"Are you even listening to me, Alfred?" asked an irritated Matthew.
"What? Yeah, yeah! I agree 100%," answered a still groggy Alfred.
"Then what did I just say?"
"Um...something...about...," Alfred looked around hastily, trying to find some clue as to what his brother had told him. "Saving the bears?"
"...Kumakuono had nothing to do with what I just told you."
"I thought his name was Kumanaka."
The bear's face displayed an annoyed expression.
"No. It's Kumanari! I think," said Matthew, once again being unable to remember his bear's name.
"Wait, wasn't it Kuramano," asked Alfred, also not remembering.
"No! It was definately Kuwabara! No wait, Kurama. No, maybe Kurogane?"
A growl suddenly emitted from the bear, startling Alfred.
"Did that thing just growl?"
"Oh yes," answered Matthew, unsurprised by the incident. "He must be hungry. He hasn't had breakfast yet."
"Wait, that thing eats? I thought it was just a stuffed animal!"
"Of course he eats," said Matthew, tightly hugging his bear. "And he's more than just a stuffed animal. He's my friend. Papa gave him to me when I was little. It's the only thing I had to remember him since he left me with Mr. Arthur."
Alfred suddenly felt sympathy for his younger brother. Arthur had too given him a gift. Many small soldiers with different expressions that resided inside a decorative chest. Some nights when he couldn't sleep, he'd start playing with them. And when he'd tire of playing, he'd take his favorite one (nicknamed General Kirkland) and lay him down next to him in bed and snuggle with him all night long as he used to do with Arthur.
Alfred could sense Matthew's yearning for his father so he tried changing the subject.
"Kumajiro," said Alfred as he read the tag on the bear's collar. "Is that French?"
"Yeah, that's it. I knew it was something with a "K". And no, it's Japanese."
"What's 'Japanese'?" asked Alfred, never before having heard such a word.
"It's the language that people in Japan speak."
"Japan? What's that?"
"Ne sais-tu pas quelque chose?" said Matthew in his native tounge.
"What did I tell you about speaking French while in my home?" said Alfred while pointing to a sign that read "No Frenchies or French allowed!".
"You're so ignorant and uneducated, Alfred. Anyways, as I was saying, Japan is a country."
"Like England?" interrupted Alfred. "Because that's where Arthur is."
"Yes, like England or like France, where Papa lives. Also like Spain where Mr. Carriedo of the south is from."
"I don't like him. I heard he's scary."
"Moi aussi."
"What did I say about the French?"
Matthew sighed, "I'm sorry. But yes. Japan is country. Papa told me all about it. It's not as big as other countries-"
'Other countries?' thought Alfred. He didn't know there were more countries other than the three.
"But it's still very pretty. They have a tree that sprouts these pink, cherry blossoms. Over there they call it 'Sakura'. And they all eat while sitting on the floor. They eat their meals with these sticks called 'Chopsticks'. They call them 'Hashi'."
"How can you eat your meals with a stick?"
"Papa said it's not that hard but you have to practice to be able to do it correctly. They also have these things called 'clans' that rule over different parts of the country and they all wear long, colorful robes called 'naga-gi'."
Alfred was jelouse. While Matthew grew up learning about different parts of the world, Alfred was having fairy tales read to him. He knew all about the fairies and the winged-bunnies and the giants and the elfs but nothing about what was beyond the vast ocean that kept him and Arthur apart.
"Hey, Matthew?" asked Alfred with a slight melancholic tone.
Matthew heard it and answered, "What is it?"
"Arthur sent me a letter but I don't know how to reply to it," said Alfred, stating his problem.
"A letter? What did it say?"
Alfred handed Matthew the letter shyly. Matthew read the letter then smiled. This for some reason annoyed Alfred.
"What's with that smug smile?" asked Alfred.
"Oh, nothing," giggled Matthew, further annoying his older brother. "So what have you written so far?"
Alfred showed him his reply which was mostly crossed words and angry face scribbles.
"Come on, Alfred. You've been waiting for Arthur for who knows how long-"
"One-hundred and one days."
"Yes. And this is all you've written?"
"Well I have no idea what to write. It's Arthur! I can't just write some casual greetings. It has to be something special. But what?" Alfred frowned sadly.
"Write what you feel."
Alfred gave his brother a confused look.
Matthew continued, "You have a lot of things you want to tell him, right? Well this is your chance. Don't let this opportunity pass you by." Matthew handed Alfred a fresh sheet of paper and a new pen. "Now get started while Kumanako-"
"Grr," growled the bear.
"Kumajiro," corrected Alfred, still frightened by the bear's actions.
"Yes, that's what I meant," lied Matthew. "While Kumajiro and I prepare breakfast."
Matthew left the room to give Alfred a moment with his thoughts.
'Write what I feel?' Alfred asked himself.
i"Dear Arthur,"
...
...
...
"WHY THE HELL DID YOU MAKE ME A PROMISE YOU KNEW YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO KEEP? YOU LEFT ME SUCH A SMALL AMOUNT OF FOOD! IT'S BAD ENOUGH YOU COOKED IT BUT AFTER I RAN OUT I BEGAN TO STARVE! IF IT WEREN'T FOR MRS. ADDISON AND HER FAMILY I WOULD'VE DIED WAITING FOR YOU'RE LYING, MORONIC, INSENSITIVE, PROMISE BREAKING, IDIOTIC, SPIRIT-CRUSHING-"/i
Alfred dropped the pen. What was he saying? It's true that he was a bit upset that Arthur's arrival had once again been delayed but he didn't want to say it like this. It's not like he hated Arthur. He just disliked that he had to work so far away. And he didn't dislike his cooking, he just...No. He did dislike it, but still. It wasn't the flavor or the scent or the color that made food special. I was the intentions behind the person who made it.
Alfred smiled widely then remembered an important detail he had forgotten. He ran into Arthur's room and opened the drawer he had mentioned in the letter. Inside was a small silver box. As Alfred pulled it out, he accidently hit the side of his hand with the drawer knob, dropping the box.
"Ow," winced Alfred. He crouched down to pick up the box when he notice that it was already open and the contents were spread out on the floor. Alfred slowly admired each object as he picked them up.
i'Secret Scones Recipe'
'Plans to Destroy Antonio'
'Arthur vs. Francis (Score)'
'Top Ten Teas'/i
Alfred laughed as he read each one. Then only one thing was left. A small, turned over portrait. Alfred picked up the portrait and saw that it was a drawing of him sleeping on Arthur's lap. His face turned red as he wondered when this was drawn and how long Arthur had kept this hiden. Nevertheless, he stuffed it into the box and went back into his room to start writing the letter and to ask 'why in the bHELL/b?' he owned such a picture of Alfred.
Translation:
"Ne sais-tu pas quelque chose?" = "Don't you know anything?" (French)
"Moi aussi." = "So did I." (French)