Alfred's bottom lip had started to redden from the nervous chewing when Kiku stopped typing and his message showed up in the screen.
<<☆♡Keeks♡☆ [11/2/2017 13:27] Count on me! See you>>
The cage that had kept Alfred's heart from beating steadily slowly faded, a grin spreading across his face. His thumbs hit the keyboard quickly in a happy rush.
<<Alf!! [11/2/2017 13:27] See you!♥♥♥>>
As soon as his thumbpad grazed the 'Send' key, the creak of his wooden door opening sent a shiver down his spine. The phone jumped into Alfred's shakey hold.
When he turned around, Matthew's narrow eyes were fixed on the phone, under a frown of realization. His violet glare widened slightly, staring at Alfred.
A shine of intelligence crossed his face, leaving Alfred enough time to shove the phone back into the pillow.
"Alfred. Orphan's allowance isn't enough to pay for this month," He faked a pained sigh. "We need to make money."
Alfred's tense expression relaxed slightly. "Well, I'm sure a strong, handsome guy like you, my dear bro, would be able to find a job, wouldn't you?"
Matthew's lips attempted a slight smile to end the joke, resting his hand on his hip. "I have to look after this place while you study. And you won't get a decent work in the city until you turn eighteen," He tapped his chin. "Maybe we could sell Kiku's phone."
"Does he still have the phone we bought him?!"
"No," He looked down. "He threw it into the ocean yesterday evening. I saw him from my window,"
Matthew remembered what Alfred had told him once. He just needed a reply to confirm what he suspected.
"K-Kiku's phone?" Alfred's eyes went wide, and his skin flushed up in embarrassment. "I have no clue of where it is! I threw it away the d-day after he left!"
Matthew felt a frozen chill spreading from his chest to his limbs. 'I knew it,' His eyes narrowed again, a soft grin spread across his lips at the discovery of the lie. "Well then. Think of stuff we could sell. And do the washing up, you lazy bastard," He huffed.
Alfred tried to hide the fear on his face with a bored groan, getting up and quickly passing him. He was eager to stop facing his brother after such a big lie.
Matthew sat on Alfred's bed, hearing his lazy footsteps walking downstairs. Could it be? Had his own brother been lying to him for almost a year? Had he got in the middle of Arthur's last will just for Kiku? His hand reached tentatively under the pillow, holding the device on his palm.
His fingers, inexpert with technology, explored the phone's buttons until the screen lit up. An American flag beneath a grunge texture showed on the lock screen.
'Enter code: _ _ _ _'
Matthew blinked. He ran his fingers over the keys, trying as many codes he could think of. 0000, 1234, 0123, 3210, 4321... With no result.
Every five codes failed, the device blocked for thirty seconds. He groaned. Then he tried entering personal dates. Their birthdays, the day they moved to Asia...
But only when he tried with the day they had started living with Kiku and Yao, the phone unlocked. Fifteenth of February. 0215.
Matthew sighed, steel claws caging his chest as his suspects became truer. His fingers traveled to the text message application, widening his eyes.
There was a single conversation, whose last message was a 'See you! ♥♥♥'. He entered the conversation, and his eyes widened at the information within.

YOU ARE READING
☆Wish Upon A Star☆
Fanfiction~ Nichu (Japan x China) ~ Dark!Human AU 【R-18 Mature and triggering content】 Desire is beyond family bonds. What if those bonds were just built over a blood-thirsty mafia's wish?