The morning we returned to the school, I was alone in the infirmary, getting stitches. It hurts, in the original, I only get cut on my wrist and side, but this time I had so many cuts it looked like my shirt went through a blender, most of them on my chest, and most of them had scabbed over by morning. A cloth was put over my black eye, where I took the punch for Gouhin.

The housemother was there, her stern gaze neither looking like she felt sorry at my wounds, despite me being a teenager, or anger at how I looked.

"I would have reported you to the instructors if you had came thirty minutes later."

"I don't mind… they need to know Shishigumi was responsible." I was serious, I know I'm Legosi and all, but the police needed to take care of the remnants.

"A wolf and a Rabbit miss curfew, and the wolf comes back with injuries? That just sounds scandalous! don't you think?" she's missing the point.

"I already said the Shishigumi had kidnapped Haru."

"..Don't say the name of that group out loud!" she's paying more attention to my missing curfew… rather than anything involving Shishigumi. Is this… why the society begins collapsing towards carnivores? Because of people like her, who think they can do nothing?

"Housemother." the sound of Juno's voice breaking the housemother from her tirade. "Please give Legosi a break."

"Oh? Are you two friends?" no… I didn't really pay all the much attention to her, despite her being part of my old plan.

"Yes. I came to visit him. I'm worried about him as a fellow wolf. Could you leave the two of us alone?" Don't do this Juno, not when I'm this badly hurt. The stitches still sting, and any contact is just going to hurt.

"Thanks Juno… sorry to be a bother, especially with the performance coming up." this part was true, I was a bother, I didn't think I'd be gone all day…

"I don't mind, though the club's been restless from your sudden disappearance… I knew you'd come back." of course she did, I went through this whole time trying to get your affection…

"You did?"

"Of course, since I know you better than anybody in this whole school since we both share, the strength of a wolf." She said that with conviction, while sitting on my bed, I scooted back, you don't know me… you wouldn't be talking to be if you did.

"I heard your talk with Housemother… you saved a bunny from the Shishigumi… I believe you! You look so beat up, you must have gone through a great ordeal… You told me that an animal can be relaxed if they touch an animal of the same species. This is a great time to touch me! Let's help each other!"

… but I'm fine… I'm strangely calm, my heartbeat's normal, I'm not stressed or worried… "Thank you… but I'm actually really calm right now..."

"THAT'S A LIE! A DELUSION!" Juno suddenly screamed in front of me, she grabbed my right hand with both of her's and squeezed so hard I feared she'd injure it again. This was the opposite of relaxing! "Come on, doesn't this make you feel relaxed?! Doesn't this make you feel calm!?"

"Legosi! What happened between you and that bunny?! Are you going out with her? Because you can't, it's very wrong!" she's right…

"you're right. it's very wrong… I only saved her to protect my own bruised ego... and I realize, I'm completely fine with that… That's why… there's nothing going on between us..." that's right… I only did it, because I couldn't stand seeing this world drown another soul…

"That makes it sound like you're love for her is pure..." huh? But- "Don't you get it, That's even worse." I don't think… we're on the same page..?

"If Louis doesn't show back up, a new era where carnivores are treated with respect will come, I've learned to dance really good… at least see me in the performance..."

She stormed out, the door being slammed quite gently for the rage I think she was in…

I had taken off the eye-patch to help the drama club with some last minute work, I got the feeling everyone was stressed. No surprise, Louis disappears to join the Shishigumi, and I ran off to beat them up to save Haru.

"Legosi, can you go once you're finished carrying those boxes?" ah, right… they probably don't want a beat up wolf who didn't bother helping for an entire day helping.

"We don't want to deal with anymore shit today, we already got a lot of things to worry about on top of the sudden change of plans and Louis' Disappearance." I must have been too quiet, since another member piped up with that, I should ask who his replacement is, since I'm pretty sure I smell Juno behind the door.

"who's his stand in then?"

"Me." As expected, Juno, walked in looking like a Greek-Roman goddess of the spring, it was a beautiful dress, I suppose I should cheer her on in the performance.

"Good luck with your dancing! I'll be cheering you on." with those words said, and I meant them, I left the tent, I was by the meteor for a few minutes before I realized, I never actually asked Haru to meet me here this time… I looked towards her stall and she was out… I… why am I even searching for her? Last night was a mistake, it shouldn't be repeated…

The drama club's dancing was good, even if I didn't like the particular slowly moving your limbs dancing, that seems to showcase Juno's carnivorous strength… I kept staring, and thinking over the past day… The dance reminded me of something I hadn't thought about for a while, I'm stuck here… in this body. After several months, I know this isn't a dream. And after yesterday, I don't feel like I don't belong anymore. But I still miss my old home…

"Hey! Your nose must be clogged." a hand was just below my jawline… Haru was tiptoeing there, looking up with a smile. I lowered myself down, I couldn't help it, I enjoyed talking to her.

"I have… something to say." she started, she looked like she was looking for the words before the spotlight shone on us.

"-our hero!" no no! Haru's hands left mine, I… I… why did I care? I only protected her because she was the same as me… lost in this world. "You see, he risked his life and rescued a student at our school who had been kidnapped. As a carnivore, it was a very courageous act for him to do, now please… will you come up on stage Legosi?!" Like I had a choice, Someone dragged me up to the stage after clearing a path, I was put next to Juno as she grabbed my hand before raising it in the air.

"That's right, Legosi risked his life, and saved an herbivore student who was in danger, regardless of what you think, Carnivores are always here to help the powerless, in any way they can! It's called compassion!" She's wrong! Inside each and every carnivore there's a monster! Humans mastered their own a long time ago, that's the only reason I could save Haru!

"I want to tell each and every one of you, there's a lot of potential with our strong physique, it's a precious gift… That's the true nature of carnivores!" She's wrong! All wrong! The carnivore nature isn't to be idealized! it'll devour others in an instant if let free! Haru… why are you leaving?

"I'm so happy right now… making this place a better place to live has always been a childhood dream of mine.." she turned to look at me and said, her own eyes lit up with her glee. "Oh, Legosi, lets go light the fire together!" she grabbed my hand, barely giving me a choice.

She held a lit candle in her hand, her other grabbing my own and putting it over hers… my heart… was beating slowly? But… it was just desire… Juno should be more attractive to my wolf body. Why isn't my heart pumping?! Beat faster like you're supposed to! Does this mean..?

"Listen Legosi… the true strength of a carnivore… can't be recognized in the darkness. The more you fight in the darkness. The more of a burden it's going to be. They either hate you or are afraid of you. I refuse to see you like that… so let's be in the light together!" Juno… I'm afraid I hate the light. I'm not suited for it after all this time wearing a mask… it might have broke. But if society is going to go downhill… I need to protect Haru the only way I can. This body… this strength, My memories of the plot may be getting hazy, but I know that it must get better, but not unless somebody does something.

"...I'm sorry Juno, but I can't. We aren't alike at all… I need to go now..." her hand felt limp and weak, entirely unlike a carnivore's as I untangled myself. I could smell the way Haru went since everyone was congregated around the meteor. I saw her walking up the steps to the overlook.

"Haru." she didn't look back, please talk to me Haru… I finally found out what this feeling is. "Haru. It's dangerous to walk alone."

"What are you doing?! Did you leave her out there alone? You two are the perfect couple, all the clapping proved it!" what? I… "Geez, you're so stupid! Okay, I'll give you back your uniform, but I have to wash it first 'cause it's sweaty, so just leave me alone!" she sounded mad, but it didn't seem directed at me.

"She's just a member of the drama club. We're both gray wolves… but I think she has the wrong idea about me. I'll have the same problems whether I'm in the light or not. I'd rather stay out of it like I always have..." Haru… you're the one… "Haru. I think it'll be easier if I bring you into the picture… you understand don't you?"

"But… You almost got killed by the Shishigumi… and if you seriously got hurt because of me? I wouldn't be able to take it. Didn't I hurt you back at the hotel the other day?" I never want to leave…

I shook my head."You never troubled me, and besides…" The entire world could turn against us… "I'm sure everyone has experiences like that sometimes..."

I don't think so..! I tried to get eaten by you! it was a terrible experience! The world is going to only see you as a wolf before a male! And me as a rabbit before a female!" I'll make sure you don't get hurt.

"To tell you the truth… when you were abducted by the Shishigumi… I felt like I couldn't save you, I was confused about my place in this world and how I felt about you… I felt unsure about why I wanted to save you… but I now know… And I will never eat you..." this is it… I'll tell her. She needs to know.

"How can you say that?!" she yelled behind her as she stomped up the stairs.

"I was getting to that part!" And just as I was about to say it again.

"There's no Guarantee that a wolf can't ever eat a rabbit, we can't be together!" She started sprinting up the stairs, and I ran after.

"Maybe there's no guarantee that a wolf can't! But I've got a simple reason!" I yelled out as we reached the top, the entire city was viewable from here. Along with the ocean that bordered it. The lights lit up the sky, a single bench in front of a tree was to our right, and she looked back from near the edge. "Because I love you."

I had more reasons, but I suddenly couldn't voice them. I stepped next to her, my own frame still towering over hers. "Haru… I'll get stronger… I won't let this world, or my awkwardness get in the way… I want to make you happy… which is why… I'll get stronger..."

"I'll be waiting..."