Time had gone by and I have spent it training or going to school as I had narrowed my list of suspects down to only one person that fits the profile I had created, but I needed to get him alone and confront him about the murder so I had to wait for the opportunity as I was currently in the drama club and helping everyone get ready for the new year's performance, then I took a moment to think about that and realized that nearly an entire year had gone by ever since I wound up in this world so I guess it's true when they say that time flies while you're pre-occupied with a lot on your mind.
'Okay, this should work so I'll notify Dom about this...damn, it sure is nice to have time to focus on drama club for now without everything else getting in the way, and nothing beats being in charge of the lighting,' I thought as I saw Pina chatting with Kibi and Tao before I frowned since I still didn't know what to make of the Dall sheep.
"Connor, Pina-san's supposed to be the star actor even though he's just a first-year, but I think he'll stick out with that face of his," Legosi commented as I subtly looked at him.
"Even so, I need to avoid getting too personal and focus on doing my job as a stagehand," I whispered to him while I walked over to Dom and tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention.
"What is it, Legosi?" Dom asked and I cleared my throat.
"Dom-senpai, I think we should use a red filter for Pina-san's spotlight," I offered before Dom perked up.
"Good idea since his body is white and it would be perfect for him to make him stand out more," Dom stated and, just at that moment, a wet and meaty sound sounded out throughout the room just as I recognized it and quickly turned around to see that Tao had torn off Kibi's arm and the panther appeared to be stunned by what just happened as everyone else froze and there was nothing but silence until Tao broke it.
"Wha...What?! Oh, fuck!" Tao cried out in pure horror as he dropped the arm, then Kibi collapsed while gripping the stump that was squirting out blood and he let out a shriek of sheer agony as the other herbivores clamored in horror and backed away while me seeing the dismembered arm brought back terrible memories of the wasteland.
"Oh shit, what the fuck did I just do?! Oh g-god, I...I didn't...oh god!" Tao stuttered in shock with a look of panic as the others stayed back in terror.
"Whoa, j-just calm down, Tao..." Bill trailed off nervously while Aoba didn't look any better, then Tao hyperventilated while he went to grab Ellen and she screamed in fright before I hurried over and pulled him away from her before he unintentionally made things worse.
"Tao, you need to calm down because they're scared and you grabbing Ellen like that will only make it worse so breathe!" I shouted while gripping his shoulders, then Tao appeared to snap out of it until tears welled up in his eyes and he nodded while trying not to cry until I looked at the others.
"Listen, somebody needs to take Kibi to the infirmary while I try to keep Tao calm because Kibi needs help right now," I instructed seriously, and that prompted the others to quickly head over to check on Kibi while I led Tao away from him.
"I-I could've k-killed him...I-I'm a monster," Tao whimpered and I grabbed his chin before forcing him to look at me.
"Hey, you are not a monster and it was an accident so don't ever do that to yourself," I stated sternly as I saw Aoba kneel down to check on Kibi, only the smaller herbivore recoiled in terror and it made Aoba lean back with his hands up.
"No, don't fucking touch me, you damn carnivore! I don't want to lose another arm!" Kibi hollered in a panic and Aoba scooted back.
"Easy, I'm not going to hurt you and I'll be careful because someone needs to get you to the infirmary, so please trust me," Aoba reasoned softly before Kibi shook his head while trembling from the shock of losing his arm and from the agony that he was no doubt feeling right now.
"I can't, I'm scared...I'm so goddamn scared...wait, I'll let...let Legosi carry me," Kibi groaned and I gestured for Bill to stay with Tao before I slowly headed over to Kibi so I didn't freak him out with any sudden movement.
"Don't worry, bud, I'll get you there and I'll be careful," I reassured with a calming smile as I leaned down to pick up Kibi and held him in my arms.
"Thank you..." Kibi wheezed and I looked down at him.
"No problem, so are you comfortable?" I asked and Kibi nodded slightly before I looked at the others and instructed, "Okay, I'm going to head to the infirmary so try to keep Tao calm and I also need someone to get Kibi's arm and come with me."
"Okay, I'll hold it for you and make sure that it's covered since no one should see it," Riz chimed in as he wrapped up the severed arm and held it before we quickly left the drama club and rushed to the infirmary while I made sure not to jostle Kibi too much.
"Hey...will they take me to the hospital?" Kibi muttered as we moved down a hallway.
"Probably and the nurse might call an ambulance," I responded as I focused on hurrying to the infirmary.
'God, he's shaking all over and I've heard about incidents like this happening once every five years but to actually see it happen...Jesus,' I thought while I noticed that Legosi was looking very worried for Kibi.
"Don't worry, I'll visit you when I can and when you're out of the hospital, we can go downtown and get some antshakes so it's a promise," I vowed before Kibi chuckled weakly.
"I'd like that..." Kibi trailed off as we kept heading to the infirmary and finally arrived, then I helped the nurse lay Kibi down on a bed and Riz gave her the arm before we were sent out of the infirmary and the nurse told us that she would do everything she could before she called an ambulance until the door slid shut and I sighed while Riz took out a handkerchief.
"Jeez, this is a lot to deal with so here's a handkerchief since you got blood on your shirt," Riz said and I took the handkerchief, only my gaze was stoic as I looked at him and dabbed at my shirt.
"Thanks, I think I'd better wash it...so, you're the one who killed Tem, aren't you? Don't even think about lying to me because I'm good at reading people, so I'm the only one who knows that you are the one who's responsible for Tem's murder," I accused and Riz looked surprised for a second until he started chuckling.
"Hmm, I suppose so and that bite of yours ended up being your trump card, didn't it? I have to admit I wasn't expecting that it certainly took me off guard," Riz admitted while my eyes hardened.
"That was one way I could've found you but you would've hidden the injury with your sleeve so I made sure to also memorize your scent just in case, which is why I checked the male carnivore lockers in the drama club while everyone was busy practicing and eliminated most of them off my suspect list until I finally reach your locker and checked to find a bloody bandage that had been ripped up with a note from the killer threatening to kill me if I didn't stop investigating before your scent matched the one who tried to kill me earlier.
So, compare that to my attacker's appearance that I managed to see and everything I had discovered so far, I narrowed it down to you and your confession to attacking me sealed it for me," I explained and Riz grinned in amusement.
"I see, I'm surprised that you're openly confronting me like this, and I thought for sure that you accepted my warning...listen, I didn't mean to kill Tem because it was an accident," Riz told me before I started glaring at him coldly.
"Ripping someone apart and eating what's left isn't exactly what I'd call an accident, so did you really think that I would let you get away with doing something that fucking heinous?" I pointed out darkly as Riz tensed with his muscles bulging and his veins appearing as he raised his hands.
"So, you're not? Well, then I'll just have to silence you permanently," Riz threatened as he dragged his claws across the ceiling and tore through it while I started getting ready to defend myself.
"You could try, but the last time you did wound up with me giving you a beatdown before you blinded me so I would think twice before attempting to do this because it's not going to go like last time," I growled ferally with my muscles tensing like a spring and my body ready to leap into action, just before Pina came out of nowhere and passed us to the entrance to the nurse's office.
"Ugh, I can't wait anymore so if you'll excuse me, the guys wanted me to bring Kibi-san's bag to the infirmary so it's such a hassle," Pina cut in before he went into the nurse's office, then there was nothing but tension as Riz and I were frozen stiff like statues and sweating until Pina stepped out and looked at us.
"Well, that's taken care of and would you look at that, it's going to cost a lot to fix those scratches so don't worry, I won't tell a soul," Pina said while I was utterly flabbergasted until I walked over to him and grabbed his arm.
"Can I have a word with you please?" I suggested as I made Pina follow me several feet away from Riz and I got in front of him with an incredulous look.
"Please tell me you didn't hear anything!" I hissed harshly, feeling like I wanted to strangle him for doing something so stupid as Pina sighed.
"I appreciate the concern, but I can't lie and tell you that I didn't hear anything and I can't say that Riz-senpai being the killer is none of my business so that's why I interrupted you two, so I could get a say in all of this.
Well, why don't we all discuss this like civilized people?" Pina offered and I found myself following him with Riz right behind us as I was twitching and gritting my teeth.
'What the hell is that stupid kid thinking, getting involved in this?! That dumbass is going to get himself fucking killed!' I thought in disbelief as we arrived at the cafeteria and sat down somewhere private just before Pina winked at two girls that passed us and they squealed happily at that as I sweatdropped.
"Alright, I want a peaceful discussion so don't look at me like a predator, Riz-senpai," Pina suggested while Riz was staring at him unnervingly.
"I'm nervous," Riz admitted as I kept my eye on him and made sure he didn't try anything.
"I bet you are, now two students know what you did and there's one way you can calm yourself, brownie," Pina said just as Riz twitched slightly.
"Pina-san, I must kill you," Riz threatened and my eyes narrowed.
"Over my dead body, asshole," I growled quietly as Pina raised a hand to placate us and ease the tension that was occurring between me and Riz.
"Riz-senpai, I wouldn't do that if I were you because, if you kill one more herbivore from the drama club, then the police will have no choice but to conduct a hard investigation...it'll be a very simple procedure where they could tie up the carnivore members and end up searching you, something even an elementary schooler could do," Pina pointed out, and Riz's eyes widened before he started scowling with gritted teeth.
"Oh my, you look flustered and I can't help but feel sorry for you so I'll give you a handicap and won't tell anyone what you did since it's a hassle anyway, but you have my word since we're both in bad circumstances and, for now, I'll declare this as a victory for justice so I hope you don't get too bad of a rest tonight," Pina added while I was stunned by how ballsy he was being right now until he gestured for me to follow him and we both got out of our seats before leaving Riz by himself while he was fuming.
"Ah, I don't usually get this worked up and it's bad for my shoulders," Pina groaned while he was stretching as we stood on the rooftop and gazed out at the view.
"Pina-san, you got involved because you wanted to save me, right? I appreciate it, but that was highly risky and you could've gotten yourself killed," I lectured and Pina chuckled.
"Well, if you fought him, then you probably would've died," Pina stated before I frowned at that.
"You don't need to worry about me since he tried to kill me before and I quickly beat the crap out of him, though he did manage to catch me off guard by throwing dirt into my face so I'm not going to let that happen again," I said seriously as Pina hummed thoughtfully and looked at me.
"Either way, could you give me your phone number?" Pina asked and I nodded before taking out my smartphone and texting him my number so that we could contact each other.
"There, make sure you send me a text so that I know you're okay and I'm also going to need to borrow your pen so that I can memorize your scent in the event that the worst-case scenario happens," I instructed as Pina sent me a deadpanned look before he handed me his pen, then I held it up to my nose and inhaled deeply to memorize his scent just in case.
"You know what, keep it," Pina muttered while covering his face in embarrassment and he started to walk away while I scowled at that.
"Hey, your life is at risk so I don't want to take any chances right now!" I shouted at him, causing Pina to hold up his hand in acknowledgment as he departed until I put the pen in my pocket and headed to room 701 since class was over and I had free time with the guys until it was time to resume my training with Gouhin.
Later on, after night fell, I continued my training with Gouhin in the clinic and was using a pair of mechanical gloves to strengthen my grip before Gouhin tossed something on the coffee table and I looked to see that it was four small stacks of money each tied together with rubber bands.
"What the hell is that?" I questioned with an arched brow.
"Money," Gouhin answered like it was the simplest thing in the world.
"Oh, I see..." I trailed off and looked away while thinking, 'Yeah, I just going to pretend that I didn't see him show me a suspicious amount of yen."
"It's your pay, so take it," Gouhin clarified before I looked back at him with a deadpan look.
"I'm not interested in your dirty money so you can keep it," I refused bluntly with a dry tone, causing Gouhin to bang a fist on the table while he looked more than pissed.
"Don't you dare assume that my work is illegal, you little shit! Listen, I never told you this before, but I usually don't charge fees for my patients since the large hospitals from the outside world invest in my clinic.
What happens is that whenever they have a berserk patient that they can't treat, they leave it to me to treat them instead and there are doctors who share my policy with patients so isn't that grand?" Gouhin explained as I stared at him blankly and pictured a doctor handing him a briefcase full of money.
'If I had to take a guess, some of those doctors are probably just fans of his,' I thought dryly as Gouhin gestured at the money that was on the table.
"Look, just take the money since you deserve it and we're both protecting the social order," Gouhin insisted before I stood up and put my shirt on.
"Well, I don't know if I deserve this much yen and I wouldn't know what to spend it on," I stated as I rolled my shoulders around and went to get my hoodie as Gouhin was silent for a short extended period of time.
"Say, Legosi, what is your family structure?" Gouhin asked suddenly, and I paused at that while Legosi froze nearby as I recalled my father and how he died and I also remembered pictures of my mother, who died giving birth to me until my face took on a dark expression and Gouhin seemed to figure out that what he asked was too personal for me before he flinched.
"Whoa, I was just curious so you don't have to tell me if you don't want to! So, do you want some bamboo tea? We're done training for the day," Gouhin said quickly to change the subject and I let out a somber sigh.
"Look...the thing about my family is that it's complicated so let's leave it at that, okay?" I suggested quietly as I put on my hoodie and zipped it up before taking the money and gazing at Gouhin stoically.
"Hey, are you sure that I can take this?" I asked before Gouhin waved at me.
"Sure, do whatever you want with it," Gouhin replied until I put the stacks of money in my pockets and grabbed my backpack.
"I'll see you tomorrow," I said and left before Gouhin could answer, then I noticed Legosi looking bitter about something while also appearing lost in thought.
"You good, kid?" I inquired, causing Legosi to snap out of it and nod at me.
"Yeah, just thinking about my grandfather and how he raised me by himself...but I really don't have many fond memories of him," Legosi muttered and the resentment in his voice told me that things were rather strained between him and his grandfather.
"I see...well, whatever is going on between you and him is none of my business so I won't pry," I said before things became silent between me and Legosi, the awkwardness so thick that you could cut it with a knife.
After that, I had gone to bed and woke up tomorrow before Jack decided to have me call Legosi's grandfather so that I could let him know how I was doing, which made me highly nervous since I almost knew next to nothing about the man and didn't know what to say to him since I had discovered that Legosi's relationship with his grandfather was so strained that he had not spoken to him in five years, which made me wonder what the hell happened between them to cause such a rift as Jack and I were in a stairwell and sitting on the steps while I was finished with writing a letter that I would send to Legosi's grandfather.
"Finally, think this is good enough?" I asked as I gazed at the letter and Jack perked up.
"What, you're finally ready? Let me see," Jack said excitedly before he looked at the letter.
"So, I followed the example you wrote and I think you should talk to him instead," I stated uneasily and Jack's eyes widened in shock.
"He's not going to get this!" Jack exclaimed in disbelief, causing me to cringe at that.
"Look, I haven't spoken to my grandpa in five years and it might be awkward to call him right now...so maybe you should talk to him," I admitted uncomfortably while Jack didn't appear to like that.
"Come on, you're acting like a damn pup so don't make your family situation worse than it already is because, right now, you have the chance to close your five-year gap with your grandpa...besides, if you're going to bring me into this, then you gotta be serious so I'm calling him right now," Jack declared as he took his phone out to call Legosi's grandfather, causing me to panic as I tried to take his phone away from him.
"Hey, hold on a fucking second!" I protested frantically, only I was too late and I could see that Jack had called the number on his phone and it started to ring.
"Here, it's calling so don't hang up," Jack told me as he handed me his phone and I put it up to my ear, then I gulped since I had no idea what to do until someone answered.
"Hello?" an older male voice asked and I found myself unable to say but how could I since this was basically a stranger I was calling and had no idea what to say to him.
"Hello? Who is this? Legosi, is that you and are you...doing well?" the man inquired hesitantly and I knew I had to say something to him.
"Yeah, it's me and I'm doing just fine," I answered awkwardly before Legosi's grandfather sighed happily.
"Hey, good to hear from you and you definitely sound different judging from how deep your voice sounds right now," the man said and I didn't know why, but his voice made my heart clench from guilt.
"Sorry I haven't been talking to you for a while so I just wanted to hear how you were doing," I stated and the man chuckled warmly.
"I'm also doing just fine, so is there something wrong?" the man questioned in concern.
"No, there's nothing wrong and I'm calling because I wanted to tell you that I've gotten a lot of money from my new part-time job and I thought I ought to send some over, maybe support you for a bit," I offered while I strangely felt a deep sorrow and it was like I was feeling someone else's pain instead of mine.
"Oh, you don't need to do that but thank you for the offer...you know, you remind me so much of your mother and she would've been proud to see how much of a kind and compassionate young man you've become," the man sighed out with his voice taking on a melancholy tone, which told me that Legosi's mother had died a while back and I felt bad for the poor kid since I knew just how painful it was to lose a parent.
"I'm sure she would be...hey, I have to go so it was nice talking to you," I said as I tried not to cry since it hurt so much knowing that I stole a kid's life and is talking to his estranged grandfather in his place.
"Sure, hope to hear from you soon," the man told me before I hung up and handed Jack his phone back before we stood up and started walking.
"What, you just wanted to send him some yen? That is something you would do and now do you see? There's nothing wrong with a simple phone call," Jack reassured, but I didn't feel as happy as he was right now while I avoided eye-contact.
"Sending him money was just an excuse...so I think I wanted to call grandpa all this time since I don't want us to be distant anymore after these past five years of not talking to one another," I replied quietly, then Jack chuckled as he gently elbowed me with a playful grin.
"Yep, that does sound convincing coming from you and it's what makes you Legosi, so the fact that you're not a pure-blooded wolf is what makes your kindness special," Jack complimented, though I had to do a double-take when I heard him say that.
'So, I was right when I theorized that Legosi is a mixed-breed due to his large build and facial structure but I don't know what he's also descended from so I'll have to file this new information away for later,' I thought until I noticed that Legosi was looking depressed and guilty as he sluggishly floated alongside me and Jack, then it reminded me of how I stole this poor kid's life and I also started feeling depressed while we continued moving down the hall.
A/N Man, poor Connor and Legosi since they both have different reasons to be depressed where Connor feels terrible for taking Legosi's body from him and Legosi is depressed for being trapped in this situation to where he might never make amends with his grandfather so it's not surprising that they feel like that.
Well, let me know what you think and stay tuned.