𝓣𝔀𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓦𝓸𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓵𝓪𝓷𝓭 || Shattered Glass

《 3 - 6 》

I was so indecisive on whether or not Azuma should have their voice stolen...ended up sticking to canon because although the alt idea was fun, it just felt somewhat cheesy (to me)

Ik I said I'm not gonna give out excuses for the slow updates anymore but this time I just really wanted to finish editing the entire prologue section cause it was a mess (I finished it now, so I will most likely finish this arc before editing Heartslabyul hehe)

Okay now onto the story!!

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Before 9, I headed straight to Nekurai-Paisen's room. Of course, knocking on the door and waiting for almost a fucking hour (actually just 15-20 mins) until Ortho opened the door for me.

"Oh! Hello Azuma Furuto-San!"
"Hey Ortho. Is Nekurai-Paisen busy or...?"

Ortho looked over his shoulder to check, "Yeah he is, sorry." he frowned (from what I can tell). "Do you need something?"

"Yeah. I'm just wondering if you have some sort of mini-voice recorder or something." I asked. "Hm? What for?" Ortho tilts his head in confusion. "I don't know how to explain it other than it's to keep me safe." I said. "Oh I see! I'll be right back."

After a few minutes Ortho hands me a voice recorder small enough to fit in my blazer pocket. "Thanks. I promise I'll pay you guys back...somehow." I mutter. "Bye-bye!" "Bye."

[ Ramshackle Dorm : Lounge ]

When Jack came to pick me up, he looked at me in confusion the moment he saw me. "I thought you said you had to get something important?" He said. "It's important to look professional in front of someone of a higher power. That's why I decided to dress up." I say as I (attempt) to flip my hair.

"But you're just wearing the school uniform..." Jack stated. "I don't have fancy business clothes like they do, give me a break! I'm broke!" I exclaim as I tried to tie my necktie but ended up just messing it up. "Ugh!!!" I groan in frustration. "Let me do it." Jack walks up to me and bends down to tie it for me.

To be honest...the height difference between us is funny, despite the fact we're in the same year...Actually, he might be 2 years older than me but I dunno.

By the time he finishes he gets up and checks his phone, "It's almost 9." "Great! Let's go!"

[ Mostro Lounge ]

You know...taking a better look at the lounge without the horde of students reminds me of that one time my Mom brought me to a fancy café for no reason, just someplace to eat and chill...

Wait, why did I remember that just now?

"We're in enemy territory. Don't let your guard down." Jack reminded. "I know, I know." I reply. "Ah~! Tako-chi!  Welcome, welcome! I see you've got Sea Urchin as a plus one." Floyd greeted us with a smile. "I told you, I'm not a sea urchin!" Jack growled in annoyance. "Oh my...Thank you for coming so soon. Welcome to Mostro Lounge." Jade welcomed us with a polite smile. "This is your first time visiting us, correct?"

"I've been thinking about it since this afternoon but...do you enjoy asking questions you know the answer to?" Jack asked with a glare. "Fufu, I just want to be sure." Jade then explains all the rules and how Mostro Lounge works...as if we weren't here for a serious issue and not a 'relaxing time'.

"Then dear guests, how may I assist you?" Jade asks. "I'd like to speak to your boss." I show him the business card that Azul gave me before. "Ah, I see. Fufufu...Our boss is currently attending to another patron. Could I ask you to wait until he's done? Oh, before I forget. We require you to order at least one drink." Jade calls a sea anemone to take our order.

AND IT TURNS OUT TO BE ACE AND DEUCE OH MY GREAT SEVEN-

I couldn't hold my laughter no matter how much I try....that was until they were getting tortured by their anemones. 

"H-Hey...I think that's going too far!" My voice was still shaky as I haven't fully recovered from my laughing fit. "Oh my, dear customer. As I explained earlier, You must understand that we have our rules and everyone must follow them." Jade explained. "Anyone who doesn't listen is free game for squeezing~!" Floyd added excitedly. 

Jack clicks his tongue, "We're saying that seeing you pick on the newbies leaves a bad taste in our mouths."

"Then...are you gonna help us out in their place?" Floyd asked with a hum. "Oh yes! That's a good idea! You two should help us out as temps." Ace's face lights up. "You're not even thinking about our consent..." I turn to him with a deadpan stare. "I have no idea whatcha talking about." He tries to deny it but I can clearly see the bead of sweat on his face.

"It's not like we mind, as long as they take the work seriously." Jade stated. "It'd be bad if you guys got kicked out, right?" "It's really bad for us! Grim is being used as a dish sponge, soaked in bubbles, at the back. Please help us!" Deuce and Ace pleaded.

"Tch...Fine. I wanna get this over with so I can go back to my room and sleep." Jack stated. "9 is waaaay too early to go to bed." I said. "I am usually in bed by 10." He corrected himself. "I take back what I said. I sleep at the same time too." I say with a smile, sleep is nice after all. "You two are such goody-two-shoes." Ace muttered. 

"So Tako-chi and Urchin are going to help out, right~?" Floyd hummed. "Oh yeah yeah! Azuma and Jack can work as temps! No one disagrees, right?" Ace said proudly without thinking of our consent. "Yeah, yeah, whatever...more child labor I guess." I groan before I felt a heavy weight fall into my arms. "The fu-!?" "Take these to table three." 

I look at the tray of glasses in my arms and look up back at him confused. He places his hands on my shoulders and pushes me 'lightly' to the table, "Don't keep the customers waiting~!!!" "Don't push me! I'm gonna drop them!" "No, you won't~!"