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When Yuumi was summoned to the Headmage’s office, they were expecting a lot of things: odd jobs, more work being shoved down their throat cause Crowley is a lazy bum, more unpaid therapist treatment, being in trouble, Grim being in trouble, Ramshackle accommodations, a flicker of hope that Crowley had made progress on how to get home.
But of all things, this was the last thing they were expecting.
…
“You want me to do what?” Yuumi raised a brow, wondering if they had heard the assignment correctly.
“I want you to create a video about mental health,” Crowley repeated what he told them earlier.
“...Why??” Yuumi asked, genuinely curious about the odd task.
“Well, due to the many recent overblots. I figured what the students of Night Raven need is a long, thoughtful chat about being aware of someone's mental health,” Crowley explained.
“Then hire an actual therapist—” Crowley cut them off. “And I also figured that our esteemed Ramshackle Prefect would be the perfect person for the job. You are very creative, and the students are more likely to listen to you than some freak- I mean, stranger on the internet."
“Why not the housewardens?” Yuumi questioned the headmage. “I have thought of them, yes, but they already have much on their plate—and the fact that the majority of them were the ones who overblotted— it would be cruel to ask this of them.” “—Half of their workload was meant to be yours—” “My, how thoughtful and considerate of me~ don’t you think?”
“Now Yuu, what do you say?” Crowley leaned forward, his chin resting on his hands.
Yuumi was about to deny the offer. But then a certain lyric popped into their mind, a single line that made Yuumi actually consider the proposal.
“You know what, fine, I’ll make your mental health video,” Yuumi said. “Wonderful—”
“But!” Yuumi interrupted the Headmage. “I get full creative control over this!” they demanded, even though they knew full well that they were gonna have it anyway, but it was better to ensure it.
“Of course! It would be heartless of me to restrain you; I am aware of your creative prowess.” Crowley readily agreed, not realizing the world of suffering that would follow due to Yuumi’s plans.
Yuumi was gonna make him regret this tenfold.
…
All the students of Night Raven gathered in the school’s theater room.
Riddle sat amongst the other Housewardens, irritatingly tapping his arm because of the Headmage’s (common) delay in appearance.
Headmage Crowley had announced over the intercom that all students were to gather here for a mental health assembly and that attendance was mandatory. Riddle was honestly impressed when he heard this, but then he heard from his two trouble-making first-years—Ace and Deuce— that Yuu was the one who actually made the video.
Cater sat on his left, while on Riddle’s right —usually reserved for Trey— was occupied by Leona. Who sat there lazily, with one arm propped up to carry his tired head. Jack sat next to him to make sure he stayed awake. But that made Riddle wonder where Ruggie went.
As well as Trey, Trey wasn’t the type of person to purposefully skip a mandatory assembly.
Riddle scanned the room. He noticed that the Ramshackle Prefect was nowhere to be seen, and so was Grim. The Leech twins sat behind them, missing their third half. Fortunately, Floyd decided to pester the other people around him and not Riddle (he prays he didn’t jinx it).
Jamil sat alone, with no Kalim in sight. In Riddle’s eyes, Jamil looked very worried, but was trying to hide it behind a facade.
Vil and Rook sat next to each other, as per usual, but they were missing their lilac-haired first-year. Idia sat alone with no Ortho, curled up in his seat so he wouldn’t have to talk to anyone.
The Diasomnia group was gathered together. Malleus was talking to Silver and Lilia. But Riddle noticed they were missing a certain boisterous retainer in their group.
Soon, the Headmage appeared in a puff of smoke, gaining everyone's attention. He first greeted everyone, then went on a spiel about Mental Health as if he knew their problems (he didn’t, but Yuu did).
“Now, I present to you all, a video created by our Dear Ramshackle Prefect,” Crowley announced, moving away to take a seat next to the rest of the staff.
All of their attention was now on the big screen, which turned on as the lights in the room dimmed.
...
The screen showed an unknown person walking up the stairs to the door. They pushed the door open to reveal the rooftop of Night Raven as Yuumi walked into view.
“Just as I was about to take off my shoes, up on the rooftop, there I see.”
Yuumi knelt down, preparing to remove their shoes. But stopped when they noticed someone with short green hair in a Night Raven uniform standing against the rooftop railing.
“A student with short green hair before me.”
...
Riddle’s eyes widened when he saw his friend appear on screen. He wasn’t aware that Trey played a part in the creation of this video.
It appeared that Riddle wasn’t the only one surprised, as many heads perked up at the sight.
“What are they doing up there…” Riddle muttered to himself.
...
“Despite myself, I go and scream—”
“Hey, don’t do it, please.”
The scene showed Yuumi grabbing onto Trey’s wrist before shifting to the blue sky, as the title card appeared on screen: <My R>.
(Brought to yuu by: BlameCrowley.Productions)
...
The audience would have laughed after seeing the production name Yuu had chosen, if it weren’t for the dark implications shown in the video.
Riddle’s chest felt heavy; he didn’t like where this was going.
He didn’t like seeing his friend in this state.
He didn’t like seeing them up there.
He didn’t like what the video was implying.
...
“Whoa— wait a minute, what did I just say?”
Yuumi let go of Trey’s wrist, cupping their mouth in their hand.
“I couldn’t care less either way.”
...
“Excuse me?” Riddle could hear himself saying.
Yuu didn’t care? The ever-so helpful Yuu, who helped them trudge through his and the rest of the overblotters' problems, didn’t care about his childhood friend.
Why? Because Trey didn’t overblot? How ridiculous is that!
Riddle felt Cater’s hand on his arm, holding him down before he could burst. But Riddle could see a similar disturbed look on Cater’s face.
...
“To be honest, I was somewhat pissed.”
Yuumi looked away, their face appeared visibly annoyed. Their hand was balled up in a fist.
“This was an opportunity missed.”
…
Oh.
Riddle stiffened; he reacted too quickly.
He didn’t know; he didn’t think Yuu planned to as well.
Cater gripped his arm even tighter; Riddle allowed him as they shared the same concern.
Everyone fell in unnerving silence, eyes fixated on the screen. Even Leona was paying attention, a man who'd usually be fast asleep by now, was staring at the screen with his eyebrows furrowed.
Yuu. The ever–so helpful Yuu…
…
“The boy with short green hair told me his woes.”
Trey turned away from Yuu. He stared into the distance, clutching the railing. Trey explained his story with a solemn smile.
“You probably heard it all before—”
The scene changed to a memory of Trey’s, a younger version of him and Riddle playing outside with Che’nya. Trey’s focus was mainly on Riddle, who played with joy as a huge smile was plastered all over his face.
“I really thought that he might be the one.”
The scene then changed to Riddle in his Heartslabyul warden outfit, looking the opposite with his staff in hand and a powerful stance. Trey’s hand appeared, trying to reach out to Riddle, but Riddle walked away. Leaving Trey alone, in an empty white room, looking hurt.
“But then he told me, he was done.”
…
Riddle's breath hitched.
He was the reason Trey was up there, up on the rooftop, prepared to do the unthinkable.
What’s worse: Riddle completely understood why.
He was a monster, a tyrant, as most would call him. He put Trey through so much as his secretary. Riddle pushed him away, burying himself in paperwork and cruelty. Enforcing and punishing students as he saw fit.
And Trey didn’t do anything to stop him.
Riddle didn’t know why he didn’t, but he wished he did.
Cater held him close, not saying anything. Riddle leaned into Cater’s embrace. He felt ashamed of himself. He didn’t deserve someone like Trey, and Trey didn’t deserve someone like him.
…
“FOR SEVEN’S, SAKES PLEASE! Are you serious? I just can’t believe that for some stupid reason you got here before me!?”
Yuumi spun Trey around, stabbing their finger into his chest. Trey flinched at Yuumi’s outburst, he looked away in shame.
…
Yuu’s sudden burst made everyone flinch.
Yuu never truly raised their voice, never in an argument, never in childish banter, never in a scolding. In all their time with Yuu, not once had they ever raised their voice.
Riddle looked on with hope. He hoped Yuu would dissuade Trey off the rooftop and back into Heartslabyul.
…
“Are you upset that you can’t have what you wanted?”
Trey’s widened eyes stared back at Yuumi, who stared back at him with teary eyes and great annoyance. A scene played of a young Riddle being forcibly taken away by his mother, but then it changed to Riddle being back in Trey’s arms.
“You're lucky that you’ve never gotten robbed of anything!”
A child’s drawing fell into view, four kid-like drawings of people appeared on the paper, each being labeled as: “Me, Mommy, Daddy, and Kuya.”
But the faces of “Mommy”, “Daddy”, and “Kuya” were blurred by droplets of tears. Leaving the face of “Me” untouched and unblurred.
…
Riddle postured slightly untensed. Seeing the scene recalled bad memories, but seeing Trey hold him so caringly brought back better ones.
But then seeing the scene afterwards made him stiffen once more.
Crewel hands gripped the seat handles, as a wave of protectiveness washed over him. He was angry at Crowley, that pup has been here for so long that they are starting to forget what their own flesh and blood looked like.
Crowley had made no progress in getting Yuu home, and now he had to look at what his actions had done to this child through a damn video.
…
Trey sighed with a smile on his face. He wiped away the tears under his glasses and ruffled Yuumi’s hair.
“I’m feeling better, thank you for listening.”
“The boy with short green hair then disappeared.”
Trey walked away from the rooftop, leaving Yuumi alone. The entity looked back over the edge before leaving right after Trey.
…
Riddle felt relief wash over him as soon as Trey walked away from the ledge.
But the video wasn’t done. Yuu stood on the rooftop once more, making their fellow first years in the audience freeze.
…
“Alright, today’s the day, or so I thought. Just as I took both of my shoes off.”
Yuumi appeared back on the roof, shoes already off. They stopped in their tracks once they saw somebody sitting too close to the edge.
…
“No, it isn’t,” Ace hissed under his breath. “It is not the day, nor will there ever be a day.”
“Think about Grim, he’ll be devastated with you gone,” Deuce mumbled, already feeling the tears fill his eyes.
…
“There was a boy, short as can be. Despite myself, I go and scream.”
Yuumi walked over to the boy, tapping his shoulder to reveal the face of Epel. His eyes were red with tear markings already running down his face.
…
“Not you too, Epel.” Jack winced after seeing his friend up on the rooftop.
Leona and Vil’s heads perk up, seeing the distraught face of their underclassmen. Both cared for the younger boy as they were his club leader and Housewarden, respectively.
Neither wanted to see him in that state.
Like Riddle didn’t want to see with Trey.
…
“The petite boy told me his woes.”
Epel wiped the tears from his eyes, clutching the bars as he explained his story with anger.
“You probably heard it all before. Everyone ignores me, everyone steals.”
The scene showed Epel, sitting at the vanity desk, staring at himself in the Pomfiore uniform, looking visibly uncomfortable. Then the scene changed to Epel being shoved onto the ground, some Pomfiore students looking at him with disgust and jealousy, while some SavannaClaw students mocked him for his “girly” looks. Epel’s eyes filled with tears as he glared at him with hatred.
“I don’t fit in with anyone here.”
…
What people don’t tell others is that both Vil and Leona view Epel like their son(+ Jack, because that’s practically their dynamic now). So after seeing that scene, it had placed a target on many people’s backs.
Vil gritted his teeth. “I believe I’m going to have a long talk with those spudlings as soon as this is over.” He said, referring to the bullies on the screen.
Rook, who moments ago was praising the video— and its usage of a French word— showed an uncharacteristic frown; he should’ve paid better attention to the people around Epel. Epel wouldn’t have gone through any of that if he had been just watching more closely.
Leona glared at the screen, glared at the people bullying the first year. Leona knows what he’s gonna do after this stupid assembly is over.
Jack looked on with worry. He made a promise to himself that he would be there for both of them, like Yuu was to him and Epel.
…
“FOR SEVEN’S SAKE, PLEASE! Are you serious? I just can’t believe that for some stupid reason you got here before me!?”
Yuumi grabbed Epel by his shoulders and shoved him away from the ledge and onto the ground. Epel was going to argue back, but Yuumi interrupted him.
“Cause even so, you’re still loved by everyone at home!”
The scene shifted to Epel at the dinner table with his family back at Harveston. He was greeted by his family’s smiling faces with steaming hot food at the dinner table. Epel shared the same smiley look, staring down at the feast his family had made him.
“There’s always dinner waiting at the table, you know.”
It quickly shifted to Ramshackle’s dinner table. It was dull and lifeless, with Yuumi sitting at the table staring down at their plate. It was barely enough to fulfill their needs, but Yuumi didn’t eat it. Instead, they shoved their food away and walked out of the scene. Leaving Grim alone with their plate of food.
“I’m hungry…”
“The boy, he shed a tear. The boy, short as can be, then disappeared.”
Epel got up and ran to hug Yuumi before turning around to leave the rooftop. Yuumi followed soon after.
…
Grateful as Leona and Vil were to see Epel walk away from the rooftop. Their stomach dropped —alongside everyone else— the moment it shifted towards Yuu and the dull dining room.
“Dangit, Yuu, why didn’t you tell us!” Ace muttered furiously, he’s seeing his friend suffer right before his very eyes, and he couldn’t do anything about it because he was stuck in the theatre room!
Deuce shared the same sentiment; he was absolutely worried about Yuu! He felt like an awful friend for not realizing his friend's suffering sooner.
Jamil stared at the screen. Jamil wouldn’t admit it out loud, but having Yuu around was like having another sister. So seeing Yuu treating themself like this hurt him. Yuu would have dinner with him and Kalim from time to time, and for certain periods of that time, Yuu would disappear and reappear to continue eating their food.
Jamil knew it was off, but didn’t do much about it. He wishes he’d done something sooner.
…
“And like that, there was someone every day.”
Yuumi met Ruggie on the rooftop. He was kicking the ground as if it had personally offended him.
…
Leona was shocked to see Ruggie in the video. As far as he knew, Ruggie hadn’t displayed emotions that he wouldn’t even connect to being hurt or depressed.
He should check up on him once this is over, along with Epel.
…
“I listen to their tale.”
Yuumi stood next to Sebek, who was practically screaming his troubles to the world.
…
Lilia covered his mouth in shock. He couldn’t believe Sebek had thought about doing the unthinkable before.
Malleus glared at the screen. Who would dare hurt his retainer so badly that he felt the need to be up on the rooftop?
Silver was disappointed in himself. They had trained together, eaten together, and protected Malleus together. Yet after all those times together, he couldn't see that his friend was hurting.
…
“I made them turn away…”
Azul was shown crying into Yuumi’s arms, all while Yuumi stroked his head.
…
The tweel’s flinched seeing Azul on the same rooftop that others were on.
When they became friends with Azul, they swore to ward off any jerks that came his way. But seeing their dear friend up there made them believe that they weren’t doing a good job.
And they were determined to do better.
…
Yuumi waved Ortho goodbye with a smile on their face. The moment Ortho left, their smile vanished as the scene shifted. What now appeared was Yuumi, alone inside Ramshackle.
They lacked their uniform top, revealing dark scars that trailed all over their torso, with one garish wound on their left side. All from past events, all from the seven overblots.
“And yet there was no one who would do this for me, no way I could…”
Yuumi lifted their head, revealing more scars and an exhausted face,
“Let out all this pain~.”
…
Idia stared in horror at the screen. While Ortho’s scene wasn’t as obvious as the others were, the implications were still there. He lost Ortho once; he can't lose him again. “I promise I’ll be a better big brother…” Idia silently promised himself.
The rest of the audience watched on, reeling backwards the moment Yuu's scars were shown.
The exact scars that were made by them: the overblotters.
Riddle's brow furrowed.
Leona’s ears drooped.
(I can’t do Azul’s cause he’s not fucking there)
Jamil winced.
Vil covered his mouth.
Idia looked away.
Malleus shamefully looked down.
At that point, Crewel was livid. That pup has gone through so much and has yet to be given a lick of information on a way home.
No one liked seeing their loved ones like this. No one liked see Yuu like this, their strong, reliable, brave Ramshackle Prefect, looking so vulnerable on screen.
…
“For the very first time, there I see.”
Yuumi looked up to see a boy dangling on top of the rooftop railing.
“Someone with the same pains as me.”
Yuumi approached the boy.
“Having done this time and time again.”
Apparitions of Trey and Epel were flashed in the boy's position.
“He wore a cream-white cardigan.”
The boy was Kalim.
…
Everyone was stunned upon seeing their resident sunshine sitting over the rooftop railing. Out of everyone, Kalim was the least expected person to be seen on the rooftop.
Jamil knew better. Jamil knew that Kalim’s life wasn’t as glamorous as others took it to be. Kalim wasn’t always draped in jewels, hand-fed everything, and given everything he desired.
There were many instances where Jamil had to take arrows for him. Many times, he had to track down the heir, finding him in boxes all cut up and bruised, left bedridden due to poison.
And yet, Kalim always had a big, bright smile on his face.
.
.
.
Yuu always had a smile on their face, too.
…
Kalim didn’t look back at Yuumi as he began explaining his story with a dead smile.
“I just want to stop the scars that grow every time that I go home.”
Scenes flashed, from Kalim coughing up blood to Kalim returning home from being beaten and bruised. Then to a servant lying dead before due to another assassination, and then to his parents with loving, yet deceitful smiles.
Then it showed scenes from Jamil’s overblot. The heated confrontation, the fighting, and finally, Jamil lying on the ground, covered in blood and injuries, with Kalim hovering next to him with tears streaming from his eyes.
“That’s why I came up here instead.”
“That’s what the boy in the cardigan said.”
…
Jamil wanted to hide away from the screen; he didn’t want to relive that time again. Those memories were painful for both him and Kalim.
But he forced himself to continue watching.
…
“Wait a minute, what did I just say? I couldn’t care less either way.”
Yuumi recoiled at the words, a look of grimace on their face.
“But in the moment I just screamed, something that I did not believe.”
Yuumi grabbed onto Kalim’s sweater, which wasn’t as strong as with Trey, nor was it as gentle as Epel’s. It was a plea.
“Hey… don’t do… it please…”
Their voice was weak and shaky, not enough to reach Kalim’s heart.
Kalim turned to the anomaly with dead eyes and a missing smile.
…
“Yuu, please…” Jamil whispered a prayer.
It wasn’t about losing his head this time.
It was about losing someone he cared for.
…
Yuumi collapsed onto their trembling knees. They had yet to let go of Kalim’s cardigan, but they didn’t dare to look him in the eyes.
“Oh, what to do? I can’t stop this boy! Oh, this is new. For once, I think I’ve bitten off more than I can chew!”
Yuumi let out shaky breaths, their mouth quivered as words failed to come out.
…
Jamil stared in shock.
Yuu didn’t have words for Kalim.
They had convinced Trey, Epel, Ruggie, Sebek, and Azul not to jump.
Why couldn’t they convince Kalim?
“Yuu, please…” Jamil prayed once more, anything to keep Kalim on the ground.
…
Yuumi’s hand fell off the cardigan; they were begging now.
“But even so, please just go away so I can’t see!!”
The camera panned to Kalim’s empty eyes.
“Your pitiful expression is just too much for me!”
…
Those were not the words Jamil was looking for.
He didn’t expect Yuu to tell Kalim to just get it over with.
But Yuu looked so tired and desperate.
Yuu didn't want to do this anymore, yet they pushed themself to do it anyway. They always listened whenever they complained, they always soothed their anger whenever something pissed them off, they were always there to help them with chores or in their time of need.
So why couldn’t they do the same for them?
…
Kalim’s feet landed next to Yuumi. He dropped his cardigan over Yuumi’s shoulders and walked away with a defeated smile.
“I guess today is just not my day…”
“He looked away from me, and then he disappeared.”
Kalim walked away. Leaving Yuumi alone on the rooftop.
…
The screen faded to black.
Jamil let out a breath of relief, seeing Kalim walk away from the ledge. But his mind didn’t leave the rooftop; it just drifted to another face. Yuu’s face.
They were left on the rooftop with Kalim’s sweater. What was going to happen to them now?
“Is it over?” Jack asked, really wanting the video to be over with.
It wasn’t over.
The screen regained color as soon as the words were spoken.
…
The door of the rooftop opened, revealing Yuumi once more, albeit, they were wearing Kalim’s sweater this time.
“Alright, today’s the day, I guess it’s time.”
…
Everybody flinched at the words the song sang.
“No…” Riddle gasped, covering his mouth after realizing that it wasn’t over yet.
“This cannot be #real,” Cater said, “Yuyu wouldn’t do this… would they?”
“Dammit, Herbivore…” Leona growled.
…
“It’s just me, myself, and I.”
Yuumi walked forward, stopping right in front of the railing.
…
“That can’t be! There has to be someone up there!!” Deuce gripped the chair as panic settled over him.
“Where the hell is everyone!?” Jack desperately looked around, as no one else appeared on screen.
…
“There’s nobody who can interfere, no one to get in my way here.”
Yuumi took off their shoes and dropped them against the ground right next to them.
…
“This is ridiculous. Someone has to be up there.” Vil snapped, growing desperate by the second.
“Monsieur Trickster…” Rook muttered breathlessly.
...
“Taking off my Cream-white cardigan.”
Yuumi removed Kalim’s sweater, allowing it to fall to the ground.
…
“If Starfishie isn’t gonna walk away from there, I’m gonna squeeze them.” Floyd threatened.
“That is the last thing they need, Floyd,” Jade told his brother.
…
“Watching my braids all come undone.”
Yuumi ripped out the bun they always wore, letting their hair flow through the wind.
…
Idia curled himself into a ball as much as he could. He didn’t want to see this; he didn’t want to watch the person who helped him so much disappear.
…
“This petite kid, short as can be.”
Yuumi took off her glasses and climbed up onto the roof’s railing.
…
“Yuu…” Jamil said their name as a plea, wanting them to save themself this time as there was no one else to save.
“If that pup isn’t going to get off, I’ll drag them off myself,” Crewel grunted, clenching the seat handles.
…
Yuumi spread their arms, allowing the wind to breeze around them.
“Is gonna jump now—“
They smiled.
“—and be free.”
The screen blinked, and Yuumi was gone.
…
“NOO!!” Ace jumped out of his seat. This couldn’t be the ending.
But the screen said otherwise. As the end credits rolled, everyone was left in stunned silence.
Ace didn’t hesitate. He ran out of the Theater room, followed by Jack and Deuce, and soon, a barrage of students and staff all ran out of the theater room. Desperate to see if their friends and loved ones were okay, that they were still on land. Even if their choice of words were a bit...
"Seven's dammit Yuu, you better be at Ramshackle!!"
"Kalim! Yuu! Where the fuck are you!? If you're not dead yet, then I'll be the one to personally kill you!!"
"Epel, the moment I find you were are going to have a LONG chat!"
"Trey, where in twisted wonderland are you!?"
"Just in what seven's name did you order that pup to make, CROWLEY!?"
Dire Crowley was soon left alone in the theater room, contemplating on whether or not it was a good idea to give Yuu creative freedom.
***
When Yuumi finished and uploaded the video. They knew very well that it wouldn’t be received… poorly by others(yeah, let’s go with that).
The victims they had managed to pull into the video were all downstairs in Ramshackle’s lounge, prepared to watch their performance down there.
Yuumi decided it was best to watch the video on their newly acquired phone with Grim inside their own room.
"Honestly, this was so fucking worth it." Yuumi admitted, showing an indifferent reaction unlike the rest after watching the video.
Hopefully, they got a crack out of everyone from the production name they chose, because they were about to witness their first unhappy ending.