No More Stripes (Beastars)

Catching My Eyes

"Jaaack."

"Coming, coming."

Study group had started. One after another, club members approached the labrador for help. One was having trouble with maths, another with physics, another one with history, and so on and so forth.

"Yo Jack, you know how to do this one?"

"Oh, that one's simple."

In the weeks he's been helping around, he's learned quite a bit of the others. Els had the tendency to chew her pencils; Pina could follow his instructions with no problem, which was a pleasant surprise; Juno was stubborn and never skipped problems no matter how difficult, unfortunately leaving all the easy ones afterwards empty because time ran out.

"For this one you do this, then this," Jack said, scribbling his instruction on Tao's notebook.

Tao watched as he tried to absorb the information. "Ooh, okay. So that's how you do it."

"See, I told you!" Kibi jabbed him lightly on his arm. "Trust me for once, jeez."

"Last time I did I got it wrong, so no."

"That was one time, okay?"

Jack let out a small laugh, leaving the two to their bickering. There were Tao and Kibi as well, always so close to each other. Interesting, considering their past, but he was happy for them. There were also Sheila, Kai, Aoba—It felt like he was truly a part of the group now.

He caught something moving from the corner of his eye. It was Juno waving for him from across the table, scowling. Hoo boy. She spoke immediately once he approached.

"How?" She pointed at a part of her note. "How?"

Jack tapped his chin, scanning how she's done the problem so far. "This one's tricky, even for me."

Her scowl faded. "Really? That's surprising."

"You're on the right track, though. Hm..." He rubbed his chin. "I can't explain it now. Maybe tomorrow? I need to review this one again."

"Are you sure? I don't want to add more to your plate."

Jack gave a small, reassuring smile. "I'm fine. It's nothing I can't handle."

"If you say so..."

"Really, I'm fine. You don't have to look so worried."

Juno pouted. "I really am that transparent, huh?"

He chuckled. "We canines usually are. Don't be upset though, I think it's a charming part of you."

She rolled her eyes with a small smile. "Well, aren't you a charmer yourself?"

"Heh, thanks. I try."

Meanwhile, a certain tiger was going around the sets of tables. He went and checked on one animal after another; this time it was a mongoose.

"Fuuck. This is just too hard."

"Hey, c'mon man," said Bill with a grin, nudging Kai with his elbow. "You aren't giving up, are you?"

"Maybe I will," Kai snapped. "I've been at this one for god knows how long now."

"Physics?"

"What else?!"

"Sheesh, snippy. Lemme look." Bill snatched the book from his hands, ignoring the loud 'Hey!' from him. He didn't understand a lick of it.

Kai huffed. "Bet you can't even—"