Chapter 1: The News
It was another day at Cherryton Academy. Both Juno the grey wolf and Pina the Dall sheep were on their way to the drama club.
Now the they both of them were in their second year, the two of them had a lot to do if they were to represent both the main stars for the plays. A carnivore and a herbivore that could dazzle the entire auditorium. However, there was something that might change their lives forever.
Bursting into the drama club, they were met with surprise gazes from their friends. Els was the first to comment on their excited expressions. "So what happened? Why did the principal called the both of you in?"
"Did you get into a fight?" Sanu the pelican asked them carefully. He was adjusting his spectacles, the sudden bursts of the two members caught him off-guard. Now, rest of the members consisting of Kai, Bill, Aoba, Tao, Fudge, Ellen, Mina, Kibi and Dom. Sheila and Louis have graduated so there were only a few members left.
Pina flashed a playful smile. "Of course not. Not yet anyways...but we want to let you know that Principal Gon called us because we were selected."
Now this got everyone's attention as they were clamouring to the Dall sheep. Juno raised her voice and announced, "We're going on a cultural exchange for a month! Think of it: two of us in a new country and new schools."
Most of the girls congratulated them while the boys were hesitant. "Err...I don't know about this, Juno," said Tao, his tail swishing anxiously. "I mean going to another country all on your own without knowing anyone, new smells and sounds? That sounds terrifying!"
Aoba gave the black panther a warning glare and then gestured to both the she-wolf and Dall sheep. "So, what's the name of the school- wait, did you say schools? In plural?"
Pina nodded smoothening his woolly fur. "Yes. Turns out Juno will be in an all-girls school called Selkie School for Gifted Girls while I'm going to Gryphon Cross, which is an all-boys school. Does that ring a bell?"
Most of them gasps because those two schools were tied to the very student that had an effect on them: Arthur the blind Honduran white bat.
The said bat was now busy with his own gardening club and still playing music throughout the night to comfort most of the students on campus. Despite all of the stress and expectations, Arthur still managed to be optimistic about everything. Both Juno and Pina exchanged knowing looks.
"Hmmph, that means that the sandworm's gonna be there," Kai muttered, fur bristling at the thought. Ellen stared at him with disgust. "Kai, how could you say that about snakes in general? Just because history says that you guys are enemies, doesn't mean all snakes are bad!"
"Not snakes, Ellen," he corrected the zebra, causing a few of their members to stand in-between them. "Cobras. Those sandworms are nothing but deceitful jinns in disguise. Mark my word, they will use their venom to kill you, let alone loosen you up before they steal your souls."
Bill gave him a warning growl. "Kai, don't be rude! Arthur's cobra friend is nice and if Arthur trusts him, then so do we. So, are you and Pina going to visit him before leaving?"
Juno smiled, still slightly shocked from Kai's unreasonable hostility. However she nodded and stared up at the Bengal tiger. "We're planning to, Bill. Arthur grew up at that place and who knows, maybe we can find out how things are."
"And maybe we get to see Sameer again," Pina giggled, causing a few members of the drama club to look confuse. Nonetheless, both Juno and Pina were eager for the trip and promised the club that they will let them know how it all went. For now, they need to consult the one who had been there before.
If there was someone who knew about these schools, it definitely was Arthur.
...
Arthur was typing out an essay on his braille machine until his ears picked up the sounds of a door knock. Placing an empty glass at the door, he listened to who could be on the other aside.
"It's Pina and Juno!" the voice on the otherwise confirmed. Arthur sighed with relief, almost expecting something else. He believed he had enough adventures and would like to catch up with his schoolwork with hot tea by his side.
After all, tea works well with anything.
Unlocking his door, he greeted the two drama club students with a bow. "Please, help yourself to some tea and jam biscuits. I have plenty for this evening."
Once Juno and Pina were settled, they began explaining to the blind bat about their visit. Arthur's cloudy blue eyes widened at the news. "G-Gryphon Cross?! My old school?" he squeaked, feeling excitement all over his body. "Oh, you will enjoy yourself there, Pina! And Juno, I think you will get along well with the Selkie Girls too. We used to hang out during the weekend and sometimes during our summer camp days. Ah, to go back again..."
Blinking, he realised he was getting sentimental talking about the past. He wondered if that was a sign that he was getting old before he could even leave Cherryton? Shaking his head, he began to pour more tea as the two students asked him several questions.
"So does it feel weird to be in a same-sex type of school and then coming here?" asked Juno, he could imagine her head tilted. "I was also a new student here before you came but from the sounds of it, herbivores and carnivores get along?"
Arthur does a 'so-so' gesture with a wing. "We have a few scraps here and there but what makes the schools different were the battle of girls vs boys. From sports, theatrics and even sales during our living skills class, A.K.A what you called home economics."
He heard Juno's tail wagging with excitement while Pina was probably cool with how he could detect the chair creaking slightly. His clicks told him that the Dall sheep was sitting by the dining table.
"Anyways, are you staying with someone or a hostel?" asked Arthur, nibbling on a jam biscuit.
"The principal told us that the both of us will be stay with a family," explained Juno, not hiding the eagerness in her voice. "I will be staying with a student from the Selkie School while Pina lives with a Gryphon Cross student. Principal Gon picked the both of us based on our overall school performance and it's not just the drama club."
Arthur gave them more biscuits. "Congratulations, both of you! I wished I could join you but I have all of these school works to do. I will pray to Nocturna to protect the both of you."
Pina chuckled, ruffling Arthur's fluffy head. "That is sweet of you, Arthur. We really appreciate it. In fact, I'm looking forward to this trip and meeting my host~"
The Honduran white bat arched a brow at the Dall sheep's tone. He wondered if- no, it can't be a coincidence, can it? Will it?
Placing a gentle finger over Pina's hand, Arthur faced directly into where Pina's eyes level would be. His expression shifted from soft to stern.
"Listen to him and do not try to harm him," he warned, his mouth slightly parted to show his little fangs. He hoped he doesn't sound too cross but felt his heart soothed by Pina's chuckled.
"Of course not, little fluffball. I know he will take very good care of me."
Hi, I decided to write this because I thought it would be fun for Pina and Juno to have a little adventure since I am not satisfied with how they were dealt with at the end of the manga so I hope you enjoy this story as much as I do