The Call of Nature

V

Just like last time, Fumikage awoke feeling completely sore from yesterday's beating.

I should probably stop seeing that wolf. I've been paying the price for it every day. He sighed. But she said I need training to fulfill my destiny. What does she know about my destiny? What even IS my destiny? Well, she said I have a lot to learn. Maybe I'll learn something that will help with these beatings.

And so, he gathered up his uniform, put it on, and proceeded to get ready for school.

On the way there, he passed the alley where he first met Flumen. He paused a moment and looked inside.

There was no sign of the wolf.

Do I really want to see what she has to say after school? I have a bad feeling about it. But at the same time, I feel like I have to know. I know I've always been different from everyone else. But Flumen seems just like me. Maybe she has some answers. He sighed inwardly. I'm doing it. I'm going to proceed with ... whatever this is.

Once again, the day continued to drag. The lectures were boring and a little confusing. And the biology lessons were just boring.

This is a waste of my time. I already know all this! How I know all this ... I honestly don't know. I wish I did, though. Maybe it has to do with my abilities?

There was one flip side to knowing everything about biology.

"Hey, Tokoyami, do you understand what this means?" Okami asked once they were given time to work on a handout.

"Autotrophs? Oh, those are organisms that can make their own food without relying on another organism. For example, plants using photosynthesis," Fumikage explained.

"Oh! Okay. Thanks!" Okami said and she smiled.

Fumikage felt his heart flutter. Heat rose to his face. Too bright. He nervously thought. "Uh, y-you're welcome." Damn it, why'd I stutter like that? What is going on? This school year has been so weird....

Later on at lunch, Fumikage sat with Okami, Kat, Deku and six more of their friends - Iida, the navy haired guy asking Bakugou to take his feet off the desk on day one, Uraraka, an optimistic brunette, Todoroki, a red and white haired guy with a giant scar over his left eye, Tsu, a green haired girl that never hesitated to speak her mind, Shoji, a silver haired guy who wore a blue mask over his mouth and was the tallest in the class, and Koda, a pale blond haired guy who was extremely shy, but - for some reason - feels comfortable around them.

The group was happily chatting among themselves. But Fumikage's mind was wandering. He was thinking about what was potentially in store for him after school. Silently, he stirred his ramen with his chopsticks.

Maybe I'll learn what she meant by the training is to fulfill my destiny. Does she know what it is about me that differs from everybody else? If so ... how?

"You're quieter than usual. Is everything okay, Tokoyami?" Tsu asked.

Fumikage immediately snapped out of his thoughts. "Forgive me. I'm just thinking about ... something."

"Oh, I think I know what you're thinking about," Shoji said, mischievously.

How would he know? He never saw me with Flumen! Has he? Fumikage swallowed, trying not to sound nervous. "Oh really? What?"

"Okami," Shoji chuckled.

I- WHAT?! Fumikage thought to himself, completely confused. He felt his face get really hot. He noticed Okami's face turned red as well.

Shoji chuckled again. "I heard the way you were talking to her earlier today during Biology. How you helped her."

"S-So? She needed help and I had the ability to help her! There's nothing wrong with that!"

"I noticed the way you blushed and stuttered during class. Just like you are now."

"What are you implying? That I like her?" Fumikage retorted.

"That is exactly what I'm implying," Shoji chuckled.

This only caused Fumikage and Okami to blush even more.

"Shoji, you probably shouldn't tease them like that," Koda said, quietly.

"Yeah, you're probably right. They'll figure it out sooner or later," Shoji said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Okami asked.

"I'm just saying, it's clear you two like each other," Shoji said.

"Shoji, cut it out. Please?" Fumikage asked.

"Sure."

Kat leaned over to Okami. "You know, Shoji is right. The way Toko blushes and stutters around lately. I think he likes you back," she whispered.

"Keep it down, will you? What if it's a misinterpretation and he doesn't like me back? I only told you because I trust you to keep your mouth shut," Okami hissed back.

"What are you two whispering about?~" Uraraka asked, having a feeling she knew the answer.

Okami's face got even redder. "N-Nothing."

"Doubt it," Tsu chuckled.

"C-Can we just talk about something else? Please?" Okami asked.

"I agree," Fumikage said.

"Did you see what Yagi did last night on the news?" Todoroki asked.

"Oh, yeah!" Deku said. "That scarred crook didn't stand a chance against Yagi and the force! I can't wait to become a cop just like him!"

"Neither can I," Todoroki said, emotionlessly.

"I'm honestly thinking about joining the force as well," Okami said. "I want to be able to help people."

"Same here," Kat said.

"My brother is on the force. I want to be by his side one day as well," Iida said.

"I've been training for it as well," Shoji said.

"Me, too!" Uraraka said.

Koda nodded in agreement.

"I plan on joining so I can help make a safer society for my siblings," Tsu said.

"You're all joining the police force when you graduate?" Fumikage asked.

"It looks like it. What about you?" Okami asked.

"I honestly don't know," Fumikage admitted. "I do want to help people and I want them to live in a safer society." He smiled slightly. "I guess I do want to become a cop." I'll be able to help others. I can help people who are going through what I am. No one deserves to go through the pain that I go through on a daily basis. I think joining the force would be a nice start.

But what about my so-called "destiny"?

Why am I so worried about it? Do I really want to take the word of a strange wolf?

My brain is saying no. But my gut is saying yes. What should I do?