Chapter One: Arrangement
Oh, there they are.
Alfred F. Jones made his way down the cafeteria. He waded through the crowd of his fellow classmates, with an occasional "Hey, Al" or "Yo, Al" or "I'm gonna' kill you Al" wavering by. He greeted them with his usual cheerful attitude and gave high-fives or quick handshakes. When he finally got to his group's table, Francis and Arthur had already started fighting, Ludwig looked annoyed by Feliciano, and Yao was trying to scoot away from Ivan. But that was the usual routine; nothing new, nothing changed.
"Hey guys!" He greeted the gang and slammed his tray at his seat. He was the star of the group so he needed to make an audible entrance. He just had to, that's just the way he was.
"Ve~ Ciao Alfred." Feliciano was eating his usual pasta.
"Hey Feli, got pasta again?" Alfred laughed as he unwrapped his lunch.
"And you got hamburger again!" The Italian giggled. The two always had the same lunch so it was their inside joke. Who would get tired of hamburgers? He thought. Not me!
Alfred happily took a bite from his burger and glanced over at the two blondes at the other side of the table. "What're you guys fighting about now?"
Arthur slammed his fist on the table. The American grabbed his drink in time so the force wouldn't knock his coke down. "This bearded-frog called me a pansy when I helped someone fix their younger sibling's doll!"
"Did you use your magic or what?" Alfred slurped down his soda.
"Don't be ridiculous; that's too much of a hassle. I sewed it up for her, of course!"
He choked on the drink and broke into a laugh, "Hah! Pansy…"
Francis flipped his wavy blond hair and smirked at him, "See, told you mon ami."
Enraged, Arthur grabbed the French by the collar and shook him back and forth, "You shut up!"
"Konnichiwa, Alfred-kun."
The American glanced up from his meat sandwich and broke into a grin when he saw his friend. He swallowed his food and properly faced him, "Hey Kiku! Done studying?"
"Yes," the Japanese smiled apologetically, "I am sorry I'm late."
Kiku Honda was a studious student. He wasn't a perfectionist like Ludwig but he strives to do his best and go as far as studying during the beginning of lunch. When he was done, he would join the usual gang.
"Nah, no problem." Alfred scooted over so his friend could sit, "But you study too much, bro. You need to go out more."
"But I do not feel content if I don't." Kiku opened his lunchbox and pulled out his chopsticks. He didn't really appreciate the school food so he brought his own. Luckily, he shared dorms with Yao so he always had good ingredients at hand from their mini fridge.
"Same old Kiku," Alfred smiled and went back to his burger. But the American wasn't content. He was getting bored of the usual routine he goes through every day. He wanted something that'll change it, break it. That's why he had the perfect plan up his sleeve. Actually more like in his pocket.
Just as he was going to get everyone's attention, the sound of the intercom came on. The cafeteria hushed down so everyone could hear what the admin people had to say.
"Good afternoon students. We have some special announcements so please listen carefully."
The lady droned on and on about anti-bullying, new lunch menu, new books in the library, and so on. Alfred drummed his fingers on the table, waiting for her to talk about a certain thing. Kiku looked at his friend curiously.
"And finally, before I leave you all, I have one more exciting news." There was a slight pause and shuffling of paper could be heard. "The annual talent show of World Academy W is being held at the end of the semester."
The American teen grinned. This is what he was waiting for.
"Sign-up sheets will be by the lunch menu board in the main hall starting tomorrow after school. This will be a great opportunity to show your national culture and compete in a friendly competition, and of course, there will be prizes given to individual regions."
Alfred glanced around the table excitedly. To his dismay, no one seemed to be listening and they were back doing their own business. He tapped his fingers on the table again, this time waiting for the announcements to end.
"Thank you for listening students, and have a great rest of the day."
The cafeteria was lit back to life once the intercom was off. Chatter and clatter returned in the room.
"So… guys," Alfred grinned and eyed everyone at the table.
"What?" Ludwig was the first to notice. Feliciano, Yao, and Ivan looked up from their food and at him.
He smiled at the attention and stood up from his chair. He dug into his pocket and pulled out a flier.
"So I was thinking," Alfred unfolded the paper and revealed its contents to his lunch mates, "That since we are all probably bored with life right now, we should form a band and compete in this thing!" He nabbed one of the fliers that were hanging on the walls in the boys' bathroom.
Silence buzzed in the group for a moment and as if time just froze and unfroze again, everyone went back to whatever they were doing.
"Hey!" Alfred shouted, "Don't just ignore me guys!"
"I think it's a waste of time, aru." Yao sipped his tea from his thermos.
"I second that," supported Ludwig, "We're too busy with our classes to worry about a little competition."
"Besides, haven't you seen last year's competitors?" Arthur scoffed, "No bloody way we will win against them if they are to compete again."
Alfred groaned, "Dude, guys, c'mon! Don't you think it'll be fun though?" They ignored him again.
He slumped back into his seat and crossed his arms, "You guys are no fun."
Kiku felt bad for not saying anything to his friend. He would like to join, he thought, but he was very busy with school work and after school activities. There was a slight possibility that he could squeeze it in.
"Umm, Alfred-kun-"
The end of the lunch bell rang and the sounds of chairs scraping the floor resounded throughout the room. Everyone threw away their trash and shuffled onto their next class.
"Fine, be like that guys." Alfred swung his bag over his shoulder and stomped off to history class.
Kiku watched his friend leave and sighed. He could never say what was on his mind and when he tries, he gets interrupted or it comes out wrong. Maybe he'll get over it like he usually does with his other propositions.
"That was harsh, but I pulled through." Kiku stretched as he walked out of his science class. There was a test today with what felt like a hundred questions, but his daily studies and last minute cram-session pulled off.
"Kiiiiikuuuuu!"
He turned to the voice and saw Alfred running toward him. A teacher yelled at him about running in the hallway and he fast-walked over to him instead. Typical Alfred-kun moment.
"Hello Alfred-kun," Kiku greeted him, "Is something the matter?"
He pulled out the talent show flier again. I guess he isn't over it yet. "You're gonna join my band, right?"
"I…" The Japanese student still wanted to think about it but at the same time he didn't want to be the only one. Had anyone else agreed to it?
"Well? Well?" Alfred urged and smiled eagerly. His class was on the other side of the campus so he wanted his friend to answer right away.
Kiku sighed in defeat, "I will think about it."
"Yes!" The American took that as a 'yes' since it usually meant so when it came from his buddy. He patted his back and rushed off in the opposite direction, "Thanks bro! Gotta go! See ya!"
Kiku sighed again and headed toward his next class. What was he to do now? Alfred seemed to have gotten the wrong message again.
"Whoo hoo! First again!" Alfred jumped on the small wall of stones and raised his fist in triumph. This was where the gang met up after school. Today Kiku and Yao were holding a math study session at the library and he needed desperate help.
"Not exactly." Ludwig put his book down. He was sitting nearby under the shade so the hyper teen didn't see him when he ran by.
"Gee, are you a ninja or something; hiding in the shadows like that." Alfred threw down his bag and squatted on the wall.
"I suppose you could say that." The German bookmarked his page and joined him at the wall. "Have you seen the rest?"
"Nope~," hummed Alfred, "I just wanted to get here first." He pulled out the flier again and looked over at Ludwig.
"Don't think about it. I've already made up my mind."
"Oh, come on! I'm sure even Mr. Bulky-and-Studious needs a break from crap-load of work," whined Alfred.
"And why do you think I have so much work? My hands are full enough from also taking care of Feliciano and my bruder, and directing the Newspaper Club."
"Wait, when does the gym or sports thing come in?"
"What do you mean?"
Alfred pointed at the German's arm, "You're freakin' strong! I'm pretty sure you're not like that from birth or something."
"Oh, right. I work out whenever I can every day." He sighed, "It's not easy."
"Well you sure make it look easy," Alfred yawned. "Anyway…" He waved the flier in his hand, "I know you want to join~"
"I don't."
"So harsh." Alfred hopped off the wall and faced Ludwig, "You would make an awesome drummer or bassist or something."
"You'll never win anyway so what's the point?" The German's clear blue eyes pierced into his like ice.
"Why does everyone doubt it?" shouted Alfred. He was becoming impatient with everyone's doubt. "We won't know until we try!"
Ludwig shifted his position and crossed his arms, "With our dysfunctional group that can barely stay on topic during our study sessions? No chance."
Guilt-stricken, the American recoiled a bit since he knew he was one of those people. "W-well, music is different! Studying is boring…"
Ludwig raised a brow at him. He knew that the loudmouthed teen in front of him couldn't handle the pressure of keeping a band together.
"You're just scared! Yeah, you're just scared," Alfred scoffed and stared right at the German, "You know you can't handle it either."
Ludwig only let out a mocking laugh, "And who is the one that keeps track of each meeting and emails the notes to everyone?"
He gritted his teeth in anger. He was right, he's so organized and such so managing a band would be a breeze for him. But the American didn't want to give up so easily, no matter how intimidating Ludwig was.
"Ve~ sorry we're late, Ludy..."
"These two gits wouldn't stop going after some girls." Arthur and Ivan were dragging Francis and Feliciano behind them.
"So troublesome, aru," sighed Yao.
Alfred's scowl suddenly broke into a grin. He walked away from the bigger student and pulled Arthur, Francis, Yao, and Ivan to his side.
He stepped forward and pointed at Ludwig. "I challenge you to a duel."
"Duel? What is this, the Medieval Ages?" Arthur turned to Alfred, "What do you think you're doing, anyway; suddenly forcing us aside?"
Ludwig only raised a brow. Feliciano scooted over to his side and was puzzled by the sudden tension in the air. Kiku on the other hand was afraid that something like this would happen. Alfred was the type of person to be provoked easily if he didn't get what he wanted. That's why he always agreed to him.
"Shush, Artie, this is important." Alfred went back to Ludwig. "I challenge you to the battle of the bands."
"Battle of the bands?" Ivan giggled, "That sounds like fun."
"That's so cliché and cheesy," Francis scoffed, "Why all of the sudden?" He paused, remembering something. "Is it about that talent show?"
"Guys!" Alfred turned to his collection of people, "We can do this. We can win against Mr. Macho and his group." There was a different air to the teen. The members reluctantly gave in and agreed to cooperate with him. Satisfied, he faced Ludwig again and crossed his arms, "Well?"
The German only sighed and shook his head in dismay. He gathered Feliciano and Kiku behind him and held out his right hand. "Challenge accepted."
Alfred grinned, "May the best group win, which of course, would be mine."
Kiku watched as his two friends shook hands. The challenge was commenced, no turning back. He should have accepted Alfred's offer earlier but he hesitated. Now he had to compete against him. "I don't know if I can do this…"
"Ve~ we can do it!" Feliciano clung onto his and Ludwig's arms.
"I think we all forgot something important," Ivan pointed out.
Alfred groaned, "Study session first, then challenge! Frick, I'm gonna fail my test if I don't go through this one carefully."
Kiku felt a little relieved for having the challenge being started later but he still felt guilty. Could he pull through this like his science test?
The American glanced over at Kiku and then grabbed his bag. His best friend was in enemy territory. Things weren't going to be the same now.
Let it all begin.
After studying for our math tests.
Yes, I dared myself. Gakuen Hetalia fanfic based on music (No, not a musical, but a band).
Only this chapter is in 3rd person POV, the rest will be in 1st person through Alfred and Kiku
(since #1- I know them better than the others, #2- I know American and Japanese backgrounds best, #3- They're my favorite characters).
Like this with scene transitions, in the future, I will indicate change in POV with the line breaks.
That's basically all I have to say… Well, let's see how this will turn out?
((Quick Disclaimers:))
-I haven't read any (wait, I don't read much to start with…) music related Gakuen Hetalia fanfics so if any contents match one of another story then it's merely a coincidence; no copy, no plagiarism.
-I don't cuss so don't expect much vulgar language in this. Sure, it'll take off some of their personality traits, especially being in high school, but I'll try my best.
-No pairings intended; I'll let your minds wander to where you want but I'm neutral/no support (Like Switzerland)
-I will make official & fanmade song references (and I will credit them in the author's note)
-Feel free to correct me on anything really ^^ (Grammar, facts, foreign language, content, etc)
Thanks for reading the first chapter and I hope this whole thing will turn out well!