POV: Atticus Fuchai
~ Yesterday ~
Amidst my sleep with my senior, who was a very stunning female with a well developed body that suited my taste, I was awoken by a familiar knocking pattern as my blood began to boil with irritation, prompting me to storm out of my bed as my senior was startled by my abrupt awakening.
"Is everything alright?" She asked, rubbing her eyes as I dressed myself with a black robe.
"Yeah, it's nothing. I'll be back within the minute." I replied as I walked towards my door with my eyes half shut.
Jordan, if you don't have a good reason for waking me up at this god forsaken hour…
Opening my door, I sighed as Jordan stood outside of my dorm room with a troubled expression, arising a mix of emotions within me as I was unable to decide whether I should be concerned for him or if I should just slug him for ruining my night with his presence.
"Jordan, do you understand what time it is right now? What could you possibly want from me at this hour?" I questioned as I pinched the bridge of my nose before stepping outside into the corridor.
"It's about Arthur. He wanted me to tell you something about the boy." Jordan answered as apprehension rejuvenated me, an uncomfortable rush of adrenaline jolting my senses awake as Jordan's words raised many concerns within my mind.
Arthur?
What does Arthur have to do with the boy?
"I see. Come inside and make it fast. I have a guest waiting for me in my room." I demanded, consternated as my mind ran amok from imagining the possible outcome of an incensed Arthur.
Stepping inside, we entered my living room as I turned on a lamp before we seated ourselves across from each other on separate sofas.
"What was the message that Arthur left you?" I asked in a solemn manner as any matter regarding the likes of Arthur was severe.
"'You'll lose everything you hold dear if you stand in his way.' That was the message that Arthur wanted me to convey to you." Jordan replied nervously as Arthur's warning left me bewildered, but along with being bewildered, I found myself maddened as I nearly lost my composure.
Did I misunderstand him?
No, I'm sure I heard him correctly.
Arthur, you dare warn that I should be aware of a mere nobody?
Are you perhaps trying to imply that he's a threat towards me?!
"I don't understand what Arthur was trying to say, but I think we should heed is warning and leave the boy alone as Arthur isn't someone we should mess-"
"Nonsense!" I exclaimed with a burst of laughter, startling Jordan as I combed the bangs of my hair back with my hand.
"I've known Arthur since junior high and he isn't one to stand up for someone else. What Arthur is trying to warn me is that if I mess with this boy, everything that I've built up from scratch will be lost in an instant." I stated as my grin widened at the thought of proving Arthur wrong.
"Is there anything else?" I asked.
"Arthur also mentioned that the boy's name is Rai." Jordan replied.
~ The Present ~
Rai?
Isn't that the name of…
"You will lose everything you hold dear if you stand in his way."
With Arthur's warning echoing inside of my head, I felt a grin of delight creeping onto my face as I turned around to find Aria handing the boy who I assumed was Rai, a box of blueberries, but upon our eyes locking, my curiosity was aroused even further as despite my intimidation, there wasn't an ounce of fear within his eyes.
Rai may not know who I am, despite my fame, but the weak aren't ignorant to those who are strong as they have a natural instinct to recognize a predator since they must do anything and everything in order to survive in this world.
Although his reaction proves that he's no pushover, Jordan said that the boy was physically strong with decent experience in hand-to-hand combat, but looking at him in person, he doesn't seem like much to me.
"Jordan, that's the boy, right?" I asked as Jordan averted his attention away from his phone and looked at Rai, but in the moment he laid his eyes on him, his expression began to falter as anxiety slowly corroded his demeanor, bringing me joy as I felt my grin widened from his distress.
That must be Rai.
"Yeah, that's him, but what are you-"
"You two stand here and wait for me. There's something I need to confirm." I ordered as I unzipped my jacket and began walking towards Rai, who tried to send Aria on her way while I rolled up my sleeves.
Alright, Arthur.
Let's see if I should heed your warning!
POV: Rai Shinsei
"Aria, for the last time, I'm telling you that the boy approaching us intends to fight me, so just go to your dorm already and get some rest." I urged, but Aria refused to listen to me as I felt a headache beginning to form due to the problematic day developing before me.
She's just like her sister.
So damn stubborn.
"Why are you being so difficult! You think I'm just going to stand by and watch Atticus hurt you?! Instead of being irrational, let me just-"
Amidst Aria's persistence, I dropped my bags of groceries and pushed her out of harm's way as I caught Atticus's fist with my hand, inspiring his eyes to widen as I was struck with a wave of depression from noticing his foot resting on top of a now crushed box of blueberries.
You've got to be kidding me…
"Interesting. You seem to be unusually strong. I'm a noble and yet, you're able to match my raw strength?" Atticus questioned rhetorically as he pulled his fist away from my grasp, but because I was distracted, Atticus was able to smash his fist into my face with a sharp strike, sending me tumbling backwards across the pathway that led towards my own dormitory.
What a shame.
Dejected, I laid on the cold stone pathway, staring into the early morning sky as the blueberry pancakes that I had once envisioned eating were now nothing more than a fantasy.
I was really looking forward to having some blueberry pancakes.