Archive of Our Own ^beta

   It was a cold winter night outside Ramshackle dorm when Yuu snuck his way outside to see the fairy lights. The moon was high in the night sky and made the blanket of snow covering the grounds glow white in the dark. He wasn’t wearing anything over his school jacket, but the chill felt more refreshing than uncomfortable right then. And Yuu hadn’t wanted to test the added risk of grabbing his coat from his broken wardrobe. 

    And he wasn’t the only one underdressed, anyway. Tsunotaro was standing dark against the moonlit snow, his open jacket caught in a breeze. Part of Yuu was worried the others, meaning Rook and Vil, would spot him as well as Yuu did. He hoped they hadn’t heard the creaking when he made his way down— there was only so much he could do to avoid the noisy planks. He had no interest in being caught sneaking out like a child. Or for them to wonder what a Diasomnia student was doing at Ramshackle dorm in the middle of the night.  

   “Good night,” Yuu saluted, the snow making a satisfying crunchy sound under his feet.

   “It’s you,” Tsunotaro replied, having turned around. 

   He really was tall, Yuu noted once more, eyes wandering to his horns as always. His dark hair and clothes melted as one in the darkness unlike the bright green of his inner vest. Yuu still wondered if Tsunotaro liked to be wearing such a vivid color, and if he’d like the gray of Ramshackle better. 

   “I was wondering if you would come tonight,” continued Tsunotaro, either unaware or unbothered by Yuu’s intent look. “Does the cold not bother you?”

   Yuu shrugged. “It’s not that bad. Back home we always had cold winters, so I’m used to it. What about you? You spend way more time outside than me.”

   Tsunotaro smiled. “Such a thing isn’t a threat to me.”

   There he went again acting so mysterious… if Yuu had been a different person, he might’ve gotten upset at all this smug confidence of Tsunotaro’s who enjoyed keeping secrets from Yuu. But fortunately Yuu was just as willing to be smugly confident and keep secrets so he didn’t take it personally.

   “I do have a coat, I just left it behind.”

   “Didn’t want to wake up your guests?” So Tsunotaro did know… 

   “Sacrifices must to be made when aiming high. Vil already caught me once, I don’t want it to happen again.” Tsunotaro smiled derisively. “Does Tsunotaro have a coat? It must be better than mine. Coats are useful for napping in the winter, you know,” Yuu said, sharing wise intel. “They keep you warm and dry, and you can use it as a pillow or blanket, or to hide underneath.”

   “Unlike you, I feel no need to sleep in class,” Tsunotaro retorted. His breath was visible in the dark.

   “Which makes no sense because you’re the one spending your nights outside,” Yuu sighed, blowing clouds as well. “Though, it’s been a while since I saw you here. Have you found new ruins to explore?”

   “No, I’ve simply been too busy to come here these past weeks. Have you been looking out for me?” he added unnecessarily.

   “Of course,” Yuu said proudly. “It’s fun to sneak out to spend time with Tsunotaro.” That answer seemed to please him. “Have you been preparing for the festival too?”

   “Nothing of the sort. It was simply a matter of my birthday.” Yuu blinked. “Oh right, you wouldn’t know.”

   “That’s all you have to say? You should’ve told me, I would’ve gotten you something! Did you have a party?”

   Tsunotaro looked surprised, which surprised Yuu. “Did you want to come?”

   “Of course,” replied Yuu cheerfully.

   “…” Tsunotaro’s expression became gloomy. “I hadn’t considered you would want to come. It’s not something I should’ve ignored, and yet…”

   Yuu was staring at him. He really looked upset at himself… Tsunotaro was actually pretty sweet, uh. 

   “However, I won’t apologize for not inviting you.”

   Eh?! Taking the compliments back…

   “How come?” asked Yuu, louder than he had intended. Had Tsunotaro finally gotten annoyed with him? 

   “As much as I enjoy spending time with you, and I have no doubts you would’ve made my birthday party very entertaining,” stated Tsunotaro, right arm crossed and left hand high, “these meetings of ours are reliant on you not being aware of my true name. Because no doubts, if you knew who I was, you would no longer behave as you do around me.”

   Yuu’s dark eyes became darker as his pupils dilated. Tsunotaro’s insights into Yuu’s impression on him, what valuable knowledge…

   “And if I had invited you, you would’ve learned my identity,” concluded Tsunotaro. “So I decided against inviting you. Although I thought it wouldn’t bother you… because of the SDC, I assumed you would be too busy to consider it. That was insensitive of me.”

   Sometimes Yuu realized he couldn’t tell if Tsunotaro was dramatic as a joke or on purpose. Those last sentences had been spoken with such sadness… “I mean, I’m more annoyed that you didn’t tell me so now I don’t have a gift. Tsunotaro’s been nice to me so I want to get you something.”

   “Really?” Tsunotaro asked genuinely. “So you don’t mind not being invited?” 

   Yuu shrugged. “It’s not so different from what happened at home. When I got invited to things, I couldn’t even get there. So I’m used to not taking it personally when I don’t get invited, I guess? Plus Tsunotaro’s got a good excuse. I don’t mind, really.”

   Tsunotaro brought his hand to his chin thoughtfully. “Are you really not upset?” he insisted. “I can make it up to you, if that’s what you want.”

    What is he on about..? Yuu thought, face blank under the stars. Instead, he said: “There’s a difference between Tsunotaro and everyone else. It’s not that deep.”

   “A difference?” Tsunotaro repeated, crossing his arms this time.

   If Yuu had been in his usual state of mind, he would’ve noticed that wasn’t a question motivated by curiosity. However, Yuu wasn’t, so he kept going as usual.

   “Yeah,” Yuu said confidently.

   “Go on.”

   “Mm, alright,” Yuu said, throwing his head back in thought. “With Ace, Deuce and Grim, it’s more… normal? They’re always getting in trouble, and getting me in trouble so we end up having to fight dorm leaders all the time. Something’s always going on, not that I mind. So it’s different to come talk with Tsunotaro like this at night. It’s so quiet and nice.”

   “Nice?” echoed Tsunotaro.

   “Anyway, what would you like? I can cook you something,” said Yuu.

   “You don’t have to do anything. I didn’t invite you, so it only makes sense I’m not owed a gift.”

   Yuu kicked a hole in the snow. “Pff. If you’re going to not invite me and refuse a gift, then I’ll be upset. Aren’t we friends?”

   Tsunotaro looked at him with a new look in his bright eyes. “And what would that mean to you?”

   Yuu’s eyebrow rose. “I want to do stuff for my friends’ birthdays. So you have to let me do something for you.”

   “Oh? I have to,” Tsunotaro repeated, smiling darkly again.

   Yuu stepped up to him, hands on his hips. “Right.”

   “What will you do if I refuse?”

   “I was just asking to be nice. I don’t need your permission.”

   Tsunotaro laughed. “Surprise me, then.”

   “Alright,” replied Yuu. “I will.”

Five days later

   Past four in the afternoon, there were a few students in the Diasomnia dorm’s lounge room. It was about time for supper, so it wasn’t out of the ordinary that there would be more to and fro from the kitchen and lounge. What was out of the ordinary, was vice housewarden Lilia Vanrouge, seated comfortably in one of the lounge’s sofas, telling the students to wait.

   “There should be something different happening soon,” he said vaguely to his confused underclassmen. “Wait a bit before eating, alright? If I’m wrong, I’ll cook you all a meal to make up for it.”

   Taking this as a threat, the students stayed away from the kitchen in fear of Lilia approaching it as well. They had no idea what could be happening, so they went to Silver, who was nodding off on the sofa opposite Lilia’s.

   “I don’t know either,” he admitted once snapped awake. “Fa— Lilia-senpai only told me that we might be having a guest.”

   A guest? Who would come to Diasomnia? They could count the number of people from other dorms who had stopped by since their initiation on one hand— even the third years. And to do something related with food, too. What could possibly be happening?

   Everyone’s first thoughts went to their dorm leader’s birthday. But it had just passed, no? Surely, if something special was to be done for Malleus Draconia’s birthday, it would happen on the day. And it wasn’t like they hadn’t had a party; the Diasomnia students had been quite proud of it this year, even more than the lasts.

   So what could it be? Theories went wild; birth dates were requested, as well as questions about who had more inter-dorm friends. Soon, word spread through the rooms and a picture emerged; there was going to be a party.

   “Father, are you sure this is alright?” asked Silver, bewildered at the speed rumors spread. 

   “Well, there is certainly a lot of imagination at work here,” replied Lilia. 

   “I find it hard to believe someone from another dorm would host a party here,” continued Silver. “I don’t think it’s ever happened for as long as I’ve been enrolled.”

   “You’re right. There’s certainly a reason why it would be different this time,” Lilia replied, smiling knowingly. 

   “What do you mean, Father?”

   But Silver’s question never was responded to, as there was a knock on the door. The lounge, which had been moderately packed and moderately loud, went silent. While acting natural, all eyes turned to their vice-housewarden, who had risen from his seat.

   “I will go to the door,” announced Silver, getting up as well. 

   Lilia nodded happily, an arm folded over his chest. Silver did as he said, oblivious or uncaring of the stares upon his back. The large doors of the Diasomnia dorm opened that night past four and half in the afternoon, and their creaking seemed foreign at this time. Silver only opened the door a normal amount; much more than a late student sneaking in would have, slightly more than a student leaving for class, but not enough for anyone to see past him.

   “Welcome,” said Silver to whoever was standing outside.

   “Oh, it’s Silver,” responded that person.

   “Fa— Lilia-senpai said we would be having a guest,” Silver said, his tone of voice slightly different. “Was he mistaken?”

   What did that mean? Back inside the lounge, Lilia Vanrouge titled his head, chin on his hand. A student got up and slipped upstairs to the dorm rooms, while two others followed the wall to sneak inside the kitchen. As they left, it was like a balloon deflating; a big disappointment. 

   “What’s going on, Silver?” asked Lilia, approaching.

   “Just push past him,” said that same voice. “Or we’ll be there all evening, and I’m hungry.”

   “He’s right,” said another voice.

   “Oh,” said Lilia as he came up besides Silver. “That is unexpected. Come on in, everyone.”

   “Thank you,” said a third voice.

   Stepping aside, Silver and Lilia allowed their visitors entry. Looks were exchanged across the room. So that’s what Silver had meant— Lilia had said guest, not guests !

Four days earlier

   “A party in Diasomnia? Are you insane?”

   Yuu stared disappointedly at Ace before turning to Deuce. They had stopped in the middle of the path that passed between the statues of the Seven; Yuu had his back to the Witch of Thorns, while the other two framed the Queen of Hearts.

   “I have to agree with Ace,” replied Deuce, looking just as horrified. “Going to Diasomnia is way too dangerous, especially to throw a party.”

   Yuu sighed. “But that’s my whole idea… I already planned it.”

   “Can’t you just hold it at Ramshackle?” said Ace.

   “Or even Heartslabyul,” added Deuce. “With all the unbirthdays parties we throw, we have experience, and dorm leader Rosehearts probably wouldn’t mind lending you our courtyard for a night. As long as it follows the rules…” A pained look overcame them both.

   “That defeats the point,” replied Yuu. “It has to be at his dorm. Plus,” Yuu’s pupils dilated, “I don’t think he would go to Heartslabyul, and Ramshackle is way too unsafe to throw a party at.”

   “What are you guys doing?” interrupted Grim, who had gone ahead of them earlier. “You’re going to make us late.”

   “Yuu wants us to throw a party at Diasomnia with him!” exclaimed Ace.

   “Oh, awesome! There’ll be tons of food! Yuu, you have to cook steak!” said Grim cheerfully.

   “I’ll see what can be done.”

   “Grim, it’s not a good thing,” interjected Deuce. 

   “Eh?” Grim’s happy expression faded, and Yuu gave Deuce a look.

   “What’s the issue?” Yuu argued. “It’s a party. They just had one this week.”

   “‘What’s the issue’?” Ace burst, startling a bird who had landed on the statue behind him. “Their dorm leader is the issue! Who do you think that guy is?” Yuu couldn’t answer, so he opted to keep looking at Ace. “It’s Malleus Draconia! He’s one of the five most powerful mages in the world. If he finds out you’re having a party in his dorm, it’d be certain death!”

   Grim let out a surprised “Nyah!” and deflated. 

   “Really, has he killed anyone before?” asked Yuu, sounding genuine.

   “Well, no. But that’s not the point. That guy is in a completely different league; even if you had magic you wouldn’t be able to do anything against him; going there on your own to throw a party is just asking to get struck by lightning!” 

   “Yea, but,” started Yuu, ignoring the angry look Ace was giving him. “To someone magicless like me, there’s not a real difference between first years like you or one of the strongest mages around. The conclusion is the same; if it comes to a fight, I lose. But fine, I’ll just go ask Draconia-senpai’s permission.”

   “Yuu!” all his company exclaimed.

   “Fine. I’ll ask his vice housewarden.”

   “Yuu…” said Deuce.

   “How do you plan to have this party, anyway?” asked Ace. “You can’t cook for that many people by yourself.”

   “Of course not, that’s why I’ll ask other people for help.”

   “No one is going to help you!”

   “Let’s bet,” said Yuu, an unbecoming grin on his face. “If I succeed, you have to come.”

   “No way! If you want to die, you can do it without me,” said Ace, giving up with a shake and a shrug.

   “What’s this party for, anyway?” asked Deuce.

   “Oh, I didn’t mention it? It’s for my friend’s birthday.”

   “I didn’t know you had a friend in Diasomnia,” said Deuce. Ace’s expression revealed he thought the same. “Do we know him?”

   “I don’t know,” replied Yuu.

   “What’s his name, then?” said Ace.

   “I don’t know,” repeated Yuu.

   “What kind of friend is that, then?” Deuce shook his head.

   “Someone important to me,” said Yuu. “At first, I thought he was a weirdo. But now, I also know he’s a nice guy. He’s a strong mage, but he doesn’t say anything about me. We haven’t fought at all either. He likes listening to me talk.”

   “That’s still bad if you don’t even know his name,” cut Ace.

   “Does it really matter?”

   “Oh, is it Tsunotaro?” asked Grim.

   Yuu did nothing. “Tsunotaro?” repeated the other two. 

   “I didn’t know you two had gotten so close,” continued Grim. “Next time, you should introduce me.”

   Deuce looked about to say something else, but Ace shook his head and spoke first. “You’re clearly not going to change your mind, so just do whatever you want. We’re going to be late for class.”

   “Ace is sort of right, you know,” agreed Grim in a somber tone. “If the dorm leader is someone that scary, going there is probably going to be worse than all the other times we went to other dorms.” That’s only because you guys always start trouble, thought Yuu. “Even for food, that might be too risky.”

   Yuu kept his eyes on Deuce as Ace and Grim walked away from them.

   “Deuce, do you know what Cater-senpai is doing today?”

   “Diamond-senpai?” Deuce looked taken aback by the sudden subject change. “Don’t tell me you want to try and convince him too… I remember he said this morning that he had club activities this morning before lunch. But he’s never going to accept.”

   “We’ll see,” said Yuu confidently. 

   “If your friend is from Diasomnia, won’t his dormmates hold a party for him, anyway? Why do you want to hold one yourself?”

   “Because my gift is supposed to be a party we can both attend,” said Yuu cheerfully.

   “Yuu…”

   One, two, three…

   “I’ll help you!” exclaimed Deuce. Yuu let surprise show on his face. “Even with all that Ace and me said, you still want to do this for your friend… it’s what I expected from you! A friend of Yuu’s is my friend too! You did so much for us, so I were to watch you walk into danger… even if we have to fight Draconia-senpai, I will protect you!”

   Yuu smiled. “Thank you, Deuce. Do you know how to cook?”

   “Uh, I can manage.”

   “Perfect.”

Present time

    “It’s hard to believe we’re still on campus,” said Deuce as he walked into the Diasomnia lounge. 

   With its dark walls, green torches and tall windows that looked upon a cloudy night sky, the Diasomnia dorm was very far removed from Deuce’s Heartslabyul. Gone was the comfortable, warm environment of his lounge; this one looked like a castle hall. There even was a throne in the back. 

    That could be in Heartslabyul, Deuce thought.

   “We should ask if we can explore later,” agreed Yuu, stepping next to him.

   Deuce didn’t respond, too busy looking at all the students present. They were all staring at them— and Deuce couldn’t blame them, this was definitely an unusual situation. Fortunately, he didn’t see Malleus Draconia anywhere.

   And in front of them stood Lilia Vanrouge and Silver, whom Deuce knew was in the same club as his dorm leader. They both looked very imposing in their dark and strict dorm uniforms, although in different ways. 

   “This is our lounge,” introduced Lilia needlessly. “The kitchen is right this way. Everything you requested is waiting for you.”

   “Lilia-senpai is truly efficient,” said Yuu with wide eyes. 

   “Of course, with magic like his, securing ingredients wouldn’t be a problem,” said Jamil from behind Deuce.

   “Kalim, I wasn’t expecting to see you,” saluted Lilia. “Isn’t this the first time you’ve come to my dorm? How do you like it?”

   “It’s way different than Scarabia,” replied Kalim over Jamil’s shoulder. “But it certainly suits you! Your dorm uniforms look amazing!” Deuce and Yuu had to agree. “You should try to add some color though. I can give you some rugs if you want!” 

   “Kalim!” hissed Jamil. “Don’t say something like that to our host!”

   “Ah it’s fine, me and Lilia are clubmates!”

   “I’ll certainly keep this in mind,” replied Lilia cheerfully. “But enough talking; my students are getting hungry.”

   “Right,” said Yuu, taking the lead after Lilia.

    That Yuu had gotten Kalim and Jamil to come was the least surprising, decided Deuce. Not only was Kalim friends with Lilia Vanrouge, but he was known to enjoy and throw a lot of parties in Scarabia as well as being a generally helpful person bordering on danger obliviousness. Indeed, Yuu’s true skills had gone elsewhere…

   Deuce followed Lilia and Silver to the kitchen, walking between the differently shaped tables and couches. Yuu seemed oblivious to everyone’s stares. Deuce hoped no one would go after him; Yuu stood out even amongst them, with his gray vest and lack of dorm affiliation on him. Everyone knew about the magicless student at Ramshackle by now, and Diasomnia students were all experts at magic…

   Silver opened the door for them, and Deuce followed after Yuu and Lilia. The kitchen was large, with enough space for several people to cook together comfortably between the counters on the walls and center. The fridges and cupboards were full to the brim, and there were enough plates to put Riddle’s unbirthday parties to shame. Taking definitive steps towards the back, Yuu turned to Deuce, and he was smiling.

   “This is a more modern kitchen than I was expecting,” commented Ruggie Bucchi from Savanaclaw. Deuce had no idea how Yuu had convinced him to come.

   “Where you expecting something out of Briar Valley?” Lilia laughed. “No, the headmage made sure everything here can work with or without magic. Apparently, this is cheaper than technomancy as well.”

   Of course…

   “Do you all have the notes I gave you?” Jamil asked, standing beside the center island.

   “Is there somewhere we can put our jackets?” Yuu asked Lilia.

   “I believe that’s what Yuu-san and Deuce-san have in their pockets, Jamil-san,” replied Azul Ashengrotto. Deuce felt uneasy having him there, but it was for Yuu’s sake. “And Ruggie-san is holding his.”

   “I can answer for myself,” said Ruggie. Him and Yuu had taken off their jackets and rolled up their sleeves. Deuce decided to do the same.

   “Yes, of course,” said Azul, smiling. 

   “Why are you even here, anyway?” asked Ruggie. “I didn’t take you for a cook.”

   “I do know a thing or two, with directing the Monstro Lounge. But I won’t be cooking as much as you.”

   “Indeed!” said Yuu loudly, from the back of the kitchen. He had thrown on an apron and tied his hair back, headphones around his neck and standing on a chair. Everyone turned to him with varied expressions, expecting directives.

   And directives he gave. “Jamil, Ruggie, we’re going to be working on the main courses. Jamil will be doing the bulk of it since he has more experience cooking for a group; Ruggie, you’re sous-chef and your secondary job is to minimize waste. Deuce and Azul, you’re going to support Jamil and Ruggie and me as needed. Ruggie, we’ll work on the appetizers first. Azul, you can help Jamil and start my stuff. Kalim, Azul will join you later to help with the lounge. In the meantime, I’m sure the light music club can find a way to entertain the students.”

   “Of course!” replied Kalim cheerfully. Besides him, Lilia nodded happily.

   “Sounds easy enough,” said Ruggie as he hopped over to the fridges and threw them open.

   “I’m taking this area, it’s the biggest,” claimed Jamil, moving quickly to a spot to the left.

   Yuu said nothing, headphones on his head as he dragged pots and pans from the cupboards.

   Somewhat overwhelmed, Deuce stood there for a moment too long before snapping back to reality. He had the detailed recipes and notes Jamil had given him. He could do this, too!

   “Looks like you have everything in control,” commended Lilia. “I’ll leave you to it, then, and wait for the result.”

   “Yes, it’ll be amazing!” concurred Kalim. “You hear that, guys? Everyone will love your food, for sure.”

   “Obviously,” said Azul proudly. “I did work on that menu myself, after all.”

   “Wait, how long have you all been working on this?” asked Lilia, eyes wide.

   “Two days,” replied Jamil and Azul simultaneous. Yuu would have joined in too, but he wore headphones and couldn’t hear the conversation.

   “My, young people these days are truly extraordinary,” said Lilia as he walked out with Kalim.

   “Someone needs to tell Yuu not to wear those things in a kitchen,” muttered Jamil as Deuce passed him by. 

   Ruggie was already putting out plates, sauces, spices and other ingredients as Deuce reached him. “Here, work on this,” his senpai said.

   Deuce grabbed the food that was pushed his way. His hands were still wet from washing them, and the cold vegetables shocked him.

   “I’m surprised to see you here, Bucchi-senpai,” said Deuce as he began cutting. The sound of his knife hitting the cookboard joined Jamil’s. 

   “You tell me,” sighed Ruggie. “I still can’t believe these two managed to talk me into this.”

   “These two?” asked Deuce.

   “I’ll tell you…”

Three days earlier

   Ruggie put down his tray next to Leona’s. The cafeteria was loud as usual, all the various conversations becoming one big noise. Too focused on his food— bacon and ham sandwich with fries—, he didn’t notice someone approaching from the other side and sitting in front of them.

   “Hello, Ruggie-senpai, Leona-senpai,” saluted Yuu over the sound of his tray hitting the table. Bacon and ham sandwich as well, but mashed potatoes instead of fries, noted Ruggie, judging him.

   At first glance, Yuu had looked like any other human, an especially weak one at that. But Ruggie now knew to worry about what was going on in that guy’s head. Especially when he had this kind of cheerful expression.

   “Why are you here for?” asked Leona. “Your friends kick you out?”

   “What if I just wanted to hang with you instead?” responded Yuu. 

   Leona chuckled. “Sure, then. Suit yourself.”

   “Although, I would like to discuss something with Ruggie-senpai.”

   “What?” said Ruggie, hearing his name. He had been lost in ham and bacon.

   “What kind of trouble do you want to drag him into now?” asked Leona, sounding amused.

   “A party at Diasomnia.”

   “Eh?” Leona’s ears went flat. Ruggie’s swallow went sideways. 

   “No way,” replied Ruggie once he had stopped coughing. “Are you crazy? That’s—” he took a look a the corner of the cafeteria— “way too dangerous.”

   Yuu seemed unimpressed. “It’s a dorm.”

   “It’s Malleus Draconia-san’s dorm!” replied Ruggie.

   “What, you’re still scared of that lizard?” said Leona. “You’re all giving Savanaclaw a bad name.”

   “Not everyone is as powerful as you, Leona-san,” argued Ruggie. “For me, the farther I am from him, the better.”

   “I got permission and a blessing from Lilia-senpai,” said Yuu.

   “Well, of course he wouldn’t mind,” said Leona. “But Lilia isn’t Malleus.”

   “What he said,” replied Ruggie between two bites.

   “If you come, I’ll let you keep all the leftovers.”

   Leona burst out laughing, and the others nearby turned to look at them.

   “Yuu knows you too well,” said Leona.

   “Even then, I’m not doing it.”

   “Why not?” asked Yuu.

   “Because when Malleus-san hears about it, he’s going to set fire to the place!”

   Yuu seemed to consider this with an entirely too careless air, picking at his food. Ruggie wondered how he was still alive with this kind of self-preservation instinct.

   “What if I take the blame?”

   “Eh?”

   “If something goes wrong,” spelled Yuu with a wave of his hand, “just tell Draconia-senpai it was my idea. I’ll even give you permission to run away and leave me behind. No revenge.”

   “You’ve got guts for an herbivore,” said Leona. “But you’re still stupid if you think that’s going to change anything.”

   “But I need cooks for the party…” whined Yuu. 

   “Why do you even want to hold a party there?”

   “It’s for my friend’s birthday,” replied Yuu, expression clearing.

   “You have a friend in Diasomnia? You’re really hopeless.”

   Yuu’s expression darkened slightly. “So, what about it, Ruggie-senpai?”

   “Sorry, but no. Even if you take the blame, that doesn’t guarantee anything.”

   “What about a more definite guarantee?”

   “Uh?”

   “What about it?”

   “Well, depends on what that means…” said Ruggie.

   “I’ll be right back,” Yuu said, rising to his feet and slipping into the crowd.

   “This guy’s so weird,” said Ruggie once he lost sight of him. His hand extended across the table and came back with bacon.

   “He’s pretty entertaining, at least,” said Leona. “Is he planning to invite Malleus to that party?”

   “Ugh, and I was having a good day.”

   “But Ruggie, you know what you said was crap too, right?”

   “What?” 

   “Just because there’s a party he’s not invited to doesn’t mean that guy’s going to kill people. Or else all our freshmen would be fresh meat.” 

   “But it’s in his own dorm!”

   “And? It’s probably going work out better that way. Who needs to be invited to their own dorm?”

   “Are you really implying I should go…?” asked Ruggie.

   “Ah! Do what you want, I don’t care. Just don’t use these dumb excuses if you’re going to act like prey.”

   Ruggie sighed, turning back to his meal.

   “Ruggie-senpai.”

   Startled, Ruggie spun around. He was even more startled when he saw Azul Ashengrotto standing besides Yuu. They both had matching expressions. Trying to imitate the Leech twins..?

   “Ruggie-san, Leona-san, good day,” saluted Azul. 

   “It’ll be good once you’re out of my sight,” responded Leona.

   “As amicable as ever.”

   “Ruggie-senpai, will you come with us to discuss things?” asked Yuu, wringing his hand to loosen his shirt sleeve.

   “What things?” said Ruggie, completely lost.

   “The guarantee,” replied Azul.

   “Fine, but I’m brining my lunch.”

   Outside the cafeteria, in a darkened hallway’s corner, Yuu and Azul stood side by side facing Ruggie, whose back was to the wall. How had they ended up in these positions..?

   Yuu was ever so slightly shorter than Ruggie, and that was with heeled shoes. Despite that, the prefect of Ramshackle dorm had a presence to him, even more noticeable than that of the dorm leader of Octavinelle and accomplished student-mage next to him.

   As Ruggie finished his lunch, he had nothing better to do than to stare at these two. It was in these moments the similarities between them could be noticed. The superficial ones, like their both wearing glasses, but mostly the way they behaved. More precisely, how they were both annoyingly efficient manipulators too smart for the good of others.

   “So Yuu-kun managed to drag you into this too?” asked Ruggie, looking at Azul.

   “We have come to a beneficial agreement,” replied Azul in that overly sweet tone of his. Ruggie’s ears flattened at the sound of it. “It would be in my benefit if Yuu-san can pull this off, and he needs help in the kitchen. You are an accomplished cook. So I would like to do everything in my power to assure your safety, if that is what you desire.

   “Here,” Azul pulled out a potion vial from his sleeve, “is an invisibility potion. It will last five minutes. In the case of something going wrong, you will be able to drink it and escape unnoticed. Me and Yuu-san also promise to do everything in our power to assure you are unharmed.”

   Ruggie stared at the vial in his hand, barely as big as his finger. “You’re really serious about this.”

   “It’s very important this happens,” replied Yuu. Ruggie couldn’t read anything in his expression. 

   “I didn’t think you guys would go this far to get me on board,” said Ruggie. “I’m almost feeling bad.”

   “Please, take advantage of us,” said Yuu. “It’s on the house.”

   “Do I really get all the leftovers?”

   “I’ll get Azul to put it in writing.”

   “And you’ll sign it? What did you barter this time?”

   Yuu laughed. “Ah, there was nothing of the sort. I simply know how to offer Azul a good opportunity,” he explained cryptically. 

   “You guys’ priorities are all wrong from my point of view,” said Ruggie with a shrug. “But fine, since it’s so important to you. Add a week of paid lunches at the cafeteria, and I’m in.”

   Yuu glanced at Azul, and some form of silent communication took place between Azul’s eyebrows and Yuu’s smirk. 

   “Deal,” said Azul with a tone of finality. There was a fleeting pang of regret as Ruggie wondered what the hell he was getting himself into, but it quickly passed.

   “That must be a really important friend you have, uh,” Ruggie called as the two were walking away. “To go through all this trouble for him.”

   Yuu turned back, a bright look in his eyes. Azul pushed his glasses up his nose, his eyes fixed not on Ruggie but on Yuu. 

   “Yeah,” Yuu said. “It’s hard to explain, but I feel like if I don’t do anything, I’ll hate myself. So there’s no price on this. It needs to be perfect,” he added with a punctuation of his fingers brought together into an O shape.

   “Eh, we’ll see about that,” replied Ruggie. There Yuu had been being all mysterious, and now he dropped the sudden honesty… But he was delusional if he thought there would be no trouble in Malleus Draconia’s dorm. But that no longer was trouble for him, Ruggie thought, feeling the weight of the invisibility potion in his pocket.

   “Indeed,” replied Yuu. Ruggie had to give it to him; he really was confident. He wondered; if anyone could succeed at something like this, it would probably be Yuu. He was just so unpredictable.

   And no matter what, it was bound to be interesting.

Present time

   “To think Yuu would go that far,” said Deuce as Ruggie finished his tale. “Do you think he signed another contract with Ashengrotto-senpai for his help?”

   They were almost done making the appetizers. Deuce was quite proud of his work; cooking really wasn’t that complicated after all. It was all about taking it one step at time, like a dance choreography.

   “It’s possible,” Ruggie said as he slid another plate towards Deuce to finish up. “But if he did, I don’t think it was like last time. He seemed too confident in himself if he was betting against Azul-kun.”

   “That’s true.” Deuce looked at Yuu, who was cooking at the far back, headphones on his ears as he and Jamil worked on the main course.

   “Who told him wearing those was a good idea?” said Ruggie, a displeased look on his face.

   “Are you talking about Yuu’s headphones?”

   “Yeah. You don’t want to be listening to music in a group kitchen like this. If someone needs help or an alarm goes off, he won’t hear it.”

   “I’ll go tell him,” said Deuce.

   “Nah, let’s finish these first,” backed away Ruggie. “Even if it’s a bad idea, he’s still managing alright. Yuu’s a competent cook, he’s probably just never cooked like this before.”

   “Have you?”

   “Yeah, not often though. When I bring home a lot of food, sometimes we all get into the kitchen at once to cook everything before stuff goes bad.”

   “I see, I’d never thought about that before,” said Deuce. 

   “Here, the last plates. You can bring them out yourself and take a break; I’ll go see Jamil-kun to see what’s left to do.”

   “Alright, thank you senpai!” Deuce exclaimed, putting everything on a tray and bringing it out himself.

   He was shocked at the sight of the lounge. Even if there was a window towards between it and the kitchen, Deuce had completely forgotten about it while he was preparing the food and listening to Ruggie talk.

   In the time that had passed, many more Diasomnia students had come down and settled in the lounge. It wasn’t what Deuce would have called a typical party— with Heartslabyul’s regular unbirthday parties he had a rather fixed impression of them at this point. But the students were sitting and chattering rather loudly amongst themselves, looking comfortable. Kalim had managed to set up the audio system Deuce had borrowed from his dorm, and music played in a low tone. Kalim himself was standing amongst Diasomnia students with Lilia, who was being enthusiastic enough for all of them. Azul, who had left the kitchen a while ago, had put his student vest back on and was sat down on a couch himself. Everyone seemed to enjoy the food as well, and Deuce felt proud. 

   “Deuce!” It was Kalim, who had seen him. “How are things going in the kitchen?”

   “They’re good,” replied Deuce, feeling self-conscious as he approached his senpai and the nearby Diasomnia students turned to him. “We’re done with the appetizers, Viper-senpai and Yuu should be starting with the main course soon.”

   “So you’re one of the cooks? Thank you for the food,” said one of the Diasomnia students.

   “Yeah, it’s not everyday we get to try new things like this,” said another.

   “T-thank you!” replied Deuce. 

   “Do you know who this party is for, though? We’re all wondering.”

   “Oh, you don’t know?” asked Deuce.

   “Everyone asked me as well,” said Kalim. “But all I know is that it’s for Yuu’s friend, but he didn’t tell me who that was. Since you’re closer to him, you must know, no?”

   “Ah, no,” Deuce said. “I think there was something, but I can’t remember at the moment.”

   “How strange,” said the student from before.

   “We’ve asked our dormmates too, but no one has claimed to know him.”

   “That is strange,” said Deuce. “I’ll go ask Yuu.”

   “Ah, don’t worry about it,” said Kalim as he accompanied him to the kitchen. “Everyone’s curious, but no one minds that much about not knowing. It’s all about having a fun experience!”

   “You’re right. Plus, I’m sure that’s part of Yuu’s plan…”

   “Plan? For the party?”

   “How did you come to help with us, Asim-senpai? Did Yuu ask you too?”

   “Oh no,” replied Kalim, unaffected by the subject change. “I volunteered my help!”

Four days earlier

   Yuu was walking away from the club room. Kalim saw him turn a corner and went after him.

   “Yuu, wait!” he called.

   Yuu did, and turned as Kalim caught up to him. He didn’t seem surprised that Kalim was there, which Kalim didn’t notice.

   “I’ll help you with your party!” offered Kalim. “Me and Jamil have a lot of experience throwing parties and cooking for a group. And I’ve never been to Diasomnia before. From what Lilia says, parties don’t really happen outside of birthdays. But you shouldn’t need a birthday to party, right? Not that your party isn’t good enough, uh…”

   Yuu laughed. “I understand what you mean. Diasomnia does seem really gloomy. I don’t think parties are a thing they do without a reason. So something like this, a surprise party, is sure to shake them up a little bit, yeah?”

   “Yes, exactly! So it’s a surprise party, uh? It’s really great that you’re doing this for your friend!”

   “I think so too,” said Yuu, smiling.

   “So let’s go see Jamil and talk to him about it,” said Kalim. Without pause, he grabbed Yuu’s wrist and took off to the class he knew his vice housewarden to be.

   “Absolutely not,” said Jamil.

   “But Jamil, you didn’t even let me finish!” said Kalim pitifully.

   “I didn’t need to hear anything more after you said ‘party at Diasomnia’!” exclaimed Jamil in anger.

   Heads turned as students noticed them standing the hallway. Remembering his appearances, Jamil composed himself as he continued in a lower voice.

   “Kalim, you need to stop volunteering me like this. We can’t just both go to another dorm to throw a party when you’re the dorm leader and I’m the vice housewarden. And, it’s Diasomnia you’re talking about. Malleus Draconia-senpai—”

   “Don’t worry about the dorm leader,” said Yuu, cutting him off. “His vice housewarden has given me authorization. If anything happens, Lilia will take the blame.”

   “I’m sorry but I can’t leave Kalim’s safety in the hands of Malleus-senpai’s vice housewarden. How can you guarantee that Lilia-senpai will side with you if Malleus-senpai gets angry?”

   “I can’t, but you don’t have to worry. If Lilia escapes it, I won’t. It’s my idea, so just throw me under the bus if needs come.”

   “Do you have a death wish?” asked Jamil, bewildered at Yuu’s casual air.

   “Not particularly.”

   “Jamil, you’re being too paranoid this time, seriously,” said Kalim. “Me and Lilia clubmates; I know him, he wouldn’t go back on his word like this. But also, him and Malleus are very close, and he’s very important to him. There’s no way Lilia would allow Malleus to hurt anyone.”

   “Especially not a fellow dorm leader,” added Yuu smoothly. 

   “That too!”

   “Hmm,” Jamil groaned, unwilling to admit they had a point. “Even if you’re correct, what about our dorm? You want to leave our dormmates on their own?”

   “You’re acting like they aren’t the same age as us. It’s not like we’re going for a week,” Kalim said with a shake of his head. “It’s just a party in the evening. We’ll be back before everyone is asleep.”

   “You’re really intent on this,” said Jamil, looking as if an headache was coming.

   “Yes! I want to help Yuu throw a party for his friend!”

   “It’s for a friend? Who is he?” asked Jamil.

   “I don’t really know,” Yuu admitted. “We just hang out together outside and in the library sometimes.”

   “Really…” Jamil said, the disappointment of ten exhausted mothers on his face. “That sounds…”

    “Jamil,” warned Kalim.

   “Ridiculous, I’m sorry. You don’t even know his name? How can you be friends at all?”

   “Jamil, that’s rude! You shouldn’t judge other people’s relationships!” exclaimed Kalim.

   “But it’s true!” Jamil snapped. “He wants to risk his life and ours for someone he meets sometimes and who hasn’t even bothered to give his name? That’s the peak of stupidity!”

   “He didn’t give me his name, but he allowed me to call him by a nickname,” said Yuu.

   “What does that change?”

   “I’m only telling you why you’re wrong,” said Yuu haughtily. “What you think is the way people should interact doesn’t mean it’s the only way people can care about each other. And I do care about that person,” Yuu said, smiling. “And I don’t want the fear of someone I’ve never seen get in the way of that.”

   “Yuu…” said Kalim. “I knew you really were a sweet person, deep down!”

   “He’s obviously—” began Jamil.

   “Even if Jamil says no, I’ll help you anyway!”

   “WHAT! You can’t do that!” snapped Jamil once more. Luckily there were no students in the hallway this time. “I have to protect you and you want to go into Diasomnia with him?!”

   “If you’re worried, you just have to come too,” argued Kalim. “I’m sure everyone in Diasomnia will love your cooking; I wonder if they’ve ever had the chance to try our foods.”

   “You did this on purpose, didn’t you?” said Jamil to Yuu. 

   “Kalim-kun was in the room when I asked Lilia-senpai,” replied Yuu with a shrug.

   “Fine, but I’ll keep you at your word when you said you’d sacrifice yourself. I’ll even help you if you have trouble,” Jamil’s eyes narrowed, and so did Yuu’s. 

   “As you wish,” said Yuu, and Jamil was surprised by his lack of reaction. Usually he at least shook when the mention of Jamil’s unique magic came up.

   “Thank you, Jamil!” exclaimed Kalim.

   “Whatever. Do you know what we’re doing at all for the food? What we’ll need?” 

   “I’ll get back to you today or tomorrow on that,” said Yuu. 

   As he walked away, Kalim thought about seeing the mysterious Diasomnia for the first time, and Jamil was wondering just what Yuu had dragged them into.

Present time

   “And that’s what happened!” finished Kalim.

   “I see…” said Deuce. So Clover-senpai wasn’t the only vice housewarden to not have it easy, uh…

   “Anyway, I didn’t mean to talk for so long. I’ll let you go back, the others must need you!”

   “Ah, that’s right!” Deuce exclaimed, spinning towards the kitchen once more.

   “WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!” 

   Deuce startled and almost dropped his tray. He turned towards the person who had spoken— well, shouted— and so did everyone else. He recognized him as a first year in dorm leader Riddle’s equestrian club, but couldn’t remember his name.

   “WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!” he yelled again, and Deuce saw Lilia Vanrouge approach him from wherever he had been hiding.

   “Sebek, don’t yell so much in the lounge,” Lilia scolded. “Everyone is trying to enjoy their meal.”

   “BUT LILIA-SAMA THEY ARE ALREADY MAKING TOO MUCH NOISE! THEY WILL BOTHER MALLEUS-SAMA!”

   Deuce looked around. Fortunately once more, Malleus Draconia was nowhere in sight. But at the sound of his name, the chatter died down, and students started looking around nervously.

   “Is that really true?” Deuce heard a student ask his neighbor.

   “The only one who’s going to bother Malleus with noise is you,” insisted Lilia, now stern. “Tone down your voice.”

   “Then you know who is responsible for this?” Sebek said. “It looks like a party, but… Malleus-sama wasn’t invited?!”

   “Of course he is invited, I told him about it earlier,” Lilia said, sounding exhausted.

    “Oh, Sebek, you’ve come to enjoy the party as well,” said Silver as he stepped next to them, having been woken by Sebek’s yelling. “It’s quite fun, although I feel I must’ve dozed off at some point…”

   “WHOSE PARTY IS THIS!” Sebek exclaimed. “I MUST FIND THOSE RESPONSIBLE!”

   Deuce startled as Sebek’s eyes locked with his, and the first year approached him.

   “YOU! I recognize you, you’re from Heartslabyul. What have you to do with this?”

   “Uh, I’m a cook,” replied Deuce. Behind Sebek, Lilia and Silver were shaking their heads. Behind Deuce, he heard two pairs of footsteps.

   “Why are you yelling so much?” asked Kalim. “You’re disturbing everyone. Is the issue with Malleus? I can go get him, if that’s the problem.”

   “YOU WANT TO GO BOTHER MALLEUS-SAMA?!”

   “Do you want him to come or not?” muttered Deuce. Feeling as if his eardrums were going to burst, he took a step back, inadvertently ceding his place to Azul, who had been the one to follow Kalim.

   “Oh my, if it’s not Sebek-san. How have you been?” asked Azul, composed and amiable.

   “You are… Octavinelle’s dorm leader!” said Sebek with shock. “Is this your doing?”

   “Such suspicions towards your fellow schoolmate,” put on Azul forlornly. “Have I not been helpful to you in the past? Why would you think this is anything other than a simple party?”

   “No other dorm has ever hosted a party in Diasomnia,” argued Sebek. “Of course I’m suspicious! And to not even invite Malleus-sama…! In his own dorm! Your lack of respect is outrageous!”

   “Your vice housewarden just said he told him himself,” replied Azul evenly.

   “He’s right, I was there,” said Silver as he came up besides Sebek. “Sebek, your yelling is disturbing everyone. This is a great occasion for us to become acquainted with students from other dorms, and you are ruining it.”

   “But isn’t it suspicious! What is this party for? It just sounds like a good excuse to get closer to Malleus-sama!”

   “Weren’t you complaining he wasn’t invited…” said Deuce. “Isn’t it less suspicious of us since no one is trying to make him come down?”

   “Is it really that bad that we didn’t ask him in person?” said Kalim. “If it’s really an issue, I don’t mind going on behalf of everyone.”

   “Asim-senpai, it’s probably not a good idea to go on your own…” interrupted Deuce.

   “If anyone should go invite Malleus-san, it’d be Yuu-san, since it was his idea,” said Azul.

   “Who did you say is responsible..?!” exclaimed Sebek. “I will go see them at once!”

   “No, you will do no such thing,” spoke Lilia as appeared on Sebek’s opposite side. “Silver is right; you are the one disturbing everyone. You should apologize. These are our schoolmates that worked hard to host a party for our dorm. It makes me proud that you take Malleus’ safety so seriously, but it’s also important to know when to enjoy ourselves, as well.”

   “Lilia-sama!” exclaimed Sebek. “Your words right true as always… But what is the reason of this party, then? You must have one.”

   “It’s a birthday party for Yuu’s friend,” replied Deuce, Azul and Kalim.

   “A birthday party? Did we miss one of our dormmates’ birthdays, Lilia-sama?!” exclaimed Sebek. “That you would do all this work for one person… I understand! I was overzealous. I give you all an heartfelt apology.”

   “Great,” said Lilia cheerfully. “You three should return to your work; it seems like food is ready.”

   “That’s right,” said Kalim. “Azul, Deuce, do you want to help distribute the food?”

   “I might as well, after I’ve been out of the kitchen for so long,” said Deuce with an apologetic look.

   “I SHALL ASSIST YOU!” said Sebek. 

   “There’s really no need…” said Azul.

   “That’d be great!” said Kalim.

   “Is this traditional food from the Scalding Sands?” asked Sebek as they started taking the plates.

   “It is! Jamil and me helped make adjustments to the menu Azul and Yuu made.”

   “It smells great,” said Silver. “Come, Fa- Lilia-senpai. Let’s go take a seat before more people come down.”

   With Silver and Lilia seated, Deuce helped Azul and Kalim serve everyone with the plates that flowed from the kitchen. Still feeling bad for having ditched the cooks, Deuce tried apologizing to Ruggie and Jamil, but they were so busy he doubted they even heard him. Yuu still had his headphones on, so he didn’t hear him at all. Deuce’s guilty feelings were assuaged somewhat when he caught them working, and realized this stage of the process would probably had gone over his head and his inexperience would have burdened the others.

   “You do good work,” said Azul, suddenly besides him.

   “Ah, thank— wait. You’re only saying that because it’s what we did in your Monstro Lounge, Ashengrotto-senpai.”

   “You got me,” said Azul, utterly unapologetic. “If you ever feel like coming back, we’re hiring. The contracts aren’t even the same this time. Waiters get benefits.”

   “No, thank you!”

   “Your loss,” shrugged Azul. He was using his magic like Kalim and Sebek, to make the plates float across the room. Deuce wasn’t confident in imitating them, but he didn’t mind playing waiter.

   “There’s one thing I’m wondering,” said Deuce as he passed by Azul once more.

   “Oh? May I be of help?”

   “How come you’re here helping us as well?”

   “Ah, you want to know how Yuu-san convinced me? It wasn’t exactly like that, but I don’t mind telling you.”

Three days earlier

   Class was ending, and Azul had already gathered his things. While waiting for people to clear out, since he was in the back, he caught sight of a familiar curly haired, gray clad figure by the door. 

   Yuu wanted to see him? That wasn’t entirely unusual. After their contract… incident, Azul hadn’t expected to see the prefect again, but he had started hanging out at the Monstro Lounge regularly to study, and seemed genuinely interested when Azul and the twins interacted with him. It wasn’t behavior he had expected out of Yuu, but Azul was far from complaining about it— Yuu clearly shared his professionality and valued keeping relationships going over making a point— a quality Azul only appreciated. Despite his magiclessness, Yuu was a surprisingly valuable tool. No, perhaps because of it.

   So when Azul exited the classroom, he was already looking forward to what new idea Yuu had had. Another thing he enjoyed with the prefect is that he knew not to waste his time, so this was bound to be interesting.

   “How may I help you today, Yuu-san?” asked Azul as Yuu began walking at his side.

   “I have a plan that might benefit you,” said Yuu, head slightly turned towards him as they turned a corner. “I’d need your managing experience.”

   “And what’s in it for me?”

   “What you make of it; I’m only offering an opportunity. I don’t think it’s something you could do without me,” said Yuu with a smile.

   “Stop being so cryptic,” said Azul, stopping in his tracks.

   Yuu’s momentum took him a step farther before he turned around to face Azul.

   “I want to organize a party in Diasomnia.”

   “What for?” managed Azul after a beat.

   “It’s for a friend.”

   “Really… you made a friend in Diasomnia? Sorry, but I find that hard to believe.”

   “How come?” asked Yuu.

   “Diasomnia is a very inapproachable dorm. Even without considering their dorm leader, they are incredibly isolated and self-serving.”

   “I just met him on campus,” replied Yuu simply. 

   Yuu didn’t continue, but Azul didn’t reply.

   “So we hang out together at the library sometimes,” capitulated Yuu.

   “I see…” replied Azul. While he wasn’t sure if he completely trusted Yuu, he now understood the meaning of Yuu’s offer. “I see what you mean. Diasomnia students are much harder to swindle— offer my services to. But there is a rather large problem… say, the size of a dragon.”

   “Draconia-kun,” said Yuu in a offensively cutesy tone.

   “Right. To throw a party in his dorm, I would be putting myself in quite a serious level of danger if he were to be angered.”

   “Don’t worry about it,” Yuu said. “I got permission from Lilia-senpai, and he said he’d deal with it. And if anything goes wrong, you can just put the blame on me.”

   “Really? And there I was thinking your plan included using me as scapegoat.”

   “No, this time the point would be lost if I put responsibility on someone else.”

   “This must be quite an important friend, then.”

   “Quite.”

   “What is your plan, exactly? I doubt anyone else would be willing to go to Diasomnia for this.”

   “Deuce, Kalim and Jamil will help,” replied Yuu. “I also want to convince someone else to help.”

   What! “So you’ve been planning this for a while, I take it?” 

   “About three days.”

   “You…” Azul trailed off, unable to word his thoughts. He wondered if the people who mocked Yuu’s magiclessness realized what they could’ve been dealing with. 

   “So, are you in?” asked Yuu, extending his hand, palm up. 

   “It sounds incredibly risky, especially for you. You are aware of that, right? If I have to protect you, I’m going to charge extra.”

   “No need. Let me handle it if things go bad. I won’t mind if you leave me behind.”

   Azul’s eyes were narrowed as he looked into Yuu’s. He couldn’t tell what was going through his head— was this really just a party for a friend? What kind of friend in Diasomnia did Yuu have to risk his life like that?

   “Who is your friend? I merely ask because if you were to introduce us, it might—”

   “Oh, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” said Yuu with a laugh. “When I told him about what happened with our deal, he said he wished he had seen your distraught face.”

   “R-really…” said Azul, suddenly uncomfortable.

   “Hey, it was a good face.”

   “Shut up!” 

   Yuu laughed and waited. Azul considered it. Even without someone to act familiar with, the simple act of helping with a party for the Diasomnia dorm would definitely be enough to put him in neutral graces, at the least. And if something went wrong, he could blame Yuu and Malleus. And the thought of getting Diasomnia students into his contracts, well…

   “Of course, since I’ll be expending a lot of energy and be away from the Monstro Lounge during that time, I’d be making a sacrifice helping you. So—”

   “I’ll give you two weeks of labor,” said Yuu. 

   “Very well,” replied Azul cheerfully. “It’s a deal.”

   “I’m glad to work alongside you, senpai,” said Yuu.

   “Yes, it’ll certainly be an experience.”

   “Of course, since it’s now in Azul-kun’s best interests for the party to go well,” continued Yuu in a more natural sly tone. “Your help would be greatly appreciated in the matter of food and recipe planning.”

   “Of course,” echoed Azul. “Aren’t you a cook, though?”

   “Yeah, but I’ve never cooked for a group before. From seeing Jamil doing it, it’s certainly a different thing from cooking a normal dinner.”

   “You’d be right. You did say Jamil was helping, right? I’ll get in contact with him and discuss a menu that you would be able to work on.”

   “Thank you for the work,” said Yuu, handing out a sheet filled with notes to Azul. “I already wrote some ideas, but feel free to change things as you wish. Once it’s ready, I’ll go tell Lilia-senpai for the ingredients…” Yuu said, looking nervous.

   “Is there something wrong with that?” asked Azul, curiosity piqued.

   “Hm? Oh, no. Lilia-senpai just scares me a little bit.”

   “What..? Out of the Diasomnia leaders, it’s the vice housewarden you’re scared of?!”

   “What can I say, he just makes me nervous. And he keeps popping down from the ceiling to scare me…” Yuu said sadly. Azul couldn’t believe him.

   “... I see. Anyway, I’ll see you later then. If anything, this is bound to be interesting.”

   Yuu nodded at him and turned away, walking back to his class. Had he been skipping class for this? There were exams coming up, and he knew Yuu cared about his grades. Not that it mattered to Azul. But it was certainly interesting just how far Yuu was going, for such a mysterious friend…

   “Interesting indeed…” Azul repeated as he adjusted his glasses once more.

Present time

   “That doesn’t surprise me as much,” admitted Deuce. 

   “It’s all business, after all,” said Azul. 

   “I can’t believe he agreed to work two weeks for you… I swear if you treat him badly, I’ll beat you up.”

   “You wound me. I have interests in keeping my relationship with Yuu-san on good terms, he isn’t on the same level as you anemones,” said Azul as he walked away with a snicker.

   “I don’t know how Yuu can stand him,” said Deuce out loud.

   With his friend on his mind, Deuce sheepishly returned to the kitchen to see how the other three were doing.

   “Ruggie, how much longer on the onions?” asked Jamil, standing beside one of the giant refrigerator and before several pots and and pans, all filled to the brim with food.

   “About a minute. Yuu’s almost done with the bread, too,” replied Ruggie from the other side as he ran from side to side, cleaning up as he went. “Oh, you’re back. What was that yelling we heard earlier?”

   “Has Malleus-senpai shown up at all?” asked Jamil as well.

   Deuce updated them on how Sebek had appeared. “It seems even he forgot to go get Draconia-senpai after that,” he added at the end.

   “Bah, it’s not our problem,” said Jamil. “And definitely safer this way, anyway.”

   Deuce could only agree. With all he had heard, he had no interest in seeing Yuu volunteer himself to be the victim of Malleus Draconia’s anger. Everyone else would let him, so he would have to protect him, which really meant get blown up together with Yuu.

   “Maybe Ace had the right idea after all,” sighed Deuce.

   In the back of the kitchen, Yuu was still oblivious to conversations with his headphones on. Nevertheless, he was still clearly aware of what Rugge and Jamil were doing, and working alongside them rather successfully.

   “You guys make a great team,” complimented Deuce as the smell of the food became overwhelming. 

   “Of course,” said Jamil as if it was the only result possible. “If you want, you can go eat right now. We’re almost done with everything.”

   “Sorry I couldn’t help as much,” apologized Deuce. “I got distracted.”

   “Eh, don’t worry about it,” replied Ruggie. “Jamil-kun did most of the work anyway, and the rest was easy to manage. You can be lookout for when Malleus-san comes down,” he added nervously, patting his pocket.

   “I’ll be going, then. Thank you for the food!”

   “He’s so cheerful,” said Jamil as Deuce left. “Him and Yuu are way too excited about this.”

   “Tell me about it,” sighed Ruggie. “But it’s been going well so far. I’m almost glad I came, shehehe.”

   “Ruggie-senpai,” called Yuu from the back. “Can you come help me with all these bottles?”

   “Coming,” he replied, his tail bobbing up and down as he hurried towards Yuu. “Woa, these are a mess! Why did you organize the spices like that?”

   Jamil returned his attention to his cooking; he was a good cook— nevermind that, a great cook, but no cook was above not focusing on their food. This was the last stretch, too; only a few more dishes to go out, and they would be able to eat as well. It would be good to fill up before working on desert. Jamil was hungry. He hoped Kalim wouldn’t forget to eat, it would not do good for him to pass out in the Diasomnia lounge. Thankfully, nothing had happened, as Jamil kept an ear out for Kalim outside.

   “Oh, that’s awesome!” he heard his dorm leader and young master say. “I guess my unique magic is somewhat similar in that way.”

   Diasomnia students were the ones that specialized in magical applications. They knew more complex spells, could perform them better, and had a greater control over their mana. With the mention of Kalim’s “Oasis Maker”, Jamil thus guessed the conversation topic was about the latter. Kalim’s unique magic definitely wasn’t that bad, although in his incredibly biased opinion, none were better than his own. 

   Turning off the heat off the stovetops that became obsolete, Jamil poured one pot in the other and mixed them by hand. Next to him was cooked meat he had cut earlier; he would have to add it soon along with the pepper, salt, Ruggie’s onions and various spices.

   Outside, Kalim was still in deep conversation. Jamil wondered if he was staying close to the kitchen on purpose.

   “Is that right? I’ve never tried food from Briar Valley. Is it hard to make? We should try it sometimes.”

   At the far end of the kitchen, Ruggie let out a shriek as did Yuu, and Jamil turned towards them. All the spice bottles had fallen on the floor, one of the stovetops was on fire, and Yuu’s oven was open as the smelt of something burnt reached Jamil’s nose.

   “What have you two done?” said underpaid chef Jamil.

   “Blame him!” said Ruggie as he knelt on the floor to pick up the spilled bottles. Luckily it looked like none had broken. “He dropped the pan with oil in it!”

   “Hey, it’s fine,” said Yuu as he threw flour on the stove. “Nothing happened.”

   “Your bread is all burnt!”

   “Just cut off the burned parts,” said Jamil as he approached. Spices bottles were spilling from Ruggie’s pockets and arms. “I needed this one, thank you. Be more careful next time, Yuu.”

   “Right,” they both agreed. 

   Yuu pulled out a bread knife and began shaving black bread crust; Ruggie put the spice bottles back on the counter and sighed. He walked away from Yuu’s stove and back to his station to finish up with his own sides. While Jamil returned to his post and put his sauce on the meat and added all the spice, he spared a thought at Ruggie’s cooking, and a moment of admiration for how efficient he was at using every ingredient to its maximum.

   “Oh, Malleus,” came Kalim’s voice from outside. 

   Oh, yeah, Malleus. They hadn’t see him at all— Wait, that meant he was there, wasn’t he?!

   “I haven’t seen him yet,” continued Kalim.

    Don’t do that! Jamil loosened his grip on his fork, his knuckles having gone white. Facing him, Ruggie let out a deep breath, ears popping back up. At the back, Yuu had put on his headphones again, and they both sent glares his way.

   “Well, this was certainly something,” said Ruggie as Yuu stepped behind him to put a dish wrapped in foil on the counter to join four others.

   “It went rather well,” agreed Jamil. “Even if there were some hiccups along the way,” he said, thinking of how he’d accidentally set two timers on the same clock. “The food came out well, and everyone’s been enjoying it.”

   “I guess even Diasomnia students have some taste,” said Ruggie before chuckling. 

   “Hm,” agreed Jamil. He put out the last dish, and started cleaning up. They weren’t completely done yet; Yuu was going to be working on desert, and they would come help him after they’d eaten. 

   “Is that our food?” Ruggie asked him, pointing to the foiled plates Yuu had piled up behind him.

   “No, ours is here,” Jamil replied, waving to the opposite counter on his side, where there was a warming stove with several more plates inside. “Those are something of Yuu’s, I don’t think he said who there were for.”

   “Eehh,” said Ruggie. “He better not be taking any of it home! All leftovers are supposed to be mine.”

   “Really? I have some stuff left here, if you want it,” replied Jamil.

   “Who wouldn’t want it?” 

   As Ruggie helped himself, Jamil turned on the tap, plugged the sink and pilled on dishes to simmer in hot water. Yuu was doing something similar, washing the stove thoroughly and putting away all the spice bottles.

   As much as Jamil wanted to say this had been a terrible idea— which it was— he also couldn’t help but be proud of his work. Cooking with Ruggie, Yuu and Deuce had certainly been different than at home or in Scarabia. Unlike his dormmates, who would obey his orders, Ruggie and Yuu were themselves talented cooks and had done things differently than he would have. So to completely write of this night as meaningless risk better not undertaken at all… he couldn’t do that.

   “Ah!” exclaimed Kalim from outside. “Your dorm uniform looks so cool!”

   “I don’t know how he can think that,” said Ruggie, who had also been listening. “They look so stuffy and pompous.”

   “They do have a certain style,” argued Jamil. “And it does suits—”

   “Malleus! Wait—.”

   Wait? Ruggie and Jamil’s eyes met, wide eyed expressions matching as the kitchen door opened and hit the wall opposite. Malleus Draconia stepped forward, bending his head to get his horns past the doorframe. Behind him, the lounge had gone silent. In the kitchen, the only sound was that of Jamil’s tap water and the clinking of the plates.

   Malleus approached them. The Diasomnia dorm uniform definitely suited him. He towered over them both even without accounting for his horns. His cape brushed against the handle of a pan, and it threatened to fall over. Malleus didn’t seem to notice as he stopped before them at the head of the counter. Bringing his gloved hand up, he took in the sight of his dirty dorm kitchen with wide eyes. 

   He was closest to Ruggie, who was frozen in place, hand inching towards his pocket. 

   “So you’re the ones responsible for this party?” spoke Malleus, finally.

   “Nope!” they both replied at once.

   “But haven’t you been cooking?”

   “Only because we were asked to,” said Jamil. What was Yuu doing? He wanted to turn around and check on him, but it would definitely be rude to turn his back to Malleus.

   “Were you about to clean up?” asked Malleus.

   “That’s what we were doing!” exclaimed Ruggie, coming to life as he grabbed all his dirty utensils, bowls and cutting boards and threw them into the sink at once. 

   “I see,” said Malleus. He was smiling for some reason, and seemed to be looking behind them.

   Ruggie seemed to notice as well, and they both turned to see Yuu, still wearing his stupid headphones, waving at them.

   What is he doing?! He should’ve intervened as soon as Malleus showed up, but he hadn’t heard anything?! Jamil suddenly recalled when Yuu had been trying to convince him, there had a been a certain phrase— 

    “And I don’t want the fear of someone I’ve never seen get in the way of that.”

   That stupid idiot! He had never seen Malleus Draconia before?! How did someone like that even exist? How could he say he would take responsibility with such a massive deficiency?

   “I just came to thank you for your work,” said Malleus.

   “Eh?” 

   “Everyone has been having fun thanks to you. I appreciate it.”

   “Y-you’re not upset?” asked Ruggie. Jamil was glad he didn’t have to ask himself.

   “Why would I be?” asked Malleus back with a wave of his hand.

   “Sebek seemed upset we didn’t invite you directly,” said Jamil. 

   “Oh, but I was,” replied Malleus with a smile. “There is no problem. You can leave the kitchen, I’ll take care of it.”

   “Yes!” Ruggie pretty much threw himself out the door before doubling back, grabbing his food, and running back. Jamil was more reserved, and glanced back at Yuu who had gone back to cleaning a while ago, completely oblivious. Jamil half wondered if he was doing it on purpose, but he knew Yuu wasn’t nearly that dumb. So he really had no idea this was Malleus Draconia?!

   Well, it wasn’t his problem. Slipping out after grabbing his own food, Jamil found Ruggie sitting at a table covered in crumbs and dirty plates with Deuce, Azul and Kalim. Lilia and Silver stood besides them, with Sebek a little distance away.

   “I think I dropped it,” Ruggie was saying to Azul as Jamil approached. “It wasn’t in my pocket.”

   Kalim and Deuce shifted on the couch to make space for him. Once Jamil was finally seated, he felt the need to let out a deep breath.

   “What happened?” asked Kalim. “Did he say anything?”

   “Just that he was grateful for us,” Jamil replied before attacking his food. “No thanks to Yuu, either.”

   “How do you mean?” asked Azul.

   “He just sat in the back with headphones on! He didn’t even notice Malleus-san came in,” exclaimed Ruggie. “We were lucky he wasn’t mad.”

   “What is Malleus-sama doing now?” asked Sebek from the side farthest from Jamil. “Why did he remain?”

   “He said he was going to take care of the kitchen,” said Jamil.

   “And Yuu is still in there with him?” asked Deuce, looking horrified. 

   “Yeah,” replied Jamil.

   “His own fault,” added Ruggie. “He shouldn’t be wearing headphones in a kitchen.”

   “Well, no one told him,” said Deuce.

   Neither of them replied, finding their food was of a higher priority than arguing with Deuce. They certainly had done a great job, thought Jamil as he savored the meat.

   “Malleus-sama is taking a long time,” commented Silver.

   “He’s probably cleaning the kitchen,” replied Lilia.

   Everyone turned to stare at him, then the kitchen window. But it had been shut.

   “Our lord cleaning the kitchen?” exclaimed Sebek. “Lilia-sama, you must be joking! I will do it instead!”

   “Calm down, Sebek,” said Silver. “Something like that is nothing for Malleus-sama. It’s simply his way to thank our classmates for their hard work.”

   “Everyone has been enjoying themselves,” said Lilia. “I’m glad Kalim and Azulwere able to get past our students’ exteriors, as well. I expected nothing less.”

   “It was no trouble at all,” said Azul, glowing.

   “I felt a bit awkward at first,” admitted Kalim. “Parties in Scarabia are much louder and chaotic than this. I thought I was doing something wrong. But Azul told me just because that’s how we do it in Scarabia, it doesn’t mean the same thing in other dorms.”

   “Indeed. In the Monstro Lounge, students from all the dorms come to mingle. What everyone does is different.” 

   “It’s great to see young people realize this, and embrace it,” said Lilia. 

   “Jamil, how was it for you?” asked Kalim besides him. “Did you have any trouble?”

   “Not at all,” he said. Giving a quick review about how it was to work with everyone, he ended with: “And you?”

   “It was great! We’ve been having lots of interesting conversations. When Malleus came in, though…” said Kalim, trailing off.

   “I got a shock,” joined Deuce. “It was…”

An hour ago

   Deuce was seated besides Kalim, facing Silver. The food was truly delicious, he thought, and he didn’t want to ruin his experience by talking over it. So he was content merely listening to the conversation.

   “It makes me happy to see so many people from other dorms here,” said Silver, a dreamy look on his face. “Diasomnia rarely enjoys such events.”

   “It’s a shame,” said Kalim. “Your dorm is cool looking. It reminds me of the castles we were shown in history class. Do you think we could look around later?”

   “That shouldn’t be a problem,” replied Silver after a moment of ponderation. “As long as you aren’t too loud, I could show you around.”

   “That’d be great! I’ll have to wait until Jamil comes out, though.”

   “Ah, yes, he is your guard. I understand,” said Silver solemnly. They then proceeded to discuss various dorm differences of increasing absurdity.

   Deuce finished his food, and sat back on his chair. From behind Silver’s chair, he saw Lilia approach them.

   “There you are, Silver. I was wondering if you had fallen asleep somewhere. Are you enjoying yourselves?”

   “Yes, Fa- Lilia-senpai. Kalim was asking if I could show him around later?”

   “Oh, explore as you wish. Just don’t disturb anything or knock on doors,” said Lilia. “I can even show you my room, Kalim. I have guitars you could try out. They sound differently in this room than in the club room.”

   Admittedly bored by their conversation, Deuce looked around and spied Azul seated at yet another table. He had been doing the rounds, and Deuce understood why. Hopefully the Diasomnia students would be smart enough not to be swindled by the Merchant of the Deep.

   “Oh yeah, Deuce,” said Kalim. “How come Ace and Grim aren’t here with you? I would’ve thought they’d want to be included, since you guys are always together.”

   “Ace said it was too dangerous,” said Deuce, before remembering Lilia and Silver were right there. “And, uh, Grim wanted to come, but Yuu looked at his homework and told him he had to study instead.”

   “That’s a shame,” said Kalim. “Grim would’ve had a lot of fun.”

   “But it’s important not to forget our duties as students,” said Lilia with a nod.

   “Yes,” said Deuce. “I think Yuu has it harder, too. His and Grim’s grades are counted as one,” he explained. There was a noise of surprise and understanding. “It’s one thing to not focus on your own grades, but since Yuu is doing his best for Grim, he expects the same of him. He might not look like it, but Yuu loves studying. He’s almost as bad as dorm leader Rosehearts.”

   “That’s unexpected,” said Kalim. “With how much Yuu seems to do whatever he wants.”

   “I don’t think these are mutually exclusive,” commented Lilia. He seemed about to say something else, but he turned to look behind him. 

   There was a wave of sound and silence, one after the other. Deuce found himself staring at Kalim and Silver; the first was getting to his feet, eyes wide, the second looking about to doze up, but snapping himself awake at the last moment.

   “What is going on here?” called a deep voice.

   “Malleus,” said Lilia cheerfully.

   Deuce got up before remembering he still had a plate in his lap, which fell to the ground. Silver bent down to grab it before he could. But that meant Kalim reached Malleus alongside Lilia, and Deuce wasn’t too sure if he should join them. Better to not attract attention to himself, but he didn’t want Yuu to get in trouble either. So he approached anyway.

   “Ah!” exclaimed Kalim. “Your dorm uniform looks so cool!”

   “Asim, Spade,” saluted Malleus, looking surprised. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

   “It wasn’t my idea, but I decided to help throw a party,” said Kalim. “I hope you don’t mind.”

   “And who is it this party for?” asked Malleus, eyes narrowing.

   Deuce stepped between Kalim and Malleus then, startling the former. “I know. It’s for Yuu’s friend… I think Grim said his name was… Tsunotaro.”

   “Tsunotaro?” repeated Kalim and Lilia.

   “I don’t know anyone by that name,” said Lilia.

   Malleus’ closed off expression faded, and he started laughing. The three looked at him warily.

   “Then I assume the one responsible is in the kitchen?” Malleus said with a smirk, before blowing past them towards the kitchen door.

   “Malleus! Wait—” called Kalim, but it was too late. Malleus went in.

   “Should we stop him?” asked Deuce.

   “Why? He’s in a good mood,” said Lilia.

   “Is he…?” 

   “If you intervene now, you might only annoy him,” added Lilia. “Don’t worry, if something happens, I will protect you.”

Present time

   “Lucky, all went well with you guys,” finished Deuce with a sigh of relief.

   “You’re quick to come to conclusion,” said Azul. “Yuu-san is still in there, after all.”

   “It has been a while,” added Jamil, unconcerned.

   “Whatever happens, don’t go off annoying him,” said Ruggie. “I lost my potion, I don’t need anymore trouble.”

   “I—I’ll go check it out,” said Deuce, getting to his feet.

   “It’s about time we go back, anyway,” sighed Jamil. Ruggie got up as well, which surprised them both.

   “I’m curious about Yuu-kun,” he said. “I haven’t heard anything, so I guess he’s somehow still alive.”

   “I will go with you,” interjected Lilia with a serious air.

   Deuce felt nowhere as confident as he knew he looked, but that wouldn’t stop him. Yuu had just wanted to throw a party; if Malleus Draconia had a problem with that, it still wasn’t a good reason to fight Yuu!

   Lilia opened the door and slipped inside the kitchen, holding the way open for his underclassmen.

   “Oh wow,” said Lilia as Deuce looked around for Yuu.

   The kitchen was sparkling clean, as if they hadn’t cooked there at all. Yuu was standing on a chair at the far back, with Malleus Draconia besides him.

   “Lilia,” that one said. Deuce wondered if Malleus Draconia liked saying other people’s names.

   “Yuu!” called Deuce.

   “Deuce,” replied Yuu, amused. “Did you come to look for me?”

   “You two have been in here for a while,” replied Lilia. “Was something the matter?”

   “Not at all,” Malleus replied. 

   “Is everything alright?” asked Deuce to Yuu. He jumped off the chair and slid it back in its corner.

   “Yeah, why wouldn’t it be?” said Yuu, smiling. 

   There was that unsettling smile that made Deuce wary. He wasn’t seriously planning something weird again, was he…?

   “You must be hungry,” said Deuce. “Are you sure you don’t want to eat?”

   “I just did,” said Yuu. “And we can’t keep everyone waiting too long for desert.”

   Ruggie and Jamil seemed in agreement as they gathered their now clean implements and jumped back on their stations. 

   “Lilia, what are you doing?” said Malleus.

   Everyone turned to see Lilia looking in the fridges, and Malleus looking anxious.

   “All this talk about food made me want to cook something as well,” admitted Lilia. 

   Deuce never thought he would ever get to see Malleus Draconia flinch. He caught Jamil and Ruggie’s slight change in expression as they saw it too; Yuu’s was stranger as his head turned to Malleus, eyes darkening.

   “You shouldn’t impose yourself on our guests,” said Malleus carefully. “They’ve already planned everything, you would only be taking their ingredients.”

   “Hmm, you’re right,” said Lilia, closing the door. Malleus relaxed.

   “We shall leave you to it,” said Malleus before leaving with Lilia. The door closed gently behind them, and Jamil reopened the kitchen window.

   “So what are we doing now?” asked Deuce after the conversation died and stayed down.

   “You can help me with the dough,” said Yuu. He had his headphones askew on his head, so one ear was uncovered. Deuce wondered if he had realized his mistake.

   “Why aren’t we making cake, though?” asked Jamil. “This is a birthday party, is it not?”

   “Ehe,” replied Yuu. “It’ll take care of itself.”

   “Yuu, why do you feel the need to be so mysterious about this,” complained Deuce once they were on their own. “In the end, it’s just a birthday party, right?”

   “Am I really that bad?” asked Yuu. “Sorry, I guess I’m too focused on keeping things a surprise. If you’re really curious, there is already a cake.”

   “Oh! That’s great.” They put buns in the oven and started the process again. “And uh, what happened when you were—”

   “You’ve been really curious today. Am I that intriguing?”

   “Eh?”

   Yuu narrowed his eyes knowingly. “I’ve heard you’ve been asking our friends about how I managed to get them on board. Not that I blame you. It was certainly not an easy task, for some reason,” he added, expression becoming puzzled. 

   “Why would you go that far, though? You know how it’s like to work for Ashengrotto-senpai!”

   “Yeah, and I’m broke. I’ve worked crappy jobs before. And I actually don’t mind spending time with those three at all.”

   “I don’t know how you do it,” said Deuce. “Now that I think about it, Yuu is quite popular, uh?”

   “Popular?” repeated Yuu, as if it was the first time he considered this notion. “Really? You see it that way?”

   “What else would you call it? You know people from every dorm and are familiar with most of the dorm leaders.”

   “Those relationships aren’t really due to natural chemistry,” argued Yuu in a low tone.

   “And still, you got so many of us to come to Diasomnia for you.”

   Yuu gave Deuce a look. “That I did,” he finally said, and Deuce wondered if he had said something wrong. 

   “About that,” he continued, trying to bridge the gap. “Will you introduce me to your friend later? I’m really curious now what kind of person you’d go through all this trouble for.” 

   At that, Yuu smiled. “Tsunotaro.”

   “Yeah,” agreed Deuce.

   “I wasn’t certain you’d remember the name.”

   “I almost didn’t.”

   “Want me to tell you something?” said Yuu as he squeezed the new dough into shape. “These kinds of relationships— the ones I have with Azul-senpai, Leona-senpai, Ruggie-senpai, those guys, not those with you and Ace and Grim. Those relationships, they’re what I’m used to. Back home,” he said the word as if it was foreign to him, “I knew a lot of people at school and at work. I got along with those I lived with. That was it. I didn’t have friends, I did what I wanted. No one ever knew what I liked to do, or where I spent my time, because I never said, and they didn’t ask. I thought I had it figured out.” He looked at Deuce. “But then I got sent here, and well…” he smiled.

   “I didn’t realize it had been like that for you,” said Deuce thoughtfully.

   “Ah! It’s fine. Here is better, anyway. I got to experience that for the first time. When we first met, I just thought things were going more and more off-rails. I never thought that after you guys almost got expelled, you would continue to seek me out.”

   “But it was thanks to you that we didn’t,” said Deuce. “And we made a great team!”

   “That’s right,” said Yuu. “And you got along with Grim, too. I think something weird happened with him, honestly. He tried to steal my clothes and then attacked me again in Ramshackle, but when the headmage said he could stay, I was happy. Then he looked so determined to become a student, it was… interesting? That doesn’t feel like the right word.”

   “Yuu, are you trying to say that you like Grim?”

   “Hm, I guess I am.”

   “Why not just say that, then?”

   “It’s hard to say.”

   “Oh.”

   “But I like you too. And Ace. It’s nice to have friends.”

   “I’m glad to be your friend too, Yuu.”

   “And about Tsunotaro, well…” Yuu trailed off, looking to the side with a forced expression. “It’s something precious to me as well. He’s actually the only person I know who I haven’t gotten into a fight with,” he added, eyelids low.

   “What, really?” said Deuce as he went through the interactions he’d seen with Yuu. “It’s true we do end up fighting a lot of people,” he concluded.

   “And Tsunotaro’s really nice. He’s never said anything about me not having magic, and he asks me about what I’ve been doing. It was strange at first, because I thought he wanted something from me. But it was that. So when he told me I had missed his birthday, I wanted to get back at him for not telling me.”

   “I see. That makes me happy to be your friend, then. I didn’t think Yuu was that kind of person…”

   “Hm?”

   “Someone really sweet and caring.”

   “Ah!” Yuu exclaimed with a laugh, moving away.

An hour ago

   Yuu was throwing the last of his dirty pans in the sink when he felt someone’s hand on his shoulder. He turned around, wondering if Jamil had something to say. But it wasn’t Jamil, and Yuu smiled.

   “Tsunotaro,” he said, taking off his headphones. “Your dorm uniform looks so cool!”

   Tsunotaro smiled. He stood even taller than usual, and the black uniform made him look even more imposing. Yuu really liked it.

   “Good evening, Yuu,” said Tsunotaro.

   “I was wondering when you’d come. How do you like the party?”

   “It was quite a surprise,” admitted Tsunotaro. “I was almost upset, but your friend mentioned me.”

   “Oh, he remembered,” cheered Yuu. “Grim guessed it was for you and mentioned your name.”

   “He didn’t seem to know it was me, however.”

   “I’ve been keeping it quiet,” said Yuu. “Since Tsunotaro doesn’t want me to know who he is yet. It means no one will tell you happy birthday directly, though.”

   “I don’t mind. As long as Yuu says it.”

   “I’ll save it for later, then.”

   “Do you need help with cleaning?”

   “Hm? If you want, but you’ll get your uniform dirty…” Tsunotaro smiled. “We’re done with this stuff, so I wanted to make space for—!”

   Yuu stepped back, hitting the counter as Tsunotaro lifted his hand and green sparkles filled the air. With a wave, he set it across the room and it swept up everything, returning it as clean as when it was first brought to Night Raven College.

   “Wow, thanks, Tsunotaro,” cheered Yuu after the sparks had gone. Tsunotaro seemed pleased with himself.

   “Since you already worked so hard for me,” said Tsunotaro. 

   “So that was a cleaning spell? Is that something all third years can do?”

   “It’s easy for me,” simply replied Tsunotaro. The truth was, he was aware that Yuu had absolutely no concept of what was meant to be an easy spell or an act of god. And it was quite entertaining now that he had become used to it. 

   “It’s nice being friends with someone so strong,” said Yuu. “Next time you come at Ramshackle, you should do that there too.”

   “No. You should pick up after yourself.”

   “Hey, it was already a ruin before I got there. I’m still cleaning dust off my bed at night.”

   “Dust is part of that place’s charm.”

   “You can say that because you’re only there to sightsee.”

   “Fine then. Next time I stop by, I’ll watch you clean.”

   Yuu huffed. “Well, at least I would be spending more time with Tsunotaro.”

   “Are you really lonely with everyone staying at your Ramshackle dorm?”

   “Not at all, in fact everyone is too loud, I don’t like it sometimes. I haven’t lived with so many people in a while,” said Yuu, scratching his head. “But at least these are my classmates, and we do get along.”

   “Who would have thought I would meet with someone so popular,” said Tsunotaro, looking amused.

   “It’s not like that, the headmage made them move in,” sighed Yuu. “Now I always feel watched when I go outside at night. I think Rook-senpai spies on me.”

   There was a ding noise, and Tsunotaro turned around as Yuu followed the sound, walking around him.

   “It’s for me,” explained Yuu as he went to the heating station the cooks had put their meals at. He noticed the window to the lounge was now closed. “To make sure I had time to eat.”

   “You aren’t eating in the lounge?” asked Tsunotaro, having followed him.

   “I want to but I’d probably get distracted,” said Yuu. “So I’ll eat with Tsunotaro instead, if you don’t mind.” Tsunotaro smiled, not bothered by it. “Did Tsunotaro eat?”

   “Not yet. I just arrived,” he replied. “But if Yuu, Viper and Bucchi worked on it, it has to be good.”

   Yuu smiled at the praise. “You’re familiar with Jamil’s cooking?”

   “Not really, but I’ve heard from Lilia. He’s in a club with Asim,” he informed, as if Yuu didn’t already know. “Did Lilia convince him to come? I was surprised to see him.”

   Yuu laughed. “Even the fearsome reputation of Tsunotaro’s dorm cannot stop certain things from happening,” he said.

   “Fearsome?” echoed Tsunotaro.

   “Yeah, everyone was really scared of your dorm leader,” replied Yuu. He didn’t notice the annoyed look on Tsunotaro’s face. “I had to say I would take responsibility before they accepted.”

    “And Yuu isn’t worried at all?” asked Tsunotaro.

   “Not that much. I don’t think anyone would really get mad about a party, it’s not like we’re breaking anything, and Lilia-senpai said it was alright. And I’m pretty valuable, so it would be a waste to destroy me,” he added confidently. “And in the worst case scenario… I thought that if dorm leader-san was really upset, I would have Tsunotaro to protect me.”

   Tsunotaro laughed. “Are you sure you want to leave something like that to me? You should be careful not to be too overconfident.”

   “But wouldn’t Tsunotaro miss me if I got hurt?” said Yuu.

   “Very well. You shall be under my protection tonight.”

   Yuu grinned, and continued. “I also felt like if it’s Tsunotaro’s dorm, then it couldn’t be so scary. And I was right. The only scary thing right now is…” he looked down at the floor, arms crossed.

   “Is something bothering you?” asked Tsunotaro.

   Yuu was considering if he should elaborate. “It was one thing to bring the right people here, but Jamil-kun and Azul-senpai are too smart. I don’t want to go in the lounge because they’d start asking questions.”

   “About what?”

   “What else? Who I’m throwing this party for, obviously. There’d be no point in throwing Tsunotaro a party if he became upset at me figuring out who he is.”

   Tsunotaro seemed surprised. “You’re going through all this work to avoid that? In these circumstances, it would be hard to blame you if you found out.”

   “Don’t worry, I’ll do my best. So I’ll succeed.”

   “But aren’t you curious at all?”

   “Hm, not really. Since I’m waiting for Tsunotaro to tell me, being curious would make me annoying and impatient. So I’ll just enjoy spending time with “Tsunotaro” instead.”

   Tsunotaro smiled, and Yuu finished his food. He went back to the spice rack, which was still on the counter.

   “You forgot one,” said Tsunotaro behind him.

   Yuu turned and looked at where Tsunotaro was pointing. A glass vial had fallen on the floor and rolled under the sink; Yuu never would’ve spotted it on his own. 

   “Ah!” exclaimed Yuu.

   “What is it?”

   “Not a spice,” said Yuu, putting the bottle in his pocket. “Thanks for finding it for me.”

   “So what will you do once you’re done cooking?” asked Tsunotaro. “You won’t be able to hide here after that.”

   “Is Tsunotaro proposing something?”

   “If you want, I could show you around. Diasomnia has really interesting gargoyles.”

   “Probably won’t be able to. There’s still lots of things I have to oversee.”

   “Oh? So you do have something else planned.”

   Yuu just kept smiling. “Is Tsunotaro curious?”

   “I’m always interested in what you’re doing.”

   Yuu let out a laugh and pulled out a chair. Putting his feet on it, he reached for the higher shelves and brought down some more pots and pans.

   “I have to say,” he said, still on the chair. It brought him almost to eye level with Tsunotaro. “I’m pretty proud of this one. This is still ‘revenge’ for not inviting me to your real birthday party, after all. And because I can’t tell anyone the party is for you, I had to put a lot of work into other things. In the end, this one is going to be even better than the one you had before. And then, it won’t matter if I wasn’t there on your birthday.”

   Tsunotaro looked at him with wide eyes. “So it really did bother you to not be invited,” he said.

   Yuu was startled by the change in subject. “Where did you get that from?”

   “If Yuu wants to, you can tell your friends who the party is for. That way, it will be a real birthday party.”

   “But then that’d just negate the reason why I wasn’t invited in the first place! That would be even worse. I don’t mind, I don’t mind, it’s just a game. Tsunotaro shouldn’t take it so seriously.”

   “You really don’t mind?” said Tsunotaro, looking intently at him.

   “Of course not. I would rather you tell me when you want to than feel forced. And Tsunotaro has the right to be selfish too. It’s a good thing,” he added. “If I were to mind, it would be too hypocritical.”

   “Oh?”

    “Yeah, actually—”

   At that moment, the door opened, and Lilia, Deuce, Jamil and Ruggie entered the kitchen. With a glance at Tsunotaro, Yuu decided to tell him later.

Present time

   The lounge was quite busy. More than Malleus remembered seeing it. Lilia had brought down some of his guitars, and him and Asim were having fun playing them amongst a group of students. Ashengrotto was going around the room engaging in conversations left and right, no doubts having come for this alone. Malleus didn’t mind; the students could think for themselves, and if they got swindled, it would be their own fault.

   “Are you enjoying yourself, Malleus-sama?” asked Silver to his right.

   Malleus turned to him. They were standing in the middle of the lounge, most of the seats having been taken. 

   “Yes. Everyone is having fun,” he replied. “I’m glad I didn’t miss it.”

   “Sorry we didn’t think to come get you earlier. I wasn’t sure if you remembered and were just doing other things, and then we got distracted.”

   “It’s alright. If it had gotten too late, Lilia would’ve come get me.”

   “Malleus-sama!” called Sebek as he approached. “I have saved you a plate! You must be hungry!”

   “Yes, thank you Sebek,” said Malleus.

   “Let me see if can’t find a chair for you,” said Silver, who left before Malleus could reply.

   “Have you been enjoying yourself as well, Sebek?” asked Malleus instead.

   “Yes. I must admit these humans are quite good at throwing parties. It speaks well of the two dorm leaders who organized it. They are paying quite good respect to Malleus-sama!”

   Malleus smiled, knowing what Sebek did not. He wondered how he would react if he knew the real mastermind was the magicless prefect from Ramshackle dorm.

   “That’s not what you were saying earlier,” said Silver as he came back. “Malleus-sama, I found you a seat.”

   “I admit I was too quick in my judgment,” said Sebek as they followed Silver. “But I apologized, so there is no need to bring it up!”

   “I seem to recall hearing you yell, yes,” said Malleus.

   Sebek was struck down. “Did-did I truly bother Malleus-sama?!”

   “Just remember to keep your voice down next time,” said Silver.

   They sat at the empty sofa Silver had found. It was close to the wall, but not far from the center of the room, and still quite close to the kitchen. Malleus sat down, Sebek to his left as Silver pulled up a chair.

   “I haven’t been able to really fall asleep,” said Silver. “I keep being woken up by noises or our dormmates. I’m glad, it would be a shame to miss everyone’s efforts.”

   “Malleus! How are you liking the food?” asked Asim as he noticed them. “Jamil helped make it. He sounded really proud of himself when he was planning the menu.”

   “It’s very good,” replied Malleus.

   “Next time, you should come to Scarabia. There’ll be even more!”

   “I shall remember that.”

   “Ah, Malleus, Silver, here you are,” said Lilia as he approached as well. “I see you are enjoying yourselves. Watching you eat makes me want to get some more.”

   “Lilia-sama, let me get it for you!” exclaimed Sebek as he ran off.

   “He’s so diligent,” complimented Asim. Lilia smiled proudly. “I won’t bother you any further, you should eat while it’s hot! I just wanted to say, thank you for letting us throw a party! It’s been really exciting!”

   “I’m glad,” replied Malleus. “Thank you for the party.”

   As Asim left, Sebek returned and Lilia sat down on Malleus’ right while Sebek sat back down at his spot.

   “How did they like your music?” asked Malleus.

   “I think it was a success,” replied Lilia. “I’ve let our students borrow my guitars, since they wanted to play too. It’s mostly just for fun now. Malleus, you should try playing something too.”

   “Maybe later,” he said.

   “I’m sure everyone would enjoy it,” encouraged Lilia.

   “Right! It would be a true honor to be audience to it!” exclaimed Sebek.

   “Is a violin really fit for a party like this?” said Malleus.

   “Oh, who would mind? Plus, if it comes from you, I’m sure everyone would feel even happier to see their dorm leader participate as well.”

   “Hmm,” said Malleus.

   “There is one thing I’m bothered about,” said Silver. They turned to him. “This is a birthday party, but no one knows who it’s for. Isn’t that a bad thing? Surely, that person must be feeling upset. Should we be having fun before making sure to recognize their birthday?”

   No one noticed Malleus’ expression. 

   “Silver…” said Lilia, eyes bright. “Such a kind-hearted notion as always.”

   “You are right!” joined Sebek. “Is this truly a birthday party if we don’t wish anyone a good birthday?!”

   “I shall go ask the prefect,” said Lilia. “Maybe he has something planned, so better double check.”

   “There is no need,” said Malleus, feeling rather smug.

   The three turned to him. “I already know who this party is for.”

   “As expected of Malleus-sama!” said Sebek.

   “Oh? Who is it, then?” asked Lilia.

   “If I tell you, you must promise not to tell anyone,” said Malleus.

   “Very well,” said Silver quickly.

   “I agree as well!” joined Sebek.

   “That was quick. Where did my sweet caring Silver go?” lamented Lilia.

   “If Malleus-sama says something like this, it must be important. Maybe that person doesn’t desire any attention,” explained Silver.

   “Hmm, very well. I promise too, Malleus. So please, enlighten us.”

   “It’s for me.”

   They all stared in shock. “Eh?”

   “But that’s—” began Silver, before Lilia’s burst of laughter drowned out his voice.

   Malleus was giving him a look, but Lilia didn’t care.

   “So that—” exclaimed Lilia, before laughing again. Malleus regretted that Lilia had been there when Spade had explained the situation…

   “What is so funny?” said Silver.

   “I don’t understand! Why should we keep it secret?” exclaimed Sebek. “If it’s for Malleus-sama—”

   “Because that’s how Yuu organized it,” said Malleus. “As long as he wishes me a happy birthday, I won’t mind.”

   “He’s right, Sebek,” agreed Lilia, finally having overcome his fit. “It seems that secrecy is of outmost importance in this case,” he said, smiling naughtily.

   “I don’t understand,” said Silver. “But if Malleus-sama doesn’t mind, then I won’t either. To have thought Malleus-sama had made such a friend… I’m looking forward to meeting him.”

   Malleus was smiling. “Is that right, Malleus-sama?” asked Sebek. “In that case, I will not mention it either. I can’t believe I said such disrespectful things about them, when they were throwing this party for Malleus-sama all along!”

   “It’s alright, Sebek,” said Silver. “You apologized. Let this be a lesson for next time.”

   Lilia nodded. “It seems the kitchen is putting out new dishes; I’ll go get you some.”

   As he left, he passed by Ashengrotto, whose head turned towards them. Malleus saw him approach.

   “Good evening,” he saluted. “Is everything going alright?”

   “Yes,” said Silver. “Thank you for the work you’ve done today, Azul.”

   “No need to thank me, it’s what I do, after all,” replied Ashengrotto. “As the housewarden of Octavinelle, how could I not help such an unfortunate soul when Yuu came to me?”

   “It’s true you’ve been quite helpful,” said Sebek, who had been swindled by him in the past and had yet to realize. “I hope you are enjoying our dorm!”

   “Yes, it’s quite,” Ashengrotto’s expression fell as he looked around, “unique. I couldn’t imagine anything else for you, Malleus-san.”

   “Is there something you want?” asked Malleus.

   “My, quick to conclusions, are you? I simply wanted to see how our guests are doing. This might be your dorm, but we are hosting, after all. So please, if you need anything, I am at your service.”

   “You’ve already done more than enough,” said Silver earnestly. “To think you would go to such lengths for…” he trailed off, realizing what he had begun to say. “The whole of Diasomnia is very grateful to you.”

   “That pleases me to hear!” replied Azul. “There is only one thing I’m curious about…”

   “Feel free to ask,” said Silver.

   “We shall answer as best we can,” replied Sebek.

   “On the subject of Diasomnia’s gratefulness,” began Ashengrotto, and Malleus crossed his arms. “As you may not be aware, this is supposed to be a birthday party. But none of us actually know who it’s for. It would surely be a terrible thing for us to not acknowledge the person for whom this party is being thrown, no? And who better to know who that person is than Malleus-san, Diasomnia’s esteemed dorm leader…”

   Besides him, Sebek and Silver had both frozen. They knew but couldn’t say, and didn’t want to make either of those things obvious. Malleus tilted his head.

   “How very thoughtful of you to ask,” replied Malleus. “If that person knew how curious everyone was, they would surely be glad. But there is no need for you to worry. The circumstances as they are now are how they are meant to be.”

   “… I see,” said Azul, pushing his glasses up. Malleus wondered how many times a day he did that. “Malleus-san seems so sure of himself, surely you must’ve heard from them directly then?

   “Indeed. The host of this party has already recognized that person, so everything is alright.”

   “But when?” muttered Ashengrotto. “Then I am relieved,” he said in his normal voice. “It would have been a shame to have a birthday party without the birthday guest.”

   “I couldn’t have said it better,” said Malleus. “Ah, Lilia, you’re back.”

   “Sorry I took so long, I got distracted,” said Lilia as he came around Ashengrotto. He held four plates with small squares of bread, and handed them around. “Did you want one too, Azul? I can go get another one.”

   “There’s no need,” said Azul.

   “Oh, just take it. I need to return to the kitchen either way,” replied Lilia, practically throwing the plate at Ashengrotto before leaving.

   “Malleus-sama…” said Sebek. His wide eyed look was matched by Silver.

   “Is Fa—Lilia-senpai planning something?” asked Silver. “I know he likes to cook, but…”

   “Calm down,” said Malleus after a moment. “Lilia might have his own way of cooking, but he would never do anything to someone else’s food. It’s possible his help was offered or requested.”

   “I feel like I’m missing some context,” said Ashengrotto, who was still there.

   “Lilia-sama’s cooking is…” began Sebek. 

   “Not meant for humans,” finished Silver.

   “What?” blurted Ashengrotto.

   “His cooking is simply otherworldly,” added Sebek. “The day we are able to withstand it, we shall have become true warriors.”

   Ashengrotto was looking at them with wide eyes. He was still holding the bread bun.

   “He is very unique,” said Malleus. “If you want, you could ask him to make you something.”

   “I’ll keep that in mind. I shall see you later, then.”

   He left. They ate their buns. As expected, it was the same thing that Yuu had cooked before; a bread bun with cream inside. Malleus’ also had strawberries and blueberries, while Silver’s had cherries and blackberries. Sebek’s was orange and chocolate.

   “I should go check on Father, just to be sure,” said Silver finally.

   “I will go with you,” said Malleus.

   “I will keep watch over your seat, my lord!” said Sebek.

   “Thank you, Sebek.”

   They made their way to the kitchen. Silver opened the door and let Malleus in first. This time when he appeared, neither Viper or Bucchi looked particularly shocked, as they already were considerably so, eyes on Lilia who stood at the right side counter, surrounded by all sorts of ingredients more farcical than the next.

   “Is that ketchup?” said Bucchi.

   “And tabasco sauce?” said Viper.

   “Lilia, what are you doing?” asked Malleus. 

   Lilia turned to them, and Malleus saw he had several electrical cooking implements before him— he remembered they were called “blenders” — as well as five tall glasses, three of them full, and of different colors.

   “I’m making drinks,” said Lilia. “Yuu said it was alright.”

   Yuu stood in the back again. He still had his headphones on, but he was looking at Lilia intensely. When he saw Malleus was watching him, he smiled at him before returning to Lilia.

   “Really,” said Malleus. 

   “Of course,” said Lilia.

   Yuu couldn’t expect those drinks to be sent to the lounge, right..?

   “Fa-Lilia-senpai, are you sure this is a good idea?” said Silver.

   “Why wouldn’t it be?” said Lilia as he shoved a potato in the full blender and started it.

   “The menu that Jamil and Azul made was clearly tailored to work together. Not to say that Lilia-sama’s cooking is unwanted, but your drinks will clash against the work they did. It would be a poor appreciation of our guests to affect their work this way,” explained Silver. He had a good aptitude to come up with excuses.

   “Hm, you’re not wrong,” said Lilia. “But it’s ok. I wanted to offer them to our guests, anyway.”

   “Fa— Lilia!” exclaimed both Malleus and Silver.

   “I’m full,” said Viper from behind them.

   “Same,” echoed Bucchi. 

   “It’s alright, you can take them back and save them for later.”

   “Lilia…” said Malleus. “It’s that…”

   From the side snuck Yuu. He hadn’t missed the visual exchange, and Malleus hoped for his sake that he understood the situation he had created. Slipping his hand past Lilia, he took hold of one of the glasses and swallowed it down.

   “Ah,” breathed in the room.

   Yuu put down the glass and breathed out. He remained standing, and his face showed no real reaction, although his head was turned away towards the beeping blender.

   “Were you that thirsty?” said Lilia, looking shocked.

   “Are you alright?” said Silver.

   “What was he thinking?!” muttered Viper.

   “I’m not shocked, his death wish was obvious by this point,” said Bucchi.

   “What is it?” said Yuu finally, snapping back one side of his headphones. His voice sounded the same as usual, but his tone seemed more careful. “It’s just a drink.”

   “It’s the first time I got this reaction,” said Lilia, puzzled. “Maybe I didn’t put enough parsley?”

   “I’m glad to see Yuu taking responsibility,” said Malleus. “But still…”

   “I’ll make more if anyone wants some,” said Lilia.

   “Are you using their ingredients?” asked Silver.

   “No, these were all things that were in the fridge before that,” replied Lilia. 

   Yuu’s head snapped to Lilia, a deep wide eyed frown on his face. It only lasted a second before he turned back to his station.

   “I don’t think there’s anything else we can do,” said Malleus in a low tone. 

  Silver nodded solemnly, and they left the kitchen once more. Passing through the lounge, Sebek was waiting for them as he had promised. Malleus returned to his spot, and so did Silver.

   “How was the situation?” inquired Sebek dramatically.

   “It can’t be helped,” said Silver, head low. “Just be careful about your drinks from now on.”

   Sebek leaned back on the sofa. “If it’s something Lilia-sama made… I will drink it!”

   “Don’t push yourself,” said Malleus.

   They sat in silence for a bit as their food attracted their attention once more.

   “I wonder why Octavinelle’s dorm leader was interested in that person’s identity,” mused Silver once more, reconsidering what had happened before they became worried of Lilia’s antics. “I’m sure he meant well, but to come to Malleus-sama… was that a coincidence?”

   “Ashengrotto isn’t stupid,” said Malleus. “But that’s not something to form a conclusion on. He is also a dorm leader, so he would already know that the headmage works with us regarding birthdays. Coming to me was a much easier mean than asking everyone about it, especially since he had no guarantee of them lying or misleading him, purposefully or not.”

   “Malleus-sama has figured it out so quickly!” exclaimed Sebek. “Truly, nothing can get past you.”

   “That does make sense,” Silver agreed, relaxing in his chair.

   “But! Malleus-sama! Is it possible that he had a gift?” said Sebek, startled by his own conclusion. “Maybe we should—”

   “No,” said Malleus. “If he had a gift, he could’ve given it to us, or Yuu.”

   “Then why do you think?” asked Silver.

   “I think he’s annoyed that Yuu has something he has no information about,” said Malleus, smiling.

   “I see,” said Silver. “That person must be really fond of you, to go through all this, and keep up the mystery.”

   “Yes.”

   “It makes me truly happy that Malleus-sama has made such a friend. I’m sure Father is even more glad he approved this party, as well.”

   Malleus just smiled back at him. Silver’s thoughts went to that moment Lilia had come in, looking for Malleus.

Four days earlier 

   “Malleus, there you are.”

   The lounge was almost entirely empty. It was past five in the afternoon, after all. Most students liked to spend time in their room or the library. It was only Malleus and Silver sitting at their usual spot, and Lilia who was approaching them.

   “Lilia,” saluted Malleus. “You were looking for me?”

   “Indeed. I had an interesting conversation today,” said Lilia cheerfully.

   “Oh?”

   “A student asked me if he could throw a party in Diasomnia this week.”

   “A party? But we just threw one for Malleus-sama’s birthday,” said Silver. 

   “Ah, but this student isn’t from our dorm.”

   “Oh,” said Malleus. He seemed to ponder for a moment before asking with a smile. “Was he wearing a gray uniform?”

   “Why yes, how did you know? Did he come ask you as well?”

   “In a way. So what did you say to him?”

   “I thought it sounded like a great idea, so I gave him permission,” replied Lilia. “Unless you have an objection?”

   “Why would I object to a party?”

   “Then it’s settled,” said Lilia cheerfully. “He even said you were invited, Malleus.”

   “Of course. Malleus-sama is our dorm leader, after all. If someone was to throw a party here and not invite him…”  Silver shook his head.

   Malleus seemed indifferent to Lilia’s remark before some realization painted shock on his face. 

   “He really did say that?” asked Malleus, startling Silver with his intensity.

   “Hm?” said Lilia, who had lost the train of the conversation.

   “That ‘Malleus Draconia’ was invited.”

   “Yes, exactly,” said Lilia. 

   “I see,” said Malleus, smiling.

   “Did I miss something?” said Silver.

   “If you did, I did too,” said Lilia. “Anyway. Are you hungry? I can cook something.”

   “No, that’s alright,” they both replied.

Present time

   Silver sighed, and didn’t notice Malleus and Sebek both turned to look at him.

   “Are you feeling tired?” said Malleus.

   “Ah, no. I was just reminiscing,” replied Silver. “Although I’m not quite used to partying this often, it makes it hard to fall asleep.”

   “That’s—” began Sebek, before there was a series of sharp knocks at the doors.

   “Was someone out late?” said Silver in the noticeably quieter lounge.

   “I shall go to the door!” said Sebek, storming to his feet and following words with action.

   “Hm,” hmmed Malleus.

   “Should I go get Father?” asked Silver.

   “It shouldn’t be necessary,” decided Malleus.

   Silver thought his lord and dorm leader was behaving rather strangely tonight, but he simply focused on the opportunity to learn more about him. Even if he had known him his whole life, they could always grow closer. It seemed to tie back to this friend who had organized all this. Silver had seen him in the kitchen of course, but he would only have been a bother at that moment so hadn’t introduced himself. He would be looking forward to another opportunity to do so.

   “YOU!” exclaimed Sebek from the door.

   Silver jumped to his feet, and with a look to Malleus, he followed Sebek’s path towards the large Diasomnia dorm doors.

   “What a way to salute guests,” said a voice on the other side. 

   “Sebek, let them come in,” said Silver as he stood besides his friend.

   The door was pushed open and first came an Heartslabyul student with red hair and a heart mark on his right cheek. He was accompanied by a black cat with fire-blue ear tufts. 

   “We’re not too late for the party, right? Right?” asked the cat excitedly.

   “No, not at all,” replied Silver. Night Raven College was truly a fascinating place, to have someone with a familiar like this.

   “Yay!” The cat ran off towards the food. 

   “PLEASE BEHAVE YOURSELF IN MALLEUS-SAMA’S PRESENCE!” shouted Sebek enthusiastically. 

   “Yeah, yeah,” said the Heartslabyul student. “If things are still going well at this point with Yuu and Deuce here, then we’ll definitely be fine.” Then he followed after his familiar.

   “Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on them,” said Vil Schoenheit, dorm leader of Pomefiore. “That’s for you too, Epel.”

   “Yes, Vil-san,” replied Epel, looking somewhat nervous before running off.

   “Well, well, Schoenheit,” said Malleus’ voice from behind them. “I wasn’t expecting you to come. And…”

   “Bonsoir, messieurs!” saluted a new voice as he slipped in last. “I hope your party has been as interesting as its planning.”

   “Hunt,” said Malleus. “You’ve come to join us too?”

   “Indeed! Although I have another purpose, I was hoping to catch everyone enjoying our dear Trickster’s surprise party. And what a sight it is!”

   “Rook said he had to come and it got those potatoes screaming about going too,” said Vil, looking annoyed. “They were so annoying I gave in. Since Kalim and Jamil are also here, might as well get everyone here to ruin the night.”

   “We’re happy to have you here,” said Silver. 

   “This place is as drab as ever,” said Vil. “You could at least add some color, Malleus.”

   “ARE YOU INSULTING MALLEUS-SAMA’S TASTE!?” exclaimed Sebek. 

   “It’s just an opinion,” said Vil. “You’re free to ignore it. Doesn’t affect me either way.”

   “I think it has charm,” replied Malleus.

   “Oh, it’s Vil!” came Kalim’s voice from behind them. “And Rook too! You decided to come? There’s still food for everyone!”

   “Let’s see it,” said Vil, passing between Silver and Sebek to meet his fellow dorm leader.

   “Messieurs, may I ask at which stage of the meal course you are at now?” asked Rook, taking up the spot Vil had been occupying.

   “They’re serving desert, I think,” replied Silver. “It’s these little bread buns.”

   “Thank you, Monsieur Endormi. I’m just in time, then.”

   “What do you mean?” asked Malleus.

   “Can’t you figure it out, Roi des Dragons?” replied Rook with a touch to his huntsman’s hat. “This party is still missing an essential, after all.”

   Silver gave him a puzzled look as Rook approached the large table where all the food was. Heads turned to him as he pulled out his magical pen. 

   “Vient à moi!” he called as he cast his spell. 

   Sparkles filled the air and the plates moved to the side, clearing a space. With a final flash of light, the sparkles vanished, and there was now a large cake sitting on the table!

   “So that’s why they didn’t make cake,” said Silver, astonished.

   Malleus was looking rather stunned himself.

   “Cake!” exclaimed Kalim from the other side of the table. “Azul, Vil, can you help me cut it? I can’t use knives.”

   “Why… alright, fine,” said Azul from behind the cake. “I’ll just let Jamil-san know about this.”

   “You’re asking me, really?” complained Vil. “Oh well. As long as you don’t ask me to eat it.”

   “You came to bring the cake?” asked Sebek as Rook approached them once more.

   “Indeed! It was only a few days ago that I became aware of Yuu-kun’s idea…”

Two days earlier

   Rook had been in the alchemy classroom with le Chevalier des Roses, or Trey Clover, vice housewarden of Heartslabyul. Despite their differences, they were true companions. So when he heard the door open, and saw Prefect Yuu from Ramshackle Dorm salute Trey, Rook only felt entitled to be part of this surprise event.

   “Trey-senpai,” said Yuu. “Could you help me make a cake?”

   “Hm? What for?” replied Trey. “You can’t make one yourself?”

   “It’s for a birthday party,” said Yuu. “And I can cook, but I haven’t baked that often. So I’d rather have an expert to help me.”

   “And you’d want to borrow the Heartslabyul kitchen for this, I assume?”

   “Yes, thank you.”

   “Ah. Well, I don’t mind. But in exchange, you can help us cook for the next unbirthday party.”

   “Deal,” said Yuu.

   “Oh, a birthday party!” said Rook. “Who could it be for? I don’t remember anyone birthday’s being so soon.”

   “Rook… are you implying—” said Trey, pushing his glasses up.

   “It’s for a friend,” replied Yuu. The determined look in his eyes was positively breathtaking!

   “Truly! Someone I do not know, and who makes the Trickster’s eyes so bright. With such powerful feelings behind, I am most interested in witnessing this party for myself.”

   “You want to come?” said Yuu, looking surprised.

   “Of course! Parties are a beautiful thing, like everything else.”

   “Rook, you shouldn’t impose yourself. It’s probably something private,” said Trey.

   “No, it’s alright,” said Yuu. “It’s just, no one willingly wanted to come. I had to, uh, motivate them all.”

   “What kind of party—” began Trey, looking nervous.

   “It’s in Diasomnia.”

   “What!” shouted Trey.

   “Oh my!” exclaimed Rook. “A party in the Roi des Dragons’ lair! You truly are fearless. Now, it is an absolute necessity that I witness such a thing. If there is anything I am to do to earn your invitation, I shall do it.”

   Yuu looked positively surprised. Trey, negatively so.

   “Guys, that sounds, I don’t know, a bit dangerous?” 

   “Chevalier des Roses,” began Rook. “Beauty lies in all things, yes. But beauty appreciated in circumstances beyond our control— that of the sunrise, after a long storm, is one that truly strikes the heart. So to witness a party in le Roi des Dragon’s antre, brought on by Yuu-kun’s true feelings, such a thing is sure to touch the heart. To miss such an occasion, I would no longer deserve my title, le chasseur d’amour!”

   “Alright, I get it,” said Trey. “You two are going to do whatever you want as always.”

   “Could you bring the cake?” said Yuu, a focused look on his face. “I don’t know how successful I would be going through the mirror with it.”

   “An easy task. I accept.”

   “Should we make it in Pomefiore’s kitchen, then?” asked Trey.

   “Baking a cake in Vil’s dorm is not going to go down well,” said Rook. “You two should make it in Heartslabyul where le Chevalier des Roses resides. As for pickup, can it be stored in your dorm, Yuu-kun?”

   “That should be fine,” said Yuu. “As long as Vil-san doesn’t curse it.”

   “He what?” said Trey.

   “Do not worry, I shall let him know it is for a special occasion. He will not curse food meant for those uninvolved in SDC, especially not for one’s birthday.”

   “Then thank you, Rook-senpai, Trey-senpai,” said Yuu with a smile and a wave. Then he was gone.

   “A party in Diasomnia… I can’t believe him,” said Trey.

   “Are you worried for him?”

   “Is it obvious? Yuu’s always getting in trouble and coming out fine, but if Malleus Draconia gets involved…”

   “Do not worry. I shall look out for him as well, for both our sakes.”

   “Sounds more for his sake, but that’s good to hear.”

Present time

   “And that is why,” concluded Rook.

   “It was kind of you to help Yuu,” said Silver. 

   “Yes,” said Malleus. “I thank you as well.”

   “But of course,” said Rook, sparkling from the praise.

   “Malleus-sama, would you like some cake?” asked Sebek.

   “Maybe later,” replied Malleus.

   “If you have any doubts, le Chevalier des Roses’ baking is a thing of true beauty. It would only be fitting for someone such as you.”

   “To think he thought this far ahead,” commented Malleus to no one.

   “I’m starting to get a picture,” agreed Silver.

   “What are you talking about?” asked Sebek.

   “The Trickster’s thoughts are a mystery indeed,” joined Rook, looking at Malleus. “But to think, are they so truly that even you cannot make sense of him?”

   “Is that how you see him?”

   “Not at all, I was simply curious about certain aspects of his. And I am pleased to have understood some. Now, I shall greet the rest of our classmates. I bid you all a good evening, and a joyeux anniversaire!”

   “He’s such a strange human,” said Sebek.

   “You shouldn’t talk about our schoolmates like this,” scolded Silver. “We should go get some cake for us and Father before it’s all gone,” he added. “And also before I fall asleep.”

   So they did. Kalim, Vil and Azul were dutiful in their cake-cutting. Kalim was using magic to hold the knife up, which Silver thought was quite impressive. Vil was managing to make his every action look graceful, but Azul wasn’t half bad himself.

   “Silver, Sebek, Malleus!” saluted Kalim. “I saved these for you and Lilia! They should all be done soon in the kitchen, so you should wait to eat it with him!”

   “Thank you, Kalim,” said Silver.

   The door to the kitchen did open, and Lilia walked out, carrying a tray of drinks and smiling. Silver was startled awake immediately.

   “There you are,” said Lilia, putting his tray down on the table. Everyone around him began moving slowly away. “Oh! A cake!”

   “It’s—” began Sebek.

   “DON’T DRINK THOSE!” came shouted from the kitchen.

   Storming out the door came Ace and Jamil, looking panicked. They looked around until they spotted Lilia, and advanced towards him threateningly. Silver moved forward, but stopped when he saw Deuce and Grim walk out as well, with Yuu looking unwell in between them.

   “Lilia-senpai, I won’t criticize the way you cook because what you do with your food is your business. But there’s a limit when it comes to making food for others, especially drinks!” lectured Jamil.

   “What is the problem?” asked Malleus.

   “HE PUT ALCOHOL IN IT!”

   “What?” Lilia startled back; Kalim dropped his knife, and the room’s background noise let out an abrupt gasp.

   “Yuu’s drunk!” insisted Ace.

Half an hour ago

   Deuce led Ace and Grim to the kitchen. “Yuu is going to be happy to see you.”

   “Of course. What’s a party without us!” exclaimed Grim.

   “Oh, Ace, Grim,” said Jamil, looking up from his work as they entered. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

   “Since these guys were taking too long, we decided to come see what was going on,” said Ace. “Vil-senpai was so upset pretty much everyone from the SDC was here, and that Rook-senpai was planning to come too, that he gave in and so we’re all here.”

   “What, Hunt-senpai is part of this too?” said Deuce. “Wow…”

   They passed Lilia and reached Yuu at the back of the kitchen, who was still wearing his headphones. Before Deuce could tap him on the shoulder, Grim jumped on the chair in the corner and waved at Yuu.

   “Ace, Grim, you came,” said Yuu with a smile as he slid his headphones off. There was a strangely colored, half full drink next to him, as well as an empty one. “Did you finish studying?”

   “I did!” said Grim, looking upset. “I finished all the stuff you made, so you won’t be able to complain about my grades!”

   “Great, thank you Grim,” congratulated Yuu. “You certainly deserve a reward, then. Have you guys eaten yet?”

   “Not yet,” replied Ace. “Grim wanted to find you first.”

   “I don’t know if there’s still dishes of our main course in the lounge,” said Deuce with a sudden realization.

   “Ah, it’s fine,” said Yuu, reaching for the glass besides him. “You can take dishes from over there.” He motioned to the ones covered in aluminum foil on a warming shelf besides the fridge.

   “Yay!” Grim was off before any of them could move.

   “Should we wait for you?” asked Ace.

   “We’re not done yet,” replied Yuu with a sigh.

   “It’s fine if you want to go,” interrupted Jamil. “At this stage, me and Ruggie are more than enough.”

   “Hey, I organized this, I want to do my part to the end,” said Yuu defiantly.

   “As you wish, then,” said Jamil before going back to his work.

   “Did anything happen, by the way?” asked Ace. “I saw, uh, that person was here.”

   “Who?” said Yuu, sipping.

   “Eh? Who do you think?”

   Yuu’s eyebrow only went up. At that moment, Grim came back with his plate, listening curiously.

   “The Diasomnia dorm leader…” enlightened Deuce after a too long pause.

   “Oh, he’s here? I didn’t notice,” replied Yuu. “Well, that’s good then. I did invite him too, after all.”

   “You did!?” both Heartslabyul students exclaimed.

   “Of course. This is his dorm, after all. It would be rude to ignore your host when throwing a party, no?”

   “You’re not wrong, but…” began Deuce.

   “It’s Malleus Draconia!” finished Ace.

   “Are you talking about Malleus?” came Lilia’s voice from above. Yuu hit the counter as they all looked up to find the vice housewarden standing on the ceiling. 

   “It’s true, this one did invite him,” he continued as he came down in their midst, unconcerned by his audience’s shocked expression. “It was quite surprising. Who would’ve expected the Ramshackle prefect to utter his name so carelessly, when even his fellow students are scared to even look at him? But he was quite pleased in the end.”

   “That’s good, then,” said Deuce, feeling his shoulders relax. “I guess we were worried for nothing.”

   “I wouldn’t call it nothing,” argued Ace half-heartedly. “But hey, I’m not going to complain about a party going well.” 

   “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourselves,” said Lilia. “Say, would you like these drinks I made?”

   “Sure!” said Grim.

   “Lilia-senpai, didn’t you say they were mine?” said Yuu, eyes wide.

   “But you’ve already had so many, are you really still thirsty?” asked Lilia. “Plus, sharing is a virtue, you know.”

   “In this case, I think the opposite is true,” muttered Yuu.

   As Grim was about to grab at drink, Yuu overtook him and seized the glass, downing it in one breath hold.

   “Hey!” shouted Grim, indignant.

   “Oh my,” said Lilia. “I made it a bit different than the one you had before. How do you like it?”

   “It’s alright,” choked Yuu, wiping his mouth with his hand. On the other side of the kitchen isle, Jamil and Ruggie were watching him with disgusted expressions.

   “He put leeks and vanilla in that one,” commented Ruggie.

   “Leeks?” repeated Deuce. What kind of cook was Lilia…?

   “I’m not sure I want one anymore,” said Grim.

   “Seriously,” agreed Ace.

   “Hmm,” said Yuu. Then he grabbed another one and drank that too!

   “Seriously!?”

   “That’s wonderful to see,” said Lilia, nodding his head approvingly. “I made sure to put a lot of nutritious things in them. With this, Yuu, surely you’ll grow taller in no time.”

   “Ah,” chuckled Ace and Grim. Yuu gave them a look over his glass. 

   “Yuu’s been drinking my drinks since I started to make them,” said Lilia, smiling happily. “I wanted to keep some for Malleus, Silver and Sebek, but Yuu likes them so much, I feel bad saying no. But I’m out of ingredients. I’ll just make three with what I have left and give you the rest, Yuu.”

   “Thank you for the food,” replied Yuu. 

   “Are you really that thirsty…?” trailed off Ace, in disbelief.

   “Not really,” admitted Yuu. “But I should take responsibility for my actions…” Despite their questioning looks, he didn’t elaborate further. 

   “So everything has gone well?” asked Ace, changing the subject as Yuu returned to his station with Lilia’s remaining drinks.

   “Yes, the kitchen is running smoothly. The lounge too, or else Jamil wouldn’t still be cooking.”

   “I can’t believe it, but it looks like you actually made this all work, uh,” said Ace.

   “Yuu put a lot of work into this,” added Deuce. “I wonder if Yuu’s friend is enjoying the party too?”

   Yuu just smiled. “This time, you have to introduce us!” said Grim. “I want to meet Tsunotaro!”

   “Yeah, I’m curious too,” said Ace. 

   “Such a good friend to Yuu has to be my friend too!” added Deuce.

   “I guess we’ll see,” was Yuu’s non-committal reply as he grabbed another drink.

   “At how many are you now?” asked Deuce.

   “Five?” replied Yuu.

   “That’s way too many drinks of anything,” said Ace.

   “Hmm,” hmmed Yuu. Deuce noticed a more obvious blush on his face.

   “Are you feeling alright?” he asked.

   “Yeah, of course,” said Yuu, before hiccuping. “There’s definitely something weird with these, after all.”

   “What do you mean?” asked Deuce.

   “Yuu, is your batch done?” interrupted Jamil as he joined them. 

   Yuu nodded simply, putting down his glass and crouching to open the oven. The heat made Ace and Grim step back, but Deuce approached to help Yuu, who was still sitting on the ground, one hand on his head.

   “Did he finally get food poisoning?” asked Jamil as Deuce pulled out the tray of bread buns. 

   “Yuu, are you alright?” asked Grim, trotting over to him.

   “My head feels light,” answered Yuu. Deuce extended his hand to him and once gripped, helped Yuu to his feet.

   “You do look a bit red, too,” added Grim. “Do you have a fever?”

   “No,” replied Deuce. “It must be something with the drinks.” At that moment, he heard the door open and close as Lilia left the kitchen.

   “That’s what you get for drinking these things,” said Jamil with his arms crossed. “You guys should take him to the lounge, in case he’s going to be sick.”

   “Right,” said Deuce.

   “I’ll go tell everyone not to consume Lilia-senpai’s drinks,” added Jamil, turning around to go towards the door. 

   As he passed by the area Lilia had been working at, he turned his head to look at the stuff still strewn about, and stopped. Reaching for a small vial, Jamil’s expression went from neutral to confused to horrified.

   “Did Lilia-senpai use this?!” he exclaimed.

   “What is it?” asked Deuce. Yuu’s head hung low, and his weight was resting on Ace and Deuce. 

   “Yuu,” called Jamil. “How many fingers am I holding up?” 

   “Uh, four?” replied Yuu, squinting behind glasses.

   It was three.

   “Yuu, are you…” began Ace.

   “He’s gotten him drunk!” exclaimed Jamil.

Present time

   “That’s what happened,” finished Ace.

   “Yuu is drunk?” repeated Lilia, looking shocked.

   “Take him and sit down,” said Malleus to Deuce. 

   Deuce nodded, and helped his friend to a nearby sofa some kind Diasomnia students deserted for their sake. Behind him, Ace and Grim followed, and the latter jumped on the cushions besides Yuu, looking worried.

   “Are you really drunk?” asked Deuce.

   “I feel funny,” said Yuu. The three exchanged nervous looks.

   “That has to be against school rules, right?” said Ace.

   “Well, it’s not like he did it on purpose,” said Grim. 

   “Yeah, if anything Lilia-senpai will be the one getting in trouble. So probably nothing.”

   “I saved food for you guys,” said Yuu randomly, and he moved to his feet again. Deuce pushed him back. “It’s in the kitchen, besides the fridge.”

   “We know,” said Ace.

   “But you left it there.”

   “I’ll go get it.” And he was off.

   “Yuu, stay here and rest, alright?”

   “But I still have work to do…”

   “Everything’s fine!” said Grim. “You should eat with us now!”

   Deuce looked back at the table where Jamil stood with Lilia. Then, footsteps came from behind him, and he turned to see Epel approach.

   “Is everything alright?” he asked. “I heard something happened to Yuu.”

   “Uh, Yuu might be drunk,” explained Deuce.

   “Drunk?!” exclaimed Epel. “How could that have happened?”

   “I’m not sure, Viper-senpai didn’t say. Say, could you keep an eye on him and Grim while I go find that out?”

   “Of course,” agreed Epel.

   “Hey, I could’ve done that myself,” argued Grim.

   “Thank you, Epel!”

   Walking back to the main part of the lounge, Deuce found the commotion about Lilia’s mistake had yet to be resolved. Malleus Draconia was standing besides his vice housewarden with Silver and Sebek, and Jamil, Azul and Vil stood haphazardly before them with Kalim, who was looking concerned. Rook was in deep discussion with Ruggie at the head of the table.

   “But there isn’t alcohol in our kitchen,” said Malleus thoughtfully.

   “Not directly. But there is this,” Jamil said, pulling out the small jar and showing it to everyone. “It’s vanilla extract. If you drink enough of it, it can get you drunk. And he put half of it in the drinks!”

   “I thought it would make it taste nicer,” lamented Lilia. “I had no idea. Is Yuu alright?”

   “He seems alright,” said Deuce, joining the frey. 

   “Keep an eye on him anyway,” said Jamil. “He drank four of these things…”

   “Five,” corrected Deuce.

   “Who could have expected such a turn of events,” said Azul. “How fascinating.”

   “I hope you’re not thinking of taking advantage of Yuu!” said Deuce.

   “Not at all,” said Azul, hand to his chest as though wounded. “I’m just thinking this is awfully convenient.”

   “What do you mean, Azul?” asked Vil.

   “Vil-san, did you know this is actually a birthday party? And for some reason, Yuu-san has been avoiding tell us who for since he brought us into it.”

   “I don’t see what’s so strange about that. Yuu seems rather private,” replied Vil. Behind him, Ruggie suddenly passed by, beelining towards the cake.

   “That’s not the only thing,” muttered Azul. “I’m sure Jamil-san has considered it already.”

   “Don’t bring me into whatever you’re doing,” said Jamil. “Nothing of Yuu’s personal life concerns me.”

   “What are you two talking about?” snapped Sebek. “Will you just come out with it?”

   “I wouldn’t have thought vanilla extract would be that potent with all the stuff Lilia-san put in there” said Ruggie randomly. “Or maybe Yuu-kun just has no tolerance?”

   Jamil and Azul said nothing, but Azul was smiling.

   “Bucchi,” said Malleus. “Elaborate.”

   “Uh, well, it has to be diluted pretty bad. Even if Yuu-kun drank four glasses, it wasn’t just pure vanilla extract. I saw Lilia-san put ketchup and juice in there.”

   “Well, how else do you explain his behavior, then?” said Deuce, confused.

   “He’s faking,” said Azul with a push of his glasses.

   There was silence.

   “That’s quite the theory,” finally said Vil. “But I can’t possibly fathom why Yuu would feel the need to pretend to be drunk.”

   “The reason isn’t that important. It’s simply the most simple conclusion when it would be very unlikely for Yuu to get drunk based on the dilution in those drinks.”

   “In how many drinks did you put the extract, Lilia?” asked Malleus.

   “Two,” he said, looking forlorn. “It might still have been too much, no?”

   “Maybe,” replied Jamil. “Yuu’s pretty small, so he wouldn’t need all that much for it to affect him.”

   “Spade,” said Malleus. Deuce straightened. “How is Yuu doing?”

   “He mostly just seems tired.”

   “Then keep an eye on him. It’s not like there’s anything we can do.”

   “Right, Draconia-senpai,” said Deuce. With one last glance at everyone’s telling expressions, he turned around and returned to where Yuu, Epel and Grim were sitting.

   Ace had returned as well, and moved to the side as Deuce approached. They were all eating their meals excluding Yuu, who had one of his bread buns and was slumped across his couch, eyes lidded. 

   “Hey, Deuce,” called Ace. “I got the food, but there were two extra plates even counting for the Pomefiore guys. Did Yuu wanted to bring back more?”

   “No idea,” replied Deuce, sitting down.

   “The meat is really good,” said Epel cheerfully. “We don’t get anything like that our dorm. I’m glad Vil-senpai agreed to let us come.”

   “Epel wasn’t worried at all about coming here,” explained Ace to Yuu. “You should’ve asked for his help first.”

   “Really? Epel-chan is so brave. I’m sorry I didn’t think of you,” said Yuu.

   “It’s alright, I don’t mind,” replied Epel with a smile. “I don’t know if I could’ve helped much. This year has been my first experience with parties like this.”

   “Are you enjoying it?” asked Deuce.

   “Yes! Sebek-kun found me earlier and introduced me to some people. At first I felt a bit awkward, but then I got used to it. It’s just a different atmosphere than Pomefiore.”

   “Because of ‘the nature of your soul’, right?” spoke up Grim. “From what the Dark Mirror says.” 

   “With everyone similar ending up in the same dorms, it’s bound to create a specific environment, uh,” added Yuu as he finished his bun. 

   “Right. But the Dark Mirror isn’t always right, you know Grim-kun,” continued Epel. “Rook-senpai was originally assigned to Savanaclaw, but he transferred to Pomefiore.”

   “Really?” replied Grim. “Maybe I should transfer dorms. We could go live with Ace and Deuce, Yuu.”

   “You’d want to go back after one hour because Riddle would have collared you,” replied Yuu.

   “He would throw out your application the minute he saw it,” agreed Ace.

   “Nyuh,” said Grim. Yuu petted his head.

   “You should transfer here with Yuu instead,” continued Ace with a grin. “Since Yuu isn’t scared of the dorm leader, and you could learn some strong magic for once.”

   “With how much trouble he causes?!” exclaimed Deuce.

   “Hey!” shouted Grim, offended.

   “It’s true though,” said Deuce, standing his ground rightfully.

   “You two aren’t any better,” spoke up Yuu darkly. “It’s always because of you three that we get in trouble.”

   “Why are you excluding yourself?” chorused the other three.

   “I just get added in because of my association with you,” continued Yuu. “But truly, I’m well behaved.”

   The look Deuce gave Yuu was noticed by the other three. “What did I miss?” asked Ace, looking forward to turn the tables on Yuu.

   “He manipulated everyone into helping him out today,” said Deuce. “It was kinda scary hearing about it.”

   “That surprises me,” said Epel.

   “You said it,” replied Ace. “Everyone’s scared of the dorm leaders, but I think the real one to watch out for is Yuu.”

   “It’s true, we even beat three of them!” added Grim with a cheer. “So we’re definitely stronger!”

   “Wow, really? That’s impressive,” said Epel.

   “Thank you,” preened Yuu.

   “Still, that Yuu is using his skills to throw a party for his friend is really nice,” added Deuce. “He really put a lot of work into it.’

   “That’s true,” said Epel. “To be honest, I wasn’t expecting that from Yuu.”

   “Oh?” said Yuu with a smile.

   “When we first met, I thought you’d be a bully,” admitted Epel. Yuu fell back in his seat. “But you’re actually a pretty sweet person.”

   “Ah,” said Ace with a smirk. “Grim, that’s why you shouldn’t change dorms, no one would tolerate you like Yuu.”

   “I would never change dorm without Yuu,” argued Grim. “He’s my henchman!”

   “And we can’t change dorms because I don’t have magic,” said Yuu with a poke at Grim’s face. “It’s much better at Ramshackle, anyway.”

   “That’s right!” cheered Grim. “Though, the real reason Yuu says that, would it be because that’s where you met Tsunotaro?”

   Yuu laughed. “That’s true.”

   “Is that your friend?” asked Epel. “That’s a pretty strange name…”

   “It’s the nickname I gave him!” said Grim.

   “So Grim has met him?” asked Ace.

   “No, Yuu just mentioned him to me.”

   “It should be time for you to introduce us, right?” asked Ace again, to Yuu this time.

   “Uh, it’s probably not a good idea right now,” said Epel. “Isn’t Yuu-san still drunk?”

   “Ah, right,” said Ace. “Although, what did the others say about it? Is he going to be ok?”

   “Yeah,” replied Deuce. “Draconia-senpai said to just let him rest. But…” he trailed off, thinking of Azul’s words.

   “Spit it out,” said Grim.

   “Ashengrotto-senpai and Viper-senpai think Yuu isn’t really drunk.”

   “Eh?!” came from the crowd, except Yuu, who sat still, looking elsewhere.

   “Why would he fake it?” asked Epel.

   “A good question indeed,” came a voice from behind Deuce. Startled, he turned to see Vil and Azul standing behind his chair.

   “Well, well, aren’t we having fun,” said Vil, smiling slyly.

   “What do you want?” asked Ace flatly.

   “What a way to address a dorm leader,” said Vil with a disapproving expression. “I was just checking on my poison apple. You’ve been rather quiet.”

   “Oh, I’m fine,” said Epel to his dorm leader. “We were just discussing things.”

   “Very well. Make sure not to eat any more of those buns. They have way too much sugar in them.” And he left, leaving Azul behind.

   “You can go away too,” told him Grim.

   “Ah, I don’t think so.”

   “Why not?!”

   “You had a question,” he said, directed at Epel. “I can answer it for you.”

   “Don’t say anything! He’ll trick you into a weird deal,” warned Ace.

   “Free of charge.”

   “Then just say it,” said Deuce, annoyed.

   “Yuu-san is currently faking being drunk to avoid having to reveal his friend’s identity,” said Azul plainly.

   “Wait, really?” said Grim.

   “That sounds way too silly for Yuu to do,” argued Ace.

   “It’s not about the means,” replied Azul as he pushed his glasses up one more time for the night. “Has he told any of you who it was?”

   “No,” repeated the four in chain.

   “Isn’t that strange to you? You are his closest friends, after all. Why wouldn’t Yuu-san want to introduce you four?”

   “That’s true,” admitted Grim. “I’ve asked him since he mentioned the party, and all he does is smile and tell me “Of course.” but nothing ever happens!”

   “Grim, we’re not entitled to know,” argued Deuce. “Just because Yuu is friends with someone, doesn’t mean they’d be our friend too. What matters to me is that Yuu is my friend, and if he doesn’t want anyone to know, then I’ll do my best to defend him as well!” 

   “Right!” agreed Epel. “Why do you care so much? It’s just a surprise party.”

   “Of course you wouldn’t care,” sighed Azul. “I’ll tell you, since you clearly need help. Yuu-san is like me, a very smart manipu— businessman. Everything he’s done so far has been driven by either his pride or his need for survival. So for someone like that, so pull so many strings and work this hard for a person he won’t reveal the identity of, there’s clearly something else going on. I’m wondering if he’s not lying entirely, and this is party is just a front for something else… Leona-san isn’t here, after all.”

   He was still hung up on that, uh. Deuce was about to reply, but Epel’s voice rang loud in their little corner first.

   “Have you considered that your view of Yuu-san is just wrong? What if Yuu-san was always a sweet person, but that he knows how to manipulate people? That his behavior isn’t strange because he’s planning something bad, but because he’s opening up to someone else?”

   “Epel…” said Deuce.

   “You’re not seriously falling for that, are you..?” began Azul.

   “It’s true!” shouted Grim. “Yuu always buys me the best tuna even if he wants to buy himself other things. When there was a storm he stayed up with me. And he makes sure that the Ramshackle ghosts are happy too! My henchman is a pretty cool guy! Why would he do these things if he’s just like you?”

   “You’ve just described… never mind,” said Azul, shaking his head. 

   “Hey, why hasn’t Yuu said anything at all this whole time,” said Grim suddenly.

   They all turned to see Yuu sprawled on the couch, eyes closed and elbow bent underneath his head. 

   “Has he fallen asleep?!” exclaimed Ace before he shook him awake. Yuu blinked and shook his head as he looked around.

   “Are you feeling tired?” asked Deuce. “We can go back to Ramshackle, if you want to sleep.”

   “Oh no, it’s fine!” said Yuu with a long stretch. “I feel really good! Is there any food left?”

   “I think so,” said Deuce, but Yuu already had left towards the main table.

   “Is this a good or bad sign?” asked Epel.

   “Let’s keep an eye on him,” said Deuce.

   Taking a minute to look around, Deuce spotted Malleus sitting on a couch nearby, reading a book. Why would someone read a book at a party..? Yuu came back in record time, holding a plate filled with food. Humming a little song, he put it back down on the table amongst their empty ones and began eating. 

   “How are you still hungry?” wondered Deuce out loud.

   “I worked really hard!” replied Yuu. “I’m really proud too. I wasn’t sure if everything would work, but everyone is having fun! I’m really glad you all came, too. Deuce especially, since you helped out a bunch.”

   “It’s alright, it was fun,” replied Deuce.

   “He’s still drunk, isn’t he?” said Epel to Ace.

   “Definitely.”

   “Don’t ruin the moment!” scolded Deuce.

   “I would’ve helped out too, you know!” said Grim as he took food from Yuu’s plate. “Why did you make me do homework instead of preparing a party with you!”

   “Because you would’ve eaten all the food, and started trouble, oh and your notes suck so you really need to study to avoid making me look bad,” listed Yuu earnestly. “I think about you, but you should think about me too, you know? You won’t become a strong mage by failing school.”

   “Nyah!” exclaimed Grim. 

   “Yuu’s not wrong. His notes are carrying yours,” said Ace.

   “Yours are bad too!”

   “What does that have to do with this?!”

   Was Yuu really faking..? He wasn’t usually this relaxed. Would he really open himself up this way to distract from his friend’s identity? Deuce’s mind was spinning, very well aware that Yuu was much smarter than he was.

   “Oh, Azul, you’re still here?” He was?! Yuu waved at him, and continued. “You did a great job too, thank you! Without your help, I wouldn’t have been able to pull this off.”

   “It was nothing,” said Azul pleasantly. “Yuu-san seems out of it still,” he added more quietly.

   “Don’t you think he’s faking?” said Deuce. 

   “Yes, and that’s exactly what I needed. Yuu-san’s currently acting more open that he would usually be. If he’s faking, he’s going to have to break character.”

   “You want to test him?” asked Ace, who had been listening.

   “Yes.”

   “I won’t let you! If Yuu is really drunk, asking him questions he wouldn’t answer normally is taking advantage of him!”

   “I think you’re right, Deuce,” said Ace. “But since Yuu made fun of me during that ghost marriage event, I’m going to get my revenge!”

   Yuu, who was talking with Grim and Epel, turned as Ace shifted towards him and asked, louder than he needed to be:

   “Yuu, were you ever in a relationship?

   “That’s his question?” blurted Azul.

   “No,” replied Yuu cheerfully.

   Undefeated, Ace continued. “Did you ever have a crush on someone, then?”

   “A crush?” repeated Yuu. “Oh, of course! She’s really cool though. Super determined and strong, I really like her personality.”

   “Were you two in a relationship?” asked Ace.

   “Oh, of course not! I don’t have time for that.”

   “Was she from your world?” asked Deuce, curious despite himself.

   “Maybe?”

   “What do you mean, maybe?” repeated Ace, suddenly confused.

   “Well, she’s definitely in Twisted Wonderland, but maybe she could be in my world too, since certain things remain similar.”

   “If she comes from Twisted Wonderland, then the only place he could’ve met a girl is the town,” said Epel.

   “Oh yeah, she’s in town but also at school!”

   “What?!” they all exclaimed.

   “What’s her name?” asked Deuce, more confused that ever.

   “Otoi Asakura!”

   “That’s a video game character!” shouted Ace. Epel and Deuce almost fell despite already sitting down. “Why are you talking about a 2d character?! I asked you who you had a crush on!”

   “Well, yea, and I answered?” said Yuu, now sounding confused himself.

   “2d characters don’t count!” 

   “You never specified!” huffed Yuu. 

   “So Yuu-san likes these kinds of characters, uh,” commented Azul.

   “He really likes to play games on Ace’s console,” informed Deuce.

   “Alright, so did you ever have a crush on someone real ?” asked Ace again.

   “I don’t know.”

   “How can you not be sure?” asked Epel. “A crush is something pretty obvious, right?”

   “How so?” asked Yuu back.

   “Well, you want to be near that person as much as possible,” started Deuce.

   “You do nice things for them, and seeing them happy makes you happy,” continued Ace.

   “You want to learn more about them, all the time,” added Epel.

   “And when something goes wrong, you feel much more sad than usual,” finished Azul.

   “Have you guys ever had crushes?” asked Grim.

   “No,” they all replied. 

   “Then where did you get this from?!”

   “Movies,” replied Deuce

   “Books,” replied Azul and Epel.

   “Games, books and movies,” replied Ace.

   “That just sounds exaggerated to me,” said Grim with a sigh.

   But Yuu looked deep in thought as he got up and started walking slowly between the couch and the table.. Did Yuu really have a crush on someone? Deuce exchanged a look with Ace as Epel helped himself to Yuu’s plate as well.

   “Someone you want to learn more about, and spend time with…” repeated Yuu. They kept staring at him. “I think…” he paused. “Maybe.”

   “And we’re back at the beginning,” said Azul.

   “I can’t say for sure,” said Yuu with a shrug. “I just go along with things, you know. If I like someone, I want to spend more time with them. I don’t know if I’d notice if something was different from what I consider friends.”

   “You should work on that,” said Azul, a serious look on his face. “Misunderstanding your relationships with people will ruin you.”

   “That’s overthinking it a bit, no?” said Epel defensively.

   “No, he’s right,” said Yuu. “Thank you, Azul. I’ll keep that in mind.”

   “No problem. Who’s the friend you threw the party for, by the way?”

   “Ashengrotto-senpai!” shouted Deuce.

   “Oh, it’s Tsunotaro!” replied Yuu. “Didn’t I tell you?”

   “Tsunotaro?” repeated Azul, a look of confusion on his face.

   “Yes, he’s my friend. I like him a lot. But not as much as you, Azul!”

   “Eh?” said Azul.

   “Yeah! I really like Azul,” said Yuu, grabbing Azul’s wrist and pulling him forward, to put his own arm around his shoulder. Their faces were really close together. “You’re really smart and helpful, your lounge is one of the best place to hang out in, and you developed such a strong unique magic! It’s so impressive, I could go on forever, like how—”

   “I have to go,” said Azul, prying Yuu’s arm off and running away.

   “ — I really like the taste of squid,” finished Yuu with a smile. “Ah well.”

   “Finally he’s gone,” said Grim. “He was getting on my nerves!”

   “Do you guys want cake?” asked Deuce.

   “Yes!” cheered the group.

   “I’ll go with you,” said Yuu. “You can’t hold that many plates.”

   “I was just going to use magic, but sure,” said Deuce. He was surprised by the upset expression that overtook Yuu for a moment. “Are you alright?”

   “Of course I am,” replied Yuu, smiling again.

   With nothing else to argue with, Deuce and Yuu walked to the main table where part of the cake still stood, the rest all in slices on plates scattered on the table. Seated nearby were Jamil, Kalim and Ruggie, in deep conversation. Not wishing to bother them, Deuce led Yuu around them and closer to where Vil was sitting with Rook, Lilia and Silver. 

   Grabbing their cakes, Deuce found Silver looking at Yuu. Feeling himself being stared at as well, Silver’s gaze turned to him, and he gave him a solemn nod before returning to his conversation.

   What was that about? No matter. Together, Deuce and Yuu had enough hands to bring everyone cake without using magic. Deuce wasn’t surprised to see a new person sitting besides Epel, but he was surprised as to who it was.

   “Good evening, humans!” saluted Sebek.

   “Hi, Sebek-kun,” said Yuu. “Do you want cake?”

   “I already had some!” 

   “So the Heartlabyul vice housewarden made this?” asked Epel.

   “Yeah. Clover-senpai’s really good at baking,” replied Deuce.

   “I don’t feel like sitting down again, so I’m going to go say hi to everyone,” said Yuu, holding his plate in one hand and fork in the other. “You guys eat your cake.”

   “Are you sure you’re ok?” asked Deuce. 

   “He’ll be fine. This place is crowded, if he falls someone will notice,” said Ace before shoving cake in his mouth.

   “Alright,” agreed Deuce as he watched Yuu walk away.

   The cake was indeed very good. The frosting was thick but light on the tongue, and harmonized perfectly with the more bitter taste of chocolate.

   “Sebek-kun,” asked Epel. “Is this what your parties usually are like?”

   “Not at all! Our birthday parties are very organized. Just last week, it was Malleus-sama’s birthday! So the students organized an illusion on the ceiling that looked like the night sky, to show Malleus-sama our progress!”

   “That sounds really complex,” said Deuce. “Diasomnia students are really impressive.”

   “Of course! How could we not, with Malleus-sama as our dorm leader!” replied Sebek cheerfully.

   “Do you at least have good food?” asked Grim.

   “We do organize a meal, but nothing like what you did tonight. The biggest part is always the cake. And the atmosphere is much less chaotic!”

   “No wonder, with your dorm leader,” muttered Ace.

   “I hope you’re still enjoying yourself,” said Deuce to cover him.

   “Yes! Malleus-sama told me to go talk to other students, and I spotted Epel from afar. Have you seen his apple carvings? They are quite extraordinary!”

   “Ah, those aren’t a big deal,” said Epel.

   “You should show us next,” said Grim.

   “Once we’re back at Ramshackle, sure,” replied Epel.

   “Even if this atmosphere is much louder than usual,” continued Sebek. “Malleus-sama is enjoying it, so I’m pleased too.”

   “That’s good,” said Epel. “I never really went to parties like this with people my age,” he explained. “Back in my hometown, we didn’t make food like this, either.”

   “You should throw a party next,” said Grim. “I want to eat the food you guys make too!”

   “Ah, I’m not that good a cook,” said Epel nervously. “I’ve only ever done it with my family.”

   Deuce suddenly saw Ace tense up. “What’s wrong?” he asked. But Ace was staring intensely at— oh!

   “What’s with you two?” said Grim. Epel turned as well to follow their gaze, and froze too. “What’s this?! I’m going to steal your cakes.”

   “What is it?” echoed Sebek. “Ah!”

   Yuu had wandered two couches away… where Malleus was sitting, reading his book! He was eating his cake and hovering next to him!

   “What is he doing?!” said Ace, finally broken free of his stupor, and chain-reacting the others into speech again.

   “We need to go get him!” said Deuce, in such a hurry to put down his plate and get up that he got up with his plate and sat down again to put it down.

   “Why are you being so loud?” said Sebek. “He’s simply going to address Malleus-sama.”

   “Wait, you’re ok with that?” said Ace.

   “Are you implying such a human could harm my lord?” said Sebek smugly. “If need be, I can be next to them in seconds.”

   Grim, who had been busy stealing everyone’s cakes, feel over on the couch and sighed contentedly. “Hey!” shouted Epel once he noticed.

   Back over the couches, Yuu was speaking to Malleus, but Deuce couldn’t hear what they were saying over the others’ complaining. But after realizing the matter of cake wasn’t as big a deal as the matter of Malleus and Yuu, everyone else turned silent again as they registered the sight of Yuu sitting down besides Malleus.

   “Seriously?!” said Ace.

   Even Sebek was shocked. “To sit down beside him so impudently..!”

   “Are you going to stop him?” asked Epel.

   “I wish I was doing the same!” continued Sebek.

   Once again overcome with shock, their silence let the words spoken between the two reach them. 

   “Why are you staring at me?” said Malleus to Yuu.

   Why was he?! agreed Deuce. Not just that, but Yuu was sat down with one hand on his chin, the other on his crossed knee. And since he was facing Deuce and the rest, they could see his aggressively pleased expression all too well.

   “Your eyes are so striking, I can’t help it,” replied Yuu. “Has anyone told you how bright they look?”

   Eeehh?!

   “Yuu!” blurted out Deuce, getting to his feet again.

   “!!!” Sebek was speechless. 

   “What does he think he’s doing?!” shouted Epel.

   Deuce couldn’t see Malleus’ expression. But Yuu was looking pleased. Did he really have no idea of what he was doing?!

   “Let’s intervene before something happens,” said Deuce.

   “Why are you looking at me?!” said Ace. “I’m not going over there!”

   At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

   The room slowed down. Deuce’s eyes met with Ruggie across the room as they all turned to watch. After all this, it wasn’t over yet?

   “Sebek, why don’t you go check who it is,” said Malleus, suddenly standing close to them. Deuce startled, as did Epel and Ace.

   “Very well, Malleus-sama!” said Sebek. “But… is everything alright?”

   “Hm? Of course,” replied Malleus. Deuce noticed he was smiling. Where was Yuu?

   Deuce stepped out at the same time as Sebek. They exchanged a look, before following the same path. He couldn’t see Yuu anywhere… Had Malleus really done something to him?!

   “Are you following me?” asked Sebek.

   “Ah, no, I’m looking for my friend,” replied Deuce anxiously.

   “If you mean the one who was talking so familiarly with Malleus-sama, he went to the bathroom,” explained Sebek.

   “Ah, thank you Sebek.” Deuce stopped, before looking around some more. Catching up to Sebek again, he asked. “Uh, where is the bathroom?”

   “I can show you after I open the door,” said Sebek. “I wonder who else it is at this time.”

   “Me too,” said Deuce as they reached it together. “I can’t think of anything that’s missing.”

   “It could be dangerous, you should stand behind me,” said Sebek haughtily as he opened the panel closest to him. Deuce leaned over as best he could to try and peek around him.

   “RIDDLE-SENPAI!”

   Deuce almost fell to the floor. Why was their dorm leader here?! Sebek threw the door open, and Riddle Roseheart entered, wearing his Heartlabyul dorm leader uniform

   “Hello Sebek, Deuce,” he saluted with a wave of his hand. “I hope we aren’t intruding?”

   “We?” repeated Deuce.

   “Hello Deuce-y,” said Cater as he slipped behind Riddle. “How has it been? You look well, so I assume you didn’t cause any trouble this time?”

   “Have you come for the party as well?” asked Sebek.

   “Not really,” replied Riddle. “Cater simply let me know that Deuce and Ace were here, and since it was late, I didn’t want them causing trouble and making Heartslabyul look bad.”

   “But since we’re here, we might as well go say hi,” said Cater. “I want to get pictures of that cake before it’s all gone.”

   “Cater, we haven’t asked Malleus-senpai if it was alright,” argued Riddle.

   “It’s a party, he won’t mind~”

   “That’s right!” said Sebek. “Malleus-sama has been quite pleased by the party thrown by that human. You’re welcome to enjoy yourselves as well.”

   “If you say so, Sebek, I’ll trust you.”

   And so, two more people joined the party. This time, the Diasomnia students watched them pass with relaxed expressions, no longer surprised at everyone’s surprises guest appearances. As they walked towards the main table again, Deuce looked for Yuu and Malleus again, and found neither of them.

   Then a hand settled on his shoulder.

   “The bathroom is over there,” said Sebek after Deuce had turned around. He was pointing in a vague direction at the back of the room.

   “Ah, thank you Sebek,” said Deuce. With the time that had passed, would Yuu still be there?

   “Trey made that cake in the dorm, but said it wasn’t for us,” commented Riddle. “As his dorm leader, I’m entitled to a piece, no?” he added as they reached the remaining plates of cake.

   “Wait before eating it, I’ll take a picture,” said Cater, phone at the ready.

   “Oh, if it’s not Cater,” said Lilia as he joined them with Kalim. “I wasn’t expecting you. And the Heartslabyul dorm leader, as well. Sorry if Malleus hasn’t come to welcome you, I can’t seem to find him.”

   “Has Malleus-sama gone missing again?” asked Sebek.

   “Nothing such as that,” replied Lilia. “He’ll probably reappear soon, don’t worry.”

   “It’s alright, we came spontaneously after all,” added Riddle. “I hope my students haven’t been of much trouble to you and Malleus-senpai?”

   “Oh, not at all! Everyone’s been enjoying themselves thanks to the organizers’ hard work.”

   “Yeah!” agreed Kalim. “Deuce’s helped in the kitchen and in the lounge. You should be proud of him, Riddle!”

   “I am,” said Riddle with a smile. “Maybe the key to make you behave was to split you and Ace up,” he added with a smirk.

   “That won’t matter if Yuu is around,” said Deuce mindlessly.

   “Ah, right, Yuu is here too. Did he start something?”

   “It’s a long story…”

   “Yuu also worked really hard,” said Kalim. “He’s so smart, he organized everything.”

   “Indeed,” agreed Lilia. “And don’t worry, Riddle. No trouble will come to anyone here.”

   “I don’t mean to offend you, Lilia-senpai, but can you really be sure of that?” said Riddle.

   “Yuu has immunity,” replied Lilia simply.

   “Even after what he said?” blurted Deuce, still in shock from what he heard earlier.

   “Hm? What would that be?” asked Lilia.

   “Hmm,” said Deuce, wondering if it was wise to spread the word. But Sebek had been there as well, and Deuce doubted Sebek’s ability to keep secrets or stay quiet.

   But glancing at him, Deuce was surprised to see an expression he thought similar to his on Sebek’s face. But there was something else… was he really that upset that Yuu had beaten him to sitting down next to Malleus?!

   “Wait, first let’s take a picture of you guys together to celebrate,” interrupted Cater, who finished his food photoshoot. 

   “Oh, let’s,” said Lilia. His arm wrapped around Deuce’s shoulder and before he knew it, he was in the group shot of Lilia, Sebek, Kalim and Riddle.

   “I’ll send it to you guys later,” said Cater cheerfully. “Now to post it. #birthdayparty #diasomnia, that should be good enough.”

   “Deuce, where is Ace?” asked Riddle. “You two are representing our dorm in the SDC. You shouldn’t stay up too late, even if this a a special occasion.”

   “Ah, you’re right!” said Deuce as he checked the time on his phone.

   “But what were you saying earlier?” asked Lilia. “Did something happen with Yuu?” He looked truly uncomfortable still, with the guilt of having rendered Yuu drunk.

   “Nothing happened,” said Sebek. “He behaved impudently, and then went to the bathroom.”

   “What are you implying…” said Riddle.

   “Ah, uh,” said Deuce. “He said something really weird to Draconia-senpai…”

   “Did he?” All of Deuce’s senpais suddenly became alert. 

   “Where are they?” asked Riddle.

   “Riddle-kun, you’re not going to get involved in a fight with Malleus-kun, are you?” said Cater dramatically.

   “I don’t particularly want to, but it’s against the rules to get into fights. Malleus-senpai might be who he is, but that doesn’t mean he gets a pass!”

   “Well, well, what has got you so fired up, Rosehearts?” Deuce startled as Malleus suddenly approached them. “And Diamond is here too. That child of man really is good at this, uh.”

   “Malleus-kun, I hope you don’t mind us intruding,” saluted Cater totally casually. 

   “Not at all. It’s a party for everyone, after all,” replied Malleus. 

   “Malleus-senpai, did Yuu say something strange to you?” asked Riddle.

   “Everything he says is strange.” He had that right! “But I don’t mind. As it happens, he left something for you.”

   “He did?” said Riddle, shocked. “But he couldn’t have known we were coming…”

   “In the kitchen, to the right next to the fridge are plates of food for you,” informed Malleus.

   “I didn’t expect any less from our little prefect,” said Cater, running a hand in his hair. “Thanks, Malleus-kun. I’ll go get it.”

   “Did he put food aside in case more people came?” asked Riddle.

   “He specifically mentioned Diamond, and the possibility of you coming as well,” replied Malleus.

   “That’s… somewhat unsettling,” commented Riddle. 

   “Oh, I understand,” said Lilia suddenly. “Cater must’ve seen the posts me and Yuu made on Magicam.”

   “Did Yuu ask you to take pictures?” asked Deuce.

   “Yes, how did you guess? He said it would be a good thing to remember. And I might as well, since I tend to neglect my account.”

   “… I see,” said Riddle finally. “I shouldn’t have been so surprised. It was Cater who convinced me to come by.”

   “And it’s pretty nice, isn’t it?” replied Cater as he returned with the remaining two plates. “Even Vil-kun posted about it, so I had to come.”

   Malleus was looking pleased again.

   “Well, all is good then,” said Riddle, even if he still looked a bit bothered. “It’s too late to eat this food, but we’ll take it back with us.”

   “You’re welcome to do as you please,” said Malleus.

   “I have another question, Malleus-senpai,” continued Riddle in his natural voice. “Cater mentioned this was a birthday party. I didn’t think of bringing a gift, but we can at least wish that person a happy birthday. Can you tell us where they are? What, Deuce, what’s that expression?”

   “Nobody knows who it’s for,” sighed Deuce. “Yuu’s… he’s been too distracted to tell anyone.”

   “Then I’ll go find him and ask,” said Riddle. “It would be impolite to not wish anyone a happy birthday at a birthday party.”

   “Good luck,” said Deuce simply as Riddle walked away.

   “You look really tired, Deuce-chan,” said Cater. “Even if we haven’t been here for long, the party is almost over, uh?”

   “Yeah… I should go get Ace and Yuu before it gets too late.”

   “You’re planning on leaving? Then I thank you for the party, Spade,” said Malleus. “Your hard work is appreciated.”

   “Thank you, senpai!” said Deuce. “It was stressful, but a lot of fun.”

   “Yeah, I’m glad Jamil agreed to help so I could come,” added Kalim. “It’s not everyday we get to see Diasomnia like this.”

   “Indeed,” agreed Lilia. “We’re all very grateful.”

   “It was alright,” said Sebek.

   With one last nod to them, Deuce went back to their couch. Ace, Grim and Epel were still there with new plates of food, lounging around.

   “Ah, Deuce,” said Ace. “Who do you think is better at elemental magic, me or Grim?”

   “Uh, probably Grim,” replied Deuce. “He’s been using his fire magic for longer than us, has he not?”

   “Take that!” cheered Grim. “Of course it’s me, I’m going to become a great mage. Better than you, Ace!”

   “Not with the grades you keep getting,” argued Ace. “I can’t believe you’d take his side! Just because he’s been using it longer doesn’t mean he’s any better.”

   “I think you’re both pretty good,” chipped Epel in between bites of his bun.

   “Anyway, dorm leader Rosehearts is here,” said Deuce. “He reminded me we should get ready to leave soon.”

   They both pulled out their phones to check the time while Grim looked over Ace’s arm. “You’re right, it is late!” exclaimed Epel. “I hadn’t realized…”

   “Do you know where Yuu is?” asked Ace to Deuce.

   “No, but dorm leader Rosehearts went to find him,” replied Deuce thoughtfully.

   “We should go tell Rook-senpai and Vil-senpai as well,” said Epel tentatively. 

   With democratic agreement, they grabbed their plates and took them back to the kitchen window, where a few Diasomnia students had taken charge of cleaning and gathering them.

   At the main table, Ruggie was triple-knotting a large bag while chuckling to himself. As he walked away, Deuce saw Kalim and Jamil sitting on the other side, talking lazily around cake crumbs. Farther away, Rook and Cater were talking with an amused-looking Lilia and a Silver who’d finally fallen asleep. Malleus Draconia had returned to his book, with  Sebek hovering nearby. And the rest of the Diasomnia students were lounging, having soft-spoken conversations amongst themselves as the food and time finally tired them out.

   “You have a strange look on your face, Deuce-kun,” said Epel. 

   “Ah, sorry,” said Deuce. “I was thinking…”

   “Don’t hurt yourself,” jeered Ace.

   “That I’m glad I decided to come,” continued Deuce loudly. “I don’t know if I should ever doubt Yuu again after this.”

   “Well, I’m upset!” said Grim. “I wanted to come, but we missed most of it.”

   “Don’t be too sad, Grim-kun,” said Epel. “At least we got to try the food, didn’t we?”

   “Hmph, that’s true. Fine, it wasn’t that bad. But I still don’t know who Tsunotaro is!”

   “You still think Yuu’s going to tell us?” said Ace with a huff.

   “He he said he would!” argued Grim.

   “How should we go about trying to find Yuu-san and Vil-san?” asked Epel. “I can’t see them anywhere.”

   Feeling competitive, the other three took on the challenge and began making their way deeper into the lounge, towards the throne at the back. But they didn’t need to, as a commotion reached them.

   “Yuu! Wait!” It was Riddle’s voice, coming from farther ahead.

   Without hesitation, Deuce took the lead, pushing past a group of students blocking their way, only to almost crash into Azul.

   “What’s going on?” asked Deuce, but Azul was already gone, following in Vil Schoenheit’s steps, having just passed them by.

   “Look!” shouted Epel, pointing to the stairs that led to the throne, which someone— Yuu! was running up, two by two.

   “Yuu! Why are you running away?” Riddle’s voice cut across the now loud muttering once more. “We just want to know who the party is for!”

   “You ignored my schedule on purpose when you know how important the SDC is,” added Vil. “If you thought I wouldn’t look into why, you aren’t as smart as I thought you were.”

   Epel shoved past a tall students and they ended up behind a couch. Around them, a crowd was forming as students got up to leave and were stalled by the spectacle.

   There was a chorused gasp as Yuu reached the throne. On the ground stood Azul, Riddle and Vil, surrounded by empty chairs as no one else wanted anything to do with this.

   “You should just give up,” said Azul loudly. “Distractions won’t work this time. You’re definitely planning something, and I want to know what.”

   “It’s just a birthday party,” said Deuce, defeated. How had it come to this!?

   “Should we help?” asked Epel.

   “We—” began Ace.

   Higher up, Yuu put his foot on the throne’s seat and stood, right hand on his hip. Surprisingly, he was grinning, eyes gleaming behind his glasses. Around them, the noise died down as the students noticed someone was standing on the dragon-shaped throne— Malleus Draconia’s.

   “Diasomnia,” called Yuu. His voice was loud and steady. “It’s been a pleasure treating you. I hope everyone had a good time. You’ve been gracious hosts.”

   “He’s ignoring us!” exclaimed Riddle, turning red.

   Yuu reached behind himself and Deuce had to squint to see he was holding a thin but long stick with his left hand. Had he had that behind his back the whole time?

   “I know it was pretty unconventional, but I have to do with what I’m given,” continued Yuu, pinching the stick near its tip with two fingers of his right hand.

   “What is that in his hand?” asked Vil.

   “It looks like the magic sparklers from Sam-san’s shop,” replied Azul. Vil huffed in disappointment. 

   Deuce startled when the crowd shifted to let Malleus Draconia pass. His cape swishing behind him, he came to a stop besides their couch, arms crossed and eyes on Yuu.

   “In my personal opinion, it was…” Yuu was still going. Moving one foot forward, he angled the sparkler towards the ceiling, still holding it with both hands. “Utter and complete victory!”

   Throwing his right hand back, he broke the sparkler in half. Immediately it came alight, a flare showering golden sparks down below. The three dorm leaders took a careful step back.

   With a motion of his arm, the sparkler left phantom images as the magic activated. Blue and green hued trails made their way upwards, sparks blooming in their wake like fireworks. White and gold sparkles were tossed left and right with every one of Yuu’s movement, and the students began clapping.

   “It’s definitely not one of Sam-san’s,” said Azul, sounding nervous. “I’ve never seen one this flashy!”

   Yuu, invigorated by the students’ approval, tossed the sparkled up. Red flowers appeared in the colored haze, spreading and popping like fractals. They only got bigger and brighter, fueled by the flare of the sparkler, and soon Yuu was barely visible behind the wall of lights.

   “That’s so beautiful!” exclaimed Grim. “How did Yuu do that?”

   “It’s a magical sparkler, anyone can use them if you break it in half,” explained Ace. “But Azul-senpai’s right that they’re not usually that strong.”

   “Yuu probably got someone else to help him with it,” considered Deuce. 

   Walking forward with one foot hanging off the edge, Yuu leaned with his arms spread. Below, Malleus Draconia was still watching intently.

   “On this note,” cheered Yuu, right hand to his chest. “Happy birthday, and good night!”

   The sparkler blew a fuse, and fireworks sprouted faster than they vanished. Deuce found himself clapping as well, and smiled when he saw Epel do it as well.

   “I want one!” said Grim as he twirled on the back of the couch. “Do you think I could make one?”

   “Not one as good as this, that’s for sure,” replied Ace.

   “We can ask Yuu how he got it after,” said Deuce. “But first, we need to help him escape the dorm leaders!”

   “Right,” said Epel, squaring up.

   Those three had indeed remained patiently at the foot of the stairs for Yuu. The throne was a dead-end, so no matter what, he would have to come down. Deuce and Grim approached the dorm leaders while Epel and Ace moved towards the two stairways towards the throne.

   “Yuu, are you really going to stay up there?” called Vil. “Your little smoke show is a little insulting, don’t you think.”

   “As if you could hide from us for long,” added Azul.

   “Come down this instant!” ordered Riddle. “It’s against the rules to stand up on a throne!”

   But Yuu didn’t reply. The haze was clearing, and Deuce stopped in his tracks, not seeing Yuu anywhere on the throne!

   “What! Did he really slip by us?” exclaimed Azul.

   “Silly,” said Vil. “He’s hiding behind the throne, so we’ll turn our back on him and he can sneak away.”

   “You’ve caused enough trouble for today!” shouted Riddle as he blew past Epel and began climbing the stairs. “So come down and just—” Reaching the throne, he froze on the spot.

   “Are you serious?” said Vil.

   “He’s not there!” exclaimed Riddle. “He’s really gone!”

   Azul looked at Vil. who looked at Riddle, who was staring at Malleus. Deuce exchanged a look with Ace and Epel before regrouping as the dorm leaders turned around. Grim sniffed the air, an air of concentration on his face.

   “How could he have…” trailed Azul, before stumbling back, eyes wide. “That—”

   “I’ve really underestimated him, uh,” said Vil as he walked away, ceding his spot to Riddle who had come down from the throne. “No matter. Potatoes, it’s time to return to Ramshackle.”

   “Ugh,” said Ace.

   “We’re leaving without Yuu-san?” said Epel in disbelief.

   “Do not worry, Monsieur Pomette,” said Rook as he appeared from behind them. “When entering unknown territory, the most important thing to do is figure out a way back. I have no doubts that was one of the first things Yuu-kun figured out.”

   “Nyuh,” said Grim.

   “But what if Malleus-senpai finds him?” said Ace.

   “… We should go,” said Deuce. The others looked at him in surprise, except Rook. “I think Yuu will be able to deal with this on his own. We should believe in him.”

   “Thank you everyone for coming,” it was Lilia talking. “But it’s getting late, and we have classes tomorrow. It’s time we pack up and return to our beds.”

   “I declare this party over,” said Malleus. “Thank you for the work,” he added towards Deuce, before turning away.

   And thus, students began making their way to their rooms. Deuce, Ace, Epel and Grim followed Vil and Rook towards the double doors. Ruggie had already left, and Kalim and Jamil were waiting by the exit. Behind them, Riddle and Azul walked in sync as Cater caught up and joined back with his dorm leader.

   “I’m exhausted,” said Kalim. “I can’t wait to go to bed.”

   “Tomorrow, take the time you need to wake up,” said Vil with a sigh. “Better to be a little late than be too tired to practice.”

   “Thank you, Vil-senpai,” said Epel and Deuce.

   “You’re leaving?” came a voice behind them. It was Sebek. “Good night, humans!”

   “Thank you Sebek-kun,” said Epel. “Good night to you too.”

   “It will! Silver is already asleep, so I have to get him to his room,” complained Sebek as he walked away.

   “You aren’t forgetting anything?” asked Vil.

   They all stared at him.

   “Yuu can do whatever he wants,” snapped Vil. “Alright, let’s go.”

   So they left through the double doors, that Riddle gently closed behind them. It had only been a few hours, but Deuce felt as though it had taken the entire day.

   He wondered where Yuu had gone, and how had he snuck past everyone?

Two days earlier

   Yuu walked into the botanical garden, immediately pulling at his shirt collar from the uncomfortable heat and humidity. Passing by familiar trees and flowery bushes, he walked to the spot he knew was— there.

   “Good day, Leona-senpai,” saluted Yuu, his shadow cast upon the sleeping Savanaclaw dorm leader.

   Leona opened one eye and shifted on the grass as Yuu knelt nearby. With a yawn, he turned with his head resting on his elbow.

   “Are you there to bother me again?” asked Leona. Yuu twisted his head to look at him with a smile. During practical magical arts classes, Yuu would semi-regularly stop by Leona’s favorite napping spot to play chess.

   “Not this time, I was just looking for these,” replied Yuu, fanning out his hands to show Leona a bundle of flowers he’d pick. “I’m making a potion.”

   “Not in here, I hope,” said Leona.

   “Hey, it only blew up one time,” pouted Yuu. 

   Yuu got back on his feet and stretched. Leona was still watching him. 

   “Just to be sure though, these are, uh… really the ones used in making amplification potions, right?”

   “You’re making that?” asked Leona. With a groan, he sat up and ran a hand in his long hair, brushing off greenery. “Did you get in trouble again?”

   “Not at all,” replied Yuu. “I just want to amplify a sparkler I got from Sam-san.”

   Leona’s eyes widened before he burst out laughing. Yuu glared at him, hands on his hips.

   “What’s the big deal?” said Yuu over the laughter.

   “You think the sparkler can drink it? Amplifications potions don’t work that way,” informed Leona smugly. “And neither do the sparklers. They’re just glorified pre-recorded light shows.”

   “R-really…” said Yuu, glancing down sadly at the flowers in his hands. “Then, how would I make one that’s really dramatic?”

   “You’d need a mage to make it that way,” replied Leona simply as he got to his feet. Yuu moved his head up to keep looking at his expression. “You’d know that if you went to your practical magic classes.” 

   Yuu huffed. “But they’re so boring, I can’t do anything.”

   Leona smirked. “Is this sparkler thing something for you party too?”

   “You remembered,” said Yuu happily. “You’re right, I want it to create a light show big enough to attract everyone’s attention.”

   “Hmm,” hmmed Leona. “How’s planning going, anyway? Ruggie’s been complaining a lot about it, but he’s been working harder than usual.”

   “It’s going great,” informed Yuu. “I’ve convinced more people to help, and we’ll even have a cake.”

   “Sounds like a good party then.”

   “Did you want to come?” asked Yuu innocently.

   “As if I’d voluntarily go spend time in Diasomnia,” growled Leona. “I’ll just wait to hear about how long it took for everyone to run off.”

   “Is Malleus Draconia-senpai that scary?” asked Yuu.

   “Pah. Most of the students here are cowards who focus on strength alone. But you would know,” Leona smiled, “that it’s far from the only thing that matters.”

   “Are you smarter than Draconia-senpai, Leona-senpai?” 

   “He’s not dumb, but he doesn’t see things the same way we do. It leaves him open to opportunities.”

   “I see,” said Yuu. “Thank you.”

   “Is that why you want the sparkler?” asked Leona.

   “It’s never a bad idea to plan farther ahead,” replied Yuu with a motion of his hand. “And it’ll be pretty no matter what.”

   “Did you really invite him? Your friend doesn’t mind?”

   “Not personally, but I did tell Lilia-senpai he was,” said Yuu. “It would be rude not to, in his own dorm. And I don’t know about that, actually. He’s never looked bothered about anything related to his dorm.”

   Leona made a noise. “Fine, then.” And he strode away. Yuu stood there, confused.

   “Eh?” he called before running after Leona. His tail whipped against Yuu’s shins. “Am I really that annoying?”

   “I’ll make your sparkler,” said Leona without looking at Yuu.

   “Thank you, Leona-senpai,” said Yuu, beaming.

   “Don’t think it’s because I care at all,” insisted Leona. “I simply had a thought that amused me.”

   “Of course,” replied Yuu. “What would that be, though?”

   “Ah, you can figure it out yourself.”

Present time

   Yuu found himself in a hallway which he followed into another and another, until he couldn’t tell if he had just passed that large window or set of twin doors. The Diasomnia dorm felt different than the others dorms to him at that moment. With its dark stone, torchlight and high windows looking upon a stormy night, it certainly was unnerving in more obvious ways than the other six. Taking long, definitive steps, Yuu walked in the dark. He could’ve thought he was all alone in a castle.

   Turning a corner and almost tripping on his own feet, Yuu found himself in a larger room with a large window with a view of the moon. On each side of the perfectly centered carpet were bookshelves facing him and back. To the far back was a refined looking seating area, with tall backed chairs, long tables and tight-cushioned couches. He stepped forward and found himself looking up at a second floor and the glint of a silver candelabra. Now laying on the floor, Yuu found it even harder to motivate himself to move. 

   He opened his eyes to the sound of footsteps. 

   “What are you doing on the floor?” 

   Yuu waited as Tsunotaro came into view, looking as impressive as before in his dorm uniform. He was looking at Yuu with a bewildered expression, arms crossed over the book he was holding.

   “Your friends who were looking for you have gone,” he continued. “You did a good job of sneaking past everyone.”

   “So did Tsunotaro came looking for me?” asked Yuu, smiling.

   “No, I meant to return my book. But I am glad you didn’t leave without saying goodbye.” And he walked off to a shelf, side-stepping Yuu.

   “Did you think I had?” asked Yuu after a beat.

   “It’s not something that surprises me, but if Yuu had done it, I would’ve been angry.”

   “I wouldn’t. Tsunotaro does come to tell me good night, after all.”

   Tsunotaro returned to stand over Yuu, bookless. “Speaking of, you should return to your dorm and sleep.”

   “Help me up, then.” 

   Yuu extended his hand, and watched Tsunotaro consider him. Then, he felt that gloved hand brush his fingers before taking hold of his wrist. Lifting him as if he weighted nothing, Tsunotaro didn’t let go as Yuu stumbled back a few steps.

   “Did you really get drunk?” asked Tsunotaro. Then, with a more sullen expression, “If I had known I wouldn’t have let Lilia in the kitchen at all.”

   “Aha, it’s fine,” Yuu replied. “I’m just tired.”

   “You did work really hard,” Tsunotaro said, cheering up. “Thank you.”

   “Let’s sit down,” said Yuu, dragging him to one of the couches. 

   Tsunotaro let him, and together they sat down under the moon. The room was chill, but Tsunotaro was warm, and Yuu sat down close to him.

   “So you liked the party?” asked Yuu, head on Tsunotaro’s shoulder, eyelids feeling heavy. He really was sleepy.

   “Yes. It was much louder than the one on my birthday, I was surprised. Everyone was having fun.”

   “The one on your birthday wasn’t like that?”

   “No. Thanks to you, everyone had a good time as well.”

   Yuu smiled and laughed. “I do want to be honest, though.”

   “How so?” said Tsunotaro, caught off guard.

   “The reason I didn’t tell anyone it was for you… are you upset I didn’t?”

   “I already told you I don’t mind. I even gave you permission to tell them.” Tsunotaro considered this. “You must have a reason why you didn’t. It took you quite a lot of work to avoid it.”

   “But are you upset?”

   “No. I am curious.”

   Yuu stifled a yawn and pulled his glasses down a bit. At the edge of his vision, he saw Tsunotaro was watching him, his green eyes practically shining in the dark. He turned to meet them.

   “Well, I wanted to be selfish too,” said Yuu. “Tsunotaro excluded me so you could keep being ‘Tsunotaro’… but I wanted to spend time with you that wasn’t at the library or outside at night. And then everyone wanted to know who Tsunotaro was… but if Tsunotaro gets to hide it, then I should too.”

   Despite his sleepiness, Yuu’s eyes were clear as he continued. “If Tsunotaro thinks that knowing his true name means we can’t hang out like this anymore, then I won’t push.”

   Yuu was too tired to notice Tsunotaro’s full expression except that his eyes had become dark.

   “You know, I wasn’t lying earlier,” blurted Yuu.

   “Hm? About what?” Tsunotaro said after blinking in confusion, and Yuu stared some more as understanding came upon him and he blushed .

   Eh? Yuu had not expected that. Suddenly feeling himself unable to keep the conversation going, there was an awkward pause that extended exponentially. Time seemed to start again when Tsunotaro turned to him again, and Yuu realized he had been staring at him the whole time.

   “But,” began Tsunotaro has he recovered, “you’re be bound to figure out my identity. What will you do then?”

   “That’s true. But even then, the time I spent with Tsunotaro will still have been real, isn’t it? I wouldn’t want to change that.”

   Tsunotaro smiled.

   “Of course, I would rather wait for when Tsunotaro wants to say it.”

   “I’ll hold you to those words, then,” said Tsunotaro threateningly. Yuu just smiled back at him.

   “Tsunotaro should admit it too, though,” said Yuu suddenly in a different tone of voice.

   “Oh?”

   Yuu just stared at him, fighting to keep his eyes open. Tsunotaro held his gaze for a while, before finally turning away.

   “I didn’t think I had to say it,” said Tsunotaro reluctantly. “If I didn’t like spending time with you, I wouldn’t do it.”

   Yuu sighed contentedly, shifting on the couch. Tsunotaro’s coat was softer to the touch than it looked.

   “It makes me happy,” said Yuu softly, “to have Tsunotaro all to myself.”

   Yuu didn’t think to look up this time. He had lost his battle against sleep, and so the impact his words had on Tsunotaro were witnessed by no one.

   “Malleus, here you are.” It was Lilia’s voice, touched with surprise. “Why haven’t you gone to sleep? Sebek was worried no one could say where you had gone.”

   “I went looking for Yuu,” Malleus replied.

   Lilia stepped into view, having taken off his dorm uniform for the clothes he wore to bed. The moon was no longer visible through the window.

   “Oh! I thought he had left,” Lilia said as he saw the sleeping prefect. “He fell asleep on you? That brings me back.” Silver had done this same thing years ago. “It’s past midnight, though. Way past time the children went to bed.”

   “I didn’t want to wake him up,” admitted Malleus, miffed at Lilia’s scolding.

   “Really?” Lilia considered them again; Yuu sleeping with his head on Malleus’ shoulder, arms entwined. “This child is truly surprising.”

   “When I told him about my birthday, he said he was going to take revenge. I had no idea he would host a party.”

   “And what a party it was. I don’t think I’ve ever heard so much noise in this dorm since we first came here. He even brought his friends, which is hard enough for me to do,” added Lilia, dejected. “You must have done a great impression on him.”

   “Hm? We only met outside of Ramshackle dorm. He doesn’t even know who I am.”

   “And even then, he did all this work for you,” Lilia argued, smiling smugly. “Come on, aren’t you happy with the friend you made, Malleus?”

   Friend? “Yuu… is important to me.” He stopped, and Lilia’s expression became serious.

   “Is something troubling you?”

   “I keep wondering… what will happen when he finds out who I am.”

   “You’re scared he’ll come to fear you?”

   Malleus simply glanced at the sleeping Yuu still hanging onto him.

   “He said it wouldn’t bother him, but that’s a promise as easily made as it is broken,” said Malleus.

   “Let me ask you something, Malleus. Is this worry really based on the kind of person Yuu is, or your own expectations?” Before Malleus could answer, Lilia continued. “Or let me put it this way; do you really think, after all he’s done, that he would really become scared of you?”

   Malleus did not reply. 

   “Let me tell you,” continued Lilia. “He came to the light music club to ask me…”

Five days earlier

   Lilia and his fellows from the light music club were hanging out around a board game they’d ignored for thirty minutes now, when there was a knock on the door. 

   “Oh? Who could that be?” asked Lilia. “Come on in.”

   “Did a teacher need the classroom after all?” said Kalim.

   But it was not a teacher who entered the room, and instead a student wearing a gray uniform that Lilia recognized as the one living at Ramshackle.

   “Yuu-chan! What’s up?” saluted Cater.

   “Hello,” replied Yuu. “Sorry to bother you all.”

   “Oh, you’re no bother, Yuu!” reassured Kalim. “Did you want to join us?”

   “I just have a question for Lilia-senpai,” replied Yuu as he approached carefully.

   “Me?” said Lilia, surprised. 

   Yuu nodded. “I was wondering if I could throw a party in Diasomnia.”

   “Eh?!” blurted Cater and Kalim.

   “Oh, really? What for?” asked Lilia after an instant of surprise.

   “It’s for my friend’s birthday,” replied Yuu, running a hand in his hair.

   “Then won’t there already be a party?” asked Cater. “Why do you want to throw it yourself?”

   “It’s my gift to him,” replied Yuu. 

   “That’s a really good gift idea,” complimented Kalim.

   “Thank you, Kalim,” said Yuu.

   “Wait, so you made a friend in Diasomnia?” asked Cater with belated realization.

   “Yes, we run into each other sometimes,” explained Yuu. “And he didn’t invite me to his birthday party,” he added childishly.

   “I see,” said Lilia thoughtfully. “And you’re asking me because I’m the vice housewarden?”

   “Yeah, I don’t know where to find Malleus-senpai,” said Yuu with a shrug.

   “Because you were planning on asking him?!” said Cater.

   “Well, he’s dorm leader,” stated Yuu with raised eyebrows. “It’d be expected, no?”

   “Yuu-chan, sometimes I wonder about your self preservation instinct…”

   “Come on Cater, what could Malleus have against throwing a birthday party for a friend?” argued Kalim. “Lilia, you know him better than us. Would he really mind?”

   “Of course not,” replied Lilia. “No one from outside our dorm has ever offered to host a party at Diasomnia before. So why not? I give you permission.”

   “Yay, thank you Lilia,” said Yuu cheerfully. 

   “So you’re really serious about this, Yuu-chan?” asked Cater.

   “Of course,” said Yuu. “I’m going to recruit cooks to help me feed the whole dorm.”

   Cater was staring at Yuu as if he’d grown cat ears. “Sorry to be a bummer, but I can’t believe you’ll convince anyone to go there with you. Malleus-kun has too much of a reputation.”

   “Ace and Deuce said the same thing,” said Yuu.

   “Malleus enjoys parties quite a lot,” said Lilia in a dull tone. “So don’t be afraid to host your party, Yuu. I’m sure he would love to go too.”

   “Really?” said Kalim. “I had no idea… I always thought Malleus wasn’t very social.”

   “I don’t think that’s the issue…” said Cater, eyes on his phone.

   Yuu had been looking at Lilia the whole time. Lilia hadn’t made much of an impression of him the few times they met, but at that moment Lilia knew he was missing something.

   “Then Lilia-senpai, make sure to invite Malleus-senpai too,” said Yuu with bright eyes. “It’s his dorm, is it not? It would be rude not to.”

   “Aha!” Lilia laughed to avoid silence. He had to admit, he hadn’t expected that. “I’m suddenly even more invested now. If there’s anything you need for your preparations, let me know and I’ll see what I can do.”

   “Thank you, Lilia-senpai,” repeated Yuu. “I will.”

   “Yuu-chan, you could’ve started trouble anywhere but you chose Diasomnia?” sighed Cater. “What’s your plan if something goes wrong and Malleus-kun gets upset?”

   “I’ll just get out of it like we usually do,” replied Yuu with a smile.

   “Yuu, Malleus isn’t like everyone else, though…” added Kalim nervously.

   “Ace and Deuce also said something like that,” said Yuu. “But surely Cater-senpai sees things differently, being Draconica-senpai’s equal.”

   “Equal? Yuu-chan, didn’t you listen at all when I told you about the dorms…” sighed Cater, clearly uncomfortable. Yuu was smiling. “Malleus-kun is one of the five strongest mages in the world. My magic compared to his is like a drop out of a paint bucket.”

   “Oh,” said Yuu.

   “Cater’s right,” said Kalim. “You should’ve seen him during the Spelldrive tournament! Even Jamil couldn’t do anything.”

   “He’s become a strong mage already, hasn’t he?” mused Lilia. “And to think not too long ago I was still picking up after him.” Yuu’s eyes widened as he glanced his way.

   “Malleus-kun is kinda volatile, too…” dared Cater with a similar look. “And with how easily trouble finds Yuu-chan, it’s probably not a good idea to risk it.”

   “Don’t worry, I’ll be keeping an eye on him,” reassured Lilia. “You’re not entirely wrong, but since Yuu invited him I doubt anything could bother him.”

   “Oh?” echoed Yuu.

   “It’s true we often forget to invite him…” said Kalim uncomfortably.

   “It’s a work in progress,” sighed Lilia.

   Yuu was considering them intently while pretending not to. “Lilia-senpai, you can tell Malleus Draconia-sama he’s specifically invited, then.”

   “Eh?” exclaimed the other three.

   “It’s a party for my friend, I want it to go well,” continued Yuu. “Actually, perfect. If inviting Malleus-senpai makes him happy, then it’s bound to go down much more easily, no?”

   Lilia laughed once more as Cater sighed for another time. “That’s a wonderful way of thinking,” complimented Lilia.

   “Should I look forward to this level of risk for my own birthday party, then?” said Cater.

   “No,” replied Yuu.

   “Eehh, utter rejection~ Yuu-chan’s so mean. Aren’t I your friend too?”

   “This friend is different,” insisted Yuu. “I don’t care how scary Draconia-senpai is. If he wants to stop my party, I’ll challenge him to a fight.”

   “You know Yuu, I thought you were a pretty easy-going person,” said Kalim. “But it looks like you’re prepared to go through a lot to show that person how much they mean to you. It’s really nice to see.”

   “Yeah,” said Cater. “You should introduce me next, hm?”

   “For sure,” said Yuu noncommittally. “Alright, I’ll be going now. Bye bye, senpais.”

   And so Yuu turned on his heel and exited the way he came. Lilia stared at the door for a moment.

   “Is that really going to be alright?” said Cater. “Yuu-chan’s kind of a troublemaker, you know.”

   “Truly? Then it should only make it more interesting, won’t it?” said Lilia.

   Kalim, who had been looking conflicted, rose to his feet. “Sorry Cater, Lilia, I’ll go after Yuu!”

   “What for?” asked Cater as Kalim was hurrying out.

   “To help him, of course!” replied Kalim before he left their sight and the door closed behind him.

   “Maybe it won’t be so bad then, if Kalim-kun is there too,” said Cater. 

   Lilia just smiled contentedly, thinking about an holiday greeting card.

Present time

   “He judged inviting you was the best course of action,” said Lilia with a wave of his hand. “So if I were you, I wouldn’t underestimate him so much.”

   Malleus considered Lilia’s words. After tonight, he was realizing that he hadn’t truly understood the depth of Yuu’s manipulative nature.

   “It seems more likely he’d try to involve you in his schemes than avoid you,” added Lilia, as if sharing his thought.

   “He’s already started,” replied Malleus. “But I don’t mind. If he goes too far, I’ll just leave him to deal with the consequences.”

   Lilia laughed. “So I assume you found no problem in his plan tonight?”

   Malleus looked at the sleeping Yuu again. “I should probably wake him.”

   “We have empty rooms,” said Lilia off-handedly. “Why don’t you take him there? Everyone in Ramshackle must be asleep already.”

   “Alright,” said Malleus.

   “Good night, Malleus,” said Lilia.

   “Good night, Lilia.”

A day later

   Another cold night as Yuu made his way across the garden to the usual spot. The sky was clear and the fairy lights reflected on the snow. This time, he didn’t even have his inner vest on, and Malleus smiled at his bedraggled state. 

   “Good night,” he saluted.

   “Hello, Tsunotaro,” said Yuu with a stretch. His dark curls kept moving as though given life by the breeze.

   “I see you made it back safely.”

   “Thanks to Tsunotaro,” said Yuu, bringing two fingers to his brow. “Sorry I fell asleep on you yesterday, I didn’t realize I was that tired.”

   “You’re constantly napping throughout the day,” said Tsunotaro, crossing his arms.

   Yuu laughed, bringing out what remained of the sparkler from under his belt. “Did you like it?”

   “It was entertaining,” replied Malleus. As he spoke, Yuu broke it in two again, and it came to life again. Golden sparks burst between them. “Oh, there was still magic left.”

   Yuu extended his arm slightly, lit by the bright light. “I really liked it. Leona-senpai did a good job.”

   “So it was Kingscholar who helped you make it?” said Malleus, surprised despite himself. Yuu nodded, and handed it to him. 

   Malleus took it gingerly. He had never used one of these sparklers before. “Are you not afraid to be spotted?”

   “We can just run away if someone comes out,” replied Yuu. “I know how to sneak back in through the window.”

   Malleus laughed. “If you need you can always come spend the night in Diasomnia again, if you dare.”

   “I’d just get lost by myself,” said Yuu sullenly. “I remember Tsunotaro’s offer to show me around though. Next time, teach me about the gargoyles.”

   “Very well. Did Schoenheit and Asim say anything about your party?”

   “Vil kept making comments about the cake and buns,” said Yuu. “I think he must’ve eaten some to complain that much. Kalim was tired the whole day and Ace made fun of him. It kept being brought up, so it was really a success, wasn’t it?”

   “Indeed. One day, you should tell me all about what you did,” said Malleus with a wave of his hand. “Will you do another party for your birthday?”

   “Oh, my birthday,” said Yuu, suddenly stiff. “Right.”

   “That reminds me I don’t know the date. Do you want a gift?”

   “Ah, don’t worry. My birthday’s already passed. I didn’t think anyone would care, so I just didn’t mention it!”

   … eh?