Chapter Text
Legoshi stepped out of Gon’s office, the weight of the conversation pressing on his mind. The hallway felt colder somehow, quieter, but inside his head it was noisy with doubt and self-reproach.
He rubbed the back of his neck and then, unconsciously, muttered, “Gon…”
The name slipped out too casually, too familiar like he was talking to a classmate rather than the serious, no-nonsense man who just laid bare the sharp edges of what Legoshi was becoming.
His own words hit him like a slap. Legoshi winced and, without thinking, brought a hand up to his face, palm flat against his muzzle.
“...what is wrong with me?” he groaned, shaking his head. “Calling him ‘Gon’ like we’re buddies… No respect at all.”
He leaned against the wall, exhaling sharply, feeling both embarrassed and frustrated. It wasn’t just the name—it was the attitude, the way he’d let his guard down in front of someone who deserved his full focus.
But what could he do now? Backtracking was impossible.
Legoshi had to ignore it for now, pushed off the wall, and started walking down the corridor.
He’d have to be more careful.
More controlled.
Because if he lost control… if he really went feral…
No one else would be safe.
Legoshi’s steps echoed softly down the empty corridor, but his mind was anything but quiet. He moved slowly, eyes sharp, trying to catch any trace of the Komodo—any hint, no matter how small, that could lead him to the komodo
|There’s not much time,|
he thought, the knot in his stomach tightening.
|Jack’s still in 701. What if he gets hurt?|
He swallowed hard, nostrils flaring as a faint, familiar scent drifted through the stale air. His heart pounded.
|That.. that has to be him.|
He followed the scent carefully, but the trail was faint, like the Komodo was trying to cover his tracks. Every step felt heavier, the pressure mounting.
|I have to find him. Before it’s too late.|
Legoshi’s voice broke the silence, barely a whisper. “Jack… please be safe…”
He clenched his jaw. “I’m coming. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
The fear twisted inside him, sharp and cold, but he pushed it down. Focus. Control.
He had to be ready for whatever was coming.
The hallways of Cherryton stretched on like a maze carved in silence. Legoshi had checked the south wing twice. Then the old gym. Then the back entrance near the utility tunnels where the scent had faded into dust. Still nothing. Two hours of tracking, analyzing, retracing and nothing.
His eyes were stinging. His breathing shallow.
His right arm and his left- oh.. well at least what was left of it throbbed from overuse. But none of that compared to the ache in his chest.
|He could be here|
Legoshi thought grimly. Right now. Hiding.
|Waiting. Watching Jack. I could be wasting time while-|
He shook his head hard, nearly stumbling into a locker.
|No. Don't think like that. You can’t afford to spiral calm down I can't panic|
He made his way back toward 701, every step like dragging chains. His tail drooped low. Even his fur, normally fluffed with latent tension, hung limp.
Then he turned the final corner.
There—at the far end—Jack and Bill.
Alive. Sitting on the floor, side by side. Talking. Unharmed.
Legoshi smiled
Jack looked up first, ears perking. “Legoshi—?”
Bill turned too, blinking in surprise.
But Legoshi didn’t answer.
The sight of Jack, safe, breathing, there, hit Legoshi with unbearable force.
His knees buckled mid-step.
"Legoshi!" Jack bolted to his feet.
Legoshi's eyes fluttered, vision swimming, and a choked sound escaped him, half laugh, half sob, as he swayed dangerously. Then he collapsed like a marionette with its strings cut. A full-body fall. Chest barely moving.
Jack reached him just in time to ease his head from hitting the floor. “Legoshi?! Talk to me—hey—hey, please—!”
Legoshi’s eyes blinked slowly open. His lips moved. “…I… I’m here…”
Jack’s claws trembled where they pressed to his boyfriend’s shoulders. “What happened?! Are you hurt?!”
“No,” Legoshi rasped. “I just… finally stopped running.”
He gave a sheepish, dazed smile. “I’m okay. Just—tired. Really tired…”
Jack stared, still unsure, until Legoshi reached up weakly and asked, “Can I… lay my head on your lap?”
“Of course you can,” Jack whispered, his voice cracking.
Legoshi curled onto his side with a soft grunt, his head resting against Jack’s thighs like it was the safest place in the world. Jack gently cradled him there, running his claws through the thick fur at his nape, then up behind his ear. Legoshi twitched slightly, but didn’t pull away. A low, contented sigh left him.
Bill leaned against the opposite wall with a smirk, arms crossed. “Damn. You two are ridiculous.”
He nodded toward Legoshi. “Don’t worry, big guy. I’ll keep watch. You earned the break.”
Jack smiled down at Legoshi, brushing fur away from his face. “I’ve got bill, don't worry” he told legoshi urging him to sleep “Just rest now.”
And for the first time in what felt like one whole week Legoshi did.
About twenty minutes passed before Legoshi stirred, his ear twitching faintly under Jack’s fingers. His eyes blinked open slowly, the world soft and warm. The first thing he saw was Jack still sitting there, exactly where he’d been—watching over him.
Legoshi’s tail gave a slow, content wag.
“You’re still here,” he murmured, voice low with gratitude. “Thanks.”
Jack gave him a soft smile, worry still shadowing his features. “Of course I’m still here. You really scared me.”
Legoshi slowly sat up, stretching his back with a quiet groan and rubbing his eyes. “I’m good now. really. I’m not tired anymore.”
Jack frowned. “Legoshi, come on. You passed out. You’re hurting. You’re just pushing through it to protect me, but… we promised each other” His voice wavered. “No dying. No sacrificing yourself. No hurting, And forcing ourselves. You promised remember?”
“I know,” Legoshi said gently, reaching out to squeeze Jack’s hand. “And I’m keeping it. I just… I needed that. Even if it wasn’t much sleep, laying on your lap, it felt like rest, Real rest. I mean it.”
Jack bit his lip but nodded, clearly unconvinced, yet too relieved to argue more.
Legoshi stood, tail still swaying gently, and turned to Bill. “Thanks for keeping watch. I can take it from here.”
Bill tilted his head with a toothy grin. “You sure? You looked ready to drop dead earlier. maybe you just wanted a private nap on Jack’s lap.”
Legoshi blinked, ears perking.
Bill’s grin widened as he teased, “Or maybe what you really want is to fuck Jack... Or don't tell me... you want to be fucked by Jack?”
“Bill!” both Legoshi and Jack shouted in unison, their faces immediately flushing crimson.
“This is not the time for that kind of joke!” Jack snapped, ears stiff with embarrassment.
Legoshi looked like steam might come out of his nose.
Bill laughed, raising his paws innocently. “Okay, okay, jeez. I’m sorry! Just trying to lighten the mood.” He winked. “You two are cute when you're flustered.”
Legoshi groaned, rubbing the bridge of his snout as Jack muttered something under his breath.
But despite the teasing, the warmth lingered—and for a moment, the tension in the air eased.
As the moment of calm settled, Jack looked up at Legoshi, hesitant. “Legoshi… are you sure it’s okay to just keep watch over me? What about the others in 701? Collot, Voss, miguno, Durham isn't it dangerous for them too?”
Legoshi shook his head slowly. “It’s okay. The Komodo… he'll go after people I’m emotionally close to. If I keep my distance from the others while In public they’ll be safe.”
Jack’s frowned a little. “But… then I’m still a target.”
Legoshi’s expression darkened. “Yeah. He probably still remembers you. From back then. I’m sorry, Jack...”
He turned toward Bill, guilt creeping into his voice. “And… Bill. I’m sorry I dragged you into this too. I might be putting you in danger just by being around you.”
But Bill only scoffed and leaned back with a relaxed grin. “What?, this is payback I hospitalized you on stage now it's my turn, it your revenge”
Legoshi blinked, startled, then gave a quiet chuckle despite himself. “It’s not like that. I don’t like the idea of revenge. Not unless it’s aimed at 'him' .”
“Still,” Bill smirked, “i still deserve a little karma.”
Legoshi smiled faintly, though a shadow lingered behind his eyes.
Just then as legoshi decided to sit up from Jack's lap jack leaned down and kissed him but it wasn't just a shy peck it was a long heartfelt one making legoshi blush
Jack’s lips lingered on Legoshi’s for a few heartbeats longer before he gently pulled away, his eyes locking onto Legoshi’s with a serious yet warm gaze.
“Don’t you dare die on me,” Jack said, a soft smile tugging at his lips. “I kissed you so you’d never forget the promise we made to not die. To not get hurt.”
Legoshi’s heart hammered in his chest. His tail wagged wildly, brushing against the floor with urgent happiness. A bright, relieved smile spread across his face.
“I’m not going to die” Legoshi whispered, smiling
Bill, leaning casually against the wall a few feet away, whistled low and slow, as if he’d just watched some quiet but epic moment unfold. “Well, well, you two are too cute,” he said, clearly pretending he hadn’t seen a thing.
Jack rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide a grin, and Legoshi’s smile only grew wider.
After the moment of warmth and safety, Legoshi’s expression darkened again. His ears drooped, eyes narrowing with focus.
“I’ll go back to looking,” he muttered, stepping away from Jack’s lap.
Jack instinctively reached out, almost pleading, “Legoshi, maybe you should stay—”
But the moment he met Legoshi’s eyes those glassy, desperate eyes he froze. He saw fear in them, not for himself, but for Jack. For everyone.
“…Okay,” Jack relented softly. “Just… be careful.”
Bill gave Legoshi a firm pat on the back. “Don’t stress. I’ll stay behind and keep jack entertained,” he said with a wink toward Jack. “Go be the big bad wolf.”
Legoshi gave a grateful nod before stepping out again, nose to the air, eyes scanning, heart pounding.
He considered going to Rokume—briefly. He’d never truly seen her, just sensed her. A vague, slithering presence from his blurred memories. But if she was patrolling too, he didn’t want to risk interfering with her route.
So he ran. Again.
The hours melted into anxiety-laced minutes. He retraced corridors, peeked behind utility sheds, even scouted the perimeter of the forest hill. Nothing. Not a trace. Not a scent. Just wind and the taste of frustration.
By the time the 5th period bell echoed faintly through the campus, Legoshi halted, panting. He realized the halls were no longer empty. If he got caught wandering around aimlessly again, someone might start asking questions he couldn’t answer.
His knees suddenly trembled, legs heavy. With staggering effort, he trudged back toward 701.
|Maybe he isn’t even on campus…|
|Maybe he’s watching. Waiting. Somewhere nearby|
|under the school?|
But his thoughts dissolved as he finally reached the dorm. The moment the door shut behind him, Legoshi collapsed forward.
*THUD*
His muzzle fell flat on the floor and he bled
Jack gasped, rushed to his side just expecting another sleepy collapse until he touched Legoshi’s forehead.
Jack froze the moment he touched Legoshi’s forehead. Too hot. Far too hot. His heart dropped into his stomach as the full weight of the situation hit him. Legoshi wasn’t just tired he was burning up.
“No. No no no…” Jack whispered, his paws trembling as he adjusted Legoshi’s position, gently laying him flat on the floor. “Legoshi, hey Legoshi, come on, open your eyes.” He brushed the sweat-drenched fur from his best friend’s face, his claws trembling against the wolf’s cheek. “This isn’t like earlier… This isn’t just exhaustion.”
Legoshi didn’t respond. His breathing was shallow, chest rising in short, fast bursts that made Jack’s pulse spike in fear.
Bill stood frozen behind him, eyes wide. “I thought he was just tired—like earlier…”
“He’s burning up, Bill!” Jack snapped, eyes brimming with panic. “Something’s wrong.”
He sprang to his feet and ran to their shared sink, soaking a cloth and wringing it out with shaking paws. He rushed back and laid it across Legoshi’s forehead, swapping it every few seconds with another cold one. His motions were frantic but gentle, desperate but precise.
Jack knelt again, placing a paw against Legoshi’s chest, feeling the frantic rhythm of his heart. “Come on… don’t do this to me. You promised. You promised me, you idiot!”
Bill crouched beside him, unusually quiet. “He was pushing himself too hard. Maybe even sick before he started running all over. That Komodo... he’s tearing him apart just by existing.”
“I know,” Jack murmured, voice breaking. “He thinks everything’s on him. That if he doesn’t run himself to death, we’ll be the ones who pay the price…”
Jack looked down at Legoshi again, something raw flashing across his eyes. He stroked the damp fur along Legoshi’s jaw, leaning in close. “You don’t have to do it all alone. I’m here. I’ll always be here. Just don’t shut me out, please…”
He stayed there, letting the minutes stretch into an hour, talking softly, cooling him down, checking his pulse.
When Legoshi finally stirred, blinking slowly, his voice barely a rasp, Jack was there instantly. “Hey. You’re awake. Stay still. You’ve got a fever.”
Legoshi’s eyes struggled to focus. “Did I… collapse again…?”
“Yeah,” Jack whispered, cupping his face. “And you scared me.”
“Sorry…”
“You should be.”
Legoshi gave a weak smile. “But… you stayed.”
Jack managed a tearful grin. “Of course I did.”
Legoshi slowly lifted a hand and touched Jack’s face. “Thanks… I really mean it.”
Jack bent down again, resting his forehead gently against Legoshi’s, eyes closing. “Stop making me say goodbye in my head every time you run off, okay?”
Legoshi’s tail thumped softly against the floor.
Bill sighed from the bunk, arms folded behind his head. “You two are so damn dramatic.”
Jack gave him a half-laugh, still pressing the cold cloth to Legoshi’s head. “He’s my boyfriend. I’m allowed to be.”
Bill grinned. “Yeah, yeah. Just don’t die on us, our "gentle giant" It’s way too dangerous around here without you.”
Legoshi chuckled weakly, eyes fluttering shut again. “I’ll try not to.”
Two hours passed, and the dorm was still quiet except for the soft sound of Legoshi’s breathing.
Jack hadn’t moved.
Legoshi’s head remained nestled in his lap, the weight comforting and terrifying all at once. The fever had finally broken about an hour ago Jack had felt it, the sweat drying, the heat fading but the fear hadn’t left him. Jack’s legs ached, his thighs numb and trembling from holding still so long, but he didn’t dare move. Not even a twitch.
He looked down at the sleeping wolf, his gaze soft and filled with quiet sorrow.
“I’m useless…” Jack whispered under his breath, brushing Legoshi’s fur from his closed eyes. “You protect me, you risk everything for me and I can’t even do this much without falling apart.”
He felt his throat tighten.
“You almost died. Twice. Just protecting me And now that you're hurt I’m just… sitting here. What else can I even do?”
He wanted to cry. He wanted to scream. But he did neither. Jack just smiled painfully, shallowly stroking the wolf’s ears like everything was okay. Like this wasn’t tearing him apart.
Bill finally shifted from where he sat nearby. “Hey. I can take over for a bit. Your legs are gonna go numb, Maybe put a pillow under his head”
Jack immediately shook his head. “No. Don’t touch him. If he wakes up and I’m not the first person he sees he'll push himself to look for me and panic”
Bill sighed. “You’re pushing it.”
“I know.”
Jack’s voice broke again, and Bill stayed quiet.
He looked down once more, memorizing Legoshi’s face. “He always blames himself. He always suffers. And no matter how much I try to stop it, he just… keeps going.”
Jack shut his eyes, his arms wrapped lightly around Legoshi’s shoulders.
“I don’t want to be the reason he hurts more. So I’ll pretend I’m fine. I’ll stay strong. I’ll make him laugh again when he wakes up… and I’ll keep smiling even when it hurts”
|Because if i let myself fall apart in front of legoshi|
|He might never forgive himself.|
He sat there stroking the back of legoshi's ears gently. still holding onto the wolf who always held everything together.
-Thirty minutes later...-
The room remained blanketed in quiet, broken only by the occasional shuffle of limbs or rustle of clothing. Legoshi still hadn’t stirred, his breath even and steady, while Jack stayed perfectly still, the strain of keeping his posture upright now etched deep in his body. His legs had long since gone numb, but he didn't shift. Not even once. He couldn’t bring himself to. Not when Legoshi looked so at peace.
Jack gently watched the wolf’s sleeping face, the way his ears twitched now and then, how his brows relaxed just slightly compared to the tension he carried when awake. It made Jack’s chest ache.
Legoshi was always like this carrying too much, hiding too much, protecting everyone but himself.
A quiet exhale slipped from Jack’s lips. “Why is it always you who ends up like this?” he whispered to no one. “Why is it that it's always you that gets hurt?”
He reached out a paw and gently brushed some fur from Legoshi’s eyes. The Labrador’s smile was full of fatigue, yet unbearably tender.
“I wish I could do more. I wish I could take even half of what you’re carrying…” His voice cracked, almost inaudible. “But I can’t. I’m not strong like you. I’m just… me.”
He looked down at the dent Legoshi’s head had left in his lap. His legs tingled with that numb, almost burning sensation of pressure held too long. He couldn’t feel his legs anymore, but he didn’t care. It was nothing. It was worth it. Jack would’ve held him there forever if it meant Legoshi got some rest.
The clock ticked quietly.
Sixth period was over a long time ago the rest of 701 would be here soon.
Footsteps came from the hallway. A second later, the door creaked open slowly, and Collot, Durham, Miguno, and Voss, entered quiet and casual at first until their eyes fell on the two of them.
Legoshi’s head rested peacefully in Jack’s lap, and Jack sat statue-still, tired but determined. There was no casualness in the room now. The others fell silent, instinctively understanding it wasn’t just a nap it was something more.
Jack blinked up at them with heavy eyes but gave a grateful nod when they didn’t speak.
Collot stepped forward and crouched next to Jack, whispering, “What happened to him?”
Jack glanced down at Legoshi’s still-sleeping form. His voice was barely a murmur. “He ran himself ragged looking for leads. He passed out again just after he made it back. This time, his temperature spiked... It’s gone down now, but he’s exhausted.”
Collot nodded solemnly and stepped back, herding the others toward their bunks. They all tiptoed, spoke only in gestures. Even Bill, who normally couldn’t keep quiet for two minutes, kept his mouth shut and folded his arms. It wasn’t awkward silence. It was respect.
Then… Legoshi stirred.
He blinked awake with a confused grunt and slowly lifted his head, his body sore, limbs stiff. He blinked up at Jack and immediately noticed how pale and strained he looked.
“Jack…” he said, then looked down at the dent he’d left in Jack’s lap. His ears flattened in guilt. “How long was I out?”
Jack forced a weak smile. “Not long. You needed the rest.”
Then Jack tried to get up, to brush it off—and his knees crumpled. He fell back with a soft gasp. The pain wasn’t sharp, but the exhaustion hit like a wave.
Legoshi reached out in alarm. “Jack—!”
“I’m fine,” Jack said quickly, waving it off again, trying to sit up straighter. “Really. Doesn’t hurt at all.”
But he didn’t have to say it. Legoshi already knew. He stared at Jack, then at the floor, and then tears began to trail silently down his cheeks.
“It’s my fault,” he muttered.
“Legoshi, it’s not—”
Legoshi put a trembling paw on his own head and squeezed his fur. “i did this to you… i said I’d protect you, and now I’m the one who hurt you. What good am i if i can’t even—” He hiccupped on the words, voice speeding up, breath coming too fast.
Jack reached out weakly, his paw curling around Legoshi’s wrist. “Stop it. Stop blaming yourself.”
“I can’t,” Legoshi said, voice cracking. “You were always there for me, but now you can’t even stand because of me its all-.”
“Legoshi, listen to me—”
Legoshi’s words became rapid, panicked muttering. His guilt spun faster than he could keep up with. His shoulders trembled, and Jack could feel the tremors through the grip on his wrist. He couldn’t bear to see him like this.
So Jack did the only thing he could—he tightened his paw around Legoshi’s.
“You’re not allowed to cry like that,” Jack said softly but firmly. “Not when I’m here. Not when I love you.”
Legoshi froze.
The others, who had been trying to inch closer to comfort him, stopped too.
Legoshi’s breath hitched. Slowly, his eyes met Jack’s wide, glassy, disbelieving.
Jack’s smile was small. “You heard me. So stop crying like I’m leaving you. I’m not going anywhere. And I won’t let you go either.”
Legoshi’s tears didn’t stop. But they changed. They became silent, shaking sobs as he collapsed forward into Jack’s arms.
Jack couldn’t hold him completely, his body too sore and legs too weak. But he wrapped what he could around the wolf’s back and leaned his forehead to Legoshi’s.
“It’s okay now,” Jack whispered. “We’ll carry this together. Okay?”
The rest of Dorm 701 remained respectfully silent.
None of them would interrupt.
Because that moment wasn’t just comfort.
It was a promise.
Legoshi’s shaking began to slow, his arms clinging tightly to Jack as if anchoring himself. The muffled sound of his breathing filled the quiet room. Jack’s limbs still trembled from fatigue, but he didn’t let go. He wouldn’t, not now.
Collot finally broke the long silence with a whisper to Durham. “I’ve never seen him like this.”
Durham nodded slowly, arms crossed. “he's feeling too guilty..”
Miguno frowned. “He looks like he’s been carrying that guilt for days.”
Bill, standing at the back of the room, crossed his arms tighter, jaw clenched. For once, he didn’t say anything snarky. His expression was unreadable—somewhere between remorse and shame. He looked away.
Voss, perched silently on the edge of his bunk, watched it all with wide, solemn eyes.
Jack exhaled gently against Legoshi’s forehead. “You don’t owe me anything. I’m here because I want to be. So stop acting like loving me is a burden.”
Legoshi’s ears twitched. He finally leaned back, still sniffling, wiping his face on the sleeve of his hoodie.
“I’m sorry,” he mumbled. “I didn’t mean to make it about me. You were in pain and I just—”
“You were scared,” Jack said. “And I get it. But we’re past that part now.”
A small silence passed between them before Legoshi glanced down again. “You still can’t stand, can you?”
Jack smiled tiredly. “Not for long.”
Legoshi shifted, moving to Jack’s side carefully. “Then let me help.”
With gentle motions, Legoshi eased Jack into a more comfortable position, guiding his back against the bunk post and sitting beside him. Jack’s legs were finally able to stretch and recover, though the pins and needles made him flinch.
“Legoshi…” Jack murmured as he rubbed his legs. “Your temperature really did go down. I was so scared, but… you’re okay now.”
“I only got that rest because of you,” Legoshi replied, his voice hoarse. “If it weren’t for you... I would’ve kept going until I collapsed again. Maybe worse.”
Jack leaned on his shoulder, smiling. “Then we’re even now. You carried me all these years. I’ll carry you as long as you need.”
Legoshi didn’t answer with words he just let out a heavy breath, eyes misty again, and leaned his head lightly against Jack’s. Behind them, the others watched with understanding, not interrupting. Some smiled faintly, others looked away to give them the illusion of privacy.
Even Bill let out a breath and said, “We’ll give you guys the room for a bit.”
Collot nodded and waved the others out. “C’mon. Let them breathe.”
One by one, 701 left the room. As the door clicked shut, Jack looked up at Legoshi again and whispered, “You’re not alone, okay?”
Legoshi gave a small nod. “I know. Not anymore.”
And they just sat there, leaning on each other as the late afternoon sun filtered through the window, wrapping them in gold. For the first time in days, the silence wasn’t heavy—it was peaceful.
Legoshi rubbed at the side of his head gently. “I have a bit of a headache…”
Jack looked up at him, still tired but instantly attentive. He reached up and petted the fur between Legoshi’s ears. “Then lie down. You can sleep more.”
But Legoshi hesitated. “What if I end up on your lap again and make things worse? You’re already sore because of me.”
Jack sighed, fingers pausing. “You didn’t hurt me, Legoshi.."
"And.. did you even drink water yet?”
Legoshi blinked. “No. I didn’t think about it.”
With effort, Legoshi stood. His tall frame swayed slightly, emotional exhaustion still making everything feel off balance. He walked toward the corner where their shared stash of water bottles was stacked, picked one out, uncapped it, and drank deeply. The cold water was a relief, shocking and grounding.
But then he grabbed another bottle and returned to Jack, holding it out.
“Here. You need it too,” Legoshi said, offering it gently.
Jack took it, watching the wolf with an expression that softened as it deepened. He smiled faintly. “Thanks…”
As Jack drank, his mind wandered.
|You’re such good boyfriend,|
he thought.
|Always thinking of me, even when you’re the one collapsing. Always ready to give everything your time, your energy, your whole heart. Maybe even your life.|
The thought hurt more than he wanted it to.
He glanced at Legoshi again. The guilt in the wolf’s eyes still lingered, just beneath the kindness, the concern, the attempt to stay strong.
Jack didn’t say it.
|"Stop throwing yourself away for me."|
Legoshi had already heard that from Gosha. He'd also heard it from Jack himself, more than once.
Instead, Jack whispered, “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
Legoshi sat beside him again, silent for a moment before nodding.
But Jack knew the guilt wouldn’t just go away.
And he knew, deep down, Legoshi wasn’t done sacrificing himself.
From the slightly open door, Collot, Bill, and the rest of Dorm 701 peered in, quietly clustered together, trying not to draw attention. Legoshi was too out of it to notice their presence, his ears low, movements sluggish, and his attention fixed solely on Jack.
Collot leaned in toward Bill, voice barely audible. “They’re… so sweet together. I mean, even like this.”
Bill huffed under his breath, arms crossed but smiling a little. “Yeah. It’s kinda ridiculous how much they care.”
Durham nodded. “I dunno whether to tease them or cry.”
Voss, clinging to the doorframe just to reach the view, murmured, “Both. Definitely both.”
None of them had the heart to interrupt. Jack, still visibly exhausted, leaned slightly against Legoshi’s side. Even in the awkward silence, the warmth between them was clear. The dormmates didn’t exchange another word for a while, just watching the quiet moment unfold with a mixture of affection and awe.
There was a soft knock on the door.
"Can we come in now?" Collot’s voice asked gently from the hallway.
Jack glanced at Legoshi, who gave a small nod, then both called out in unison, "Yeah."
The door opened, and the rest of Dorm 701, along with Bill, stepped in. They paused for a moment, watching Jack's fingers ruffle through the thick fur at the back of Legoshi’s neck. The gray wolf raised his head instinctively, eyes half-lidded, tail thumping against the floor. Jack chuckled, his own weariness briefly forgotten in the softness of the moment.
Then Jack leaned forward and wrapped his arms around Legoshi. “We’re getting through this. Together,” he whispered, his voice warm, steady.
Legoshi’s tail wagged harder as he nodded with a soft “Mhm,” nestling closer into the hug.
The room filled with quiet smiles. Collot stepped forward, arms folded but expression relaxed. “If that Komodo wants a fight, he’s gonna have to get through all of us first.”
“Damn right,” Bill added with a grin, thumbing his chest.
Miguno smirked. “One Komodo versus what? a giant, six canines, and a tiger He’s the one who should be scared.
Bill continued "Count in all of us in 307 too we're all ready to help"
Durham lifted a fist in support, and even Voss piped up, “It’s not just you two anymore. We’re all in this.”
In the middle of it all, Legoshi blinked at them his eyes wide, overwhelmed again, but this time by something warmer than fear. Jack’s arms stayed firm around him as 701 stood like a quiet wall behind them, united, ready.
Durham burst in with an oversized brown bag practically overflowing with sandwiches. “Boom! Egg sandwiches, from the kiosk” he announced proudly. “Legoshi, you definitely owe me.”
Legoshi blinked, still a little dazed but visibly perking up. His ears twitched as he sniffed the air, his nose catching the rich, warm scent of eggs and lightly toasted bread. His stomach growled so loudly it made everyone pause—then burst into soft laughter.
“You haven’t eaten all day, have you?” Jack asked gently, looking up at him from where he still sat on the floor.
“No… I guess I forgot,” Legoshi admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.
Jack nudged his elbow. “Then you really need to eat.”
Durham passed the sandwiches around with the flair of a generous merchant. “You’re all lucky I’m so thoughtful,” he said with mock arrogance, tossing one to Collot, then Miguno and Voss. “That’s the dorm leader spirit for you.”
As Legoshi tore into his sandwich, savoring every bite, Jack gave a satisfied hum. He tried to stand to grab his, but his knees buckled again. Legoshi noticed instantly and without a word took another sandwich from the bag, crouching back down and offering it to Jack.
“i can’t let my boyfriend starve,” he said softly, nudging it into Jack’s hands.
Jack blinked, heart thudding stupidly fast, but managed a warm smile. “You’re impossible,” he said fondly, accepting the sandwich.
The two sat together Jack still on the floor, Legoshi next to him shoulders pressed close as they ate in easy silence. Around them, the room was filled with the rustle of paper wrappers, the scent of eggs and bread, and a strangely comforting calm.
“Look at them,” Collot murmured, leaning against the wall with a half-eaten sandwich in hand, watching the pair. “They’re so… soft together.”
Miguno smirked, biting off a huge mouthful. “Soft and oblivious. They probably won't even notice when the rest of us fall asleep”
“that's the jack we know and we've only known legoshi for about a month yet it feels like we've known him for years” Voss added, tail flicking.
Bill huffed through a mouthful. “Tch. About time they got cozy again. That tension was driving me crazy.”
Legoshi’s tail wagged gently behind him as he chewed, sneaking glances at Jack’s tired expression and the bruising pressure marks on his thighs where Legoshi’s head had rested for hours. His ears drooped slightly, guilt still lingering, worse he could clearly see the bruises jack was just wearing shorts but Jack caught the look and gently nudged Legoshi’s knee with his own.
“Stop that,” Jack said, voice quiet but sure. “Eat. Rest. And maybe later… let me nap on your lap for a change.”
Legoshi smiled genuinely, fully, and gave a little nod, his mouth still full. “Deal,” he said around a bite.
The rest of 701 chuckled, the room warm with food, friendship, and the unspoken promise that no matter what threats lurked beyond Cherryton’s walls, they’d face it together. One Komodo dragon wouldn’t stand a chance.
- next morning -
The next morning, for the first time in what felt like weeks, Legoshi had actually slept soundly. His body still ached faintly, but it was nothing like the soul-deep exhaustion he’d grown used to. A warm weight rested beside him, the slow rhythm of breathing steady and close. He blinked his groggy eyes open to see Jack curled up next to him, no, on his bed entirely, one arm lightly draped over his waist.
He blinked again. “Jack…?”
At first, he thought about asking Bill to help move Jack to his own bed—but the way Jack had nestled in, like he had crawled in sometime during the early morning after finally regaining enough strength to walk, stopped him. The Labrador's face was peaceful in sleep, his chest rising and falling gently. For once, he didn’t look worried. Just… happy. Safe.
Legoshi sighed, brushing a lock of fur off Jack’s forehead with his remaining hand, and smiled.
|This is why I’m doing this|
he thought.
|This is the reason i want to live|
Not because he had to.
Because he wanted to.
Because Jack mattered that much to him.
Bill stood a few steps away, arms crossed, looking somewhat alert despite the dark circles under his eyes. “We all took shifts last night,” he said softly when Legoshi glanced his way. “Jack must’ve crawled in there between my turn and Collot’s. Didn’t have the heart to move him.”
Legoshi chuckled quietly. “He’s stubborn like that.”
“You’re both stubborn,” Bill shot back with a smirk.
Legoshi let out a long breath, rubbing his temple. “I only asked for one day off…” he muttered, realization dawning as the minutes ticked closer to the first bell. “We’re going back to class already.”
He facepalmed. “Why didn’t I ask for more time…”
“Because you’re an idiot,” Bill replied, but without bite. “Come on, legoshi its Time to wake up your boyfriend”
Legoshi turned toward Jack, reluctant to disturb him. But gently, he shook Jack’s shoulder. “Jack… hey… it’s morning.”
Jack stirred with a soft grunt, blinking up at Legoshi with bleary eyes. “Mornin’… huh? Oh…”
He looked around, then down at himself, still curled in Legoshi’s bed. “Did I walk into your bed…?”
Legoshi chuckled. “Yeah. Guess you can walk again, huh?”
Jack flushed and gave a sheepish grin. “I… might’ve gotten a little clingy.”
“I didn’t mind,” Legoshi murmured.
The moment lingered a second longer than expected before Jack sat up, stretching. His legs trembled faintly, but held. “Okay. Time to move.”
The two got dressed quietly, helping each other when needed. Bill gave a sarcastic clap when Jack almost tripped pulling on his shirt. “Romantic and tragic. You two gonna make it to first period without collapsing?”
“We’ll try,” Jack said, smiling tiredly.
By the time they left the dorm, the rest of 701 had woken up too. Collot, Durham, Miguno, and Voss were already in uniform and lightly chatting in the hallway, voices low and careful not to disturb the still-fragile peace. Once everyone was ready, they walked together across campus, the early morning chill biting at their fur.
Bill split off from them at the fork in the hallway that led to his class, giving Legoshi a slap on the back. “Try not to faint in front of the teacher this time.”
Legoshi just rolled his eyes.
They entered their shared classroom in a quiet cluster, Jack at Legoshi’s side. The teacher, a towering Siberian tiger, gave them a slow, acknowledging nod. Legoshi met his gaze and returned the nod in silence.
|He knows|
No one said anything. Just as Legoshi had asked, Gon must have made it clear to the teacher, he was to say nothing about their absence.
But whispers from students buzzed around them like flies.
“Where were they yesterday?”
“Was Jack sick?”
“Legoshi looks better now…”
“Did something happen?”
"Why aren't they being called on?"
The teacher called the class to order before any of them could ask out loud. And even as Legoshi settled into his seat, his thoughts weren’t on the class at all—they were on the quiet weight of Jack’s head beside his that morning, the peaceful look on his face, and the silent vow in Legoshi’s heart.
|Whatever comes next… I’ll protect you from it no matter what|
-Lunch-
the group felt heavier today—like the air was denser. The shared secret of what had happened lingered like a shadow.
Legoshi picked at his lunch, not really tasting it. Jack sat close beside him, nudging him now and then to remind him to chew.
Voss sat across from them, unusually quiet. His ears twitched every few seconds, scanning the room with nervous little glances.
Jack noticed first. “Hey. Voss? You okay?”
The fennec fox didn’t respond at first, then finally leaned in, voice barely above a whisper. “I heard something. This morning, while waiting near the vending machines.”
Everyone turned toward him.
Voss swallowed. “It’s about… the Komodo.”
Legoshi’s breath hitched. Jack’s fur bristled beside him.
“What about him?” Collot asked warily.
“He’s not gone,” Voss whispered. “I mean.. A couple of smaller herbivores said they saw someone near the old warehouse last night. Big. Reptilian. The description was vague, but it… it sounded like him.”
“No way,” Miguno said, trying to scoff—but his voice cracked. “did he do anything at all?”
“no he didn't,” Voss echoed, “but he is here that's for sure staying near campus One of the mice said she heard footsteps behind her. Heavy. Slow. Then… breathing. She turned and no one was there. But her scent glands picked up a Komodo dragon it was an unfamiliar scent so it couldn't be a student”
Jack tightened his grip on Legoshi’s hand.
Legoshi looked down, fur prickling. “He’s here,” he muttered. “He’s been watching. Waiting.”
Bill leaned forward, claws scraping the table. “We’ll find him. If that freak’s still lurking, we won’t let him near any of you. Especially not you two.”
“I’ll rip his tongue out if I see him,” Miguno snarled.
Collot gave a rare scowl. “That monster already tried to take your life, Legoshi. He’s not getting a second shot.”
“Why the hell hasn’t the school found him?” Durham hissed. “What’s security even doing?”
“They’re trying,” Legoshi said, eyes distant. “headmaster Gon promised to keep it quiet. They don’t want to start a panic. But that’s why I wanted the day off. To recover and prepare.”
Jack nodded solemnly. “If he’s here, we’re not letting him get to you. Or me.”
Voss’s eyes darted again. “I thought you should know. Because if they are talking about it, it means it’s getting worse. And closer. The rumors spread fast In the world of small animals"
Legoshi closed his eyes for a second, drawing in a long breath. “Thanks, Voss.”
A silence fell over the table. Even their chewing stopped for a moment. Jack squeezed Legoshi’s hand, and this time, Legoshi squeezed back.
Together, they stared across the cafeteria—knowing somewhere out there, a predator walked free. And they weren’t going to let him strike again.
-4th period-
The classroom was quiet, save for the teacher’s low monotone voice about early carnivore-herbivore treaties. Legoshi sat near the window, head propped on one hand, eyes half-lidded—not from boredom, but deep thought.
His mind wasn’t in class.
How had the Komodo managed to attack without being seen? Cherryton had security cameras, gates, rotating staff on night patrols. And yet, the lizard had slipped through.
|The gazelle How did..|
That wasn’t coincidence. That was knowledge. Information.
Legoshi’s brows tightened. “No one else was supposed to be there. Not even me.”
Which meant either...
The Komodo was watching the school for a long time. Or someone told him.
His heart thumped, a sour feeling blooming in his chest.
“What if there’s an insider?"
He suddenly thought
|A staff member?|
|A janitor? a nighttime guard?|
|Or worse...|
|A student?|
He felt a chill crawl down his spine. That would explain why the Komodo always struck at the right time. Why the halls were clear. Why no one caught sight of him except right before disaster. And why Jack was in danger.
Legoshi clenched his fist under the desk.
The teacher turned to the chalkboard, oblivious to the war behind Legoshi’s eyes.
Someone here knew, and helped. And if that were true, then they weren’t just being hunted by a monster.
They were being watched. Manipulated. Betrayed.
Legoshi's jaw clenched.
Whoever it was—they were still here.
And they’d better pray he never found them first.
-5th period-
By fifth period, Legoshi's shift in behavior was undeniable.
The wolf who usually avoided eye contact and hunched in his seat like he wanted to disappear… was alert. Upright. Eyes flicking between students, scanning, observing—calculating. The kind of focus usually seen in predators hunting, not in a classroom.
A few students began whispering.
“Is he okay?”
“What’s with Legoshi?”
“He’s acting kinda… weird today.”
"Did something happen to him?"
But 701 said nothing. Jack stayed especially quiet, sitting close, one paw almost resting on his knee—watching, not intervening.
Legoshi was still thinking. Turning names over in his mind. Faces of students who always had an odd excuse to be somewhere else. Predators who sometimes vanished during breaks. Even a few students with bruises, suddenly absent.
The problem was… nothing stood out.
No motive. No clear pattern. But something felt wrong, like a bad scent he couldn’t track.
Legoshi’s eyes landed briefly on a group of second-years chatting by the windows. He didn't even know all their names—but maybe he needed to.
He lowered his eyes again, paw flexing against the desk.
He had to know who was helping the Komodo—and he would find them.
-6th period-
Sixth period arrived like a weight pressing down on Legoshi’s shoulders.
Jack kept glancing at him—more and more worried by the minute. Legoshi’s snout was trembling, streaked with wetness. But he didn’t even seem to realize he was crying. His stare was fixed, hollow yet intense, lost in a loop of frustrated thoughts.
|Why can’t I figure it out?|
He knew his classmates. And students that weren't in his class he saw them when walking by the halls Knew them well enough to rule them out. None had shown signs of hostility, no unexplained absences, no nervous ticks or misplaced eyes.
Jack leaned closer, whispering softly, “Legoshi…? Hey. You’re crying.”
No response. Not even a blink.
Jack didn’t push harder. He just sat closer, arm brushing Legoshi’s, eyes locked on his friend with quiet, painful concern. The wolf was unraveling from the inside. And Jack could only watch—unable to carry the burden for him.
-4:30 PM-
The hallway buzzed faintly with conversation and footsteps, but Legoshi’s mind surged louder than anything around him. As sixth period ended, the weight of failure pulled harder at his chest.
|Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe the Komodo didn’t need help. Maybe he learned it all on his own… somehow…|
Then, a soft voice broke through the fog.
“Legoshi, are you okay?” a goat from his class asked, head tilted forward in concern.
Two others—both smaller herbivores—stood behind him, equally worried. And in that moment, something inside Legoshi softened. Their eyes weren’t suspicious. They were full of trust.
“I’m oka—” he began, but stopped mid-sentence.
|Wait.|
His breath caught.
|I’ve only been watching the other carnivores.|
The realization hit like a punch to the gut.
|I’ve never considered that a herbivore might be the Komodo’s accomplice.|
His assumptions had made him blind to half the student body.
His voice dropped, ashamed. “I… I’m sorry. Thank you for worrying about me.”
And then he was gone, sprinting through the halls.
The students watched him vanish, puzzled and still concerned.
Legoshi’s paw slammed against Gon’s office door moments later.
“sir! I need to talk to you,” he said without waiting for an invitation. “I think there’s an accomplice. And I think it might be a herbivore.”
Gon, who had just been reaching for his tea, paused—then narrowed his eyes slowly. “Sit down,” he said, his voice calm but alert. “Tell me everything.”
“I’ve been watching all the carnivore students. Every time I thought of the Komodo—every time I worried about who could be helping him—I assumed it had to be someone like me. Strong. Bigger. Someone who could fight. But that’s not how he got away with this.”
Gon said nothing, just waiting.
Legoshi’s claws clenched. “He always disappears. He knows exactly when classes are, when people are moving between dorms. He knew when to strike in the courtyard—when the gazelle was alone. No cameras. No witnesses. That’s not luck. That’s planning. That’s information.”
His voice got quieter now.
“I think he has help. And not just anyone… I think his accomplice might be a herbivore.”
Gon’s expression didn’t change, but the tiger leaned back slightly.
“I was blind. I wanted so badly to protect the herbivores I didn’t even consider they could be involved. But the Komodo couldn’t have done this without someone on the inside. Someone who doesn’t raise suspicion. Someone everyone overlooks.”
There was a metallic rattle above. Legoshi turned and pointed.
“uh Ms.Rokume.. snake..?” he called, looking directly at the ceiling vent. “Come out. Please.”
There was a pause before the grating sound of scales echoed again, and Rokume’s long figure uncoiled from the shadows of the duct. She lowered herself gracefully into the room, blinking at both of them.
“You sure about this?” she asked, tail twitching. “You’re asking me to spy on herbivores now?”
“I’m asking you to watch without judgment,” Legoshi said. “You’re the only one who can slip around unnoticed. I’ve been focused on the wrong group this whole time. That’s on me. But I can’t ignore this anymore.”
Rokume flicked her tongue, clearly skeptical. “Aren’t you worried what it’ll look like if word gets out?”
Legoshi shook his head. “It won’t. You’re not confronting anyone. Just watching. Look for anything strange, sudden schedule changes, late-night movements, whispers that don’t belong. Herbivores know things… they gossip. If someone’s helping him, someone else might’ve heard something already.”
Gon stood at that, his large frame casting a wide shadow over his desk.
“He’s right,” the tiger growled quietly. “The Komodo didn’t just wander into this school and start killing without help. If Legoshi says he missed something, then it’s time we stop making assumptions.”
There was a long silence.
Finally, Rokume sighed. “Fine. But if this turns out to be some half-baked stress spiral…”
“It’s not,” Legoshi said. “I promise.”
She nodded once and slithered back into the vents, her body disappearing into the ductwork with practiced ease.
Legoshi turned back to Gon. “If there’s an insider, it explains everything. His timing. His silence. Even his escape.”
Gon crossed his arms, tail twitching behind him. “Then we follow the trail. Quietly.”
Legoshi nodded, already thinking ahead.
If he’d overlooked the herbivores, who else had he overlooked?
And more importantly… who would benefit from helping a monster like that?
As Rokume vanished back into the vents, the room grew still again, save for the low hum of the lights and Legoshi’s still-labored breathing.
Before turning to leave, he paused. “headmaster Gon… I also wanted to say I’m sorry. For the other day. For drooling in here and... for snapping at you. It was... ”
The Siberian tiger raised one thick brow, then let out a short grunt of a chuckle. “No. Don’t apologize for protecting someone you care about.”
Legoshi blinked.
Gon leaned against the edge of his desk, arms folded. “You didn’t bite me. You didn’t trash the office. You were desperate, not dangerous. That reaction? That was loyalty. And anyone loyal enough to throw themselves between someone they love and a monster... I can live with a little saliva on the rug.”
Legoshi’s ears twitched slightly, and he gave a small, exhausted smile.
Gon narrowed his eyes just a bit more seriously. “Next time, though, try not to growl when someone’s eavesdropping. We both knew Rokume was up there. Just didn’t think you’d flush her out that directly.”
“…Noted,” Legoshi murmured.
The tension between them dissolved, not into warmth, but something far more rare: understanding.
“Now go,” Gon said, waving him off. “Class is over, but the danger out there.. isn’t.”
Legoshi gave a sharp nod and slipped out the door, already planning his next move. The pieces were starting to move and this time, he was watching the whole board.
-jack-
Jack’s paws dragged a little as he walked beside Collot, Durham, and Voss, the hallway to Dorm 701 dim in the evening light. Their voices faded into indistinct background noise—he could barely hear a word they said. Something about dinner? Sandwiches again? Didn’t matter.
His eyes stayed down, on the tiled floor. Each step felt heavy, his stomach knotted tight—not from hunger, but from the same guilt that had refused to leave him since the courtyard incident. He clenched his jaw, ears twitching when Collot laughed at something Voss said. It all felt distant. Muted.
To Jack, Legoshi had always been three things his best friend, his little brother, and the one he loved. He’d never really separated those things. That was just what Legoshi was to him. And now, they were together. They loved each other. But Jack couldn’t shake the feeling that it still wasn’t enough. Not when Legoshi kept getting hurt. Not when he couldn’t stop it.
Not when he couldn’t even stand the other day.
He blinked hard. No tears—not in front of the others. But the thought pressed in again, tighter this time.
|I didn’t protect him. I couldn’t even show him that i could be strong for him.|
Legoshi was always putting himself in danger. Always trying to carry the weight of everything. And Jack, for all his loyalty, was just... watching. He didn’t have claws that were even close to sharp. He didn’t have strength. He wasn’t fast. Just a golden-furred Labrador who got knocked over too easily and still limped sometimes if he stood too fast.
He reached the dorm door, hand pausing on the handle as Collot opened it for them. Jack forced a weak smile as the others filed in ahead of him, chatting. Laughing.
Jack looked up at the dark ceiling for a second before stepping inside.
|I love him. But what good is love if i can’t protect him?|
Jack forced the door shut behind him with a little bounce in his step. Or at least, the kind of bounce that looked real. He smiled at Collot, nodded to Miguno and Durham, even ruffled Voss’s ears when the fennec chirped a “Hey, Jack!” from the bunk corner. But his tail didn’t wag.
It hadn’t wagged all day.
The others noticed. Of course they did, Jack’s tail was as expressive as his face. Always wagging. Always thumping happily at the floor when he was excited or even mildly amused. But now? Still. Tucked a little low, like it was tired of pretending too.
They didn’t say anything. Not yet.
Jack had just plopped down onto his bunk and let out an exaggerated yawn when the door creaked open again.
Legoshi.
The grey wolf walked in slowly, hoodie slightly askew from how fast he must’ve been moving earlier. Jack’s ears perked, and the fake smile returned instantly.
“There you are!” Jack said cheerfully, tail still dead behind him. “I was about to start barking. You okay? Did the headmaster chew your ears off again?”
But Legoshi didn’t smile back.
His eyes scanned Jack’s face, then dipped lower, to the tail. Still limp. Still not wagging. The concern bloomed immediately, and he stepped closer. “Jack…”
“I’m fine,” Jack said quickly, chuckling. “You always look at me like I’ve got a broken leg or something.”
Legoshi’s brow furrowed. “Your tail isn’t wagging.”
Jack gave a little theatrical gasp. “Oh no! Is that a sign of death?”
He tried to joke.
“Guess I’ve only got minutes left. Quick, someone get me a tennis ball!.”
But Legoshi didn’t laugh.
He took one step forward, then another, and suddenly wrapped his arm around Jack in a firm, almost desperate hug. Jack flinched slightly not from pain, but from surprise. Legoshi was warm. Always warm. Always gentle, even when hugging with one arm. Jack could feel his heart pounding through his chest.
“Legoshi…?”
“You’re not okay,” Legoshi said quietly, voice nearly cracking. “I don’t know if you’re hurt. I don’t know if someone threatened you. I don’t know if you’re just scared. But you’re not okay. I can feel it.”
Jack tried to laugh again, but it came out weak, brittle. “so I really can't hide anything from you huh?”
“I’m serious.”
Jack exhaled, chest tightening. “I just didn’t want to make you worry. You already have so much on your shoulders.”
“That doesn’t matter,” Legoshi said, pulling back just enough to look him in the eyes. “You’re what matters. You always have.”
Jack looked away. “its just.. i feel… useless. I hate watching you go through all this, fighting, bleeding, running around trying to protect everyone. I should be protecting you too.. but all I've been doing is getting you hurt”
“You do,” Legoshi said, without hesitation. “You always have. You keep me grounded. You keep me sane, Jack. You’re the reason I even came here to Cherryton”
The silence hung between them a second. The rest of Dorm 701 stayed quiet, letting the moment sit.
Jack’s smile returned but this time it was real. Small. Trembling. But real. And slowly, finally, his tail gave a twitch.
And then another.
Legoshi noticed.
So did everyone else.
After a long time Legoshi slowly let go of Jack, still frowning, gaze lowered. “I’m gonna look around again,” he muttered, voice heavy with lingering worry.
Jack gave a small, crooked smile, tail finally wagging a little behind him. “Just don’t get hurt, okay? Not again. Don't push yourself to the point you start having nosebleeds”
Legoshi blinked. His face softened as he nodded. “I won’t.” Then, with a swift turn, he bolted out the door, hoodie fluttering behind him.
The dorm fell silent.
Nobody in 701 said anything. Miguno shifted uncomfortably, and Voss opened his mouth as if to speak, but no words came. They all just sat with it, the heavy quiet that had followed Legoshi out like a shadow.
Out in the courtyard, Legoshi kept running until he reached the edge of the west building. But his steps suddenly slowed… then stopped.
A weight pulled at his chest.
|What Jack said… how he looked at me…|
His claws twitched. Something inside him clenched.
|I’ve only been thinking about myself. My arm. My fear. Jack’s safety.This new attack. But… Tem.|
The name hit him like a stone.
Tem’s scent, his voice in the music room, the last quiet laugh they shared in the lockers. It hadn’t been just fear or confusion that night. Someone had taken Tem’s life ripped it from him and left it to rot behind a curtain. And Legoshi… Legoshi had barely looked back.
His breath caught. Guilt twisted deep in his gut.
|What kind of friend does that?|
He grit his teeth, remembering how tem had approached him even though he was a new carnivore.. how he'd introduced legoshi to the other members and defended him and more importantly how tem never managed to give els the love letter himself all because one carnivore got hungry
|I was too scared back then but.. with what's happening now I shouldn't be scared... I'm putting my life on the line for jack so I should do it for tem as well|
The predator inside him, the one he’d tried so hard to muzzle and bury, stirred—but not with hunger.
With resolve.
Legoshi turned his gaze toward the heart of the campus.
|Tem i promise.. after this, i don’t care how long it takes. I’m going to find out who killed you|.
He took a step forward, then another, heart steadying.
|this time, i won’t run away. I’ll give you justice. I’ll give everyone justice.|
He started running again.
This time, not just to protect the living
but to speak for the dead
Legoshi slowed his steps as he neared the East Wing, breath calm but chest still tight. His thoughts flicked between Jack’s worried smile and Tem’s silent, unanswered questions.
The drama club building loomed ahead, and Legoshi paused just outside the doors. He glanced at the time over an hour late.
|They probably started already… maybe i shouldn’t—|
But his legs moved forward anyway.
He stepped in.
Every head turned. Whispers quieted. The sound of movement halted.
Some faces showed confusion, others concern. But most just stared.
Legoshi blinked, feeling heat crawl up the back of his neck. He hadn’t realized how frenzied he must’ve looked—his fur uneven, breathing shallow, eyes sharp and scanning like a hunting dog.
He straightened his posture, pulling his ears back respectfully and bowing slightly to everyone. “Sorry I’m late.”
The tension lessened slightly.
From the side, Sanu hopped off the stage and trotted over. He looked up at Legoshi with narrowed eyes, arms crossed.
“Where have you and Bill been?” he asked quietly. “And more importantly—where is Bill?”
Legoshi lowered his gaze. “He went to check with his dorm... to see if anyone saw anything.”
Sanu tilted his head. “is there... Something wrong?”
Legoshi nodded slowly.
Sanu asked worriedly “And you? Are you okay?”
“I...” Legoshi hesitated, catching the sharp burn behind his eyes again. He looked away. “I’m managing. I’m just trying to figure things out.”
Sanu gave a soft grunt but didn’t push further.
Legoshi’s eyes drifted around the clubroom. Everyone was back to their tasks, pretending not to glance over. He saw a few members rehearsing lines. Some of them… he hadn’t really spoken to before. Older, carnivores. He wondered briefly if he could ask one of them for help.
His thoughts wandered again.
|If this Komodo comes back.. no. He will come back I need someone who can help. Someone who won’t hesitate. Someone strong.|
|Riz...?|
|No.|
Riz was physically powerful, sure, but slow. That Komodo was fast, lethal, intelligent. Sending Riz might be as good as sending a sacrificial lamb. Especially with the Komodo venom.
Then another name surfaced.
|Louis.|
He hadn't talked to Louis in a while, not since the time he ran out of the drama club suddenly. But Louis was sharp. Strategic. And unlike most herbivores... Louis had already proven he wasn’t afraid to take extreme risks.
Legoshi turned toward the far end of the clubroom, down the hallway to Louis's office
|He might not even listen to me... but it’s worth trying.|
Because if anyone knows how to deal with threats like this—it’s him.
Legoshi stood outside the polished wooden door—a space claimed by Louis. The drama club officer and lead actor, though everyone knew Louis had more authority than the title let on.
He hesitated, paw raised mid-air.
He could hear quiet rustling from inside. Papers. A drawer opening. Louis was in there.
He knocked.
A pause.
Then the familiar clipped voice from within “Who is it?”
“It’s me,” Legoshi called out gently. “Legoshi. I need to speak with you. Privately.”
Another pause. This one longer.
Then.. click.
The door creaked open, just enough for one eye to peek out. Louis looked at him carefully, then stepped aside. “Come in.”
Legoshi entered. The room was neat, organized. Louis’s desk was stacked with scripts, club rosters, and even classwork. A single cup of untouched tea sat cooling on the side.
Louis shut the door softly behind him.
“Is this about Bill again?” he asked without turning, walking back to his chair. “Because if it is, I don’t have time to mediate whatever—”
“No,” Legoshi said, voice quieter. “It’s not Bill. It’s something else. Something serious.”
Louis finally turned.
His gaze sharpened.
Legoshi didn’t sit. He stood straight, ears pulled back, tail stiff. The kind of posture he only took when he meant business.
“There’s a Komodo dragon on campus,” Legoshi said simply. “One that’s already attacked.”
Louis blinked, just once. “I’ve heard. Are you confirming it?”
“I saw him with my own eyes.” Legoshi’s voice didn’t waver. “He attacked me once already eleven years ago I saved a dall sheep from him. He took part of my arm. And now he’s back.”
That got a visible reaction.
Louis slowly sat. “And you're sure it's the same one?”
“Yes... the injuries on the gazelle were... Exactly like mine bitten off left arm, injection by bite, and scars all over"
Louis's eyes narrowed. "So.. a message?"
“We think... he has an accomplice,” Legoshi added. “Someone inside Cherryton. Possibly a student.”
Louis raised a brow. “A student? That’s a serious accusation.”
“I’m not accusing anyone. Not yet,” Legoshi replied quickly. “But he knew too much. He slipped through during the day, past guards, past teachers, even security patrols. That kind of precision means help. And I was watching all the carnivores. I overlooked the herbivores. Completely.”
Louis didn’t respond. He simply observed him, analyzing, weighing the honesty in Legoshi’s body language.
“I came to ask for your help,” Legoshi said finally. “Not to fight... I know you probably don't like me, but you’re smart. You understand people. You can see through them. I can’t.”
He took a breath.
“If someone in this school is helping that monster, we need someone like you to help figure out who.”
Louis sat in silence for several moments. Then slowly, very slowly, he reached for the tea.
It was cold.
He didn’t drink it.
Finally, he spoke, eyes locked on Legoshi. “I don’t appreciate being dragged into madness. But... I owe you more than I want to admit. And I care about this school.”
He leaned forward. “If you’re right, Legoshi this means more than one life is at stake.”
Legoshi nodded, quiet relief washing through his bones.
Louis folded his arms.
“Then we begin tonight.”