-Kota's POV-
Whoa where did that come from? Why would I try to say she means too much to just me? I know everyone feels responsible for Sang.
"Mr. Taylor and I recently visited another Academy team. It is the only other team that has successfully kept a bird in an all dog group." He pauses, I am not sure if it is to let it sink in with what that meant or if he wasn't sure what to say next. But what I heard is that at least North and Mr. Blackbourne want to know how we can keep Sang with us if she joins the Academy – which means they will stand against me if I vote no to have her join. I keep my mouth shut though, I want to know that rest and I know if I speak before he is done, he will hesitate to finish the conversation.
"He confirmed that other all dog groups have attempted to keep one bird, but most have failed. Actually they have all failed except this group. Before I get into details, I want you to understand that I know we can do it. I have faith in our team and in Miss Sorenson. But I also know that it will not be easy and we need to make sure we are all on the same page before we bring her into the idea." He waits, and this time I know it is because he wants me to acknowledge that I know this will be a sensitive issue. I am really not looking forward to this.
"I understand. I promise to hear you out before sharing my opinion."
"I think the best way to explain is to tell you what we saw. He pointed us to look at a grouping of photos. At first glance they looked like normal pictures. Pictures of a group of friends and wedding photos. With closer inspection though, we saw that all of the people in the pictures were the same. Four men, one woman. Four wedding photos – all with the same woman in a white dress, but a different man next to her in each one. What conclusion would you draw from that Mr. Lee?"
I am not sure where this is going. Maybe I am just having trouble wrapping my head around it because it involves Sang, somehow. Something isn't clicking in my head.
"I would say that they were in a polygamous relationship." He nodded once, but didn't elaborate. "Wait, are you saying that in the Academy's opinion, this is the only way to keep Sang in our group? And I would like to mention, again, that I am still not agreeing to bring Sang in to the Academy in an official capacity."
"I understand that Mr. Lee. To touch on that topic quickly though, you do realize that you have brought her in to our group during an assignment. Which means that you are risking her as much, if not more, than the rest of the team. She is all but officially part of the team. You should have considered your stance on bringing her in before you got her so involved. But let's table that for another time. I would like to get back to the original conversation."
"The one where you are suggesting that we all marry Sang?" What am I saying? This is not at all how I saw this conversation going.
"Yes, Mr. Lee."
"What did North do?" I can't believe he would agree to this – or even have a conversation about it. I don't know exactly how North feels about Sang, and I don't know if I ever pictured North marrying someone, but I definitely can't envision him agreeing to this.
"He did initially have a negative reaction. But what you may not know, is Mr. Taylor is in love with Miss. Sorenson."
My mouth dropped a little – not the best response, I know.
"I am telling you this because you need to understand how Mr. Taylor's negative reaction turned into one of curiosity and understanding. Mr. Anderson, the leader of the team we visited, explained that in the case of his group, the only way they could convince the Academy to let them stay a team was to fall in love with their bird, and have her fall in love with them. All of them. It was a love her or lose her scenario. And we believe it is the same scenario we are facing. Mr. Taylor realized that he would rather share Miss Sorenson than risk losing her or losing his family. Mr. Anderson shared that the best way to handle it with a team our size is to wait until we know one of our brothers is in love with Miss Sorenson. Once we are sure he is in love, we bring him in on the plan. Once we are all on the same page, we can approach Miss Sorenson. We recently had a conversation with Mr. Morgan, after one of his concerts. He also admitted to loving Sang, and agreed to the plan, again, once he realized he couldn't lose her or his family."
I don't know what to think, I don't know how to respond. It is starting to click, I mean really click.
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10. No that's not right – 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 of us; 1 of Sang. No, no, no…I don't know.