Kaku's Catalogs

Azul smiles menangcingly when he sees you peeking out "Precisely speaking, he sold your secret to a deal worth 5 cans of premium coral sea tuna." You look at Grim who cant even look at you. "Sorry.." Grim's frown deepens, you turn to Azul.

"Which Secret?" You answer in which Azul raises an eyebrow to "You're implying there's more?-" "Of course there's more, as far as I know, I can pee in the swimming pool and consider it a teensy little secret."

.

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"What?" "Just get to the point."

"..I'll take note of that... So, anyway, ahem. Are you per chance a woman? Disguised to fit-in in an all-boys school?" Your eyes widen, not particularly because he knew but because he only knew just now. Your surprise was mistaken by Azul for discomfort, smirk getting visibly wider.

Then you scoffed. A light chuckle. "I never told them to keep that a secret." You shrugged "I told them, I didn't really care if it gets out. They're the ones that insisted they would keep it hidden." You spout, practically with no worry.

"So, you'll forgive me..? I'm not in trouble?" You turn to Grim with a smile, one a little disappointed "Hm, we'll talk later." You watch as Grim slouches, he knew he wasnt off the hook yet. You sigh "Get inside..".

For a split second, Azul thought his plans backfired, still, stubborn as he is, he refused to give up. Not when it's such a good deal. With determination, he clears his throat, "Surely you bluff. Might I remind you of the consequences that awaits once this gets out of hushed whispers?" You pause as you think of it. "To be honest.. I dont know how people still doesn't suspect I'm a female. I dont hide my feminine tastes, not my telling looks nor my actions." That left the merman at loss for words. Surely he prepared for rejection, fear, or hesistation but not like this.

He breathes for a little bit, clearing his mind and adjusting his visions "I'm sure you care so little about being expelled for 'Irregularities' however, I'm positive you know that if you did get expelled, you'd lose contact with the headmage. You'd essentially lose the very person who can bring you back to your world."

That caught your ear. You thought about it.

"But since the black carriage has chosen you, and so did the mirror, you are infact a student at NRC."

You pause but that was enough for the Merchant of Depths to work with.

"And if that happens, how could a magicless human such as yourself survive this wonderla-" Deep in thought, his voice only distracted you so you interjected "-Excuse me for a second." Thinking hard, you tried to remember what the headmage said.

"And yet, as an educator, I am loath to expel a young person without a cent to their name, or any ability to contact their guardian..."

That's right! He cant expel me! No- no wait. He phrased it as if it's his decision. Meaning that the school could send me out without thinking twice.

"Come in? Unless, of course, you prefer we talk in the doorway."

His eyes lights up, another fish in the net! "Inside it is." His smirk couldn't get anymore devious.

"Okay then, I'll hear you out. How can you fix my situation?"

"How I love hearing those words. It's what I live for!" You couldn't help but feign an eyeroll as he clears his throat "I propose a spell that wouldn't change your loo-" "I've made it this far without the use of impurities." You interrupt, again.

"What I need is, you, and whoever else that heard Grim to keep that secret to themselves" " -And maybe something to shut Grim about it for good, how about a spell for that, huh?" You chuckle, nudging him.

He chuckles as well, your smile was always the charm, it always charmed everyone. He clears his throat and remembers what he's here for. "Yes, I acknowledge. And I can make everyone stop caring, make it a charm woven into your aura."

"But I demand a price." "'Course, 'course. Been waiting for you to say it." You nod, signaling him to continue.

"In exchage.. All I want is one memory. Your most cherished one. Gone."

A hand to your chin, the side of your index touching your lip as you were deep in thought. "Would it work if I cant think of one memory?" There was a pause. "Wha-?!" He cant even begin to breathe without getting a migraine. Such an unfortunate soul you are to sign a blank check and handing him the pen.

"No? Alright. What if you just take the memory once I'll be leaving this world? Maybe then I'd have a fresher, cherished memory worth-taking?" He chuckled after your appeal "Hm, A deffered payment.. are you trying to out-sly me?" "Well, if you want to take a memory that I cant even think of then... sure!"

"Why are you smiling like that.." The Merchant raises one side of his lip.

"Also, I thought you said you're retiring from that kind of contract?" He paused, looking away before looking at you again. "It's.." he trails, he never usually looks at loss for words. "It's important." You notice him push his glasses into place further "This will be the last one, I swear on it."

"And.. the memory has to come from me? Of all people?" "—Yes, you, of all people."

There was a pause but he clears his throat after a few seconds, "If we have an agreement, I'll be expecting you in Mostro Lounge tomorrow. No longer than 2 in the afternoon." "Straight after dismissal? So demanding.." He smirked at that. "Normally I accommodate kindly, but, you see, I've quite a tight schedule lately."

"Yeah. Yeah. I'll be there before 3."

☆•○•☆

"Sorry..." Grim muttered. "They actually used the misogyny card." So you took a breath or two "Just dont do that again, Grim. Avoid them at all costs, they've probably put a spell on you to have you agree to their whims." Grim gives a determined nod "...Do we call this a truce?"

"Did you know I liked Azul?"

.

.

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"MRHAAT??!"

"Wow, I think my eardrums flew so far back into my nose."

"SERIOUSLY? HE SCAMMED ALL OF US AND YOU FIND THAT HOT?!"

You never wheezed so hard because of one sentence.

"Th-that'S NOT IT- YOU MISSED THE ENTIRE POINT!" You continue after you stopped laughing your ass off "He actually has a mellow heart under all that."

"I think my hench human finally snapped."

☆•○•☆

"NO, YOU AINT-!" "You're joking- you're not serious right?!"

Exclaimed by none other than Ace and Deuce after Grim told them you were making a contract with Azul.

"Grim you sick blabbering kitten!" You shout at Grim. "It's alright, he promised me he won't do it again. He might probably just need a little help."

"Help? You need help. Seek a therapist, better yet, admit to the nearest asylum." Ace, with a side eye, retorted as you frowned. "Yes, I need help. He knows I'm a diva and he's boutta to extort that." The duo turns to Grim with a frown.

"To be honest, I think Jade used his unique magic on him. There's no way Grim would sell me out like that." Grim looked at you like your the only person who believed him in the whole world "H-hench-human.." you sighed. "About time you start appreciating me, Grim. The credit I actually deserve, a credit card." You joked.

"Or an ac-credited degree, maybe." "Ace, you're one to talk!"

☆•○•☆

You were getting scammed. Maybe not, maybe yes but why do you feel giddy?

"I dont think that's what we agreed on."

"And I dont see how you're in a position to argue."

You sighed, this part of him was a turn off. Insensitive, selfish even. But you hum, trying to see a better light. He demanded that, in exchange, you work for the lounge with 30% less salary than normal.

"Work in the lounge.." you mumble deep in thought, having the faintest idea but still had to focus just to have a clear vision of it. "Why, yes. It's only fair since I'd have to keep a secret and also a spell for Grim, no?" The Merchant really loved to talk or so that's how you view it. "In the event you try to jeopardize the contract by spilling the truth out, I will be able to take any memory of yours of my choosing."

"Even if it's not that special?" You turn to him and he turned to you "That is what working in the lounge is for." He smiled, obviously not genuine.

"What happens if the truth still comes out and you're unable to protect it?" You both paused, for a couple of seconds, it was dead silent in his office. "Then, I'll be your means of contacting Crowley."

"I'm already able to contact Crowley. I have a phone." His eye twitches, as he calibrated for a response. The sides of your lips curl up slightly, you couldn't help but adore the way you can make him crack at small things.

"Surely you know favors dont come for free. When you're no longer a student, a helpful one too, there's no assurance he'll take you seriously." That was one harsh fact you have accept in this school, but surely, surely they care more than they like to admit?

You leaned back into your chair, thinking about it. For a very short moment, you thought about asking how but you knew how creative Azul could get.

"Deal." His eyes narrow and he breathes out a smug. "The contract is ready to sign."

-Moments where most of the time you get to be the center of his thoughts (his headache).

-You'll get married to him soon, even though sometime he knows he should be more concerned about getting married to you than somebody else.

-Truth is? He should be most concerned about what happens when you dont get married to him.

-Please don't be up to something, let him handle it. (You work like a loosecannon.)

- Even in his overblot form, you still talked to him, still tried to reason with him. Your worry became more apparent when you did everything to swiftly put the blot to it's end.

- He invites you over tea just to apologize. You just smiled sweetly and told him you never blamed it on him. You acknowledge he's trying to change and that you're just happy he lets himself experience his life in his own pace for once.

- So you repeat what you've always complimented him in, but instead of ending it there, you finished your sentence. It was that he never broke it, even at the cost of his own happiness, his own self.

- You wished he could be more lenient with himself though, "There's more to the world than just black and white. There's no clear rule to living. No logic to an illogical world." That was enough to make this boy cry. I guess now he understands why his dormmates favor you.

- Just then, he asks what rules confine you so you opened up about your experiences on stereotypical standards. You told him about the things you do and had to stop loving because it's deemed unattractive, how you wished that you could do them freely without having to suffer consequences. With tearful eyes, he looks at you before hesitantly placing his hand on top of yours. "I want to be free too. I want to laugh loudly and not be scolded." For hours you guys just truama bonded.

- There's no one that could relate to you more than this sweet bean who was made a villain. Perfect Queen of Hearts and King of Hearts dynamic.

PAIR RATING: 10/10

LEONA KINGSCHOLAR

- It's starts off rocky, but upon knowing you fully he begins to soften at the thought you're just like him. Trapped in societal standards you have to follow to get what you want and be viewed as someone important.

- Upon first impressions, he was instantly fooled by your fragile body composition. He thought you were weak in terms of strength, this line of thinking was also influenced by your lack of magic (or so, unability to activate your spells in this dimension if you want to keep the identity of being a hashira).

- Your charming smile dont work on him. In his eyes it looked similar to his annoying niece. It just rubbed him the wrong way.

- You were okay, you guys were through, really but you had to go and notice his ears and tail. "Are those... real? They're really cute! You're super attractive too!" That was it. He just stopped, completely stopped.

- Where's he's from, he's never met a 'weird' herbivore like you. "..Cute?" He was back to being pissed. You don't call a huge aggressive man who could literally maul someone with ease (his words not yours), a pitiful adorable thing (again his ears, not yours).

- When challenged to a match of spelldrive, he only meant to challenge your friends. You accepted the it anyway. Beating him at his own game. In the competition, you locked tf in, no nonsense, no hesitation, no fear.

- And boy, was he wrong about his initial impression of you. You were SUPER FAST, as in agility to the max. You were a real swiper unit, you almost knocked Ruggie out of his broom when you saw a chance to. Definitely ruined their groove in the process.

- Your friends or atleast everyone in heartslabyul, didnt seem to be fazed by strength at all. They knew it from since Riddle's overblot, they did what you asked and kept it a secret.

- They were obviously distracted by how well you're holding up that you got to snatch disc and threw it with full force from half the field and landed a shot. That totally got Leona's respect, but more so triggered his complex. You looked really satisfied with yourself, complimenting everyone, even him.

- During his overblot. He got a real taste of your strenght. You were a complete opposite of who you are when left in peace and prosperity. The beastman understood that the hate in your eyes wasn't meant for him, though. The longer the fight continued, the more he knew that your real enemy was the huge lion-like made out of blot beside him.

- After sometime he eventually learns that you're insecure of your strenght got him "Has the world turned over'or sumthin? Apparently, now, the qualities of a predator gets you below the food chain." Then just scowls.

- Will roll his eyes at the fact that your world limits people to a standard. After you open up to him about that, he spaces out for a second, remembering his days back at home. How people picked at simple things like his clothing, his preference, his behavior and ultimately, his life and everything he stood for.

- He says nothing, he'll sleep it off, no use fighting for a lost cause. "Yeah. Screw your world, you're better in my dorm." As he shrugs.

- Calling his ears adorable still gives him a temper flare although now, you just giggle about it. He calls you 'Pinky', you like it since it just because it sounds feminine. Sometimes he calls you called 'highlighter' but that's not for you to hear.

- Wow, you got an appetite on you but never called you out on that, by his definition, that's just the pot calling the kettle black. Actually if he did, he'd have a higher sentence time than you do on that. You scarf down your food and ask why Leona's grinning like that, he goes like "Finally, some competition." and your like "Huh??".

- Will nap beside you but not close to you. If you offer your lap, beware because the next time he does it, he won't ask for permission.

- When things grow warm between you two, I swear your dynamic looks like '💃' and '😒'. The social 🦋 and the nonchalant wanna🐝.

PAIR RATING: (you rate man)/10

VIL SCHOENHEIT

- When you see, there is no doubt in your first reaction. After all, how are we suppose to react when we see such a handsome man? Immediately, you attacked and praised his looks 🙌. In his point of view, one look and he saw how much potential you had with your looks. After you complimented him, he complimented you in turn.

- I'm telling you, he's immediately fond of you, although you're a bit scared of him at times. Even hiding hilariously when he's around like "Hello. Um, is Vil gone already?" You 🤝 Epel when it comes to planning how to evade him.

- During VDC training week, when he saw you were doing your effortless Kim bok-joo the weightlifting fairy on that sofa he was like "Put that down! This instant!" You apologized and quickly asked if you stepped out of line but you were quickly cut off by "Carrying something that heavy will tear your muscles especially when-" Then he realizes you're still carrying the whole ass sofa without a bead of sweat.

- Vil looks over your arms and instantly, his face contorts into confusion as to how your muscles dont visibly flex to adjust to the weight you're holding.

- But being very insecure of your gifts, you immediately take Vil's expression the wrong way. Actually, you take most of his critiques the wrong way too. You completely miss that he reprimands you to mind what and how much you eat because these will directly affect your state.

-When he mentions that it can enhance your looks, you listen well, even if he's nagging.

- If it wasnt for Rook explaining that Roi du Poison is keen on preserving beauty, and bring potential to life. "He thinks my looks have potential..?" I think you know what expression you have while saying that, complete cinnamon roll moment. That doesn't mean you still dont hide from Vil though.

- And of course, nothing escapes his eye. He has been the first to notice about the thing you're least confident of yourself. That's how he's helping epel too. "You're plenty of natural beauty, but dont know how to flaunt it." He can be quite blunt, but the more he talked the more he seemed.. nice?

- So you let him know more, you knew you stood out but standing out means you're foriegn and not all foriegn is known to be understood as it is.

-He raises his brow at that, queue side eye. "I think you're seeing this the wrong way. Don't dilute your standards for anyone's comfort. You'll shine better knowing your qualities are genuine." That seemed to make it better even if there's a part to you that still hasn't understood it completely.

- The next thing you knew, he overblotted. It wasn't your place too, but you felt bad at the fact that he could help you, but couldn't do the same for him.

- It was hard to look at him like that. That all he wanted was name for himself after all his hardwork. He was woken up to the fact all of it was futile, and none really mattered.

- That's when you knew that even for someone untouchable, they are not numb to unfairness nor immune to feeling unworthy. It all clashed with what he said to you, or you at that matter.

- His overblot was not easy to deal with, you were rushed at the fact he will die if this went longer. Nonetheless all of you managed to pull Vil out in time.

- You got to talk shortly after the VDC. You thanked him for finding time to look out for you even when he was dealing with alot in his plate.

- Since then his words didn't feel like critiques but facts that help your body improve. Since then you both learned a thing or two from each other.

PAIR RATING: 9/10

ROOK HUNT

- Similarly to Rook, excessive praising are your common grounds. You guys would talk for hours and hours until everyone just crashes out tbh :/ The only difference between you two is that, one is weird in context and the other is just.. canonically weird.

- You both immediately saw the strenghts that the both of you concealed. It became known when you guys complimented each other on it. "Oh la la! Flexible and Strong at the same time, magnifique!" "Really?! Then perhaps.. I could do it one more time!" "Oui! Merci!".

- And then later, you start "You dont make a sound when you climb through trees, how could you do that? You're really light on your feet.." yeah that compliment just gets an ominous chuckle from him before he says something in French again. (Actually he knew of your strength based on how much, how regularly, and what you eat. He knows all that coincidentally, that's all!)

- In some point of time, we finally, FINALLY get to see the hunter genuinely SHRIEK. He spots you from inside a nearby bush, gazes for a second then continues with his mission. A shame really, to miss the opportunity to take a better look at your character.

-The second he takes his eyes off of you, you appear behind him like 'who are we hiding from?' And for once, the hunter felt hunted.

- He knows you draw your strenght from controlling your body mechanics from controlling involuntary places, he's a freak like that. And he let's you know that because you dont see the magic in doing so.

-A trade it is, he teaches you how to hunt and you teach him how to control his heart rate.

- Your insecurity about your strength, comes from a place that isn't foreign to him, after all, he did face alot of judgment during his times in Savanaclaw. He reminds you that people's opinions are nothing short of a fad, your uniqueness are what makes you perfect! (According to his records from 48 compiled hours of studying you.)

- 'Trickster' is still your nickname btw. That and 'Trainee' because you're his hunting buddy, apprentice, bait, and friend all at once, even if you're not properly informed!

AZUL ASHENGROTTO

- If you're not working for Mostro, this guy will definitely try and get Riddle to pawn you off to him. Even Jade and Floyd wants you, you'd lessen the workload with your attributes and would make a really fun person to torment.

- If that doesn't work, they'll use Ace and Deuce knowing that you three are all chained together. If one is captured, all of you are. Maybe he'll even 'safe keep' your pocket watch when you lose it, now you owe him.

- Your innate fear of what your higher ups would do if you fail to meet their standards makes you an easy target of manipulation, which to them is highly beneficial.

- With your uncanny ability to be there when he needs it triggers his paranoia at the first. He soothes it with the thought of you only doing it to gain his favor and not get into further trouble. He would try everything to stop you from helping him, masking everything, pretending to be put together when you come by.

- He was happy enough when it stopped for a few weeks, but boy did it hit hard when you did appear with a medicine to his problems again. Over time he begins to subconciously let it seep as you never asked for anything in return. He'll begin to look weary around you, less threatening. Of course you're still afraid of him since he's basically your boss but that began to lessen when he tried and failed then tried again to get on your good side.

- Your punctuality makes it very easy to predict where you are in a given time so slowly by slowly, you'll begin to notice a certain well-dressed, silver-blue haired man appearing exactly when you need him too.

VIL SCHOENHEIT

- Vil, though deeply respects that you value being professional, describes you as an "Stuck-in-your-own-wonderland" since you operate in ways so excessive that he can't put a word into.

- Rather than genuine effort, it's the effort to please. The effort to not be called out for lacking. It ticks his instinct to correct. Before Vil could act on it, Rook gives him a heads up to what you're all about, stating that you may have come from a highly toxic environment, where the only means of survival is pleasing the predator's tastes.

- In the VDC event, he was in great relief to have chosen you as manager. You're exeptionally good at doing a great job with what you're told, that very fact made you a recognizable face in Vil's list.

- He was fond of you in a way but saw you had no potential due to only being dictated by doing a task or rather, your fear of not doing so. To Vil, your fright is the only drive that pushes you to excell and same the reason that held you back from being more.

- Soon that thought persishes when he gets to know your interests in watches. Seeing your passionate expression told there was more to you than just an emotional robot. There was life to you that wanted to be free, that wanted to grow, and wanted to know its limit. The look in your eyes was undeniably genuine, it was potential in it's purest form.

EPEL FELMIER

DEUCE SPADE

ACE TRAPPOLA

JAMIL VIPER

-You both just have the same level of freak tbh but the difference is that his freak comes randomly and yours is always on duty.

-You finally found a meme collector with the same questionable humor as yours

-Poor Idia's gonna get a heart attack soon (You're just helping him join his brother <3)

-Every night is gaming night and the common game theme is horror. (You both just troll the hell out of the monsters though)

-Proudly demonstrating their life's works to the tweels.

"What do we do? Shrimpy's a dare devil... I dont wanna become dust." "Hush now, dont lose heart, you have your Unique Magic." "On second thought, I wanna see."

You clearly hear them but dont make a retort. You thought, if Floyd could deflect the bombs then he has another problem. The fire, since Ramshackle is mostly composed of wood.

"So they look like this.." pulling out a unsuspicious can of kerosene from an unused vase. "I'm not saying this is it, just incase you guys go snitching. This is just pure kerosene, just to aid the bomb lurking here somewhere.". "Pretty right? They're even prettier when they explode."

Jade was so unamused. Floyd was so amused. They just alternate with that.

☆•○•☆

-Jade tries to clarify the situation but not even under his spell could he gain a proper answer from you.

After soloing you out from Grim, practically throwing him onto Floyd's arms when his twin didn't complain did Jade do his thing.

"Wonderful work.. arent you scared that these bombs would turn on you one day?" Jade chimes to which you only hum. It was clear he was plotting something but, let's leave that to another day.

"Well that is true." You sighed "But where it's limited in safety, I make up for strategy." You beamed. Then there was a pause between you two.

"Your eyes has a rather nice hue." He was grinning. "Hm? That could fit well in a poem." You giggle and prance, jumping from broken decors you have in your dorm, not getting the memo so he had to be a little more obvious. "Care to look into my eyes so I can see them clearly?" Now that's weird, that's suspicious. At this point, you're used to mages having the craziest abilities that you've expected Jade can do some petrification with his eyes, shoot lazers out of it or something.

"Why? Hey, I wont do it if you won't explain it first." You're being difficult, normally he likes a challenge but you've been stacking it up like a bad combo. "I understand the doubt. I have no intent of harming." His tone left no option for rejection. Was it a bad thing if he's already insisting on something? Fine. Not like he could do anything vile in the school grounds, right?

"Do you promise not to cause me even the slightest bit of headache?" "I assure you..." when your eyes lock, he activates his spell in a careful whisper. "I will not."

"Is it true that you planted explosives in Ramshackle?"

"Absolutely."

"...Alright..-ahem. Where have you sought it?"

"I made them. Bought parts, like batteries and all that. Easy to make. Not a loose cannon aswell."

"And how many are currently... in Ramshackle?"

"Originally. There's 22. But now they're just 5 all placed under the floorboards so it shouldn't be too much of a problem."

Woah, okay. Chill. Every answer just brought up more questions for the poor eel. Although he decided it was enough since the conversation was getting no where (he gave up). "That wasn't a good feeling.., what happened?" You frowned, hazy.

Noticing his sigh, you pull out a suspicious looking can from no where and stretched it out towards him. "Lucky Charm?" You smiled. Your smile, neither a grin or a mocking one, it simply looked like a chaotic child.

"Lucky Charm." He accepted your gift once he estimated there were little to no drawbacks. Just a trusty explosive he could use one day.

"Hey, Shrimpy, come on and pack your stuff, I want outta here already.." you giggle, "Fine, Fine."

You wave goodbye to the two with your stuff and wished them well while Grim cried like a baby behind you. Honestly, Grim's expression was torn between sad to leave and relieved to leave Ramshackle because of your info drop.

☆•○•☆

-Taking advantage of the tweel's situation with Ramshackle to get the picture that finishes your contract with Azul but deciding to keep it because... why not?

You're so grateful for your friends hospitability however you settled with Jack because you cant be caught lurking around at night in Heartslabyul, yes, that's your biggest problem with Riddle's dorm.

Jack was a little skeptical with lending his dorm. What are the chances you wont cook up a menu straight from hell.

"Hi!" You gave everyone a bright smile. Same old, same old Ruggie and Leona lines.

Except, this night, you venture out the coral sea, alone, unguarded. You trusted well that Azul won't be able to lead you to danger even with a contract anyway. He knows well that if he did, the next he's signing is a restraining order.

Anyway, it was dark out the coral sea from above but the place was beautifully lit. You search for trouble but no one came, seems like no one really did estimate that you would start early.

A little pleading with the guards to let you in and convincing you were harmless and would you look at that, they actually let you in, of course with someone to supervise. You got the picture and left. That was quick, unless?

You heard from Ruggie that Leona was clutched under Azul's contracts? No way, not your silly lion. You needed him to start anew, can't have anything holding him back.

Plus, you could surrender the photo right now and free all 225 students but what about the story progression? What about truama bonding with your friend group? Who could pass up on gaining information and entertainment at the same time?

☆•○•☆

-You kind of annoy Leona with the sound of small bombs exploding, you never threatened him or anything. You just made it a message that if he doesn't help you get Ramshackle back then he better say goodbye to beauty sleep and say hello to sleep paralysis.

You reasoned with him, you really did. But for some reason he knew you already had the picture and deemed it was better if you just surrender it and end the contract right there, that instant.

Queue a cruel and determined little shit and a snarky sleep deprived Leona who's ears cannot be hidden from the sound of a homemade bomb blowing off. Even Leona's sheer will to slumber wanes at your persistence.

Here comes Leona growling, and stomping "AFTER WE GET RAMSHACKLE BACK, YOU'RE OUT THIS PLACE, ALRIGHT?!" You just giggle at him while he's seething. But then the beastman sighed, you went through much more trouble for him anyway.

☆•○•☆

-So here comes you in the coral sea, distracting the tweels, cackling so hard while completely sweating balls when Floyd threatened to bite. No one knew that you already had the photo from way before but it's an advantage since that would get the tweels into believing everyone else were at limit.

"That's a moray, a morayy~"

"Shrimpyy!!! Jade, this is getting so annoying, let's just finish them, okay?!" He shouts while he's squeezing you bone dry. You're not sure why he's all up on you, guess you really were piling up on him.

"-THE PHOTO ISNT HERE?!" Exclaimed by Ace and Deuce

Everyone gathered, you had the chance to slip away. Although, you stayed just because you cant find the heart to leave your friends behind. You explained how the picture was already taken on an earlier date and apologized for not saying it because you wanted to free a certain beastman too.

You could sense Jade's stare. It was the same kind when you were talking to him at Ramshackle just days ago, how he hated being fooled. Except now it's mixed with respect and intrigue.

You hurry to Octavinelle regardless if anyone didn't hurry with you.

Safe to say, good thing Azul didn't overreact. Overblotting and all.

Tough match, you weren't quite as efficient without your bombs, and setting off a bomb underwater was also a suicide.

Then again, you job statement always was 'If the solution isn't arson, go hire another person.'

The water was clouded, could be because of the overblot or Azul's own ink. Gone was his own ego he'd always knew as a fragile bubble, nothing else to cling to, he clung to that.

This wasn't how it's supposed to go, you never wished for his downfall. Never wanted to make him relive what made him vomit at 3 in the morning.

Leona ordered Ruggie to shield you under the guise of preventing you from detonating everyone. His grumble said it all, that semi-irritated look on his face made you realize why he didn't want to help you in the first place. You're magicless and now you're in danger.

For this, you just stood at the side (what a lucky bastard Azul was) and let the professionals give Azul a nice and warm therapy session (beating his octo-ass)

After a while, Azul wakes up unsure of what happened. To lighten things since you didnt know what to say either, you just gave them the same smile, just on the guiltier side.

☆•○•☆

-Dropping a bomb on Azul (not quite literally) although you did gift him one too.

Everyone's back at coral sea, thanks to Jack, a normal, abiding citizen. All of you walked together until your friends decided to get distracted leaving you with the infamous Octavinelle trio.

You just stood there awkwardly, not minding it. After a while they finally noticed you.

Floyd flashed you a grin as he swam closer and twirled you around like he wasn't just wringing you lifeless yesterday. Jade covered his mouth slightly and chuckled. "Heya~ got nothing to do? We could keep you company." Floyd cooes "I hope it involves access to fire pits." They all just sighed after that. The twins went off to tour your friends.

It felt better this way. You had so much thing to say to Azul, now it felt more personal. Though, instead of talking you only stood beside him.

"Are you not tagging along with them?" Well obviously no. "I'm not carrying a booby trap if that's what you're worried about." "That's not-!" He stopped with huff and a shake of his head. You were faster before he could say another "Well.. I wanted to say something. But then I'd rather confront you alone than do it in a crowd."

"There's more to you that you refuse to see. Your diligence and your intelligence are a dangerous combo." You turned to him "I get it you dont have strong suits, you cant have everything after all, still, I dont think you're essentially behind."

The voices of your companions gets louder as they chatter and laughed. You werent quite finished yet so you step a little closer to Azul until you're sure he could here you. "And your bullies? Fuck em. Fuck them entirely. Who are they to say what you are? They should be first to dry up in a ditch."

As much as he wanted to keep his composure, he completely freezes, only able to look at you. His eyes even lit up. No one broke eye contact until he did.

"Language, prefect. Must you flatter me that well?" He gave a light chuckle, back to being suave again.

"You know I meant it!" He chuckled at your retort. "Certainly, you-" an outstretched hand holding a tiny shiny black sphere cutted him off. "Here, a smoke bomb. Incase you need it." You giggled.

"No drawbacks?" He asked with a smug painted with genuinity. "The catch is, you have to say 'fuck them fools' three times" the both of you shared a laugh before he said it with a little rephrasing.