I hope you guys are ready for this chapter, cause with each one we only get closer and closer to Overblot time! May or may not be emotional...maybe? Eh who knows, either way I'll accept any tears available as I am truly kind and benevolent as they come. Also for those who were worried about what I said earlier on my board, don't worry everything is ok. My body is just not used to the constant climate change in VA since the move. Ahem, enough talking about my kindness, you all know the usual. Remember to enjoy and happy reading!
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"Human life is so fragile. You must treasure it and surround yourself with your own happiness...that's what gives you strength. Do you find value in your life now that you are no longer suffering as much?"
~ ??? 💜
Deuce let out a small sigh as he walked out of Pomefiore Dorm. "I blew it big time. I had no business lashing out the way I did. That's not what an honor student does. Someone gives me justified criticism, and I go off on them. Man, I'm lame..."
"Really? I think you were pretty cool." Kanzaburou smiled as he approached Deuce with Grim still on his shoulders. "No need for the long face."
"Hey look, we even brought you some water." Grim said as he watched as Kanzaburou gave the blue haired male a water bottle. "It's courtesy of our generous manager."
"Kanzaburou. Grim. Sorry about running off like that." Deuce apologized as he accepted the water.
"You should be! If you guys don't win first place, my tuna bonanza goes up in smoke. You and Epel both better buck up and get back to practice." Grim said as Kanzaburou glares at him.
"Hahah. You and your one track mind. It makes me kind of jealous." Deuce said as he let out a small laugh before looking around. "Hm? Where's (Y/N)?"
"Oh...well.."
👑 Flashback 👑
The duo spent a few minutes searching for the (Y/N) until they spotted a familiar figure with a stapler and pictures.
"Tomioka sama, we've been looking everywhere for you." Kanzaburou smiled a bit as he watched as the female stapled some pictures to a few trees. "What's that?" The male pointed out as he gestured to the stapler.
"Sebek said it's a good way to stick things together. It's a stapler and I like it." The female said as she continued stapling the pictures.
"That's Vil!" Grim exclaimed as he took notice of the pictures of the Pomefiore dorm leader. "What are you planning?"
"It's never too late to get in a bit of training." (Y/N) plainly said which caused Grim to stare at her nervously.
"I hope your training goes well." Kanzaburou said as he smiled at the female before staring at one of the pictures before tearing it up.
"After you left, Kanzaburou gave Vil a well worth hit and Deuce even stormed out too!" Grim exclaimed now earning the female's full attention.
"Is that so?" She mumbles as she turned to face the duo before giving Kanzaburou a headpat. "Good, thank you Kanzaburou. Please do me a favor and console Deuce for me. There's water and tea back at the dorm, it's best to get him something.
"Alright Tomioka sama." Kanzaburou said as he nodded at the female.
"What about you? Aren't you coming with us?" Grim questioned as the female unsheathed her sword.
"No thank you. I'll be by later on after this." (Y/N) said as she ran at a tree that had Vil's picture. It was obvious she was angry and she needed a bit of time.
"Let Tomioka sama release a bit of steam, she needs it after everything that happened in that shiny hell." Kanzaburou said as she soon walked off with Grim.
"Be careful and enjoy your training.."
👑 Flashback End 👑
"Don't worry about it." Kanzaburou smiled at him.
"Uhh..."
"She's...busy.." Grim said slightly trailing off a bit before looking at the blue haired male. "You know, Deuce, I've been wondering, why did you stick your nose in Vil and Epel's argument? Even I know that's just asking for trouble."
"It is, huh? I agree. It was dumb of me. But I've seen something in Epel ever since we ran into him by the courtyard well. I think...he and I are a lot alike." Deuce said.
"Seriously? You and Epel? You guys don't look or act anything alike." Grim said.
"It's hard to put it into words. It's about wanting to change, but not being able to...not knowing how to change yourself, and just kind of floundering." Deuce said before letting out a small sigh clearly frustrated. "Ugh. Ace was right. I'm hopeless with this stuff. I'm bad at getting a point across. It's just so...frustrating."
"Such frustrations are the bittersweet pain of youth, Monsieur Spade!" A voice said as they were now approached by Rook and Kalim.
"Come on, what's the matter? Cheer up!" Kalim said as he smiled at them.
"Whoa!" Deuce and Grim exclaimed in unison all while Kanzaburou simply smiled.
"Rook? Kalim? You scared me! What are you doing here?" Deuce said as he stared at the two males.
"It's about time to get back to dance rehearsal, so we came to check up on you." Kalim said.
"Are you feeling ready to return to the ballroom?" Rook questioned.
"C...can I...really go back?" Deuce nervously said.
"Huh? Of course you can." Kalim said.
"Vil was right when he said I'm dead weight. I know that. I was chosen for the ensemble, and I'm trying my best. But I'm afraid it might not be enough..." Deuce said as the raven haired male rolled his eyes at the mention of Vil's name.
"Tch..."
"Do not get ahead of yourself, Monsieur Spade. You are but a chick still inside your egg. Would you expect an unhatched chick to accurately gauge their own limits? Non. You will not attain a beautiful warble or plumage for flying while huddling within your shell." Rook said as he smiled at the blue haired male.
"Rook..." Deuce mumbled.
"Don't worry. I've heard it loud and clear, I've heard all of you pecking, slow and steady, at the shells around you, striving to break out. Here's a bird fact for you, actually. Unhatched chicks have a hard, pointy, horn like protrusion on the end of their beaks called an egg tooth. They use that to break their shell. That egg tooth fades away as the chick grows, though." Rook said as he smiled at Kanzaburou only for him to earn a deadpan stare.
"Why does he even know that?"
"...am I supposed to be insulted, interested, or both..."
"The point I am making is this, ensnared as you are in the throes of hatching, each of you has an egg tooth that no one else possesses. You have power within you, somewhere. Speaking not only for myself but for Vil. We're both waiting eagerly for all of you to break free and stand tall at long last." Rook said.
"A strength that only I possess, huh? Hm...nope. I got nothing. The best I can come up with is that I'm a little quick on my feet. I'm neither book smart nor a clever thinker. I don't have much going for me at all, really..." Deuce said now trailing off a bit.
"Hey, Deuce? Maybe the problem is that you keep using your brain to try to work through these problems?" Kalim said.
"Huh?" Deuce said as he curiously looked at the white haired male.
"If that's not really how you're wired, then why are you trying to force it? When I watch you, do you know what I see? I see someone trying to write with their non dominant hand, then yelling, Oh, I'm so bad at writing! You're doing something you know you're bad at, then beating yourself up when it doesn't turn out well. Of course you won't see your strong points when you do things that way." Kalim said.
"Heheh. Kalim, your eyes are as clear as the sky after rain." Rook said as he let out a small laugh before smiling at Kalim. "Such candor. Such a pure luster. Truly, that is your strength, Roi Doré."
"Hm? Was that a compliment? That's very kind of you, Rook!" Kalim happily said.
"Kalim is right, Deuce. Your true strength lies elsewhere. It's not about using your head." Rook said.
"Ain't that the truth? Every time you come up with a plan, it's a disaster waiting to happen. Remember that time you tried to catch me by throwing Ace, and you broke a billion thaumark chandelier?" Grim said.
"No that was funny. Throwing Ace I mean." Kanzaburou smirked.
"P...please, don't remind me." Deuce said as he let out a sigh now remembering the incident.
"I get that a lot too, you know. Jamil calls me thoughtless and oblivious all the time.
But it also means that whenever I'm feeling down, a little food, rest, and dancing are all I need to purge whatever's bugging me from my mind. So it can also be a plus, in my view. Basically, um...I'm trying to say that something you see as a negative can actually be a positive. I'm not sure how to word it better." Kalim said.
"Well, a weakness can also be a strength in a way..." Kanzaburou said as Grim nodded in agreement.
"Oh. Ohhh. I get it!" Deuce exclaimed as he stared at them happily. "Thank you, Kalim. Thank you Rook. I think I understand things a little better now!"
"Really? Well, glad to hear it!" Kalim happily said.
"Um, may I ask a question?" Deuce said.
"Oui, by all means. We'll be happy to answer if we can." Rook said as Kalim nodded in agreement.
"There's something I need to borrow." Deuce said as they all curiously stared at him.
"Oh?"
👑👑👑👑👑👑
Epel was currently walking down the main street of the school, thinking back on earlier event.
"Now everything's a doozy of a mess. This is all because that Dark Mirror plunked me into Pomefiore..." Epel said as he let out a small sigh.
👑 Flashback 👑
"You speak of being charming and being strong as though the two are mutually exclusive..." Vil said as he frowned at the lavender haired male. "When in fact both of them are equally valid forms of power. As long as you fail to make that distinction, you will never be a match for me."
👑 Flashback End 👑
"I don't understand a lick of his gobbledygook. What am I supposed to do now?" Epel said as his thoughts were soon interrupted by a loud engine. "Hm? That sounded like the roar of an engine. But...here? On campus?"
"There you are, Epel." Deuce said as he appeared next to the lavender haired male as Kanzaburou perched on his head.
"Huh? Deuce?! What are you doing with that blastcycle?!" Epel exclaimed as he stared at Deuce in shock.
"Ignihyde Dorm's using this one for their presentation. I begged them until they let me borrow it." Deuce said.
"Caw! Yea and it's fast too I didn't know what it was but I like it!" Kanzaburou said as Deuce smiled at his response.
"Let's go for a little ride, shall we?"
👑👑👑👑👑👑
After a bit of driving, they soon made it to the beach where they came to a stop.
"Ok, we're here." Deuce said.
"Whew...you're more of a speed demon than I expected, Deuce. That scared me at first." Epel said as he held Kanzaburou in his arms to which miraculously he didn't seem to mind.
"Really? I mean, I thought I was going pretty slow...er, you know what? Forget I said anything. Anyway, Ignihyde sure knows how to trick out a blastcycle. It was hard just figuring out what all those different functions did." Deuce said.
"Heheh. Well, I'm feeling better already! I love going out on drives. Are you sure this was a good idea, though? You went off campus without getting permission first." Epel said.
"Caw! That's ok don't worry about it." Kanzaburou said as let Epel pet him.
"Erk...it didn't even occur to me to ask for permission until we were already out. Will you help take some of the heat off me later?" Deuce said as he awkwardly scratched his cheek.
"Vil and the others must be furious." Epel said as he gave him a small smile as he watched as the waves of the beach crashed against the sand.
"Caw! Who cares about him, he'll be fine." Kanzaburou said.
"Maybe..."
"You know, I think this is the first trip I've made to the beach since coming to this island." Epel said.
"Caw! I've never been to a beach." Kanzaburou added as Deuce and Epel stared at him in shock.
"What, really?" Epel asked as he earned a nod from the crow in his arms.
"Caw! It tends to be a bit cold back home, not to mention relaxing isn't what runs through your head when there are flesh eating demons roaming around." Kanzaburou explained.
"That makes sense..."
"Demon? That sounds rather scary..."
"We're on the Isle of Sages, but Night Raven College sits atop a mountain on the north side." Deuce said.
"And Royal Sword Academy sits along the southern coast, right? Wait..." Epel said as his eyes widen as he took in the sight of the building not too far from them. "Is that Royal Sword Academy there? Wow... It's a school, but it looks more like a castle for kings and queens." Epel said as Kanzaburou nodded in agreement.
"Caw! It's fancy, I hope no stuck brats are in there!" Kanzaburou said.
"Or any annoying ones too..."
"I wonder what the students are like."
"I've seen it from the Night Raven observation deck, but never up close before. That place really is fancy." Deuce said.
"My teammates in the Magift Club say it's a place full of snotty, pampered rich boys..." Epel said as his words made Kanzaburou sigh sadly. "But that's also the school Neige goes to, and he's competing in the SDC, right?"
"So much for no stuck up brats..."
Deuce stared off into the ocean before soon sucking in a breath of air. "I'm never gonna knuckle under, you hear me?!" He suddenly said which startled both Epel and Kanzaburou.
"Huh?! What's wrong, Deuce? Why are you yelli-" Epel said only to be cut off by Deuce who started yelling again.
"I'm not a smart guy, and I constantly miss basic cues!" He shouted as he continued yelling. "All my old delinquent habits are still there! I've got a hair trigger temper! But I'm trying my best, ok?! You think you can make fun of me, Ace?! Well, think again! One of these days, I'm gonna be a real honors student and you'll be eating my dust for three meals a day! I'm gonna change! You can count on that! Aaaaaaghhh!" He yelled out before soon letting out a small sigh and smiling at them. "Ahhh, that's much better!"
"G...Goodness gracious." Epel said as he stared at Deuce in shock.
"Caw! That's the first time you managed to startle me." Kanzaburou said feeling slightly impressed all while Deuce gave them both a small smile.
"Oh, I'm sorry about that Kanzaburou." Deuce said as he apologized to him. "I do this whenever things aren't going my way and I get all out of sorts. I drive to the beach and let it all out at the top of my lungs. It always makes me feel better." Deuce explained. "For as long as I can remember, I've been a slow learner. I'd study hard, but my grades always stayed below average. I wanted an excuse for why I did so poorly in school...so over time, I started taking the easy way out. I'm not even trying. Of course my grades are bad. It's lame to be a try hard. You know, stuff like that."
"Oh...I didn't know." Epel said.
"I was out of control for years. I became a hopeless delinquent and made my mom cry.
That's when I got a letter of acceptance from the prestigious Night Raven College. I thought to myself, maybe I could get my act together and change myself if I had a new environment. This is my big chance!" Deuce said.
"And did you change? After enrolling, I mean?" Epel questioned.
"Nope. Not a bit. I can play the part of an honors student, but I can't change who I am deep down. I'm still that same bad boy with grades to match. Nothing ever goes the way I want it to. But...I learned something when I came to this school. I learned that all the most capable guys struggle hard behind the scenes. Even when it's embarrassing, even when it's lame, even when it means playing a little dirty...capable guys never give up." Deuce said.
"Caw! That's ok Deuce I like you just the way you are and I know Tomioka sama does too! She would surely not want you to ever change." Kanzaburou said as his words made Deuce blush a bit.
"She likes me...like this.."
"Deuce..." Epel mumbled as he stared at the blue haired male.
"I invited you out here today because I thought maybe you were like me." Deuce said as Epel stared at him slightly confused.
"Huh...?" Epel said.
"You have this thing where you start to say something, then stop yourself, right? It comes off to me like you want to change, but you can't, so you're floundering." Deuce said.
"...yea. Maybe you're right." Epel said now agreeing with Deuce.
"We're the only ones here. Why don't you give it a try? Let it all out at the top of your lungs. It'll make you feel way better!" Deuce happily said.
"Caw! Go for it kid!" Kanzaburou encouraged.
"Well...alright." Epel said before soon sucking in a breath of air. "You think ah kin turn all darlin' overnight? Are you outta yer apple pickin' mind?!" Epel yelled out as Deuce and Kanzaburou stared at him in shock.
"Whoa..."
"Ah'm a farm boy from the sticks! We got more heifers'n we do people out in our part of the country! It's all ah kin do ta talk without slippin' inta mah accent! Ah ain't never danced afore, other'n hoedowns an' field day games! How'm Ah s'posed ta know the first thing about dressin' all trendy or actin' all classy?! Ah ain't never wanted ta be no darlin' anyhow! If ah had mah druthers, Ah'd be a big an' tough an' strong man! Yer a big ol' idjit, y'hear?!" Epel panted as he soon finished yelling before letting out a small sigh now smiling at them. "Ahhh! That felt mighty good!"
"I barely understood like...half of that. What language was that? Wait, was that just your natural accent?!" Deuce said as he stared at Epel in shock. "Epel, where are you from?"
"Oh, Ah'm from Harveston. It's way off in the mountains in the north part of the Shaftlands. Vil says not to talk much around people on account o' mah accent bein' hard ta understand. Every time ah open mah mouth, Vil gets on mah case. Don't speak with an accent. Address people by name. Mind your volume. Drives me nuts, Ah tell you what!" Epel said.
"Caw! I like the way you talk kid, you don't find that back home at all!" Kanzaburou said as Epel smiled at him.
"Thanks Kanzaburou!" Epel happily said as he gently patted the crow in his arms.
"Looks like Epel is now a favorite."
"I always had you pegged as a quiet, timid guy since the day we met..." Deuce said as he let out a small laugh at the thought. "But boy, was I ever wrong. Hahah."
"Ah had to be careful when ah spoke. Never knew when Vil was gonna be there to call mah accent out. An' those frilly uniform shirts ah wear? Those ain't mah first choice, that's fer sure. Dorm leader's orders." Epel said as he let out a small sigh.
"Wait, dorm leader's orders? Really? Your dorm doesn't have some crazy set of rules like Heartslabyul. Why is this a thing?" Deuce questioned.
"Caw! Don't tell me that clown is a tyrant as well!" Kanzaburou said.
"Well, lemme tell you 'bout mah orientation back in September..." Epel said as he soon began to explain what happened.
👑 Flashback 👑
At the mirror chamber many students gathered around talking among each other as they waited for the sorting ceremony to start.
"Everywhere Ah look, it's all the same buncha highfalutin' rich boys too big fer their britches. Ah know how Ah look. Ah'm used ta gettin' treated like Ah'm some kinda wuss back home. 'Course, back home Ah gave a whoopin' ta anyone who said it ta mah face. Gotta make sure Ah don't take any guff here, too." Epel quietly spoke to himself as he looked over at the crowd of students.
"You there. The new enrollee." Vil called out now catching Epel's attention.
"Huh? Y'want somethin'?" Epel said as he eyed the male.
"Are you trying to make a mockery of the ceremonial orientation robes? Button up your collar at once." Vil said as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Is this the Pomefiore dorm leader? Ah sure don't want no part of a dorm run by a prim 'n proper gent like this. This beanpole ain't nothin' compared ta the Savanaclaw dorm leader...."
"Hm. I wasn't sure how to appraise you at a distance...but upon closer inspection, I must say, you've quite the winsome facade." Vil said.
"Win-what? You callin' me a wuss? Well, if ah'm a pot, yer a kettle!" Epel said as he glared at the male.
"Oh, dear. Dear oh dear. You are utterly unpresentable." Vil said as he shook his head in dissatisfaction.
"Scuse me?" Epel said.
"The way you dress, the way you act...even the way you think is utterly devoid of any sensibility." Vil said now making Epel angry.
"Oh yea?! Yer gonna regret sayin' that in a few seconds! Let's take this outside!" Epel demanded.
"Why must every student selected for this school be so quick to resort to violence?" Vil said as he let out a small sigh. "It's fine, I suppose. After all, it's my duty to give my underclassmen a proper Night Raven College welcome."
With that, the two of them walked out of the mirror chamber and out into the hall where Epel was soon beaten rather quickly.
"Gah! Tarnation! He ain't even usin' magic, and he wiped the floor with me..." Epel mumbled.
"Here's a lesson for you, little spudling. In this school, the rule is that the weak obey the strong. From what I can tell, you haven't been assigned to a dorm yet. Regardless, since you lost, you will do as I say." Vil said as he looked down at Epel.
"C...consarnit..." Epel said as he haired at Vil. "What's he gonna do ta me?! Take all mah money? Make me his errand boy?"
"Your first order of business is to button up every loose button on your robes." Vil said.
"Huh?" Epel said as he stared at Vil in confusion.
"Now." Vil ordered as he frowned at Epel. "Next, your belt. You have no business letting it hang low and loose from your waist, especially considering your diminutive stature. Such disgraceful form is utterly unacceptable!" He said as he immediately tightened Epel's belt.
"Agh! A...ah kin barely breathe in this now!" Epel exclaimed.
"And your hair! Have you even considered combing that rat's nest out?" Vil said.
"It ain't like ah carry a comb wherever Ah go!" Epel said.
"Lastly, your elocution! Speak properly." Vil said as he glared at Epel.
"Whuh?! Are you sayin' mah accent ain't as good as how city folk talk?!" Epel exclaimed as he haired back at Vil.
"Stop misinterpreting my instructions.
I have nothing against your home or its dialect. What I object to is your attitude.
Being proud of your home is all well and good, but there is a time and a place for that. The way you address your superiors is entirely unacceptable." Vil said.
"Grrr..."
"In this school, losers have no right to whine or complain. If you want to voice a grievance, you'll have to beat me in a fight first. Now, what is the correct response?" Vil said as he smiled at the lavender haired male as he waited for his response.
"Gh...yes, sir." Epel begrudgingly said.
"Hmph. Only the Dark Mirror itself knows which dorm you'll be assigned to. But pray that you don't get assigned to Pomefiore." Vil said as he gave him a smirk. "For I am Vil Schoenheit, its dorm leader. If you come under my domain...I will tolerate none of the behavior you exhibited today. Remember that. Now fix up your clothes as I instructed and get back to orientation." He ordered.
"D...dagnabbit..."
👑 Flashback End 👑
"...An' that's the long an' short of it." Epel said as he let out a small sigh.
"You picked a fight with a dorm leader on your first day at school?!" Deuce exclaimed as he stared at Epel in shock.
"Caw! Personally I would have done the same." Kanzaburou said.
"Ah didn't know how crazy strong the dorm leaders were, ok?! Didn't you an' Ace pick a fight with yer dorm leader right after orientation, too?" Epel said.
"Erk! That wasn't intentional..." Deuce mumbled as he awkwardly scratched his cheek.
"Back home, the only way anybody ever saw you as powerful was if you were big an' buff an' strong." Epel said as he sighed sadly. "...So Ah've always been a soft target fer teasin'. Lookin' back now, Ah don't think Vil meant nothin' by what he said, but still..."
"Caw! Buff? Strength isn't necessarily all muscles." Kanzaburou said as Epel silently stared at him.
"Perhaps..."
"A shame he didn't get to beat the hell out of that clown..."
"Yea, I get you. You felt like you had to make a point right out of the gate." Deuce said as Epel gave him a small nod.
"But ah've never beaten the dorm leader once. Ah've been stuck doin' what he says ever since." Epel said.
"Now I get what you guys meant when you were talking about the usual during practice. Rook was right when he said it wasn't a fight. It was more than that to you guys." Deuce said.
"Vil says ah can act however Ah like if Ah kin take him in a fight. But it just ain't happenin'. Ah wanna be stronger..." Epel said as he let out a small sigh as Deuce and Kanzaburou silently stared at him.
"..........."
"He needs to spend a day with Tomioka sama if that's what he wants..."
"You know, before I left campus, Kalim and Rook told me something. They said that we have a power all our own and that we should make the most of it. So I thought about it, and I figured something out. I think...my strength might be this hard head of mine." Deuce said as the sound of the waves crashing against the sand was heard.
"Huh? But Ah thought you said you hated that about yerself?" Epel said.
"Yea, it frustrates me a lot. But sometimes, it means I can take off running without stopping to second guess myself." Deuce explained. "I'm not smart enough to think about a lot of things at the same time. But that also means that once I put my mind to something, I can make a beeline for the goal without stopping. I think that's a power I can call my own. My weakness can be my strength." Deuce said as he smiled a bit.
"That's all well an' good fer you, but it don't mean much fer me. In mah case, it's mah looks, right? Ah look all dainty and effeminate. How's that s'posed ta be a strength?" Epel said but then was interrupted by the sound of his phone ringing. "Oh, that's mah phone. It's...mah folks?" He said as he answered the call. "Hello?"
"Epel?! What in tarnation did ya do with that juice we sent ya?!" Epel's mother asked on the other line.
"Huh? The apple juice? Ya said ta give it ta mah friends, so that's what Ah did. Why?" Epel said.
"We're gettin' slammed with orders from all over the world!" His mother exclaimed.
"Yer what?!" Epel exclaimed as a look of shock was now evident on his face.
"Ah was wonderin' what the deal was...so Ah asked one o' the customers callin' in, Where'd ya hear about our juice? And y'know what they said? They said they saw it on Vil Schoenheit's camera or somethin'! Ain't Vil the leader of yer dorm?!" She questioned.
"Vil's camera...? Wait, you mean Magicam?! Hold on a sec!" Epel said as he then started to go through Magicam on his phone to look at Vil's post.
"My routine! #PostLessonHydration #HarvestTownAppleJuice #NaturalFlavor #GoodForTheSkin" Vil's post said as Epel stared in shock.
"Wow, you're right. Vil posted a picture of your apple juice on his Magicam account!" Deuce exclaimed.
"The phones are ringin' off the hook! It's total chaos over here! Ah'mma hafta call the co-op head an' get help from the neighbors just ta keep up with the shippin'! An' here Ah was wonderin' what ta do with all our leftover stock. Now the whole village is overjoyed! You done pulled through for us, Epel! You tell Vil the same, y'hear?" Epel's mom proudly said as the sound of a phone ringing was soon heard. "Welp, these phones ain't gonna answer 'emselves. Gotta go! Ah'll send more juice along later." She said before hanging up.
"Maw, wait—ah, she hung up." Epel said as he heard the call end.
"This is amazing. I'm seeing a whole flood of comments on the Magicam post saying they ordered the juice." Deuce said as he stared at the post in awe.
"Caw! Congratulations Epel, looks like your juice is popular!" Kanzaburou said as Epel smiled a bit.
"Oh!"
👑 Flashback 👑
"You speak of being charming and being strong as though the two are mutually exclusive..." Vil said as he frowned at the lavender haired male. "When in fact both of them are equally valid forms of power. As long as you fail to make that distinction, you will never be a match for me."
👑 Flashback End 👑
"Is this the power of beauty Vil was talkin' about?!" Epel questioned in disbelief.
"Now that you mention it...the only reason this worked at all was because Vil was so focused on that. Magical might or brute strength alone never would've accomplished that." Deuce said.
"Ah wonder...ahem. I mean, I wonder, was this the point Vil was tryin' to make about power? That my charm is a power only I have, and I should weaponize it?" Epel said.
"Maybe. Neither of us are super smart or buff. But I bet nobody in this school has you beat in the cuteness department!" Deuce said.
"Caw! Yea you are but you can't compare to Tomioka sama. No offense Epel." Kanzaburou happily said.
"Erk...not sure how I should feel about that. But it's true that I'm not gonna look this way forever. Just think, this time next year, I might be taller, or more muscular. Or I could have a mustache!" Epel excitedly said.
"I dunno about that one, buddy." Deuce said as he gave Epel an awkward smile.
"Vil says my charm is my power. If I can put that power to good use in this year's SDC...maybe I could give the town a way bigger boost than just sellin' a bunch of juice crates." Epel happily said.
"Yea. If there's power to be found in the things we've spent our whole lives being ashamed of...then let's play to our strengths and prove we can break out of our shells! If that's what it takes to beat our rivals, then who am I to say no? I'll double down!" Deuce exclaimed.
"Heheh...yea, I hear ya!" Epel said as he let out a small chuckle.
"Epel, you know what I think we should do?
We should win this year's SDC and prove ourselves to Ace and Vil!" Deuce said as he smiled at the male as Kanzaburou got out of Epel's arms and perched himself on his head.
"That's what ah'm talkin' about! Ah'll be cute an' powerful as kin be!" Epel exclaimed as he and Deuce high fived each other.
"Caw! Yea crush them both!" Kanzaburou happily exclaimed as Deuce and Epel laughed a bit at his words.
"Ahaha!"
"Hoo wee! Look at this tricked out blastcycle!" A voice said now earning their attention.
"Huh?"
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(Y/N) was now currently deep in a forest behind Pomefiore dorm building as she was currently finishing up abusing the last tree in front of her. When she finished cutting the tree and picture neatly in half, she sat in seiza position as she was currently surrounded by sliced up trees and pictures torn in half with her nirichin blade laying in the grass next to her.
A blonde haired male was currently watching her. He watched her the entire time as she mercilessly cut up various trees and practically used them as target practice with Vil's pictures. The entire time he watched her, he seemed entranced by her swift movements.
"If you're going to just stand there leave, don't hide like a coward. I've felt your presence near me since the very beginning." The raven haired female as she remained on the ground, her hands on her lap as she stared ahead at the destroyed trees and pictures.
Rook's eyes widen by her sudden words as he stared at her in shock, he seemed surprised that she had known about his presence and so soon.
Smiling, he slowly approached her as he wore his usual smile before greeting her. "Bonjour belle." Rook greeted as the female simply kept her gaze up ahead at the destroyed trees.
"Rook senpai...hello." She mumbles as she looked up at the blonde. "What are you doing here?"
"I was curious about your whereabouts so I went to look for you." Rook said as he sat next to her before picking up a torn picture of Vil.
"I see. Well there's no need to concern yourself with me. I'm fine." (Y/N) said as she let out a small sigh.
"You've done quite a bit of work here." Rook said as he took in the sight of destroyed trees and pictures before smiling at her as she gave her a headpat. "May I ask why?"
"Trees are my preferred target rather than the physical person himself." She said as she clearly spoke about Vil.
"At least for now..."
"Your display of such a way of training and destruction moves my heart. You've left me entranced belle." Rook said as he happily smiled at the female.
"Um thank you senpai..." She said as she gave the male a strained smile before his eyes landed on her nirichin blade.
"Incroyable!" Rook exclaimed as he happily looked at her nirichin blade before smiling back at (Y/N). "This is the first time I have the honor of seeing your blade so close and without the beheading!" He said as (Y/N) sweat dropped at his words now remembering her actions during her first encounter with him.
"Right...sorry about that.." She said as she awkwardly scratched her cheek.
"Do not apologize belle, your form up close was magnifique!" He said as her gave her a close eyed smile.
"Well thank you senpai. I may not be at the corps, but I try to keep up with training and maintain my usual form." (Y/N) said as Rook's smile seem to grow at the sound of her words.
"Is that so? Belle, may I ask something of you?" He said as the female stared at him curiously before giving him a small nod.
"I would love to see your work up close. Perhaps in a friendly game of tag?" Rook happily said as (Y/N) stared at him in silence.
"Are you sure? Senpai, I am a Hashira, and trained swordswoman." She said as she cautiously stared at the blonde feeling slightly concerned.
"Don't worry about me Belle Épéiste, I can assure you all will be well." Rook said as (Y/N) looked down at her sword before looking back up at Rook. "It will be a friend game of tag after all.
"Alright...but I'll try not to be too rough." (Y/N) said as Rook soon helped her stand up as she grabbed her nirichin blade off the ground.
"Please, don't hesitate to go all out belle." Rook said as he gave the raven haired female a small smirk.
"Very well..."
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👑 Twisted Wonderland Secrets 👑
• Before leaving back to his dorm, Sebek actually caught up to (Y/N) and gave her a stapler. He also xplained to her how to use it since he already knew what she would do.
• Kanzaburou says Epel's cuteness can't compare at all to (Y/N)'s.
• Even though she was mad about the earlier event with Vil, (Y/N) was still concerned about Deuce and Epel.
• The reason why (Y/N) used the back of Pomefiore trees as target practice was because she wants Vil to regrow each individual tree as more punishment.
• The guys at Diasomnia are now fully aware of what happened between (Y/N) and Vil thanks to Sebek.
• Epel held Kanzaburou in his arms when there were in the blastcycle because he didn't want Kanzaburou to get hurt.
• Just like Deuce, Kanzaburou likes Epel solely because he's a "nice kid yet a very angry"
• Kanzaburou went with Deuce in hopes that they would talk about Vil and degrade him with Epel's help.
• Deuce felt a bit flustered when Kanzaburou told him that (Y/N) likes him just the way he is.
• Grim and Kanzaburou decided to leave (Y/N) alone because they knew she needed the moment for herself.
• Vil has yet to know what (Y/N) has done to the trees and his pictures.
• During the whole time he watched (Y/N), Rook was entranced by her movements while training.
• Kanzaburou likes the way Epel talks, he finds it amazing since he's never heard anyone speak in such a manner.
• Kanzaburou didn't mind when Epel held him in his arms and patted him since he's grown fond of him.
• The quote made in this chapter was also made by the same person in the last chapter's quote.
• During the time they separated, Grim stayed with Kalim.
• Rook is obviously aware of (Y/N) status on Magicam.
• Kanzaburou plans on telling (Y/N) to consider helping Epel to try and get strong.
• Rook was surprised by how easily (Y/N) sensed his presence.
• Deuce managed to scare Kanzaburou by suddenly yelling out of nowhere. He was both shocked and impressed.
• Epel is grateful towards (Y/N) after what she did for him. He looks up to her for it.
• Even though (Y/N) destroyed Pomefiore's trees and Vil's pictures, Rook was still amazed.
• Rook is excited for his game of tag with (Y/N). He wants her to go all out on him.
• When (Y/N) doesn't refer to an upperclassman as "senpai" it's because she has lost respect for them.
• Kanzaburou hopes that Epel and Deuce will be able to crush both Vil and Ace at SDC.
• (Y/N) really didn't want to fight against Rook knowing she could really hurt him, but gave in solely because he was persistent.
• Rook doesn't plan on telling Vil about the trees and pictures.
• (Y/N) is proud of Kanzaburou for punching Vil.
• Rook enjoyed his small moment with (Y/N) when they spoke.
• Kanzaburou really doesn't like Vil. Just the sound of his name annoys him.
• (Y/N) has grown to have more respect for Rook than Vil.
• Grim felt slightly nervous when he saw how angry (Y/N) was.
• Kanzaburou likes how fancy RSA looks, but hopes there are no annoying spoiled brats in the school.
• The mysterious person who left the quotes in this chapter and the last chapter will be revealed in the late anniversary chapter of this book. That chapter will be posted after Pomefiore Q&A.
• (Y/N) likes the stapler that Sebek gave her because she sees it as useful. She always wants to use it to throw it at someone just to see how much harm it'll cause.
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Loooook! Look at how pretty she looks 🤧 this amazing drawing was made by @ElizaLeiden
on Quotev. I always did like drawing pencil art but when it smudges I get mad 😔
Another Tsum tsum drawing of Tomioka. Ahhh I love the Tsum drawings, they're just so damn cute, thank you @Caitlin6499 on Quotev. Guys I'm sorry, but if you wanna calls dibs on Tomioka tsum, you sadly can't. SailorMoonKokushibo already claimed dibs and exchanged Hantengu Clones for her 🖤
You can't tell me Sam wouldn't give Kanzaburou a weapon for free especially once he finds out what Vil did to precious little sis Tomioka sama.
First picture, Kanzaburou ain't letting Vil touch Tomioka again after what he did and I'm all first it. And before you ask yes, those are heels he's wearing and he looks damn good in them.
Second picture is when Rook and Jamil were trying to hold back Kanzaburou to stop him from potentially killing Vil, don't worry Kanza, murder is ok and I'm sure the majorly of the readers would agree. Ok so the last two, are my favorite. So for this, apparently some student from booths randomly gave Tomioka a wedding costume to wear, I'm assuming they're the booths at the Cultural festival. Anyways, Kanzaburou obviously knows that the students there are just gonna fantasize our dear Tomioka sama in it, so being the amazing and protective bestie he is, he decided to wear it, and took a photo. And yes, Tomioka is dress as the groom, they both look adorable and Kanzaburou is making that wedding dress work 🖤 the four last drawings belong to the amazing AllisonShion1201 consider checking more of their art on their page or on Instagram