Two Lunatics Loose in the School (Part 1)

Ryujin entered his exclusive bedroom, a privilege accorded to the few who achieved S rank. The room was a canvas of medieval luxury, waiting to be personalized. High, arched windows let in streams of golden light, illuminating the ornate tapestries and the plush, royal-blue bedding that adorned the massive four-poster bed. With its polished wooden floors and a grand fireplace, the room exuded a sense of grandeur.

"Hmm… first things first, tidying up is in order," Ryujin muttered to himself.

He started by dusting the elegant, hand-carved furniture, each piece a testament to skilled craftsmanship. He arranged the luxurious drapes and made the bed, ensuring each pillow was perfectly fluffed and in place. The room slowly transformed from a lavish but impersonal space to one that hinted at its occupant's meticulous nature.

With the cleaning done, Ryujin turned his attention to his prized collection – action figures of his idol, Tim Cruise. Each figure represented a different character played by Tim in his action-packed movies. Ryujin handled them with utmost care, his admiration for Tim reflected in his careful movements.

The figures, however, were charmingly simplistic, almost childlike in their design. Clearly, they were not the work of a seasoned artist but creations borne out of pure adoration. The disproportionate limbs, the overly simplistic features, and the flashy colors only added to their charm. Ryujin placed them thoughtfully around the room, some on the shelves, a few on his bedside table, and one or two on the mantle over the fireplace.

As he stepped back to admire his handiwork, the room had transformed into a personal sanctuary that perfectly encapsulated Ryujin's interests and personality.

After carefully arranging his room and placing each item, Ryujin settled down with a comic book given to him by his new friend. It was a fascinating read, a Western-style comic adapted to the world he now inhabited. Instead of cowboys and old Western landscapes, it featured lawless lands devoid of sects, teeming with adventure and danger.

His tranquility was soon interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Ryujin-sama," called a familiar voice. It was Yumi.

"Come on, I —" 

Ryujin barely got the words out before Yumi barged in.

Now a reflection of Ryujin's tastes, the room caught her eye immediately.

"Wow, this room is amazing, Ryujin-sama! I wish I could stay here."

"You know you can't do that, Yumi. Besides, how did you even get in here in the first place? Isn't there supposed to be a spell that stops girls from entering the boys' dorms and vice versa?"

Yumi grinned proudly. "That spell? It was basic and easy to bypass."

Among all the girls in Ryujin's life, Yumi shared the most similarities with him, not just in attitude but also in lifestyle. Her passion for fighting and training made it easy for the two to connect deeper.

"Yumi, you really shouldn't be here. It's cool you got in and all, but we don't want to get in trouble, right?"

Yumi's eyes sparkled with mischief. "A little rule-breaking never hurt anyone, Ryujin-sama. Besides, it's more fun this way."

Ryujin settled comfortably with his book, his curiosity piqued by its contents. "Hmm..."

Yumi, peering over his shoulder, asked, "Hey, Ryujin-sama, what's that you're reading?"

"It's a comic. Comics are like... stories with pictures! They're cool – not as cool as action movies, but still pretty awesome."

Yumi looked intrigued. "Action movies? I've traveled all over, but I've never heard of them. When can you show me one?"

Ryujin chuckled. "That might take a while. But here, you can check out this comic for now." 

He handed her the comic book.

Yumi pouted playfully. "Muu, Ryujin, why are you so mean? We don't have those action movies here?"

"It's not my fault. It's the lack of technology." 

Yumi started flipping through the comic, her eyes scanning the pages.

"Hey, why aren't you reading, Yumi?"

"I just want to see the fights. Reading's boring."

Ryujin shook his head. "But you'll miss out on the story!"

"The best part is the action, not the dialogue. And hey, these drawings are way better than yours, fufu. Who drew them? Surely not you, Ryujin-sama."

Ryujin reached for the comic, trying to snatch it back. "Hey! If you're going to tease me, give it here."

Yumi was quicker, dodging his attempt with a grin. "Just joking, Ryujin. But I should probably head to bed. Big day tomorrow, you know."

As she lay down on his bed, Ryujin frowned. "You should go back to the girls' dorm."

"Goodnight, Ryujin."

"Yumi, seriously, you need to go."

"Nope, goodnight."

Ryujin sighed, realizing the futility of arguing. He lay down beside her, resigned to the unusual situation.

In their childhood, Yumi and Ryujin shared a bond beyond mere friendship, often spending nights in each other's company, a testament to their deep connection. These nights were filled with laughter and stories, forming some of Yumi's most treasured memories. However, this all changed when Amanda, driven by a growing obsession with Ryujin, became his personal maid.

Amanda, with a possessive fervor characteristic of a Yandere, maneuvered to monopolize every aspect of Ryujin's life. She expertly crafted scenarios to ensure she was always by his side, effectively isolating him from Yumi. Her actions were fueled by a mix of devotion and an intense desire to be the sole focus of Ryujin's attention.

On the other hand, Yumi harbored deep-seated resentment towards Amanda for usurping her place. Her feelings for Ryujin, though not as openly possessive as Amanda's, were intense in their own right. She longed for the days when she was his confidante and closest companion. This longing evolved into an obsession, where she yearned to reclaim her special place in Ryujin's life, a goal that became increasingly unattainable due to Amanda's manipulative strategies.

As a result, the sleepovers that once symbolized their innocent and carefree connection became a distant memory.

(I finally get to sleep beside Ryujin-sama again!)

◆

In the women's dorm, Amanda and Lexia stirred from their slumber. As they scanned the room, they noticed Yumi's absence. Amanda's frustration was evident.

"That flea-bitten wolf, where did she go?" 

"Nee-sama, don't you think..." 

"That she's snuck off to Ryujin-sama's room? Yes, that's likely." 

"But how? Didn't they set up a gender barrier?" 

Amanda smirked." You're still naive, Lexia. Those barriers are child's play to bypass."

"But wouldn't it trigger an alarm or something?"

"Not necessarily..."

Amanda's knowledge about these barriers could have been more coincidental. On her travels with Ryujin, she had learned how to navigate them skillfully, often sneaking into his room unnoticed.

"Since Yumi took the initiative, we should follow her lead."

However, as they attempted to leave the room, they were stopped. A powerful barrier, invisible yet impenetrable, blocked their path. It crackled with energy, its force field shimmering slightly as they touched it.

"What is this? Yumi must have set this up!" Amanda's anger boiled over. 

Lexia, equally frustrated, tried to find a weak point, but to no avail. The barrier held firm, a testament to its creator's skill and cunning.

Suzune, awoken by the commotion, peeked from under her covers. Seeing Amanda's fury, she quickly decided it was probably safer to pretend to sleep.

(Well… I better not get involved.)

Yumi's strategic victory was clear as the night drew to a close. She spent the night in Ryujin's room and outmaneuvered Amanda and Lexia, effectively trapping them in their dorm. Their first night at school ended with an unexpected twist, setting the tone for the coming days.