A/N: This is a Hana Yori Dango AU. Main pairing is USUK, with possible side pairings. It will follow the drama closely at first, but there will be other events, and the ending will be different, since I never finished watching the show. It may be unrealistic at some points (flying mint bunny), but think anime logic. When has anime ever been realistic?
Alistair is Scotland, Rhys is Wales, Aileen is Ireland, and Patrick is Northern Ireland.
Please pardon ooc and other things. This is written for fun, and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do.
Not British, but I might include some terms at times if I remember them.
Disclaimer: No own Hetalia. No own cover pic. Both belong to their wonderful creator.
Ch. 1
High spires, ornately planted trees, and a formidable building.
World Academy W. An institution for the elite and rich, all children of internationally important figures.
In other words, Arthur Kirkland's worst nightmare.
He adjusts his school bag as he continues to walk to the gate, occasionally eyeing a passing student warily. Ever since Arthur started at this school, almost every single student here has managed to make him more self-conscious.
Every single person is either showing off...their very expensive watch, their very expensive purse, or their very expensive shoes. Some of the more narcissistic ones don't even wear the designated uniform, opting for their own outfit instead.
Arthur doesn't practice any of that nonsense, nor could he care less about his schoolmates' ideas of fashion and prestige.
He's the commoner at this school after all, accepted for his exceptional marks (top of class, of course), the apparently influential position his father held, and his brother Alistair's rapidly rising in the ranks.
"KYAAAAAHHHH!"
The deafening scream of boys and girls alike causes Arthur to cover his ears with his hands, shuddering a little with revulsion as he groans to himself.
"Blimey..." He's still not used to this spectacle, but unfortunately, he would have to get accustomed to this, because…
"Hello, World Academy! The hero is...here to SAVE THE DAY!" The annoying voice continues to laugh obnoxiously, and Arthur rolls his eyes before giving Alfred F. Jones a glance. Yes, it's him. The blond hair, glasses, egocentric attitude.
Every single day. Every single day, he enters like this, always rousing up a crowd to cheer him on like a king. Can he not live without attention? It certainly seems like that, given how he behaves in general.
Alfred always wears that brown bomber jacket over his uniform, surprisingly rule-abiding for someone like him, since he practically is the king of the school, being the leader of the A4, or the Allied Four.
Alfred F. Jones, Francis Bonnefoy, Ivan Braginsky, and Wang Yao. They're all heirs of the most influential companies in their countries, who fund and contribute the school, thus granting them immense power on how things happen in the World Academy.
They're the populars of the populars, in simpler terms. They probably have more power than the administration of the school.
Arthur steps off to the side to clear off the path along with everyone else, silently observing all of them. There seems to be a military theme going on with the group recently, seeing as all of them are in a uniform of some sort. And there's especially something weird with the Braginsky bloke. Why does he wear a scarf all the time? Isn't he ever hot?
Arthur will never be able to understand their sort of people. He would much rather be attending another school anyway.
More shrieks are uttered when Francis Bonnefoy—the not too bad-looking one—blows some kisses at the crowd. Arthur watches, unimpressed, waiting for the parade procession to be over. He has no interest for flirtatious playboys.
But Francis Bonnefoy turns around, and their eyes suddenly make contact.
Arthur freezes suddenly, slightly startled. Why would a school idol, of all people, look at him? He should probably look away, since staring at someone like that would just bring trouble.
...But then the famed playboy winks. He winks at Arthur.
Arthur feels his face burn slightly at the unprecedented gesture, stunned and confused. But he soon manages to school his expression back into one of cold indifference again, mainly due to the shrill screams. They help clear his mind this time, given how loud and shrieky they sound.
"Look over here! Look here!" Most of the crowd is screaming again, and Francis waves a few more times before actually turning around and leaving. He does not give Arthur another look.
"Francis Bonnefoy looked at me!" Some girl exclaims with happiness, to which Arthur sniffs disapprovingly. How self-centered. Francis Bonnefoy was looking at him, not-
Stop that thought. The school's idol-chasing atmosphere must be getting to him.
Shaking his head profusely to no one in particular, Arthur resumes his walk into the school, prepared for yet another dull day with no one to talk to. As he expected, he has no friends, and only a few acquaintances at most.
At least the curriculum is highly educational. That is the only solace as to how uncomfortable he feels among his schoolmates.
Concentrated on his thoughts, Arthur accidentally bumps into someone on the way in. Arthur doesn't see who the person is, and he doesn't pay any particular attention to the angry protests. The slight pain of his arm only further ruins his mood.
(He doesn't notice how surrounding classmates gasped, or how a silence fell among the students nearby.)
"Look where you're going," he mutters before turning left to head to his locker, mind still consumed with frustration and confusion as to why Francis Bonnefoy seemed interested in him. He prefers being low-key in this school, and doesn't want to attract unneeded attention with the rich crowd.
Why is he thinking about this anyway? It isn't as if Arthur's interested in an A4 member.
(Arthur still doesn't notice the dead silence, or how Alfred F. Jones adjusts his glasses, blue eyes lingering on Arthur with curiosity.)
"And what we want to know about the War of the Austrian Succession is that..." The sound of chalk on the blackboard stands out particularly in the room, maybe due to the fact that everyone is silent, nothing being whispered or muttered.
This particular teacher is a little too stern and fixated on lectures for Arthur's liking, but he still takes notes diligently, as he always does. The quiet atmosphere also helps him concentrate, since some of Arthur's classes are much worse, with people feverishly talking and disrespecting the teacher, who cannot do much about it.
This place may be a school for the rich, but that does not mean that all of them are polite with good manners. In fact, most are just spoiled heirs. Perhaps Arthur is being too harsh, but it's what he's seen in his few months here.
History is one of Arthur's favorite subjects, second to only English Literature. Learning about how the world came to be what it is today is particularly enthralling for him. It's better than Mathematics, which Arthur has a mixed attitude towards. He's decent, even advanced, but it just isn't his favorite thing to do.
Arthur would've loved to learn more about the current topic, but alas. Fate never goes his way.
"It's a notice from the A4! Lovino Vargas! Lovino Vargas got a red notice!" Loud shouts drowns out the teacher's voice, and she stops speaking, looking rather miffed, but hapless. All the other students freeze, and then proceed to scramble to open the door, soon rushing out into the halls, eager to see the new victim.
Arthur curses inwardly, gripping his pencil unhappily. It's Lovino this time, huh? He barely knows the guy, but he's never happy whenever anyone gets a notice.
Why is the red notice be allowed anyway? This really is a world where people are judged by their power, isn't it?
"Um...Aren't we supposed to go?" A quiet voice draws Arthur's attention away from his inner thoughts, and he looks up to see...wait…
"Alfred F. Jones?" Arthur asks with bewilderment. The bomber jacket isn't there, and the boy is hugging a strange (alive?) bear, but the face is exactly the same. Blond hair, glasses...Why would he be-
"I'm Matthew Williams..." The boy, who bears an uncanny likeness to the leader of the A4, shakes his head, suddenly looking very sad as he strokes the bear's fur.
"Who-No, sorry. I made a mistake." Arthur represses the urge to ask "Who are you", since Matthew looks even more forlorn at the first word. It must've struck a nerve. Arthur files that as part of his "things not to do" list.
"It's fine. People always mistake the two of us." Another small smile that betrays no unhappiness. He must get this a lot, seeing how passive he is about it.
"Are you two...perhaps related in some way?" If they're not, it would almost be paranormal, with how alike they look. They have basically the same appearance, with only hair styles, clothing, and personality that differ.
"Yes. He's my twin brother. You probably haven't heard of me, but that's natural, since we have different surnames, and Alfred's very attention-grabbing." Matthew chuckles a little, and Arthur wonders how he could ever smile about that. Alfred seems just as difficult, if not more than how Arthur's brothers are.
Siblings are a beautiful thing indeed.
But...yes. Attention-grabbing. That is quite the understatement, since Arthur's impression of Alfred is of someone who yells proclamations of heroism spontaneously. Everywhere he goes, there's always his admirers. But it's mainly his playful attitude that annoys Arthur. A school is for learning, not forming cliques!
The differing last names of Alfred and Matthew are a little strange, but he doesn't find the need to ask. The appearance proves everything.
"Well then, let's go." Arthur would have to watch the ordeal though, no matter how he feels about it. Closing his notebook, he leaves it on the desk as he walks out into the hallway, followed by Matthew as they walk with the other students.
People are already crowding up the stairs, and Arthur squeezes through, wanting to get to a less occupied space. He doesn't like crowds.
Another thing Arthur despises that he should probably mention: red notices. The A4 hand them out erratically, sometimes a couple a day, or sometimes once over a few weeks. Those are delivered to people who have offended the A4 in some way, and their life is made hell for as long as the notice exists.
God knows how many people have left the school because of this. Red notices are a daily routine in the World Academy, and the most time they've stopped is just about a week.
In Lovino's case, his brother would probably be dragged down too. But that would be unlikely, since Feliciano has Ludwig and Gilbert Beilschmidt to back him. Even the A4 hesitate when something has to do with the Beilschmidt brothers, since they and Honda Kiku are the other big clique in the school.
Arthur heads down the stairs, and everyone ends up in the usual spot punishments are held in. The school gym, a large area the A4 seem to favor. Some of the students who are already there are dressed in their gym uniform, probably from the interrupted class that was being held there previously.
Alfred is sitting in an armchair, looking bored as he plays with his mobile, and the other four stand at his side. Arthur's eyes meet Francis' again, and he quickly turns his head away when Francis smiles, feeling his face heating up involuntarily.
What in the world?
Wang Yao has his face buried in one of those Chinese romance novels again, which is very out of place with the traditional robe he is wearing. Ivan Braginsky is beside him, with the whole unnerving smile and heavy jacket combination.
The entirety of A4 is here. Lovino must have offended them greatly. Probably by cursing at them, given how dirty his mouth tends to be.
The A4 really rule the school, don't they? Interrupting classes and moving furniture around freely is another one of the things they often do.
"The guy should be here soon," Alfred says, and some of the students cheer, disturbing Arthur immensely. Is this really something to cheer over?
He sees Matthew shakes his head slightly, which makes him feel glad. At least there's someone else who disapproves.
Indistinct voices sound out, and the yelling becomes louder and louder along with the swearing as Lovino Vargas is dragged in by three people, who are struggling to restrain him as he kicks and yells.
"...let me go!" He continues to struggle, but more students rush ahead, already eager to punch and kick at him just to please Alfred. They all look at Alfred silently, as if asking for permission.
"Hey man! How are you feeling right now?" Alfred is smiling like nothing's happened, but he's obviously angry with the newest recipient of the red notice, judging by how...scarily happy he looks now.
"Fuck you," Lovino snarls, which causes a string of loud gasps and Arthur to raise an eyebrow. Nobody has really ever talked to a member of the A4 like that, obviously.
"No thanks, but go ahead and try," Alfred says frigidly, and the whole crowd is released on Lovino, whose shouts and curses are eventually drowned out by the racket the students are causing. Yells, shouts, a cacophony of chaos. Arthur stands at the side, wincing inwardly when he hears punching and kicking.
Would Lovino even emerge out of this alive?
After the one-sided beating is finished, Arthur doesn't even get a chance to see how Lovino is before he is whisked away, presumably to the nurse's office. Everyone is still gathered around and chattering, with no clear intention of resuming classes, so Arthur takes his chance and sneaks out of the gym.
He heads for the roof, where he often goes to when he wants to be alone. And it's the only place he can talk to Mint without receiving stares.
It's a relatively warm day, and Arthur stares out at the blue sky, feeling miffed by what he had just witnessed.
"Arthur. Are you alright?" Flying Mint Bunny is as kind as usual, asking him about how he is whenever they meet.
"Bloody wankers, all of them," he says loudly, knowing that no one would hear. Because, in reality, barely anyone actually comes to the roof, even though it's clean and a quiet spot.
"Who?"
"The A4. The older Vargas got the notice today."
Arthur could've helped him, but there was so many people crowded there at the time.
But even that is an excuse. If Arthur really wanted to help, he could've. He is unfortunately not the type to rush in impulsively, as he tends to place his own good before others'.
Sometimes, he wonders what being selfless is like. Arthur cannot imagine sacrificing himself for something or someone else, but maybe that's because no situation he's been in has ever been that dire.
"They think that they're so good. Better than anyone. But that's all rubbish." Arthur talks to Flying Mint Bunny, suddenly wishing that he would have a friend other than her to say such things to.
"You could always transfer," she offers, though they both know that it is highly unlikely.
Why Arthur's whole family is so intent on him being educated here, he doesn't know. Even Alistair—who used to play tricks on him and call him a eejit when they were little—works long hours at his job just to fund Arthur's education.
It's heartwarming, but Arthur doesn't think that World Academy is worth all these sacrifices. The education he gets may be top class, but the atmosphere is honestly horrible. He can't repeat that enough.
"It's all his fault, probably." His father apparently had a very important job.
Mum generally refuses to speak about his father, and when she does, her tone is clipped. The man left them, is what Alistair says. He probably doesn't even know of the existence of Arthur's two younger sisters even until his death.
Now Arthur is stranded in this academy for the pompous, where ordinary students are punished like criminal offenders of some sort.
Sigh. It's all he's been doing lately.
Arthur stays there on the roof for a while, talking some more with Mint and occasionally looking over the railing at the green garden below, feeling the wind blow at his face.
He has to get back to class though. Can't linger here too long.
Francis Bonnefoy watches the sourcils boy vent, feeling some amusement and surprisingly no anger at being insulted.
But the last line puzzles him. Whose fault? And for what?
Arthur Kirkland is more famous than he might think. The first thing he'd done wrong, unfortunately, was coming to this school. He had an almost perfect score on the entrance exam, knocking Alfred off his glorious throne of being number one.
That was the first thing that drew Francis' attention to Arthur, who he likes to think of as sourcils. Eyebrows, for that defining feature of his.
And just today, Francis found out that Arthur is not as cold and unapproachable as he may seem. The little rabbit was blushing nonstop just at a wink and a smile. Surprisingly cute for his grumpy behavior.
Unfortunately, he committed another crime. That is, bumping into Alfred today. Speaking of which, Alfred had not even seemed angry. More curious than offended when Arthur didn't even offer an apology.
Well, Francis is certainly becoming more and more interested in this intriguing valedictorian.
"So, his name is Arthur Kirkland, right?"Alfred asks Francis absentmindedly, suddenly reminded of the super rude commoner who bumped into him and didn't even apologize.
"Yes, he is. What, is mon ami developing a crush?" Francis has that lecherous face on again, and Alfred shakes his head quickly.
"No. Dude, clean your mind! I was asking...he left during today's punishment, didn't he?" Three offenses, in total. Three things that Arthur did.
One for testing higher than Alfred. Eight freaking points! He has never been this much behind someone in his life.
Two for bumping into him and telling him to watch where he's going. Rude much?
Three for actually leaving an event supervised by Alfred, even though he wasn't told to. Alfred's starting to wonder if this guy has something against him.
But somehow, it's those things that are getting Alfred more and more interested in Arthur Kirkland.
Alfred bites into his burger a little bit too hard, and drinks a big mouthful of soda to suppress his frustration. Why is he thinking about this so much? He should just give the guy a notice, to rid him from his life.
"He went to the roof. And he was insulting us. Truthfully, I think he's quite interesting," Francis answers, but Alfred doesn't really pay him any attention.
Francis is probably just seeing Arthur as a potential romantic partner. With or without the eyebrows, Arthur is kind of good-looking…
Wait. No. Why is Alfred F. Jones, World Academy's resident hero, thinking something like this about a rude plebeian?
"Oh, really?" Alfred feigns boredom, but he has to admit...Arthur Kirkland does interest him. Like a strange puzzle, something different from all the blind admirers Alfred has. He's had about enough of boys and girls screaming their love and devotion for him.
And Alfred F. Jones always loves a good challenge.
"Why are all of you so intent on me going to the World Academy?" Arthur raises the question again at dinner. Hopefully, he'll get a different answer this time.
"I've told you before. It's an excellent school." Mum says the same thing again, kindly and patiently. Does she even know how horrible the school is?
"Stop yer whining, Arthur," Alistair says, rough like usual, and Arthur gives him a glare.
"I don't need to go to that kind of school-"
"Like Mum said, it's a fine school. Why wouldn't you want to attend it?" Rhys says quietly, shutting Arthur up effectively. Rhys has always had this sort of ability to control a conversation.
It's somewhat true though. Besides the student behavior, it is a perfectly fine place.
"Yeah! Don't you forget, you're going to be the pride of our family," Aileen says admonishingly, and Patrick nods with his sister. That further stumps Arthur, as he doesn't really want to tell them about what really is bothering him.
He just sighs and continues to eat.
A/N #2: Please Follow/Fav/Review! Thanks for reading.