Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia
"Are you bloody kidding me?"
Matthew cringed at his older brother's outburst.
Judging from the recent recital that they've watched, it was to be expected that their Conductor would be overreacting in a state of pressure. Shortly after Yao Wang and his orchestra band's dramatic performance, Arthur politely dismissed himself from his seat before bolting toward one of the exits. Concern for his older brother, Matthew dashed after him.
"Brother, you need to⎯"
"That wasn't a bloody newcomer! That was a bloody f**king beast there onstage!" Arthur rants, clenching his gloved hands in a fit of anger.
When Yao warned him about his orchestra band's newcomer, he set the thought aside and focused more on World Orchestra's reputation. What he did not realize was how talented this newcomer was. Never before in his life had he seen nor heard of an individual besides Alfred who could enthrall an entire audience effortlessly. Yao's younger brother, Kiku Honda's skills were nowhere compared to the destruction this particular woman had.
This Lien woman was indeed an equal match against his brother and if he wasn't careful enough, could not only outshine Alfred in his solo but also his entire orchestra band. This woman could easily put everything that he had built and worked hard for five consecutive years to an end. Thinking about this made Arthur click his tongue in disgust.
"Brother, please calm down," Matthew spoke up, his gentle voice soothing the angered gentleman. "If you get angry, you'll lose sight of what's important."
"I know, I know," Arthur said as he smoothed some strands of his hair. "Sorry for worrying you. Guess that performance caught me off guard a little."
Matthew cracked a smile. "It's fine. It happens, you know?"
Arthur chuckled, "Aren't you bothered as well?"
"Honestly, I'm just as surprised as you," Matthew confessed, veering his eyes down to stare at the ground. "She really is a force to be reckoned with."
Arthur shook in agreement. "You think Alfred could handle her?"
Matthew drew in a breath, shrugging. "…I don't know." He trailed off. "What I do know, however, is that you'll be there to guide us. You are our Conductor, Arthur. Whatever you instruct, we as a band will follow." This time, Matthew boldly turned to face his older brother, "Say the word and we'll be upon your command."
The short blonde haired man sniffed, enveloping him in an embrace, staggering Matthew. "I'm blessed to have a brother like you."
Loud footsteps rushed in their direction, prompting the two brothers to look up.
"Oh, Michel⎯"
Before Matthew could finish the rest of his sentence, a short figure unexpectedly tackled them both.
"No fair, no fair!" Michelle wailed, sticking her tongue out. "You get to hug Matthew but not me?"
A few seconds later, Francis appeared, casually walking over to them without the intention to save the poor brothers from his sister's death grip.
Matthew held his breath, the lenses of his glasses becoming foggy. "Can't…breathe…"
"Don't just…stand there, Frog! Do…something!" Arthur bellowed, his face getting even redder from the lack of oxygen.
Francis cleared his throat, causing the younger girl to look back at him in confusion. "Mon Cheri, please, you are hurting them."
Upon realization, Michelle immediately freed Matthew and Arthur from her hold. "Oh, my bad! Just got a bit carried away," She giggled, scratching the back of her head.
Francis chuckled, caressing his sister's head in a dotting way.
Arthur coughed a little before glaring back at the siblings. That unpredictable duo would surely be the death of him.
Francis then pulled out his phone, checking the time. Quickly putting the electronic device back inside his dress pocket, he proclaimed, "Arthur, we're up next."
On cue, Arthur proceeded to take out his Conductor stick in which was carefully hidden underneath his right sleeve.
"We are, aren't we?" He muttered to himself as he speculated the stick amidst of his hands. Yao Wang instigated this competition in the first place. If he wished to see it end, it's Arthur that would deliver the final comeback.
Turning to face his three companions, he instructed, "Go and find everyone. I want each and every one of you to be present here at this very same spot in less than ten minutes."
'He may have won this battle, but we'll be the one to win this war.'
Soon after Star Fest's performance, Alfred quietly left backstage and out into the halls. He placed a hand against the right side of his chest, collecting himself.
What happened out there? Without realizing, he had been swept into the music. He then pressed his hand to his temple as he groaned. It didn't help with the fact that his heart was still racing. Alfred sprang a little when a blast of applauses roared nearby.
Curious, he walked over to find out.
Successfully concealing himself against the walls, he eagerly looked around.
An assembly of musicians swarmed the entire area, their perspiring faces apparent with satisfaction and pride. From the looks of it, this orchestra band must be Star Fest. An idea popped into his head. 'Wait, that means…' Searching through the crowd, his eyes caught the familiar figure of Lien.
Words couldn't express how thrilled he was when he discovered that she was a performer just like him and a talented one at that. If anything, Lien was not your typical violinist. Now if only he had the courage to go up to her and say something, that would make today the best day of his life.
Unfortunately, he didn't have the guts too, which was rather uncharacteristic of him.
An extrovert like Alfred would automatically jog over and start off the conversation. No, this wasn't like him. Alfred took in a deep breath, shaking his head in distress.
Lien was a normal person.
Yet every time Alfred kept reminding himself of that logic, his legs were stubbornly implanted into the ground. For the first time, he was scared to talk to someone and ironically it was someone that he wanted to engage with oh so badly. Alfred bit his lower lip. Doesn't this woman realize how much her presence was affecting him?
Despite that, Alfred anticipated for the impossible.
He craved to listen to her voice again.
"What are you doing?"
"Ahhh!" Alfred screamed; causing a few people nearby to abruptly freeze and exchange glances.
He slowly looked over his shoulder, discovering a young female. Her long brown hair gently rocked to the side with a wild curly strand sticking out, much like his twin Matthew. Unlike her other band mates, she wore a cute dress tinted peach-pink, her skirt reaching past her knees. A pink flower ornament adorned her hair, giving her a charming appearance. From the looks of it, she seemed to be about the same age as Michelle.
"Hey, I'm talking to you!" She exclaimed as she rudely poked out a finger at him.
Alfred quickly blinked. "You mean me?" He asked, pointing to himself.
"Yeah, you!" The girl barked back. "Why're you hiding all the way out here?" A mischievous grin appeared on her face. "Wait a sec, are you checking out my sister?"
"Wait, what?"
"Oh my gosh! You totally were, weren't you?" The girl shrieked, clapping her hands delightfully.
Such misleading assumption made Alfred blush. He quickly turned the opposite way in hopes to avoid the girl's wiggling eyebrows. "Hahaha! What gave you that idea?" He asked, laughing nervously.
The girl rolled her eyes, placing a hand on one hip. "Men…" She muttered before flashing a cheeky smile. "Not to worry, your secret's safe with me!"
The more this girl was quick to assume, the most confused Alfred was getting. "I don't understand. What do you mean as in 'sister'?"
"Xiao Mei! There you are!"
Both Alfred and Xiao Mei froze in place. They then averted their attention toward the direction of the feminine voice. Upon the sight, Alfred's cheeks reddened. Noticing Alfred's crimson face, Xiao Mei snickered to herself.
Oh, this was going to be fun.
"Please stop walking around so much, Mei! You know I cannot keep up." Lien complained, her tone obviously firm.
"Sorry, sis!" Xiao Mei apologized, making a fake pout.
"I apologize for my sister's imprudence." Lien began as she expressed her forgiveness to the stranger next to her sister. Looking up, amber eyes encountered with sky blue. Lien stiffened.
Alfred smiled goofily. "Hello, again."
In response, Lien exclaimed, "Texas!"
"Hahaha, great to know you remembered," Alfred replied sheepishly, touching the rims of his spectacles. "Oh, awesome performance, by the way."
"Ah, thank you," She responded graciously before adding, "I don't believe we properly introduced ourselves." Arranging her hands together, Lien slightly dropped her chin as she proceeded to acquaint with him. "My name is Lien Kim Nguyen."
"Alfred F. Jones, at your service." Alfred greeted, emitting another one of his famous smiles.
"I've heard about you, Mister Jones." Lien began, starting the conversation.
Alfred blushed. "You do?"
"Yes," Lien continued, "The famous trumpeter of World Orchestra, correct?"
"Oh, right…right!" Alfred asserted, causing Xiao Mei to stifle her laughter in the background. "You know, you don't have to call me mister. Just Alfred."
Lien opened her mouth before closing, her eyebrows furrowing as she absorbed in the new information. Finally, she spoke. "Okay. Nice to meet you, Alfred."
Next thing that Alfred knew, an anonymous arm was interlocked around his neck. "Sorry ladies, mind if I take this guy off your hands for a bit?"
Recognizing the familiar voice, Alfred groaned. "Gilbert, what the hell are you doing?"
The albino quickly whispered to his best friend, "Arthur wants all of us to meet up at the East entrance, stat!"
Alfred looked back, his expression suddenly converted into panic mode. "Shit! I forgot about that!"
"Come on, we gotta go!" Gilbert gestured as he forcedly dragged him the opposite way.
Alfred glanced back at the two sisters, retaining a smile. "We're gonna be playing our gig in a bit!" He yelled, raising his voice. "If you can, come and watch!"
Xiao Mei waved back, shouting. "Will do!"
Hesitantly, Lien nodded, confirming she will also attend.
Upon the sight, Alfred's heart skipped a beat, his smile widening from ear to ear.
"Hey, you alright there?" Gilbert queried, puzzled over the young man's buoyant face.
Quickly looking back over his shoulder, the albino continued, "Ain't the chick in white that newcomer everyone is bugging about?" He commented before whistling. "Damn, she's fine."
Removing Gilbert's grip from his collar, Alfred playfully nudged his knuckle on his best friend's arm. "Sorry, dude. She's mine."
"There you two are! I've been looking all over for you!" Kiku addressed exasperatedly as he approached his two running best friends. "Alfred, where have you been?"
"Man, Kiku, you should have seen our boy Alfred here," Gilbert said, "I found him hanging out with two of these chicks and⎯"
"Cut the crap, Gilbert,"
"Hey there, Elizabeta." Alfred greeted the fuming tomboy.
Elizabeta Héderváry was Gilbert's childhood friend as well as the current piccolo player of World Orchestra. In spite of her youthful age, she was involved in a brief marriage with pianist Roderich Edelstein before their split. Even so, they remained close friends. Gilbert, harboring a one-sided attraction toward her, took this opportunity to seize it. As of now, Elizabeta and Gilbert's relationship was rather complicated, their interactions appearing as if they were an old married couple.
"What the hell, woman?" Gilbert quarreled at her, "I ain't talking to you!"
"So? Stop dilly-dallying and get over here!" Elizabeta countered, leaning her face until their noses were mere inches. "Arthur is holding a speech!"
"You can't tell me what to⎯ouch!" Gilbert shrieked as Elizabeta pinched his ear, dragging him and vanishing into the mist of the crowd.
"What just happened?" Kiku asked out of the blue, completely at a loss.
Alfred shrugged, "Don't know."
"Al, there you are!" Matthew called out, walking toward them. "Arthur wants you to start the rally."
Alfred nodded. Giving a high-five to his best friend, he followed after Matthew who led him to the center of the gathering. As he passed through the crowd, he received an abundance of taps on the back for encouragement. This was what he adored about his orchestra band. Every single member of this community was valuable, including him.
Once the brothers arrived at the epicenter of the flock, Arthur and Francis greeted them.
"Found this near the East halls," Francis explained, handing Alfred his trumpet case. He was astonished to find that Alfred's cornflower tie was loose. "Ah, let me tighten your tie again."
Alfred declined, "Nah, it's fine."
"Now that everyone's here, let's get started," Arthur said, coming forward. He clapped his hands together three times in which set off as an alarm for the boisterous crowd. Once he got their notice, he turned to his brother, giving his nod of approval, "Alfred, start us off."
Alfred beamed, stretching his hand outward.
Arthur, Francis, and Matthew did the same and one by one so did the rest.
"What team?"
"World gig!"
"What team?" Alfred repeated more loudly.
"World gig!"
"What team?" He cried out one last time.
"World gig!" Everyone bellowed aloud, throwing his or her hands into the air. "Get 'cha head in the game!"
"Now, let's get in there and show them what we're made of!" Arthur chanted, raising his Conductor stick, earning tremendous acclamations.
"Come on, come on! We're gonna be late!"
"Slow down, Mei!" Lien protested to her younger sister who was forcedly pulling her as they sprinted through the corridor. "No need to rush."
"But we promised Alfred that we would see his gig!" Xiao Mei rant, making a fuss, "A promise is a promise, after all!"
Lien raised an eyebrow. "I know but…"
"Huh? What happened to your veil?" Xiao Mei asked out of nowhere.
Lien reached her hand up to the back of her head. Realizing this, she cursed under her breath. "Mother is going to kill me."
"Does she know about…you know?" Xiao Mei pressed on, gesturing to the wedding gown that her sister wore.
"I don't think she even realized that it's gone." Lien reasoned, sighing deeply. "So long as she doesn't find out, that son of a bitch won't marry her."
"You mean that mister Yeung?" Xiao Mei asked, getting a validation. "Ugh, I hate that jerk."
"That stupid asshole has mother wrapped around his finger," Lien explained, "By wearing this wedding dress, I'm stopping their wedding ceremony for good."
"You do realize that you sound crazy, right?" Xiao Mei said matter-of-factly, "But you know, you're my sister. So if you're crazy, then I'm crazy too." Providing a cheeky smile, she looked back to the path ahead, her pace lessening the closer they approached the general entry.
"Anyway, let's go inside!" Xiao Mei continued and proceeded to push the doors with her might.
A blast of music resonated throughout the area, causing both sisters to take a step back.
Poking their heads out of the doorway, they took notice of the large orchestra band onstage. Each musician was equipped with his or her respective instruments, the bright lights illuminating down upon them.
"Sis, sis, look! It's Kiku!" Xiao Mei cried, hysterically pointing at a familiar musician in charge of the violin.
"Huh, you're right." Lien commented.
A few minutes later, the music reduced. The musicians began to slowly seat themselves down.
In turn, a young man stood up, raising his golden trumpet.
Arthur slightly rotated, letting his orchestra band members to get a good view of his back. Lifting his right hand, he motioned to his brother. His eyes trailed off amongst the crowd before finally setting his sights upon a ponytailed man. Smugly grinning, he continued, "Ladies and gentleman, the one and only: Alfred F. Jones."
Everyone's eyes were set on the bespectacled young man, anticipated for his presentation. Adjusting his glasses, Alfred proceeded to place the mouthpiece of his instrument on his lips. As soon as he did so, a sudden explosion thundered, giving off a lasting vibrating effect on the area.
Lien released her grip on the doorknob.
Her mouth partially gaped, completely stunned. "Unbelievable."
The first time Lien heard about Alfred, it was through the teachings of her mentor, Yao Wang. Every time he mentioned about that certain name, Lien remembered how sour he looked, his shoulders slightly shivering in response.
It was not until now that everything began to click.
This was the reason behind Yao's unusual behavior and his constant aggressiveness to compete against Arthur Kirkland, the Conductor of World Orchestra.
No, it was much more than that. At this point, Lien was sure of it.
Yao Wang was afraid of something.
And it was him.
The brilliant sound of the trumpet roared, rigorously fighting to reclaim its throne.
Clear and unwavering, just like the trumpeter himself. Every minute or so, Alfred's expression changes from the face of a child and to that of an adult, switching between them, letting the audience instantly get reeled in.
He was the epitome of a storm.
Alfred made it seemed as if he had owned the entire stage, his regime unyielding with coolness and resilience. And it was working. His sky blue eyes twinkled with excitement with a few strands of his hair descending and falling out of place, giving him a more handsome look.
This caused a massive round of standing ovations.
"He's so cool, isn't he sis?" Xiao Mei gushed, quickly taking out her phone so she could snap a picture of him. Lien didn't bother to respond, too absorbed with the performance.
Shrugging, Xiao Mei held her phone high. Using two fingers, she zoomed in on the trumpet player before pausing.
Slyly looking back and forth from Alfred and to her sister, a playful smile materialized on her face.
Unknown to Lien who was captivated by the performance, a certain trumpeter had his eyes fixated on her.
Author's Note:
Finally, some Ameviet interaction!
Sorry I took a long time to update but here I am now with the fourth installment! We've seen Lien's violin solo in the previous chapter. Now, we get to see Alfred's solo. In addition, we get to have a sneak peek of the reason behind Lien's wedding dress. More characters appeared and this time, it's Elizaveta (Hungary) and Roderich (Austria). You know how I mentioned about other pairings in the first chapter? Squint a little bit and you can see them (if you can't, it's okay!)
Now that we've read both solos, which one do you think won the competition?
Your opinions are greatly appreciated!