tears of mercury | beastars

chapter 11. LIKE GLASS ON YOUR GUMS

𖤣𖥧.𖤣𖥧𓆏𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧
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The Drama Club was like a storm of energy, with costumes being adjusted, lines rehearsed, and props double-checked. (Name) moved through the chaos with practiced efficiency, checking off tasks from her mental list. Despite her calm exterior, the weight of responsibility pressed on her shoulders. She had been overseeing every team's preparations, ensuring nothing was left to chance.

Pausing briefly in the hallway to collect her thoughts, (Name) reached into her pocket and felt the roll of bandages she'd been carrying around. A pang of guilt struck her—she'd meant to deliver them to Haru earlier but had been caught up with other tasks. Determined to make up for the oversight, she decided to take a quick detour to the Gardening Club to drop them off.

As she walked through the quiet hallway, her ears caught snippets of hushed conversation coming from a nearby classroom.

"Did you hear about the dwarf rabbit? Apparently, she's been sleeping around with—"

"Herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, it doesn't matter to her, right?"

(Name) froze, her heart sinking. She knew Haru had always been the subject of rumors, but hearing it spoken so brazenly made her stomach churn.

For a moment, she considered confronting them but decided against it. It wasn't her place to judge Haru or anyone else based on hearsay. Shaking her head, she pushed the thought aside and continued toward the Gardening Club.

When she reached the rooftop's metal door, she knocked softly. "Haru? It's me, (Name)."

Silence greeted her.

Furrowing her brows, she pushed open the door and stepped inside. The rooftop garden was a tranquil escape from the hustle of the school below, the air fragrant with blooming flowers.

(Name) walked further in, her eyes scanning the neatly arranged plants. The small clubhouse in the corner of the garden caught her attention.

Approaching the wooden door, she knocked again, but there was still no response. The emptiness of the room felt oddly heavy. Stepping inside cautiously, (Name) set the roll of bandages on the table, alongside a sticky note reading Get well soon! and a few herbal candies Chinen had given her earlier. Satisfied, she left the peaceful sanctuary and made her way back to the Drama Club.

On her way, she noticed a familiar figure walking in the opposite direction. Riz, towered over most students but carried himself with an easygoing demeanor.

"Riz," she called out, giving a small wave. "Have you seen Louis? I need to check on him."

Riz paused, his thoughtful expression betraying his usual cheerfulness. "I think he's in the leader's room. He's been holed up there for a while."

"Thanks." she said with a nod, heading toward the Drama Club's inner sanctum.

Standing in front of the leader's room, (Name) raised her hand to knock but stopped when she heard muffled voices from inside. The tone was sharp, tense.

". . . Don't label me as a herbivore!!" a voice shouted, unmistakably Louis'.

Another voice, quieter but no less intense, responded, though she couldn't make out the words. Her ears twitched as she tried to discern more of the conversation, but before she could, the door swung open abruptly.

Legoshi stepped out, his tall frame almost colliding with her. He flinched in surprise, his gray fur bristling slightly. "Oh, Miya-senpai, I-I didn't see you there!"

She stepped back to give him space, studying his nervous expression. "Sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop. Can we talk for a moment? Somewhere private?"

Legoshi hesitated, glancing back at the closed door as if seeking permission, then nodded. "Okay."

They walked in silence to the upper floor of the building, where the hallways were mostly empty. (Name) leaned against the railing, gazing out at the school grounds. The golden glow of the setting sun bathed everything in a warm light, a stark contrast to the tension she felt.

Turning her head, she saw Legoshi standing awkwardly a few steps away, his hands fidgeting with the hem of his white sleeves.

"Relax," she said softly, offering him a reassuring smile. "You're not in trouble."

He exhaled a shaky breath, his posture loosening slightly.

"I know it's not my place to ask what happened earlier, but. . . Do you know if something's been bothering Louis lately?" she asked.

Legoshi nodded hesitantly. "Y-Yeah, I've noticed. He's been. . . different."

"Do you know what's causing it?"

Legoshi looked away, conflicted. She waited patiently, sensing his hesitation.

"It's okay," she assured him. "Louis and I are. . . close. If it's something serious, I might be able to help."

Reluctantly, Legoshi explained, "A few days ago, during rehearsal, he was practicing lines with Tem's replacement. He slipped, and Louis-senpai caught him, but. . . he ended up falling off the stage instead."

(Name)'s eyes widened, shocked, before composing herself. "He fell off the stage? Was he badly hurt?"

Legoshi scratched the back of his neck, his ears flattening. "I'm not sure. He didn't show it, but knowing Louis-senpai, he probably brushed it off like it was nothing."

She nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the information. A heavy silence hung between them before she straightened up and patted his arm gently.

"Thanks for telling me, Legoshi. I'll check on him."

She started to walk away but paused, glancing over her shoulder. "Don't worry too much," she added, her voice kind. "I'll make sure he's okay before the performance."

Legoshi watched her leave, his heart still racing from their conversation. (Name) had a way of making even the most awkward situations feel manageable, and for that, he was grateful.

As she made her way back to the Drama Club, (Name) felt a sense of dread. However, whatever was bothering Louis, she would get to the bottom of it.

Tomorrow's performance depended on everyone giving their best, and she wouldn't let anything—or anyone—fall apart before the curtain rose.

✅ EDITED