Part of your World | Twisted Wonderland

♤ Chapter 15 ♤

   Not everyone seemed comfortable with Riddle's arrival. Not even Trey and Cater. The latter, moreover, tried to speak in a voice that was clearly not at ease.
   -Hey, Riddle! How are you, buddy? You're adorable, as always!
   -Hmph. Cater, keep saying that and you'll lose your head. Came right back at the red one.
   -Sorry, sorry! It's all my fault!

    Yuichi didn't move, preferring not to say anything. It was the best way to avoid offending the person and therefore avoid problems. But Grim didn't hold back.
   -You're the one who put a stupid collar on me! shouted the animal.
   The boy with the two-tone hair sighed slightly. He'd hoped the fur ball would shut up but apparently that was impossible. The red-haired prefect turned to the two Ramshackle students with an annoyed look on his face. Perhaps more by the presence of two abnormal students than by the words.
   -And you are the new students who were almost expelled yesterday. I would ask you not to refer to my signature plight as a 'stupid collar'. The headmaster's habit of tolerating rule-breakers like you will one day plunge the whole campus into chaos. Those who break the rules should be beheaded immediately, no exceptions. The headmaster may have forgiven us all, but if you break any more rules, I assure you I won't.

   Yuichi simply lowered his gaze a little. It was better not to argue about it.
   As for Ace, he drew Riddle's attention by addressing him.
    -So, er, listen, Prefect... Is there any chance I can get you to take that collar off?
   -I'd planned to take it off once you'd had time to think about your crimes. But I haven't detected the slightest hint of remorse in the nonsense I've heard you spout today. So I think I'll let you keep this for a while. he announced. Don't worry. The first years' curriculum is more about magical theory than practice. And your inability to use magic will help prevent incidents like those that happened yesterday.
   Then the red-haired man addressed the group as a whole
   -Now, if you've finished your meal, you should stop chatting and get ready for your next lesson. Rule two hundred and seventy-one is very clear: "You must leave the table within fifteen minutes of finishing your lunch". you do understand what happens to people who break this rule, I hope?

   The youngest looked at each other in total incomprehension. Two hundred and seventy-one rules? Were there really that many? Or more?
   -Even crazier rules... sighed the red-haired first year.
   -I think you mean, "Yes, Prefect!
   -Yes, Prefect! cried Deuce and Ace at the same time.
   -Very well, then. replied Riddle, looking more satisfied than before.

   Trey turned to his dorm-mate.
    -Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on them.
   -Hmm. As Deputy Head, I'm sure you'll avoid any indiscreet conversation. he warned her. Well, in accordance with rule three hundred and thirty-nine... "The after-meal drink must be lemon tea with two lumps of sugar". So I must go and get my sugar lumps. With that.

   And with that Riddle finally left, leaving the group in silence. Then everyone relaxed, finally able to take a deep breath.
   -Wow, that was terrifying. Cater let out.
   -That guy... has serious problems. Grim muttered.
   -Hey, don't disrespect him! said Deuce.
   At least everyone agreed that their time with him had been terrible.

   Yuichi began to clear Grim's tray, picking up the conversations at the tables next to him. They seemed frightened, and glad that Riddle was gone.
   -I've just completely broken rule one hundred and eighty-six, 'Never eat a hamburger on Tuesday'. I don't know what I'd have done if he'd caught me! sighed one student. I wish he hadn't come here so we could at least have lunch in peace.
   -...
   Why was everyone taking the risk of getting into trouble? The mageless man didn't understand. It was easier to obey the rules. At least no one had to worry that way.

   The bespectacled boy's voice brought Yuichi back into the conversation of his group.
   -Riddle managed to get the title of Prefect before the end of his very first week at school. I know he may seem a bit tough, but he's not a bad kid. Everything he does, he does because he thinks it will make the dorm better.
   -Would a nice guy put necklaces around strangers' necks? frowned the feline.
   His remark made the two upperclassmen let out a nervous laugh.
   -As long as you follow the rules, Riddle isn't that scary. Trey tried to reassure him.

   Rising to his feet, the two-coloured man grabbed the tray he was unpacking, ready to leave with it and clear it away.
   -I think we'd better sort out this pie business... he suggested.
   -It's true that there was that...
   The boy with the heart on his face sighed as he lowered his head,
   -A whole pie must be pretty expensive. Deuce thought.
   -Seriously? wondered his comrade. I haven't got much money!

   The quartet of new students looked at each other, not knowing what to do. No one had any money, least of all the stranger to this world.
   -So why not make one yourself? Cater suggested. Trey made those three pies by hand, after all.
   And the two Heartslabyul boys turned in astonishment to the boy with glasses.
   -Did you make these pies, Trey? That's amazing! They look like something you'd find in a bakery! complimented the redhead.
   -Heh. I like it.

   Yuichi - boy was he neutral - began to think.
   -Would... would you agree to help us make one? he asked.
   Smiling slightly, he nodded.
   -No problem. We've got most of the things you need, but... I'm afraid I'll need something from you in return.
   -You're going to make me pay for this?! What kind of- Ace began to protest.
   -What would you like? cut off the two-coloured one
   -I'm not taking money from a freshman, don't worry. Riddle wants a chestnut pie, so I'm going to need you to collect a ton of chestnuts. 
   -As if it were less complicated. The redhead sighed. But... fine. How many do you need? 
   -Well, it's for the unbirthday party, so... Probably two or three hundred? 

   There was a moment's silence, just long enough for everyone to grasp the information.
   -Did you say a hundred? cried Deuce and Grim at the same time.
   -And they'll all have to be boiled, shelled and mashed. added the bespectacled young man.
    -Well, I'll be off. said the animal.
   -I'm off too. announced the blue one.
   -I'm staying... muttered the two-coloured one.

   The fact that almost everyone was leaving in this way clearly didn't please Ace, even if fortunately there was someone left to help him... But it was better if there were more of them.

   -Wait! called Cater. Haven't you ever heard that food tastes better if you prepare it with your friends? It'll be an unforgettable memory! It might even be a chance for you to make a splash as a food blogger!
   This didn't seem to convince the two who wanted to go, so it was Trey who spoke up.
   -Don't tell Riddle, but chestnut pies are even better when they come out of the oven. And the only people who get to enjoy this culinary privilege are the ones who make them.
   These words did not fall on deaf ears. The animal turned immediately, without hesitation, not far from drooling.
    -Well, when you put it like that... Come on, humans, let's do it!

   The only one who seemed to hesitate was Deuce, but that only lasted a moment. He quickly gave in, agreeing to help out.
   -And where can we find chestnuts, in fact? he asked.
   -I've heard there's a whole bunch of chestnut trees in the woods behind the campus botanical gardens. Trey replied.

   Ace began to smile. As far as he was concerned, his collar was going to be removed very quickly. The pie would be made quickly and all his problems would be solved.
   -Great. Plan made. We'll meet at the botanical gardens after the last class. he announced.
   Everyone nodded, before clearing the table.

   Then, on their way to class, the quartet seemed to be in good spirits.
   -I can't wait to try these pies! Grim exclaimed happily.
   -Oe, you'd better not eat them all, remember it's for the non-birthday party! Ace reminded him.
   -I know! But it looks like we'll be able to taste a bit, eh?
   This cat was definitely a stomach on legs. He was only interested in food.
   -At least that should solve your problem, shouldn't it? And since we're getting help, it should be easy. Yuichi said indifferently.
   -Yeah, and I can finally get rid of this damn necklace! The redhead grumbled.

   Considering how imposing it was, it was bound to be a nuisance, especially when it came to sleeping. All that unusable magic, the bicolour couldn't understand, not knowing the importance of all that...