Reaching for the Stars

Chapter 48: A Lifelong Companion or a Lifelong Lesson

Warning: Intense UwU in this chapter. Don't read this chapter if you cannot handle uwuness level this high.

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It was over. University was over.

Tom drank the water with a big smile on his face. Tonight was festive. A drunk Octo was even dancing with a drunk Kevin in the living room whilst being cheered on by the others. Tom didn't want to be drunk, though; he still wasn't sure about putting alcohol into his body. He was still recovering so he wasn't taking any chances. The pain was mostly gone and his vision was much better now, but once in a while, he found himself reaching for a chair to sit down.

Sitting on the small stairs between the patio and the backyard, the wolf put his paper cup away. Next to him, Lucas finished his beer with a big smile on his face. "Ahh, that's some good stuff!"

"Don't get drunk now." The wolf chuckled.

"We are getting drunk!" The coyote laughed and put his hand on the wolf's shoulder. "Nah, I'm not that drunk."

"I'll believe it when I see it."

"No, buddy, I'm not that drunk!" Lucas ruffled his fluff. "But you don't drink, eh? Still recovering from that, don't take any chances." He paused, then after a few moments, the coyote continued. "So, what's the plan?"

"What's what plan?"

"Your plan after graduation?"

"Oh," Tom let out a sigh and looked away. "Maybe I... I don't know. I guess I... I'll get a job."

"Seriously? You didn't plan anything?"

"Lah I graduated just three weeks ago."

"Okay, okay, here. Take this from someone who left home and now lives in another city." The coyote laughed, then pulled the wolf closer. "You get a job, you get a place to live. Then, three or five or whatever years later, you marry someone or continue to the second strata."

"You already planned your marriage?"

"Well uh, not yet." Lucas scratched his nape.

"In a rush to get married?"

They looked behind and saw Vilkas walking into the backyard. The husky drank from his paper cup, then sat down next to Lucas.

"Uh, I dunno. You, Tom?"

"Honestly it's in the far back of my mind."

"Me too, actually."

They chuckled. Tom hated that Lucas was right. He needed a place to live and a job, well just a job now. He was considering continuing his work in his intern company. The pay was pretty nice for a fresh graduate. Besides, for someone whose spending was very low like him, it was more than great.

Then, he needed to find someone.

Yeah, university was over now. His friends are going back home. Martin, Lucy, and James were going home soon. They planned to hang out for the last time before then. While James was going away next week too, it didn't really bother him as much as Martin and Lucy because the tiger's home was only in the next province.

As for Max... he didn't know when would Max go. The shepherd didn't even speak about going home. Last week, Max, Octo, and some more spent some time in his apartment, taking care of him. Sadly, he was recovering so he couldn't talk much. The dog treated him very carefully, like he might break any minute. Well, Tom himself felt like he might break any minute, so he was glad.

He knew it would happen eventually, but a part of him didn't want it. On one hand, he understood that their time was limited and he had to let go of Max eventually. They could still chat and meet up from time to time, but it would feel different. On the other hand...