03:53 PM

Eiffel and Grate were on their way to the Que House.

"What were you doing back there in the Belleford bridge?", Eiffel asked.

"Well, what happened was. *Flashback* After I got separated from you in the hallway to run to Arumi, I had a few words with her and then met Richard on the way.", Grate confided.

"Where did you two noobs go missing last night at the party?", Richard asked.

"Eiffel drank a lot last night that's why Adam sent us home, father.", Grate answered.

"Oh. So, I'm just here to let you know that tomorrow's the full moon night. Therefore you'll have to complete the crematorium's task tomorrow night. If you had planned anything else for tomorrow night, then change your plan. Got it, son?", Richard declared.

"Certainly, Father.", Grate accepted.

"Good. Now tell me how's your Blood Games going?", Richard asked.

"We completed the morgue's task last night, Father.", said Grate.

"That's great. How did it go?", Richard cheered upon hearing that.

"Not good, father.", Grate turned upset while saying that.

"What happened? Is there a problem?", Richard asked.

"Have you heard of one of Queendom's pledges that quit Astorion yesterday?", Grate asked as he took out his phone and showed him Maki's pictures from the morgue. "We discovered her body in there."

Richard was surprised upon seeing that, looked carefully, and strictly told, "Send me these pictures! Right now!"

"Y-yes, father.", Grate quavered as he was doing so.

"Where's your noob brother?", Richard asked strictly.

"He was just here. But he said that he was going somewhere.", Grate answered.

"Go find him and meet us in the mansion. Fast! It's getting late.", Richard ordered as Grate ran to search for Eiffel, and thus, the flashback ended.

"And that's it.", said Grate to Eiffel.

"So tomorrow's the full moon night, huh? ...Why doesn't Jack tell me these. I feel bad to get treated differently from him.", Eiffel fumed.

"You couldn't manage to bond with him like I did with Richard.", Grate shared his opinion.

"Don't you know how he is? It's difficult to mix with someone so evil and annoying as him. Just look at him... I can't believe there are people like that in this world.", Eiffel mocked.

"Haha. It will be alright.", Grate laughed, but he turned upset afterward.

"Is there anything wrong, Grate?", Eiffel asked with concern.

"*sigh* What should I say... It's Arumi. I don't know why but she started avoiding me.", Grate grieved.

"Maybe she's sad because of Maki's situation?", Eiffel implied.

"I don't know. She is changed all so suddenly and doesn't give me any attention any longer. Maybe one of the Queens told her about me and Suzanna last night at the party.", Grate doubted.

"I warned you, but you didn't listen.", Eiffel sighed. Grate kept silent upon hearing that.

Then they entered the Que House. The Ques were sitting here and there in the living room.

"You are late.", said Jack in a serious tone. "It's 4 O'clock. You were supposed to be here at 2. We were supposed to have lunch together."

"What...?", Eiffel was in disbelief. "But, I had my lunch already."

"That's too bad. Then you are going to have to eat again right here. We had ours. Now it's your time.", Jack smirked.

"What? Then why didn't you tell me about it? I wouldn't have lunch if I knew.", Eiffel whined about it.

"Son, you didn't tell him?", Richard asked Grate.

"Yeah, about that...", Grate mumbled since he didn't tell him because of the 'dating a teacher' task earlier. Eiffel gave an irate look at Grate.

"Now, sit down there at the table and have your lunch. Marlin cooked for you. You don't wanna make this man upset.", Jack said in a serious tone.

Then Eiffel and Grate were eating. Grate was eating swiftly and anything that was on the table while Eiffel was eating slowly in a decent manner and he was getting annoyed at Grate. Eiffel also noticed that Grate wasn't eating meat, he was only eating vegetables and fish curry.

"You alright, bro?", Eiffel asked.

"Why do you ask?", Grate asked back.

"You are not eating meat at all. I thought the meat was your favorite.", Eiffel implied.

"No! You are wrong! Meat is murder!", Grate denied.

"What!?", Eiffel was dumbfounded. "Who told you that? Who influenced you to avoid meat?"

"Gender studies.", Grate answered.

"Gender studies? What does that have to do with meat? And besides, you are eating fish. That would be murder too!", Eiffel stated.

"*munch* *munch* No, it isn't! Fishes don't suffer!", Grate implied.

"You can't just choose which animal suffers or not, Grate! Either it's all wrong or nothing is!", Eiffel raged at his remark.

"I can too! *munch munch* I read about fish online! As long as I don't eat meat, I can have a clear conscience. So, I can and I will eat everything else!", Grate bragged.

"The only thing you won't eat is 'less'.", Eiffel sighed.

Marlin came by and asked, "How is the food, noobs?"

"It's delicious, Marlin. I can't believe how you cook so well.", Eiffel complimented him.

"Yes, Marlin. Teach me how you do it.", said Grate.

"Haha. Thank you for your compliments, noobs. I learned it from my mom. If you liked my food, then imagine how good my mom cooks.", Marlin rejoiced.

"I'm sure, man. And you should cook more often.", Eiffel suggested.

"What are you saying? Don't you know that he is the cook of this house? He cooks breakfast, lunch, and dinner for us every day.", said Richard.

"Wow, is it? I didn't know that.", said Eiffel in surprise as he finished his food.

"That's right. Cooking is my passion. And I'm planning to become a chef after graduation.", Marlin revealed.

"That's awesome!", said Eiffel as he was delighted to hear that from him.

"So. Any task are you two planning to do tonight?", Richard asked.

"Yes. we were thinking about doing the Cyclopes' eye task tonight. But, we don't know where to find a Cyclopes.", said Grate.

"That is why a father is for. Head to the Reveuse Museum in the Bleu Marine City exactly one hour before sunrise. There's a rumor that moments before sunrise, some people have witnessed Cyclopes roaming inside that museum.", Richard stated.

"Wow... Is this for real or just a rumor?", Eiffel asked.

"Go and see it for yourself.", Jack smirked.

"And what if it was just a rumor all along?", Eiffel questioned.

"Then you fail the task and fail Blood Games!", Jack laughed.

"How's that fair?", said Eiffel as he felt annoyed.

"Ah, don't mind him. You will have your answers when you get there.", Richard said to Eiffel.

"And by the way. We are hosting a house party with Queendom here tonight. Be here in time.", Jack announced.

"Got it.", said Eiffel.

"Who's gonna say 'father', son?", Jack asked as he glared at him.

"Got it, father...", Eiffel answered with a look of disturbance.

After eating their food, the noobs were taking their leave.

"Thanks for the food, Marlin. It was a wonderful time.", Eiffel thanked him.

"Haha. Today you came here and ate as guests. You'll eat here again, but as one of us, in a couple of days.", said Marlin.

"Don't get their hopes up, Marlin! Like that would ever happen.", Jack said to him annoyingly. And so, they were leaving.

Richard stopped them by saying, "Oh, one more thing. Make sure to check out the noticeboard before going back to the dorm."

Eiffel and Grate looked at each other and wondered what was on the noticeboard.

Then they were walking. Eiffel looked like he was tired, exhausted, and sleepy.

"You alright, man?" Grate asked.

"I'm just feeling sleepy. I don't remember the last time I slept properly.", Eiffel yawned.

"This is what this is all about, B-boi! The dedication! You sacrifice your sleep, your hunger, your studies, your time, your love, and your life only for this game. It's all about Blood Games, brother!", Grate chortled at his remark.

As they went further and passed by Queendom's sorority, Grate noticed the noticeboard area was crowded.

"What's going on there at the noticeboard? Let's go and check it out.", Grate said to Eiffel and ran toward it. As Eiffel was about to do the same, he heard some conversation in the back of the sorority.

Eiffel went there to check out what was going on. As he peeked, he found Maria and Rocky arguing about something.

"Please, Maria! Can't you at least talk to them? Do you want me to lose everything?", Rocky urged her.

"That's why you're here?", Maria asked in disbelief.

"Yes!", Rocky answered calmly.

"*raged* What about me?"

"*confused* What about you?"

"*furious* You're never here just for me... I don't *beep* get you! It's like I'm only good enough for you at parties and when we're with your friends!"

"*urged* Maria, this isn't about us. It's about my future!"

"You put yourself into this situation. I can't fix that for you."

"Yes, you can! They will listen to you."

"*calmed down* ...I'm not promising anything."

"*in a caring way* But you'll try, right?"

"*melted* For you...of course."

"*delighted* Thank You."

Maria was going for a kiss, but Rocky kissed her forehead instead and left. Maria turned upset.

"*wept* I'm just so stupid. I thought he came here for me. Apparently not... *raged* He's probably gonna leave me for his side *beep*, too. That guy has lost all *beep* interest in me."

Eiffel felt upset and thought of consolation toward her, but Grate called him to the crowd.

"Hey, Eiffel! Come here! Fast! You should see this!"

Eiffel sprinted to Grate as soon as he called him and went into the crowd.

"What is it, Grate?", Eiffel asked.

Grate was terrified as he pointed toward the noticeboard. Eiffel trembled as soon as he glanced toward the noticeboard. It was an article signed by Masquerade on a Masquerade bond paper with Maki's pictures from the morgue on it that Grate captured. It was captioned, "Belleford Incident: Accident or Murdered? We want Justice for our fallen Astorionian!"

The crowd was murmuring. Eiffel and Grate overheard some students' conversations.

"Was this really an accident?"

"I heard she quit Astorion and was on a motorcycle on her way home when this happened."

"I doubt it. Or maybe she took her own life jumping off the bridge. It's a common issue in the Belleford."

"This is bad...", said Eiffel.

Maria approached the noticeboard as well and turned flabbergasted upon seeing it. "What the hell is going on!?", she uttered and panicked.

Later. Eiffel returned to his dorm and looked at his guitar for a while. It reminded him of Sarah's melody that she played on the piano and as if it was playing in his head. Eiffel picked up the guitar and he was trying to play the melody on it. Despite playing the melody quite well, he made minor mistakes that distracted him.

Eiffel stopped and thought, "Man, what a beautiful melody. I must learn it. And if I want to learn it, I should learn from the player herself." Then he grabbed the Guitar and carried it on his back as he rushed to the MMM mansion. He approached the security guard at the entrance gate.

"Excuse me?", Eiffel called him.

"Yes?", the security guard responded.

"I'm wondering if you would let me in? I'm here to see Sarah."

"Does she know that you are coming?"

"No, it's more of a surprise visit."

"*didn't buy it* Yeah, right. Sorry, we don't do those here. You can call her and have her tell me to open the gate for you."

"I don't have her number."

Suddenly Trojan showed up and entered the gate.

"What's this?", Trojan asked the security guard upon seeing Eiffel at the gate.

"Good evening, sir. There's an unannounced visitor for Ms. Sarah-", said the security guard.

"Shush. We cannot permit this boy to enter the building. We must be strict given the burglary and everything else. 2000 vowels of mine were stolen from the mansion by some criminal who broke in. Don't you forget that!", said Trojan to the security guard with a serious tone as he entered the house mansion and thought while grinding his teeth, "What audacity! 5 days into Astorion and he has got the nerve to enter my premises. Ragged lowlife fool."

"I'm sorry, sir. You heard him. No entrance allowed. Please step away from the gates.", the security guard warned Eiffel with a hostile approach.

"Alright. Geez. I'm leaving.", said Eiffel as he took his leave and thought, "I've tried doing this nicely, but sometimes we gotta play foul to get what we want... I'm not giving up that easily."

Then he rushed to the back of the MMM mansion and climbed up the walls to get inside the boundary.

"Great. I'm inside the MMM border.", Eiffel thought cheerfully. "Sarah must be on the top floor. Now how do I get there?" He looked around through the window and thought of sneaking in, but changed his mind upon seeing Trojan and his pals walked into the room.

"If you ask me, it's a rather typical dormitory for this estate. Although the furniture is included in the rent, you are free to design your room any way you choose.", said Trojan to a new guy. It seemed to be that there was a new pledge in MMM.

"The riches are in there... I have to find another way through.", Eiffel thought with a look of anxiety. Then he looked around, hoping to find another way, and noticed the pillars. He felt a sense of relief upon seeing that.

"Ok. Let's do this.", he thought as he found his courage back, carried the guitar on his back, and climbed up to the mansion's second floor by pillars. It took him a while though. He sneaked in and looked for Sarah's room, but found out Trojan was coming up the stairs with his pals. Eiffel desperately hid in the bar room's balcony very carefully without making any noise. Trojan and his pals came in to show the bar room to their new pledge.

"Martin, this is the crazy part! After an incident at the local pub last year, I had this bar constructed. To cut a long tale short, my evening was spoilt by their running out of olives.", Trojan stated. The riches were having a conversation about it while Eiffel was sweating bullets and patiently wondered when they were going to leave. After a while, the riches were making their move, but Sebastian stopped for a while and looked at the balcony.

"Anything wrong, Sebastian?", Patrick asked.

Sebastian didn't answer and he was approaching the balcony with suspension in his mind. Eiffel thought that he got caught. But, found out Sebastian only approached the balcony to drop the curtain. "Don't want any outside spectators to see what's inside our luxurious mansion, or do you?", Sebastian stated.

Trojan smiled at that and said to his pals, "On to the next dorm!" Then the riches moved out of the room.

Eiffel got into the room and with a sigh of great relief, he thought, "Looks like they all left... I can go through here now." He slowly got out of the door, made his move, and got bumped into Lawrence who was talking on the phone.

"What's this!?", Lawrence was startled silently as he was alone and other riches weren't around.

"Oh *beep*!", Eiffel was startled silently as well.

"...I'm gonna call you right back.", said Lawrence as he cut off the call after staring down at Eiffel for some time. "This is getting interesting... But don't worry, I won't bite. Do what you came here to do. I'll pretend we never saw each other. Consider me a silent spectator who enjoys these little entertainment.", Lawrence smirked. Then he walked passed Eiffel. He stopped and said, "Oh, by the way, Sarah's room is that way.", said Lawrence as he showed him the way to her room and called back to the person he was talking to a moment ago.

Then Eiffel approached Sarah's door and knocked on it. Eventually, she opened up to be surprised at who was standing before her.

"*surprised* Eiffel? What are you doing here?", Sarah was startled. Eiffel gave her a flower that he was carrying in his pocket. Sarah took the flower and smiled.

"Hey! I needed to improvise because I wanted to visit you but didn't have your phone number.", said Eiffel.

"Huh? They letting you in surprises me."

"They didn't... I had to climb the walls."

"*shocked and disappointed, but happy at the same time* Eiffel... You can't do that."

"I'm sorry, but I had no other options. Trojan instructed the security officer to deny me entry after I requested that he phone you."

"Well, security is on high alert since we recently had a break-in. Come on in. *Eiffel went in.* You brought your guitar?"

"Yes, sit down and just listen."

"But...why?"

"To you, I'm making things right. For sneaking in on you playing the piano and for being a jerk the other day. When you realized I had heard you play, I observed how strange it felt to you. I, therefore, believed I could balance things out for us."

"Ok...?"

Then Eiffel played a soft guitar tone which was familiar to her and she was deeply enjoying it.

While he was playing, Sarah remembered her conversation with Desdemona the other day when Eiffel was beaten up by Rocky and was brought in by her to Desdemona's house.

"He's been unfortunate, or perhaps I should say that he made terrible friend choices.", Desdemona commented.

"Huh? I believed that you didn't like him. What caused your unexpected change of heart?", Sarah wondered.

"You saw I talked with him just now. He's not all bad."

"*stunned* Not all bad? Mona, that's the most complimentary thing you've ever said about a guy."

"*no reaction* ..."

"You might be right, I believe."

"Good. So, go ahead."

"*nervous* Go ahead and...befriend him?

"I don't care if something's going on between the two of you."

"*astonished* What!? Eiffel must have really impressed you. I'm stunned."

"And I can't believe you two don't remember each other anymore. Though it has been years now and I didn't recognize him at first."

"*confused* Huh? What do you mean, Mona?"

"He saved you from two incidents in the past."

"*stunned* What? Who? Eiffel saved me? How?"

"Yes, on two occasions. One, when you were in middle school, some high school boys once bullied your friends. You were brave enough to stand up to them, and eventually, you ended up slapping one of those boys. The boys didn't like that so they beat you up and decided to cut your hair. And when they were about to do so, Eiffel came to the rescue and beat them up. The boys retreated and were never seen in that area again."

"*astonished* ..."

"The other incident. That was not so long ago. You and your family visited the Hemispheres for a picnic that they invited. You kids and the Hemisphere kids were playing by the river when one of them pushed you down to the water for fun, unaware that you didn't know how to swim. The elders tried to save you, but the current was too strong that carried you so far away. Out of nowhere, there was this boy again who jumped into the water and he eventually saved you. You were unconscious when he handed you over to your family. By the time you regained consciousness, he was gone. The boy was Eiffel Roseholic... Your savior."

Back to the present. Sarah was listening to Eiffel's guitar playing with great concern and thinking about Desdemona's words. After a while, Eiffel stopped as the song was done.

"Now we're even. That was a very personal song I just played for you.", said Eiffel.

"You're really talented. I loved it.", Sarah complimented him. "You know... that's Mona's favorite song."

"Oh, really?"

"Do you play any classical music?"

"No, I find the tunes' finger-work to be quite challenging."

"Didn't they teach you that in class?"

I never attended any music courses; I picked up all of my knowledge on my own."

"*surprised* Then it's even more impressive. And yes... we're even."

"*cheerful* Great! Because I would love to hear you play again!"

"You what?"

"I can't seem to get the tune you played out of my head... I apologize; I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable that day. I was powerless to resist... I just adore melodies."

"... Me too. So... You really liked my playing?"

"Totally! You are so skilled! I can tell you've been practicing for a long time."

"Yes... I've played the piano ever since I was eight years old. All right... Let's go to the music room. My piano is there."

Then they sneaked into the music room where all the popular musical instruments were available. Sarah removed the cloth off a large piano.

"This is your piano?", Eiffel asked.

"Yes, my dad bought it for my tenth birthday.", Sarah answered.

"It's a beautiful instrument.", Eiffel complimented.

Sarah sat down carefully to play the piano as Eiffel watched with great concern and admiration. Then she played the melody he heard her playing the other day.

"Oh, wow. What a song!", Eiffel cheerfully complimented her.

"Did you ever learn to read sheet music?", Sarah asked as she continued playing the melody.

"I understand the fundamentals, but when I play, I have trouble. So, I guess you could say I'm not fluent."

"While I play, have a look and see if you comprehend something. For this song, I should be alright without it."

Eiffel tried to read the sheet music while she played. "Hm... This is moving entirely too quickly for me, I guess. Standing so close to her while she plays this amazing melody, I find it difficult to concentrate.", Eiffel thought.

"Can you see the notes I'm playing?", Sarah asked.

"Yes, but I'm having trouble following where you are in the song.", Eiffel answered and asked, "Would it be okay if I took a picture of the sheet? Merely so I may research it later."

"Please, go ahead."

"Thanks."

Sarah finished playing and stood up.

"*clapped* It's a lovely melody. The tune truly sticks with you... Since you previously practiced in the theater and not here, I was wondering if you were reciting for a show or anything?", Eiffel asked.

"You're sharp.", said Sarah as she got impressed with his words and continued, "Yes, the auditorium on campus occasionally hosts performances. One of them has invited me to perform there. I'm a little anxious and prefer to be well-prepared, so..."

"You must already be practicing a lot, huh?"

"Yes. I avoid large audiences. I've always wanted to perform, but I lack stage presence due to anxiety."

"That's why you behaved oddly when I saw you perform, isn't it?"

"*embarrassed* ..."

"I believe you can succeed. Simply continue to practice until you feel secure."

"*felt encouraged* You think?"

"Hey, I'll be one of your viewers. More of your music would be wonderful. I've never had the opportunity of hearing superb piano music up close.", Eiffel applauded her as she blushed.

While they were talking and laughing, Trojan and his chumps showed up to visit the music room.

"Xavier, you are a complete lunatic! This is just another excellent test for Martin, our new apprentice. A beer glass and one bottle of champagne will be delivered soon.", said Trojan but he cut off as soon as he spotted Eiffel and Sarah having a very good time together.

"Huh! Sarah? How did this boy get past the gates? Sebastian, call for security!", Trojan groused as he walked up to Sarah with a hostile approach.

"Trojan, hold on! He is welcome to visit whenever he likes as my guest.", Sarah declared confidently.

"Please excuse me. Sarah, kindly! This mansion is not the place for this student. Observe his rags. You call that clothing?", Trojan argued.

"He is my guest, so please be respectful of him.", Sarah calmly suggested.

"I was just leaving.", said Eiffel as he couldn't take any more insults.

"Good. Security, show this youngster the door. In light of the incident, we cannot take any chances.", Trojan ranted.

"Thank you for the music... It was nice.", Eiffel said to Sarah with a smile. She smiled as well. "Goodbye.", said Eiffel before he was leaving, which upset her.

On his way out, Eiffel stopped, fretted, and thought, "No... Not like this." He turned around and rushed back at Sarah. Trojan was shoved a little by the process which made him angry.

Eiffel held her hand and asked, "Sarah. Would you be interested to go in a date with me? I'd love to learn more about you." Sarah blushed upon hearing it from him.

The riches got angry at his audacity while Lawrence chuckled.

"Yes... I'd love that, too.", Sarah answered. Trojan and his chumps were flabbergasted.

"Maybe I could get your number so we can avoid this situation in the future?", Eiffel asked her as he took out his phone.

"Sure.", said Sarah as she gave him her contact number. Trojan was in complete disbelief.

"Thanks, Sarah. Tomorrow then?", Eiffel asked.

"Tomorrow, it is.", Sarah happily replied.

"Okay, then. Bye...", said Eiffel as he was making his exit. He teased Trojan with an Eye poke as he was leaving casually and in style.

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