A/N: Here I am, posting again on a hopefully regular schedule! I can't believe it's September already... It feels too soon to be two thirds through 2017. This year has just flown by. I hate to think that I'll be halfway through my second year of university before I know, but it's going to hit me like a bullet, I can just feel it.

On a very important note, my friend just bagged us a couple tickets to a Paramore concert! I'm so excited- I love them so much and I've always wanted to see them live! It's been a while since I've been to a concert so I'm really hyped for this. 2016 was my concert year, but I'm hoping I can bring more of those back in 2018, yes!

Without further ado, the next chapter of Gakutalia!


Chapter 27


L.B.

So far, he felt the day had been going spectacularly. They had managed to ward off a potential criminal, and saved the trusty pens of many a manga author. He knew very little about manga, but Ludwig assumed that the material used to draw them was probably extremely precious to them. They had bundled all of Kiku's collection into the bags they had brought along, which were basically their hiking ones. Ludwig had figured they'd need the space, as Kiku was a rabid manga fan, and had thus suggested both he and Fel bring along their bags. Naturally, as it was supposed to be a surprise for Kiku, they hadn't told him to bring his.

Ludwig, though, found Kiku rather difficult to read. Whenever he was sure his friend would be enthusiastic and celebrating, he found he wore an expression on his face that was indeterminable. His emotions were so hard to figure out, and although he seemed pleased with what was happening around him, a permanent serenity surrounded him, and his emotions never escalated to the satisfactory level as his. It wasn't that he thought Kiku was being ungrateful – the amount of stuff he'd gathered proved that he was making the greatest amount of time at the convention.

He just worried Kiku, whilst enjoying the day immensely, wouldn't remember it as a spectacular eighteenth. He wondered if the pair of them had wondered the exact same thing when hosting his birthday surprise. He could never say, because he would never dare ask them. Fel had found this arena and he would organise it to the best of his abilities. He wanted Kiku to reflect on the day as one of his most memorable. He wanted it to be an experience of a lifetime.

One part of his birthday had been lost beyond his friends' control by the machinations of his brother, and the thief's attempted stealing had certainly added a breath of excitement so far. He just hoped the entire day was enough for his friend's eighteenth birthday.

He would feel bad, after all, if he had thoroughly enjoyed his birthday, yet another one of his friends did not.

A.J.

They'd started a new game when Natalya decidedly set the controller down.

"I think we should start with some Maths," she said.

Alfred tried to hide his disappointment. He'd been having a pretty good time and he felt Math would just kill that. However, he'd made an agreement with Natalya. Until he had repented for his sins with Kiku, he would have to endure shapes and numbers with his girlfriend.

Hesitantly, he shut down the game and the textbooks were out before he knew it. Staring at the books, Alfred felt his brow furrow as Natalya attempted to explain to him about what was required of him. He didn't want to tell her he completely didn't get it, because he knew she was trying hard and this was the equivalent of throwing it all in her face.

His mind was elsewhere, for a start. His friendship with Kiku was broken, he'd fallen out with Ivan and even Yao was being a little bitter towards him right now. He didn't want to have to resort to hanging around with Matt and Carlos again, but he could see that happening if he managed to condemn himself around Arthur, even. He liked Francis and all, but the French student had an annoying habit of siding with Ivan and Yao a lot of the time. It must've been that cooking class the three of them did.

However, he was also thinking about Natalya. He actually had a girlfriend. He had someone who he could spend-

Valentine's Day! He had completely forgotten about that. He wondered what he was going to do with Natalya. Even though they'd only just decided upon their relationship status as of today, he felt he should go to the effort to arrange their first date for the fourteenth. It only made sense, to him. Besides, Natalya would probably appreciate the gesture, and it gave them something to do for the rest of the weekend, though.

The problem was, where would Natalya like to go tomorrow? Personally, he loved theme parks, but it was never guaranteed that she would want to do that as a first date. Girls were difficult… He tried not to feel stressed about these circumstances, but it was really mind consuming.

"You're really not paying attention," she said, vaguely annoyed.

"We should do something tomorrow," he glanced at her, and watched her shift in her chair.

"What?" she frowned.

"Well, it's Valentine's Day tomorrow," he shrugged. "We should do something."

She pursed her lips, then sighed. "I suppose that's what's stopping you doing Maths, then. Why not just go somewhere to eat? That's easy."

It wasn't quite the reaction he wanted. He had been sure most girls were eager to embrace the love on Valentine's Day, but Natalya seemed as unenthusiastic about that as ever. He seemed more excited about it than she was. He had hoped for a little more indication of what she wanted to do other than eat a meal, but if that's what she wanted to do, then who would he be to complain about it?

"Alright," he pondered where to go.

"OK, why not go for pizza and then watch a scary movie or something?" she suggested.

"A scary movie?" he glanced at her. "You want to watch horror on Valentine's Day?"

"You want to watch Love Actually?" she scowled. "Because I don't."

He didn't particularly want to either, and he was a major fan of scaring himself senseless with terrifying movies. To him, this sounded like the perfect Valentine's Day, but he feared it wouldn't be all that special to Natalya. And yet, she was the one who had suggested it. If that's what she really wanted to do, how could he complain? He had never realised how similar they were in their interests, even if their personalities were different.

"Can you focus on Maths, now?" she suggested.

He felt like one of those Greek philosopher dudes, Platter and that guy who sounded like a stutter, because he felt he was contemplating a great matter of physics, math and meaning. Nodding absently, he was more intent on planning a horror movie marathon with Natalya rather than just one, now, but pretended everything she was saying was going into his head, and also that he was actually interested. Sometimes, it was very difficult to take interest in something that he truly despised.

Did Superman and Batman have to learn Math? He most certainly didn't think a lot of math went through Batman's mind when he was facing off against the Joker, or when Superman was faced with having to hold a falling skyscraper up. In fact, he didn't think a lot of thought was applied at all! Batman just punched people and Superman could handle himself. Considering Alfred wanted to be a hero, he didn't think he would need Math to be successful anyway…

He had more important things to think about.

F.V.

He was watching Kiku pack away some drawings of his own into a freebies bag he'd picked up along the way. They'd finished lunch. It had been a moderately relaxing day, but now was the time to move on and collect manga editions from the last of Kiku's favourite authors. It was implied by his Japanese friend that this would be followed by a little bit of wandering around in search of new authors. Personally, Fel had no idea what was happening around him, but he was willing to just mill around and embrace the general calming aura that went with drawing and Kiku. Ludwig also looked a little lost, but he kept trying to interact with ideas that were beyond his understanding.

They were walking along when someone crashed into Kiku. Bags and papers went flying everywhere.

"Kiku, are you OK?" Fel gawked, running to his friend's aid, whilst Ludwig headed towards the other person.

"Oh, I'm fine," Kiku allowed him to pull him, looking despairingly around. "Oh, what a mess."

Fel looked at all of Kiku's drawings spread across the floor, as well as the other person's manga editions. He looked towards the face and recognised him as one of the students in Kiku's manga class.

"Yong," Kiku commented, catching sight of the student as well.

The boy in the year below leapt away from Ludwig and dusted himself off, hastily gathering all his books. "Kiku."

"I didn't realise you would be here," Kiku added. "Are you enjoying it?"

Yong straightened up and sent Kiku a disgruntled look. "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Hey, he's only asking," Ludwig interjected.

"Hmm, yeah," Yong brushed him off, before rushing past.

"Well, he could've helped pick some things up," Ludwig complained, stacking Kiku's drawings and returning them to their owner.

"We don't get along," Kiku admitted. "I was just being polite. Never mind, though; so long as I have everything."

"Hey, Sir, are those your drawings?"

The three of them turned to see a man in a suit and neatly combed hair. He was gesturing towards the papers in Kiku's hands, a look of intrigue in his face.

"Oh, um, yes," Kiku replied shyly.

"They're very good," the man commented and rummaged through his pocket. "You know, if you ever make something official, maybe you could call my number, or something? I'm an editor for quite a few things, and I could probably get you some contacts in the industry?"

Kiku took the business card extended towards it and blushed. "Thank you very much, Sir."

"Just for consideration," the man nodded to the three of them, before hurrying off and disappearing into the crowd.

"Did you just get noticed by an editor?" Fel took the card and inspected the professional number, e-mail, company, name of the man, name of the CEO, and so many more details like a website. "You're going to be a manga author, Kiku!"

Kiku blushed again, furiously. "We don't know that for sure."

Never the less, he took the card and looked at it intently before cramming it into his pocket with a small smile. Fel shared a glance with Ludwig, pride swelling in his chest for his friend's talent.

They were beginning to walk around a little more, eager for Kiku to meet more authors, and also revelling on his drawing skills. Fel knew that being a manga author was not beyond Kiku's dreams, even if he was also interested in computer programming. He felt his friend was getting gradually closer and closer to achieving his dreams, especially as he could probably be a game designer and developer with his talents in computing and art.

Just then, his phone began to buzz. Fel reached into his pocket and answered it, a frown on his face when his brother's name appeared on the screen.

"Hello, fratello?" he said.

"Can you get your fucking ass here?" Lovino growled. "Papa's a fucking nutter and he wants you home right now."

Fel's mouth felt suddenly dry, and his friends were looking at him. How was he to get away without ruining Kiku's day? His mind whirred, but he knew that not returning would only cause more problems. His pulse was racing and he tried to collect himself.

"Fel?" Ludwig looked concerned. "Are you OK?"

"Hey, you listening?" his brother said from the phone.

"Yeah," he replied to them both. "Um, Lovi, I'll be over in just a moment."

He could see the confusion in his friend's eyes. How was he supposed to hide this?

"Fel?" Kiku frowned.

"I have to go guys," he said, searching for an excuse, and disconnecting the call from his brother. "I will… I will definitely see you guys later. Lovi burnt his lunch and needs some help."

Ludwig looked a little unimpressed. "He should really learn to cook, you know."

"I know, but he set the fire alarm off and he can't make it go off," he forced a laugh, trying to make things light hearted. "I'm so sorry, Kiku. And Happy Birthday. You can drink now!"

He barely waited for his friend's response when he started racing down the pathway, gently pushing past people in his haste to get back to the trains. His brother needed him right now.


A/N: The philosopher's in question are Plato and Aristotle, by the way. And poor Fel... I hope things improve for him! Until next time!