#shsl-bartender

"Like I was saying, though… We’re going to be fine. Everyone here is going to work together and find a way out… together! We’ll be completely fine; nobody’s going to play your game. Are we clear?"

-- saki shimizu, shsl bartender, has been killed.

"Thanks, Saki-chan!"

He couldn’t believe it. All of his other friends in class had teamed up with one another, leaving Hikaru no other choice but to partner up with a Hufflepuff. He swore his Ravenclaw friends were laughing under their breath as Hikaru took his seat beside the blond Hufflepuff.  The  professor seemed pleased with herself, but the rest of the class stared on in an uncomfortable silence. Hikaru’s heart sank. Surely his reputation in the Ravenclaw common room would be ruined. Relations between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff had been particularly rocky this year. While Slytherin and Gryffindor were battling neck and neck for the house cup, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were battling neck and neck to be second to last.

How did the professor expect Hikaru to work with the enemy? The professor explained that each pair was to venture into the forbidden forest after choosing one of the potions along the wall. Once they were deep enough, one student would consume the potion and the other student would use their wits to stop them until the potion wore off. The professor refused to explain what the potions would do, insisting instead that she would be supervising the entire class.

There was numerous protests from the Ravenclaw students. Wasn’t it dangerous? How would she ensure that no one would get hurt? What were in the potions? The Professor simply smiled in return and promised that the teams who completed the task the fasted would win one hundred points for their house. The class collectively gasped. That was enough points to secure a spot closer to 2nd place than just third. Hikaru’s heart sank even further. Did this mean he couldn’t contribute at all?

[Not sent]

TO: Shimuzu Saki

MSG: How many different cocktails can you even mix? It'd probably be pretty imp

no that makes it look like I'd wanna drink it

[Rushed]

TO: Shimuzu Saki

MSG: Shimuzu-san you need to get over here like now I think one of your patrons is a bit mad for some reason and he keeps yelling HELP

[Late Night]

TO: Shimuzu Saki