Good day, evening or whatever.
Well, here we are with chapter 7! I hope you guys have been liking my stuff. My schedule and release for chapters is rather sporadic, but I am not the type of person to leave things unfinished.
This chapter will be a bit longer than what you're used to. Don't worry I won't pull a One That Should Not Be Named and start writing manifestos. *cough kirbo84 cough*
Also, important announcement (yes, this is becoming quite the trend) I am adding more to previous chapters to make the reading even more enjoyable. So, keep an eye out for that. ;)
Yes, Chapters 1 through 6 are receiving overhauls by yours truly.
I really hope you guys will like whatever I have prepared for you. I cannot wait to spice up the story some more.
This is a big pill for you guys.
Cheers.
Jack stared helplessly at his phone screen. He still couldn't believe he got her number. Every fiber told him to shoot her a text, but he didn't want to come off as pushy.
He looked at the time: 07:04 AM. He wondered if it still was too early to send something.
I don't know what to do! We had a good time last night and I have zero experience talking to women.
The Labrador never really had any female friends, except one female dog that was also in his advanced history class. She, however, didn't really count according to him.
She was nice, but he couldn't bring himself to remember her name. Jack thought her name was Lyra, but couldn't really recall.
He scratched himself behind the ears. Shiira was the closest he got to a female in years. He didn't really want to screw up because of his inexperience.
Maybe I should wait until she texts me?
Jack thought about it for a little while. As a guy he should make the first move, right? It would only be polite.
He groaned over what he should send her.
What should I put in? "Hey, Shiira! Remember me? The Labrador Retriever who made a fool of himself?"
He started pulling at his own ears, his feet flailing back and forward.
No! That won't do!
Nothing really looked appealing to Jack. It shouldn't be that hard to text a new friend, right? Was she waiting for him to text?
If I don't text her soon, she will think I have forgotten about her! What do I do?!
He looked at his phone pensively. He tapped on her contact. His face turned to shock.
I was the only one to put a number in! That basically means I have to text her first! I am so screwed!
Jack whined, clearly still indecisive about what to do. He thought it would be better to leave it alone for now.
It shouldn't be this hard! Why am I making things so difficult for myself?
Screw it!
Jack: Hey Shiira! Thanks for giving me-
Too formal! New message!
Jack: Hey Shiira! It's Jack! Sorry for leaving so abruptly last night. Legosi suddenly got sick. I had a lot of fun with you, it would be nice to do something in the future! ໒(ᴥ)७
Jack looked at the message helplessly, wondering if it was still a bit too formal. He decidedly pressed send anyways.
What is the worst that can happen?
He got out of his bunk and started changing into his school uniform. The thoughts of possibilities and new experiences filling his mind, almost eclipsing the troubles of the past week.
He moved towards his desk, assignments sprawled on the table, something akin to an active warzone. He let out a deep sigh.
Those assignments will one day be the death of me. Instead of having classes they sometimes just like to dump as much useless stuff on me at once.
Jack knew that they were testing him; looking to see how much he could take before he broke. The tragedies of the past few days only adding up to that grueling task.
Sitting down he opened his laptop, seeing he had three more assignments to complete by the end of the week. He was halfway done with most of them. He had to sneak in as much time as possible during breaks and early mornings.
He heard a loud groan coming from one of the bunks. Judging from the noise and growl it almost had to be Legosi.
The wolf fumbled in his crammed bunk and pulled himself out of it. Jack eyed him intently.
Legosi wiped the sleep from his eyes and stood up. He slowly stretched his limbs and you could hear them pop under the strain.
"Good morning, Legosi. You're up early again. Did you sleep well?", the Lab inquired curiously. "You know, considering last night?"
The wolf gave a small grunt and made strides for his uniform.
"Yeah, I-I slept okay-ish. Absolutely starved, though", the wolf answered crankily. "I feel like an elephant just walked all over me."
This earned him a small giggle from Jack. He was glad to see he was doing better than yesterday. Last night he looked absolutely horrible.
"Ah, we'll go for breakfast in an hour or so. We just need to wait for the guys to wake up." Jack scribbled something down in his book and started tapping away at his laptop.
"I have one question though."
The Lab looked at him a little worried. The wolf tensed up a little. He really didn't want to talk about last night.
Legosi knew the topic was unavoidable, but there is no shame in praying.
"What even happened to you last night? You looked like a ghost."
Legosi let out a groan. The tiredness was still lingering on his face. He pulled his shirt over his head.
He faced his concerned friend with apprehension.
"Frankly, I have no idea. One moment I was fine, the other I couldn't keep anything down", Legosi explained. "I guess my stomach just rejected something I ate."
Jack hummed softly. Mulling over the explanation. He didn't really want to interrogate Legosi too much. It could've just been a coincidence.
"You've been eating rather badly as of lately. Maybe that's why you were sick", Jack reasoned. "I hope you're doing better now though. You still need to eat enough, today."
The labrador couldn't have emphasized the word 'today' enough.
Jack's reasoning was totally sound. Legosi needed a lot more food to make his body function properly.
The wolf looked at Jack surprised. Legosi took some nibbles here and there to make it through the day. He didn't even know that Jack noticed.
The food has been rather tasteless to him, as of lately. He can barely make himself eat stuff without almost recoiling. The egg sandwiches were also beginning to lose their taste.
These signs weren't good and the wolf knew it. It could only get worse from here.
"I guess you're right. I just haven't been having much of an appetite."
Poor wolf. He can't help but put himself down in the wake of tragedy. He always punishes himself like this.
Jack sometimes wishes Legosi would just stop doing that. He always takes the weight of whatever happens on his shoulders. The Labrador is deadly afraid that: one day he will snap under the strain.
"Ah, I see. I haven't been eating all that much either. We cannot keep going like this, our bodies will give up on us if we do." Jack's tone was very serious. He wouldn't allow Legosi to eat badly anymore.
Legosi gave Jack an affirmative grunt. He rubbed more sleep from his eyes, not being able to jumpstart his body into waking up.
Noticing he was lacking in the info department for his research: Jack pondered where his books were.
Probably in my bag. Goes to show the internet is not always enough.
Jack stood up and walked over to his bunk to get some of his books. He gave the wolf a passing glance. He noticed something odd.
"Legosi, is it me or have you been getting bigger?", Jack looked at him attentively. "You got... taller?"
Legosi looked at him with big eyes. He eyed his own arms and legs. Frantically feeling himself up and down.
"Huh, wha-? Oooooh, not again!", the wolf lamented. "I want to stop growing."
Legosi has been getting kind of worried about all his growth spurts. He already got enough attention from everyone as is.
Legosi pouted, grumbling to himself under his breath. He pulled his new shirt on and threw the old one in the washing bin.
Jack sniffled at Legosi's expense. The Labrador wished he was still able to grow. He has barely grown over the course of two years.
"I wouldn't worry about it too much, you big oaf", Jack consoled playfully. "You're lucky. The girls will be fawning all over you."
He gave Legosi a laugh. The wolf scratched his arm awkwardly. The last thing he needed was girls drooling all over him.
The Labrador lifted the books, underestimating the weight. He almost stumbled and fell.
Oh, Rex! I need to work out more.
Jack walked back to his desk and put the heavy books down with a thump. He let out a growl in the strain.
Legosi moved towards the bathroom vying to get ready for another day. He watched as Jack sat down again and continued with his work.
He opened the restroom door with a whoosh.
"I'll be out in a minute."
The only thing he got out of Jack was a small 'Uhuh'.
He went inside the bathroom to brush his teeth and put conditioner in his fur. He didn't dare look into a mirror; he wouldn't like a rerun of last night.
That was the strangest night he had in a while, bar the obvious answer.
Whatever that voice was: it wasn't like the previous one.
He felt terrible every time it spoke. Thinking about it made him nervous, like at any moment, the pain of last night could return.
I think going to that memorial was a trigger. I better avoid the gardening club for now.
After last night he knew one thing for sure: he was even hungrier. Legosi knew he had to fill his stomach somehow, but he just couldn't bring himself to eat anything.
He could only remember how things tasted. The taste of that rabbit's blood seemingly still on his tongue.
I still can't get her taste out of my mouth. Every time I swallow it feels like I am eating her all over again.
Legosi pondered on how he is supposed to deal with all this.
I don't know how long I can keep up the pretense that everything is fine. Jack will notice, and if he notices who else will?
It was almost like his own body was rejecting him. Just when everything seemed like it would go in his favor; he got strapped into a demented roller coaster and was along for the ride.
He reluctantly checked himself in the mirror, despite his previous fears and saw that nothing was wrong. He didn't look terrible for someone who hasn't really been eating anything for five almost six days.
Maybe it was all just bad luck. Jack is right. I need to eat more. I am getting skinnier.
Despite feeling some much stronger than before; it was taking a toll on his body.
He left the bathroom with new goals and ambitions in mind. Ready for another day.
The partially closed blinds in detective Hinari's office let through a dim light, casting long shadows across the cluttered room. She has been choking on the workload. Papers and stamps were littered around the office.
Her coffee mug that was standing on her desk hasn't been refilled in hours. The sand fox was hunched over her work desperately trying to make sense of it all.
She groaned in annoyance. Hinari had to use her off days to even still be caught up in this absolute mess. This was never going to fly with her superiors.
The killings of the two students in three days has left a rather foul taste in her mouth. She questioned how two large breed carnivores could give into their worst desires not even two days apart.
She looked at the clock hanging over her door longingly. It said 02:54 PM. She had skipped breakfast and now she has also missed lunch.
The fatigue she felt was effectively written on her face. Lines began forming on her face and bags were visible under her eyes. She felt like dropping on the floor and sleeping in for the next year.
I sometimes can't believe people. Those stupid teenagers cannot keep their fangs to themselves for even one minute! One day: I am going insane.
The only things she really knew for certain is that both perpetrators were large breeds. Still, it was like trying to find a needle in a haystack of half a student body.
Of course, they had to go get themselves killed in a place where there are a ton of carnivores. In a school, no less! That's a jurisdictional cluster fuck.
Cherryton had been pressuring the precinct for days to solve these devourings. By the pressuring the precinct, the precinct pressured her to get results she couldn't realistically get.
If the P.D. gets flamed, they can always put the blame on the sand fox who was stupid enough to take charge of the case.
The sniffer squad, of course, got no results. There were too many scents mangled into one big travesty. You couldn't smell the difference from a barn owl and a mountain lion.
That wasn't even the worst part; they had to lift the lockdown too. She was hoping to put enough pressure on the predators until they made a mistake.
Now those options were also off the table. She huffed and lounged back into her office chair. The sand fox questioned what options she even had left, at this point she might as well quit.
There was careful knock at the door: a nervous black bull was the source. She glared at the officer in question. The bull shrunk back a little.
"Uhm, detective? Someone's here to see you", the bull announced softly.
Hinari eyed the bull with an annoyed visage. She let out a groan. "Garsson, if it's the top dogs, tell them to fuck off."
The officer stammered a little. He was the most anxious bull Hinari had ever seen. She couldn't understand how someone so big could be such a wimp.
"D-D-Detective! D-Don't talk that way! What i-if they hear?", he hushed, looking around frantically. He looked at her with big eyes. "I-It is not them."
Hinari raised her brows. If it wasn't her superiors, who else could it be? Garsson was still fumbling his hands, not making any effort to elaborate.
"Well? Who is it then?", the fox questioned flatly. "If it's the press: kick their asses out."
The bull recoiled a little at the phrasing. Despite being an officer for two years he still hasn't acclimated very well to the vulgar way she talks.
The last thing Hinari wanted on her mind was some stupid hack questioning her.
"It is Louis, the red deer, Cherryton's Beastar candidate", he answered. "He wants to speak with you."
Even worse than a Hack, a deer.
"I know who he is, Garsson."
Hinari looked entirely unamused. She wasn't expecting a visitor at this hour, especially not Louis.
What does that privileged princess want now? As if my day-no scratch that, my week couldn't get any worse.
She looked at Garsson and let out a sigh. Hinari didn't even want to deal with his bullshit anymore and waved him off.
"Just let him in already." Hinari rubbed under her eyes, willing herself to wake up. She wasn't even going to fight it.
"Go grab some lunch, Garsson. Pick up the updated coroners report for the mauled bunny while you're at it."
The bull gave her a nod and quickly walked off. The detective slumped back in her chair, desperate for some shut eye.
"No rest for the wicked."
She straightened herself anticipating the deers arrival. She heard faint footsteps getting closer to her office.
Judging from their softness it had to be that annoying deer. They became louder and louder the closer they got.
Eventually the shape of a deer cast a long shadow in the dim room. He hummed a happy tune as his frame graced Hinari with his presence.
"Good afternoon, Ms. Hinari. It's a pleasure, as always." He flashed the fox a warm smile, one she would never reciprocate.
Hinari eyed the deer warily, his posture always carrying that same arrogant grace. The one that pissed off the detective so much.
"It's Detective for you. Skip the platitudes, we both know you're not here for idle banter", she said bitterly. "Just tell me what you want."
The deer strode in her office and plopped himself down in the chair before her desk.
"Shouldn't you be in school? I should have you arrested for truancy.", Hinari threatened flatly.
"Now, now, no need to get so antagonistic." The deer chuckled, clearly amused. "I am just here to get some more information from you. You have to admit: I've been useful as your little confidant."
Hinari knew that Louis' usefulness has been stretched thin. His influence within the school allowed Hinari to do her job, but other than that he really hasn't been all that helpful.
She let out a grunt. Louis was seriously getting on her nerves.
"You think I don't know about that little stunt you pulled with the headmaster?", she said sweetly. "You basically set this entire damn case on fucking fire!"
Her shift in tone made Louis' ears perk up. Louis stared her down with quasi-shock. His talent as an actor shining through.
"Oh, so that little plan of yours fell through? You know: the one involving trapping students with two killers?", Louis said incredulously.
Hinari wasn't in the mood for the deer's challenging rhetoric.
Yeah, you arrogant prick. It was a necessary risk I was willing to take.
She would never say that out loud. That would never go over well with the higher ups. They would argue that she took her pragmatism too far.
If there was one thing she hated more than anything: it was people interfering with her plans. She would've never come this far if she played by the book.
In the detective's opinion: that was the best shot they had. Now the killers could get their fill from elsewhere and get away with it all.
"Listen, you posturing priss. You've interfered with our investigation enough. What makes you think that I would tell you anything more?"
Hinari was effectively seething at this point. She wondered how that deer had the gall to even ask her for more classified material.
The deer put his hand beneath his chin, gently stroking it as if in thought.
"Well, you did give away sensitive information about a case. That is ground for suspension without pay."
Hinari scoffed, a smile gracing her features. As if she did this job for the pay; if it was for the money she would have become a lawyer.
"Is that the best you have, Mr. Actor? Blackmail?", she laughed. "Please, you need me on this case. Nobody else would even give you the time of day."
Louis was annoyed by the sand fox's acute response, yet he didn't let it show. He almost let a scowl play on his face, but he held himself back.
He leaned forward slowly.
"I've got something you want, Detective. It's a very good shot to catch the perpetrators or at least narrow it down."
Louis' calm demeanor grated on Hinari's nerves. She loathed the way he moved, the tone of his voice and how he always placed himself on a pedestal.
The smallest of gestures always had to be paid in kind. Nothing was for free with the deer.
You aren't even doing this for your peers. This showmanship of yours only serves your gain.
"Spit it out then", she retorted, her voice laced with discontentment. "This is barely the time for your insipid, coy games."
Louis leaned back again, a scheming smile playing softly on his lips. "The play, you sly fox. Everyone will be there."
She raised her brows curiously. She didn't know what that would do for her case.
"Go on... Where the fuck are you going with this?"
The deer's eyes were glinting with mischievous glee. "The play is the perfect way to observe and analyze behaviors. You need to find two large breeds, right?"
Hinari's skepticism was written all over her. She doubted sincerely that it would work. "You want me to stake out a school play?"
She had to stop herself from laughing in his face. "Louis, even if we do. There is no guarantee they'll be there."
Louis nodded confidently. "Precisely, that's the point. A lot of the student body will show up, because they want an escape from all the chaos. We can orchestrate a scenario that will make the guilty parties act out."
The irony of people escaping actual tragedy with a tragedy was not lost on the deer.
She assessed him curiously. "And how do you propose we do that? I can see where you're going with this, but it will really stretch my, honestly, shitty resources thin."
Hinari had to admit that it didn't sound half bad. Louis was as shrewd as ever, that old buck has taught him well.
"You can also keep an eye on the campus; if any large breed is wandering around looking for prey. Those monsters could use the play as their uninterrupted hunting time", The deer explained. "As for making the killers act out..."
Hinari's ears perked up. As of now, this seemed rather foolproof. It would allow her to narrow down her suspect pool significantly.
She doesn't have any other ideas on how to make this even better, if she accepts that is.
"This might sound a little bit crazy." He leaned in further, his voice a whisper. "You know what meat withdrawal is, detective? We can make them react by exposing them to certain... stimuli."
The sand fox was staring at him with confusion.
He's not insinuating what I think he is, right? He cannot be serious.
"Louis, whatever the hell you're thinking, I hope I am wrong. That would be super illegal, the courts would never approve!", she whispered bitterly. "Do you know how many fucking lives we would put at risk?"
The deer smiled at her deviously. He was enjoying his time sharing his machinations. This was a plan that has been days in the making.
"Of course, detective", Louis responded airily with mock solemnity. "You know better than I do that unconventional methods garner the best results. This could be our breakthrough."
She mulled over this plan for a long time. Louis let her think for a bit, leaning back in his chair.
Hinari knew her options were shallow at best. Her leads were running dry. This could be their final shot. They were basically running on fumes anyways.
Hinari couldn't help but become excited. She loved putting everything on the line if it meant that she could do her job.
She looked at him with an amused smile of her own.
"I have to admit, Louis. I like this little plan of yours.", she admitted. "However, you take care of the more riskier part of your plan. I am not sticking my fucking neck out for you."
Louis knew why she couldn't do it. If her superiors caught wind of this: she would be fired and jailed quicker than a speeding bullet.
He smiled at her heartily, a real one this time. "I knew you would agree, you crass fox."
Louis knew that he would be on the chopping block if things went south, but at this point he didn't care anymore. Haru was the only thing on his mind.
He held out his hand towards Hinari, urging her to shake it. She took it swiftly, pulling him ever closer with minor force. She smiled toothily, showing him her rows of sharp, tiny incisors.
"You have yourself a deal, little buck. You know how to reach me, stay in contact."
The library of Cherryton always felt very isolating. It always seemed like it was cut off from the rest of the world.
A world Charlie found utterly terrifying. How can one live in a world: where you constantly have to look over your shoulder? How can you live in a world: where any carnivore could snap and tear into you like food?
These ideas and realities scared Charlie so much. Despite being aware of them, it doesn't make it any less terrifying. He's would be utterly powerless if someone decided he looked appetizing for that day.
He never saw the point in living in a world like this. He was intelligent, sure, but what did he gain be being smart?
He would never really hold it against someone if they suddenly ate him. To them that would mean the dorper sheep was, at least, worth something.
In the silence, he could find some peace. He was utterly alone; isolated with his thoughts. His parents had always warned him: that being alone was never a good sign.
He should search for an area with many animals, but he just didn't care. He wouldn't allow himself to care.
No matter how terrible the world may be, Charlie wouldn't allow himself to be afraid. He was not going to spend the rest of his life in fear like his parents.
Charlie would be with somebody in due time anyways.
Where is that tutor? He's supposed to teach me Japanese!
He decided to get up and look down the halls. The echos of his footsteps fading into the desolate library.
He reached the main entrance and peaked around the corner; looking to his left and right. Left there was nothing, right there was a canine moving at a quick pace towards the library.
Charlie couldn't decipher what breed he was, but it was definitely a dog. His tail was swishing side to side aggressively, his stride unfaltering.
Ah, so that's my probably tutor. Of course, it's a dog. Lucky me!
Charlie wondered how the canine was even supposed to teach him, considering the language barrier. He knew everyone had language studies, but those were pretty laughable in real scenarios, not applicable.
Now he just had to pray the dog spoke English, mostly because his Japanese was shoddy at best. There was no way of him speaking Japanese without making a fool of himself.
Charlie stepped from around to corner to meet his new acquaintance. The dog looked up immediately and raised his arm to wave.
He looks very affable to me. Typical of dogs.
"Hey! Charlie, right? Wait up! I am almost there!", the canine bellowed.
Charlie had no idea what the dog just said. The combination of complicated words eluding him. His name was the only part he caught, so he must be his tutor.
This is going to be such a mess.
The canine speed walked to the dorper sheep in an astonishing pace that would almost be confused with running.
"Eh, Hallo! I am Charlie. The Dorper Sheep", he strained in Japanese. "I am new here."
The dog looked at him confused. Charlie gulped a little, hoping he didn't say anything inappropriate.
"Eh, why don't you just speak German with me? I wouldn't be assigned as your tutor if I didn't speak your native language."
The sheep raised his eyebrows in surprise. He didn't expect anyone to know German. Surely, the school wouldn't go the extra mile just for him?
"Wait, you speak German? Oh, thank Rex." Charlie let out a laugh. "Sorry, how rude of me. I didn't catch your name."
The canine's tail wagged so fast that Charlie could feel the air around him moving.
Give him more time and he'll fly off. Are dogs normally so excitable or is this one just an outlier?
"My name is Jack! I am a Labrador Retriever. Nice to meet you! Wow, I have never met someone with such fluency before!", Jack almost yelled. Charlie almost had the urge to cover his ears.
"Shhh, keep it down a little! I don't want to be kicked out.", he ordered sternly. Jack ears drooped. Charlie immediately regretted his tone. "Sorry, that was a bit aggressive. It's also nice to meet you!"
Charlie thought the dog would explode if he humored him any further. "Shall we get going then? Do you have a good spot to sit at?"
"Of course, I think you prefer somewhere quiet right?" Jack smiled and pointed towards a deeper part of the library. "It's a bit dark over there, but no one will ever bother you there. I don't think many people even know it exists."
Charlie frowned a bit at that statement. Jack was totally oblivious about the darker connotations that his choice of words had.
Does this dog have no tact? He knows that two students have been devoured, right?
At first, the sheep was a little hesitant to follow Jack, but he knew that nothing could really happen. Jack was a dog, bred to be the best role model for society there was.
Who cares. If I die; I'll at least taste good. Death by Labrador, how amusing.
They slowly made their way through the seemingly infinite maze of bookcases; the room getting darker the further they went in.
"Damn, it's dark in here. How do you find your way around?"
Jack looked at him a little bit aghast, not that the sheep could see. "Oh, yeah, sorry! You don't see so well in the dark like us canines do. There is an open spot with a desk further in. You'll see better soon because they actually have a lamp there."
The labrador said it to ease the mood a little, and kinda felt bad for being briefly unaware of the current relations between carnivores and herbivores.
They kept walking, Charlie had to squint to see in the dark now. He could still make out where Jack was, but he found it harder to keep up.
Suddenly he could see some light, his vision clearing up. The light was coming from around the corner.
Oh, so this is what he was talking about. I can see why he would choose this place, it offers a lot of peace and quiet.
"Hey, uh, Jack. I have a question.", Charlie asked curiously. The Labrador looked at him anticipating his inquiry. "How is a carnivore even able to tutor a herbivore, you know, given what happened?"
Jack crinched a little bit, clearly uncomfortable with the question, doubly so if it was a herbivore asking. He really didn't like thinking about what happened.
According to the newer segregation rules, carnivores and herbivores should keep some distance from each other. An exception is tutoring, which you can only do if you're well-trusted by a teacher.
Jack finds the amount of money he gets for tutoring meager at best, but it keeps him occupied for the time being. The extra credit also helps.
"Uh, well, that is mainly because tutoring is an activity that doesn't fall under the normal curriculum. Whether or not you're a carnivore or a herbivore doesn't really matter", Jack answered, his face being a bit scrunched together.
He moved over to the other side of the desk and sat down. The Labrador motioned the sheep to come over.
"Mhm, so under all these circumstances, you thought it was a good idea to bring a herbivore to the darkest, most abandoned part of the library?", Charlie prodded jokingly.
The Labrador froze up, realizing what implications he might have accidentally just made. He started gesturing wildly in negation. "N-No, no! That was n-not what I-"
The Dorper Sheep interrupted him. "Don't worry, I am just pulling your tail. You don't seem like the type to do that."
He gave the dog a snicker, restraining himself from laughing. Jack let out an exasperated sigh, he was worried he gave Charlie the wrong idea.
"Thank Rex! I thought I had spooked you accidentally." He felt his body relax. "Come sit down, no need to keep standing there. I'll try to help get you a hold of the basics."
Charlie pulled the chair beside the dog back and promptly sat down. He pulled his bag open and took out his pens, paper and schoolbooks.
"How come you're so good at German? It's barely spoken outside of Germany as is", Charlie asked loosely.
Jack pulled out his own notes. "Well, my parents wanted me to learn another language except English and Japanese. I hated French, so German it was."
The Sheep found that commendable. Dogs are truly capable of anything.
That's dogs for you. I wish learning was as easy for me.
"Why did you transfer though? Japan is pretty far away from Germany, isn't it? They have good schools there too." Jack took out his laptop and put it on the power cord.
Charlie sighed, clearly discontent. He knew that question was coming. Jack eyed him apologetically.
"Oh? Sorry! I didn't know the subject was loaded."
Charlie waved him off. "No, no, it isn't. My dad wanted me to transfer here because this is where he met my mom. As stupid as that sounds."
The dog snickered. He wasn't going to prod the sheep further on the specifics, he wasn't in a position to pry.
Charlie looked over at him with one eyebrow raised.
"What's funny about that?", Charlie scoffed.
Jack gave him an earnest grin. "Oh, it is not funny. I just find it curious how your mom's Japanese and she never taught you the language, heritage and all."
The sheep's gaze softened. "Yeah, she never thought that I would ever go to Japan, so she didn't bother. I was kinda busy with school anyways."
Jack plopped down the remainder of the books, judging from the thump they were quite heavy.
"Now that we're talking about school, let me teach you the basics and how you should progress learning in the coming future."
The session was absolutely mind-bending for Charlie. There were so many ways of saying the same thing, but with slight variations to them; depending on who you talked to and where you were.
He felt like his head was about to burst. While he got the basic gist of it, he knew he had a long way to go.
How did dad even learn any of this? He's the most stubborn person I know! If only mom taught me when I was younger.
After the finishing, what Jack emphasized were just the basics, Charlie was absolutely spend. His stomach was groaning from the mental gymnastics he had just put himself through.
"You are also hungry after all that, huh? Let's go to the cafeteria and grab dinner, I am starved", Jack admitted airily. "Take this little excursion as extended practice."
Charlie gave the dog a snicker. The last thing he wanted after just learning Japanese is listening and speaking the language in question.
"Yeah, I'll go with you. You can also add it to your total work hours while you're at it." Charlie started putting all his study materials in his bag.
Jack eyed him worriedly. "That would be dishonest! That's basically lying!"
What's with him all of the sudden?
"Woah, calm down. You dogs really are suckers for the straight and narrow, huh? What do you guys get paid anyways?", Charlie appealed, trying to calm him down.
Jack scrambled a little while putting his stuff away. "The pay is horrible", the lab laughed. "Most people do it just for the extra credit." He seemed to be in a rush all of the sudden.
Charlie couldn't help but notice the Labrador's shift in behavior. "Jack, are you alright? You seem nervous all of the sudden."
Jack's head was aggressively jerking back and forward, constantly eyeing his watch for the time. "Yeah, I-I am fine. They just sometimes close the library earlier and I haven't been keeping track of the time at all."
The sheep frowned a little at that statement. "You're meaning to say people got stuck in the library before? Don't the staff take a look around before closing up?"
Jack shook his head. "No, they used to, but they no longer visit these parts anymore. Honestly, they're all far too scared to even come here."
Now I know why he's so anxious to get out. I don't think getting trapped in a dark library sounds very appealing.
The sheep let out a knowing grunt. Why wasn't he surprised? Even the staff was pissing in their pants at the prospect of coming anywhere where there are no other people.
I feel like he's acting out for another reason, but I sure as hell am not going to ask.
They swiftly started walking past the darkened bookcases. This time their stride was more hurried and taxing.
"These past few days have been spiraling from bad to worse. I don't know how much longer I can keep up with this", Charlie confided. "Not to mention: you guys probably have it much worse. People have been getting more skittish around carnivores."
Jack gave the sheep an acknowledging look. He knew he was right, but simply refused to speak more on the matter. It wasn't really his place to comment on that.
Jack's tail was no longer excitable, his wags were more strained. He couldn't wait to get out of there, he hasn't eaten properly for two days. His body was starting to feel the repercussions of that poor choice.
"Sorry for sullying the mood, by the way. I have a way of doing that", Charlie apologized. "I kind of forget to filter myself sometimes."
"No, it's my fault for not watching the time and not preparing a better spot. Admittedly, my study locations are kind of out there", Jack smirked.
The sheep gave Jack a laugh. "No kidding! It takes almost eight minutes to get there from the main entrance."
Even though he's kind of a weirdo, his antics are pretty entertaining. I can't believe I missed talking to people this much.
After a few more minutes, they finally made their way to the library's entrance. The staff was already vying to close up early and gave them some livid stares, which were promptly ignored.
Jack and Charlie quickly went to the cafeteria for dinner, the mood of their conversations instantly lightened.