"A, excellent." a voice said. "There you are, Jamil."

"Ara? Hello, sashimi" Y/n teased.

Azul blushed a bright red, remembering a certain event that happened after the Amaryllis trio returned to their dorm. Let's just say that Y/n 'ate' him when they were in the Amaryllis outdoor hot spring with Azul in her octo-mer form since he trusts her. Azul still has some hickeys on his shoulder, waist, and his inner part of the legs.

"H-hello...my angelfish" he greeted.

Jamil frowned upon seeing who the voice belonged to, especially when he saw how red the octopunk's face was "What do YOU want, Azul?"

"W-why, what EVER could I have done to earn your ire?" Azul innocently asked. Jamil just made an unamused expression. "And here I thought we were the closest of classmates! More to the point: you're on class duty, correct? Our afternoon Magic History period is going to be a study hall today. Professor Trein wants you to come and get the classwork printouts from the faculty office."

"Fine. I'll be right there." Jamil sighed. He expected Azul to leave but instead, he stayed, paying attention to a certain Jasmine flower.

Azul turned his attention to Y/n. "How is your work going, Angelfish?" he asked, having a certain glint in his eyes.

"I'm almost done," Y/n answered.

Azul smiled. "If you ever need my help, just call me. I'll be more than happy to lend help to my future wife"

"How flattering" Y/n chuckled, causing Jamil to be a little jealous. "I got my work under control. I wouldn't want to have my delicious soulmate work too hard for my sake" she had a teasing smirk.

"S-stop always teasing me, A-angelfish!"

"Say, didn't Azul stream Jamil's whole diabolical plan to the world?" Grim asked in a whispered tone.

"Eh?" Y/n was confused about that statement. After all, she was under Jamil's control.

"How did that go over?" asked Yuuna.

"Please." Azul cleared his throat. "It's like you've never heard a bluff before. That was obviously a ploy to convince him there was no talking his way out of it."

"Mrah?!"

"I can't believe you thought that I, the very soul of benevolence, would willingly destroy a classmate's reputation and social standing!" Azul made a fake hurt expression.

"...You absolutely would," Jamil said.

"You would, if it met having me for yourself" Y/n also agreed with Jamil.

"A real nice guy wouldn't tell such a nasty lie in the first place" Yuuna huffed, crossing her arms.

"Heh heh heh." Azul chuckled, not offended at all nor denying what Y/n said. "All I did that day was put my smartphone on a speaker call with Jade. Unlike Leona, I don't torment others for sport. I never do more than what is strictly necessary." he explained. "I obtained some perfect good intel from the experience. I would never dream of devaluing my own assets!"

Jamil sighed. "Whatever you say. But you know what? I'll grudgingly admit that thanks to Azul's 'benevolence...' My parents and the Asim family still don't know the real reason I overblotted. As for the students..."

"Housewarden Kalim, I don't understand!" Kareem shouted. "Why aren't you replacing Jamil as vice housewarden?"

"He's been deceiving us all for ages, yourself included!" Omar pointed out.

"He might still be plotting something," Salman admits. "He needs to be dismissed!"

"Wow, you're all so worried about me! Thanks!" Kalim gave them a warm smile. "Here's the thing, though...He's not the only one at fault for this mess. I share some of the blame. Besides, I would bet there isn't a single person in Scarabia who hasn't gotten help from Jamil at some point. Am I right?"

"W-well..." Kareem stuttered.

"I guess he's given me advice before..."

"See? There you go. He's been a model vice housewarden. In fact, he's put me to shame." Kalim admits. "He let dark thoughts get the better of him for a brief time. Other than that, he's a perfectly capable guy. It's true that he used you all to try and kick me out...But Jamil never once hurt me before the holiday incident. And believe me, he could have. He's had every possible opportunity to do far worse things. But he never did. Not once in seventeen years. I know I can't exactly call him a good guy, but still." he said, having a bitter-sweet smile.

"Housewarden..."

"It's frustrating not being able to explain myself better, but...could you give us just a little more time to sort this out?"

"If that's what you want...then I guess so."

Jamil listened to the conversation from a corner, narrowing his eyes a bit. "....."

"We've been more or less treading water ever since." Jamil summed up. "Scarabia emphasizes mindfulness and forethought. Our students are trying to avoid jumping to conclusions. They're watching and waiting to see who's more beneficial to side with. Myself and Kalim included."

"Ara ara? How very Scarabian" Y/n chuckled.

"Astoundingly shameless, one and all" Azul chuckled as well. "I'm impressed the two of you would even dance together after everything that transpired."

"Hmph. Say what you will" Jamil said, pulling Y/n away from Azul, having an arm around her. "In my case, the overblot incident has caused my reputation at school to plummet. It makes sense for me to fall in line with Kalim for a while, in interest of improving my position both within Scarabia and without"

"Heh. The students must be circling you like sharks, waiting for the first sign of blood so they can challenge you for your seat" Azul warned. "If not for your clashing idiosyncrasies, it would be hard to imagine a more appealing person to serve than Kalim. He's eventually going to inherit an entire trove of treasure. In our modern society, that wealth represents a power magnitudes greater than any magic. Why, it borders on omnipotence."

"Look. My holiday plot was a once-in-a-lifetime gambit. I thought that if I failed, my life would effectively be over" Jamil admitted. "But in the end, things aren't all that different now...Thankfully. As long as Kalim doesn't dismiss me, I'll continue to be his aid. That included Kalim, my dormmates, my parents, the Asim family..." Jamil grabbed Y/n's hand. "And to you too..." he then turned to Azul, giving him a smirk. "I could include sashimi as well.."

"Stop it!" Azul yelped, blushing madly.

Y/n summoned her hand fan to cover her face, giggling a bit along with Yuuna.

"Man, Jamil" Grim said. "You've gone from one person before the holidays to a whole other person after 'em. It's nuts."

"Heh" Azul smirked as well, "I much prefer it this way. If Kalim's ever does sack you, Octavinelle's doors are always open to you. We would gladly welcome someone with your pedigree."

"Thank you, but not in a million years." Jamil rolled his eyes. "Octavinelle is the last dorm I would ever transfer to. I rather join Amaryllis."

"Hey, guys!" Kalim called over to them. "We're gonna be late to class if we don't hustle!"

"Look at Kalim keeping US on track, instead of the other way around!" Azul said, letting out a chuckle. "Heh. I never thought I see the day. He's right, of course."

"I shouldn't have stood around chatting with you anyway." Jamil scowled. "I'd better go get those printouts."

"Gah!" Ace yelped. "Our next period is in the west building! That's a long walk."

"C'mon, Yuuna! Y/n! Grim!" Deuce called out. "Let's beat feet!" he said, following Ace.

"Myah! Wait for meee!" Grim yelled as the Amaryllis trio ran to catch up with them.