(AN: Here for a late edition of Transfer: Re-Enrolled, we are! I'm happy to hear you guys liked the last chapter! It was super fun to write, but now back for... more drama? Maybe Vecpio? Who knows! What I can tell you is that this chapter was one of the most fun to write, and it has one of my favorite scenes so far. I can't wait to hear about what you all think, so let's just go ahead and begin! After all, it hasn't been two weeks since the last chapter, so let's hope last chapter is still in your mind!
Before I go though, this story has now reached 20k views! Thank you SO much for your support, and I'm glad to see you guys are still reading! I'll still continue to provide quality chapters as usual, but it warms my heart to see that there's an audience for such a niche story. Once again, thank you so much.)
It was early in the morning at Room ST-217 in the ST building, more alive than it usually was due to a group of people in the room. As mobians and Overlanders piled into chairs, some of them with coffee cups from the student store or everything from croissants to toaster strudels for breakfast in their hands, there was one question on everyone's mind.
"Why did Connery want us to meet this early?" a majority of them asked their fellow CCOCC members. Collective confusion filled the entire room as the entire CCOCC body finally entered the room, waiting for their fellow student representative to arrive as some ate their food, some were on their phones, while others talked about their plans for the day to their fellow members.
Finally, as the clock in the front of the room read 7:30, the door to the room opened as Connery walked in. He held a laptop in hand as a person completely unfamiliar to the CCOCC members followed behind the brown horse; a purple gorilla dressed in a black beanie and winter wear. He trailed behind Connery as he stared at the people of the club, who in turn returned the stare.
"Hey, what gives with the early morning meeting, Connery?" one of the members asked, a green newt, standing up from his chair. "I got class at 8 on the dot!"
"Calm yourself, Sydney," Connery replied. "I promise this won't take long."
"Are you sure? I'm so tired…" another member whined. Connery sat down at the chair used by the professor of this classroom, staring at the whining individual before opening up the laptop and connecting an HDMI cable to it. He typed the password to it and let it unlock as he got up, mane and tail swishing.
"Alright, so…" the horse began. "Good morning, fellow CCOCC members. I'm sure that MANY of you are confused as to why I called a meeting this early, especially since our next meeting isn't until next week, but I felt like we needed to have an urgent discussion about some things going on around this campus that are beyond hard to ignore that we will be focusing all attention to. I promise this won't take long since I know many of you have class in a bit or had to skip breakfast to come here. But before we begin, I'm sure many of you have questions about the large elephant… or rather, the gorilla in the room."
Connery walked over to the primate, putting his hand on his shoulder. "This here is Monk, one of my fellow Badniks players, as well as our most brand new member of CCOCC. I ask that you treat him with the utmost respect as we conservatives give each other, especially since this is his first foray into the world of conservatism."
Monk turned towards the horse, rolling Connery's hand off his shoulder as he shot him a dirty look.
"Nice to meet you, Monk," a group of voices from the other members said in unison. The gorilla nodded, folding his arms.
"I'm glad to be here. I was a bit hesitant to join since I follow the ways of traditional masculinity, and politics were something I've been told to never indulge in, for my health. But Connery managed to open my eyes for the greater good. I'm hoping that I made the right choice," Monk replied.
"Well, you'll be right at home," one of the members in the crowd, a brunette Overlander, replied. "One of the social issues we tackle here at CCOCC is the loss of masculinity at the hands of the left and places like Studiopolis and their agenda for a more weak society. And it isn't just that either, we'll be sure to open your eyes to everything about our group and what we believe in, right?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"If that's your main concern, don't worry, Monk, we'll be sure to find a role for you that'll send your message. I mean, sure, you might get yelled at by the alphabet mafia on our social media page like once a week but ehhh don't worry 'bout it. We just mock them during down time," a skunk replied. Monk's face turned into a smile as he guffawed, holding his stomach
"What? The alphabet mafia?! Haw haw, good one! I think I'll have to start using that!" he replied.
"Well, I'm glad to see you're all making quick friends with Monk," Connery replied. "Seems like I made the right choice inviting him here. Regardless, take a seat, Monk. It's time to begin what I actually brought you all here for today."
With the gorilla taking an empty seat on the first row, Connery started up the projector, which displayed the same news article that the horse was linked yesterday onto the promethean board. He scrolled down a bit to display the image of Espio in court, walking to the front of the classroom as everyone had full attention on Connery.
"For those in the CCOCC group chat yesterday, you might have seen news of this transfer student currently on campus, who-" Connery pointed to the picture of the chameleon. "-escaped responsibility and justice for his actions after committing acts of hooliganism and pure violence against civilians. Even if these civilians have committed their own criminal acts, if these are the type of people we allow into this college, it'll be one slippery slope after another. Soon, this entire campus will become a crime filled zone filled with nothing but drug dealers, thieves, and rapists with no regards for you, your families, your friends, anyone! All while the officials prioritize more transfer students like this, and the leftist student body will do nothing but shame you and call you a bunch of woke buzzwords as soon as you express any concerns. Even as their campus falls apart right in front of their eyes!"
Connery continued, walking a few steps forward. "And that's not even talking about how Northern Mobius is stifling us economically, the same place that this individual is from! You've seen how one half of Northern Mobians have taken our jobs while the other half live off welfare while not contributing to society. Don't you people see? If this isn't a case for why the immigration system needs higher regulation, if this isn't a case for why we need to radically change the foreign exchange student program here, if this isn't a case for the fact that the officials are using socialist ideas to ruin their own university in the name of "diversity", then I don't know what is! We have to change the minds of this campus starting today! We need to expose not just the blatant favoritism towards criminals, but to show that fellow conservatives need to rise up and demand better from universities that reap tax dollars from the common man, against the tyranny of unwanted intruders and the left's desire for said people!"
There was a clamor of support and claps coming from the crowd as Connery walked towards the skunk who talked to Monk earlier.
"Tell me, Geoffrey," he said. "When was the last time we invited a speaker to campus?"
"Last time?" the skunk, Geoffrey, replied. "Erm… let's see… wasn't it March of last year? Football season had ended by then, so you were more active in CCOCC."
"Then I think it's time we bring that back. People of CCOCC, I expect you all to help out in this crisis and wake up everyone else on this campus, no matter how many bully tactics the left throws at us. Trust me, when it comes to this individual, I've seen everything. His eyes, how he acts, and all that. It's pure darkness! Imagine how much worse things could get if we allow our standards to lower more and more. Pretty soon, you won't be able to leave your dorms without being fearful of someone robbing you, of having a bunch of hooligans act like they run everything and ignoring the law! Is that the people you want you and your future children around? Criminals and purveyors of violence?!"
There was a mass shaking of heads.
"Well, as long as we all work together, we'll make sure we bring about TRUE justice. We'll make sure our message is heard loud and clear, so loud that not even the leftist indoctrination cultists can defend the acts of criminals and the clear bias towards liberalism. Soon, we'll see the death of political correctness on college campuses, we'll see the death of that foolish program for allowing dangerous people here, and we won't stop at just that either. Whatever you believe in, socially, economically, politically… it's time that our voices are heard once and for all. I have faith that we'll all come together in union against the injustices toward us. After all…"
Connery's brow lowered. "There's nothing worse than a criminal who has a complete lack of awareness of what they've done… right?"
Espio sat up from his futon at Valdez's apartment, frowning as the morning sun shined through the window. As the blue chameleon was busy in the small kitchen preparing breakfast before the two chameleons returned back to Mobius U, Espio found himself staring at his right leg. As much as he wanted everything from last week to be a dream, the chameleon found himself looking at the flashing light of the ankle monitor he wore. It flashed red and bright before dimming out and repeating.
Espio sighed, no way to change his punishment as much as he didn't like it. It was so much different from the punishments he'd received during his ninja training or at home by his mother and father, and yet… what was happening to him felt all too familiar. This was to be his retribution, his punishment for how he had acted…
LATER
With his bag over his shoulders and finally happily back in his haori, hakama, and the magatama necklace around his collar since it wasn't too cold today, Espio opened the door to his Public Speaking class. He hung his head as he opened the door, looking up to see a majority of the class turning their attention from the person at the front of the room to him. Not only did Professor Cluckins look towards his direction, but so did Buck, who stood at the front of the class.
"Ah, Espio," Professor Cluckins said. "It's been a bit of time since we last saw you. Quickly take your seat, our presentations are today. Sorry, Buck. Continue?"
The deer stared back at the rodent before nodding. Espio walked by the deer, the Shinguji Sakura figure jingling from his zipper as Buck continued to speak.
"...so as I was saying," he said. "The student comes up to me and he says, 'Buck, if Solaris is the god who created us all, and He birthed the Pillars of Gaia from His hands, doesn't that by definition due to being male, make Him a girlboss?' To which I was told to open my copy of The Holy Book of Solaris and say, and I quote, 'Yas, queen. Amen-"
Now back at his desk, Espio slumped down in his chair as he placed his bag down, still seeing people stare at him from the corner of his eye. It felt just like the time he came back after being arrested… something that felt like it happened just yesterday now that he thought about it. Just then, he felt his shoulder being tapped from behind and turned around to see Norris staring at him.
"Psst, Espio-sama… where've you been?" he asked. "I haven't seen you for a couple of days."
Espio knew that Buck still was in the middle of… whatever he was doing. So, as to not get in trouble, he quickly replied, "In… co… cou… court."
"Court? Oh yeah, was it because of the whole thing in November? Mark was telling us about that the other day-"
"Buck is in the middle of his speech, Mr. Wimple," Professor Cluckins said. "I think you're clearly mature enough to know not to talk during a speech, no?"
The rodent turned back to the deer and nodded his head as the giraffe shut his mouth. Buck would finish his speech just minutes later, everyone clapping as he returned to his seat, turning to face Espio.
"Are you okay, Espio? It's been a few days. We've all been so worried about you," the cervine said. "I'm glad to see that you're back though."
Just then, Professor Cluckins spoke.
"Well, since you did come in late, Espio, I'd like you to present your speech," he said.
"S… spe… speech?" Espio replied.
"Yes? The speech I assigned to you last week where you talked about an incident in your life and how you solved it to help practice motivational speaking?"
The chameleon's face fell as he froze. He had been so busy with other assignments on Capsule that he hadn't even DONE a speech! He looked around, wondering what he should do.
"You are ready, no?"
Espio nodded quickly and without thinking about it, replied. "Ye-yes!"
He got up from his seat and walked towards the front of the class, turning to face them all. A bead of sweat fell from the side of his face as he wondered what he was supposed to do, the spotlight shining as bright as it could on him.
"Well? You're free to start," the rodent said. Espio gulped, adjusting the collar of his haori. What was he supposed to talk about? An incident in your life and how you solved it?! But he hadn't solved anything despite having dozens of incidents in the Outside World!
" E-eeh…" he said under his breath, looking transfixed as his fellow classmates.
"Espio, are you going to begin or not?"
"A… ah… I… I go to je… jail…" he said, remembering what lay under his hakama.
"You went to jail? What for?"
He was beyond thankful that he discovered Setsu: The Ninja Cowboy when he did, as the show had been teaching him new words in English. As such, Espio continued.
"I… I stop k… criminal… Ba-But, I go to jail too. I was fu-free, but I g… no… I went to tr… trial! I was free too because I was good… but… I have… thing na-now."
"Is that all?"
"Yes… I am sorry…" Espio bowed, feeling nervous not just presenting but also having to speak English in front of his class. The class however, clapped for him as the chameleon was at least happy his classmates liked it.
"Well, any questions?" Professor Cluckins continued to ask.
"Ooh, I do!" Norris raised his hand. "What thing do you have?"
"Thing? Oh! I have this for… a few mo… months."
Espio suddenly grabbed his hakama, pulling it up to reveal his ankle. A few members of the class gasped as they saw what was in front of them.
The ankle monitor continued flashing like it did, and a few of the people even panicked and got up from their chairs. Espio's face fell, wondering why people were having this reaction. I mean sure, HE didn't like it either-
"Erm… okay, I think that's enough for now, Espio," Professor Cluckins said, looking cross. "Let's let someone ELSE present…"
The chameleon couldn't help but feel like he was going to see a bad grade on this assignment…
After class, the chameleon had a bit of downtime before his lunch period, so usually he would go back to the dorm by now since Vector was still in class. However, before he could leave the classroom, he was stopped.
"Espio!"
He turned around to find not just Buck standing by the doorframe of the Public Speaking classroom, but also surprisingly, Gadget.
"Hey, I know it's been a bit of time since we last talked, Espio," the red wolf said. "How… have ya been? I know you told us you went to jail and court and all that…"
"You had me beyond worry," Buck replied. "I tried asking Mr. Valdez when I saw him, but he didn't say much."
"I am sorry…" Espio bowed, eyes closed. "Don't wa-worry about me."
"I mean, you kinda DO have an ankle monitor on you…" Gadget replied. "I'm not surprised a bunch of the class freaked out. They probably thought it was a bomb."
Buck raised a brow. "Now, why would Espio have a bomb? He surely couldn't use such a thing."
"Eh, you're right. Anyway, where are you off to, Espio? I have Art History II in about… five minutes."
"Eh… I have… fu-free time."
"Ah, lucky you," the deer replied. "I too also have another class in about ten m'self. But tell ya what, the others have been just as worried about'ya too."
Just then, Buck reached into his pocket and pulled out his own phone, something that Espio was surprised he had considering that he and his friends definitely didn't seem the type to use them, at least, from what the chameleon thought.
"M'self and the others have a group chat for us five, why don't we add you to it? Not only would it be great to talk to ya more, the others can be assured that you're okay! I know Alan's been missing doing dulcimer lessons with ya."
"Actually, can I add you too, Espio?" Gadget asked. "I know you mainly talked with Jewel during Creative Drawing but…"
"Ah… okay…" Espio nodded.
With that, the deer and wolf exchanged phone numbers with the chameleon, who had to be guided on how to add such a thing since Vector was the one who added his phone number. He got Gadget's number down pat, and after he left, Espio joined Buck's group chat, where at the top, it said, "THE MERRY FIVE"
"We all have nicknames in the chat, so in case you're confused who's who," Buck said, pointing at each name. There was curtalfriar for Buck, dalesmanminstral for Alan, themillersson for Munch, hoodedarcher for Bow, and highlanderlass for Thorn, names that Espio thought were super interesting. The concepts of nicknames weren't too new to him, as he heard Vector refer to Knuckles and Rotor as such multiple times, but the fact that someone could be called something else still felt interesting to him. He wondered then and there, what Vector would call him if the crocodile gave him a nickname…
"There, I just let the others know you joined," Buck said while typing, putting his phone back in his pocket. "Anyway, I have get goin' now. Cheers!"
With that, Buck gave a quick wave as he made his way off to class, Espio tearing away from his trance. There he was, STILL thinking about Vector. Espio thought that after going through so much in the past week, his mind would focus on that or the fear of a zone police officer busting down the door to take him to jail, but nope, it was back to Vector…
Seeing as he didn't have much to do, and usually around this time he would get back to the dorm, he decided to go there to do meditation and try to get in some training as well. The past week had made him rusty after all…
Espio's next class wasn't until about 1:30, but after a surprisingly successful meditation session and practice using makeshift objects around the dorm, he didn't go to the dining hall for lunch. Instead, thanks to Valdez showing him and from his time at the courthouse, he knew what came on at 1. So, he sat on his legs in front of the TV with a bag of popcorn he was able to find in the fridge and cook successfully in the microwave in one hand and his chopsticks in another so he didn't have to get his hands oily, ready for what was about to come on. The chameleon turned the TV to Channel 3 as the screen went from black to colorful. A commercial for the station finished playing as a familiar monologue began to play through the speakers.
"A long long time ago,
A young lad from the wild west learned the horrors of the world,
And found that not even being a gunslinger could save his family and fiancee.
So, he traveled from his home to a friend of his father's, a mysterious master from the land up north,
In the land of the wish that goes across the white earth, and learned his secrets of espionage.
Years later, he'd finally return home as a gunslinger with a big heart, with the soul of a ninja."
The theme song for Setsu: The Ninja Cowboy began to play as Espio could already feel himself getting excited. It had been an absolute joy to discover this show, the highlight of the past couple of days. He felt a deep connection with Setsu and his journey, despite missing an episode here and there. He was excited to learn what happened next, as the last episode he watched had depicted Setsu sneaking through an evil daimyo's fortress to obtain the medicine for the ill children he had been determined to get.
For the next couple of minutes, Espio watched intently as he ate, watching as Setsu crawled onto the side of a wall, threw a shuriken with a rope attached to it at a hanging lamp, which fell to the floor as it started a fire.
"F-Fire! There's a fire!" warned one of the guards, who noticed the flames as he attempted to extinguish it with his foot. Setsu just then appeared behind the guard, striking him with his jou.
"Now tell me," said Setsu, grabbing the guard by the collar. "Where's the scarlet fever medicine?"
"I'll never tell you! Our daimyo needs it-"
"That isn't the answer!" Setsu kicked the shin of the guard, who howled in pain. "I'm gonna ask again, pardner. Where is the medicine?!"
"What, do you need it too?! Get away from me!"
"Wanna die by my hands instead of disease?"
Just then, Setsu looked up to see a bunch of ninja in red clothes and white masks, holding katanas and nunchaku.
"You've got balls sneaking in here like this!" one of them said. "Take this! Die!"
Setsu threw aside the guard as he pulled out his kunai and his gun. Espio smiled as he got closer to the TV, the fight scenes being one of the things he loved the most. It made him pumped up, almost like Espio himself wanted to be in that situation to help Setsu as a fellow ninja. He watched as the Overlander ninja-cowboy managed to pin down guards with shuriken, using his gun with one hand to shoot and the other to throw guards to the side with his jou. Eventually, he used his rope to tie each of the guards up, his finishing move as Setsu closed his eyes.
He continued forward, running past the halls of the daimyo's pagoda-
"Help!" a feminine voice yelled out. Setsu grinded his heels on the floor as he returned to the source of the voice, finding an Overlander woman dressed in a ripped kimono chained to a wall.
"You there, help me!" she pleaded. Setsu raised up his cowboy hat, walking to the woman as his boots clacked on the tataki flooring.
"Well, what's a lovely lady like yourself doing chained up like that?" he asked.
"Th… the daimyo! He kidnapped me from my home and wants to force me to become his concubine! Please, I hate his horrid face! I can't marry someone like that!"
Setsu finally was in front of the woman as the two stared each other in the face. Espio remembered the words used by a sheriff in one of the earlier episodes to describe Setsu, a "womanizer". It seems that the ninja-cowboy was the type of person women were attracted to, always falling in love with him no matter what.
"If only I had your power, Setsu-san… " Espio thought to himself. "I could stop with these feelings for Vector and know what I was supposed to be doing to make my mother, the other Brides, and the Shinobi Clan happy…"
Just then, Setsu gently touched the chin of the woman. " Let's get you out of these chains, a beautiful gal like yourself doesn't look right in them," he said. He took his kunai and sliced the chains off without issue, the woman holding her wrists and rubbing them.
"Thank you so much… What is your name?" she asked.
"It's Setsu. No… not just Setsu,"
Espio stood up, knowing what the ninja-cowboy was going to say next.
"It's the Amazingly-Super Hot Hero, Setsu!"
With his gun in the air and a cool pose, Espio was jealous. It seemed like compared to him, everything in Setsu's life was perfect. Everyone saw him as the Amazingly-Super Hot Hero, and yet here he was, NOT that…
"Oh, Setsu…" the woman said. "Bless your heart for rescuing me. Please, I'll show you the way to the daimyo. If you can rescue me without issue… let's go on a date, okay?"
Setsu stood alarmed as the woman ran past him, retreating to his mind.
"Oh man, that's the third gal today who wants a date!" he thought to himself. "What would Master Yoshikage say at a time like this?..."
The screen turned white as an old lion mobian that scarily reminded Espio of Yuen-Li appeared. This was Master Yoshikage, Setsu's sensei and easily the other thing Espio loved the most about the show. Everytime he spoke, it reminded the chameleon of his senseis at the ninja academy as well as his parents, the way they talked, how they taught their ways of the Shinobi, everything. It felt like at times, Master Yoshikage was personally talking to Espio…
"Remember, Setsu," he began. "The life of a ninja is one of solitude. But even ninja too can form bonds with others. Keep people close to you that you know you can trust, but never let your guard down either. You never know when someone could change face."
Suddenly, before the scene could change, Espio heard a BEEP behind him and he turned around, the door to the dorm opening and revealing-
'"Espio? Yer here?"
It was Vector, dressed in his usual winter clothing. He had already seen the crocodile the other day last week at the courthouse, but it was still both a surprise and a pleasure to see him. Espio softly smiled, still eating his "lunch".
"How are you t-today, Vector?" he asked.
"G-good… I'm glad to see yer doin' okay too. How was yer little vacation?" Vector replied, entering the dorm.
"It was good. I still have…" Espio pulled up his hakama, revealing the ankle monitor to the crocodile. Vector, unlike his fellow Public Speaking classmates, didn't respond with surprise.
"Right… I know it sucks to basically be watched 24/7, but it'll be okay. I promise. All this will pass by," Vector proceeded to smile. "Yer strong. Yeh've been on yer best behavior. I'm sure they'll even letcha off the hook early!"
Just then, Vector turned his head to the side as he saw what was on TV.
"Really? Yer watchin' that?"
Espio's eyes opened wide. "You know Setsu?!"
"Mah dad used to watch it when I was a kid. Looks like they're runnin' the reruns on the local stations. Not surprised, it's a few years old by now."
Now Espio felt even more excited. Vector knew his new favorite show?! How much more perfect could the quarterback get?
"Heh, I'm surprised yer okay with it. Mr. Valdez always said that he hated ninja stuff like this. Said it was unrealistic garbage."
"I know. He say that when he so-saw."
"Well, I ain't gonna spoil yer fun. It was a fun, campy show from what I've seen of it. Also, it's he said."
"Sorry…"
Espio turned back to the TV as Vector sat next to him, the two sitting in complete silence. He couldn't help but feel like the crocodile wanted to ask something, because the aura of silence in the room sans the TV filled their ears. He could see that the two sat close to one another, almost touching ankles as Vector tried his best to not look bothered.
"What… is going on?" Espio asked himself.
"Hey, uh… Espio…"
The chameleon turned towards the crocodile quickly, already feeling his scales start to slightly change color as he tried to put on a face of neutrality.
"Erm… I… there's somethin'... somethin' I wanted to ask ya 'bout."
There was a bit of silence as the two's eyes darted towards the TV, Setsu returning back from a commercial. They could see Setsu holding the kimono women's hand as he guided her through the halls, striking guards and enemies as they stopped at an intersection. Hiding behind a wall, the two managed to catch a breath as the ninja-cowboy wiped some blood off his lip.
"Please, let me take care of you," she said, grabbing a handkerchief and wiping his face. Setsu closed his eyes as he took a deep breath, staring back at the woman.
"Th-thank yeh…" he said, seeing that he stopped bleeding. The two's faces were getting closer and closer.
"It's odd… you have eyes like the daimyo… but it fits you so much more. They're… handsome…"
Espio could feel something in the pit of his stomach. Being here next to Vector, knowing full well the two were about to be romantic like he had seen people around the campus act like, and with the question the crocodile wanted to ask…
In fact, what WAS he going to ask? The thoughts of what he would ask made Espio nervous, but… it… it intrigued him. He could hear his heart thumping faster and faster, sweat starting to form on his back. None of the two reptiles dared to speak as soon as Setsu and the woman kissed on the TV, both of them purposely looking away from one another.
"A-Are ya able to come to our game on Friday?" Vector suddenly asked as the scene changed. Espio blinked, surprised at the question.
"Ga-game?"
"Yeah yeah yeah! We gotta another game! I just dunno if ya can cause of yer probation."
Espio looked back down at his ankle monitor. As much as he wanted to see Vector's game, he didn't know if that was the case because he couldn't leave campus. Vector too, realized this quickly.
"Wait… I forgot… sorry… Ya can watch it on TV at least! I'm sure ya want to!"
Suddenly, the crocodile got up, smiling. "Anyway, this is usually around the time I work out on Wednesdays since I got class later than yeh, so-so I'm gonna be in the I buildin'! Make sure yeh get to class, okay?"
Espio was surprised at the sudden action when he watched Vector quickly leave, grabbing his duffle bag from the floor before doing so as Espio held up his hand. He wanted to ask Vector if that was what he meant to ask, but when the quarterback closed the door, his arm slowly fell.
What… was that? Why did he feel so awkward when that scene played? Why did Vector not seem certain about the question he asked? Was… was Vector hiding something just like him? It couldn't be… no, of course not. It was just his fantasy, his dream for Vector to feel the same as he did. But Espio knew it was impossible.
He turned back to the TV, making a hurt face at it as he thought back to the part with the kiss. Maybe… maybe he had enough of Setsu today and should get ready for class. As he turned off the TV, he heard his phone buzz repeatedly and checked it. On the screen, the group chat Buck added Espio to had been blown up with messages from the others, asking him how he was, what happened, if he was okay, and if he needed someone to talk to. The chameleon sighed, clearly never getting some semblance of a break…
Over the two days, nothing much of value had happened since Espio had returned to Mobius U. He did get stares from a few people who recognized him from the news, but Vector easily managed to shoo off most of the people who wanted unnecessary questions. Classes were more or less the same, with Espio catching up on missed lessons and assignments he didn't finish on Capsule while his other friends managed to get his phone number. He was happy to have them added, but not when they continuously asked him if he was okay…
However, that Wednesday, something Professor Starline said at the end of Psychology I made him stop in place.
"It's been a bit since I assigned you your Dream Journal project. On Friday, I think it's a good idea to start presenting our journals to the class and write down what we've observed from them!" he said. "So make sure you've brought them!"
Realizing that he had only been continuing to write in his real Dream Journal, Espio froze, knowing that he couldn't DARE reveal the truth to his classmates. That's why that night, when Vector was at practice and after Alan left from Dulcimer training, Espio had the fake Dream Journal open, writing a multitude of lies for each entry. With the sound of the LED fountain running water near him, the chameleon finished writing writing the entry for the 15th.
" Let's see…" Espio said. He grabbed his pen and began to write the next entry.
"一月 十六日
I had a dream about my judge being a demon, sentencing me to hell."
Espio sighed. The best thing he could think of was this? He just HOPED Professor Starline would believe this, especially since the platypus seemed to always take special interest in him.
The chameleon turned his attention to the bulletin board, seeing all the pictures of Vector all over it. It felt unfair, it hurt the more days passed by with Espio withholding the truth from the crocodile. He wanted to tell him everything, and knew full well he couldn't. It seemed like Vector was doing better these past couple of days, especially since he was training and practicing for this Friday's game.
Friday… it seemed like so much would happen that day- no, best not to dwell on it, he thought.
Espio walked over to the window and looked outside, trying to look past the foggy window and sighing once again, not looking forward to another day of questions from his friends asking about him when he felt more and more detached from reality because of who he was. Not to mention, not looking forward to another dream about Vector.
"Are you having a better night than me?" Espio muttered, shaking his head as he knew who he was thinking about.
Vector stared at the notable elephant in the room, a certain someone missing from practice. Thankfully, there wasn't some sort of political discussion that he hated listening to, so the change before practice was surprisingly relaxing. However, other Badniks had questions...
"Where's Connery?" asked Rudy. "It's weird that he's not here and the game's in two days!"
"Monk told me that Connery told Coach ahead," Bull Bones replied as the two walked past Vector. "Said he was gonna be busy with something so he's missing practice just for tonight."
The crocodile and echidna listened carefully. Connery… busy with something?
"Hey, what do you think he's busy with?" asked Knuckles, taking off his shirt.
"Dunno and dun care, frankly the faster I can forget 'bout him, the faster I can enjoy life," Vector replied.
"Still… you can't deny it's weird as hell. Connery always gets on your ass if you're not at practice, so for him to not be here tonight…"
Part of him wouldn't deny, it WAS weird that Connery wasn't here. In fact, Vector even noticed that the horse's demeanor changed over the past couple of days. He seemed more quiet and was on his phone before and after practice a lot more. But the crocodile scoffed. As far as he was aware, the running back wasn't HIS problem anymore. Maybe now he could enjoy practice without a judgemental horse staring at him, even if there was still Monk and Axel. Which didn't help, because Espio had been in his mind more since Tuesday.
He thought back to how it was like seeing Espio again back in the dorm, how awkward having a romance scene on TV in front of them just as Vector tried to gather the courage to talk to the chameleon about what he and Sally discussed last week. It shouldn't even have been hard, and yet, having that play in front of him made things harder. What gave him mass confliction, however, was that moment of awkward silence as the scene played out, and the way Espio looked when Vector took a quick peek. It was… beyond bizarre, incredibly out of character for the chameleon. It was like he wanted to say something too, but was holding back. It… it couldn't be a confession too, right?
"Hey, you alright dude?" Knuckles asked as he was now in his jersey. "Vec, hellllllooooo!"
He waved his hand in front of the crocodile's face, Vector shaking his head.
"Oh! So-sorry, Knux. I've… I've had a lot on mah mind."
"Really? You sure you don't need to talk to someone, dude?"
"Naw naw, it's fine. Dun worry."
But as Vector began to change, he couldn't help but feel insecure in a way that very rarely happened anymore. This love he felt towards the chameleon… it was stronger than anything he'd felt before. Knuckles was someone who could easily tell when Vector had the hots for someone based on their past in high school. But this time he couldn't seem to tell, not even when the crocodile couldn't keep his emotions in check.
"Maybe today I can't…" he thought to himself. "But I gotta try again… no matter what. He needs to know the truth, and I need to know the truth…"
FRIDAY
After his first two classes for the day, it was now time for the class Espio had been dreading all day: Psychology I.
Thankfully, last night after writing his umpteenth Vector dream in his real Dream Journal, the chameleon would write another false dream in his other journal, sneaking off the bed so as to not awake Vector and placed both journals into his bag. With both of them sitting in his bag, Espio sat with Valdez next to him, the blue chameleon reaching over to him.
"I heard about your speech from Professor Cluckins," he said. "Maybe it's for the best that I read your Dream Journal for your grade."
Espio nodded. Just as long as he had the fake one, Valdez wouldn't suspect a THING. If anything, his real Dream Journal was more of a form of finding SOMEONE he could talk to about his feelings for Vector, even if his journal wasn't a person.
As such, Espio listened in to each of his classmates' journals, each of them talking about different dreams. One talked about how they had a consistent dream about worrying about a test in high school before waking up, another talked about a lucid dream they had where they were able to stop themselves from falling off an airplane by growing wings. Another part of the assignment included talking about what they found to be the most interesting dream and what it might mean about that person's mental state. He waited for a dream he felt would be perfect to write down, the next person sitting down after the class clapped-
"Okay, next up… Espio, please present your journal," Professor Starline said, looking up from his clipboard. Valdez turned towards the fuschia chameleon.
"Alright, Espio-kun, give me your journal," he said. Espio grabbed his bag but stopped, realizing that Valdez could easily see his bag. The blue chameleon didn't know about the fake Dream Journal, so if he saw two of the same notebooks, especially since he didn't buy it… he would DEFINITELY have questions. As such, Espio shifted in his chair slightly as he tried to obscure his bag from Valdez's sight.
"Espio-kun, why are you opening your bag slowly? I have to present your journal!" Valdez continued, holding out his hand.
"I'm going, Valdez-san, just…"
"What are you doing?! Why are you stalling? Give it to me now! You knew today you had to present!"
As to not make Valdez any more mad, Espio quickly grabbed his Dream Journal and handed it to the chameleon. Valdez angrily grabbed it as he shook his head, standing up.
"I swear, what is going ON with you, Espio-kun?! We need to have a talk once we leave class…"
Espio sank in his seat as he felt hollow on the inside. It made him feel bad that he couldn't do anything to tell Valdez the truth, and now he made him mad again. Why did everything bad have to happen since his return to the Outside World…?
He watched as Valdez stood at the front of the class, holding Espio's journal.
"This is Espio's dream journal, titled… "My Dream Journal"," Valdez said, showing the notebook to the class. Professor Starline sat at his desk, moving his hand in a circular motion as he looked at the blue chameleon.
"You're free to start, Mr. Valdez. From the first entry."
Valdez nodded as he did so, and when he did…
He stopped.
Valdez stood still like a statue, his angered face softening as his eyes moved across the page. Espio was confused… What was going on? Surely his notebook couldn't be THAT confusing, could it?
He watched as Valdez flipped the page, his face growing even more bewildered. More and more pages were flipped as everyone in the class began to look at each other, wondering what was going on.
"Is everything okay, Mr. Valdez?" Professor Starline asked. Valdez turned towards the platypus, almost like he couldn't speak.
Suddenly, a sharp feeling began to pop up in Espio's chest. This reaction… this wasn't normal. Why was Valdez now acting strange? He was just supposed to be reading his fake Dre…
Espio's eyes widened.
No…
Oh no.
In an absolute panic, Espio quickly grabbed his bag and opened it up, frantically pulling out the Dream Journal and opening it up to the first page. But when he did…
His eyes widened even more. He held his hand over his mouth, resisting every urge to not gasp. His vision became blurry, his hearing became static, his body began to sweat and his hands began to shake. His eyes moved across the page, the sinking horror of what was going on overshadowing his brain. Because as Espio read the first entry, he realized something truly horrific. His biggest fear had finally come true, he had made possibly the biggest mistake of his life...
"一月 四日
"I saw the stars all around me. It felt like it was trying to show me a message. What kind of message was it? Then, I began to fly to the moon, watching everything shrink around me."
... he had the wrong notebook.
"一月 四日
I had another dream about Vector. We were in the shower together. Then, after we came closer and closer, he showed off his body for me. This is the second day in a row. Will this stop?"
Valdez couldn't believe what he was reading.
He had to blink multiple times to make sure what he was reading was EXACTLY how Espio wrote it down. This was… this was…
"Mr. Valdez, I'm going to ask again, is everything okay?"
Valdez could only look back at Starline in pure shock. What could he even say? He knew that Espio was close to Vector… but this… no, how could he have learned about that? This was NEVER taught in Gojo. But here he was, reading it all in this journal. Never did he think Espio… was attracted to the same sex. It… he thought it was just friendship! All this time, he excused everything as the two being very good friends.
But no… it was clear as day. Because as Valdez read each entry in Espio's journal, one thing was in common.
Every…
"一月 七日
見ラレツツ
While I'm watched
心ガ至福
My heart is joyful,
想イ鰐
Beloved crocodile"
Single…
"一月 十一日
My dream started as a nightmare at first, with me in court as the judge and prosecutor turned into monsters. That judge turned into a futakuchi-onna and that mouse turned into a kotobuki, both of them ready to strike with the different parts of their transformed bodies before Vector ran in, handing me my wakizashi as we managed to defeat them both. After we were done, he swore my allegiance to me as… my spouse."
Entry…
"一月 十五日
Vector and I sat by the Hinami River near Gojo. We were eating some of those iced snacks that I don't remember what they're called but that we had so long ago. It was a hot day. We shared ours as I got some of it on my face, Vector wiping it off and smiling at me as he tasted it. He told me that it tasted just like me, amazing."
Was…
" 一月 十八日
The trickster goddess Amanozako, came to my dream to taunt me over my love for Vector. She told me I must confess to him no matter what. I told her that I couldn't, and she flew into a fit of rage, chasing me throughout the earth demanding that I stop trying to be some pure individual and to tell him the truth."
About…
"一月 十九日
I wonder how good Vector would be at learning the art of ninjutsu that the Shinobi Clan taught, as I realized I had been neglecting my training and dreamed about teaching him. I think I would make a good instructor, getting to actually physically touch his hand. Maybe perhaps that's why I would only want to teach him…"
Vector…
In fact, as Valdez looked at the next entry for the 20th, there wasn't even an entry. Instead, there was a full page drawing of the crocodile turned towards the wall, the details of his back muscles quite clear despite his art style matching that of yamato-e. It was almost shocking how well this looked despite it being on notebook paper, no doubt thanks to all the art classes he took last semester. In fact, if the truth didn't sink in yet, it did now.
The blue chameleon looked up at the transfer student, an absolute terrified look on Espio's face, one that Valdez had NEVER seen before. The more he looked, the more he felt those shocked, scared eyes burn into his brain.
"Valdez, what is keeping you from presenting?!" Starline questioned, now visibly annoyed.
"St… Starline… if I must…"
"I thought I told every student here that if they don't want to reveal anything personal to not write about it! If you're okay with Espio getting a 0 despite this just being a homework grade, then by all means, don't say anything and sit down!"
Valdez looked taken aback by Starline's outburst. He turned back to Espio as everyone in the class now started to stare at him. He could see the chameleon starting to sweat, breathing heavily as Valdez went back to looking at Starline.
"I… I can only show you personally, Starline… is… is that okay?"
Valdez walked up to the psychology professor's desk, Starline adjusting his glasses as he turned to face Espio. The chameleon shook his head, almost as if he wanted to scream, 'No!'. He showed Starline the notebook, turning it to page 1.
"I can't read this, Valdez. You know this," he said.
Valdez nodded. "I… I know Starline…" he put his finger on the first character. "This says… I had another dream about Vect-"
Suddenly, someone burst out from their seat. The two staff members looked up to see someone opening the door and running out, the sound of wood sandals hitting the floor as it became very clear to Valdez who just left the room.
"E-Espio-kun? Espio-kun?!"
Valdez ran out of the classroom as everyone watched in complete shock and horror at what just happened, Starline turning the page to the doodle of Vector. His eyes widened, adjusting his glasses even further.
"Ah… so that's why…." he said to himself.
Dizzy.
Everything felt so dizzy… Espio put his hand on the wall, trying to catch his breath as he had just run down the hall of the first floor of the A building. But it was impossible. This was it. His life was COMPLETELY over. Valdez now knew the truth, and it wouldn't be long before he would return to Gojo and tell his mother everything. Why? Why did he have to give his family's friend the wrong notebook?! Everything could have been avoided had he just not done anything wrong, but no, everything the chameleon did had to hurt himself or someone else!
Why did the police have to take his weaponry? This level of dishonor against his friends, his family… it would have been better to just commit seppuku than allow Valdez to show Professor Starline his Dream Journal! And now his classmates had likely heard everything too, and now they were going to all mock him, they were going to brandish him as some kind of freak and an outrage against nature, which he was-!
Espio's breathing hitched. He… He couldn't breathe. His entire body felt tingly, he felt like at any second, he was going to collapse from his heart giving out. It felt like the world around him was being drained of its color, ringing and static in his ears as he looked around. It felt like everyone around him was ignoring him, going about their lives as if nothing was wrong. But no, everything WAS wrong, HE was wrong! He put his hand over his chest, trying to catch his breath but to no avail.
He wanted to just collapse, knowing that he was going to die anyway. His mind had done this to him, all from the curse of learning about his same gender love. He wrapped his arms around himself. Everything… felt so cold…
"...spio-kun!"
His mind… forced himself to think of these scenarios with Vector. It was as if h̵e̶ ̶w̵a̷s̵ ̷s̵l̵o̸w̵l̷y̴ ̸l̸o̵s̸i̴n̶g̵ ̵c̸o̷n̷t̶r̸o̶l̶ ̵o̶f̶ ̷h̷i̶m̶s̵e̴l̸f̴.̶.̷.̶
"Espio-kun!"
Espio stopped in the middle of the hallway, trying to catch whatever breath he had as he knew full well whose voice that was. He slowly turned his head slowly, seeing Valdez with a very worried expression on his face.
"Espio-kun…" he said. "That-"
"Don't say anything… Valdez-san…" Espio interjected, not wanting to bear looking at Valdez anymore. "I know what you're going to say."
"No… no, of course not! Espio-kun… your… your journal… is that why you've been so strange lately? Is that why you've become so much more distant?"
Espio said nothing, feeling smaller and smaller by the second.
"I…. I didn't know," Valdez continued. "Never has the thought run through my mind before that you might not like women… Espio-kun… why didn't you say so sooner? You know you could tell me if anything was bothering you!"
"I…" Espio finally opened his mouth. "Because I know what I am… a creature drenched in the sin of evil… drenched in the sin of the Outside World…"
"What are you saying, Espio-kun? That's not true-"
"Then why am I like this?! Why did the Brides lie to me and never tell me that I could be this way?!"
This shut Valdez up as Espio finally turned towards the blue chameleon, looking at him with a pained expression.
"Please… please, I beg of you, Valdez-san…"
Then, he bowed with extreme force. "Please don't tell mother about this!"
With that, Espio ran away full force as he could hear Valdez call back for him. But it was to no avail, the chameleon ran as fast as he could with his eyes closed. Surely Valdez wasn't trying to JUSTIFY this, was he?! Impossible, NOTHING about this was justifiable!
There it was again, as soon as he caught his breath, it was now starting to become hard to breathe again. He looked around, finding himself in the main hall of the A building. Outside… right, outside! If he just went outside and took in the fresh air, maybe it wouldn't be too hard to breathe!
Quickly so Valdez didn't know where he went, Espio burst through the front doors of the building, finding himself at the front campus. There were very few people walking outside, a majority of them in class or at their dorms, or some other place. But it was of no avail to Espio. He put his hand over his chest, trying to find SOME air, but even that was becoming harder by the second. As he ran past the large fountain, he could feel the blue sky draining of its color, all the decorations around him turning into unidentifiable shapes, yelling and screaming unintelligible things. He could see some of the people around him staring at him, but in his mind, Espio knew that mentally, they were mocking him just like-
"Huh, oh, Espio! Yo, Espio!"
Someone was calling out his name. It didn't sound like Valdez at all. Espio looked around, his nerves still tingling. Was he now starting to hear voices? No… surely he couldn't… have things gotten so bad that he'd become a victim of possession?"
"Over here, Espio! Yo man, come here!"
Espio turned toward where he thought he heard the voice. But it wasn't something from his head, instead, it was the voice of someone very familiar. It was Manic, dressed in a red hoodie and gray sweatpants as he sat by the front gates of the university with about six large spheres near him. They were all black and likely contained something Espio didn't recognize. The green hedgehog was waving, his grin wide as Espio slowly walked over.
"Yo man, didn't think you'd be out here so early!" he said. Suddenly, Manic noticed Espio's expression. "U-Uh… Espio? You… you alright man? You look like shit dude. I mean, even more than I do, and I barely sleep at all."
Espio looked down at his feet, feeling his pulse clear as his senses slowly returned to normal. Still, after everything that happened, his eyes were still widened, his breathing was still heavy, and his body was sweaty,
"You… wanna talk about it?" Manic continued. Espio shook his head. Though Manic was a friend, if he had to reveal the truth to the hedgehog just like Valdez… no, one person was enough already.
"No? You sure dude?"
"Ma… Manic…" Espio said. "I am… lo… lonely…"
Manic turned his head for a bit, before nodding in understanding. "Know the feeling, bro. Hey… why don't you stay here with me for as long as you need? I'm about to head off to band practice but I'm waiting on a ride from our singer. Plus, it'll make you feel better. I promise."
Maybe interaction was just what he needed. Espio had become so antisocial over the past two weeks he initially didn't want to… but maybe being with Manic was the medicine he needed to calm down his nerves, to forget that Valdez knew about his secret temporarily. Plus, Manic seemed like the non-caring type too.
"O… Okay…" Espio said as the green hedgehog slid down onto the floor, sitting down as the chameleon followed.
"There you go, bro. I dunno what's all up with you today, but I know that look better than anyone else. Good thing I only have one class today in the morning, otherwise you would have driven yourself insane staying in your thoughts," Manic said, looking at Espio. "Sometimes, it's okay to let everything out."
Espio didn't know what Manic was talking about, so he simply just nodded.
"What are yu-you doing?..." Espio asked.
"Oh, I said so earlier. I'm about to head to band practice with that band I told you about when we returned back to school. Unfortunately I don't got a car, so I have to hitch a ride. Plus, carrying all my drum stuff would be a bitch on the train or the bus, so I'm double not doing that, plus, they're in the next town over so I doubt the trains go through there."
"A-Ah… I see…"
"It's been a real neat band, honestly. The last couple I joined frankly didn't give a shit, so me and our bassist were doing all the work. I've been trying to get Sonic and Sonia involved since they're also into music too, but they're busy with their own things here. It just sucks… I always imagined all three of us having a band one day. I was initially against being in one with other people, but I got over it and frankly enjoy it more now."
"I see… I am gu-glad you are happy…"
"Speaking of happy, how are you feeling, man? Any better?"
Espio looked down at the concrete pavement, not saying anything.
"I can tell it's still on your mind, huh? And lemme guess, still don't wanna say anything?"
The transfer student shook his head as Manic sighed before continuing.
"Tell you what. I normally don't do this, but you got special friend privileges. I'll allow it."
The chameleon turned over to face the green hedgehog as he began to rummage through his pocket. He let his tongue slip from his mouth as he looked up at the sky, arm going back and forth in his pocket. That's when Manic pulled out something that Espio didn't recognize. It was a silver device with something poking out from the top, showing the reflection of the hedgehog and the chameleon as Espio turned his head.
"What is that?" he asked.
"This my friend, is my cure for anxiety. Well, besides weed but that's besides the point. You recognize it?" Manic asked. Espio stared closer at the device, squinting his eyes before shaking his head. "It's a vape box. It's like a cigarette, but it's frankly a lot better for you than one. I always puff on this over the day and it helps me calm down SO much. Sonic doesn't mind it, but Sonia hardcore does, telling me I'm gonna ruin myself with it. She believes those hardcore anti-vape ads that just wanna scare you, it's total bullshit. Well anyway, as your special friend, I'm gonna let you use my remedy and see if this helps you. If it does, well… you know where to find me. I know where to hook you up with good vapes and pods. Well, go on! Give it a shot!"
Espio looked at the device Manic held out closer as he slowly grabbed it, feeling the cool metal in his hands. He turned it around, wondering how this was used.
"You haven't seen one of these before, have you? Okay okay, hand it here, I'll show you."
Manic held out his hand as Espio handed the strange device to the hedgehog. He watched intently as Manic pressed a button to the side as the device lit up.
"Okay, now watch me. Hold down the power button and then just inhale. Like this."
Bringing it up to his mouth, Espio saw Manic starting to inhale from the rod in the device as it made a sucking noise. Seconds later, he exhaled smoke from his mouth at an intense rate, and it was then that it finally clicked to Espio as to what this was. Was… was this like the tobacco pipes his mother would smoke in her chambers, only electronic?
"That's all there is to it!" Manic said once he exhaled everything and wiped the mouthpiece of the rod with a cloth in his pocket. "It's really calming to just exhale it all out and you feel a nice buzz too. Now you try!"
Handing the device back to Espio, the chameleon looked over to what he was supposed to click again, finding it on the side. He wasn't going to lie… he didn't think he would already be at the time in his life where he would smoke just like mother and father used to. But considering that the transfer student's life was already over, well… it wasn't like he had anything to lose anymore. As such, Espio placed his mouth on the rod and held down the button, inhaling deep as the same noise from before sounded. But not even four seconds straight of inhaling, Espio's eyes widened as he began to violently cough, the device falling from his hand as all the smoke was being coughed out from his mouth.
"Yo bro, I know this is your first time but don't inhale it all at once!" Manic said, his advice useless as Espio was heeled over the pavement, continuing to cough violently. Now it was starting to become hard to breathe again… THIS was how Manic calmed himself?
"W-Well, don't worry! We all make mistakes for our first ti… uh oh, my ride's here! Sorry bro, I gotta head out now. You'll be fine, I promise. Just get it all out of your system and you should be good! See ya later!"
With Espio still holding his stomach and getting out every last bit of the smoke from his system from his coughing, he could hear Manic get up from the floor and mess around with the objects by him. The chameleon went back to feeling miserable, the 'cure' from Manic not helping at all. In fact, not only was he back to feeling anxious and dizzy, Espio felt like he was now going to throw up. He got up from the floor, holding his stomach as he began to walk back onto the campus grounds, remembering that he couldn't be off campus because of his probation.
"Nothing… is working…" Espio lamented to himself. "Nothing… wants to go right for me!"
He felt even worse than when he first arrived at Mobius U. The draining of the colorful life around him, the inaudible sensation coming back to him, the feeling like he was being mocked by everyone around him… it was only made worse by the device Manic gave him. Espio looked around, eyes widened as he felt entirely lost as to what to do anymore. Never once in his life was he taught what to do in situations like this, not even in the Outside World!
"And I can't trust anyone…" Espio thought mentally. "I heard Master Yoshikage… keep loved ones close by to you, but don't let your guard down…"
He couldn't believe he was thinking about Setsu at a time like this, considering his entire cataclysm seemed to start with the show. No, all of this began because of his feelings for Vector, this entire chain of events caused by something he didn't even REALIZE was happening!
"But what should I do?! Where should I go?!"
It felt beyond futile at this point. Espio had been pushing away all of his friends out of his fear and anxiety of them learning the truth, coping by returning back to his old ways. But here he was, exposed in front of what felt like everyone. He felt sick just TELLING someone, either they wouldn't know or they would just tell Vector, who would attempt to pry an answer out of him because of how much Vector worried about him!
"Damn it… damn you, Vector! Why do you have to be so caring?! Why can't you just leave me BE?!"
It felt like the first bit of genuine anger the chameleon felt towards the crocodile. He had taken everything from Espio, but the biggest thing he took… was his heart… And no one… could understand how he felt. Not one of his classmates, not his professors, not Valdez, not the spirit of his father, nor his friends…
…
That's when Espio looked up.
"Wait a minute…" he thought to himself. "My friends… the others seem like they wouldn't know but… but what about Jewel?!"
Of COURSE, why didn't he think about that before?! The jewel beetle was really smart, possibly the smartest person he knew! In his foolish act to push everyone in his life away from him, he had been neglecting the sole friend of his that likely WOULD know what to do with how he felt! Espio smiled, knowing he had to go find Jewel.
But then he stopped himself and his face fell… Because at that moment, he realized that even though Jewel would tell him what to do about his feelings, she also WAS the type to go to Vector and tell him- ARGH, why did EVERYTHING in his life have to go to shambles the minute he thought about it MORE?! Espio wanted to simply beat his head, smashing his feet to the ground like a toddler throwing a tantrum. Was he NEVER to tell anyone?! Was he simply just going to pretend like nothing was bothering him… when… when everything about himself WAS?!
Espio's body hung, what felt like hitodama surrounding him. Everything… felt futile. It felt like there was no meaning to try and talk to anyone, no meaning to try and find a way to calm himself. It all felt useless, all felt like there was no purpose to try to find meaning in how he truly was.
As Espio stood in the middle of the campus, almost like a zombie, he looked up at the large, towering university. Why… had he come here? Was it to show him the truth? Was it to mock him? Whatever the case may be, Espio wanted no part in it anymore. No one could help him anyway…
He was about to turn around and leave campus… but stopped.
At that moment, Espio realized that in all of his ways of pushing everyone in his life away from him, there was one person he had been neglecting all this time. There was one person he trusted just as much as Vector, one person he could trust to not tell the crocodile about his feelings because he felt awkward about people like him. One person… who sat behind him in class that Espio had been cruelly vague with, despite all his worry.
Espio turned back around and looked at the pathway to the back side of the campus. He had to find him…
It turned out, it wasn't hard to find him like he expected.
As Espio walked around the K building, he turned his head to the right towards the small game center room, seeing a familiar pair of three heads sitting in front of a TV. There was a multitude of action on screen as the chameleon got closer. Espio took a deep breath, knowing what was going to happen next. Placing his hand on the handle, Espio pulled the door open as he walked inside, going around the couch as he saw Mark, Norris, and Dave playing one of their games, the three tapping buttons furiously.
"Ah no, not that stage hazard!" Norris said, eyes glued to the screen as Espio looked towards it. There were three different characters Espio didn't recognize running back and forth, attacking with different weapons. He turned his head in confusion, not really aware as to what it was. Just then, the screen turned red as a character flew to the edge of the screen, the words, 'GAME!' on screen.
"Come on, stop being a noob and change your character, Mark!" Dave whined. "You know that your strategy is beyond degenerate."
"Sorry, I can't hear you over the buff they received in the last patch!" the tapir replied, relishing in his victory. Just then, he turned his head to the side to see-
"Oh, Espio!" Mark smiled. "Hey there, how are you?... Shouldn't you be in class right now? I think I remember you mentioning that you have Psychology around this time 'cause it was moved to an earlier time."
"Has Espio-sama himself decided to become our new challenger?" Norris asked, grabbing one of the controllers on the table by the three. "Hacker's out with a bunch of our other friends getting lunch and bringing it back here. We got time to spare!"
"A… ah… no thank you…" Espio shook his hands and head. "Mark… I want to to-talk to you."
Mark turned his head. "Talk to me?... Why? What's going on?"
"Please?"
The tapir's face seemed to be one of confusion. "Just me?"
"Yes. Please?"
"Do you guys mind?"
"We'll keep your spot," Dave replied. "Maybe now I can actually win against Norris for once…"
"I don't know what you two will be talking about, but if it's personal…" the giraffe replied. "I dunno why he doesn't want to talk about it with me!"
"I'm sure whatever Espio wants to talk about, he'll let you know if he wants to," Mark said. "Yeah, sure… I'll talk. Hey guys, can you make sure you let Hacker and the others know where I'm gone?"
"No prob, dude," Dave held a thumbs up.
"And make sure no one opens my bag either!"
With that, the portly tapir got up from his seat as he walked towards the chameleon.
"What do you want to talk about, Espio?" he asked. But Espio still felt uncomfortable talking about what was going on in front of Dave and Norris.
"Is there an… anot… another place?" the chameleon replied.
"Wow, really REALLY alone? Must be super important. Uh… let's see… Okay! I think I know a place I don't see ANYONE stop by! Still… what's so important?"
The place Mark picked out was behind the ST building, a surprising lack of people by the Technology Center building itself. Espio looked around, hoping that no one was truly around like Mark promised.
"It's okay, Espio," Mark said, smiling as he moved his legs back and forth on the bench the two sat at. "I come by here with the others to eat lunch, at least, when it wasn't cold as hell… No one comes by here, not especially in the middle of winter."
It was nice reassurance, but Espio still felt hollow.
"Say, that reminds me, how HAVE you been? I know I gave you my phone number the other day but… you seem really… out of it. Even now more so. I noticed it a lot since we came back from Winter Break. Are… are you SURE you're okay? You look super freaked out."
Espio felt his heart beat clear as day, the urge to vomit once again rising. Bile forming in his throat, he closed his eyes and… and for the first time…
Shook his head at the response of 'Are you okay?'.
"N-No… Mark… I am not okay…" Espio replied, turning away from his tapir friend.
"...so, you really aren't, huh? Why didn't you say anything before, Espio? You're my friend. You didn't have to lie to me!"
"I… I am sorry…. I had to."
"Had to? What… what do you mean?"
Espio got up from the bench, turning away from Mark as he couldn't bear to look at his friend. He… he was doing this. He knew Mark wouldn't tell Vector, but simply the act of telling another soul struck at the chameleon's heart.
"Ma… Mark… you will not an… no… understand," Espio continued. "But when I ri-return home… I la-learn something."
"What did you learn?" Mark asked from behind.
He could feel his heart beat faster, the only sound being the sound of the soft wind breezing through the desolate earth.
"So ma-much… Mark… do not tell Vector…"
"Why? Isn't he your best friend?"
Espio shut his eyes as hard as he could, not wanting to even bear knowing what happened next.
"No… no, he is not."
"Did you two get into a fight?"
"No! He… Vector is… Vector is…"
His breathing hitched, and… and were his eyes… his eyes stinging? His body began to shake, not just from the cold, but the anxiety of what Mark would do or say. There was no going back anymore. He had already said too much to the tapir.
"Vector is… lo…"
He couldn't bear to say it. It was the most loaded thing he ever confessed to, even more so than his confession in court last week. If Mark reacted badly.., then it was futile to tell anyone else. In fact, he was now starting to have second thoughts. Was… was this what he truly wanted? Was what he was about to tell Mark not truly what he thought, but something the Outside World made him believe?
"Espio, you're starting to worry me. What's going on? What did you learn? Espio, please… answer me! It's okay. Whatever you want to tell me, I understand. I'm your friend. If it's important enough that you don't want Vector to know…"
Espio raised himself up, his posture straight as he listened to the tapir's pleading. He knew that Mark was serious in his request, the tapir sounding more concerned by the minute. Hearing his voice, Espio knew whatever part of his mind told him that how he felt wasn't what he truly was was lying to him.
With his body shaking and something getting caught in his throat…
"Mark… I… I do not la… love woman. I love… Vector…"
He said it.
But he didn't feel relieved.
Espio could start to feel the stinging in his eyes getting worse, and he put his hand over his face. "I… I do not understand… why, Mark? Why m-me? Why was I… this?" he continued. "This is me… no-not normal…"
He could now start to feel a lone tear starting to fall down the side of his face, trying his best to keep his composure in front of his friend.
"I was la… lied to. I never la… learn about lo-loving men. Ba… but… how do you say that word… I know the truth? I learn the truth?"
Mark was silent the entire time, Espio refusing to look at his face out of shame.
"I am very a… ashh… ashhamed. I am a idiot…" Espio continued, now starting to feel even more worse that he did before. "I lose everyone… because of me. Because of this. Everyone hate me, I know it…!" He turned around finally, opening his eyes. "I ka… cannot go home, and I… I…"
Espio couldn't continue anymore, his emotions now got the best of him. Everything he learned from the Shinobi clan was thrown out the window as he now started to softly sob to himself, the feeling of guilt and shame striking his panged heart with each passing minute. He felt more dirty, more broken as he knew Mark was judging him, no doubt ready to break off their friendship. After all… what was worse than someone who was broken?
But Mark only stared at the chameleon in front of him, eyes widened and mouth in the shape of an O.
It made sense…
Everything… FINALLY made sense…
How much Espio had been avoiding him, how silent he had become, how much Espio just seemed to be unhappy… and not just that too. There was the DotC game, where he had such a strange reaction to the orc in the dungeon falling in love with his character. There was the fact that in all his talks with the chameleon of his favorite girls in the manga and anime he let Espio borrow, Espio didn't really ever talk about them on an attractive level. His reaction to Needlemouse-chan, and his closeness… his closeness to Vector.
It all made sense. Espio was gay.
Why didn't he put two and two together? Did the idea never cross him that Espio may… may have never been attracted to women, but men? He was surprised. His knowledge about being gay and Yurashia was limited, but he thought things had been getting better in the zone over the past couple of years. But then he forgot where Espio came from…
"The most traditional of places…" Mark thought to himself. It's no wonder Espio had this reaction. No one in his life ever told him about being gay before, and he was having possibly the biggest gay related panic of his life. In fact, all he could do was stand by and watch as Espio continued to break down more and more. He didn't know what to do. Never ONCE had someone come to him to come out before…
"What do I do, Mark?" Espio continued, his emotions going haywire. "I feel… co-cold… lonely… afu… afraid… I am not stu-strong. I am a fu-fool… a broken fool…"
The tapir's face fell more and more. It hurt him emotionally to see his friend… reduced to pure pleading. He still didn't know what to do…
"Mark, please… do not tell Vector! He must not know! If he does… he… he will… hei-hate me… How… how do you not hate me to-"
And then, at that moment, Mark did the only thing he thought he could do at that moment, no matter how much he didn't care to think about it. No matter who was watching and thought it was weird…
He hugged Espio.
Espio stopped, his voice cutting out as the tapir put his arms around the chameleon. His eyes watered, staring at the concrete walkway as he could feel the pudgy tapir's body against his own. Mark's glasses pushed against Espio's shoulder as the transfer student's haori blew in the soft wind, silence between the two.
"It's okay, Espio. I know you're afraid. But I'm here for you," he said. "You're still my friend no matter what. And I'll still love you, man. Don't ever forget that."
Still… my friend…
I'll… love you…
Espio wept to himself, unable to stop the waterworks coming down his eyes. He… he never heard those words from anyone in Gojo. But here… Mark told him that even if he had same gender love… he… he still loved him…
He could feel Mark rubbing the chameleon's shoulder, trying to soothe him. Espio's bit his lip, not wanting to shed any more tears than he already did.
"I'll stay here as long as you want me to, man," the tapir said. "It's okay to let it all out. You've kept it in for so long. But don't forget, I'm proud of you for telling me something brave. It wasn't easy, I bet."
Espio returned the hug, eyes closing as he used the tapir's sweater as a tissue to wipe his eyes. "D-Do… do you… a… understand?..." he asked.
"Well… I'm straight, so I don't know exactly how you feel a hundred percent. I'm sorry, Espio. But tell you what… when you feel like you've let it all out, I think I know just what you need to do."
"You… you do?"
"Yeah… a place where I think you might find better advice than me. The best thing I can do is this… and yeah, don't worry about my sweater. I've been meaning to do laundry anyway. Guess I have an excuse now."
Espio softly chuckled, the two still not letting go of their hug. To have someone like Mark still care for him, to comfort him, to… tell him that he knew what to do, and that he was proud of him…
Mark let go of the hug seconds later, looking up at the chameleon, his trunk softly swaying as he smiled.
"How are you feeling? Better?"
Espio felt his body starting to relieve itself of its stress little by little. He still felt unsure about telling others but… knowing that Mark was going to be here for him no matter what…
"Better," the chameleon replied.
"I understand why you don't want to tell Vector, or… or why you were afraid to tell me. But don't worry, until you're ready to tell others, I'll keep this between us," the tapir continued.
"O… Okay… thank you," Espio nodded, wiping his eyes with his haori. "Thank you so much, Mark…"
"You're the first person who ever came to me about something like this… Do you really trust me that much?"
"You are my friend. Like Vector…"
"Yeah… yeah, I guess I am, huh…" Mark smiled, rubbing the back of his head. "I suppose I should tell you that thing that should help you, no? It's still the lunch period, so they should still be meeting. But I still have their advertisement from when we went to the Club and Organization Day a few months back."
The tapir pulled his phone out from his pocket, typing quickly as Espio wondered what Mark was doing.
"Okay, I just sent it to you!" he said. However, Espio felt around his hakama and haori, realizing…
"I… left ma-my phone!" he said, cursing mentally that he left his phone back in Professor Starline's class.
"Oh dang, really? Okay okay, I'll just show you."
Mark put his phone in Espio's face as he pointed to the message he sent the chameleon. "Here, there should still be time left. Go here. They'll have all the answers you need."
There was only one phrase typed: B-221. From what he knew, the place he was being told to go was room 221 on the second floor of the B building… Could this be what he needed?
"Do you know where to go?"
Espio nodded.
"Good. And… Espio?"
Mark looked back up at the chameleon again. "Don't forget. No matter what, you'll always be my friend. I'm happy for you… and I can't wait to see you be at an easier peace of mind."
With that, the tapir made his way back to the B building as Espio sighed, watching his friend walk away. It felt like he had a friend unlike Mark before in his life, one that he wouldn't trade for anyone else in the world…
"Mark… thank you…" he said in his native tongue, closing his eyes as he brought his hand to his chest. He looked to the side, knowing where he was to go next. As long as he knew Mark at least still loved him… then he'd be okay when he got to the room the tapir told him to go.
He stood in front of the room in question. Here he was, if he had it right, it was room B-221. It was on a floor he definitely wasn't familiar with, as none of his classes were on this floor. This room was at the end of a hallway past a few rooms with people sitting at computers and some offices of the staff of Mobius U. What Espio could easily tell, from the decorations around the door, that this room was owned by someone creative. There were a multitude of colors and papers taped to the door and the like. Was this really what Mark told him would help?
"Mark told me so. I trust him…" he thought to himself. And so, with his hand on the door handle, he turned the handle and pushed the door open. When he did, he slowly walked in as he looked around the room. Inside, there were about a dozen or so mobians and Overlanders all standing around or sitting in chairs in different parts of the room. All of them were chatting amongst one another, but they were all faces Espio didn't recognize. In fact, as Espio walked through the room, no one seemed to really notice him as he looked around to get a better look of the room.
There were Overlanders with different colored hair than he expected, from blue to purple, some with long or short hairstyles. There were mobians wearing something cloth-like as a cloak, some of them in different colors. There was one that was blue-white-pink, one that was red-orange-yellow-blue-green-purple, one that was orange-white-pink, among many different ones. He walked past one group, two mobians and an Overlander sitting at a table as he turned his head to see… a face he swore he recognized. Sitting next to a blue female dog, Espio saw a teal fennec fox with bangs covering her eyes. It was… someone he recognized from Vector's football games. That's right… she was that person on the cheerleading squad who always was at the very top of formation, a nonchalant look on her face every time.
In fact, the fennec fox noticed Espio too, returning the stare back as an unidentifiable look appeared on her face.
"Oh, hey there! It's been a while!" a rather high-pitched sounding voice said. Espio turned around, and when he did, two VERY familiar faces were in front of him. There was a shark in a light purple sweater, next to a hedgehog with glasses in a gray and white sweater sitting in front of a laptop. Espio recognized them as those two from the Club and Organization day with Mark. Was this… that club he thought about the night he learned about his same gender love?
"I remember you. You came by with that tapir," the hedgehog with the glasses said. "What brings you here?"
Espio looked around, wondering how best to phrase his question.
"A-Ah… A friend said to come hi-here," he said. The shark turned his head, the piercing on his back fin moving alongside his head.
"A friend said to come here? Did they need something?" he asked.
"No no! I need something."
"Did you… forget something in this classroom earlier today?" asked the hedgehog with glasses.
"No… I come here beca-cause… I…"
Espio looked down at the floor, still unsure of how to really phrase this for the shark and hedgehog. "I… I need help. I do not… la-like… like… Wo... wo..."
He couldn't say it. He felt braver telling the truth to Mark, but these people were just strangers. How could he just say something so loaded to them?
…it turns out, he didn't need to.
A few people in the room turned their attention to the three mobians, watching as the transfer student they had at least heard about once seemed to just stare at the floor. At that moment, the shark got up from his seat and held the chameleon's shoulders, looking him in the eye.
"Listen," he said. "I know what you're trying to say. Don't worry. Everyone in this room has all been there. We all know what it was like coming out to others. But in this room… you're safe. You're loved, and you're going to be okay. We all understand. You made the right choice coming here. Everything is gonna be alright."
Espio stared back at the shark. It was like… he read through the chameleon's dilemma perfectly. He smiled as he turned to the hedgehog.
"Nicky, I think we have ourselves a new soul who needs guidance. Mind getting our introduction guide?"
The hedgehog nodded. "On it, Razor!"
They stood up and walked over to the other side of the room, grabbing something from a pile of books and walking back to the shark and chameleon, handing it out to Espio.
"There you go. We always give one to anyone wanting more info, especially for people trying to come out," they said. "All the answers you want are in here."
"What's your name by the way? I don't think we ever got it," the shark named Razor asked.
"Espio…" replied the chameleon.
"Espio, is it? Well, welcome to the LGBTQ League. As long as you're here, you're in a safe place," he gave a toothy grin. "We have plenty of resources here too if you need it, but if you got questions, Nicky and I are here until our club time finishes in about twenty minutes."
"Thank you…"
"And, Espio?" Nicky said. "You aren't alone. I promise you that we all understand, and that you made the right choice. Welcome aboard."
Espio smiled as the two mobians sat back down, discussing something he couldn't quite understand. He turned around to see some of the people staring at him had only continued, deciding on walking around to see what this room had to offer him. As he did, he looked down at the pamphlet given to him by Nicky, which read, 'So you just found out you're LGBTQA..."
" Does this have all the answers?" he asked himself, opening up the paper. But as he did, Espio suddenly walked into someone.
"Oof!"
Espio shook his head, hoping his horn didn't hurt whoever he just bumped into. But as he looked at who it was…
"Oh, sorry about tha-"
It was Rotor.
The walrus' eyes widened as he jumped in surprise, pure fear and horror in his voice as he removed the booming headphones off his head.
'E-E-ESPIO?!" he questioned, holding a book he had in his hands up to his face. Espio blinked, not expecting to find the walrus football player in this room. Nor for him to be reading... "A History of Mobian Queer Culture".
"What are you doing?" asked the chameleon.
"Wh-Wh… What am I doing?!" Rotor's eyes darted back and forth as he slowly raised the book over his face. "No… nothing! I… I come by here every other week because Razor and Nicky need engineering help with-with setting up stuff and… and no one else in my classes wanted to do it and-and I don't mind it at all! And-and-and… and it's pretty… pretty…"
With his face growing redder by the second and with the book shadowing 3/4 of his face, Rotor looked back at Espio with pure fear in his eyes.
"Please… please don't tell Monk I've been here…" he squeaked.
Espio simply only stared back, knowing full well that Rotor too wasn't telling the truth.
After the walrus calmed down, he and Espio sat at a desk. He had just gotten done trying to explain to Rotor about why he was here, ending with having to disclose his same gender love to the walrus.
"Wow… I didn't think that you would be," Rotor said. "But I guess I'm not surprised. It's a common rumor from what I hear, but I try to stay away from that limelight. You're a lot braver than me though. I couldn't dare come out at all, not especially with Monk around. When he spewed all that stuff with Connery to Vector last month… it really hurt me a lot. It reminded me why I can't be open to the other guys on the team. I frankly always felt like the odd guy out. Heh… look at me. I get featured in a national football magazine, and instead, here I am hiding in an LGBT club."
"Why?" Espio turned his head.
Rotor shrugged. "I dunno… I guess after all the years that I've just endured abuse from others and bullying, even despite being in football since High School… I just feel afraid to tell anyone. You're frankly the first person I've been out to who wasn't from the LGBTQ League."
Espio frowned. It seemed like he wasn't as alone as he thought… Rotor too also felt the same. Was this… a common experience?
"And hey, don't worry," Rotor continued. "I won't tell Vector. I know what it's like to keep your crush a secret."
Espio raised his head. "Cu… crush? You?"
Rotor turned his eyes away from the chameleon, looking just as embarrassed as he did before when he first saw Espio. "Ye… yeah… I… I haven't really… talked about it…"
Espio stared at the walrus as he continued to look embarrassed.
"D-Don't look at me like that, Espio… I'm insecure about it… It's… it's…"
Rotor sighed before returning Espio's gaze. "You know what… you told me about Vector. I suppose I can do the same. Here, why don't we walk together? I'll show you who it is. I can trust you enough."
With that, the walrus and chameleon walked out of the B building and through the back campus. It felt nice to no longer feel as afraid as he felt earlier, being with someone the chameleon could relate so much to. It was a turn around of how things were just hours ago. The two didn't speak at all the entire way, Espio unaware of where they were going.
Eventually, Rotor opened the way to the Student Services building as he held the door open for Espio. The chameleon walked inside, Rotor leading the way as Espio looked up at the sign where the two were heading to. 'SPECIAL RESOURCES OFFICE', it read.
"Where are we going?" Espio asked.
"We're almost there," Rotor replied. The chameleon still wasn't sure where they were going, but after a couple of seconds of passing by doors, Rotor stopped in front of one door with a window on it.
"There. That's him," he said, stepping out of the way. Espio walked towards the door, getting on his tiptoes as he saw two people alone in the room. There was a bulky yellow polar bear dressed in heavy winter clothing sitting in front of a tablet, a blonde Overlander woman making some sort of movement with her hands as she made different expressions on her face. Espio turned his head… what was going on? Who were these?
"Is it him?" asked Espio. Rotor nodded.
"I asked a few of the staff here. His name is Bark," Rotor explained. "From what I was told, he was born with congenital deafness. As a result, he's often here with his interpreter reviewing lessons after class. I met him because Coach really wanted him to be on the football team, and wanted so hard to accommodate him in but the higher ups said no. AD Sommersby even tried to fight for Bark to join and they told him no. I felt really bad for him but… when I saw him that day when he came onto the field… I was struck with love. Haven't you noticed me practicing sign language and expression during meal times? It's because I'm practicing every day so that one day, I'll tell him the truth."
Espio looked up at Rotor. The way he talked about this man named Bark, the way it reminded him of how he thought about Vector.
"I've had people hound me before about how I'm wasting my time, mainly Axel… but I don't care. Bark is someone that deserves love just as much as me or you. I don't even care if things in life change because of him being deaf. I'll gladly do it for him. Sometimes… he's even looked up at me. I wonder if he's ever thought about me before… I just feel too embarrassed to go up to him. Even when he goes to social events, whether by himself or with a friend… I just can't do it."
"Why?"
Rotor looked down at his feet. "Well, I suppose I can ask you why you haven't told Vector about how you feel, no?"
Espio's eyes widened. Now he got it…
"Well… I guess you know my secret now, just like I know yours. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. I realize that maybe I need to be more open, and if you are well… maybe it just goes to show I'm more of a coward than I thought. Still though… actually getting to talk to someone outside of the LGBTQ League about this… I… I liked it. It's no wonder Vector likes being around you. You're definitely someone who can listen to how others feel. Thanks, Espio."
It reminded him of how he was with Mark earlier. Just like how Espio confided in Mark about his truth, Rotor did the same to him.
"Maybe we should meet up soon. Heck, maybe we could see who confesses to who first," the walrus smiled. "But anyway, I gotta get ready for my next class. The lunch period is almost over. Did you eat?"
Espio shook his head.
"Oof, well then I better let you go then. But… before I go…"
Rotor looked at the chameleon. "I know that things seem hard, especially coming out to others. Trust me, I say wait until you feel like you're ready. But I'm glad you trusted me enough to tell me, even if I'm friends with Vector. I'm sure everything will be okay. Vector's always been a swell guy. He's not the type to be angry if a guy had a crush on him. Frankly, I think the manwhore relishes that dudes are attracted to him, but that's just me," Rotor winked. "Anyway, for real now, I gotta get going. I'll see you later!"
With that, Rotor took his leave as Espio stood in the middle of the hall. He turned back to the windowed door, looking at Bark communicating with his interpreter. He hoped that Rotor could get his wish just like how Espio wished he would get his with Vector. This feeling of longing, wanting to be close to someone… Espio felt relieved that more people could understand him. How could he believe that no one would understand? After all… people like him… they were all over the place.
Hearing his stomach growl, Espio thought that it was for the best that he get something to eat. With that, the chameleon left the hallway and returned to the main area of the Students Service building. As he walked outside towards the K building for a very brief lunch, he saw someone walking towards his direction with a backpack in their hands, someone VERY familiar.
"Espio-kun?! Espio-kun!"
It was Valdez. Espio felt his tail raise in fear, knowing full well that the blue chameleon would be angry for what he did earlier today. The fuschia chameleon stood still, watching as Valdez walked up to him. But instead of the angry look on his face like he expected, the blue chameleon looked… exhausted.
" There you are! I was wondering where you were all this time…" he said. "Are… are you okay?"
Espio looked at Valdez, then at the floor. "A little… I still feel bad, empty, and lonely… but… but I told Mark. He hugged me. He told me he loved me. It was… the first time in my life anyone ever told me that. I felt happy that someone still cares for me, in spite of who I am."
Valdez crouched down to Espio's height. "Espio-kun… while I'm not happy that you've kept this from me, especially because you've been regressing to old mentalities, I understand that it wasn't just because of your uncertainty about what others would say. You said it yourself, you were worried that I'd tell the Bride. Trust me, if we've been lying about everything else, then why would I tell her about that?"
"Valdez-san…"
"I'm not going to say I'm an exact expert on this, because I'm not. However… I understand you've been hurting a lot since we returned to… no, possibly during our trip to Gojo. Haven't you considered that this may interfere with the Brides' plan to get you married?"
"But I am not in love with any woman. I love Vector…"
There he was saying love… even Valdez was taken aback by Espio using it liberally.
"I'm surprised how okay you are with saying it… you know love is a very loaded term," Valdez said.
"Mark told me everything was okay. I… I still don't want to tell everyone yet, but I learned that I will not be shunned. If you have not shunned me, Valdez-san, or if Mark has not shunned me… I understand now that-"
"Espio-kun, it's been a long day for you. I think you need some time to relax. Professor Starline has already seen your dream journal, but I talked to him about it after class. Come, let's get you something to eat. I was informed by Officer Wachowski that your community service begins tonight, but that it'll be shortened because you have class tomorrow."
With that, Valdez led the way as Espio followed behind. As he did so, Valdez turned back to Espio.
" Espio-kun, I just want to ask… everything today… are you sure? I know you had many dreams about Vector, but… I don't want to see you get hurt. You're someone worthy of love, Espio-kun. No matter what your mind may say."
Espio continued to look down at the floor, but mentally… he was happy. Happy that not only Rotor and Mark seemed to support him, but… but so did Valdez. And he wasn't going to tell his mother like he thought. After the terrible day today, knowing full well that he was worthy of love, just like Valdez said…
He walked back to the K building, no longer anxious and paranoid.
5:36 P.M.
It was approaching sundown when Valdez handed off Espio to Officer Wachowski. He had eaten and done much of his homework and missing assignments on Capsule with the blue chameleon back at the dorm for the rest of the afternoon, little conversation between the two. All that was asked from Espio was one question.
"Valdez-san… is nothing truly wrong with me?"
To which he got a simple answer.
"Espio-kun. You're you. No one can change that, no matter what. That's why you exist in this world. To be you, even if it means spending years learning what it means to be yourself."
Espio thought about this answer as he sat in Officer Wachowski's police unit, looking at his ankle monitor as it continuously flashed. He thought back to the only time he saw Vector that day besides the morning and during Advanced English Literature: when he came by the dorm to pick up his stuff before his game tonight. It hurt the chameleon to know he would miss another of Vector's games, especially because he felt he had a moral obligation to support every single game of his. But nothing could be done.
"I can tell you're deep in thought," Officer Wachowski said as he drove the chameleon to where he'd be serving his community service. "These community service places do wonders for a kid like you. Opens your eyes to the truth of the world and people less fortunate than you… or shows you what real work experience is like. You're gonna learn from it. You better…"
With that notion duly noted, the officer pulled into the parking lot of a white building. He turned off the car and turned towards Espio.
"Well, here you are. Central City Soup Kitchen. You'll be here serving food to the homeless population of the city alongside other prisoners who have ordered community service. Unlike you, these are people who are actually doing time for major offenses, so you better be on your best behavior, okay?"
The Overlander looked more serious by the second as Espio bit his lip, wondering what he meant by this. He soon got his answer an hour later, when after everything was set up by the officer, Espio stood behind a counter with an apron and gloves on, a pair of tongs in his hand as he prepared a container of salad for a disheveled Overlander. There was an aura that the chameleon couldn't describe, one that made him feel… uneasy. He wasn't sure why though. Maybe it was the people around him who stared at him, Overlanders and mobians with very rough physical appearances. It made the chameleon feel more out of place, especially since he had to beg the others of the soup kitchen to allow him to keep his normal clothing, as he hated having to wear clothes from the Outside World.
With the line of people getting their food still just as packed as when he first arrived, Espio knew all he had to do was what he was shown. All he'd have to do is keep his head down for hours, not let anyone or anything interrupt-
"Hey, boy."
Espio's eyes widened, a very gruff voice speaking to him. He realized the voice was VERY close by, in fact… right next to him. Eyes widened, not sure of the threat of who was next to him, the chameleon slowly turned his head towards the direction of the voice. It was to his right that stood a large, burly brownish-red lion. His large mane, tied up beard, and towering height and muscle structure reminding Espio of the football players he'd see Vector play against. In fact, this man had an aura that Espio couldn't describe as well. As the chameleon looked at him further, seeing his mane net, apron, the blue shirt he had on, and the dozens of tattoos and scars he had on his arms… he spoke again.
"You ain't a prisoner like me... are ya?"
END OF CHAPTER 27
