Chapter 70

Arthur was going to need more than peppermint or ginger tea to pull through for the rest of the week.

No, for this two whole weeks since that assembly!

Not only did he received a braille letter from Ten, inviting him to the Inarigumi hideout for lunch with his dad, he had two exams coming up which he needs to study and on top of that, the drama club has requested him to be a guest star for their upcoming play.

Arthur felt like his mind was going to shatter at the though of all of the tasks he was assigned to do this week. He admired how some animals can multitask without breaking a sweat but he himself had a slow pace due to...minor setbacks.

His ears were plugged with headphones, listening to two hours of rainfall in the forest or the breeze of the wind while the crunching of leaves were heard. There were no music except the feeling of his fingers typing on the braille machine.

He was so deep into his work that he did not hear the sound of his dorm door opening by the dorm mother, who led in the visitor.

The minute Arthur felted someone tapping him on the shoulder, the poor Honduran white bat squeaked in surprise, falling off the top of the bunk bed where his feet was hanging. He unplugged his headphones.

"Y-yes?" he began to open his mouth to use his clicks, cloudy blue eyes widened at who it was. "H-how did you get into my dorm, Louis?"

Arthur's ears perked up when he could detect a laugh in the deer's tone. "The dorm mother did. Are you sure you are really blind? How can you tell it's me without touching my antlers like the last time?"

"Oh, I just use my clicks which roughly estimates what you are and knowing you're the only deer who has ever come here..."

He could hear Louis let out a breath. Arthur couldn't tell if his answer had offended the red deer or not. Arthur decided to stumble in the dorm, feeling his way for the hot kettle.

"Would you like some tea? The water is already boiled since I'm going to be drinking a lot this week."

He only heard silence. Arthur decided to just pour for two since he can't really tell what is Louis' expression. The last time he ever chatted with the deer was during that faithful night where all four gangs of the Black Market were at war.

"I've heard a lot about what you did back at the Black Market," said Louis. "Not only did you manage to survive the four gangs but rumour has it that the leader of the Inarigumi has been eloping with a Honduran white bat?"

Arthur lowered his ears, clearly flustered. "My dad loves her and likewise. Honestly, it's awkward since my dad and grandparents have been raising me up all my life besides my friends so having a mother might be nice."

"Don't you find it weird that she's a fox and you're dad's a bat?"

Arthur tilted his head. "What's wrong with that?"

There was silence again before he heard Louis sigh. "Anyways, I heard from other students that they know you're the mysterious musician and played during assembly. I bet you enjoyed the praises and recognition."

Arthur would rather not answer that since all the students suddenly act nice around him just because they want to hear him play. Not only that, he has been stressed out about being a guest star for the upcoming play at the drama club.

"How fitting," he heard Louis chuckle and the sound of paper being held. "Your roll in the play is a ghost who plays music in an underground lair of the opera house? That's a big roll for something as small as you."

Arthur only nodded in agreement. "I don't know how to act since I can't really tell if my expressions are correct or vice versa. I can only detect their tones at best."

He felt two hands cupping his cheeks. He flapped his wings in protest but Louis' grip was so strong, he could easily crush the poor bat's head.

It's a curse since most Chiropteras have brittle bones that made them very vulnerable. Hell, a rabbit could easily lift him up!

"Arthur, since I am back in school, I might help you with your acting. Think of it as paying back for the Black Market incident."

Arthur slumped his body backwards to relax. It was a relief to know that he has help. He can't help but feel guilty because of his blindness, other animals helped him despite the fact that he's old enough to handle a lot of things.

He felt like a burden sometimes getting help.

"It's very hard to read the little dots," Louis remarked, hearing the pages flipped. "I guessed this is why you don't study at the library?"

Arthur smiled a toothy smile. "Books and I have a strain relationship. Audiobooks or braille helps very much. So, when are we going to practice, oh grim reaper?"

"At night in the empty gym, hideous phantom~" he heard a teasing tone from the red deer.

All Arthur could think about was how much the Black Market has changed the both of them...

...

"So you are filling in for Kibi? Arthur tilted his head as Mizuchi was taking in his measurement. She was in charge of the costume designs and makeup.

"Yeah, he said he's not feeling well so he asked if I could take over while he's away. Since this might be a chance to prove my fashion skills!"

"I'm sure you'll do wonderfully," Arthur laughed, making the harlequin rabbit blush. She was nervous considering she never joined any clubs during her years in Cherryton but now, she wanted to if it meant helping her with her dream career.

"Hey, is he ready or not?" Bill called out. "Everyone else is ready for the rehearsal!"

"You don't rush art," Mizuchi told him off. "You want this play to bring the house down, right? Give me a few minutes!"

After the last makeup was done, Mizuchi helped to put on the mask for him.

All the chattering from the drama club stopped as Arthur assumed that they were staring at him. His ears drooped. "I'm sorry is the costume crooked or something?"

"No, Arthur," Aoba's voice was heard. "You look...regal."

Arthur smiled, did a mock bow. "Why thank you, dear eagle. Is that tone okay?"

"More than okay, you do sound like an old ghost!" Bill laughed. Everyone in the room murmured in agreement. But Sanu clapped, signalling that it is time to rehearse. Arthur's first task was to move in his costume towards the piano.

The Honduran white bat was thankful that the mask was easy for him to use his clicks to locate the piano. Fingers tracing the wooden structure before resting onto the keys. He adjusted himself before playing the music for the show.

https://youtu.be/S0ndms_D4r8



It was a haunting melody that blends the melancholic theme of the play as well as the sense of comfort it brought. The stage crew including Mizuchi were monitoring the situation in case anything happens.

Mizuchi has never been so proud of him and her handwork on the costume. She can't wait for everyone's reaction on what Arthur looks like under the mask.

"Not bad, this bat," one of the youngest member, Pina the Dall bighorn sheep commented. He was one of the leads in the play in Louis' absence. Speaking of the red deer, he was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

"A bit wobbly if you asked me," said Louis. "Would be better if he fold his wings more as he walks. Don't want him to trip on stage. The thing can only see darkness."

"No matter so long as he gets the job done. To be honest, I've never worked with a blind animal before. Would it boost my popularity with the girls? I remember during the sports event, I can't help but admire that cobra though. No horns but such delicate scales..."

'He won't,' Mizuchi thought to herself. 'Not all animals trust Arthur yet...'

Without anyone noticing, she slowly push the doors of the drama club with her foot to allow other students to listen. He may not hear them due to his focus on the music but it was exactly what Mizuchi had intended.

He may be a blind bat but he's more than that!