𝓣𝔀𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓦𝓸𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓵𝓪𝓷𝓭 || Shattered Glass

《 0 - 5 》

《 Afternoon 》

"We've been cleaning for the whole day. I'm so tired...and we still have to clean 100 windows after this" Grim groaned as he laid down on the wooden cafeteria table. "Well...The headmaster never said we had to clean 100 windows each so I think we can finish it within a few hours...?" I say haphazardly as I munch on my snack.

"You're saying that as if we have no choice."

"That's because we have no choice."

"Anyway, that Ace guy is late. He has some guts making me wait!" Grim huffs as he sat on the table grumpily. The two of us sat here, waiting for Ace...

Seconds pass by...
Then minutes...
Then-

"There's no way he's this late!? Don't tell me he ditched us!" Grim exclaims, upset. "Oh for fucks sake!" I groan. "I can't forgive him for leaving the punishment for us! Let's go, Azuma! Let's catch Ace and make 'im wipe those windows!" Grim stated. "Yeah, yeah...I get it!" I said, hoping this day will be over soon.

'New Quest Acquired: Search for Ace'

"Hey! What are you doing just standing there!? Let's go!"
"I'm coming!!!"

Grim busts into a classroom, "Where are you Ace!? You won't be able to leave after hiding around, ya know! Wait..." He looks around, "There's no one here anymore!?"

"No, I'm here." A voice stated.

"FUGYAAAAAAA!!! THE PORTRAIT TALKED!!!" Grim shrieks, latching onto me. "What the-!?" I jump in surprise. "So what? It's normal to see a talking painting in this school. Even that lady over there on the wall and that gentleman over there on the wall, everyone can talk. Portraits have mouths so to be able to talk, it's normal." the Portrait stated.

"I keep forgetting this is a magic school...I've only seen talking paintings in movies but seeing one in real life is unbelievable." I sigh. "Your normal" and my "normal" are different. We must respect one another's individuality, am I right?"

'Now I'm just getting confused...'

"Are you guys looking for someone?" The portrait asks, getting us back on topic. "We're lookin' for a guy called Ace. He has a heart on his face and fiery hair." Grim stated. The portrait pauses, "Ah, I know him. He's one of the new freshmen who came in today, right? It seemed like he went back to his dorm a while ago."

"Motherfucker, he ditched us...!" I muttered. "Where is his dorm?" Grim asked, pissed. "The Hall of Mirrors are far back in the East School building." "Thank you!"

I quickly grabbed Grim into my arms and ran to the east building "Oi! I know we're in a hurry but put me down!!!" Grim whines. We were able to arrive at the Hall of Mirrors just in time before Ace could get out of our sight. "HEEEEEEEEYYYYYY!!!!!" Grim calls out to him as I catch my breath. "Ack! They found me!!" Ace exclaimed.

"You jerk! Stop right there! I'm not letting you be the only one getting outta this!" Grim chases after him. "I don't really have the time to wait. See ya!" Ace runs off...again. Grim starts grumbling but goes after him. My eyes dart around the room to find something that could possibly slow him down. "Hey Spade Guy! Mind doing us a favor and help us catch that guy?" I call out to the blue-haired guy who was nearby. "With magic!? Um..." He places a hand on his chin muttering on what should he do.

"Anything's fine! Just do it!" I cried out. "Anything!? Anything...any— HERE! Anything's fine so summon something heavy!" Is a spur of the moment, Deuce summons a...cauldron?

"Guwah!? What the hell is this!? A cauldron!?" Ace grunts as he is stuck on the floor thanks to the cauldron. "Kyahahahaha! Take a look at this Azuma!" Grim exclaims as I burst out laughing. "I didn't think I would summon a cauldron... Maybe I went a bit too far...?" Spade mutters as he makes the cauldron vanish. "Ouch... I get it, I get it but can't you guys clean 100 windows in a flash, without me?" Ace winced.

"LOL NOPE! If me and Grim had to clean 100 windows, we would each clean 50 windows. But if you helped us, we would be done in no time! Plus, I highly doubt that you can escape." I stated. "You have to clean 100 windows as punishment...? What did you guys even do?" Spade-kun asked. "I was playing around the furball over there, this morning and the statue of the Queen of Hearts got a little bit burnt." Ace explained. "It was actually more than a little bit." I corrected.

"You damaged one of the statues of the Great Seven!? No wonder you guys got scolded for it! You finally got into a prestigious school, yet what are you doing on your first day..." Spade-kun sighed. "Shut up..." Ace clicked his tongue. "By the way, who are you?"

"I'm Deuce, Deuce Spade. Why don't you try to remember your classmates' faces— Erm...?" Deuce paused. "You don't even remember mine as well!" Ace exclaimed. I let out a giggle, "Anyway...Thanks Deuce for helping us catch Mr. Abandoning-his-Chores." "My name's Ace!" "Putting that aside! If it's an order from the headmaster, you should take it seriously." Deuce said with a sigh.

I couldn't help but feel like there was something amiss...I have a bad feeling but I don't know what it is so- Wait. "Where's Grim...!?" I cry out. "Oh shit...!" Ace muttered. We all headed to a nearby window to see him running off in Main Street. "That guy...he used me as a decoy, huh!? Oi! Um..Juice?" Ace said. "Wha—! My name's not Juice! It's Deuce!" Deuce retorted.

"You have some responsibility for this so you better help us catch him!" Ace stated. "Why me!?" Deuce staggered back. "Shorty over there can't use magic so he can't do much!" He pointed to me. "Who cares about that? Let's go! Also my name's A-ZU-MA!" I cried out as I ran to catch up to them.