Chapter Text
After you finish admiring the roses with Riddle and his tsum, you decide to head back to Ramshackle dorm, so you can have a little downtime before you have to work your shift at the Mostro Lounge tonight.
Unsurprisingly, Riddle’s and Cater’s tsums aren’t happy about you leaving, but you assure them that you’ll see them again. You also tell them that they’re more than welcome to visit you at the Mostro Lounge tonight since you’re sure Azul would love for more tsums to come by and attract even more attention toward his business.
That exchange with the tsums leads to you getting the idea of texting Azul while you’re on your way back to your dorm and suggesting that he offer a free meal to those who have tsums in exchange for bringing said tsums to the Mostro Lounge. If he did that, you’re confident that you could at least convince your sons who have tsums to come tonight.
Although Azul is not usually one to offer anything for free, he does see the merits in such an idea, so after giving the matter some thought, he agrees to go along with your suggestion.
However, in exchange, he wants you to work the whole night at the Mostro Lounge rather than just one shift like you had originally planned, so you can essentially be a parade float to carry the tsums around as you wait tables. Plus, Azul is expecting a lot of business tonight, so he knows he’ll need all the help he can get to ensure things run smoothly.
Once you’re assured that you’ll get paid for all the hours you’ll work, you accept his request since you’re never one to turn down the chance to make more money, although you’re definitely not looking forward to working so many consecutive hours during what’s surely going to be a very hectic night.
After that’s all taken care of, you send everyone who has a tsum, sans Floyd and Leona, a text, letting them know that they’ll get a free meal tonight at the Mostro Lounge if they bring their tsums to the restaurant.
Because he has other matters to attend to tonight, Riddle tells you that he won’t be able to go to the Mostro Lounge. However, if his tsum wishes to accompany Cater, who’s quick to agree to come, he’ll allow it.
Meanwhile, Sebek says that he’ll consider the offer but won’t make any promises since guarding Malleus is obviously his top priority. Epel, however, like Cater, is quick to agree to come by the lounge since he doesn’t go there very often and is now suddenly craving seafood, much to your amusement.
Jack is the only one who doesn’t respond, and this worries you because this might mean he’s overdoing it again with his exercising and not paying attention to his phone as a result.
Of course, it also might mean that he’s currently just taking a nap and getting some much needed rest after the busy morning he had, but that seems unlikely, considering how Jack is.
Since there is a small chance that Jack is actually taking a break like you wanted him to do, you decide against visiting his dorm to check on him since you don’t want to risk disturbing him.
However, if you don’t hear from him before it comes time for you to go to work, you’ll swing by his dorm before you head for the Mostro Lounge since you’ll otherwise spend most of your time at work worrying about him since that’s just the kind of person you are, much to the majority of your sons’ exasperation.
In your defense, your worry typically ends up being justified since your sons are always getting into trouble, some more than others. If they don’t want you to be such a worrywart, they should behave themselves, so you'll never have a reason to worry about them.
Of course, you can never be that lucky.
When you arrive at Ramshackle dorm, you see no sign of Grim or the Ramshackle Ghosts, so they obviously must still be training, which is honestly quite surprising since Grim isn’t usually one to work this hard. His pride obviously took quite the hit after he lost to both Leona’s and Epel’s tsums.
Trusting the ghosts to look out for Grim, you refrain from going to check on him since you know nothing good will come from him seeing Leona’s tsum again, which would naturally accompany you since you’re still on babysitting duty.
Instead, you grab a book for you to read and make yourself comfortable on the couch along with Leona’s tsum who decides to commandeer your lap.
You don’t remain in that position for long, however, because, about half an hour later, you hear a knock on the front door along with what sounds like Jack’s muffled, annoyed voice.
This puzzles you since Jack normally just lets himself in because you’ve told your sons that they’re always welcome at your dorm and don’t need to worry about knocking.
Wondering what’s going on, you set your book to the side and move Leona’s sleeping tsum to your shoulder before heading for the front door.
Much to your surprise, when you open the door, you see Jack in the front yard chasing after his tsum. “Jack? What’s going on?”
At the sound of your confused voice, Jack immediately freezes. Meanwhile, his tsum rushes toward you and leaps into your arms, so it can nuzzle your chest.
After taking a moment to dote on the adorable tsum, you return your attention to Jack who sighs, “The tsum suddenly took off on me and made me chase after it. That’s why we ended up here. It knocked on the door before I could stop it.”
When you lower your gaze to the tsum in your arms and raise an eyebrow, Jack’s tsum meets your gaze. A few seconds later, you once again somehow receive a telepathic message, which explains the otherworldly creature’s strange behavior.
Your eyes promptly narrow as you approach your son. “Your tsum says you only took a really short break after you got back to the dorm and that you got right back to training after that. It decided that the only way to get you to take a real break was to bring you here.”
After sparing a glare at his unrepentant tsum for tattling, Jack averts his gaze. “I gave my body enough rest. I still had plenty of things I needed to do, so I wasn’t gonna waste any more time than necessary on taking a break that I didn’t even really need.”
Oh boy, looks like today is just one of those days when Jack is particularly stubborn about his training. It must be because he has a track meet coming up since that’s when he’s usually even more gung-ho about training than usual, because he always wants to ensure he’s fully prepared for his athletic competitions.
With a sigh, you firmly latch onto one of Jack’s hands and begin pulling him toward the front door of your dorm. “I understand that you hate being idle and prefer to use all your free time for training, especially whenever you’ve got a track meet coming up, but you can’t over do it, Jack. You’ll burn yourself out, you knucklehead.”
Because he knows how stubborn you are about this kind of thing, Jack doesn’t bother trying to resist and grudgingly allows you to bring him into Ramshackle. “I won’t let it get that bad. You’re worrying too much, Yuu.”
You roll your eyes. “Well, do me a favor and just indulge me, alright? I won’t need to worry about you if you take a proper break like I want you to do.”
“As if I really have a choice.” Jack grumbles.
Chuckling, you guide your grumpy son toward the staircase. “I’m glad you understand that resistance is futile.”
Once he realizes that you want the two of you to go upstairs, Jack raises an eyebrow. “You’re not gonna try to force me to nap in one of the guest rooms, are you? You know, that won’t work. I don’t do naps.”
“I’m not gonna force you to nap.” You reply, “I’m taking you upstairs because you’re too big to lie down comfortably on the couch.”
You grin, “You’re in luck, Jack. Today, you’ll get to enjoy one of my super special back massages. That’ll take the tension right out of those crazy big muscles of yours.”
Surprise briefly crosses his features before his tail starts wagging. “I guess my muscles have been a little stiff as of late. It’ll be nice to get them loosened up before the upcoming track meet.”
Your grin grows at the sight of his positive reaction. “Right? We gotta have you in top form before you compete, so just leave it to me.”
When Jack’s tsum makes an excited sound, you giggle, “I’ll give you one too if you’d like, tsum. Just let me take care of Jack first.”
Jack’s tsum, which has made itself comfortable on your shoulder that's not occupied by Leona's tsum, happily wiggles before affectionately nuzzling your cheek. Obviously, it greatly appreciates your offer.
Soon after that, your group arrives at your bedroom. While you take care of setting Leona’s sleeping tsum down on a pillow and making sure it’s comfortable, Jack climbs onto the bed and lies down on his stomach.
As you get into a seated position beside your son, Jack’s tsum remains on your shoulder, so it can snuggle up against your neck. You can’t resist giving it a quick kiss since it’s being so cute.
Once you’re all situated, you get to work on Jack’s massage and promptly huff when you discover just how tense his muscles are. “You’re as bad as Sebek. I love you both and admire how hardworking you two are, but you guys really need to relax more. I feel bad for your poor muscles. They’re practically crying for mercy.”
Rather than give you a proper response, Jack just incoherently grumbles into the pillow he buries his face into.
With a roll of your eyes, you return your complete focus to the massage, all the while making a mental note to drag Sebek over here at some point in the near future, so you can give him a proper massage and take care of all the tension you couldn’t get rid of when you visited him at his dorm.
Much to your amusement, a few minutes later, Jack’s tail begins to wag, proving how much he’s enjoying the massage. However, that’s the only kind of feedback you get from your son, who went silent after his grumbling finally died down.
At first, you think he’s keeping quiet because he doesn’t feel like talking since that wouldn’t be unusual for him, but you quickly realize the real reason for his silence when the wagging of his tail begins to slowly grow more languid before eventually ceasing completely.
Briefly, you pause the massage, so you can bring your head closer to Jack’s face, which is still buried in the pillow he’s using. Upon hearing how his breathing has completely evened out, you confirm that he has fallen asleep, just as you had expected.
The corners of your lips curve upwards as you rest your hand on Jack’s head and gently stroke his hair. “So much for not doing naps, huh?”
While you would never admit as much to Jack, this is the outcome you were hoping to achieve with his massage. Although you really did want to help him with his tense muscles, your main goal was to get him to rest, and you had hoped that putting him in such a relaxing position would lead to this kind of result.
When you spare a glance at Jack’s tsum, which is giving you a knowing look, you wink. “Let’s just keep this between us, okay?”
It nods before pressing its face against your cheek to give you a kiss, giving you the impression that it’s thanking you.
Your smile grows as you coo, “Awww, you really are a sweetheart.”
After taking a moment to nuzzle the adorable creature, you resume Jack’s massage, because you haven’t successfully relieved all the tension in his muscles, and you want all of it to be gone by the time your son wakes up.
For a while, time passes like this, with you massaging Jack’s back while he and Leona’s tsum doze and Jack’s tsum keeps you company.
By the time you finally finish Jack’s massage and succeed in getting rid of all the knots in his back, your arms and hands are so tired you can hardly move them. You suppose that’s to be expected, considering how much effort it takes to massage muscles as large as Jack’s.
However, that doesn’t stop you from sitting beside Jack’s head, so you can pet his super soft ears, because nothing could ever get between you and your all-time favorite pastime.
As you rest one of your hands on Jack’s head so you can gently stroke his hair and ears, you use your other hand to give what you’re hoping is the tsum equivalent of a massage to Jack’s tsum, who is now resting in your lap, since you really have no idea how tsum biology works and what parts of its body are its muscles.
Thankfully, it looks like your efforts are successful since Jack’s tsum seems quite pleased, so it’s obviously enjoying your ministrations.
Around the time you eventually finish the tsum’s massage, an arm abruptly wraps around your waist, surprising you.
When you look down at the owner of the arm, you see that Jack has pulled his face away from his pillow, so he can bury it against your side.
Warmth envelops your chest at the very endearing sight. “If only you could always be this cute and cuddly, then I could always dote on you to my heart’s content.”
Smiling, you lean down to kiss the top of his head. “Oh well, guess I just gotta treasure moments like this when I get them.”
Even in his sleep, Jack makes a face as he incoherently grumbles, but then, he presses his face further against you and deeply inhales before releasing a content sigh.
Once a tsundere, always a tsundere.
Chuckling, you look down at his tsum as you resume stroking Jack’s hair. “See what I gotta put up with? Hopefully, you’re a Jack who has moved past his tsundere stage, so my counterpart doesn’t ever have to deal with that.”
A grin rises to your lips when Jack’s tsum nods. “Good. While Jack’s tsundere tendencies are pretty cute, I like it much more when he’s honest about his feelings, so you keep doing that with your Yuu.”
Jack’s tsum gives you another nod before jumping onto your shoulder, so it can nuzzle your face, earning itself a kiss from you in return.
After it eventually finishes nuzzling you, Jack’s tsum begins taking turns looking at you and Jack, making you think it’s trying to tell you something.
You study its actions for several seconds before a possible explanation for its actions finally comes to mind, which prompts you to ask, “Are you trying to tell me that I should join Jack and take a nap?”
Judging from its excited wiggling, that seems to be exactly what it wants you to do. Apparently, the tsum thinks you could use some rest yourself.
“Well, I will be working a long shift tonight, so a nap would probably do me some good.” You remark, “And I am never one to turn down the opportunity to cuddle.”
Figuring you might as well since it’s not like you have anything better to do, you pull out your cell phone and set an alarm, just in case, since you’d hate to risk oversleeping and end up running late to work.
Once that’s taken care of, you carefully shimmy downwards into a reclining position, doing your best not to disturb Jack who still has a firm grip on you.
Almost immediately after you lie down, Jack suddenly pulls you toward his chest and wraps both of his arms around you.
Surprised, you look up and discover that Jack is still very much asleep, so he’s doing all this unconsciously.
A pleasant warmth takes root in your chest as you return the embrace and snuggle closer to the walking heater that is Jack Howl, aka the perfect cuddle buddy.
For some reason, Beastmen always seem to run hot, Jack especially so. You figure it must be because of the cold environment he grew up in, or at least, that surely must be part of the reason for why he’s always like a furnace.
That’s why he’s your favorite person to snuggle up close to, especially when you’re cold since you’re so bad with cold weather.
Jack, of course, complains whenever you do this, but he never seriously tries to get rid of you. During the moments when you look especially miserable because of the cold, he completely refrains from making his usual grumpy comments and just holds you close, providing a special warmth that never fails to drive the cold away.
It’s no wonder that you instantly find yourself relaxing. How could you not when you’re in such a warm, comforting hold that makes you feel completely secure and protected?
Your eyes drift shut as you smile. There’s no place I'd rather be.
When you eventually rouse from what ended up being a really great nap, it’s of your own volition rather than because of your alarm, so you were asleep for less than two hours.
As soon as you begin to stir, Jack’s chest rumbles against your face as he gruffly says, “You finally awake? Because you’ve been clinging to me, I haven’t been able to move. Let go already.”
He says that as if he’s not currently hugging you and keeping you close to his chest - as if he isn’t fully capable of removing you from his person with his own power.
Honestly, who is this boy trying to fool?
Just for that, you childishly cling to him tighter as you nuzzle his chest. “Don’t wanna. World: cold, hard, and unforgiving. Jack: warm, soft, and safe.”
“Shaddup.” Jack retorts, sounding just as embarrassed as you’re sure he now looks.
It does not escape your notice that his arms make no move to release you. Instead, they give you a subtle squeeze that was likely unconsciously done on his part when you mention feeling safe with him.
Naturally, this makes you even less motivated to leave your current position, which is pretty much the best spot in all of Twisted Wonderland as far as you’re concerned.
Upon realizing this, Jack sighs, “How long do you plan on making me stay like this? You know, I’m not the type who likes just lying around.”
“Just a little longer.” You request, “I don’t wanna leave the comfiest spot ever yet.”
“Besides, we’re not just ‘lying around’.” You add, “We’re taking a break from our busy and oftentimes stressful lives to just relax and enjoy a nice moment of peace and tranquility. It’s good for you.”
He huffs, “Whatever. I’m only doing this because, this whole time, the tsums have been looking like they’re willing to take drastic measures if I dare to move you.”
A snort escapes you. “At least, they’re on my side.”
“Where are they anyway?” You ask, “I think I feel one resting against the small of my back, but I don’t feel any other tsums attached to my person.”
“That’s Leona-senpai’s tsum.” Jack dryly answers, “Meanwhile, my tsum has been on top of your head since I woke up, giving me the stink eye any time I look like I’m trying to get up.”
You giggle, “Remind me to give that cutie another kiss. It obviously deserves a reward.”
While Jack’s tsum makes a happy sound, Jack grumbles, “If this really is supposed to be another me, shouldn’t it be on my side?”
“It is on your side.” You reply, “It just recognizes that you need to rest and treasure moments with your mother, unlike you.”
His chest reverberates underneath your skin as he starts growling about you not being his mother, like he always does whenever you make such remarks.
You, of course, don’t pay those words any mind since you’re much more interested in enjoying how warm and comfortable being wrapped up in Jack’s muscular arms feels.
As you’re internally marveling over how great muscles are, especially when cuddling is concerned, you ask, “How’s your back? Does it feel better after the massage?”
“Yeah, actually.” Jack answers once he finally stops his growling and grumbling. “It feels a lot better. Thanks for doing that.”
A smile rises to your lips. “You’re welcome. I’m glad I was able to help.”
“If you ever need me to return the favor, I will.” Jack offers, “I probably couldn’t do as good a job as you, but I’ll do my best.”
Your smile grows. “Thank you. I might take you up on that offer, depending on the kind of state I’m in following my shift at the Mostro Lounge tonight.”
Upon remembering how Jack never responded to your last text, probably because he was working out at the time, you lightly smack his back. “Azul-senpai is offering a free meal to everyone who brings their tsums to the Mostro Lounge tonight. You’d know about that if you looked at the text I sent you earlier and didn’t get so absorbed in your workout regimine.”
“Sorry.” Jack mutters, sounding slightly sheepish.
With a huff, you give him the strongest squeeze your arms can muster. “You’re lucky I love you so much, you knucklehead.”
As if taking that as a challenge, Jack squeezes you in return with an obviously much more impressive strength, but he refrains from using all his power since he doesn’t want to actually hurt you.
While you’re idly wondering who would win in a squeeze off between Jack and Floyd, your son remarks, “I’ll buy you a dessert tomorrow in addition to the lunch I owe you to make amends. How’s that sound?”
The corners of your lips quirk upwards. “Sounds good to me.”
Not long after that, the alarm you set on your cell phone goes off, making you groan. Looks like cuddle time has to finally come to an end. Such a travesty.
After Jack kindly turns off the alarm since your phone is easier for him to reach than it is for you, you solemnly comment, “For the record, I’d much rather continue holding you hostage, but I have a bottomless pit for a son to feed, so I can’t pass up the chance to make the kind of money I’ll get working tonight. This is truly the hardest decision I've ever had to make in my entire life.”
As his tsum makes a sympathetic sound, Jack huffs, “You’re ridiculous.”
Despite his best efforts to hide it, you can hear the fondness in his voice, and of course, there’s no mistaking the sound of his now rapidly wagging tail.
Smiling, you finally pull away from his chest, so you can wrap your arms around his neck and kiss his cheek. “Thank you for indulging me, Jack. You’re the best.”
His tail’s wagging speed increases as Jack averts his embarrassed gaze. “You shouldn’t be thanking me. I was just being held hostage, remember?”
You give him another kiss, unable to help yourself when you see him acting so cutely. “And you were an excellent hostage. The best one I could ever ask for.”
While the flustered boy incoherently grumbles, you finally release him, so the two of you can push yourselves into seated positions. All the while, you make sure to avoid sitting on Leona’s tsum, which is currently dozing nearby.
After pulling Jack’s tsum off your head and giving it a big smooch, you smile, “Thank you for keeping Jack from leaving. You’re an excellent partner in crime.”
As the tsum makes a delighted sound, your smile softens. “And thank you for looking out for Jack like I asked. He’s very important to me, so I’d be really sad if anything were to ever happen to him. That’s why I can’t help but worry as much as I do.”
Without thinking, you murmur, “I know what it’s like to have no one. That’s why I’ll do everything I can to treasure everyone whom I have now. I won’t ever take them for granted.”
“Yuu…”
Upon hearing Jack’s quiet voice, you direct your gaze to him and see that his expression is much like the sad one his tsum is now wearing.
Before you can apologize for accidentally saying too much, Jack wraps an arm around your shoulders and pulls you firmly against his side. “You won’t ever have to worry about being alone again. We’re not going anywhere.”
Warmth envelops your chest at his words, and it only grows stronger when his tsum jumps onto your shoulder, so it can affectionately nuzzle your cheek.
Eyes misty, you warmly smile as you lean into your friend’s touch and stroke the top of his tsum’s head. “Thank you, Jack. Hearing that really means a lot to me.”
More than he’ll ever know.
After you have your moment with Jack, he heads downstairs with his tsum, so you can get ready for work and change into your Mostro Lounge uniform.
Originally, you used to just change clothes at the lounge, but ever since that one time Floyd accidentally walked in on you while you were changing, Azul decided it was best to just let you change into your uniform at your dorm.
Once you’ve changed clothes and have made yourself presentable, you pick up Leona’s tsum which finally begins to rouse.
The corners of your lips quirk upwards when it looks up at you with its trademark, half-lidded gaze. “Hey, Sleeping Beauty. I’m about to head for work. Would you like for me to hand you off to Jack, so he can deliver you to Leona-senpai? Or do you wanna go with me? I’m asking ‘cause I know you’re not too fond of the Octavinelle dorm, and I don’t wanna make you go if you really don’t want to.”
Leona’s tsum considers your question for a moment before jumping onto your shoulder, so it can slump against your neck.
You chuckle, “Alright, I’m gonna take that to mean you wanna go with me, but if you change your mind, just let me know. Jack will walk with me to the Hall of Mirrors, so you’ll have that option up until we get to the dorm mirrors.”
After gently petting the tsum’s head, you head downstairs to meet up with Jack and his tsum. Before you all leave the dorm, you write a note for Grim and the Ramshackle Ghosts, who still haven’t returned, so they’ll know where you are when they finally get back.
Later on, once you all reach the Hall of Mirrors, Leona’s tsum confirms that it wants to remain with you, so Jack returns to his dorm with his tsum after promising that he’ll come by the Mostro Lounge later. You make sure to let him know before he leaves that Epel also intends to come, just in case he wants to join the Pomefiore student and have someone to eat with.
As Jack walks through the mirror that leads to his dorm, you head for the Octavinelle dorm mirror and pass through it to reach the underwater dorm. You then head for the Mostro Lounge’s employee entrance and enter the restaurant the same way you did this morning.
When you later reach the lounge's bar area, you find Azul talking to several of his employees about his predictions for how busy the Mostro Lounge will be tonight because of the tsums in addition to going over what roles everyone will have tonight.
Even though you already know that Azul wants you to be a waitress and carry the tsums around all night, you still wait for your turn to be addressed by your boss, just in case there’s anything else he wants you to do that he hasn’t already mentioned.
Before Azul can get to you, however, you get distracted by Jade who softly taps you on the shoulder from behind. When you give him your full attention, he gives you a smile that’s a cross between his polite one and his exasperated one. “I’m terribly sorry about this, Yuu-san, but I am deeply in need of your assistance.”
Rather than immediately provide an explanation when you give him a curious look, Jade gestures for you to follow him toward the order window that allows you and the waiters to look into the kitchen while you’re all working the floor.
Jade silently points in the direction of his brother who’s currently alone in the kitchen, glaring at nothing in particular while his tsum hangs out on his shoulder. “As you can see, Floyd is in a particularly bad mood right now, and I fear this won’t change by the time the lounge opens. This does not bode well for us since he is supposed to be cooking tonight.”
Oh boy, this is bad. Nothing good ever comes out of having Floyd working at the Mostro Lounge while he’s in one of his really bad moods. If this doesn’t change, all you can see is a lot of property damage in the foreseeable future.
“Ever since he returned from the botanical garden, he has been like this.” Jade continues, successfully drawing you out of your thoughts. “Apparently, whatever happened there upset him greatly, and nothing I’ve done to console him has worked.”
Which is why Jade is now asking for your assistance since he assumes you know what upset his twin so much and will be able to figure out how to get Floyd out of his current bad mood.
All you can do is stare for a moment before face-palming. “Seriously? He’s still upset that he didn’t get a kiss from me like his tsum ‘cause Ruggie-senpai interfered? He’s so childish.”
Upon hearing the reason for his brother’s bad mood, Jade grins, obviously finding it to be quite amusing. “Childish indeed. I apologize on his behalf. He’s just so accustomed to getting his way that he can’t help but lash out when he doesn’t.”
You raise an eyebrow at Floyd’s biggest enabler. “And exactly whose fault is that?”
He dons the fakest innocent expression you’ve ever seen. “It’s hard to say.”
With a roll of your eyes, you head for the door that will lead you into the kitchen. “I’ll take care of Floyd-senpai. The sooner this is addressed, the better.”
“Thank you very much.” Jade politely replies, “Your assistance is much appreciated.”
While Jade remains at the window, no doubt so he can have fun watching what’s about to unfold inside the kitchen from a safe distance, you enter the kitchen and promptly make your way over to Floyd.
With a delighted cry, Floyd’s tsum leaps off his shoulder once it sees you, so it can occupy the shoulder Leona’s tsum isn’t perched on. When it gives you a little nuzzle, you return the gesture despite the fact that Floyd’s now glaring holes into you.
While you never want to be on the receiving end of the temperamental eel-mer’s ire, you have no intention to let him just do whatever he wants and get away with things just so you can avoid his bad moods.
Because, while you’re a lot of things, a pushover is not one of them.
That's why you pointedly ignore him during the moment you take to dote on his tsum and only finally give Floyd your full attention once you've finished that important task. “Are you still upset about what happened at the botanical garden, Floyd-senpai? I didn’t realize getting a kiss was so important to you.”
Floyd pouts, “It’s not fair if only the tsums get one.”
He glares at his tsum. “And the tsum has been so smug about it since then. It re~ally pisses me off.”
When you raise an eyebrow at his tsum, it just innocently blinks, acting as if it could never do something so dastardly.
Of course, you’re not fooled since this is Floyd’s tsum you’re both talking about. Floyd would absolutely do something like that, so it only makes sense that his tsum would too.
You pinch Floyd’s tsum on the cheek as a form of reprimand before returning your attention to Floyd. “If I give you a kiss on the cheek, will you stop sulking and do your job properly?”
A broad grin quickly rises to his lips. “I want one on both cheeks!”
“What are you? French?” You dryly ask.
Floyd gives you a blank look, which really shouldn’t surprise you since you just referenced a culture from your world, although the language obviously exists in Twisted Wonderland too since Rook uses it all the time.
After making a mental reminder to finally get around to researching the foreign language Rook always uses, you move closer to the eel-mer. “Alright, fine, but you better work hard tonight. You can’t just quit ‘cause you don’t feel like working anymore.”
“‘Ka~y~” Floyd agrees, looking like the cat that caught the canary as he lowers his head so you can easily reach his face.
Once he’s within reach, you gently cup his face and quickly press a kiss on both of his cheeks, just as he requested.
Just after you finish doing that, Floyd wraps his arms around you and gives you a strong squeeze. “Hehe~ Getting kissed ain’t so bad. We should do this a~ll the time.”
An amused huff escapes you. “I doubt Azul-senpai would be too fond of that idea.”
“I would have to agree, considering how strongly he feels about the NDA you signed.”
At the sound of Jade’s amused voice, you pull away from Floyd and turn to see his brother standing in the doorway.
Upon receiving your attention, Jade politely smiles as he inclines his head. “Thank you very much for your assistance, Yuu-san. I am delighted to see Floyd in a much better mood.”
Your eyes gain a mischievous gleam as you grin, “I’m eel-ly glad I could help. Hopefully, with Floyd-senpai now in top form, we’ll sea a lot of profit tonight, which will make Azul-senpai as happy as a clam.”
While Floyd loudly groans at your puns like he almost always does, Jade promptly slaps a hand over his mouth in a desperate attempt to contain his laughter.
This is a common exchange whenever you share your puns with the twins since, while Floyd typically thinks they’re lame, Jade always enjoys them since he likes puns - a fact you discovered during your time working at the Mostro Lounge.
It’s something the two of you have in common since you developed a fondness of puns ever since reading some pun-focused joke books back at the beginning of the school year during the time when you had been trying to learn how to smile.
You had thought that reading something funny would make you smile, but sadly, your efforts weren’t very successful. However, it wasn’t all for naught since you were able to develop your comedic skills as a result of reading those books.
Well, at least, that’s how you feel anyway. Your friends, who don’t have an interest in puns, disagree.
Since Jade is one of your friends who appreciates your puns, you use them more liberally at the Mostro Lounge, mostly because you enjoy making him laugh, although he always does his best to withhold his laughter in order to maintain his usual formal demeanor.
It’s become a game of sorts where you try to make Jade so amused that he can’t contain his laughter while he does his best to keep his composure.
Azul and Floyd are often exasperated by this game, although Floyd does usually get a big kick out of seeing his brother so desperately trying to rein in his laughter, because, when Jade is really amused, he’s pretty much useless at work since he can’t stop laughing once he really gets started.
As a result, there have been times when you had to do both your and his share of work during a shift since Azul deemed it only fair that you take responsibility for your actions. You never really minded, though, because it’s just so satisfying to make Jade lose his composure.
Still, you realize that it wouldn’t be good for that to happen tonight, of all nights, considering how busy the lounge will be thanks to the tsums. That’s why you refrain from sharing any more puns since you’d rather not add even more to your already heavy workload.
Instead, you just give a trembling Jade a pat on the back before exiting the kitchen, so you can tell everyone who’s on kitchen duty tonight that it’s safe to enter the kitchen now that Floyd is in a better mood.
Unsurprisingly, Floyd’s tsum decides to remain with you on the shoulder not occupied by Leona’s tsum, which has been on guard since you both came to the Octavinelle dorm.
Naturally, you’re perfectly fine with this arrangement, both because the tsums are all so cute and because this will be how you’ll be working tonight anyway.
When you later deliver the great news of Floyd’s improved mood, everyone, Azul included, releases a sigh of relief, because no one wants to have to deal with Floyd when he’s in one of his bad moods.
“Thank you, Yuu-san.” Azul remarks after he finishes speaking with his other employees. “I had been worried that Floyd’s bad mood would throw a wrench in my plans, but now, the crisis has been averted. I am glad that you have become so skilled at wrangling Floyd when he’s being particularly surly. I honestly don’t know how you do it sometimes.”
Since you’d rather not make Azul freak out about his NDA, you refrain from revealing just how you managed this impressive feat tonight since, while you don’t mind a little PDA as long as its within reason, he always tries to completely prevent it from happening, because the twins are the type of people whom, if you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile.
Of course, that doesn’t stop Floyd and Jade from doing as they please since those two almost always get what they want in the end, much to Azul’s exasperation, because nothing can stop the eel-mers once they’ve set their mind on something.
You wryly chuckle. And that’s a fact.
In the end, Azul doesn’t give you any new assignments in addition to what was already decided earlier today. All you will be responsible for doing during your shift is working as a waitress/tsum parade float, so you won’t be working in the kitchen like you usually do since tonight is all about putting the tsums on full display.
Normally, you spend most of your working hours at the Mostro Lounge in the kitchen, because your homestyle cooking is popular with the students who long for the tastes of home, but you have worked the tables before since Azul deemed it a waste to always keep the school’s sole female student hidden in the kitchen.
While you can understand that line of reasoning, you’re not sure if your feminine appeal really does the lounge any favors since you’re not exactly the most popular student at NRC.
Plus, you don’t really consider yourself an eye-catcher, especially when compared to all the ridiculously good-looking people that attend this school.
A strategy involving using you to draw attention would only really work if you had to wear the kind of skimpy outfits you wore during your cage-fighting days since you’re confident in being able to draw eyes with the use of your physique, but Azul assured you when you first began working for him that he would never make you wear anything inappropriate and even added that to your contract.
Obviously, you were very relieved about that, although it was surprising that Azul didn’t want to make full use of you and your assets for the sake of his business, especially since you wouldn’t be opposed to wearing an outfit that just showed off your legs, which you think are your best features.
When you had made that suggestion to him, Azul had turned a bright red and very loudly reminded you that the Mostro Lounge is a place for gentlemen, much to the amusement of Jade and Floyd who had immediately started snickering in the background.
You haven’t brought up the subject since then. After all, it’s not like you want to show off your skin. You just wanted him to know that you were willing to showcase your legs if necessary since it doesn’t really bother you if those get stared at.
As a result, whenever you work at the lounge, you always wear the Octavinelle dorm uniform you were given, because their dorm uniforms are what the lounge employees always wear for work.
Because you’re dressed like everyone else, you fail to see how you working as a waitress would be beneficial to the restaurant, but you never say as much since Azul typically knows what he’s doing, so you figure it’s best to just go along with whatever your boss says as long as it’s within reason.
At least, his instructions for your shift tonight make plenty of sense since you’re a verifiable tsum magnet and have a better chance of ensuring Floyd’s tsum behaves itself while it’s assisting you.
That’s why, while you normally prefer to work in the kitchen since you think you’re more useful there, you’re perfectly fine with being a server tonight since you’ll be making the most of your tsum-attracting abilities by remaining where the customers are.
Of course, that doesn’t stop you from feeling a little dread when the time of the Mostro Lounge’s opening approaches since you are not looking forward to your first time having to wait on a countless number of people from opening to closing time with minimal breaks.
A weary sigh escapes you. The things I do to keep my family fed…
Feeling something press against your cheek, you divert your gaze to Floyd’s tsum, which is now affectionately nuzzling you.
The corners of your lips quirk upwards. “Are you comforting me before my first big shift? Thank you.”
After it makes a happy sound, you say, “I’m gonna be counting on your help to get me through this. Considering you are Floyd-senpai’s counterpart, you must have way more experience with this than me, that is if there’s a Mostro Lounge in your world despite the fact that you guys apparently don't eat.”
Floyd’s tsum nods before giving you a confident look that makes you think it believes that it will have everything under control. How reassuring.
Meanwhile, Leona’s tsum takes a break from scrutinizing its surroundings, so it can slump against your neck, as a show of comfort.
You pet both of their heads as thanks for their efforts. “Thank you. I’m glad I’m not in this alone.”
The tension in your frame eases as your smile grows. “Really, really glad.”
Just as you had expected, tonight ends up becoming one of the busiest nights the Mostro Lounge has ever had, all thanks to the tsums that everyone on campus is so eager to see.
From the get-go, you’re hustling and bustling as you take orders and deliver meals once they’re ready. You also make plenty of laps around the restaurant, so all the tables, not just the ones you’re in charge of serving, can get a good look at the tsums accompanying you.
Thankfully, Floyd’s tsum helps out whenever it can, whether it’s by handing menus and dishes to customers or clearing tables.
Naturally, Leona’s tsum has no interest in doing any kind of menial labor, so it mostly just dozes on your shoulder. However, it does keep itself at a good angle that makes it easy for customers to take its picture, which is really all you could ask of it since the poor tsum is only here because of you.
Overall, your first big shift as a waitress isn’t too bad thanks to Floyd’s tsum being such a big help. It also helps that you have a pretty good memory and have practiced in the past, so you wouldn’t ever have to solely rely on a notepad to keep track of your customers’ orders.
Even better, you don’t have to worry about being on the receiving end of unfriendly looks, because everyone is so distracted by the adorable tsums.
That’s especially the case when Cater eventually arrives with his and Riddle’s tsums, so he can enjoy a free dinner and take plenty of pictures for Magicam.
Immediately, Riddle’s tsum makes itself comfortable on the top of your head, treating it as a throne of sorts. At least, that’s what Cater says since you obviously can’t look at the tsum when it’s in that position.
Meanwhile, Cater’s tsum is happily going around to all the tables, giving everyone a chance to take selfies with it. Azul is naturally very delighted about this and hurries to make a post on the restaurant’s Magicam account, inviting everyone to come by while this very photogenic tsum is visiting the Mostro Lounge.
All the while, Azul schmoozes with Cater, doing his best to ensure the third year student has a prolonged stay at the Mostro Lounge.
As expected of Azul, he never misses a business opportunity.
You don’t see much of that conversation, including how it ends, however, since you’re constantly moving around the place, because there’s always something for you to do.
The hours pass by in a blur thanks to all the activity going on, and you only realize how much time has passed since Cater’s arrival when he finally collects both his and Riddle’s tsums after having spent around two hours chilling out at the special spot at the bar that Azul prepared for him since Azul wanted to keep the booths available to the other customers that wouldn’t be staying as long.
When you thank Cater for coming, he grins, “No need to thank me! After all, there’s no way I would ever pass up such a cammable opportunity! I’ve never taken pics of you waiting tables before, so your fans are gonna love seeing that in addition to more Tsum Whisperer antics. Plus, that free meal was totes delish! It was a win-win situation all around!”
A smile rises to your lips as you pet Cater’s and Riddle’s tsums, which are now very reluctantly perched on his shoulders. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. Hopefully, you’ll get a lot of likes on your upcoming posts.”
Cater winks. “I definitely will! Considering how popular all of the other posts I’ve made today are, I’ll be drowning in likes in no time!”
Since you need to get back to work, you exchange partings with your upperclassmen and the two tsums he brought before hurrying to bring the freshly prepared orders you just grabbed from the window to one of the tables you’re waiting on.
Much to your surprise, not long after Cater leaves, Jack, Epel, and Sebek all come to visit the Mostro Lounge with their tsums at the same time. Apparently, they must have decided to dine together.
Epel’s eyes widen when he sees how busy the restaurant is. “Wow. This place is packed! I wonder how long the wait is…”
As you’re waiting on a nearby table that’s within earshot, Azul suavely approaches the trio. “Welcome, gentlemen! I am delighted that you were able to join us at the Mostro Lounge this evening. Do not worry, I had seats reserved for you all at our bar, so you could always have a seat available to you no matter when you arrived and would be able to enjoy the luxury of staying for as long as you please.”
While Azul is personally escorting your sons to the bar, you hear Jack mutter under his breath as he passes by. “No surprise there. He’s gonna milk this for all it’s worth.”
You do your best to refrain from laughing at his words since you’re in the middle of taking a customer’s order and don’t want to come across as rude.
After you finish taking that table’s orders and pass them off to the kitchen, you make a stop by the bar where your sons are now seated. “Thanks for coming, guys. Your tsums are sure to be a big hit, considering how popular Riddle-senpai’s and Cater-senpai’s were when Cater-senpai was here.”
Jack sighs, “I’m just here for the free food, so don’t expect me to stay for too long.”
“And I am only here at Lilia-sama’s request, because he wanted a firsthand report of the activities transpiring tonight at this restaurant.” Sebek huffs, “He also asked that I bring back some desserts for him and Malleus-sama.”
“Be sure to bring something back for Silver-senpai too.” You remark, “I’m sure he could use the sugar.”
While Sebek just harrumphs at the mention of Silver, Epel chuckles, “Well, I’m fine with sticking around for a while since my tsum is more likely to behave itself here, and I won’t have to worry about getting scolded by Vil-san.”
“You can stay for as long as you’d like.” You inform, “More tsums means even better business, so Azul-senpai is happy to have you guys here.”
Your gaze focuses on yours sons’ tsums, which have been giving you their full attention this whole time. “If you tsums don’t mind, I’d be happy to have you tag along with me, or if you’re feeling sociable, visit the tables so customers can take pictures of you, like what Cater-senpai’s tsum did.”
“Just as long as you don’t get in the staff members' way and don’t cause a ruckus, you guys can do whatever you want to entertain the customers.” You continue, “The key here is to ensure they enjoy their time at the lounge and to hopefully get them to spend a lot of money while they’re here.”
When your gaze falls on Epel’s tsum, you quickly add, “Which means no attacking anyone ‘cause they called you cute. Take everything that’s said like a man, and don’t let it affect you.”
Much to your relief, Epel’s tsum gives you a nod. You don’t know if it’s because you asked it to behave itself or because it wants to prove how manly it can be, but regardless, you’re relieved by its easy acceptance of your request.
Once that has all been said, Sebek’s tsum quickly makes itself comfortable on your head since Leona’s and Floyd’s tsums are still occupying your shoulders. Meanwhile, Jack’s and Epel’s tsums scamper off, so they can run free in the restaurant.
Jack raises an eyebrow. “Is letting them run around like that really a good idea? In my opinion, that’s just asking for trouble.”
“It’ll be fine.” You assure him. “The tsums like me enough that they don’t wanna cause me trouble, and I plan on keeping an eye on them. So will Floyd-senpai’s tsum who’s apparently a natural at dealing with trouble on the job.”
Since the Mostro Lounge opened for the night, there have been a few close calls where a waiter almost spilled or dropped something, but every time, Floyd’s tsum always managed to come to the rescue. You honestly have no idea how it managed to pull it off when said accidents happened nowhere near where you happened to be at the time.
While Jack and Sebek give the aforementioned tsum incredulous looks, Epel appears impressed. “I wish my tsum averted trouble rather than caused it all the time.”
As Floyd’s tsum proudly puffs up its chest, you snort, “To be fair, according to Floyd-senpai, it’s been causing trouble for him while I’m not around, so I think all these tsums got some mischief in them.”
Before anything else can be said, you get called back to work because one of your tables is in need of some drink refills.
After giving your sons a wave, you quickly get back into the swing of things, all the while monitoring Jack’s and Epel’s tsums who have been doing what you’re assuming is meant to be manly poses for the cameras, considering whose counterparts they are.
Naturally, everyone just thinks the tsums are cute, because that’s exactly what they are. Thankfully, just as you requested, Epel’s tsum doesn’t fly off the handle because of the compliments, and you can only hope this good behavior will last for as long as it remains here.
I’m sure everything will be fine. You assure yourself. The tsums won’t purposely do anything to cause me trouble, so as long as we all keep working hard, we’ve got nothing to worry about.
Famous last words.
Everything eventually goes downhill about an hour after your sons arrive at the Mostro Lounge with their tsums.
All because of a group of idiots with a death wish.
It all happens when you’re passing by a booth full of Heartslabyul students, who, since they arrived, have been more interested in giving you mean looks than looking at the tsums, making you wonder why they even bothered to come here since only bad things happen to customers who cause trouble at the Mostro Lounge.
Since they’re thankfully not a table you’re in charge of, you’ve been paying them little attention since you have no interest in wasting your time on them, especially when you have better things to do.
That ends up being to your detriment, however, because, due to you purposely ignoring that group of students, you fail to notice the foot that abruptly juts out in your path when you pass by their booth.
With a startled yelp, you trip on the foot that quickly moves back underneath the nearby booth’s table and promptly start falling forward.
Along with the two trays full of dirty dishes and silverware you had been carrying.
Fortunately, the worst possible outcome is avoided thanks to Floyd’s tsum who miraculously manages to catch all of the dishes and Leona’s tsum who ensures none of the sharp silverware falls on you.
Meanwhile, Sebek’s tsum quickly vacates its spot on your head and somehow manages to insert itself in between your face and the floor before you make your crash landing.
Of course, that doesn’t stop the rest of your body from hitting the floor with a hard thump, but this is definitely more preferable than full-on face-planting.
“Yuu!”
“Human!”
“Yuu-san!”
As you’re pulling yourself into a seated position and thanking the tsums for their help, your worried sons quickly vacate their seats to check on you after having witnessed your fall.
“I’m okay.” You assure them. “Sebek’s tsum saved my head, and the other tsums took care of the silverware and dishes, so all I’m dealing with is some temporary soreness.”
Before anything else can be said, the three tsums who helped you out suddenly go on the offense and attack the Heartslabyul students in the nearby booth, catching everyone off guard.
To make matters worse, Jack’s and Epel’s tsums also soon join the fray, so while Floyd’s tsum is going on a squeezing rampage, the others are all tackling the Heartslabyul students with as much force as their tiny bodies can muster, which is apparently a lot, considering all the pained cries you’re hearing.
Panicked, you quickly rise to your feet. “Tsums, stop! I understand being mad that I got tripped, but you can’t just attack the customers, not without first getting Azul-senpai’s permission!”
At the mention of you being tripped, which you’re sure was done on purpose, all of your sons adopt irate expressions and look as if they intend to join their tsums in the ongoing pummeling session.
Fortunately, before that can happen, Jade smoothly inserts himself into the situation. “Do not worry, Yuu-san. I’m sure Azul does not mind the tsums taking Floyd’s job for the night, considering Floyd is currently preoccupied with his kitchen duties. Right, Azul?”
Azul, who apparently headed this way after hearing the ongoing ruckus, dons a smile that always means nothing good for those who have gotten on his bad side. “Why, of course. Rule breaking is strictly prohibited in the Mostro Lounge, so sometimes these types of measures are necessary. I’m honestly quite grateful for how quickly the tsums took action on the lounge's behalf.”
Hearing that, the student, who’s currently getting his arm squeezed by Floyd’s tsum, cries, “It was an accident!”
Jade shakes his head. “Unfortunately, it was not. I happened to see the event transpire in all its entirety, including how you were all whispering amongst yourselves before you finally committed the unacceptable deed.”
A smile that shows some of his teeth slowly rises to his lips in a most menacing fashion. “Which means you are all guilty, I’m afraid.”
Oh boy, these Heartslabyul students’ days are numbered. When Jade looks like that, only very bad things await his targets.
You’re drawn out of your thoughts when Azul gently rests his hands on your shoulders and begins guiding you toward the bar. “You can leave this matter to us, Yuu-san. In the meantime, I think it’s about time you finally have your break. You haven’t had one since the lounge opened, and I can’t have tonight’s star employee overworking herself. I’ll have someone else take care of your tables in the meantime.”
Since you really could use a break and you honestly have no interest in dealing with those Heartslabyul students, you go along with his suggestion and take a seat at the bar along with your sons who join you.
Rather than take their original seats and have you sit to Epel’s right, your sons make you take a seat in between Jack and Sebek since no one would dare mess with you while you’re surrounded by big, buff boys on both sides.
Of course, rather than admit that they’re trying to protect you, the two tsunderes just make excuses for why they suddenly want to change up the seating arrangement - excuses that you and Epel don’t buy for a second.
Because you’re grateful for their thoughtfulness, you refrain from teasing Jack and Sebek about their overprotectiveness despite how tempting it always is to get them flustered.
Instead, you just bask in the comforting feeling you get when surrounded by your sons while you enjoy the free refreshments that were provided to you at Azul’s order.
In the background, you can hear many pain-filled cries coming from the Heartslabyul students from earlier. Apparently, Jade and the tsums are taking care of removing them from the premises, considering all the whispered comments you happen to overhear that came from the other customers.
While you could check to see for yourself, you don’t, because you honestly don’t care what happens to them, nor do you want to waste any more of your time on those jerks.
“Don’t worry, Yuu-san, I’ll stick around until closing time.” Epel determinedly remarks, drawing you out of your thoughts. “If more guys like that show up tonight, my tsum and I will take care of them!”
A smile rises to your lips. “Thank you. I appreciate the offer, but it’s unlikely that something like that will happen again tonight, considering most people are smart enough to not cause trouble here because of the Leech brothers’ reputations.”
“You never know, considering all the idiots that are at this school.” Jack gruffly comments, “If they’re dumb enough to pick fights with you elsewhere despite knowing who you’re friends with, they’re dumb enough to risk getting on the Octavinelle guys’ bad side.”
Sebek scowls, “Honestly, the nerve of such fools to dare to target a friend of the Great Lord Malleus Draconia. There is truly no greater folly than that.”
“They’re also really delusional, or at least, the guys from my dorm are.” Epel sighs, “I still can’t wrap my head around their behavior and why they insist Yuu-san is a danger to someone as strong as Vil-san. Why can’t they realize they’re basically insulting him by trying to ‘defend his honor’ all the time?”
“I’ve been wondering that for a while now.” You dryly reply, “Apparently, the delusions are just too strong with the majority of your dorm members, Epel.”
While Epel starts grumbling under his breath about the guys from his dorm, Jack says, “Since we all agree that there are a ridiculously large amount of idiots on campus, let’s just go along with Epel’s idea and have the three of us remain here for the rest of the night, just in case.”
Warmth envelops your chest as you tease, “What happened to only staying here long enough to get your free meal?”
He promptly averts his embarrassed gaze. “I’d be kicked out of my dorm if I didn’t stick around after what just happened, and I’d rather not have to worry about finding a new place to stay for the rest of my time at NRC.”
“You could stay with me and Grim at Ramshackle.” You offer, still grinning like the Cheshire Cat. “My favorite son is always welcome in my dorm.”
“Not your son.” Jack automatically grumbles, just as he always does, before adding, “It’ll be easier on me if I just stick around and avoid getting kicked out of my dorm, so that’s what I’m gonna do.”
“Plus, I bet my tsum will be near impossible to pry away from you after what just happened.” Jack wryly adds, “And I really don’t wanna have to deal with that if I don’t have to.”
Rather than call him out for being dishonest about his true motives, you just snuggle up against his side and sweetly say, “Thank you, Jack. You’re such a wonderful son.”
While the embarrassed boy half-heartedly growls, Sebek releases a loud, suffering sigh. “I suppose I have no other choice but to remain here as well, because it will bring great shame upon the Young Master if I do not guard his treasured friend for the remainder of the evening when I know there’s a strong chance of more trouble occurring in the horizon.”
He huffs, “And I would also like to refrain from having to deal with the headache-inducing trial of prying my tsum away from Yuu.”
Your snuggling efforts quickly take on a new target as you coo, “Aww, you’re such a sweet son, Sebek. Thank you! I love you all so much~”
Both Jack’s and Sebek’s faces become noticeably flustered while the latter scowls, “For the last time, I am not your son! And I am not doing this for your sake, you incorrigible human!”
As you continue to tease the two tsunderes, Epel mutters, “Why are me, Deuce-kun, and Ortho-kun the only guys who aren’t tsunderes in this crazy family?”
Unsurprisingly, Jack and Sebek do not take kindly to that remark. Meanwhile, as they all begin squabbling, you just laugh, unable to help yourself. Man, do I love my family.
More than anything.
Thankfully, just as you had expected, no one else causes you any trouble for the remainder of the night since most people are smart enough to not break the rules at the Mostro Lounge. Of course, you’re sure having your sons keeping watch at the bar while all the tsums always remained in your immediate vicinity also played a role in that.
As a result, you’re able to get through the rest of your shift without any issues, except for, of course, being totally exhausted and having sore feet.
It was all worth it in the end, though, since the Mostro Lounge made a killing thanks to the tsums, much to Azul’s great delight. No doubt he’s hoping that the tsums will end up sticking around for a while, so he can continue to make a profit off of them.
Unfortunately, Azul doesn’t get that lucky since, just after the lounge closes for the night, Crowley sends everyone with a tsum a text, letting them know that he has managed to find a way to send the tsums back home, which is rather ironic, considering he has yet to make any real effort to do the same for you.
That’s how you find yourself heading for Ramshackle dorm with your sons and Floyd while hitching a ride on Jack’s back since the sweet boy took pity on your exhausted state and offered to carry you back home.
During this trek, you make sure to text Leona and tell him to come despite you having his tsum since, otherwise, Crowley will find out that Leona didn’t obey the Headmage’s order to take care of his tsum. Plus, you’re sure Leona’s tsum would like to see Leona one last time before it leaves.
When your group later arrives at Ramshackle dorm, all you can do is gape at the sight of a large, glowing hole in the sky. “I can’t believe I slept through something like this happening last night…”
“There you are, tsum! It’s time for our rematch! I’ll show you the results of all my intense trainin’!”
All eyes focus on Grim who’s standing beside a puzzled Crowley. Apparently, your partner has finally returned from his afternoon of extensive training with the Ramshackle Ghosts, all of whom don’t appear to be around. Maybe they got tired of waiting for a tsum to return to the dorm and wandered off to find something more fun to do.
You sigh as Jack releases you, so you can stand beside him. “Grim, is this really necessary?”
“Of course, it is!” Grim scowls, “I gotta defend my honor and show those bastards that they messed with the wrong mage!”
After sparing a look at Leona’s tsum, who’s been dozing on your shoulder for a while now, you dryly reply, “I don’t think Leona-senpai’s tsum has any interest in fighting you, though.”
Just as you turn to look at Epel’s tsum to see how it will respond to Grim's challenge, it quickly jumps off of Epel’s shoulder and tries to tackle Grim, who dodges the attack. Obviously, this tsum is down for another rumble.
Unfortunately for Grim, Epel’s tsum isn’t the only one.
Amused, you watch as Floyd’s, Jack’s, and Sebek’s tsums all join what soon becomes a free-for-all, much to Grim’s increasing distress. “Guess Grim’s rethinking the whole defending his honor thing now.”
While Epel and Floyd are cheering on the tsums, Jack and Sebek watch the brawl with noticeable amusement.
Crowley, of course, is just getting increasingly confused. “What is going on here?! Why is Grim-kun fighting with the tsums?!”
“Don’t worry, Headmage.” You assure him. “This is how they like to bond. Think of it as a fun way to send off the tsums before they leave.”
“This ain’t fun at all!” Grim vehemently disagrees, “I’m totally gettin’ ganged up on! Stop them, Henchman!”
You raise an amused brow. “I tried to stop this before it began, remember? This is what you asked for.”
He scowls as he does his best to dodge the tsums’ attacks and is only marginally successful. “This ain’t a fair fight, and ya know it! The Great Grim is amazin’, but there’s still only one of me! If they all wanna fight me, they should get in line, not come after me all at once!”
Sebek smirks, “Heh, it sounds like your training is still severely lacking! If it was me in your position, I would have no trouble fighting against four opponents at once!”
A teasing grin rises to Jack’s lips. “I definitely wouldn’t have as much trouble as Grim if it was me in his shoes.”
While Grim releases a loud, offended gasp, both Epel and Floyd start snickering as they make comments along the same lines as Jack and Sebek.
Deciding to take pity on Grim, you loudly clap your hands to gain the tsums’ attention. “Alright, tsums, I think Grim has learned his lesson. How about you spend the remainder of your time over here with me, so I can dote on you one last time before you leave?”
Instantly, the four tsums give up on their assault on Grim, so they can happily bounce over toward you. While Jack’s and Floyd’s tsums leap into your arms, Sebek’s tsum takes your unoccupied shoulder while Epel’s tsum bounces on the top of your head.
“Oooh, I see the Tsum Whisperer is at work again! Better get some more pics before our new friends leave!”
At the sound of Cater’s voice, you turn to see him approaching along with Riddle and a yawning Leona.
Immediately, Cater’s and Riddle’s tsums make a beeline for you, which prompts you to kneel down, so you’ll be closer to the two tsums now happily bouncing at your feet.
“My word.” Crowley gapes at the sight of you being completely swarmed by tsums. “In all my years, I have never seen anything quite like this. What is happening?”
Cater grins, “Yuu-chan is the Tsum Whisperer! All the tsums love her, so they’re always all over her! Totes adorbs, right?”
All the dumbfounded Headmage can do is stare. “....right…”
Obviously, Cater’s words haven’t made your situation any less confusing for Crowley, but it looks like, rather than try to probe for more information, Crowley is leaning more toward just rolling along with this strangeness and not looking any deeper into it.
Rather than pay him any mind, you focus all your attention on the tsums. “I can’t believe you guys are already heading home. I’m gonna miss you so much.”
Leona huffs, “Good riddance.”
After giving him an exasperated look along with Riddle who’s still unimpressed with Leona shoving his babysitting responsibilities onto you, you return your attention to the tsums. “But I’m sure the other me is super worried about you, so I want you guys to get back to her as soon as you can for her sake.”
A warm smile rises to your lips. “Thank you so much for taking such good care of her and for being her friend. I know she really appreciates it. I hope you’ll all continue to be good friends with her.”
Your smile grows as all the tsums excitedly nod and start bouncing to show that they have every intention to remain friends with your counterpart. “Thank you.”
Directing your gaze to Leona’s thankfully now awake tsum, which is still perched on your shoulder, you lower your voice, so Crowley won’t overhear you. “And thank you for keeping me company all day, even though I’m sure you would’ve preferred to just nap with Leona-senpai rather than visit all those dorms. I really enjoyed your company and appreciated you looking after me. I know my counterpart is in good hands with you.”
Just as you’d expect from Leona’s tsum, it looks noticeably smug thanks to your words, obviously quite pleased to have its greatness recognized. It’s quick to affectionately nuzzle your cheek, making you coo.
Once you’ve said everything you had wanted to say and have doted on all the tsums, the tsums scatter, so they can all go see their counterparts one last time before they leave.
While that’s transpiring, you focus your attention on Grim who approaches you, wearing a confused expression. “What was all that about a counterpart? I don’t get it.”
An amused huff passes your lips as you reach over to stroke his head. “To keep things short and simple, there’s a me in the world the tsums came from. That’s why they’re all so fond of me. While she can somehow turn into a tsum, she’s actually a human just like me who apparently came from another world like I did.”
His eyes widen. “Woah, this is like one of those crazy sci-fi movies we watched during our last movie marathon, that one with all those other dimensions and stuff.”
“Exactly.” You chuckle, “Apparently, it’s not all fictional after all.”
Before anything else can be said on this surreal subject, you get distracted by the tsums who all start bouncing toward the area directly under the hole in the sky, signaling that they’ve finished talking to their counterparts.
Much to your amazement, soon after they all start excitedly bouncing in place once they’re under the hole in the sky, the tsums all suddenly start floating in the air and begin ascending straight toward the hole.
Rather than bother questioning this strange phenomenon, you rise out of your crouched position and start waving at the departing tsums. “It was nice meeting you! Take care!”
The corners of your lips curve upwards when the tsums either happily wiggle or do some mid-air flips and twirls in response to your words.
Despite your best efforts to remain composed, your eyes begin to burn as you watch the tsums leave, but you stubbornly blink away any tears before they can properly form since you want to send the tsums off with a smile.
I guess I got more attached to them than I thought, considering I’m reacting to them leaving like this despite only being with them for today. You muse. I really am the type who gets easily attached.
In your defense, you’re not used to having friends, so of course, you’d be sad to have to part ways with the new ones you just made, especially when they were all so sweet to you and made you feel so loved.
Fortunately, you’re able to keep your composure, even after the tsums finally disappear from sight into the hole that vanishes right after they do.
“Looks like the tsums have all gone home.” Cater remarks, successfully drawing you out of your thoughts.
Sebek crosses his arms. “Now, I can report back to Malleus-sama that the interloper has gone!”
“I can’t believe what troublemakers they were.” Riddle sighs, “I just want to get back to the dorm and study up for tomorrow with a nice cup of black tea…Oh wait, look at the time. In accordance with Rule #153, I’ll have to make herbal tea instead.”
Floyd eyes the sky with interest. “I kinda wish I followed the tsums to see what their world is like. I’m su~per curious about the shrimpy that can turn into a tsum.”
“Well, you’ve obviously missed your chance.” Leona huffs, “Hopefully, those annoyances never come back. They better not, if they know what’s good for ‘em.”
Before you can join the conversation since you’re confident that your voice now won’t give your true feelings away, you get distracted by Grim who whines, “Henchman, I’m hungry! Feed me!”
While you give the monster an exasperated look, Epel chuckles as he holds up the plastic bag he’s been carrying. “You’re in luck, Grim-kun. We brought some leftovers for you from the Mostro Lounge. I’ll heat them up for you, so Yuu-san can take a break.”
“That sounds like a wonderful idea. Thank you, Epel.” You smile gratefully. “I appreciate it.”
As Grim happily follows after Epel who starts walking toward your dorm’s front door, Jack pats you on the back. “While they’re doing that, I’ll pay you back for earlier. Your feet are still bothering you, right?”
Upon realizing he’s offering to massage your poor, hurting feet, you beam, “Yes! Thank you, Jack!”
After hesitating for a moment, Sebek huffs, “I suppose I shall also remain here but only long enough to ensure there are no unexpected complications with Yuu’s health. That way the Young Master will have no need to worry about her when I report to him about tonight’s events.”
Rather than point out that he obviously wants to stay because he’s concerned about you, you chuckle, “If you say so, Sebek.”
With that decided, you head for Ramshackle dorm with Jack and Sebek while Crowley and your upperclassmen take their leave and go their own separate ways.
All the while, a pleasant warmth encompasses your chest, chasing away the loneliness you had felt when the tsums departed. As long as I have these guys, I won’t ever have to worry about being alone anymore.
And you couldn’t be more grateful.