tears of mercury | beastars

chapter 6. THE STAR AMONG BEASTS

𖤣𖥧.𖤣𖥧𓆏𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧
━━━━━━━━━━━

(Name) stood in front of her dormitory room's body mirror, adjusting the human students' school uniform she had donned. She ran a hand through her hair, sighing at the reflection that stared back at her.

Another day, another round of glances.

With a final deep breath, she opened the wooden door and was immediately met with the sight of Louis leaning against the wall opposite her room. His arms were crossed, his posture poised and unyielding, his gaze as sharp as ever.

The murmurs from the students around them grew louder as they witnessed the encounter. Some exchanged surprised looks, others whispered behind their hands. Louis, ever the center of attention, had his fan club, and their gazes were fixed on him-and now on the pair of them.

It was no secret that Louis was popular among the Drama Club, but Von, the male character she had portrayed in her first play, had also made her known. However, she had stepped back from performing on stage, preferring to stay behind the scenes in more practical roles like acting as Louis' right-hand. She had always felt more at ease in the background, organizing, assisting, and observing.

Louis uncrossed his arms as she walked toward him. "Good morning," he said coolly, his voice as smooth as ever. "You're late."

"I didn't know you were waiting for me," she replied, a brow arched in suspicion. "Why?"

He shrugged nonchalantly, his usual air of arrogance in place. "His order."

They started walking side by side toward the cafeteria. As they did, she couldn't help but notice the way students leaned in to watch them. Whispers spread like wildfire. Some of the students were eager to see how the two of them-a strange pairing-would interact. She could hear snippets of their conversations as they passed.

"Is that Louis-san?"

"What's she doing with Louis-senpai?"

"Are they. . . together?"

(Name) glanced at Louis out of the corner of her eye. There was something off today, a subtle change in the way he walked. He didn't seem like his usual self, but it wasn't her place to pry.

It wasn't like him to show this subtle vulnerability (in her opinion), but she wasn't about to ask. Not now, not with the whole school watching them. She remained silent and simply kept pace beside him.

As they reached the cafeteria, the sound of raised voices and a commotion caught her attention. The carnivores' side of the cafeteria was abuzz, with a large circle of students gathered around.

A fight, perhaps?

"Looks like we've got an incoming brawl on our hands." she muttered under her breath.

Louis tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing in amusement. "Not exactly the most discreet group, are they?" he said, his tone dry as he continued walking toward the circle. His hand brushed against (Name)'s arm, a small but firm gesture to follow.

As they entered the circle, the crowd parted. And there, in the center, were two figures standing off against each other-Legoshi and a male fox. Their stances were tense, their muscles coiled in the quiet before the storm. Louis' gaze flickered over the scene before he walked forward, placing a hand on Legoshi's arm, pulling him away from the fox.

(Name) stood beside Louis, her arms crossed as she observed the scene. So much for low-key, she thought sarcastically, rolling her eyes. The attention was unbearable, but it seemed like it was always inevitable when she was with him.