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dailybeastarsthings · 2 years

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Chapter 41 – Breaking Old Bonds To Create New Ones

A few days later, the board called for a three-day break out of the blue. This meant that students didn’t have to go to lessons during the first half of the following week. While all students were happy about a short break, getting ready to enjoy the first snow of the year and all the related activities, it was definitely not just sunshine and rainbows, as it soon turned out that even more homework would be given to them as if they were to attend the lessons normally.

‘This is ridiculous; we haven’t even left the dorm!’ Durham said on the verge of freaking out. ‘Why did we get this much homework anyway!?’

‘I don’t think they meant this holiday to be for rest’ Jack replied. But even he agreed that the extra work was pushed over the max. ‘I wonder if the teachers will explain the situation tomorrow.’

As they were discussing an exercise for biology, someone knocked on the door. Collot went to open it. On the other side of the door stood an ostrich with a bag full of envelopes around his neck.

‘Hello!’ Collot greeted the postman

‘Greetings, is this room 701?’ he asked.

‘Yes, it is.’

‘Well, in that case, these 6 letters are yours. These are from the school, addressed to every student of the academy. Please sign here’ he said as he pulled out a list of names from his bag. The boys all lined up and signed the paper, just like they do for the attendance sheet in class. They then said their goodbyes and closed the door.

‘Huh… What’s this all about?’ Miguno asked.

‘Let’s find out’ Legoshi said, opening his envelope. The letter read as follows:

“Dear students,

You might all be wondering why there was a sudden call for a break, which we will explain to you in this letter.

During the past few days, there have been continuous meetings with the teachers, the school board, the board of trustees and the education minister. The meeting was called after a recent incident between an herbivore and a carnivore student at the Olivier Academy, resulting in the herbivore student to be badly injured and the carnivore student to be sent on academic probation, narrowly avoiding a prison sentence.

Considering the fact that similar incidents are currently on the rise and that an even worse accident had happened at Cherryton Academy, the attendants agreed on the following points, which will be issued from January 1:

Cherryton Academy will be segregated into different classes and campuses. This means that integrated classes will be ceased and a new general timetable will be created, in which students will be separated into classes of carnivores and herbivores. Starting from next year, the layout of dormitories will also change: buildings 1-3 will belong to carnivores, while buildings 4-6 will belong to herbivores. In order to ensure further safety, carnivorous avian students cannot share a room nor can be in a room on the same level as other carnivorous students. The school buildings will also be separated between students: buildings A will belong to carnivores while buildings B will belong to herbivores. The central C building will be separated between students according to the following: Floors 1-2 will belong to carnivores, while floors 3-4 will belong to herbivores. Carnivores can only use the Western and North Central staircases while herbivores can use the Eastern and South Central Staircases only. Carnivores are prohibited to enter the herbivore floors and buildings. The same rules apply to herbivore students. The breaking of these rules will result in an immediate academic probation without parole.

Interspecial clubs will be suspended. The following clubs cannot continue their activities from January 1: Cherryton Drama Club, PR Club, Boxing Club, Hiking Club, Judo Club, Baseball Club, Manga Club and Sightseeing Club. Any prohibited activity or the continued activity of these clubs or the creation of new interspecial clubs will result in the immediate academic probation of all club members without parole.

While we understand that these steps might seem sudden and harsh, we hope you agree that they are certainly necessary. Further actions are continuously being discussed by the boards in order to ensure the safety of our students.

Yours faithfully,

Principal Gon”

Legoshi and the others looked at each other in disbelief. Jack had to reread the entire letter to ensure that he was not just in the middle of a weird fever dream. Who would have thought that such protocols would be implemented in the modern days just because some don’t know how to act civilized…

The next morning, the school radio announced the contents of the official letter several times. The reaction of the students was certainly mixed. But it was not only the Room 701 boys who were shocked by the news. Bill was just as, if not more, frustrated as he kept rereading his letter in the classroom.

‘This is unbelievable!’ he said.

‘Good morning!’ his dromedary classmate greeted him.

‘How could this morning be good!?’ Bill yelled at him. ‘Didn’t you read the letter!?’

‘Oh yeah… We’ll be divided into different classes and even buildings.’

‘This is the last year we’re sitting next to each other.’

‘Which means you don’t get to copy my homework anymore’ the dromedary replied while sticking his tongue out. ‘Sorry, not sorry.’

‘What!? Come on, this is too sudden! How did it even come to this!?’

‘Not a lot we can do about it… Not that I would, personally…’

‘Can’t you at least pretend to be upset?’

But the dromedary didn’t really care. He just shrugged his shoulders than proceeded to take out his notebook and pens to get ready for the class.

After the bell rang, Bill went to the bathroom and closed himself into a stall. As he kept reading the letter, his eyes stopped on the point, describing the suspension of interspecial clubs.

‘Well, that’s certainly a problem…’ he thought. ‘I wonder what the others think about all this… I suppose we’ll find out today…’

‘I still think this was a real shocker, you know’ Bill overheard a conversation.

‘There aren’t many interspecial schools these days anyway’ another student said. ‘I think we should’ve been segregated sooner…’

‘My mom sent a complaint to the school. She’s worried about the recent incidents’ the first student replied.

‘All herbivore parents are like that. They don’t like their kids being in a school filled to the brim with meat-hungry carnivores.’

Bill left the restroom a few moments after them. As he was walking down the corridor, he buried his face in his palms in frustration.

‘What the hell! I’m supposed to be the most optimistic guy in the club! I can’t get myself down!’ he thought.

‘Bill!’ he heard from his side. As he moved his fingers from his eyes, he saw Els standing next to him, her eyes filled with tears.

‘Hey, Els! You surprised me! Wanna walk to club with me?’ Bill asked with the usual, yet rather forced, bubbly tone.

‘Bill, did you hear the announcement?’ Els asked, worry and sorrow mixed in her voice. ‘The club… it’s…’

‘Yeah… I know, the club will be suspended at the end of the month. It surprised me, because it was so sudden. But there’s nothing we can do about it.’ Bill continued, trying to convince himself, too.

‘Really!?’ Els asked. She was surprised by Bill’s reaction. How easily he gave up.

‘Yeah. The school’s going to be segregated whether we like it or not. Be glad, Els… You’ll be safer this way. This is good, right?’ Bill smiled at Els.

‘You coward…’ Els whispered.

‘What was that?’

‘I said you coward! You have no right to say any of that! I don’t want you talking about my safety. Especially, after you keep sneaking herbivore meat from the Black Market!’

‘What? How do you know about this?’

‘It’s a well-known rumor in the club. Just like you saying that if I were a female tiger, you’d “so hit that”! I know all of your misdeeds!’ Bill felt himself becoming smaller in front of Els every second. ‘But even so, I still enjoy being with you! Because I know your good sides just as much as your bad sides! That’s only because of our club! So why are you so quick to give up on the club!?’

All this shouting made Els lightheaded, however, making her almost pass out. Bill caught him just in time and held her by the shoulders.

‘Okay, I think that will be enough. I guess you’re not used to shouting, are you?’ he said while looking into Els’ eyes. ‘You’re right… I’m sorry, Els. Let’s talk to the guys. I want this club to continue just as much as you do.’

Together they ran to the auditorium hand in hand. They almost tore out the door from its place as they entered. The others were already holding a vote about continuing or disbanding the club.

‘Put two marks to “we should continue”!’ Els yelled.

‘Oh, you guys are finally here’ Sanu said. ‘Alright, I think we have the vote from everybody and the decision is clear. Now we just have to figure out, what’s next.’

Bill and Els looked at their hands and soon let go of each other, blushing a little. Bill sat down next to Legoshi.

‘Did you two have a fight?’ Legoshi asked.

‘No dumbass, mind your own business.’ Bill replied.

***

The news of club suspension brewed a storm of opposition throughout the academy. All of the interspecies clubs’ thoughts were the same. They were showing a sense of solidarity like never before. All clubs, except for the PR Club.

‘This is the exact moment we should act, chief!’ the members tried to reason with their leader. ‘We want to continue making the paper and we’ve got just the idea for our next article! We’ve gone through so much while enduring your constant nagging and griping. You owe this to us! We’ve got through every challenge because of your cuteness! This is what coexistence is all about. Stay cute for the rest of your life, chief!’ the members kept saying from left, right and center.

‘Oh, you looking down on me!’ the chief said in frustration, blowing his cheeks up. ‘Fine, write the article, but don’t put it in the magazine. Display it on the school news boards on the corridors!’

‘Aye aye, chief!’

The article about a uniform opposition of interspecial clubs was written in a heartbeat and by the next morning was hung all over the school. The solidarity in the students grew rapidly, resulting in everyone beginning to question the necessity for segregation. The mood was changing rapidly.

***

The next day, Sanu came up with the perfect plan to participate in the clubs’ opposition actions: a once in a lifetime performance of Adler. To achieve this, he just had to find the perfect candidate for the role. His decision landed on Juno.

‘Are you serious about this?’ Juno asked in surprise. ‘You really want me to play Adler?’

‘Exactly’ Sanu replied smiling. ‘I think we should make our New Years’ performance different from all the others.’

‘But… I’m a female freshman…’ Juno said hesitantly.

‘That’s the point, Juno. Everyone always saw Adler as a masculine role. But with a female as Adler, we will show off our resolve and rebellious spirit! A lot of the other clubs are desperate to do more than they had ever before, so when it’s time for the New Years’ performance, it’ll be time for us to step up our game!’

‘I see!’ Juno said cheerfully. ‘In that case, I’ll do my best!’

‘I knew I could count on you. After all, you’re a Beastar candidate already, plus, you’re popular to boot! You’re the perfect candidate for the role!’

As Juno was walking back to the locker room, she was stopped by Dom and Bill. They were very happy that Juno accepted the role, and excited about the opposition.

‘The mood is definitely changing a lot in the school!’ Bill laughed. ‘It’s like carnivores and herbivores are actually getting closer!’

‘Only the adults want interspecial clubs to be suspended’ Dom agreed. ‘We must stop them! But I’m sure none of the clubs will be suspended, because everyone thinks that we should stay unsegregated. Isn’t that right, Juno?’

‘That’s right!’ Juno said with a wide smile on her face.

But deep down, she was struggling. All the sudden reaction of students about the segregation plans, all the opposition steps – it was too much for her. She didn’t understand the problem with segregation. If anything, she thought the students and the school would only benefit from it.

‘What about the ongoing interspecial murders? Why does nobody think about them?’ she thought as she was walking to the locker room. ‘Everyone is so desperate to stop this school from getting segregated, but why!? Of course, I couldn’t say that in front of anyone, since I’m so high on the list of Beastar candidates, but what is wrong with segregation!?’ she continued with her thoughts as she hid her face in her locker. If anyone were to see her face, her opinion would have been revealed immediately, casting a shadow on her bright future plans. ‘Without segregation, we’ll be exposed to truths that none of us wanted to know. Why has nobody realized this!? There’s only one thing we need, and that’s distance between us!’

‘Good job on getting the lead role, Juno!’ Els cheered, snapping Juno back to reality. ‘That’s an incredible achievement for a freshman. You have our full support!’

‘Thank you!’ Juno said cheerfully, forcing a smile back on her face.

She changed back into her uniform quickly and then left to study for the semester exam back at her dorm room. On her way, she kept thinking about how segregation would benefit the school, then she thought about her relationship with other herbivores.

‘Well… it’s not like we can’t say sociable with them…’ she thought. ‘There’s no problem with smiling at them either as long as we keep our distance. But why can’t carnivores and herbivores just maintain a stoic relationship? It’s so simple!’

She soon realized she might have thought that too soon, as Legoshi and that white rabbit girl, who pissed her off in the spring, passed in front of her on the adjacent corridor. Legoshi appeared to have enjoyed the conversation quite a lot as he was smiling at her, even adjusting his posture to be able to maintain eye contact with her. Juno slipped into a doorway to avoid being seen.

‘It’s her!’ she thought. Jealousy started coursing through her veins as her heart started beating violently, almost jumping out of her chest. ‘I swear that bunny is the bane of my existence!’ She peeked outside her hiding place only to see Legoshi gently rub something off the rabbit’s face with his handkerchief. ‘What?! Are they dating now!? Does Legoshi seriously prefer girls like her? I mean, she’s so short, her head is small too and her legs are barely as long as my upper arm…’

As the rabbit passed in front of her, she got knocked over by a bison. She quickly got up and told off the bison before continuing her walk. Juno decided to follow her. She wanted to find out everything about the one that snatched Legoshi from her.

‘I see now… She’s usually just by herself despite how small and fragile she is. Does she have no friends?’

The rabbit turned into the stairway, which no one really used, proceeding to take the steps for large-breed animals.

‘Where is she going? Why is she not using the steps for small animals?’ Juno thought in curiosity as she kept following the bunny up the stairs, silently to avoid getting noticed. ‘Is she going to the rooftop?’

Juno couldn’t keep up with the bunny, who disappeared behind a rusty green door at the top of the stairs. A wooden plank was nailed to the top of the door, which read “Gardening Club”.

‘Gardening Club?’ Juno whispered. ‘I didn’t even know we had one of these! She’s probably the only member anyway… Wait… Is Legoshi attracted to her because of her bravery and dedication?’

As her curiosity peaked, Juno decided to put an end to this once and for all. She wanted to talk to the rabbit and tell her who she’s messing with. She knocked on the metal door, which was opened by the rabbit after a few seconds. Juno’s heart was beating in her throat.

‘Oh, it’s you!’ the rabbit girl said without even greeting her guest. ‘I thought you were Legoshi since your steps were so heavy.’

‘My steps aren’t that heavy!’ Juno thought, insulted by the statement.

‘Wait, I don’t remember your name… but I know who you are!’ the bunny said, trying to figure out her visitor’s name. ‘I know you’re close to Legoshi though.’

‘Obviously not as close as you are!’ Juno thought.

‘Oh, Juno! What are you doing here?’ they heard from the other side of the door. To Juno’s biggest surprise, it was Els.

‘Oh, now I remember. I’m Haru, but I think I’ve already introduced myself to you’ Haru said but Juno didn’t pay attention. She was more surprised to see Els there as well.

‘I could ask the same thing from you!’

‘Well, you know how much I love plants and botany, right? So I accidentally overheard Legoshi talking with Haru and how they should meet here for chat and… well… I asked Legoshi if he could show me the way here and I asked Haru if I could join and it sort of happened. Ellen and Dom are also here.’

‘Hi Juno!’ the other two waved at her from a distance.

‘So… What are you here for?’ Haru asked.

‘Well… to be fair… I don’t know…’ Juno replied, still under the effects of initial shock to see others here. ‘I should just leave’ she continued while turning around and stepping away.

‘Wait, Juno, don’t leave! Don’t you want to try it?’ Els asked. ‘There’s plenty to do and we could use another hand!’

Hesitantly, Juno agreed to stay and the others cheered with joy. Juno walked into the shed to change her clothes then joined the others in the garden. They were covering sensitive plants to protect them from the cold winter weather. After all, there had been no snow in the forecasts but a generous amount fell during the previous night. She decided to help Haru, who was planning on digging small holes in the ground to check the quality of the soil. Juno offered to use her hands. She squatted down next to a flower bed then sunk her fingers into the soil. It was cold and moist. She took a handful of it and held it in front of Haru to inspect. Suddenly, they saw a tiny movement, then an earthworm stuck his head trough the dirt.

‘Yuck!’ Juno said in disgust. She was not very fond of insects.

‘Don’t kill it!’ Haru said. ‘They help to fertilize the soil. Just let it mind its business.’

Juno placed the sample back, clapping her hands together to clean it off.

‘Thanks for staying to help. I didn’t think you’d actually say yes’ Haru continued. ‘I’ll get myself a small shovel so we can continue faster.’

‘Oh please! You know well that canines have a difficult time saying no! Especially when it comes to helping others!’ Juno thought. She was mad at herself for staying. Why did she even decide to follow her here? She clearly had an advantage in her own club!

‘What should I even do now?’ Juno thought. ‘I might as well just ask her about Legoshi… Even though I know the answer to most of the questions…’

Suddenly, Juno heard struggling from her right. She looked over only to see Haru trying to get down a toolbox from a shelf with a pitchfork. It was dangerously close to falling down.

‘Use the ladder!’ Juno shouted as she ran over. But it was already late. The box fell down with a clashing sound, right in front of Haru. The others also ran there to see what the commotion was about. ‘It was right in front of you! Or you could’ve just asked for help, you know? If this box fell on you it would have killed you!’

‘But I didn’t want to keep you waiting. Besides, there’s nothing to worry about. I always put my life in danger!’ Haru said with a proud smile.

‘Juno is right though. You shouldn’t endanger your life when you don’t need to’ Dom said. Ellen and Els were nodding in agreement.

Juno decided that it was now or never to ask her questions about Legoshi.

‘Haru, may I talk to you please… alone?’

‘Sure thing! Haru replied and the two of them walked into the clubhouse.

It was warm and cozy inside with a steaming pot of tea waiting on the table to be drunk from.

‘So what would you like to talk about?’

‘Well… I just wanted to ask if… Legoshi became attracted to you because you’re small and reckless?’

Haru was surprised by the question while Juno was embarrassed to a point where her cheeks were basically burning. She knew that with this question, she openly admitted defeat.

‘Wait… Are you attracted to me?’ Haru asked playfully.

‘Of course not! I didn’t mean it like that!’ Juno said defending herself.

‘I’m just kidding’ Haru chuckled. ‘But we don’t have to talk about him, you know. I’m just happy that I have others to talk with. How about I’ll give you half of my anpan and chat a little more?’

Haru and Juno sat to the table. Haru broke her anpan into two and gave half of it to Juno, who poured a cup of tea for both of them.

‘There are so many feelings mixing and swirling in me right now…’ Juno said while chewing on a bite. ‘I wanted to stay ignorant to an herbivore’s charm. But now I know why I really wanted Cherryton to be segregated… It’s because carnivores are inferior to herbivores.’

‘You’ve got some crumbs on your cheek’ Juno said. Haru brushed his left cheek, trying to mirror Juno’s gestures around her face. ‘Wrong cheek’ Juno said softly while carefully rubbing the breadcrumbs off of Haru’s face. ‘You’re so cute…’ she said, looking deeply into Haru’s black eyes, almost getting lost in them before quickly pulling her hand away to avoid embarrassing herself more.

‘Who am I kidding? I’m not suited to be a Beastar!’ she thought. ‘I can’t place myself in even footing with the herbivores! I can’t be like Louis! Wait…’

‘Haru, do you know where Louis is right now?’ she asked.

‘Wait! You know where he is!?’ Haru asked in surprise.

‘You should try calling him. He was worried about you when I last talked to him’ Juno said while standing up. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go and study.’ She didn’t even look back at Haru nor said goodbye to the others, just walked straight to the exit.

‘I better leave now before my life gets as crazy as those two’s’ she thought while leaving.

#bestars #beastars overhaul

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dailybeastarsthings · 2 years

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Chapter 32 – The Most Ancient Instincts

In the cigarette smoke filled backstage of a strip club in the Black Market, a female okapi was applying the finishing touches of her makeup. Usually, her bold patterns were enough but that night she had decided to go bolder than before. With a red smoky eye look and crimson lips, she was ready.

‘Cosmo’ a female bald eagle, her colleague, called for her. ‘We’ve got a full house tonight. I guess they see your show as the main event.’ Cosmo chuckled.

‘Both appetite and sexual desire is easy to provoke’ she said, looking back at her colleague from the mirror while applying her fake eyelashes. ‘They just want something that can give them both. But you know, if you’re jealous, you can always try and see if you’ll be reborn as an herbivore.’

‘No thanks!’ the eagle chuckled then left Cosmo to finish up.

She walked up to her closet and picked out her outfit. Red sateen gloves with a matching red lace corset and panties.

‘I’m probably the only herbivore fickle enough to work at such a place’ she thought as she began to undress. ‘Carnivores use the Black Market as an outlet for their daily frustrations. Butcheries aren’t the only places they have. The one thing I learned during my 8-year career as a dancer here is that male carnivores are very easy to manipulate. When a female dancer removes an article of clothing from their body, they provoke a cacophony of echoes from the liberated carnivore customers.’

‘Cosmo, it’s you turn’ her colleague peeked her head in through the backstage door.

Cosmo looked up, sent one final seductive look to the reflection in the mirror then she was ready to go. While she walked up to the stage, her act was already being announced:

‘Thank you all for waiting. We will end today with the performance of Cosmo, the okapi.’ The audience went crazy: howls, screeches and the sound of clapping filled the stage area while a cage was elevated from beneath the stage and Cosmo stepped inside. ‘Remember, it is prohibited to put your hand inside the cage’ the voice said before it went completely silent and dark.

An intoxicatingly flirtatious jazz song started to play as the lights faded back in in a reddish tone. Cosmo rose his head up and began to slowly move her body.

‘Sorry to keep you all waiting’ she said smiling coyly while she moved her hips around.

She slowly proceeded to remove the gloves from her hands and threw them into the crowd. The audience gasped and reached for them in unison. As they looked back, their pupils were wide.

‘Oh, dear’ Cosmo thought. ‘I know that the bare smell of a naked herbivore is sweeter and fresher than any meet in the butcheries… but just the gloves… really?’

She moved her body sexually around, grinding it to the metal poles of her cage, while she began to slowly and teasingly remove her corset. The males in the front row began to drool uncontrollably with some canines panting heavily, undoing the top button of their shirts and letting some steam off from under their collars. Cosmo chuckled.

‘I’ll drive you all mad with lust and appetite. Now, be drunk from the pattern on my body!’ She proceeded to remove the final piece of fabric from her body, sending a cloud of pheromones towards the audience. She then squatted down and opened her legs wide and began to twist her hips towards the audience while she was balancing on her feet and right arm. The spectators went absolutely mad, growling and howling in temptation.

‘Well, well… Looks like you’re the ones in the cage and I’m the ruler of this domain’ she thought confidently.

When her performance got to an end, the audience broke out in a standing ovation, chanting Cosmo’s name. They loved her, they were her truest fans. Cosmo smiled and waved at them and before she stepped down the stage, she blew a kiss towards them. She then walked back to the backstage room to freshen up.

‘Great job out there!’ she heard from behind her back. She turned around and looked down, only to be greeted by the place’s manager, Rob, the weasel. ‘You know, I’m pretty concerned. The customers wouldn’t stop yelling “take the cage out” but the cage already has a lot of blind spots and large gaps between each bar. What I guess I’m trying to say is that even though the carnivores were well-mannered for the most part, I can’t help but worry…’

There was a moment of awkward silence.

‘I’m not worried’ Cosmo said eventually. ‘Do whatever you want with the cage, I don’t mind.’

Rob was left speechless at the courage and carelessness of Cosmo. He sighed then started to walk away.

‘Let’s just put an end to this actually. I don’t want to see another devouring incident on-stage just because a customer goes berserk.’

Cosmo had already forgotten about that case. Two years prior, there had been an incident, in which another performer, a doe, had been attacked and devoured on-stage after the cage had been removed because of the customers’ request.

‘An herbivore in the Black Market dances with death every day, so it’s not surprising’ Cosmo thought as she carefully removed her makeup. It didn’t take her long thanks to the brand of makeup removal wipe she used. It was the best on the market. She checked in the mirror if she had missed any spots, then got dressed and walked out on the balcony to smoke a cigarette.

‘I’m going to squeeze money out from the carnivores here while I’m still alive. And when my time’s up, I’ll die being mauled to death’ she thought while she lit her cigarette.

She saw someone in the corner of her eyes smoking, too. To her surprise, as she turned there, the unexpected guest turned out to be a teenage male red deer, wearing a checkerboard scarf and a black coat over what appeared to be a suit. They both appeared to be surprised to see another herbivore wandering the Black Market.

‘Who are you?’ Cosmo initiated a conversation after a long moment of silence. ‘What’s an herbivore like you doing here!?’ Her tone was almost scolding. As she could see it, the young deer was just there out of curiosity, while risking his life.

‘What’s your problem?’ the deer asked while he folded his arms. From his tone, it was clear that he was annoyed. This behavior, however, made Cosmo snap.

‘There are two types of asshole customers that I’ve had to deal with during my career’ she yelled. ‘Carnivores who genuinely pity me and herbivores who come to ridicule me!’ They both remained silent. Thinking that she may have embarrassed herself, Cosmo stormed off.

‘I don’t know who you are and frankly, I don’t really care either. But you’ll get eaten alive if you stay in these parts! Just go home! It must be way past your bedtime anyway!’ she yelled back as she walked away hastily. The deer’s eyes widened at the scene but he chuckled a bit to himself before going back to smoking.

‘Ugh, I’m so pissed’ Cosmo thought after finding a more secluded space for smoking. ‘I’ve got enough to worry about with my next job. At least he texted me this time.’ She scrolled through the messages on her phone. Indeed, there was a text from one of her regulars, an African bear.

‘Sorry to keep you waiting, you were wonderful today’ she suddenly heard from behind her back. It was her regular.

‘Hey, thanks for texting me beforehand. Let’s go, shall we?’ Cosmo replied with a calm smile.

The two of them walked to the male restroom, where they both got comfortable and Cosmo began to work her way around the customer’s belt. Although there weren’t many strippers, who’d turn down a chance of getting some extra cash, she kept her extra services a secret from the others and the club. She knew that her customer grew a liking of her, but every time they met, the force of his hands around her head, as she was working, increased. She paused for a second and looked the bear in the eye.

‘Sir, why do you like doing this even though you’re a carnivore and I’m an herbivore?’ Cosmo asked. The bear was surprised by the question. ‘Is it out of appetite? Lust? Why do I turn you on?’

‘Does desire need a distinction in where we are right now?’ his voice was filled with growling as he grasped Cosmo’s head even stronger before his palms wandered onto Cosmo’s neck. She gasped for air but there wasn’t much she could do.

‘I see… So this is the day I die’ Cosmo thought as she began to lose her consciousness.

Suddenly the door was kicked in by a lion. Not just any lion though: Ibuki from the Shishigumi.

‘I think that will be enough for you’ he said calmly. ‘Unfortunately, we can’t let you do whatever you want here, since this club is now part of our turf.’ The bear let go of Cosmos’s neck in his shock.

‘Restrain him’ their boss said. Unbelievable to Cosmo, it was the deer she met with on the rooftop.

While the others beat up the bear, the deer walked up to her in a calm manner and offered his hand to help her up from the filthy floor.

‘You told me to go home, didn’t you miss?’ the deer asked. ‘My name is Louis, the new boss of the Shishigumi and this is my home. So let’s get along, shall we?’

***

‘Don’t you think it’s a little late to act this way?’ Oguma asked while reading through a document, Louis gave him. It was a leave form to formally withdraw from Cherryton as a student in order to become the full-time boss of the Shishigumi.

When Oguma finished reading the document, he looked up to his son. His head was crowned by his large antlers. His desk, where he sat, was surrounded by bookshelves, which reached from floor to ceiling to present an intimidating yet cultured CEO.

‘You’ve reached your rebellious phase at 18 years…’ he said, while he slowly put down the paper on the hardwood desk in front of him.

‘Father, I’m not being rebellious. The time has finally come to end our fake familial relations’ Louis replied while he placed a fountain pen on the desk, right next to the document. He was determined to go through with his goal. ’There are no falsehoods in what we have discussed’ he continued in a calm manner. ‘Kindly sign the leave form. I’m sure you understand now that I couldn’t grow up to be a cogwheel in your business.’

His father’s face remained emotionless. It would have appeared intimidating to some, but Louis could see through this façade of his. It was usually that time when his father was deeply in thought about a solution that both parties would be satisfied with.

‘You know, it’s been 13 years since I bought you for 7 million Yen…’ he began reminiscing.

‘Unfortunately that money has gone to waste’ Louis said. Oguma sighed.

‘When I dragged you out of that place that raised you as livestock… I was wondering what you were thinking while you clung to my hand’ he continued. Louis remained silent, but his expression softened. ‘I remember it well. The winter morning sky was unbelievably clear. I thought it was the perfect day for you to see the outside world. I never showed it but I was happy for you.’

Louis remembered it clearly. How he was fascinated by the ‘diamonds on the tall houses’, which changed colors with every step he took. He remembered how crisp the fresh air was after leaving the Black Market. He remembered how his father bought him his first real clothes immediately after leaving that wretched place. And he remembered how the two of them had a cup of hot cocoa with tiny marshmallows in a nearby coffee shop. His heart sunk because of the memories because he was happy, too, yet he became frustrated.

‘I thought you would end our relationship without any bit of empathy…’ he thought. ‘You should be treating me like trash now that I’m no use to you anymore. You’re not the type of person who can show affection and you know it. I know you do. We’ve only seen each other once a month during dinner. And even then, I couldn’t tell if your eyes ever met my own. I could never tell what you were thinking. Even so… I’ve always admired you. Now let me promise you this: I won’t bother you anymore.’

‘It’s over, father. Sign the form. Now’ Louis said as he pulled out his gun from under his coat and pointed it towards his father’s chest. His expression turned to stone. ‘I’ve always been a part of the Black Market since the day I was born. I can’t change the blood in my veins. I’m going back to where I need to be!’

‘I know you aren’t a normal buck’ Oguma said. His expression stayed calm the entire time, not flinching once. He could read his son’s expression like a book. He could see the desperation in the large eyes perfectly clear. ‘I find your reckless tendencies to be irresistible. When you were only 5, you chose to take your own life rather than be eaten alive by carnivores. When you turned 18, you became the new boss of the Shishigumi. And now, you’re trying to cut ties with me with force.’ He placed his palm on the end of Louis’ gun. He didn’t fear him. Not for a moment. He knew his son would make up his mind one way or another. ‘Your actions are foolish but very convincing’ he continued. ‘I expect nothing less from the Star Actor of the Drama Club.’

‘You’ve never come to one of my plays!’ Louis argued. ‘Don’t say irresponsible nonsense like that!’

‘I’ve bought you with money. For all the years you’ve been my son, I have never known how to get you to express affection… But now, as I touch your gun, I feel very comfortable knowing how you’ve felt for the past 13 years.’ Louis’ expression changed as his father smiled at him. He knew he was no more than a pawn in his games. A role he could not escape. ‘I could refuse to sign your form and you could shoot me’ Oguma’s voice turned diplomatic. ‘I wouldn’t mind leaving the world as a “business leader who killed himself from the despair of his son’s delinquency”. What do you think, my son?’

He laughed at Louis with a smile of a maniac then took the pen and wrote something on the document before signing it and handing it back to Louis. He took the paper and stormed off without a word, admitting his lost war against his father in silence.

‘Your delinquency won’t be enough to destroy the Horns Conglomerate’ Oguma yelled after Louis. ‘Learn the world around you. I know that you’re going to come back eventually. But do so only when you’re strong enough to pull the trigger.’

***

Louis had himself driven back to the Black Market with his best men, where he then walked to a bar. He took out the paper and read it through. It was only at that point it became clear to him how Oguma played with him once again. The document read: ‘Absence Form – The following student will be on temporary leave from the Cherryton Academy…’. He couldn’t understand his father’s signs and motives behind his actions, however. Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice behind him.

‘Hey!’ Louis turned around. It was Cosmo, walking towards him. ‘Wow, you really showed up’ she smiled.

‘Just this once…’ Louis said while looking aside. ‘I respect you as an herbivore but I have no intention of being familiar with you.’

‘I get that’ Cosmo chuckled while she took a seat next to Louis. ‘Then I’ll just make this last. Hey, Boss. I want two 100% vegetable juices’ she placed the order. Louis sent a worried look towards her, which Cosmo realized almost immediately. ‘It’s okay’ she said, calmly smiling at Louis. ‘This is the only place in the Black Market that serves vegetable juice. The boss has empathy for herbivores. You’ll enjoy the root crops in the drink, you’ll see.’

The bartender, an iguana, blended some seasonal vegetables then poured the mixture into two tall glasses. The drink, which was almost a puree, didn’t look too appetizing but its smell was amazing. Both of them took a sip from it. The earthy, yet refreshing taste of vegetables was something Louis had both missed and craved ever since he placed a foot in the Black Market. The sensation sent a shiver down his spine.

‘You don’t seem used to being here’ Cosmo said. ‘I’ve lived here for 8 years and I’m prepared to be buried here. That’s always been true ever since I became a stripper here. But in the end, this is heaven for carnivores and hell for herbivores. You’re still young, aren’t you? This is the only chance you have to get out of here.’

Cosmo pecked a kiss on Louis’ cheeks before standing up and leaving the bar. Louis sat there for another moment or two, thinking about what his father had told him on the way out. He eventually got up, paid for the drinks and left, too.

‘Whatever I do, I can’t escape him. And I can’t return to him either’ he thought. ‘Fortunate or not, I still have those guys with me.’ As he walked out, some of his men were already waiting for him and together they drove back to the hideout.

#bestars #beastars overhaul

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