Music of the Night

Chapter 57

Arthur was very glad to feel his father's presence after all those attacks. He was thankful to have a father like him and a wonderful friend like Aoba to help him get the notes from class so that he wasn't behind with his studies.

In the infirmary, he felt as if he were trapped in a dungeon. Maybe it was because he was bored since his instruments and books are back at the dorm. Plus, he missed the different types of tea he has. He wasn't sure why but he had a feeling that it is evening already!

"Nurse?" he called out meekly, a wing was flapping to sense the presence. He felt someone grasping his two fingers firmly. Arthur began to trace where the throat was.

"Yes?"

"May I please go back to my dorm? I'm sorry but I just want to take a book to read if it's alright..."

But Arthur felt a small vibration at the throat and the nodding movement. He tried to wiggle his ears to listen but some things were difficult for now. He could hear ringing echoing his thoughts while feeling a sort of hissing sound when something passed in his ears.

Before he knew it, he was whisked away by someone. He wished his hearing would recover because he can't use his clicks to make out who it was that was pulling his wing. He felt the two fingers on the animal's throat.

"It's me...Haru," he detected the vibration. "I'm taking you to the train station....your bag..."

Arthur tilted his head as he walked. In his other wing, he felt the weigh of his bag. "Why?"

"Can't tell you. Will let you know once we reach the train."

Arthur smiled and walked close to the dwarf rabbit. Many animals saw them together with expressions of disbelief and disgust. The former because all of them assumed that the bat was dead while they eyed Haru in disgust due to her reputation at the school.

"I can't wait to graduate," she muttered to herself. "I don't have to deal with all of this shit."

The both of them arrived at the train station, there Arthur wiggled his ears. So far, he could pick up on some sounds such as footsteps and voices close to him. It was a progress yet not enough.

"I had to bring you here," Haru explained while tugging on the Honduran white bat's wing. "Because Mizuchi asked me to bring you here. If she does anything, just kick her."

Arthur tilted his head in confusion. "I'll be alright, Haru. Have a little faith, will you?"

Haru simply rolled her eyes before passing Arthur to Mizuchi. Despite not being able to see her, Arthur managed to flash a toothy smile that has become very endearing in Mizuchi's eyes. She had to asked her friends to distract her ex from coming close while she snuck away to the train station.

"Where are we going?" asked Arthur. He was walking close to the harlequin rabbit since he is not fully recovered. He figured it would take at least a week, provided that he will not expose himself into areas with loud decibels.

"Someplace," Mizuchi whispered to him. Arthur wanted to turn his head since her whispering was so ticklish! "I think you might like it Arthur. Good breeze, spacious and strong trees for you to hang."

...

When the train arrived at their stop, both of them got off.

Mizuchi leaned against the wall, taking in the beauty of the sunset. She has her sketchbook and stationaries in her messenger bag. What made this moment even more beautiful was the sweet, fluffy Honduran white bat folding his wings close, feeling the gentle breeze.

"Something wrong?" he asked with concern.

Mizuchi approached him and cupped his cheek gently. She placed two of his fingers on her throat. "Just thinking how beautiful the sunset is with you in it."

Arthur fluffed his fur. "Heh...is that so? Well, just by feeling your face and from your voice, you are quite stunning."

Mizuchi's ears flopped down. "Flatterer..."

Eventually, they reached the location Mizuchi wanted to bring it. It felt peaceful since no animal has ever crossed this path. She has been here before to hideaway when she was younger to come up with new drawings and just relax.

"Shame I can't hear the trees or flowers yet," said Arthur glumly. "I hope one day I can tell you what they are saying. Even if they don't make any sense."

Mizuchi giggled and kissed the bat's cheek, making his fur bristle. "I'll wait for it. Come on, we got a little picnic to set up."

The picnic was basically just packed container of penne arrabbiata that was made by Dr Kirk, rice balls and their water bottles. Arthur gently tapped Mizuchi's hand to get her attention.

"Yes?"

"Do you...remember the night that I was missing?"

Mizuchi frowned at Arthur's sudden question. Of course she remembered! Taking a deep breath, she asked if there was anything wrong.

"Well...I basically got kidnapped by four crime bosses and.."

Mizuchi listened with awe at how Arthur handled his situation despite being blind. She never knew he was very resilient and optimistic about his situation. It was something that she admired about him. Hell, he even shrugged off her bullying in the past yet calls her out on it during their movie date.

"And I met Ten...who dressed me up like a doll," Arthur covered his face with his wings. Mizuchi wanted to imagine how adorable he must have been.

"Oh, were you a pretty doll?" she teased, poking his cheek. Arthur huffed.

"I can't tell. From the giggles and snickers, I probably was."

"What's important is that you're in one piece. Wings and all," Mizuchi held his right wing gently. Arthur leaned close to whisper something into her ear, making her tremble.

"Their leader seemed to be into fashion," he told her. "She determined our attire based on our species and the seasons. Example, I heard her saying that lions have the physique meant for summer while I am somewhat all the four seasons. Thought it might be something for you to think about...ideas for your fashion designs?"

Mizuchi was touched. He remembered what she had told him about her dreams. And yet...

"What about yours, Arthur?" she murmured into his ears. "You played your music well. Are you planning to pursue a musical career or something?"

The Honduran white bat turned his head at where he guessed her face was. He smiled his toothy smile yet his cloudy blue eyes seemed dim with the setting sun. "Maybe. I am not too sure, to be honest. I'd like to work on soundtracks for movies, shows and games. Something about their tunes, struck a chord within me compared to someone singing."

Mizuchi nodded. "I know what you mean. Well, here's to us and our dreams."

Both of them clinked their water bottles together, with some help from Arthur's part since his hearing is slowly recovering. There was something Arthur wanted to try now that the both of them found the time to spend with each other's company.

"Mizuchi...can I try something?" Arthur asked meekly, his whole fur was fluffed up. The harlequin rabbit held the shaky bat by the wing. Something must be troubling him if he sounded so nervous!

"Sure. What is it that you want to try, Arthur?"

Before she knew it, Arthur has pressed his mouth on hers as a kiss.