Sorry for the wait. This chapter was fun to write and I have the next chapter fully written out in my notebook so the next one shouldn't be too far off. Thank you for your continued reading of this story. Please Enjoy.

CHAPTER 41: Resolution

"So have you made your decision Gon?" The mayor asked Cherryton's headmaster.

"Yes, here." Gon handed the lion a file of Juno's bio, personal notes, comments from staff, and her activity within the student body.

"She's definitely something, but I think you should reinstate Louis for the position. He's a much more practical choice."

"He's willingly stepped down, so it isn't that simple."

"Push him back into it, he impressed me. Also, the reason for him stepping down in the first place is already over. He and I have had a rather good working relationship since the Meteor Festival this past year to make things clear."

"...If that's the case then I could ask him if he'd be interested again."

"That's a very good decision-"

"I still recommend this first-year carnivore. Her involvement with the other clubs, being the ace of the drama club, and her performance at the Meteor Festival moved everyone. She's a model student for the role and ever since her performance, in-city applications have been on the rise."

"But you still haven't resolved the murder of the alpaca, making a carnivore as I'm sure you know is not the best decision."

"While I agree that she is still young and maybe inexperienced as a first-year student. She's more than proven herself and this could be a great move to inspire more young carnivores to want to seek an education at our academy. I come to you for guidance, so listen to what I have to say on the topic. I think it's wise because she deserves this in light of the circumstances." The mayor sat back in his chair. "It'll pair quite well with the next Adler performance during December. For the hope of my students."

"I'll believe in you Gon. Be careful going forward. There's rumblings of something going on in the Black Market regarding the Shishigumi. I'll say it again, be careful." The mayor got to his feet and extended a hand that Gon firmly shook. The headmaster took his leave, arriving at his car in a few short minutes. Micha was awaiting him in the driver's seat and the conversation geared towards the mayor.

"He warned me about something going on in the Black Market and he pushed me to get Louis' candidacy back."

"Do you think the two could be connected somehow? We've had to shuffle through several reports of him being absent from his Biology classes and his suite quite often."

"It's more of a theory than anything. His absences do align with the rise in Shishigumi's activities after Haru's disappearance. It's strange but I can't make any connections without thinking of something crazy."

"We could consult the officers we have on campus to see if they were able to come up with something."

"I don't think we should get involved with this. The mayor knew the reason behind Louis stepping down and said that it was over. If he knows then talking to the other officers isn't a good decision." Gon let out a sigh as he finished talking."Ever since that poor alpaca died it's been nothing but an ongoing struggle for this academy and its students."

"... All that means is we need to find the killer fast before they kill another herbivore." Micha's response was rather cold.

"Stop right here." Micha calmly pulled over to the side of the road as they stopped Gon turned his upper body to face the elk. "Do you trust me, Micha?"

"Yes, but I want you to tell me the truth. You mentioned the mayor knowing something about Louis stepping down like it didn't matter. Does that not bother you that he knows or how?"

"I can't push him too much, if I do it could cause issues for me."

"Are you afraid of losing your position as Headmaster?"

"Yes, I am. I'm afraid that I'll be replaced because I want to keep my school empty of criminals."

"If you want to keep Cherryton a safe place then I'll stand with you but if there is something going on then we should act accordingly."

"When the time's right I will. I'm sorry but I need you to trust me right now and until then." Micha looked forward again and grasped the gearshift.

"I believe you and I believe in your vision, Gon. You're one of the few carnivores I can trust wholeheartedly." The elk left his parking space with a new sense of faith.

"Knowing Gon he'll probably come to his own conclusion with all this. He does want to elect a carnivore Beastar for his school. A female grey wolf named Juno. I advised him to choose both her and Louis as candidates-hm? Mm. Okay, I understand. I look forward to speaking to you again soon, Sublime Beastar Yahya." The Mayor ended the phone call before looking at the city below him. He saw his reflection, all the work he'd had done on his body to fit a softer look. Jaw and nose size reduction, fake teeth without fangs, and his shoulder width reduced. The only thing that remained of this model carnivore were the paws and claws his wife loved. She's a beautiful lioness with a moderately slender and muscular build that was so natural yet he was this. A wave of disgust washed over him but in a way, he had resolved to become this for the place he stood now. Looking over the city again, he spotted Cherryton somewhat far out.

"Prosper Gon, be thankful you're smart enough not to push your luck." The mayor heard a ringing from his desk phone and sat down to answer it.

At the sight of Cherryton Juno sat in the lunchroom across from Sheila. The two sat together at a two-person table. Juno sipped on a sweet vegetable smoothie while Sheila ate a grilled watermelon salad.

"Everything's on track for setting up for the winter festival Adler play. Are you ready to dress up?" Sheila asked.

"Yes! I can't wait! It'll be my first major role and I want to perform perfectly!" Juno let out a happy cry, practically shouting her excitement to the whole world.

"Great because Mr. Sanu, Dom, Ellen, and I have worked out the Helen role." Juno immediately thought of her princess carrying Legoshi in her arms with the two kissing one another before an adoring audience as the curtains closed on the sight.

"It's Pina."

"Pina?!" Juno's gut reaction to this revelation was near disgust but it wasn't the worst.

"Yes Pina, and stop yelling! He's a great actor and he's much smaller than you so it'll sell the damsel in distress."

"I know he is but I was thinking it could be an animal I have more chemistry with."

"One, Legoshi isn't in the actors' pool. Two, you just want an excuse to touch him more."

"No, I don't! I just wanted someone that I get along with to do it. Chemistry is important, you taught me that!" Juno's ears hung a bit low. Sheila chuckled, taking a sip of water.

"The performance is planned for December 12th and 13th. You're okay with three weeks of rehearsal right?"

"I was the star of the Meteor Festival, of course, I'll do perfectly fine." The two girls laughed at Juno's comically confident tone of voice.

"Hey, wanna make a bet on how many boys are going to show up to club today?" Sheila asked.

"I think Riz, Dom, and Pina will be there and I hope Legoshi is there but the way he was talking about that game I don't think he'll be there."

"I didn't think games were something he'd be into. Boys'll be boys I guess, and why are you talking like a jealous girlfriend? It's a room thing with his friends right?"

"Yes, I still wanna see him, it's annoying. I think about him too much, I think." Juno pouted a bit.

"You guys are making things too hard for yourselves. When I was fourteen I had a crush on a boy and was just honest one day instead of running around it but considering you guys' promise I understand. Both of you are a piece of work." Sheila finished her salad in the same breath. "Imma put my stuff away." The cheetah left Juno with her thoughts of Legoshi, images of them hugging, and memories from their first date.

"So, um-" Legoshi couldn't make eye contact with her but she grabbed his hand with a smile.

"You don't have to be nervous, you're with me and we'll have a great time I promise!" Legoshi blushed a little, making his date do the same, she quickly gave Legoshi back his hand.

"I'm sorry, was that too much?"

"No, it felt right. My heart is pounding but… in a good way." Juno's tail wagged with so much life at his simple yet honest response. For a moment she was guided by her impulse and grabbed his shirt pulling him into her. Legoshi's eyes went wide with surprise as the two stopped just shy of kissing. Juno looked into his eyes wistfully, like a young girl in love.

"Do you want to kiss me?"

"Juno."

"Answer me." Her amethyst-purple eyes were intense and sultry. Legoshi resisted her charm and pulled back from her strong grip, looking around and seeing many trying not to look at the couple or whispering about them.

"We're in front of a lot of animals, not to mention kids." Juno took a moment to take in her surroundings. Coming back to her senses, she covered her face and blushed hard. Legoshi grabbed her shoulders to guide her out of the center of the public into a mom and pop restaurant. Legoshi quietly sat her down at a table and ordered from a young waiter who smiled at the two. When Legoshi sat down across from Juno she'd somewhat recovered from her embarrassment.

"I'm so sorry for doing that. It was just one emotion after the other and it just came out! I mean I really want to kiss you but I also want to take things slow like we promised but I really want to make sure you don't lose interest in me!" Juno'spanicked face made Legoshi smile earnestly. He looked down at the table.

"I love that you're honest and speak your mind. I never have to think you'll ever lie to me. Although that isn't the only thing about you I like, I never thought I would ever lose interest in you." Hearing that Juno lost herself again but this time in a controlled passion. She stood and leaned over the small table, placing her hand over Legoshi's mouth and kissed the back of her hand. The wolf pulled away and sat back in her chair.

"Never forget you said that because I will always remember it." Legoshi calmly watched her with butterflies birthing in his stomach. Juno felt the same sensation. The two looked at one another, studying each other's clothes from what they could see so they could avoid eye contact. Legoshi was dressed in blue jeans, a white shirt with gray shoes that complemented Juno's knee-high red skirt, buttoned-down white shirt, and red heels combo. After a while, they were greeted again by the waiter and the two ate their food in peace. Once they got up to leave they were told the meal was on the house and they left. Taking the train back to their school the two enjoyed the ambience, sitting next to each other.

"Legoshi."

"Yeah?"

"Thank you." Juno was bathed in the pure white moonlight and she wondered what she looked like to Legoshi.

The wolf came back from her daydream and memory, but she had knowingly made up some of those moments such as her attempts to kiss Legoshi. She grunted aloud at her missed opportunities, throwing her head back as she drank all of her smoothie.

"Ugh!" Juno let out her frustration.

"You okay?" Els asked, tapping Juno's shoulder.

"Uh, yeah just daydreaming." The wolf looked past Els to see Haru who smiled and waved at her.

"Juno, this is Haru. She's a third year."

"We know each other," Haru said.

"Really? I thought you only knew Bill and Legoshi?"

"Well the two of us just haven't talked much. Speaking of, do you mind if me and her talk for a minute?"

"Okay, I'll get lunch." Els left the two alone in a small awkward silence felt by Juno only. Haru sat in the chair across from Juno and looked at the wolf with soft, caring eyes.

"Remember when we met and we talked about herbivores fearing carnivores by instinct? I remember you saying herbivores could run away from our instincts. I lied to myself. I convinced myself that I was fine with the idea of being killed or devoured by a carnivore at any time in my life. I thought that was what it meant to face my instincts. After what happened with the Shishigumi I couldn't do anything, I couldn't talk to Bill or Legoshi. I couldn't thank you properly for saving me." Haru's soft eyes began to melt into windows anyone could use to peer into the soul. "It must've been hard knowing the power difference between you and that girl could get you in trouble. Thank you for taking that risk for me."

Haru outstretched her hand. It was a bit shaky, still, Juno could tell it was filled with an unwavering resolve. The wolf was hesitant to take the hand, even so, she softly held it. Haru's fur was soft and delicate. Amongst the movement of the lunchroom, a wolf and rabbit were forging a bond with one another that no one else could soundly look at and guess what this meant to them. Haru let a tear fall but Juno quickly wiped it away, allowing her a closer look at the herbivore's face. Her pure white fur, round clear brown eyes, and her twitching nose.

"...You're beautiful…" Juno said that with zero hesitation in her voice.

"Are you attracted to me, Juno?"

"Hm? Not at all." Juno responded equally as playfully to the rabbit's playful question. The two smiled at one another, slipping away into the moment. However, as all moments do, it eventually passes and the time for them to part ways comes. Juno left with Sheila and Haru stayed to eat with Els, leaving the day to come to club meetings. Juno and Sheila were right in their predictions, Riz, Dom, and Pina were the only boys who showed up to the club this Friday afternoon. Sanu was about to start talking about the assigned roles until he was abruptly cut off by a wolf arriving late.

"Sorry I'm late, I got caught up with my friends," Legoshi admitted.

"Of course you did, you lazy wolf." Legoshi brushed off Pina's teasing, he tapped Riz on the shoulder before going to sit next to Juno.

"I thought you weren't going to make it."

"I wanted to be here for this. I heard you'd be getting the role for Adler, so I didn't want to miss it." Juno's ears perked up at that before looking at Sheila who playfully winked at her. Juno smiled and scooted closer to Legoshi who noticed her advance and didn't mind it at all.