Dive Deep into Creativity: Discover, Share, Inspire
It happened in an instant.
Yuu woke up in a coffin, gasping in desperation and fear. The darkness swallowed him whole, rendering him unable to see.
Escaping that coffin when it was set ablaze by a cat-like monster marked the first adventure for Yuu.
Yuu's first reaction to this new world was like a child setting his gaze upon a brightly lit Christmas tree, eyes sparkling with bright lights and stars.
It was wonderful, colorful, and out of this world. It was like a dream.
His limbs trembled when he stepped into the new world, hands lifted before his eyes as though to question if everything was real.
And it was real. What Yuu felt and experienced was enough to tell that it's all real, and that was enough for him for wanting to stay even though it was just an abandoned ramshackle dorm, far from the luxury he had ever known.
He felt alive as magic burst like fireworks and danced to a rhythm his new friends orchestrated. Even if Yuu was magicless, he was happy all the same.
While it's true that his new life was sometimes faced with foes, obstacles, and antics caused by his friends, he didn't mind it at all. This is what he thought normal life should be like.
The pain that was inflicted on him, he cherished those as well. Perhaps it's strange to keep them as a reminder for most people, but for Yuu, it's not.
Maybe it's borderline crazy or just some weird coping mechanism.
Even if at some points he was asked by his friends about it, Yuu, whose being had been exposed as an anomaly for being magicless and from another world, could only smile.
Let it be his only secret.
Call him a weirdo, call him any other unusual names so hurtful and all Yuu could do is laugh like it was the funniest thing in the world.
And Grim, beloved Grim. Naughty and spoiled, he truly cherished his furry companion. The warmth he emitted and the annoying yet endearing personality.
It can be said that he made Yuu's life even better than before.
What Yuu experienced here was something that he yearned for but could never say out loud. It's not that he didn't have the freedom to do so. It was just the weight of his words was so burdensome.
He let his same wish go out with a puff to every birthday candle snuffed, watched as his hope grew and perished and began anew. The small piece of cake in his mouth tasted bland every year he forced himself to eat.
It was only now that his wish had been heard and granted and he wanted to stay here for eternity where he could live without being scared and weak.
He wanted to have fun every day. He wanted to laugh and eat food that had never been so delicious in his whole life before. He wanted to wake up in his home with Grim snuggling by his side and greet his friends with smiles without worry.
He wanted to do what he couldn't do, to try everything even if he failed miserably, to run and to dance, to explore and feel and wear the most luxurious clothes without the Swords of Damocles dropping over his head at any moment.
He wanted to cry but he had already cried enough, he wanted to smile twice as much without faking it.
He stayed and stayed… . . . …and stayed.
Until what happened during Idia's overblot and Malleus's shook his peaceful life. The seed that was left behind without any water and light burst open from its coat. The plants branched out at the tragedies unfolding before his eyes, poking deep inside his head and heart where he kept the darkness sealed.
It touched the parts Yuu wanted to hide. The dream he lived in wavered and the truth bared its fangs, glinting threateningly.
Yuu began to miss home.
He missed his family who was always by his side, through sorrow and pain, without fail. Even if he knew that they were also a bit unwilling to see him some days.
But Yuu understood. He had no choice but to do so.
Yuu knew his wish was very selfish. Maybe that's why the Blue Fairy didn't grant it at all because Yuu was hesitant in his heart. Because granting that wish meant he had to let go, never to see them again.
It's true that he wished to be happy, never to worry about a thing.
But he also wished that they could be happy too. Together or without…
For the first time in his new life, nothing felt the same anymore. Every adventure had Yuu thinking of his family.
It was not fun anymore.
And Yuu, who wished for things to stay like this forever, finally grew up. A person who used to fit with his peers like puzzles or like a Mad Hatter to Wonderland became Alice who wanted to go home.
He was out of place and out of time.
His heart kept yearning for unreachable things but the first wish was granted so what's wrong with keeping hope that another will be granted as well?
That's what Yuu did and he was back to square one.
Truly, he was a very pitiable person from the beginning.
He kept wishing and wished and wished–
–until Yuu woke up with a gasp, eyes blown wide open only to shut tightly when bright lights penetrated his vision.
A familiar scent of sterilization invaded his nose followed by a numb sensation in all limbs.
People in white coats surrounded his bed while holding certain devices that must have aided in bringing him back to life if the heart monitor that began to stabilize was any indication.
Although muddle-headed, his gaze managed to spot Grim, his beloved doll that was sewn terribly and barely resembled a cat. He was slumped next to the books filled with fairytales set on the desk next to his hospital bed.
Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, The Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty, and so on…
Yuu knew long ago what it meant to wake up in that coffin.
He was well aware that Twisted Wonderland is just another name for Neverland and Neverland is just another word for the afterlife, where the lost boys go and never grow up until the end of time.
He was ready to accept it but in the end…
He had made another wish and whispered it to the wishing star for the Blue Fairy to hear. A wish similar to Geppetto's yearning for a child, and in respond, Pinocchio, who was made of wood, was brought to life.
And he was indeed back to life. Back to the reality that he was reluctant to face every morning. Back to being a burden, stuck in the bed with white walls and limbs that couldn't move and senses that dulled over time as he festered in that place.
And it's all because Yuu didn't want to see his family cry over his coffin.
Yuu wanted to live even if it was painful. At least, until he's the only one left.
It was closest to a Happy Ending that Yuu could think of for a story like his, one that was truly fitting for a very selfish person.
The story goes as follows: Yuu woke up in a coffin in another world, became a student with a cat after an accident, and solved it. They deal with chaotic school life and overblots, and then go home, and that's the end.
That's how it goes.
That's how Yuu believed it to be.
Except Yuu woke up again in the same coffin, the same scenario repeating before their eyes upon seeing Grim blasted their coffin into a wreck and demanding their robe, feeling as though they just had a long bittersweet dream.
Yuu remembered every moment, every dialogue, and every incident that leads to overblots, so this can't be a dream. Yuu would say that they dreamt of the future. Maybe that's true, but maybe it's also the past.
That's right…
Yuu had finally come to a revelation.
Yuu had woken up at the very beginning of his new life in Twisted Wonderland, complete with the memories of the future.
Yuu was confused. Why? Why did they have to repeat this all over again? Why did time turn back?
Plenty of questions they don't know the answer to.
Despite feeling upset, Yuu had no choice but to go through it all over again, although the only blessing that came to them was in the form of a book hiding somewhere in the library. A way to go home.
If they could find that, maybe they would be able to go home sooner than before. That was their goal. Friends or not, the others could sort their own traumas with each other.
After going through the first overblot Yuu faced, just like before, and then becoming a student, Yuu's first destination was the library.
They leashed Grim out of caution while they're off to search for the book based on the memories they had, ignoring his yelling.
Before Yuu ever had the chance to, Ace and Deuce barged into the library, making quite a racket. And before Yuu knew it, they all were researching about unique plants because Ace said he and Deuce got punished due to messing up their first brewing lesson.
Yuu thought that it's only for a moment, so why not. They can find the book another day since it won't go anywhere.
Following the story of the future, Ace knocked on the door in the middle of the night with a metal collar.
Yuu let him sleep there with no hesitation. There was no need to listen; Yuu knew what happened already. Ace's expression looked a bit strange, though Yuu couldn't fault him, seeing how Yuu didn't even look a little bit curious.
It went the same as they expected after that night; Deuce came in the morning, berated Ace, and then everyone went to Heartslabyul to accompany Ace to apologize, and Cater took advantage of them and blah blah blah.
Yuu was autopiloting, but the moment Trey suggested baking a mont blanc tart, they blinked out of their daydream and suggested to bake another dessert instead of a mont blanc tart.
Trey asked Why not? And Yuu questioned back if mont blanc is allowed during the unbirthday party.
This is where Yuu started to notice there's something wrong. They all looked at Yuu with complicated looks, almost anxious. Some even insisted that the tart is a must at the unbirthday party.
Yuu tried to convince them when they complained about gathering thousands of chestnuts, but it didn't work.
And just like that, the Riddle overblot happened (again).
Yuu was met with this strange phenomenon again after that.
Yuu tried to prevent Trey, Jamil, and the others from the accident before the Spelldrive tournament. But somehow, it still happened. They still had to meet Vil, Rook, and Epel, as well as the Leech twins, no matter how much Yuu said it's Ruggie. It was also inevitable that the Savanaclaw would also bully them in a Spelldrive and the overblot happening.
Every time Yuu wanted to alter it or 'speedrun' it, the others, although some are perfect, weren't able to conceal their expression from Yuu.
Yuu wasn't able to recognize what kind of expression it was since they hid it again. However, Yuu felt dread growing in their guts.
The feelings of uneasiness and fear grew as the story goes on.
Their relationship, along with their expression with the others, felt strange. It felt forced but not really. Sometimes they looked genuine, and sometimes they are not. Their movement looked practiced as if they've done this many times, and their dialogues were the exact same thing from the future memories.
Other than that, Yuu even noticed that Yuu would get dragged out of the library whenever there's an important 'event' to the plot going on by many excuses made by their friends. However, when it was finished, they would go to the library and search for the book.
However, all the free time spent here, Yuu still couldn't find the book even with the aid of the future memories. It looked like the book disappeared out of the shelves.
And so, with a heavy heart, Yuu was unable to go home earlier as they anticipated and had to proceed like normal.
It was just that a thought still lingered in their mind. It was as if someone took the book out…
Something weird is going on.
One day, Yuu was certain that their friends knew what the future held, but then questions arose. For what reason do they reenact the story once more? Why do they pretend? What's the goal of all of this?
Is there something Yuu is missing?
Yuu was still questioning everything even as the final chapter unfolded before their eyes. Except, it's not the way he knew of.
Grim overblotted, scorching the whole room in bright blue flame. The mighty roar shook the room and broke the windows. The shadow of a horrifying beast loomed over all.
Everything is destroyed, and everyone is at the brink of death.
This was not what Yuu experienced before. In that future, everyone is alive. Yuu gets to go home. So what is this? How did this happened?
Another wave of unforgiving flame, and their eyes were blinded by the bright light it emitted before pain overwhelmed their whole body until they felt nothing, only the feeling of being suspended in the air.
Multiple voices, so quiet yet loud, reverberated inside their head, overlapping each other to the point they sounded incomprehensible.
"̵͕̪̪̄̾̈̕͝À̸͖͓͆n̶̪̐̈́o̴̖̼̣͋ṭ̷̜̺̭͕̂͑̿͑ḧ̶͕͎̹́̓̔͠e̵̪̽̇̈͆͝r̴̥͉͗̌̅̊ ̵̗͍͌͌̒̂ͅf̸͓̻̃a̷̠̬̤̔i̴͎̕ḽ̷̝̜͆̾͛́͠ͅe̶̜̿̓͝d̷̡̺̣͚̹́̐͝ ̸̰̗͙͚̓͆͜͝s̸͕͗͌̈́̃t̶̰̩̫̪̾͑̾̐̃ǫ̵̝͚̈̋͌̾͑ŗ̶̫͎̥̎̊͘y̴̻̗̮͝.̸̡̛̘̮̤̿͝"̶͍͖͔̳̃̓̏̆͠ ̴̬̮̊̽̒̚͝ ̵͇͔̰̓"̵͍͙̺͑͘T̴͖͕͖̠̻͌͌͝h̸̢̙̙̊̾̓ȇ̴̓̂͊͘͜ ̶͔̾̃̄͜͝p̵͉̩͆ę̷͕̀͋̅̑̈́ř̷̮͎͐̈́f̷̡̞̹͖̀͠ë̸̙͓͉́͝c̸̞̗̫͎͌͝t̷̤̙̕ ̷̭̲̦̦̇̏e̸̠̍͝n̴̫̗̻̠͍͗͑̉̐d̷̳̭̤̍̆͠ĭ̵͉͖̤̌n̴̩̣̕͠g̶͚͚͖͂̈́̅͒̀ͅ ̵͋͗͝ͅh̸̜̼̠͔̠͗a̶͓͕̥͈͙͒̽s̶̬̣̯̈́͊͑ņ̴̬̌͗'̴͇̿̐͜ẗ̴̛͎̝͒̀̓ ̴̱̻̰̈́̐͐b̷̛̰̺̩͍e̴̹̠̼̤̊̊́ę̸̤͈͇̺͝͝n̶̡̺͙͍̩͑ ̵̛̥̩̮f̸̰̣̦͆̊̿͠ỏ̴̝͖̮͉ů̵͎͛̇̕n̴͕̋͂̚̚͠d̶̩̤͖͙̿̈.̷̞̝͓̻̃́̚"̴͍͈̙̓͗́ ̸̥͙̫̬͈̓̏̂ ̸̳̯͑̌͆͝͝"̴̨̪̳̼̩̌̓̚Ẅ̵̳̘͎͕̬́i̵̢̪̲̦͊̆͝l̵̡̩͆̋̐̓̎l̵̬̐ ̴̠̓̋̂t̶̻͐̈͜ḧ̸̨̹͔̇͆̾̚ͅe̵̺̲̣̽r̵̤̒e̸̼͛ ̷̱̂͊̽͘͝b̷̳̄͛̄e̵̛̦̳̠̩̍̌̍͝ ̴̣̤͓̞̺͘̕͘a̴̢̘̥͕͌̎̅ ̵̣̬̖͈̳͌̆͌s̶̰͈̤͆͝t̸̻̀o̸̢̨͇͖̦͑̊̌ŗ̶͉͈̠̆̍́͂y̸̩͋̔̇̏ ̴̗͍̼͎͊ẃ̸̡͙h̷̙̯̆͋͝é̶̥͛͂̉͝r̵̪̪̯̱͎̒e̶̳̾͒͂ ̸͈̒̀͆ẻ̸͙͎͇̖v̶̀͜e̷̲̠̅̏̽ŕ̵̞̩̫͇̃͜y̶̙̆̄̂o̷͓̱̿n̴͎̻̾ë̶͚́̀̈́͆ ̴̤͒́̈l̸̠͓̗̬̈́i̸̭͊́v̵͍̞̹̽̓̓͜ḙ̴̡͌̈́͆̌̕š̶͍̘̉̑̈́͝ ̵̳̪̫̿̚ẖ̶̮̺̿͊a̷̠͗͝p̴̟̑̾͂̎p̵̡̲̈̍͘î̸̡͓̮̫̩̄̍͆̚l̷͕̯̥͂͒̇ÿ̸̛̗́̚ ̸̛̗̣̘̙̬̐̒̎i̷̲̼̩̹̬͝n̶͇̰̻͋ ̶̛̮̘̜͊͝ţ̸̼̺͍͙̂͊̈́ẖ̵̀̏͆i̵̘̻͕̥̙͆͘͝s̸̜̘̹͉̳͑̔͂ ̸̧̧̳̙̗̈́͋͊̕ẅ̷̪̖́ö̷̠͚͚̊̍͘ȓ̸̖͊͐̀l̷̤͝ḑ̵̼̗̰̑̀͘͜ ̷̺̤̗̮́͘t̴̳͇͍̽̈̕o̷̧̪̬͋͋͊̕̕ǵ̷͚̭͙̩̍̌̕͝e̶̦̔͂ṱ̵̓͠h̷̪̿͐̚e̸̤͌͊̿̂̕ͅr̷̖̺͉̿?̸̝̏̾"̸̨̧̗̻̀͗̇̒ ̵̢̼͆̅̅ ̵̼̩̖̰̒̀"̵͓͈̦͓̈́L̶̫̪͑̋̃̐͝ë̴͇̭͈͕̽̍t̶̩͓̥̥̀̀͘͝͝'̶͇̉̏̏̀̑s̴̪͎̙̈́͒ ̶̢̹̖͙̓ͅp̶̪̻̟̟̈́l̶̙̜̫͉͉̏̍̈́a̷̜͎̞̎̽ý̸̝͔͆̈́̐̽ ̶̱̍a̵͕̍̒̓ģ̵͚̤̮̂ä̶͚͇̲́̔́̾ḯ̷̧̠͚̦̮̅̏́͌n̷̛̠̂.̸̧̭͓̮̿̿̌"̷̞͔̱̄̓̉
And then Yuu woke up in the same coffin, the start of everything.
Yuu dreamt of their school life and dealing with overblots as well as friends who are so full of deceptions yet so guileless.
Yuu dreamt of hot blue fire burning everything down to ashes and the coffins floating all around the room. The pupil-less glare of a beast scorched deep into their soul.
Yuu remembered every moment, every dialogue, and every incident that leads to overblots, so this can't be a dream. Yuu would say that they dreamt of the future. Maybe that's true, but maybe it's also the past.
That's right…
Yuu had finally come to a revelation.
Yuu had woken up at the very beginning of his new life in Twisted Wonderland, complete with the memories of the future.
Yuu was confused. Why? Why did they have to repeat this all over again? Why did time turn back?
Plenty of questions they don't know the answer to.
But they remembered the future and how it ended. They need to find other ways to solve the overblots and prevent that ending from coming true.
That is Yuu's goal for now.
-----
The concept of this time loop is not when you have many save files with different endings, but you only have one file and you played and saved different endings on it. That explains that Yuu doesn't remember the previous 'story' where he gets to go home instead Yuu remembered the new one. It got overwritten, simply put.
Also, it might be Malleus doing the time turning back because all of them like a happy ending where everyone lives and stuck together. They all remember and pretend to go along because it is still the story/game. Might work for the Yandere theme as well.
OR
Everyone remembered, but they had no choice but to pretend. There are other entities out there (players) watching (playing?) and Yuu is the key to a happy ending and stopping time from turning back and being free.
The exam month had come. Yuu was in the living room with books and papers scattered on the table.
His injured hands, which were finally healed by a healing potion, held a pen in a strange manner, slowly dragging it across the paper, stopping for a few seconds before continuing. The hands noticeably became shakier and stiffer.
It seems that the healing potions don't heal everything. The crooked fingers are proof of that.
Still, Grim watched how Yuu struggled before the boy sighed and decided to abandon it to read the notes instead. In Grim's opinion, the writings were pleasing to his eyes, and he could understand them in one glance in comparison to the scrawling from before.
It goes without a doubt that Yuu was very smart and also hardworking. Even that two-toned haired teacher praised Yuu, occasionally giving him candies.
Grim looked at Yuu's hands and decided that he didn't want Yuu to ruin their first exam, so Grim would take the lead. They both are, after all, two-in-one student. It would be awful if Yuu didn't manage to score anything with those hands.
-
Grim noticed Yuu roaming around the room where he was at like a ghost haunting the place. Yuu usually doesn't stay in the same room, and if he does, he usually tries to erase his presence.
So therefore, him hovering around and gazing at him from a certain distance became annoying.
"What are you movin around for? You're botherin me," Grim huffed, looking away from the notes he obtained from a certain someone.
Yuu kept looking at him nervously, his sweat dripping and fidgeting with his fingers lightly.
"Are you sure you're going to do the exam instead of me...? I can do it," Yuu said softly, almost carefully.
"No! I can do it. I'm not that dumb! If anythin, you're goin to make us fail with those hands of yours."
"Oh, I'm sorry..."
Grim saw Yuu glanced at his hands for a short moment before hiding them behind his back, expression down as though he's shameful.
"So sit down! I'm gonna ace this exam all by myself!" Grim huffed once more after he said those words as if it would calm Yuu down.
-
Despite not doing anything troublesome like the exam, Yuu grew even more nerve-wracking just watching by the sidelines, fearing that Grim would mess it up, to which Grim assured confidently and exasperatedly that he won't.
His confidence only soared higher when he received high scores and he shoved it to Yuu, who flinched at the sudden action.
Grim dismissed it. After all, he did a very good job of it, so Yuu will definitely be impressed by it, so he held it up with pride.
"85...?" Yuu's voice trembled, and his eyes widened with horror. Grim heard Yuu mumbling from underneath his breath how the teacher won't accept this and will be angry.
Yuu began to shed tears when he saw Ace's and Deuce's marks but not from happiness as he expected. His expression looked frightened and alarmed.
"Hey, it's closer to 100. That's fine, isn't it?" said Ace, trying to comfort Yuu, who is not participating in the exam yet was unusually upset at their marks. "That's not a terrible mark at all!"
"Yes, it is... Master Crewel is going to get angry..." said Yuu with certainty and fear.
Grim thought that the three of them definitely have the same idea in mind at that time, but none spoke them out loud.
-
Contrary to Yuu's words, Professor Crewel does not punish them, but he does look at them all suspiciously.
And now, it's their turn to be scared. Grim didn't expect that all of them actually made a deal with Azul, that scammer!
Upon learning of this fact, Yuu's expression turned to be even more horrified. He hugged himself, and he began to bite the flesh between the thumb and the wrist, almost piercing through them and drawing blood.
Yuu seemed to be in his own world that his words became incoherent, but some managed to understand a few of what he's saying.
"Cheating, lies, not allowed, punished, beaten, angry, apologize..."
A story formed in their head in an instant, but Grim doesn't understand why they would get beaten for that alone?
His question remained unanswered because everyone who managed to strike a deal with Azul sprouted an anemone on top of their head and began to march to the Octavinelle dorm.
Yuu, despite trembling like a shaky leaf, remained still amongst the moving crowd, looking hesitant, as though he will end up in a terrible situation if he followed them.
-
Grim, Ace, and Deuce didn't see Yuu that much after they started working in the Mostro Lounge. Grim did meet Yuu at the dorm, but he hardly gave any attention and just dropped on the spot and snooze.
He had never worked so hard in his entire life, and that made Grim think that it's not worth making a deal with the devil.
But then he thought of the reason why he accepted, and he can only grumble loudly as his tiny paws washed yet another dirty dish.
Surely... this isn't as hard as...
He yowled as the water splashed on his face.
-
They met again during lunch after who knows how long, but Grim is exhausted that time seemed to blend together. The same thing goes for Ace and Deuce as they all dragged their feet to find their table, resisting the urge to sleep.
Yuu, who is somehow accompanied by a very decent Savanaclaw student by the name of Jack, easily spotted them and carefully sat right next to them. His eyes flitted across all three expressions as though he's looking for something, only to slacken the tension in his shoulders.
It did not last long when the Leeches twins invited themselves in, but Grim no longer took notice of this the moment the twins suggested that there is a way for them to be free.
Yuu needed to make a deal with Azul.
It did not last a minute; Yuu buckled instantly under their pleadings to save them. They all cheered, ignoring Jack scolding them.
"You know, for the first time, I think I'm ready to recognize you as our prefect," said Grim, feeling elated at Yuu for the first time.
The smile on Yuu's face immediately went strained, and his gaze was lowered. Grim saw his still injured fingers clenched tightly on his pants as though it wasn't hurt days ago.
"I'm... glad I'm useful," Yuu said.
Maybe Grim should have shut his mouth.
-
Grim still stayed on the bed, and Yuu on the floor.
Grim slept to the scent of salt and the quiet sobbings accompanying the cold night.
-
Grim sneaked out of the kitchen to the VIP room on the day Yuu came to make a deal, a trail of wet spots formed on the carpet as he made his way over there.
He heard voices, and he, who at first wanted to recklessly barge in, suddenly out of character, stopped to lean on the door so he could listen in.
"...You see, prefect, my understanding is that you have no innate magical power." Came Azul's voice.
"You're not gifted with a beautiful voice, nor are you heir to any kingdom. You also do not possess any outstanding and useful skills. You're an utterly run-of-the-mill human in every possible way. Considering the big ask you're making of me, I would need considerable collateral."
It was insults, no matter how many different angles and how many times he tried to listen. If it was Grim whom Azul had told that face to face, he would no doubt be blown up with rage and yell back.
However, Yuu only replied with two words, spoken softly and without stuttering as though he had known that a long time ago and had long accepted it.
"I know."
-
Since Yuu had put the ramshackle dorm as collateral, they both were kicked out of their only shelter into the cold night.
Ace, Deuce, and even Jack offered to help them. The Adeuce insisted Yuu go with them instead of Jack; after all, Jack is from Savanaclaw, and Yuu and that dorm don't mix well together.
Except that didn't happen.
Yuu followed Jack, and he let Grim follow Ace and Deuce.
-
His sleep that night was filled with snores, the rustling of someone moving in their sleep, and a faint smell of roses that was enough not to irritate his nose.
It felt strange that Yuu was not here.
He was awake for hours and he doesn't remember what time it was when he had fallen asleep.
-
Grim does not know what happened to Yuu that same night. But the next day, he spotted bruises blooming all over Yuu's body that Grim suspected some of his ribs might have broken. There were also a few band-aids here and there, and even the face was not spared.
Grim suddenly went mad over this, yelling at Jack, who followed Yuu guiltily. Even Ace and Deuce joined as well, occasionally scolding Yuu lightly for even choosing the place where most students beat him up.
"I'm sorry... I... didn't want to bother you," Yuu murmured, the injuries making him look even more pathetic.
Their anger didn't last long upon seeing this and told him to come to their dorm instead.
Yuu merely shook his head, "I won... fair and square. I'll do my part well."
Nobody knows what he meant by this.
-
They cornered Jack when he's alone after their attempted to steal the photograph failed.
"What does Yuu mean?"
"Why is he hurt like that?"
"What did you do?"
Plenty of accusations were thrown at him that Jack's stern expression twisted into something complicated.
What left his mouth only stunned them even more.
In exchange to live there, Yuu had to be a gopher and also fight and win. And win he did, even as his body is blue and black and his form is close to a deathbed.
There's no benefit in living there and winning said fight if being beaten up and being a gopher awaited him there.
Grim was right when he said that Yuu was a coward and an idiot.
A coward because Yuu cannot say no so he does what Leona said and an idiot for not realizing that there's nothing good that will bring to him in that place.
-
Despite everything, Yuu still went there.
But Grim supposed that there's another reason why he needed to get what Azul wanted to get the ramshackle dorm back.
-
Yuu came up with a plan on the last day when everyone is starting to lose hope. It was simple. Too simple just like the time he came up with in the Dwarf mine, yet it proved to be effective.
The day they initiated the plan also went smoothly that not even the closed museum could ever obstructed said plan with the help of Ace.
Grim rather liked a smart Yuu rather than an idiot, but it is too bad that this showcase of intelligence is very limited and not available most of the time.
But it was on this very same day that Grim realized just how truly smart Yuu is.
Grim had learned Yuu had done something to Leona for him to join his plan, a second plan that no one in the group knows. Yuu and the rest were simply bait, but who would have thought that both plans succeeded anyway.
Grim wondered why it's only time like this that Yuu started to take the lead when he's usually the one who is following and endured.
-
Azul overbloated after that; his lower half became that of an octopus and Grim thought that everything can be handled since they've beaten Riddle and Leona before.
This proved to be a bit difficult seeing as Azul had stolen half of their magic and used it against them. Offensive and defensive, he had it all much to Grim's displeasure.
Azul, just like Leona before, reached out to Yuu with one of those octopus legs the moment his eyes laid on him. Eyes dilated with anger and hatred, only to replace with malicious glee when he caught Yuu who stood still like a sacrifice.
Again with that.
Grim thought he imagined it last time but he really did it again.
Yuu cried and gasped for air as Azul choked the life out of him while everyone is screaming for his name.
Grim thought Yuu hated being beaten up, thought he's scared of it.
So why is he smiling?
-
Grim never got his answer, feeling quite lost and confused with how Yuu acted. The others seemed to know, seemed to understand what Yuu is thinking even if it's just snippets.
But Grim is not as smart as Yuu, so Grim could never understand what goes through Yuu's mind.
The moment the monster got defeated, Grim quickly ate the black magestone the monster left behind to distract himself.
Yuu was currently knocked out cold on the floor, surrounded by his friends who have disheveled appearances. No doubt, they will scold him when he woke up later.
-
They did scold him when he regained consciousness.
Yuu apologized pathetically and said that he was scared he couldn't move his feet. He shed tears and trembled upon being stared upon.
But that's not what Grim saw earlier. Yet, he kept his mouth shut anyway.
Yuu didn't get to go home after all those months spent here in Twisted Wonderland trying to deal with school life, the overblots, and the homesickness.
Yuu didn't take it too well when Crowley broke it to them. What are they supposed to do now? Yuu can't live like this, knowing that their family must be worried sick with their absence.
Moreover, this school life is only temporary. What comes next when everything is over and everyone parts to find their own path? Yuu doesn't have a place in this world. Their existence here is a mistake.
Yuu does not belong here.
Yuu refuses to believe Crowley and takes it upon themselves to scour the whole library. But that will take time given how big it is, and Yuu is only one person.
Not one of their friends is willing to help because they said a book like that doesn't exist, and there's nothing Yuu could do.
But what do they know? Yuu hasn't seen them ransack the whole library, nor did they put in an effort to, so how would they know it's not there?
Yuu keeps searching on, their loyal friend Grim ever by their side, even if he's grumbling about how bored and tiring it is.
But he stayed and helped, even when he feared that he would be left alone one day, and that's all that matters. The relationship with their friends strained just a little bit in doing so, but Yuu thinks it won't matter in the end.
The library hadn't been fully searched when the school life ended, and Yuu feared what became of them after this. Yuu knew that knowing they couldn't go home, they would have to make a new one in this new world, which is not what they would have preferred.
They could stay in that dorm, but Yuu is no longer a student. There's no reason for them to stay here in the dorm that they had fixed. Crowley had said so; he owned it and gave them shelter, so it's natural that he will take it all back.
He is not that generous at all, even though this was his problem Yuu was here in the first place.
With this being said, Yuu decided to become a teacher, replacing Professor Mozus Trein, who is now retiring, and Grim will be taking over Lucius's position.
Teaching history is no problem; Yuu already wasted some of their life in that classroom and that library. Yuu couldn't believe they knew Twisted Wonderland history much better than their own, but Yuu supposed that it's vital for their job.
This way, Yuu can continue going to the library, even though being a teacher is far from what they always wanted to be. But it's not like they have any choices, isn't it?
There are also advantages in being a teacher. One is that Yuu can do whatever they want because they are now an adult. They could talk back to Crowley face to face now.
Second is that if the library held not one clue to the way back home, which would make Yuu insane if NRC didn't really have such a book, Yuu is able to request any visitation to any other college, partly because Yuu has such a good connection with them.
Yuu's friends sometimes visit them out of the blue, bearing gifts and coaxing Yuu to visit their places as well, going as far as to crash the classroom and so forth. It was thoughtful, albeit annoying, but the implication did not escape Yuu's observation.
It's not going to work. Yuu thought of this over and over again every time their friends tried to bond with them.
Yuu will leave this place one day, and all those memories and relationships will be for naught. Yuu would rather they have no good feelings towards this world for fear they will have a desire to return here again. Yuu doesn't have the courage to leave their family once more if they managed to come home.
Yuu would have to be indifferent to their approach, reject every reaching hand, and drown themselves in dust and pages.
How long will Yuu stay here? To what length will Yuu go for the sake of going home?
Yuu glanced at the black Magestone kept properly in the chest. The Magestone that appeared the moment Grim's overblot was over.
The glimmer in their eyes shone like a star.
All Yuu needs is magic.
-
*Yandere is alright. The characters probably burned the book so Yuu could stay. They have patience and believe that Yuu will finally let go and pick one of them to settle down.
*Would the angst be great in some friends' POV?
Warning: inhumane treatment and view, abuse, human trafficking, obsession.
Twisted Wonderland, where non-magical people do not exist.
Imagine how NRC looked upon Yuu, the first non-magical human to ever exist. It was like seeing an exotic animal, the only one of its kind.
Yuu is not a being with a thinking mind, but an animal with no brain in the eyes of Twisted Wonderland. Seeing how Yuu reacts to the world with barely any knowledge only cements this fact.
Prefect? What a joke. Yuu is the Headmaster and the Housewardens' pet.
Yuu'll do the errands, Yuu'll be the scapegoat for every blame, a doll to be dressed and shown off, a frog to be dissected, a plushie to be cuddled and torn apart, a lion in a circus, doing tricks it abhors by the ringmaster.
Yuu can scream and threaten and hurt them and risk dying, but it's alright, Yuu are their beloved pet. It's nothing but a mild tantrum. Yuu will calm down soon anyway. It's always like that, and if not, a few rough handlings will do the trick. If the most vicious, unruly dogs can learn to behave and be obedient, so can Yuu.
Even if Yuu had become the most ugliest thing molded by their hands, Yuu will still be loved. Isn't that wonderful?
The others caught wind of this. The Royal Sword Academy wanted to see this non-magical thing, amazed and then astounded at their condition that is akin to an abused and leashed dog. Their kind and gentle hearts could never bear to see Yuu in such situation.
They wanted to sweep Yuu off their feet, ride on a white horse like a knight in shining armor, and place them in RSA where they will watch over Yuu and take care of their needs.
Rollo Flamm of the Noble Bell College, who dreamt that the world will be better without magic, began to show interest, obsessively so. It grew worse when he saw the state Yuu is in, proving that magic is indeed evil, and thus, bringing his hatred for magic to further heights.
He would find ways to meet, observe, and transfer Yuu to their college under the guise of 'justice'.
The Playful Land would prepare for the arrival of a new puppet. They'll put a stage for Yuu to stand on, dress them prettily, and handle them gently like precious goods. The spotlight is on Yuu, smile. Yuu will–is loved. The money bid on them will be the proof.
Fellow Honest stood back, Gidel hidden behind him. He would save Yuu, but at what cost? He couldn't save himself nor Gidel from this place.
It does not stop there. It spreads, people around the world would flock to NRC to see this precious, unique little thing by the name of Yuu.
Royalties and those who have money wanted to buy or demanded them to show up so they can see Yuu up close. Reporters would barged NRC daily and so on.
Getting kidnapped, harassed and no privacy is part of the norm.
How would Yuu ever break free and return home?
Inspired by a certain beast tamer Yuu post from a long time ago. Can't remember the name, sorry.
Yuu got called a beast tamer, but the only beast they have is Grim. Comparing to Kalim, who has a whole zoo, and Rook the Hunter, who has tendencies to attract animals, as well as Riddle with his hedgehogs and flamingos, the title beast tamer should have been handed to either three of them instead of Yuu.
It was a joke. Yuu knew it the moment Crowley called them a beast tamer, perhaps to flatter them into accepting a job or something, but no matter, Yuu is a joke in everyone's eyes.
Yuu is getting sick of getting asked if they have any animals or why they are called a beast tamer and so on. They don't know how to answer those, even if they do, it's not like it's going to improve their situation anyway.
Pissed off and feeling very petty, Yuu decided to tackle this the only way they know how. All those games are not for nothing, and Yuu ks going to put it to good use. Yuu is prepared for this. The time has come, and Yuu will not stand still when they are questioned again.
Yuu is gonna catch 'em all!
Yuu immediately goes on an adventure to snatch some monsters in the wilderness, and what do you know? Yuu is really a beast tamer. The monsters they brought home speak volumes.
"What's that? Oh, I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you over the purring of my gigantic chimera right next to me. Simply put, f*ck off!"
"How did I find Cerberus? I rowed myself to the underworld, you f*cker! Don't you dare call him fake! Go eat him, Cerby!"
"Oh damn. My phoenix set someone on fire. Hey, hey! It's going to be alright, I heard the phoenix is a bird of rebirth. You're going to be fine."
"Yes, I have a griffin, yes, I have a unicorn, a pegasus, a basilisk, and also yes, I have a bunch of normal animals too. You know what I don't have? Thaumarks. Pay up, b*tch. I need to feed my babies."
It goes without fail that a different beast will accompany Yuu and Grim to class, and due to this, it's not that easy to approach Yuu anymore. The beasts are effective bodyguards. There are no more jokes about a beast tamer; Yuu is the real deal now.
The boys could go deal with school and overblots; Yuu is gonna do the equivalent of farm life in the ramshackle dorm.
A different outlook would be instead of taming beasts, Yuu tamed people instead. Yuu is getting sick of these rude people so they decided to make the bullies their 'pet'.
Savanaclaw is the first victim since most unruly and undisciplined students came from here. Since this is a dorm filled with beastmen, naturally, power rules the weak is a norm.
Yuu did something that straight-up made the Savanaclaw students docile and obedient through incredible violence, harsh discipline, and volcano-like anger. The students that followed Yuu were either full of simps or simply out of fear or respect.
Second would be Diasomnia and Yuu obtain them without lifting a finger, believe it or not. Malleus is already wrapped around Yuu's finger since the beginning, if the respected housewarden and heir to the Briar Valley is like this, it only prompted the others to follow Yuu as well. They will treat Yuu like royalty. Simply put, Yuu got the whole package without asking.
…
Couldn't decide who's next. My brain ain't braining anymore. For those who wish to use the prompt, do tag me please. I want to read.
Yuu = They/them.
Yuu did not go to NRC and instead went to RSA.
Every day, Yuu woke up not to the sun, but to some goddamn random RSA students with cheery faces barging into their room. People followed Yuu wherever they went, dragging Yuu off to somewhere they dubbed 'somewhere fun,' which was definitely not fum at all. and it annoyed Yuu to no end.
It was suffocating, and Yuu swore they were going to die just being surrounded by these goody-two-shoes who wouldn't leave them alone.
If Yuu had gone to NRC before, they would say that RSA was better than NRC in terms of accommodation and peacefulness. In RSA, Yuu could live a lavish life with a soft bed, delicious food, and wonderful decoration. The only thing that ruined their experience was the existence of RSA students.
Despite Yuu's attempts to avoid them, they still managed to find Yuu, whether it be Yuu sleeping on a tree, sitting on a very tall roof, or hiding in the dark under their bed or in the attic. They always found Yuu.
Yuu openly showed their displeasure with no hesitation, unleashing some inappropriate words in front of RSA students and sternly said not to find them. If they failed to understand, Yuu would smack their reaching hand away in anger.
RSA students were unfazed by the whole thing, smiling fondly at Yuu and indulging in Yuu's whims as though Yuu were a child. Their optimistic view sickened Yuu so badly that they couldn't help but distort their expression into disgust and annoyance every time they locked eyes.
Just like before, Yuu's ill-mannered behavior was met with laughter that was rather happy instead of being offended. Yuu was tired of dealing with a bunch of extroverts; they couldn't possibly entertain them all.
Despite being an outsider with a foul mouth and personality, Yuu still got treated right and kindly. Sure, some of them looked wary and were kind of rude, but somehow, they still opened up to Yuu over time. Yuu had no idea how their crude language, rough appearance, and behavior attracted them.
Anyway, the point is, RSA was too friendly for Yuu's liking and too clingy that Yuu doubted if this school really raises royalty because their clinginess sure reminded Yuu of a monkey from how tight they're holding unto Yuu.
They couldn't even understand the meaning of 'don't touch me' and 'I don't want to be friends, so back off,' much to Yuu's chagrin. It must be that optimistic view that made them a brainless bunch of idiots. Well, some of them were smart, but the fact that they still got close to Yuu proved that they were idiots.
In the eyes of others outside of RSA, Yuu was the black sheep of the prestigious, kind-hearted, and good-natured RSA, the dirt on the pure white canvas, the stain on a fine fabric, the one that would never fit.
In the eyes of RSA, however, Yuu was nothing more than a black cat they wanted to spoil despite its temper. Yuu's actions were nothing more than a cat throwing a hissy fit to them, a very endearing, 'scared' little kitty that still hadn't opened up to them.
Grim can be the mascot of NRC, and RSA is Yuu.
Now, imagine a scenario where Neige is talking nonstop to Vil about his new friend, Kitty, with so much sparkle that Vil wanted to barf. He didn't of course, he have a reputation to keep.
Suddenly, Neige called out the name loudly and is vibrating on the spot from sheer joy, and Vil, assuming it's just a kitty, turned around and was met with the most irritated person, oozing dark, gloomy aura at the sight of Neige.
Neige started to direct his attention to Yuu, and Yuu make the ugliest face they could ever make that definitely didn't sway Neige's opinion judging by the stars in his eyes. Yuu then shot a dead look at Vil that clearly said, "take him back before I'm commiting a crime."
Another would be Chenya sneaking into an unbirthday party in NRC to see Riddle and Trey while dragging a very reluctant Yuu who looked like they just wake up from a sleep.
As they sat for the party, Chenya clinked his cup with Yuu, who held it lazily, while speaking in riddles, which Yuu responded to with "shut your damn mouth, fcking cat. You're giving me a headache" prompting a loud gasp from Trey and Riddle and gigglings from Chenya.
Just Yuu trying to live their life in RSA as they stared longingly at NRC.
-
If Yuu from NRC turned the villains into good, naturally, the Yuu in RSA turned them bad. Can go with the "white=bad, black=good" prompt or yandere route, etc. This is just an idea. Feel free to branch from it.
Actually, I have no idea what I'm doing. It was supposed to be a theory, and now it's a story idea with probably a bunch of plot holes and nonsense that I came up with at night. But do consider this idea though. It was said that there are 5 greatest mages in the world, with Malleus on the list, and Dire Crowley could probably be in it too. Who knows? How else did he become a headmaster for so long?
-
Fairy tales change every time they're written and told. Some parts are kept the same, some are not. Some are twisted enough to the point of being called disturbing, and others have their roles reversed, and so on.
It always changes. The words change from book to book and mouth to mouth. Sometimes because the story is a bore, or they wanted to justify the characters' actions, or maybe they simply have forgotten how it goes and made their own story up because they can never let it be forgotten.
Whatever it is, the story is made to fit one's own taste.
Dire Crowley is that kind of person who is unsatisfied with the ending of the stories he comes across. Being a curious bird, he finds it quite strange, vexing even. Why must the good guy win when they have almost nothing? The villains are cunning and stronger even, yet they are defeated by a goody-two-shoes who knows nothing of the world.
Curious, how curious. How could that happen? Logically, the villains should win. It's unfair, like the world is against them. Don't some of the villains come from the same root? So how come they are different?
Crowley wasn't having it. He wanted to know why, and he liked them enough to decide that villains should be heroes too.
And so, he made a story—a story with a certain ending in mind but a hole in between which pages will gradually be filled with time.
He made a world where 7 villains he carefully selected became the most prominent figures in Twisted Wonderland. He wrote the good things he saw in them, and gradually, people admired these figures.
He even made a place for their embodiments so he can watch over and figure out what made them lose. To do this, he made the Royal Sword Academy where the good guys are, the rivals to the villains.
Crowley intended to observe them. They are placed together in a school with 7 dorms. He wanted to see what made them different from the good guys.
It didn't take too long to figure out. Although they are thoroughly competent, they refuse to work together. Each came up with a different plan and proposed the others follow them. The others are of distinguished backgrounds and therefore are too prideful and stubborn to follow.
The story refused to move forward. It stays the same, and nothing changed. They refused to change.
Crowley is upset; this is not the kind of ending he wishes to see. Something must change to move forward, and so Crowley tweaks the story a little bit and begins another story with a twist.
The first Alice, Yuu, gets called over. Yuu is the anomaly in this story. The villains are characters that can't change too much, or else they lack their own identity—the "you are what makes you," if you will. They have to be the same yet different. So Yuu will be the catalyst to move the story forward, the wheels to the cart, and the cogs to the machine.
This Yuu was to be a middleman, smooth things over and let them work together. He was a person of low birth who somehow became a noble. He knew the hardship, and he knew how to connect with people.
The story ended too shortly, sadly. Yuu died. Someone with ill intention killed him, and the others are too indifferent to his death.
Crowley thought that yes, this must be it. This is what sets villains apart from the heroes. It's because they don't care about a single life, and if they do, it is because they lost a good person that benefited them a lot.
Was it because the heroes were kind and good that people would help them? Surely that must be the explanation; otherwise, Snow White wouldn't be able to escape and live due to the hunter and the dwarves, nor would Belle be spared by the beast. Princess Aurora wouldn't wake up if the fairies didn't seek help from Prince Charming.
Because the villains were selfish and indifferent, people don't like them and won't lend a hand. This wouldn't do. Crowley wanted them to be heroes; he wanted to paint the ugly black heart into pure white snow.
The ink dropped on a blank page, and a new story started once again.
Second Alice comes, and Yuu is her name. She is gentle, kind, and her heart is filled with empathy, and she is also willing to voice out her concern. This is good, Crowley thought. This will teach them how to feel, and they also have a rough childhood.
Surely if they are touched by her open heart and kindness, they are willing to change, be kind in return, willing to work together for the same goal.
He watched in interest; they appeared to be enamored with Yuu, who is like a little butterfly fluttering about, only for those wings to rip apart.
"Oh, why are they so cruel?" Crowley lamented. Instead of taking care of it, they'd rather have the wings torn apart. They could not stand the butterfly landing on someone's hands even for a moment.
Crowley called forth another Alice just as the story starts. Again and again and again. He will write the story as many times as he can until the story is to his satisfaction.
He exhausted his magic, and the villains are still doomed to fail by their own flaws and unlucky things. Yuu can only do so much before everything falls apart.
And then the ink splotches on the half-written story, and Overblot came to life. He could not erase their existence. The ink forever stained the pages. Crowley could only roll with it even as new anomalies dubbed Overblot began to pop up. The story hasn't ended yet, and he will only start anew if it stopped.
It was a rather unusual thing to say, but it is the farthest chapters that Crowley has been through. They were nearing the end in every new story with every Alice/Yuu changed.
He lost count of how many Alice/Yuu he has lost and how many villains that slowly changed their way lose their lives to these monsters. No doubt that the perfect story is about to be achieved. The greatest happy ending that the villains deserved is waiting just this close, with a monster blocking the way.
Ink began to drop from his face, dripping onto the already stained book. Crowley too is also nearing his end. His magic is already depleted from using his unique magic and fetching Yuu every time a story starts.
A new story is about to begin, and Crowley stood in front of the Dark Mirror with a white mask. The mask also had ink on it, telling him that the Dark Mirror too had used up their power to summon Yuu.
The next one has to be someone who could survive to the end. Someone who could befriend the villains and show them kindness and recognition they deserved. Someone that can change their ways and improve their perspective of the world no matter how little. Someone to be there by their side until everything.
He reached out to the person whose visage formed on the mirror, urging the person on the other side to take his hand.
"For thee, guided by the Mirror of Darkness,
Follow thy heart and take the hand of the one reflected in the mirror.
Flames that turn even stars into ashes,
Ice that imprisons even time,
Great tree that swallows even the sky,
Don't be afraid of the power of darkness,
Come now, show your power.
Mine, theirs, and yours,
There's only a little time left for us.
Do not let go of that hand, at all costs."
Who would have thought that the new Alice who will guide them all to the perfect ending will be a magicless human who is quite troublesome and reckless in nature?
-
Every Yuu is different. They are summoned from different world/dimension/time to help aid his story (to influence). All of them have magic. Crowley doubted the last Alice/Yuu (from the game. Depends.) will be the last key to open the final door since they are magicless.
Fits for yandere theme as well. This Yuu is very valuable and the key to happiness. Of course they want Yuu to stay here. Of course Crowley wouldn't let them go.
In which Yuu has to be kind to survive in Twisted Wonderland.
Yuu, who is human, magicless, and weak, tends to get angry easily and be indifferent to everything and also a bit of a scum. Despite these traits, he/she is still a smart person. He/She understands when to take control and when to yield.
So the moment he/she woke up in the coffin and stood before the mirror, he/she learned how to shut his/her mouth, smother those disgusting feelings, and be 'kind,' all in the name of survival.
He/She must not bite the hands that feed him/her; he/she must treat them kindly so that no one has ill feelings towards him/her. Agree with every thought spoken out loud and be part of a herd that's willing to watch his/her back. He/She has to make friends that benefit him/her so that his/her short life here is peaceful, safe, and secure.
He/She played the role too well, portraying the weak, pitiful good guy in this rather bad world full of colorful personalities. The person that linked everyone that refused to work with each other, even within their own dorm. He's/She's the good kid, the most innocent and kind-hearted person that's not too much it irritates people.
He/She has to do it. After all, the ticket to the way home lies in their hands, especially the headmaster's hand. Yuu cares not whether they hold attachments for him/her because to him/her, everyone is just something that Yuu has to hold onto to survive in this foreign world, just a bunch of stepping stones.
Things goes too well, so well that all those fake smiles that hurt his/her facial muscles and teeth, which are going to be flat from grinding quietly, dropped instantly in shock and confusion.
Those people he/she clung to get so attached to Yuu that they're planning to imprison him/her in this world by whatever means. Yuu did not liked that. To respond properly how he/she didn't like it, Yuu decided to unleash the most hideous side of him/her in an effort to repel them!
Ah… but he/she is still Yuu the weak, magicless human. He's/She's nothing before them. Yuu's choices are limited, and those are:
A) Give up B) Gaslight C) Assert dominance D) Become the most villainous of them all (murder)
Warning: mention of death and suicide. Yuu= They/them.
Apologies if this kind of story already exist.
What's more tragic and maddening than remembering your own death over and over? It is when others know about it but fail to save you, even if time repeats many times as you go on with your life, unaware of the impending future.
The time loop is the best, a chance to pick different choices and see various outcomes until time resets, rendering all your hard work for naught. Repeat and repeat, it is a test of will. What motivates you to go on?
For certain people, it is Yuu.
Yuu, the magicless prefect, is their most beloved friend (can go romantic). Yuu's death is something that they are unable to accepts which leads them to have a similar goal, and that was to save Yuu by any means.
Luckily or maybe unluckily, time repeats when Yuu dies. No one knows why or how. Everyone very close to Yuu remembers it vividly, but only Yuu does not remember, fresh and innocent just like the day of the ceremony.
They tried to change the story to prevent Yuu's death, however, keeping Yuu alive proves to be more difficult than expected.
They remembered the previous timeline and the ones before that. Yuu had died again, whether it be an accident involving magic, falling to their death, alchemy mishaps, or by suicide.
Time had repeated itself once more, and all of them woke up on the day of the ceremony, frustrated, upset, and insane as another attempt failed.
How does one stay sane looking at the very alive Yuu when they had seen Yuu's corpse just a few seconds ago? Nightmares plagued every night, their actions have to be calculated, and words planned just to sway Yuu's thoughts so that they trust them, even though most just throw the script away.
The strongest of men beg on their knees to be at Yuu's side. The most sincere apologies and affectionate words came out of the lips of someone that Yuu didn't expect to hear it from to people that clung to Yuu on the first day and claimed they're friends.
They tried so many times, never leaving Yuu alone, never letting Yuu touch anything, protecting Yuu even if their own life is at risk. Never let Yuu do anything. It has to be perfect. Trial and error is simply too unforgivable and cruel. Yuu is too precious to be experimented with. They must be successful in saving Yuu and put an end to this time loop.
Only for Yuu to die by unconventional means.
What does this mean? Why is it always Yuu? Why did time repeat when Yuu died? Four certain students had already used their unique magic on Yuu for protection's sake, and Yuu still died.
It was a mystery, but even if the time looped, they still haven't had the time to figure it out, too busy trying to think what method could prevent Yuu's death.
But there's something they do know with certainty.
The staff doesn't remember, the NPC too doesn't remember, and Grim, who is the closest to Yuu, unexpectedly doesn't remember the previous time.
But that's not an issue; plenty remembered, and that will do. They will keep Yuu safe, but sometimes, working together is just not part of them, considering how some of them had accidentally killed Yuu (overblot, magic mishap, etc.), resulting in some distrust and arguments between them.
Extra spice if some are yandere. Would they change how they act or go insane at Yuu's every death? I like angst better though, should they just give up?
Yuu = gn, They/Them.
I heard Rollo Flamm has a card and I thought that he had attend NRC as punishment or like, exchange student stuff or etc and then I just had an idea.
What if RSA is in this?
Crowley didn't offer such invitation but he cant exactly said no to RSA's wanting to visit NRC so said student can have experience what's it's like in another school. Afterall, his whole reputation is on the line!
And no, it's definitely not because the other headmaster praised him for being such a thoughtful person to his students that the students flourish under his guidance and kindness like flowers or something. Definitely not.
But the problem is, NRC students absolutely despise RSA that upon seeing one popping up in the school, a manhunt immediately got issued and all dorms alike would chase after RSA like a bloodhound.
So it goes without a doubt that RSA student cannot stay with any of the dorms or else they got mauled.
Crowley thought hard and long enough (not really.) and he finally came to a conclusion!
Why, there is one person who is capable of reigning those bloodhound and making them behave with each other.
Yes, Crowley can only thought of a single person who can babysit–ahem, take care of RSA and so on. There is no one, no one that is more capable than that person.
Introducing Yuu, barely hanging on for dear life as they got assaulted by this thing called misfortune and chaos, that is also the very thing that they are holding on, which is life.
And also, trauma.
Yuu can feel their sanity and patience slipping away when Crowley just dumped someone from RSA (can be Neige, or Chenya or etc) and expect them to take care of him.
Yuu is poor and theyre living in a ramshackle dorm while being accompanied by a bottomles pit for a stomach of a cat and they have to take care of this guy that Yuu was pretty sure have more money than them.
But Yuu being Yuu have no other choice, Yuu have to take care of him until that program finish and the guy can finally go back. They just have to be patient and—
— "no, Vil. stop poisoning him. I'm not blind.", "Riddle, please refrain from using your unique magic on him just because I decline the invitation.", "Ortho, please stop. You cannot use your beam on him. did Idia tell you to do this?", "Azul, you cannot swindle him into your contract, goddammit!"
…Right. It's going to be better once everything over. Yuu also had lost count how many times they got into a fight with other students or their friends just because Yuu accompanied RSA dude. It doesn't make Yuu feel any better when the guy look at them like Yuu was a knight in shining armour.
On the side note, the RSA dude is being real helpful and nice and kind as well. Ramshackle dorm is looking a bit less mess than before. Grim is fine with him and maybe that's because he feed him or something.
Actually, Yuu got feed as well. They forgotten how to go the bed with a full belly. How nice of him even though Yuu is the host. Oh well, Yuu can rest early now.
And then life pick Yuu from the dangerous flowing river and throw them into a stormy sea and said "swim".
Yuu hadn't noticed the guy is pretty much obsess with them and just assumed every thing he had done as the RSA's typical good students.
How are they supposed to know he's that kind of guy anyway? He keeps proposing and do that kind and helpful stuffs that decent people should do, as a proof of a husband material. What should they do?
It also escaped Yuu's notice that their NRC friends aren't actually friends but rather suitors that are equally obsess with them which explained why they want to smite RSA for taking Yuu's attention.