Chapter Text
“What are your existing medical conditions?”
Yuu cradled her elbow with one hand. “I can’t afford medicine, Professor Crewel.”
Crewel scoffed. “That’s not something you have to worry about. The cost of medicine will be covered by the school.”
Yuu shook her head. “But Crowley can revoke that anytime, can’t he?” She asked bitterly. “He tried that with my food stipend.”
Crewel breathed in sharply. “He will not.” He said, voice hard and firm. “I will make sure of that.”
Yuu stared at the table, cataloguing the swirls of the wood. “I have clinical depression.” She said, her voice distant to her own ears. “And…”
The air felt cold against her cheeks. She swallowed down the lump forming in her throat. She had to stay alive. She had to leave something behind for her parents. The daydreams of throwing herself off the roof were getting too tempting by the day. “I’m an active suicide risk.”
“Good pup.” Crewel’s voice was quiet. “I’ll send in the relevant forms. You’ll get your medication by next week.” He paused, then added, “the school therapist is still on leave, but I’ll see about getting you into a support group, if you want it.”
Yuu hesitated. “Can I think about it?”
“Of course.” Crewel said. He glanced out the window, at the downpour.
“About the weather issue…”
“No.” Yuu said flatly.
“Let me finish, pup.” Crewel sniffed. “You should remember that dogs can’t be trained with just the stick. Know when to offer a treat too.”
A huff of laughter escaped Yuu despite herself. “Are you comparing Draconia to a dog?”
Crewel’s smile was thin and wry. “Go off on your way, pup.”
Yuu stared at Leona Kingscholar. He glared at her— or well, in her direction rather than at her specifically.
Cater sat on the couch next to hers.
No one said a word.
Yuu had to question exactly why Crewel had decided to group the three of them together.
“The weather’s been sooo damp lately.” Cater said. “The lightning’s pretty and all but the clouds make everything so drab. Not Magicammable at all.”
“If your next words are ‘apologize to Malleus Draconia’ I’m throwing myself off the roof.” Yuu snapped.
Leona laughed, a sharp bark that belonged more to a dog rather than a feline. “You got some spine after all herbivore.”
Yuu flipped him off. “Ground rules. This is a safe space, nothing leaves this room?” She had something to get off her chest and if no one was going to dump out their mess of emotions, she would do it.
Cater gave her a thumbs up. “Pinky swear, Yuuie.”
“Sure, whatever.” Leona scoffed.
“Okay. So. I’ve had people I don’t know come up to me and tell me to apologize to that guy. They don’t even know why we’re fighting, just that ‘the weather’s been horrible, so do something about it’ like it’s any of their business! What, why don’t you go to Draconia and tell him to apologize to me!?” Yuu kicked one of the pillows. It flopped weakly onto the floor. She picked it up and hugged it to her chest.
“Like yeah, I’m magicless, homeless, penniless, dropped into a completely different world with just my clothes on my back. And he’s like some super strong mage and a crown prince or something. But like— all I have left is my own pride. I’m not about to go crawling on my knees to someone else, soulmate or not.”
“Don’t apologize to that lizard.” Leona said. “Sevens, if it’s his fault, he should be the one crawling to you. That guy gets everything handed to him on a silver platter. About time someone stood up to him.”
“You got Cay-Cay on your side too, Yuu.” Cater said.
“Ugh, enough of me. What about you two?”
“What? Crewel just told me to show up or he’d give me extra potions assignments for missing attendance.” Leona shrugged.
“Samesies. I was told I’ll get a pass on my next ingredients gathering if I come.”
“…you do know that this is a depression support group right?” Yuu asked.
“Fuck that. I’m here to sleep.”
“Nothing wrong with slacking off a bit.”
Yuu thought about it, then shrugged. She laid on the couch. “Have any of you thought about ending it all…?” She winced. A bit too honest there.
“Nah, my Magicam fans would miss me too much.” Cater said. Cop-out.
“I did.” Yuu and Cater immediately looked at Leona. “It’s called an Overblot.” He continued sardonically.
Yuu cackled. She hugged the cushion to her chest and laughed until her stomach ached.
“There’s no such thing as a ‘real self’.” Yuu said. “Everything is a persona. You have different personas when talking to your friends, versus talking to your family or strangers. It all depends on what you’re comfortable with and whether or not you’re being… well, genuine in your interests.”
“Is that philosophy?” Leona squinted at her.
“Yeah, I learnt it in college.” Yuu said, then grumbled, “I suffered through four years of high school while severely burnt out and I get tossed into another high school. Come on, I’m like twenty. Fucking Crowley.”
“Eh? You’re twenty!?” Cater’s eyes widened. “I thought you were sixteen!”
Yuu prodded her cheeks. “It’s the baby fat.”
“Doesn’t change much if you have the brains of a kid.” Leona said.
“Aren’t you the same age as her Leona?” Cater asked.
Leona gave him a rude gesture.
“Says the one bullying kids as an adult. Grow up, Leona.” Yuu said, nudging his side lightly with a foot.
Leona bared his teeth at her.
“You got other hobbies aside from Magicam?” Yuu asked, pointedly ignoring Leona to face Cater.
Cater froze for a split second. “Me? Haha, nah Magicam’s my life!”
Leona gave him a side-eye. Yuu watched him patiently. The silence stretched on.
“…I used to write.” Cater said quietly.
Yuu’s eyes lit up. “You too? Fanfic or original work?”
Cater blinked at her. “Uh, fanfic. It’s kinda cringe.” He was blushing now.
“Everything we write as kids are cringe.” Yuu said matter-of-factly. “Own it.”
“Hey Professor. Thanks for the other day. The three of us had a… nice talk.” Yuu said.
Crewel nodded. Then her words registered. “Three?” He said lowly.
“Uh? Yeah. Me, Leona and Cater?” Yuu held up three fingers.
“Shroud decided not to show I see.” Crewel muttered.
Who?
“If he doesn’t wish to, I can’t force him to go. That would go against the spirit of the support group.” Crewel continued.
Yuu stared at him blankly.
“Good pup. You can go now.” Crewel patted her on the head.