And....the final chapter for Heartslabyul.
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-3rd POV-
(Y/n) opened her eyes, but was shocked to see a younger version of Riddle in front of her, "Must be his memories..." She mumbled.
"Happy eighth birthday, Riddle." A older woman said, smiling at the boy, with a cake in hand, "This year's birthday cake is a low-sugar recipe made with nuts and lecithin-rich soy flour to improve your cerebral function."
"Thank you. But, mom..." Riddle began trailing off, before looking at his mother, "Just once, I'd like to try one of those tarts covered with bright-red strawberries..."
The female frowned, "Absolutely not! Those tarts are monstrously unhealthy. I might as well feed you poison! Even just a single slice would exceed your recommended daily intake of sugar." She then smiled, "Now, dinner tonight will be a tuna sauté rich in DHA and omega-3 fatty acids. Now that you're eight, your caloric intake should be 600 kilocalories per meal, so don't eat more than 100 grams of it. Understood?"
The small could only look down, a sad look in his eyes, "Yes, mom."
"I'd always wanted to try one of those tarts with the bright-red strawberries. The local cake shop had them in the window. They shined at me like forbidden jewels."
"That's enough classical magic study for today. Your homework is to read the first fifty pages of the philosophy of language book referenced in today's magical philosophy texts. You may not have one hour of independent study before your potionology lesson." The older woman said.
Riddle nodded, "Thank you, Mother."
"I need some time to prepare the lesson materials. I will see you in one hour, okay?" She said, as the small kid left.
"I was studying every possible subject, scheduled down to the minute. When I didn't understand something, the lesson was extended until I did. That was my "normal.""
A knock was heard at the window, which made the small kid look up from his book.
"...Is someone knocking on the window?" He said to himself, as he went over to open the window..
"Whoa, he heard us!"
"Hey, come play with us!"
The two kids said, which (Y/n) took notice that it was Trey and Chenya.
"Who are you?" Riddle asked them.
"I'm Chenya, and that's Trey. Let's all play croquet! Oh, but it's lots of fun!"
"I can't. I'm supposed to be doing independent study, and I have a lot of homework to do."
""Independent study" means you pick what to do, right? My grandpa says play is a form of study!"
"Just play with us for a little bit!" Trey said.
Riddle was deep in thought, before nodding slowly, "...O-Okay...Just a little, though!"
"Hey, what's your name?"
"R-Riddle. Riddle Rosehearts."
"I had the best time playing with Trey and Chenya. We did so many things I'd never done before. They taught me lots of things I didn't know. After that, I snuck out of my room every day to play with them during independent study time."
"Whaaat?! You've never even tried a strawberry tart? They're out of this world." Chenya exclaimed, doing gestures.
Riddle nodded, "Yeah. My mom says sugar is basically poison."
"I mean, you probably shouldn't eat too much of it, but calling it "poison" is kinda...yikes." Trey said, before smiling, "You know, my family runs a cake chop. Let's go get a tart right now!"
"Really? But...I shouldn't."
"Just one slice. It'll be fine."
"One slice for you, maybe. I want a whole one!" Chenya happily said.
"A bright-red strawberry tart on a white plate. To me, it shined more brightly than any gem could. That first bite was so sweet. It tasted like nothing I'd ever eaten before. With each bite, I became more entranced...and completely lost track of time."
"I cannot believe this! Not only are you cutting independent study time, but I find you eating a mountain of sugar?! Those two hoodlums must have incited this behavior. You must never play with them again!" Riddle's mother said angrily.
"I'm sorry, mother! I promise, it will never happen again." Riddle cried out.
"Be quiet! You've broken the rules, and I'll not hear another word from you." She let out small breaths, "Clearly, you're not able to handle the freedom of independent study. I need to keep a loser eye on you."
"Because I broke the rules, my favorite part of my day was taken away from me. I vowed to never break my mother's rules again. After all, she was the most accomplished mother in the city, and therefore, the most correct. But mom...Why? Why does my heart hurt so much? I want to eat a tart! It's my birthday, so can't I have some just this once? I want to play outside all day long! I want to make lost and lots of friends! Tell me, mom, please...What rule do I need to follow to make this pain go away?"
(Y/n) walked up to Riddle, and hugged him, "You don't need to follow any rule. Follow what your heart desires." She said, before everything went dark for the two.
"Riddle! (Y/n)!" Trey's voice called out to the two.
The two woke up with a small gasp.
The red haired male noticed he was in the girl's arms, making him blush brightly and pull away. The dual haired girl sat up, rubbing her head softly.
"He's back!" Ace said, scowling.
Cater let out a relieved sigh, "Well, it's about time...We were just about losin' our heads here—figure of speech, sorry—'cause we thought you might never wake up!"
Riddle looked around and gasped at the ruined place, "...What in the world happened...?"
Crowley walked up with a smile, "Ah, Mr. Rosehearts and Ms. (Y/n) appears to have regained consciousness. Excellent."
Trey put a hand on the red haired male's shoulder, "Don't worry, Riddle. Just try to rest."
"Yo, that's just the sort of coddling that led to him going nuts in the first place! Now the garden is tore up from the floor up, not to mention that we could've died!" The orange haired first-year said.
"He's right. It was looking bad for a while there." Deuce said, nodding.
"For cryin' out loud. When you humans let that stress build up, the results sure ain't pretty." Grim said, sighing a bit, before jumping into the girl arms, "I'm glad you're okay!"
The girl smiled a bit and pat his head, "Don't worry about me..." She said.
"The truth is, I..." Riddle began, trailing off, and tears began to well up, "I really wanted to eat the chestnut tart."
"Huh?" Ace said.
"And I don't care if the roses are white, or the flamingos are pink. And I prefer honey to sugar cubes in my tea, and I like milk tea better than lemon tea anyhow. And after a meal, I want to be the one sitting around talking with everyone..."
"RIddle...?" Trey muttered.
"And I really wanted to play with you and Chenya more, Trey." He said, before the tears streamed down, letting out a wail.
"Riddle Rosehearts, in tears..." Cater said, shocked.
"You think a few crocodile tears is all it'll take for me to forgive you?" Ace said.
"Give a guy a break, Ace." The blue haired male said, shaking his head.
"I'm sorry, Riddle. I knew you were suffering, and all I did was pretend to not notice." The green haired male said, as the said male kept crying, "So I'm gonna say what I should have said earlier. Your way of doing things was wrong, and you owe everyone an apology."
The male sniffled, "...I'm sorry...I'm really sorry."
"I know I've been saying I wanted an apology from Riddle, but now that I got one, y'know what?" The first year said, before crossing his arms, "One stupid "I'm sorry" doesn't even come close to making up for what he did!" He exclaimed.
"Dude! Way to be a capital-J Jerk!" Cater said.
"And proud of it! Have you forgotten how he made a total fool outta me?! Have you forgotten how he just threw away that chestnut tart we worked so hard on?! And the words he said to (Y/n)! That ain't something you can make go away with a few tears and a flimsy "I'm sorry"!"
"Eh? But I already forgave him..." The girl mumbled, "Am I not?"
"Wow. I ain't never met anyone who was better at holdin' grudges than I am." The feline said.
Riddle looked at him, his tears still sliding down, "Then...Then what do you want me to do?!"
"You know...I don't got a birthday coming up anytime soon." Ace said.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Deuce said.
"So I demand a do-over for the unbirthday party! Except this time, we ain't gotta do squat. This time, you're the one who brings the tart! And no getting Trey to make it for you! Do that, and then things are square between us." He said.
"But we had help to make it..." (Y/n) cut in, but the male covered her mouth.
"Quiet!" He said, then looked at Riddle, "What do you say, Riddle? We clear?"
"Yes...We're clear." Riddle said, nodding.
"Ah, yes. Compromise is a beautiful thing. I believe that concludes this matter." Crowley said, smiling.
Cater looked around, "Welp, looks like we got some cleaning up to do. All that work making the garden Magicam-worthy, and now it's a total tire fire. Laaame." He said, sighing softly.
"I'll help out." Trey said.
"No, why don't you get Riddle to the nurse's office. That was a full-blown case of overblot. We need to make absolutely sure he's okay."
The headmage nodded, "Mr. Diamond is correct. I will go along with you."
"Understood. Thank you, sir." The green haired male, nodding.
The male looked at the girl, "You should come too, Ms. (Y/n). You could be badly hurt too."
The said girl stood up, dusting the skirt of her hero outfit, "I'm fine. Just need to regulate my temperature." She said, and the male nodded, before the three left.
"Man, am I starved after usin' so much magic!" Grim said, before noticing something, "Hey, check it out!" He pointed at the stone, "That's another black magestone, just like the one we found at the Dwarfs' Mine!"
Deuce turned to it, "You're right. Wonder where it came from?"
"Just don't put it in your mouth this time." Ace said.
"No way. After how great that last one tasted, I can't get that thing in my mouth fast enough!" The feline exclaimed.
"Grim..." (Y/n) said, in a warning tone, but the tanuki only ate it.
"Aaand there it goes." The orange haired first year said.
"Oh, Grimmy...Have some self-respect, honey! That was literally trash." Cater said, surprised.
Grim could only grin at the taste of the stone, "Ahhhh! Rich and sweet, but with a complex hint of bitterness in the aftertaste. Equally delicious, but with quite a different mouthfeel from that last one I ate." He said.
The dual haired girl sighed, "I hope you don't get sick." She said, but a hand landed on her shoulder, making her look and see Ace.
"As a monster, maybe his stomach works different than ours?"
"Even still, eating trash can't be good for anyone." The blue haired male said.
"Oooh! I just tried the grass, and the flavor was surprisingly pleasant! Crisp, even!" The feline said.
"That's our lawn! Don't eat that!"
The upperclassman let out a soft sigh, "Uh, AFK while I go throw up..." He said, before mumbling softly, "But...seriously, guys. Thanks."
"Did you just say something?" Ace said, looking at him.
"Hm? Nope. Not a thing." He smiled.
The girl looked at him and smiled softly, "You're welcome, Senpai." She said, which made the male blush.
'She heard me...?' He thought, shocked, before smiling softly and patting the girl's head, which made her blink blankly at him.
'I like being patted on the head...I guess this is what I have been missing out...' She thought, looking down at the ground.
-----
Days passed, and they were all back at the garden of Heartslabyul.
"All hail our leader, the Red Sovereign himself...Housewarden Riddle!" A student said.
"We salute you, Housewarden Riddle!" Everyone said.
Riddle walked through the garden and towards the table, looking around at the decorations, "Hm. The garden roses are red, the tablecloths are white...This seems a proper unbirthday indeed. Is there a dormouse asleep in the teapo—" He cut himself off, smiling a bit, "Er, well, I supposed it's fine either way."
"Not everything has to change completely, you know. Like, maybe spread the jam on your scones, instead of on the dormouse this time? Let's try to set the bar at "it's great if it's this way," not "it's absolutely has to be this way."" Trey said, smiling.
"Yes, that makes sense."
Ace sighed, "I can't believe we got roped into cleaning up and prepping the garden again."
"Well, at least the housewarden recovered from his overblot without any complications." Deuce said.
(Y/n) nodded, "Though, it's impressive how in only a few days, everything looks back to normal..." She mumbled, looking around.
Cater bounded up to them happily, "And the garden is Magicam-worthy once again! Hashtag #nofilter on this gorgeousness!" He exclaimed.
"Blah blah blah! Let's just eat already!" Grim exclaimed, mouth already watering.
"Then eat we shall! I'll get the—" He was then cut off.
"Wait a minute!" Riddle said.
"Huh?"
"There's a white rose...!" He said, pointing at the rose.
"We missed one?!" The orange haired first year said.
"Ace, Deuce, I told you to make sure to paint every rose!" The upperclassman said.
"Wait, this is our fault?!" The blue haired male said.
"R-Riddle, listen..." Trey stuttered.
"It's all a dream. It's not even there." (Y/n) said with her monotone voice.
The red haired male let out a small laugh at the girl's words, "Well...I suppose I can overlook one or two missed roses." He said, smiling.
"R-Really?! That's so generous of you, Riddle!" Cater said.
"If we worked together, we should be able to get them painted in no time." He suggested.
"What? They still gotta be painted?!" Ace exclaimed.
"Even so...I'm impressed. You've changed, Riddle." The green haired upperclassman said.
"I'm starvin' here! Let's just get these stupid roses painted or whatever!" The feline exclaimed.
"All right, is everyone ready?" Riddle said.
-----
As the six males painted, (Y/n) went in her own direction, by using her ice quirk and sliding across, painting the white roses there were.
"Wha?! Hey! (Y/n)! Stop making us look bad!" Grim exclaimed.
The girl passed by and flashed them a small smile, "Sorry, just thought it would be mush more easier like this." She said, as she painted more roses.
Soon, she finished and came down from the ice slide she made, before looking at Riddle, "I finished my part." She said.
The male smiled and nodded, "Can you please get rid of the ice?"
"Oh, right." She said, putting her left hand on it, and making it evaporate.
-----
"So what happened to that tart, Housewarden?" Ace said.
"I made it for you, as I promised I would." He said, before grabbing it, "Here: one strawberry tart, crafted by yours truly."
Trey looked at the pastry, "Nice! The shape's a little off, but I can tell you put a lot of work into that glaze. A fine job indeed, especially considering it was your first!"
"Oh, puh-leeze. How about we actually try it before you start fawning all over him, Trey-senpai?" The first year said.
"Hold it! Don't you start cutting that before I get my Magicam snap!" Cater said, grabbing his phone and taking a picture, "...Okay, go it!"
"Tch. I see Cater-senpai hasn't changed a bit either." He said, smiling, "All right, let's dig in!" He then took a bite.
(Y/n) looked at her piece of tart, but didn't take a bite, remembering the trick Trey had said last time.
Grim happily took a bite along with Deuce, but his eyes widen.
"Hmm...?"
"This is kinda..." The two upperclassmen said.
"Salty!" Everyone exclaimed.
The girl put down the tart on the table, 'Good thing I let them go first...' She thought.
"Whaaat?!" Riddle exclaimed.
"Err? This is kinda salty—it's a full-on salt lick! What did you put in this?!" Ace exclaimed, coughing.
"But I followed the rules exactly, and measured everything precisely! Unless...Oh!" He said, realizing, "Could it be...from the oyster sauce?"
The blue haired male sputtered, "Wait...did you actually use that Walrus-brand oyster sauce Trey jokes about?"
"But Trey said that oyster sauce is an unlisted secret ingredient in all tarts! He said all the finest bakers use it..."
"And you actually believed him?! How could you not tell he was joking?!" The orange haired first year said.
(Y/n) cut in, "But you fell for it too, Ace." She said.
"Even if you believed the joke, it was only supposed to be a splash. How much did you put in?" Cater said.
"It's an unlisted ingredient! How could I measure it if he wouldn't tell me how much to put in?!" Riddle said.
Trey suddenly let out a laugh, "I can't believe someone actually fell for the ol' oyster sauce prank!"
The male then started to laugh along, "Yes. Quite humorous indeed. I truly am a fool."
The rest let out their own laughs or chuckles.
"It really is so disgusting that it's actually kind of funny!" Deuce said.
Ace nodded, "Yeah, what else can we do but laugh?"
"You know, in its own weird way, I think it's actually kinda good!" Grim said.
"Right? It really isn't half as bad as you'd think." Cater said.
"Seriously? You're agreeing with Grim, Cater? He literally eats garbage off the ground." The blue haired male said, looking at the male shocked.
"Look, I'm not saying it's amazing or anything!"
"But if you like it because it's not sweet, right?" Trey cut in.
"Huh?"
"You've never really liked sweet things, right?"
The dual haired girl nodded, "I noticed he asked for spicy things when you showed us your signature spell, Trey-senpai." She said.
"Yeah, you got me." The orange haired upperclassman said, shocked, "I've never told anyone that."
"You casually bring up Paint the Roses spell every time we're eating sweets. You hide it pretty well, but that was a giveaway." The green haired male said.
"Ack! My secret is out! This is so embarrassing! Especially after what happened to you and Riddle. I should have learned by now that keeping your feelings on the DL is not a great idea."
"How about I cook up a quiche for the next unbirthday party?" He grinned.
"That sounds totes amazing to me. Just make sure it's as photogenic as the tarts!"
Suddenly a hum was heard, and arms wrapped around the girl, making her tense.
"Your bakes goods are always so delightful, Trey." He said, grabbing a plate and eating.
"Chenya?! What are you doing here?! And please back away from her." Riddle exclaimed.
Chenya looked at him, "Hm? I came to celebrate my unbirthday with all of you. A very merry unbirthday to you, Riddle." He said, smiling.
"The unbirthday party is a Heartlabyul House tradition. It does not pertain to you."
"And those two? What about them?"
"Hey! You're that weird semi-invisible cat guy from before! So you never told us—what dorm are you from?" Grim said.
"Chenya isn't even a Night Raven student. He's a student at our long-time rival school, the Royal Sword Academy." Trey said.
"Whaaat? You go to a different school?" Deuce said.
"The frickin' Royal Sword Academy, no less?!" Ace said.
"Other magical academies...?" (Y/n) questioned, as Chenya rubbed his head against hers.
"Did that guy just say the "Royal Sword Academy"?!"
"He's one of those pompous jerk-faces?!"
"What?! Who's from Royal Sword? We gotta run 'em outta here!"
Students said.
The half cat male let go of the girl, "Well, now that I've tasted some tart, perhaps I should see myself out." He said, as he disappeared with a hum.
"He's running for it!"
"After him! Don't let him get away!"
"Whoa, everyone turned bloodthirsty real quick." The tanuki said, sweatdropping.
"The vast majority of Night Raven College students perceive the Royal Sword Academy as the enemy." The red haired male explained.
"No surprise, given that they've kicked our butts every year for a hundred years straight..." Trey said.
Cater cut in with a smile, "Hey, stop harashin' the vibe! This is supposed to be a day of celebration. Can't we all just enjoy our unbirthdays?"
"Myah! Merry unbirthday or whatever! I'm gonna eat till my stomach explodes!" Grim explained, running towards the food.
"Grim...!" (Y/n) explained, running after him.
------
"Awww, sounds like those Heartslabyul twits are having some kind of feast today. Must be nice. How come Savanaclaw doesn't have any traditions that involve eating lots of free food?" Ruggie said.
"Bah, it's a beautifully sunny day and they're stuffing their faces with cookies and cake? Grossin' me out over here." Leona said, frowning, then looked at the male, "Anyway, Ruggie. You know that's not what I'm here to ask you about."
"Ah, that. Just leave it to me, Boss. All the preparations are proceeding smoothly!" He said, chuckling at the end.
The male smirked, "Then those fools won't be happily guzzling tea for much longer. That goes double for that snob Malleus. They got no idea what's comin'..." He said, before laughing.
-----
Riddle walked up to the girl, "(Y/n), may I have a word with you?" He asked.
The said girl looked at him and nodded, "Sure." She said, before following the male.
They had walked were they couldn't be heard, because the male knew he would get blackmailed somehow by Ace or any of the rest.
The male turned to her, "I would like to apologize for the words I have said to you. I didn't mean to upset you or anything of the matter. I don't know how your world works or anything for that matter. So, let me apologize for it." He said, looking at the ground.
(Y/n) blinked at him, and smiled softly, "It's okay. You had a rough childhood, and I did too. It's in the past now. What matters is what's happening right now." She said, as the male looked up at her, "I don't really care sometimes if someone brings up my past, but there are times were I do care. But I'm a hero-in-training, I'm supposed to overcome things. But I do accept the apology, Riddle-senpai."
The male blushed and nodded, "Y-Yes...Uhm...It would be my honor to show you around the school, since your new to this world." He offered.
The girl nodded, "Sure. I'm still pretty lost in a few things..." She mumbled loud enough for him to hear, which made him smile slightly, "In return, I'll tell you about my world and my story, since I kind of saw your past, so it's only fair."
Riddle smiled, "Let's settle this over tea in a few days."