#((whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy))

Yuu, Ace, Deuce, and Grim narrowly managed to avoid being expelled. Having dealt with that inky monster in the mines, and then the hEaDmAgE. But at this point, it's really the least of their concerns. Except for Deuce, I actually think that Was his main concern...

But nevertheless, that evening Yuu had hoped to get some rest while the screen wasn't controlling them. After all they're apparently a student now, yaayyyyy.... Only for the screen to show up too late at night to even be called night anymore.

Early the next day, Ace showed up on their doorstep like a sad wet cat. Only if the cat had purposefully jumped into a puddle, knowing exactly the dang consequences. For once Yuu didn't mind that screen controlling them, this is hilarious!

Oh they are so gonna laugh their ass off when they get back to bed. ...bed. shit, right! They still gotta get some sleep! Oh Ace is definitely paying them back with energy drinks in the morning. Yuu will need them if they wanna get through the day at this rate.

After the extremely unsuccessful attempt at an apology to Ace's housewarden, Yuu supposes it's time to actually be a student. They've got the title now... Oh okay, these classes seem relatively normal. Yuu had expected to not understand a single word of the classes, but the screen is here, so it'll probably make them say the right stuff. Yuu shouldn't need to worry.

...these classes are complete madness... As soon as the introductions and things were done, the entire class order just changed!? And what's with the weird imbalance of people being called on? It's mostly the same person in the front. Is this normal here? Everyone looks so uncomfortable with this...

Oh great, the screen is watching everyone. Just what Yuu needed during their first day as a student here. ...sigh, today is gonna be a long day.

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:.:.

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The prefect looks stressed out... Eh, who could blame 'em? Those classes were chaotic to say the very least. Well, aint like Ace can do anything about that. But everyone else seemed so lost, it was priceless!

In any case, I guess today he'll have to find some way to ...apol- *gag* apologi- *cough choke*... Get the housewarden to let him back in the dorm. Yeah. And if that doesn't take too long, maybe they all can have that talk about the screen by the end of the day. That sounds good.

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To say that happened would be a bold faced lie. Yuu has been busy the past few days, since the screen is forcing them to help Ace out with the problem he caused himself. Then to help with that monster thing Riddle had turned into! Why!? During the attack, Riddle had tried to grab the screen, but it disappeared when he got too close.

And for some reason, Yuu remembers fighting Riddle more than once, and losing most of the time. Alongside people who absolutely were not in the garden??? Yuu... Doesn't want to think about the implications that has.

They've finally gotten a moments peace, and are sitting on a bench in the courtyard under an apple tree. They had tried to take one of the apples yesterday, but the headmage had suddenly popped up and berated them.

For now Yuu is just waiting for Ace and Deuce to show up so they can figure out what's happening. Three heads are Probably better than one. And besides that, even though Yuu can tell some others can see the screen, they only trust Ace and Deuce right now.

"Yo prefect, what're you sulking for? Did you think we wouldn't come~"

Ace has a teasing expression on his face as he walks towards them, and Deuce looks like he's tired of Ace acting like that, but his expression changes to a smile as he waves at Yuu

"Hey Yuu! Sorry for being late, we were busy helping Cater paint the roses for another unbirthday party in a week. They apparently happen pretty often!"

Yuu sighs when they see them, but smiles back. Tilting their head as they look at them

"Yeah, no worries. I wasn't waiting long. And, I wasn't sulking??? That's just my face. I was thinking about stuff."

"Ah yes, stuff. how descriptive! guess you just look sour normally, don't worry Yuu, I won't hold it against you~"

Ace sits down on the bench, and winks at Yuu, still teasing them. He leans over to nudge their shoulder, but Yuu stands up and he falls onto the bench.

"Hey, what was that for?! Haha."

Deuce shakes his head as Ace sits up again, then they all sit down. Knowing they need to actually talk about what they came here for.

"So... Back when we went to the mines, was I just imagining it about that screen saying my name?"

Yuu's expression turns serious as they turn to him, looking into his eyes. As a humanoid android floats past them casually.

"I don't think so, I definitely heard it too. They said something like "so glad I got a Deuce card" or whatever. It was weird... I hadn't heard the screen talk before."

"Huh, maybe we're in a card game! Bet loosey Deucey over here is one of the weakest cards~"

"I am not! And stop calling me that!"

Yuu sighs as they hear this, shaking their head as the humanoid floats past them again.

"Please don't yell, you're giving me a headache..."

The humanoid floats back nearby, pretty conspicuous as they listen in from the other side the apple tree behind them. They slowly stop talking to turn and look at him, a confused expression on their faces as Yuu talks

"...who are you?"

The humanoid perks up and smiles at them, waving and floating around to be in front of them

"Hihi, I'm Ortho Shroud! It's nice to meet you!"

Ace looks annoyed as he narrows his eyes at Ortho, obviously suspicious

"Why are you even here? We are having a private conversation."

"I'm on a spy mission! I didn't expect you to notice me so quickly haha."

Ortho laughs as they are left completely in disbelief, was he spying on Them? Why??? And... Are spies meant to reveal they're spies? Yuu eventually speaks again, their voice incredulous

"Why in the world are you spying on us?! We haven't done anything!"

"That's what all bad guys say! Haha I actually wasn't spying on you guys though!"

"Likely story! You've gone past us twice, and were hiding behind a tree to listen in!! Geez dude, at least try and be believable if you're gonna lie..."

"It's the truth! I was trying to spy on the screen that follows the prefect around sometimes! My brother wanted me to find out more about it. And based on your conversation, I think I know what it is!"

The others somehow look more shocked, what in the world is happening??? And who even is this guy!? But Yuu really needs answers... This screen can't keep controlling them! They jump up and grab Ortho by the shoulders, looking a little frantic.

"You know what it is... Tell me! Tell me right now!"

"Gahh!! I will, don't shake me!"

"...sorry. but please, I really need to know."

"That's okay! Based on my theory, I think we're in a gacha game!"

"...a what?"

"A gacha game! Where you get cards of the characters from pulls? Don't tell me none of you have played one before!?"

Ortho looks shocked while the others have varying degrees of disbelief on their face. Obviously not understanding or believing a word he says. Eventually Deuce speaks up.

"...a game, are you seriously saying we're in a game?"

"It's just a guess, my brother has a lot of games like that, and they usually have things like "character cards" or something similar. And there's the fact you heard them through a screen! Doesn't that sounds like something straight out of a anime? It's so cool!"

"Absolutely not!! Are you telling me this is all just a game!?"

Ace sounds almost upset, angry at the thought his suffering earlier was just for a video game.

"I mean, probably not? There's a higher chance that it just looks like a game from the players side. That's how it usually works in these sorts of stories! But I'll need to investigate more in order to figure it out completely. Can I please keep spying on you?"

Yuu looks frozen, standing completely still. A game? Their life is just a game? And... Behind that screen, is a player, who's controlling them... Why? WHY!? WHAT'D THEY DO TO DESERVE THAT!? The others notice Yuu's state, and Ace eventually stands up and shakes their shoulder

"Hey! Twisted wonderland to Yuu? You good?"

"...do I seem good?"

Yuu's voice is bitter as Ortho floats back away from them. Leaving for now.

"You seem pretty shaken, I'll ask again later, okay? I need to go tell my brother about this."

Yuu stands there for a couple hours. Thinking. Ace and Deuce eventually leave, telling Yuu they'll see them again later before walking away. Meanwhile Yuu is left there alone.

A game... It makes sense, but Yuu doesn't want to believe it. The thing controlling them is just a "player" controlling a "character". Are... Are they even real? What an elaborate nightmare this is... Why can't they wake up? Please let them just wake up! WAKE UP!

But Yuu doesn't wake up, not as they go back to ramshackle. Or when grim jumps to their shoulder from the table and pokes their face. His voice impatient as he asks for, no, Demands tuna. Or when they go to sleep again in this Dream. Or when they wake up and still are in the dusty room in ramshackle.

...this dream isn't going to end, is it? They're stuck here until the end. That thought fills them with dread and hopelessness. ...they miss their home. And they Hate the player that's keeping them here. They need to get rid of them somehow. Then, they'll be free.