Unanswered Questions

"So."

I leaned against the whiteboard in the French classroom and glanced at the girl. It was afterschool hour and I asked for her to stay. I also told Francis and Arthur to go ahead home. I had business to tend to.

"I was starting to think you just tossed that note." She smiled at me and leaned back in her seat at the front of the class.

"No, I would never." I let out a laugh then eyed her. "What do you want to tell me?"

"Can't we get along first?" She stood up and held out her hand. "I'm Lilia Estelle, sophomore student president."

Wait, student president..? "You probably already know who I am." I shook her hand.

I felt her hand wince a little. "Your hand's pretty cold."

I pulled back, "Sorry..."

She shook her head, "No, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

I put my hands behind my back, "Why are you so interested in helping me?

Lilia sat back down and looked at me. I haven't noticed until now but she had really pretty blue eyes that complimented her soft blonde hair. No wonder she was so popular with the votes...

"The girl that's been bullying you; She's been messing with anyone else she runs into as well. You just happened to be her 'favorite'."

Wow thanks... At least I know the President is doing her job. I sat down on the seat next to her. "So I'm not the only one."

"It's not only that though." She twirled her neatly tied hair with her finger. It was unusual to see her unconfident; not that I really paid attention for the past few days but it seemed unnatural for her.

She sighed a little and it seemed like she regained some strength from that. "I've known you since middle school, Nana. I didn't want to see you go through more struggles."

I blushed a little. I knew some people were sympathetic toward me because of my conditions at home but rarely anyone tells me in person like that.

"I... didn't know you cared." She looked at me and I blushed some more and glanced to the side. "I mean, I don't really pay attention to people like you..."

She cocked her head to the side.

Wait, no. "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that."

She only laughed. "It's okay; I'm used to those assumptions."

But she was so nice... I guess my views on the popular people are more flexible now...

"There's more to why I'm supporting you, though." She grew unusually quiet.

There was more..? I need to pay more attention...

"I was there." She swallowed.

Huh..? "There where?"

"At the rooftop."

I felt the color drain from my face. I seriously needed to pay attention; seriously.

She cleared her throat. "I got really worried when you stopped showing up at school."

"...Is that so?" I tried to avoid eye contact.

She sighed. "Of course everyone else was too, but sadly they completely blamed you for what happened to Kyle."

I played with my hair. Of course they would blame me. Kyle was the star player of the football team and they've been winning every single game; that is until he completely shattered his leg and hip and got some brutal cuts. After that, the team's been losing most of their games. All hatred and frustration were directed toward me. How could I ever go back to school?

I shook my head. "Aside from that…" I managed to face Lilia again. "Tell me who is the one spreading the rumors." I attempted to change the topic. There was no need to dwell in past mistakes right now.

"Yes, right." She took a deep breath, probably thinking the same thing as me. "I believe it's-"

"Lilia!"

The Pres and I turned to the door and another student council member was standing there, trying to catch his breath. He straightened himself up and raised his glasses. "There's some issues going on in the library and they need you immediately."

"Issues? In the library?" She furrowed her brows as if she was thinking about something very complicated. Then she glanced over at me and back at the guy. "I was in the middle of something; could it wai-"

He marched over to her and forcibly dragged her out of the room. "It's very urgent, Lilia! We can't waste time!"

I stared at the door which was now empty from any living presence. I groaned in frustration and slammed my head against the desk. So close… I repeated it several more times until a hand stopped me. I lifted my head up and met another pair of blue eyes.

I rested my head back onto the desk. "I thought I told you to go home…"

"Well, I was going to until I found out that a teacher meeting was being held at the last minute," said Francis.

"Oh." I sat up and rubbed my forehead. Probably shouldn't have done that… That bruise from yesterday still hurts too…

The Frenchie chuckled and placed a bag of ice against my head. "A little princess like you shouldn't damage that beautiful visage."

I blushed at his comment and closed my eyes for a moment. It felt nice against my throbbing skin. "Since when do you carry around bags of ice?"

"I was going to come pick you up sooner but when I saw you hitting your head against the desk, I had a feeling that I should grab something for afterwards." He took the ice off my head.

When I opened my eyes to tell him to give me the ice pack, he kissed my forehead. I felt my ears burning and scooted back in my chair. The legs got caught on something and I tipped backward. I braced for impact but that never came up.

Francis helped me up. "Be more careful, ma cherie, or else you'll damage more than that pretty face of yours."

I pushed off of him, slung my bag over my shoulder, and headed out the door. "We're going home!"

"Whatever you say, ma petite princesse {my little princess}."

I stared at the blue sky that was starting to fade into shades of orange and pink toward the horizon.

"What were you two ladies talking about?"

"Nothing that concerns you..."

We were about a block from the house. Arthur had apparently gone home already so I guessed he was having his tea by now. It might just be me but he seemed really exhausted lately. Maybe fan girls chase him around at school? Francis seems to be managing them pretty well though...

A strong wind blew by and my hair whipped my face.

"Ow." I tried to hold it in place as it started to calm down.

"That was some wind." Francis was fixing his hair as well.

I shook my hair in place. "Yeah..."

Frenchie combed my hair with his hand. "Pure white, like you."

"White, what-" My face went red. I pulled my skirt down further and stomped on his foot. "Perverted frog!"

He jumped around holding his foot. "It was the wind!"

"Didn't need to look!" I was about to kick his shin but a police car stopped near us.

I glared at him. "What did you do?"

He stopped hopping and shrugged. "I committed no crime, ma cherie."

"Stop where you are and put your hands up."

I was about to when I realized who was talking. I squinted in the car window.

Alfred rolled it open and popped his head out. "Is that man harassing you, young lady?" He grinned at me with his shades.

I grabbed Francis by the wrist. "Yes, officer. Please take him away."

The three of us broke into laughter.

Alfred put his sunglasses on his head. "You two behave now. Otherwise," he winked at me, "the Hero will be there to save you."

I just nodded. "Yes yes. You should go now before you're caught wasting time."

He laughed. "I was on break anyway." He put his shades back on and rolled the window closed. "Hero cop, away!"

I waved as he drove down the street. It seems like he enjoys his job. That's good...

An arm wrapped around my shoulders. "Shall we continue home?"

The blush came back and I nudged off of him. I walked ahead. "I'm still mad at you."

I only sensed a smiling air behind me as we headed home.

"We're back, mes amis."

"Tada Ima {I'm home}." I put my shoes away and headed to the kitchen.

"Ve~ Welcome home."

"Feli, pay attention to the game."

I got myself a cup of water and glanced over at the table. Yao and Feliciano were playing what seemed to be mahjong. I never played it outside of computer games so it was an interesting sight. I sorted through the mail that arrived. Junk, junk, bill, junk, bill-Wait bill?" I picked out the envelope. Flying Mint Bunny Express..? I tore it open and it hit me. I vaguely remember Mark telling me that the first three units were free.

Hello Miss Yukibara. This is a notification to remind you that you need to pay for your last three units- Ivan Braginski, Arthur Kirkland, and Yao Wang.

I sighed. I knew I was forgetting something.

Unit Total: $450.34

I stifled a gasp.

"What's wrong, ma cherie?" Francis looked over my shoulder. After about ten seconds of silence from him, he understood the issue as well. "This isn't good."

You have until December 31st of this year to make your payment. If you are unable to meet the date then we will be taking your units, starting with the most recent one.

Thank you and have a nice day.

I sighed and put the contents back into the envelope. We could barely keep up with the regular bills right now with six units now living in my house...

"We'll figure something out." Francis kissed the top of my head. He was in charge of keeping up with the bill payments. He was probably thinking the same thing as me.

I nodded and went down the hall into my room. Why do they give out units like this when you have to pay for the others? Something doesn't seem right...

I threw my bag down on my bed, which was still on the ground composed of a bunch of extra blankets, which was starting to thin out thanks to more units showing up at my front door. I sat at the desk Arthur and I shared. I was surprised he wasn't home yet. I kicked at the leg and saw a bag by the lamp post in the corner.

Oops...

I grabbed the thing that was inside and scurried back to the living room. I held it behind my back and headed to Yao.

"I win, aru."

"Ve~ it was like a matching game with tiles." Feliciano leaned back in the chair and a cat hopped on his lap. Apparently his kitty decided to pay him a visit.

"Umm... Yao." This is kind of embarrassing...

"Yes, aru?" He turned to me after storing away his game pieces.

"Remember when you helped get my homework done all night..?"

He nodded. "I was very tired, aru."

I laughed nervously. "Sorry about that..."

He waved his hand. "It's fine though. What about it?"

I blushed a little and held out the panda doll at him. "I... wanted to give you a 'thank you' present."

He stared at me and then at it. His usual content, tired eyes changed into one of a child's with that excited glisten. He took it into his arms and let out a small squeal.

I smiled. "You're welcome."

"It's so cute, aru!" He faced me, "Xie xie {Thank you}."

I nodded at him and decide to leave him in his happy place. I went back to my room and sat at the desk again.

First I get cut off from finding out who was spreading the rumors, then Francis goes all perverted on me, then I find the bill. I hung my head down; too many things at once.

I dragged my bag over and pulled out my folder. Might as well do my homework to keep my mind off of stuff...

About an hour later, I got most of my things done. I yawned and glanced at the clock. 5:45 pm... Arthur wasn't back yet either... I wonder if he found a job and isn't telling us?

I stretched in my seat. I realized I didn't change out of my uniform yet and went to do so.

I sat back down and yawned again. T-shirt and sweatpants; best combo ever.

Right when I was going to start my last bit of homework, the door creaked open. Arthur staggered in, looking really tired.

"Umm... hey roommate." I meekly waved at him.

"Hello Nana." He set a gift bag on the desk and watched me expectedly.

I stared at it and pointed at myself. He nodded and looked away a little, blushing.

Why all of the sudden..? I dug in the bag and pulled out a box. When I saw what it was for, I gasped and accidentally dropped it onto the floor.

"Now that is not a proper way to treat a gift..."

"Sorry." I picked it up. "But why?" A phone... he got me a phone...

He rubbed his neck. "We talked about it overnight and... well we thought you should carry one with you."

I stared at the box and then back at him. "You didn't have to! It would add to the bill we already have trouble keeping up with and there's this new one too-"

He put a hand on my shoulder. "We know. But we decided to get it knowing all that. You deserve it and you need it."

I felt a smile tugging at my lips. I stood up and bowed at him. "T-thank you very much..."

"Y-you don't need to thank me. I mean we're living under your roof so we would be troubled if something happens to you."

I stifled a laugh. He was so bad at this. "Thank you very- ARTHUR!"

The Englishman lost his conscience all of the sudden and started to topple over. I tried to keep him up but ended up being toppled on. We crash landed where my bed was.

He was heavy; lighter than I expected but still heavy. "Arthur? Hey, Arthur!"

No response.

Dun dun dunn…

Yay I'm alive. I told you I'll update in 5-21 days~

I'm starting to get the gears in action since I want to see how this arc will go through. I feel like I'm going to rush it a bit but it's not fun if it's super draggy and long, right?

So, chapter recap- New character, Lilia Estelle (random character, vital to this arc I suppose); tired Artie (fan girls? something else? secret job?); bill from Flying Mint Bunny Express (something seems fishy…); and finally Nana gets a phone.

Sorry for not putting more characters again. I promise the next chapter that they'll show up (since I already started working on it). Do do do~ School's being a pain even after the first week back. Ah well. At least I have the time to write.

As always, Merci/Grazie/Arigatou/Thank you/Xie xie/Spasibo for the reviews and follows! \(^o^)

ps. Bill price set by EliteKessu (and proofread the bottom half of the story too I suppose)