Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The Mostro Lounge was bustling as always with even the Leech twins helping out the other students, some unusual people where there though the most odd was Grimm, who was alone and without his handler, Yuu who was in the VIP section of the Lounge. Now at hearing that, most would think that Yuu and Azul were creating a contract but, the young men were actually having a different conversation. Azul had asked Yuu for help. Azul had decided to ask the ramshackle resident for some insight due to what happened or well... what Yuu stopped when Azul was nearing his overblot, when he was attempting to make a deal with Kingscholar, though the deal was never going to go though even before he asked with a threat to Leona by the Ramshackle residents that they would annoy him every night if he wouldn't help. Azul found Yuu's more bold and straightforward ideas interesting and asked him to come by, no strings attached or any contracts formed, well for time being.... There was also another aspect about Yuu that made Azul want to have a one on one conversation with Yuu, his experiences with his world, from what Azul had heard, his world was somewhat similar to theirs though highly different (Yuu's world lack of magic was a main one) and he wanted a different look at problems, a non magical one.

So that's how Yuu and Azul was currently in the VIP section of the Lounge. Yuu was drinking some tea that was just brought in by the Leech twins before they went back to work, though Azul noticed that the young man was tired, his short black hair was ruffled and looked like it hadn't been brushed (which it usually was), He has new found bags under his eyes and his uniform wasn't as pristine and smart as it usually is, his blazer was open and his waist coat had a few undone buttons, the bow tied to his arm (similar if not exactly like Grimm's) was one sided. Azul noted the younger's tiredness as it could be helpful, once the source was revealed, 'you needed to be able to take good notice of the slightest changes to be good at business and forming contracts' he thought with a slight smirk. Azul then got back to looking at the bookshelves surrounding the tables in the VIP section, trying to find what he was going to show Yuu, though after a second or two he found it and put it on the table, it was the floor plans for the Mostro Lounge.

"Here's what I wanted you too look at" Azul said sitting down, opposite Yuu, who put his tea down and put all of his focus onto the man and the plans on the table. "As you probably know the Mostro Lounge is doing quite well, though we have plans to expand. So I was wondering if you had any possible ideas that could improve the lounge" He said with a devilish smile, Azul had already asked most of the Octavinelle dorm members and frequent customers and non-Octavinelle workers for ideas though most of them we're either too big and would fail or were highly odd and would scare away customers. Yuu sighed and gave a small look at the floor plans, he could at least give it a look and give his two cents, even if Yuu wanted to walk out (which he did) he would have to deal with Grimm who was annoying Yuu a lot today, getting into fights with Ace and others, and complaining about Crowley, which was the usual. But today Yuu just too tired to deal with the cat and would rather deal with Azul than him.

Yuu looked at the floor plan, there was the bar, the lounge area with the chairs and tables, the aquarium at the back and the staircase by the entrance. There wasn't a lot of area to work with Yuu pondered and wondered what ideas he could have though he then saw something. "Here" Yuu said, pointing to an area by the stairs, though on the righthand side of the railing, where more stairs and a door were though nothing else was there, 'there...' Azul mused, wondering what Yuu was going to ask or say, that area was quite finicky to work with seeing that nothing could be placed there with the stairs there and a door was there for the staff. "What exactly is the door for, if you don't mind" Yuu asked with Azul explaining "Well it's for the staff members, it's for staff to come in on and go out for shifts, it's only used at certain times in the day" "Hmmm...." Yuu said, deep in thought "Could someone be there for entertainment?" Yuu said, the idea was very broad and Azul was wondering where this was going though Yuu quickly followed up "Perhaps a singer, singing songs chosen by the Lounge, seeing as it has that particular feel it could enhance the general feel and people would want to stay to hear the song".

'A singer?' Azul thought, he initially thought Yuu was going to say juggler or something like that with his wording. Though Azul feels like this idea was one of the best he's heard, a singer would help the general mood that the lounge had and people would want to stay to hear a song, though there was the factor that a singer could bring customers into the lounge, a destress from a tired day of school work. "Though what about pay? we are trying to gain not decrease our revenue, even just one day of this singer could lose us money" Azul asked, probing Yuu for more about this idea, this seeming surprising Yuu who took a sip of his tea to think before replying "Give them something they want that's not Thaumarks, perhaps a free drink or food for their services or do an odd job for them". This reply did somewhat surprise Azul, giving this singer what they need to be done instead of Thaumarks is an idea he hadn't thought of, and it was practically what he is doing with his contracts, doing odd jobs.

Though as good as the idea was shaping to be, there was one problem: who would be the singer? There was no one in Octavinelle in particular who had a rather good singing voice, Azul didn't want to go to the music club as they A: don't do the correct style of music that fits the Lounge B: the club members didn't really do that much music playing and just chilled in the club room. Then Azul's thoughts was brought to the young man opposite him, during Yuu's time at Octavinelle (Initially with the two Heartstabyul freshmen, the Savanaclaw freshmen and Grimm and secondly after the whole mess was done with Jade and Floyd serving them), Yuu was singing to the song at the Lounge, though it was less singing words but more singing "Do-do-do~" to the song though he sung the correct pitch of the notes and held them for the correct time. As well as during their time at Scarabia, during the marches they had to do, Yuu did the same thing, singing and snapping his fingers to keep himself in beat and also to keep his mind off of the walk and heat. Yuu was a good candidate, he was a good singer and Azul had something he could give him which probably didn't cost Thaumarks: A good night of sleep.

"Though that all sounds good, we don't have a singer at out disposal... though Yuu, you're good at singing aren't you?" Azul said in a 'I know you can sing well don't even think of disagreeing with me' tone. Yuu, who was having another sip of his tea, looked at Azul a bit shocked, as if Azul just told Yuu his secret, before coughing slightly and replying "y-yeah I guess..." with his eyes on Azul's face, who was smirking at Yuu. Azul then stood up before going to a particular section of his bookcase's and pulled out a folder with some loose paper, he picked one out before putting the folder back and sitting back down and putting the sheet in front of Yuu. It was a sheet of music with the title: Poor Unfortunate Souls, it had music notes as well as words on it, Yuu picked it up and looked to Azul who's grin was still on his face, "Could I have a performance Yuu?" Azul asked looking at Yuu. Yuu still wagered just waking out before giving it more thought and deciding to do this for him, Yuu could sit here and sing for Azul and possibly be a singer at the Mostro Lounge or walk out and drag Grimm back to their dorm where they might run into Crowley, which Yuu thought was the worst option and made his decision.

"Okay I'll sing, where do you want me to sing from and too?" he asked, looking at the lyrics and reading through them, keeping the beat with his finger tapping on his leg with the other one holding the paper "Just from the top, I'll tell you when to end" He said, moving forward in his chair, somewhat excited to hear Yuu sing. Yuu sighed as he was mentally preparing himself, it wasn't everyday that he sang. Yuu had cleared his throat and began humming the section before any lyrics, before he started...

"I admit that in the past I've been a nas~ty"

Azul was a good bit shocked at the lower tone Yuu sang, seeing as his voice was a bit higher and he was singing it without any music.

"They weren't kidding when they called me, well, a witch"

He gave some good emotion during the "Well, a witch" section, which Azul noted that Yuu had a bit of a smile on his face.

"I've mended all my ways, Repented, seen the light and made a switch" "True? Yes"

Yuu kept the rhythm and even said the ending parts of "True? Yes" slow and oddly calming so he was ready for the next verse.

"And I fortunately know a little magic~"

Yuu held onto that C and Azul was very impressed with Yuu's performance, he wanted to stop him though he was singing it well it was like a trance

"It's a talent that I always have possessed"

Azul was very focused on Yuu and his singing that he didn't notice the Leech twins were by the door and their heads had just poked though the door (which was thankfully oiled regularly so it didn't make a sound). Floyd thought about sneaking up on Yuu though Jade stopped him and just told him to listen... His time to scare Yuu will come soon.

" And dear lady, please don't laugh, I use it on behalf"

"Of the miserable, lonely and depressed (pathetic)"

Azul and the twins had never seen Yuu act prideful or better than anyone, so they have never seen him call anyone Miserable, lonely, depressed or pathetic. But damn they with he did use it more, especially in that tone with a small evil smirk on his face. Though they all knew what was upcoming, the main charm of the song: the chorus.

" Po~or Unfortunate Souls~"

The words rolled off of Yu's scarily well as if he was waiting his whole life to say those three words, in a little bit of a louder and prouder voice.

"In pain, in need"

"This one longing to be thinner"

"That one wants to get the girl"

"And do I help them? yes, indeed"

The Octavinelle boys knew that Yuu wasn't like this normally but he seamed like a different person, a possessive and manipulative person who only told half truths. But seeing Yuu in this light... well they weren't going to turn it down.

"Those Poor Unfortunate Souls~"

Yuu again mustered up all he could and boasted as much as he could, this section was important, and he needed to show it, so it could be heard

"So sad, so True"

"They come flocking to my cauldron"

"Crying "Spells, Ursula, Please!""

"And I help them? yes I do.

Azul and the boys were enjoying it, though Azul had decided he'd heard enough "That's enough Yuu" Yuu, who had somewhat forgotten he was in the Mostro Lounge, in the VIP section with Azul. "Ah, well... how was that?" Yuu asked somewhat nervous, he know that Azul had a great voice from what he heard, was Azul unsatisfied? "Well Yuu... You're performance was-" "That was amazing Shrimpy!" Floyd butted in, springing up from behind Yuu's chair and began hugging Yuu around his neck, which made Yuu yelp, Jade looked at Yuu and said "That was very good, perhaps you should be in a music club?". Azul was shocked by the two twins as he hadn't seen them come in "Floyd... air..." Yuu said pointing to his neck who then let go, "As I was saying" Azul said pushing up his glasses "Your performance was really good, I'm surprised you haven't joint the music club yet" he finished, Yuu blushed at the compliment "Well... I did take singing lessons back home... though I haven't joined a club as I'm a bit busy with everything" he explains the everything means literally everything from having to deal with Grimm to Crowley and the overblot cases. "Well... how about becoming the singer for the Lounge?" Azul said with a grin on his face though the twins had a confused look on their faces "shrimy becoming a singer?" Floyd said completely confused "For the Lounge?" Jade said after, with less confusion, Azul gave them a look of 'I'll explain later' and look back to Yuu.

Yuu was contemplating it though decided to ask Azul some questions "What about payment? How are you going to pay me?" Yuu had enough Thaumarks and didn't need food or drink from the Lounge though he could need something from Azul, unfortunately. "Well Yuu, it seams that you haven't been sleeping well lately" Azul said "Perhaps we can help you with that?" He ended that with a devilish grin. If Yuu had to be serious, he did need that. Though there is a issue to why he isn't sleeping, Yuu began with a sigh "I usually sleep well, though Crowley has been coming into the doors at night for the last week and have been giving me and Grimm tasks to do in the middle of the night. He came in tonight and gave us a task at 2am and we didn't get any sleep after that" he explained. The Octavinelle boys just started at Yuu, they knew he dealt with Crowley a good percentage of the time but they didn't know to this degree, "So, what you're saying..." Jade started, he had gotten the basic gist of the conversation "Is if we take care of Crowley's tasks and you get some sleep, you'll sing at the Lounge" Yuu nodded to what he said, that sounded nice, no Crowley for a good amount of time.

"We'll sort out the time at a later date and all of the preparations out soon, one of these two-" Azul said, pointing to the twins who were still by you "Will bring you back here to sort out the fine details", "I want to hear all of the details though" Yuu said putting emphasis on the all, thinking about how sneaky can be with his Contracts. Floyd decided to speak up "Don't worry Shrimpy! I'll bring you back here" he said flashing his sharp teeth and decided to hug him again and actually pulled him out of his chair and into the air. Yuu sighed before looking to Azul "If that's all" Yuu said not really caring that he was being carried by Floyd, "That is" Azul said "I'll hopefully be seeing you soon" he ended with a grin, "C'mon Shrimpy! Earless Seal has been causing a fuss without you" Floyd said carrying Yuu out of the room who's face morphed into a very tired expression just hearing Grimm's nickname.

"How well do you think this will turn out?" Jade asked Azul, picking up Yuu's cup of tea that he finished. Azul looked at the music sheet he gave Yuu which was now on the table, and gave a small smile, which didn't have anything behind it "I think" he began "It will turn out surprising well".

Chapter Text

It had been a day since Yuu had agreed to become a singer for the Mostro Lounge, he has some regret about doing it though the sleep he got last night threw that regret right away, a nice long twelve hour sleep after a week of not sleeping well... it was amazing. He was initially going to relax the entire day and get some revision done, but alas Floyd coming into Ramshackle dorm and leaving with Yuu underarm kind of threw that possibility out the window. Floyd talked all about how Azul wanted to talk with him about the preparations they have done since Yuu had last seen Azul, which was less than 24 hours ago... Azul was really impressive when he was focused on a project. Which is why he was in Octavinelle on a Saturday, surrounded by Jade, Floyd and Azul as the latter talked about what he has currently sorted out.

"You're lending me a set of the dorm's uniform?" Yuu asked Azul, who had guided him to a wardrobe full of extra uniforms, he then nodded and explained "Even though you have the schools normal uniform, a set of lab attire, a P.E. Kit and the schools ceremonial robes, but you don't have a dorm uniform. It would be nice if you had a proper pair and we are willing to give you a pair of our uniform". Yuu looked at him before he started looking for a set that would fit him, from what he's seen most members of Octavinelle are quite tall (Jade and Floyd being prime examples) so he hopes that there are some more for himself, as he was on the shorter end, being a bit taller than Riddle and Epel. "It would also fit the general theme of the lounge, with you being in uniform," Jade explained as Yuu started to look by the shorter end of the hanging uniforms, Yuu also decided to ask Azul about Floyd was talking about "Floyd said you have already done some preparations, and that you wanted to go over them with me?" he directed to Azul though not looking or mentioning him. "Well..." Azul started "Next week is a week of exams, though on Friday it ends at midday as well as school altogether. So on Friday evening we'll have you sing then, just one night as a tester practically, though you will sing a minimum of seven songs though we can prepare for more." he explained, Yuu sighs and wonder how much he could fight back, in a week of exams he would need to learn seven song, probably preferably off by heart. And possibly more...

Grabbing a uniform, Yuu starts to size it up against himself "What songs will I be singing by the way?" he asks as he places the bit too big clothing back, going down a few which should be more of his size, Jade picks up some papers which were on a desk nearby and gives them in the direction of Yuu, who turns around to face Jade "Here's the seven we have picked, though we have more just in case" Floyd waved around a some extra papers, there looked to be five more. Yuu looked to Jade and took the papers in his hands, one was the one he sang yesterday, "Poor unfortunate souls", and another was called "Be Prepared", then there were more as well, Yuu was already getting a bit overwhelmed at the overall amount so he decided to put the sheets down on a nearby stool and went back to picking out a set of cloths for himself. As he looks though them he decides to ask the trio something which has been on his mind "Have you had to deal with Crowley yet?", a sigh from Floyd practically confirmed it saying "Yeah we staked out your dorm till he arrived at like 2 AM, we convinced him that we could do the job and then gave us the boring job of organizing paperwork." Floyd drooped in his chair at the memory before saying "Why couldn't he do it himself, he's a fully capable adult..." under his breath which gets a small chuckle from Jade who elaborated "It took an hour for myself and Floyd, with Floyd not doing much. I can see how it can take a while with yourself and Grimm Yuu". A knowing sigh came from Yuu as he feels better knowing he wasn't the only one having to do twice the amount of work person as he took out a uniform and sized it up before pulling it away from himself, "This look's like it will fit" he says, before turning to the trio behind him asking "Where can I change?" Azul is the first one to reply to Yuu, "You can change in my room, it's the closest from here." he then moves to the door and opens it for Yuu and the other two, Yuu picks up the music sheets Jade gave him before before moving out the room with the twins.

They walk down the hallway then to the bedrooms, where Azul open the first on the right and moves his hand welcoming Yuu in, Yuu shuffled in before Azul closes the door and he hears Yuu click the lock. Azul steps away from the door and go to the twins who were chatting amongst the pair with Jade saying "Some songs will need some backup singers or additional voices for conversation, what are we going to do about that?", "hmmm..." Floyd thinks out loud before he smiles from cheek to cheek and shares his answer "We can both provide backup!" The 'both' referring to himself and his brother. "I would advise against that," Azul says making his presence know to the twins "Although we need backup, we will need to look through the entirety of the Mostro staff for the backup and not just you two on the spot". Other members of the dorm and lounge staff were assisting with this performance, with a few providing the instrumentals that Yuu will sing, though they only chose the exact songs last night so they were unsure whether to look for backup vocals and accompanying voices, but now they do know and quickly need to search for some. Floyd's expression changed into one of confusion "Why not? Do you want to sing with Shrimpy all alone? I want to sing with him to!" He wined before Jades decided to tag team with his brother "I would also like to sing with Yuu as well, is Azul being a bit jealous?" He said with a cheeky look on his face. Azul face reddened a bit at that accusation before stuttering "W-well I'm just saying that all of the dorm should get a chance to sing as this is going to be quite big and that we shouldn't just decide out of the three of us who should do it." "Me and jade should sing!" Floyd said being stubborn "There can be more backup people than just us three" he added, "That could work, then we can satisfy all of our wants" Jade said before Azul began talking about professionalism.

The Octavinelle trio continue to bicker between themselves and don't hear Azul's bedroom lock click and the door open showing an annoyed Yuu who had to hear all of that bickering whilst getting changed "Can you three be quiet?" he less asks and more states, the trio turned around and saw Yuu in the Octavinelle dorm clothing. He was wearing the purple undershirt and bow, though the bow was slightly crooked, he had the black blaser unbuttoned and the scarf draped over his shoulders. His black trousers were a bit big and draped over the white and black shoes a bit though his shoes were all smart and tidy, but he wasn't wearing the white gloves or hat, as they were in his hands. Yuu just looked annoyed at them as they just stared at him, with Floyd recovering the fastest "Shrimpy you look so good!" he said before attaching himself onto Yuu and just squeezing him, which the younger was used to "You should join our dorm then we can see you like this everyday" he said which the other two wordlessly agreed to. Jade recovers next as he walks to Yuu and addresses Floyd "Floyd can you get off Yuu for a second?" the younger does with the promise of getting to squeeze Yuu after Jade does what he want to, Jade moves to Yuu's bow and undoes it only to redo it, making it look tidy, then moving to his blazer and buttoning it up before stepping back and looking at Yuu fully. "You do look good in it, maybe we can rent you out this outfit." he jokes before saying seriously "Some eyeshadow and eyeliner would put it all together," Yuu looks a bit shocked at this as he hasn't worn makeup ever nor doesn't know how to do it "Would you do it for me?" he asks the older, who initially seems surprised by this before smiling and replying "Of course, it would be an honour". Azul had come back to reality a bit ago and waiting for Jade and Yuu's conversation to finish before coughing and drawing the other's attention, with Floyd also going back to squeezing Yuu whilst still paying attention to Azul, "I do agree that you do look good on it... it also saves cost on this whole thing" He mentioned the cost very much as a secondary. "With our previous conversation" he addressed the twins "I'll put a sign up sheet for the rest of the dorm and staff, though seeing as we all want to join I'll put our names down. It'll have to be a quick process of sorting out so we can't half do this okay." "That sounds like the best alternative" Jade says with Floyd joining in with a happy "Okay~".

Azul was about to send Yuu on his way as they have sorted out all that Azul has sorted in the last 24 hours, before he remembered that he wanted Yuu for something. "Ah Yuu!" he said looking to the young man who was looking at him through the trio's conversation, "Would you mind if I borrowed you for a bit, I want to promote this event on Magicam with a video and what is a better way than having the star sing" he briefly explained. Yuu gave a little sigh before agreeing "Yeah that sounds good", not moving as Floyd was still attached to him, Azul looked to the twins and gave them a job "You two prepare the sign up sheets, there'll be a twenty four hour deadline so make sure to put these in common places" he said, the two agreed, Floyd detached himself from Yuu and gave a quick goodbye with Jade fixing up what Floyd messed up before giving Yuu a proper farewell before following after Floyd. Yuu quickly darted back in Azul's room to get the music sheets, making sure he had all seven songs, before leaving and moving to Azul's side as they started walking "We'll be going to the light music club as they have recording equipment, non of the members should be there so it should hopefully be quiet." Azul stated as they traversed the Octavinelle dorm, Yuu nodded as he kept walking, he had put on the dorm's hat and gloves on finally in which freed up his hands before he looked to the music sheets in his hands and shifted though the multiple music sheets in his hands, looking through sheet after sheet for just one song, Yuu's heart sank just a bit at the workload. "For this promotion, you'll sing Poor Unfortunate Souls, though your face won't be shown in the promotion itself." Azul began explaining more with his eyes on Yuu who was still looking over the songs and keeping an eye out for Yuu's reactions, his nods mainly though with a sour expression. "The promotion will be just the main chorus of the song, so you won't need to learn anything new" He said as they left the dorm and were in the mirror room.

Yuu hadn't said much in the conversation though after what Azul said he decided to speak up "Do you really think I can do all this?" he said in a bit of a defeated voice going though all of the pages, just one song had five sheets, that he'd need to memorise for Friday. Azul knew it was a lot though he had faith in Yuu. He had sorted out so many issues like the overblots, the occasional seasonal activities and other events, though now doubted his ability. He gave a small smile before saying "I know you can, you have the talent for it, as you shown me, though I will admit that the time limit is short as well as the exams going on so I do apologise for that. Though I believe in you, Floyd and Jade as well, and when this comes out many others will also". Yuu's somewhat somber expression was now changed to a small smile "Thank you," he said a bit quietly, Azul's smile widened at the sight of Yuu's smile. "Though I can't help with much, I can help you with revising for exams." Azul said as they entered Night Raven College, Yuu gave Azul a look, especially as he had to deal with what Azul did in the other exam period, though this look made Azul quickly explain himself "I mean that we can study together, Jade and Floyd will also probably be there as well. I mean this with no strings attached". Yuu looks to Azul before realising that he's being honest and agrees to it "It will do me good, and you can help me a bit as I'm struggling with History. Turns out that learning a whole new worlds history is hard to do in such a short time" he ended with a little sarcasm, which made Azul chuckle a little. They had made their way to the light music club room and was about to enter, Azul had his hand on the door handle before looking to Yuu "Ready?" he said, Yuu's nerves had gotten to him just a few moments before though with Azul's encouragement. He was ready. "Yes." he said addressing Azul, who nodded and opened the door.

----

Early afternoon settles around the school as Yuu finally steps back into Ramshackle, still in Octavinelle's dorm uniform with his normal school uniform under his arm as well as the music sheets, he closes the door behind him with a sigh, Octavinelle's dorm uniform was unexpectedly stiff and he couldn't wait to change into his nice and comfy PE kit. Stepping into the lounge of Ramshackle, Yuu sees Grimm on his phone, the cat acknowledges Yuu's presence without even looking at him, "You're back? Where did you go?" he asks before looking in the direction of his "Hench-Human", in which he almost jumped 10 feet in the air. "Wha... What happened?" He said again, just looking at Yuu without even waiting for him to responded before he came to his own idea, "Are you working at the Lounge? Or have you left me to move into Octavinelle?" he said as Yuu was finally given some room to explain "I'm not working there per say but... let's say both we and Octavinelle get something from this" he said with a smirk on his face. Grim seemingly calmed down a bit though still stared oddly at Yuu in the other dorm's uniform, "What do we get from this?" he said flat out, "Did you notice that the headmaster didn't bother us last night?" Yuu replied, Grim's eyes opened wide "Y'mean it's due to Octavinelle that we got a good sleep last night?", Yuu nodded. Grim nodded a bit at this, seemingly thinking, Yuu knows that Grim enjoyed his sleep like Yuu himself did.

They both started walking up the stairs to their bed room, with the cat asking Yuu a barrage of questions about what he was doing for Octavinelle, his ideas went from stealing something to working at the lounge. Internally, Yuu thought back to after the recording but before he started walking back to Ramshackle, Azul mentioned to Yuu that he should keep that fact the he is the singer as a secret, as it would introduce a mystery to the identity of the singer, with the promo video coming out soon and all. So Yuu wanted to keep it a secret though he was talking to Grim who was as stuborn as a mule when it came to dodging question. He contemplated not telling Grim before thinking 'If I tell him that I am, and that it is to be a secret then he actually keep it a secret. Maybe... But there is the alternative that Grimm may work it out himself and talk to Ace who may spread it around', he sighed and decided to choose the lesser evil of telling Grim and having to babysit him to take sure he didn't tell anyone, which he already does anyway. A big sigh came from Yuu before he said "If you really want to know, I'm going to be a singer at the lounge, for a short time. Though you have to keep that fact a secret okay?" He says, looking down at Grim, who seemed a bit confused "But why a singer? Isn't there anything else you could do?" he asked, "I'm a good singer and Azul found out about it," he replied, as Grim just tilted his head at Yuu's answer "You're a good singer? Why didn't you participate in the SDC?". That one question was one that Yuu knew would come up, and is one he was kind of hesitant to answer, he was a good singer, he knew this himself as he has practiced throughout the years, but did he enjoy it? That was another thing. When Vil allocated Yuu as the groups manager back in the SDC he was somewhat relived, though he always kind of feared Vil's reaction if he found out about Yuu's ability and wonder what he might say, though thankfully Vil hasn't found out about his vocal talent... Yet. Yuu sighed as he realised he didn't answer Grimm's question and just gave a blunt "I'm good at singing but not at dancing." hoping it would appease the cat, which it seemingly did, though what Yuu said wasn't the true reason, it wasn't a lie, his dancing wasn't the best.

Following Yuu's answer, they arrived at their room, Yuu just walked in leaving Grim out as he changed, not that the cat hasn't seem him change multiple times before, but Yuu just wanted some privacy. He put Octavinelle's uniform in his closet, as tidy as he could as it is a nice suit and he dosen't want to crease it before the big day. He then changed into his PE uniform, as the only other option was the school uniform which was uncomfortable to lounge in. After changing clothes and making sure that the dorm uniform was all nice and tidy, Yuu opened the door and walked back down to Ramshackle's lounge, Grimm walked back with him but for once they walked in silence as they were both in thought, Grimm with the deal Yuu made and Yuu with the songs he would need to learn, and on that note, "By the way Grimm, I'm going to need some space when I practice the songs so if you could give me space then, then that would be good. Otherwise I'm going to have to go to Octavinelle to practice." he said, looking to the cat who snapped out of his thoughts and just gave a reply of "Sure but I'm going to be bored, what else could I do?" Yuu looked back to Grimm and said "Well you could revise as we have exams this week, you have been revising right?" This response made Grimm shiver. "Grimm?" Yuu asked annoyed, 'has he really not been studying?' he thought, Grimm kept silent before saying "I-I've been busy with... stuff, I'll get revising in a bit".

They reached the lounge and Grimm grabbed Yuu's phone again as Yuu quickly made some tea for himself before walking to the books on the table that he was revising with before Floyd carried him out of the dorm, he need to focus on History and geography mainly with some alchemy on the side. Most other subjects were one's he studied back in his own world like Maths so he decided to put more focus on History and Geography, as learning a whole new world's History and Geography was important. He got out his geography textbook and began going over locations, 'The Coral Sea is west of? The... Queendom of Roses. The Coral Sea has famous Museum called? The... Atlantica Memorial Museum.' Yuu wrote as he thought though the questions getting better and better slightly, he started off with the basics before going into more complex stuff like the median temperature at the northern part of the Coral Sea and how many regions there are in the Shaftlands and their names. Yuu was about to go onto questions for The Queendom of Roses before he heard a knock on the door.

Yuu stood up stretching his legs before walking to the door, which rang again as he was walking there, he reached and opened the door only to see Ace and Deuce "Good Afternoon!" they both said in their own ways, Yuu was initially going to ask what they broke this time but instead just decided to ask "What brings you two here?". Yuu noticed that they had pens, paper and books and Yuu had an idea before Deuce even began to explain "We're trying to study but it's way to loud in our dorm, so we were wondering if we could come here and revise all together" Yuu knew that studying with these two was a double edge sword, with Ace's slacking and Grimm's bickering, though the two guests always helped Yuu with his understanding of Twisted Wonderland, so he decided to let them in, "Come in find somewhere to sit" he said walking into the lounge with the two following him, with Ace shutting the door behind. Yuu sees that Grimm is still on his phone and decides to warn him "Grimm get off the phone and study, If you get another low score in your exams then I'll stop buying the tuna you like and get the lower quality one" Grimm looked over Yuu's phone and at the annoyed prefect and just looked back to the phone and gave a "Just five more minutes?". Yuu sighed and sat down by the Heartslabyul duo as they start going over what they need help with. Deuce needs some help with Maths so Yuu decided to help him with that, as it was a subject he was good at. They went though some algebra as Ace went though some history, writing down some key parts as he was reading. Overall it was going better than Yuu though it would.

After around ten minutes Deuce got a bit faster at answering some questions and was more confident, Yuu got up and decided to go though some history with Ace, one asking a question while the other answered, this went on for a few rounds with some obvious areas of weakness showing and they were about to go though another round, specifically around The Great Seven before a knock on the door came. Yuu got up again and walked over to the door, for a second Yuu wondered if it was Crowley to give him a job, which made Yuu hesitant to answer though seeing three figures at the door of various height calmed his mind. He opened it up showing an odd group of Jack, Epel and Sebek, Yuu double blinked at this cast before giving them a bit of a confused "Good Afternoon." as they all replied "Good afternoon." in their own ways, Yuu was getting some sense of deja vu with the other two in the dorm. Before Yuu could ask the trio why they were here Jack decided to explain "Sorry for coming here uninvited, we need a quiet place to study for the tests", Yuu had a thought that this was why they were here and decided to ask "Your dorm's being too loud?" in which Jack and Epel nodded but Sebek didn't. Jack decided to explain first "Almost everyone in Savanaclaw are fighting or shouting so it's hard to study quietly." then Epel says "Some people at Pomefiore won't stop criticising me for my posture and what not, even when I was in my room." Yuu then looks to Sebek who has been quiet though looking somewhat... devastated with his hand on his head, as he explained "Lilia told me that the young master wished to be alone to revise, as well as for myself to revise" Yuu just sighed at Sebek and had an idea that Lilia just said that to Sebek without Malleus' knowledge. Epel decided to then say "I was initially going to go to the main library but I met Sebek and Jack on my way there so we decided to see if we could go to yours, as the library would probably be full", which explained why they were at Ramshackle which Yuu understood well.

Yuu moved out of the doorway and let the trio in "come in, come in, you're not the first to knock on my door today" he said, letting the trio to entre the dorm, Jack was the first to make it to the lounge in which he saw the Heartslabyul duo as Ace greeted them with a "Yo!", the trio sat down at the table and put their books and pencil cases out, which they had at the door. "We have History first on Monday correct? Shouldn't we start with that?" Epel said getting his History book out, but Ace decided to say "Shouldn't we work on all of them though, it's Saturday so we still have Sunday to focus just on one," with Deuce jumping in with "How about we focus on our weak points in most subjects to try to get them stronger at least." Yuu just looked on as they continued talking about the best plan as he heard a small sound behind him, he turns around to the sofa that Grimm was on, who was still on Yuu's phone, Yuu gave a long sigh as he wondered up to Grimm who didn't decide to listen to his two other warnings, who also didn't notice Yuu standing right in front of him. Yuu then grabbed his phone as he took in from Grimm's hands and held it up, not noticing that he had pressed the volume button on the side of the phone, as he stood over the cat, who looked back at Yuu a bit scared. Though before either could exchange words, Yuu's phone began to play something... something familiar to Yuu.

"Po~or Unfortunate Souls~"

Oh... Oh no. The promo video that Azul mentioned an hour or two ago had been put on the Mostro lounge's Magicam.

"In pain, in need"

Yuu slowly starts to turn a shade of red, as he hears his voice back. It doesn't sound like him at all.

"This one longing to be thinner"

His voice was deeper and a bit... vindictive if he had to say.

"That one wants to get the girl"

Yuu just looked to Grimm as Grimm stared back at him, Yuu just wanted to vanish.

"And do I help them? yes, indeed"

He then came back from his embarrassment and brought the phone down and paused it, as he looked back to the other first years who were just looking at him. 'Oh crud did they realise it was me?' Yuu thought as he looked at them before Ace just said "What was that? I've not heard it before", Yuu kinda sighed as he heard that before saying "It's from the Mostro lounge, it's just come out, it's advertising for something" Yuu just remembered another thing he agreed to with Azul earlier today, that although he can't tell people he's the singer, he should advertise it where possible, Yuu looked back to his phone to explain the advertising "Apparently they will have a singer at the Mostro Lounge - the same person who just sang - who also goes to NRC". Ace and Deuce shivered a bit at the mention of the lounge remembering what the trio put them though though Deuce said "Who's the singer? Perhaps they auditioned in the SDC?" 'wait... they can't tell it's me?' Yuu thought 'I don't know whether to be thankful they don't recognise my voice or insulted', Yuu gave a sigh and looked to the post, seeing no evidence of Yuu's inclusion, thankfully, "It doesn't say, apparently it's supposed to be this mystery singer who you don't know unless you go" he explains.

"Though" Jack says, making Yuu look at him a bit scared " The voice sound a bit familiar doesn't it?" Jack says, with Ace, Deuce, Epel and Sebek agreeing, "You're all idiots aren't you?" Grimm said, looking at most of the first years, sans Yuu, "It's obvious, it's Ymmm-" Yuu's hand went over Grimm's mouth as Yuu stares at Grimm and Grimm looks to Yuu and remembers what Yuu said previously. Yuu let his hand go and thankfully Grimm didn't say anything, so Yuu just decided to say "I don't think at this point anyone can say who it is" in a bit of a menacing way to Grimm of "shut it". Yuu decides to change the subject "Anyway Grimm, I think it's time to study" as he picked up the cat in one hand and put his phone in his pocket and walkes back to the table and sits down where his stuff was opposite Ace. They started to get back revising, Jack helping Yuu with his Alchemy, Ace, Grimm and Sebek going though geography and Deuce and Epel going through history, though occasionally Epel looked to Yuu and just stayed silent as Yuu quizzes Jack about Alchemy ingredients, Epel just stares before going back to talking with Deuce.

Chapter Text

"Po~or Unfortunate Souls~"

"In pain, in need."

The voice permeates the air around the two individuals, one holding the phone and the other listening to the voice as it sings its almost haunting melody. The phone's owner's eyes are transfixed on the comment section of the video as the voice keeps singing, his eyes bouncing from one comment to another, finding the same repeating words over and over again. An expression alike to disgust can be seen in his eyes. The other notices this expression.

"This one longing to be thinner,"

"I want you to find the singer for this video." The phone's owner says.

"That one wants to get the girl,"

"As you wish, I will start searching right away. Though I do wonder what will happen to the dear Oiseau Chanteur?" The other asks.

"Do I help them?"

"Do not worry, I just want to talk to him about a few things."

"Yes indeed."

The hunter leaves, with news of his prey. He gives one last look to his liege whose eyes are transfixed on the repeating words used to describe the voice, the same word that the hunter would use to describe the voice if asked. The expression on his liege's face could be described as jealousy, one that the hunter knows he often falls into, though there's another more complex expression underneath there, one that the hunter can easily see and understands perfectly. Even if his liege doesn't.

---

Beeeeep Beeep BEEEEP BEEEP

Yuu sits up in his bed as soon as he hears his phone's alarm go off, he quickly picks it up and turns the alarm off. A yawn comes from him as he stretches and slowly gets out of bed, making sure not to wake up Grimm as he does so, putting his now unused blanket over the cat who snuggles into it, making Yuu smile at the cute side of his companion. The phone is placed it in Yuu's PJ bottoms before leaving the room, making sure to be quiet as he does so. The door closes quietly without any creeks or squeaks, and Yuu sighs in relief at not waking Grimm, he leaves the door and starts his walk through the corridors. As soon as he starts walking he feels... Off, like being stared at but Yuu can't see anyone, though that's usual at Ramshackle so why does he feel off?

"Good Morning Yuu." The thin and bony ghost says as he greets Yuu, coming from the direction Yuu is walking to.

"Good Morning to you too." Yuu replies with a smile as the ghost jets off, realising that the staring probably came from the ghost.

A smile appears on the prefect's face knowing that the ghosts are probably going to scare Grimm awake, a little chuckle comes soon after. Even after living in Ramshackle Dorm for so long, Grimm still gets occasionally scared by the Ramshackle ghosts, and those said ghosts love to tease him about it and occasionally decide to give him a good scare. It's good for him. They don't try to do it to Yuu as he's gotten very used to being around ghosts in Ramshackle and around NRC in general, so even though they don't scare him, they do invite him to scare others. Mostly Grimm and occasionally the first years that appear at Ramshackle.

BBBBring ring.... BBBBring ring...

A vibrating sensation on Yuu's upper thigh accompanies the sudden sound, he quickly identifies it as his phone getting a call and reads the bright screen to read the name "Azul Ashengrotto". Yuu accepts the call and puts it to his ear.

"Hello?" Yuu asks as he carries on walking.

"Ah Prefect, lovely to hear you up this early in the morning." Azul says, clearly wide awake.

"Hello Azul nice to hear from you too, Has something happened?" Yuu asks straightforwardly, as if most people need him, read Crowley, It's mostly for something going wrong.

"No no no, nothing is wrong. Just thought I'd check in on our singer."

'You sure about that' Yuu thinks, "Well I'm good don't worry about it I-" A yawn comes from the prefect "-Ah sorry about that. I've only just woken up." He apologises.

Yuu gets to the staircase leading to the main lounge, and he descends the stairs.

"Don't worry I was actually surprised when you picked up, I expected myself to be your wake-up call.

"You wanted to be my wake-up call? You need me for something?"

"Well I was wondering-"

"OI SHRIMPY, when are you comin' here?" Floyd's voice can be heard quieter than Azul's though still perfectly audible. Yuu nearly fell down the step, surprised at Floyd's loud voice.

Yuu remembers that he has plans on meeting up with the Octavinelle trio today to study, which is why he woke up early.

"Well, I need to make breakfast get changed, and get there... give me an hour at most maybe a bit more?" Yuu says.

"Okay shrimpy see you then!" Floyd sing songs, his footsteps can be heard leaving Azul's general area and disappearing from the call. Yuu gets to the lounge of Ramshackle, he decides to stop in the lounge to finish the call.

"Well that's that question answered, also if you come to the VIP area of the Mostro Lounge then we can be in relative peace." Azul says jumping back into the conversation.

"Yeah that sounds good, I'll need to remember to bring my stuff. I'll let you know when I'm on my way there."

"That sounds good to me, I hope to hear you soon then. The video has done exceptionally well, have you seen the reception to it yet?" Azul sounds almost excited by the end of the sentence.

"I last checked last night before dinner and It seems to have done well then, I'll check it during breakfast."

"Yes it has done better than I could expect, it'll easily be a full house." A little chuckle comes from Azul before he continues.

"Well I shouldn't keep you any longer, see you later."

"See you later Azul." Yuu says with a smile

The call ends and the phone is placed back in the PJ pants pocket, Yuu starts walking to the kitchen before he can feel sharp piercing eyes on him, he spins around to the top of the staircase and sees no one, the gaze lingers, Yuu expects to see the bony ghost but no one appears at the top, he decides to turn around and start walking to the kitchen. The gaze thankfully disappears. Stepping into the kitchen, Yuu ponders what to make, he often makes food that he used to make back at home which was traditional Japanese food. He would make it for himself and his brother often with their parents out often. He settles on rice, miso, rolled omelette, and some grilled fish, thankfully Twisted Wonderland is similar enough to home that Sam often stocks food that Yuu is more familiar with. He pushed up his sleeves and gets to work on breakfast.

Rice is placed in the rice cooker, which gives him enough time to get the other bits and pieces sorted, he makes sure that there is some extra made for tonight so he can have a quick dinner. Grimm has been offered Yuu's cooking before though dismissed it over his fancy canned tuna, the cook doesn't mind and just makes meals for himself and for whoever was staying at Ramshackle at the time, which happens every so often. Sometimes it's Ace and Deuce for being idiots, other times it's Leona who wanted a quiet place to sleep as well as Floyd who had gotten bored of Octavinelle and wanted to see Yuu. Yuu gets to work with the miso, setting it to boil before he hears a creak of the floorboards upstairs.

The creak catches Yuu's attention almost immediately, the creak was long and had some weight to it, Yuu can recognise Grimm's footsteps easily, they are light and fast, the complete opposite of the sound Yuu was hearing. On instinct, Yuu grabs the wooden spoon he has been using on the miso and holds it tight, in retrospect it wouldn't do good against an intruder but Yuu didn't have time to grab anything else. The creaks keep on moving towards the staircase and Yuu moves to the kitchen door, wooden spoon in hand, he opens the door and peaks around the corner and up the stairs. No one is there, the creaking has stopped.

Yuu stands there eyes unmoving from the staircase waiting for a head or foot to appear from the corner of the staircase, his knuckles turn white as he holds onto the spoon for protection. A shiver travels though Yuu's body as he feels a predatory gaze upon him, he feels cold as he feels this sensation of staring, analysing every aspect of his body. His body turns around without his input a he feels the gaze, but not from the inside of the dorm, but from outside, he looks at the big window in the lounge. He expects to see someone staring right outside the window but he can't, he stares at the empty yard hoping to see anyone, someone but he doesn't.

Creak... Creak...

The sound of creaking floorboards, which are getting closer and closer to the Prefect, they doesn't reach his ears. His eyes are still transfixed on the outside and on his invisible stalker.

Creak... Creak...

His breathing is getting more ragged and he squirms under the sight. His legs tell him to run but he can't, he's chained there. Eyes are aimed at him, they feel sharp enough to pierce.

Creak... Creak

He holds his breath as he feels the eyes lock onto his throat, he finds it hard to breathe. Yuu is fully focused on the outside view.

"Good Morning." A calm voice says

Yuu turns around wooden stick still firmly in his hand ready to attack the strangely calm attacker before he recognises who it is. Jade Leech. Yuu lets out his held breath and calms his grip on the wooden spoon a bit.

'Oh thank god it's just Jade.' Yuu thinks, internally sighing, before staring at the man for a second, realising something.

'Wait a second I didn't let him in.' Which is true, he last saw the man yesterday when he left with Azul.

"Jade... what are you doing here?" Yuu asks nervously, he trusts the Octavinelle trio more than most, though he also knows how two-faced they are.

"Well, I was keeping an eye out for Crowley around the dorm, which he did appear, and got some work from him. I finished it up by myself but the workload was fairly substantial, so I let myself into Ramshackle, I apologise for the intrusion, I stayed as silent as I could but the floorboards are fairly loud." A false innocence covers Jade's face.

"But I lock up Ramshackle every night? How did you get in?" Yuu asks still puzzled.

"Ah well... You remember back when you wrote up that contact with Azul? With relinquishing Ramshackle? Well, we had an extra set of keys made as there was only just one, so two extra keys were made, Azul had the original, and myself and Floyd had the copies. We don't use them regularly and they are usually both locked in the safe in the VIP area, though I took one for the sake of this whole predicament." He finished eloquently.

"That... Makes sense." Yuu lets out a sigh and relaxes his posture, after looking at the one twin, he realises the other isn't present. "By the way where's Floyd? You two were both keeping an eye out Yesterday."

'Perhaps Floyd is outside, and that sharp stare came from him? but...' Yuu mused in thought.

"Ah no, he stood out for a few seconds last night before he decided that it was boring and went back to Octavinelle, it's just me here." Jade answered.

Initially Yuu thought that Floyd was just hanging out outside and was just playing with Yuu but he then remembered the call with Azul, Floyd was in Azul's call, which was less than five minutes ago. Even at Floyd's level of agility, you can't run from Octavinelle to Ramshackle in that time, Deuce once ran to Ramshackle from Heartslabyul and it took him just over ten minutes. And he's in the track club.

Ice trickled through Yuu's veins as he stood still like a statue if Floyd isn't outside.

Then who is?

"... By the way were you about to hit me with a wooden spoon?" Jade asks with his odd eyes looking at the spoon in question.

The ice quickly thaws over and Yuu's gaze wanders down to the wooden spoon in his hand, he was using it to stir the miso for his...

"Crap my miso!" Yuu shouts running into the kitchen to focus back on his now-forgotten breakfast.

The Miso was fine though Yuu wasn't sure how long he has been focused on Jade or the piercing gaze out of the window, though he did need to start focusing on the other elements of his breakfast, he prepares the fish to grill as he eyes the timer on the rice cooker, he's good on time. He breathes a sigh of relief.

"That's quite a breakfast." Jade comments as he steps over the boundary into the Kitchen.

"It's something that I ate often back at home, I personally get me ready in the morning. It's going to be rice, miso, omelette, and grilled fish." Yuu says, he pauses in thought for a second before he turns to Jade and adds "Do you want some?"

Jade seems surprised at Yuu's offer, perhaps due to how two-faced and selfish most people at NRC are, with people like Kalim, Silver and Yuu, who are more selfless and are as easy to read as a book, it can be a shock sometimes. Yuu's smile still invites him to some food.

"Wouldn't you need to take some extra time with getting more rice or the Miso?" Jade asks

"No need, I was going to make some extra for tonight, I'll just have to pick something else for tonight." Yuu answers.

"Well if you insist, At least let me make some tea for us two."

The pair make quick work of their preparations, Yuu getting out some extra eggs and fish and getting those started, with Jade starting to make tea and getting the necessary dinnerware down for Yuu. Who is thankful for the other's height. The tea was finished quickly and is set in the lounge, with Jade returning to help Yuu when needed. And soon after the rest of their breakfast is made and is being moved into the lounge as they sit down and get ready to eat.

"Thank you for the food Yuu." Jade says

"Thank you for helping me out Jade" Yuu returns as he takes a mouthful of rice.

Jade takes a bite of his food and savours it as he compliments Yuu's cooking who thanks him as they go back to silently eating though not in cold silence. Yuu peers over to Jade and watches him eat, he eats it like Yuu would expect, very normally though the slight changes in Jade's expression show that he is very much enjoying it. Yuu smiles as he goes back to his breakfast. Jade finishes first and goes to clean his plate, Yuu attempts to stop him but Jade refutes saying that Yuu made breakfast so he should clean up, Yuu couldn't find a good enough argument and gives Jade his dinnerware as he has just finished.

"Thank you for the meal, it was rather nice." Jade says as he returns to the Lounge and sits down next to Yuu.

"It's no problem, I'm glad you liked it. You haven't had anything else this morning have you?" Yuu asks, he's been wondering if Jade has had any breakfast.

"No I haven't, I expected the work to not take that long so I didn't prepare any breakfast." Jade explains

They sit in quiet silence for a second before Jade begins to look around, Yuu looks quizzically at Jade.

"What's wrong? Did you drop something?" Yuu asks.

"No, I'm surprised that I haven't seen Grimm yet. He usually arrives at the mention of food."

"Ah he's still asleep, though he should be woken up soon. I would say give it a minute or two." Yuu says confident in the ghost's wake-up call.

Jade looks confused at Yuu and just keeps quiet, not even ten seconds later Grimm screaming can be heard followed by the chuckle of the Ramshackle ghosts, quick and light footsteps can be heard making their way to the Lounge.

"Ah I understand... what a nice wakeup call." Jade says with a glint of... something in his eyes and his wide smile showcasing his sharp teeth.

Grimm can be heard getting closer and closer to the pair until he's on the corridor which leads to the staircase.

"YUU! The ghosts scared me awake again!" Grimm shouts at the prefect as he comes bounding down the stairs, not noticing the guest's presence.

"Well maybe if you woke up early they won't scare you in the future." Yuu says.

He gets up and moves into the kitchen, he is there for half a minute until he comes out with a plate of fancy tuna for Grimm, who was laser-focused on Yuu and didn't notice their guest who has been silent watching Grimm the entire time. Also seemingly wanting to scare the cat, noticing that the cat hasn't noticed him. Yuu puts the plate on the table in view of Jade who smiles at the cat who has been watching the plate arrive, as Grimms gets to the table, he notices the long black pair of legs behind the plate and follows them up to Jade's face.

"Good Morning Grimm." Jade says with his usual calm face.

"JADE?!" Grimm nearly screams in surprise as he launches himself back.

"What are YOU doing here?" Grimm asks as if he's the housewarden of Ramshackle.

"Crowley had worked for you two but I took that responsibility upon myself and Yuu gratefully offered me breakfast." Grimm gave Yuu a look to which Yuu just gave a shrug.

Grimm continues to interrogate Jade as he eats his tuna and Yuu just sighs, though he just remembers the phone call with Azul from earlier and that he should start to go otherwise he will be late, he walks to the staircase and addresses the two.

"Anyway I'm going to get change, If you two don't try to kill each other that would be nice."

The two give their confirmations to Yuu and he starts to ascend the stairs.

Yuu realises that he hasn't felt the stinging staring for a while, or he has been preoccupied with Jade not to notice. Though he makes sure to pay attention, he walks through the hallways of Ramshackle and looks out of the windows as he walks even just to see a piece of hair of his newfound stalker. The thought of why Yuu could have a stalker is fairly easy, the most recent development is his current collaboration with the Mostro Lounge, stalker-san may have found out that Yuu is the singer and is just waiting for him to slip up and sing perhaps, that could be one reason, Yuu silently hopes that the stalker wasn't there last night as he sang though "Be Prepared" in front of the Ramshackle ghosts. There could be a slim chance that the stalker was from Yuu's previous endeavours, overblots and events included, with Yuu's fairly odd and important group of friends, from two princes and a movie star, to the son of a famous restaurant manager and the eldest son to one of the wealthiest families in Twisted Wonderland, so perhaps it's due to something that happened then. But to Yuu the timing is impeccable and must be due to the Magicam promo.

Yuu gets to his bedroom without seeing anyone, he steps in and quickly gets changed into his school uniform. He doesn't want to get the Octavinelle dorm uniform dirty nor did he want to go in his PE kit so he just decides to go in his normal uniform, he wore it most days so he wasn't really that bothered. He's about to leave his room when he remembers that they're studying at Octavinelle and Yuu would need his next books and pencil case, he goes to his desk and picks them up as he starts to walk back. His eyes are still looking out into the empty streets and courtyard outside, his eyes also look at the trees but he can't see hide nor hair of anyone, though he can still feel someone looking at him. He sighs as he's close to reaching the stairs, but he doesn't hear either Jade or Grimm and thinks that they did kill each other, though that thought didn't last a second longer, he soon hears Grimm complaining.

"I can't believe we have exams starting next week, it doesn't feel like we have studied at all." He bemoans as if he hasn't been skipping out on revising.

"Well, you can study today whilst Yuu is out." Jade says.

"I know I know, I'll get to it soon, I've only just eaten breakfast."

"You better be revising today Grimm." Yuu says from the top of the staircase, eyes pointed at Grimm.

Yuu descends the staircase and walks next to Grimm, giving him a look, Grimm looks nervously back into Yuu's eyes. Jade stands up and walks next to Yuu, he looks down on the little cat monster.

"Well you two are going now, aren't you? Going to Octavinelle right?" Grimm says nervously not looking at Yuu, Yuu had told him yesterday that he would be going there to revise.

Yuu sighs as Grimm is correct but he doesn't want Grimm to shift his studies, seeing as they're both one student it effect their grades wholesale. He would like someone to keep an eye on Grimm but due to how busy he and his friends are he can't just spring Grimm-sitting on them. Sending him to Heartslabyul would be the best and for Riddle to look over his studies but there are way too many issues, the late timing, how Grimm will probably come back with one of Riddle's collars on his neck, and Ace and Deuce being distractions. A pang goes through Yuu's head as a headache starts to arrive, he's about to just trust Grimm to revise by himself before the three Ramshackle ghosts make themselves visible, which gives Jade a jolt and Grimm gets surprised.

"If you want to we could look after Grimm." The boney ghost says.

"We'll make sure he focuses and doesn't get distracted." The chubby one says.

"Really?! You three would do that?" Yuu says in surprise, they never offered this before.

"Yes, we've seen how focus you are with your singing and we don't mind taking care of Grimm for a while." The third says.

"Thank you, really. I am kind of stressed with this so this is a big help. Let me know if there is anything I can do in return." Yuu says.

One of the ghosts disappears and another picks up Grimm and puts him close to the table, the one that disappeared comes back with books, some from their room and others covered in dust.

"We've got Grimm all under control so you two have fun today." The boney ghost says putting his focus back on Grimm.

"Well I think that's settled, are you ready?" Jade asks.

"I think that I have everything." Yuu replies, books and stationary in hand, he mouths another 'thank you' to one of the ghosts before he heads towards the door.

Yuu leads the way to the entrance with Jade following, he peers back for a second to confirm that Grimm is studying. He is and Yuu relaxes, he's been worrying about Grimm's studies for a while. The double doors of Ramshackle open and Yuu gestures to Jade to go ahead, which he does. Yuu follows and closes the door behind himself, he doesn't lock it so Grimm can get out and so that any of Yuu's friends can easily get in, the thought of the stalker walking into Ramshackle snaps through Yuu's mind but he quickly shoves it out. They both walk down the stairs of Ramshackle and onto the street, Jade opens and closes the gate for Yuu. A few steps are taken before Jade starts a conversation.

"So I'm guessing everyone at Ramshackle knows of your involvement with the Mostro Lounge?" he asks.

"Hm? Oh yeah. With Grimm I had to otherwise, if he found out himself, everyone would have known. As for the ghosts, they won't tell anyone and if I start singing songs out of nowhere, it will be really weird and they would try to find out themselves. But other than them no one else knows about my involvement." Yuu says, it feels weird to say 'involvement' than 'singer'. Though the eyes of the stalker made him more cautious.

'Well... there may be more people who know...' Yuu thinks, his thoughts lead him to yesterday with the other first years. There were some that didn't notice a thing though like Sebek and Deuce, Sebek didn't really notice anything if It doesn't concern his 'Waka-Sama' and for Deuce it really needs it to be said out loud, while Jack didn't seem bothered by it which makes sense in Yuu's book, as Jack doesn't seem like the guy to be down to listen to Poor Unfortunate Souls. But there are two others that may find out the truth, Ace and Epel. Ace did seem to recognise the voice as familiar at a first listen but didn't connect the dots, he was thinking about it later when studying during a break and was looking at the promo on his phone, it was easy to say that Yuu's blood froze over when he saw that. But Epel worries Yuu more than Ace does, Epel either has a strong hunch or knows that the voice is Yuu's, Yuu is sure of that. He reaches into his pocket and opens his phone to look at his messages, but nothing from Epel. Yuu half worries that he will tell Vil that Yuu is the singer but Yuu knows deep down that Epel wouldn't. 'I have faith in Epel.' Yuu thinks. Before putting his phone away he remembers that he told Azul that he would let him know when he's on his way to the Lounge, he sends him a quick Magicam message before putting his phone away.

"Have you seen how well the video has been doing?" Jade says bringing Yuu back to Twisted Wonderland, Yuu looks up at Jade.

"Uh, no not yet." Yuu admits, he remembers that he told Azul that he would be he never got the time to with Jade as his guest.

"Here have a look." Jade says pulling out his phone and opening up Magicam.

---

"And I fortunately know a little magic~"

"It's a talent that I always have possessed."

"It's him isn't it?" Epel says to himself in his room. He listens through earphones to the Mostro lounge promo, which is currently very popular at Pomefiore. At breakfast nearly everyone was talking about the promo, mainly the singer's voice, they chirped about its tone and how beautiful it was, there were some people who were talking about a new post Vil had made but most people were gushing at the promo. It is so popular in fact that some people in Pomefiore are actually searching for the singer, most have ruled out that it's not a member of Pomefiore and suspect it to be from one of the other dorms but no one has a clue on who it may be, though a good few people have said that it sounds familiar but they can't pinpoint where it's from. But Epel can.

"And dear lady, please don't laugh, I use it on behalf,"

Epel sits hunched over his desk focusing on his phone, just listening to the voice of the singer. Ever since he heard it yesterday at Ramshackle, he had a suspicion about who it was, Yuu Seishi. When it was played yesterday and Yuu was holding it after swiping it from Grim, Yuu had an obviously shocked expression on his face, he then flushed red and looked to Grim before turning it off, he acted really weird in Epel's opinion, and not just a one-off weird, when Ace was talking about it later that evening Yuu practically stopped what he was doing and focused on Ace. There are a limited number of realities as to why Yuu acted so weirdly. And that most probably one is that Yuu is the Mystery singer of the Mostro Lounge.

"Of the miserable, lonely, and depressed (pathetic)."

Epel closes Magicam and goes to his photos and videos, Epel's hunch that Yuu is the singer isn't just because of how oddly he acted, but for a few more reasons. Firstly Yuu can keep a beat, when the NRC Tripe was practicing for the SDC Yuu kept on clapping or snapping his fingers to the beat, and in the early days, he just did it more steadily, which helped Epel and Deuce when they were starting out. Another reason is back when Yuu, Grimm, Sebek, Idia, and Jade all went to Harveston with Epel, and when they were all playing instruments together, and Yuu played the flute so pleasantly, so Epel does have something to base his hunch on.

Epel starts looking through his videos, mainly the ones from when he was practicing for the SDC as there's one video that may give more evidence to his hunch, he scrolls down and down until he finally sees it, the video itself isn't that important but more the sound. Epel initially recorded himself singing so he could listen to it later to improve on, but it later caught Yuu singing. If this is anything close to how the singer sings then this would give him something more than just a hunch or coincidence.

Epel presses play on the video, it shows the ceiling of the ballroom as he was in the corner of the room, trying to get his lines down as well as the best way to enunciate them.

"Itsukaa!- Ringo no yona aka, KuChitE ku~" Epel sings, it's weird for Epel to hear his past voice, especially when he was still making mistakes.

"Da-re no koe renai." He stops, as he was listening and knew that Jamil's and Vil's section was next. he hums their part as he waits for his part to start again.

"Hizamazuku Chikara! Anatanimo! Andeshou-" Epel's singing gets cut off as someone can be heard saying something, Epel pauses the music on his headphones and pulls them out just to make sure that the music wasn't playing. But that did allow the phone to capture all that was being said.

"Huh? What was that Deuce?" Epel asks.

"Apparently the hedgehogs from Heartslabyul have been accidentally let loose and I think I've just seen one in the Pomefiore gardens." Deuce explains.

"Wait really? Let me see." Epel says as he gets up, his footsteps can be heard getting further away until they reach the window.

"Here's where I saw one, it's one of the blue ones, it's in that bush." Deuce says a bit quieter.

"Huh let me... AH! Yes I do see it!" Epel nearly shouts, he didn't actually expect to see a pure blue hedgehog.

"I should probably go get it, I'll be back in a bit." Deuce says, Ace had left to use the toilet a bit ago whilst Rook and Vil had some Dorm leader and Vice dorm leader jobs to do during their break.

"I'll come with you to help." Epel says and two pairs of footsteps can be heard leaving the ballroom.

A few minutes go by of silence before very quiet footsteps could be heard before the ballroom's doors open.

"Hey guys! I've got us all something to drinnn...k." Yuu says as he can faintly be heard entering the empty room, a few seconds pass before water bottles can be heard being put on the floor. His footsteps can be heard getting closer to Epel's phone.

"dun-dun dun-dun." Yuu mutters under his breath as he keeps on walking around, he's singing the start of Absolutely Beautiful.

"Dun-dun dun-dun". He sings a bit louder before a piece of paper can be heard shuffling, if Epel remembers well, when they returned they saw that Yuu was looking at the lyrics of Absolutely Beautiful. " Kowareru Yona~ Kagayaki wa, Keshite ageru~" Yuu sings, very nonchalantly, he was singing deeper than he usually does, more towards Vil's tone but not the same, it had a more professional and commanding tone to it than it usually does.

"Hey! So! Absolutely Beautiful! No Chance to Beat us! No Way! No way!" He's now singing more confidently but also more like himself.

"Hey! So! Absolutely Beautiful! No Chance to Beat us! No One! No way!" He sings a bit louder now, he can be heard tapping his foot to the beat.

"Amai douku wa ikaga? Kuchiniau Kashira, Subete o nigiterru, atashi, sou zettaina no-!" Yuu sings Vil's part with the same command as before.

"Ah~~ Kororo no zawa-meki~" Yuu sings Jamil's part with a similar tone to Vil, a command that you must adder to.

"Itsuka!- Ringo no yona aka, KuChiTe Ku!" Yuu nails the emphasis in 'Kuchite ku' hitting all the right marks, Epel himself struggled to get it the right length and enunciation.

Yuu stops there in his singing, a few moments pass and the doors open to the ballroom.

"Ah hey Ace I was wondering where you all wen-" Yuu is cut off as Epel stops the video, it goes on longer but Epel's mind is made up.

Yuu is the Singer.

His proficiency with music and singing in general is clear and the way he changes his tone when singing in some instances to make it more powerful. As if he's someone else.

This revelation with proof doesn't really change how Epel sees Yuu, he's still his friend and they can still joke and hang out together, but he's a mighty fine singer. Though this revelation doesn't change how Epel sees Yuu, it does give Epel a few questions. Why didn't he participate in the SDC? That is the main one, if Vil heard even a bit of this he would've swooped down and picked up Yuu for the NRC Tribe, perhaps he didn't want to which is fair, but from what Epel can hear there is a love of music in his voice as well as a love of singing. Another is why is he's singing for the Mostro Lounge? Yuu just deciding to sing in the Mostro Lounge doesn't just happen on a whim, maybe Yuu signed a contract but why? Or did the Leech twins force Yuu to do this? Epel's mind is full of questions. Though he does make his mind up on one thing. He needs to see Yuu.

He stands up, yanking out his headphones from his phone and holds his phone, he picks up his magic pen and room key from his desk and walks to the door, opens it, and walks into the hallway, he stands and locks the door as he can feel a pair of eyes on him, he looks left and right but can't find anyone, he focuses on locking his door and as he does so, the sharp gaze fixates on him again. He looks all around him, even out the window below but there's no one except someone outside who is studying, right the exams start tomorrow, Epel has been studying as hard as most, he can have an extended break and ask Yuu, it won't take that long, he just needs to get to Ramshackle. After giving another look around he hurries off to go meet his friend.

A poisonous gaze from amethyst eyes locks onto Epel again. His phone vibrates in his hand and he falls back out of view and opens his phone and at the message revived, and smiles a most beautiful smile at its contents.

---

Yuu and Jade have finally made their way to the Hall of Mirrors, it's not half the walk to school from Ramshackle but it's still a pain, they enter the domed building as they continue their conversation.

"-Still I'm really surprised that it's gotten that popular, It's probably reached outside of NRC..." Yuu says, he feels a bit worried and a bit embarrassed at the attention his singing has been getting.

"Though the praise is entirely warranted, the popularity is actually a surprise for us, including Azul." Jade says trying to give Yuu some confidence.

They walk as they talk and they get to the midpoint of the Hall of Mirrors and Yuu spies the Octavinelle mirror and its company of seashells, though stops when he hears the rippling of a mirror, he instantly knows that it's not from Octavinelle as he's looking at it and decides to see which one it is. He looks at Scarabia and sees that that one is static, same with Pomefiore, Ignihyde, and Diasomnia, he looks to the other side of Octavinelle and can easily see that Savannaclaw's mirror is rippling. Yuu keeps on looking wondering who's coming out of that dorm on a Sunday? The Library is an obvious guess though Yuu still sticks around, wondering if someone he knows is coming through. Jade notices Yuu's curiosity and feeds into it as he looks on as well. After a few seconds, a person emerges from the mirror, a very recognisable one at that.

"Leona!" Yuu says surprised, he didn't expect the Dorm Leader to come out.

"Herbivore, and one of the eels, now that's one of the more odd combinations." Leona addresses them, looking a bit tired.

"Good Morning Leona." Jade addresses him formally.

"Are you okay Leona? You seem a bit out of it." Yuu decides to ask.

"It's none of your concern, shouldn't you be more concerned with the exams starting tomorrow, Herbivore?" Leona decides to ask more sharply.

"I am, I'm going to study at Octavinelle." Yuu states.

"Why Octavinelle? Aren't you buddies with Heartslabyul and Pomefiore? Don't tell me you're caught up in another contract with Azul." Leona says annoyed.

"N-No I'm not, I've been struggling with parts of Twisted Wonderland's history and they offered to help." Yuu gives as a cover story, it wasn't entirely false but not completely true either.

"It's true, Yuu reached out to me and asked for one on one help with certain aspects like the royal line of the Coral Sea and the most known important traders of the Scalding Sands. And it would be rude to not help a friend in need, wouldn't it?" Jade gives, following Yuu's cover story.

Leona just looks at Yuu for a second as Yuu gave a little cough before Leona rolls his eyes and starts to walk away from the duo

"If you say so, but if you are in a messy deal with that Octo Punk then you can count Savanaclaw out." Leona says as he walks out of the Hall of Mirrors. A beat passes before Jade speaks up again.

"Well that went well."

"A little too well." Yuu admitted, Did Leona see through their farce? Maybe. But Leona doesn't seem to be the type to be following the Mostro Lounge on Magicam so perhaps he knows that something fishy is happening, but not exactly what it is.

"Well I think we should go, we don't want Azul to be waiting too long." Jade says.

"Ah yes, let's get going!" Yuu says.

Jade leads the way to the mirror before quickly stepping in, Yuu gives him a moment before he steps in himself, he opens his eyes and looks on at the ever-so-beautiful Octavinelle. It looks the same as when he came here last... Which was yesterday. Yuu spies Jade a few steps in front of him and walks to his side and they start to walk together through Octavinelle to get to the Mostro Lounge. As they start walking Yuu decides to ask Jade something which has been bothering him since yesterday.

"Hey Jade, do you mind if I ask you a question?" He asks.

"Sure what is it?" Jade asks in return.

"Well, I know you don't like being in the spotlight, correct?"

"Yes, you're correct."

"Okay, well I'm just wondering why you decided to step up to sing with me yesterday?" Yuu asks, he has been confused about that since yesterday when he overheard the three shout about it yesterday.

"You mean with the backup vocals?" Jade asks and Yuu nods, "Well you're going to be the main spotlight, figuratively and literally, there will be a spotlight shining down on you when singing."

"I guess but still, you will be easy to see even not in the spotlight, the most backup singers a song has is six, in which you will still be able to be seen."

"I understand your thought, the general idea of standing up and singing is generally terrifying but hearing you sing it just invites you to sing along if I had to try and explain it. Sorry if that's a bit embarrassing." Jade says as he looks a bit uncomfortable.

A feint blush reaches Yuu's face as he listens to Jade's explanation, being the one to make another sing is weird to hear and makes Yuu embarrassed. The fact that it's calm and mostly collected Jade makes this even weirder. It's common for a musician to get their fans into learning music and instruments but Yuu's just Yuu, the magicless NRC prefect with a dumbass cat. Jade gives a cough and his slightly embarrassed face is gone.

"Anyway, we should be there soon and I expect Azul and Floyd to greet us." he says

"I wonder if they expect us to both be arriving together?" Yuu muses as they keep on walking down the hallways of Octavinelle.

---

Back at the Hall of Mirrors, the mirror to Pomefiore starts to ripple, and after a few seconds of rippling Epel comes running through the mirror, he carries on running as he exits the domed building and starts running up the path to Ramshackle. It has taken Epel more time than he wanted to get to the Hall of Mirrors, whilst he was initially running through the Pomefiore dorm he got stopped by members of his dorm to stop running as it was making his outfit messy, as well as others asking if he wanted to help look for the singer, he declined them as fast as he could. He had to speed walk to the double doors of Pomefiore where he ran as soon as he was outside and hasn't stopped since.

He runs up the path and can see the bridge in front of him that leads to the Alchemy Workshop, Botanical Garden, and Ramshackle, though he spies a familiar face walking ahead of him, Leona. Epel quickly gets to where Leona is and greets him.

"Good Morning Leona."

"Hm? Oh good morning Epel, where are you running to in a hurry?" Leona asks with a neutral look on his face. Epel stops running and walks with Leona.

"Ah, well, I'm going to go see Yuu, I need to ask him something."

"Really? well, he's not in Ramshackle."

"Really?! Do you know where he is?" Epel asks confused, 'Is he at Heartslabyul? or maybe Scarabia? He must be somewhere to revise, so maybe the library or Ignihyde?' he thinks.

"Well I saw him with Jade Leech so I suspect he's gone to Octavinelle." Leona again says neutrally.

'He's at Octavinelle? at this time? So he must really be the singer' Epel thinks, the only thing he didn't have before was a solid connection between Yuu and Octavinelle but him going there at this time with one of the twins is odd. He could've been with the second years at Scarabia who don't have included strings attached. Epel stops walking and turns around ready to bolt to Octavinelle, Leona stops and looks at Epel.

"Thank you, Leona, I'll pay you back by working hard in our next Spelldrive club meeting." He promises before he runs away.

Leona watches Epel leave his side and run on the path back to the Hall of Mirrors, but he doesn't move yet. He leers at the trees behind the Hall of Mirrors, he can sense someone lurking in those trees, it takes a little knowledge of NRC to guess who's in the trees. He notices that the piercing gaze isn't on himself and is satisfied, he gets ready to continue his walk back to the Botanical Garden. But stops. The gaze snapped to himself for a second before leaving again. He turns around still not seeing anyone there. Epel can still be seen running to the Hall of Mirrors, the eyes must be locked on him now. Usually, Leona would take this as his chance to escape to the Botanical Gardens, though he feels like this whole situation will come crawling back to him. A sigh escapes as he decides to be the bigger person.

---

"Finally we're here." Yuu says as he looks at the exterior of the Mostro Lounge..

After taking a while to navigating the halls of Octavinelle the duo has finally arrived at the Mostro Lounge entrance. But unlike how the doors are usually open with a sign outside saying 'We're open. Welcome.' the sign is gone and the doors are closed, Yuu remembers back to Azul's message and that they were going to be in relative peace in the VIP room, perhaps people are studying in the lounge. Though that's just one idea. The duo walk up to the doors and Yuu tries to open it, only to find it locked shut, he then knocks on the door.

"Password~?" Floyd asks muffled from the other side, Yuu looks at the door confused before looking to Jade who doesn't look bothered by this.

"Uhh...Shrimp?" Yuu gives very confused. He definitely remembers Floyd NOT giving Yuu a password and just thinks of the first thing that came to his mind when thinking of Floyd, Floyd's nickname for Yuu.

The doors open suddenly and Floyd is towering over Yuu and decides to give him a little squeeze.

"Shrimpy!! I was wondering when you were goin' to arrive." Floyd says as if he isn't squeezing Yuu a bit more than most. Floyd looks to his right and sees his brother.

"Hey Jade, I was wondering when you were goin' to come back as well."

"I would have been back sooner if you stayed with me. Headmage gave little old me so much work."

"Nah I didn't feel like it." Floyd says with his usually dopy smile.

"Floyd if you don't stop squeezing our guest he may finally feint on us." Azul says coming out of the Mostro Lounge, he looks at Yuu slightly sympathetically though Floyd does release Yuu who still has his stationary in hand. Azul continues.

"Jade if you can get our guest some tea then we'll meet you in the VIP room."

"Sure I'll meet you there," Jade says as he goes past the other three and disappears into the Mostro Lounge, Azul now looks at Yuu.

"Well come on in, we need to get started. I have parts of Friday's event that we have yet to discuss, though I will leave that to after we have finished studying." Azul says as he walks into the lounge first.

Floyd walks into the lounge after Azul and Yuu takes a step forward before looking back, from here he can see the entrance of Octavinelle, he looks at the entrance, just seeing if he can see anyone. He can't, he doesn't feel those eyes on him.

"Whatcha looking at Shrimpy?" Floyd asks Yuu who snaps his head to look at Floyd, Floyd had stopped walking fairly quickly with Azul not too far behind him.

"W-well since this morning I've felt someone watching me, I don't feel that gaze here but I just want to keep an eye out." Yuu explains, Azul's eyes sharpen at Yuu's quick account of the events.

"A stalker huh... Would you mind giving me some more details of this in the VIP lounge?" Azul asks, Yuu gives a nod.

Azul starts to walk again, Floyd stops and holds the door, letting Yuu pass, he does and Floyd locks the door behind himself before he walks behind Yuu, they walk in silence past the empty seats and tables that dot the lounge, it feels weird to Yuu to see it so empty though hearing Jade knock around in the kitchen making tea makes it less quiet. They arrive quite quickly, Azul opens the door and walks to his chair in front of the vault, Yuu feels a sense of Deja vu when looking at the VIP room, once to Friday when Yuu started this whole singer job and once to back when Yuu had to make the contract with Azul to save Ace, Deuce, Grimm and the other students. Yuu walks in next and sits down on the closest couch, as he sits he sees books and pens scattered on the table, he places his stationary on the table and finally free's his hands. Floyd sits down on the couch opposite Yuu in his usual relaxed manner, Jade comes in soon after Floyd sits down with the tea in hand, he can sense that something has happened and puts Yuu's tea down by him and sits by his brother. Yuu picks up the tea and takes a sip, Jade had thankfully cooled it down so it wouldn't burn Yuu's tongue.

"Yuu do you think you can start." Azul says, Yuu feels like he's being interrogated by the police, he puts his tea down and begins his tale.

"Yes, ever since I woke up this morning I felt like I was being stared at, the first time was... probably just before you called me Azul, I felt like I was being stared at though I just put it down as one of the Ramshackle ghosts at the time. The second time was just as I finished my call with you while I was in the lounge, I felt like I was being stared at again but I couldn't find anyone. The next time was I was making breakfast, I stepped out and from the window opposite the staircase I could feel eyes glaring at me, I tried searching but I couldn't see anyone, the gaze was more prolonged and it felt so... predatory. I felt my blood run cold, and I froze up. I was only shaken out of it when Jade greeted me from the staircase. I asked and realised he wasn't behind the staring, nor Floyd who I forgot was in the call with you." Yuu explains he sees Azul focus on his words, Floyd has moved forward and has his arms resting on his legs, and Jade looks at Yuu and has a feeling of realisation. Yuu continues.

"As I was walking to get changed I looked out the windows of Ramshackle but couldn't see anyone outside, though I could faintly feel like I was still being watched. Then as myself and Jade were coming here I often felt the gaze from Ramshackle to the Alchemy Workshop then it stopped." Yuu finishes, that was the last time he last felt the gaze on him.

"I also felt that stare, I felt it when I was scouting Ramshackle late at night when I was waiting for the Headmage to appear." Jade says and everyone's eyes move to him. "I initially thought it was him but I then felt that same stare when walking from Ramshackle to the Alchemy Workshop, so I know it isn't him."

The room goes silent as the other two others take in the accounts, Yuu having a stalker isn't good, even in a normal scenario where Yuu isn't tied to the Mostro Lounge.

"We need to look into this, I can think of a few people that could be behind this but I can't say for sure. I would say that we need to have someone to keep an eye on you but-" As Azul was addressing Yuu, a fast knock pelts on the doors of the Mostro Lounge. Everyone looks at one another, and the thought of the stalker passes through their minds, but would such a person who can keep out of the eyesight for an extended period of time, just hastily knock on the door? Shouldn't it be more confident and slow? After a bit, another round of fast knocking can be heard and Jade stands up.

"I shall go check and see who it is, I'll contact you if needed." Jade says as he walks to the door.

"Be careful." Yuu says, even if he's not confident that it is Stalker-san, Jade should be careful.

Jade gives a nod and leaves the room. The VIP room is plunged into a round of silence, Yuu looks at Floyd and sees him cracking his knuckles, that crazed expression can be seen in his eyes as he puts his hand on his shoulder. Yuu then piers over to Azul who has his phone in his hand and is looking straight at the door, Yuu also focuses on his door as he awaits nervously. The front door can be heard opening and Jade's muffled voice can be heard as well as another soft voice, they converse a bit before they can hear the door closing.

BEep BEep

The electronic sound catches everyone off guard, Yuu and Floyd look to the origin of the sound, Azul, as he looks at his phone, reads it, and gives a sigh of relief.

"False alarm, it's just Epel Felmer from Pomefiore." Azul announces.

"Guppy?" Floyd says confused.

"What's Epel doing here?" Yuu asks what's on everyone's mind.

"Unsure but he wants to speak to you." Azul says looking at Yuu, turning his phone off and placing it on the desk.

No one can say definitively why Epel is here, though Yuu can guess that he figured it out yesterday and wants to confirm it, but Yuu doesn't know what to say. Azul wants to keep it confidential and Yuu's already let everyone at Ramshackle know of his involvement with the Mostro Lounge, if Yuu's going the way he's going, most people at NRC will know that Yuu is the singer before Friday. Footsteps can be heard coming closer and closer to the VIP room, it's obvious it's not one pair but two. Yuu looks back at Azul, he sees that Azul has come to the same if not a similar conclusion to Yuu. No questions are asked between the two but one answer is present "Wait and see." They'll wait to see what Epel says and formulate a response around that, no plans are currently set in stone on how they will deal with this situation. In their silence, they can hear the footsteps get closer and closer until they stop and the door to the VIP suite opens. Jade comes through first with Epel trailing after, Epel looks to the side of Jade and spies Yuu, a look of urgency appears on his face as he addresses Yuu.

"Yuu!" He says and goes to Yuu's chair after Jade has moved out of his way, a smile is on his face as he looks at his friend.

"Epel!" Yuu says, the anxiety he held before becomes near extinct as he sees his friend and a soft smile appears on his face.

"Are you okay?" Is the only question that Epel can get out, though more questions in relation to Yuu's wellbeing. Yuu gives a nod.

"Excuse me Epel." Azul says, Epel's focus is on him "I doubt that you're here just for a wellness check as you easily could have messaged your friend, so why are you here?" Epel looks directly at Azul with little to no fear, a few seconds pass before Epel gives him his answer.

"Are... Are you three forcing Yuu to be the singer for the lounge?" Epel states, less like a question but more like an accusation. He holds his pen in hand just in case and puts an arm over Yuu.

A beat sounds out, Yuu and Azul's suspicions are confirmed that Epel knows about Yuu's involvement, whilst Jade and Floyd realise how much he knows. No one answers Epel so he continues

"Ya'll are so quiet, is that true?" His face is in a mixture of anger and confusion he grips his pen harder and magic can be seen starting to form on his pen, he continues, "If ya'll have dared touch a darned hair on Yuu's head then-"

"No- no they didn't force me Epel," Yuu says, his friend calms down, Epel looks as his friend stands up, "Believe me I'm not being forced, I can explain... but do you think you can explain how you found out first."

Silence emanates through the VIP suite as Epel looks at Yuu and vice versa, after a while of silence, Epel stops his magic and loosens his grip on his pen. His expression softens as he sits down, Yuu following suit right after, he explains.

"Well, ever since I first heard the video on Magicam yesterday I kinda had a hunch, mainly as it sounds similar to Yuu's voice, though the tone and pitch sounded a good bit off. But with how nervous Yuu acted while the video was playing and the questions that were asked by the other first years got me a good bit more suspicious." Epel starts, at the mention of Yuu playing the video Azul and Jade looks to Yuu who gives a look of "I can explain later."

"Earlier today I was listening to it and I remembered a video I recorded back when we were doing to SDC in which I caught Yuu singing whilst I was out."

"When was that?" Yuu looks confused at when that was.

"It happened the day that the Hedgehogs escaped from Heartslabyul, there was one in the Pomefiore gardens. I was recording myself practice though I left it recording while I was away helping Deuce look for the Hedgehog" Epel explains as a look of realisation appeared on Yuu's face. Epel continues.

"When I listened to the audio Yuu shifted tones and pitches as he does in the Magicam video. So with his performance in the recording matching up similarly to the Magicam video and how he was acting surrounding the video, I came to the conclusion that Yuu is the singer. I wanted to talk to Yuu to double-check that it is him and that he isn't forced to do it."

A look of understanding comes across the four other people in the room, Yuu knows that he may have acted off yesterday but he didn't expect to be greeted with the promo so soon so panicking happened almost instantly.

"Do you think that the other members of the NRC Trible can come to the same conclusion?" Azul asks as he receives the information.

"I don't think so, well I don't think Ace, Deuce, and Kalim can, can't but I'm unsure of the other three." Epel gives as a response.

"Jamil, Rook, and Vil correct?" Azul asks, Epel nods.

The room goes into another bout of silence as they all think about those three, though mostly Rook and Vil. With Vil's known passion for beauty, both for himself and for others, he will probably be an issue with the Friday performance, mainly with getting more details out of Azul, though Azul has come up with some thoughts on how to handle some situations with Vil. But not all situations.

"Hey Guppy have you been stalking Yuu? " Floyd says out of nowhere, as laid back as ever, Epel looks shocked at him.

"What?!" He nearly shouts and looks at Yuu.

"Well, since this morning I've had someone looking at me from outside of Ramshackle, it only ended at the Hall of Mirrors." Yuu explains in the shortest and most concise way.

"Now that you say it. I've felt like I've been stared at today as well." Epel admits, the others look at him and he continues, "As I left my room to come here from Pomefiore, I noticed someone looking at me, but they stopped looking at me very quickly. I also felt stared at again outside the Hall of Mirrors when I met Leona, but this second stare felt different from the one in Pomefiore."

The four others look at each other with this realisation, that there is probably a second stalker. Although this other Stalker-san may be a coincidence, the timing is yet again perfect, they have to be related to the release of the video and they both are probably in this together.

"So there's probably another stalker, they can't be the same as Yuu's stalker has been there since midnight and has stayed at Ramshackle most of the day, only moving to the Hall of Mirrors after we had left the area I would guess." Jade explains, he adds, "There's little to no way that he was able to go to Pomefiore, then watch you and presumably Leona later on."

"So who can it be?" Yuu asks the question on everyone's mind.

"Well if it's any help Pomefiore is trying to find the singer, they have been since this morning. A few dorm members have asked me to help them find the singer." Epel says this gives the others some ideas, especially Azul.

"Has this search been orchestrated by Vil?" Azul asks.

"I don't know, I've not gotten any messages from Vil to say to look for the singer. But I've also not seen him or Rook all day." Epel says.

"Would you have usually seen them this morning?"

"Yes, Vil would've checked my uniform and Rook usually comes in and makes sure that 'My beauty is being maintained', but they've not approached me and I haven't seen them in the hallway or at breakfast."

This, this is the biggest clue to the two stalkers, Rook has always been an easy guess in everyone's mind, with his already well-known stalking of Leona and the Leech twins making him an easy contender for one of the stalkers. There are other parts that are coming together now, he was also part of the NRC Tribe, and is a self-proclaimed protector of beauty, which is definitely not by coincidence, the comments of the video are riddled with people called Yuu's voice 'A thing a beauty' and simply 'beautiful'.

So Rook is one of the stalkers, probably the one who stalked Yuu, Jade, and Epel around Ramshackle and the Hall of Mirrors, but what of the other? Vil most probably. Vil and Rook aren't too far from each other normally and Vil is always keeping an eye out for the latest beauty and fad, so he's definitely seen the Mostro Lounge video. He has mostly likely sent Rook out to find the singer whilst he waits for the answer, maybe he recognised that the voice was Yuu's and just wants confirmation. Yuu doesn't know, but that would explain why Epel was being stalked by Vil.

"So we're up against Rook and Vil." Yuu states, vocalising the common consensus with a nervous look on his face.

"That seems most likely." Azul states, pushing up his glasses on his expressionless face.

"I would also happen to guess that they are probably on their way here." Jade says, his face focused and serious.

A glance from Yuu is given to his tea, he looks at it but more at himself and the look he gives. He breathes in and calms himself down, he can handle this, and although meeting Vil this soon was one of his greatest fears he has to appear brave, yet the man scares Yuu when talking about Beauty, especially when his envious side is present.

Yuu sighs and a neutral face appears, it isn't how he's truly feeling but it makes him feel more calm about the situation. He takes a controlled breath in and out and looks at himself in the tea again.

He outreaches a hand to grab the cup only to realise he is shaking.