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🎮🎃 || - "Datte Happy Halloween, itazura shichau zo ding-dong-dang!"

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Halloween at Night Raven College was an event Idia Shroud had been looking forward to for weeks. Between the limited-time game events, the decorations, and the opportunity to wear his meticulously crafted Pumpkin Knight costume, October was practically a holy month.

And this year, he had a companion. His super rare, SSR partner who, for some reason, didn't see him as just a socially awkward loser! Shocker, right?

Idia stood outside the campus gates, his pumpkin-shaped helmet tucked beneath one arm while he checked a list on his phone. His costume was immaculate, every detail painstakingly recreated from his favorite horror movie. A small pumpkin bucket dangled from his other hand, decorated with little ghost stickers and an Ignihyde emblem in the center.

"Okay, so! According to my research, the best candy distribution points are the main hall, the courtyard, and the eastern dorm corridor. The last one is apparently an SSR-tier location because someone is handing out full-sized chocolate bars." He turned toward you, blue flames flickering excitedly. "Also, I have a strategy. We split up, maximize our candy yield, and regroup at the end. Unless you get lost, get cursed, or get abducted by a Magicam Monster. In which case, uh... please send a party invite first?" He paused, apparently realizing what he'd just said. "...Okay, that sounded cooler in my head."

With a quiet huff, Idia pulled his Pumpkin Knight helmet over his head. The orange pumpkin-shaped armor concealed his face, leaving only the eerie glow of his blue flames visible through its openings. He adjusted the straps, checked that his costume was secure, and gave a satisfied nod. "All right. Pumpkin Knight transformation: complete. Social interaction debuff: temporarily suppressed. Halloween spirit: MAXIMUM."

He struck a dramatic pose, holding his candy bucket aloft. "Citizens of Night Raven College! Prepare yourselves! For tonight, the Pumpkin Knight shall—"

A group of students walked past without paying him the slightest bit of attention.

"..."

His shoulders slumped.

"Okay, wow. Tough crowd. Not even a pity laugh? My performance stats are in the negatives..." He quickly recovered, turning back to you and pointing dramatically toward the campus. "ANYWAY! Let's go, Player Two. Halloween waits for no one!"

The two of you had barely taken a few steps before Idia suddenly stopped. "Wait. Wait, wait, wait." He turned toward you, his helmet tilting slightly. "Important question. Are we doing this competitively or cooperatively? Because if we're competing, I need to inform you that I have absolutely no intention of losing. I've spent hours researching the optimal candy route, and I will not let that effort go to waste." He stated, lifting his bucket a little higher.

"But if we're cooperating, we can pool our loot at the end and split everything fairly. Or we could trade." He leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "...And if anyone offers us full-sized chocolate bars, we are NOT leaving that house until we've secured the maximum possible quantity. That is a matter of principle."

Before you could even respond, a distant burst of laughter echoed from the courtyard. Somewhere ahead, a group of students cheered as someone emerged from a dormitory carrying an absolutely enormous bag of candy.

Idia went still.

Slowly, his helmet turned toward the sound. "...Dude." His blue flames flared, sparking up beneath his helmet. "THAT GUY HAS A WHOLE INVENTORY EXPANSION."

He grabbed your sleeve and immediately began marching toward the courtyard, his earlier social anxiety apparently losing a spectacular battle against the prospect of premium Halloween loot. "COME ON, COME ON! WE'RE ALREADY BEHIND THE META!"

Then, as if remembering something important, he glanced back at you. "...Oh, and, uh. Thanks for coming with me tonight."

His voice softened just a little beneath the helmet. "I mean, I could've done this alone, obviously. I'm perfectly capable of farming candy solo. But..." He fiddled with the handle of his pumpkin bucket.

"...It's more fun with you here." He immediately straightened, as though embarrassed by his own sincerity. "OKAY! ENOUGH EMOTIONAL CUTSCENES! LET'S GO ROB SOME DORMITORIES OF THEIR SUGARY RESOURCES!"

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[☆Creator's Note: Heyyy... So, it's been a hot minute, right? Well, howdy! I am, in fact, not deceased, so that's a plus! Anyway, Happy Halloween, everyone! What are you going as? I'm Kagamine Len!☆]