Author's Note:

New character, new fun. I wonder who this zebra is...

PanzerVor621: not gonna lie she is giving off major stalker vibes, the kind who is going to later become a villan due to not being able to accept the situation if said interest says no.

What? Nah, she'd never do something so villainous. It's not within her canonical character... though this isn't quite canon with Johnny in the mix.

PanzerVor621: ngl i still get more perv vibes from Miya but juno is definitely a true friend.

Juno is the realest homegirl in Johnny's life, he would've failed Seaspeak without her. Miya is just being Miya, can't fret over every egg sandwich.

PanzerVor621: he should secretly write a book explaining as much about human history as he can remember and the post it to the internet with the claim of if he disappears or dies some home it was 100 percent the government.

Great idea! Small issue; he is the only human. I don't think any other "Arrow incidents" had occurred throughout the new world's history. Even if he somehow releases these hypothetical works, he'll be found out sooner or later. Better play it safe than be sorry.

Stay safe and hydrated.

As the tall zebra started walking away, I counted her steps till she was a few human leaps away before sneaking off-

"Where do you think you are going?" She suddenly stopped, barely flicking her head to the side, the oily mane waving. How the…

"Uh, uh- piss?" I cleared my throat, "I need to use the restroom."

"...Okay," she caught the bait, nice, "there is one behind you… what were you doing there, then?"

"Oh, you know…" I rolled my hand, a foot rapidly tapping the floor. I felt like a moron. I should've thought of a better excuse!

"Frankly, I do not know. Please, enlighten me," she presented an open hand to the side, her back to me all the while. A bit insulting, but that was shadowed by the fact she uncovered my schemes without looking! I swear, if animals had developed a pair of eyes in the back of their skulls without me, I'd be pissed, pun unintended.

"...I didn't wash my hands," returning to the restroom, I did clean my hands a second time albeit lazily. I really wanted to know what her trick was but I had a hunch today wasn't the day. Once I dried them off, I reunited with the strange lady.

Although we were off to a bad start, her suit was real sweet. Black was a color that never went wrong, the white undershirt was a given, the dark tie was odd but acceptable. I liked her suit. It had this… powerful vibe.

"Are you ready now?"

"Yes…"

"You won't try to run away?"

"...Nnnnyes? No, I'll follow," I replied, a tad thrown off.

"Good, come," she started, so I matched her rather brisk pace.

"Where are we going?" I asked on impulse, unsure of my opinion on her.

"To a private space."

"...Okay."

Pocketing my hands, I had to exert myself to keep up. We were met with no one on our journey through the halls which reminded me I was about to miss a crucial two hours of study.

„Fuck…" I mouthed without a sound, paranoid she somehow knew English.

I remembered there was a test due next week. Catching up to speed on my own was tough, so I wasn't too hyped for that. At least I had Juno, she'd be more than happy to assist. She had done so many times, a reliable safety net. Plus, it was fun.

„Juno…"

What would she think of me now? She was in the cafeteria, half the academy witnessed that… onslaught. There came the guilt, great. I just hoped…

I was growing antsy. The true weight of my actions was slowly crushing my shoulders. Besides the social troubles, what of Miya? And this damned zebra whose black stripes were glossier than the white ones. Gon, too. Could I try to slip away again? She wasn't looking- yes she was.

Stupid. That was me. Even though I knew she had some sort of hidden ability, I kept glancing at her when I thought she wasn't paying attention. Of course she'd notice right away, there were no other individuals but us out here.

"We have arrived," she blocked my path with an extended arm, the sleeve hiding none of the muscle beneath. Opening the door, she gestured for me to enter.

"Ladies first," I countered, bowing in mock.

She snorted like the equine she was, "Funny. In. Now." Something fierce struck my heart, the tone she used startled me. Thus, I reluctantly entered. Inside was…

„Gon's office…" I advanced at a crawl, observing the minute details. I could count the times I had been here with one hand, was that diploma painted onto the wall? Once I was beside his desk, I traced a finger over the expensive finish; no dust.

Then, the door shut, the click louder than a gunshot.

"Have a seat," she went around the desk, her stature comically large in the padded chair. Still, it was a good chair.

"I rather stand," I defied, the natural light casting her shadow over the room.

"Sit."

This tone she often frequented was getting on my nerves. Dragging the adequate chair back a foot for a sharp scrape, I plopped my ass down, accidentally hitting my tailbone. I pursued my lips in subdued agony. It fucking hurt.

"I am sat-"

"Stop acting childish," she cut me off, her gaze piercing my very soul, "I will ask you a question, you will answer honestly, understood?"

"...Sure… whatever…" I crossed my arms, averting focus to the wall on my right.

"What happened in the cafeteria?"

"I went to get food," I replied, "w…" switching to the opposite wall; she wasn't mucking around. I swallowed, "Well, I got my tray…"

"..."

"It was good food, too! A saucy salad, lots of carbs, that crispy mineral water that's even better in the middle of the night…" I braced for her reaction, surprised she let me bullshit for the moment. Might as well get to the point.

"As I was leaving the line to join my peers at a table, this… guy, made me tumble," I avoided swearing. Something I didn't understand was blaring every alarm in my head regarding her disposition. Was it instinct? Didn't think I had any left in me.

Since I didn't continue right away, she said, "Go on."

"So, my meal was all over the floor, my nose had me looking like a clown and… I was embarrassed in front of, like, half the school," that was another justification for myself, the humiliation was… astronomical. "At first, I thought it was an accident or something, there were two carnivores, a fox and… dog? Yeah, a dog. They were fighting, I think it was fake though. The little midget dog apologized which was totally cool and all but that fucking fox…" I shut my trap, skeptical of her reaction.

None… thus far. This felt like defusing a bomb under machine gun fire.

"He started provoking me… I wasn't going to do anything, no s- ma'am! Nope. I was this close," my index and thumb were a millimeter apart, "to getting another tray when that fox… said something that… hurt my feelings." I supposed my skin wasn't as thick as I believed, something to improve upon in life.

"I don't remember what I said, probably something mean as well. Eye for an eye and all that, let the world go blind, like I care," I tsked, "one thing led to another and he threw the first punch. I guess… that was when I realized who he was…"

She raised an eyebrow, "You knew him beforehand?"

"Yup. Had a fight with him at the beginning of the year, won that one too!" I smiled and wiped it off instantly. "I find it funny the same tactic worked twice… his IQ had to be below the Dead Sea to fall for it…"

"And what was this 'tactic' you implemented?" She leaned forward, her muscular back stretching the suit taut.

"I- uh, I… I took the… tray…" twirling my thumbs, I sucked in my left cheek, the flesh sandwiched between the upper and lower teeth, "and… hit him… in the head."

"That seems excessive," she commented.

"Sure… yeah, it was, but I don't…" I didn't finish the sentence.

"You 'don't' what exactly?"

"...Who are you?" I diverted the topic, "Where's Gon?"

"The principal is busy with other matters, I represent him," she answered calmly, the glasses gaining a reflective glint.

"Okay. So, who the hell are you?" After testing the waters, I was confident I could unleash my vast inappropriate lexicon, "And why do you care? It was self-defense, therefore I'm in the right!"

Her expression was unreadable. Her head turned to the side, a hand over another quietly drumming two fingers. "That is correct. Your actions are justified because you were attacked."

"Ha!"

"However," I could've sworn her lip twitched upward, "the force used was unnecessary. The canid will be hospitalized."

"...So?" I broke into a sweat, hiding the rising sense of foreboding. Not well enough.

"You nearly killed him," she sounded almost… ecstatic, the stress had to be affecting me, "you could have called for a teacher or had a stronger student handle the situation," was she implying I had minions? I had hair and my nose wasn't long at all! "But you didn't. You let your emotions rule."

"What was I supposed to do? Run away like a b… bitch?" I dared, fuck it, I really dared.

"I can think of five better ways you could have handled it," her tone was changing, I wasn't certain how but it was, "and you chose the sixth and worst one."

"Okay, I get it. Big whoop, I beat his ass, he deserved it!" I raised my voice, "I'm just a teen, shit happens, hormones and all that," I spat excuses, a strong desire to leave the room tugging at my appendix.

"Hm, part of that is true," she smiled, "unfortunately, you committed aggravated assault."

"Y- w- the fuck? No?" I inhaled sharply.

"G- d- e- speak clearly, Jonathan. How do you plead?"

I blinked dumbly, "What the hell are you smoking? I was protecting myself!"

"That's not how the academy sees it," she pushed herself away from the desk, deliberately slowing the ascend to her full height. Then, she began to encroach.

"But he hit me first! It's not my fault I was- I tried- I made sure he couldn't punch me again," I berated myself for stuttering, my body tensing as she creeped around the desk, her rather large hand gliding over the surface.

She hummed, the clacks of her shoes pinching delicate strings.

"What is your name? Huh? A-and why are you-" I gasped, a pair of hands grabbed me by the shoulders. Instinctively, I tried to get up, but her hold was firm. "W-what the hell?! Let go-!"

"Silence," though she spoke normally, the command boomed, silencing me. "You are quite… dense, Jonathan-san. Allow me to unveil the backstage."

She massaged my trapezoids, sending a shiver down my spine.

"While some unconditionally support you, others believe you are potentially criminal," I fished for a retort, but options were of short supply, "I do not side with either encampments, but I will tell you an irrefutable fact," she bent down, her warm breath washing over my left ear, "Were you any other student, you'd already be expelled~"

"E-e-e-expelled?" I repeated, rationality fizzling away.

"Indeed. Expelled, deported, disposed, kicked out…" Her hands tightened their grip, "I know… about the facility."

"W-what are you talking about?" I grinded my teeth, raw fear fogging my senses. An imagined side view of us terrified me.

"Do not play an imbecile, Jonathan. Your grades are decent for someone barely trying," was that… a complimentary insult? Those existed outside of fiction? "I will say; I agree with you that those files deserve to see the light of day. I wouldn't get your hopes up, though, it is highly unlikely to ever happen."

"...Okay, t-that's fine," which was the total opposite of my true opinion but the sheer pressure she showcased was… I felt like I was dying, and her hands were shifting.

"...We'll have to work on that…" she muttered something under her breath, her fingers moving closer to my neck.

"W-what are you do-"

"Do you wish to return to the laboratory?"

My eyes widened, my mind running a thousand simulations at once.

"No!"

"Imagine; back under bedrock, no sunlight, the orthodontist would gladly welcome you."

"N-no!"

"And the experiments. From what I read, they had several pages left unfilled."

"NO-! Gah!" Her hands clamped around my throat, though I wasn't choking and blood circulated properly. The position I was in left me extremely vulnerable.

"I heard you the first time, Jonathan. No need to yell at the top of your lungs," she chuckled, one of her fingers rubbing over my Adam's apple.

"A-ah…"

"Since we are nearly on the same page, I will present you an offer. Listen carefully because I will not repeat myself."

I nodded, however possible with a pair of athletic hands generously supporting my head.

She exhaled out of her snout, "If you desire to continue attending the academy, you will do exactly as I say. Does that sound reasonable?"

"Yes!" I replied immediately, anything to have those hands off me!

"Excellent~" She purred, growled, moaned, something between the three, before releasing my neck. Then, the false sunshine died, "You will not speak of what occurred in this room."

I nodded, my nails digging into the right palm.

"You will not fight another student in this institute."

I closed my eyes, containing the fury at the rough treatment.

"And…" she patted my shoulders, the end of her muzzle next to the other ear, "you will refer to me as…" she sighed, "mistress~"

…

I stared off into nothing.

"Each month, I will send you a topic to research."

My cheeks heated, burning a tomato red.

"I expect results every Saturday. Failure to-"

Before she was done, I hurried out of the chair and rolled over the desk to the other side like a bootleg ninja, scattering a majority of the things onto the floor. My breath was shallow, my body stiffer than a rusted wrench and my mind disconnected from the dots.

"W-what? Call you what now?"

Her hands lowered to her sides, her nostrils flaring in agitation, "Why did you do that? Look at the mess you made, someone has to clean that."

"I'm… I'm not calling you that! Who the hell do you think-" Before my very eyes, she closed the distance between us under a second, vaulting smoothly over the table and grabbing me by the head. Sound being slower than light had beat the race between my scream and the hand clamped around the lower half of my head.

"MmMM!?"

"Shush…" She fell to a knee, bringing me down with her and pinning me against the floor. Tears began forming as fear tightened its hold around my erratic heart.

Herbivores were gentle, compassionate and friendly. Herbivores posed no serious threat to me. Herbivores were good and safe company. All that I have learned about this world was thrown out the window the moment her face was an inch from mine, a glare so bastardly-

The door rattled, "What? Hello? Is someone inside?" Gon! I had to…

"Yes. I am here," she replied loudly, her face never leaving my vision.

"Oh! Why's the door locked? Is everything alright?" Yes! Yes! Yes! Pry more!

"Yes, yes. I am very busy. We'll talk later."

"...Okay, goodbye, then." No! No! No! Fuck!

His footsteps, as faint as they were, were soon out of my hearing range, leaving us just… us.

"That was close…" The abusive zebra said, "I haven't had this much fun since…"

"M-mmh…"

"Will you scream if I release you?"

I shook my head, begging her with my eyes to believe me. Because I realized that even if I exposed her, I'd still get expelled. And if she was a powerful figure in this zoo of a society…

My hands were tied behind my back, so I had to play ball.

Unlatching her hand from my face, I coughed to the side, crawling on my back as she stood up. As I did the same, I was rightfully baffled and disgusted when she deeply inhaled the palm that I was forced to kiss.

"I am overjoyed at your ability to learn so fast," she added, looking at the many items on the floor, "you should pick those up, the principal would be displeased if his office was left in this state."

I didn't reply and tackled the task right away. The lamp was there, the pencil holder there…

She chuckled, muttering something inaudible before making her way to the door. After unlocking it, she left. No farewell, no extra warning, she just fucking left.

Once I couldn't hear her shoes, I punched the floor and immediately regretted it. Fanning my hand flamboyantly, I bit down on my knuckles, suppressing an ugly cry.

What the fuck happened? What was that? Who was she? Why? How did I agree to this? What topics? More work?! I wanted to crack my skull against a curb so brain matter pooled onto the dirty concrete. I was so frustrated and utterly humiliated and… disturbed.

Pushing down the pain, I resumed reorganizing the mess I, ironically, made. It wasn't much, actually. It'd take me five minutes and an additional two to bring the office to its previous pristine condition.

She was dangerous. Whoever that immoral, unhinged, quaint zebra was, she was a force to be reckoned with. And she threatened me! Me! I got those plenty online but context! In video games was one thing, real life was infinitely worse! I'd frozen like a popsicle, where did all that bravery go, Johnny?

I sighed, „Fuck…"

And that wasn't the worst part. It was… her touch, her voice, the implications, that fucking sniff… Could it be?

„Ha! Ha ha!" I exclaimed, adjusting the items to the best of my short-term memory.

As if that could ever be. Hilarious! She was toying with my feelings to get the desired results, I could respect the dedication if it wasn't used against me. Seriously, a zebra? And she looked older than me, much older, somewhere in her mid thirties, purely assumptions.

Once I was done, I pulled the seats to their original positions before grabbing my backpack and excusing myself.

Back to everyday life, I checked the time; nearly half the study period had gone by. My class wasn't too far, Juno should've saved my seat…

„Juno…" I breathed her name, my heart easing at the thought. I couldn't tell her, but I could share my feelings. Women were good with those and she was a girl. Yeah, that was a good plan.

And since I was already holding my phone, I dialed a starred number.

Riiing…

„Come on…" I chewed on my nails, specifically the dead skin around them.

Riiing…

„Come on, come on, pick up… please…"

Riii-

"Hello? Johnny?"

"H-hey, Miya- Miya-sama, how are you doing?"

"...You used an honorific."

"Yup, I know those," I replied, concealing the nerve in my tone.

"Is everything alright? You don't… usually call. I wish you'd do it more…"

"I intend to! From now on, I swear I'll call every day!"

She went quiet on her end before asking, "Did something happen?"

"Yes…" I told a white lie, "I had a rough day and I realized…" I looked around to make sure no one heard the next line, "how much I take for granted… A-aunty Miya…" I blushed, cringing hard.

"...Could you say that again? You cut out."

Keeping my voice down, I scanned my surroundings for a second time before repeating, "I take you for… granted, Aunty Miya…"

"Mmm~ Thank you for this recording, you made my day, Johnny~"

"...Glad to know…" Though I replied dryly, I was somewhat appeased.

"So, how was your day?"

"Oh, you know…" With the secrets buried, we made small talk. She told me of some of the psychos she treated; a sphynx cat who believed they were human, a koala with anger issues, the works. Her gazelle co-worker also quit for some reason.

Talking with her… helped.

"So then I-"

"Oop, something happened on the first floor. I have to go, call me later, okay?"

"Sure."

"Bye, Johnny."

"Bye," she hung up, "Miya…"

Conveniently, I was a minute from reaching my class. From our conversation, Miya had no clue of the rematch. Though it was too early to confirm. I guessed… time would tell if that damned zebra didn't deceive me for her own amusement. The entire reason I gave her a chance was because she reminded me of Miss Hajime…

That was a mistake. I knocked on the door. One that I would not repeat. Entering, I smiled at Juno, an empty spot beside her.