Chapter Text
Arthur slung his backpack over one shoulder and slammed his locker shut with more force than necessary.
"Bloody hell," he muttered under his breath, scowling. "Everyone's such a pack of insufferable wankers." He ruffled his messy, sandy-blond hair in frustration, muttering curses no one could hear. It wasn’t like he was being dramatic; his classmates were loud, crude, and utterly exhausting. All of them, except for one, there was that quiet one. The Japanese lad. Always polite, never shouting across the hall like some hooligan. He kept to himself, barely spoke and yet, Arthur couldn’t stop thinking about him.
His heart did a small, giddy flutter.
Oh, sod off! he scolded himself. It’s just a harmless admiration. Perfectly normal to notice someone has... silky hair. And a nice smile. And impeccable manners. He groaned internally. Damn it, Kirkland, get a grip.
Everyone had already gone home for the day. Arthur lingered behind, wandering the hallway with that familiar sense of gloom creeping in. He was used to being alone. It was easier that way; or at least, that’s what he kept telling himself.
Just as he rounded a corner, a soft set of footsteps echoed down the hall.
Huh? Who else would be here at this hour? Arthur slowed his pace, ears straining.
The footsteps stopped.
His curiosity got the better of him. Like an idiot in a horror movie, he tiptoed toward the sound, sticking close to the lockers. A sudden clang of metal jolted him, someone had opened a locker nearby.
Peeking around the corner, Arthur froze.
It was him. Kiku Honda stood at his locker, the dim hallway lights catching in his jet-black hair, making it gleam like something out of a shampoo advertisement. Arthur just stood there, gawking like a complete tosser. That is, until his shoe made a loud squeaking noise on the tile. Kiku’s head snapped in his direction. Arthur stiffened, contorting into some absurd half-crouch, half-salute. Brilliant. Just brilliant. He wanted to sink into the floor.
Kiku blinked, clearly startled but not angry. In fact, his expression was... gentle. He opened his mouth slightly, as if about to speak but hesitated.
Arthur swallowed. Say something, you twit!
“U-uhm... I-I’m sorry. I wasn’t-er-I mean, I just-”
Kiku gave a soft smile. “It’s alright.”
Arthur’s heart thudded against his ribs. He smiled. At me. Bloody hell, he smiled at me! His heart thumped so loudly, he was sure Kiku could hear it echoing through the hallway. Kiku turned back to his locker, calmly gathering a few books and slipping them into his bag with neat precision. Arthur stood awkwardly behind him, shifting on his feet.
“Er... h-hey,” Arthur blurted out, hating the way his voice cracked.
Kiku paused, glancing over his shoulder. “Yes?”
Arthur rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding eye contact. What the hell am I doing? he thought bitterly.
“Before you go, could you... I mean, would you mind telling me your name?”
Kiku blinked, surprised. “Ah. I suppose we’ve never properly introduced ourselves.” He gave a faint bow of his head. “My name is Kiku Honda. And you are?”
Arthur froze for half a second, stunned by the quiet elegance of it. Kiku... what an oddly adorable name.
He cleared his throat. “Arthur. Arthur Kirkland.”
Kiku nodded politely. “A pleasure to meet you, Kirkland-san.”
Arthur swore he felt his ears turn red. Kirkland-san... why does that sound... weirdly nice? There was a brief, awkward silence. Then Kiku shut his locker with a gentle click and slung his school bag over his shoulder.
“It is getting late,” he said, tone still soft. “I should be heading home.”
Arthur nodded quickly. “R-right. Of course.”
Kiku gave him one final smile. calm, unreadable, and began walking down the corridor.
Arthur stood there, heart pounding, staring after him.
“Kiku, eh...” he murmured to himself, the name still bouncing around his head like a loose marble. “Should’ve asked sooner.”
As the sun dipped lower, casting golden streaks through the windows, Arthur finally turned away. His cheeks were still warm.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
The next day:
Arthur slammed his locker shut with a tired sigh, textbooks clutched under one arm.
Those cheeky bastards are going to drive me mental, he grumbled internally, already fed up with the day and it hadn’t even properly started. The thought of being stuck with his obnoxious classmates for another seven hours was enough to make him want to fake an illness.
Then he saw Kiku, opening his locker with his usual quiet focus. Not a single strand of that impossibly shiny hair out of place. Arthur felt himself freeze. Maybe I should say something... anything …
But before he could even think of what to say, Kiku looked over and met his gaze.
Arthur panicked.
Kiku offered him a small nod and the faintest smile.
He noticed me staring! Bloody fantastic. That’s not weird at all...
“U-Uh. Kiku, innit?” Arthur stammered out, immediately regretting how awkward it sounded.
Kiku tilted his head slightly. “Yes?”
Arthur scratched his neck, trying to appear casual and failing miserably. “Just... wanted to say hi.”
Kiku blinked once, then offered another polite smile. “Good morning, Kirkland-san.” Arthur's heart gave an involuntary lurch at the sound of his name.
“w-would you, erm… care to walk to class?” he croaked nervously, fidgeting with the hem of his blazer
“If… if that is alright with you, then yes.” He avoids Arthur’s gaze for a moment before quietly stepping forward.
Arthur nods, trying to appear nonchalant like his heart wasn’t pounding loud enough to drown out the chatter around them. They walked down the corridor which buzzed with students and teachers exchanging morning greetings before the bell. It seemed as if the hallway was getting narrower with every step.
Without warning, Kiku hand slipped around arthur’s arm. he stiffened up, nearly tumbling from the sudden contact.
Bloody hell, he’s touching me! He’s really touching me!! That thought bounded around like a restless fox in his head. He dared not to look at Kiku, afraid his flustered expression might give him away.
The crowd only thickened, forcing them closer. To anyone watching, they probably looked like a couple. That realization made Arthur’s face go hot enough to melt through the floor.
At last, they reached their homerooms, the crowded hallway finally giving way. It felt like an endless battle just to get there.
Arthur exhaled sharply, not in relief, but in quiet irritation. Now I’ve got to deal with my rubbish classmates... he muttered inwardly.
He cast a quick glance to the side and froze. Kiku was still holding onto his arm, gaze turned back toward the hallway as if checking to see if the crowd would come surging after them again.
Arthur looked away at once, ears going pink. The tingling in his cheeks returned with a vengeance.
Why is he still holding on?
Arthur cleared his throat sharply. Kiku flinched, quietly letting go of his arm and stepping back with a slight fidget. Arthur tried not to look at him, even as his arm still felt warm where Kiku had been holding it.
He sighed again, longer this time, and steeled himself. Right then. Let’s get this over with.
Reaching for the door handle, he hesitated for a moment before twisting it open.
Chaos greeted him.
Students were shouting over one another, perched on desks, throwing crumpled papers, and arguing like it was some kind of marketplace. Arthur blinked, then let out an irritated groan. Without hesitation, he shoved the door open the rest of the way, hard enough for the bang to echo off the walls.
Every head in the room snapped toward him. Arthur stood in the doorway, brow furrowed, arms crossed like a storm cloud in uniform.
“Can you arseholes act mature for even one bloody second?!” he snapped. “Class hasn’t even started yet and I’m already knackered!”
The classroom, once roaring with noise, fell into stunned silence. Mouths hung open. A paper airplane drifted to the floor like it was afraid to land. One kid slowly slid off the desk he’d been standing on. Someone in the back gave an awkward cough.
Behind Arthur, Kiku stepped into the room quietly, hands folded neatly in front of him. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes flicked briefly to Arthur’s back, studying him. Arthur, still standing firm, didn’t see it. He was too busy mentally kicking himself.
Brilliant. Now I look like a lunatic. As he made his way to his seat, the crowd parted like they were afraid he might explode again. A few students muttered to each other, but no one dared raise their voice.
Kiku followed behind, silent as ever.
When they reached their desks, Kiku glanced at Arthur. “That was… effective,” he said softly. Arthur huffed, avoiding eye contact. “It’s called discipline. Might be a foreign concept to half of this lot.” Kiku said nothing, but the faintest smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
“Jeez, Arthur! You don’t have to be so stern,” an obnoxiously loud voice boomed. “You’re always acting like a teacher, dude!” Arthur frowned deeply, instantly recognizing the voice.
“Sod off, Alfred! I was trying to get this bloody class together so the teacher doesn’t have to tear her lungs just trying to herself!” he scoffed, then added, “I’m just that much of a gentleman, I suppose.” He adjusted his tie, trying to appear professional.
Alfred clapped him roughly on the back, making Arthur flinch. “Always going on about being a gentleman, huh?” he laughed.
“And always having such a big ego too,” another voice chimed in, smooth, accented, and unmistakably smug. “But excusez-moi, I’m the real gentleman here.” He flicked his flowing, blond hair and blew a kiss toward a girl in the front row.
Arthur rolled his eyes in annoyance. Good grief, now they’re at it again. acting like total pillocks! he crossly thought to himself. he wished he could lash out on them too, but that would make him seem proper mental.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
The bell rang, dismissing the students to their long-awaited lunch. Arthur squinted at his watch, surprised by how fast class went by. Well, that was bloody fast.
He put down his pencil while glancing over at Kiku. I wonder if he missed any notes during class. He hesitantly reached out and tapped his shoulder, startling the silent boy.
Brilliant, now I look like an absolute fool!
“ah… d-didn’t mean to scare you there.” he mumbled nervously.
Kiku shook his head. “Please forgive me. that was all my fault, since I was not paying attention to my surroundings.” Arthur gawked at his politeness as the Japanese lad neatly stacked his textbooks before standing up.
He noticed Arthur had been writing in a separate notebook for most of the class. His friends teased him about it, calling him “girly” for keeping a diary. But Kiku was oddly drawn to what the notebook could contain. Arthur noticed Kiku eyeing his open notebook. So in a swift movement, he slammed the notebook shut. Not daring to turn around, afraid his flustered expression would say more than words.
His peer left somewhat dumbfounded, growing more curious of what could be in that notebook. But for the sake of his heart, he remained polite and reserved. “I am sorry, Kirkland-san, I didn’t mean to cause you any distress—“
“Just mind your own business!” Arthur quickly grabbed his stuff before bolting out of the room. Leaving Kiku even more baffled than before.
He must be hiding something very disturbing in that notebook… he shook his head in dismissal. Maybe he just needs to open up, I am sure at least let someone look through it. With this, he left the empty classroom.
Lunch started with Arthur sitting at a table, alone, again.
This is for the better. I will just shoo anyone who dares to befriend me away. he tried reassuring himself, as if he didn’t envy his peers. Who were always surrounded by people they can trust and rely on, while he had allies but not true friends.
then kiku popped back into his mind. his silky strands of hair that were never once out of place, the way he’s so neat and organized. everything seemed so perfect about him! but when he tried bringing up any characteristics about himself, he could only think of negative ones.
he was awkward, bossy, always so stubborn and stern. He squeezed the juice box in his fist out of rage, unintentionally scaring off people that were looking in his direction.
i wish i was as perfect as him… He sighed pathetically. oh, pleas! fancying someone like a teen in a romcom! he stabbed his charred sandwich with an spork. He lets out a groan, wishing someone would just approach him, yank him out of his lonely state.
“oh, konnichiwa kirkland-san, may i take this seat next to you?”
it’s him…!! His heart skipped a beat. why would he want to sit next to me out of all people…?
“u-uh.. sure..” he murmured quietly, clearing his stuff for kiku to sit.
“I am truly sorry to ask, but, do you usually sit here by yourself?” Kiku asked Arthur with hesitation, taking his seat. arthur blinked up at him before nodding, asserting his eyes on his charred fork-stabbed sandwich. he noticed the mouthwatering bento box kiku had prepared. He looked back at the rubbish he had to eat, he huffed, poking at it with disgust.
Kiku noticed the look of defeat on arthur’s face. wow, that looks like a pretty awful lunch… he thought pitifully before looking down at his own lunch i am sure he would more than grateful if i shared some of mines.
“ah… kirkland-san would you mind if i share my lunch with you.” he offered with a polite smile which made arthur’s heartbeat ramp up again. he nodded, looking desperately at kiku’s invitingly delicious lunch. kiku moved closer to him, making his stomach twist into a knot. kiku smiled up at him and opened his bento box, the fresh scent of rich flavoring flooded his nostrils.
“it looks so heavenly…” he complemented, which made kiku blush a little.
“thank you, i made it myself.” he stammered bashfully, picking up a pair of chop sticks.
looks like i only have one pair…
he turned to arthur, who had a pleading look on his face made kiku chuckle to himself a little, adoring arthur’s cute expression. kiku came up with an idea and handed him the chopsticks.
“here, you eat first since i only packed one pair.” arthur nodded before hesitantly picking up the chopsticks. he stared at the two sticks with a puzzled expression. which made Kiku crack a smile of admiration.
arthur glanced back at kiku, his eyes couldn’t meet his. “s-so… how do i use these?” he asked, embarrassed by the question.
“it is pretty easy to use them, here, allow me to show you.” As he took the chopsticks from his hand, their fingers brushed, just for a moment. Warmth started to creep up Arthur’s neck, making him go redder by the second. He turned away quickly afraid Kiku would notice that he’s redder than the ripest tomato.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
lunch ended with arthur heart beating furiously in his chest. he couldn’t think about anything else but the interaction he had with Kiku during lunch. i never thought i would be so close to him…! Arthur thought excitedly as he grabbed his stuff for his next class. he forcefully snapped out of his daydream.
bloody hell, get a grip kirkland! daydreaming about a guy like some fool! he slammed his locker in distress before heading off to his next class. unfortunately, he didn’t have kiku in his last class. Arthur hated to admit but he missed him dearly. we aren’t even that close, yet i feel like we’re on our way to being…
his obsessive fan-girl thoughts where harshly disrupted by an arm pulling him into a play-chokehold.
“yo arthur, my bro!” alfred’s voice boomed obnoxiously in his ear. “Wassup my dude?!”
brilliant, now this arsehole is back again!
“sod off, alfred, and give me some personal space would you!” he scolded. alfred ignored his complaints and kept leaning on him, his arm wrapped around his shoulder as if they were the best of buddies. arthur could only huff in annoyance as they kept their wobbly pace to their class.
arthur’s last class was math, the subject he failed the most in. he mainly blames alfred for distracting him with unfunny internet references and jokes. alfred always been a class clown and arthur always had been his target. but a small part of him found his classmate pretty endearing, a very small part.
the two blondes made their into a the class, kids instantly crowded alfred, leaving arthur behind. as if he didn’t mean anything to them.
arthur clutch is notebooks in discomfort and made his way to his seat, plopping down with a heavy sigh.
he gazed ahead, continuing his daydream about his interaction with kiku. He caught a glimpse of a chinese peer in front of him passing a mean look at him.
The fellow wore a modified uniform with a tan dress vest with a traditional Chinese styled undershirt, half of his hair tied into a tiny ponytail in the back.
He blinked out of his daydream before coming to the realization that he was staring straight at him. Arthur glanced away, starring at the window with sudden interest. Over hearing the peer clicked his tongue with annoyance.
great , i wonder what’s his problem. Arthur silently cursed under his breath. Then the same peer got up and slammed his hand on the desk. Arthur flinched.
“Look, i don’t know who do you think you are. Or what are you trying to pull but stay away from my brother!” He cried out loud enough to catch everyone off guard.
“w-what do you mean?” Arthur stammered, the embarrassment of everyone watching made him dizzy.
“you know exactly what i mean!” he leaned in closer, his voice dipping into a low hiss. “stop hitting on my brother!!”
Arthur’s eyes widen further at his bizarre (but true) words. “Are you proper mental?!” Arthur snapped back “Where—why— how did you even get to this conclusion?” He could play dumb all he wanted but the reddish pinkish color spreading across his cheeks was enough to confirm the accusations.
The chinese peer was about speak again, but the bell cut off his nonsense talking. He snarled at Arthur before taking his seat.
Class ended, everyone had already left to their last class except for the two.
The long haired brunette was perched on a desk, Arthur stood in front of him, crossing his arms, frustrated by the attitude of this guy.
It definitely wasn’t his first encounter with him. The classmates name was Yao, a somewhat friend of Alfred's but definitely an arch nemesis of Arthur.
“So what in Hell's teeth were you going on about?” He spat, his emerald eyes glaring.
“I know you like my brother.” he hissed, narrowing his hazel cateyes. “You can deny it all you want. But i know it when someone has a crush when i see it!”
Arthur cheeks burned, it was too obvious with his face is proving his point further.
“I- I don’t fancy him at all, nothing like that!” He shouted in protest, his fists clenched. Yao rolled his eyes, obviously not buying his bullshit.
“well, if you liked him or not i would recommend you stay away from him,” he looked him dead in the eye. “or things will get messy.” before Arthur could respond, he hopped off the desk and left the classroom. Arthur sighed,
that damn git, always spouting about some nonsensical rubbish! He kicked a nearby chair in frustration before finally leaving the classroom.
At last, the day had finally came to an end. Arthur huffed in exhaustion, stuffing his bag with his folders and homework papers. He caught glimpse of Kiku, neatly ordering his supplies into his book bag. Arthur stared lingered onto him, staring with admiration.
He snapped out of it when he saw Yao get into frame, instantly returning to packing up.
He slung his bag over his shoulder before boldly approaching the brothers.
“Oi, Kiku,” He greeted, ignoring the sharp glare Yao was giving him.
“oh konnichiwa, Arthur-san.” He replied with a slight bow. He noticed his brother’s awfully foul look. “onii-chan, is everything alright with you?”
Yao snapped his head away. “it’s nothing—“ he muttered through clenched teeth.
Kiku knew better not to press further. He gave Arthur a gentle smile, making his heart flutter away.
“i’m sorry if my brother has become any inconvenience for you lately. He’s just really overprotective of me.” He calmly explained “But with that aside, would you like to walk home—“
“Kiku, that’s enough.” Yao cuts him off, words bit into his heart and making his smile fade. “We need to get going. Don’t bother wasting your time on him.” He spat, grabbing Kiku’s wrist and yanking him away from Arthur. All of that happened in a flash. Way too swift for Arthur to fully register.
Oh damn him! it’s not like I would had wanted to walk home with that Yao-wanker anyway. he glared down the corridor where they were leaving. boiling hot anger filled his stomach all the way up to his throat.
Calm down Kirkland, it doesn’t matter that much, you’ll talk to him tomorrow. Maybe. He took a deep breath, attempting to slow his spinning mind.
With that, he walked down the corridor with his backpack slung over one shoulder.