THE RED STRING OF FATE...

Chapter 24

If looks could kill, Arthur would be a convicted-felon by now. His mood after the play was so bad, that none of the family-members dared to ask what was wrong fearing that Arthur would blow up any second. This mood continued over the weekend and the following day when he went to school. When he asked one of the students in his class to exchange seats with him so that he could sit in the front instead of the back, that student immediately complied after seeing the menacing look on Arthur's face.

Gilbert and Antonio sitting at the back, wondered what was wrong with Arthur. They also noticed that Francis was also not himself either- just looking very depressed and staring at Arthur's back. Gilbert remarked in a whisper, "It's weird. You would expect them to mellow out after the play is over but now they seem even more distant from each other."

Antonio looked back and forth from Francis to Arthur, "Do you think something happened after the play ended? I noticed Francis looked sad during the After-party. I assumed it was because Arthur wasn't there but now I think it's something else."

Gilbert rubbed his chin, "Whatever it is, we won't be getting the answer anytime soon."

As classes went on, Arthur refused to turn around. And when it was time to go to the cafeteria, he wanted to be far away from Francis, so he decided to go with Kiku. However he noticed Kiku going with MeiMei, instead of being Feliciano & Ludwig.. Arthur figured that the pair must be on their way to Elizabeta's Club.

Then it hit him. Because he was so upset with the matter dealing with Francis, he had completely forgotten the reason why he joined the play in the first place, 'I know Elizabeta said that she would keep the photograph safe, but with how things are right now, I need to get that photograph, so that it doesn't fall into the wrong hands.' Getting up, Arthur decided to follow the pair.

Arthur was surprised to find out that he didn't see either Kiku or MeiMei as he reached the Photography-clubroom, 'Huh, I was sure they came this way', but he decided to enter the room anyway, so that he could meet Elizabeta and have a nice little chat with her, 'She better not refuse, because I'm in no mood for negotiations.'

Sitting on one of the seats, Arthur noticed some books on the table. Deciding to pass his time, he started flipping through the pages. As he keep turning the pages, his temper started rising with every page. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Asa-san, what are you doing here?" With anger in his eyes, Arthur turned to look up at the Raven-haired boy who asked the question. Kiku, seeing as how enraged Arthur looked right now, became extremely anxious, "Asa-san, is there something wrong?"

Arthur snarled, "Oh, there is something wrong! Kiku, what the hell is this!" and he threw the book at Kiku. Quick with his hands, Kiku grabbed the book easily and started turning the pages to see what had upset Arthur so much. He cringed when he saw what the pages contained- it was doujin staring Francis & Arthur as a couple and it was very explicit. Kiku stuttered, "Asa-san, I..I can explain"

Arthur getting up from seat, spoke in a harsh tone, "Didn't I tell you... Didn't I tell you not to give Francis and me as a pairing suggestion. Didn't I? Or were your ears blocked at that time." Shocked by Arthur's tone, Kiku couldn't say anything. Arthur ranted loudly, "Tell me Kiku, have you telling everyone what I told you in private? Is this all joke to you? Why is it that I can't trust anyone in my life?"

"What is going on here, aru", they turned to see Yao and Francis standing near the door. Seeing Francis had completely riled Arthur up, so he ran between the two of them, pushing Yao and Francis aside. Baffled by Arthur's reaction, Yao soon ran after him. When he finally caught up to Arthur, he grabbed his arm and whispered since they were in the hallway, "You have been in such a bad mood. What is wrong now?"

Not wanting to explain about what really upset him, Arthur replied, "I saw a doujin with me and Francis as the leads."

Yao chuckled, "Oh, that's nothing. I'm sure Kiku and others didn't mean any harm by drawing them."

That statement actually pissed Arthur off even more and so his voice started increasing, "No harm? NO HARM. I never wanted it. I told Kiku in the beginning not to suggest it".

Yao, seeing that they were attracting attention, tried to pacify the Brit, "Calm down, aru. That is absolutely nothing to get upset about". Arthur snorted and screamed back "OH YEAH? Then how would you like it if they had printed a doujin with Ivan and you as lovers? No wait, I am sure you wouldn't mind because YOU ACTUALLY LOVE IVAN..."

SLAP

With his cheek burning, Arthur realized that Yao actually slapped him. Holding it, he turned to look at the Chinese boy was now was furious. Yao hissed, "How DARE you out me like this!" When the Ebony-haired boy said that, Arthur looked around to see that they were surrounded by students which meant that they heard every syllable Arthur said. Looking back at his stepbrother, Arthur wanted to get down on his knees to apologize but Yao left, not wanting to hear another word.

Arthur was standing behind the school shed, recalling what he did in the hallway. He never meant to out Yao like that but because of his state of emotions being jumbled up right now, he couldn't think clearly. Just then he saw his Red-String and turned to see the person who he felt was the cause of everything, 'Francis!'

Francis saw everything what happened between Arthur and Yao, so he followed Arthur to see if he was all right. He was about to say something but Arthur immediately showed him the hand which silenced him and then the Brit spoke, "You know, I have always wondered why I hated Lancelot. Throughout my childhood years, I hated him with all my heart. Somehow, I knew there was another reason apart from the fact that he was the downfall of one of the greatest Kings, however I couldn't recall it. But now seeing you, I know why."

Arthur pointed to Francis, "You ruined him for me. Like the historical counterpart, you destroyed me. I told you a secret, a secret that I only shared with my dad. I thought I could trust you but you betrayed me by telling everyone. Do you know what I went through because of what you did. How many years of bullying I experienced. It was a nightmare."

While Arthur was talking, Francis saw tears falling down his face. He wanted to hug the Emerald-eyed boy but he knew that would only provoke the Briton, so he stood where he was.

"It took me years to build up my reputation. I couldn't have done it without Yao and Kiku but look at what is happening now- I've done the exact same thing to Yao what you did to me in the past... I'm going to lose both of them" Arthur glared at Francis, "And it's all because of you. You are upsetting everything in my life, just like before."

Arthur's eyes had so much hatred in them that Francis knew that if he said anything now, it wouldn't reach the classmate's heart... With a scowl, Arthur jeered, "Your betrayal had such a huge effect on me that I completely forgot about you but I'm surprised NOBODY remembers you. Well, backstabbers like you deserve to be forgotten."

He then walked towards Francis and grabbed his shirt, "So, what's your plan, Bonnefoy? I wondered why you didn't try to ruin me in the beginning of the year. Do you have a plan to ruin me at the end of the year in such a way people won't recall any of my past accomplishments, just the huge humiliation which you are going to unravel on me?" Then he shook Francis "ANSWER ME! Just what you are upto" but the Parisian however didn't say anything.

Getting irritated by French's lack of response, Arthur spat, "You're stripping me of my dignity!" Letting go of his shirt, he pushed Francis, "I'm never going back to being a victim of ridicule, so don't ever come near me again," and walked way, not wanting to see the Parisian again.

Francis feeling extremely guilty, covered his face with hands, "I wish I could let go but I'm already in too deep."

Arthur reached home to find out that Yao had moved out. His mother kept asking what happened at school but Arthur ran out of the house, thinking that maybe Yao went to Kiku's place. When he reached the Japanese boy's residence, he found Kiku sitting on the porch sipping tea.

Kiku looked up and spoke in a very monotonous tone, "After what happened in the club today, I had assumed that you wouldn't want to ever talk to me again." Arthur, unable to read those black eyes, replied, "I'm the one who is in the wrong. I overreacted that time. I shouldn't have blasted at you like that."

Kiku stopped sipping his tea, patted the place that was next to him, gesturing Arthur to have a seat there. The minute Arthur sat there, Kiku poured him a cup, "No, Asa-san, you had every right to be angry. You made it clear before that you didn't want it to happen, however I was unable to convince Elizabeta-chan when she wanted to make that doujin." Arthur was surprised when Kiku mentioned her name, so Kiku continued to explain, offering the cup, "It seems she got the idea when Francis kissed you during one of the rehearsals."

When Kiku made that revelation, he deeply regretted for shouting at Kiku, and his eyes started tearing up. Watching Arthur's reaction, Kiku had a sympathetic look on his face, "Asa-san, I know that there is something else troubling you. If it can ease your burden by talking about it, then I am more than happy to lend you a comforting shoulder to cry on."

Arthur felt that this scene vaguely resembles a similar scenario that happened when they were younger as Arthur was telling Kiku his secrets. He realized that the Raven-haired boy hadn't changed at all- so, the moment Kiku said that, the tears wouldn't stop falling off of Arthur's face. He started telling the Japanese boy what happened in the past right upto what happened recently.

Kiku listening to the whole thing, was dumbfounded, "Francis-san is an old acquaintance? And Yao-nii moved out of the house?"

Arthur nodded, pressing the cup to his forehead and feeling the heat from it soothe his nerves, "Kiku, I don't know what to do. When I found out Yao left, I thought that he was here with you".

Kiku shook his head and replied, "No, he didn't, but now I understand the message that he sent me." Arthur looked at Kiku, and inquired what he meant. Kiku answered, "Yao-nii sent an SMS informing that he would be staying with Feliks-san for a few days. I thought maybe it was for a sleepover but now from what you told me, I can understand why he's staying with Feliks-san."

Finding out that Yao was with the Student-Vice-President, Arthur proceeded to leave but Kiku held onto him, "Asa-san, I wouldn't recommend seeing Yao-nii right now. If what you told me was true, he must be even more angrier than how he was during the last school festival." Remembering about that time, Arthur slowly slumped back to where he sat before and asked the Raven-haired boy what he thought Arthur should do. Kiku answered, "I think Yao-nii needs to cool down. Please give him some time. I am sure he will come around."

They both then sat in silence and sipping their tea...

x

A/N- I hope I didn't make Arthur too much of drama-queen but Francis was the source of Arthur's childhood trauma..