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Ren works at WICKEA some furniture store Darkwick Academy opened for some reason, and Ren is the victim of this stupid business expansion. As if it wasn't enough to work at Mystery Diner, Professor Hyde assigned him to work here too the pay is still good but unlike the diner there were many customers! If the Jabberwock first year wanted to do customer service he wouldn't hate working in Jabberwock in the first place! The customers are rude and he doesn't even know all these languages, to make it worse he works with Towa (the guy who's still set on killing him) and Ritsu who is paid more than both of them actually.... At least when there's a customer Ritsu deals with most of their problems, seriously when did that guy learn all these languages? And it's creepy how he's very persuasive — so persuasive that the customer actually buys anything he recommends. Ren sighed, this stupid company didn't allow him to use the phone during work hours.
"What did I do to deserve this?" Ren mumbled as he went to the check out area, "Shut up Wolfsbane! The only reason why I took Haru's place in working here is because I don't want you to try anything silly." Towa said as he stood next to Ren. "I don't even know what you mean! I don't even want to be here, working with that clown will make this hell worse." The slacker replied annoyed, meanwhile as all of this is happening Ritsu is wondering how these people were born without shame or respect for the customers that were waiting to check out furniture.
To be fair the dorm rooms were quite empty and each house really needed to upgrade their appliances, which is why Alan is here he broke the microwave apparently according to Leo — because of Alan's dumb knowledge of technology Vagastrom will have no gadgets to use. Leo and Sho are preoccupied with class so Alan came here instead, it was quite bigger than he expected the store to be but the things he needed were here — there's nothing else he can do but bravely explore through the walls of WICKEA. The good news is Alan found the microwave, some chairs and tables since the general students keep breaking them (though he still has to build it guess he will ask Leo to translate the manual since it's in another language he can't understand) — the bad news is he's well.... Lost.... Well not necessarily his fault I mean just because people say the Vagastrom Captain is bad with directions doesn't mean they're right, the store is just so big that he got lost because he's new and didn't see the map.... Yes, he just didn't see the map. Alan continued walking hoping to see a map when he accidentally bumped into someone.
"HAVE YOU PEOPLE HAVE NO RESPECT! I, Yuri Isami will not take this—" Yuri paused staring at Alan as he stood up coughed and spoke again, "Ah Alan Mido I thought you were a Frostheim student, still how dare you bump into me while I an innocent doctor is just looking for a TV to buy." "But this is the kitchen appliance center, I am looking for the check out area do you know where it is?" Alan stated not noticing Yuri blushing in embarrassment for g̶e̶t̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶l̶o̶s̶t̶ not being familiar with WICKEA. "Well it's not like I come here everyday, how would I know!"
The two captains ended up walking with each other while buying additional items, though the further they walk the less familiar the area gets. They ended up talking about their hobbies and dealing with Frostheim, Yuri doesn't really care for the rest of the students but at least the ghoul he bumped into is from the house regarded as Frostheim's enemy. It felt like they would be lost forever, and yet — panick did not fill them nor did they dread... You will be surprised to know that every moment they spent time together they were happy, despite never really meeting — in this meeting they got to know each other, allowing a spark to happen. Who would have thought it would turn out like this just from one chance encounter. Ren on the other hand is glad to be finally on break, though his work hours aren't over yet with Ritsu here he doesn't have to do over time Professor Hyde gave him a schedule on what place to work at too so he won't go insane trying to balance two jobs at once. Though he would rather Towa not glare at him, he's gotten used to Haru's annoying antics but to be alone with the fae is so.... Scary, his eyes holding both wonder and hatred. Ren would have wanted to befriend him but not after he threw Wolfsbane at him, still... That guy's been pretty quiet and just looks at Ren which is way creepier than his usual death threats. Ritsu came just in time before the Jabberwock first year drowns in melancholy, that Ren had been assigned to help Alan and Yuri who had gotten lost in WICKEA. Towa suspiciously offered to help Ren — with that, Ritsu and a few general students managed the cash register and customer service as their break came to an end.
"What do you want? If you hate me so much then leave, no one's forcing you to work here or volunteer to help me locate two captains with no sense of direction who Darkwick allowed to enter here without surveillance." Ren said, Towa paused not throwing the usual banter as usual.
You see Towa's confused himself he has strong feelings for Wolfsbane especially if he gets near Haru, so he tries to kill him... But he hates him when he ignores Towa, and he recently had a dream where Ren kissed him.... Which doesn't help with the situation at all! Sure Ren is handsome but there's no way he will allow Wolfsbane to get near Haru, after walking side by side awkwardly in silence they finally spotted Alan and Yuri. The two were chatting happily carrying the furniture they were going to check out, though Alan and Yuri were either unaware of their environment or really stupid — really stupid because there were arrows directing to each aisle and a map on the bulletin board, and the two captains were just a few minutes away from the check out area! Ren mumbled on how stupid they looked and is debating on what to do — to approach them or not. While Towa beamed happily since as a person who loves romance, and believes in meet-cutes he has never seen it happen in real life before except this time. Ren decided to do his work and get the job done, Towa pulled him back annoyed at him for ruining a romantic moment. Alan and Yuri stared at both of them and decided to ask for directions apologizing for interrupting their lover's quarrel.
"WHAT?! If I were going to date someone in this dump I wouldn't date him." Ren stated "Well I hate you too Wolfsbane! The check out area is that way, have stupid Wolfsbane guide you." Towa said with a weird tone that Ren couldn't quite discern.
Towa's eyes were proud but now a hint of hurt clouded them, confusing the Jabberwock first year since if Towa hated him why would Ren saying he wouldn't date him hurt the fae? Ren sighed dejectedly, and begrudgingly guided Alan and Yuri. At least one of the pairs here is happy... Ren is wallowing with guilt wondering if what he said was too harsh, Towa did stop throwing Wolfsbane at him but still threw insults — that doesn't mean Ren wants to be a horrible person. Stupid Towa now he can't even focus on his game! This must be one of his tactics to make Ren go crazy, Ritsu meanwhile worked as the cashier among the few customers left before WICKEA closes. Alan and Yuri were the last customers, and their relationship still seems ambiguous. But one could tell how they felt for each other by the love held in their eyes, by the way they look at each other as if when they look away the other would disappear. Ritsu didn't expect them to be a couple (well they're not a couple yet but they will be according to Ritsu's calculations), so the Sinostra first year decided to note this down — after all as his father says all information is vital no matter how trivial they may seem. Ritsu prepared to close the store then paused, Mr. Shiranami is still there despite being the first one to leave and looked like a puppy abandoned by its owner. How very weird.... Did something happen between him and Towa? Ritsu recalled what happened and pieced the pieces together, and suddenly uncharacteristically burst out laughing — Ren stared at him in disbelief but the Sinostra first year merely smiled and walked towards Towa, who he knew was in the sofa section.
"Mr. Otonashi, I have a solution to your problem. You like Mr. Shiranami but mistook it for hatred, you don't want him around Mr. Sagara because you're jealous." Ritsu pointed out but before Towa could reply he continued speaking. "Communication is the solution to most relationship problems and the easiest ways to fix misunderstandings. I suggest you and Mr. Shiranami have a chat and sort out your feelings, and before you reply Mr. Otonashi let me ask you this... Would you rather Mr Shiranami date someone else?" Ritsu studied Towa after his statement and the moment he saw the Jabberwock Vice Captain's eyes he knew Towa's decision — he knew this was Ren's business not his to deal with, though he did help but just this once he won't let them pay after all his mother always told Ritsu to help in matters of the heart. "Snowdrop, thanks for helping! I realized what I have to do. Bye bye!" Towa beamed as he ran towards the check out area hoping Ren hadn't left yet, while Ritsu clocked out heading back to Sinostra.
Ren's eyes widened as he was about to leave because Towa suddenly tackled him into a hug, and threatened him if he dared to not speak to Towa at Mystery Diner to sort things out. (Whatever that means Ren's not sure, and he is feeling guilty for what he said so he agreed). The Jabberwock ghouls closed the store and headed for Mystery Diner. Ren decided to personally cook them dinner because despite hating work, he found himself wanting to impress Towa for whatever reason.... Ren apologized to Towa, for what — he didn't know yet and he wants to. He would date Towa (though why would he admit that in the first place), but the guy trying to kill him or hate him isn't exactly the ideal boyfriend type. But Ren felt drawn to him and Towa didn't force him to do anything, he just throws insults when Ren gets too close to Haru and tries to kill the animals who actually like him calling the critters 'traitors'. Ren didn't know why he said that to Yuri and Alan when he could've answered a simple know, but he didn't expect for Towa to take it personally! Why Towa took it personally he still doesn't understand..... Ren finished cooking and started to prepare the dishes, though by the silence in the Diner the usually warm air felt cold. It was as if winter had entered despite it being in the middle of summer, and Ren doesn't know what to do or say because Towa has been quiet as he ate the plate like a moving statue. The Jabberwock first year wanted to leave afraid of what would happen, when Towa suddenly grabbed his hand Ren flinched at the coldness of the touch but stayed regardless. The pair locked eyes as if entranced by each other, each pair of eyes held mystery, hurt and a mix of something else something stronger — could this be love? How or why is it love? Towa's ice cold touch slowly turned warm, not like burning heat but similar to the comfort of a happy home and it felt nice despite it being in the middle of summer. The fae smiled finally deciding to speak, it's now or never.
"Your cooking is delicious wolfsbane and.... I l-like you." Towa's face reddened despite preparing himself, "Don't you dare laugh at me just because you don't like me! And stay away from Haru! I don't know how but I fell in love with you." Towa said, as he looked Ren directly in the eyes despite being embarrassed. "Huh... I wouldn't have expected for you to be the jealous type. And I guess you found me handsome too." "Shut up Wolfsbane! Do you like me back or not?! You said you didn't mean what you said now answer." Towa is about to hit Ren again when the waiter hugged him, "Geez, I like you too. Just stop trying to kill me. And can't I get a new nickname? Wolfsbane sucks you know." Ren smiled as he hugged Towa who became surprisingly docile, "Fine you're lotus now. You better not leave me or talk to anyone else, if you cheat I'll kill you!" Towa replied "What?! How low do you think of me? Same to you Towa... Let's just play games in my room and call it even."
Towa beamed and begrudgingly did the dishes and went with Ren to his room, leaving Haru confused on what happened since the both of them usually fought — then tried to kill each other and then there they were smiling and holding hands, and heading towards Ren's room. The Vagastrom and Mortkranken general students are just as confused, they got new furniture sure but both of their Captain's have been acting weird and they're also questioning how the hell both of those two managed to survive WICKEA by themselves considering they were bad at directions unfortunately by managing to exit WICKEA Alan and Yuri refuse to believe they have a bad sense of direction. Alan headed towards Mortkranken to help Yuri build a table, Yuri greeted him and led him inside as if they had done this multiple times before. Both of them interacted as if they knew each other for a long time, and in each interaction the seeds of love were planted and finally bloomed to a beautiful flower and quite the rare flower it is that needs the utmost care and affection. Ritsu smiled since his deductions were correct, though he's not sure he would rather have Ren and Towa as enemies or lovers. Guess the Sinostra first year will have to see during his next shift at WICKEA, and hopefully Alan and Yuri don't come back. They found something more special and intricate to build that's not furniture, though sometimes it will fall and will take a long time to complete with the right amount of patience and compassion it will last an eternity even after death. After all here in WICKEA they help you not just build furniture but a relationship, man they should really change that slogan.