Chapter Text
Yet another quiet night in the Ramshackle Dorm. There were no creaking floorboards or dripping sounds coming from the once-leaky pipes in the walls. The only light that shone in the room was the light of the moon, which beamed through the windows, which were no longer boarded up.
When Crowley said that he’d give the dorm some much-needed renovations, Yuuki honestly wasn’t expecting him to follow through… but he delivered, that she would give him.
Speaking of the heroine in question, young Yuuki Hajime lay sounds asleep in her no longer dusty bedroom. She was glad that she was finally able to sleep without worrying about the ceiling coming down on her head from even the slightest breeze. At the foot of her bed, Grim snored as he lay on his back with his belly facing up, his little paws wiggling in the air as he mumbled to himself.
“Fgnyaaa… I’m… I’m the greatest there is, y’know…”
As Yuuki slept… a faint glow appeared on her mirror that began to grow brighter, causing her to groan as she buried her face into her pillow, hoping to block out the light, to no avail. She always knew what this meant: that the strange dream realm was calling out to her, once again. She decided it was just best not to fight it and allowed the dream to claim her, once again. As soon as she stopped struggling, that’s when it finally appeared: a vast ocean, huge dark clouds, and a grand galleon up in flames. Yuuki gasped, horrified at the sight.
‘What a terrible storm!’ she thought.
That’s when she noticed something out of her peripheral vision: a young woman who looked to be about her age with red hair, pulling along a young man with black hair and a white shirt, and it looked like he was barely conscious. That’s when Yuuki noticed something: the girl had a seafoam green fishtail attached to her instead of legs.
‘A… a mermaid…?!’
‘Ariel…’ a voice whispered to her, once again. ‘Her name is Ariel.’
The sunlight broke through the dark skies… and Ariel was seen, gently holding the unconscious man. He was breathing, but his eyes were closed… and as she watched over him, Yuuki saw the admiring gaze in the mermaid’s eyes. Soon, she began to sing softly… and yet, Yuuki could have sworn that she was hearing the voice of an angel.
“What would I give to live where you are?
What would I pay to stay here beside you?
What would I do to see you smiling at me?”
Yuuki placed a hand over her heart, feeling her eyes grow misty as Ariel continued to sing.
“Where would we walk,
Where would we run,
If we could stay all day in the sun~?
Just you and me? And I could be
Part of your world~!”
Yuuki sniffled as she wiped her eyes, smiling warmly at Ariel and her beautiful song. It was like she was watching a scene from her favorite romance series. The sun beamed down on her through the parting storm clouds… and slowly, the man, opened his eyes, groaning as he began to wake. However, Yuuki could tell that he did not quite regain his senses, just yet. That’s when she heard a dog barking in the distance, as well as another man’s voice.
“Eric! Prince Eric, where are you?!”
‘Eric?’ Yuuki thought before she looked at the prince. ‘Is that the man’s name?’
As for Ariel, she jumped away back into the water before Eric could completely regain consciousness, and soon after, a large Old English Sheepdog appeared, licking his master with his big, slobbery tongue. That’s when another man approached and judging by his suit, despite it being in tatters, he had to have at least been a servant or advisor to the young prince. He soon helped the prince to his feet and helped him to walk away from the beach with the dog following after them.
“A… a girl… she saved me,” said Eric. “She had the most… beautiful voice.”
As the prince was taken away, Ariel was seen sitting on a rock nearby… with a hopeful smile on her face.
“I don’t know when
I don’t know how
But I know something’s starting right now~
Watch and you’ll see,
Someday I’ll be
Part of your world~!”
As Ariel’s voice hit a crescendo, a wave soon splashed behind her as she carried the note, causing Yuuki to smile… but then, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted something: two moray eels, one with a glowing yellow right eye and the other with a glowing yellow left eye… and both of them with malicious-looking grins on their faces.
‘Twin eels…?’ thought Yuuki, but just before she could contemplate the dream further, the sound of her alarm clock suddenly broke through the dream realm.
~TWST~
Yuuki groaned as she opened her eyes, greeting the morning light. She sighed as she reached over and shut her alarm clock off and sat up in bed, scratching her hair as she looked around, finding herself back in her newly cleaned bedroom. She smiled as she looked out the windows, glad to actually be able to see the sun for the first time since she had started taking up residence here. It looked so much nicer than having to look at boring, rotten old wooden planks.
Still, she couldn’t help but wonder what her dreams might have been telling her, this time.
‘Why was I dreaming about the sea?’ she thought before she looked around and realized that Grim hadn’t said a word to her since she got up. In fact, to her surprise… she saw him sitting on the floor, pouring over a textbook of all things!
“Now lemme see…” Grim muttered. “If the trend for the question is option 2… that means it’s obviously a trick question…”
“Uh… Grim?” Yuuki asked.
“Fgnaa!!” Grim yelped as his fur bristled and his tail stood straight up. “Yuuki, don’t surprise me like that, or I’ll forget everything I memorized, y’know!”
“What are you doing?” Yuuki asked.
“Ain’t it obvious?” Grim asked. “I’m gettin’ some last-minute crammin’ in! Today’s the day of the final exams, y’know!”
“Oh, that’s right!” Yuuki said as she looked at her calendar for November. “Final exams are today!”
“That’s right!” Grim replied. “Since the two of us together count as one student, ya better not drag me down, y’know!”
“I don’t wanna hear that coming from you,” Yuuki said with a sneer as she put her hands on her hips. “Besides, I prepared for this in advance, unlike a certain furball I know.”
“Why would Leona’s nephew be goin’ to this school?” Grim asked. “He’s five years old!”
“Not Cheka!” Yuuki argued before she groaned and went to the bathroom to change. “Forget it. Let’s just hurry and start taking those exams.”
“Yuuki!”
Marty, one of the resident ghosts of the Ramshackle Dorm, soon came floating into the room.
“Breakfast is ready, kiddo!” he said. “Better hurry and grab it while it’s still hot!”
“I’ll be down in a few minutes!” Yuuki called back as she proceeded to brush her teeth.
‘It’s been about 3 months now since I enrolled here at Night Raven College,’ she thought as she continued about her hygienic routine. ‘I can’t believe that the final exams are actually here. Though I don’t know very much about magic in this world, I studied as much as I could. I may be the only student with no magic… but that doesn’t mean I want others to look down on me. I’ll do the best I can, and I’ll do it on my own merits.’
She soon finished tying her bowtie around her neck and buttoned up her blazer before she looked herself over in the bathroom mirror, then smiled as she gave herself a nod of approval.
‘I can do this,’ she thought before she heard a knock at the door.
“Yuuki! It’s me, Ace!”
“And Deuce! We’re here to bring you and Grim to class!”
“I’ll be down soon!” Yuuki called as she left the bathroom, picked Grim up, and headed down the stairs into the dorm’s lounge… which looked much more presentable now. There were new sofas, the floor was clean of dust, dirt, and grime, and the walls had gotten new plaster and wallpaper, too. Even the portraits were hung up and aligned correctly. Now that renovations had been done, Yuuki could actually invite other students into her dorm and not worry about looking like a slob.
She had to commend Crowley… well, really, she had to commend Riddle. If it wasn’t for his pressure, Crowley wouldn’t have done all this for her in the first place.
‘Speaking of Crowley,’ Yuuki thought as she picked up her bagged breakfast, ‘I bet he still hasn’t found a way for me to get home… probably forgot all about it, again.’
“Bye, Marty, Melvin, and Mavis!” Yuuki called as she headed to the door. “I’ll see you after class gets out!”
“Have a good day!” Marty called.
“Hope you do well on the exams, kid!” Melvin said.
“Knock ’em dead!” Mavis added. “Well, I mean, not really dead, but you know what I mean!”
“I know!” Yuuki called as she opened the door, where Ace Trappola and Deuce Spade of Heartslabyul were waiting for her.
“Yo, Yuuki!” Ace greeted.
“Are you ready?” asked Deuce.
“Yep!” Yuuki replied as she walked out with her best friends. “You know, I’m feeling pretty confident about how I’ll do on the test!”
“Well, don’t get too confident,” Ace smirked. “I’m gonna make the Top 50 for sure.”
“As if,” Deuce said. “Someone like you who can’t even study to save his life is bound to flunk.”
“Oh, look who’s talking,” Ace sneered. “You know that you can’t talk about me since you keep forgetting your own notes!”
“I do not!” Deuce shouted.
“You guys are both gonna be eatin’ my dust by the time these exams are over!” Grim declared. “With my surefire study plan, I’ll be number one, for sure, y’know!”
“Says the one who didn’t do any studying until this morning,” Yuuki countered, causing Grim to glare at her. “Anyway, let’s just get to class.”
Little did Yuuki realize that in the coming days, she would be in for one of the biggest headaches of her life.
~TWST~
DING-DONG! DING-DONG!
“Time’s up, puppies!” called Professor Crewel as he stood before his class, who all looked up at him as they put their Magic Pens down. “Now, put down your pens and pass in your test sheets like good, obedient pups. This concludes the final exams.”
“YEAAAAAAH!!” Ace, Deuce, Grim, and the entire class cheered while Yuuki slumped against her desk, sighing with relief as her exhaustion took hold.
‘That was actually a lot more grueling than I thought it would be,’ she thought. ‘I’m just glad it’s over.’
“Sit!!” Crewel commanded as he slapped his pointer against his hand, causing the entire class to go still as they sat back down. “It’s too soon for you to be celebrating. Any bad dogs who get bad scores on their tests had best be prepared to spend their Christmas vacation taking remedial classes. Is that clear?”
No one answered, although some visibly grumbled under their breath, to the professor’s irritation.
“Speak!!” Crewel commanded as he slapped his pointer against his palm, once again, causing everyone to jump.
“Yes, Professor!”
“Good boys,” Crewel praised with a mocking smirk. “You are all dismissed.”
Soon, everyone got up to turn in their answers, with Yuuki, Grim, Ace, and Deuce being among them.
“Finally!” cheered Ace with glee. “We’re finally done!”
“I gave it my best shot,” Deuce said. “Now all that’s left is to wait for the results.”
“Keheh,” Grim snickered cockily. “This test was a cakewalk for me, y’know!”
“You didn’t even do any studying until this morning!” Yuuki argued.
“And you usually look like the world is about to end after you do written exams,” Ace pointed out.
“Well, this time’s different! Trust me!” Grim countered while he put in his test. “Soon, you’ll be calling ‘Great Grim the Genius’ and beggin’ me to help ya study, y’know!”
“Sorry, but I’m actually feeling pretty confident about this one,” said Deuce as he turned his test in, as well. “I feel bad, but I’m not gonna lose to you.”
“Heh,” Ace smirked. “Is that really something a guy who always gets low test scores and starts whining like a big baby should say?” He pointed a thumb to himself as he beamed confidently while placing his test on the desk. “This time, the tests were a breeze for me, too, so I’m not gonna lose, either!”
“I don’t care where I place as long as I pass,” Yuuki said as she placed her sheet on Crewel’s desk. “Even an average score is good enough for me.”
“You know, for someone who doesn’t have magic,” Deuce began, “you’ve actually been getting pretty good scores, Yuuki. You at least do enough to get a passing grade.”
“Well, back where I’m from,” Yuuki said as she walked out with her friends, “I was always pressured to get top marks by my Mom. It was the same thing for me and my brothers and sister, too.”
“Oh, yeah, that’s right,” Deuce said. “The whole reason you wound up here in this world was that you ran away from home because of your mom.”
“Shh~!” Yuuki shushed. “We’re supposed to keep that a secret, remember?”
“Oh, right,” Deuce replied. “Sorry.”
“Anyway,” Yuuki began, “I feel like here, I actually don’t have to try so hard. I feel like if I just get average, that’s enough for me. I mean, I feel like I don’t really have to please anybody, now.”
“That’s actually a pretty good mindset to have,” Ace pointed out. “Just hope it works out for you in the end.”
“Well, now that class is out for the day,” Deuce began, “I better get to Track & Field Club.”
“And I’m heading to the Basketball Club,” Ace said. “I feel like I can actually go all out, now!”
“Let’s head back to the Ramshackle Dorm, Yuuki,” said Grim as his ears drooped in exhaustion. “I’m pooped from studyin’, y’know.”
“Which you only did this morning at the very last night,” Yuuki pointed out, “but, yeah… let’s head back to the dorm.”
~TWST~
“Now then… are you going to tell me why you ignored my summons, yesterday? I don’t think you understand the position you’re in right now.”
In the Mostro Lounge, which was furnished with fancy leather sofas, porcelain tables, and an aquarium backdrop… Azul Ashengrotto sat in a lounge chair, one leg crossed over the other as the lenses of his glasses flashed ominously. Flanking him were Jade Leech and twin brother, Floyd Leech. While Jade had a calm smile on his face and his hands folded, there appeared to be an almost sinister glint in his eyes. Floyd on the other hand smiled lazily with a hand on his hip… and yet, the mischievous twinkle in his eyes gave off the impression that he was getting ready to pounce at any second.
“Well?” Azul asked as he glared at the Octavinelle first-year student who sat before him… the boy was seemingly calm, and yet had sweat beading down his brow.
“Well… you see, Housewarden Azul,” said the first-year, “I had a stomachache, so I was in the infirmary for most of the day.”
“Really, now?” Azul inquired as he narrowed his eyes at him. “Lying won’t help you, you know.”
“B-but… I’m not lying!” the first-year stammered. “My stomach r-really did hurt!”
Azul sighed. “Typical. It seems that we’ll have to do this the hard way.” He looked to his right, where Jade stood. “Jade. Please give our friend here the push he needs to speak a little more honestly.”
“Understood,” Jade nodded as he bowed his head like a butler obeying his employer, then he casually strode over to the first-year in front of him as he chuckled darkly, much to the student’s nervousness.
“W-what are you doing, Vice-Housewarden?” he asked.
“Now, now,” Jade tutted. “There’s no need to be frightened. I won’t hurt you. Just look at me.”
The first-year gulped as he hesitantly looked him right in the eye.
“That’s right,” Jade said before his left eye began to glow. “Shock the Heart.”
The first-year suddenly went lax as he stared into Jade’s glowing eye.
“Now then… I’ll ask you, once more: why did you ignore Azul’s summons yesterday?” the statuesque boy asked him.
“Because… I was sick,” said the first-year, who soon glared disdainfully at Azul. “That is to say… I was sick of being a tool for that slimy, cheating bastard Azul’s underhanded schemes! So I faked having a stomachache to…” he trailed off as he realized in horror what he had just said. “W-what the hell?! Why am I spouting this crap all of a sudden?!”
“Ah, I see,” Jade grinned, toothily. “So that’s how you feel, is it?”
“Oh, my,” Azul said with feigned hurt. “How could you say such a thing? I’m truly shocked… especially after all I had done to help make your wish come true, just as the benevolent Sea Witch who founded our dorm would have done! And you have the gall to call me a ‘cheating bastard’?”
“Wait, no!” the first-year cried. “That’s not true! I take it back!! I’m really sorry!!”
“Hmph,” Azul snorted as he pushed his glasses up. “It’s too late for you to smooth things over, now!” He then turned to his left. “Floyd… it’s your turn, now.”
“So you’re done talkin’ to him, now, right?” Floyd asked as a wide, shark-toothed grin creased his lips. “Does this mean I get to squeeze him, now~?”
“Of course,” Azul grinned cruelly. “Have your fun with him as much as you’d like.”
“Okay~!” Floyd sang as he approached the first-year, who shrieked as the boy advanced on him.
“Wait! Please!” he cried. “I’m sorry! Just give me another cha- GAAACK!!”
He didn’t the chance to finish… before Floyd grabbed him by the tie around his neck and dragged him off.
“Aww, don’t worry!” Floyd said with a playfully violent grin. “This won’t hurt!” His smile soon disappeared, replaced with a hollow look as his pupils shrank. “Much…”
“GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!” the first-year screamed in terror as Floyd dragged him away… but then, his screams turned into a choked gasp, and then… a thud against the floor resounded throughout the empty cafe.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk…” Azul ticked as he stood up. “My goodness, why must these people constantly skip out on their payments one after the other? Pay for what you want, and then return what you owe. This is just common sense. Wouldn’t you agree, Jade?”
“But of course, Azul,” Jade nodded. “It’s just as you say.”
“I do hope that I get some more decent people in my… employ, soon,” Azul added.
“Hmm-hmm,” Jade tittered. “The test results are certainly something to look forward to.”
“Indeed,” Azul smirked. “That reminds me… Jade, I hear the Ramshackle Dorm has gotten some improvements done.”
“Ah, yes,” Jade replied. “It seems Miss Yuuki Hajime, the Prefect, is living much more comfortably there, now.”
“Lovely,” Azul acknowledged just as Floyd came back from having his “fun”. “Once the test results come in, you and Floyd know what to do: bring that girl to me.”
“Yes, sir,” said Jade and Floyd, both of them chuckling maliciously.