INTO THE FIRE ● TWST

CHAPTER FIVE: I WANT TO GO HOME

"I SUMMON THEE....SOMETHING HEAVY?!"

SPARKLES FLOAT IN THE AIR AS A SHAPE forms from out of them.

Said mystery object hangs in the air momentarily before plummeting down to earth with a THUD- right on top of Ace. The dust settled and the sparkles disappeared, leaving behind Ace on the top, trapped underneath-

"A cauldron?! What the hell?!"

A cauldron. The blue-haired boy had summoned a fucking cauldron to stop Ace, and if it weren't for your (non-existent) moral code, you would've laughed in his face.

Who are you kidding? You sauntered towards Ace, a smug look on your face as you leaned down at him, mock sympathy coating your features. "Are you okay? Guess you stirred up some trouble." You giggle to yourself, watching Ace's face as he struggles to remove himself from the cauldron. "Ha! You look like a flat pancake under there!" Grim cackles, wiping tears as he takes in the scene.

"A cauldron? I...wasn't expecting that.. Did I overdo it?" The newcomer murmured to himself, scratching his neck. You grin at the boy, "No way- that was perfect. I owe you one!" He goes silent for a moment, before abruptly slapping a hand to his mouth- you could see the tips of his ears were tinged red, and a small smile was peeking through his hand. Cute.

"Ughhh-" It seemed as though Ace was successful at freeing himself, "Why're you guys so mad anyways? You could have just banged out the hundred windows yourself?" Bro.

"Are you on something? There's no banging out a hundred windows and- this is your fault? You were the one who got in trouble with the Headmage- not me." You rebuke, scowling at him.

"Wait- you have to wash a hundred windows as punishment? What did you even do- it's the first day?" The boy butts in; curious as to how you, a cute girl, and Ace, a fucking loser, managed to get into trouble- with the Headmage no less.

"I was just having fun with the furball.." Ace responds casually, with no hint of guilt, "And the Queen of Hearts' statue may have gotten a bit charred- no biggie."

"No biggie?! The statue looks like it's been deep fried in charcoal- and you roped me into it." You retort, shocked at Ace's carefree response. But because Ace is mature and responsible- he holds his tongue- opting to stick his tongue out at you and roll his eyes. You feel your eye twitch.

"You defaced a statue of the Great Seven? You get into a prestigious school like this- and pull that shit on the first day?! You're lucky you're not expelled- isn't that a crime?" You could kiss the boy- finally, someone was speaking sense.

"Man, piss off would ya?" Ace scowls, before facing the blue-haired boy- "Who even are you?"

You see his face contort into confusion, before spluttering out, "I'm Deuce. Deuce Spade? I'm literally in your class...Uh.." Embarrassing... Deuce stops, silence overtaking the room, Deuce eyeing Ace, his eyes narrowed in concentration.

"Hypocrite- you don't know mine either." Ace seemed to have caught on, folding his arms and cocking his head.

"T-That's not the point!" Deuce faltered, coughing into his fist, "The point is- you defied direct orders from the Headmage! That has serious consequences!" Once more, Ace rolls his eyes, before begrudgingly agreeing, "Fine.. fine.. let's get it over and done with."

There was a lull in the conversation for a second, and you used that opportunity to introduce yourself. "Nice to meet you, Deuce Spade. I'm Yuu!" You smile brightly, causing the poor boy to flush red, before ducking his head in his arms. "Yeah..you too."