So… I decided I wanted to get very dark right off the bat. Just cause.
FOR FANFICTION: Also, this story is also on deviantart if you wish to view it there. Look up ThePurpleFoxDragon and that is me. I'll also be putting up original stories on that account if you wish to see those.
What I forgot to mention in the first chapter is that I had set up a poll on my profile so that you guys could choose what elimination method was used for each rival. For this one, I have picked it, but for the others, there will be a poll for how to eliminate each new rival.
FOR DEVIANTART: Comment down below which elimination method will be next and I will take into account your answers here and the polls on .
1st week of April
Tuesday Morning
Yong-Soo sat under a tree in the inner courtyard of the school, just away from the other students. He faced away from them, so they couldn't see his hardened, annoyed face. He tapped his finger against his wrist, his knees pulled up to his chest so they had a place to rest, in rapid movements showing his aggravation.
How the hell do I get rid of that filthy Brit!?
He turned his head to glare at said person, who was next to his Alfred by the fountain. One thing he's learned about himself is that he is definitely not a patient person, considering he's still has till Friday to deal with the problem at hand. Another thing he's learned is that he has a very small tolerance level; every minute Arthur is even alive, much less even near his beloved, he feels his blood begin to boil and has to mentally restrain himself from going right up to and strangling him. He couldn't understand how anyone could stand to be around the blond, much less become friends with him.
It enraged him. How can someone like that be popular? Why couldn't he be like that? Why'd he have to be the one who couldn't feel emotions?
Why can't I be normal?
As he spiraled into his dark abyss, a voice called out to him, "Yong-Soo?"
He tried ignoring it in favor of his dark thoughts, not knowing how to properly socialize with others, the one with Alfred being an exception, but the voice persisted, "Yoo-hoo, Yong-Soo?"
Pulling himself from his thoughts, he found himself in front of Mei, who was snapping her fingers in his face, "About time, silly. You were starring off into space."
He looked at her kneeling form, with an almost sickly sunshine smile gracing her lips. "What… is it?"
She gave a soft giggle, "You looked a little down. Is something wrong? Is it Arthur again?"
He looked away, trying to think of an excuse, but looked back in slight bewilderment at the last question, "What… do you mean by…Arthur again?"
The smile faded from Mei's lips, "Well, a lot of students found out about what happened between you two…"
"Is that…so?" Slowly warming up to conversation, Yong-Soo hesitantly asked, half wondering and half fearing what the outcome of the water incident was.
"Yeah. I mean, Arthur never did have the best reputation – actually he's kind of known to be rough around the edges – but even going after you like that is kind of a shocker. Quite a few of the underclassmen don't want to be around him and he's alone more often than usual. I just thought maybe you two clashed again." Mei darted her eyes to the ground.
"…No, it's not that we clashed again. Just more annoyed with him than anything else." A cheap lie, but it would do for now.
He glared at the Brit from the corner of his eye, still debating what to do. It was then that he remembered what Gilbert had said in a text once.
~Flashback~
Info Guy: Let's say murders or dead bodies appear or happen around the school…
Info Guy: The Drama Club has gloves so you wouldn't leave prints on a weapon.
~End of Flashback~
The metaphorical light bulb turned on in his mind.
What a brilliant idea… He's alone more often, drama club would give me tools to work with, this is almost too easy ~.
"You okay, Yong-Soo?" Mei questioned, noticing Yong-Soo's distant look again.
"Hmm? Oh, sorry. I was just thinking. Is the Drama club still taking applicants?"
Her eyes brightened at the request, "Yes! Of course we are! Hand in the application anytime today! Oh, but do remember that you need to show up for club activities at least once a week or-"
"I know, or I will be asked to leave the club. School policy. No need to worry though."
"Great! I'll let Kaoru know! Come by the club after classes and we'll get you started!" Mei took off in an excited rush.
Yong-Soo gave a longing glance to his Alfred. Soon you won't have to deal with that poor excuse of a friend anymore.
Just then, he saw Arthur run over to another student. He looked back over and noticed Afonso Almada starting to talk to the Brit. Sensing this might be important, Yong-Soo secretly stalked towards the two, trying to overhear the conversation. He hid behind a tree they were standing under and stayed as silent as he could.
"Afonso, do you have a moment?" The posh Brit pointed at the Portuguese.
"I have to help the teacher's with setting up a faculty meeting. Is it quick?" Afonso, holding a large stack of papers, struggled to speak.
"Oh, uh, sorry. No not really. Are you free at lunch?"
"Yeah, I'll meet you on the rooftop, same spot as usual. Could you take half of these, please?"
Yong-Soo turned and walked away, having heard enough. Rooftop, huh? Well, might as well hear what they want to say then, too. Might actually help.
His phone buzzed, startling him some. Yet it didn't surprise him when it was just Gilbert texting him again.
Info Guy: So… committed to a felony now, huh?
Yong-Soo: …How did you know?
Info Guy: Seems a little obvious to me. I can see how impatient you're getting. That was enough for me to draw conclusions. In that case, I should probably tell you of a few tricks you could do to make sure you don't get caught, or so the police won't get involved.
Yong-Soo: Let me guess, basically make it look like no murder happened?
Info Guy: More or less. I mean, you could leave the body if no other evidence was there, but let's just say the atmosphere around here will tank, especially if multiple unexplained deaths or mysteries happen. Like people will be super paranoid and cautious. If you want to do it right, hide the body well. Don't leave it around or in a place that will eventually be discovered. Remember, the teachers walk around and inspect the place to make sure no student is left after closing.
Yong-Soo: Not even around the far perimeter?
Info Guy: When I say the teachers check everywhere, I mean EVERYWHERE. Well, except the unusual spots, like underground, dumpsters, furnaces, trunks, and the like. Anyways, also remove all weapons. Burn them, burry them, I don't care how you do it, but if you don't want someone to find them and call the police so you get caught, hide them well. Just don't walk out the front door with them, that I highly doubt even I could do. Also your clothes, I'd imagine you would get a little dirty doing the job, so get rid of them as well, though I'd also would recommend that you get a replacement before anyone realizes it, cause if someone does call the police, and you are found missing your uniform, they'll get suspicious. And make sure to wash blood off of yourself too, blood soaks a lot of shit, you know?
Yong-Soo: Let me guess, you can get me a new uniform? For a price?
Info Guy: Aren't you smart? Yes, for 5 panty shots, I can get you a clean uniform. I'll drop it out of the window where the info club is, around the back of the school, but give me payment first.
Yong-Soo: I'll send payment when needed.
He shut his phone and began walking around, muttering under his breath that he couldn't believe he was about to stoop so low.
-1:00 Lunch-
He could not believe he stooped as low as to take panty shots. He managed to do it, getting the five he needed, yet he felt so dirty. Yong-Soo set in his mind that he would avoid having to do that as much as possible in the future. Lucky for him he had everything else all planned out, all he needed was to catch Arthur at the right time. He had plan set for the Library if need be and at the Gardening club… sort of.
The only problem was witnesses. If he was in the Library, there wouldn't be many people around, however it was a naturally quiet environment and any sort of noise would attract anyone. There was also the matter of disposing of the body or any other evidence without being seen. There was potentially no way in hell he would be able to walk out the front door, but the window was a different story.
Then there was the Gardening Club. It was a perfect distance from the school; just far away so that no one could look through the window and see, yet just close enough that he could quickly take the weapon and ruined clothing down to the furnace. He could also dispose of the body in the gardening bed by burying it. The only problem was, yet again, witnesses. The garden was usually always filled with students from the club after school.
He already knew that there was no other possibility like grabbing him from the hallway. He didn't know the first thing about how to incapacitate a person, much less had the strength to carry someone of Arthur's size, to which he found ironically pathetic. He had to take one of those two options or figure out another way to get rid of Arthur.
Yong-Soo had since been waiting on the rooftop in the same private place that Arthur and Afonso were going to meet, albite well-hidden so the pair wouldn't see him but he could hear them. It wasn't that hard to find the spot since he was well informed about how Afonso usually was the first to show up to any sort of meeting he was in, so he assumed it would be the same when it came down to Arthur.
And he was right, because as soon as he looked up from his phone, Arthur walked through one of the rooftop entrances and began walking over to lean against a wall beside Afonso.
"So what was so important that you wanted me to skip lunch?" Afonso chuckled at the blond.
Arthur tossed a bagged lunch at the Portuguese man, "Relax, I bought you lunch," Afonso shook his head but motioned for the other to continue, "It's just… you know how much I like Alfred, right?"
If he hadn't had paid so much attention to his psychology class, Yong-Soo wouldn't have caught the small little changes in body language that Afonso made. The slight shuffle of his feet, the way he looked away from Arthur, the slight annoyance in his tone that followed with a grunt; it all pointed to Afonso potentially liking Arthur. If he couldn't continue with his original plan of murder, then Yong-Soo could potentially go for matchmaking. Though if he still could go on with murder, then he wasn't going to change his mind.
"It's just… I feel like there is so much competition." Arthur slid down to sit on the ground.
Afonso let out a laugh, "Well no shit! He may not be in many clubs, if any, but he's a natural magnet for the guys and girls. That you should have known by now! You have it easier because you are such good friends with him it will be a synch to get you two together. There's obviously something else going on."
Arthur looked away with annoyed face and blush gracing his cheeks, "I-I knew that!"
"So what is it? You still hung up on that underclassman from the water incident?" Afonso chuckled at the ridiculousness of his blond friend.
Yong-Soo's ears pricked at the mention of himself. Arthur, on the other hand, became furious, "So what if it is!?"
Afonso was taken aback, "I thought he didn't do it?"
Yong-Soo narrowed his eyes, trying to not reveal where he was, though getting angrier by the minute. Arthur continued, "I swear to you he did do it."
Afonso rolled his eyes, "Even Alfred said he didn't do it. You saw it with your own eyes that his alibi holds up."
Arthur looked directly in his eyes, "I'm telling you he's guilty! Just today during gym he kicked me with a ball!"
"You and Alfred were standing on the side lines and he had just managed to get the ball from the other team in a rush, of course he would try kicking it out of that area! It was just bad timing and that you so happened to be standing there. He even came over and apologized, and offered to escort you to the nurse! That sounds like a complete accident!" Afonso nearly shouted at Arthur.
"…Well…" Arthur tried coming up with some sort of retort, but Afonso beat him to it.
"Look, I don't mean to sound harsh, but right now you are sounding extremely paranoid! Give that poor kid a break, please?" Afonso pleaded with him.
Arthur looked down at his feet, seemingly defeated before responding back, "Sorry… Maybe I am just being paranoid."
"Honestly, it's not like everyone is out to get you or Alfred. Besides, the poor kid seems to be like a fly on the wall. It's kind of sad really, poor guy doesn't seem to have any friends, doesn't talk all that much." Afonso contemplated.
"Is that so?" Arthur seemed only half interested.
"Yeah… Anyways, you have anything planned after school?" Afonso changed subjects quickly, much to Yong-Soo's delight. Having been sitting here and hearing nothing of great importance was grinding down on his nerves.
"I'm still going to the Gardening Club." Arthur twiddled his fingers as his friend started to dig into his lunch.
"I thought that the Headmaster said no one could be in there because they were adding a greenhouse?" Afonso spoke after eating a bit of bread.
"Yeah, tomorrow they are. The Gardening Club took yesterday and today to organize and make space for the construction workers, so they won't be there. But the president gave me a key to get in because it would be the last day anyone would be in there for a while. She said she knew how much I liked being in there so she thought I could go in there for one more day before they add the greenhouse." Arthur smiled fondly.
He's going to be there…alone? All alone? For today? Oh this is just perfect! Yong-Soo thought with an evil grin. He left the area without the pair knowing and began walking towards class.
-2:30 Afternoon Class-
There's one thing he had only just thought about with the planned murder that could throw a wrench into his plans. The Gardening Club would have cleaned up the garden, meaning any tools that could serve as potential weapons would have been moved or put away. He quite frankly didn't think it was a bright idea to just go after Arthur with just his bare hands; not exactly all that good at human anatomy to know where would be best to do the most damage, nor was he too keen on hand to hand combat, mostly because he's heard of the fights the blond got into with barely any scratches. Well, that and, even though he had some tae kwon do training as a kid, he barely remembers it.
So that left him with one question: How was he going to kill the Englishman?
He knew he needed to bring something preemptively, but he struggled to pick one. It had to be something small enough to hide from the students and faculty; anything large would be both quite hard to dispose of and to sneak by. Yet it had to be something that could easily do the job. Perhaps a knife from the Cooking Club? It might be a bit more difficult to hide it, but it would manage. Yet, if he disposed of it, wouldn't someone know it was missing? He couldn't risk a loose end like that. What about a box cutter? It is a very easy to hide weapon, there were multiple of them in the art room, so one missing wouldn't be suspicious. But the blade was small, too small to do the job, unless he perfectly aimed for the blonde's neck. Still, he mentally shook his head in dissatisfaction and scrapped the idea.
He ran through many possible ideas during the class, each resulting in something wrong with it. Then he thought of something brilliant. A pair of scissors. Even better, sewing scissors. The blades would do just fine, and it would be easy to hold and manipulate. There were so many of them around the school, no one would notice one missing. It was perfect.
He gave himself a small smile in approval, and waited till class was over. He had a little over two hours before he knew the Brit would be down in the Gardening Club, as long as the Drama Club wasn't going to take too long, he would make it.
-5:00 pm Afterschool-
Why, oh why, did he have to jinx himself? As if the intro to the Drama Club wasn't long enough, Kaoru found it necessary to explain the history of almost ever mask they owned and how to properly take care of them, along with schedules and rehearsals for upcoming events. He was lucky enough that he was able to grab a pair of scissors ahead of time and hide it under his shirt behind his back without anyone seeing it. However, now he found himself rushing down the stairs to make it over to the Gardening Club in time.
As he had no way of getting into the Club without the key, he had to time it so that he could get in around the same time Arthur did. He had a story already made up in his mind on how to get around potential questions the Brit might throw at him. All he needed to do was actually get there on time.
Yong-Soo barely made it to the Gardening Club door when he was stopped by Arthur a few paces behind him. "May I ask what you are doing?"
He mentally chastised himself for not realizing he passed the Brit and quickly spun around and retold the story he went over countless times beforehand. "Oh, sorry. I really need to get into the garden there. Natalya said she had dropped her bracelet her brother gave her in there, but she had to go home because of a family emergency, so she asked me to go and look for her to see if it is there."
Arthur raised an eyebrow, but didn't seem to pause too much on it. "Hard to believe she would drop something like that knowing her, but it happens to all of us I suppose. Though you seem to be in quite the rush…"
Yong-Soo tried to quickly erase any sort of questioning, "Well, in all honesty, my brother asked me to Skype call him after school at 5:30 tonight and, between you and me, he is anal about time and will argue over being even a minute late. And considering I still have a good 10 minute train and a 15 minute walk ahead of me, I don't really have much time to look."
Arthur nodded in understanding, "Ah, I see."
He opened the door and allowed Yong-Soo to enter first. As Yong-Soo pretended to look for the missing bracelet, for he was really only trying to sneak up close to the Brit without the other's notice, Arthur talked. "I kind of understand what it's like to have such an anal brother. Sadly, I have four of them."
Though not originally part of his plan, he figured continuing to talk to him would keep the other's guard down while he got ready to strike. "Is that so?"
"Yeah, all anal in their own ways… Do you want some help?" Arthur looked down to see Yong-Soo looking under one of the outdoor tables.
"No, no, I'm fine," He tried playing it off cool, only to bang his head against the table when he tried standing up, "Really, I'm fine."
"If you say so." Arthur's eyes widened in concern for the other but he turned around anyways and walked over to some of the rose bushes over in the corner of the lot by the garden bed.
Yong-Soo saw his chance after a few minutes of "looking" to sneak up on the unsuspecting student. As he crept closer, almost where he would be able to strike, Arthur started turning toward him. Luckily he was quick and made it look like he was looking by the gardening bed.
"Say…" Arthur began, slightly being startled at how quiet the other could be.
Yong-Soo looked over at him, slightly irritated, "What?"
"Sorry, it's just you look like someone I should know." Arthur stared at him with a puzzling expression.
Yong-Soo, seeing he needed to get it over with sooner rather than later, he approached Arthur, "Let me guess, I look like the Student Council President?"
Arthur was taken aback, "Y-Yes, you do actually."
Yong-Soo rolled his eyes, "Let's just say that it would be wise to keep quiet about that."
Arthur narrowed his eyes, "Are you threatening me?"
"No, no. Just letting you know that the President and I have had a long standing… agreement that we don't want people mistaking us for the other. Wouldn't want you to get called out by him if he hears about that." Yong-Soo nonchalantly came closer.
"How long have you two known each other then?" Arthur seemed slightly intrigued.
Yong-Soo slightly recalled that the President had beaten Arthur in his campaign to become Student Council President just before going to America to study abroad for a year, and the President was an underclassman in relation to Arthur. He didn't mind giving a few incriminating details about the President right then and there, considering the other wasn't going to be able to speak for too long. "Oh, I think we were 6 when we made that arrangement. As far as knowing each other, I'd say our whole lives."
Seeing how dumbfounded Arthur was, he grinned a little, "Perhaps you understand our relationship now?"
"Y-You're related to that… asshole President?" Arthur seemed slightly intimidated by Yong-Soo, only slightly as he remembered the underclassman that both beat and humiliated him during his campaign.
"Well, yeah, we're twins actually. Trust me, you think he's an asshole at school? Try living with him." Yong-Soo continued his rant absentmindedly, not fully realizing what he was saying, "He is so fucking anal over everything. I was late one time from an afterschool cram session and he flips out asking who the hell I was with and if I was a fucking child! He flips out if I eat a food that I microwaved or if I hang out with someone that isn't him or if he isn't there! I swear he is such a control freak…"
It was quiet between the two of them for a few seconds before Yong-Soo quietly apologized, "Sorry…Just had a lot I needed to vent."
"N-No worries, chap… You don't seem to, how do I word this, like your brother so much, do you?" Arthur had some genuine concern in his tone.
As Yong-Soo spoke, he grew quieter and more saddened as the full realization dawned on him, "…It's…not quite like that. Yeah, he's an ass… but I guess… I understand where he is coming from. He's pretty much the one who raised me. Our parents were usually gone all the time, so he was the one who would take care of me and… pretty much do everything. Yeah, our parents left money when they were gone for long, but he was the one who would cook the meals, get us to school, took care of me when I was sick… actually spend time with me. He is more of a parent that my actual parents were…. So, even if he's an ass or I don't agree with him… Hyung always had some sort of reason for being the way he was, always some good reason. He's the only family I have. The only one who was ever there for me."
Arthur was silent for a long while, feeling quite a bit of both pity and sympathy for the Korean. "Seems like he was only being an ass for your sake. He had to grow up a lot sooner than he had to so that you were okay. You know, I think I understand why he became the President. He understands people. Yeah I may have been logical in some of my ideas, even if others disagreed, but he actually had the students' best interests at heart."
Yong-Soo stared at the ground for a while, still pondering over why he all of a sudden felt that way about his brother and why he told it to his rival of all people. That's when he remembered that this student was still a rival, a man who wanted Alfred, and that still needed to be eliminated. But what was this new feeling… He thought he read about it at one point or another. Perhaps hesitance? Reluctance? But, if so, why was he feeling this way?
Arthur approached him, "Hey, it's a little late. Don't you still have to call your brother?"
Yong-Soo snapped out of his thoughts to look at Arthur before letting out a sigh. "I'm going to get an ear full from him anyways, I'm barely going to have enough time to catch the train anyways."
Arthur paused for a moment, "Well, if you want, you can walk home with Alfred and I, if you wish. The train comes back around 6:20. Besides, the git probably fell asleep in school and I have to fetch him anyways. Can't guarantee your brother won't be pissed, but I can offer him an explanation if you wish?"
Yong-Soo thought for a few moments before unbelievably responding, "Sure, but I think it would be better for the both of us if you don't talk to my brother. Granted it's been a year, but I think he still hates you."
Arthur chuckled, "Right, momentarily forgot."
He started walking towards the gate, with Yong-Soo following behind, when he turned around, "By the way, I'm guessing you didn't find the bracelet?"
Yong-Soo forgot temporarily what the other was talking about, "Huh? Oh! Yeah, I'll just tell her that it wasn't there."
Arthur raised an eyebrow, "You sure about that? She might-"
Yong-Soo waved the interjection off, "No, it's alright. I'll figure some way to tell her and not get my head ripped off."
"Okay… If you're sure."
-8:00pm Home-
Well, today's been quite interesting. Yong-Soo pondered while on his bed.
The walk back with the two blonds wasn't so bad. He and Arthur collected Alfred, who was indeed asleep in the courtyard by the fountain, and had started walking to the train station, explaining what had happened between them to Alfred after he kept questioning the two and their sudden bonding.
Though Yong-Soo still questioned why he couldn't do it at the garden. Why couldn't he pull out the scissors and kill him? It would have been so easy. So damn easy. Was it simply because he hadn't planned for spilling so much about himself? Was it the revelation that simply sucked any will out of him? He dared say that perhaps he started to take into account what his brother would think of him and how he would feel if he ever found out he did kill someone.
Yong-Soo laughed at the ludicrous idea. Him caring for someone's feelings other than Alfred? Him letting someone stop him from accomplishing his mission when they weren't even there?
As his resolve strengthened, he spoke, "He can go damn himself! One way or another, Alfred will be mine and Arthur won't be a problem. Since I lost my chance today, I'll just find another way tomorrow. After all, Alfred and I are destined to be together! If destiny won't come on its own, then I will make sure it happens!"