Chapter 49: Louis's New Family! A Deer And His Pride!
Louis sat at the dinner table of the Shishigumi mansion, gazing down at his bowl of steak salad halfheartedly. He was feeling conflicted about his life at the current moment. Many confusing and clashing emotions were welling up within the deer, and it was souring his appetite. Ever since he had seen Legosi lying in a coma in the hospital, several weeks ago, leading the Shishigumi had felt… wrong.
At the same time, he missed several aspects of his life at Cherryton. He missed classes, and seeing the students go about their business. Somehow, the deer had grown fond of his social interactions, even though he had never realized it. He especially missed the drama club, both the students there and leading it. He was in the spotlight constantly at the academy, the center of attention, and he hadn't realized how much he enjoyed it before now.
He couldn't help but wonder how the drama club was faring without his guidance. Hopefully they weren't running around like chickens with their heads cut off. But most of all, he missed Legosi and Haru; Legosi more so than his former girlfriend.
A scowl crossed his face as his head was filled with thoughts of that irritating gray wolf. He shirked his role and responsibilities as a carnivore, yet he had wisdom and compassion for all kinds of animals. Louis was never able to tell if he wanted to punch the massive canine in the face or lock lips with him and kiss him. "Boss? Are you feeling okay?" Agata asked worriedly, interrupting Louis's train of thought.
The boss of the lion gang looked up and saw the concerned expression on all of his underlings' faces. "I'm fine. Just have a lot to think about, that's all." Louis growled, giving a withering glare to the felines which silenced them.
Now that he was thinking about the Shishigumi, he began to reflect on the black market, and everything that he had done as the leader of the criminal organization. Louis knew that they would be securing alliances with the meat vendors, and they had been successful for the most part on that front. However, the cervidae hadn't expected to get caught up in petty turf wars.
In his crusade to make the black market a safer place for carnivores and herbivores alike, the Shishigumi had encountered resistance in the form of other gangs and rebellious groups. They had gotten into skirmishes with the Okamigumi (the wolf gang), the Dokugumi (the reptile gang), the Inarigumi (a gang of female foxes), and the Madaragumi (a gang of leopards and jaguars). These altercations had never ended well for either side, with Louis having to take leadership and act fast. He had fired his gun and shot a few animals, though he always aimed for the limbs and deliberately avoided the chest and head area to avoid killing. Every single turf battle, the lions had managed to pull through victorious and without any casualties, but there had been several close calls. If Miguel hadn't had medical training, some of the members could have gotten extremely sick. On multiple occasions, they had to do makeshift surgery and pull bullets out of some of the lions.
It really hurt Louis to see his allies and partners in crime nearly get killed for him, and it left a bad taste in his mouth, reminding him of the time when he nearly got jumped by a jaguar at Cherryton and might have been killed if Legosi hadn't jumped in and stopped the feline, as well as when Alex had gotten shot chasing after the chief lion of the Shishigumi. He was sick of letting other animals that he cared about get hurt for him. During his time as the lions' leader, he had developed close, family-like relationships with all of them. Now, if he wanted to keep them safe, maybe it was best to break those bonds. "I want to leave the Shishigumi." Louis suddenly announced.
The lions were shocked at this, and showed this in different ways. Some of them dropped the forks and knives they were holding, creating loud clanging as the metal hit the plate. Others gasped in surprise, and Hino in particular spat out his drink in shock. "The hell?! Why do you want to leave, Boss?! We've got an amazing thing going!" Dolph protested.
Ibuki stared at his leader with a look of severe concern and worry on his face. "I'm starting to question everything… I've had a lot on my mind as of late." Louis began.
He stared off into the distance silently for a minute. "Oh yeah? Stuff like what?" Dope jeered.
Agata elbowed Dope in the neck. "Quiet! The boss is clearly collecting his thoughts for a great speech." Agata hissed. Louis took a deep breath and then continued.
"You all know that Legosi got nearly beaten to death several weeks ago. He's been over here several times, we've fought against him so that he'd become stronger and there wouldn't be a repeat of that incident. But… seeing him in that hospital bed, hooked up to a heart monitor…" Louis said, and his voice died out.
Tears began to form in his eyes as he remembered Legosi lying there, motionless. Ibuki put a paw on his shoulder reassuringly. "Seeing him half dead… I started questioning everything. Me eating meat, our crusade to make the black market a safer place for the city, and these stupid damn turf wars. What's the whole point of these stupid petty fights for territory?! Honor?! Pride!? It's idiotic! Nothing good ever comes out of the turf wars, it only ends up hurting animals." Louis growled, slamming his paws onto the table.
"But Boss-" One of the lions started to say, but Louis cut him off.
"NO! I almost lost two friends in the past few months, and I love both of them with all my heart. And in the time I've spent with you foolish felines, I've grown attached to you too. You guys have been like a family to me… if we continue fighting in these fucking turf wars, you could die. I know that I probably can't stop you from getting into these skirmishes for dominance. It's why I'm leaving. I'm not going to sit by and watch you dumbasses die for a stupid cause!" Louis yelled, standing up and running out of the dinner chamber.
The deer quickly ascended the stairs and reached the balcony of the former chief lion's room. Louis shuddered as he felt the cool night breeze flutter against his fur. He felt Ibuki's presence approach him from behind. The wisest and unofficial 'dad' of the Shishigumi leaned on the balcony's railing, chewing on a cigarette. "I'll be frank, boss. The Shishigumi's changed. Ever since we've had you to protect, we carnivores have become a lot stronger than we used to. Please… keep being our boss. We don't know what we'd do without you." Ibuki solemnly said.
Louis stayed silent as he let the lion go on. "You're stronger than any animal I know… to us lions, strength is simply a weapon. Whether I use it or hide it, it's always a burden to my entire being. Before meeting you, it was a double-edged sword that hurt more than helped. You came along, and saw me differently than other animals… you surprised me then, and didn't stop even once. Your strength makes the title 'king of beasts' seem like nothing more than an empty void." Ibuki continued.
Louis nodded, gesturing for Ibuki to keep talking. "It was a little stressful to work with you, but I was more comfortable than I've ever been in all thirty five years of my life. If you're going to leave the Shishigumi after six months… you'll have trouble getting your old life back." Ibuki finished.
Louis sighed sadly in response. "I want to go back… my old life needs me too." Louis sadly told him.
"I can't allow you to do that, Louis." Ibuki growled, before lunging at his former boss.
Louis began to grapple with Ibuki, struggling as he felt himself get closer and closer to the edge of the balcony. "Ibuki!? What are you doing!? We're friends!" Louis cried out as he wrestled with him. Ibuki didn't reply, only snarling.
Suddenly, Louis felt something in his antlers. It was said that deer had the ability of precognition, the ability to see something moments before it occurred. A vision of Ibuki getting shot flashed across his eyes. "IBUKI! GET DOWN!" Louis screamed as he shoved the lion and tackled him to the ground.
As he and Ibuki tumbled and spun to the floor, Louis felt his antlers become severed as a bullet grazed the top of his forehead. The sound of the gunshot brought Ibuki back to his senses. "FREE!? WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING! YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO SHOOT ME, NOT THE BOSS!" Ibuki roared as he saw blood trickling down the sides of Louis's head from the loss of his antlers.
"I would, but the kid somehow figured out what was happening." Free grunted. Agata came up with some bandages and began to wrap them around Louis's head.
Louis was panting from the whole experience. He had just risked his life for Ibuki and now the Shishigumi were treating him with care. "Boss… I know you need to go back to your old life, but you have this new life too… maybe you shouldn't leave your new life entirely behind, you know?" Agata advised.
The red deer pondered that for a minute. "Dad?" Louis asked.
Ibuki's ears lifted and he glanced at Louis uncertainly. "Y-yes, boss?" Ibuki replied nervously.
"Can you drop me off at Cherryton tomorrow? And pick me up at seven?" Louis asked.
Free threw back his head and let out a hearty guffaw. "That's perfect, Ibuki-sama! He can spend most of his day at that school of his, and he can live with us! Best of both worlds!" Free chortled.
Ibuki wrapped his arms around Louis protectively. "Of course, Louis. The Shishigumi just want you to keep being in our lives." Ibuki softly said.
Louis smiled and hugged Ibuki in return, allowing himself to shed a single tear in happiness. "I realize now that I want you to continue to be a part of my life too. All of you lions. You're my family now." Louis told them all.
After weeks of investigation, Alex has gathered enough evidence to prove that Riz is the killer! He confronts the bear in the lunchroom, and counts up his crimes! However, Riz seems unfazed...! The prelude to the final battle of this story unfolds next time, on BEASTARS: Converging Destinies!
Chapter 50: The Killer Exposed For All To See! The Corrupted And Twisted Bond He Holds Dear To His Heart!