Another chapter before the month is out, sorry for the delay. I intend to be more frequent with chapters as I want to see this season meet a satisfying conclusion someday too. Hopefully I can produce more than two chapters next month. Stay safe out there and please enjoy.

-MalMetal

CHAPTER 25: Your Next Move Is Up to Someone Else

"Does the wind feel good?" Gohin questioned the slender fox in front of him. Ai stood there in a beautiful gray dress and did not respond immediately. She reveled in autumn's breath, enveloping herself in the bustling city she used to feel indifferent towards. Now it revived her as she felt everyone's presence, close around her. Gohin did nothing but smirk to himself, feeling proud of his handiwork.

"Here." Ai stopped in front of a small cafe. "This is where I want to eat." Her gentle smile as she walked inside gave Gohin an overwhelming sense of pride in his work. The two grabbed a table near the back half of the store away from everyone else. A panda waiter who seemed extremely happy to do his job gave them the best service he could. Ai laughed at the young panda's behavior and she shared that he may want to look good in front of Gohin which he denied, but he thought so too. The two talked for quite a while despite how much they already knew about each other. All of this talking gave Ai a moment of introspection. She cast her eyes outside of a window on her right.

"What is it?" Ai pointed towards a tall apartment building across from the cafe. It was a slightly worn brick building with a very well-kept entrance.

"My sister lives there. We used to come here all the time after I left work. She loves the mochi here. "Best in all of Japan!" That's how she would say it." Ai sighed to herself. "I'll probably never see her again." Gohin folded his arms.

"Why not?"

"I was thinking about turning myself in," Ai spoke so only Gohin could hear.

"Is that what you want?"

"There's nothing for me to return to even if I wanted to walk away from this. I need to pay for what I did." Gohin sat back in his chair.

"I've had a hundred and twenty-four patients before you. Thirteen of them were fully rehabilitated, and three of them had meat addiction from constantly eating in the Black Market. The other ten devoured one or more live herbivores. Just like you they wanted to turn themselves in, so they did." Ai looked Gohin over, his body language was odd.

"... You didn't want them to?"

"My patients, if successful in treatment, shouldn't relapse. Meat addiction is something I never felt. All I know is that it's hell to deal with. Getting past that to become something new, in my mind, is more than enough punishment. You're sick and need to recover."

"What about those who don't see it that way? Don't you think it's right for carnivores to be punished for devouring an herbivore? The same way someone is punished for murder?"

"Yes, I agree. However, everyone is a hypocrite in one way or another. Animals and beasts are walking contradictions because we all make exceptions and never stand tall in absolutes. It's what makes us who we are." Gohin looked into Ai's soul.

"You want to live free alongside your sister. You want to pay for your crimes by turning yourself in. Choosing one betrays the other. How will you resolve this contradiction?" A lightly spoken question weighed heavy on top of Ai's shoulders. She thought about this very topic constantly in her room, every time she ran away. Now she had no choice but to face it head-on. She sat straight in her chair, staring back into Gohin's soul.

"I'll let my sister decide. After I tell her everything, I'm going to ask what she thinks I should do next."

"Why?"

"Because if I get rid of one choice then the other is my only right answer."

"Or you could live at my clinic, find a job, and live a new life."

"I couldn't live with myself being rejected by my sister and not paying for my actions, it's impossible." Ai stood up from her seat. "I want you to stay outside my sister's apartment building. If I don't come out in thirty minutes, leave. If not, walk me to the nearest police station." Gohin's face held still.

"You're sure about this?"

"Yes."

"Okay." Gohin got up and paid for their meal. Each step afterward felt rapid and heavy as harsh rainfall. No words needed to be spoken until Ai reached her sister. Gohin took his post, watching her step into the well-aged building. She walked past the greeting desk that housed an unfamiliar face. Entering the elevator, her heart rate picked up. Reaching for the number four button shook her arm like a tree in fierce wind. A statue took Ai's place instead of a living breathing woman as the doors opened to an empty floor. Drunk on fear and negative possibility Ai sobered herself enough to take a step forward. Another, another, several then one more. Unknowingly, a silver knob fit into her hand and turned seemingly on its own. In front of her was a baby fox with orangish fur like hers. The young boy smiled at her, bringing forth tears. Out of her eye's corner emerged a shocked lazily dressed woman.

"Ai?" That familiar voice awoke early memories in the fox's mind. Every single one had her crying and her sister holding her tight. Those same warm arms returned to Ai's body.

"Ai! Where have you been!?"

"Maiya."

"I was worried sick! I didn't know if you were kidnapped or killed! No one could find you!" Ai grabbed her sister's shoulders.

"I messed up Maiya." Ai was not sick but a feeling inside of her heart made it look as though she was. Maiya wiped her eyes before closing the door. Despite her surprise, she calmed her heart as much as she could.

"No lies, okay? Not this time." Ai nodded in response.

Gohin's watch read ten o'clock. He looked around, memorizing this location one last time. He began to step away.

"Wait!" Ai called out to him. "She took me back… she wants me to stay with her for as long as I need to."

"How do you feel?"

"Like things still aren't right yet."

"If you need someone to talk to, I'm always here. I placed my phone number in the dress's left pocket." Ai shuffled her hand around, taking out a piece of paper.

"You always think of everything, don't you?"

"Once you're my age, you have to."

"Before you go, can I ask you a question?"

"What is it?"

"How did you know you could change me?" Gohin's face changed a little.

"Because everyone makes choices, society or self, that's what everyone thinks. My job is to get people to see that you can walk a fine line in between 'em." Ai frowned at the doctor. Like every other patient before her, she had seen the room littered with pictures of his failures. Some were capable of change, but too many were not.

"Please don't get yourself killed trying to save someone who can't be." Gohin felt his heart tense up as a young boy briefly stood behind Ai. He shook himself back to reality and turned away.

"Live your life. I'll live mine." Gohin spoke beyond his former patient. He disappeared around a street corner, leaving before he could see a somber expression overtake Ai's face.

Riz stood over a stovetop, stirring some miso soup in a moderately sized pot. A tasty aroma permeated throughout his dorm. One of his roommates headed for the door.

"Kubo, come here and tell me if this needs anything." The darker brown-furred bear walked over with a sigh.

"I don't mind being your taste tester but you've got a way better sense of what a dish needs than me." Riz handed his friend a spoonful.

"Having an acute sense of taste is a fundamental part of life. It also leads to a higher appreciation of quality food."

"Mm, that's good, needs some pepper though. Also, what if I don't want that?"

"Life without at least one acute sense can make it feel less special."

"I mean I guess, but I'll work on that side of me after my workout." Kubo tilted his head towards the pot.

"Whether you get some or not isn't up to me," Riz replied honestly.

"Just try, please!"

"I'll try but if my hands are tied, my hands are tied." Kubo sighed before leaving in defeat. After hearing the door close Riz grabbed a spoon, he hesitated for a second before tasting. A wonderful flavor danced on his tongue but a sense of dread overcame him. He looked at his hand which shook so much he dropped the spoon.

"It's back?" Suddenly a knock sounded from the door. Upon opening it Riz was met with a dall sheep about Tem's height.

"Hello. I was told a brown bear named Riz lives here."

"That's me. Who are you?"

"My name is Pina, I joined the drama club a few days ago. Sheila told me I should get to know everyone, so here I am. She also told me you were an amazing cook." Pina sniffed the air. "Were you making something right now? I'd love to try some!"

"H-hey!" Pina let himself in, looking around a bit, he moved to sit at the dining table.

"Don't sit there!" Pina jolted his hand back. Having an herbivore in his dorm after Tem was hard enough, but sitting where he used to felt like way too much. However, losing his composure was not a conscious decision.

"That chair is a bit creaky, it needs to be replaced."

"Is the other one okay then?" Riz nodded. Pina gladly took his seat, observing the brown bear prepare two bowls. His body shivered ever so slightly, his fingers seemed a bit fidgety and his movements were somewhat uncoordinated. Riz tried to control his anxiety but it wouldn't calm down, he still managed to prepare both bowls and sat down at the table.

"I had no idea the club was taking on new members."

"With the departure of your dear Louis, a few people have to pick up his slack." Pina casually responded.

"That doesn't seem right, Juno was doing fine in his position."

"Mr. Sanu felt a bit more help was needed. I'll try my best if that makes you feel a bit more comfortable."

"It's not you I'm worried about. I just don't think any more members are necessary."

"Why not? The more the merrier, right?"

"Because we're doing fine as we were." The bear's emotions flared up again. He returned to his meal, clearly disgruntled about Pina's line of questioning.

"I didn't mean to touch a nerve. Sorry about that-"

"Don't worry about it." Riz's fingers shook again, dropping his spoon back into his bowl of soup. Pina said nothing more, leaving the two to eat in silence.

"Thank you for the food." Pina stood by the door with a smile on his face.

"Don't force your way in here next time. I'm not a fan of conflict, especially not with an herbivore."

"I think you wanted to let me in." Riz looked up from the sink.

"What did you just say?"

"You wanted to let me. After all, we are clubmates, isn't it customary to see each other's personal living spaces?" Something about Pina's words felt different from how he spoke before.

"I guess so. Yes."

"Right, I'll see you during club time tomorrow. Have a good day." Pina stepped outside and walked down the hallway. At the same time, Riz's whole body began to shake. His muscles enlarged slightly as he grabbed a bottle of honey from the fridge. Pina took a pen and a small notebook out of his left pocket. Inside he'd written down the names of every club member he's met thus far alongside short descriptions under each. After scribbling down a few details about Riz, two names remained blank. Legoshi and Bill. Riz kept himself standing thanks to a countertop behind him. His muscles were back under control and his fingers were steady. Something about that dall sheep was not right.

Louis stepped into his room with a book in hand. Its old leather cover felt smooth and disgusting to the touch. He sat down with Ibuki in tow. He ensured their privacy before Louis opened his past. The book contained faces he hardly remembered. Many had an "x" or sold stamp over their portraits. He turned each page slowly until he stopped on a familiar face. An alpaca and a lop-eared rabbit. Their portraits were untouched. Unknowingly a tired, satisfied smile spread across his face. Ibuki's face lit up briefly. Louis' face changed once he got to his picture. He felt the stamp's imprint before letting out a scoff and tearing the page out.

"Does it sicken you to see an herbivore claim freedom from a cycle like this?"

"Not at all. I don't believe that herbivores should suffer but that won't stop me from eating them." Louis side-eyed Ibuki.

"Is that so?"

"I don't like it when people suffer."

"Yet you add to the suffering you don't like."

"I may not like what I do but I do it anyway, aren't we all like that? I'm sure you don't like going to school, yet you still go anyway."

"How is our ultimatum even remotely similar?" Ibuki removed his blazer.

"Because we chose to be something we shouldn't." Rolling up his sleeve, Louis understood. Branded on his left forearm was the number nine.

"I was supposed to be made into a rug for some upscale herbivores. You and I are the same."

"… Is that why?" Ibuki shook his head.

"I didn't know anything about that. I fully saw you as a figurehead. Now I see you as a bird of a feather. I want to understand you better."

"Over some simple familiarity?" Ibuki rolled his sleeve down and nodded. Looking in his direction with soft eyes, Louis closed his past.

"Burn these."

"Of course." Suddenly, Agata smashed through the doors landing in front of Ibuki and Louis. A slash mark was across his chest.

"Agata! Hold on!" Ibuki used his blazer to apply pressure on the wound. A familiar voice came within earshot, making Ibuki's hair stand on end.

"No way," Miso said. "Nikushi really is dead!" The cheetah's body bent backward, spewing laughter from his throat. A haunting serenade to his personal victory over the knife in his throat, times had changed and so too did Miso's disposition. He smirked at Louis and Ibuki, stepping closer, Louis' eyes showed a rebellious light. Miso tilted his head motioning his lips.

"Who killed Nikushi?"