Ch.3 Visit, and Wonder about Hope and Future

Opening: Wild Side by ALI

Days later - City

Sarah POV

It took a little persuasion, and a small deal, but I was able to get permission for this one day visit. I told Haru about it so she wouldn't worry about my absence from the school, but she was still a little concerned. She only seemed to relax when I told her I'm bringing my personal messenger bag. I never want her to worry about me, but I guess that's just because she's kind.

Wearing a pink dress that reaches my calves, wearing shorts underneath, hair tied up in a bun with the yellow ribbon, and fake glasses, I enter the nearby fast food place after taking off my red scarf. The hiking boots I like to wear reach where the dress ends and are a dark shade of brown, I always feel comfortable wearing them. The messenger bag I carry looks a little stuffed, only because it's filled with the items I might need in an emergency.

I suddenly feel like someone is watching me and turn to see Legoshi with a small group of carnivores. I think they're from the drama club, they're probably here about the meteor festival. Legoshi looks my way and makes a small wave as if he was nervous, it was kind of cute. I responded with a small wave and a smile, it might make him a little more comfortable.

The others seem to notice and I guess I can't get away, at least it's not crowded.

The bengal tiger, Bill asks "So, how is it that you and Legoshi know each other?" Bill seems a little nosy, but I lay down the line when about to cross it.

"At the gardening club a month ago, when he was trying to get the roses for the entranceway." These fries are good, and fresh as they feel hot on my tongue.

Bill then comments "Wow Legoshi, you sly dog, you must got some mad skills to be friends with the 'Untouchable Princess'."

…Wait what, is that supposed to be a nickname?

Legoshi looks confused but the hawk who introduced himself as Aoba asks "Is it true that the headmaster wants you to help bring more humans out of their island, by having you be a student here?" That's what he hopes to be the case, but he would consider that a plus to his main reason.

"That's what he said, a good portion of the humans on Nippon are afraid of getting in the middle of the trouble that happen here. They decided that distance would be a better solution than being in the middle of a crossfire." Also doesn't help that some of them are speciesist but that's a different discussion.

Bill then wonders out loud "Man, I wonder what some of the human girls look like, I wonder if they're as busty as the rumors say." Me and Legoshi gave Bill a flat expression as his comment seems to irk us, for Legoshi, I don't know.

Legoshi then tries to change the conversation to be less weird "So why are you out of the school grounds. Didn't the headmaster restrict leaving for the summer." I could tell that a part of him was concerned, it makes me glad, but I don't want any weird glances with the other guys here so…

"I'm going to visit my father for the day, then head back before it gets dark."

The black cat asks "What does your father do?"

…How do I answer this?

I can't tell the truth on this one, so maybe I should…

"He does…exercise. He plans on becoming a physical education instructor, but right now he's getting experience…at a gym." I can't tell the truth, they would probably jump to conclusions. I'm not sure about Legoshi, I can never tell what's going on in his head sometimes.

Legoshi then says "I hope you have a good time with your dad." In the end, I think he's just nice, after our talk a couple days ago, that just seemed evident.

I reply with a smile "Thank you, I will." I could probably tell him, but not with everyone else here. Someday soon. After finishing my meal, I drop off the tray and head out towards my destination.

High Security Prison

It's uncomfortable going here, but only because of the memories. But I won't let them stop me anymore, I need to talk to him again.

After having my bag taken and having been searched for anything lethal on my person, I was sent to a private visitation room with a glass window barrier dividing the prisoner side with the visitor side.

I sit down on the chair that lies in front of the prison divider, waiting in anticipation for the person I intend to meet.

The door opens on the other side of the room, three guards in uniform and a prisoner in a tight fitting jumpsuit, wearing special chains on his wrists. I hope those are not uncomfortable.

The prisoner in question is a white wolf whose body is almost as large as an adult bear, with it being all muscle. His eyes are a calm blue as his fur looks a little messy but not wildly messy. He sits down on a chair opposite of the window and we stare for a minute, we both then pick up the phones on the bar in front of us.

"Hi daddy."

He replies with a gentle smile and a deep but gentle voice "It's good to see you again, my little Pup."

Legoshi's POV

I cannot believe that I'm here right now. After passing out in the Black Market, I was taken by a large male panda, strapped to a pole with a muzzle, got punched and pictured, and now I'm having tea with him.

He was very strong, I can still feel the sting of his punch, pandas are similar to brown bears with the only difference being that they can live off of bamboo for their whole life.

"When you practice, um, psychotherapy, what do you consider yourself as?" He looks at me with a confused expression, I should clarify more.

"Do you consider yourself as a panda with a strong body, or as a panda who never eats any meat?"

He chuckles as he answers "Now that question deserves an A. I've already laid my beast self to rest. I realized this town needed a doctor. I focused all my energy into that for over ten years. I've been nearly killed several times and could only save a handful of carnivores. In order to break that cycle I continue to eat only bamboo grass and workout." He flexes his arms to show off the results of his efforts, it's kind of intimidating. He finishes "I'm just… a doctor whose stronger than most. Strangely enough, I got a little help with my workout from an old friend from college, he also happens to be a carnivore too, strangely enough." Huh, he got his workout regimen from a carnivore, in order to help other carnivores, it kinda weird as a sentence.

It sounds like this man is telling the truth, I should take a drink.

I took a sip of the tea and gagged at the strange taste. It taste like grass.

The panda chuckles and asks "It's good, yeah? It's tea made with bamboo." So that explains the taste, I guess it's not for me.

I wonder "So… how do you usually treat carnivores, the ones you believe to be at risk?"

He answers "Treat? What do you think I've been doing? Carrot sticks and counseling." What?!

"I'm not your patient!"

He replies in a tired tone "That's what they all say."

I rebutted "I'm not the same, I'm trying to overcome it myself!"

He replies "They always say that too." He's starting to piss me off.

I yell "What do you know? I have a plan, I'm slowly becoming friends with her…"

"Enough!" He interrupts me as he slams his fist on the table. He continues "Shut up you bastard!" He grabs my collar and pulls me close to his face and continues "Stop preaching at me like a chihuahua! I'll teach you! I'm sure deep down you genuinely do want to be friends with her. But that's only in your head, the voice of reason inside. You're just concealing your instincts, your desire to devour her whole. Listen, you just think that you're in love with her. It's nothing more than your convoluted hunting instincts, the worst possible case. If you can stop it, do so. Best to sever all ties with her." Can I though, after seeing her and talking with her? I don't know.

All I can do right now is pick up my stuff and leave.

As I put my backpack on the panda comments "Great, the next generation is just asking for trouble. They get all hot and bothered and call it love." I might as well clarify to him.

"Well, I don't really understand it myself, I've never been in love before, so I can't say for sure." He seemed shocked by this, like he thought that I would've known.

He asks "Never?!" I don't want to stay here any longer.

"May I go back to school now? Thanks for helping." Even though he was never helpful.

Before I could exit the door, the panda called to me "Wait." I turn to him and he hands me a magazine that has a scantily clad human woman in a fancy dress. He continues "Try this and see for yourself." What is he talking about, why does he even have that kind of magazine. He clarifies "I'm serious, if you get aroused looking at this, then it's just a fetish for you. But if you have no response to this, and you're still fixated on that human girl, then you might have a problem." I can feel my right eye twitching, I just wanna leave, and erase you from my memory.

This is just the worst.

Sarah POV

"How did you…move on from Mama's death, how did you get past the pain and hurt?" I feel like I really need his help, I don't know if I can trust anyone with this question.

My father looks at me with a solemn look and answers "It still hurts honey, but what eases the pain was all the memories that I've shared with her and my children." He continues with a nostalgic expression "I'm sure that she would want us to remember all the good memories we had with her. She wouldn't want her death to stop us from living, right honey?" What he said makes sense, mom was always a vibrate light, whether it was tending her garden, or playing games with us.

I nodded and answered "Yes, mama wouldn't want us to desire death because of her. She would try to cheer us up and tell us to never give up." Dad chuckles with a gentle smile and nods, I look at the clock to see that visiting hours are almost over.

I tell dad "I have to go, I miss you daddy, I'll try to visit again soon."

He replies "I know you will, my little Pup, I'll keep doing my best here too. For the family I love and cherish." This makes me smile with tears in the corner of my eyes as we hang up the phones and wave bye to each other.

City - Night

I continue to walk back towards the train station, the lights of the city are glowing in the background. It's just unfortunate that it's hard to see the stars at night, I should probably visit home sometime. Despite the problems that are masked in this society, there will always be a beauty to admire.

Speaking of problems, a drunk panther is stumbling his way towards me without thinking.

He notices me with those half lidded eyes and says with a slight slur "What a cutie pie, how about I take you somewhere nice and we can have some fun." He reaches his hand towards me and…

I instinctively grasp his wrist and flip him over without effort as he was stumbling forwards already. He lands with a thud which most likely knocks him unconscious as he almost appeared ready to pass out.

I continued moving on as there was no one else nearby, I guess that's another thing carnivores and herbivores share with humans. They can both get seriously drunk if they try, I might write a memo to myself to never drink any alcohol in the future.

Did I forget to mention that the tools in my bag were only meant as a last resort? Well, it's not like anyone else will know what's inside unless I show them.

*Dream*

I was in a garden of white lilies, this was when I was only a child. I always wore a small dress with shorts, and Mama always said that my rain boots were cute, so I kept wearing them outside. I see my mom watering her plants while singing her favorite song. I always remember how she told me how songs are like stories that we sing rather than tell. I never figured out what the story of her song was about.

She turns to me and smiles, puts down her watering can and picks me up so we are face to face. She says "Your Daddy is taking us all to the beach tomorrow, do you think we'll see some fish, or maybe an aquatic mammal."

I nodded with excitement, I always enjoy seeing the ocean, it was always a pretty view. But…

"Your hair is even prettier than the ocean." My mom always wore her long blue hair as waves, almost as if her hair was the ocean itself.

This made my mom chuckle and smile even wider as she replies "I'm sure your hair will be just as pretty, and the white part can be the sea foam that always washes up on the shoar.

My younger self then asks "Do you think we'll find more seashells, for that shark you told me about?"

Mama chuckles as he starts walking back to the house and replies "I'm sure we will, and they will make a pretty good luck charm."

Then everything stops, any color that was there was taken away, and all that's left is…

*Dream ends*

School Courtyard - After School

I wake up on a bench to find that I had been asleep, I guess I must've fallen asleep reading. Although, I never would've expected a dream to end like that. But I should really get back to finishing my homework. After the talk with my dad, I've been letting myself remember the good times I had with her.

Although some memories are still painful to see now, I'm at least taking a first step in what appears to be my recovery. It's not easy sometimes, I feel like I just fall into another thought spiral when I overhear the rumors about the recent deaths, and how hard the love one's feel when they lose their friend or relative.

But I should stop thinking that now, I think I'm starting to get hungry, maybe I should try out those egg sandwiches some of the carnivores get. I overheard that the best ones are on Friday.

Legoshi POV

Gardening Club Rooftop - After School

I feel like seeing Sarah again, but since I don't know her schedule, I feel like a safe bet is the gardening club. Although I didn't see her when I entered the rooftop, maybe she's talking with Haru in the shed.

I was about to knock when I saw Louis open the curtain from inside.

"Oh, uhh, Louis?" This was unexpected as he doesn't seem like a person to visit this place.

He only replies "Hey." In what seems to be a controlled voice and exits the room and I step back.

I ask out of curiosity "What are you doing here?"

He seems to be avoiding the question by replying "I should be asking you that."

"Yeah…well, I need to talk with Serah."

He seems almost rigid when I said her name, does he know her or something?

"Serah?"

3rd person POV

Haru, inside the shed heard the entire thing and it made her curious. She wonders 'Does he have a crush on Serah?' She continues to listen to see if she can figure out more.

Louis tries to keep control and says "The gardening club participating in the festival too. So it's the seniors job to make sure everything's all set. I'm friends with Haru…so I've seen Serah as well." Legoshi notices the pause and wonders why he paused it like that.

Legoshi replies "Oh, I didn't know that. We'll I could've done it for you if you asked."

Louis replies "Really? What's your relationship with Serah? How do you know her?"

Legoshi thought 'I should not start from the beginning.' He then explains "I met her when getting the roses for the entrance when we were doing the play last month. After that we talked a few times. That's all."

Louis replies "You're incredible, you know. You keep hanging around herbivores. Was it something club related, I'm sure Haru can let her know for you."

Legoshi replies "No, it's fine. I just wanted to say hi. I came because I guess I really wanted to see her."

Louis' eyes widened in surprise as he thought 'What did he just say?'

Legoshi asks "Are you going back too Louis?"

Louis answers "Yeah." And they both leave the garden club roof, with Haru still hidden inside, wondering what the relationship is between her human friend and the wolf from Louis' club.

As Louis and Legoshi walk down the stairs, Louis keeps taking glances at Legoshi, in confusion and concern.

Louis thinks 'Is this really happening? A wolf and a human? I know Sarah's parents are the same, but does Legoshi really have an interest in Sarah? I'm not sure if I want him to be close to her, not after what happened to her before. And will he please stop sniffing me, it's really annoying!' Legoshi notices a curious scent and tries to figure it out, he keeps getting too close to Louis.

Louis stops walking as he's started to get annoyed by Legoshi's sniffing.

Louis yells "Quit that creep!"

Legoshi replies bashfully "I-I'm sorry."

They both continue walking as Legoshi asks "So uhh, are you and Sarah good friends?"

Louis clarifies "Just friends, nothing more. Did she say anything?"

Legoshi answers "Well, nothing really." Legoshi notices how Louis basically tried to shut down the discussion involving his relationship with Sarah.

When they reach the hallway, Louis turns to Legoshi and asks "Are you interested in someone right now?"

Legoshi replies "No I…don't have much experience with that."

Louis then states "In that case, go support Juno. Show some love to your own species, the poor girl. You can't deny she's attractive, and it seems like she's nice. You should go talk to her." He then leaves Legoshi to his thoughts.

Legoshi POV

I really want to see Sarah again before I had to go to the drama club. I decided to look around the courtyard while I still have time. It didn't seem to take long, as I found her talking to a hen, I think she's from one of my classes, while she is sitting on a bench.

They seem to be having a good time as I see her smiling as she is talking with her, I'm glad. The hen leaves which gives me a good opening to talk with her.

Sarah POV

After having a nice talk with Legom, I decided to return to reading the book I borrowed from the library. I tend to read when I'm not busy with school and the club, especially when Haru has "guests". I don't know why, but I just find stories of fictional worlds fascinating, I guess some part of me wants to see beautiful sights sometimes.

I notice someone sitting next to me and I turn to see it was Legoshi who seems to be curious about the book I'm reading.

To see if that's true, I ask "Are you curious?" As I point towards the book. He nods, which means I was right.

I explain "It's a novel series about a group of aliens from different worlds coming together to overcome a universal threat. Each book contains a personal story for each main character that expands on who they are and where they come from."

Legoshi wonders out loud "The author must've put a lot of thought behind this."

I nod and explain "The author must've had a passion for the genre, and wanted to tell a story about how a bunch of strangers can do many things by working together."

Legoshi must've been lost in thought as he seems to be quiet again, so I put a bookmark on the pages I was on and close it.

He then asks "Do you enjoy reading?" It's nice that he wants to know me better, it's strange how easy it is to talk to him.

I answer "I do, I find it fun to read about the worlds other people create, the stories they tell, about people who fight for something or someone. I also enjoy stories about overcoming hardships, about improving yourself, with the help of the friends around you." I then stand up and say "I should get back to the gardening club, Haru might need my help getting the plants onto a carrier to be taken to the fairgrounds. Maybe, if you wanna, we can read something together, maybe at the library."

Legoshi POV

I answer "Sure, maybe another time." But that's not all I wanted to say. I'm not sure what I want to say anymore, I'm just so confused right now, about myself and others. She gives me a gentle smile and heads off towards the school building, I guess I can be glad to see her smile more. I guess I should go to the drama club myself, I should fix up some of the lights.

Later

Let me tell you, getting your shin stabbed by a hedgehog is not fun. It hurts as I enter the dorm room. It seems Jack is already here.

I wasn't entirely paying attention to him as I said "Hey I'm back." I close the door behind me and complain "I bumped into a hedgehog just now and his spine stabbed my shin. Wanna see it? Boy does it hurt." I guess he doesn't as he seems distracted by something, so I guess I should just feed Rhino.

I enter my bed and close the curtain to be by myself as I feed Rhino his food.

As I was distracted, Jack calls out to me in a nervous tone "Legoshi."

I reply without thinking "Yeah?"

He then asks "So, umm, I was wondering, umm, we've known each other for a while, Right?" What's he getting at?

I reply "Huh, mm so what are you getting at?"

Jack pokes his snout into my curtains and asks "We're buddies, right? You know you can always count on me. I promise I'll never be suspicious or be disgusted by anything you do. You like what you like, it doesn't matter insects, humans…" WHAT?! Did he look in my bag, I need answers now. I kick Jack down and hold him after jumping out of my bed. I must've scared him good as he seems scared.

Jacks quickly says with a scared tone "I-I-I'm so sorry for looking, I-I-I won't tell another soul! I-I-I swear, I promise, just please close your mouth!" Oh right, I must've been gasping for breath from panicking, I closed my mouth quickly. I need to get myself under control, I'm sure he has a good explanation for looking in my backpack.

I get back on my bed and Jack sits next to me on the floor, on his knees and explains "Um, really, I just wanted to read that manga I loaned you, and that's when I found this." He then lays on the floor the dirty human magazine that the panda gave me, I wished I burned it.

Jack then stands up and says "I won't tell anyone, I promise you that. It's just…" He's a good friend, maybe I should just end this, this whole confusion within me.

I explain "Truth is, ever since I met the human girl, I've been so confused. About my feelings as a wolf towards her, a human. So, I wanted to consider it from different perspectives." Not a total lie, I don't wanna worry him with what happened.

Jack gives me a confused look and asks "Huh, doesn't that mean that…you're in love with her?" I don't know.

It's difficult to breathe when I think about her. Things have been much harder to deal with. How can anyone call this feeling love? I'm not sure if I can end it now, is it too late?

Jack says with a mix of a curious and cautious tone "Legoshi…Sorry." Maybe I should.

I reply "Nah, it's okay. And no, it's not love. It was my misunderstanding."

Jack asks "Huh, are you sure?"

I'm used to suppressing my feelings, I even learned how to force a smile. That's right, I could go back to being who I was before. Simple and calm, that suits me best. Right?

Sarah POV

The next day - festival grounds

It wasn't easy getting the flowers over to our booth in the festival, but we were able to do it. As we were putting the boxes with the flowers in our area, I heard a text alert from my bag. I went over to the booth were we put our bags and took my phone out.

I check to see that grandmother texted me that she's sending a yukata over for me to wear in the meteor festival. I then got a picture of the yukata which has a beautiful sky blue color with yellow flowers that almost look like the sun on certain parts. Although I'm unsure if I should wear it, I'm sure to stand out even more if I do.

A voice behind me comments "That's a pretty dress, what's it for?" I turn back to see Haru looking at my phone from an angle where she can see.

I clarify "My grandmother is sending a yukata over for the festival. I'm not sure if I should wear it though."

Haru replies "Why not, I'm sure it would look beautiful on you."

I answer "It would make me stand out more during the festival, I don't think I could handle the attention. Everyone, staring at me, it would be like I'm being judged from multiple angles. I would start to get sweaty palms and my throat would tighten, I wouldn't be able to speak. I'm just not sure if I would go through with it."

Haru seems to be thinking until she notices something and gains a smirk on her face.

She then says "Maybe a different person's opinion is in order, how about him?" She then points and I follow to find Legoshi filling up a bucket of water while wearing his track clothes. Should I ask him? Would he even give an honest opinion? I'm not sure.

I turn to Haru and ask "You mean Legoshi?" She nods and starts pushing me towards him. Okay so either I'm getting weaker or she's getting stronger.

I finally start walking up to him as he finishes filling up the bucket. I feel so nervous, I get his attention by saying "Uh, umm, Legoshi." He turns to me with a slightly surprised face, man, I think I'm blushing, I'm feeling a fever in my cheeks.

I need to ask, but I'm so embarrassed to ask, I ask quickly while showing him my phone, with the image of the yukata "DoyouthinkIshouldwearthisforthefestival?" I'm not even sure what I said to be honest, I just want this misery to be over.

He seems confused by my rushed sentence, but looks at my phone and tries to figure it out.

He then replies "Sure, I think it would look good on you."

The blush didn't leave my face as I squeaked out a "Thank you." And walk briskly back to the gardening club booth, even though I would rather jump into the ocean right now and never wish to leave.

When I made it back to the booth I told a smirking Haru "Never do that to me again."

She replies with a drawn out "Sure." And started laughing as the blush filled my entire face. She is just the worst, why am I friends with her again?

Oh yeah, because she's helping me overcome my depression.

I guess I should just get back to work.

Legoshi POV

On top of the scaffolding, I was busy trying to get the Tyrannosaurus sculpture finished.

Below me, Kai complains "With Louis around these days, we can never slack off. He shows up whenever he feels like it, acting like the boss." I look over towards the festival grounds to see Louis walking across it, towards one of the booths.

I ask Kai "Are they rehearsing for the lighting ceremony?"

Kai answers "Huh, there shouldn't be any rehearsals going on today." Then what's Louis doing here? Isn't that the gardening club's booth? He enters the booth and doesn't come out for a few minutes, I notice Sarah behind, working on the flowers on a bench. She seems to have calmed down after what happened earlier, I was afraid she would pass out.

She starts carrying a medium size pot towards the tent, looks inside and starts walking backwards with a flat expression. What did she see inside?

She then accidentally trips over something and falls on her backside, surprisingly not dropping the plant. I hope she's not hurt.

Louis leaves the back of the tent while Serah is giving Louis an annoyed expression . He then starts ruffling Sarah's hair…what is happening? She seems to sigh and starts showing a small smile towards Louis while talking to him.

What is this, the edges of my vision are starting to blur, only focusing on the two in my vision. I can hear my heartbeat as my head tries to make sense of what was in front of me. My right hand starts to squeeze the paint bottle too tightly.

That's it, I knew it…I thought it was only Haru I smelled, but I could definitely find traces of Sarah on him. From where, I don't know or care.

I don't notice the paint bottles bursting in my hands, leaving paint on them.

It's difficult to breathe when I think about her. Things have been much harder to deal with.

Sarah. Sarah! That expression on your face, please stop, I-I can't take it. Especially now, since I just figured out what this feeling is.

I subconsciously dragged the paint filled hand up the side of my face, anger filling my face and heart.

Sarah, I…have fallen madly in love with you.

Ending: Beauty of Destiny by Lotus Juice*

Author's note: what are your opinions on the multiple EDs from the first season? Personally, I enjoy it when anime tries out different OPs and EDs animations when watching, it's like the story is affecting the opening and ending song animation.

Please review, I could use the writing advice.