A/N: I deeply apologize for my freaking brother's mistake in publishing this chapter, so... Yeah... It's my brother who accidentally published the recent one, not me. He is one sneaky bitch
I might or might not update on weekends because me playing some things [duskwood, hehe], but don't worry I'll keep in touch, and about the side adventures, I'll put it on hiatus along with the other one
[𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 - 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐱 𝐚𝐧𝐝 (𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞)'𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧]
"Hello, Grandpa Crux." (Name) greeted.
"Hello, Young Mistress (Name)." Crux bowed as he smiled at the girl. "What can I do for you?"
"Good thinking..."
(Name) secretly took the notes that Azul gave to the boy cats. Somehow, she thought that it may help her for the boys to get free. After all, it's connected to Azul, which means they are things that can be discovered using Crux...
"Here, Grandpa Crux." (Name) placed it in front of Crux. "Can you give me details about the person who made it?"
"Unfortunately, I can't give a lot of information as I used to, Mistress." Crux apologized. "We're from another world like you said, we're in Twisted Wonderland. Yet, I still have the knowledge that can help you."
"Even small information is fine, I'm not pushing you too much, Grandpa Crux." She assured. "I really need it."
"Please be patient for a while." Cue for the sleeping Crux.
Something is wrong. Crux knows something that she didn't know. Yes, she once visited the Celestial Spirit World with Lucy, but that was one time only. She can feel that she has a connection to this world, but how?
"AhaHAHhahahHAHAHAHahahahAH!"
"Geh!"
"Are you okay, Mistress?" Crux asked as he saw (Name) fell on the chair she was sitting in.
"I-I'm fine, Grandpa Crux." (Name) re-assured, sitting back. "So, anything?"
"The one who made, it is named Azul Ashengrotto." Crux started. "His magic is called as 'It's a deal'. His magic power can rival men named Riddle Rosehearts and Leona Kingscholar. About his past... Hm... It's very foggy for me to see."
"It's fine." (Name) sighed sadly.
"Don't worry, Mistress! That doesn't mean I have noting report about it," Crux declared. "It seems that he's a mermaid. I think he was a bit chubby and a crybaby because I saw some mermaids hurting him."
"Mh-mm..." (Name) nodded. "No more?"
"Then a black ink started to cover the scene, that's all."
"Black ink..." (Name) raised an eyebrow. "... Why does it sound familiar?"
"PREFECT HEARTFILIA!!!" Someone suddenly entered the room they were in. "A bunch of students is picking up a fight on Grim!"
"Grim?! O-Ok, I'll be there for a minute!" She closed her notepad and closed Crux's gate. 'Why is the black ink familiar?'
[𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 - 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐱 𝐚𝐧𝐝 (𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞)'𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧]
*DRIP!* *DRIP!* *DROP!*
[𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 - 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐚'𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧]
"Leona-san, a letter arrived that's addressed for you." A Savanaclaw resident shoved a letter into Leona's hands. It was full of lion stickers, hearts, and with a sticker word 'Leona-oji-tan'.
"You can leave me alone," Leona ordered the resident.
Typical letters of young Cheka, but this time, Leona used it to his advantage. He's been suspecting (Name) for quite a long time now. Ever since the entrance ceremony, where she appeared out of nowhere, his lion instincts kicked in. When (Name)'s scent passed him, the way he scrunched his face was very unusual to him...
Her scent, her scent was so different from the others. That was the very first time he smelt someone like her. At first, he didn't bother to give a shit about it, but when she stepped on his tail and sniffed her again, he was sure that this girl is from another world...
"Ne~! Leona-san has a card from his cute, little nephew again~! Shishishishishishi~!" Ruggie snickered from his back.
"Tch! Shut up, Ruggie, or I'll sew your mouth shut."
"As if you can do that~!" The hyena teased.
"I'm so tired of this shit..."
Leona opened the letter, as usual, a cute yellow paper with lion stickers. But, there was a white envelope inside. The royal family of Afterglow have electronic devices as well, not just royal things, they use them for searching people's identities in the whole Twisted Wonderland, that's why Leona wanted to prove that (Name) wasn't from here at all...
"Read it, Ruggie."
"EH?! ME?! THIS IS FOR YOU!"
"Nah, don't care."
"Arghh!!! Fine!" Ruggie took the yellow paper inside. " 'Dear Uncle Leona...' "
'When will you go home, Uncle? Papa and Mama said that they'll prepare a big feast in the castle just for you! C'mon Uncle! Aren't you supposed to be flattered or to be happy? Or are you just a tsundere? Hm... What's a tsundere again? Ah! You're lying from what you really feel! Aha!
By the way, Uncle Leona, why do you want to know anything about (Name)-nee-chan? Hm... I wonder... Let me guess! Are you gonna ask her out? Then propose to her? Get married then? PLEASE MARRY (NAME)-NEE-CHAN!!! I REALLY WANT A BABY COUSIN!!! Then I gotta call her Auntie (Name)!
The documents that you wanted are inside the white envelope!
P.S.: Hurry and get me a baby cousin, Uncle Leona!'
"Pfft! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Ruggie couldn't stop laughing. "Auntie (Name)-- PFFT!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
"Stop laughing, Ruggie." Leona angrily hissed. "Go laugh in your room, not here."
Ruggie made his way to his room, laughing at the letter. As the quiet atmosphere came back, Leona opened the white envelope. It was only one paper, sign one of (Name)'s case. Normally, a person holds a lot of things that are according to him and true...
"Hm..."
~
Documents
Name: (Name) Heartfilia
Gender: Female
Occupation: Student
Age: 16
Guardian/s: Dire Crowley, Divus Crewel, Mozus Trein, Ashton Vargas
Mother: Unknown
Father: Unknown
~
Sighing in defeat, he threw the documents away, "This is no use..."
"Leona-senpai."
"Huh?" Leona looked at the source of the voice. "Oh, the 1st year brat. What do you want?"
"I've got the news."
"Bombs away."
"The Headmaster just call (Name)-san with a royal title, 'Your Highness'..."
"He did?"
"I can assure you that he did."
"Now, leave me alone."
[𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 - 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐚'𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧]
~ 3rd Person's Perspective ~
"Jade, make sure you'll put this potion on her teacup."
"Mind if I ask, what potion is that?"
He chuckled, "A potion that'll make my plan a success without her laying around to help those poor, unfortunate souls. One day, I'll take her magic."
"Fufu~! If you say so, Azul, but I must warn you." The other one chuckled. "She's cunning like you."
"Let's see then. Now, I must go chat with my current client."
~ (Name)'s Perspective ~
"Your left eye is swollen," Carla pointed out, touching the sides of my left eye. "I know you slept well yesterday. Did you cry again?"
"No biggie," I assured, putting her hands away from my face. "I'm okay, so don't worry about me."
She doesn't look convinced, for me to sigh in defeat, "It's the family picture again, right?"
"You caught me." I chuckled a bit. "I wished I left it back home."
"Oh, hush, you dummy!"
*smack!*
"That really hurts, you know..."
We're outside the Octavinelle Dorm, waiting for Jack. Yeah, yeah, I know what you're thinking. Jack already suspects me that we're from another world, me. It seems that he's getting close so he can know my secret...
"A-Am I interrupting something?"
Carla and I looked behind, "Oh, no, Jack." I retorted. "Carla, here, just lectures me about things again."
"O-Ok..."
"You better watch out, Jack," Carla warned. "Know your boundaries in everything and choices about anything. You might be fighting the wrong people."
"I'm very aware, Carla-san." Jack firmly affirmed.
"Stop chatting. I'm also pissed because the boys dragged me into a mess again." I cut the tension between them with crossed arms. "Next time, I won't help them again."
"Tch! I don't really care about those boys." Carla sassed. "I only came here because of you. And to assure you're not doing anything about 'that' again, do you understand?"
"Yeah, yeah. Sure."
So Carla also noticed it, huh. Jack's smart, playing dumb and naive, but using it to his advantage on getting information about me. I wonder if he's working with someone. Leaking my information for something...
"Shall we?" I asked as I tilted my head on my shoulder.
"Of course."
My guts told me to not go inside the mirror, but my heart and mind say I should. Azul can be cunning as I am, but he cannot be cheating on some kind of move that we couldn't expect, right? Or no? Hm... Even I am confused...
"This got an adult's atmosphere." I heard Carla complimented the place.
"We're in our enemies' territory, so don't let your guard down," Jack warned.
"Just how many times will you warn us about that?" Carla asked. "You've been saying that often."
"Y-You're girls, so you guys should be prepared!"
"Ah~! Maybe you're worried on (Name)." She teased. "Oh, young love, always beside me~!"
"Did you just change your character?" I asked.
"W-What are you talking about?!"
~ 3rd Person's Perspective ~
Jade was watching the three bicker at each other. He kept his composure to look presentable in front of them, showing manly respect. Floyd was behind him, excited to see the girl who he addressed as 'little shrimp'...
"Ah~! Little shrimp~!" Floyd came running towards (Name), hugging her-scratch that-squeezing her. "Welcome, ~! I see that silverfish and the sea urchin is with you!"
"I'm no urchin, I'm a wolf! How many times do I have to tell you?!"
"This guy pisses me off."
"Oh my... What a bewilderment." Jade entered the scene. "I'm very glad that you make the decision so quickly. Welcome to Monstro Lounge." He greeted. "This is your first time visiting us, I presume?"
"Well yeah, don't count the time when we eavesdrop, too, you know." Carla sarcastically retorted as she rolled her eyes.
"Carla, please don't be rude." (Name) sighed.
"I also thought this since lunch, but... Are you really asking these kinds of questions even though you already knew the answers?" Jack asked.
"I'm just making sure, is that prohibited?" Jade asked. "Anyways. Now that the Prefect Heartfilia is here, I shall explain the precautions and disclaimers before you proceed with our business today. Monstro Lounge is a gentlemen facility, that also accepts ladies, please refrain from doing arguments with the other dorms."
"Should we really listen to this guy?" Carla whispered to (Name).
"Yes. He's part of this dorm after all."
"Here, everyone must follow Octavinelle rules. Please keep in your mind these rules and enjoy the lounge as long as your heart gets satisfied." Jade continued. "Now then, ladies and gentlemen, what kind of business have you come for today?"
"I would like to speak with your manager." (Name) said, bluntly.
Carla sighed, "There it is... Queen Karen the second."
Jade chuckled in amusement, "Very well, Miss (Name)." He nodded. "Apparently, the manager is discussing with another client for the moment. Would you mind staying in the lounge for the meantime?"
"Jack? Carla? It's fine for me." (Name) declared. "Ask these two."
"I see. Oh, loitering is highly prohibited in Monstro Lounge." The Vice Prefect of Octavinelle added. "Please buy a drink. *clap!* *clap!* Anemones take their orders."
Then Ace and Deuce suddenly came, with their hands full of trays to deliver. Ace is sweating so hard with a fear-look on his face. Deuce was also sweating so hard with a depressed, yet courageous face...
"Sorry, I still need to deliver these drinks."
"I'm also on the same boat!"
"You two sure have the guts to disrespect me in your current position, hm?" Jade asked, half of his face is smiling, but the other one wants to murder you [Thanks to Mammon for explaining Lucifer's face... Yes, I play Obey me]. Then guess what! He took the anemones of the boys.
"Owowowowowowow!!!" Ace yelled in pain.
"Stop pulling the anemones!" Deuce begged.
"Azul left me in charge of the new employees' training. New employees who don't listen to me shall be punished," Jade uttered.
"Ow, ow! I get it already!"
"Aren't you overdoing it?!" (Name) stole Ace and Deuce from Jade's powerful grasp. "You're using your position too much, Jade-senpai! I'm sorry, but I can't stand it."
"Thank you, (Name)... And sorry..." Ace whispered.
"We really owe you a lot..." Deuce sadly uttered.
"Oh, my, you always surprise me with your actions, Miss (Name). Your doings won't change anything until the contract still hasn't reached the time limit." Jade smiled. "I have already informed you that you should follow the Lounge's rules."
"We have the right to strangle the necks of problem children who won't listen to us, little shrimp~!" Floyd chuckled darkly. "Better hand them or you'll get strangled too~!"
"As if you can." (Name)'s competitive side switched, summoning 2 swords. The swords pointed at the twins. "I'm already giving you a warning."
Jack clicked his tongue, "You trying to say that speaking to you is bad?"
Floyd used his finger to move the tip of the sword towards him, "Then, will you help in their place?"
"Ah, that sounds good!" Ace exclaimed. "Let's do that! Let's have (Name), Carla and Jack help out, too!"
"Why are you deciding yourself, you bastard?!" Jack angrily yelled at Ace.
"He's right! Don't make us work! We only came here because 'someone' just ordered us!" Carla agreed.
"We don't mind anyone as long as they can work seriously." Jade chimed in.
"It'd be bad if you guys get kick out, right?" Deuce whispered. "Pantherlily almost got blended when he was just making a milkshake. Happy had cuts on his palms when he was just cutting lemonades."
"We're already tired, (Name)-chan..." Ace whispered back. "Grim's been washing dishes inside, that his entire body is filled with bubbles. We're begging here..."
"..." Carla and Jack looked at each other.
"Fine." (Name) agreed.
Jack sighed in defeat, "I wanna get this all over, so I can get back to sleep."
"Sleep? It's only 9!" Ace exclaimed. "What time do you usually sleep?"
"I'm already in bed at 10."
"You're just a really good boy, aren't you?"
*smack!* Carla hit Ace's head from the back, "Be grateful that we're helping you."
"In that case..."
𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧! 𝐆𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐭: 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐧!
𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧! 𝐆𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧: 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐠𝐨!
"Hello, Young Princess/Madame (Name)." Both of her celestial spirits greeted.
"Nice to see you again, Capricorn, Virgo!" (Name) smiled. "Can you please help me?" She favored.
"Anything for you, Princess."
"As long that'll make you happy, Madame."
As the delivery of orders began. The other customers were blushing hard as Virgo delivered their order. In Capricorn's situation, as he delivered their orders, the customers started to ask if they could take a picture with him. Of course, he didn't reject...
Some students from Savanaclaw were also blushing when Carla delivered their order, even she's doing it severely. Well... (Name) is the center of attention. How she smiled, talk and verbal gestures are very attractive somehow, captivating the customers...
"The customers have their orders already, Madame (Name)," Capricorn reported.
"We have done your favor, Young Princess." Virgo bowed.
"We have finished the rush orders, too," Jack added.
"Some customers tried to flirt me. Tch! I won't do this again." Carla sassed.
(Name) wiped an invisible sweat, "That was tiring..."
"Look at you~! Getting the job done~!" Floyd appeared, giggling. "Thank you for helping us, little shrimp and small friends~! Even the maid and the goat-looking guy!"
*clap!* *clap!* *clap!* *clap!* *clap!* *clap!* *clap!* *clap!*
"You've done a very splendid job! A perfect employee to work for Monstro Lounge to compare at least!" It was Azul. "I must admit, I'm impressed!"
"Azul!" Carla and Jack yelled.
"Pardon me for making you wait. The VIP is now ready to use, so please follow me." Azul offered his hand for (Name). "Oh, don't fret, Miss (Name). I'm just being a gentleman for a fine damsel like you."
(Name) hesitated at first, but placed her gloved-right hand on Azul's, "O-Ok..."
"Jade, Floyd. Please make some 'tea' for our guests." The Prefect of Octavinelle ordered before leading (Name), the raging Carla, and the referee Jack to the VIP room.
"We're on it."
As Azul leads the way, the wider he smirks. Hm... Let's just say, he's been planning this to the very start. He even had a special contract of (Name) from his drawer, remember? Oh, my. Is he aware that (Name)'s powerful? Of course. The main question is: How shall he counter it using something?
When Azul opened a door, he immediately dragged (Name) inside. It's not harsh, actually. He led her to a couch, in front of his fancy chair. The two were amazed inside the VIP room, who would imagine that?
"What's this place?! Are we still at school?!" Jack whispered to Carla.
"There's also a safe... Like a bank..." Carla whispered back.
"Carry on. Nothing will do if you just stand there." Azul called for the two tsunderes. "Please sit."
As Azul said, the two sat beside (Name). The one is on the left and the other one is on the right. Jade and Floyd shared a knowing look, once she drinks the cup, it's a certain success for them. Or that's what they thought...
"So, what's you want to discuss with me, Miss (Name)?"
"I would like to discuss with the anemones and I'll make sure that all of them will get freed from you." (Name) replied, her tone is very serious than ever.
"Fufu~! Oh my, Oh my... What a tyrannous villain you make me." Azul laughed. "Do you know that I have a total of 227 [Lily and Happy included] students who made a contract with me?"
"227 people?!" Carla yelled.
"That's how many students made a contract with you?!" Jack exclaimed.
"Jade and Floyd worked strictly to make the business succeed this year, after all. Thanks to them, I managed to make deals with a huge number of customers." Azul declared.
That's when it clicked to (Name). When Jade and Floyd bumped to her, the boys were making a contract with Azul. So the reason why Floyd had the exceeds because they finished making the contract, which leads them to sleep because of the 'tea' they drank...
"Now then, Miss (Name), you mentioned that you want me to set all the students free? And anything by collateral? Yes?"
"Indeed, I have." (Name) kept her poker face. If this Azul knows the business, so she does. She's the current Mistress of the Heartfilia's, which means that the family business is in her hands. Speaking of that, is the business doing okay without her?
"It's not like I'm making them do unreasonable jobs, you know? They just simply lose against our bet and the contract is the evidence, the agreement that we've settled." Azul explained. "A contract can't be broken so easily because an outsider thinks that they look so pitiable."
"My companions are involved, so what do you think? I'm not wasting my time here for your explanations that make you innocent." (Name) affirmed. "Besides, this is business, a business should be taken seriously."
"Hm... You're right, but... You're already too late, Miss (Name)." Azul chuckled.
'I knew it...' She thought. "If I'm not mistaken, if I make a contract with you, you'll grant any wish my heart desires..."
"Oi! What are you thinking?!" Jack yelled. "Mmgh!!!"
"(Name)! Stop it! Mmgh!!!"
(Name) cast a 'sew-their-mouth-shut' spell to Jack and Carla, "Please respect my decision..."
"Oh? You want to make a deal with me?" Azul asked, his smirk is hiding its true intentions. "What a splendid idea."
"Neh~!"
Floyd and Jade suddenly entered the room with a tray of tea, 2 cups of china, and a purple-tainted china cup. Jade gave the purple one to (Name), which she gladly accepts, and the others have the white ones...
As (Name) drank the cup empty, she felt a sensation she didn't felt before. Her head started to pound so hard, but then, it suddenly disappeared. Her lower back felt something weird like something that wants to get out...
"Aha~! Little shrimp had some guts~!" Floyd chuckled.
"Very well, I understand you want to make a deal with me. However..." Azul stared at (Name) with a dangerous glint in his eyes. "We have a little problem..."
~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~
深海の商人