Shugo set a tray full of waffles on the table, where Usagi and him both had access to it. While his sister began dividing the meal between them, Shugo leaned over his school bag and dragged some thick books out of the front pocket. They slammed against the table with a loud THUD. 

Even at a distance, Samantha and Mikale could smell age reeking from the well-loved books.

"These!" Shugo heaved, "Are the manuals! You can read the basics and make characters using these."

Mikale flipped the top cover on the stack of three books, then gave Shugo a concerned look. "These are thicker than my history book."

"That's because we'll use them to MAKE history!" Samantha spurted out some useless nonsense, "We need to learn about everything! Like elves, and goblins, troll, wizards, dragons… And lotsa weapons!"

Though still clouded by his doubts, Mikale removed the top book from the stack. He cautiously flipped back the hardcover and skimmed over the first few pages. It really was like a tome full of foreign history. He was completely unfamiliar with fantasy tropes, which made the contents feel overwhelming.

"We'll walk you through it." Usagi assured him, "We can meet after school at our house. Since there aren't any club rooms available."

"We could always use the roof?" Samantha offered with a mischievous grin.

An expression that was promptly wiped off of her face when Shugo pinched her cheek. "And howww would we get to the LOCKED and FORBIDDEN roof, Sam?"

"Uhhhghhh!" Samantha whined, "I-I 'unno, I 'unno. Magic? I'll use my DnD magiiic?"

"Don't lie." Shugo hissed now, keeping his voice hushed for privacy. He released his grip on her cheek and glared at her. "I thought I told you to return the janitor's key."

"I did!" She pouted, cupping her cheek where he had pinched her. Samantha was usually quite good at telling lies and half-truths. It was a skill that kept her afloat. But even she caved under Shugo's earnest concern. Though he showed his concern by glaring at her. "I mean… Technically. But it had three babies."

"Keys don't have babies, Sam." Shugo hissed. He held out his hand, palm stretched upward, and darkened his glare. "Give them here."

"Um." She swallowed nervously, "Why? Y-You're… not gonna turn them in, are you?"

"Better me than you." He said firmly. "I can just say I found them on the ground."

"But…" Samantha tried to protest, even looking to Usagi and Mikale for assistance. Neither came to her aid. They simply nodded, apparently agreeing with Shugo's plan.

Usagi even decided to drive the point home with a threat. "I won't be dungeon master if you have stolen keys."

"I didn't steal them, though. I made them." Samantha continued a soft, pouting protest. Then, broken by the threat, she removed the ring of keys from her skirt's pocket and placed them in Shugo's outstretched hand.

Complaining the whole time. "I was like a key mama. Good bye, my children."

"Good bye, key mama." Shugo replied in a mock high-pitched voice, pretending to the key children. 

Then he stuffed the key ring into the pocket of his jeans, turned back to the table, and continued eating his breakfast.

Thusly, in eight hours, Shugo Yumeno was able to save the day by having not one— not even two,— but THREE keys to the school.

He clumsily slammed the first of the keys into the front door. Eight hours after eating his waffles, after laughing about fantasy games with his friends, after thinking his only danger would come from Samantha's silly antics— After all of that, he was being chased by a real life dragon! 

"Hurry! Hurry!!!" Samantha pleaded from where she stood next to him, "Mikale can't distract it forever!"

With shaking hands, Shugo twisted the key and shoved the school door open. It was thick, made of heavy metal and intended to withstand all sort of punishment. The school building had been designed with being an evacuation shelter in mind, so it was exceptionally sturdy.

[Hopefully sturdy enough to withstand a dragon!] Shugo thought.

He dragged Samantha into the building and shoved her into the main entrance area. Leaning outside the door, he waved his arms to get Mikale's attention.

"Hurry up! It's open!"

His friend had been darting around the schoolyard with the dragon in close pursuit. When he heard the yell, Mikale twisted his body and launched himself towards the building. Shugo stretched out his own hand, grabbed his friend's arm, and then pulled the boy into the school. Together, both boys pushed their weight against the door and slammed it shut.

There was a loud THUD and a roaring wail… Then the sound of claws scratching the door and deep, throaty growls…

But miraculously, the door somehow held firm. The vibrations of the scratching eventually faded to nothing. 

What was left was something resembling calm. Mikale pressed his back against the door, panting from exhaustion, while Shugo leaned against the door with his arms outstretched. With no fire, no roaring, and no dragonic pursuit, the boys had a chance to catch their breath. There was no other sound in the empty main entrance. The white interior brick was thick enough to dampen the chaos outside. Finally, the teens were free from the horrific death screams of those less lucky than themselves. 

"Who's speaking?" Behind them, Samantha's voice sounded softly. Shugo glanced over his shoulder in concern and saw her standing on shaking legs. One hand was held to her face, her palm covering her right eye. She looked to be in pain, but he saw no blood or sign of injury on her petite body.

She whimpered, and repeated the words that echoed in her mind. "Systems merge, 25%…? Who's saying that? Who's there?"

The boys shared a concerned look. 

"Sam... What are you talking about?" Shugo finally asked, "There's no one else here."