While the world sounded like a fairytale, it didn't seem like one for you. Being in this world makes you struggle to be fully vulnerable. No one knows the real you, and you don't know if any of these guys are trustworthy or not. Aside from the fact that the academy is full of teenagers with raging hormones and magic, you knew that there was always a possibility that they’d use their magic to get something from you— not like they have something to take, anyway.

And things in this world just got crazier when overblots started occurring. In less than a year, 5 overblots had already occurred— which made you doubt if they’re really as rare as Crowley says. It was physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting dealing with one overblot after another.

To this day, you think all of this is just a bad dream, but the longer you stay in this weird world, the more you’re convinced that all of this is real. The friendships that you’ve formed throughout the time that you were here helps a bit. They make you laugh until you cry and you can’t breathe, and they have a good sense of humor, but you can’t find it in you to tell them the things that bother you deep inside.

To ensure that you’re still alive by the time Crowley finds a way to send you back home, you chose to play the part of a reliable prefect. And because of that, everyone loved being around you. It was the safer route, because you’re on good terms with everybody, and you don’t have to worry about getting on somebody's bad side.

Though, honestly speaking, you’ve given up asking the headmage if he’s found a way to bring you back home. It's always just the same " I'm still searching, but I'll try my best to search for it! " But occasionally— you still ask him anyway, even if his answers feel repetitive.

—

You open your eyes, and as you expected— you're still in the same bed, still in the same world that you don’t know much about. Regardless, you get up and get ready for the day. Grim is still asleep, and you make a mental note to wake him up after you brush your teeth.

It was another day of not living— but surviving this mysterious world they call ‘ Twisted Wonderland ’. You’re starting to gradually adjust in the environment, because it's been a few months since you’ve been staying here. Still, there’s a feeling in the depths of your heart that refuses to fully trust the people around you.

Well, if anyone knew about what you really felt, they can’t blame you for being weary about them. After all, you didn’t grow up in this world so it was natural for you to feel guarded around them. 

As usual, some of the students talk about how ‘nice’ and ‘kind’ you are. Some students have been hearing about you accepting the first year Trappola into the Ramshackle dorm whenever he’s collared by his housewarden. They’ve also heard about how you helped students when their housewardens were going through an overblot, which positively boosted your reputation more.

“ Even if the prefect doesn’t have magic like us, they’re able to help lots around the campus! That’s what you call a ‘kind-hearted soul’! ” You hear a student whisper to his friend while you walk through the halls of the campus.

It’s not like you hate them— well, maybe you hate a few annoying and arrogant students, but you don’t particularly dislike Ace and the others. It’s just… something inside you feels like you have to put your guard up, and you can't fully relax around them. Even if they’re your friends who helped you through your tough times.

You feel like you have to play this part of a reliable prefect. To you, it’s the only way you can survive in this place for a longer period of time. And you think to yourself, everything’s fine. No one really sees through the facade that you put up. Or so you thought.

The first years are in the Ramshackle dorm, lounging on the sofa. Everything is well, their soft chatters filling the living room. Grim is on the corner, whining about being hungry while Epel playfully threw a comment about how he's always wanting to eat. Suddenly, the atmosphere tensed a bit when Ace spoke up.

“ Yuu, why are ya always trying to act all nice to everyone? You don’t even put your needs first. It’s like, you care more about others than yourself. “ Ace said while you were handing some tuna to Grim. You were just about to reply, when Grim spoke up as well.

“ Yeah, Ace is right, Yuu. Why do you act like others’ needs are more important than yours? “ Grim asks before digging into the tuna that you gave him. Within a few seconds, half of the tuna was already eaten. 

Well, you can’t just utter ‘ I actually act nice around all of you so i stay longer in this weird ass place, because obviously— you guys are powerful beings unlike me who have absolutely nothing but the kindness you guys keep talking about. ‘

“ Well.. ” You trailed off. “ I think it just comes naturally to me. I mean, that's how I am. ” You say as you try to brush it off with a chuckle. “ Thanks for the concern, though. ” The heartslabyul duo frowns visibly, while the remaining first years were quite surprised at your words.

“ Naturally, you say? then why does it seem fake to me?— ”

“ Oi, Ace. Are you saying that yuu is fake? ” Deuce immediately cuts him off, and a slight tension starts to build up in the room— everyone can feel it. Even Grim, who complained about his tuna craving throughout the day, paused for a moment to look at the scene unfolding before him.

“ They're a nice person. ” Ace states, because it’s the truth. Setting aside the facade and all that, you’re a good person. And you know that from the bottom of your heart, that you do not resent or harbor any feelings of hatred to the people in front of you right now. 

“ But, they're just … so nice that it starts to feel fake. Or at least that's what my sixth sense tells me. ” Ace’s gaze finally lands at you— as if awaiting your response. 

“ Ace, are you trying to pick a fight with Yuu? ” Grim's brows creased, but he went unnoticed as Ace’s gaze focused on you.

“ I never knew that's how I was like to you, Ace. I get what you're saying, but why would I fake kindness? Or do we have a problem? ” The tension only intensifies after you replied, and the rest of them refuse to utter a word. Not even Grim wants to dig into his food again.

Sebek, who was often unintentionally screaming, sat wordlessly on the couch. Deuce was trying to play it cool, Jack's posture was stiff, and Epel wanted to say something, but he’s obviously waiting for the right time to say a word.

“ No, we don't. We're all good, and it's not like I have secret resentment towards you because you also helped me out several times, and I'm grateful for that— really. ” He says genuinely, and you would be lying if you said that it didn't bring your heart a wave of relief. With how Ace is talking earlier, it made you think that maybe he had some hatred towards you, but you're glad that's not the case.

“ All I wanna ask is, why are you so … overly nice? I mean, being nice is never a bad thing. I appreciate all the times you've helped me with studying, the times you let me stay over, and all that. But we all know that too much of everything is bad. ”

“ It's just weird to me that you're… so nice that it's suspicious. Like, you're full of … nice-ness. If that word even exists. ” Ace mumbles the last part.

“ Well, you said it yourself. There's no harm in helping others out, so I think I don't need to explain myself. ” You shrugged.

Finally, Epel decides to speak up. “ Why are you even pressing Yuu about this, Ace? I mean, isn't it a good thing that Yuu is helping us out? And maybe the reason Yuu helps everyone out is that's the only way they can connect to other people! I mean, they don't have magic, and that already makes it hard for them to live in a world like this, so why are you so curious? ”

You were hoping that Ace would stop after hearing Epel’s words, but no— He didn't. He was pressing further, like he was a defense attorney and you were a witness in the supreme court. Like he needed every detail, every single reason as to why you refuse to act like a dickhead around them. 

The tension built up more, to the point that it felt suffocating. You can feel yourself getting irritated, but you try to calm yourself down. The others who were trying to stop Ace from constantly interrogating you doesn't help because the ginger head just doesn't listen— which makes your blood boil more.

“ Oi, Ace, just cut it out— ” Jack's words were cut off when you finally snapped. 

“ Why do you keep asking me about my personality? Why do you keep getting into something clearly that's NOT your business? ” Everyone noticed the way your tone was firmer, your eyebrows were creased, and you were clenching your fists like your life depends on it. It didn't take too long for them to realize that you were pissed.

Ace tries to open his mouth for a rebuttal, but no word comes out. This was the first time he's ever seen you mad, like seriously mad. He's unsure what to do next, so he stands there, frozen. 

“ Why do you care so much about the way I treat people? Why do you want to know so much? ” A scoff escapes your lips. “ You want to know? then fine! I'm gonna answer you to hopefully satisfy that itching curiosity in that pea-brain of yours. ”

“ I've been stuck in a world that I am unfamiliar with. I do not know how magic works or how you have it, I don't know anything about this world. And now, I try to reach out for that pathetic excuse of a headmage, only to receive the same. fucking. response. ” You said, emphasizing your words.

“ And you— All of you, everyone in this goddamn campus have abilities. Abilities stronger than mine, which is an advantage, but a big disadvantage on my side. How do I know you're not gonna use it against me? That could be a possibility. ”

“ And to me, being nice is the most logical thing to do here to survive. Being nice means not getting into anyone’s bad side, which reduces the chances of me getting killed here in this school. Being nice creates a positive reputation about me, and everyone will have NO problems with me. Everyone will like me, and I'll survive. ”

“ And look— ” a bitter laugh escapes your lips. “ I don't do all this shit because I hate you guys, I don't, and I don't have the reason to— but I have the reason and right to feel distrust towards you. I have a hard time warming up to all of you and you can't blame me, because I've never been in this world! ”

You were about to say more, you were going to say so much more, but your own tears cut you off. A soft sob escapes your lips, and you try to wipe off your tears. The sight of you silently sobbing infront of them made everyone in the room freeze. The first years looked at each other, and Deuce eventually gathered the courage to break the silence.

Deuce elbows Ace, hissing under his breath. “ Apologize to Yuu. ” 

Ace swallows thickly. He hadn't thought of that, but now that he was aware of how you really feel— a feeling of guilt starts to settle in his chest as the reality hits him that you feel lonely and isolated inside. Because the moment you were here, you’ve been constantly walking on eggshells. 

You've been keeping your guard up the whole time, using your nice persona as a defense mechanism rather than a facade. The guilt just hits harder when the reality settles that you're struggling. And he's here pressing on something that clearly isn't his business.

“ I'm.. sorry, yuu. " Ace says weakly, his gaze resting anywhere but you. “ I was just … concerned. It always seemed like you were putting others first rather than yourself. "

Deuce hesitated for a moment, before he eventually opened his mouth to speak. " I know how you feel now, and I completely understand if you feel that way towards us. It's not your fault that you got transported in this magical world, and it's natural that you'd keep your guard around us. "

" Deuce is right, Yuu. " Epel spoke up. " We can't really blame you if you're weary about us. And I know that a few months of spending time with us won't immediately lower your guard. "

" It also feels like there's some sort of barrier every time we talk to you, but Epel's right, we can't blame you if you still can't bring yourself to trust us. " Jack says, looking away while scratching his nape.

For a moment, you felt guilty for raising your voice. Sure, you still fully didn't trust them, but it gave you no excuse to be rude to them. After all, it's not their fault that you're currently in this world. It's no one's fault that you're standing here in Twisted Wonderland right now.

" You … need not to feel guilty. " Sebek hesitated, his gaze drifting anywhere but you. " Feelings of distrust .. are completely normal. It's a part of.. meeting new people. "

" But I do hope, someday, that .. you can find it in you to trust us, Prefect. Even when sometimes, we're loud and messy. " Finally, Sebek gathered enough courage to look at you.

It was your turn to look at them, your gaze lingering a bit longer when your eyes focused on Ace. For the first time living in this world, you finally felt seen. You felt heard, you felt understood. And for a moment, a thought slipped inside your head.

Maybe it's not so bad to lower your guard around them.

Maybe they were trustworthy people afterall.

" I'm sorry, for the yelling. " The words came out hushed and weak. " I had no business to yell at you like that, Ace. Even though I didn't completely trust you guys. "

" But I just wanted to let you know, even if I still find myself deciding whether to trust you or not, All of you are equally important to me, even you, Grim. " The acknowledgement makes Grim's eyes sparkle, and he feels a warm feeling settle in his chest. Hearing those words from you makes him realize that he's incredibly lucky to have you. " In the short amount of time that I've stayed here, you've all helped me countless times. And without your help, maybe I would've felt lost. Like I wouldn't know what to do next. "

" You're just as equally important to us, Yuu. " Jack's lips moved into a warm, genuine smile. " Because without you, dealing with the overblots would've been surely hard. Without you, the Academy would feel a bit boring. "

" It is because you and Grim always seem to make our day interesting! " The others jumped from the sheer loudness of Sebek's voice. " Even … even though I refuse to admit it sometimes. "

A chuckle escapes your mouth, " It's fine, Sebek. Though I can tell sometimes that you like spending time with us, even tohugh you don't verbally admit it. "

The tension didn't die down completely, but it gradually melted like an ice cream sitting under the rays of the sun. The conversation after that felt like everyone was on the edge, but it didn't last for too long. Eventually, all of you found a way to melt the tension in the room.