Chapter 2 "An unexpected meeting"
On the morning of the same day, an underground battle in the port. A crowd of fans stood on the containers, looking down at the empty space chosen as the site of the ring. Bets were made, the audience demanded a bloody mess.
The ring announcer introduced the "gladiators" of the ring: Dear gentlemen, get ready to see the real legends of today's fight! In the right corner of the ring, a beast capable of knocking down a baobab with one blow is Jimmy the lumberjack!
Buffalo Jimmy thundered all over the ring: I NEED A NEW VICTIM!
The crowd roared with delight as the ring announcer continued...
Ring Announcer: And in the left corner, the constant favorite of our audience - Takeshi "Triple Lightning"!
The Canadian black wolf was three times the size of a beefy buffalo, but a self-satisfied smirk appeared on its muzzle.
Ring Announcer: So we... STARTED!
The enraged buffalo, putting forward its curved horns, rushed to Takeshi. He waited motionless for an approaching opponent. And only when Jimmy was already two steps away from Takeshi, the cunning wolf, slipping under the raised leg of the running buffalo, tore his calf muscle with his clawed paw. Jimmy lost his balance and slammed his head into the container with all his might. Spectators standing a couple of containers higher were knocked down by the impact. Takeshi licked the blood of a wounded opponent from his claws and, awakening a predatory rage in himself, attacked Jimmy. He, not having time to recover from the blow, barely stood on his good leg, leaning his hands on the container. But as soon as he looked back in the direction of Takeshi, the wolf in a jump struck him with a triple kick between the collapsed unconscious to the ground, if anyone was weaker than him, a wolf attack would have been fatal.
Ring Announcer: GOD, WE HAVE A WINNER - TEKESHI!
The crowd was shocked by what they saw, because most of them bet on Jimmy. After the fight, Takeshi received his share of the winnings and went for a walk along the promenade. Looking at the sea horizon, he took out a pack of cigarettes and lit a puff. Then he got a call on the phone, it was Ten.
Ten: Takeshi, there's a meeting at the Abandoned Tower today!
Takeshi: What happened? It's still a month until the next full moon.
Ten: The police found some dead bodies in the fish factory. Among them was Ryuu, who had been shot through the head.
Takeshi: Wow, the wolf cub bites... Okay, thanks for the info.
Takeshi finished his cigarette and went to the meat-eaters' hideout.
In the evening, Legoshi made noodles in his dorm and watched the evening news.
Correspondent: Several corpses were found at the fish factory this morning. Experts suggest that all those killed were members of a gang of elusive meat-eaters ...
Legoshi turned off the TV, he still couldn't come to his senses after yesterday's events. Legoshi also feared that if the meat-eaters were able to grab him near his work, then at any moment they could break in here as well. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Legoshi grabbed a bottle of lemonade by the throat and slowly walked to the door.
Voice outside the door: Legoshi, are you home?
Legoshi exhaled calmly, it was Sebun.
Legoshi: Yes... Come in, Sebun.
Sebun entered the room and saw a frightened Legoshi with a bottle in his hand.
Legoshi: Would you like some lemonade?
Sebun: No thanks. Me for a minute. You have been very sad lately, do you want to go to the concert with me tomorrow? I have two tickets.
Legoshi remembered Gouhin's advice to avoid deserted places and decided to agree.
Legoshi: Yes, I would love to.
Sebun: Great, meet tomorrow morning at the fountain. Do not be late.
Legoshi: Okay. Thanks Sebun.
Sebun left the room, Legoshi went to bed.
Legoshi mused, "I wish I could find yesterday's stranger soon. Maybe he can help me fight these fanatics. It's been a few years since the people of the city destroyed the Black Market, and most of the predators switched from meat to fish. What drives them? Are these bestial instincts or just another attempt by predators to appear strong among others?
The next morning, Sebun was waiting for Legoshi at the fountain near the stadium.
Legoshi: Good morning, Sebun.
Sebun: Good morning, Legoshi. Well, let's go?
Legoshi: Yes, of course. Who is performing today?
Sebun: Pina is my favorite actor. I'd give anything to get his autograph.
Pina is Legosi's friend and continued acting after graduation, performing at concerts and playing in the city theater. Over the past five years, he has become widely known, posters with him decorated the entire city square.
Legoshi: I know him, we studied together in the theater club at the Cherryton School. You can try to go backstage after the : Really? Legoshi, I feel like this is going to be the best day of my life. Come on, the concert will start soon.
Friends went to the stadium, the queue for the concert was huge. Luckily they were able to break through the crowd, Legoshi put her on his shoulders so that Sebun could better see the speaker.
Finally, the long-awaited artist with a golden microphone appeared on the stage, the stadium exploded with shouts of joyful fans. Despite the dazzlingly bright costume of a school friend, Pina himself has not changed at all since the last meeting with Legoshi. From his gentle and velvety voice, the audience had tears in their eyes.
After the performance, Pina went to his dressing room. Legoshi, without removing Shobun from his shoulders, was able to squeeze through the enthusiastic spectators.
Legoshi: Pina! Pina, please open!
"I recognize this voice ..." - Pina thought and opened the dressing room.
Pina: Legoshi! Good to see you, friend!
Legoshi: And I, for the first time, was at a concert as a spectator. You were amazing.
Pina: Thank you. And who is this young lady?
Sebun swayed in excitement, Pina managed to catch her.
Pina: I understand, I'm irresistible...
Sebun tightly wrapped her arms around his neck. Pina blushed.
Sebun: I don't want this day to end!
Pina: My business card, call me anytime baby.
Sebun: Oh my God! My name is Sebun, sir.
Pina: Very nice. Legoshi, take my business card too.
Legoshi: Thank you, Pina.
Pina: We'll have to get together sometime. Let's celebrate the acquaintance, remember the past. And now, friends, I'm sorry, but I have to prepare for the next performance.
Sebun: Yes, of course. See you, sir.
Pina: Please, Sebun, call me Pina.
Sebun the concert, Legoshi and Shobun went to eat at a cafe near the dorm.
Shobun: Legoshi, thank you for today. For the first time in a long time, I'm in seventh heaven.
Legoshi: Please. I was also happy to spend it with you.
Sebun: I think it's time to go home. You are walking?
Legoshi: I'm sorry, I'll sit a little longer, think over tomorrow's work day.
Sebun: Okay. See you, Legoshi.
Legoshi: See you soon.
When Shobun left the cafe, Legoshi was thinking about tomorrow: "So, today everything went smoothly. It was a good idea to spend leisure time away from home. Well, what to do tomorrow? What if these scumbags will lie in wait for me there again?"
Then, near Legoshi, an unfamiliar gray wolf exclaimed towards the next table near Legoshi: Ahh, there you are! And I'm looking for you everywhere!
Voice at the table: Ours to you with a brush!
Legoshi froze, he recognized that voice.
Legoshi's memory:
"Ryuu: Divine nectar, right?
Voice from the darkness: Ours to you with a brush!
Ryuu: NOOOOO! (gunshot sound)"
Legoshi looked back...