𝒲𝒾𝓃𝓉ℯ𝓇 𝒲ℴ𝓃𝒹ℯ𝓇𝓁𝒶𝓃𝒹： 𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓌 ℴ𝒻 𝓉𝒽ℯ ℱ𝓇ℴ𝓏ℯ𝓃 ℋℯ𝒶𝓇𝓉

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑅𝑜𝑠𝑒－𝑅𝑒𝑑 𝑇𝑦𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡： 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 17

*
"Look, see the heat, Leaping on the scene"

**
Interior Hallway

As the group strolled through the academy corridors—Deuce checking his schedule, Ace complaining, and Grim suspiciously silent—Vanitas walked a bit closer to Y/n than necessary, occasionally brushing his hand against hers like it was purely accidental.

"Let's see, our next class is..." Deuce mumbled, flipping through his schedule as Ace, Y/n, Vanitas, and Grim walked together.

"This so-called magic academy feels a lot like a lame, ordinary school." Ace complained, placing his hands behind his head. "It's not exactly what I expected, but at least this collar won't be much of a problem after all. You with me on that, Grim? ...Hm?" he thought it was weird that the weasel was awfully silent.

Y/n blinked, head tilting slightly. "Hm? Where did that weasel go?"

Deuce gasped, spotting a blur of gray outside. "Oh! Look out the window! I just saw a ball of fur running across the yard!" he shouted.

*
Courtyard

"No way am I puttin' up with this boring routine day in and day out." Grim shouted, sprinting across the lawn. "I'm Grim, Sorcerer Prodigy, and I don't need no one to teach me how to blow stuff up!"

"The headmage is going to be furious..." Y/n softly muttered.

'Vanitas let out a groan of agreement, but his eyes were locked on Y/n's face.

"Boy, that guy is not a fast learner." Deuce sighed, shaking his head in disappointment.

"Not a good look to lose one of your only student on your first day as prefect. Want help catching him, princess?" Ace asked with a teasing grin.

Vanitas' eye twitched, his jaw locking tight. "..."

"Yes, thank you." Y/n blinked, mildly surprised but unbothered. "I happen to feel like you want something from me in return..."

"I do love the chocolate croissants at the co-op." Ace says, having a cheeky grin.

"I'd do it for an iced latter at the cafeteria." Deuce happily added.

Vanitas stared at them, stunned at their boldness, before his expression turned cold and murderous. And then—Ace leaned in. His hand pressed against the wall beside her face in a flirtatious kabedon. "Grim's getting away... Do we have a deal, or what?" Ace smirked teasingly.

Y/n's eyes widened briefly, her breath catching just a little, before she exhaled. "Done and done... I'm counting on you two." she softly says.

"Pleasure doing business." Ace grinned, Ace turned to Deuce triumphantly. "Now, Deuce, shall we clean up the mess made by the most airheaded prefect to ever set foot on campus?"

Vanitas' aura dropped several degrees, his expression darkening. "Excesez-moi...?" he whispered, his eyes burning holes into Ace's back.

"I can already taste that latte, Ace." Deuce smirked teasingly.

Ace and Deuce had already ran off to chase after Grim before Vanitas could even say another word.