FAKE BROTHERS (on hold)

6. Snowball effect (1 of 2)

After a few dances in the crowded room, Ariel left the room for some fresh air outside. A bit away from the entrance Ariel heard some voices. Are they having an argument? Drawn by it Ariel decided to check it out, so he was walking along the building wall towards where voices were coming from. When he turned the corner he was a bit surprised to see some of the guests already gathered surrounding the two guys arguing about something. He came closer and saw that one of them was Alex (!) and another one was a tall guy in Kanda Yuu cosplay. The character that always carries a Japanese sword with him.

" What is going on here?" asked Ariel nearby man. The person explained that the conflict is about the blonde guy (Alex) insulting the lady and the guy with long black hair with the sword was just protecting the lady and hit him. Only then Ariel noticed the lady standing a bit aside, away from the guys who had an argument over her.

And his eyes got bigger as he recognized Michelle there. Ugh, and it is Ariel who supposed to take care of her and it is his twin who insulted her?! Seriously?!

Ariel pushed then through gathered guests to get closer to Alex. When he finally stood next to Alex and wanted to calm down him, he saw Alex draw a gun toward the opponent and immediately grabbed his hand with the gun and lifted it up, but at the same time on the reflex opponent drew his sword towards Alex to block him, but Ariel got in the way with his back turned to the opponent and his clothes got cut.

" Never point your gun towards anyone! Even if it's not real!" Hissed Ariel to his brother.

" Never turn your back to the enemy" he heard in reply and with the corner of the eye, he saw the tip of the sword on his shoulder and nearly touching his left cheek.

"I have to make mental note to myself, to not involve myself in someone else's conflict, EVER!" scolded himself, Ariel, in his head.

But then in a blink of an eye, someone moves in between him and opponent removing swiftly sword from his shoulder.

" Put this away immediately, Ye" almost ordering Uriel's voice echoed in Ariel's ears. Ariel let out a big sigh and then turned at last towards Uriel and Ye.
After sword was safely in its sheath Uriel turned towards twins and checked that no one was actually hurt.

"Awwwww.." Suddenly they heard Allen's disappointed voice." Such a disappointment and here I thought something fun might finally happen " Allen continued coming close to the middle of now created circle made of gathered guests.

" I think boys need to let out some steam and as well I don't think your intervention, Uriel, was necessary. It had nothing to do with you or your family, it was MY sister insulted and it was only right for Ye to protect her." Said a bit unhappy almost angry Allen."So step aside, Uriel" almost intimidatingly looking at Uriel coming closer Allen and putting his hand on Alex's shoulder.

" What are you plotting, Allen?" asked unsure Ye.

But Allen ignored him and just with a cheeky smile walking between Alex and Ye he continued.

"I have heard Anderson twins are really good in martial arts and fencing as well, so I'm really curious and eager to see their performance. And I believe it is not so easy to find worthy opponent every day, so let's give them the opportunity tonight and it will be also entertainment for the guests at this party." Said Allen with the smile stretching his both arms towards gathered guests around them.

" If you're that bored, go buy some tickets to the circus" replied Ariel and grabbing Alex's by the wrist was about to leave, but one word from Alex made him freeze.

" Fine! " shouted Alex almost immediately without thinking.

Ariel turned to Alex in a bit of panic.
" What are you doing, don't fool around! You don't know your opponent well and your skills are not top-notch! You skipped more lessons than attended! " Ariel tried to convince brother to retreat.

" I have already agreed, relax. It's just game, it will be fun" said with the smile Alex. " And I don't want to be seen as a coward and be humiliated."

Ariel knew if Alex decided to do something or not to do, he won't be changing his mind easily. He just sighed and hung his head. This is going to be problematic and might be painful.

" What are the rules?" asked Alex coming closer towards Allen.

" If you lose, you will have to apologize to my sister and compensate her with fulfilling any of her wishes. If you win, we will acknowledge it was a misunderstanding and we will grant your wish instead, anything you wish for. Deal?"

And they shook hands. As it was getting really cold outside, they decided to hold it inside.

Standing in the crowd waiting for the duel to start Ariel was really worried about the brother. There is a slim chance of him winning only if the opponent is amateur, but as on queue someone next to him loudly commented.
"Poor Zero, he has no chance against the de Ville's bodyguard."

"Bodyguard!!" Ariel's mind screamed on top of its lungs inside. He has to do something bout it! It's suicide!

Ariel pushed through the crowd and came closer to Allen to talk with him privately. Allen smiled and nodded and then shrugged his shoulder in the direction of confused Alex.

Ariel came closer to Alex and explained the situation, they have bickered a bit, but finally, Alex nodded and with sad face left and stood in the crowd. Ariel will be the opponent for Ye. Guests murmured a bit but soon silence fell again.

And it started. It was a bit reserved from both sides exchanging blows, but soon you could see confidence from both sides as blows and movements became faster and more powerful. But soon enough Ariel made mistake and his upper arm was now bleeding. Uriel suddenly appeared between them and unexpectedly slapped Ye to crowd amazement.

" How dare you!" Almost shouted Uriel at Ye. Ye almost jumped at Uriel, but someone stopped him, in few moments he only hung his head and apologized to Uriel.

Then Uriel turned towards Ariel to check on him at the same time one man came to him saying he is a doctor and asked if he could have a look and give treatment if need. Ariel refused but agreed after seeing angry and full of worry Uriel's face. It was just a scratch, so just light bandaging was enough for now. Uriel wanted to stop this match, but Ariel convinced him that he is OK to continue.

This small break gave an opportunity for Ariel to rethink his strategies and organise his thoughts. He understood that the opponent is really skilful and he can't win him if he continues the same as till now. He had to do something different and only one thing came to his mind. And it was not a good idea, but he had to win or at least make it draw. There was one fencing style his instructor taught him for many years, one special style, but was told never to use it unless his life was in real danger.

Who cares now, he needed to win and that's all that matters at the moment.