A Gray Little Waltz [Jack X Emily]

Keeping time with our heartbeats, the waltz splits in two, A distant funeral bell joins in, I hope my darling girl will dance with me, Through this endless, gloomy little waltz, And revel together until dawn. Ever since Jack could remember, he had felt somewhat detached from society. Adults worriedly called it a "personality disorder," but to him it felt more like a gift. The coldness etched into his bones helped him maintain absolute composure and always make the best decisions. He had even mocked normal people for being so needlessly troubled by their feelings. Then, entirely by chance, he met Emma Woods, and fell into a frenzy over her and the emotions she stirred in him. At first, he thought he had simply mistaken one feeling for another. But later, he became certain that this love was like a debt he was paying for the recklessness of his youth. Wealth, status, loyalties... The harder Jack struggled, the more he understood that there were far more obstacles between them than just "feelings." Before you read: 1. Not based on the game's original setting! The competition rules have been heavily altered, and there are tons of headcanons. The Ripper has a secret past, so consider good and evil, right and wrong from all sides. I don't like stories where the heroine is mistreated, so Jack won't mistreat her or commit any morally reprehensible acts in this story. I think I've kept him in character, and everything is logically consistent. No spoilers, so read on to find out. 2. The writing imitates the style of a fairy tale. I'll be sad if nobody gets it, QAQ. 3. This story is packed with tsundere unrequited-love tropes, amnesia, and a twisted, gloomy male ghost who commits murder. It's ridiculously clichéd. I'm a country bumpkin and I love writing this stuff (prostrates). Theme: Keep hope alive.