Ophelia couldn't believe what she was seeing right now. She had a hunch that Deuce used to be a delinquent because of his rare, aggressive behavior a few times.

"This guy's outta his mind!" The white-haired delinquent boy whimpered.

"Bwah! L-let's get outta here!" The maroon-haired delinquent boy dragged his friend away.

"Next time you eat an egg, you better apologize a hundred times, you buncha chumps!" Deuce warned them.

Ophelia lowered her groceries gently before hugging Deuce behind. "Deuce, it's over... no one is going to hurt us." She turned him around to face her. "Follow my breathing, in and out." The blonde girl instructed the dark navy blue-haired boy as he followed her breathing pattern.

"Eeeeep!" Grim whimpered and hid behind Gardevoir's back.

Deuce pants heavily and is shocked to let everyone see the real him.

"What's wrong?" The grey cat asked curiously.

"I did it again, didn't I...?" Deuce asked sadly. "ARGH! I was dead-set on becoming an honor student this time, too!" He promised to become a better person but ended up reverting to being a delinquent like them.

"Deuce..." Ophelia stares at him worriedly.

"When I was in middle school, I was pretty wild." He's beginning to tell them about his past. "I cut school all the time and got in fights. I called my teacher's names, hung out with bullies, bleached my hair... I blasted around tight curves on my Magic Wheel. I'd show off my magic to kids who couldn't use it yet... I was a total punk." He glares at the floor.

"So you were only a little more annoying than you are now?" Grim asked curiously while Gardevoir gave him a pointed look.

"It's hard for me to picture you being the delinquent." Ophelia commented while imagining Deuce as a delinquent like them. She shook her head at that thought. "I remembered the day we first met— you've been kind to Gardevoir and I, touring us around... making sure no boys would take advantage of me."

"But one night, I saw my mom talking on the phone to my grandma. She was trying to hide from me, but I saw her and could tell she was in tears." Deuce felt guilty seeing his mom upset for being delinquent. "She was saying how she must have been a horrible mom, and that maybe she never should have tried to raise me by herself. That had nothin' to do with it! She hadn't done anything wrong. It was all me. When the carriage came to take me to Night Raven College, she was so happy for me. I decided then and there that I wouldn't do anything to make her cry this time. This time, I'd become an honor student— someone she could be proud of. And I already messed it all up!"

"Hey, don't beat yourself up, Deuce." Ophelia comforted him.

"Yeah. I mean, did ya, though? Is putting up with jerks what honor students do?" The grey cat asked Deuce curiously.

"Huh?" Deuce looked at them, surprised.

"Even I, Grim the Magnanimous, was ready to pound those losers into tuna paste!" He commented. "You just got to 'em first."

"Gardevoir (I hardly believe that.)" The embrace Pokemon didn't believe him.

"Don't ruin the moment, twinkle toes!" He yelled angrily and didn't appreciate her blunt words.

"Grim is right." Ophelia smiles softly. "Even honor students get angry sometimes. Take Lee-lee, for example. She's reaaaalllly patient when it comes to us and Pokemon. But— mistreating them or harming her friends or family... she would go ballistic. Trust me, her temper is worse than Crissie."

"Eeek!" Grim couldn't help but shiver in fear. "Remind me not to make her angry!"

Deuce couldn't help but laugh softly for cheering him. "I just hope those chicks can rest in peace."

"Eh?" Ophelia blinks in shock.

"What the hell is he talking about?" Grim couldn't help but ask in a dumbfounded look.

"Um, Deuce..." She smiles nervously. "I hate to break this down to you. But um— those unfertilized eggs won't become baby chicks... that's why they sell it on the market." The blonde girl explained it slowly.

Deuce completely goes silent before he screams in shock. "Wha— WHAAAT!? Are you kidding me!?" All the birds flew by the startling screams.

"Ahaha... I wish I could." Ophelia mentally weeps, and it's the only way she's being careful with her words. It ended up backfired.

———————————————————

Ace looks up to see they are back from their shopping. "Ah, you're finally back! Took ya long enough!"

Trey smiled and couldn't wait to finish their bake. "Let's get this tart-y started!" Ophelia's eyes twinkle, and Aileen looks at her.

"No, Ophie." She ruined Ophelia's fun.

"Meanie~" The blonde girl pouts.

———————————————————

"Okay, Aileen, would you do the honors?" Trey asked the blue-haired girl.

Aileen smiles softly and scoops small bits of powdered sugar. "We just need to sprinkle on powdered sugar and..."

"Finished!" Ace and Grim cheered happily.

"Fin...ished..." Dece said in a gloomy tone.

Ophelia smiles nervously at Deuce's behavior. He still couldn't get over the egg incident and feels sorry. "What happened to him?" Crystal asked in a hushed tone.

"We'd run into some trouble, and I told Deuce about the eggs," the blonde girl answered through her mind so no one would hear it.

Lucario sensed Deuce's emotion and couldn't help but feel sympathy towards the dark navy blue-haired boy. The orange-haired boy noticed Deuce's strange behavior.

"Did something happen to him while you were shopping?" He asked Grim and Ophelia curiously.

"He's still in shock, so give him time." Ophelia answered, refusing to tell the others about that incident.

"For sixteen years, I was so sure..." Deuce groaned and felt embarrassed about his behavior in front of Ophelia. He wanted to dig a hole and hide somewhere.

"Yeah, whatever. I'm pretty beat. Making tarts sure takes it outta you." Ace groaned and rolled his shoulder.

"You guys did a wonderful job." They look up to see Erin and Sky.

"Hey, guys!" Ophelia greeted them happily.

"Fee-fee!" Sky greeted the blonde girl back happily before hugging her.

"Aww!" She squeals and returns the gesture.

Aileen noticed Trey's surprised look. "I take it you know them, Trey?"

Trey nodded his head. "They're only rumors, but I've never seen them in person." He answered. Trey had heard rumors about residents living in the Ramshackle dorm but didn't expect their existence.

"I know baking takes a long time, and I bought dinner for everyone." Erin holds a large bag containing food inside. We made quite a lot, but I'm sure only one has a huge appetite." She smiles secretly while looking at Grim.

"You got that right! Robot lady!" Grim said it proudly and earned a whack from Greninja. "Ow! What was that for!?"

"Greninja gre nin (Have some respect.)" Greninja scolded him.

Trey accepts it and sniffs the food's aroma. "Thank you, Erin-san. It's kind of you to bring dinner for us." He thanks the android woman.

She smiles politely. "I have a feeling you might skip dinner, and it would be awful for me not to bring food for everyone."

Crystal smiles sheepishly and feels terrible for letting Erin cook their dinner. "Sorry about that, Erin. We'll try to eat our dinner on time."

"I know you didn't do it intentionally, but please try to avoid skipping it."

Someone barge in to reveal Cater. "Hey, fam! You look wrecked. Are the tarts done?" The light orange-haired boy gasps to see their dessert. "Ooh, those look soooo cute! Ah! No way— I heard rumors about an android woman, and the blue creature used to live in an abandoned dorm!" He exclaimed in shock and couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"The rumors are true, Diamond-san." Erin assured him. "I'm Erin, and that's Sky. We're part of the Ramshackle House." She bows her head politely at him.

"Eh!? You know about me!?" He didn't introduce himself in front of the android woman.

"Crystal-sama, told me befriending two upperclassmen." She bows her head politely at them. "Thank you for looking after them."

"She's polite for an android woman." Cater whistles in amusement. "Lemme snap a quick pic for Magicam." He takes the picture of the tarts and Erin next.

Ace growls in annoyance to see him again. "What, NOW you decide to show up?" It annoys him to see Cater appear unexpectedly when things are finished.

"I just saw how hard my little newbs were working." He grinned widely while Yuu shook his head.

"You refuse to lend a hand to help." Yuu retorted calmly. "We helped you in the morning, but you didn't return our favor." Cater is the type of person who refuses to do the chores.

"You wound me, Yu-yu." He pouts, and it irks Yuu.

Sprigatito snickered behind his paws, knowing Yuu hated that nickname. He didn't mind if it's Ophelia because it's her. If it's someone else, he dislikes it thoroughly.

"It's tough work if you're not used to it. But there's no better cure for fatigue than something sweet from the oven!" Trey explained, and Aileen nodded her head.

"Why don't we eat our dinner before trying our tarts?" The blue-haired girl suggested, and the cue for Ophelia's stomach grumbling.

All of them stare at the blonde girl, and she laughs nervously. "Haha... I'm hungry. Can we eat the main course first?"

———————————————————

"Now, we can try our tarts." Aileen declared after everyone had eaten their hearty dinner meal.

"Yay!" Ace, Grim and Cater cheered happily as they couldn't wait to eat the dessert they were waiting for.

"Pretty funny how you managed to show right when it was ready to eat, Cater-senpai." Ace pointed out bluntly.

"Heh, heh. Someone's gotta be the official taster." Cater commented. "It's a huge bonus for me that I ate Erin-san's delicious meal!" He didn't know Erin was an excellent cooker.

"Mmm..." Grim sniffs the aroma smell of the tarts. "I couldn't stop smelling after I had my dinner! Glossy chestnuts are on top, and fluffy cream is below... I can't wait for another second. I'm going in!" All of them had their tarts except Erin.

"Oh, dang..." Ace couldn't stop munching the tarts.

"Yuuum! Liked and subscriiiibed!" Cater complimented the dessert.

"Delicious!" Ophelia's eyes twinkle in amazement at the taste. "I could die in peace after eating this heavenly dessert."

"We've done a fantastic job here." Crystal commented while savoring the taste.

"I'm not into sweets, but I can tell how much we've made it here." Yuu spoke up while giving the rest to Sprigatito. The black-haired boy is pleased not to have Koraidon with them, or he'll devour everything here. It's challenging to explain Koraidon's existence to his two upperclassmen. His Paradox Pokemon loves to eat everything, including Aileen's cooking and baking.

"This is like something from a fancy bakery!" Deuce exclaimed in shock.

"Rich in flavor, yet not too sweet... it's like chestnuts are dancing across my tongue!" Grim explained while munching his food.

"Can't you at least finish your food before you talk?" Lucario suggested, sighing heavily.

"Is that... a good thing?" Trey asked nervously.

"Take it as a compliment, Trey-senpai." Aileen answered and smiled. "You can see they're enjoying the tarts a lot."

Cater hums and realizes something. "Oh, Trey! You gotta do the thing!" He exclaimed. Everyone looked at him curiously.

"That thing?" He blinks before nodding his head in understanding. "Oh... that..."

"Uh, wanna fill me in here?" Ace asked curiously what it meant.

"What's everyone's favorite food?" Trey asked them out of the blue.

"Me? Probably cherry pie or hamburgers." Ace answered.

"Canned tuna is at the top of my list. Then maybe cheese omelets, roast meat, pudding..." Grim rambled before Gardevoir covered his mouth. "Mmph!"

"Gardevoir voir (You talk too much, Grim)" The embrace Pokemon pointed out.

"If I had to pick, I guess I'd say... omelet rice?" Deuce answered.

"I like a nice lamb chop with Diablo sauce." Cater answered happily.

"Mine is strawberry shortcake, and Greninja likes matcha cake." Aileen answered.

"Gardevoir and I like red velvet cake~!" Ophelia answered happily.

"Lucario and I like chicken curry." Crystal revealed her and Lucario's favorite food.

"Beef steak! Beef steak!" Sky chants his favorite food.

Yuu chuckles in amusement at Sky's cheerful. "I like tiramisu and Spritatito likes peach pie."

Trey chuckled and got his magic pen ready. "All right, you've got it. [Doddle suit!]" He casts a spell around the tarts.

"Huh? What does that mean?" Deuce couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Take another bite of your tart and see." Trey answered with a mysterious smile.

"Huh?" Ace bites his tart and his eyes widen in shock by the taste. "How— now it tastes like cherry pie!" The others nodded their head.

They taste their favorite food despite it being made out of tarts.

"It's just like canned tuna!" Grim munch happily. "Now it tastes like a cheese omelet! And grilled meat! And pudding!"

"Neat trick, eh? That's gotta be a hit when Trey's having tea with the ladies." Cater winks at the dark green-haired boy, knowing he's showing interest in one of the girls.

"It's awe-inspiring. Is changing flavors your signature spell, Trey-senpai?" Deuce asked with an amazed look.

"Technically, it's overwriting characteristics. I can change taste, color, smell, whatever." Trey explained about his unique magic. "It only lasts for a little while. But it is kinda like covering up the real thing, hence, doodle."

Grim hums in understanding. "If I had magic like that, I could be eatin' canned tuna every meal of every day! That's way better than Riddle's stupid collar magic!" He yelps at the sudden whack.

"You don't say stupid on anyone's magic, Grim." Crystal scolded the grey cat.

"Oh, that's in a whole other league. His signature spell is a weapon. Mine's just childish prestidigitation." Trey muttered sadly while Aileen stared at him.

"Your magic isn't childish at all, Trey-senpai." Aileen spoke up calmly as Trey stared at her amethyst eyes. "You can always think outside of the box about expanding your spell. From what I can tell— apart from changing its characteristics... you can use it for defensive spells." She explained with a smile. "Don't underestimate yourself because you have a wonderful skill, senpai."

"Aileen..." No one complimented his unique magic sincerely like Aileen. Her smile skipped his heart a bit. "We should call it a day and do it tomorrow." He told them while changing the subject. Don't forget that tomorrow's the unbirthday party. You don't want to be late." The dark green-haired boy informed them.

"Crystal, can I crash with you again?" Ace asked, knowing he couldn't return to his dorm yet. "It doesn't sound like I'll be allowed back in my own dorm tonight."

"Again, seriously?" Cater asked while smiling nervously.

Deuce didn't like requests since he nearly got strangled by Magearna if it weren't for Tyrougue and Lucario. "It isn't right to keep mooching off of Crystal, Ace." The dark navy blue-haired boy lectured him.

Grim isn't pleased with the idea of Ace staying over at their dorm again. "Yeah, it ain't! If you wanna stay tonight, you gotta pay for the privilege! Ten cans of tuna!"

"What!?" Ace didn't have cans of tuna to pay in exchange for staying over. "Guess I'm sleeping outside, then."

Crystal flicks Grim's head while he whimpers in pain. "No one will pay for anything in exchange for the cans, Grim." She scolded him.

"Why don't you stay at Crystal's dorm, too, Deuce, so that you can keep an eye on him?" Trey suggested. "As vice house warden, I can issue you a sleepover pass." He can trust Yuu to look after the girls, but Trey wants someone to help them.

Cater stares at him, shocked to give them a special reward. "That's our Trey, always spoiling the newbs. What fun for you. Ooh, maybe I'll come too! What do you say, Ophelia?" He asked the blonde girl.

"Ahaha... you need to ask Crissie or Lee-lee for it." Ophelia smiles apologetically since they are the house warden and vice house warden.

"No pass for you." Trey pushes Cater away from Ophelia.

"Aww. Sad trumpet... womp womp wooomp." Cater whined. The light orange-haired boy wanted to join them, but Trey was against it.

Trey looks apologetic for giving Crystal a task to look after not only Ace but also Deuce. He knows she has her hands full. "Sorry to dump them all on you, Crystal. At least it's just for tonight."

"It's no problem at all." Crystal assured him but made a mental note to ensure Magearna wouldn't hunt for blood. For someone who's an artificial Pokemon meant for a kindhearted one, her Magearna is overprotective.

"Tomorrow's the unbirthday party." Ace almost forgot about it. "Finally, I'm gonna get rid of this stupid collar! Just you wait, Riddle!" He couldn't wait for the magic collar to disappear.

———————————————————

Aileen's words still echoed in Trey's mind. He always thinks of his magic as childish, but the blue-haired girl changes his perspective. "Couldn't stop thinking about her?" It snapped Trey's thoughts to see Cater grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"Cut it out, will you?" He sighs at his usual teasing.

"Who knew these girls are quite sharp and clever." Cater complimented their sharp observation. "Yu-yu is also the same thing, but he's a more silent and caring guy."

"I just hope Ace and Deuce won't give them a hard time." He trusts them enough to be on their best behavior.

"I'm sure they—" They were cut off by one of the Heartslabyul students.

"Trey-senpai! Cater-senpai! You're finally back! We've been looking everywhere for you!" They're relieved to see their two upperclassmen.

"What happened?" Trey asked them curiously.

"Ten dorm members were caught violating rule 256... no drinking honey-sweetened lemonade after 8 p.m. Housewarden Riddle collared them all!" They explained nervously.

Cater and Trey have no words to say. Every day, Riddle would collard anyone who broke the rules, and they all feared him.

"I can't take it anymore! I can't live like this!" The heartslabyul students sniffed and couldn't stand the tyrant in this dorm. "Everything we do violates some insane rules! I want to transfer to another dorm!" He cried and couldn't handle the pressure of their dorm.

"It'll be okay. We'll go talk to the house warden. You go back to your room." Trey assured him and gestured the student to go back to his room.

Cater sighs. "Guess I'd better go make some tea or something as a show of deference to the Queen."

"Thanks, Cater." Trey smiles gratefully. "Oh, but make sure it's herbal tea, not black. You know what rule 153 says about drinking at night." He recited their rules.

"Yeaah, sure. Of course." Cater nodded his head.

———————————————————

After hearing the drip of ink again, Crystal drops the glass, and it shatters into small pieces. She leans against the table and tries to regain her senses.

"What's going on?" Crystal whispered, never having experienced this kind of pain before.

"Cinno? (Crystal?)" She looks down to see the Chinchilla Pokemon staring at her worriedly.

"I'm fine just drained from the event, Minccino." Crystal explained while Minccino cleaned up the broken glass.

"I sense your fear and worry, Crystal." She hums to see Lucario join her.

"I never experienced this kind of feeling before, Lucario." She said truthfully of her well-being. "I'm not sure if I've gone insane— the fact we could hear it dripping or the girls and Yuu shared an exact dream about the little girl." It scared Crystal to experience this kind of feeling.

"Being here in this world has a reason, Crystal." He pats her head to comfort his Demigoddess Trainer. "We'll get through this. About Yuu... he looks like—"

"Him but different." Crystal finished his thoughts about the black-haired boy. "It's strange because when we met him. He looked surprised to see us. No sudden of recognition."

"Ophelia recognized it straight away. He's not one of the guardians." Lucario pointed out. "Perhaps having him with us... he has his own role."

"The question is what... can you tell the others? Try to ask them not to stay up late, and I'm going to bed."

"As you wish, Crystal." He heads back to join the others.

"Minccinno cino? (Shall we keep it a secret?)" The chinchilla Pokemon asked his Trainer.

"We have to." Crystal answered. "It's not in our place to reveal it. When the time comes, we'll try to answer as much as possible."