Chapter 96

"- and so, that was how I happened to survive," Arthur finished his story. He was busy recollecting some memories for Mizuchi's parents. Clearly, they both want to frisk him to see if he was worthy of their daughter's affection.

"Glad the Black Market has been demolished," said Mervis, nibbling on his watercress sandwich. "I must say, you-"

"So you are a starving artist and a delinquent," Sakai sneered, her paws gripping the delicate crockery to the point Arthur heard it rattle. "Mizuchi is way above your leagues and what do I hear? A poor musician that will never amount to anything! Honestly, she could do BETTER than to settle for a musician, let alone a blind one."

"Sakai-"

"If he DOES become successful, how long will he stay loyal to our girl? He can't be recycling the same songs, going on tours that separates them and most of all the fucking pills?!" Sakai demanded, the sound of her thumping foot echoed the room. "These musicians have floozies for all I know and what if he taints her just as he had done to her mind?"

"Now that's too far!" Louis called, feeling him standing up from his seat. "Arthur has proven himself from time to time that he is more than capable. Hell, he's more of a rare kind than whatever you claimed your species seems to be."

Arthur was torn between being touched by Louis' word or how Mizuchi's mother's words rang true. Was music really worth it even if it meant flying a difficult path? Should he just give up and focus on something stable such as physics or becoming a teacher?

"Well, you have something to say? Are you going to lead my daughter into poverty?" Sakai ventured, clinking the teaspoon against her cup. He felt his ears droop at the thought of the future. Was he really going to ruin his life, let alone dragging Mizuchi down with him?

His ears drooped as he faced the shrill harlequin doe. Arthur's ears were ringing from her words but he narrowed his eyes. "My career is not your concern. I hope you realise someday that ultra-wealth doesn't equal true happiness, as you like to think. But if you don't, that is your problem, not mine and not Mizuchi's. I wasn't born with a lucky ticket, but I didn't need to be to achieve my goals in life nor my status because of how I was raised. You can't change my path of life, Sakai. Only I can. And as long as Mizuchi's by my side, I don't see the point in changing it."

He sipped his cup of tea, relishing the blend's flavour with hints of honey dancing on his tongue. Arthur imagined the old rabbit couples were stunned by his words and Louis was on guard, just by how tense the red deer felt beside him.

"I think we are done here," Mervis pipped up with a nervous chuckle. "Arthur, Louis, thank you for coming but I need to discuss some things with my wife. Now-"

He winced when he heard a tight slap. "You DON'T get to decide when I will stop! As for you," Sakai growled. "Stay away from my daughter."

Arthur got up after setting down the expensive teacup. "Thank you for the talk and tea. Coming, Louis?" As he was led out, he turned his head back to the sounds of argument from both the harlequin parents.

"Sakai," Arthur called out, "I may not know what my face looks like or understand colours, but I bloody well know that I'm not blind in this situation."

That was his cue to leave.

...

He hasn't left the room for a week.

A week full of constant worries about his mistakes and how much he wants to graduate. It would give him a sense of relief and yet, the possibilities of what to come was endless. As much as he was so sure of himself, Sakai's words still rang true.

What if he couldn't provide a future for him and Mizuchi?

Despite the support from his family, he doesn't want to burden them with his problems now that they have his baby sisters and their whole career. He should be ready, right?

A knock suddenly made him jump from his seat. Arthur collected himself and took an empty glass to be pressed against the door to hear who was on the other side. "It's us, Arthur!" a cheery voice from Els made him sighed with relief.

Answering the door, his ears picked up the footsteps of Els, Aoba and Bill. He immediately made them tea and offered them a plate of jam biscuits. It was Bill who broke the veil of courtesy.

"Where the HELL have you been, Arthur?" he demanded with a mouthful of biscuits. "Seven days and no letter, text or even a song from your window. What's going on?"

"Bill's right," Els told him gently, sipping her tea. "It's not like you to miss out on class or hanging out with us. Did something happen?"

Arthur smiled his sharp-tooth smile, but he knew he couldn't fool them since he was bad at lying. "I...I'm not sure..."

Before anything could happen, he felt his body being scooped up by Aoba. His feathers felt warm to the touch against his fluffy white fur. Turning his head upwards, he can't imagine what expression the bald eagle had unless he felt his face.

"What do you feel like playing?" Aoba asked, his voice tickled his ear. The Honduran white bat tilted his head in confusion. "Don't think, just play what your heart is saying."

"How the-"

"Shhh!" Els shushed the Bengal tiger as Arthur wobbled on unsteady feet to his electric keyboard. With that, he began to play a song that he had heard from one of the student's PC when they were playing a video game.

He fell in love with the song that reminded him so much of Mizuchi. He played the keys softly, earning a few gasps from his friends in his room.

Without knowing, he began to sing:



"I feel your breath upon my neck

A soft caress as cold as death

I didn't know you well back then

I blame it all on luck and vain

Your blood like wine

I wanted in

But darling, get me drunk and make me feel."



He smiled a bit, letting his wings glide the keys of the keyboard as music took over. Arthur wasn't even too concern that someone opened the window to allow himself to play to his heart's content. 'Let them hear,' he thought to himself as he continued his slow melody.



"It's not my fault

I'm not to blame

These ain't my sins

I broke my chains

There's more to do

And I still want to live."



He could pick up the sounds of a few students that were walking about in the evening coming near to his window. Besides their murmurs, there were a few sounds coming from the trees and flowers in the breeze.

The night never felt so alive.

"Hey, doesn't that song sound familiar?" a student outside asked excitedly.

"Oh my god, I love this song! The game had the best Vampyrum to date!!" another squealed and swooned.

"He's back," a voice smiled. Arthur couldn't tell who it was but it never stopped him from playing and sing from his heart.



"I feel your breath upon my neck

A soft caress as cold as death

I feel your heart-beat in my soul

Our futures bound, our bodies know

Your blood like wine, I wanted in

Oh darling get me drunk, invite me in."



He felt a pat on his back and outside from his window, the murmurs transformed into awes and gasps. It seems as though the students were quite familiar with this song. The Honduran white bat felt tears welling up from his eyes.

What's the point of wiping the tears when he can't tell that his eyes were blurry?



"It's not my faultI'm not to blame

Thesе ain't my sins

I broke my chains

There's morе to doIf I can only live

I can't go yet

Don't let me dieI'll never stop

Until I'm done

But just tonight maybe I'll rest in peace."



When he finished his song, for the very first time, Arthur began to sobbed until there was nothing except the warm embrace of his friends and the sounds of his ragged breath.