I don't intend for this to be a monthly series, rather make a chapter when I can or want to. I'd definitely prefer these be made in a timely manner and also make two to four chapters a month if not more. I also wanted to right a wrong I thought I made with the first season and that was using early chapters to establish everything at a good pace. Otherwise I'd be sticking everything into one chapter like I did in chapter one and I'm not about that. There's four characters in this season I really want to develop. I've already planned their storylines pre-chapter 22, so I've got faith things will go smoothly once the ball gets rolling. Enjoy the chapter.

-Malik Syv

CHAPTER 23: Vivid Present

Orange, red, yellow, brown. Four different colors of leaves decorated the grounds around Cherryton Academy. Dying leaves were not the only thing to change, student uniforms had as well. The muted blue sweater vests for the boys and cream colored short sleeved shirts for girls were traded for warm, long sleeved blazers of the same color. It has been a month since the Meteor Festival, its success brought a lot of attention to Cherryton. Juno in particular was the talk of the city for a week or two afterwards. Her performance earned her an interview with a local news station, front page in a local newspaper and a small section in a popular magazine. Her modest, kind nature perfectly captured the image of what people thought Cherryton students were supposed to be like. She became a face equal to that of Louis' from one performance. It was an odd occurrence to see the least. A massive influx of student and staff applications for the school came in. The headmaster and staff capitalized on the publicity tenfold, putting out their own statements to make as much noise as possible. Soon the single event that seemed to tarnish Cherryton's good name vanished from everyone's minds. It exists only in old headlines and minds of those who felt deeply about that single event. For them it would matter forever, burning them at the same intensity until everything concerning it is resolved.

Until then everyone involved would have to wear an open wound. One such person is now located in a forested area northeast of Cherryton Academy's main school building. Trees surrounded a small clearing whose green beauty had fallen to a multi-colored leafy mosaic. Louis leaned on a tree truck, his ear to a phone. He seemingly forced himself to listen and could not bring himself to say anything while the person spoke.

"Is that all?" Louis asked.

"That is up to you. Have you understood what I've told you?" Ogma responded.

"I understand perfectly."

"Good. Do what you know you have to." Ogma hung up and Louis threw his phone at the ground in a fit of anger. He quickly picked it up and checked the screen, a small crack scarred. Multiple unanswered messages from Haru decorated it as well.

"Tch." Louis brushed off his shallow guilt, buried his hands in his pockets and started down the path. He fixed his gaze to the ground, feeling somewhat lost in a distinct anger burning hot in his chest. Louis had only ever been moved by the first lesson his father ever taught him. All his spoken words or actions taken were beyond Louis in one form or another. The man he called father, the man who raised him. A genuine mystery to even his son.

"Why do I have to keep coming here to find you?" Louis raised his head to see Sheila standing a few feet from him. He returned his head to the ground and walked past her.

"If you're not going to attend meetings then submit your resignation letter." Louis turned to Sheila who gave him a tired expression.

"Excuse me?"

"We've had twenty three meetings, you've shown up to six. It would be fine if you had some reasonable excuse. Unfortunately, you don't. The club needs a new representative, a new "ace". So choose someone to take the position." Louis giggled at the suggestion.

"Do you want it that badly?" Sheila raised her eyebrow, feeling a bit slighted by the question.

"I've had to pick up too much of your slack as is."

"The wolf can have it then."

"Which one?"

"There's only one worth thinking about in my position. She's already been doing her due diligence as Cherryton's new "face" hasn't she?" Louis chuckled a little at his own words.

"This type of responsibility falls to a third year. Pick again." Louis shook his head.

"No one in the club except for her or you are worth entertaining with my thoughts or time on this matter. I picked her, deal with it." Sheila furrowed her brow, stepping closer to her classmate. His presence felt repugnant and entitled, more so than normal.

"Fine. Since you've picked, come to the meeting and make it official. On top of that, apologize to everyone for not only blowing them off during the Meteor Festival but not even giving a reason why." Louis' smile dropped at those demands. He stepped up until he stopped about half a foot from the cheetah. Her face read like an open book.

"You can scowl, complain and talk all you like. I owe no one in that club an apology for my actions. Without me that club wouldn't be nearly as popular. Every person who showed up to a play or festival came there to see me and only me. The least the rest of you could do was support me with your best efforts. So go tell everyone that instead of asking me to apologize for nothing." Louis' cold response boiled Sheila's blood.

"... You're the worst." Sheila bumped Louis' shoulder, a small signifier of her controlled rage. Louis lightly rubbed his teeth together. He didn't move until he was completely alone. Only then did he follow behind. Coming out of the forested area, to his left was the east exit. There stood the animal who disgusted him most, the wolf who did what he could not. Legoshi wore casual clothing and held his phone to his ear.

"I wish you told me you weren't gonna be at the meeting today." Juno sounded slightly disappointed.

"Sorry, you were busy and I didn't want to bother you." Legoshi responded.

"You wouldn't bother me. I was looking forward to seeing you even if we wouldn't spend much time together."

"Sorry… How about tomorrow? We could go out if you want."

"I can't. I have a test to study for with a few classmates. I'm free Sunday, does that work?" Legoshi sighed and lightly scratched his cheek.

"That's not a good day for me."

"Oh… okay. Next weekend then?" Juno asked.

"Hopefully." Legoshi said that as a car pulled up in front of him. "My grandfather just got here. Wanna call tonight if you're free?"

"Of course. You have fun." Juno answered.

"Thanks. Bye." Legoshi hung up and sighed.

"Goshi! Hurry up!"

"Grandpa, what did I say about calling me that!?" Gosha giggled at his grandson's embarrassment which had a voice crack accompanying it. Legoshi got into the passenger seat and folded his arms like a child. Gosha drove into the street, grinning ear to ear. He stopped at a red light where he scratched behind Legoshi's left ear. Legoshi tried his hardest not to smile but his tailwag gave away his happiness. After seeing that he knew for sure his grandson had not changed a bit.

"What's got you all wrapped?"

"You called me Goshi, that's what! I'm not a kid anymore!" Legoshi's voice betrayed him, cracking again.

"That's not it." Gosha pressed on the gas lightly when he saw the stop light change green. Legoshi rolled his shoulders out uncomfortably. "Does it have to do with who you were talking to earlier?"

"... Yeah, just a little."

"Was it the young lady you told me about?"

"Mhm."

"She's got you in a bunch of knots?"

"A little bit."

"I know that feeling alllll too well." Legoshi sighed in response.

"Of course, you were married."

"No. Like you, I was antisocial. Unlike you, I liked a lot of girls. None of them liked me because I didn't have the guts to speak to them before asking them out. I believe you inherit your mother's ability to attract people and your grandfather's inability to make sense of relationships or how to maneuver them well." Gosha said somewhat apologetically.

"What does that have to do with my situation?" Legoshi asked softly.

"Right… um. To be exact, maybe my traits and your mother's traits are making this harder for you. I'll need details. It's clear you like her but in what way?" Legoshi was hesitant to share for a moment, still he pushed himself to speak.

"You know we've gone on one date already. That was earlier during this month and ever since she's been busy doing things for drama club, school or dealing with family matters. We haven't been talking too much except for club meetings or over the phone when we can. We're not actually "girlfriend" and "boyfriend". So I'm not hung up on it. I just… I don't know."

"Classic situation. A rock, a hard place and the indescribable. Best I can say is to take a step back. Relationships are complicated especially when you're young. Once you get out in the world and start working a job, people become way more important. They keep you happy during the daily commute and such. This is especially true when you've got a partner. However, that's not your situation. Personally, I think you should be on your own for now. Not saying to ignore this girl or anything of the sort, rather give yourself some space. If these feelings are romantic then pursue her, if not there are plenty of other young ladies out there. Or if you're not interested then keep to yourself. There's no shame in that." Gosha's advice brought a sense of ease to his grandson's mind. He sat up in his seat, taking a deep breath.

"Okay. Thanks." Gosha smiled once more as he pulled into the parking lot of an eatery that had a hen as its sign. After parking, the two went inside. Upon seeing Gosha a few customers scooted deeper into their booths to get further from him. Legoshi took notice immediately, he motioned toward the nearest booth until Gosha lightly jabbed him. The two seated themselves, waiting on a nearby waitress who seemed hesitant to approach. Gosha could feel a strong sense of unease coming from everywhere. All of it was pointed towards him, so he reluctantly pulled a mask from his pants' pocket. The waitress' fear disappeared, a convincing mask of happiness took its place as she approached.

"Welcome to the Hen House. My name is Mika, I'll be your server today." Mika placed down two menus. "Can I start you both off with some drinks?"

"Water with lemon." Legoshi and Gosha said in unison. They were definitely related.

"Alrighty, I'll be back with your drinks in a little bit."

"Thank you." Gosha said before he shifted his attention.

"Don't let these people get you riled up. I can look out for myself."

"I'm not gonna sit back and watch you or anyone I care about be disrespected. They can't treat you like this."

"I appreciate that. Like I said, I can take care of myself. Only thing you need to worry about is you right now." Legoshi folded his arms.

"Fine. Alright."

"Chin up. You can at least smile a little bit. We haven't spent time like this in a while. Let's get all of this drama out of the air and have a nice meal, okay? We can even go get some ice cream." Legoshi's mouth curled upwards.

"There's this new place Jack and me went to that's right up the street from school. It's got a special fall season flavor. That's where I want to go. You're gonna pay for all of this, right?" Gosha chuckled a bit.

"Why, were you offering?"

"Double checking. I don't have any money." Legoshi responded, giving off an infectious smile that spread to his grandfather.

Juno and Bill worked in the storage room, helping Dom put away some materials. After Sheila informed the entire club about Louis' choice words for them, everyone left without doing much work. Sanu and Sheila could not get everyone to come back together, eventually leaving themselves. Dom stayed because he needed to fix up some things in the storage room which Bill and Juno offered to help with. Silence hung heavy atop the three, feelings towards Louis were mixed and nothing else was on their minds. After about another half hour all work had been completed leaving them to go about their own day at last.

"Thanks for your help you guys, I really appreciate it." A sigh accompanied Dom's expression of gratitude.

"Anytime Dom, you can always ask us for help." Juno's sweet voice raises Dom's spirits a bit but only a bit.

"I never know what's going to happen next in this club. I guess that keeps everything eventful… in the worst way possible." Juno and Bill silently agreed. "I should get going, have a good evening." Juno and Bill waved behind Dom. The two were left in an awkward silence until Bill cleared his throat.

"How's it feel being the club rep slash ace?"

"Like my job up till now has a formal name. Like it was given, not earned. I kind of hate it. Even worse, it's thanks to Louis. I mean he didn't even have enough respect to tell us directly. The way he acts, I'm surprised he was even considered for a club representative position in the first place." Juno let out her frustration in one breath.

"Louis worked hard for his position, harder than anyone of the second years last year. For him to get up and throw it away like this doesn't make any sense." Bill responded. "Something stinks about it all."

"Maybe he finally decided that no one will get in the way of his progress." Juno whispered.

"Hm? Did you say somethin'?"

"It's nothing. See you tomorrow, Bill." Juno left Bill alone with his thoughts. He knew something had changed, but for now he would keep his suspicions to himself. Instead of heading to his dorm he visited the closed down auditorium. He made sure he was alone before kneeling down in front of his friend. Tem's picture sat alone. No more flowers, no more mournful notes. Nothing. Bill straightened his back.

"I hope you're doing well up there. You can prolly tell things are getting more complicated down here. I'm not sure what's going on or what's gonna happen next… I want you to know there's a ton of people who wish you were still here. Me included." Tem silently stared back at Bill, causing his guilt to come back into memory for him.

"I promise to come by again sometime soon. Rest well." Bill lifted a strong feeling of sorrow as he stood up. He was not the only one struggling against such a painful emotion. A white rabbit several floors above him experienced it as well. Haru laid wrapped in her bedsheets, carelessly observing a harlequin rabbit dressing himself.

"Same time tomorrow?" He asked. Haru rolled over to stare at the wall.

"Sure. I'll call you."

"Alrighty, see you tomorrow Ha~ru." The boy shut the sliding door behind him. Haru rolled back over and took her phone from her pillowcase. She checked it and fell deeper into sorrow. She had received no texts or calls from Louis. She curled into a small ball, her eyes moved around slightly, searching for some way to stop her heartache. She conceded the attempt, letting a few tears fall from her eyes.