dishes on the refrigerator’s door for tonight so you can find them in the recipe book.” Jamil hoped that Kalim wouldn’t actually start cooking without him or any of the designated cooks for tonight.
Kalim nodded before running to the kitchen, leaving his broom and bag beside Jamil. He just sighed before picking up his things and went to freshen up.
-
What he saw in the kitchen was far from what he expected. Nothing was on fire, there was no food splatters on the floor or the walls, everything was peaceful and clean.
But that relief was short-lived when Kalim turned the fire on the stove way too high, engulfing the whole pan he was using. Jamil sighed before running to him, this was going to be a long night.
After three hours, two almost-set-the-kitchen-on-fire incidents, and one tired Jamil they finally set the dinner on the table. Kalim still had the energy to clean up in the kitchen so he stayed too.
“We’ll tidy things up here so you guys eat first.” Jamil internally winced as he saw the glances the Scarabia residents gave to each other before hesitating to leave the kitchen.
“It’s fine! Everyone go on first.” Relief was seen on the residents’ faces when Kalim smiled before they headed to the dining room.
Kalim saw Jamil’s frustrated expression before patting him on the back. “It’ll be fine with time, trust me.”
“I know.” Jamil sighed before placing the second batch of food on the counter. “I do need to ask you something.”
“Yeah? What is it?” Kalim asked while he was wiping the tables they used.
Jamil was about to pull the piece of paper out of his pocket. Except the piece of paper was not in his pocket. He remembered he changed clothes so he must’ve forgot the paper.
Kalim looked at Jamil curiously when he took a pen and paper and started writing. His own writing has a slight resemblance to how the note was written but it was still far from the original.
“Do you know who writes with a style like this?” Jamil showed the note to Kalim.
Kalim looked at the paper before looking back at Jamil. “Is this a trick question? It’s you who wrote it, right in front of me.”
“No! I meant do you know any other dorm who has this particular style of writing?” Jamil was frustrated with Kalim’s answer but he made total sense.
“Of course, only one dorm has students who mostly write like that.” Kalim then took the pen from Jamil and wrote on the paper. “I know both Octavinelle and Pomefiore has this established reputation of class but they have different styles.”
Kalim pointed to his perfectly copied writing, it really resembles the note he received. “This is from Octavinelle, if you went to Mostro Lounge their signs and menus have the same feel to this one.”
Then he pointed to a block-y style of writing. “This is from Pomefiore, if you see Vil’s handwriting you’d think they were printing books but you’d be amaze to see how he writes in real time.”
Jamil nodded but was bothered with another question. “So how did you learn how to imitate their writings?”
Kalim laughed and wrote on the paper again, this time copying Jamil’s handwriting. “From notes, of course! Azul tutors me so I see his notes most of the times while I ask for Vil for his notes during house warden meetings.”
Jamil nodded, conflicted on whether to be amazed or scared with Kalim’s talent. “Yeah, that makes sense. Let’s finish up cleaning later.”
“Sure! You have to tell me when you find the anonymous sender!” Kalim laughed before running away with the second batch of food to the dining room. “Jamil’s going to have a lover soon~!”
“Be careful with the food, Kalim!” Jamil’s warning must’ve been too late when screams erupted from the dining room. He just sighed before making his way to the dining room.
-
The whole week he was packed with activities that he can’t find the time to search for the anonymous sender. But when the basketball team offered to hang out at Mostro Lounge after practice Jamil immediately took up on the offer.
“It’s a surprise that Jamil came with us this time,” a Savanaclaw student spoke up.
“Yeah! Most of the times he’s out of the room before you can even ask him.” A Pomefiore student nodded as he passed the menu to Ace.
“Are you ready to order?” Floyd appeared beside Jamil with a notepad and pen.
“Seriously? We just sat down.” Ace glared at Floyd before scanning the menu.
Floyd just laughed before slipping a piece of paper to Jamil while the rest of their table was arguing on what to order. He was skeptical but opened the paper.
His turned his gaze to Floyd, asking for an explanation. Floyd just smiled before pointing to Azul who was arguing with Jade behind the bar.
Jamil noticed that the note was different from what he first received. This one had an initial written on it.
I love you, ain’t that the worst thing you’ve ever known? - A.A.
He didn’t made it obvious to the others about the note he received but Floyd’s suppressed laughter was going to blow his cover. So he stepped on his feet.
Floyd’s shout was enough to draw attention to them. He took this as an opportunity to meet Azul’s eyes and wave the piece of paper.
Azul’s expression immediately turned from confused to flustered that made Jamil laugh. The way Azul blushed was adorable so Jamil took Floyd’s notepad and pen to write down his number.
Call me later? - J.V.
Jamil was relieved that it was Azul out of all people. After all, they share the same feelings for each other.