Special thanks to Yuu Kirkland for reviewing, and February The Seventh for favouriting and subscribing!
Disclaimer: I don't own Axis Powers: Hetalia. It rightfully belongs to Himaruya Hidekaz. I merely own the AU plot and setting. Additionally, I'm not an expert on teaching and blindness. All information stems from observation and speculation. Please do not reference.
Enjoy!
Nihilism
"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it,
But that it is too low and we reach it."
—Michelangelo
The rest of the year passed quickly. Days blurred into weeks, and weeks fell apart until graduation. Events were winding away as the school year disintegrated through time. Everything seemed to be running smoothly in Arthur's opinion. The students were mellowing out, only barely reaching the last stretch until break was upon them. The teachers were bumbling through the rest of classes or racing through material as the deadlines for the curriculums closed in.
And then graduation came. The seniors were leaving. They exchanged tearful farewells. And teachers who were close to their students hugged the young adults, telling them to dream, inspire, and work hard.
Arthur wasn't particularly attached to his students. After all, he had an air of professionalism encasing him, and he didn't bother to get to close to his students, knowing that they were going to leave in only four years' time. So he knew he was going to stand around on the edge of the school, watching people congratulate and take photos of their beloved senior class. But strangely enough, Francis was standing on the side lines as well, his expression unreadable past his large sunglasses.
"The year's finally over," Arthur said, sidling to Francis' side. "It went pretty fast."
"It's always like that." Francis smiled. "I'm going to miss these guys. Life isn't the same without them."
"Sentimental, aren't we?"
"Yeah… Just imagine, you'll never see them again, once they leave after the graduation ceremony."
"I guess you can say that. But some of them will come back to visit."
"But I won't ever see them."
Arthur paused for a moment, tilting his head and furrowing his brow. The statement confused him. Was he supposed to take that literally? In the end, however, he brushed Francis off and shrugged. "Well, if you're not going to see them again, then why not say goodbye now? Before the ceremony?"
"I…" Francis shook his head. "I really don't know. It just doesn't feel right. I was such a short presence in their lives. It wouldn't be right to act like I knew them for the full four years."
"I… I see."
"Hey, why don't you talk to them, then? You've been here longer than I have."
Arthur shrugged only one shoulder. His hands clasped in front of him. "But like you, not the full four years. They had another teacher during their first year."
"Oh."
For a moment, no words were exchanged. The various conversations going on filtered into their minds, and Arthur could pick up the strangely awkward words that rising college students typically gave. Then, feeling like he was eavesdropping, Arthur asked, "Hey, to whom did you award the final art award?"
"Oh, the one with the bowl?"
"There's only one."
"Yeah, I'm giving it to Matthias."
Arthur sputtered, as if a bug flew into his mouth. "What? Matthias? I thought you were going to give it to Xiao Mei or something."
Francis chuckled and shook his head. "No, although she also would deserve the award."
"But Matthias drew pornography! Heterosexual, homosexual, polyamorous—everything! All day, every day!"
"Oh, so that was what he was drawing all this time?"
"Yes! That's why he wasn't in the art show! In fact, he wasn't in any of the shows! His work wasn't appropriate to be viewed!"
A grin cracked over Francis' face. "Pornography, huh. No wonder he worked so hard, even though he knew he would never be seen."