Beastars: A Steep Fall From Light

Chapter 8: The Pen and The Gun

Flashing faces of unknown carnivores. That was all Louis remembered before waking up with a start. After finding himself in his bed, he breathed a few deep breaths to calm his nerves. He rubbed the grog from his eyes. He looked to his right and found Azuki was still asleep, facing away from him. He laid a hand on her shoulder and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving the bed. He hopped over to a chair and pulled up his pant leg to show his stump. He became lost in thought as to how fast time had flown since that night all those years ago. But he had no time to stay lost, he had things to do before tonight.

He reached next to the chair and put on his prosthetic. When he started to wear the mask the prosthetic proved to be a challenge, given how much more action he was seeing. But he found his way around it, as he did with any challenge. He opened up his pajama shirt and looked at the gashes on his chest. They hadn't gotten infected and seemed to be healing nicely. He would still have to take it easy tonight, as not to tear out any of the stitches. He rebuttoned the shirt and stood, walking over to the wall and throwing on a robe before walking out of the bedroom and heading towards his office. On his way he walked through the front of the house and Yuta was there arguing with-

"Nakamochi," Louis called to get the oryx's attention.

"I'm sorry sir," Yuta apologized. "He insisted on seeing you but I told him you were still sleeping."

"It's alright Yuta," Louis said, walking up to the butler and taking a cup from the pan. "I'll see my CEO now, since it can't wait."

He locked eyes with the businessman as he sipped from his cup of morning tea.

"Well," Yuta said. "I still have duties to see too."

The old sheep walked off.

"Oh Yuta," Louis called, getting the butler's attention. "Azuki is still asleep so be sure to keep quiet."

Yuta smiled while giving a courteous bow and heading off.

"What is it Nakamochi?" Louis asked when the butler was out of sight.

"What's this I heard about you being attacked last night?" the oryx asked, leaning in so close Louis could smell breakfast spinach on his breath.

"Can we take this to my office?" he asked.

Nakamochi nodded and Louis turned to lead him up the stairs and through the silent hallway. Louis unlocked the door and the two stepped inside. Nakamochi stood by the door and Louis went to his desk, noting that Yuta had cleaned the blood from the carpet and chair.

"I don't know how you found out," Louis said. "But I can assure you I'm fine."

"As CEO I am one of, if not the first person to know if anything happens to you," Nakamochi snapped. "We have people everywhere, I know even before your wife."

"And as you can see," Louis said, sitting in the chair. "I'm fine."

The oryx gave a huff, nostrils flaring.

"I don't think you're taking this very seriously," he said. "An attempt was made on your life."

"And I expect there'll be more. We may be powerful, but you don't gain power without making a few enemies along the way."

"I'm well aware Louis," the CEO said through grit teeth. "The point is you're behaving unusually calm."

"Close the door," Louis said.

The oryx gave him a curious look. Louis returned it and his second did as asked. Once the door was closed Louis motioned for him to sit at one of the chairs on the other side of the desk. The oryx did and Louis put on his glasses, pulling something from his desk.