Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter Text
Ring* ring*

‘School finished …finally’ said Yuu Makota, 16 and currently laying on his desk, head on his arms , hasn't had the energy to move right away as the bell rang.

Noise surrounds him. Screeching as tables are moved by the rushing students, loud voices and cheers, shuffling footsteps and such that he doesn’t feel like lifting his head to find out.

Eventually it quieted down and his head ached no more, turning to listen to the distant chirps of birds that could be heard and the sky, still blue, could be seen.

He feels his eyelids are getting heavy again." A little more sleep won’t hurt right? It’s not like theres anyone at home anyway. It'll be fine." He thought to himself.

By that logic, he closed his eyes intending to do just that— until a loud voice called out, not at him, no. But to the desk infront of him.

He was annoyed but didn’t open his eyes yet. He instead just kept listening. “Yo, Ace!” Someone called out. “You’re still sleeping in class, man?” The redhead sitting infront of him had been startled awake and sat up with a screech of a chair.

“Huh?” He said, sounding confused and a bit sleep deprived, quickly turning to anger at being woke up harshly. Yuu finally opened his eyes discreetly (noticing the eyebags under his eyes, probably from watching a show late at night).

“What the heck, man!” said the redhead, frowning with his forehead littered with red marks, his hair messier than usual. He then wiped the drool of his face and tried to fix his hair. The guy who called Ace is a member of the basketball club, Yuu thought. Seeing the matching basketball sticker on both their schoolbags.

“Dude, it’s literally the end of the day. Is that how you’re spending your last day in highschool? C’mon, lets eat!” The boy said cheerfully, lifting his bag over his shoulder.

“What? Already? Ah!” Realizing something, Ace stood up, reaching for his bag and rushing out the door, almost tripping on the door but safely caught the doorway on his way out.

“Sorry, man! Can’t right now, my mom would kill me if i’m late again. Maybe next time!” The orange-red haired yelled out running like a madman , footsteps echoing distantly.

“Haa,” the student sighed. “Always with the same excuses, what happened now?” He sighed again, now with annoyance “no fun” he muttured and left with mumbled words of “why do we even let him hang out with us.”

Yuu didn’t say anything.

Like he always does.

He stays for a while just like that.

Looking at the slowing closing door, not moving. Even as it clicked shut and the person turned away out of his sight, not even noticing the last person in there.

Yuu just stayed there, pondering what would happened to them now? Maybe their friendship would turn distant, observing how Ace keeps turning away from the guy and always avoids his group outside of school. He had a good reason though. The guy he was hanging out with was friends with smokers and regularly misses practice, coercing Ace to join him frequently too.

It always results with a “no way, my mom would kill me” or “nah, I need to practice if I want to become a competitor, unlike you who's always lazing around somewhere”. That would be something he would say jokingly but one time he agreed and disappeared for a whole school day. No one noticed of course. As he is one student out of a hundred more but Yuu did.

Because they’re friends.

Well, Yuu thinks they are.

He didn’t came back the next day, and the next until a new week started. He looked fine. And he probably came back to his mother nagging, with a bad mood and sluggish posture. Something happened last week. But well, Yuu can’t just casually slide to him to ask. He’ll just observed him for now.

For now turned into to a whole year, observing his behaviours, noticing him avoiding seniors, especially that one guy, and rushing home. It was strange and unlike him, because he really got along with that guy, probably thought of him as a brother figure but well…something must have shattered that. It was really interesting and Yuu, being nosy, was a litte curious.

They were close as well, Yuu and Ace. All throughout middle school. They were close enough that Yuu got invited to his house for projects, games or homework. It was fun. He wonders what made them split but he already knows. Ace joined the basketball team, he got new friends, and practice is after school so he would go each session, not missing a single day, that's just how much fun he’s having in a club. And not with Yuu.

It was fine for a few days. They still talked during the school hours, and when it was after school, Yuu would follow him to the field, saying goodbye to him on the way, waiting on days he didn’t have much to do at home. They were in the same class every year. So much so, they jokingly said to each other how they were meant to be, as each year they were by each other's side. And every week, they reminiscence the day when they first met.

The first day of middle school, Yuu meet Ace. Insulting him and mocking the young Yuu to the point they had a fight and got in detention. On the very first day.

The punishment was to clean 100 windows. Even though the school had less than 50 but it was middle school, they probably exaggerated the number a bit in their kid brain but kid Ace blamed Yuu and Yuu said that he did it first. But eventually they cleaned the window, under the teacher's scrutinizing gaze. They got to know each other through the painstaking cleaning and when it was the end of day, they were best of friends.

Yuu knows.

When it was happening.

The day, he got accepted to the basketball team, more practice, cramming for studies until midnight before exams but still sleeping in class. Routinely rushing to class as he would wake up late or had to practice. Sometimes his teammates would come to pick him up during class for more team exercise as the competition was drawing nearer. Days went by the same way. He would be tired, laughing and smiling through big teeth when they won, he was having fun, just not with Yuu. And the chances to talk, or even look at him, was getting slimmer, day after day, until Yuu would be walking home alone and he would be with his friends.

Yuu would described this as “the day my friend flew through the sky and left me behind.”

“Awe,” turning to his right. He noticed the sky falling into a deeper shade of orange and soon stood up. Grabbing his bag, and walking to the sliding door while in thoughts.

‘I have to go to college soon,’ he sighed mentally. "More exams, getting a job and being a punctual adult that has to pay taxes. What a pain." He thought to himself ruefully.

He closed the door carefully and walked to the front of the school with his footsteps echoing through the empty hallways, old clubs posters on the walls and sticky notes with labels like "advice and motivation for a good future".

He looks around, taking in his surroundings while reaching to the front gates. Breathing in the air and looking back at the highschool building.

“Life..,” he paused. “ is such a pain.” He said, not with a frown, but with a smile on his face, his eyes devoid of emotions. The people might think he looked quite happy.

_____
(Edited text)

Chapter Text

Yuu blinked his eyes open before the bell rang.

And with a new environment, comes with new people. Like Professor Trein, an elderly man with greying black hair, with a stern face and unapproachable air to him. And is joined by his grumpy cat Lucius ( he’s very adorable but could be impractical in class as some students were sneezing a bit much but with the cat’s judgy face, no one could really say anything.)

Coming back from his thoughts, Proffessor Trein simply dismissed them with a warning to finish the assignments given and good wishes to the sleeping students that they understood today lesson as tomorrow’s quiz will be about it and swiffly left the classroom with Lucius held in his arms.

The students in question were still waking up from their half-asleep dazed and rushing to get out and calling it a day. Yuu took his time to clean up and was mentally preparing for the absolute pain of quiz tomorrow and wished for the assignments to disappear.

Finishing up, and leaving, weaving through hallways and students. If it was any good day, he would taken his time walking through, observing the building and people, or maybe check out the other facilities but.. today he had a weird dream. He only wanted to close his eyes a little, and didn’t realised he had fallen asleep.

 Blinking his eyes open, and awakening to see a floating mirror right in from of him. He heard footsteps. When it diminished, a clear voice was spoken right after. Somewhat directed at him. Yuu was a bit distracted though, the flashing green fire and light covering his eyes, making it blurry so he managed to almost missed the voice calling out to him.

 “Ah, my dear esteemed benefactor,”

 ‘What?’

“My proud, beautiful flower of evil.” 

 ‘… How insane.’ Yuu thought, however it was luring him. As the mirror is getting closer to his view. Taking control of his legs, and leading his body closer and closer as the voice continues on with it’s speech. 

 “You are truly the fairest one of all.” 

 “O magic mirror, thy wisdom I entreat…,” 

 “Reveal unto me the visage I seek…” 

 Upon the click of his shoes, the light of the fire burning into his vision and the words fading… 

 He was whisked away. 

 And then he heard noises outside 

 The sounds of gallops on stone and the creaking sounds of wheels(?). He doesn’t know. Its too dark and his arms feels like lead. He know its there. He’s aware of it, every twitch of his fingers, his bone and muscles residing by his sides, so did his body and legs. Its right there. 

He just can’t move them.

 …? 

 Did he died? 

 Already? 

 Is he bothered by it? 

.

.

.

(Huh,)

(He’s not sure)

.

.

He woke up.

The memory of the dream, leaving with wisps in his mind. Wondering but decides to focus his classes for now and convenietly forgot it. He was bored today, nothing was happening much at school but he did noticed interesting people (like freakishly tall identical twins, that literally overpowers everyone in a room. Plus super weird as well, he saw them during the assembly. Yuu thinks they looked a little strange but other than the dyed(?) teal hair and the height, they looked human. He guessed)

(They were his seniours, he thinks. Being bored, and not listening to the weird looking headmaster(?), he was wearing a hawaiian shirt with shorts and he looked like he just finished his vacation or something, he was also wearning a crow mask so double the weirdness.)

(He looked around wanting to observed people because thats what he’s been doing for years,all the while spotting Ace, standing idly. Yuu could tell he was bored, putting his hands in his pocket, rocking back and forth like he was being cradled but Yuu didn’t say anything, simply turned away and went back to his thoughts…)

(It was meant to be. Yuu wonders if he remembered him? It haven’t been that long right? Would he forget?)

(Yuu doesn’t know. And he probably would still be clueless about it.)

(…The assembly went by smoothly, and the students were all dismissed back to their class. And while leaving, Yuu saw someone wearning a cowboy(?) hat, but even so it seem fashionable and Yuu had probably stared too long as they made eye contact before getting blocked by the many students walking.

Yuu doesn’t know if it was him because he’s sure he only glance at the guy and the guy literally turned to look at him. Either that guy is creepy or have good senses, but still. Yuu was caught off guard so thats his fault for staring, he wondered.)

(He heard converstations left and right, with talks of like “Hey, this is the school where Malleus goes to, right?” He listened, walking through the hallway with another voice added, “That Malleus? For real? Scary.” The tone was said nervously but Yuu already walked past them, so he listened to other people. Hearing bits of converstations, voices and loud people, seeing a particular cheerful person with a somewhat annoyed guy right beside him aswell, and Yuu also saw a large dude with tan skin, yawning, with his unbuttoned vest at the corner. People carving a path out of his way, like a king.

He was followed by another dude, lanky and his clothing seem a little too big on him while eating a sandwich. He seems laid back. They quickly got out of view and Yuu could no longer see them, now he has to find his class. Great.)

.

.

.

School was finished, he was freed at last.

Arriving at the train station, taking a breather and wishing for his bed at home. He closed his eyes, went for a nap.

To only have another weird dream.
_______________

“You, whose image the dark mirror did beckon forth…” The voice continues. Now Yuu’s becoming a bit suspicious… cautious even. But nevertheless, he was now closer as ever to the mirror, and was currently in thoughts of whether or not he should take a step back. Wary of the chance of something appearing in the mirror or outside of it.

He tries but failed, as he can’t even feel his legs making him feel like a headless ghost even so, The voice never stop.

“If your heart bids it, take the hand of the one reflected in the mirror.”

Immediantly alarmed, he really wish to wake up right now. But even so, his hand raised up, reaching for the hand in the mirror, grasping it. And as everything fades away in the darkness, he wanted to turned towards the other way.

But as always..

.

.

.

Life.

Is a pain to deal with.

.

.

(He woke up for the second time of the day, and he wonders if someday he won’t wake up. The dreams are getting a little realistic, much for his demise, he guess. Laughing quietly with his thoughts.)

__________________

As the train pulled to a stop, the doors open, the moving passengers, and the setting sun casting a lovely hue down on Yuu’s hair. As if it was sending down kisses to him but no.

No one would love the invisible, Yuu. You know that, right?

So he casted a spell, a smile on his face, going on his way to home, with merry facade.

___________________

“As flames reduces even the stars to ash.”

“As time seals away even time itself.”

“As great trees swallow even the sky.”

“Fear not the power of darkness and demonstrate your power.”

“To me. To them. To yourself.”

“The hour grows long, and time is scarce”

“Steady your grip, no matter what may come…”

________________________________________

Welcome to the Villain’s world.

Yuu Makota
________________________________________

Chapter Text

It was another day. He woke up by a alarm blaring loudly. Sitting up, he examined his left arm, seeing a reddening mark when skin had burned off, a burning sensation was still felt. But he doubts it would heal properly. Oh well, what can a scar do?

He stood up quietly while yawning before getting into the bathroom, a quick shower, he looked for the med kit and search for the bandages and began to put lotion on the area. Once he was done, he pat down his somewhat wrinkled uniform and left his room.

It was still dark outside maybe about 7 a.m.? The sun is rising. He was in a dazed while walking down the stairs, recalling bits of pieces of his ….”dream”.

He could hear his father downstairs. He’ll be leaving for his business trip and won’t come back for awhile. (Yuu doubts he would miss him or even remember.)

His father told him to take care and that he’ll send money to his account every month. He waved goodbye, dragging his suitcases and bags, shutting the door before Yuu said a word. (Its not like he had anything to talk about anyway.)

He sighed and went to make his breakfast.

It’ll be another long day for him.

——————————

He woke up in coffin. His eyes blinking awake, he doesn’t remembers where he was or what he been doing.

He was tired.

so he didnt guess that at first.

Until he heard a loud explosion, blinded by the fire on his infront of him, and a second later,

… pain.

He was burned.

but his blurry eyes couldn’t see it, did it hit him? Did it miss? Did it burned out already? When he finally stabilized himself, he saw a red mark on his left forearm, it looked a bit red but not very obvious. His robe was a bit stinged at the end of the sleeves but he quickly pulled it to cover his arm.

he would think about it more but there’s someone yelling at him, when he was checking his body for more injuries . (Other than feeling a weird pressure on his chest, he didn’t see anything else.)

he should probably listen to the person yelling at him …

but taking a closer look, the person or (thing?) was so short. And fluffy, and somehow there was fire in the ears? Oh, and weirdly cute. He’s almost chuckle but managed to stifled it.

“Listen to me! You got a lotta of nerve ignoring me! Now gimme your uniform right now and be quick! Cause if u dont, ” The creature smirks, “you’ll regret it!”. The racoon or weasel or whatever it is said, threatening Yuu. But Yuu, however, is thinking about other things.

That was when he found out, he woke up in a coffin, taking his surroundings, he found more coffins, floating. ( Huh, suprising.)

“Oi! Are you deaf?!”

He turned around and the weasel thing is still there, much more angry.

There was flames coming out of his mouth, so thats the culprit, Yuu guessed.

h yeah, you have to say something.

“What are you?” He raised his eyebrows, casually relaxing on the floor, across the burned remains of a coffin.

“Wha? Thats it?! ,” The racoon was offended by your question and at your silence.

“I’ll let you know, I’m the great Grim, the greatest sorcerer of all! If i get your uniform, then i’ll be able to conquer the whole world!”he puffs out his chest, before pointing at Yuu “And You’ll be my henchman, kneeling before me! Aha!” He yells out to the whole chamber, only to see Yuu halfway through the room.

“Heyy!! Don’t ignore me!” He yells out, rushing towards Yuu.

He continues to shout words aim at Yuu, who’s currently examining the large doors. Not paying attention to the shouting weasel , simply walking his way to another place, to another building with flying books, with Grim as followed.

“A library, huh.” He mumbles, going inside while a quiet Grim follows him grumpily. It seems he stopped talking a while ago on the way here, Yuu just didn’t noticed.

He seems dejected and apparently had forgotten his goal of ruling the world or something. (Oh well, might aswell humor him.)

Yuu reached a flying book and pretended to be read inside it, while asking grim questions.

“So how are you going to conquer the world?” You asked calmly, still acting like the book is interesting, it seems to be about a tyrant monarch and her rules, Yuu thinks hes seen this before but quickly closed the book. When Grim was out of his depressive state.

“Wah? “ he was caught off-guard before recovering quickly, loudly shouting, “- Of course! Il’l ruled the world by enrolling in this school and be the strongest sorcerer ever alive!!” He shouted out loud, regaining his fire and now glared at Yuu.

“If you want don’t to be burned to a crisp, take off-“

“ME-YEOw!! That hurt! What gives!??” He yelled out in pain, using his paws to rub his back. A man had reach for Grim collar and lifting him up.

“Consider it tough love.” An unknown voice answered , before stepping under the light and coming into view, bringing Grim along. “Ah, I’ve found you at last. Splendid, I trust that you are one of this year’s new students?” A man in a suit said, his face is covered by a mask shape like a crow.

“My my, were you ever eager to make your debut. “ The man said, in what could be guess a disappointed tone before scolding him. “And to bring a poorly trained familiar with you? That is clearly a violation of the school’s rules.” The man continued to speak about the said rules, the damages that could of happened (it already did) and etiquette, while Yuu didn’t the heart to tell him or energy, its not his? But he felt that it would a waste of time so he kept quiet and blankly staring at the man attire. Somewhat admiring it.

“As if i’d serve a lowly human like him!” Grim shouted, pointing a finger (paw) at Yuu. “Now lemme go!!”

“Yes, yes. Rebellious familiars always say that. Do be quiet for a bit, would you?” The man then covered his snout and then looked at Yuu.

“Are you even listening, young man? For all i know, you’re the first who has the temerity enough to open your own gate and step out of it. Does the very notion of patience elude you?” The crow face man sighed, using a hand to fix his hat. “No matter, the orientation has already begun. Let us return to the Mirror Chamber.

“Gate?” Yuu mumbled, taking his words but not really registering it, just seemingly letting this ‘dude’ talked over him.

However, the crow face heard him anyway. “You awakened in a room full of gates, did you not?” He tilted his head like a bird, Yuu could not control his imagery of a real bird head replacing the one looking at him. He snorts and let the hood of his robe cover his eyes.

Its seems the man didn’t notice or ignoring him, Yuu wouldn’t know. “All of the students here at the campus arrvived by passing through such gates” The man continues, “Although typically the students have restraint enough to wait until i open them before waking up.” He sent a pointed look at Yuu.

Yuu could tell the man is frowning even though he couldn’t see his eyebrows, and he could feel the corners of his lips twitching upwards.

But the man soon resumed his speech, “The designs is intended to symbolic a parting with your former world.” He pauses. He brought his hand to his chest and did a spin towards the doors. “And a rebirth into a new one.”

(The pause was unnecessary, Yuu thinks he was being dramatic. He could tell when he fluff his coat.)

“For now, we must return to the orientation quickly, time is running out. Follow me and I’ll tell you all about Night Raven College! For I am very gracious!” He announced, opening the doors and elegantly walks out with dragging Grim with him.

“Mmmrph!” Grim protests. But Yuu simply followed this strange man, atleast he knows this place is a school. But much more grandeur than his, and expensive looking. (‘Hmm, magic I guess.’ He stares intendly at the garden, wondering if he could draw the flowers. He was always bad at it)

“This is Night Raven College, as I said before. It is an institution for students over the world who demonstrate a rare aptitude for magic.” He explains while Yuu keep on observing the area.

“It is the most prestigious academy of its sort in all of Twisted Wonderland. And I am Dire Crowley, Entrusted with its care by the chairman, I serve as the headmage.” He finished, turning to see Yuu not quite listening or otherwordly rude. Annoyed, he coughs to get his attention. “Now then, If it was “polite’ of you, would you please introduce yourself as part of courtesy? Hm?” He made another fake cough before Yuu finally looked at him.

He smiled. “Yuu Makota. Greetings to you, Headmaster.” He said in a neutral voice and went back to stargazing.

The Headmaster sighs, muttering “aish~ children these days.” Shaking his head, “If you have any further questions, Mr Makota. You may ask now.”

….

(I’m being ignored, aren’t I?)

He sighs.

“Very well, lets continue to the chamber.” He said, turning quickly and making long strides.

This will be a long day. He thought internally, the urge to sigh was unresistible.

————————————

Yuu finished his last period, the time went by quickly as he was stuck in his head. The dream… he doesn’t think it is one anymore. For one, his hand did get burned and two, the so called orientation went wrong. Being burned alive is truly a scary thing, and all that happened because a little monster got out and wanted to prove himself.

(By definition , Yuu was maybe be fault for it, too. Because he let Grim escaped, not telling a word while the Headmaster was distracted, something about a tummyache he almost laughed but Grim was freed at last and all went to fire.)

(Really, it was all because Yuu didn’t want to go infront, its quite embarrassing to be the last person and late at the same time, while everyone is looking at you. When everyone had left or evacuated and Grim kicked out, Yuu was last to go infront of the mirror.)

(It was a blessing, apparently he was not supposed to be here, a mistake, that never happened in the centuries of the school existence. Magicless. He recently learned that.)

(Weird, he doesn’t feel anything.)

As such, in the headmaster words, he was stuck there until he finds a way to return Yuu home, as the mirror was no help at all. For now, the ever “kind” Headmaster, lent him shelter.

In a forsaken dorm building, where the grass is dying, the rusted gates creaking and the wood is deteriorating….

(Wow, it has so much character. He sarcastically said, fighting the urge to say it aloud.)

So Yuu will be staying here in here for the time being until Crowley finds something for him “to go home”. While entering, the door hinges almost went off when he tried to open it, and immediately he sneezed as the dust assaulted his nose, then he noticed the rain coming down from the sky.

In all of the dorm glory he doesn’t mind it, even with its leaking rooftops, he explored the hallway, looking into the rooms and seeing if theres anything liveable. Until a certain weasel barged in, a fight with ghosts happened. And He almost sprained his ankle on a broken wood floor running all over the place before “defeating” them, and then sleeping on the somewhat usable couch with Grim dead asleep on his chest, even though he was complanining just awhile ago.

Yuu would probably be distressed by now, but he really just doesn’t have the motivations to deal it so, he’ll think about it tomorrow. And with that, he closed his eyes, wrapping an arm on Grim (who’s suprisingly warm), fell asleep with his robes on.

…..

And then he woke up, in his bedroom.

————————-

He was walking down the hallway.

He didn’t think much, just simply moving. He doesn’t remember where he planning to go though, on the way, he saw an empty storeroom with a window on the door. He looked further inside, seeing boxes stacked on eachother but relatively empty except for blank canvases and a easel stand in the middle of the room. It seem to be an abandoed art room, atleast he thinks so. He doubts the people who joins this school is interested but if no one wants it, then maybe he’ll use it for himself.

He wanted to go in and find out more but a commotion was happening outside the school, theres wasn’t many people there. It seems most of them are the delinquant’s gang. He sees a red haired boy on the grass, clutching his left cheek, a delinquant was towering over him, grabbing his collar and yelling at him but Yuu didn’t hear any words.

By now, he was directly infront of the glass now, the window muffling out the noises. The bully’s back was faced to Yuu while the short boy is towards him. He can see the tearstains on his face, his eyes stricken with fear. His hands shaking. He’s afraid.

Yuu? Well Yuu did nothing, he waited, just looking, (like he always did). The yelling stopped as the persecutor stormed away after a threat. Leaving the boy struggling to stand and rubbing his throat. Yuu thinks he should go but he was already be seen.

(Huh, his eyes are grey. How unique.)

But the boy looked away and quietly stumbled with his steps. And went out of sight. (Maybe Yuu should’ve smiled but he was already moving away so next time, he guessed.)

Another day…

Another time…

…

—————————-