Wham Wham Bitches [SAVANACLAW]
Featuring: Grim, Ace Trappola, Deuce Spade, Leona Kingscholar, Ruggie Bucchi, and Jack Howl
Synopsis: Night Raven College is bustling because of the sudden visit from the Ministry of Magic. Money’s source for Crowley, but a dump of troublesome works for Kokoro. Worse, the girl needs to operate under the conditions of sleep deprivation, caffeine withdrawal, and first day period cramps.
In which people thought the Prefect of Ramshackle Dorm was someone with patience like a saint, while the God above laughed and said, bet.
Note: The story ideas come after hearing Lemon Tang by Hearts2Hearts. Robbart Gruben is an original character of mine just for the sake of this story. Btw, I think I have the closest understanding about Savanaclaw's characters. Just hoping this part won't be ooc for them TvT
Chapter: Intro | Heartslabyul | Savanaclaw | Octavinelle | Scarabia | Pomefiore | Ignihyde | Diasomnia | Maint Event | Aftermath
Savanaclaw handled logistics and heavy labor.
This meant preparing the podium and other properties would also be entrusted to them. Crowley's proposal stated that the main seminar would be held in the Mirror Chamber. But surely there would be several other places they would visit. As far as Kokoro knew, Crowley had requested a route around Night Raven College to satisfy the envoys.
Ah, I forgot my espresso. Should I go back or not?
When Kokoro arrived at the Mirror Hall, she remembered her favorite drink. She had been eagerly awaiting that thick, bitter sensation on her tongue.
The majestic room of Mirror Hall was empty. Only silence and a slow ripple from each of the mirrors. Her feet hesitated slightly as she stepped toward the mirror, which bore the lion emblem.
She was already too far from the Cafeteria, and she wondered if the food she had brought would still be warm by the time she arrived at the dormitory founded on the spirit of persistence and tenacity of the King of Beasts.
She could only sigh.
"---See, I'm not wrong, right? It's her."
Another few hours without espresso… Then so be it.
“Hey, Kokoroo~”
The long call made her focus on the source of the voice. From a distance, entering the Mirror Hall, the familiar fiery red hair greeted her gaze. Both of that person’s hands were tucked behind their head. Beside them was a figure with dark blue mane, waving happily to her. Grim was on his shoulder, hanging with a sullen expression.
“Already done?” she asked.
Ace moved to her side and pulled her into a lazy hug, one arm resting around Kokoro’s neck. “No kidding. Professor Trein didn’t let us go until the last second.”
“It feels like there’s more to study for next week’s exam than understanding.” Deuce’s face also looked heavy at the memory.
“Funyaa… even that meddling Lucius won’t let me sleep for a second.” Grim chimed in with a grudge.
“Naa~ Kokoro, Grim said you keep a lot of notes. I bet they’re just as good as the ones Azul-senpai makes. Let me borrow them.” Ace swung her a little bit, showing a malicious grin.
“That’s for Grim, if you want, just copy it.” Kokoro deadpanned.
“Right, right.” Ace rolled his eyes. “Already expected you to spoooil this furball. That’s why I’ll sleep over today and copy it wholeheartedly. You won’t mind, right?”
“A sleepover? Again?” This time, Kokoro turned to Deuce, asking for clarification as well.
“Studying together will be better than alone. And Professor Trein also gave us an assignment earlier. Beside…” Deuce shrugged, seeing nothing wrong with their decision, then he glanced at his two friends. “I’m worried about leaving Ace and Grim alone.”
“Hey, don’t talk like I’m a baby.” Ace narrowed his eyes.
“Isn’t that what happened on Main Street months ago? You two turned the Queen’s of Hearts statue into a roasted corn under no supervision?” Deuce asked matter-of-factly.
Sometimes Deuce can have a sharp tongue. Not like he's wrong…
“Will Riddle-senpai allow it? You haven't said anything about this to him,” Kokoro asked, making sure. Seeing another collar around the two young men's necks was the last thing she wanted to see, especially with exams approaching.
“Why so strict? It's not like we're going to have a sleepover at some stranger's house.” Ace shied away and stretched his arms.
Deuce seemed to remember something, moving out of Kokoro's sight, revealing a new person entering the Mirror of Hall. “Oh, speaking of sleepovers. There is another one who wants to join.”
Kokoro's eyes widened slightly, but she wasn't surprised. Since this person ha've also stayed at Ramshackle for some occasion. The difference in height between the figure and hers became even more apparent as he walked toward them.
“Osh,” he greeted her, his fluffy tail moving slightly.
“Hello, Jack.” Kokoro returned the greeting.
He folded his arms as he briefly assessed Kokoro. His eyes also fell on the laptop Kokoro held in his arms. “...Didn't see you around today.”
“Mnn, I hurried to Heartslabyul to work on some things,” she confirmed quietly. After class ended, she hurried out. She bet it was even unexpected from Professor Trein’s perspective. Considering that, usually before class ended, Kokoro would ask him a question or two related to the material.
“Are you in trouble with that red tyrant?” Grim blurted out, his big blue doe eyes looking at her. Kokoro, without answering, picked him up and cradled him for a moment.
“Isn’t that question more appropriate to ask Ace?” Deuce joined in with an innocent face.
“Why, you little—” Ace held back his curse. “Oi, Juice, don’t act like you’re not on the same page as me!”
“Event coordinator. You must have forgotten, Grim,” she clarified.
“Fgnaa! I totally forgot!” The blue flames on his ears blazed quickly.
Jack looked astonished. His ear movements were more or less the same as Grim’s. “If you’re talking about events, are you referring to the visit from the Ministry of Magic?”
“Yes, that one.” Kokoro affirmed.
This is all just the beginning. She wouldn't lower her guard until she met each of the Dorm Leaders in person. According to her, this is more effective before there is a meeting with all of them.
“I’ll be back late. Don’t wait for me. Anyway, since I won’t be able to prepare food…” the quiet instructions trailed off, before she looked back at the boy with the spade symbol on his eye. “Deuce, I’ll leave dinner to you.”
Deuce nodded confidently and placed his fist on his chest. “No problem. Just count on me!”
“I’ve bought a new batch of eggs. But please finish the ones near the sink first. The sausages are in the fridge. And don’t let Grim eat more than two cans of tuna.”
“Why so stinky!?” the flame monster yelped.
“Didn’t I just show you the increasing number of obese people yesterday?”
“Funyaa—I’m not that fat! My weight is still normal.” Grim puffed out his stomach, as if to emphasize his claim.
“Really? I can see that belly folds clearly even from here.” Ace snickered.
It’s just my fur! Grr—stupid Ace!” Grim jumped down from Kokoro's arms and spat out flames.
"Oi, not fire again!" Ace managed to dodge at the last second. He quickly turned onto the path Kokoro knew led to Ramshackle Dorm.
"What a child." Deuce sighed and waved at her. "Kokoro, I'll go first!"
Watching Ace, Deuce, and Grim run here and there recklessly, sometimes dodging, sometimes attacking, sometimes colliding. Then seeing the grins they desperately held back, it planted a small, odd feeling in her heart.
How... dazzling.
Well, teenagers is the golden time to express themselves.
Kokoro calmly turned to the only person left with her.
"Jack, it seems like there aren't any clothes your size at Ramshackle Dorm. Ace and Deuce often leave theirs behind so it will not be a problem to them. You should grab your clothes first if you're staying overnight." she suggested to him.
"Yeah, that's why I'm going back to Savanaclaw first." He nodded.
"Ah, right. Shall we walk together?"
Jack's tail wagged a bit quicker.
Oh, his mood is good now.
Looks like next week's events won't affect him too much. Well, Jack is a dilligent one. Unlike my three scoundrels, he probably has been studying since last weeks.
Those three have their own intelligence, Kokoro never doubted that. But when put together, they're as dumb as rocks.
Savanaclaw's mirror swallowed both of their figures. As soon as Kokoro opened her eyes, she reflexively raised her hand to shield her eyes from the blazing sun. It was hot, and the moment Kokoro took a breath, her throat gradually turned dry. A puff of sand floated at their ankles, accentuating the arid conditions.
It made her remember the moment when her vocal cords were damaged while fighting Overblot Leona.
As they walked, Kokoro sensed movement from beside her. Jack swiftly moved closer, slowly unterwining Kokoro's finger around her belongings and taking them to himself. The heavy items she had previously carried, including her bag, had been moved.
"Thank you."
The wolf beastman only answered with a simple nod.
"How is Savanaclaw doing? I imagined suddenly giving you a job with a very tight deadline was like shit to you all.”
Jack sighed briefly, proving her point without any difficulty “Leona-senpai doesn’t take it lightly.”
Kokoro hummed, then closed her eyes. “Then the rest have the same opinion as him.”
Savanaclaw isn’t a dorm that prioritizes their test scores. But forcing them to do what they don’t like and don’t benefit—well, it’s not like Kokoro came mainly to persuade them. This incident made Kokoro wonder if Ruggie-senpai had negotiated a reward with Leona for doing his job. But, considering there was also pressure from Crowley, it seemed he would be in a difficult position too.
It’s not official, but Ruggie is more like a vice dorm head to that dorm.
“Y’know… I won’t mind lending you a hand,” Jack exclaimed, breaking Kokoro’s reverie. If she looked closer, she should have seen that faint redness appeared on his cheek.
“I know,” she replied with complete conviction.
“You said you’d be late for dinner. "Are you planning to eat in Savanaclaw?" asked Jack again, now gazing at her.
Kokoro paused a bit.
Why the assumption?
"No. After this, I have to go to Octavinelle," Kokoro replied, slightly confused.
"Oh." Jack nodded. "Thought Leona-senpai and Ruggie-senpai invited you to dinner."
Again. Why the assumption?
"No, they aren't," clarified Kokoro for the second time.
In the distance, the sand-like buildings of Savanaclaw finally came into view. They passed the Magift training ground. The closer they got to the entrance, the more Kokoro could see the growing greenery. At least the tree in front of the entrance was still shady, allowing her to enjoy the coolness for a while.
"So they probably don't know about your visit," muttered Jack again after a while.
"If Headmaster Crowley hasn't given any notice, then yes."
That was what Kokoro feared. Heartslabyul was one thing. But Savanaclaw really didn't like it when its territory was intruded upon, including by outsiders. Being thrown by Jamil when he overblotted was enough. Even though Kokoro had her curse strings to cushion her landing, she didn't want to go through that a second time if she didn't have to.
"Message me when you leave. Don't go alone," Jack told her with a quiet grunt. Kokoro breathed a sigh of relief as they entered the dorm. The air was cooler and there was a fresh breeze flowing in and out.
"It's just Octavinelle." Kokoro shrugged.
It's not like she's going to downhill city on the Isle of Sages alone. And even if she did, there wouldn't be any danger waiting for her there.
“Suit yourself, but I am still coming,” Jack declared. His eyes drifted to her again, now focusing on her eye bags. “… You barely recovered from what happened with Malleus-senpai. Someone needs to keep an eye on you.”
Well, true.
Kokoro didn’t want to deny or confirm it.
“You are very kind, Jack,” she absentmindedly spoke, making the wolf beastman freeze.
What a good heart you have.
“Then, I will accept your genero—”
“—I said.”
From a distance, she heard a voice.
“SCRAAM!!!”
The roar was maddeningly loud—ear-splitting to be correct. It was thunderous, making the walls around them resonate with its vibrations. Kokoro stilled and reflexively closed her eyes. That roar came with a heavy wind, and several birds that were originally perched on the dorm’s wooden fences immediately flapped their wings out.
That is certainly a loud roar. So sigma.
She scrunched her eyebrow.
Is that the right phrase? Maybe I'll ask Grim again later.
Kokoro stood her ground, watching the little birds leave the dorm's entrance.
Is it too late to turn around?
It was supposed to be the Headmaster, but she's the one who's going to be eaten. Such a fate for low-salary employees.
Wait, she doesn't even get paid.
Simultaneously, Kokoro heard a series of stomping sounds coming from the lounge. It was the Savanaclaw students, most of them with animal characteristics like Jack. Their faces were scared, pushing each other to get out faster. But it didn't last long, as one of them tapped another and pointed at her. At that moment, all the animals' ears perked up in terrifying synchronization.
"Look, it's Kokoro-chan!"
"She came with Jack!" the others cheered happily.
They scurrily surrounded her. Voices rang out from every side.
"Howdy, freshman?" another, a senior with cheetah ears, slapped her back hard. “Though you forgot to visit us after getting chummy with those from Diasomnia for a whole week, yeah?”
Someone from Kokoro’s class, a wildebeest beastman, grabbed both of her hands. “Lucky you’re here! Leona-senpai is in a suuuper terrible mood. Go talk to him. There’s only Ruggie-senpai inside.”
“Uh-huh, we’ll go in after you.” The others nodded furiously.
“Isn’t it logical that if he is in a bad mood, you should recommend me to leave?” Kokoro was ultimately speechless.
“Pfft—you’re joking, right? This kid is hilarious.” A snort came from someone with antelope horns.
“That’s what you get from drinking too much coffee.” One flicked her nose.
“Espresso,” corrected Kokoro, rubbing her nose.
“Alright, quiet talkin,” a senior leopard from third year pushed her back encouragingly. “Go, go, just enter!”
"Hey, don't push her too much," warned Jack, who finally managed to break through the crowd and reach Kokoro.
Unfortunately, he too was shoved into the lounge. "Jack, you come too!"
"Whaa—heyy!"
They waved and pointed toward the waterfall. Some even gave a thumbs-up and started praying. Jack, still holding Kokoro's hand, could only sigh, "Seriously, those seniors never set a good example..."
Kokoro's attention was already drawn to something else. The vast Savanaclaw lounge now felt cramped with mountains of unpackaged packages and properties. It was like a landfill with a thick dusty atmosphere.
Kokoro rubbed her eyes when she saw one package that didn't make sense.
Am I bluffing, or is that literally a big, wooden stick?
The splashing sound of the waterfall that usually filled the lounge was now overshadowed by a familiar scolding voice. Kokoro and Jack both looked up. Upside the waterfall, which cascaded from a rocky cliff into a clear pool that winds through the room like a stream, was the figure of Leona lying sideways, and Ruggie, who was fuming. "I can't stand it anymore! Leona-san, you can't just sulk all day!" the hyena beastman yelled. "Didn't you hear the Headmaster's warning on the phone earlier? He threatened that if we don't move, he'll not only stop club activities but also cut the budget! He really wants us to get moving!"
"Crowley can do anything he wants. I'm going to take a nap." Leona yawned, his posture suggesting he wouldn't get up for quite some time.
"Ya seriously don't think he is entirely jokin’, do you?" Ruggie's hands were now on his waist.
"Whatever. If you want it that badly, you handle it." Leona dug his ear and turned his bod completely facing away from Ruggie.
"Even I have my own limits. No matter how much they pay, who would want to do it in the middle of summer like this! The exam will also be held next week!" Ruggie immediately refused, his face growing more and more troubled as time passed.
"You heard yourself," Leona scoffed.
Something inside Ruggie snapped, he took out his phone and dialed a number. Kokoro's pocket was vibrating, and an incoming call appeared on her screen.
“That's it! I'm calling Kokoro!”
“Haa, don't involve her—”
From the open side of the lounge, a ghost mailman entered. He carried a large package wrapped in transparent wrapping. It was a toolbox. “Package Delivery. For Leona Kingscholar from Headmaster Crowley. Please sign here. Toolbox.”
The temperature instantly dropped. Kokoro sense something was wrong. Because the next second, Leona’s hand quickly grabbed the toolbox and threw it behind him.
Ruggie, Jack, and Kokoro's heads followed the high bounce of the toolbox, before gravity claimed it again.
Towards the pool of the waterfall.
Right in front of her.
"Geuuh— Wait, is that— Oh, shit!" Ruggie, coming to his senses, immediately cursed furiously.
BYURR!!!
A large wave of water splashed Kokoro's face. She froze in place, almost felt like she'd been thrown to the ground if her legs hadn't been strong. Only then did Leona turn around, his body instantly rising when he recognized who was drenched.
Kokoro spat out the water that had entered her mouth. Droplets of water fell from every strand of her hair.
"...Thank you for the free bath."
Upstairs, Ruggie could be seen clutching his head. "Bath my ass, change your clothes! Quick!"
"I'll get the hair dryer!" Jack ran after putting her things away. Meanwhile, a chorus of laughter could be heard from outside the lounge. Several of Savanclaw students were wheezing endlessly, enjoying the spectacle.
Simply put, after that, everything happened in the blink of an eye. Ruggie pulled her hand, then she was told to take a shower in Leona's room, and the next second, she was sitting between Ruggie’s legs. Her face was repeatedly tickled by her hair. Warm air came from the hair dryer that was turned on.
Since no one else was nearly as slender as her, besides Ruggie, Kokoro was forced to borrow one of his dorm shirts. Even that was too big. Her fingers mindlessly traced the triangular pattern on the shirt.
"I think it's already dry," she said after a moment.
"No, it's not. Your hair is so long. Stay still." Ruggie was still gripping her head. On the other hand, after giving him the hair dryer, Jack no longer joined them—it seemed Leona had told him to run and errand because Ruggie was already occupied with her.
At least the sensation of Kokoro's dry throat had disappeared. The open architecture of Leona's room allowed for good air flow, and the stone walls created a cool sensation. Kokoro looked around for a moment before finally shoving herself to lean on one of Ruggie's legs.
The senior paused for a moment, but continued his work. "Hey, can you wait another moment to lean on me?"
"Nu-uh." She was already too comfortable in her position. And the light cedar smell from Ruggie was also pleasant to her nose.
"How spoiled." His sigh was not accompanied by any bite.
Kokoro felt sleepy. Her eyes felt heavy.
Hot day, flowy-flowy breeze, fresh bath. What a perfect moment to nap. I wish I had my pillow.
"The hell are you doing here, herbivore?" Leona's pillow thrown at her stomach brought Kokoro back to her senses. She picked it up and immediately used it as a cushion.
"Ah ah ah. Keep your magic on, Leona-san. You should be responsible until the end to make sure his uniform is dry." Ruggie teased, for a moment the hair dryer was no longer pointed at her.
“Tsk. I already did it. See?” He flipped Kokoro’s dried uniform with his magic. “Now, give me my answer.”
“Progress Report.”
“Aah?”
Kokoro crawled out from under Ruggie’s feet and showed him the documents she had in her bag, attached to a clipboard. As soon as she held it, the clipboard felt light and floated towards Leona with a single spin of his magical pen. “Those are some documents you need to sign for next week’s event.”
Actually, Crowley’s complaint regarding Savanaclaw was the series of property lists that hadn’t been fixed. Well, the Headmaster was partly to blame, too. It all had to do with the Ministry’s wishes. The expedited event was also like double the bad news.
“Crowley gives you a meddlesome job,” Leona hummed after briefly reading it.
“Aah, I get it. Headmaster told you to make sure Leona-san works, right? Now talk about timing, shi shi~”
Leona’s eyes sharpened, her smirk also growing menacing. “You seem to enjoy it, Ruggie. Knowing all the trouble that’s been thrown at me, I’ll make sure you’re also affected.”
“Whaa— Why are you holding a grudge like this?” he protested.
“Are there any complaints?” Kokoro decided to interrupt before another war broke out. “Considering this was so unexpected—I imagine Savanaclaw has encountered a lot of problems.”
After explaining her point, Kokoro now fully understood how much Leona disliked the current situation.
“Don’t even get me started. Some of the ordered properties haven’t arrived yet due to stock issues. That damn visit was also arbitrarily expedited to the point that the needed items are still being shipped. They’re stuck at various distribution centers. Also, other necessities—Haa, that damn bird can only delegate tasks. He has so many ideas for this event, but they always change,” he explained, finding it all ridiculous. “Who the hell does he think I am to always follow his whims?”
“That is our benevolent Headmaster to us.” Ruggie grimaced, his eyes devoid of any warmth.
Kokoro nodded in understanding. "I've tried listing the required items. They're all categorized by availability and shipping status. The items on the red list are the most urgent. I recommend requesting an order from Sam."
"Which page?"
Kokoro thought for a moment and stretched out her all fingers. "Ten."
The Dorm Head opened to the page in question. He lay on his bed, fists propped up as pillows. His green eyes scanned the sentences one by one.
"If you agree, I'd like to have your signature to proceed with the order. After that, this matter and the fulfillment of the required supplies will be handed over to me. Savanaclaw only needs to focus on building the stage and preparing the supporting props. Once Leona-senpai signs, hopefully, that will at least prevent Headmaster Crowley from improvising," Kokoro continued. "Ah, I'll also discuss this with the Headmaster."
Leona flipped the report back to the first page. "This proposal will cost a lot. Has Crowley prepared you with sufficient funds?"
“… To save costs. I plan to ask Scarabia, specifically Dorm Head Kalim Al-Asim, to pick up the goods still stuck at the transit location. That way, we won’t have to buy new goods or increase transportation costs.”
“Using a well-known mercenary heir for transportation trouble, huh. Not bad.” He sounded somehow satisfied.
“Well, but this is still a plan and of course, it has to be approved by Dorm Head Scarabia,” Kokoro replied honestly.
A low chuckle came from Leona’s lips. “Heh, there’s no way he’ll refuse.”
Kokoro doubts it, considering it involves using a duplicate of the national treasure of Scalding Sands. “But this has to do with his magic carpet. Well, I do have a backup plan—”
“As long as it’s what you want,” Leona had already cut her off. There was a hidden sinister tone in his voice when looking at her. “Even a mountain of gold, he’d give it to you straight away.”
…It is supposed to be sarcasm, right?
“Hmn, I’m on the same page as Leona-san,” Ruggie chimed in, this time switching the hair dryer to cold mode.
Kokoro decided to continue with her report. "For the rest, you could say Headmaster Crowley entrusted me with sufficient funds. As for the missing receipts, I plan to take care of them, and I've listed all the incomplete data. So, could you send me the stores where you ordered the goods? I'll try to request new receipts."
Leona listened for a long time. Her hand then shifted to the cellphone on the bed.
"There, I sent it."
"Thank you." Kokoro immediately received the notification on her phone. "Then, for transparency, I'll recalculate the total amount of all receipts that still use funds from Savanackaw and haven't been refunded by the Headmaster. I'll work on the report right now. Of course, I'll also inspect the packages gathered downstairs because—" she paused for a moment. "Well, Headmaster Crowley is indeed very unpredictable."
If he could force Heartslabyul to change the seating for guests because some new donorsdecided to join at the last minute, the Headmaster could also just as easily send the necessary items for the visit to Savanaclaw and have him add them to the bill first.
Hoho~ Payment? We can talk about it later.
She could already imagine the Headmaster's response. Fortunately, Kokoro had already seized Crowley's card as a precaution.
"You will immediately pay the expense?" Leona inquired.
Kokoro nodded. That also reminded her of something. “Have you heard that regarding the souvenirs, Headmaster Crowley also entrusted them to Sav—”
“Tch.”
“I will handle it myself,” Kokoro instantly corrected herself. Leona’s response was enough to shut her up.
On the sofa, Ruggie burst out laughing. “Way to go, Leona-san~ At least don’t vent your bloodlust on our poor junior.” He cupped Kokoro’s face from behind and played with it.
That only slightly eased Leona’s temperament. He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Haa, keep going.”
“For the last part,” Kokoro reassured him and tried to scroll through the drive on her phone. “Just in case, I’ll send you a new drive containing the event plan.”
“Save it. I don’t want any more headaches,” Leona interrupted. His displeasure was clearly shown in the way his tail moved like a whip. “Every Dorm Leader knows how messy and useless that drive is. I don’t want to see it anymore.”
“Okay,” Kokoro immediately lowered her hand.
“Maa~ don’t be sad. That’s just Leona-senpai’s excuse to get you to come here more often to report to him directly.” Ruggie patted her shoulder.
Kokoro, with subconscious agility, immediately lowered her head. A pillow passed her by a split second, landing right on Ruggie’s face. His senior caught the pillow and lightly placed it on the side of the sofa.
“See, he didn’t deny it, so it must be true.” His face was beaming with a smile, meanwhile, the figure in the case continued to trash his tail. The difference was so big, Kokoro could only stay still.
“Ruggie-senpai, a’m sometimes afraid of your courage,” Kokoro commented dryly.
Considering Ruggie is the only one who can survive living under the same roof as Leona and doing everything he wants, honestly, it’s worth putting on a resume.
Kokoro turned her head when she heard familiar footsteps in the corridor, making Leona and Ruggie turn as well. Jack entered a moment later, carrying a black box with gold ink on it. It was quite big, but from the way Jack held it lightly, its contents were definitely light.
“Excuse me, Leona-senpai. This is the package you told me to find in the pile below.” He showed the box. He had changed into his dorm uniform.
“Give it to her.” Leona gestured with his chin.
Kokoro blinked.
Jack moved to sit beside Kokoro and handed it to her lap, both of them now on the floor.
Kokoro studied it for a moment. Leona's gaze indicated he wanted Kokoro to open it. So she pulled the lid off the box. The scent of wildflowers tickled her nose. Inside was a pile of neatly folded clothes. She recognized it, the Night Raven College uniform. The design was the same as the one specially made for her by Professor Crewel.
“A girl's uniform?” she pondered.
The quality was no less good than Crewel's. But the embroidered school emblem looked even more exclusive. Kokoro felt the uniform's incredibly soft texture in her hands. She found not just one, but three sets inside. One was stretched out, the winter edition, while the other two were intended for summer wear.
“Why is there a girl’s uniform?”
Leona snorted, resting one hand on his cheek. “Isn’t the answer obvious? I know you haven’t had a spare uniform since that Lizard’s overblot.”
Kokoro was silent for a long time. The issue of Overblots was taboo at Night Raven College. Even if others wanted to discuss it with her, they would choose secluded locations or use safer substitutes words.
For example, it was camouflaged as a ruccus, disaster, or a mass panic.
A downgrade, indeed.
But with NRC’s middle name being nothing other than madness, many had previously believed that what was happening in each dorm was simply chaos. Crowley didn’t want panic, and it was natural for an overblot to be hidden from the other dorms. But, considering Malleus Draconia overblot was the final straw in the NRC—it seemed pointless to hide something like this.
“Yes, but why…”
“Already done! Look, fluffy as new.” Kokoro gasped as her hair tossed over her shoulder. Ruggie bent down to unplug the hair dryer, the wirling sound disappearing, replaced by the sound of birds chirping from outside the balcony.
“Thank you, Ruggie-senpai.” Kokoro held her hair and ran her fingers through it.
“No problem,” he sing-sang. He reached for something in his pocket. Kokoro’s chin tilted forward. Her hair was picked up again to curl. “Now, for the final touch. There.”
Something was clipped to it to stay still.
Kokoro felt it, something with a smooth surface and a flower-like shape.
A flower?
Her hand reached for the small mirror Ruggie had brought. From the reflection, it was a Cambodia flower hairclipped. With a white outer side that transitioned to a deep yellow.
It was too familiar, Kokoro thought for a moment.
This was her hair clip.
She thought she'd lost it a long time ago. If not mistaken, it was during P.E. with Teacher Vargas. That day was flight practice, and Kokoro didn't want to risk falling between Grim and the broomstick. After all, accidents involving hair clips stuck to skulls were common in her home world. So she put her hair clip on the bench. But as soon as class was over, it was gone.
Still not making a sound, Kokoro slowly raised her gaze to meet Ruggie's. The Hyena beastman mouth curved in a lopsided grin, as if expecting her reaction. One of his hands twirls Kokoro's lock of hair.
"What is it, hmn?" he asked pleasantly, as if daring her. "Cat got your tongue?"
Kokoro blinked. She was also confused as to what to ask. Was this hairclipped new? But the smell was just like her hair. Had Ruggie kept it all this time? She wondered why. He wouldn't need it anyway.
A grunt came from in front of them. "Enough with teasing her. Ruggie, go make dinner. I'm starving."
"Eeh, you barely ate two hours ago," he let out a bored exhale.
"Did I stutter?"
"Haah, between this visit's budget and your daily food budget, Leona-san, I think the latter is more wasteful." Ruggie got up and stretched. "Kokoro, what do you want, salmon or steak?"
She processed that question a bit slower. The sun outside the dorm also showed signs of setting soon. "I'm going to Octavinelle."
"Why are you going there?" Ruggie raised an eyebrow, his voice lowering without losing his laid-back nature.
"Of course to monitor the preparations being made by the other dorms."
“Just stay for dinner. You’re still waiting for Leona’s signature, right?” He nudged where the Dorm Head lay. The Lion yawned loudly as he scratched his chest through his shirt. “Who knows, maybe he’ll finally be in the mood to do it. Isn’t it a waste of energy going back and forth between dorms?”
That’s true. That’s also why she confiscated the Headmaster’s card.
Kokoro glanced at Jack briefly, hoping he would explain. “But, I plan to go outside Savanaclaw with Jack. And he also wants to take me to Octavinelle.”
“I’m in no rush. Just do whatever you want,” Jack told her, sratching the back of his neck. “It’s not like I’m worried you won’t have time to eat or anything.”
Ruggie grin come back quickly as if mocking her. “Hear it yourself, right? Be a good girl and wait here.” He then turned to Jack. “Jack, help me prepare the plate. I’m planning on a simple grilled meat for us. Let’s get it done fast.”
“Ossh. Understood, Senpai.” The underclassmen stood up and followed their seniors out—clearly tempted and wanting the dinner.
Kokoro was still stunned by this. Beside her, her laptop was still on, displaying the budget table she was just about to compile.
Why am I getting stuck more and more?
Sighing, Kokoro decided to do what she could. Her hands danced across the keyboard. The longer it went on, the colder the rock beneath her felt. Moreover, Kokoro wasn’t wearing any pants or a skirt—just Ruggie’s yellow dorm shirt, which was too big for her.
She tried to pull the shirt down again to cover her knees.
“I should start calculating the expenses from this link that Leona sent. Also, maybe I can start first with the one below?”
“Herbivore, c’mere,” the order made her raise her gaze.
The girl stood up, waiting for another word.
"Sit there," he ordered for the second time between his big yawns, showing his two fangs. Leona's tail curled to a spot in front of him. "I've told the others downside to send photos of all the shipping receipts."
Kokoro didn't waste the opportunity. She grabbed her laptop and jogged to the raised central bed. The mattress was warm and comfortable. Beside her, Leona still sprawled lazily, Eyes back to the report given to him.
Just as Leona had said, a series of photos of the receipts had been sent from his number, compiled into an album. Kokoro downloaded the photos onto her laptop, quickly reading the descriptions of each receipt. There were dozens of them.
Savanaclaw surely works faster when it is by his order.
From the reflection of her laptop, which was in the dim light, Kokoro could see Leona's figure.
What a befitting King, huh.
In the midst of her reverie, Kokoro's breath hitched as her body swayed to the side. The back of her head collided with Leona's chest. She just realized her waist was being pulled—no, more like dragged. Her head throbbed slightly from the jerk, but the perpetrator didn't even flinch.
Now I know how much it hurts when someone is rushed to the ER for a hair clip accident.
Maybe after this, she really should change into a scrunchie like Cater said. Some of the ribbons she had were also missing, so she hadn't had time to buy any more.
Kokoro felt something move on her cheek as Leona sniffed her carefully before pulling away. Thought with that still close proximity—his forest green eyes were very clear.
"Haa, knew it.” His voice was lashed with discontent. “You reek of that Diamond guy."
Kokoro looked at her uniform drying on the balcony. "Maybe because I use his sunscreen?"
He looked in the same direction, as if contemplating something. "Yer not a kid. Don't mindlessly accept things from others. There's a price you have to pay for that."
Kokoro raised an eyebrow.
Didn't you just give me a uniform? So what price do I have to pay?
The duality of those at Night Raven College is truly outstanding.
Kokoro then remembered something.
Oh, I have that to pay him.
Her hand reached out to grab her bag scattered on the bed. When she reached for it, Leona's tail was still around her waist.Kokoro managed to get what she wanted. She carefully pulled it out of the bag so as not to crush it and presented it to Leona with both hands.
Leona's nose twitched slightly.
"What is this?"
In his hand was a deluxe minced meat cutlet sandwich that was no longer warm. Kokoro was thankful she hadn't forgotten it, because this was the only plan that prevented Leona from biting her neck if her arrival, in fact, brought her one step closer to death by making him angry.
"A bribe obviously."
"Haa, practical," he bemused. Leona ripped open the package and took a large bite.
Kokoro observed him for a moment. She set the laptop back on her lap while Leona's hands returned to flipping through the reports. His magical pen twirled between his fingers, and finally, one of the paper in Kokoro's clipboard was signed by him.
She was very lucky.
Kokoro dipped her head a little. "Thank you for your cooperation."
Leona's ears flicked briefly.
His tail moved again. First, it brushed against her face. The fur at the end tickled her face, making Kokoro close her eyes. Then, it rested around her neck and wrapped around her.
The lion beastman didn't respond with anything, only a grunt.
"He's definitely in a bad mood today. I hope he won't actually strangle me." Kokoro tilted her head, but she decided to save her comment. There was no sound in the corridor, indicating that Ruggie and Jack hadn't finished preparing dinner yet. On the other hand, the day was fast approaching nightfall.
Oh.
Kokoro looked up at the sky, which was slowly becoming the color of the deepest ocean.
"Now that I think about it, what about Floyd?"