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The air in the hallway was agitated this afternoon. Some students stood at the sides, muttering to themselves about the source of all this sudden agitation. Who was the reason behind this sudden feeling of apprehension, one may ask?
Believe it or not, it came from a certain hyena boy from Savanaclaw.
It was rare whenever Ruggie Bucchi was in a bad mood, but with the way he was growling under his throat, his shoulders were tense, his bristling tail was standing straight up, and his ears were low, that’s when the others knew that they had to give him a wide berth. He might not have as imposing of an aura as Leona’s, but even so, the students knew it was best to just stay out of his way until he cooled down. After all, an angry hyena could be just as nasty as an angry lion, and they’d rather not take chances.
“Man, that lousy Leona…” Ruggie grumbled as he stormed down the hallway. “I am so done with that no-good punk!” He groaned as he ran his fingers through his spiky dandelion hair before he sighed. “I mean, where does he even get off?!”
And as if that wasn’t his bad enough, his stomach gave a deep growl, causing him to sigh as he placed his hand over it. If there was one thing that Grammy Bucchi taught him as a child, it was that being angry on an empty stomach only served to make you hungrier. It was just too bad he missed lunch, today, and as it happened, it was Bakery Day, again. If he wasn’t busy securing Leona’s favorite deluxe mincemeat cutlet sandwich, he would have nabbed something for himself.
As Ruggie kept walking, he suddenly found himself stumbling forward as someone bumped into him from behind. He didn’t fall down onto the ground, but still, due to his current emotional state, it only served to sour his mood even more. He snarled, showing his sharp teeth before he whirled around to face the perpetrator.
“Hey!” the hyena snapped. “Why don’t you watch where you’re go-”
“Oh! Sorry about that, Ruggie!”
Ruggie froze as he realized that it was none other than Yuuki Hajime… who, for some odd reason, was wearing her Ceremonial Robes: the kind that the students would wear for special occasions such as orientation.
“I didn’t mean to bump into you,” Yuuki said as she dusted herself off as if nothing had even happened. “Are you okay?”
“Oh! Hey, Yuuki,” Ruggie said, immediately dropping his hostile mood… mainly because he knew better than to yell at Yuuki, of all people. Sure, there were students at this school that you should never make angry, but Yuuki was definitely someone you didn’t want to make angry. Underneath that sweet, soft-spoken demeanor lay a volatile temper that was bound to erupt when she was pushed too far.
Leona found that out the hard way.
“What are you doing out here?” asked Yuuki.
“Uh… I was just… y’know, lettin’ off steam,” Ruggie replied with a shrug, and that was when he noticed that she was wearing her robes. “Uh… any particular reason why you’re wearin’ those Ceremonial Robes, Yuuki? Unless I missed the memo, I don’t think there’s anything special going on.”
“Oh, these?” Yuuki asked as she sheepishly looked at her choice of clothing. “I’m just wearing these for now because my clothes are in the wash.”
“Ah,” Ruggie nodded.
“But you never really answered my question, Ruggie,” Yuuki said, her face softening with concern. “Are you okay?”
“Ugh… I’ve been better,” Ruggie answered, folding his ears back and snarling slightly, showing his glinting fangs. “I’ve been on my feet, all day, and I hadn’t had a break!”
Gruuuumble…
“Uh… what was that?” Yuuki asked as she heard a rather unsettling noise, prompting Ruggie to sigh as he put his hands over his stomach with his tail sagging and ears drooping.
“My stomach,” the hyena boy answered. “I haven’t had breakfast and I didn’t even have lunch, yet! I’m so hungry, I don’t think I can make it to dinner!”
Yuuki rolled her eyes. She knew that Ruggie had an immense appetite and was always one to stuff his face whenever he had the chance. Of course, she couldn’t really blame him. From what she had heard from Leona, Ruggie was born in a poor environment where food and money were scarce. Any opportunity when the hyena got to eat his fill was a blessing to him.
“You know, Ruggie,” Yuuki said, “if you want, you can come to the Ramshackle Dorm. I can whip something up for you.”
“Wait, for real?” Ruggie asked with his eyes going wide. “I mean… I don’t wanna trouble you or anything, but if you’re offering, I guess it would be rude to refuse.”
“Great! Let’s go!” Yuuki replied before she soon led Ruggie away, the latter wagging his tail happily as he thought of whatever dish the former was planning to make.
~TWST~
“Grim, I’m back!”
Grim opened his eyes as he heard Yuuki open the door, having been dozing on the couch the whole time, then let out a yawn as he stretched his paws, his little claws poking out before he got down to go greet his Prefect. The drawing room was as clean as could be, free of litter and dust, and the furniture nice and straightened. There was even a little wooden table with a blanket on top in the middle of the room.
“You sure keep this place better than Leona keeps his room clean,” Ruggie mused.
“Thanks,” Yuuki replied. “It’s not easy with Grim around and whenever Ace and Deuce come to spend the night over. I usually pick up empty potato chip bags and instant ramen cups the next day.”
“Hah…?” Grim muttered. “What’s Ruggie doin’ here?”
“I brought Ruggie here so he can get some lunch,” Yuuki answered as she headed to the kitchen.
“Oh, are you makin’ food?” Grim asked, immediately lighting up. “Count me in, y’know! I want some, too!”
“Yes, yes, Grim, you can have some, too,” said Yuuki as she opened the fridge and brought out some beef striploin, some onions, both green and white, some rice from the pantry, and some other things.
“So whatcha makin’?” Ruggie asked as he took a seat.
“Oh, you’ll see,” Yuuki answered as she went about seasoning the meat with salt and pepper, drizzling it with olive oil to make a nice quick marinade, and then went about chopping the white onions, and mixing soy sauce with sugar, vinegar, and water. Soon, she placed the beef on a pan, where the air was found with the sound of their sizzle, and the scent of the meat combined with the seasonings wafted through the air. Grim’s and Ruggie’s stomachs started grumbling at the smell as drool dripped from their lips.
After a few minutes, Yuuki took the meat off the pan and proceeded to wrap the striploin up in parchment paper to keep them safe from any insects, as well as to soak up any extra grease, then she put the soy sauce mixture into the pan along with the chopped white onions. She sniffed a bit, feeling them sting at her eyes, but she managed to shake it off before she continued to let them simmer, then took them and strained them before she went to take the rice out of the cooker.
“Almost done, guys,” she called as she pulled out three bowls and scooped the rice inside, then after slicing the beef, she placed the strips on top of the rice, followed by the simmered white onions, green onions, and finally, drizzled the sauce on top. “Okay, Grim, Ruggie, here you go! It’s steak donburi!”
“Oh, man, that looks delicious!!” Ruggie exclaimed as Yuuki set a bowl down in front of him.
“Let’s dig in!!” Grim exclaimed before he proceeded to devour his. “Mmmm~! The beef is so tender and I can chew it so easily! And the sauce is such a mixture of sweet and savory! The rice soaks in the sauce and juices, creating a harmony of flavor!”
“In other words, it’s good, right?” Yuuki asked as she ate her own steak donburi.
“This is way better than good!” Ruggie declared as he shoveled bite after bite into his mouth. “Mmm… I just can’t stop eating this!”
Yuuki chuckled as she took a bite out of her own meal, glad that her cooking was being enjoyed.
Before too long, the rice bowls had been emptied, and Ruggie was leaning back in his chair, sighing in satisfaction while Grim was sprawled out on the table, his belly stuffed to bursting and his mouth gaping open in a dazed smile.
“Man, that was so good,” Ruggie said before he burped. “Oof… ’scuse me.”
“Glad you liked that meal,” Yuuki replied. “So, now that you’ve eaten… do you wanna tell me what put you in such a bad mood?”
Ruggie’s eyes widened as he looked at Yuuki, who looked at him with soft, concerned eyes… and suddenly, he sighed as he scratched the back of his head.
“You really wanna know?” he asked, prompting the Ramshackle Prefect to nod her head, causing him to scowl as he crossed his arms. “It’s… Leona. I just… I can’t
deal
with him, anymore!”
“What did Leona do, this time?” Yuuki asked.
“It’s what he’s NOT doing that’s the problem!” Ruggie complained. “All I hear, day in and day out, is ‘Ruggie, do this’ or ‘Ruggie, do that’! I’m at my wit’s end, here! When I’m not yanking him outta bed, I’m stuck cleaning his room, and when I’m not doing that, he makes me go get his damn lunch for him! And after I practically break my back putting away all his dirty clothes, he messes the room up all over, again!”
“Oof…” Yuuki winced. “Sorry, Ruggie.”
“After all the crap I do for him, do I even hear a ‘Thanks, Ruggie’ or ‘Good job, Ruggie’?” Ruggie asked. “Answer: NO! I just… ugh…! Does he even understand how that makes me feel, at all?! Just one word of thanks is all I ask!”
A pause… before Yuuki smiled as she leaned forward, putting her elbow on the table and propping her chin on her palm.
“So you feel like Leona doesn’t appreciate what you do for him?” she asked.
“Of course, he doesn’t,” Ruggie answered as he looked away with a pout. “Then again, I shouldn’t expect so much from a spoiled guy like that.”
“Leona can be pretty abrasive, can’t he?” Yuuki asked. “But… maybe that’s not entirely true. I think he does appreciate the things you do for him.”
“Oh, yeah, right,” Ruggie scoffed. “And I’m guessin’ he told you this, himself?”
“Actually, yes,” Yuuki answered.
“Wait, wha…?” Ruggie muttered, taken completely by surprise.
~Yesterday afternoon~
Classes were out for the day, and while Ace and Deuce were at their clubs, Yuuki decided to one of her favorite places in the school: the Botanical Garden. Not only was it a nice quiet place to do her drawing… but it was also a place where she would often come to hang out with a certain prince.
Hidden behind the shrubbery and lying in the shade of the cherry willow tree, Yuuki was by Leona Kingscholar’s side, the leonine prince lounging beside her with his head propped on one hand. His tail was gently flicking against the ground and his emerald eyes smoldered while Yuuki was lying on her side, as well, telling him a rather interesting story about what happened in Alchemy Class earlier that day.
“The next thing I know,” Yuuki began, “I turn around and Ace has all those little mandrake roots clinging to him! It was hilarious!”
“What an idiot,” Leona smirked.
“And then during P.E., Floyd had…” Yuuki started before she trailed off and chuckled in slight embarrassment. “Sorry, Leona. I guess I rambled, huh? I’ve been talking about my day but I haven’t asked about yours yet.”
“Eh, I don’t mind,” Leona shrugged. “I like hearing you prattle on. It’s interesting, hearing about you and your herbivore buddies.”
Yuuki giggled a bit before she reached over and gently touched his hand, causing him to glance down as her fingertips lightly touched his thumb. “So, how was your day? Get up to anything interesting?”
“Not really,” Leona replied with his usual blasé tone . “…Ah, wait. I did run into Vil this morning.”
“Oh?” Yuuki asked. “And what’d he say, this time?”
“Oh, you know how he likes to nitpick about everything,” Leona shrugged. “Today, he got on me about a loose button on my shirt.” He huffed indignantly. “Pain in my ass, I tell ya. I asked Ruggie to fix it for me when I got back, though.”
“Hmm… Ruggie sure does a lot for you, huh?” Yuuki asked.
“Pretty much,” Leona replied.
“Do you ever… you know, think about thanking him?” Yuuki inquired.
A pause… before Leona sighed and rolled over onto his other side with his back facing the Prefect, who sat up.
“Leona?” she asked.
“Well… I mean… err…” Leona muttered.
“What is it?” Yuuki asked. “Come on, you can tell me.”
Leona sighed as he rubbed his temple with two fingers. “I’m not good with this emotional crap…” He then rolled back over so that he was facing Yuuki directly, again. “It’s… not like I’m ungrateful to Ruggie or anything. I know I put him through hell, always making him do my chores… but he’s been with me as far back as I can remember. Most people don’t wanna be around me because I think I’m so surly and approachable… but Ruggie…”
“He’s different, you might say?” Yuuki asked.
“Yeah,” Leona replied. “And… even after that mess during the Magift Tournament, when…” He trailed off as he recalled that horrid memory: seeing Ruggie struggling to breathe as Leona grabbed him and used his Unique Magic on him… seeing his skin crack and turn pale… even now, the image sent an uncomfortable shiver down his spine. Yuuki’s eyes softened before she gently reached over and gave his hand a little squeeze, causing him to glance at her before he let out another sigh.
“Look, don’t tell Ruggie I told you this,” he said, “but… despite everything… he’s pretty much my best friend.”
Yuuki’s eyes went wide.
“I mean… he’s pretty much stuck by me all the time,” Leona replied. “He might nag me, but he’s one of the few people who actually think I’m worth something… and… maybe I should let him know I appreciate the things he does. I just… don’t really know how to tell him, you know what I mean? I’m not some mushy guy.”
“I hear you,” Yuuki replied. “Gotta keep appearances, right?”
“Hmph,” Leona smirked. “You always were one to catch on quickly.”
~Flashback end~
Ruggie stared at Yuuki in disbelief at what he had just heard while the girl smiled at him while she leaned against the table. Even Grim, who had just finished stuffing himself with his steak donburi, was surprised. They had never known Leona to ever delve into such sentimental thoughts like that, let alone open up about them.
Then again, Yuuki always seemed to have this way of bringing out a person’s innermost thoughts.
“He… seriously said that?” Ruggie asked.
“Yeah,” Yuuki replied. “So, you see, Ruggie… it’s not like he doesn’t appreciate you. Leona just has trouble saying how. He might not admit it, but he needs you in more ways than one. I’m not saying you should forgive him right away if you don’t want to. It’s just something to think about.”
Ruggie sat there, deeply contemplating what Yuuki had told him. He had to admit, it was a bit hard to digest. He had never really known Leona to actually care… but then again, after that whole mess during the Magift Tournament and after the prince’s Overblot incident, it really started to put things in perspective for him.
It was a reminder that deep down, Leona was just as human (despite being a lion) as anyone else here.
~TWST~
“Thanks, again, Yuuki!”
“No problem, Ruggie! You’re welcome back, anytime!”
Ruggie smiled as he left the Ramshackle Dorm, feeling satisfied with the meal he had gotten. However, as he headed toward the school’s courtyard…
“For goodness sake, Leona! I can’t believe you!”
“Will you stop nagging me? Jeez, you’re worse than Ruggie!”
“Huh?” Ruggie muttered as he heard those familiar voices, and as he looked across the courtyard, he could see Leona and Pomefiore’s housewarden, Vil Schoenheit, amongst the old apple trees. The former was giving the young actor a threatening snarl while his tail lashed back and forth behind him, but the latter only bit back with his usual venomous attitude. Obviously, it seemed the Vil was giving Leona one of his “critiques”, again.
“Honestly, look at this!” shouted Vil as he pointed at a visible stain on Leona’s vest. “What makes you think you can just go around with such an unsightly stain?! Do you have any self-respect?! And you call yourself a housewarden!”
“Will you get the hell off my back, already?!” asked Leona. “What are you, my Mother?!”
“Hey, what’s goin’ on here?” Ruggie asked as he walked over.
“Ah, Ruggie,” Vil acknowledged. “Thank goodness.” He then pointed a thumb at Leona, who sneered at him indignantly. “Can you PLEASE do something about your housewarden? He’s completely out of control!”
“Oh, what, so you’re gonna tell Ruggie on me?” Leona asked.
Ruggie paused as he stared at his benefactor… before he heaved a quiet sigh and grinned that toothy hyena grin of his.
“Ah, what are ya gonna do?” he asked before he walked over to the lion’s side. “You’re really hopeless without me, huh, Boss?”
“Huh?” Leona asked, hunching an eyebrow in perplexity. “What are you going on about, now?”
“Don’t worry about it,” Ruggie replied as he tucked his hands behind his head. “Come on, let’s head back to Savanaclaw so I can wash out that vest! I gotta wash some of my stuff, anyway.”
“Hmph,” Leona scoffed as he walked alongside his right-hand hyena. “Whatever.”
As they walked away, Ruggie glanced over at Leona… before a small smile appeared on his lips.
‘Thanks, Boss…’
Meanwhile, Vil just stared after the Savanaclaw pair while blinking owlishly.
“…Did those two have some sort of disagreement?” he asked.