Music of the Night

Chapter 59

Chapter 59

"Sameer," Arthur let out a shaky breath. He used his two fingers to trace the smooth, intricate texture of the scales just to be sure. With that, he wrapped his wings around the scaled body in a hug. He felt a comforting squeeze around his waist. "It is you! Oh, why didn't you tell me that you were in town?"

"Jetlag," the Egyptian cobra replied, Arthur detecting a smile in his tone. "After all, we are competing with your Cherryton school, yes? And who is this pretty black and white rabbit next to you? Is this the girl you mentioned to me, hmm?"

Mizuchi blushed a bit. She never knew that even a snake could find her beautiful. "I-I am Mizuchi. It's nice to meet you..."

"Sameer," the cobra introduced himself with a bow. Mizuchi got a good glimpse at the cobra from the lit town lights. He was breathtakingly beautiful for a snake. Of course, Arthur is the one for her but she could understand why some animals including adults began to stare at him as they walked by.

Sameer had those sandy-gold scales that reflect the desert with some black accents. His hood that most cobras have made him look more regal than a typical snake she has seen in her textbook. Let's not forget those jewelled eyes that are the same colour as the carnelian gems. 

They are so hypnotising....

"Um...Mizuchi?" Arthur tugged the harlequin rabbit. He was confused by her silence. "Sameer is still here."

"Oh! Yeah...of course he is here," she cleared a throat, noticing that the cobra had an amuse expression. Even in a limbless orange cardigan, he still looks good.

"Arthur told me a lot about you, Mizuchi," Sameer hissed, slithering next to his old friend. "It was difficult to believe him until he told me everything."

Mizuchi felt her stomach dropped as the three of them walked together in town. "Everything?"

Sameer nodded before glancing at the Honduran white bat. Arthur's ears were twitching a bit, indicating that he is listening. But there were red tips which shows that he is embarrassed. He fluffed up his fur as they walked to a bubble tea stall.

"S-sorry Mizuchi," Arthur apologised. "We're friends and I just-"

"It's alright, Arthur," Mizuchi assured him with a pat on his cheek. "I get it. I tell my gals about us too."

Sameer watched the harlequin rabbit touched his old friend with such affection. If he was back home with the group at Gryphon Cross, the both of them would be much happier than here. From his arrival to compete with the Selkie Girls and Cherryton, Sameer noticed that the segregation between herbivores and carnivores are very strong.

Especially if the animals are disabled.

He won't even mentioned to anyone about the subtle glares and disgust he received just because he is a snake. He hoped that this trip is worth all of this. Besides competing for his school's name, Sameer would love to explore the ancient temples, learn more about the haunted forest where animals go and never come back.

"Sameer!" Arthur's voice broke his thought. "What kind of bubble tea do you want? It's my treat."

"Oh, no need to pay, Arthur," he protested with his tail. Mizuchi smiled, watching the both of them interacting. Sameer was actually pretty cool once she got to know him. She understood if Arthur needs more time to talk with him before they could board a train back to Cherryton.

In the end, they ordered for him a taro bubble milk tea, match tea with red beans for Arthur while Mizuchi has a soy milk tea with tapioca bubbles. They sat at a bench while talking about their school.

"...And there's a few events, mostly from the drama club," Mizuchi explained. Arthur was swinging his legs, listening to the conversations. His hearing was slowly improving, making him relieved. He didn't want to tell Sameer or the other guys about his sudden deafness.

"No music club, Arthur?" Sameer asked, sipping his taro milk tea. "You used to religiously go to the music clubs after school back in Gryphon Cross. I'm telling you Mizuchi, this bat was at the top of his game."

Arthur blushed. "Oh please! I was just playing what I have to play."

"I'll have to agree with Sameer here," Mizuchi giggled. "He's the Angel of Music at our school. He wouldn't play in front of everyone so he played in his dorm."

"I see," Sameer gave his old friend a comforting pat, when he sensed Arthur's discomfort. "It's okay, Arthur. Besides, we will meet each other during the competition, yes?"

"Of course, Sameer," Arthur smiled, drinking more of his tea. "So where are the others?"

"Scattered in this town," the Egyptian cobra shrugged. "I'll let them know that I have talked to you. However Tek and Daymas aren't here since Tek is taking psychology as his new subject while Daymas is in the boxing championship against Windego Academy.

There was a hint of pride from the cobras explanation. Arthur and him chatted a bit before he excused himself to board the train with Mizuchi. The two old friends embraced each other before bidding each other goodnight.

"Well, he seems nice," Mizuchi commented as they sat down at the two empty seats.

"He is. Oh, the swimming competition is going to be intense! I won't be able to see it but I hope my ears are well to listen to the whole event."

The harlequin rabbit was wondering about something. If she gets to meet Arthur's old friends and get Aoba to join in too, she wanted to let them model for her in some clothing for her to post on her social media.

Needless to say, she had a wonderful evening with this sweet Honduran white bat.

...

"That bug-eyed freak!" a figure watched both the couples in disgust. He clenched his fist, ready to punch the lights out of that Honduran white bat.

He can't fathom on why Mizuchi would rather be with that blind Vampyrum than him. He doubted that the bat is on a steady income family despite his father being an astronomer. Blind animals will never succeed anywhere in life.

He knew that all too well.

Whether they are disabled, have a weird name or a mixed species, they will never accomplish anything in life.

After all, it is a favour to society to ensure that the misfits stay where they are. For now, he will let that bat enjoy his night.

The next few days, things are going to get ugly....