Chapter Text
The first time Opera cooked for Iruma, they were... surprised to say the least, at the sheer amount of food one little human could eat. Opera isn't one to get flustered or fazed by the unexpected (given who their main charge is) so it was definitely strange. As always, their face remained neutral but there's always at least one sure fire way to tell how the cat demon is feeling.
Their tail and horns... damn traitors . Still, they made sure to cook feast after feast for their new charge. Iruma was a growing boy, he needed his nutrients. While the praises they would get from the ever-infectious human would settle their worries in the moment, it was always there. A beast , small at first, like a baby, but growing ever rapidly undercover. It waits, stalking its prey , looking for the right time to strike. And strike it did.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Iruma had been acting strange as of late. He would try to sneak snacks more and more often during class. This was especially since Az and Clara had designated themselves to be Iruma's ‘snack police’. Making sure he would eat properly at appropriate times.
It got so bad that the teachers (with the help of Az and Clara and even the rest of Misfits at times) had to thoroughly search him. They'd inspect his pockets, school bag, desks, basically anywhere and everywhere. Then, they’d confiscate any snacks he had. He was eventually mandated to come to class at least ten minutes earlier than the rest (if it was outside the Royal One that is) so that the inspection wouldn't cut into class time.
Everyone knew that Iruma was a big eater, especially after that first school lunch when they all started at Babirus. Sabnock and a few others thought Iruma was trying to bulk up, you know since he's so small and scrawny looking. Others thought that, “maybe since he's the principal's grandson,” he needed a special diet. One where he needs to eat as much as he does. And a few (mainly Clara and Balam sensei) thought there was more to it than just a simple lack in nutrition or gaining muscle and weight. That there was something going on with the poor demon (human), mentally.
Still, after two weeks of having to go through these inspections, Kalego thought enough was enough. Something had to be done about Iruma's eating habits. And if he really did need nutritional accommodations, that it’d be properly provided.
It wasn't usual for there to be a demon here and there that needed to constantly hydrate or eat a snack, maybe even excuse themselves to the nurse for a medication reapplication. But behavior like this is unacceptable and extremely distracting for the entire class and staff. And besides, if it turns out that there is something wrong with his student, he did not want to be the one to get in trouble due to negligence .
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first few days of having the mandatory snack inspection were... fine. Iruma would complain and try to hide everything (somehow still managed to sneak at least one in), and that was all. He eventually gave in and handed over the contraband. By the fourth day, Iruma was... a bit more aggressive about having his snacks with him. Not quite the level seen when he'd gone into his evil cycle but edging in that direction.
Suzy had given in a bit and allowed him to have a snack that didn't crunch and fruit flavored milk. A small compromise that sedated the young demon for a bit (she later regrets doing so as it suddenly became an expectation on her part to allow this). As the days went by, Iruma would get more and more adamant about having, "just one, just one , please ." And when pleading didn't work, he gets huffy, frustrated and clearly doing everything he can to hold himself back from unintentionally lashing out.
It was the second to last day of the two-week period of the ongoing snack detention, when something had broken in him.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kalego was pissed. TWO WEEKS of doing the same damn thing again and again. Everyone was either getting fed up (though not as much as Kalego), weary (more willing to give in with Iruma's requests), or at a total loss. The Misfit class was riddled with worry and concern over their dear friend. They just didn't know what to do or how to help or anything. Some would sneak a small granola bar to him in the halls. Others would avoid Iruma to not let themselves fall into his puppy dog eyes (Lied was a common victim of those eyes). Oh, and Az and Clara... yeah no, it's no bueno on their end.
Sleep? What is this sleep you talk of? Az is certainly not aware of what it might be (thankfully Balam's training has helped him with being able to stay awake for a long time). Clara is not better off either, she's... placated. It's rare nowadays to see her bubbling around or without a faraway yet razor sharp focus look in her eyes (always trained on Iruma anytime he made a move). It's rough, but that's why Kalego is going to put a stop to this.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
" THAT'S IT! " Kalego yells out as he slams the door of the principal's office open. " I apologize for my rude behavior just now, but I and the others are at our limit. "
Opera's tail had swished in alarmed agitation when Kalego had entered so aggressively. Their horns high up in alert, eventually lowered ever so slightly after listening to what his kohai said. They set down the tea they were previously going to serve to Sullivan but would have to make again later when this was settled.
" Kalego. You know better than to act that way. " Opera reprimanded.
" Ghuh! Haah, please forgive me. I am sorry. " Kalego gave in, taking this time to calm himself down. Sullivan watched it all happen with his hands together on the desk.
" Kalego, why don't you elaborate on what you are talking about. " The principal inquired.
" It's about your damn brat. He's been causing a lot trouble lately and it's getting out of control. "
Sullivan's mouth twitched at hearing Kalego call his precious grandson a 'damn brat', but lets it go... for now (someone's getting their paycheck cut).
" Whatever do you mean? " Sullivan questions in that innocent voice that Kalego despises so much.
" I mean that Iruma's diet is getting the way of everything, and the class and staff are wearing thin. " Kalego responds annoyed but keeping himself in check.
" His diet ? " Opera speaks out, that hidden beast inching forward oh so carefully.
" Yeah, his diet. He's been sneaking in snacks all year and it's been getting worse. It’s gotten to the point that we all have to inspect his pockets, bag, and the classrooms themselves for any snacks. "
" He eats just fine at home and gets the lunch provided at school. Are you sure you and the others are not exaggerating just how much he's snacking during class? " Opera grills out, miffed at what they were hearing. I mean, a lot of demons sneak in snacks every now and then. What's the big deal?
" HAAAAHHH. Look, this here was from this morning. " Kalego then pulls out a LEVIATHAN sized trash bag of snacks that were a combination of hidden on Iruma’s person and the Royal One classroom. How did he manage to get so much hidden (in plain sight I might add) even though the day had JUST started? It's IMPOSSIBLE DAMN IT!
" Ok ... there might be a problem. " Opera and Sullivan both said in unison after seeing just how far this had really gotten. I mean, it's not like Iruma would be able to eat all of that within the class time, it had to be just snacks hidden to be eaten throughout the day! Right?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ok, let's roll it back a bit to that morning. Iruma had woken up, pissy. Not like he had when he was in his evil cycle but similar to it. He greeted Opera and his grandpa as usual (though with less energy than usual). Opera noticed but chalked it up to Iruma staying up past his bedtime. Got dressed, ate breakfast, and was finally on his way to school.
Az and Clara were there, waiting for him as always but there was practically no life to speak of in their cheerful greetings. Az's eye bags have gotten worse and Clara, while also sporting some rather wicked eye bags herself, spoke in a volume that most others would speak in. Overall, the love trio were strained, not necessarily in that they were going to 'breakup' but something needed to be done before they were all pushed over the edge.
No one mentioned the things they were doing to try to get Iruma on a healthy eating diet. Instead, they talked about home, what things they're gonna learn today, battler stuff, you know ignoring how badly this all was affecting them. Iruma hated what was happening to his friends- his soulmates. It’s just... when it came to food, it was a war he couldn't win against or for. Conflicting between listening to his, "it's ok, we have had enough," to his, "IT'S NOT ENOUGH! WE NEED MORE! MORE! MORE! " He doesn't want this to lead to him having to separate from Az and Clara but recognizes that just might be what's called for.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They're in the Royal One classroom and have started the first of the many daily rituals of checking Iruma for snacks. Every time, Iruma gets better and better at hiding his contraband. When he's caught during class, either Az or Clara immediately swipes it without so much as a blink . It's become second nature to them. Iruma doesn't fight them, just lowers his eyes down and breathes out... silently. As they're going through the motions, Kalego comes in with a ridiculously large trash bag. Iruma is the first to notice and... stiffens .
' What's Kalego sensei doing with that ? ' Is all he thinks when Az moves into view, effectively blocking his sight from Kalego and the oversized bag.
He hears ruffling, that familiar plastic sound. Then, the sound of things being put into that plastic sounding object. There are more sounds, different yet the same. Iruma's sense of hearing hyper focuses on these sounds.
Az and Clara have finished searching him and have started to talk to him. He doesn’t listen nor hear what’s coming out of their mouths. Eyes unfocusing, heartbeat slowing down, allowing for him to better hear what he’s listening for. Then the realization hits him. That moment would come to outshine the moment when the Trauma spell was placed on him.
‘Kalego is throwing away all the snacks I had hidden away the day before after school and battler activities were done.’
"Ka-Kalego. Ka-Ka-le-go. Ka-KALEGO SENSEI! " Iruma stutters out increasing in volume. His breaths start to come in short. Paralyzed in place, his vision starts to blur. Kalego pays him no mind and just continues to throw away whatever he finds.
'No. No. Stop. Don't do that. Don't throw it away! Don't throw it away! DO NOT THROW MY FOOD AWAY! ' Iruma panics, hyperventilating, shaking, trembling. It hurts . His chest hurts . His brain hurts . He can't breathe .
What happens next ends up with Iruma falling unconscious, hitting his head on the edge of a desk on his way down. But not before he lets out a cry of pure and utter anguish . Az and Clara follow suit with him not long after. This time however, Kalego was able to catch them before they hit their heads on anything. He calls for Balam and Buer to come in and take care of the three unconscious demons aggressively making his towards the principal's office.