"No, please, stay together! Those on the front, you slow down right now! Is it that hard to calm down for two seconds? Boys, what did I say literally two minutes ago? Stay on that damn sidewalk! Lovino, are you listening to me?! Feliciano, I know the butterflies are pretty but could you please stay with the group?"

Standing among the herd of teenagers he called his students, Romulus was doing his best to keep in line the ones that kept drifting away. He could understand that they were excited to discover the campus. An entire city built for a few dozens of students, more than enough to be impatient. But couldn't they calm down until they got to the meet-up mark?

"Hey, girls… And Feliks! You're behind, stop chatting. Really, have you never gone on a school trip before? ... Eight… Nine… Has someone seen Peter? Ah, never mind, ten… Stop running around! Do you want me to put you in a row?"

Under the threat of the terrible "walking-two-by-two-like-in-primary-school", the teenagers eventually calmed down a notch and stopped drifting about. Romulus could finally breath and glare back at Luna who had let him take care of the situation himself, laughing at his lack of authority on his students.

It was a beautiful Saturday morning. Not a cloud in sight and the sun still had its summer warmth. On week-ends, there was a shuttle between the town center and the dorms, but it was such a beautiful day that Luna and Romulus had decided unanimously a short walk wouldn't hurt the students. But the Italian teacher hadn't expected some to start running to get there faster while others stayed behind chatting, picking flowers or chasing butterflies…

Sometimes, he felt like a shepherd guiding a flock of mules without his dogs…

After a half-an-hour of more or less constant walking, the group finally got to the town center. Vash was holding his sister's hand to help her follow after he braided her a daisy crown. Feliciano had stopped running about and had taking upon himself to make Kiku laughed, though the Japanese boy was growing less comfortable with every weird joke the Italian was telling. Romano was sulking. Peter was laughing with Tino. Luna had blinkered Feliks with her hands so he wouldn't run to every shop window he'd see. Faustina and Mei were talking about painting their nails. Long story short, everything seemed fine.

The town itself was quite nice. The steets were large and clean, in spite of a few wrapping that had missed the trashcans. They were pretty empty too at the moment. There were many shops and all of them were open and most students just couldn't wait to find out everything this place had for them.

Kiku and Vash were the only ones who bothered to listen to Luna's safety speech, the others were way too busy choosing which way they were going to head to first. She only really caught their attention when she took out of her bag a dozen colorful magnetic cards supposed to pay for their shopping. Their parents had taken care of putting some pocket money on them. After a few more instructions and telling them to be back at the meet-up mark at 5pm, she eventually wished them a good day. They didn't need to be told twice and all ran in different directions.

Well, all but Feliciano and Lovino who had to put up with their father's decision to "spend some time as a family, since we finally have a chance to". It didn't bother Feliciano that much. As for his brother… Let's just say he was in the mood to sulk and it wasn't about to get better.

"So, boys, what do you want to do, right now?"

A hungry gurgling answered his question and Feliciano grabbed his stomach, as if trying to silent it. Romulus threw a fit of laughter and Romano facepalmed as his brother tried to explain he got up late and didn't have time to eat much. The twins' father interrupted him and offered to go grad something to eat in a café before starting their visit.

They found one at the next street corner. A charming café with a pavement area decorated with little potted olive trees and where Tunisian music was playing. On the front was an ochre sign with black elephants that said "The Carthaginian". Romulus wasn't sure where the bad feeling came from when he walked through the door with his two sons.

Delicious pastries were shown off in a glass counter, next to what must be the kitchen's door. Dark and varnished wooden tables were waiting for costumers, vainly displaying colorful menus. A young woman was almost done mopping the floor in a corner.

She had dark skin, curly and shiny black hair that bounced over her neck, and a way of holding her head that suggested pride and sensibility. She had large hands and strong limbs in spite of her thin and elegant body. She wore a simple beige outfit that looked like it was designed to make her look taller than she already way, despite her flat sandals. She finished her task before looking up at her costumers with a genuine smile. Her green eyes, framed by thick black eyelashes, met Romulus's brown gaze.

He froze as she opened large surprised eyes. "Romulus…" she whispered, stunned.

"E… Elyssa?" he answered with the same expression. A smile lit up his face and he stepped forward. "Elyssa, is that you? It's been so long! What have you…"

He couldn't continue. The bucket the young woman used suddenly had the great idea to throw itself at his face, splashing him with dirty water. The twin fortunately had the reflex to step away so they wouldn't get splashed as well.

The mop then threw itself at Romulus as well, trying to knock him out with its stick. The teacher tried to defend himself but it was fast and hit hard. Elyssa was frozen in front of him and glared at him continuously, her face expression nothing but an indescribable wrath. Seeing this, the twins shared a glance before suddenly remembering they had something of the utmost importance to do on the other side of town.

As for him, Romulus was too busy fighting off the rabid mop to notice his sons' strategical retreat. When he finally managed to grab the stick, the bucket came back and reaped his knees. He crumbled like a turd before Elyssa who placed a foot over his chest and pressed just enough to make him understand she would break his ribcage without a trace of guilt if he dared to move a finger. "What are you doing here?" she hissed, her voice as sharp as a scalpel. "How DARE you come here?"

"I'm taking the first year kids on a day out! I didn't know this was your café!" Romulus answered immediately, knowing by experience it was best not to annoy the young woman.

"Not "here" in this café, asshole," she hissed. "Here in this town, this school, this fucking country!"

"I'm the new history teacher!"

"History teacher?" She had a short laugh that only managed to make more terrifying. "Seriously? Don't make me laugh! They would never hire an idiot like you here, even if you could turn coal into gold or bring dead people back to life! And I know very well that's not the case!

"T-they hired me for my sons! I swear I didn't know you were here! It's luck!"

"Luck?" She laughed again and pressed a little more on Romulus's chest, and he thanked God she hadn't chosen to wear heels that day. "I went over every continent, I went around the world and finally found my place in the farthest country I could find from Italy, all of this for you to find me through dumb luck? Through FUCKING luck?" Romulus didn't answer, he was too busy focusing on his own breathing. "Really… Those poor kids are gonna have this thing to teach them history? WHAT were thinking the Chrones sisters!" she ranted more for herself than for her victim.

She stepped away from Romulus's chest and he thought he could get up before he realized he was floating now. Seriously. Not only did he find that resentful woman but she also had telekinesis now? What would it be next? The mafia would go after him because he seduced the godfather's daughter?

He was held in mid-air, flapping his arms like a baby chick to keep a trace of balance. In Elyssa's eyes, there was nothing but sadness, anger and disgust. Without any remorse, she reached out and slapped him harder than he ever was. He just did a flip from the impact. He rubbed his burning cheek but she was not done with him. Without a hint of hesitation, she grabbed him by the collar and punched his other cheek, turning his right cheekbone into jam. And as if that wasn't enough, she pulled him close and pressed a kiss on his lips.

Now Romulus was completely lost. And he was even more when she let him go and he was literally ejected through the restaurant door. He fell on the concrete ground, drenched, with a burning cheek, a mashed one, bruised knees and Elyssa screaming at him from the entrance to never even try to get near her café again unless he wanted her broomstick so far up his ass it would stick out from his mouth. And Romulus, as would any strong and brave man in such a situation, did the only thing he could think of: he ran away.

"Ve… Are you sure Papà will be fine?"

"Of course, Feli. A dumb bitch won't get rid of him that easily. Besides, what's the worst that could happen?"

"Dying?"

"Yeah, well, forget it and let's go get something else to eat."

"Pasta!"

"Whatever."

~ A half hour later ~

"FELICIANO! OI, FELICIANOOOO! DAMN IT! FELICIANO! HOW DID YOU GET LOST IN A FUCKING STUDENT TOWN?!"

Lovino stopped yelling for a bit so he could catch his breath and give a nice kick to the wall. He wasn't worried for his brother. Why would he be worried about that little shit who couldn't even follow someone in the street? He wasn't scared to be alone in a place he didn't know either. He had a great sense of orientation and wasn't scared at all not to be able to find his way back without anyone with him, even if it was just to yell at him if they took the wrong path. He was just mad his fucking brother was this fucking stupid, that's all!

He angrily kicked the wall again, and again, and again. That poor wall hadn't done anything wrong but he really needed to get his anger out somehow and that cluster of concrete and render was here at the wrong time. May he rest in peace. And while he was at it, he could just show the entire street the refined and flowery vocabulary he had gained over the years. Always a good thing to show off your skill!

"Lovi?"

The Italian boy froze and looked up to his left. Here were that dumb Spaniard who was going to get a head-butt soon for the nickname he'd just used, his stupid albino friend with a spooky laugh, said albino's Aryan potato-eater little brother and… that Feli asshole clinging to him like they were best friends since the dawn of time and eating a fucking chocolate pastry, maxi-sized if you please, that he was ready to bet had been payed for by the Aryan. Sometimes, Lovino really felt like the world hated him and was making fun of him. Knowing him, Feliciano was going to apologize for disappearing like that, then was going to beg him to come with them to do whatever stupid activity they had planned, and of course he was going to agree and do it so that he'll stop being annoying. Well, at least the perverted blond French guy that made innuendos every three seconds wasn't with them. If he was lucky, he had stayed at the dorms to flirt or read or sing or dance or play f…

The shop's door suddenly opened right behind him. A badly shaven mess with golden locks landed on the pavement as an English boy with large eyebrows menacing him with pepper spray and wearing beautiful Union Jack underwear followed him outside yelling : "And don't you dare try to touch me or watch me change again, you damn frog! Or I swear I'll cover you with honey, tie you to a tree and leave you there until you die of hunger, cold, or bug-induced exsanguination! And then, when you're dead, I'll ask my brother to revive you so I can kill you again! Am I clear, you bloody wanker?!"

"Mais, mon lapin…" Francis started. He reached out to the English boy hoping for help to get up but he was spread with pepper instead.

"I SAID DO NOT TOUCH ME, BLOODY HELL!" And he went back into the shop, stomping his feet like an outraged queen. Francis stood up crying crocodile tears, mostly because of the pepper, before noticing his friends and walking to them trying to smile while wiping his eyes at the same time.

Romano was now most definitely sure this world was kidding him.

Ten minutes. Kiku had been standing in the middle of the street, completely still, for ten minutes. He was lucky no car was passing by, and even if it was the case, he probably wouldn't have moved anyway.

He was facing a dilemma. Not the stupid little "mustard or ketchup?" kind of dilemma, no. He was facing a real cornelian dilemma where no solution seemed satisfying. In front of him : a manga shop. He had promised, sworn and repeated to himself that he would not fall into the delicious otaku sin again. His parents had sent him here in exchange for his promise that he would stop ignoring the world and would stop being a fanatic of mangas, manwas, video games, animes and all these things that stopped him from socializing correctly. He had promised, he had sworn and, like the Edo-era samurais, he considered nothing as important as his own honor. He would follow that promise, on his life!

… But… His parents weren't there… And he was sure he'd seen the color of a super-rare edition of Sailor Moon…

… No! What would his classmates say if they saw him facing such a shameful passion? He was sure the situation would be calling for a seppuku!

… But… But it wasn't a crime to like mangas, right? Besides he didn't like only mangs! It wasn't like he was actually obsessed… Did vocaloids count? They did? Oh, whatever, he'd do what he wanted. Those who didn't like it could just go fuck themselves!

…

Oh, oh gosh, he was starting to be rude! Even in thought, it was unacceptable to say something like that! He'd just do a mental seppuku, there!

… And now he was being stupid… And probably schizophrenic. God damn, what was he going to do! Ah, if only he still had his dear DS to calm his nerves… What a shame he had to leave it at home… It was the new 3D model too…

Well, he had been there for fifteen minutes at this point. Maybe he should try to remember how to walk… Look away, find something else to do… Where those High School of the Dead figurines at the window?! Right next to… A Miku Hatsune body-pillow?!

Before he even knew what he was doing, Kiku was in the shop. The place was relatively simple: beige tilled floors, white walls covered in posters with little price tags under them, evenly spaced shelves overflowing with mangas, goodies, films, and video games on every possible console… He had just opened heaven's doors!

The isles seemed empty for now. The saleswoman sat at her desk replaying a One-Piece scene with her figurines. Literally. The figurines were moving and repeating the exact dialogs. The froze for a second, as if someone had paused the scene, as the woman looked up and informed him there was a 10% sale on every article, then they started again immediately when she looked back at them. That was a sugoi ability!

Kiku was feeling fine. He was smiling. For the first time since… Since… a while. He knew that doing this was like smoking again after several months of abstinence. But he felt too good to stop now. Forget about promises! He hadn't sworn over his little finger after all!

He happily looked over the shelves, thinking about what he could possibly get himself. His parents had let him enough pocket money for the year, specifying he should only use it to buy what would help him in his studies… Well, it was important to relax during studies. Otherwise, he could end up depressed.

An area of the store was dedicated to yaoi. A small group of girls was already silently fangirling. Kiku walked by pretending he wasn't seeing anything, despite a pinch of regret from not being able to look at the pictures… But he had his pride, he couldn't publicly show that not only was he an incurable otaku, he was also a boys-love addict, that was out of the question!

After walking by the shonens, taking a look at the dvds, checking the price of a few posters, he decided to go take a look at the video games. He turned at the right isle… "Uh? Kiku! Hey, how ya doin'?"… Crap. He turned around praying that the American boy that had been admiring the visuals on one of the boxes forgot he had seen him on the spot.

Wasted hope, he could hear his steps behind him.

Alright, let's calm down and face the situation like a true Japanese man. Kiku stopped and turned around. And Alfred, who couldn't brake so suddenly, bumped into him. Kiku didn't even have the time to feel offended by this intrusion in his personal space before feeling himself fall over, pushed away by the American boy's important mass. The tiles were slippery, he couldn't regain his balance. The floor was closing up, Kiku closed his eyes reflexively. He braced for the impact but, instead, two hands grabbed him in extremis.

He opened his eyes. Alfred was holding him with a big stupid smile. "Wow! That was close! But I saved you because I'm the greatest HERO!"

Did he really need to yell each time he said that word? Still, he wasn't lying, he had saved him indeed, so he was indebted. What was the translation for the formula that fit with this situation again? "You helped me greatly and I am forever grateful." Well, that sounded better in Japanese.

"Aww, no need to thank me! What are friends for, right?"

"Uh… What?"

"Friends? Pals? Buddies? You know, the kind of person you could ask their notes or tell a kink without feeling embarrassed?"

Kiku doubted that could ever happen. But if that was how Americans defined friendship then… Wait! "Uh, we only know each other since yesterday so we aren't really…"

"Hey, I told you I'd be your friend, right?"

"Y-yes but…"

"Ooooh! I know! We're gonna tour the town! I know all the best places!"

"I-I don't want to waste your time or…"

"It's fine, I didn't have anything planned! Besides, if we're not done today, we can still come back tomorrow!"

"But weren't you b…" Kiku couldn't finish his sentence. Alfred ran out of the store and started running and laughing like a madman, still holding the Japanese boy in his arms. Kiku was considering screaming, calling for help or hitting his abductor so he'd let him go. And then he decided to keep it subtle and to just wait for a distraction to get away. Alfred meant all the wellness in the world but Kiku was positively incapable of keeping up with someone who didn't know a thing about dignity or personal space.

Still in the video game isle, Matthew watched his brother go as he had probably forgotten they were supposed to spend the day together. Oh, it was just the fifteenth time he'd forgotten about him that month, no big deal. Besides, even if he loved his brother, he had to admit Alfred was clingy and dumb most of the time. So he wasn't going to complain about having time for himself.

The boy looked at his watch. It was ten thirty, a September Saturday… Outside, the sun was growing hotter… Maybe bowling?

"… And that's why Wolwerine if definitely the coolest X-man!" Alfred finished before shoving the second half of his seventh super-sized burger in his mouth, muting him for a few seconds. Kiku was almost as fascinated by the gigantesque quantities of food the American boy could ingest as he was by his phenomenal knowledge about every existing super-hero. As for him, he was silent, looking down at the vanilla sundae he was dutifully trying to finish.

He had tried. But Alfred hadn't left him alone for a second. He had dragged him all over town, talking non-stop about the shops, his habits, his heroic deeds, other heroes' deeds, video games… This nearly permanent monologue was something new and quite disturbing at first but, after a while listening to the boy, Kiku was growing used to his loud and childish voice. He wouldn't say he liked it but at least it filled the silence. And since he didn't really like to talk, it was quite reassuring to see that Alfred didn't need anyone's help to talk alone for hours.

He had shown him the numerous activities the town offered, from the movie theater to the planetarium to the laser tag where he was literally forced to play a game. Then he had wanted to show him the harbor but, on the way, they met Ivan and his trembling minions and Alfred had taken the chance to show he was a hero and to free those poor innocent kids from the bully's tyranny.

So while they were fighting, Kiku could admire the Russian boy's cryokinesis and the American's supernatural strength, share a few words with Toris and Raivis, talk about computers with Eduar, notice Natalyas brother-complex and note not to get close to her, and also notice Katyusha's ecchi-like appearance though the older student seemed too innocent for her own good.

After a few minutes watching them fight, Raivis had whispered a few words at the Russian's older sister's ear. She had nodded and held two fingers up to her temple. Both the American and the Russian had then fallen down unconscious in the middle of their fight. Smiling softly, Katyusha had explained this was usually the only way for them to stop fighting. Then her sister helped her taking Ivan, still drowsy, away from Alfred who snored happily. Kiku could have taken the chance to leave. He should have. But he felt bad about leaving the American alone sleeping in the middle of the road. He had hesitated a minute too long, Alfred had opened his eyes and continued the visit as if nothing special happened.

And now they were at the fast-food and Alfred had just swallowed his twelfth super-sized burger before the Japanese's amazed eyes, and he was quite sure no human stomach could contain this amount of food. "You know, Alfred-kun… It's not really healthy to eat this much… You might gain weight…"

"Don't worry about this!" Alfred said, sweeping the argument with his hand.

"Uh… If you say so…"

The young boy wiped his mouth and looked at his watch. "When did you say you had to be back?"

"At five."

"Shit," Alfred cursed. That leaves us less than an hour, we won't be able to see much!"

"That's fine, we can see the rest tomorrow," Kiku said. Alfred gave him a large happy smile and Kiku realized he had just agreed to spend mor time with him. That wasn't what he wanted! He was supposed to be shy with strangers, what was with him today? Oh, well, Alfred wasn't exactly a stranger, he had talked about himself so much today Kiku felt like he knew him already like the back of his hand. Besides, what was there to know about a young hyperactive egocentric American teen who liked superheroes?

"Well, we should go check out the karting before it closes."

"A… Ano?" Alfred, already leaving, turned back to him. Kiku spoke shyly, eyes on the ground. "I'm feeling tired. If that's okay, could we maybe do something a little calmer?"

Alfred looked slightly confused for a second, but then his usual smile came back on his face. "Ok, I get it! Come on!" he said grasping his wrist.

He pulled him out of the fast-food and down the street, still talking about stuff. He got to a crossing, stopped and hesitated for a second before placing his hands over Kiku's eyes. Surprised, Kiku tried to protest but Alfred made him keep walking. They were going slowly but Kiku was patient. The American was a little too close for his comfort but it wasn't too bad compared to what had happened earlier that day. And it was nice from him to try and surprise him so he wasn't going to complain. And Alfred could be surprisingly delicate when he tried really hard.

He was blindly guided for a few minutes. He had to climb a few steps, go down a few more. A wooden floor resounded under his feet. And finally, Alfred stopped and took his hands away.

They were on the porch of a small Japanese lodge. A closed garden was laid before them, simple and elegant. Grass lawns alternated with pebble beds sparkling under the sun. Flowers and trees were growing here and there, adding a pinch of joy in the delicate landscape. A stream, in which one could make out koi carps, ran through the garden and a stone step-through led to a small traditional tea lodge…

A Zen garden. Kiku would never have dreamt of finding one on the campus. He loved to visit them with his parents when he was younger. They could spend the entire after-noon there, admiring flowers and silently drinking green tea. Alfred gave him a smug smile. "Is that calm enough for you?" he asked joyfully. "I never come here, but I thought you might like it since you're Japanese and all…"

"Indeed, I greatly enjoy this kind of place. Thank you for taking me here, Alfred-kun."

Alfred casually sat down on the lodge's steps and Kiku sat seiza-style. There was complete silence, only troubled by the discreet sound of water peacefully running down the stream. "What does that mean, "kun"?" Alfred asked after a few moments of silence.

"Oh? Uh… Is an honorific suffix." Alfred looked puzzled. "You put it behind a name to express respect or effection," Kiku patiently explained.

"Oh! Like those movies where students put "sensei" behind their teacher's name?"

"Um… Yes, that's it."

"But what does it mean exactly?"

"That we are friends, I suppose."

"Oh! And isn't there another one?"

"I don't think so."

"Then just call me Alfred, alright?"

"But…"

"Please!" Alfred whined. "My name sound weird with that word at the end!"

"Very well," Kiku gave up.

He didn't add anything, just taking in the landscape's beauty. Alfred quickly grew agitated, not used to so much silence. "It's boring here…" He said, yawning.

"It's not meant to entertain," Kiku explained.

"Say," Alfred said again after a bit more silence. "You talk weird for a teen. Do all Japanese people talk like this?"

"Not really," Kiku said hesitatingly. "I am aware my speech is very elevated, however this is the way I as raised by my parents. They enjoy tradition, so I always had to respect the keigo when I talked."

"Ah, they sound super old-school, even if I don't know what the keigo is! My mom's kinda like that too, she keeps telling us about native Americans and whatnot at home. But apart from that it's okay, she's cool. And as long as she lets me play video games, I don't care that she talks about it that much."

"My parents hate video games," Kiku breathed. "And mangas and animes too. They say those things corrupt our youth."

"Well you must be happy they're not on your back anymore since you do like it!" Kiku didn't say anything. "Well yeah, since you were at Miss Suzuki's, you must like that right?" Alfred kept saying. The Japanese boy needed a moment before agreeing silently. There was silence again but Alfred broke it. "What other su… fi… xes? Are there? In Japanese?"

"There are many : dono, sama, tama, koi, pôn, san, chan…"

"Oh, that one is super cute, "chan"!"

"Ah, yes, you use it for…"

"Oh, it would sound great with your name!"

"What? But…"

"No, really, listen : "Kiku-chan". Sounds much better than "Alfred-kun", right? Oh, that's probably because your name is Japanese as well, so it sounds much better than an American name?"

"Certainly but it's not…"

"Ok, I'll call you this, now!"

"Ah, please don…"

"Oh, shit!" Alfred swore as he took a look at his watch. "We're just chilling but we're barely gonna be to the meet-up point on time! We really gotta go!"

"Alfred, please…"

"Here we goooo! Yoohoo!" Alfred grasped his friend's arm and started to run, dragging along the Japanese boy whose legs were barely waking up and who was desperately trying to explain why he didn't want to be called Kiku-chan. When they got to the meet-up mark, Luna and Romulus were grouping up the first year kids for a new walk in the park. Alfred let go of an almost asphyxiated Kiku among his classmates before hurrying up to the bus about to leave.

"See ya later, Kiku-chan!" he chirped before climbing into the vehicle. He avoided the row where an English boy with messy hair and a French boy with bruised eyes were glaring at each other with such an intensity there were some bets on who was going to jump on the other and when, and walked to a free seat. A unusually comfortable seat. A stuffed polar bear watching through the window hinted at the problem after a few minutes, more than the angry muttering behind his neck. "Whoops, sorry Matthew! I didn't see you!" he said, getting up and laughing. He sat on the next seat. The teddy bear disappeared, which meant Matthew had just taken it in his arms. "Your heroic big bro has spent his day taking a poor shy and friendless little Japanese boy on a tour around town!"

"Good job, Alfred," Matthew whispered, unfazed.

"What about you? What did you do?"

"Oh, nothing much…" he said. If he was visible at that moment, Alfred probably could have noticed the slight blush appearing over his brother's cheeks.

Kiku was about to commit suicide. Why, of all suffixes he could have liked did he have to choose "chan"? For God's sake, he wasn't a girl! He could have at least listened to him! Really, saying this like that, in front of everyone! "Yoohoo, Kiku! Ve, you're all red, are you feeling okay? You don't have a fever, do you?"

Kiku looked up at Feliciano, the Italian boy who was trying to make him laugh that morning. He shook his head, too mortified to talk. His classmate, relieved, started telling him about his day at such a rapid pace Kiku only caught a little.

"And then I gave him a piece of my chocolate pastrie. And since we didn't know what to do, Gilbert said we should go bowling. I wanted to see the beach but the sun was hot and Gilbert is albino, you know, he's super pale, so we couldn't. We've spent the day bowling, it was awesome! Even fratello liked it, and for lunch we had a pizza gigantesca with tons of tomato and olives and mozzarella and ham and tons of other good stuff. Gilbert did strikes all the time, he's really good at it! Ah, but one time he knocked something and he let go of his ball. Fratello and I, we hadn't done a lot of bowling before so we weren't great at it but Ludwig showed me how to move my arm (it really annoyed fratello but I don't know why) and, since I couldn't do a strike myself he did one for me! And then since fratello was sulking Antonio showed him too. And then fratello hit him because it didn't work. But he was still very happy…"

Kiku didn't know what impressed him most : how the Italian's lungs managed to work while he was talking or the fact that, by telling him so much, he could almost make him forget about the shame he felt from earlier. He started to feel some sort of pain in his jaw and wondered where it came from. It took him several minutes to realize that today had been the most smiling he'd done for a very long time.