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Craftmonsters.
What a weird name for a circle.
A name like “Handicraft club” was much better suited for something like that. Although the circle most likely gained its name from the very nature of the club's activities. Creating art and giving it life, only to shatter and destroy it before the world could ever be graced by its presence. Shu found it barbaric. But, the circle permitted him to use the room as he pleased for whatever crafts or projects he happened to be working on. He did have to watch countless works of art ruined for so called “stress relief” but it was well worth it for the high amount of expensive and extravagant supplies. It was a fair trade off that he easily obliged.
However weird of a name, it was befitting in one aspect.
Rinne Amagi was the monster of Craftmonsters.
—
Rinne’s favorite part about the crafting club (besides the free snacks) was getting to see Shu. The elegantly posh man was so easy to poke fun at and rile up. Maybe Shu was just too easy, or Rinne was that damn good at it. Didn’t matter, it was the highlight of the man’s week.
He would sneak his way into the meeting room (very late of course), peruse the snack table, and take his seat right next to the man of the hour.
Only today was very strange.
Shu wasn’t sitting in his normal spot. It was empty, no perfectly postured sitting man- sewing away at some lacy project- for Rinne to have his way with.
Well, he still had his snacks. So maybe he could find another member to kill time on. It wouldn't be the same as good old Shu-kun, but it was better than sitting in the large room alone, eating snacks.
Before Rinne could survey the room, the door clicked open and someone silently slinked in. As if they wanted to draw zero attention, they quietly walked in, eyes glued to the floor, and walked to their seat. And that seat happened to be right next to Rinne.
And it was none other than the elusive Shu Itsuki.
As soon as Rinne noticed, it was go time.
“Aha, there ya are Shu-kun, I didn't think ya we're gonna show yer pretty face around here today. Yer even later than I am!” He characteristically cackled wildly.
Shu said nothing, his eyes moved to look Rinne up and down before returning to their gaze on the table. There was something off about his demeanor. Usually Shu would scowl, or throw some insult back at Rinne after a jab like that. He’d either coldly smile or look incredibly pissed. This time neither emotion painted his face. Instead Shu looked lost, like his mind was elsewhere and he only made it to the club meeting on muscle memory alone. HIs eyes looked tired, darkened as if he hadn’t slept in days.
“Oi Shu-kun ya look like shit, fer real- '' Rinne started, giving the hunched over figure another good look, until he noticed something he'd never seen before.
A tiny little doll tucked between Shu’s arms.
She was wearing a matching blue outfit to Shu’s flowery top, with bouncy golden curls tied back by a blue ribbon. She looked old, but not in the decrepit or ancient way, she was gorgeous and most likely an antique. Even from what little Rinne knew about Shu, he was familiar with the man’s love for all things antique and vintage. The doll was probably one of his many many collectors pieces. What was confusing was why he had decided to bring such a delicate doll to a club about breaking and destroying art.
Rinne scooted his chair towards the other man and peeked in closer to the doll hidden in Shu’s arms.
“Oya? Whatcha got there? A lil’ dollie?” he cooed in a mocking tone. “Aren’t ya a little too old to be playin’ with dolls?”
Shu’s head whipped to the side and his eyes darted towards the redhead. He glared a cold icy stare, one filled with more anger and detest than Rinne had ever seen out of the man. Behind his eyes he could see an almost saddened look. It didn’t last more than a second before Shu’s attention was right back onto his project.
“Damn hit a nerve huh?” Rinne thought to himself. Shu scooted the small doll away from the cage of his arms so he could better work with his hands.
“And now yer givin’ me the cold shoulder?? How unkind of you Shu-kun! Would ya rather spend time with yer creepy doll than with little ol’ me?” He batted his eyelashes, looking innocent, while still trying to get a reaction from Shu. “What's with her anyway?”
Shu froze, his hands stopping with the needle and lace in his now still hands. Rinne was watching, in real time, Shu about to break. He was ready for the barrage of fancy word insults that he didn't understand, or maybe if he was lucky some french swears!
But it didn't come. Something else squeaked its way out of Shu’s mouth. A high pitched voice spoke between them.
“I am Mademoiselle, Shu-kun’s closest and most precious friend. He brought me here to this lovely club to help him, as he needs me to do most of the talking today. It’s very nice to make your acquaintance, although I would appreciate it if you didn’t use such harsh words when talking about me. It can hurt a young maiden’s heart, you know~”
It would be an understatement to say Rinne was shocked. He was actually way more impressed if anything. He had no idea Shu was hiding such a fascinating talent from him. However it was going to take more than that for Rinne to leave Shu alone.
“That's a nifty trick ya got there Shu-kun, I guess they don’t call ya a puppet master fer nothin’!” He cackled, “Ya should teach me how ya do that ventriloquism thing to make yer voice sound like its comin’ from that dusty doll ya got.”
Shu’s hands slammed loudly on the table. His seat flew back from the force of him standing up, as his head whipped to finally face the problem.
“You are making an already downright horrible day somehow worse, Amagi.”
He hissed, “And how dare you speak to Mademoiselle in that manner, that is no way to treat a lady.”
His gaze pierced through Rinne, the same icy stare from before. But this time with a small hint of betrayal behind his eyes. Shu scooped up his doll, collected his things and stormed back out the door.
Shu was 100% serious with that damn doll huh? It didn’t seem completely out of character, and he sure as hell didn’t know the complete Shu history and lore. But there was something off about that man and his doll.
Also Rinne didn’t mean to push Shu as far as to storm out in a huff. Maybe he should have been more considerate to the oh so obvious foul mood the man was in, but then again how was he supposed to know Shu was gonna take full offense for an inanimate doll’s hurt feelings?
—
Rinne kind of put the whole situation behind him. Was he curious to know about the doll and Shu’s strange behavior and voice? Abso-fucking-lutly. He had never wanted to know more about anything ever before in his entire life. He assumed that Shu wasn’t going to want to bring it up, let alone bring the doll back to a club meeting.
But low and behold, Rinne was yet again sitting in his unassigned-assigned seat, face to face with Shu’s “dearest friend”.
He didn't speak a word. Almost too afraid to say anything. He was so so curious and his mind was racing with questions to ask. Instead he just stared at her sitting form next to Shu’s sewing kit. She was dressed in a different outfit from their last encounter. This time it was a velvety red dress with a large matching bow situated on her head.
“It’s rude to stare.” Shu spoke first, breaking the silence. “If you have something to say, out with it. I hate those who beat around the bush.” He huffed.
“Oh shush Shu-kun, you’re the one being rude.” The doll spoke up again. “It’s obvious why the young man is staring.”
“Mademoiselle!” Shu hushed his voice, “There is no need for you to talk right now.”
The doll seemingly ignored Shu and focused her attention on the other man in front of her.
“Hello again, it seems we weren't able to properly talk to one another at our meeting. Please forgive me for that, it is my own fault. You are one of Shu-kun’s friends, yes?”
“Mademoiselle do not speak to him so casually!” Shu cried out, not letting Rinne utter a word.
“Oh but Shu-kun!” She whined, “You talk so often about him but you won’t let me speak with him? How unfair.”
Rinne couldn’t help the smile creeping onto his face. Shu talked about him?
“There is nothing to be said. This man simply makes my stay here at the club all the more troublesome-”
“You were so enthusiastic to come here this morning though.” She giggled. Mademoiselle was outing all of Shu’s secrets and the man could do nothing to stop her.
Shu huffed again, trying to cover his ass, “Only because you insinstantly begged to be brought here, oh how I wonder who you’ve picked that bad habit up from. And as a matter of fact, I was thinking about skipping this meeting and going somewhere that actually fostered a peaceful sewing environment.”
Rinne was in awe at the one-man conversation unfolding in front of him. It was like two seperate people were bickering, but to Rinne it was Shu speaking entirely to himself at a small antique doll. It was amazingly impressive.
He had no other choice than to throw himself into the conversation.
“Ahem, well. Yes, I am one of Shu-kun’s friends. If he talks so much ‘bout me then I'd betcha ya know my name’s Rinne Amagi.” He boasted, throwing his new learned fact back into Shu’s face.
Mademoiselle giggled, “Of course Rinne-kun. It is very nice to make your acquaintance finally. Shu-kun doesn’t take me out and about anymore, so it’s always wonderful to meet the many people in his life! You know, Shu-kun doesn’t have very many friends-”
“And that is enough from you.” Shu scolded, ending the conversation by picking her up and placing her on his other side, hidden behind his arms and away from Rinne.
How absolutely peculiar. Just when Shu couldn’t get any more interesting, Rinne was given a fun new surprise. Last week’s meeting had intrigued him so much, he did some snooping, asking around to anyone close and familiar with Shu Itsuki, wanting to know as much as he could about the strange doll. He even jumped and questioned poor little Mika about it. Of course the boy spilled everything he possibly knew on the subject, which then Rinne had to sift through all the word garbage to find anything coherent.
Apparently “Mado-nee” was in fact Shu’s “most precious friend” and also the culmination of a fucked up trauma response. A second personality to protect and help him when he was in need, just as she described herself during their first meeting. Mika warned Rinne to tread carefully with Mademoiselle, although she was just a part of Shu, she was to be treated as her own separate entity. She knew things that Shu didn’t, she held his secrets and loved to overshare. The Shu lore really was deep.
Shu continued to work diligently on whatever lace he was sewing at still. To Rinne, every single one of his stupid intricate lace works looked the damn same. Of course Shu’s perfect eyes could probably see every little individual ant on the ground, so to him every identical lace pattern was probably really interesting.
After a while, the man got up from his seat to search for something. Leaving Rinne with the doll sitting dangerously close to the edge of the table. Now, he wasn't a dumbass. He knew that Mademoiselle was simply a fragment of Shu. But that didn’t stop him from whispering over to her, hoping she would respond before Shu returned and noticed them chatting.
“Psst, Mado-chan.”
No answer.
Maybe he was a dumbass.
“Ya gotta tell me what Shu-kun is sayin’ about me. It’s unladylike to keep secrets yanno?”
Before Rinne could await a response, someone bumped into his table. The small force shook the table enough to slightly move some objects placed in its center. But it also shook it enough to send the edge teetering Mademoiselle to the floor.
Rinne’s arm shot out, reaching for her before she tumbled and inevitably shattered on the wooden tiles below. His hand barely grabbed her, latching on tight by the hem of her red dress. He hoisted her up and placed her safely back on the table, away from the edge.
“Damn Shu-kun outta be more careful with ya.” Rinne said to the doll, situating her and dusting her off in a way Shu would most likely approve of.
“Oh shit, that was my bad!” The voice came from the boy who bumped the table. It was the younger Sakuma brother. Characteristically recognizable by his tired red eyes and sharp vampire fangs. “I almost knocked over Shu-kun’s doll. Nice catch. I owe you one, if he had seen that it would instead be my head shattered on the floor-”
A gasp.
Without looking anywhere else, Shu rushed over to fuss at his doll, frantically looking all over her for any scratches or harm. As evident by Ritsu’s “almost knocked over”, there wasn't a single thing out of place, and Mademoiselle was completely fine. Shu needed to be extra sure by looking everywhere he possibly could on her small body to feel satisfied. Only after his meticulous checking, did Shu finally turn to the perpetrator.
“Explain. Immediately. What do you mean by almost knocking over my Mademoiselle.”
“I- uh-” Ritsu stumbled, not prepared for the onslaught of Shu’s rage.
“There are many delicate things in this room, you must be extra careful of where you step. We don’t want possible disasters to arise, even if this was purely accidental. I would give you a much sterner discipline if you weren’t my dear friend Rei’s younger brother. And that troublesome Kagehira’s roommate.” Shu sighed, going easy on the reprimanding.
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t bring up that man.” Ritsu’s tone shifted slightly at the mention of his brother. “But regardless, I apologize for bumping your table, I’m just glad Amagi was here to catch her. You really should be thanking him for saving the day.”
Shu’s face jumped from anger to sincere surprise, and then after a moment of disbelief it went right back. It was like he couldn’t believe what he heard for a moment. He cleared his throat, collected himself, and continued to speak.
“Well then, you are dismissed before I find a reason to truly scold you.”
And with that Ritsu hobbled away quickly, he didn't want to be in Shu’s hair any longer. Rinne looked slightly nervous, not really sure what was in store for him.
“And you!” the irate man started, pointing a finger straight at Rinne.
Mademoiselle’s voice cut the man off, “Shu-kun do not try to blame Rinne-kun! He was my savior! There is no need to be cross with him, he was very gentle and even made sure my outfit was all right and well.”
“Mademoiselle…” Shu’s face softened yet again, her words calming the storm brewing inside him. The tightness held in his body loosened as his shoulders fell and relaxed.
“Rinne-kun, if it weren’t for you sitting with us today, I might have suffered a terrible fate. So thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.”
Shu held her close in his arms, Rinne could see the slight tremble of his hands as he looked down at her. His head hanging low, expression hidden by his hanging bangs.
“T-thank you as well, Amagi.” he stuttered out. It was as if the implication of a shattered Mademoiselle covering the club room floors had finally registered in his mind. “I am grateful you were there to rescue her and treated her so kindly.”
Finally Rinne was given the opportunity to speak, “Ah, ‘s no problem.” he simply answered, picking at his ear. “Anything for Shu-kun’s precious lady.” he laughed to himself.
Feeling normal again, Shu rolled his eyes, noticing the sarcasm in the redhead's voice. And sat back down to resume work, trying to put all the panicked nonsense behind him.
“Don’t cause any more ruckus today you two,” he directed to both the man and doll in front of him, “I have quite the large project to complete before I depart for France again, and I would like to take full advantage of the supplies in this club. So hush up so I can concentrate.”
“Aye aye captain!” Rinne saulted, he grabbed Mademoiselle’s tiny arm and made her salute too.
Shu only scowled, looking down at his sewing, and trying to hide a twitching smile from creeping across his face.
—
The next week rolled around, and like clockwork, the man and doll pair were seated in their normal spots, doing their normal thing.
As Rinne walked in to take his seat, he was greeted by a hunched over hard at work Shu. This time was working on a huge piece, delicately stitching a large garment on his lap. Mademoiselle was sitting closer to Rinne’s seat, like she was patiently awaiting his arrival.
“Hello Rinne-kun! I’m so happy to see you again this week, please have a seat!” She cooed, beckoning him to sit.
Rinne still wasn’t quite used to the weird falsetto of Shu’s- Mademoiselle’s- warped voice. It was strange, but not anything more strange than everything else about Shu. Guess that kind of eccentric personality just came with being an ES idol.
Shu grumbled something unintelligible from under his breath. Rinne noticed his irritated mood and assumed it was best not to push too far today or there would be a repeat of two weeks ago. And that would be a second blow to Rinne's ego he was not about to welcome.
“Oh don't mind him, he’s entranced by his work right now and would appreciate it if you didn’t interrupt him.”
Rinne frowned, he only came to the damn club meetings to hilariously pester Shu, but now there was an added little voice (alongside his very quiet conscious) telling him not to be a bag of dicks. Without someone to talk to and bother, it was useless sticking around. It’s not like it was uncommon for Shu to get into these moods, so engrossed in his needle work that not a single sound around him could break him from his deep concentration. So Rinne got up to leave.
“Are you leaving already?” her voice sounded so dejected. “Even if Shu-kun’s deep in his work, he still appreciates your company very much. He doesn’t show it well, but he considers you someone dear to him.”
Rinne sat back down, manspreading on his chair, “He wouldn’t like ya spreadin’ his secrets around to any listenin’ ears, little lady.”
“He won’t know, if you don’t tell him.” She reassured, if she wasn’t a doll she would have winked and deviously stuck her tongue out. “When Shu-kun gets like this it feels like I’ve been left all alone again. He’s always been so cautious about where he brings me.”
“Then I better stick around to keep ya both company.”
“Oh would you? You really are so nice and considerate Rinne-kun! That must be why Shu talks of you so often!” She giggled, happy that Rinne was going to stay.
There it was again, that mention of Shu talking about him. He wanted so desperately to know what she meant by that. Was Shu saying kind things? Unlikely. He was most likely complaining Mademoiselle's ear off about how difficult Rinne was to deal with. But that didn’t explain why the doll only brought the fact up when she was complimenting him. Was Shu so emotionally repressed that he was acting tsundere?
“Well, little lady, if I’m bein’ honest those kind words of your don’t really do me justice. Most people don’t call me considerate. Usually it's ‘piece of shit’ or ‘gambling dumbass’ or 'alcoholic’. They wouldn’t be wrong though.” Rinne knew he wasn't the perfect man, nor was he trying to. It was just strange that this doll was trying to sing songs of praises that didn't quite line up.
“Well you must be considerate in some way if you keep Shu-kun company every week.” She added.
Just then Shu rose from his seat, placed the garment down on the table and turned to find something across the room. Before he could walk away he whipped around to the two idly chatting.
“I trust you to watch Mademoiselle. I will be back in a second. You protected her well last time, I have faith you will treat her with the same care again.” And then he was off on his search.
So babysitting Mademoiselle became a habit.
Shu entrusted Rinne to watch her as he used different machines and objects around the crafting room. And especially when he was in his deep concentration. He didn’t want a repeat of her almost falling off the table because he could not keep the doll in his sight. With Rinne there, he had someone to watch her and talk with her. She had always been such a chatty lady, something Shu appreciated as a child, but not so much now. She missed being out and about, so her afternoons with Rinne filled that void.
Rinne enjoyed it. He was mostly impressed by Shu’s ability to hold a complete conversation (through Mademoiselle of course) while still being so engrossed with work. He was sure Shu didn't even consciously know she was speaking.
And Rinne used this opportunity to ask about the very man.
“Say Mado-chan? You should tell me more ‘bout Shu-kun. Like how’d ya twos meet?”
“Oh it's a wonderful story- well Shu-kun wouldn’t find it so wonderful… But I could never forget it.” She began.
Rinne leaned against the table, ready for the doll’s storytime.
“It all started when Shu-kun was such a cute little kid, oh he couldn’t have been more than 6 or 7 at the time. You see Shu-kun was a troubled child, his family didn’t approve of his hobbies, and the other kids his age didn’t take kindly to a ‘girly boy’.”
Ah that made sense. Shu had a habit of never talking about himself and his past.
She continued, “For as long as I could remember I was sitting in the cold, dark, and dreary basement of Shu-kun’s home. Until one day there was light, and warmth, and the small voice of a very mesmerized child. The first time we met, he had just wiped away his tears, sniffing and trying to distract himself away from the upstairs world. He was fascinated with the antiques surrounding him, and most importantly, me.”
“So then naturally you two became instant best friends?” Rinne added, encaptured by the sweet way the doll told her story.
“Yes, Shu-kun would come to see me everyday, telling me stories about his day, things that were troubling him, and everything in between. For a while it was just little Shu-kun speaking to me, lifeless and alone in the darkness. Then one day I began to talk back, responding to his stories and comforting him when in need. He gave me life, I owe my existence to him or I would be still stuck alone in that basement. In some strange way, he says he also owes his life to me.” She concluded.
Damn, that was a lot to unpack. Rinne wasn’t the smartest tool in the shed but he knew Shu had some deep rooted issues. He sat up, processing all the information. Mademoiselle noticed the growing silence of Rinne not knowing how to respond.
“Oh dear, I’m sorry, it seems I killed the mood! It’s just not every day I get to talk about myself…” She sounded apologetic, like an excited child finally getting to talk to someone about their hobbies.
It was understandable. Most people didn’t take too kindly to a talking doll, nor did they care to learn its life story. But Rinne wasn’t most people.
“Nah don’t you worry yer pretty lil’ head Mado-chan, yer story was lovely. Ya got such a way with words, you and Shu-kun, yer both such sophisticated people!” He hyena laughed. “I never woulda thought I coulda met such oddballs, leavin’ my home village and comin’ to the city!”
“I’m sure you have a just as interesting backstory Rinne-kun, do share it with me one of these days! It’s only fair after I spilled my heart.” She almost pouted, being playful with the man in front of her.
“Fair’s fair, yer right. Though ya probably don’t wanna hear my borin’ life story, but instead I can teach ya somethin’ fun to play.”
If a doll's eyes could light up, they would have.
“A game! I don’t think I've ever played a game before! I’ve watched Shu-kun do arcade games before, though I did participate in a sports festival once.”
“Nah, this one’s super easy to play, even a doll can do it.” Rinne assured, pulling a couple coins out of his pocket. “Now this is a gamblin’ game, somethin’ I played when I was just startin’ out on the streets, but it's hella fun, promise.”
Rinne placed 3 coins in front of Mademoiselle, and 3 in front of him. Then he placed a different coin in one of his open palms.
“Alrighty, I had to tweak the game a bit so ya could play it but the rules are simple, I’m gonna put this coin into one of my hands, left or right. You get to guess which one its hiddin’ in. If ya get it right, ya get one of my three coins. But if ya guess wrong ya gotta forfeit up one of yers. Get it?”
The rules were so simple that Mademoiselle could play without Shu ever having to look up from his sewing for visual cues.
“Oh yes!” She squealed excitedly, she really was like a child learning to play a game for the first time, “Let’s start please!”
Rinne closed the coin around one hand, and hid both behind his back. He did some shuffling around until he was satisfied, and represented his two closed fists to the doll.
“Time to guess, left or right?”
The doll “stared” at the two hands, deciding what to pick. Ultimately she made her decision and hollered.
“Right!”
Rinne smiled deviously, and uncurled his fist, exposing one golden coin in his palm.
“Guessin’ right on the first try? Are ya sure you’ve never played this game before?” Rinne half cackled. His sparkling words finally registered and Mademoiselle gasped in surprise.
“I won? I won!” she cried loudly.
A slam came down at the table, “Will you two hush up!” Shu growled, glaring at the pair. Mademoiselle's enthusiasm had broken his concentration.
“Awee, Shu-kun we were just playin’ a game and the little lady got excited over her big win, she’s a real natural at this I think.” he lightly nudged her with his elbow. She giggled in response.
“I don’t care what you two do, so long as it doesn’t draw attention or bother me.” He grumbled, going back to his needlework.
“Yeesh, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today.” Rinne whispered towards the doll who giggled again in response.
“Ya wanna play another round then? Looks like Shu-kun ain’t gonna be done anytime soon, we still got time to kill and no one’s won the game yet.” He smiled, placing the coin behind his back again to be reshuffled.
Once they were placed in front of the doll again, Rinne cued her and she answered, “I’m going left this time.”
Rinne opened his fists, and low and behold the coin was in his left.
“Yer gut’s just right for gamblin yanno? A great gambler can always tell the good from the bad apart, and yer definitely a damn good egg.” Rinne complimented, he swore he saw her blush. “Now ya got 5 coins and I only got 1, just one more win and ya got me beat!”
“Eek! The game’s stakes are so high now! What happens when I win?”
“When and not if huh? Damn little lady, ya sure are cocky!” Rinne was really getting into it now, “Maybe the dollmaker who created ya, made ya to be a gamblin’ good luck charm.”
As he spoke he shuffled the coin once again, thinking very carefully of where to place it. Was he going to throw the match and let Mademoiselle win? Well a gambler never gives away his secrets.
“Now usually, ya make a bet before you start playin’ a game, but since yer just a newbie I’ll let ya pick right now what ya want if ya win.”
“Hmm okay, If I win, you have to teach me something else! Something completely new that Shu-kun could never teach me.” She sounded so thrilled, so much wonder behind her high pitched voice. He honestly had no idea how Shu was able to keep doing that for so long. Perhaps he was already a pro at it.
“Ya got yerself a deal!” Rinne took Mademoiselle’s tiny porcelain hand in his, and they shook on it. “But if I win, ya gotta tell me why Shu-kun talks about me all the time.”
She agreed. And with that all done and decided, Rinne presented the small doll with his closed hands one last time. He smiled a toothy grin as he awaited her response.
“Good luck Mado-chan, let’s see if ya got the real gamblers instincts.”
She was thinking really hard, well as hard as a doll could. Rinne could imagine Shu’s brain unconsciously thinking over and over, trying to imagine what Rinne chose, which hand was the coin in, was he going for the safe option or the tricky option. This was the part of gamgling Rinne loved most, the guessing and second guessing yourself. The worrying yourself silly over the smallest little choice that could change the aim of the entire game. It was the thrill he lived for everyday of his life.
Then the small voice finally had its answer.
“My gut is telling me left.” Dolls didn't have guts, but if they did hers was definitely speaking to her. She chose the tricky choice, going for left twice in a row. It was a ballsy move if anything, but she sounded so sure, that there was no way she could be wrong.
Rinne slowly and painfully unfurled his left hand.
And there it was, the twinkly shine of the lucky coin.
“Wow ya beat me!” Rinne cheered, “I don't know how ya did it but ya got me three whole times in a row. That’s either some fuckin’ damn good luck or yer a better gambler then me little lady!”
“I did it? I really beat you!” She was so shocked and happy, if she could get up and dance victoriously she would have. “I beat Rinne-kun at a gambling game!”
“The goddess of luck must like the ladies more, she was definitely on yer side today.” Rinne scooped up the coins and put them away, “So what’ll yer prize be then? What do ya want me to teach ya next?”
“Ufufu,” she began cooking up her master plan, “I want you to teach me something that is going to surprise Shu-kun so much he won’t be able to believe it!”
A lightbulb turned on in Rinne’s head. He had a downright awful idea, one that would probably send Shu into cardiac arrest if he followed through. It was too godly to pass up. And little Mademoiselle was so eager to shock Shu in the same way, there was no way she would say no.
“Oh I think I know the perfect thing to teach ya, don't you worry.”
Rinne whispered his master plan to Mademoiselle, she gasped, it was perfect. And right then and there the idea was put into motion.
—
It was agreed upon that Mademoiselle would show off her new learned knowledge to Shu at the final Craftmonsters meeting before the pair was to return to France.
“Ahem, Amagi.” Shu’s heels clicked across the tiled floors as he made his way to the man already sitting in his spot.
Rinne was ridiculously early, earlier than he had ever been to anything ever. He just was so excited he couldn’t wait.
“What’s up Shu-kun? Are ya ready for another fun filled club meeting?” He tried so hard to keep his building laughter down.
“Mademoiselle has been going on and on about some ridiculous new thing you’ve taught her. You better not have corrupted her precious mind with your dirty and vulgar antics.” Shu huffed, placing down the doll and his project. Regardless of his irritated nature, he still sat down next to the man as always.
“Oh noo! I could never! I wouldn’t even think about it!” Rinne sarcastically cried, playing the ‘woe is me’ act. “She was the one who wanted to learn from little ol’ me!”
“Preposterous.” Shu spat back, not charmed in the slightest by Rinne’s behavior.
“Ask the little lady herself then, she’s not the only one who loves spendin' time with me after all.” This time he cackled wildly.
Shu huffed again, as Mademoiselle inserted herself into the infolding conversation, ‘It's true Shu-kun! I wanted Rinne-kun to teach me something new that we just know you’ll love!” Her tone sounded cheeky, Rinne loved it.
A large sigh from the man, “Ok well then, get on with it, I haven't got all day to be watching you two and your nonsense.”
“Show ‘em what you learned, the spotlight is all yours Mado-chan.” Rinne gave her the go ahead and she cleared her throat, readying her performance. The room was silent, waiting for the show to go on. Mademoiselle took a deep breath and-
“FUCK!” She yelled, loud and clear, her high pitched voice ringing through the entire club room.
Shu almost fell out of his seat. Rinne almost did too with how hard he started laughing.
“MADEM-”
“Shh- S-She ain’t d-done!” Rinne shushed the astonished man through his cackles.
“EAT SHIT AND DIE!” Another one.
Shu couldn't believe what he was hearing, just as Rinne had suspected. The reaction from the man was golden, Rinne was heaving in between wild cackles, he couldn’t breathe. It was single handidly the funniest thing he had ever fucking heard. Shu’s little doll screaming curses and obscenities in Shu’s high pitched shrill voice.
The last one, the grand finale:
“YER A LITTLE BITCH SHU-KUN!”
Rinne was trying so hard to suck in breathes. Shu looked like he stopped breathing too, and was about three seconds away from passing out.
“M-Mademoiselle! How dare you say such words! You’re a lady! Not a filthy mongrel like Amagi!” He tried to steady himself on the table, picking up the doll with one hand and talking directly at her.
“I said what I said, Shu-kun.” She said matter-of-factly.
Another gasp, “And this attitude! See I knew spending time with that man was a bad influence, even if he treated you physically with care he has done nothing but corrupt you with his- his-” Shu sputtered trying to find the right word.
“Motherfuckin’ dumbass self” She finished his sentence for him.
“I didn’t teach her that one.” Rinne confessed, but was scarily impressed nonetheless. This was a total product of him, and he couldn’t be happier.
“Y-You!” Shu tried to speak, but not a word came out, he was overwhelmed.
“Ok, alright Mado-chan, that's enough I think we traumatized him enough, he might not recover from this one and then another doll will start talkin’ and you'll have a sister.”
“I’ve always wanted a sister!” She giggled to Rinne, but then seriously began to speak to her owner, “We’re sorry Shu-kun, it was a harmless prank. Me and Rinne-kun have been getting along so well and we wanted to show you that! I promise not to use any foul language when speaking with you.” The last ‘with you’ part was sneakily tacked on. Mademoiselle was really having a rebellious phase, though she would never tell Shu that it was jump started by Rinne.
Shu collected himself, now properly calmed down by Mademoiselle soothing words of promise, “Yes well, so long as you only used those to get a reaction from me and not because you think it's ok to use them.” Nice save.
“I just thought it would be a nice way for you and Rinne-kun to get along better, if all three of us are joking and laughing we can grow closer!” Mademoiselle was sincere, she really wanted to create something between the two boys.
“Mademoiselle…”
“I thought we were all great pals already? Yer little lady is one damn cool bitch lemme tell ya. She can gamble better than me and tells killer stories.” Rinne joked, throwing an arm around Shu and pulling him in close.
“Wha- Gambling??” Shu questioned, “You taught her to gamble?”
“Uh duh? I mean look at me? Ya think I got skills in anything else?” Rinne hyena cackled again, slapping Shu’s shoulder with his laughs.
“I should have guessed, I really don’t know why I'm surprised.” Shu sighed, a smile creeping on his face. He couldn’t be mad, he looked like a fool in all of this.
“Yes, Rinne-kun is surprisingly a great listener! He loved listening to all the stories I was telling him about you!” Mademoiselle chimed in.
“Oh yes, the one about you wearing matching dresses and skirts with Mademoiselle as a kid was my favorite!” Rinne added, embarrassing Shu further. “I woulda loved to see pictures of that, I can only imagine. Unless you wanna recreate it right now, fer me!”
“Ooh yes we should Shu-kun!” She begged.
Shu’s face turned the same shade of pink as his hair.
“W-Why don’t you just go and tell him all of my secrets then!” Shu retorted, trying to save what little self dignity he still had.
“Oh dear, that would be hard since I already have.” She hummed, poking more fun at Shu. “You should be glad I didn't spill aaaaall your secrets on why you’re so infatuated with Rinne-kun~”
“I-” Shu blushed hard again, ultimately giving up and letting Mademoiselle win.
Mademoiselle had gotten very bold teasing Shu in that manner, and Rinne couldn’t help but think it was his influence of her watching him do the same exact thing to Shu. What could he say, she was a quick learner.
“Both of you are to blame! I can’t believe my perfect Mademoiselle has been turned into a tiny Amagi monster!” he cried.
“You’re welcome Shu-kun!” the both said in unison.
Now there were 2 monsters of the Craftmonsters club.