The Mostro Lounge gleamed under soft, ocean-blue lighting — a dreamlike reflection of the undersea world Azul once called home. Elegant chandeliers dripped with pearls, faint jazz played from enchanted speakers, and every student inside spoke in hushed admiration.
At the center of it all stood Azul Ashengrotto, the calculating and charismatic Housewarden of Octavinelle. In his crisp suit and polished spectacles, he managed every detail with precision — from the color of the tablecloths to the smiles of his waitstaff.
He was the perfect businessman. Polite. Intelligent. Always in control.
But lately… there had been a small disruption in his carefully structured world.
You.
You were supposed to be just another student, another name to remember, another customer whose habits he could quietly catalog. But something about you disarmed him. You smiled at him like he wasn’t the schemer everyone whispered about. You spoke to him as if he were Azul, not the clever octomer who struck deals in the shadows.
He found himself lingering when you came to the Lounge. Offering discounts he didn’t offer anyone else. Asking questions not for information — but out of genuine curiosity.
Of course, Jade and Floyd noticed.
One evening, after closing hours, Azul sat at his desk in the backroom, pretending to review contracts. The twins stood nearby — Jade calm and composed, Floyd sprawled lazily across the sofa.
Floyd smirked, breaking the silence first. “Ne, Azul~ You’ve been actin’ weird lately. Smilin’ at Shrimpy like that. You’re not thinkin’ of makin’ a deal with her, are ya?”
Azul’s pen froze mid-signature. “O-of course not. Don’t be absurd.”
Jade’s quiet chuckle followed, smooth as silk. “Are you certain? You’ve been… unusually generous. Offering her complimentary meals, reserving her favorite table by the window.”
Azul adjusted his glasses, trying to recover his poise. “That’s merely good customer service. It’s important to maintain strong client relations.”
Floyd laughed, sharp and teasing. “Client relations, huh~? Then why’d ya go all red when she smiled at you earlier? Hehehe~ Azul’s got a crush!”
“Floyd!” Azul snapped, flustered, but his tone lacked its usual sharp authority. “Mind your words.”
Jade tilted his head, watching Azul’s rare display of emotion with quiet amusement. “My, my… I didn’t think our dear Housewarden capable of such a reaction. How fascinating.”
Azul sighed, closing his ledger with a soft thud. “You two are insufferable.”
But his eyes drifted to the window — where you had been sitting earlier, the soft glow of candlelight catching in your hair. A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth before he could stop it.
“Still,” Jade murmured, his smile knowing, “it’s nice to see you care about someone without a contract involved.”
Azul gave him a sidelong glance, his usual confidence returning. “Careful, Jade. I may start charging you for your commentary.”
Floyd chuckled. “You’re smilin’ again~!”
Azul exhaled, pretending to ignore him, but he could feel his heart stirring in a way it hadn’t in years. You had managed to slip past his walls — not through bargains or fear, but through kindness.
And while the twin eels teased him endlessly, Azul couldn’t help but think… perhaps for once, he didn’t mind losing control.