Having thought he would have lunch in the school cafeteria, Legoshi didn't quite time it right - he ended up right in the middle of that lunchtime pause when the students were already done with classes but hadn't dispersed to their clubs and dorms yet. The spacious hall buzzed like a beehive disturbed.

After waiting in a long queue, the wolf grabbed a couple of his favorite sandwiches and an apple juice, then scanned the room for a table as far away from any commotion as possible. Yes, he felt slightly less cramped, but not so much that everyone would stare at the large beast sitting in the center of the hall. Legoshi still didn't like unnecessary attention - yet it still attracted him like a magnet. However, the canine girls were eyeing the scar-covered wolf, tall, well-built, with an undisguised interest. Besides, he wasn't wearing the school uniform - which meant he was slightly older than them, though he looked young.

The perfect type for romantic sighs from tail-wagging high school girls, needless to say.

However, Legoshi wasn't thinking about them. Nor was he thinking about Haru, although at any other time, the little rabbit occupied a significant portion of his thoughts. But now, the wolf was pondering about Wutenga. The sports teacher, as it turned out later, was an undercover police lieutenant embedded in the school. Initially, he was quite friendly, but yesterday, in front of the club, when Legoshi wanted to help Pina with a load of food, he stopped him and bombarded him with a dozen questions about Sisu, Louis, and the club in general. Now, the cheetah was cold and even slightly hostile, as if Legoshi had said many offensive things to him. The wolf thought about his evening at the bar, some details of which, unfortunately, were blurred.

Did he say something… like that? He just warned Wutenga that they were onto something, honestly shared information…

Shaking his head, Legoshi finally started eating. His Legoshi magnetism still unexpectedly worked, but it attracted familiar faces - Tao plopped down at the empty table, sometimes the living opposite of the concept of "feline grace". Next to Legoshi sat Kibi, setting down his tray.

"Hello, teacher Legoshi," he said with barely noticeable sarcasm. The wolf almost choked, pressed his ears, and turned his head.

"Hi… Kibi, how am I your teacher?"

"Kibi won't miss a chance to tease. Hi, Legoshi," Tao waved his hand, eagerly devouring a burger with a soy patty. "Decided to remember the taste of school life?"

"I eat here sometimes," shrugged the wolf. "What difference does it make if I work at the school anyway?"

"Oh yes - if you like the taste of mashed paper," grimaced the black leopard. "And…"

"Wait, Tao," Kibi stopped him. "The taste of paper is fine, but… Legoshi, what's all this about the club? You didn't just happen to come back at the same time, did you? And then there's this dragon girl, Sisu… what really happened here?"

"Huh?" the wolf managed to squeeze out, trying to swallow a poorly chewed piece. He couldn't even imagine that something was happening "for real" here. No, there was a certain secret part that was better kept away from others… but how was it connected to their simultaneous return to school and, even more so, Sisu?

Legoshi washed down the food, barely avoiding coughing, and spoke a bit more thoughtfully:

"Uh… most of 'this' is just a coincidence."

"And Gon's death?"

"What about Gon's death?"

"He was killed literally a couple of weeks after the club opened," Tao said, twitching his tail. Then he shook his head, seeing the wary look from the wolf.

"No, Legoshi, we're not accusing you of anything. But who would benefit so much from opening the club? And how are you and Louis involved in this?"

Legoshi took a deep breath. He couldn't reveal everything related to the Back Alley Market. Not even a fraction of it. And as soon as he did, their lives would also be sucked into this whirlpool. But it's worth starting with the truth.

"The club didn't harm anyone. Louis and I met by chance, then we persuaded the late director Gon to open the club together. I don't know who could have been harmed by it."

"But what do you think, Gon could have been involved with the mafia? The black market?" Kibi asked uncertainly.

He could and was involved. They were blackmailing him with his kidnapped wife and daughter.

"No, I don't think so," Legoshi shook his head.

"But… but you found the body! That's what everyone says!" Tao exclaimed, his voice muted with shock. The wolf said grimly:

"My… good friend, a doctor, found the director's body. He called me. We still don't understand what Gon was doing there."

He was trying to save them.

Legoshi's eyes clouded with sadness. He was still composed, but such injustice was painful in his chest. He said with effort:

"Don't believe rumors, Tao-kun. If we - me, Louis, Sisu, Director Gon - are parts of some bloody puzzle, I don't know about it."

"But… but…" Tao helplessly lowered his hands to the table. Kibi thoughtfully said:

"And yet - you're hiding something."

"Nothing that would seem interesting," Legoshi shrugged, showing that he couldn't do anything about it. "Mostly, it's Sisu's secrets, and we keep them only for her safety."

At least here he didn't lie. Or did he lie after all… real working magic - not something "that might seem uninteresting." But it would be better this way.

I wonder how many times a day Louis tells himself this phrase? Or does he have fewer problems with conscience?

"Got it," the anteater said grumpily. Not knowing what else to say, he asked:

"Did Louis try to convince you to take on some role?"

"I'm not suitable for the stage," Legoshi smiled awkwardly.

"Oh, come on! You have the perfect type for a rugged hero, I think some plays with sword fights and chases would suit you perfectly!"

"Unfortunately, I'm not even a Cherryton student anymore…"

"You can't be so pleased, saying 'unfortunately'," Tao smirked. He had long finished eating and sat drumming his claws on the table. "Listen, Legoshi, since the club hasn't started yet, maybe we should go somewhere? I need to pick up a package."

"What package?"

"It's a secret," Kibi smirked. Legoshi frowned,

"You don't want to bring anything prohibited into the school, do you?"

"M-m-m… and you won't tell anyone?"

"Of course not. But to accompany you without knowing what's in it…"

"Alright," Tao relented. "It's fireworks for the May Ball."

Legoshi pondered,

"When is it?"

"In June. The twenty-first, I think."

"Sounds convenient. May Ball in June. Why are you mentioning it in early May?"

"Because then the security might be tightened, and nothing can be smuggled in!," Tao hissed in desperation. "And there are two huge boxes there, maybe you can help, huh? And we'll buy you something delicious for it…"

The wolf shook his head disapprovingly,

"You know that the administration doesn't like explosive stuff on the school grounds."

"Listen, it's my graduation and our ball! I want it to be unforgettable…"

"…even if your grades are below average."

"Yes, I'm not top of the class, so what!," the cat retorted passionately. "I want everyone to remember this!"

"What is 'this'? Severed hands? I'd pass, already ordered that merch."

"Kibi…" the cat pressed his ears. "I told you - the fireworks are very good, high-quality. And Legoshi has a teacher's pass, they won't inspect him too much. Just say it's for the theater."

"So, you also want me to deceive the security," concluded the gray wolf, crossing his fingers in front of him. Tao felt guilty enough to lower his eyes and nod silently. Legoshi was glad they left him with questions about Sisu, but the mention of fireworks alarmed him. Especially since he would have to handle the main part…

…on the other hand, Tao had always been a good club companion. Despite sometimes being frivolous or restless, he brought a certain lightness to the conversation, which Legoshi himself lacked. And although they weren't close friends, the wolf could turn a blind eye to safety and possible notes from the director.

And thirdly, Legoshi was by no means a model of diligent behavior within the school walls, if you remember the past.

"Alright," he sighed, rising from the table and picking up the tray to take it to the cafe counter. "Kibi, finish your meal and let's go, or we'll be late for rehearsal."

The first surprise awaited Legoshi at the exit - not far from the gate, with his hands behind his back, a white lion Goro was leisurely walking in a usual Cherryton three shades of blue polo. Seeing the trio, he raised an eyebrow in surprise:

"Tao, you didn't mention we'd need someone else."

Legoshi stopped and looked down at the panther, articulating his words clearly and distinctly:

"Tao. How much pyrotechnics do you want to smuggle in? Answer."

"W-w-well…," the smaller carnivore stretched. "A bit of this, a bit of that…"

"How much?"

"Two large setups with twenty-four charges each and six small ones, with nine," Tao swallowed, looking to Kibi for salvation. The latter crossed his arms in the air,

"Don't look at me, buddy, it was entirely and completely your idea. Deal with it yourself."

"Traitor…"

"I was against it altogether! I don't know how you manage to persuade everyone to help in this madness, but, alright, I'll help with some. But don't expect me to be nearby when you light the fuses."

"That's not happening soon," Tao reassured with a smile, but two powerful hands on his shoulders - one lion's, the other wolf's - made him flinch.

"The idea of a fireworks display itself is great, of course," Goro said calmly, twirling his finger in the air. "But I'm very suspicious of your enthusiasm, Tao-kun."

"And it's also unsafe in itself," added Legoshi. "Where were you planning to store it?"

"Well… I thought to hide the boxes in the school basement."

"In the basement? But it's damp there?!" the small anteater exclaimed.

"Then where?"

"Somewhere dry, where there's a place to store everything needed. For example, in the club, in the attic," the wolf said firmly, releasing the cat's shoulder. "Or behind the scenes."

Goro suggested:

"In the costume room or the president's office?"

"Too much fabric. Or paper - in the second case," the wolf shook his head negatively. "Besides, Juno won't be thrilled to hear about such a cargo being stored. The attic is the safest option. We'll put it in some box and forget about it until June. By the way, when is the play and the graduation?"

"Louis didn't say. But I understand they decided to do them on the same day," Kibi chuckled. "So somewhere in early July, I suppose, we'll have the premiere. We have time to prepare well. Maybe then you'll launch your firecrackers, Tao?"

"No," the panther stubbornly shook his head. "At the ball."

"Hey!," they were called from the gate, "are you guys okay?"

The guard hog looked sternly at the company, his curved tusks pointing skyward. The tone of his question clearly indicated that joking wasn't appropriate. Tao, realizing how it looked from the outside, shouted:

"Yes, we're fine, Rajin-san!"

"I'm watching you," muttered the hog and returned to observing the street.

"Let's go," Legoshi nodded towards the exit. "No need to stress the security. How do you know him, Tao-kun?"

Tao walked along the pavement of the main road of Cherryton Academy, shrugging his shoulders:

"Just heard and remembered the name. How long have they been here, about a month and a half?"

"Approximately," the lion agreed. "Only the one at the theater is new. Jaguar."

"Oh, right. What's his name there? Shiris? Shiba?"

"Shika," Legoshi said uncertainly. He wasn't particularly good at remembering names, but he heard the guard's name a couple of times. "Louis said the director hired him instead of some troubled koala guy."

"What happened there? Koalas are harmless."

"The girls from the club found him inadequate in the park," Goro nodded. "It's a strange story too, if you think about it. They say koalas like eucalyptus, but it doesn't have such a strong effect on their brains. At least, that's what I heard."

"Not our business," Tao shrugged. "Onward, my faithful army!"

"…of porters," Kibi added mockingly.

"At least, rocketeers," the lion smirked, and Legoshi frowned displeasedly.

He had never interacted closely with Goro before - he had a character similar to his own. Calm, slightly aloof. Strong, albeit lean for a lion. It seemed he liked to read. Also, from Tsu the wolf heard that Goro had some problems in his family. Of course, the flying fox didn't tell it as gossip, he just casually mentioned a topic that shouldn't be mentioned in the presence of their fellow club member.

But that's all Legoshi knew about him. And now he couldn't help but glance at the white lion with interest from time to time. But he wasn't rushing to reveal himself in action. Goro initially didn't want to join the acting team, but Louis persuaded him. And it seemed the high schooler even liked it, but the wolf wasn't entirely sure of his motivations.

Despite Tao making their actions look like they were engaged in industrial espionage at least, in reality, everything turned out to be quite simple - they went, picked up the already purchased fireworks from Tao's friend, a tall black bear, and then calmly proceeded back through the gates to the school. Rajin asked what was in the packages, and upon receiving the answer "Theatrical equipment," he immediately backed off.

"Phew," Tao thumped his chest with his fist as they turned the corner of the club. "I thought for a moment we'd be searched and turned back."

"If you were so worried, you could have asked me to arrange things with the director. It seems he's on our side," Legoshi said thoughtfully.

"Even more than… well, you know?"

"Yes, more than Director Gon. I don't know if Gon-san would have approved of the risky venture with Sisu or not. But Kamanori-san went with Louis, looked at her, and gave permission. Although it's strange. He never even entered the club to inquire about how things were going."

"Maybe he's constantly busy, settling into the position," Goro suggested. Kibi snorted,

"What else does the director have to do? Move the nameplate on the desk from right to left and back all day?"

"I think you underestimate the role of the director as a representative of the school in the field of education, Kibi-kun," the wolf reproachfully said. The anteater shrugged:

"Let him sue me then. Honestly? There's clearly some curse on the school."

Tao, being, like all cats, somewhat superstitious, asked suspiciously:

"What curse?"

"A curse that takes lives…"

"There are accidents in other schools too!"

"Yes, but only Cherryton Academy constantly makes the news."

"Or is it connected to them…" Tao pointed a finger towards Legoshi. The wolf grimaced. Initially, it was connected to Riz… and only the drama club became the unhappy scene of the unfolding tragedy. And then he couldn't resist his desire for justice. So, yes, in a way, it was Legoshi's fault. He said:

"Sorry, Tao."

"I was just joking."

"I understand. Yet, I'm the one who stirred up the hornet's nest. If it weren't for me, we would have continued studying peacefully."

And Louis wouldn't have lost a leg.

"And Riz would have killed a few more animals," Kibi shook his head. "Legoshi, whether you want to admit it or not, you're a hero. Perhaps your leaving made the students forget those events, but we remember. And saving Haru. And what we heard about Riz…"

Legoshi sighed heavily, climbing the steps of the club:

"I still think it all could have turned out differently if we tried to… understand him?"

"He communicated normally with everyone…"

"Not us. We. Society. A beast forced to sit on pills throughout his teenage years, suffering from terrible headaches… and which, it is claimed, do not cause any other side effects. But I doubt I could have said anything. I didn't understand him either. I tried… but only explained to Riz that there are other ways."

"Riz, that's the bear from the drama club, right? I was a first-year high school student when all this happened," Goro said, following them and dragging a heavy package - one of the two massive setups with twenty-four charges. Legoshi nodded:

"Yes, him."

"Just what you're saying now… Kibi-senpai, did anyone ever have a chance to understand him at all?"

"One animal tried - and was eaten," Tao replied grimly instead of Kibi.

"There's a second one."

"What?"

"The one who wants to understand him. And you know him."

The wolf's finger pointed unmistakably at the Dall's ram, idly tapping his foot on the edge of the stage. His eyes were fixed on the sleeping Sisu, who, covered in a dark blue shimmering cloak, this time decided to fall asleep right on the stage. Pina held a notepad and pencil in his hands.

Tao waved his hand:

"Oh, Pina-kun! I didn't know you could draw."

"I can't," replied Pina calmly. "But it's never too late to learn something new."

Legoshi felt a poke in his thigh – Kibi, frowning and lowering the package, was looking at him. The anteater asked:

"What about Pina and Riz?"

"We're secret lovers allowed to see each other only every third full moon," came the quick reply from the ram. They clearly shouldn't have brought up the topic in front of him – Pina had good hearing, and the animals weren't exactly secretive. The mocking ram took advantage of this.

He also took advantage of the fact that his close friend was currently shut down. With Sisu, the joke would have been softer. It was as if he was afraid of worsening her opinion of him and went to great lengths for it with unnecessary antics.

"Pina, but what if we're serious?"

The ram tore himself away from his applied art and gave Kibi a serious look. Quite serious, if you could expect that from him. He sighed, almost exactly repeating Legoshi's sigh a minute earlier:

"If we're serious… he had no one. No one ever. No friends who were afraid to approach him at the mixed school, no girlfriends. Or boyfriends, either. I don't know why Riz decided he wanted to be friends with Tem. But I hope to hear it from him someday."

"He sometimes visits Riz in prison."

"A solitary cell, no amenities," Pina said sadly. "Perhaps that's how it should be for murderers. But nobody ever asks – why…"

Sisu's eyes opened, she blinked sleepily, then turned her head to Pina, yawned widely. She asked:

"Did I miss something?"

"We're discussing the transience of being," Legoshi replied.

"Oh, Legoshi! And Tao, and Kibi, and Goro. Did you buy something?"

Goro chuckled and answered for everyone:

"Sorry, Sisu-chan, nothing edible. These are beautiful fireworks for the holiday that's coming in a month and a half."

"Let me guess – Tao's initiative?" Pina asked ironically. Tao shrugged awkwardly, then realized:

"Um… why do you think so?"

"Because, Tao-kun, you're one of those animals who never miss the chance to set their tail on fire."

"Is that some proverb I don't know?" Sisu asked, wagging her tail. Pina moved closer to her, putting his notebook aside, and hugged her around the neck, embracing as much of the dragon as his arms allowed. He said, pulling his head out of her mane:

"Not exactly… I meant a literal interpretation. You know he has singed fur on his tail?"

"Hey! I thought nobody noticed that!"

"And also how diligently you dye the fur in that spot," Pina snorted. Tao pouted and silently went to the stairs, where Legoshi was already waiting. The wolf smiled gently:

"Don't be offended by Pina. That's just who he is… although his observance and attention to detail are truly monstrous. At least when it comes to someone's appearance…"

"Yeah, I'm not offended. Just thinking about the previous topic, and how inappropriate sympathy is for him. Especially sympathy for Riz."

"Yeah, speaking of Riz. Without Pina and without you two, I would never have been able to identify the murderer."

"How so?" Kibi asked from below. Legoshi hesitated, then guiltily said:

"Tao probably wouldn't want me to remember that."

"Oh, that incident. Riz carried my…"

"Yes. And started drooling. And Pina… Pina distracted us when I was about to make the stupidest mistake of my life. And maybe the last," the wolf confessed sincerely.

The anteater slowly spoke:

"To be honest, I never suspected such a side of Pina. Although in the new club he behaves much softer than before."

"I suppose that's Sisu's influence."

Legoshi opened the hatch to the dragon's apartment, showed where to put the boxes, and escorted everyone outside. There were about forty minutes left until rehearsal, and he wanted to go out and buy something sweet for Sisu. But the biggest surprise the wolf experienced was when, simultaneously with him but slightly more out of breath, Goro and Tao jumped to the club – one with bags from the nearest bakery, the other with a funny-looking bundle, possibly homemade food.

And this, too, was Sisu's influence, a less-studied part of it – animals, especially new acquaintances, felt an irresistible urge to feed her treats with admiration.

Waiting outside the cinema for the one he had been dating for just over a month now, Tsu couldn't have anticipated that she wouldn't be alone at the appointed meeting place. Perhaps he would have assumed he got it wrong himself, but the guilty look on Eri's face and her pressed-back ears made it clear she hadn't told him anything about it. Whether she forgot or her friends and dorm mates imposed themselves at the last minute, Tsu sighed and tried to casually lower the bouquet, but unfortunately, one of the stems got caught in his shirt.

"Is this him?" the lynx chuckled softly.

"Yes, it's him. Tsutomu Ariyama, nice to meet you," the flying fox slightly tilted his head, trying not to lose his composure.

"Tsu, I'm sorry," Eri whispered apologetically in his ear, hugging him. "The girls started prying into where I was going tonight, and I stupidly said I was going to the cinema."

"It's okay," he replied quietly and kissed her on the lips, eliciting an admiring gasp from the other two cats. The lynx just snorted, clearly skeptical.

"This is Tepira, you might have seen her. She's the president of our boxing club. The lioness is Sengo, the giggling spotted beast is Mrisa."

"Nice to meet you," Tsutomu said somewhat stiffly, handing the flowers to Eri. "Though I honestly wasn't expecting this."

"You'll have to put up with us," Mrisa smirked, the female leopard, rummaging in her purse. All the girls were dressed differently – Tepira clearly preferred loose and light clothing, shorts showcasing her athletic and naturally strong legs, a light gray tank top, and a dark red hoodie on top, Mrisa was in a dark blazer over a light lace blouse and white trousers hugging her hips, while Sengo for the outing in the city chose a summer dress made of flower-patterned airy fabric. Three completely different types.

The one he was waiting for stood out among them. Eri's slender figure, without possessing the outstanding assets of her lioness friend, was wrapped in a red dress of almost dance-like appearance, with only one sleeve and several separate pieces of semi-transparent fabric freely falling from her shoulder or waist. She looked… ethereal. Tsu even somehow lowered his gaze because his best clothes now began to seem like just a high schooler's suit for the first time going to a nightclub.

Although the fox didn't intend to give up.

"Let's go. Otherwise, the drivers will stare at you and cause an accident. And then the city will be without power for another two days," Tsu grimaced, gently embracing her shoulder. He turned his head back:

"Sorry, ladies, I only got two tickets. You'll have to take the seats that are still available."

"And you call yourself a gentleman?" Mrisa laughed, apparently the most spirited of the three. Tsu shook his head:

"Only for Eri. Besides, my personal earnings are currently at the level… of pocket money from my parents."

"Hoping for a freebie?" the lynx teased her friend. She shrugged:

"Not a big deal… they're all so important and responsible."

"Thanks for not getting mad," Eri nuzzled his cheek with her nose. Tsu with a slight smirk noted:

"I initially thought you just forgot to tell me."

"Oh, you…"

"Well, admit it, it's totally your style."

"Sometimes… I do have a bit of a scatterbrain," the cat pouted. He smiled:

"Yeah, yeah, let's call it that way. Why 'Sakralion', by the way?"

"Well, Toro Matsuba is playing there!"

"I thought he's been taking any role they offer him lately…"

"Yes, but 'Sakralion' is getting praised, they say it could even be up for an Oscar!" Eri exclaimed. Tsutomu snorted, not entirely convinced:

"Well, we'll see."

With laughter and teasing – Tepira was more silent, casting disapproving glances at Tsu – the girls bought their tickets. Their seats turned out to be not so far away – the fox took seats almost in the center of the hall, slightly higher up, while the trio of big cats took three seats at the edge of the tenth row, on the right. Sengo commented that it was better to take "normal height, but sacrifice a bit of the viewing angle."

The film they intended to see (just the two of them, as Tsu naively thought) had a light fantasy flavor – according to the plot, participants of a boat regatta got lost in a suddenly arrived fog and ended up in another, prehistoric country, where dinosaurs didn't even think of becoming extinct, but instead evolved into the same bipedal beings as the heroes themselves. Further drama unfolded on various minor details, mutual understanding – and misunderstanding – as well as local political squabbles. Naturally, for the roles of sauropods, they invited many lizards and Komodo dragons, to whom they created truly prehistoric faces with makeup and silicone molds, but the yachtsmen were played by quite famous actors – the black, though already graying wolf Matsuba, the Angora goat Tillyana, and the charming young doe Ochako Seiji, just starting her acting career but already having appeared in several high-profile films.

"Not very wise…" Tsu muttered, watching the screen.

"What exactly?"

"Well, besides food, she could have used some tools…"

"The others were completely unconscious," Eri nudged him with her elbow.

The screen hero acted just as the fox thought – despite the brave goat saving a whole crate of dried fruits, he still reprimanded her. And, finding another participant from the regatta on a different boat, they ventured into the depths of unexplored lands.

Gradually, getting somewhat accustomed, the women began to glance askew at each other and at the male who found himself in their company – Rogir, Matsuba's character, ended up on the team with the goat solely because of her professionalism, and he maintained no other relationships besides the sporting ones, playing the role of muscles in the team.

"They're practically fighting over him," Tsu heard a whisper in his ear and flinched. He got carried away. Said, slightly relaxing and stretching in the comfortable chair:

"No wonder, look at him… powerful, muscular, rugged."

"I wonder if dinosaurs would find him sexy too?"

"More like a big warm black pillow."

She giggled:

"Well… they sure had fire. And you can warm up a bed in different ways…"

"Shall we warm up a bit too?"

"Yeah," she smiled and leaned towards him, because Tsu clearly turned his head for a kiss. For a while, the animals enjoyed each other, after which they heard a clearly evaluative discussion from the side.

"Sh-sh-sh! The movie is on!"

"Oh, you are watching after all," Mrisa replied with an ear-splitting whisper. Sengo, sitting beside her, chuckled piercingly, then received a slap on the back of her head from the stern lynx and looked at her offendedly. Tepira said quite seriously, her eyes burning as she looked at the screen:

"If you don't like it, leave."

The lioness and even the restless leopardess fell silent – at least for a while, after which they began to whisper again. But the athletic lynx was too absorbed in the romantic and fantastical movie to pay attention to them. Just like the couple in the center of the hall. Eri's fingers slightly tightened around Tsu's hand during tense moments; they were already discussing the events more animatedly and freely, and during a light erotic scene between the goat and one of the locals, they focused on each other, as if challenging the world – so what? We're not drowning in loneliness either…

By the end of the epic, Tsu's head was already half filled with a light fog, and he stoically endured the wolf's death, although Eri shed a tear. He held her close, and the serval gratefully rested her head on his shoulder, immediately calming down and emerging a little from the movie. She discreetly sniffed the flowers again – asters, as she once told him. The scent was strong but not overpowering.

Just like his subtle, barely perceptible scent…

Tsu himself was the main flower in the bouquet, and nothing in the world would make the cat change her mind. Perhaps the magical atmosphere of the cinema influenced it a bit, but Eri felt ready to move from light school flirting to something more significant.

To the beautiful, smooth music and the new hope of the inhabitants of Sacralion, the lights began to come on. The film left a slight understatement, but there were sporadic applause in the hall – some viewers couldn't hold back their applause. Sengo, sensitive and vulnerable, cried again. They approached the girls in the foyer, Mrisa clearly tried to calm her down – in vain, the lioness continued to wipe away tears.

"Sengo, are you okay?" Tsu asked worriedly, letting go of Eri's shoulders for a moment.

She nodded, unsuccessfully trying to wipe her wet short fur:

"Yeah… I just feel sorry for Rogir… and I'm so happy for Lois!.."

"Good movie," Tepira nodded reservedly, patting Sengo on the shoulder. "I got a bit emotional myself, to be honest…"

"Well, if the Iron Lady herself shed a tear, then we need to check if there's a flood from Sengo," Eri snickered. The lynx frowned:

"I didn't cry."

"But your eyes were moist," Mrisa said teasingly, flicking her spotted tail.

"Who was sobbing and clinging to each other for a third of the movie?"

"Crying is not a sin," the flying fox remarked uncertainly.

"Oh, come on, you too?"

"Well… not here – no. But men have their moments."

"Oh, so much for the pathos…"

"For example, Nathan Algren's suicidal attack in 'The Last Samurai'!" he slightly raised his voice, defending his favorite movie. Sengo involuntarily grimaced:

"I don't like war movies."

"But I do," unexpectedly said Tepira, her approving nod clearly serving as support for the guy's taste. "It's a very… soulful movie, and the actors all played brilliantly."

"Especially Crane."

"Especially Crane," she smirked. "Would you defend what you cherish the same way? Like Nathan, like Rogir?"

"Oh yes."

"Even if they are representatives of a completely alien culture, race… species?"

"Ha," Tsu smirked crookedly. "Let them try, and I'll pour out all the rage of the night on them."

"Poser," Tepira smiled innocently. Eri looked at them with a puzzled expression:

"What are you talking about? I haven't watched the movie."

"You'll show her. Just get some tissues ready, our Eri also loves to get emotional."

"Good movie?"

"The best," Tsutomu nodded convincingly. "But 'Sacralion' is also not bad. Better than I judged from the ads."

"Yes, very cool," Mrisa agreed. Sengo silently nodded, acquiring a dreamy-teary expression on her face. Tepira unexpectedly grabbed them by the shoulders:

"Let's go, kittens. It's getting late, and I don't want to explain myself to the dorm senjor later."

"Let's go, Eri," Mrisa reached out, but the lynx lightly slapped her fingers on her wrist:

"Eri is not going."

And unexpectedly winked at the serval. The latter lowered her head, spreading into a shy smile. In her dress, with flowers in her hands, Eri least of all wanted to return to the dormitory right now. And the clean sky, stars overhead, and the thin crescent of the waning moon created a beautiful and very inspiring picture.

"But the housemother…"

"Will unleash the wrath of the night upon them. But that's all going to happen later, and for now…" Tepira said with a slight and unnoticed smirk, "let them gather the star harvest."

And a moment later, the trio dissolved into the night, heading towards the bus.

"Wow, she's truly a poet," Tsutomu smirked. Then he rubbed his nose against the girl's neck and asked, "Shall we take a walk?"

"Yes!"

"And where shall we go?"

"Umm… to the right."

"No, I mean – where exactly?"

"Do you want to go somewhere specific?" Eri replied with a question, pressing against him.

"Well… the cinema closes in an hour, so we can't hide here for the night. Maybe we'll take a walk around the city and climb that hill opposite the school? I noticed it during our night with the dungeon, but I never had the chance to go. Are you hungry?"

"No, thanks. Worst-case scenario, I'll pretend to be a herbivore and eat flowers," she snickered and waved the bouquet aside.

Nighttime Cherryton greeted them with silence – only the significantly sparse flow of cars moved, and the streetlights dimly flickered. Fortunately, the area where they walked was considered safe, but Tsu still remained vigilant and occasionally glanced around. The girl, on the other hand, completely dissolved in the atmosphere of the late evening, humming melodiously to herself and embracing him on the go. Fortunately, she chose slightly more practical footwear than the dress, simple shoes with almost no heels, so she didn't risk stumbling with every step – the condition of the sidewalk was not the best.

But all the magic created a flawlessly clear sky, painted in the deepest shades of blue, and a bunch of lights in it.

Tsu and Eri joked, exchanged glances, chatted about movies, art, food, and just about nothing, and sometimes their lips conveyed something much bigger than words. The touches, increasingly saturated with some new feeling with each passing day, became stronger. And when they finally reached the top of the hill, the state of strange fairy tale-like occurrence didn't go away. Unfortunately, the top of the elevation wasn't adorned with trees to sit under, but here grew dense, juicy, and surely tasty for some species of animals grass.

However, the serval spread her arms, spun around a few times, and fell, shamelessly flattening the green carpet. Looking at the sky, she said:

"You know… I'm so happy."

"About something specific or just in general?" Tsu smiled. He looked at her, admiringly – the red dress, the gently sandy color of her fur with black spots, and the grass were as clearly visible to him as during the day, but… something squeezing in his chest… Tsutomu didn't understand. He was cautious and tried to figure himself out, but the long-awaited moment of enlightenment never came.

"Today – almost everything! Even Tepira-chan didn't start bullying you, and she doesn't like weak males. She says those words can't be in the same sentence."

"I'm not that weak…"

"Compared to her," Eri clarified hastily, raising her head. "Sorry, Tsu."

"Come on," he laughed. "I'm weaker than you, too. And lighter. It's not a flaw… just a species trait."

"If you were heavier, you wouldn't be able to fly," she nodded and pointed her nose at the ground next to her. "Fall. It's soft and cozy here."

"Yeah, and all sorts of ants will crawl into my fur…" he snorted but obediently lay down next to her. Then he said, rummaging in his pocket and pulling out his phone:

"I thought… something's missing here."

"Do you want to take a selfie and post it in the group chat?"

"Later, maybe. But first, I want to add the last detail to this puzzle."

The fox's finger followed along the menu, quickly went to music, and pressed on a track, then threw the phone aside. Not having time to see what he started, Eri fell silent, trying to listen to the first notes. She frowned:

"Something terribly familiar."

"Yeah," he smirked. The serval looked up, trying to dig into the archives of her memory:

"Wait… is this from some movie?"

"Not exactly."

"But I've heard this melody…"

"Come here," he reached out to her. Eri's eyes gradually widened, and with a silly smile, she whispered, "I haven't heard it in so long…"

"Another masterpiece that made many men cry, but, rather, a cartoon," Tsutomu said with a smirk, embracing the feline body pressed against him. Something more… yes, something more than just a body. Everything was perfect right now – the place, the time, the silence, the night around, the starry sky, and…

And Eri herself. He never realized that the one with whom he wanted to create this perfect atmosphere was herself part of the ideal. Without the existence of Eri, it made no sense to go. Or to fly.

The flying fox felt his usual light excitement, as always when Eri nestled against him like this… but now there was something else. Something more important than just their bodies.

"Eri…"

"Yes… Rex, this song… So silly, so straightforward…"

"The piano draws it out," he whispered with the silliest smile, continuing to touch her lips. Then the serval arched and lay on her back, making the male lean over her. She chuckled:

"You don't mind reenacting some scenes, do you?"

"Some scenes in cartoons are not shown. But… I think now is not the time."

"You're so cautious. Even slightly cowardly."

"And you have a wind in your head," he parried with a smirk, feeling that it was neither an accusation nor mockery. "But I don't know if it's possible to imagine Eri Watanabe without it."

Another kiss, long, lingering, until there was pain in the lungs. His whisper with an exquisitely low voice, making her tremble:

"And if I'll ever be able to stop imagining her."

"Naked?" she giggled again, feeling herself blush. Her heart couldn't handle the transition to such a level of seriousness, the girl tried to defend herself with a joke, not admitting to herself that right now, in his arms, she was experiencing the happiest moment, perhaps, of her entire life. But the fox with sparkling eyes, slightly leaning back, nodded:

"And that too. Naked, dressed. Laughing, dancing, sleeping, listening to music… that's all you. I want to be with you."

"You are already with me. But…"

"But?"

Her heart skipped a beat. Or two.

"…but I understand what you mean. With you, I'm more than just myself."

"You really do understand."

Tsu rubbed his nose against the soft short fur on her neck, then brought his lips close to her rounded ear and whispered with all the tenderness and passion:

"Eri, I… I love you."

And felt all four limbs immediately wrap around him, and tears unexpectedly appeared in Eri's eyes. Looking into his eyes, she whispered:

"I… wanted to confess, but I didn't know. I… forcibly dragged you into this, thought maybe…"

"Just say it," the flying fox barely smirked, feeling her body shivering from barely restrained emotions.

She mumbled something inaudible, Tsutomu leaned in, his lips touching her cheek, and softly asked:

"What?"

"I love you. Tsutomu… maybe there's a wind in my head, but you're always fluttering in there too. And I just can't shake it off."

He felt a slight bite on his neck, pulled back, chuckled in surprise, and covered her lips with his again. In the pause between light nibbles, he said:

"I refuse to leave your head."

"So, is it forever?" Eri playfully smiled and stroked his nape. Tsu, with a completely lost and loving look, said:

"I really hope so."

Pur-r-r-r-r…

Eri started her usual song, but now there was some new, insanely happy note in her voice. Like in his touches, like in their bodies pressed together. The night… also joined the couple on the hill without the slightest hesitation, because even if it dared to put obstacles in their way – Eri and Tsu wouldn't pay attention anyway.