"How useful it is sometimes to mop the floor," remarked the wolf with a smirk, observing the next scene: contorted into an intricate line, Sisu lay on her back, holding a helpless but smiling Pina in her outstretched paws. This time, for variety, he was dressed. Both of them seemed obviously happy.

"Well… even if you didn't mop the floor, a dragon would have successfully polished the parquet to a shine," Louis ironically commented, sitting on the actor's platforms and rereading the document text. It looked hastily put together, but the stamp and signature of the "senior immigration inspector" looked quite impressive. Legoshi approached him and sat down nearby, wagging his tail:

"Was it difficult?"

"No problems at all. Quite strange, actually."

"Sagwan said getting the permit would be a breeze."

"Is that your walrus from Condo?"

"Yes."

"Well, maybe it's easy for him…"

Legoshi looked closely at the paper in his hands:

"Are there any difficulties?"

"She can't appear in public places or at open shows. In fact, we can only take Sisu to each other's homes, to a restaurant reserved in advance for a private dinner, or to a completely rented cinema hall," the deer said, shaking his head ruefully. Taking a deep breath, Legoshi said:

"Let's deal with the club first."

"Yes. I'm afraid our roster might shrink after we introduce her to the public. Remember how Juno ran away?"

"Yeah."

"Well… and that's the average reaction of any normal animal."

"Let's hope only the abnormal ones become actors," the wolf smiled.

"I know what to do!"

Released from hugs and squeezes, the Dall's ram headed towards them. Sisu also flipped onto her paws and listened with interest "she was more eager to get acquainted with everyone, but there was still about an hour and a half before rehearsal.

"You're a playwright, Louis-senpai. What can we do?"

"Well, I'm not an author, but… add… some drama?" The deer quickly brainstormed.

Pina nodded approvingly:

"Right. A little light in the right place, a curtain… we could make a cloak for Sisu in a hurry…"

"Out of what?" he wondered.

"The old curtains upstairs. They're dusty, but if we shake them well, we'll get an almost aesthetic cloak. We can even stitch in a few places and make a hood."

"We won't have time," Louis shook his head, scanning the surroundings. "But overall… great idea, you clump of wool."

"Rude and ungrateful," the ram said with feigned offense.

"Said with love, didn't I?"

"So I believed, yeah."

"What? I really love those moments when you don't come up to hug me without clothes," Louis said sarcastically, struggling to get up. "Let's go, let's take a look at your curtains."

"I'll try to put a blue filter in the spotlight," suggested Legoshi.

"Great. Let's do magic without magic."

Pina squinted mockingly:

"Look at how he perked up."

"Shh," the deer smiled. "I don't want to hear hints from students."

"Or from secret order comrades?"

"When the order's count has suddenly gone to the clock? Heh. Okay, I can endure another hour."

Since neither of them was familiar with a sewing needle, after thorough shaking, they decided to simply tie the old dark blue curtain with a golden cord and tassel. And even so, it turned out so extravagant that for a moment Pina doubted the decision not to pay extra attention to Sisu's clothes. The improvised cloak poncho suited her incredibly well, and by means of scissors and moderate-level magical swearing, Legoshi and Louis shortened it so that the dragoness wouldn't get tangled in the fabric while walking.

"We want to make a good impression, don't we?" Sisu clarified.

"Of course."

"Pina… could you do my makeup then?"

"Smart girl. I wanted to suggest it, but I didn't know how you'd react…"

Legoshi perked his ears and asked in surprise:

"Makeup?"

"Pina gave me cosmetics and horn care products," she boasted. "If we want to make a good impression, or rather, if I want to, then with all this I like myself much more."

"Whatever it would be it should be packed king size…" the deer snorted, then shook his head in disbelief. "Good thing it's just makeup, not a ballet troupe."

"All animals could sometimes benefit from being a little critical of their own appearance," replied Pina arrogantly. "I'll finish with the hood and bring it over."

When the ram finished with the makeup, the animals nodded synchronously, and Louis even slightly pursed his lower lip as a sign of respect. With polished horns, mascaraed eyes, and barely noticeable shadows on the short fur around her nose, Sisu looked a hundred percent, if not more. Moreover, her appearance went from merely pleasant and cheerful to somewhat… intriguing.

"Look at you, a talented makeup artist. Didn't think about doing this professionally?"

"Horns needs such talents?" Pina slyly grinned. The deer smirked:

"No, I just think you could pay a little attention to the actors' makeup. Make Fumiko and Goro look a bit older, by the way, and Tsutomu too, and give yourself a disheveled look. Juno should be a little… simplified before her first appearance at the house."

"I don't agree. The professor doesn't necessarily have to be a mad scientist with fur sticking out in all directions! My Hedgehoggins is quite neat and handsome. As for Eliza… yes, her role implies a common origin, but does it mean we have to smear her face with dirt and soot?"

"Not necessarily. However, I'll talk to Juno about it later… and everything else."

Louis paused and looked somewhere out the window. After a few long seconds, he spoke:

"So, can you do it or not?"

"No problem. I'm ready to do even more for the success of 'Pygmalion'."

"I listen to you and still can't believe that you're doing all this without any magic," Sisu smiled, wagging her tail and examining her new cloak made of dark blue curtains. Legoshi thoughtfully and completely seriously said:

"Maybe Pina is secretly enchanting. Otherwise, how do you explain that we all emerged from the catacombs under Cherryton covered in dust and dirt, and he is as clean as if he just came out of the laundry."

"You cannot imagine how I needed one today, atleast," Pina couldn't help but point out. "All that wandering around has exhausted me considerably, plus today's forest workout…"

Louis raised his head:

"Speaking of which. Any problems?"

"I already told Legoshi… but no, none. Everything went moderately repulsively for the sports classes."

"I told you - you were too hard on Wutenga," Legoshi reproached.

"I just found his behavior suspicious."

"Paranoid deer," chuckled Pina, comfortably settled next to their new actress in the dark blue curtain cloak. Louis retorted, tapping his cane on the floor:

"The deer concerned about the safety of the club."

Pina shrugged, retorting:

"One and the same in your case."

He pulled out his phone and began to dig into it, scrolling through news and messages.

"Legoshi."

"Hm?" caught off guard and distracted from his thoughts about Haru, the wolf looked up. His friend nodded towards the office temporarily belonging to Bryson:

"Need your help… with something."

"Of course!"

Legoshi sniffed and looked at the deer intently - he seemed to be excited. Unusual for Louis. He obediently followed him and was even more surprised when the deer locked the door. Concerned, he asked:

"What… did you want to do, Louis?"

"I… I find it hard to figure out how to support Juno," he confessed, covering his eyes and leaning on the table. "So I decided to take a photo. Sweet one. Tell me honestly, is it a stupid idea?"

"I think she'll appreciate it," Legoshi smiled understandingly. "Although you, suddenly taking a sweet photo…"

"Yes, I know."

"Are you thinking about her?"

Louis sighed:

"Constantly. Like some pubescent teenager."

"True love knows no age…"

"Just don't need those… folksy wisdoms!"

"Sorry," the wolf slightly pinned his ears. "Have you figured out how to take the photo?"

"No idea. Maybe you can suggest something?"

"No."

"No as in 'I don't know' or…"

"No - as in 'no'," Legoshi shook his head, pointing his claw towards him. "It has to come from the heart. Your heart."

Giving him a sidelong glance, Louis made a strange nasal sound and then said:

"I've never had enough for such nonsense."

Perhaps it's time to start? From the heart…

Uncertainly looking at his own hands, Louis tried to form a heart shape with his fingers. Little by little, the figure came together, and he displayed the combination in front of him:

"Is this… okay?"

"You sound unsure. Just like me."

"Because, for heaven's sake, I'm not sure!" the deer furrowed his brow in anger. Legoshi blinked a couple of times and suggested:

"Maybe you'll give me your phone already?"

"Uh… sorry."

Passing the gadget to the wolf, Louis sat back down on the table and formed the previous figure with his fingers. Trying to smile, Legoshi just shook his head:

"Forced. Don't think of smiling as your duty."

"Not think of anything?"

"Think… about Juno. Pretend I'm not here."

He really started thinking about their future meeting, and the smile – this time genuine – naturally spread across his lips.

"Look up…" a quiet voice was heard. Louis looked into the camera and heard a click, then another one. He barely caught the thrown phone.

"Perfect," Legoshi nodded enthusiastically. The deer glanced at the screen and made a displeased grimace:

"Too sugary. Isn't it?"

"Sincere," the carnivore disagreed.

"Sendin' it?"

"Yes!"

Swallowing, he sent the photo in a private message. They didn't chat much… not enough, clearly. Louis put the phone on the table and nodded:

"Thank you."

Legoshi nodded in response; in such moments, silent understanding was better than any words. Then he sat on a chair against the wall, but instead of leaning back relaxed, he hunched forward. He spoke with less confidence:

"Actually… I wanted to ask you too…"

"About what?"

"I'll need a day off tomorrow."

"A day off? Heh."

"What's so funny?" the wolf raised an eyebrow, genuinely puzzled. Shaking his antlers, Louis confidently stated:

"I'm almost certain your employment contract doesn't require you to be constantly present at the club or school. The main thing is that everything works."

"That means…"

"That means 'yes, of course'," the deer said patiently. Then he asked:

"If it's not a secret, why?"

"There are… things."

"What things?"

"Important ones. Things that need to be done. The next step," Legoshi grimly replied, looking at the floor.

"Ah. I see… So, who am I to stand in the way of your happiness?" Louis smiled knowingly, but couldn't resist a jab: "Especially when you've stopped circling around it and finally gathered the courage to get a little closer."

"I… I'm still afraid. I'm dangerous… potentially, of course… to any herbivore. And Haru – she's just a little rabbit."

"And you're a wolf. Be proud of it."

"I am proud, it's just that…"

He didn't get to finish his sentence, unfortunately. There was a loud knock on the door, and their horned friend's voice asked with a smirk:

"Am I interrupting anything intimate here? Gentlemen, it seems we have a problem."

They exchanged glances. If Pina remembered that you can knock on the door instead of barging in like a SWAT team, there must have been problems indeed…

The worried gaze of the big lilac eyes followed Pina, who impatiently shuffled by the door. It opened, and Legoshi half emerged from the office, looking around the room. No one else was there except them. Then he asked:

"What's wrong, Pina?"

Pushing the stuck wolf forward, Louis also left the office and stared questioningly at the phone, which the ram held out to them.

"Take a look," he said slowly. "Isn't this a recording of your commission from the Hiroyuki port?"

The video indeed showed their cars – two regular ones and a police car – with Sisu hovering above them. But what worried Louis was not the video itself, but where it surfaced from.

"Club chat?" the deer asked abruptly.

"Yeah," Pina grimly replied. "The general one. And the video isn't from ours, it's from somewhere on Zootube. It already has over ten thousand views in just over two hours since it was posted. If it goes viral, it's the end for us."

"Goes viral?"

"You're like you've come out of the dark ages, Louis-senpai. It'll become known nationwide. Or worldwide."

Louis fumbled for a pack of cigarettes in his pocket and said:

"No… we definitely don't need that. Crap, and the driver also made a photo or two…"

"But we still wanted to introduce the drama club to Sisu today…" Legoshi said helplessly, not understanding the problem. The deer shrugged:

"It's one thing for the drama club, and quite another for the whole world. Can you imagine what things big pharmaceutical companies might invent to study her? It's not like dealing with black market thugs, but much worse.."

"Study her?" Sisu, approaching them, asked suspiciously. Louis sighed:

"Yes. Keep her locked up, take blood and tissue samples, conduct experiments."

"Like the ones down there?" the dragoness asked incredulously.

"Luckily, I wasn't there with you. And Legoshi still hasn't explained exactly what you found."

"Better not to mention it again," Pina cautioned. Sisu let it go and pointed a finger at the deer's chest:

"But you also have a pharmaceutical company."

"Yes, but Horns is not only… wait, what are you implying, Sisudatu?"

The deer's eyes involuntarily narrowed:

"I… I would never! I'm not my father and not a black market slave trader! How could you even…"

Louis nervously crushed the cigarette he had pulled out, he wanted to add something more, then suddenly pulled himself together and took a deep breath. Exhaled. Repeated the operation and then spoke more calmly:

"I don't experiment on friends and don't risk them needlessly. Remember that, please."

He turned around and headed for the exit. The dragoness looked at him, dazed and shocked:

"I… I didn't mean that…"

"Louis!" Pina said angrily. Without turning around, he waved his hand in the air:

"It's all right. We all lose our temper sometimes, sorry for the outburst."

"I didn't mean to… like that," Sisu quietly said, swallowing. "Louis has never said a bad word to me…"

Her eyes filled with tears, the ram gently ran his fingers through her silky mane and stroked the neck of the saddened dragoness, who awkwardly flicked her tail, almost hitting him in the legs from behind.

"Don't worry," Pina said consolingly, closing his eyes and resting his head against hers. "Everyone's on edge, your fame might greatly increase, and we don't know if we can handle the consequences."

"Louis can handle it," Legoshi confidently retorted. "Especially with our help."

I miss you so much… 3

Do you want me to come pick you up from the clinic?

I want to… But not now. Louis, I feel like it's getting close. Gouhin is right, we shouldn't see each other for now.

How close? I don't want you to suffer, Juno.

It's for a reason. Very close. Two, maybe three days. Are you okay? Very cute photo.

What could happen to me…

Your eyes look sad, even though you're smiling.

I miss you. Sometimes I had to literally force myself not to ambush you in the school corridors.

And I had to restrain myself from going to the club…

You'll come back. And you'll come back a winner!

Ha-ha

That's for sure. Love you 3

Love you too. 3

"Bryson-kun!"

The broad horns turned. He saw Fumiko rushing along the crosswalk - her striped tail like a trumpet, excitedly shaking a whole cloud of black and white long fur as she ran, her dress billowing around her flashing legs - the girl was clearly on a mission. Catching up to her target, the skunk demanded urgently:

"Did you see it?"

The buffalo nodded:

"Yea-a-ah."

"Why didn't you comment?!"

"Well, you can easily fake something like that in video editors…" Bryson attempted to object, but the girl, frowning, said:

"There's another video. The same thing, but much lower quality and from a different angle. Do you think they conspired?"

Sighing, the buffalo replied:

"I think it's not worth theorizing."

"But this! It's definitely Louis," Fumiko pointed her finger at the faintly discernible figure of the deer.

"Fumi-chan… not every deer in the world is Louis…"

"But some of them are definitely Louis!"

"I'm going to the club," Bryson announced, scratching his head, "just gonna grab something to eat, I'm hungry since morning. If Louis-san is there, we can just ask him, right?"

Snorting, she made a skeptical grimace:

"He's an actor. Almost a professional. Twice as skilled as us, I've seen the recordings. Do you think Louis can't convincingly lie?"

"I don't think anything. Let's just ask first, okay?" the guy tilted his horned head, looking at her. Keeping her skepticism, Fumiko silently nodded. They approached the vending machine, where Bryson ordered several packs of chocolate glazed cookies and a small bottle of water. Opening one, he offered it to his clubmate:

"Want some?"

"No, I need to watch my waistline."

"Well… efforts pay off, as I see it."

Fumiko coyly glanced at him:

"Is that a flirt, Bryson-kun?"

"Not even close," the buffalo chuckled and started munching on a cookie. "You're certainly a stunning girl and all, but my body's quite picky - it likes only buffaloes. Females, if that needs to be even clearer."

"You're old-fashioned, Colonel."

"And you're too eager to chase after fashion for a respectable lady," he smirked, instantly slipping into the role. The only thing that bothered him was the packs of cookies he distributed among his pants pockets.

"There's no… not even one in Cherryton, right?" she cautiously asked the skunk, still grabbing half of a cookie from him. Bryson's crunching was just too tempting.

"Nope. But I don't really suffer. There are dating sites, there are chats."

"And you have…"

"…no one," the temporary president of the club shrugged awkwardly. "Let's go to Louis, otherwise you probably have a thousand more questions about my nonexistent girlfriend."

"And not a single thousand," Fumiko pouted, pulling out her phone and rereading the latest messages. Nothing interesting.

Although their club chat was stirred by this video, the animals were divided almost evenly. Some argued that it was all montage and computer graphics, while others were interested in the appearance of the sea creature and cautiously remarked that it was better not to encounter such things on land. Ryu, as usual, marked his presence with lewd comments.

Throwing the instantly emptied bottle into the trash, the buffalo decisively headed towards the club, Fumiko jumped off the bench and walked beside him.

"Look, is that a guard?"

"Yeah. Haven't seen him before. Although they introduced security recently, maybe he's new."

The aforementioned guard, a jaguar with a cap pulled over his eyes, lazily watched them from the corner of the club. Politely greeting and turning around the corner, they saw the deer fiercely stubbing out a cigarette, who, upon seeing them, raised his eyebrows in surprise:

"Bryson? Fumiko? What are you doing here so early today…"

And before the buffalo could even utter a word, the skunk demanding raised her phone:

"Louis-san! Is it really you?"

"As you can see," he shrugged, then, glancing at the phone, nodded understandingly. "Ah… you mean the video."

"Yes!"

"Let's make an agreement, Fumiko. I can "moreover, I want to "tell you the whole truth. But…"

The deer paused, deriving some twisted pleasure from the anticipation in their faces. Slowly he said:

"…but you promise me to stoically accept what will follow."

"What do you mean?" the buffalo was surprised.

"You'll understand soon enough. Firstly and most importantly - it's not computer graphics. What's captured on the video is the Immigration Commission, and honestly, I'm surprised it leaked online."

"It already has over ten thousand views in just a few hours," Fumiko reported. "It might go viral… hold on. Louis-san. Is this thing… actually real?"

"Secondly," Louis sighed. "It's not a 'thing', but a water dragon, previously unknown to science. Thirdly - it's an extremely peaceful and kind creature. And fourth…"

The play director's finger silently pointed at the door. For a moment, the animals puzzled, but then they exchanged glances, and understanding dawned in their eyes. Fumiko's was more of admiration, while Bryson's was stunned as he uttered:

"No way."

"Yes. Not kidding."

"Here?!"

"Right here. And that's exactly why there's a guard here, although, if Sisudatu were actually a threat, I doubt he could do anything about it."

"I… we… can we?!" the girl asked incoherently, pointing her fingers at herself and then at the door. The deer silently nodded. With a swift movement, she leaped onto the porch and disappeared inside, and the not-quite-closed door echoed with the squeals of joyful admiration. The buffalo swallowed and slowly ascended the steps, stopping next to the head of the drama club. He said, hesitatingly:

"I wouldn't have reacted so… recklessly."

"There's no threat," Louis repeated, observing the jaguar standing sideways to them. The animal looked bored, staring at something on his phone. "If there were suddenly… she would've eaten me first."

"I'm still afraid to go in," Bryson admitted, flicking his tail against his thigh.

"Let's go."

Louis headed first, knowing well that the student would follow him. And, seeing Sisu up close, his attitude would probably change. An unfamiliar threat would become… perhaps, a friend.

Bryson's eyes widened to their maximum capacity when he saw Fumiko twirling around the blue horned dragon… in a strange cloak… and both were making different delighted sounds, while Legoshi and Pina watched with smiles. He helplessly asked:

"Is… this normal?"

"No," Louis chuckled. "But I'd be polite if I were you."

He approached the playful giant uncertainly and bowed, maintaining his wariness:

"Hello. My name is Bryson Kuroda, I'm temporarily substituting for Juno, the club president."

The dragoness nodded - or quickly bowed? - saying:

"Sisu. Very pleased to meet you."

Fumiko had long been almost snuffling, burying herself in her mane, but the guest seemed to enjoy it. At least, she liked the big and fluffy tail, which she carefully fingered.

"It's nice to see such enthusiasm," Pina chimed in, to which the wolf sitting nearby calmly remarked:

"Looks like Bryson-kun is scared."

"Many from the club will be."

"Yeah. Juno ran away for the first time, so we need… how to put it," Legoshi clicked his claws in the air.

"Psychological preparation?" Louis helped.

"Yeah."

"Well, that's… what we're doing. Maybe Sisu will go up on stage and bow her head, and we'll ceremoniously raise the curtain?"

The wolf shook his head:

"There are problems with the mechanism, I told you. The blocks fell apart, and everything is held by a rope tied to another rope, which is tied to yet another rope, thrown over an old rusty hook."

"Hmm. Sounds problematic even in description."

"How can you be afraid of her?!"

They looked in amazement at Fumiko, who squinted her eyes, not even trying to extricate herself from the long blue mane:

"This is the embodiment of kindness! Look!"

"Sometimes appearances can be deceiving," Bryson coughed. "Moreover, if she's a water dragon, then participating in the life cycle…"

"I don't eat sentient beings," Sisu cut in, hugging the skunk. "Pina, Legoshi, Juno, Louis are my friends, and I really hope to make friends with all of you, because I'm fascinated by the magic of theater! I watched the recordings - they're amazing!"

"We're just beginners…"

"Yes! It all worked out!" came a joyful shout from the door. Eri threw off her headphones and rushed to hug, while Fumiko laughed:

"See!"

"Can I not join the group for now?" the buffalo said, embarrassed by his own fears. Louis chuckled:

"Of course you can."

"Does the director know?"

"The new director is visible in the video for its entire duration, if anything. He was present at the commission and gave his approval "with the condition of an additional guard at the club," Louis replied, walking to the stage and leaning on it.

A sudden understanding dawned on Fumiko, and she cautiously pushed aside the hairy curtain, suspiciously eyeing the serval:

"Wait… what do you mean by 'it all worked out'?"

"Uh, um," she awkwardly shrugged. "Can I ask you to forget everything and come back with a feigned surprise?"

"Nope."

"No chance," sighed Pina. "Fumi-chan, Eri and Tsutomu also knew about Sisu's existence. I'm afraid it's my fault."

The skunk finally stepped away from the giant plush toy and said indignantly:

"It turns out that the whole club knew, and Bryson and I are two blind idiots."

"Not to that extent," the ram grinned. "For the rest, it will also be a surprise. Also… remember, Haru came yesterday? She knows too."

"Now that the list is finally complete, I would still insist on hiding Sisu at least in the dressing room or behind the scenes."

"What do you want to do?" Bryson asked, casting glances between the unexpected club acquisition and the others.

"Something like a solemn announcement," the director said. "Just as I explained it to you near the door, but more pompous and dramatic."

Fumiko snorted:

"Well, yeah, after all it's…"

"…a drama club," finished Pina, Eri, and even Legoshi synchronously. Fumiko giggled in surprise, the ram just waved his hand:

"It's almost like a motto now."

"Will Haru come too?"

"She has work," the wolf said, as if guilty, and the deer added slyly:

"Unlike you."

"So, Sisu, now we'll be putting on a play, in which the main and only role will be yours and yours alone."

"And the stage won't collapse?" the buffalo asked with a straightforwardness that could easily be mistaken for tactlessness. Unfortunately, despite the apparent lack of ears, the dragoness had excellent hearing, and Sisu immediately protested:

"I'm not fat!"

"Yeah, but you're… big," he awkwardly gestured with his palms. "These boards under me sometimes squeaked…"

Sisu frowned, tilting her head and quickly leaped onto the stage, transitioning from a calm state to movement in literally a fraction of a second. And froze again with a triumphant smile. Then she jumped in place, arching her back:

"See?"

"Yeah," Bryson admitted, involuntarily smiling at the sight of the jumps. "I believe."

"A-i-e-e-e…"

Legoshi looked around in surprise at Fumiko, who hugged her fists to her chest with happy endearment, making that squeak and staring at Sisu. Pina nudged him in the side with his elbow:

"Get a wet towel, let's make a compress. You can't underestimate the charm of a dragon."

"Did you forget how you turned into a statue yourself?" the ironic laughter came from the deer's side.

"That's why I'm saying it. I've experienced firsthand this incredible power."

Soon Tsu appeared as well - today he had a late class, so the bat didn't come with Eri as usual. He greeted Bryson, listened to Eri's whispered complaints about the abolition of the order, but overall was satisfied. The atmosphere of mystery rather hindered normal activities in the club, although it was worth noting that today's rehearsal was likely canceled.

And closer to four o'clock, still knowing nothing about the upcoming news, others began to gather. Gadzmir arrived a little earlier - he took over a computer without asking, installing some programs on it that none of the club's animals had ever heard of, and usually briskly tapped his fingers on the keyboard until it was time for rehearsal. Then the porcupine reluctantly moved to the dance team and played music at the right moments. Mostly, students arrived individually, although Tao, of course, came with Kibi, and the group of decorators - Dave, Mokichi, and Mika - also came together. But like the costumers, they were not let in anywhere.

Waiting for everyone to gather, Louis stepped onto the stage, with a wave of his hand quieting the whispers in the hall and directing a gaze full of energy at them:

"Once again, welcome. I'm sure many of you are bewildered and puzzled by certain information that surfaced today on the internet. I've seen the debates in the chat. And I couldn't help but notice that even those who assumed the video to be absolutely real expressed certain comments, questioning the adequacy, common sense, and implying a penchant for suicide of both our legislative system and myself personally. Well… I must say that, looking at me, one might assume such a thing," the deer moved his right leg to the side and demonstratively tapped it with his cane. The solid, almost wooden sound could be heard even through his trousers, and everyone knew about his "peculiarity." Laughter ensued. "However, I must make a few corrections."

"It's like we're in court, Louis-senpai!" Tao shouted. Kibi added, "Yeah. What's wrong with this video?"

"There's nothing wrong with the video," Louis said, glancing at Legoshi, who was talking to Gadzmir. The wolf had two tasks - to ask the porcupine to play a certain track after the code word, and then rush upstairs to take care of the lighting at the right moment. And he was as confident in Legoshi as in anything else. The rest - the students' reactions, Sisu's behavior, various coincidences - still remained questionable. "But there are… let's say, footnotes. Footnote number one. The video is absolutely, completely, entirely, one hundred percent real. Not a single part of it is fake or edited. And that means that there's me, Director Kamanori, police officers, several government officials, and a creature that became the subject of such heated debates."

"Is that real too?" the anteater asked cautiously.

"Exactly."

The animals buzzed. Louis held out his hand:

"I understand. I should also mention that this is an immigration commission. They decide whether someone living in water can live on land. And for such creatures, a special procedure is required, which you see here."

"Is it dangerous?" Ayako asked.

"Not at all. For our safety, there's a police presence there, but even without them, I knew we were in no danger. And that's footnote number two. Because I know the candidate personally. Her name is Sisudatu, although she prefers the short form, Sisu, and I dare hope she's my friend. She has a moral prohibition against eating sentient beings and lacks predatory instincts, like many carnivores. Moreover, I assume that biologically, in certain areas, she is much more advanced organism than any of us, however, the validity of my conclusion… is questionable."

Again, there was laughter.

"So, how many more footnotes are there going to be, Louis-san?" Izumu asked, clicking his long jaws. The deer grinned:

"Enough to fully inform you all. So listen carefully and don't fall asleep. Perhaps I'll put an end to the heated discussion in the chat with this… The secret of the trick needs to be revealed. After all, we all know how a certain kind of magic works, even if most of you are relatively new to it here."

"We're in the loop!" Tao exclaimed happily. Goro shook his head and skeptically remarked, "I'm still not entirely sure about that."

"Because you're a pessimist. You should look at life more simply."

"It doesn't work," the lion sighed. Seeing that everyone else was watching their almost theatrical dialogue unfold, he waved his hands. "Alright, alright! Sorry, Louis-san."

"No problem. Some types of speeches need breaks. So, footnote number three. Because after the first two, it's hardly clear why the director of Cherryton Academy is needed there, right? So, after successfully passing the commission - of course, with certain restrictions due to Sisu's size - I approached the director with a request. The thing is, among aquatic animals of this kind, there's no such thing as theater arts. If you can still watch movies in recordings or in some beach cinemas, then plays are a completely different matter. It can be said that it was because of the theater that she, in fact, became interested in our world. Therefore, as her friend, I felt it necessary to intervene… and ask Director Kamanori to allow her presence in the school club. Here."

"Here?!"

A slight commotion, this time more excited than inspired, passed among them. The dragon in the video looked dauntingly large, albeit slim… for its size. And surely, any of them could easily fit in the stomach of this strange creature.

"But I'm afraid for the fourth footnote, I'll be too dry and unbiased. So… Pina, it's your turn."

The ram stood up and, instead of standing at full height, approached the edge of the stage and sat down before them, crossing his legs. He wiggled his fingers in the air, making a parody grimace.

"Footnotes, shmootnotes. Louis-san's problem is that he suddenly decided to give a parliamentary speech instead of explaining everything simpler and more accessible. Which, I'm afraid, is the reason many listeners are lacking right now."

"That's called 'charisma'," Louis commented haughtily, sitting on his old but still sturdy director's chair throne. The Dall's ram smirked:

"Charisma, shmarisma… Sisu is damn beautiful. But the problem is not even in her physical appearance, but in the fact that her kindness and cheerfulness surpass everything familiar to me, which would be enough for another five creatures of the same size. Who do you think is the kindest in the club?"

"Tia!"

"Definitely Legoshi," Tao objected, defending his former clubmate.

"Fifty Tias, forty Legoshis, about twenty-eight and a half Yukis in terms of kindness, if we involve mathematics. Or fifteen hundred Louises," Pina laughed. "The most important thing to know is - she really wants to get to know you. And she won't harm anyone, even if it puts her own life at risk. Tsutomu-kun, what word comes to mind when you see Sisu?"

"Harmless, cheerful… possibly naive," the fox shrugged. Eri nudged him in the shoulder:

"And kind."

"Fumi-chan," Pina continued the survey, "you've barely known her for fifteen minutes. You're a smart girl, almost a straight-A student, albeit a rare flake. Do you have an opinion you're ready to share?"

"Yes, you're an incorrigible pain in the ass," Fumiko retorted, and laughter erupted around her again. "But regarding Sisu… she's delightful."

"That's all I have," the Dall's ram shrugged. Louis nodded:

"What was the signal supposed to be?"

"The signal was 'enough with the commercials, show us the damn dragon already!'" Kibi protested. "Two hours of damn training, it's like announcing some new phone model, for Rex's sake!"

"Well, ladies'n'gentlemen," Louis raised his voice. "Welcome to the strangest fairy tale in your life!"

The lights went out. It was still daytime outside, so the club room was enveloped in a soft twilight, and the animals began to chatter again animatedly. Very quietly, almost for background noise, Gadzmir turned on one of those compositions that Louis had once handed over, thinking that he would use them for "Pygmalion."

And watch how everything turned out.

In the bluish light of the spotlight, following today's mise-en-scène heroine, Sisu appeared from behind the scenes. Her lush mane was lovingly arranged, her eyes were accentuated with deeper shadows, and her two closely spaced horns glimmered mysteriously. She looked at the audience, which collectively held its breath, from under lowered lids, walked to the opposite edge of the stage, and turned around, the edges of her dark blue cloak swaying in time with her majestic stride. The dragoness rehearsed - for a novice actor - perfectly.

"And under the cloak she seems to…" Ryu began, but found that a familiar hand gripping his muzzle was hindering him. Fumiko angrily and quietly shushed him, continuing to hold the bandicoot back. "No, Ryu. Just no. And to your question - yes, but, for goodness' sake, at least be quiet now."

But most of the actors and other club members simply stared at Sisu with wide eyes, as if still doubting her reality until now, even in person. Louis's words about the "strange fairy tale" couldn't have been more fitting. She completed a small semicircle, lying completely on the stage at the edge and lowering her head to her paws, her lilac eyes watching the audience. Finally, the dragoness spoke softly:

"I am Sisu. Very pleased to meet you… and please, don't be afraid."

The deer silently clapped his hands in applause. She did everything she could, and even what was vaguely assumed as barely possible - she won the hearts of the audience from the very first appearance. Now it all depended on how much the club had managed to psych themselves up, and how well their speeches had softened the overall fear.

Without any embarrassment, Pina slightly broke character. He approached the dragoness and hugged her neck with such tenderness that it elicited expressions of endearment from the actors. He said mockingly:

"Why are your tails tucked between your legs? She doesn't bite."

And then the room descended into absolute chaos.

The rehearsal, as expected, didn't go smoothly for the dragon. For a good hour and a half out of the two allocated for practice, Sisu fended off questions, dealt with particularly bold individuals, talked about her tastes, showed interest in new acquaintances, and genuinely puzzled over questions that, due to her alien origins, she simply didn't understand. In the remaining time, the animals barely managed to run through one single scene, and even then, they were constantly distracted, disrupted, and looking around. There were no injuries or accidents, except for the concerned bandicoot accidentally getting hit with a tail while trying to find the best viewing spot, but most agreed he deserved it.

However, "The Order of the Dragon" relaxed and finally felt at ease. There was a fleeting regret that there was no more mystery, but the general admiration and new acquaintances swept away any annoyance. Although Tsutomu and Eri were given side-eye looks - like, they were theirs, newcomers, so why didn't they spill the beans? However, they managed to keep the most important secret within their trusted circle for now - that the mysterious creature had been living in the attic all this time, and that Sisu possessed magic, which from now on, by strict agreement, she could only practice when no one was watching. The dragoness happily traded the opportunity to publicly show off tricks for a bunch of new friends and was now holding the embarrassed, trying-to-escape Tao in her paws. Finally, after releasing him from her tight embrace, the cat muttered:

"Yet you guys are jerks."

"We couldn't have said beforehand," Legoshi consoled him. "You understand, nobody knew until the last moment if it would work out."

"Louis-senpai… you don't want… well, to give her a role?" Tao asked cautiously. Louis shook his head:

"Even if I wanted to… I'm afraid the audience wouldn't be thrilled. And it's pointless to put on a new play now, we simply won't have time to assign roles and rehearse before the performance. So sorry, Sisu, you'll only be as a spectator."

"I'm fine with that," the dragoness smiled. "Just allow me to watch."

"I'm not even sure if they'll allow you to attend the performance. But I promise we'll hold a dress rehearsal in front of you," Louis assured her.

"Honestly… I seem to be an actor, but I don't understand this obsession with the theater," Tao shrugged. "Movies are more interesting!"

"To each their own. Movies are too… real," she found the right word. "There's no need for any imagination to envision what's happening in the movie, as it's all shown on the screen. But to act in the theater… you need an incredible talent!"

"Sisudatu, I'll record your praises and use them as motivational speeches for future generations of the school theater. Can I?"

She raised up her nose and turned away, glancing at the deer out of the corner of her eye. She said:

"Not until you stop calling me by my full name."

"As you wish, oh the great dragon," Louis mockingly bowed, mimicking the manners of his butler.

"And this too!"

"All hail the great dragon," Eri grinned. Tao nodded, the dragoness cringed - as much as possible given her size:

"Just not that again…"

"Leave Sisu alone!" the ram intervened. Again - as much as he could. The serval poked his shoulder with her finger:

"Actually, it's the first time I've heard this from you."

Pina sighed:

"Sorry."

"It seems we've caused too much excitement," Louis commented.

"Some are afraid. Bryson, Yuki, Ratih… even Philip, when he tore himself away from the console and realized what was happening."

"But the rest are ready to carry her on their shoulders."

"So everything worked out," Louis sighed in relief. Seeing Legoshi raise his hand, he lightly clapped it: "Let's call it a day, change clothes, and discuss our further schedule. Today was a very long day."

Legoshi nodded, rising from his seat. Besides them and Tao, who lingered, there was no one left in the room - the animals had already dispersed to the dressing rooms, lively discussing the events of the day. And - strangely enough - the male part continued to argue about whether it was really possible to insert a similar dragon, only computer-generated, into real video.

"Hey, wolf!"

He turned around, encountering Louis's dagger-sharp gaze. The deer started to go towards the exit but stopped halfway, remembering something:

"If I see you tomorrow at the club - I'll tell everyone about the bar."

"What bar?" he didn't understand.

"The Bar. The one where I sat quietly a year ago and drank. Before you showed up."

Legoshi flattened his ears:

"Uh… oops. Let's not."

"See you on Monday then," the deer said more gently. "Good luck."

"What about the bar?" Pinna asked with curiosity. Louis cut him off.

"Not your concern. At least, not yet. Goodbye, everyone."

And he left the club. His mind was swirling with various thoughts. Louis tried not to think about Juno, but he kept getting distracted. However, one thought lingered particularly strongly, as if summarizing the events of Friday.

Today had indeed been a very long day.