Book 3 - The Merchant from the Depth: Chapter 8; A Baiting Duo

The screen turns on as the chapter title card plays "Chapter- 8; A Baiting Duo".

The first years sat cautiously at their table, as the tweels stood next to it, not sitting down but still close.

Random students chatter in the background as Jade asks "Is it just my imagination, or is someone looking a bit dour today?"

The anemone trio take it that the comment was meant for them as Ace backhandedly comments "Oh, y'know, we're just coming to terms with being ordered around by a trio of tyrants." Floyd laughs as he says in a rather chipper tone "Isn't that cute?~ The sea anemone that breached its contract is talking!" His tone then becomes a lot more casual "You guys know you're in no position to complain." before his eyes widen as he threatens them "So shut your traps." as he grabs his arm.

This makes Grim hide behind Deuce as he scaredly exclaims "Eeep! Not the squeeze!"

But Jade takes charge as he tells the trio "Allow me to clarify: I wasn't talking to the sea anemones. I was specifically addressing you…" as he turns his head Yuu before finishing his statement "...Yuu, prefect of Ramshackle Dorm."

With his smile she gets set back to the two major times she had seen him. The first being when him and Floyd chased them, then the second being when the Octavinelle trio was fighting the horde of students. Both times he had a similar smile on, or at least when he first started talking to them or before he started fighting.

The fear also brings back the monster she faced with Ace, Deuce, and Grim with how it chased her. Then this triggered a full backflow of quick memories of all the times she had been terrified. Whether that was an overblot or just the students it didn't matter. This makes her shake as she suddenly had all of her worst memories flashed before her eyes. Once she realizes that she had been taking a little while to answer she nervously shouts out "Yes?!"

Of course they have no idea it was all of what had happened, and so they think that the Leech twin had just intimidated her.

This makes Floyd kinda tease "Awww, look at you, scurrying backwards like a shrimp afraid of being someone's lunch!" He then seems to have a realization as he then exclaims "And on that note… You're so teeny, I'ma call you "Little Shrimpy" from now on!"

Deuce then quietly states "I think most students on campus would be small compared to you two." Ace hears and whispers back "Yeah, and having two guys this big standing together is a special kind of imposing."

But luckily it seems neither of the tweels heard the two's whispers.

Jade then tells Yuu "I understand that you were playing little spy games with Riddle and others just recently, Yuu. You may know who we are already, but I've always been a stickler for formal introductions."

He then steps forward as he extends a hand for a handshake formally introducing himself "I am Jade Leech, and this is my twin brother Floyd." Yuu cautiously shakes his hand, as it seemed he would not step back until she did. Floyd then steps up and he ends up giving her a surprise hug as he tells her happily "Heya. I'm Floyd. Nice to meetcha, Little Shrimpy!~" He only reluctantly lets her go after a look from Jade, not a glare but it still had a bit of threatening aura to it.

After he steps back again Jade continues "Now, where was I? Ah, yes… Allow me to infer what troubles you, Yuu. Could your anxiety perhaps stem from these three anemone stooges?"

Jack then cuts in saying "'Perhaps'? Listen to you, acting all coy."

Floyd then asks him "What's your problem? You're as prickly as a sea urchin!~" Jack shouts at Floyd "Wh– I'm a WOLF, not a sea urchin!" because of Floyd's comment.

But Jade moves the topic back to its original focus as he informs her "If the source of your troubles does in fact lie with these sea anemones… I believe you would be well-served discussing the matter with Azul in person, Yuu."

Yuu's eyes widen as she realizes that at least the Leech twins knew of her and Jack watching Azul today.

Jack seems to be a little slower as he asks "Wait, what?"

But Jade is now ignoring the others as he tells Yuu "You will find Azul to be as benevolent as the Sea Witch, one of the Great Seven. I have no doubt he would treat your misgivings with all due gravity."

Yuu's eyes narrow at the very well-hidden threat in that last sentence.

Floyd then jumps in agreeing with Jade, obviously, as he says "Yeah! Azul's a real problem-solver. For example…" He paused before saying with a toothy smile "He could set these sea anemones free if you asked him to."

This makes the anemone trio shout "Really?!"

Jade smirks as he's aware that their plan is now in motion.

Jade answers "Absolutely. Just remember: you can't get something for nothing."

None of them see the full plan, although Jack and Yuu manage to see part of it.

Jack clicks his tongue as he states "So that's your angle. You wanna rope Yuu into one of his contracts."

Jade tells Jack "Please, there's no need to bare your fangs at me. Goodness, you land mammals are so belligerent." Floyd then says "We're just passin' on a hot tip outta the goodness of our hearts. Ain't that right, Jade?" Jade holds his chin as he agrees saying "Exactly, Floyd. We wouldn't dream of leaving a poor, unfortunate soul by the wayside."

Both then chuckle rather evilly, as Jade also sparks a smile of the same nature.

Jade then finishes by telling Yuu "If your interest is piqued, feel free to visit the Mostro Lounge sometime after nine tonight. We'll have some piquant tea ready for you upon your arrival." Jade then starts walking away as Floyd says "We'll be waiting, Little Shrimpy!~" as he joins his brother in walking away.

Deuce says "Wait, so, uh…" as the gears in his head are turning about what the Leech twins said. Grim continues on the thought saying "If Yuu makes a contract with Azul and meets his conditions, whatever they are…" As Ace finishes it "...we could be freed from this?!"

This makes all of them plead to her "Please, Prefect! You gotta beat him for us!"

Yuu puts her face in her hands and slowly brings them down her face at their request. Since the only times they've willingly helped except for extreme situations is through a lot of convincing or bribery.

Jack sees this and tells them "You guys are shameless, you know that?" while posing it as a question.

Yuu then blocks them all out as she thinks of her next plan of action, as they start fighting with Jack.

Grim shouts "You don't have an anemone on your head! You've got no idea how miserable this is!" Jack defends back "Maybe you shoulda thought of that before trying to coast through a test."

At that Ace shouts "Look, I've learned my lesson, okay?!" Deuce agrees with Ace as he says "Yeah, I'll never do this again for sure. I'll take my results like a man, even if that means failing." Jack seems a bit surprised by Deuce's response as he tells him "You're supposed to say you'll work hard to ensure you stop failin' altogether."

Jack then looks to Yuu, as this is ultimately her choice, as he asks her "Well? What's your call, Yuu? You gonna take them up on their invitation?"

The anemone trio make puppy dog eyes at her to say yes.

Yuu nods as she confidently states "This could be our chance."

This makes Grim cheer "Y'know, for the first time, I think I'm ready to recognize you as our prefect!"

Jack is slightly disappointed in her answer but fully understands it's not just those three being her reasoning. So he only clicks his tongue as he looks away and says "Fine."

He then looks her in the eyes as he tells her "I'm goin' with you, though. You seem like you'd get yourself into trouble otherwise."

This makes Ace happily and jokingly tease him saying "Damg, Jack! You're a big softie!" Jack gets embarrassed as he defends himself shouting "D-don't get me wrong, okay?!" He then returns to normal as he says "I just don't like Azul's scheming. I can't stand the thought of losin' to guys who profited off of someone else's hard work."

Just then anemones start to make a squeaking sound as they start to move around on their own a little bit. They then start to pull the three away.

Deuce exclaims "So much for chatting. My sea anemone's tugging at me again!" They try to at least end the conversation before leaving. Ace also complains "Ow, ow, ow! C'mon, at least let me have my lunch break in peace!" The other two start to be fully dragged as Grim shouts "I'm countin' on you, Prefect!" before getting fully pulled away with the other two.

They all shouts "WOE IS ANEMONEEEEE!" as they're all dragged away.

Seeing that Jack says "Yeesh… Hopeless, the whole lot of 'em."

He then looks at Yuu as he says "Anyway, I guess we're goin' to Mostro Lounge tonight." as he picks up his food scraps and starts to walk away.

Yuu sighs as she can tell this is already heading in a bad direction, just like with the mines, Heartslabyul, and Savanaclaw.

She starts to mentally prepare herself for what's to come as the screen fades to black and "To be continued" plays before it fully turns off.