Just Keep Moving (a Beastars Fanfic)

Ch18. Dream

Too tired to make the journey on foot, I hired a taxi and rode back to the academy. I took a short nap on the ride, but as much as I wanted to continue my sleep in my dorm, the Shishigumi negotiations had burned my time down to where the sun was already rising as the cab pulled up to Cherryton's gates.

After waiting for the cab to leave, I traveled some distance along the school wall before going over into where I knew there was a patch of foliage to conceal me. The climb was made significantly more difficult by my injured shoulder, but going through the gate wasn't an option. Hidden by the plants, I quickly changed into my uniform and applied my scent concealer. It wouldn't do anything to hide the injury on my shoulder, but it would hide the other scents of the black market.

Once I'd freshened up, I hurried to the cooking club building. Time waits for no man, and I knew that caffeine would be necessary to keep me on my feet. Thankfully, I had still returned early enough that only a few students were out, unable to catch me running with one arm in a sling. The fact that I'd been injured would be apparent eventually, but the less trouble I encountered in my half-asleep state, the better.

***

Haru sang softly to herself as she watered her flowers. Checking her phone for the time, she noted that it was nearly time for lunch. Idly, she wondered if Tim would be at the bottom of the stairwell again. Finishing her tasks for the day, she put down her watering can and went down to check.

Sure enough, the "human", as he called himself, was waiting with a tray of food hanging from his neck. After taking her eyes off of the pastries Tim had brought, Haru noticed that he looked dead on his feet. "You look horrible," she said. Tim winced, and Haru quickly apologized, "It's just that you look like you just pulled an all nighter. When'd you get the sling?"

"Oh, this?" Tim gestured at his arm. "Accident in the kitchen. Probably shouldn't bumble around in there half asleep."

He was lying. Haru knew that, but she decided against calling him out for that. Who was she to question someone's truthfulness?

"Anyways, would you like to buy anything?" Tim asked, presenting his tray. "Two for one sale on the bean buns today."

"Of course," Haru said, fishing a couple of bills from her pocket. "I'll take you up on that offer."

Tim took the money saved have her the last two bean buns on the tray, smiling girl tiredly. "Thank you," he said. "I do actually have a few questions for you if you don't mind."

"Go ahead," Haru replied. "Shoot."

"Well, I'm going to have to know your name first," Tim chuckled. "I've just been mentally calling you rabbit girl."

"Well, you can call me Haru," she replied. "Bit late to ask for my name, but better late than never."

"Alright, let's see," Tim muttered, flipping through a small book. "Ah, there it is. Haru, would you like to be my friend?"

"I thought we already were friends, but sure," Haru chuckled. "Is that a book on social interaction?"

"Just a few notes," Tim replied. "Want to exchange numbers so we can stay in contact?" Haru nodded, and after a quick exchange of contacts, Tim thanked her and rushed off.

***

I wondered if Juno would be mad that I was late to her lesson. Really, they were more like a private bookclub of sorts, but the break from life's problems was nevertheless appreciated. Eventually, I decided that I could just tell her that I had put what she'd taught me to use. That was true at least, and the truth would definitely be a better alternative to lying if Haru was to be believed.