Chapter Text
Was proposing a completely new tradition to a centuries-long established school just so that your incompetent friends could finally ask each other out completely insane? Yes, absolutely. Yuu was not about to deny that. But desperate times called for desperate measures, and everyone in their friend group was sick of this romantic standstill between Epel and Deuce. Something had to be done, and this was the best idea Yuu had.
“Prom..?” The headmage, Dire Crowley, tilted his head to the side in both confusion and curiosity.
“Yeah! It’s a pretty normal tradition back in my world.” Yuu explained. “It’s basically a large party to celebrate the end of the school year.”
“A party?”
“Yeah, with like, dancing and food and… stuff.” To be completely honest, Yuu had never attended a prom before. It was usually a party only for juniors and seniors (which they were purposefully leaving out of their explanation), and they had only been a freshman when they were transported to Twisted Wonderland. But they did know some amount of information about it through pop culture osmosis and tween-girl sitcoms. That should be enough information to convince Crowley of this idea, given he would take any excuse not to be researching ways to find Yuu a way home. “I was just thinking that despite all the school events Night Raven has, they’re all competitive.
“So, since you did enroll me to help the students have a bit more camaraderie with each other, I thought an event like this could help!”
“Hm, you may have a point there…” Crowley raised his finger to his chin as he pondered Yuu’s proposal. “But I am unsure if the students would even want to do such an event without any competition involved.”
“Headmage, you wound me. You really think I wouldn’t have already thought of that?” They clasped their hands together for dramatic effect. “Leading up to the dance, there can be a ‘Creative Ask Competition’! People can ask either a friend or a partner to the dance, but it has to be super extravagant and special to win the contest. And whoever wins this contest gets two free tickets to the event.”
Yuu decided not to include the added competition of prom king, as they knew the competition would be way too vicious. Being called king, for even just one night, may be too much power for any NRC student. The Creative Ask Contest would also give further motive for Deuce to ask Epel out. Yuu knew that both Deuce and Epel were too competitive to turn down a challenge like this, no matter how nervous they may be at the idea of it.
“Ahh, brilliant!” Crowley exclaimed in his ever-dramatic tone. “A competition leading up to the event would provide plenty motive to take part, but then all that tension would be gone during the actual party.”
“Exactly!”
Crowley shot up from his chair with a large smile on his face, his arms extended wide as if he was presenting a marvelous treasure. “I will get in contact with the housewardens immediately to start the planning of this event!”
Yuu chuckled to themselves at how predictable the headmage was as they were quickly escorted out.
“Oh Yuu, I can always depend on you to have such wonderful ideas.” Crowley patted Yuu on the head before slamming the doors to his office shut in front of their face. They turned to their two accomplices who had been eagerly waiting just outside.
“So?” Ace asked expectedly as Grim clung to his shoulder.
Yuu looked at them with a mischievous glimmer visible in their eyes. “Operation AppleJuice is a go!”