Please excuse the long break but I've returned. This hiatus was involuntary as I was working on other things during these past few months. Regardless I'm trying to get through the first half of this story sometime soon and not go on a multi-month hiatus. Please enjoy this chapter.

-MalMetal

Chapter 28: Time to Decide

Legoshi moves his fork about a full plate. His mind drifted elsewhere while sitting across from Jack and Durham whose voices were like stack to his ears. The events of last night replayed again and again in his head.

"Legoshi!" The wolf looked at Jack who snapped his fingers at him. "What's wrong with you?"

"Sorry, I stayed out late studying. I'm just tired." Jack rolled his eyes.

"You're lying," Jack asserted.

"No, I'm not."

"He's right, you're not making eye contact." Durham looked his friend dead in the face. Legoshi looked over the relatively empty cafeteria, sighing.

"What's wrong? You didn't have another fight with your Grandpa, did you?" Legoshi shook his head at Jack. "So what is it? You're not leaving until you tell us."

"You couldn't keep me here if you wanted to." Legoshi chuckled slightly. His friends' faces showed concern at his callous remark, against any alternative, he explained everything to Haru and his feelings associated with it. Durham and Jack listened intently, remembering every part of his story. They shared a look at its end, and Durham locked eyes with the wolf.

"Maybe you should just leave her alone, dont'cha think?" Durham's suggestion was met with an immediate shake of the head.

"I've got to help her, she can't do this alone."

"Why do you gotta play the hero? That's your problem. You already risked your neck going after her before and now you wanna do more? Let her go."

"I'm not playing, I just want to make sure she's safe!"

"Think about this, from what you said that girl sounds like a ticking time bomb. If she disappears again because of the Shishigumi or … herself, everyone will point fingers at you and what'll you have to say? She's an herbivore. It's not your world to be stumbling around in!"

"She needs help. I'm not going to just sit back and do nothing!"

"He's got a point, Legoshi." Jack countered. "You're running a huge risk with this girl. I think you should call it quits while you're ahead or find some different way to help her that wouldn't put you in a compromising situation. That's all we want you to do."

"Don't speak for me! He should've dropped her way earlier!" Durham complained.

"I understand that you're worried about me but I can handle this. I've been trying to find a way to help her. There's someone else who has to talk to her. It might be what she needs." Louis came to Legoshi's mind. He was the only answer. The three stayed silent for the next couple of seconds. Legoshi got up without finishing his food and departed for his class. Jack and Durham remained at the table, watching their friend leave.

"He's changed again. During the summer, then now. Any idea why?" Durham asked.

"W-well he's probably not feeling his best after everything that's happened."

"Couldn't he talk to us about it or at least you?"

"I'm not sure how to approach him about it, he doesn't tell me about everything."

"Get him to. I think you could get him to open up." Durham's voice lightened while placing weight on his roommate's shoulders.

"I'll see what I can do but I'm not making any promises!" Jack's quick response sounded a bit panicked which Durham rubbed his head for as an apology.

"Take your time but not too long," Durham said, bringing his hand back to himself. The two gathered their trays and headed off to class. Jack thought of Legoshi, he'd never been this despondent before. Not since the day his mother died.

Haru sat in the back of her biology classroom. Everyone already stayed away from her when she sat in the front row so they did the same again. The bell rang when the professor walked in and took note of his students' shift in seats without missing a beat, he began class. Her hand began writing down notes her professor scribbled on the whiteboard. Her presence had become more passive than usual. Her fingers and ears twitched at every word. Absorbing nothing. Thinking of nothing. Feeling something, a little bit of nothing. The bell took Haru out of her trance. She only left after everyone else did, including the professor.

"Haru." Her professor called. "Come down here, let's talk."

"I have to get to lunch. I'm pretty hungry."

"I was not asking." Haru felt cornered as she walked to the front of the classroom. Her professor stopped behind his desk and looked down at her. The hair stood up on her neck and her sight below the professor's eyes.

"I'm not one to ask about what my students feel too much because quite frankly I'm not interested. You all have very little going on inside your heads, at least the majority. I strictly teach for money, I don't take any pride in it or happiness. I just do it because it's something I can do. After teaching for thirty or so years I came to understand the small few who are special. Those who are smart and have promise. In this class, there are only two students. Louis is the first and the other is you." Haru looked up slightly.

"You and him are the only two who have maintained an A in my class and I take note of that. You've always asked and answered some difficult questions, even I needed to take a step back to fully grasp them at times. The two of you are nothing like your peers. Louis has proved that much but you are different."

"What do you mean?"

"You are a genius but you don't show it. Humbleness like that will get you far." The professor picked up his bag. "Whatever is going on with you, don't let it stop you from being who you were meant to be. Don't let it limit your potential." Haru stood transfixed by his last words, she'd known them too well. Yesterday, now today. She could not simply move on so easily. Not after all that's happened.

After about ten minutes, she took a step outside into the hallway. It felt longer than normal. Her first steps were heavy as if encased in cement. Her echoing steps were heard by no one except three smaller herbivores. Mizuchi and her two friends were waiting for her. Haru turned down a nearby hallway, fear shattered the cement around her feet which allowed for a chase to ensue. Mizuchi's face was wrought with anger that made her run faster than normal. Haru's distress pushed her through what seemed like a labyrinth of hallways she could not tell how to exit. Mizuchi's angry screams for her to stop did little else than make Haru run faster. Turning a corner, she came face to face with one of Mizuchi's friends. Dodging the girl's hands, Haru sprinted past her and down a hallway that she recognized. Around the corner was the exit but also Mizuchi.

"You think you're smart don't you?!" Mizuchi lunged at Haru but she managed to duck under her arms and burst out of the school doors. She had to make it to the lunch crowd, she had to make it before Mizuchi caught up to her. Making it around to the path leading towards the cafeteria, she saw people. Her hope quickly drained as a hand grabbed the collar of her shirt. Haru choked out a painful sound as she fell to the ground, her school material falling all over the ground. Haru scrambled to her feet but Mizuchi pushed her into a nearby tree, and soon her friends arrived too.

"What's… wrong with you guys? Stalking me outside of class? What did I ever do to you?" Haru's remark is met with a swift smack that knocks her down.

"First my boyfriend and now you're talking back? You just don't listen at all!" Mizuchi kicked Haru, then grabbed her shirt collar. "All you ever do is mess up everyone else's lives! You're just a slut that doesn't know what to do or how to mind her own business!" Haru felt her strength leaving her body. Mizuchi wouldn't stop her verbal torment, continuing to prattle on and on about her amount of partners and lack of value. Another inescapable situation presented itself so soon after the first. Worst of all she agreed. Louis disappeared and never spoke to her anymore, Legoshi and Bill horrified her, and telling her family would result in even more stress. These conjoined realities turned her ears inside out so they sounded louder than Mizuchi. Another hit to her face shocked Haru only just a little bit. No one is coming to save her.

"At least I'm not going to die this time." Haru thought of this situation's bright side before bracing for one last punch.

"Stop that!" Haru opened her eyes to a wolf coming to her side. The voice didn't sound anything like his. The reddish fur, female uniform, and soft round purple eyes solidified this. Juno stood a few feet away from them.

"Why don't you mind your own business? We're in the middle of something." Mizuchi's rude attitude pushed Juno back a step.

"T-that doesn't matter! You shouldn't be putting your hands on someone like that! She's clearly hurt, so stop it!" Juno shook from anxiety.

"If you want to stop me then you'll have to put your hands on me and you know what happens if you do that, don't you?" Juno shrank at the harlequin's threat. The wolf's body stayed still. One month had passed since she began involving herself with herbivores fully. Clubs, smiles, handshakes, and exchanged pleasantries. The peaceful side of their relationship is what she felt most comfortable seeing, not the ugliness of conflict. How could she? She isn't him. She isn't Legoshi. He stood up to anything presented in front of him. A wolf who traveled into the dark for the sake of a light he sought after so selflessly. Mizuchi raised her hand to smack Haru but it stopped.

She didn't have to be him. She only had to use his example to find a truth of her own.

"I told you to stop it." Juno held the rabbit's arm in her grip.

"Let go of me!" Mizuchi shook her hand viciously, and her friends backed away from her.

"S-say you won't hurt her then!" Juno's anxiety peeked out again and tightened her grip.

"Let me go!" A small crack sounded from Mizuchi's wrist. Juno instantly lost all of her strength. Mizuchi screamed aloud, her right hand over her wrist. Her friends came to her side with worry all over their faces. The wolf looked down at her hands, they were shaking more than before.

"You broke it!" Mizuchi's cry pushed Juno further into her mind. Nobody would believe her if she had said what truly happened. He said she said situation she would not win. Her future may have now been closed off completely. She should have just stayed out of an herbivore situation.

"You bitch! I'm going to tell everyone about this!"

"Don't… play the victim. You got yourself into this. I'll make sure of that." Haru weakly retorted.

"Like anyone is gonna believe you!"

"Oh, they will." Everyone's head turned to a dall sheep who just finished recording on his phone. "This is all the proof they'll need."

"Pina?" Juno's confusion is met with a slight nod.

"Who are you?" Mizuchi asked.

"A lost little sheep passing by a messy scene." Pina stepped closer to her. "I think you should go and get your wrist checked out, don't you agree? While you're at it, think of a good excuse to tell the administration after I give them this video."

"Your video shows her getting hurt, it won't do anything! If anything it'll show-"

"If anything it'll show how a carnivore did what she could in her power to defend a helpless herbivore being ganged up on three other herbivores. Someone had to step in and she was the one who did." Pina cut off the black cat. "Your injury hurts, doesn't it? Well not enough if you can still stand around. Go on, get going." Three herbivores mixed with fear and anger fled.

"Why are you here?" Juno asked.

"Like I said, a lost little sheep passing by a messy scene. I would have stepped in but you got there before I did, so I waited back in case something terrible happened and it did." Pina walked over to Haru and looked over her injuries. "Your injuries aren't too bad, you should get some ice though." Her face shows how uncomfortable she is with Pina's presence.

"Pina… do you really think they'll believe your video?"

"Of course. Once I explain the reasoning behind the incident all will be settled. You don't need to worry about a thing." Pina's smile left something to be answered before he left the two girls behind. Why was he there? How long was he there? Did he know this would happen? Juno could question herself ad nauseam but that would not do her any good. Her attention shifted to the dwarf white rabbit who picked up her things.

"Thank you." Juno heard those words as Haru walked by. The wolf's nerves were still shot from this encounter and nothing could recover her composure except time. However, a brief peace worms its way into her heart in the form of a smile to herself. Although grateful towards her savior, Haru's fear did not fade. It merely loosened its tight hold just enough for a breath of appreciation to flow outwards. Even so, something in Haru felt a bit lighter.

Juno stood still. Her fur moved thanks to the current events blowing past her. She still has work to do and lunchtime is running low. Fixing herself up a bit, today made another one for her personal development.

"Wh-why are you doing this?!" Louis sighed in response to his headmaster's panicked tone.

"I've no interest in being a candidate anymore. I will inherit my father's business soon, so I want to focus on that amongst other things. Maybe sometime down the line, I'll acquire the title. For now, I will focus on other things." Louis' response gave the headmaster pause.

"Lo-Louis I'm sure you understand the position Cherryton Academy's in right now. The school's reputation has tanked quite significantly thanks to the murder-"

"Which leads me to my next point. I'm aware of Cherryton's lack of Beastar candidates in recent years, so I want to make a proposal. Make Juno your next candidate. She fills all necessary criteria does she not?"

"Well yes but it's a matter of how long not quality. There's never been a first-year student elected for a Beastar position ever! You must understand making a move like that is-"

"The best one you have. If you don't do this, funding for the school will tank again, won't it? I personally suggested she take my place as drama club's ace and now I pass down my station at this school. Her potential for greatness far exceeds mine. She is a brighter light not just for this school but the city and world if she goes further. Cherryton produces herbivores and carnivores meant to exemplify or surpass current society's standards. For this, Juno is your best bet." Louis' speech contained a cold passion. He left the headmaster's office with a somewhat heavy heart and distraught expression.

"What a coincidence seeing you here, though it shouldn't be too odd should it?" Pina spoke from his place in the waiting room.

"And you are?" Louis' patience ran thin from one sentence.

"The beautiful herbivore who's taken your empty slot in the drama club of course!" Pina's feigned excitement irked Louis more. "Ouch, if looks could kill you'd be a mass murderer."

"Do you need something?"

"Just wanted to get a feel for you. I can tell you're hiding something."

"Isn't everyone?"

"True. Yours seems to be… more than shallow for some reason I can't explain." Louis' eyes grew cold and sharp. "Careful, I'll be able to tell what it is if you keep looking so angry."

Without a word Louis stepped outside, it'd been a long day, and the sun had begun to set. Ibuki is supposed to pick him up around 4:30 p.m. His phone read 4:19. Louis walked over to the fountain by the gym where he sat so innocently. Water's flow, a calming atmosphere absent from anyone except some students passing by. His mind drifts away to two months ago when he saved Zoe from falling and the face of Legoshi when he saw him.

"Louis," Legoshi said.

"How'd you know I'd be here?" Louis held his back to the wolf.

"I tracked your scent."

"That's not creepy."

"You've been pretty hard to find recently so blame yourself."

"Heh. You've changed. Almost sounds like you're angry with me." Louis' eyes met the wolf's. A deer's pitiful smile and the wolf's tired frown.

"Haru needs you. I haven't asked her directly but I can tell. You don't have to apologize… but at least let her know you care." Louis' drifted to the side.

"She isn't a concern of mine anymore."

"Look at me and say it."

"You take some satisfaction in this?" Legoshi kept his eyes fixed on him. Taking a breath, Louis fully faces him and straightens his posture.

"Haru means nothing to me." His hands shook in his pockets.

"You're going to abandon her again?"

"Excuse me?"

"You can hate yourself all you want. After what you did I would too but don't let others suffer for what you did. If it means anything, seeing Juno work as hard as she has this past month, I can see why giving up all of that could be… hard." Louis' eyes widened a bit. "No one hates you in the club. Not everyone at least. If you come back and treat everyone better no one would hold it against you. You don't want to abandon all of it, right?"

Memories flood Louis' head, and first and second-class years bloom again. His first meeting with Haru and his time spent with Tem. Their smiling faces change his direction, attention, and value beyond the structured life given to him. When he is with them, a future beyond his control seems possible. A future spoiled by present-day circumstances. The Black Market stains him now and forever. Flowers feed on light but he exists within society's shadow, where only one flower blooms so easily.

"I can't go back anymore. I don't have that luxury of backing down from my reality, I've become this." The air grows sour, poisoned by earnest concern.

"What did you do?" Legoshi's face twisted into a worried mess.

"I've become a beast."

"Louis-"

"You know what I mean, right?" One simple question shifts the conversation in his favor. Legoshi knows well what is being asked of him. From that night in the Black Market this past summer, Legoshi remembered full well.

"Yes." An involuntary answer exited the wolf's throat.

"Hm. I knew you were masking a beast." Legoshi could taste the empty satisfaction rolling off Louis. He watches Louis answer an incoming phone call effortlessly and walks past the school's gate. He stops as if wanting to say something. Legoshi did not have it in him to stop Louis' next step into the evening sun.