💛 Twst X Sanrio Pt.1! 💛

when you ignore them. p.2

♯— you ignore the housewardens. | p.1 | sequel p.1

cw: mild language, sfw, a little bit of hurt/comfort, crack & fluff, established relationship, gender neutral reader

notes: diasomnia be like ‘u mess with one of us, u mess with ALL of us. #squadgoals’ LOL likes and reblogs are appreciated! ♡

azul ashengrotto:

malleus draconia: (you’re now a wanted criminal)

riddle rosehearts:

masterlist

#HOW THEY HUG YOU

featuring; every twst boy 

ACE TRAPPOLA hugs you like he can’t afford to lose you. each hug with ace is tighter than your last and warmer than anything you’ve ever felt before. ace likes to lift you up when he hugs you, squeezing you so hard you have to whack his back to release you. will hug you as a hello, a goodbye, a how are you, literally will hug you for Any Given Reason.

RIDDLE ROSEHEARTS hugs you like a wooden plank. at first. he’s stiff and sore in all the wrong places as he awkwardly wraps his arms around you, one around your back and one on your shoulder as he taps your back repeatedly. feels like your 97 year old grandpa with back problems the first time he hugs you. as time goes on, and he gets used to your constant physical touch, he starts melting into your hugs. enjoys burying his head in your neck as he tells you about his day. 

DEUCE SPADE hugs you like a sweetheart. his hugs are soft and welcoming, and feel like home. always blushes when he hugs you- it’s a tradition at this point. although deuce prefers hand holding over hugging, he will never hesitate to drop everything to embrace you. literally. will drop all of his books if you hug him in the middle of the halls. 

Continuar lendo

DETECTIVE PANDO FIGURED IT OUT !!! I guess I have a distinctive way of typing that's easy to recognize (it's called: not being able to shut up ever and adding !! every other phrase)

I DID IT'S SOOO GOOD! it's also fitting I've read it on Ruggie's bday week! and it'll still be here when I want to re-read it too!!

hello Pando, how are you doing?? I've recentely discovered your writing and I really like it! I loved the soulmate au you wrote, it was so cute! Also, congrats on your 100 followers, I'm glad more people enjoy your writing as well!

for the Blossom Grove event, could you please write Tulips and Daisies prompt in a sunset theme for Ruggie? With a good dose of fluff!!

Tulips ~ “so what if i’m in love with you?! is that so wrong?”

Daisies ~ “it’s our little secret, alright?”

~ruggie bucchi x gender neutral reader~

hello anon! i'm doing quite well, ty for asking!! i'm so happy to hear that you liked the soulmate au fics i wrote :D your words are so sweet, i hope you enjoy this one as well!! i tried adding in as much fluff as i could think of lol ty for requesting <33

♡pinky promise♡

“You know, I’m kinda surprised you actually had time to come here with me, Ruggie,” your perplexed voice spoke as you and the Savanaclaw second year made your way atop a rolling hill adjacent to the woods of NRC’s campus to watch the sun descend from its place in the horizon. It had been a few hours since classes at the prestigious school had ended. Students were seen waving their final goodbyes of the day while they briskly hustled back to their respected dorms—some more hurried than others—as they attempted to beat the curfews their housewardens had set for them. The creatures and little critters of the woods scurried into their homes as well, awaiting the inevitable arrival of the owls and crickets to emerge from their spots within the forest under the pinkish glow of the sky above. You and Ruggie, however, headed the opposite way of everyone around you like two birds flying against the wind’s incessant direction and approached a grass-filled valley in search of a quiet area where you could relax in each other’s presence with no interruptions. 

Ruggie curiously turned to you, with the vibrant colors of the setting sun creating a colorful halo around the said boy with every movement he made, “Why wouldn’t I?”

“Well, you’re always running around NRC, Leona this, Leona that and all,” you stated while swaying your head from side-to-side, seemingly emphasizing your words. “And with Crowley putting his weight onto me as well, we never really have time to ourselves these days.”

The hyena-like beastman guided you to an open spot on the hill and sighed as he sat down and recalled the small, odd errands the both of you did each day. “Yeah… they’ve all been a real pain, haven’t they?” The sounds of an awakening night owl sang throughout the open hill as the boy beside you paused, appearing to be basking under the sky’s tranquil shades of pink, orange, and red across the world’s atmosphere. He filled his mind with thoughts of the many responsibilities you both had, slightly envying the people who had a little less on their plate. “But we should at least have a right to spend some mindless time together, right?” Ruggie began to speak once again, capturing your attention, “Leona’s fine taking his little princess nap. You’re nicer to be around, anyway."

“Aw, you love me, Ruggie?” you jokingly asked as you poked the side of his stomach, earning yourself a look of surprise from the young man.

“Well, that’s not exactly what I said but—”

“That’s so adorable of you, hehe~”

The beastman, growing annoyed at your coddling, tried to reason with your playful self. “Now, wait a second, (Y/n)—”

“Ruggie’s so cute~”

“Yeah, and so what if I’m in love with you?” Ruggie retorted as he smoothly took a hold of your startled figure and peered directly into your glowing eyes, determination and vexation striking his tone. “Is that so wrong? And stop tryna tease me, will you? If any other Savanaclaw student sees, I’ll never hear the end of it.”

Stunned for a moment, you looked at the second year in amazement at the swiftness of his confession. Your cheeks grew a pastel tint as a fluttering warmth flooded your senses. With an erratic pounding in your chest, your heart quickened its pace in excitement at the way Ruggie had impulsively admitted his feelings towards you. His directness surprised you. A flustered feeling then began to bubble within your body.

“Wait…” a wary voice uttered from your form. “Did you just say that you love me? Like love love?” you giddily asked.

“Y..es? I think that’s what I said,” Ruggie had replied, almost embarrassed by your conversation, “but still don’t tell anyone just yet. They’ll make a big deal outta it, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for a stampede of their comments yet.” 

“Pfft— Fine.” Scoffing at his words, you attempted to brush away the forming butterflies in your stomach as you created a pact by holding out a childish pinky for Ruggie to lock onto. “It’s our little secret, alright?” 

The young man reached out with his own pinky, grinning and confirming the secret shared between the two of you, “Right. Our secret.”

a/n: can you guys tell that i kinda like teasing the twst boys?

tierlist on who would actually like being called babygirl

HELPP ANON YOU MADE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD WITH THIS

I love making tier lists so thank you for the opportunity!! just a disclaimer: this is a joke please don't take it seriously! (also, babygirl is being used exclusively as a term of affection, not sexually, don't make it weird)

shoutout to Azul for winning the first place on the babygirl twitter poll, he's the babygirlest of all babygirls

Here are the roles for the other characters in my fic, i’ve become the villain’s lover! I’ve also included a sentence or two on how they would be as love interests. The difference with the side characters is that you’d have to be the one to pursue them, unlike how the housewardens try to pursue you. The housewardens would respect your decision no matter what, but would probably be a bit more happy if you decided to date someone from within their dorm (they’re petty like that).

Ace Trappola: The new, impish knight that Riddle hired. He followed in his brother’s footsteps, but doesn’t seem to take his job very seriously, playing petty pranks that often lead to hour long lectures from Riddle. Still, he’s skilled and quick-witted, and Riddle has admitted that he sees potential in him. He treats you like an old friend, quick to sling his arm around you and complain about Riddle’s temper. He’ll flirt with you as a joke, but if you don’t shy from his advances, he may take it a bit more seriously…

Deuce Spade: The other new hire who’s determined to prove himself. Coming from humble origins, Deuce once fell into a group of thieves and almost committed to a lifetime of crime before he heard his mother cry over him. After that, he turned over a new leaf and trained to become a knight to make her proud. Well intentioned but prone to accidents due to his straightforward and gullible nature, Deuce is often teased by Ace. Still, it was easy for him to fall for you at first sight. He’s determined to keep his feelings to himself, but if you reciprocate, then you might have a loyal knight pledging himself to you for the rest of your life…

Trey Clover: Riddle’s most trusted vassal, and a man born into a commoner family. He’s known Riddle since they were very little, and when he became a knight, Riddle was the first to appoint him. This caused a stir because knights are usually appointed from noble families. Still, Trey is genial and well liked, and does his job diligently. He treats you well, often pausing to pat your head and ask how your day has been. He tells you that if you need anything, don’t hesitate to knock on his door. Trey seems to treat you a little more kinder than others, but is that because you’re important to Riddle, or to Trey himself?

Cater Diamond: Cater is carefree and bright, and the most popular of Riddle’s vassals by far. Though his origins are unknown, as he simply wandered into town one day, Cater claims he comes from a minor noble family. Despite his seemingly open personality and endless list of friends, Cater keeps everyone at a measured distance. He’s friendly and affectionate with you, but if you attempt to start a relationship with him, perhaps you might be the first person to break down his walls…

Jack Howl: A man intensely loyal to Leona, Jack admires him for his strength and intelligence— though they often argue over Leona’s underhanded methods. How did a man as straight laced as Jack ever become entangled with Leona, anyways? Perhaps it’s because Jack seeks to best Leona one day. Though he acts gruff and uninterested, Jack often accompanies you around town and handles minor repairs around your house without complaint. And with the way Jack’s tail wags around you, a relationship might not be as hard to start as you initially thought…

Ruggie Bucchi: Leona’s most trusted aide and right hand man. If Leona gives orders, then Ruggie is the one carrying out the grunt work and getting his hands dirty. Born in the slums, Ruggie believes whole heartedly in Leona’s cause and wants to make a difference in their country. Wily and clever, Ruggie will follow you around town and make you laugh while his fingers inch closer to your wallet. Despite his mentality that it’s a dog-eat-dog world, it seems he may have developed a soft spot for you… Now, what will you do about that?

Jade Leech: Along with his brother, Jade and Floyd have known Azul since he was young, along with every sordid detail of his past. Though polite and calm on the surface, underneath that, Jade is always seeking a new source of amusement. He carries out all of Azul’s plans flawlessly, and handles the blackmail and interrogations for him. It seems like he’s deemed you a new source of entertainment, but perhaps his feelings run a little deeper than that…

Floyd Leech: Someone who lives by his whims, Floyd is temperamental and capricious. He handles the physical aspects of Azul’s plans, such as threatening debtors who refuse to fulfill their contracts. He doesn’t seem terribly interested in people outside of his family or his close friends, but you seem to have caught his interest due to all your unpredictable actions. It’s up to you if you want to integrate yourself into his inner circle, or pursue something farther with him…

Kalim Al-Asim: After everything that happened, Kalim sees you as a close friend! Kind, sweet, and always willing to see the good in others, it’s no wonder that Kalim ended up as your favorite character in the novel. He basically treats you like a partner, always affectionately curling up to you or inviting you out to eat whilst holding hands. It seems Kalim’s feelings towards you are frustratingly vague, so it’s up to you to define what you want them to be.

Epel Felmier: In Epel’s eyes, the two of you have been through thick and thin, so he’s very fond of you already. It’s easy to be himself around you, and not the perfect gentleman Vil is training him to be. His accent slips through while you talk, and the two of you often work on a little garden that Epel has planted out back. However, Epel seems to be a bit moodier than usual when you spend time with others, and tries to impress you with great feats of strength when you’re around. Now, what could the source of this change be?

Rook Hunt: Vil’s right hand man, and a retainer who has been by his side for years. It’s hard to get a handle on him: there are no details on his past despite his exuberant nature, and he has a habit of sneaking up on others. Vil often sends Rook on… tasks… that take him days to complete. Rook is completely charmed by you, though, and often espouses your beauty and talent. Rook welcomes any advances you would make on him with open arms; whether he experiences the beauty of love himself or watches it blossom in front of him, he will always have his eye on you.

Sebek Zigvolt: Sebek comes from a long line of fae knights who have pledged their service to the Draconia family, and takes pride in his heritage. However, he suffers from insecurity over the knowledge that his father is an ordinary human. He’s determined to prove himself worthy of his title, and seems to view you as a nuisance. However, he is the first to draw his sword to protect you, so perhaps there might more to his feelings than hostility…

Silver: Silver is Lilia’s adopted human son, though no one knows precisely where he hails from. It’s said that Lilia simply showed up one day in the palace, covered in blood and carrying a snoozing baby. There are rumors that Silver is the child of an enemy general, or from an enemy kingdom, though Silver himself seems content with his current family. It might take him a bit to realize your feelings towards him, but he’ll always welcome you to the palace with a gentle smile and an outstretched hand, no matter his own feelings.

Lilia Vanrouge: Malleus’s advisor and someone who has watched over him for a long, long time. You’ve heard whispers that in the far past, he was a great general who led the kingdom to numerous victories. Though there are contradicting accounts on Lilia’s precise age, everyone agrees that he was tasked by the now retired queen to watch over her grandson, Malleus. Though he has seen much and lost many, Lilia is not afraid to embrace new relationships in his life. He seems to take your potential interest in him as a challenge…

JADE ROMCOM IS DONE!!! I was giggling and blushing writing the ending fr fr, I'm really fond of how it turned out <3 I'll make some last minute edits and get it posted before going to sleep!

【 one good honest kiss 】

summary: 'i just need someone to kiss, give me one good honest kiss and i'll be alright...' (ft. azul ashengrotto)

word count: 1.7k

author's note: the title speaks for itself ^^ i wrote this in one sitting on the bus today in a moment of insanity and reread it just now so it might have mistakes, but yeah i hope you enjoy :D

"Prefect."

"Hmm?"

"Could I...have a kiss?"

Yuu blinked at the bold yet sudden request.

It was hard to say exactly where it came from, considering that the person asking went by the name of Azul Ashengrotto. The very Azul Ashengrotto was all polite smiles and business dealings. There was always a little wickedness in the glint of his glasses, honeyed words simply a lure to ensnare others into his carefully crafted machinations.

So what exactly did someone like that want when he asked a question of such caliber?

Yuu looked up from what they were doing. It wasn't that important of a task in comparison to the perplexing ultimatum that they were now faced with.

"I did hear you correctly, right?" They started, taking a moment to simply look at him. Azul was always easy on the eyes, from the way those lenses framed overcast eyes to the slight tap-tap-tap of his expensive leather shoes as he walked.

Yet for once he seemed...nervous. Yuu could sense the slightest bit of tension in his brow, and his hands seemed to fidget more the longer they stared.

"You...did indeed," Azul made a show of clearing his throat, trying to fill up the now-silent room. "I was being genuine–"

Yuu couldn't help but stifle a snort at that, and they smiled as they saw Azul's frown turn into more of a pout, "I-I really was. Asking, that is."

"You're asking me," The Prefect pointed at themselves, "To kiss you," They pointed at Azul. "On the lips." The octomer looked two seconds away from absolutely bursting into flames as he nodded, and Yuu couldn't help but think that baby pink suited him.

"For what reason, senpai?" Yuu angled their body towards Azul and suddenly it dawned on them how close they were. The two-seater that Azul kept lovingly in his VIP room felt small; they really could reach out and feel the candescent warmth of on face if they wanted to.

"Does there have to be a reason?" Azul asked, taking a cautionary shuffle toward them. The way he inched forward was almost endearing; like someone forced to do something exhiliratingly frightening.

"There does," Yuu held up a finger for every reason they spoke. "If it's for a contract, I decline. If it's for blackmail, I decline. If it has to do with a business proposal, I decli–"

"I get it!" Azul's voice raised before quieting down to a quiver. "I get it. But...what if it was an experiment?"

"An experiment? You're using me as the test subject?"

"I would never fathom such a thing," Azul rubbed at the bridge of his nose. It was fun to toy with Azul every once in a while. His reactions were surprisingly honest for someone who dealt with so much deceit.

"There's a...hypothesis about myself that ive been wanting to prove," The words were carefully laid out as if rehearsed. "And this is the only method I have to prove it."

Suddenly it felt like all the puzzle pieces had jostled into place.

Oh. So that was it.

They tried to keep their face straight when they lean just a little closer, "Is it something that can be measured by heart rate?"

Confusion seeped into Azul's face ever so slightly, "Heart rate?"

"What if..." Yuu let their hand drift, settling over Azul's own gloved one. "I do this? Does it make your heart race?"

"P-Prefect, that is highly–"

"Or maybe this is better?" Their tone feigned innocence, even as they slipped their fingers into his glove. Azul flinched, though he kept his hand still as Yuu's fingers slid up his palm in a slow caress.

Azul's glove now lay abandoned in his lap, his fingers trembling where they entwined with their own, "How about now, senpai?"

The silver haired's mouth drifted open and shut like a fish out of water. It was so endearing to see Azul Ashengrotto so terribly askew. There was a blush on his face that seemed almost insistent on staying, and his breaths were coming out in small stutters that Yuu could hear in the silence of the room.

"I think we should do one more test," Yuu declared and Azul finally snapped back to attention.

He tried to tug his hand back, "N-no, isn't this enough testing?"

"Is it?" Yuu tilted their head in contemplation. "You haven't told me your findings yet. And besides," Yuu's voice dropped into a croon. "We haven't tried your method yet."

It must've been some grand feat for them to have the opportunity to see Azul so throughly speechless not once, but twice.

"Senpai," Yuu smiled lightly. "Don't you want to kiss me?"

"That's...unfair," There was a slight pout to Azul's lips even as they drifted closer.

They left a touch to his jaw, sliding a finger up and behind his ear. Their other hand tugged at Azul's bowtie, leaving him looking handsomely disheveled. Yuu felt their heart flutter at the sight. He was absolutely stunning.

Their foreheads touch, "How's your heart rate now?"

"Sevens you're killing me," A shaky laugh escaped Azul's lips, "It's beating so hard that I feel like I'm going to die."

They grinned at him, "Don't die on me now."

The first press of lips was soft. Azul's lips felt plush and almost cool against theirs as they leaned in further. Azul's body tremored as Yuu guided him backward onto the couch. There was a gasp as they tilted their head ever so slightly, letting a sigh escape their lips.

They pulled back, only to feel a hand too strong holding onto their shirt, the other clumsily finding its way to Yuu's shoulder and tugging them closer.

Yuu indulged in him, leaning in once more in a more unhurried kiss. They could feel the thud-thud-thud of Azul's heart against their own chest and they couldn't help but nip at his lip just a little. Azul let out a small surprised noise, and Yuu felt a warm buzz fill them at causing such a reaction.

When they were finally allowed to pull away, Yuu couldn't help but let their eyes wander to the part of Azul's mouth as his breaths came and went. They reached forward, tucking a strand of his hair behind his ear. Azul didn't look all there yet, staring into them in a quiet daze.

"So, have you figured it out yet?" They asked, feeling equally as breathless as Azul looked. "Do you like me?"

Azul's eyes snapped to theirs, "Wait, how did y–" He gasped, slapping a hand over his mouth. And they cheered internally at his slip up. It was nice of Azul to put an end to his own mindgames for once.

"So you do like me," Yuu exclaimed, watching as the red reapplied itself to Azul's cheeks and ears once more. "And for the record, senpai, I do like you back." Azul looked like he had a little too much to say before the door cracked open.

Floyd's head popped in, "Are you and Shrimpy done kissing yet~? Jade left the papers we needed for work." Azul backpedalled– or at least, tried to. Not that there was much room to move when they had him caged in like this.

"Ah, apologies for the interruption," Jade entered the room, not batting an eye at how Yuu took the opportunity to lie down on his boss' chest. "I told Floyd we should return later, but–"

"But me 'n Jade were curious," Floyd grinned lazily. "Hey, Azul, didja end up using the advice I gave you?"

Yuu's turned their head at that, "Advice? What advice?"

"The advice that–"

"Floyd Leech," And there it was. Azul's feared warning tone. Though its effectiveness almost fell by half from how red and blushy he looked as he used it. "One more word out of either you or Jade and I will make you do the boring stuff."

"My, to think I am also included in that," Jade said in mock sadness. "It is sad how we have helped so much but were given so little."

"'S true~ Me 'n Jade helped you a lot."

"...You both get a bonus this month," Azul mumbled defeatedly. "Now leave already. Please."

"Well since you said please," Floyd shrugged, giving Yuu a wave. "See ya, Shrimpy."

As the door clicked shut, their eyes slid over to Azul's own. Looking at them this close, they looked bluer than ever, like clear skies instead of stormy ones.

"So....which part was their plan?"

"Please don't," Azul pressed his hands against his face. "I don't think I'll be able to recover from everything if you knew."

"Hmm," Yuu turned their ear toward Azul's chest. "Then why don't we take a nap?"

"E-excuse me? But I still have work to d–"

"Today's our first day, right?" There was another sly grin on their face. "Of dating?"

Azul's heartbeat picked up in speed at their words, "Y-yes."

"So let's make this our first date as a couple," They mumbled, yawning lightly. "Let's take a nap."

"I...okay," Azul's voice sounded resigned and they felt him shift underneath them. His arms came to cradle them— an attempt at cuddling so very Azul that they couldn't help but laugh. They helped him out, nestling into his side and using their blazer as a blanket for the both of them.

Yuu secretly smiled, reminding themselves to thank the tweels for their, mm, hint prior to entering the room.

"Azul's going to make a request from me? And I should accept no matter what?"

"Yup, yup! Just be a good Shrimpy and do it~"

"It is a beneficial request for both you and Azul, so please consider it."

So you could say that Yuu knew that something would be happening this whole time. Well...what Azul doesn't know wouldn't kill him right? For now they enjoyed the feeling of Azul's hand tracing patterns into their back as they lied there together. It certainly was a first kiss to remember.

ty for reading this very randomly written azul kisser fic jsdkfjsfk if you'd like to see more, check out my masterlist <3

Tskr Yana-sensei for making it canon that this man blushes with his HAIR

I love Riddle, but sometimes I worry he wouldn't like a tall s/o :(

oh anon, I'm sure you don't need to worry! Riddle probably appreciates his partner's personality above everything else, no matter their height! if he's fallen for you, your height won't be a problem, you're beautiful in his eyes, either if you're taller or smaller than him <33 (and let's be honest. it's a bit hard to be smaller than Riddle anyway so I'm sure he wouldn't have such an unrealistic requirement for his S/O. as long as they make him happy and care about him, then that's more than enough!)

I think something twst does really well is show the characters improving in a realistic way. No one can change overnight which makes the aftermaths of the overblots so interesting. I think it’s shown the most through Riddle during Book 2 you get to see him changing, trying to adapt now that he’s acknowledged what his mom did. You see him slowly improving and of course he isn’t perfect none of them are, but you get to see them make active efforts to better themselves- 🦭

YESSS YOU'RE SO RIGHT ONCE AGAIN 🦭 ANON!!!

I had a conversation with Gabi about Riddle in the reblogs of one of my oneshots (see here, just scroll down to the end) in which we mention a chapter of the anthology that makes this change very clear (this one!) and as you mentioned yourself in the Floyd ask, there's one chapter in which we get to see it more! in my Azul brainrot I also mention how I like the change in his acts and how he puts some efforts into being better. in my writing I love to explore this aftermath and their inner thoughts on it, especially in this Azul oneshot in which his overblot ends up a little differently!

I have individual thoughts on how each character reacts and improves after their overblots, so I'll go over them really quickly!!

first I just wanted to go over the concept of an overblot on itself. it's mentioned at the beggining that's a rare and dangerous occuring, but at NRC it happens every other month after MC's arrival, so that must be shocking. an overblot also leaves them sore and exhausted, both physically and mentally, as it's the result of the dangerous combination of too much magical usage and too many negative emotions due to years of distress. it's truly interesting how MC and/or Grim seems like a trigger of sorts to these overblots, as I believe there wasn't any before they suddenly appeared, getting involved in the middle of each of them. it's definetly not a coincidence how some of the most powerful and influential students suddenly overblot on the same time period, almost as if there was some higher force making it happen on purpose, for some reason. I hope it gets more explained in the future, perhaps after chapter 7!

as stated, I feel that Riddle, for being the first overblot, has gotten more time to show how much he's changed. from the tyrant from the start of the game to an actual dorm leader worthy of his title! he hasn't dropped his appreciation for rules entirely, but he won't go around cutting other people's heads for minor things. he's still strict with proper conduct and Heartslabyul's students' grades, but in a less overwhelming way, as he's seen how the way he's been taught to do things was wrong. during the second chapter, Riddle is much calmer and more rational, he helps MC solve the mystery even when he didn't have to do so. he was a great help at Leona's fight, and it's due to his quick thinking that no one was hurt at the stampade stunt. even when it's hard and causes him some mental turmoil, Riddle has reflected upon his actions and does his best to change for the better! having Trey, Cater and Che'nya by his side, lending him support, is probably a big motivator, as well as Ace's judgment and sharp words, as he's not afraid to speak his mind and call out people who are in the wrong. Deuce's admiration for him also contributes to it all, as he'd like to set a good example for his underclassmen to follow. all in all, Riddle has improved a lot in his behaviour and I'm very proud of him!

Leona is a complicated case, in all aspects. before his overblot, he had such an intense inferiority complex he didn't put effort in anything, thinking he wouldn't be recognized either way. not only that, he stays stagnant at NRC, most likely because he didn't want to have to go back to his kingdom where he's always second place. it's due to this that he tries to win against Malleus, spelldrive is one of the things he's best at and he used to be recognized for it before Malleus appeared and took his spot. for someone as smart as Leona, I feel that the plan from chapter 2 is kind of... half assed? him and Ruggie appear scheming all smug, but it's a pretty shitty and obvious plan, honestly, and he had potential to do something better. maybe, some part of him couldn't bring himself to care, since he was so used to being second place, it's not like that would change anytime soon. and that's why Lilia's words are so important, to make him realize: he wasn't second place because the world is against him and won't recognize anything he does, but because he can't bring himself to put an actual effort into things and get over his pride and ego to do what's best. I could go on about that but I didn't even get to the point yet, so I digress.

going back to the main topic: after Leona's overblot, I don't think I see him changing that much? while in Riddle's case it's plain to see how he's been trying to be better, Leona seems the same as before. he doesn't go to classes nor starts taking an initiative in things, much less apologize for hurting Ruggie and putting so many people in danger. (not that I expected him to actually say "I'm sorry", but maybe show in his own way that he regrets what he did?) even in chapter 3, he doesn't help because he wanted to, he begrudgingly does as MC suggests only because it benefits him too. I don't believe for a minute that Grim and MC posed any threat to his sleep, as he could easily beat them up and get it over with. no, Leona went along with MC's plan an destroyed the contracts because it was what he wanted all along. in the previous chapter he had made a deal with Azul in order to get Ruggie's potion, so he must have wanted to stop beind indebted with him and/or get back whatever it was that he bargained.

don't get me wrong, I do like Leona a lot! when I first started playing, he was on my top3 characters, and even though he isn't anymore I'm still rather fond of him. it's just... disappointing to see how much potential he has and how he doesn't do anything to reach it. one way for him to change would be to drop the unbothered attitude and actually start making an effort. there's still a long way for him to go, and only he can take the first step. I do like how his problems aren't all solved after a little motivational talk (and being beat up), since his overblot doesn't change his depression, nor his country's political state, nor his family issues, nor his complexes.

Jamil's and Kalim's relationship is a major theme of chapter 4 and very connected to Jamil's overblot in the first place. I like how Jamil becomes more open after it, even if he's blunt and rude, possibly making him seem worse than before. the thing is, before he only hid what he was thinking and kept it all to himself, bottling up his emotions to the point that they end up exploding. afterwards, even if he voices his annoyance and is pretty harsh with his words, not trying to spare Kalim's feelings, it feels better that he's being honest for once. the work his family serves under Kalim's family creates a very complex relationship between those two, as there is a power balance, no matter how much Kalim tries to treat him like an equal. Jamil should always present himself as less than the heir of the Al Asim family, should always follow along his heat of the moment decisions and make sure to keep him safe between the sea of shady students that could take advantage of his naivety and positive thinking. the way Kalim's childhood molded him into such a different person, almost the complete opposite, from Jamil also aggravates their dynamic's problems.

anyways! as I discussed in Azul's post, I like how we can also see a change in how he does things post overblot. while he still might do some shady deals, his focus goes into his business and ways of improving it, showing his change of perspective. he no longer tries to hoard other people's powers, as he finally recognizes his own merits and learns to be proud of them. he's still cunning and witty, not losing the interesting parts of his personality, but he's changed on how he uses those traits. he isn't suddenly one of the "good guys" and he doesn't do things out of the kindness of his heart, as he wants people to believe, but he's improved a lot from how he used to deal with things, even helping MC on chapter 4. (he also had other interests, but he didn't necessarily have to help MC, even if he felt indebted to them for the help during his overblot fight)

I throughly enjoy how the consequences of a change in their careful and fragile balance are explored in chapter 5, with Jamil finally putting himself out there and letting his potential show, not holding back, and Kalim feeling frustrated for the first time for not getting what he wants, and how it makes him understand better where Jamil is coming from and be more considerate to his feelings. all in all, even if Jamil doesn't become a good person in the traditional sense, as he's still sassy and deceitful at times, it serves to help him improve himself in a more internal sense, to try to be more open with Kalim and to break some of the old patterns he's been taught to follow.

Vil is quite interesting, as he's the only character that overblots that I liked a lot straight away. I didn't pass through the phases of "I hate his guts he's so annoying" to "alright he's not that bad" to "wait I think I might like him" like I did with the others. and I'm not saying he didn't do a lot of wrong things, since besides almost poisoning an innocent person, there were also times when he acted out of line and showed his arrogance, such as when he fought with and made Epel cry only to prove a point, without much respect or care for his feelings. still, he also felt more reasonable than the other overblot characters, as he's more down to Earth, shows his hard work and efforts, and is up with social causes like gender equality and not conforming to toxic masculinity.

by the end of chapter 5, he expresses regret (as he "wishes they hadn't seen him in such an ugly state") and keeps his head high as he performs with Neige after losing. he doesn't seem to particularly feel sorry about almost hurting Neige though, and maintains his feelings of animosity. I have yet to see how he behaves in chapter 6 and how he might have changed, perhaps by trying to find compromises when things don't go the way he wants them to and by praising people's efforts rather than only criticizing their errors.

so! I agree anon, TWST does very well show that things don't change overnight and that there must have some effort put into these changes. the characters' problems aren't magically solved by the power of friendship (and violence), but they can get started on working on them. acknowledging your mistakes and trying to improve is rather hard, but a very necessary part of personal growth. with each passing chapter, I hope we get to see more about how the overblots have changed them and how they have improved themselves!