A/N: 2nd chapter here.

alguien22792: Well, I hope your view of them will improve as the story goes on. I'll try to make sure they have other sides to their personalities other than just arrogant and egocentric.

And of course, the main antagonist has to be an OC. Ha. Anyway, it's kind of hard to find antagonists, because every Hetalia character isn't necessarily bad. Russia's often used as the bad guy, but I'm not going to do that.

Disclaimer: Don't own.


Ch. 2

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

The alarm clock begins ringing, and Arthur reaches his arm out to close it, the obnoxious sound still in his ears.

What time is it? Oh, almost school time…

Wait. Almost school time?

Almost jumping out of bed, Arthur hurries to ready himself for school, hoping that he wouldn't be late. That does not seem very likely though, given the minimal amount of time he has to get to class, which is on the second floor of the F or G wing of the building…

Urrrgh. But there's no time for complaining, so Arthur dresses quickly in the Academy's uniform, quickly putting on the plaid trousers, shirt, doing his tie, and then pulling on the blue blazer. He then finishes up all the procedures that comprise his morning routine, grabs his bag after almost forgetting about it, and hurries down the stairs.

"Good morning, Arthur. " His mother notices his rush, and says nothing, just placing his lunch box on the table. It seems to be a new one. Mum's been talking a lot about getting him a new lunchbox lately, so this probably is the said lunchbox.

He doesn't need something that large, but there's not any time to say much about it.

"Sorry, Mum. I'm in a hurry." Arthur still sits down temporarily to eat the slightly cold breakfast—practically inhaling it.

"I can see. I bought you a new lunchbox, so now my Artie will have something nice, like his classmates!" Has Mum always been this chirpy? Well...maybe. She's like this most of the time, except when she is angry, of course.

"...Thanks. Bye, mum."

Arthur takes a closer look at the lunchbox this time, just before he heading out. Patterned with gold leaves and flowers, it looks very fitting for the rich indeed. Arthur feels a little reluctant to bring something like this to school, as if he's trying to conform to everyone else, but there's no time. He'd mention it to his family later, about how they don't need to cut down on money just to get him better lunchboxes and other items.

Arthur walks quickly down the familiar streets, eventually breaking into a run. His family doesn't live too far from campus, so he wouldn't need to spend that much time getting there. Still, the time is short, and he has to be quick.

After what seems like forever of running, interspersed with a few close calls of tripping, Arthur rushes through the school gates, panting heavily and wiping at his forehead. The familiar building is more something of relief now, since he knows that he won't be late. Probably.

But the battle is not over yet. Arthur needs to hurry to his first class, which is, as mentioned before...upstairs.

"Brilliant," he mutters to himself before hurrying into the building.

Quickly stopping by his locker, Arthur deposits his lunchbox and other unneeded things inside before grabbing his textbooks and hurrying up the stairs. The box in particular gives him some trouble, simply because of its sheer size.

Arthur's never been tardy before, and this cannot be the first time. Just a little faster...faster…

He makes it right before the bell rings musically, unlike the overly loud beep of his former school's bell. Arthur's entrance makes quite the spectacle, what with his rushed appearance and shortness of breath, but the prying eyes soon turn away after he gives the people an unhappy look.

The teacher gives him a curious look, but says nothing and proceeds to check attendance. Arthur quickly seats himself and says "present" when his name is called, glad that he did not oversleep too much.

Someone taps on his shoulder, and Arthur turns to see Alfred—no, Matthew. Matthew.

"Hey. You made it." Matthew smiles a little, and Arthur nods back, managing a small smile, thankful for Matthew's encouragement.

"Lovino isn't here..." Matthew remarks after a while, and Arthur notices that indeed, the hot-tempered Italian is nowhere to be seen, with no one in his seat.

Were his injuries that serious? Or is he just not coming to school? Arthur has no idea, but he frowns slightly as he looks at the empty seat by the window.

Another student has had this fate befall them. Maybe the A4 just forced Lovino to leave. Arthur doesn't know if Feliciano is here or not, since the more air-headed boy is in another class, but...

"There's nothing we can do about it now," Arthur mutters, and Matthew nods. They do not speak anymore, for class is already starting, the teacher beginning with a review before resuming the current topic.

There's nothing like Maths to start the day.


It turns out that Lovino is, in fact, present. He shows up at physical education, much to Arthur's surprise, but doesn't interact much with other students, who all purposely avoid him. Even some boys Arthur used to see talk with him are avoiding him.

Class passes without much trouble. Lovino was tripped and pushed once or twice, but nothing else happens. The only thing happening seems to be the silent treatment. No one is attacking Lovino, but no one speaks to him either.

The real problem emerges though, when class ends and they are changing back into their normal clothing.

Unfortunately, Lovino seems to be missing his clothes...Arthur can't bear to look at the scene anymore.

Somebody apparently took Lovino's uniform when he wasn't noticing, leaving him in the honestly horrible-looking gym uniform, yelling at a bunch of nasty-looking students as his face gets redder and redder from anger.

Arthur had been planning on leaving without any further ado, but he catches sight of a familiar set of clothes that are on the floor, being trampled by a group of laughing students.

It somehow triggers his dormant sense of justice, reminding him of a time when he was bullied for having "imaginary friends".

Arthur can at least get the clothes back for Lovino.

"Stop it," he says as sternly and as loud as possible. The boys don't pay him any attention at first, but he repeats it, even louder this time.

"I told you to stop," Arthur almost yells, but restricts himself quickly. He can't lose his temper on people like them.

Rubbing at his temples in frustration, Arthur walks closer to the stunned boys, shoving them aside to pick up the dirty, trampled, but still intact uniform.

"Who do you think you are?" One of the boys retorts, looking a little surprised but still very angry.

"Arthur Kirkland. And I suggest that you stop the noise coming out of that hole in your face and learn some respect."

Not bothering to wait for the boy's reply, Arthur walks over and holds out the uniform to a surprised-looking Lovino.

"I don't need your help...but thank you, I guess." Lovino takes it, looking embarrassed, and Arthur nods, feeling better for having actually helped in a way.

The bell rings before anyone gets a chance to say anything, and everyone reluctantly begins to leave.


Arthur completely forgot about the huge Japanese lunch box.

He stares at it for another while before taking it out of his locker, feeling greatly embarrassed as he holds it.

Arthur walks to the cafeteria, which is already full and bustling with chatter. The A4 are in their usual spots, and Arthur is already prepared to find a remote place to sit alone, as he always does.

At least, until a voice calls his name.

"Ve~ Arthur! Come sit with us!" Arthur recognizes the familiar voice of Feliciano Vargas, Lovino's brother. He's at the usual table he sits in, but this time, there's only Honda Kiku and Lovino with him.

"Sure..." Arthur heard earlier that the Beilschmidt brothers are on holiday. Helping with the family business or something like that. He doesn't pay much attention to such things.

"Thanks for helping fratello today. He told me about it," Feliciano says before eating another forkful of pasta, his obvious favorite food that he is always talking about, even in the middle of class.

"It was the right thing to do," Arthur says, a little overwhelmed. Lovino doesn't say anything, but gives him a nod after a moment of hesitation.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Arthur-san," Honda Kiku says, sounding as calm and soft as he always does.

"It's my pleasure," Arthur says. He doesn't know Honda Kiku very well, only hearing that he has a complicated history with Wang Yao, and that he is very polite, being painstakingly so.

Seems like somebody he'll have no problem getting along with, Arthur thinks before proceeding to unwrap his lunchbox.

"Oh, is that a tiered bento?" Kiku's eyes light up with recognition, surprising Arthur suddenly. Well, he should've expected Kiku to notice anyway, since he's Japanese.

"Uh, yes?"

"My family has some of these. I'm glad to see that you are appreciating different cultures." Kiku smiles, and Arthur offers one of his own back, though he's rather confused inside.

So, this bento lunchbox somehow made him a new friend? Well, acquaintance. Not a friend yet, but Kiku seems like a potential friend.

Arthur opens the lid and sets it aside, noticing how everyone seems to freeze upon seeing its contents.

"What is it?" Is there something wrong? But it's just Mum's usual cooking, the nice shade of black it always is.

"Arthur-san...pardon me, but is that what you are planning to eat?" Kiku laughs nervously, and Arthur glances at him with confusion.

"Yes? Is there something wrong about it?"

"Well, it's burnt, for one," Lovino says, and Arthur tenses immediately, feeling the beginnings of anger. Actually, he isn't too surprised that Lovino got a red notice, if he's always saying things like this.

"Ahhhh, don't mind fratello, Arthur. Your food is perfectly fine." Feliciano clamps a hand over Lovino's mouth, and the two talk extensively for a while, effectively bewildering Arthur and dissolving his anger.

"...Okay?" What an odd group of people. But they're somehow amusing too, in their own way.

Arthur is actually beginning to enjoy their company. He admits that not all people at this school are arrogant and self-centered, after all.

"I'm going to get some more pasta!" Feliciano exclaims after a while, and he stands up with his tray, prepared to head towards the food.

A sudden crash silences the whole cafeteria.

Feliciano accidentally collided with someone. What's more, what remains of the tomato sauce formerly on his tray is now on that person's shirt, surely about to leave a stain.

But why is the whole cafeteria quiet? Arthur looks up, and he just knows.

Because...the person Feliciano crashed into…

...He's Alfred F. Jones.

And today is a day that he isn't wearing his uniform too, which means that his designer clothing is stained…

"V-Ve! I'm very sorry! Sorry! Don't hit me, don't hit me!" Feliciano immediately starts panicking and fretting, but Alfred pays him no attention, only rubbing at the red on his shirt for a bit, his slowness surely an exaggeration.

"How are you going to pay for this?"

"H-Huh?" Feliciano stops his rambling, looking frightened at the expressionless Alfred, who scowls.

"I said, how are you going to pay for ruining my shirt? It's brand new!" Alfred really looks like a child sometimes, when he's angry. Or maybe he is just like a child, who hasn't grown up and out of his cruelty.

"I'll pay! I'll pay! Please don't hit me..." Feliciano looks more cheerful. At least, slightly less miserable as his face lights up at a prospective way out of the situation.

"No thanks," Alfred says before suddenly tearing off his shirt and throwing it at Feliciano, who flinches and further shrinks into himself.

Even though he's standing in his undershirt, Alfred still looks angry and intimidating as he speaks again.

"Beilschmidt's not here to protect you, right? How about—"

"He already apologized."

Arthur regrets saying the words as soon as they're out of his mouth, but there is no use in regretting, since he, well, already said it.

"…"

Damn his impulsive streak. Arthur knew that it would get him into trouble someday.

"What? You're his friend or something?" Alfred turns to Arthur, who stares back at him despite the urge to look away.

Ah, to hell with conforming to everyone. If Arthur is going to rebel, he will rebel to the end.

"I just think that you shouldn't be so harsh. He may have dirtied your shirt, but at least he showed remorse." Arthur's always been very good with hiding nervousness, which is how he is feeling currently. Right now, he's just about prepared for people to start rushing up to pummel him good for talking to a member of the "oh so brilliant A4" like that.

"..." Alfred doesn't say anything, and his expression is unreadable. Arthur allows the silence to continue for a while, but speaks on.

"Please let him go. He made a small mistake, and I think you would be gracious enough to forgive him," Arthur says, mind not really fixated on what he's saying anymore. Just the sheer nervousness is overwhelming him. Would he receive a red notice for this?

"Tsk." Alfred gives Feliciano an angry look and walks away, leaving a whole cafeteria of wide-eyed people to start whispering. Glances flutter everywhere, most of them in Arthur's direction.

Arthur stands there for a while before he almost collapses into his chair, feeling unexpectedly tired from the confrontation. Was he that nervous about it? Granted, it was just standing up to a bully...Well, a rich and influential bully who can possibly ruin Arthur's life.

"Are you alright? That was very brave of you, Arthur-san." Kiku has a look of concern, but Arthur waves him off.

"I'm fine." Probably.

"Thank you," Feliciano says, and Lovino follows suit. The look of worry does not leave their face though, for they all know that they are still in danger of being punished. Either them or Arthur...or maybe all of them.

"It wasn't that important," Arthur mutters. It was just standing up for what he thinks is right after all, and he would've felt terrible if he had not done anything.

Now though, he feels slightly better. He did what he needed to do.

"I'd say that it is, actually, since no one normally dares to speak to the A4 like that." Kiku smiles weakly, returning to his lunch. Arthur nods, but his mind isn't on his food anymore.

What will happen to him? The worst would probably be him transferring...that wouldn't be the end of the world, but his family would be disappointed.

Arthur could just tell them about what was happening. They'd understand. But still...

Or maybe he should just stop worrying about it. He'll probably see the consequences of his actions...tomorrow. At least, he shouldn't keep on fretting about it.

But the dread still exists in Arthur's mind, and he does not miss all the glances and whispers around him for the rest of the day.


Alfred is pissed. And by pissed, he means pissed.

Ripping apart another red piece of paper, he slams his fist into the desk, yelling his problem out loud.

"Why is it SO hard?"

Every single time he tries to write up a red notice, he can't bring himself to finish it. Can't sign his name to make it official. He should just make up his mind and stop killing trees, but...Alfred somehow doesn't want to finish the notice.

All because that guy is somehow interesting to him? Or maybe it really is an attraction, like Francis said…

No. No. No.

And why should he be curious about Arthur Kirkland anyway? The only special things about him are his grades, his eyebrows, his entire appearance, really, him bumping into Alfred, him helping Lovino in gym, him helping Feliciano at lunch…

Arrrgh. That's a lot. Alfred's beginning to have trouble convincing himself. Alright. Maybe he does care a little bit. Arthur Kirkland isn't too bad-looking, and he's pretty different from most of the other students, who either worship Alfred or avoid him.

Alfred can't determine if his strange feelings towards Kirkland are exactly good or more bad.

"You're having trouble with writing a notice?"

Oh, Mattie's here.

He's always so quiet and soft-spoken, always surprising Alfred a bit whenever he shows up. Alfred's talked to him before about being more outgoing. Heck, he could even join the A4 (or A5, as it would be in that case) if he wanted to. Alfred told him that a long time ago. But no, Matthew prefers the quiet life.

Matthew is staring pointedly at the trash can full of crumpled and ripped paper, all a bright, dangerous red. He gives Alfred another curious look, which somehow embarrasses him.

"What?" He'll never tell Matthew that it was because of Arthur Kirkland...Just saying that would make Alfred uncool. It's not like him to be conflicted over things like this…

Which he is conflicted over things like this.

It's too confusing.

"...Arthur Kirkland, eh? It's rare to see you like this," Matthew says quietly, and walks away before Alfred can reply.

What's with him today?

"You know that she's coming back in a few hours, right?" Alfred shouts as a second thought, and he turns back to his newest red paper after Matthew nods. They don't speak anymore of it, since none of them care for her anyway.

Their mother, the cold and unreachable woman who is working 24/7, never sparing any time for any of her children. She's also the one who married Alfred's older sister off. In short, a materialistic and cold workaholic who cares about nothing but the company. "Company before all" should be her motto.

Just thinking about her ruins Alfred's mood a little more, because he still can't deny that he wants her to act caring. Just a little. But that will never happen.

He looks at the red square in his hands again and sighs, quickly scribbling his name on in a fit of inspiration.

"There. It wasn't that hard." Self-comforting words...

But why does he still feel so unsatisfied?


Dinner. An okay time that is absolutely horrible whenever his mother is around.

Speaking of his mother, Grace Jones currently sits at the far end of the table, keeping that stern looking even when she's eating.

The dim light does not help the atmosphere at all. Honestly, Alfred hates eating like this, with his mother and servants both at his side, as if they're spying on his every mood. Plus, nobody even talks. Not even a word. Matthew always seems even more invisible whenever dinnertime with Mother comes around.

Alfred and Matthew both pause in eating though, when their mother's eyes grows sharp and she does that familiar gesture to call for the butler.

"Lewis. I would like to speak to the chef."

Oh...Something's going to happen. But Alfred just continues eating, not wanting to stare too much.

Mother loves to clear out the staff and get replacements every time she comes back. Alfred's used to it, since it's becoming almost a household tradition at this rate. He feels a little bad for the chef, who, judging by the few times they've met, doesn't seem too bad.

And speaking of the chef, there he is, standing obediently by the table, looking nervous and tense. Completely different from the excitement he showed back on his first day of work.

"Who cooked this?" Mother asks coldly, eyeing the dish with disdain.

The chef does well to respond quickly, even though that won't help him. "I did, madam."

"You. Do not show up here starting tomorrow...no. Starting now. Lewis, please show him out with the proper procedures." Mother gives him a cold look before wiping her mouth and pushing her plate aside to be cleared off by a maid.

Alfred continues eating, trying not to watch the man's struggles as he is being "showed out".


It must be still early. Around five o'clock. But Arthur is awakened by the sound of something clattering. Maybe something fell?

Yawning a little, he slowly gets up and walks down the stairs to examine the situation for himself. But what he doesn't expect...is to see Mum and Alistair conversing in the kitchen.

Keeping himself hidden behind a wall, Arthur begins to shamelessly eavesdrop, all other purposes forgotten in light of his curiosity.

The earlier sound seems to be a pan that fell to the ground. Nothing important.

"Arthur's been doing well with exams lately...I'll give him something extra from my lunch," Mum says quietly.

"He can have my share of biscuits." Alistair says, shocking Arthur as he stands there, disbelieving.

Sweets aren't Alistair's favorite, but Arthur knows that his brother likes them. Giving his brother a hard stare, Arthur frowns in confusion. Are they as poor to the point that they need to divide food? Or does his family always just give him the best things...

"Is it really alright? I can give him my share. You don't need to give anything." Mum moves to retrieve something, but Alistair shakes his head.

"He can have it."

Those words touch Arthur somehow, and he gives his mother and older brother one last look before returning upstairs, feelings mixed.

His family...they really give him so much, don't they?

He'll give the World Academy another chance then, since they all put so much faith in him. He'll try to make the most of his schooling there.


Another day of school. Hopefully, nothing would happen to Arthur, he assures himself as he walks through the gate.

"Hello." A small voice speaks, and Arthur turns to see Matthew, who waves a little before joining Arthur on his walk.

Why the sudden approach, Arthur doesn't know, but he's glad that someone wants to talk to him.

"Do you know...if the A4 are going to give out another red notice anytime soon?" Arthur still worries, and decides to ask Matthew, since he's Alfred's brother. Hopefully, his actions yesterday wouldn't be severe enough to receive that feared notice…

"Oh, um, I'm not sure. Alfred usually doesn't talk about these things with me, so I don't know exactly." Matthew chuckles nervously and gives Arthur an apologetic look, his actions seeming strange somehow.

"Oh...alright." Is Matthew avoiding something? That Arthur can sense. He frowns slightly and opens his mouth, about to ask, but decide to later, since his locker is just up ahead.

"Well, see you later," Arthur says with a nod.

"See you," Matthew says quietly before turning, leaving a confused Arthur standing there for a while.

Just what is Matthew avoiding?

Shaking his head, Arthur turns to his locker, entering the familiar combination with ease. Stuffing the lunchbox inside was a tad troublesome last time because of its size...Hopefully it would be easier today.

But when Arthur opens the locker, what he sees inside chases away all stray thoughts from his mind.

His bag slides down his shoulder and onto the floor unceremoniously, and it is all he can do to not drop the lunchbox too.

Because… stuck right in the middle of his locker is a red notice.


A/N #2: Gasp! The plot thickens!