FSE

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Rue's PoV

Rue Krantz. Green Fox. Scaredy cat. Chicken wuss. Weird being. Antisocial Anima. Aloof Fur. I have lots of things to call myself, but just calling myself Rue is pretty much an insult to myself already since I hate myself. This poor excuse of a Fur... I try to recede these negative thoughts about myself as I look out the window of the car to see the school one more time before closing it.

This school is the same as any other school. It's just a building used for learning and I have a hard time seeing it any other way. That's wrong, I really don't see it any other way. It's actually more of a prison with learning slapped into it rather than a building for learning. So many different faces that look down on me because I'm different, like a criminal being visited by their disappointed family. They all look at me with those disgusted eyes, like I've done something horribly wrong.

And maybe I have.

I guess me just being there is wrong in itself. Why would he go to school when he doesn't even want to interact, they say. What's the point of him going to school, they say. How did this weirdo even get into this school, they say. All these noise that pollutes the very air we're breathing with things that I already know. And I hate it. I hate it. I hate how it is true.

"So, did you have fun at school?" Dad asks as he steps on the pedal and the car starts to run. This is my dad, Rude Krantz, a green Fox just like me but is better at almost everything unlike me. He's stronger, braver, probably a complete opposite of me. Since he and I go leave at the same time, he picks me up on his way home from work. Right now, he's wearing his usual business clothes, those black vest, black pants, and red ties, those usual stuff. He wears a black rimmed rectangular glasses but those are just reading glasses and not those that have graded lens.

"No," I reply. They know I'm not okay. They don't usually probe about these things until I'm comfortable in talking about it. It's not because we don't trust each other, but rather it's the opposite. We trust that we'll tell what we're bothered about when we feel like the time is right. But when I tried to talk to the blue Fox, Varu, I really tried to muster what courage I have in me. Hah, it's really funny that I trust my parents more than I trust myself. I did manage to trust myself enough to talk to him, someone of the same Species, but it all disappeared when I continued to wait for the black furred Husky, Riese. I didn't trust that I have enough courage to do so, not that I actually do have the courage like Dad's. I know, they seemed nice and everything but... is that really the truth? Can I trust them that?

"So, you shared the onigiri with your friends?" Dad asks, interrupting my train of thoughts.

"Yeah," I reply, clutching on my bag tightly. Technically I didn't lie because I did share the onigiri. Just that I only managed to give one and not the other. I really am all what I described myself.

"Hey, that's great," he says, turning his head towards me while leaning one arm on the back if the seat and the other on the wheel.

"D-DAD! Watch the road!" I yell at him, even to the point on hearing my own high-pitch screaming. He, however, just laughs it off and goes back the keeping his eyes on the road. I can hear him snicker on the driver's seat while I know I'm looking terrified as hell at the stunt he did. I'm all for trusting him, but still, that's dangerous!

"Man, you look really scared," I look at the front mirror and see his smug face on it. I puff my cheeks and stick my tongue out at him and he stick out his tongue back. "But seriously, this part of the road has little to no traffic in it, so we're one-hundred percent safe."

"That 'one-hundred percent' is false and you know it. There's no one-hundred percent in this world and we could've still gotten hurt," I tell him but not in a serious manner. Rather, I tell him in a joking manner since that's what I always say when he mentions anything 'one-hundred percent'. It's not false, but it can lighten up the mood a bit by joking about it.

"Haha, true," he laughs as he continues to drive us home, keeping his eyed on the road this time.

We arrive home a few minutes later and I look at our home. It's not anything big, a two-storey with enough rooms to accommodate the necessities so two bedrooms, a living room, a bathroom, a dining room, and there's a small backyard for outdoor recreational stuff with my parents. Whenever I come back home, I always feel refreshed and happy since Mom and Dad will be there. They have this aura in them that just makes me feel like everything's alright and just be happy.

"OI!" Mom yells at the top of her lungs as we get out of the car, waving her paws up high as she walks towards us from the front door. She's always been the most cheerful one in the family, and I see that she's wearing her favorite yellow shirt with the print 'Husbando ->" on it. And she's still wearing her blue pajamas... did she just woke up? "How's my husbando and my little baby?" Mom gives Dad a kiss on the cheek before giving me another one of her bear hugs.

"Mom! I'm not little anymore. And can't we do this inside? It's embarrassing here," I tell her but instead of letting go, she hugs me even tighter. This is Eclair Krantz, my mom, a blue Fox with her signature dropped pony-tailed hair. I heard that blue Foxes are rare and I know for sure that Mom's middle name is Foks. With their fur colors being identical, they are probably related in some way.

"Echo, he was able to give his onigiri to his new friends," I hear him whisper to Mom and I grunt weakly at him, annoyed that he said that. I can just tell her that myself... I think.

"Aw! That's great!" she yells before giving me one of her tightest hugs ever. All the air inside my lungs got out and I'm left repeatedly tapping my mom's arm to try and tell her that I'm going to die soon if she's not planning on letting go. "Oh, sorry dear, it's just that I'm so happy," she finally lets go and I immediately gasp for air. I feel so wobbly that I can't even stand up straight and my vision's all blurred... this is what lack of oxygen gives you.

"Maybe... try to... not kill me next time?" I jokingly say in between my deep breaths. Mom just laughs it off and hugs me again, more gentle this time.

"I'm just glad you finally made another friend," she whispers softly into my ears, her voice like that of a mother who just found her son after losing him for years. She then lets go of me and claps her paws in excitement, "Ok, and you know what this means," she says, closing her eyes so that tears won't escape from it.

"You mean...!" Dad asks excitedly, his tail wagging in excitement as well. Of course I know what they meant because I'm pretty excited, too. It's been a long time since we've had this and every time we do, we'd always have the most fun. Mom nods and opens her eyes, red from holding back her tears. She raises her finger and points it towards the heaven triumphantly.

"Pizza and lasagna!" she shouts with the loudest voice. Dad joyfully cheers afterwards, but I'm just worried we might have disturbed one of our neighbors. Aside from that, yes that's what we're going to have. It may sound anticlimactic, but this is actually something that we love to do as a family. We don't need a full house party, we just need each other to have a great time. I know it sounds cheesy, but it's the truth. Also, it's usually pizza OR lasagna, but this time it's both! "I'll make the order right now. The usual?"

"Yes, please!" Dad and I yell in chorus before giving each other a playful punch on the shoulder. Well, on the arm for me since I can't hit Dad's shoulder without raising my arm high. Mom giggles at our little childish act before walking back inside the house. Dad lets out a sigh before rubbing the fur on my head.

"It's been a long time, hasn't it?" Dad asks. It's true, the last time we ever had this was when Mom got promoted years ago. Not only that, the celebration was going on at the same time with an event on one of our favorite MMOs, Ragnarok Online, so that night was a blast. Imagine staying up late at night farming event items, doing the GM's mini-events, and battling hordes of bosses with our guildmates to get awesome loots. I don't remember how long we were doing that or when we slept, but I do remember groggily getting up from bed to get to school. Yes, it was a school day and I remember almost sleeping in a class and collapsing on my bed when I got home. That was a really good day.

"Yeah, it has," I reply with a smile. Dad stops rubbing my head and proceeds to walk inside the house, but as soon as he enters, my smile fades away. I honestly don't think we should be celebrating my half-truths. I only talked with him a bit, and after that I wasn't able to find more courage to talk to the others. It's like my courage has a limit, and once it's reached it will pop like a balloon. But... I'll make up for it. I'll do better tomorrow, and I'll have to break my limits in order to do so. This isn't for me, but for them. I'll live with this half-truth until I'll be able to complete it, and finally tell them about it.

"Yep, and remember the extra cheese. Haha, of course you wouldn't forget, huh? We've been ordering from you guys ever since. Yep. Yep, we're celebrating something. It's a secret. Okay, thank you. Goodbye," I place my bag on a nearby desk, the desk where I always put my bag after coming home, before walking up the stairs and to my room. My room's looking a bit messy with a few mangas scattered here and there, some gaming magazines that I read and at times laugh at how inaccurate it is, some bags from the chips that I ate left on the computer table, and papers scattered all across the floor. I call this chaotic disorder, and no one should clean it except me. When? Someday.

I put my bag beside the bed before lying down, pondering about what happened earlier today. I stuttered, I nervously shuffled my feet, my knees were shaking, my voice kept fading and went high pitched, and I felt like I screwed everything up, but I at least managed to talk with Varu. When was the last I've talked to someone casually who's not my parents or online... way back then... I don't want to remember it. I stop my brain from thinking about it and just let my mind wander a bit. I wish that I can delete these memories permanently like emptying the recycle bin on a computer, but they're more like a virus if anything. The only way to completely remove it is to format or destroy.

I slap my cheeks with both my paws and shake vigorously. No, that's now what I should be doing today. I shouldn't be brooding about something on a day like this. I need to put up a smile. Yeah, that's right, just smile to hide all the pain. No, smile to keep being optimistic. I'm just underleveled and need to level up my social skills before going after a stronger enemy. I'm making progress, albeit slowly, but still progress. I'll level up some more by reading some books, or picturing the conversations in my head. Right, image training.

What would Riese talk about? The club. So what do I reply? Uh... the club is going to close when it doesn't get a fifth member... I wonder if I can join that club. I haven't been in one, so I wonder what it feels like to be in one. No, I'm pretty sure they'll find a different member, someone who is much better than me, much stronger, much braver. Besides, I already said to Varu that it's a club I won't fit in. Looking at the members already, they're rowdy and energetic, whereas I am meek and silent. We're complete opposites.

I lightly touch the side of my left eye. It seems like I'm starting to cry again. Hah. I wonder why I'm so easy to tear up. Maybe I get that from my mom since she's usually the type who cries in sad movies, but then again I don't cry to those. I sympathize, but never cry. It seems that I only cry when it's about me. I guess my life is a sad movie enough for me to cry.

"Rue, get changed and get ready! I got news from my friend's brother's guild that has a member with a friend who's the boyfriend of the sister of the GM saying that they're going to release a series of Bosses at the Town Square of Madrigal! It's time to get some rare loots!" Dad yells excitedly from downstairs. I immediately go from depressed to excited in a split second as my ears perk up in joy. I jump off my bed and rush to my drawer, finding the shirts that I wear during these times. Found it, the green shirt with a logo of a healer is here. I also grab a pair of black shorts and quickly change into them.

"Okay! Krantz, assemble!" I shout as I place my uniform on my bed before rushing outside my room. I run down the stairs and see Mom and Dad in their blue and red shirt respectively. Even though we're just going to be playing online and on different rooms, color coding ourselves makes it feel like we're a team and makes the game more fun to play. Also, we always do an assemble since why not?

"Alright, everyone is present and accounted for. We all know that this event is a rare one, with this being the second time in three years. Not only do these events give lots of loots, but it also tests our skills as a team along with our guildmates. We've gone through many challenges, raid dungeons, and annoying misfortunes of critical hits, and now we're here to fight again. The first time our guild joined this event, we were trashed and shamed due to our inexperience. But now, we are stronger, more experienced, more skilled, and our goal is to become the number one guild in the game, and with the help of our dear guildmates, nothing is stopping us! We've waited for this for a long time, so let's finish this up with a bang! Let's go, Fairy Tail!"

"Aye!" We all raise our fisted paws up in the air.

"Good, now start formation!" Dad commands and we comply. I go to my room and turn on my computer, double clicking on the game icon once it's booted up. "Tales of Tails" is the name of the game, and what better way to name a guild than with an anime reference. Though to be honest, I'm amazed we were able to name our guild with a guild from a famous anime and not already taken.

I watch the bar of the launcher slowly filling up until I can finally press start. The window opens and the game loads. I type in my username and password and enter the server. I tap the mouse with my finger impatiently while the server loads until I'm finally in. That took longer than usual because of the influx of players joining, knowing that an event is coming soon. News about this game spreads fast like wildfire, after all. Okay, let's do this!

-

Standing at the center of the Town Square of Madrigal, I cast a protective barrier around me that decreases damage taken for five minutes. I'm one of the High Priests of the Fairy Tail Guild, a green-eyed, green-furred, glasses-wearing Fox wearing high class, fully upgraded equipments that raise my Intelligence in order to make buffs last longer and heal more. A Golden Circlet on my head, a Heavenly Robe as my armor, a pair of Hermes' Boots, Aegis Bracers, and the Staff of Radiance, I am prepared for the bloody battle that awaits in a few minutes.

I see Ekuru, a blue Fox with the Rune Knight class who is versatile with Spellblades and Runic Spells for both short and long range. Their damage per second, DPS, may be smaller than those of the Great Wizards, but their high defense and resistance allows them to fight long battles one on one, and with their shorter cast time and fast speed, they can out-DPS the Great Wizards depending on the circumstances. She is wearing the optimal equipment we have available for a Rune Knight, the Celestia Armor Set, and the Celestia Blade that enhance attack, defense, magic, and resistance. She's truly a force to be reckon with.

And beside Ekuru is Yuuki, a blue Fox with the Guardian class whose job is to tank and lure enemies towards him, taking in all the damage for his teammates. They have the lowest DPS among the third-tier classes, but they make up for it with their incredibly high defense and resistance stat, ranking number one on the highest defense and second in resistance, only losing by a small margin against the Gate Masters. Also wearing the optimal set available for a Guardian, the Adamantite Armor Set and Hephaestus's Greatsword and Shield, he is as strong and sturdy as a fifty foot wall, perhaps even greater.

I look around the town and everyone in the guild seems to be present. Just to make sure, I double-check the guild list to see who is here, and surely enough everyone is. I smile, confidently knowing that this event will truly be a spectacular one. I, no, we have been waiting for this event for a long time, and with new patches and updates every now and then, with the game balancing and new, harder enemies added, this will definitely be a whole new experience compared to back then.

My train of thoughts stop as someone slowly descends from the heaven, a single ray of light shining down on him as he slowly lands on top of the Guild Hall. A yellow Dragon with lustrous scales and a robe finely tailored for him, yellow-colored with golden hems that shines like the stars above. In all of his majesty and grace, he raises his claws forward as something starts to materialize on it, having a rainbow colored hue as it tries to take form of a shape. It then gives off a bright light, revealing a small golden bell afterwards. The Draconian takes it by the handle and raises it up high.

Everyone is holding their breaths as we look up at the Draconian above. Yes, that Dragon is the Master of this world, and the bell in his claws is none other than the bell that unleashes all of this world's terrifying monsters. In all of its beauty and luster, one would honestly not expect that that bell is the item that could summon the Armageddon itself. The Dragon then announces with a voice that of a thunderous roar.

"Now, we shall begin. Brace yourself, as your battle begins," and with the sound of the bell ringing, monsters start to emerge from the ground, the whole world shaking violently in the process. Some are quick enough to be able to get back as a dark, swirling vortex emerge from under them, others are not so lucky and are eaten by the darkness. Then, giant claws start to emerge from it, each one being grotesque and horrifying, and the monsters slowly emerge from it. The sky also darkens as clouds of darkness shroud the once bright blue sky of Madrigal. Similar to the ground below, the sky above reveals the same vortex as monstrous beings and raging spirits come forth from their realm. And with hundreds of thousands of monsters surrounding us, the yellow Dragon on top of the Guild Hall smirks condescendingly. "NOW!"

"Light Burst!" I immediately cast the first spell I can think of in this situation. Light Burst is an Area of Effect skill that stuns the surrounding enemies while lowering their defenses for a few seconds. It's incomparable to debuffs Alchemists can dish out, but its range is optimal when surrounded. I won't be able to recast this for one minute, but a few seconds is enough for us to ready ourselves.

Ekuru unleashes the Trap Runes that she set around the area, damaging the bosses and withering their HP away. Yuuki waits for the enemies to recover from their stunned state before unleashing the skill "Earthen Chains" that chains monsters and lures them towards him. A fancy way of taunting, if I do say so myself. With Yuuki luring the monsters, he uses "Stone Wall" to negate all damage for five seconds. It may not be for long, but we should be able to lessen that monsters surrounding him.

"Strategist, you're up!" Yuuki yells after Stone Wall buff has gone.

"Roger that!" I, Ruenyx, ready myself. This is it. Time to test all those theories and practices. I have been strategizing what is the best action against all bosses, taking into account everyone's locations and distances in the meantime while taking down every important notes in case of any mishaps. This is no time to be hesitant. They put all their trust in me, so I mustn't let them down. I can, no, I HAVE to do this! "WE ARE FAIRY TAIL, AND WE ARE ALL FIRED UP!"

Everyone shouts "AYE!" as we continue our battle. I continue raising my buffs on our guildmates with the help of the other High Priests, the attackers continue their onslaughts, and the tanks continue to lure and tank the enemy's attacks. Everything starts off smooth, everyone is doing as they're told to get the most out of their skills, all is well. We manage to defeat most of the aerial bosses and there are only a few left on the ground. Of course, we couldn't have done it with one guild alone, everyone in the server is helping out but we all get loots from it. Despite being a rather competitive event, the drops are distributed based on the damage dealt, irregardless if they're a guildmate or not. Also, the drops are very forgiving and this is the reason why this event is one of the most anticipated events in this game. This may have been very hectic, with everything going on and wracking my brain since everything is going so fast, but I'm having a lot of fun. I make a few mistakes at strategizing, but I manage to recover and everything is going well.

That is, until we defeat the last ground monster. We all rejoice, defeating every boss monsters in more than an hour, but I can see the yellow Dragon still smiling, looking very amused. I just know he's planning something, but I don't know what. Then, everything becomes clear as the whole town square is suddenly shrouded in darkness. What's going on?! Everything is pitch black, like a blanket is covering the whole square. Or maybe, not a blanket, but a something big. Something that is used for mass destruction, something that is supposed to exist only in stories, something that can even destroy the world itself.

"What the hell is this thing?" a guildmate yells, showing extreme fear as rays of red light start pointing at each one of us. If I know anything, it's that red lights pointing at you is a very bad sign.

"Run away and get out of the square! Use your flying items to get out quick cloak yourself in the shadows! It's going to launch bombs!" I say as I equip wings and back away from the square. After a few seconds, everything under the machine explodes and those who are unable to leave died. We all watch from above the ground as the machine continues destroying everything. I've read the story about this, but I didn't think they'd actually remake it.

A colossal bronze machine with the height comparable to that of a mountain, its four metal claws that crumbles the ground beneath it to dusts, red eyes that is said to shoot a gigantic laser that leaves explosions to wherever it heads, its metal skin said to be as impenetrable as diamonds. This machine, this forbidden machinery, shouldn't have existed in this world and should've been destroyed a long time ago, buried in history. How are we supposed to defeat something like this...?

"Is that...?" Yuuki asks as he flies to my side. I nod in response, terrified. There's no doubt about it. If there's anything that matches the description of the stories we've read, this is it.

"The Clockworks," I say. This... thing is what we're going to fight? I don't even know its attack pattern, and seeing all the damage it deals to the other players... it can one shot them. H-How are we supposed to beat this thing? We can only deal miniscule damage compared to the damage this machine is dishing out. I try to check all possible weak points from above but I can't seem to find it, and going under it to check is pretty much a death wish with the bombs or missiles, whatever it was, it has.

The Clockworks then slowly lifts its head and looks at us, its eyes glowing a bright red. Crap, it's going to shoot its laser! "Everyone, scatter! If we get caught in this, we're as good as dead!" I fly away from its range with the others doing the same. Seconds later, it lets out a beam that is wide enough to obliterate a whole town. I watch as the red beam, in its deadly elegance, narrows and a sudden series explosions follows. Damn, this thing... its... how are we supposed to...?

"Ruenyx, orders?" Ekuru asks, sounding her best not to sound scared. I look around, and see that everyone is also terrified of the sheer power the Clockworks has. This power that has never been seen before.

"I... I," I stutter, not even knowing what to do. How are we supposed to beat something like this? I didn't think the Master would actually spawn the machine of mass destruction in this event. And instead of feeling happy, I only feel grief and guilt. They put their trust in me, that I be their strategist, but I'm letting them down right now because of how useless and helpless I am. This... isn't how it was supposed to go.

"RUE!" I hear someone yelling at me, snapping me out from my thoughts. "Is this all that you've got? A strategist doesn't just give up, you idiot! You should've known that from all the mangas you've read and the animes you've watched!"

I turn my head and see Yuuki, his face stern with disappointment. "But--"

"Remember what guild we are in, First Master," Yuuki says, then it suddenly hits me. Of course, I forgot. I'm in a guild where friendship is one's power, where friends are what makes us move forward, and that being together with them is a magic on its own. This will sound cheesy and from the anime, but I'll say it anyways. I'm not giving up for my friends. I look at my other guildmates and give them a reassuring nod.

"Right, we're the Fairy Tail guild, and we're not gonna give up! We're gonna give it our all, because we're all fired up!" I shout with determination.

"AYE!"

"But we're not going to do it with our guild alone. Everyone! Let's work together and beat this machine!" I tell everyone, including non-guildmates, and give them a nod. "This won't just be the work of one, but the work of all guilds! We'll write our name in the pages of history! Now, let's fight together and win against this thing!"

They are unsure at first, but they slowly regain morale and shouting their agreement. "Yeah, let's do it!" "No way we're backing out!" "Let's break this clock!"

I don't know what this feeling is, just that I know that it's lifting me up. This is it, we're going to fight against this machine, and we're going to beat it!

"All those who have Stone Wall recharged, I need you all to be quick. The Clockworks has a ten-second delay before it unleashes it missiles or bombs beneath it. I need you all to time it right, and use Stone Wall to negate all damage while searching for a possible weak spot beneath it. I don't know how long it will recharge its attack, so I'll need a few volunteers to do so first. Go to where it can target you, use Stone Wall, then go to an area where you can easily get out so I'll know when it will recharge.

"Long-ranged damage dealers, I need all of you to attack its legs. I checked, and it seems that the legs and the body don't share the same health. If we are to immobilize it, we should be able to dish out more damage. There is a chance that it will counterattack when it knows it's being attacked there, so I'll need all of you to stay your distance.

"Short ranged damage dealers, I have noticed that its head stays immobile after shooting its laser. Deal as much damage as you can on its eyes, but be careful for its counterattack.

"Debuffers, buffers, and healers, do what you can do to increase the maximum amount of damage the damage dealers can do. Let's go!"

"Aye!"

Everyone goes to their assigned tasks. Five Stone Wall, let's call them the "Search Group", users volunteer to do the task. The long-ranged attackers, let's call them the "LR Group", aim at the Clockworks' legs and the short-ranged attackers, let's call them the "SR Group", aim at its eyes.

"It's recharged," one of the Stone Wall users says.

"Okay, hold your front for a few seconds before using Stone Wall. 5. 4. 3. 2. NOW!" I say and a series of explosions occur underneath the Clockworks. I watch as the explosions die out and wait for their response...

...

"We're safe!" the group below says. I sigh with relief.

"Good, now check the surrounding just in case. Don't go too in that you can't get out. I need to time when the recharge is," I say, waiting for them to say that the recharge is complete. Everything seems to be doing fine, the legs are lowered to 4/5 of its health and the eyes, though little, were given damage. Then, the Clockworks stops and a hatch opens from its body. Drones! I should've expected some sort of defense mechanism. Looking at the numbers, there're probably a hundred of them! "SR Group, get out of there now! Drones are coming at you!"

"Roger that, let's go!" Ekuru, who was with the group, readies her wings and flies away from danger. Despite leaving the Clockworks, the drones still pursuit them. "Taste this, you rusted pieces of metal!" Ekuru casts "Fire Wave" at the drone and it explodes. It was then that an idea clicks to mind, and I believe Ekuru is thinking the same.

"The drones have little, probably one HP, and explodes when destroyed or possibly when made contact. Lure them at a distance and make them explode near the Clockworks' eyes!"

"Alright, let's do this. Use your mid-range skills!" Ekuru says as she dives back near the eyes, a couple of drones following her. She is careful on keeping distance with the drones and, when one of them is near the eyes, she uses "Lightning Strike" to attack at a distance. The drone explodes and a chunk of health is taken from the Clockworks. "That should've damaged the thing!"

"Ekuru, don't get careless. There are still drones out there," I say to her.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. But we should be able to take the eye out--"

"Get away from it now! It's charging its laser!" I yell at her. She realizes this and immediately backs away from the Clockworks. It shoots its laser, but this time it turns its head swiftly and wildly, hitting some of the Furs in the air in the process. I watch as they are caught up in a sudden series of explosions, leaving nothing left but dust and smoke. Damn it! I should've known it would do something like this.

"It's recharged! We're getting out!" the group below the Clockworks says as they swiftly rise up and safe from the explosion that will come later. I shake the thought of the laser for now. Focus at the task at paw, Rue!

"Three minutes recharge. There is a chance its recharge time will lessen. We'll have to be cautious. 'Stone Wall' has a cooldown of five minutes, so I need another group to check on it. Since it just used up its, let's call it 'Explosion', we have a longer search time. Bring along something that illuminates the area to help in your search. We'll be counting on you guys!"

After that, a group of ten, including Yuuki, dives down and goes under the Clockworks. Okay, with that done, I need check on everyone else. The damage dealers have lessened since the Clockwork's counterattack, so the damage to its legs isn't much. The drones are probably-- wait, there are no more drones. Huh, if I remember correctly, the laser went to a direction where the drones were, meaning that if we destroy all drones before it recharges its laser, the laser will only go to one direction. It's a hunch, but the timing of the release of drones and the laser recharging is too coincidental, having only a thirty second gap.

"The laser, let's call it 'Ultima', takes five minutes to recharge, but thirty seconds before that, a swarm of drones emerges from its body. It's just a hunch, but the laser's pattern is based on where the drones are."

"So we need to destroy all the drones in less than thirty seconds. I wonder if we can stop it from releasing its drones," Ekuru says.

"We just need to set a chain explosion, that is where the traps come in handy," I say, and Ekuru understands what I mean.

"Alright guys, those who can use trap skills, we're gonna have to coordinate on this one. Ruenyx, I'll handle this, you watch for the Search Group," Ekuru says as she talks about her plan with the others. I nod in response and check on the Search Group.

"Any luck?"

"Not one. We've been searching, but there's nothing that seems out of place," Yuuki says.

"Damn it. Continue searching, maybe we'll--"

"I found something," one member of the Search Group says.

"What is it?" I ask.

"It looks like some sort of... core. It's pulsing some kind small light. What should we do?"

...

"This is too easy," I say.

"Yeah, too easy..." Yuuki says.

"Okay, leave now. We're going to destroy the legs first--"

"I'll stay behind and test attacking it," Yuuki says bluntly.

"No, you're not. We need as much manpower--"

"Do we really need one Guardian who has the lowest DPS? We're fighting against something that can terminate us in a second."

"That's why we should be careful!"

"We're not gonna get anywhere if we don't risk this! You know this as well as I do, but you just refuse to do so. I'm staying, everyone else leave and go somewhere safe."

"Yuuki!"

"Rue, we need to do this."

...

"Fine, do it, but make sure to ready your Stone Wall."

"Roger that," Yuuki says. One by one, the Search Group make their way out from under the Clockworks except for the one Guardian. He decides to stay behind and test what will happen if he was to attack what seems to be the Clockworks' core.

Then, all of a sudden, a large burst of light appears from below it that makes me cover my eyes. What is this light? It feels so unpleasant that the darkness' cold embrace feels better than this. After a few seconds, the light slowly dies out and the first thing I see is the Clockworks, immobile. My eyes widen at the sight, seeing as the might Clockworks has been stopped. But it still has a lot of health on it. Does this mean?

"Everyone, the Clockworks has been immobilized. Now's our chance for an All-Out Attack!" I yell and everyone yells in unison. We all attack the Clockworks with all our might, depleting the health of the Clockworks' legs fast. The attack goes on for ten minutes, and the machine is still not moving. Yuuki, if you haven't risked it, we wouldn't be able to do this. Thank you.

A few more minutes, and one after another we destroy the Clockworks' four legs. We watch as the legs crumble and the body fall down, causing a loud rumbling sound before slamming on the ground. We watch as we look at the Clockworks, defeated.

"We beat it!" Everyone shouts and cheers joyfully with the defeat of the Clockworks. It was then that a yellow Dragon lands gracefully on top of the Clockworks' body and smiles the most condescending-looking smile I have ever seen. It somehow annoys me to a great extent.

"Okay, the Clockworks demo is over. Thank you all for participating!" the Dragon says nonchalantly. I can see everyone looking at him with a "what the fu" face that almost looks comical if I wasn't part of that "everyone". "As a special prize, we're giving everyone a Clockworks Trophy to show that you have participated in this event. Goodbye, everyone."

The yellow Dragon disappears and we all look at the Clockworks' body as it starts to fade away. What the fu... does that mean that we haven't been fighting the Clockworks at its strongest? That us struggling is the best that we can do against an incomplete boss? That we just got played by the Game Master? What the hell!

"That was fun!" I hear someone say. That voice, Yuuki? "Hahaha, didn't think that that was actually just a demo. That was a still fight to behold!"

"But that means--"

"That we have a lot of catching up to do. It's no wonder that the Clockworks only has a few moveset and its movements were so clunky. I knew this thing wasn't real the moment that Explosion hit. It doesn't deal any damage, just flashy effects by the Clockworks. And the core is something important for the thing, so why should there be a recharge for its defenses? That a pretty big flaw there. The laser, Ultima, was real though. Aside from that, I expect it to be a crazier fight in the future, with better equipments to fight against it," Yuuki says calmly, like everything that just happened was just... nothing. "Hey, don't let it get to you. You still did good. Anyways, let's celebrate!"

"A-aye..." everyone's morale seem to have just disappeared. I mean, sure we were able to fight together and it was fun but hectic, but it was still kind of a letdown. And after that big talk I gave to them. Damn, I'm embarrassed now! That was so cheesy!

In the end, we log out from the server and go back to reality.

-

"Well that sucked," I say to myself as I lean on the computer table and look at my avatar in the game. "Seriously, that was embarrassing," I slap my face and try to forget those cheesy lines that I said. They don't seem to be going away anytime soon, and trying to forget about is just making it worse. Gah! Forget, forget, forget! I cover my ears and shake my head furiously. It doesn't help that my imagination is somewhat creative and seeing everything in a vivid picture is not making me forget this any easier. Dad, you bastard!

While I'm busy lamenting on the loss of what little self-esteem I had left, I hear the doorbell ring. I look at the clock and, holy, it's already 8? Mom must've thought through this and know this will take long, but the timing seems so impeccable and it feels more than just a coincidence. Then again, I shouldn't underestimate Mom when she's with Dad. When they plan, they sure can plan something big and weird for me to enjoy.

"Rue, it's here! Come on down!" Mom calls from downstairs. I turn off my computer and head down the stairs to the dinner table. I stop near the end and see boxes of pizza and lasagna stacked on one another, with the large pizza boxes being five and the lasagna boxes three, having a total of eight boxes.

"Hey son, how fare thee?" he says with a sarcastic smirk. I can already feel myself blushing in embarrassment, remembering what I did online.

"You butt!" I shout at him.

"Everyone loves butts, so that's a compliment," he says, shrugging his shoulders mockingly. I am a pissed at him, but there's no reason for me to be angry aside from my plummeting self-esteem.

"Bastard!"

"Illegitimately legit."

"I'm all out of B words to insult you!"

"You mean B words to complement me."

"Okay, that's enough you two. I was shocked when it was a demo as well, Rue. Your father," Mom pauses, gives Dad a cold glare and then speaks in a more serious sounding voice, "didn't even bother telling me."

"You guys were so hyped for this, it'd be a shame to crash that hype," Dad flinches and tries to defend himself, but Mom continues her cold glare at him. "C-Come on now, Echo. The pizza'll get cold at this rate," he nervously laughs. Mom lets out a grunt then sighs in defeat.

"Fine. You're lucky today is celebration day, otherwise I'd use the Judgment Hammer on you," Mom says.

"I always get the Judgment Hammer," Dad cries weakly.

"That's because you always embarrass us!" Mom says strongly.

"You're just gullible," Dad mutters with a weak smile.

"Ohooo, you're getting it now! Rue, hold the pizza-gnas, I'm getting the Judgment Hammer!" Mom says with a smirk as she gently gives me the boxes of pizza and lasagna.

"Haha, if you can catch me first!" Dad says as he childishly makes a run for it and goes upstairs, passing me by. I hear the sound of a door slamming shut and a small clink. "I've changed the lock of this room, and I have the only keys in my pocket! Beat that!" Mom looks up with a straight face and a brow raised. She then proceeds to go to their room and comes back out with a mallet in her paw.

It's not actually a real mallet, but just a toy mallet with a plastic handle and a springy red plastic head that doesn't hurt that much. This Judgment Hammer thing is more for funsies rather than actual punishment, and unless you're bonked in the head within five minutes of getting the mallet, you'll be free from the judgment of the hammer. It's something that Mom made up, just came out on a whim one day and is still practiced to this day.

Mom goes upstairs, still keeping her straight face. I place the boxes on a nearby table and follow her to see how she'll get inside the bathroom, where Dad is apparently hiding. I then notice her holding a ring of keys and slowly checking which key is for the door, making some clanking noises that gets Dad's attention.

"Ha! I removed the key to this door from that! You'll never get--"

*click*

Dad goes silent as Mom slowly opens the door with the most straight yet menacing face she can ever make. I peek inside the bathroom and see that Dad with a horrified face and his back against a wall. Mom tests out the mallet by hitting her paw with it a couple of times.

"I-I thought that--"

"What, you didn't think I have a spare of all spare keys? I know you changed the lock days ago, and I prepared just in case," she says as she circles the ring of keys in her finger, continuing her straight face. "Now, face your punishment," she raises the mallet and with one fell swoop, a loud bonk echoes throughout the house.

"Haha, I win! Come, Rue, let's prep the pizza-gnas!" Mom says with a very cheerful tone, much different from just a few seconds ago. She starts skipping out from the bathroom and goes downstairs.

Also, I did say that the mallet doesn't hurt. Well, that is if Mom isn't the one passing down the judgment. Rule number one, never piss off Mom unprepared.

"Ouch, I can't believe I lost again," Dad says, rubbing the sore part of his head.

"That's what, 20 over 10?" Dad nods in response. I can't help but snicker at Dad's attempt to escape from Mom. The only reason why Dad was able to get 10 scores was because Mom got lazy.

"Let's go down, Rue. Food awaits," he says as he rubs my head while passing me by.

"Okay," I follow him down.

As soon as I reach down, Mom has already opened the pizza and lasagna boxes on the dinner table, showing different varieties of pizza with different toppings. The one similarity that is always a thing that I love is the amount of cheese on top of it. Ah, the sweet smell of cheese wafting inside the room is making my mouth drool. Couple that with the delicious looking pizzas and I can hear my stomach grumble loudly.

"Someone's hungry, isn't he?" Mom says as she pinches my cheeks lightly. "Well, let's not further our delay. Let's start the meal with a prayer," she says as she makes the sign of the cross. Dad and I follow and we all bow down our heads.

"Oh great and almighty God, we thank you for giving us another day in this world. You continue to shower us with blessings and we couldn't be more thankful. For all the sins that we have committed, may you forgive us and have mercy on us. And in this here table, we would like to ask you to bless the food that we are about to eat, that it will sate our hunger and give us good health. We would also like to extend our gratitude for giving Rue the courage to make new friends. We pray that you will continue to guide us in our journey and that we'll be able to stay strong with you on our side. This we all ask, through Christ our Lord.

Amen," we all say in unison.

"Let's eat!" Mom says with her mos cheerful tone and grabs a slice of the cheesy-bacon pizza. I decide to grab one as well and take a bit of it. I can feel myself being lifted up as I savor the cheesy texture combined with the crisp that the bacon provides. I could never get tired of this, nor will I ever get tired of the deliciousness that is cheese. I can hear Mom humming as she chews on the pizza she's eating and Dad tries to pile a bit of lasagna over some pizza. He really does love experimenting, doesn't he?

We continue eating, laughing, and making jokes until we have our fill. All the pizza and lasagna in their boxes are gone, but we're already full and don't feel like eating another bite for now. We sit on our chairs and stay there in silence, leaning on each other's shoulders with Mom in the middle and Dad and I at her sides. Sometimes, just staying silent and enjoying each other's company is the best way of saying "I love you". My eyelids start getting heavy, but my ears perk up when I hear my Mom calling me.

"Mom?" I ask, feeling a bit sleepy.

"You weren't enjoying it one-hundred percent," Mom says. One-hundred percent, huh? I remember Dad and I mentioning one-hundred percent, but the thing that actually came into mind first is Varu's words that echoes in my mind.

"Riese said you can do anything as long as you give your one-hundred percent," was what Varu said about the High Flyers Club.

I let out a weak laugh and tug at Mom's arms trying to hold in a few tears. "Of course you'd know, Mom," I reply weakly, the tears overwhelming me as a few managed to escape my eyes.

"During the prayer, you flinched," she says as she gently strokes my ears. "What's wrong? You can tell me," she says with a comforting voice. I really don't want to tell her, not now, but that would mean that I'm not trusting her, my own mother. After all, we have a rule set in our house, to trust each other at all costs. I take a few seconds of silence before trying to say something.

"I'm... I'm too weak."

"THEN WOMAN UP!" Mom yells, making me and Dad jolt wide awake.

"Geez, you almost gave me a heart attack, woman!" Dad says, clutching his shirt on his chest. Mom sticks her tongue out in reply and Dad just sighs. "Well, I'm gonna go hit the hay. I know you guys need to talk on something, and I'm honestly not good at those. Goodnight, you two," Dad says as he lifts himself up from the chairs and waves goodbye before going to their bedroom.

"Sorry for scaring you like that, Rue," she says as she hugs me gently. "I know there's something bothering you, but I can't know until you tell me yourself. So, I'll ask again. What's wrong?" she asks, and I hug her back.

"I... I wasn't able to give one of the onigiri. I know, I'm weak, I'm pathetic, I'm a scaredy-fox, but I--" before I can even continue, Mom gives me one of her tightest, but at the same time gentlest hugs.

"You were still able to give one, didn't you?" Mom asks, and I nod in response. "Then you shouldn't say those things. If anything, you were brave. You were able to give one, and that's better than giving nothing at all. So please, don't ever say those things again, that you're weak and pathetic, because you're not. You're my bravest little angel, and you continue to be brave," she says. I... don't know what to say.

The whole room turns silent. I don't know what to say, what to do. Should I let go? Should I tell her I'll be stronger next time? I'm never good at conversations, not even in these. I really am... no, I shouldn't say that anymore. A few seconds later, Mom lets go and reaches something in her pajama pocket.

"Rue, I want you to take this," she says as she gives me something from her fisted paw. She opens her paw to reveal a small yellow feather with a small ribbon attached to it.

"But isn't this your lucky Boko feather? You always bring this with you wherever you go," I say, looking at the feather.

"I know you have this tendency of getting scared without us. Even though we'll say that we'll always be with you in your heart, you still get scared. So, hold this feather close to your heart, so that you'll remember that we'll always be with you," she curls my fingers and puts my fisted paw on my chest, "like this."

As soon as I place my paw on my chest, I can feel the warmth of my parents being beside me. I can feel myself starting to cry again. Mom gently pats me on the head to comfort me as I continue to hold the feather close to my heart.

"Mom... thank you," I return a hug at her, and she hugs me back. "Thank you."

-

The next day, I go to school, bringing with me the Boko feather that Mom gave me last night. I know it sounds silly holding on to something like a yellow feather that's just a game merchandise, but the way Mom worded it, I can't help but feel like they're actually beside me. They're here, placing their paws on my shoulders with a comforting smile. Having something to believe in, it really helps during these tough times.

The morning passes by fast, either that or I'm just caught up in all my planning on what I should do today. Since it's lunch break, taking time to talk to Varu would be my best option. It'd be nice if Riese and Tabitha were to eat with him so that I will somehow be able to talk to them, but that doesn't seem to be the case today. Riese and Tabitha already went out to scout for members. They don't seem to run out of energy to do these things.

Riese, the black-furred Husky and Tabitha, the orange Tabby Cat. For once, I'd like to talk to them, but on the first day, I ran away from Tabitha because... she just suddenly popped out of nowhere. It scared me, and how she suddenly appeared made me remember of it. No, I don't need those memories right now. They'll only push me away from my goal, and I don't need any further delays. This week is their deadline before their club is disbanded. They need five members, so I need to do this by Friday or before.

"Hey, wanna eat lunch together?" I jolt up as my thoughts scatters away. Varu is looking at me with a friendly lopsided smile.

"Uh... s-sure," I say. Come on, Rue, don't screw this up. I stand up, carrying my lunch box with me, and go to Varu. I grab a nearby chair and sit in front of him. I shuffle a bit, trying to make myself feel comfortable even with every fiber of my being wanting to just leave and get out and be alone and not do this anymore...! Rue, get a hold of yourself!

"What's wrong?" Varu asks me.

"N-Nothing," I say as I open my lunch box. I grab another onigiri and extend it towards Varu," um, would you like another one?" I ask, my paws shaking nervously.

"Sure," Varu accepts with a worried look. We continue to eat in awkward silence. Why isn't this going as well as yesterday?

Lunch break is over and Riese and Tabitha are still not back. I say goodbye to Varu and decide to go back to my seat, in which the timing of me sitting and the two arriving is so coincidental that it's honestly making me pissed. I let out a sigh of frustration and just let it go. I guess these things just happen at times that's unfavorable. But it's not over yet, I still have club hour to try and join. I'll just go over with my plan on what to do.

The last period ends and it's time for club hour. I'll go over the plan again just to be sure. First, I'll find the club room by following and sneaking behind Varu, that way I'll know which room it is. Riese and Tabitha will be out scouting, so Varu will be left in the room alone, making it easier to converse with him and ask to join the club. Once Riese and Tabitha goes back to the club room, Varu will be there with me and I'll be able to muster enough courage to introduce myself. I'll have to prepare myself for what comes after, but I'll be fine so long as I have this charm with me.

I place the feather close to my chest, feeling the warmth of my parents with it. Alright, time to execute the plan! At least, that's what I could have done a few moments ago when Varu was still here. Great, now I'll have to take a Russian roulette with the doors and pray that I'll get the right one, just that the roulette is a 9/10 chance of getting the bullet. I need Hope Bagels with this high a chance of dying.

Ugh, let's just do this! No point in chickening out! Think. Where could the club room be? I wasn't able to get any information about the room from eavesdropping them yesterday. Okay, elimination. The school has 3 floors, and from what I've seen, the first floor doesn't have anything that resembles the High Flyers Club. That leaves me with the two other floors that I haven't search yet. Since it's still a new club, I find it hard to believe that they have a signboard of their club name on it, so I'll have to check the signboards... while avoiding the students oh God, I can't do this.

I rub my muzzle, frustrated at myself. Okay, let's try not to think and just... go for it. Yeah, that sounds okay. Sure, I can do this, if I want to end my life early-- no! Stop exaggerating, I won't die today unless I trip down the stairs or jump out the window or anything that can probably happen at school. And those things happening is most unlikely. Okay, let's do this...!

I get out of the room and climb up the stairs. I can already hear them whispering to each other about me, but I mustn't mind them. I just have to. Climb. These. Stairs...! Damn it, why is it so hard to climb a few steps of the stairs at school? Stop being a coward! I push myself further and climb up a few more steps until I finally reach the second floor. I let out a sigh of relief. I'm glad that's over.

"Okay, now I just need to-- ack!" I lose my balance when someone suddenly bumps into me and I fall down. Luckily, my arms break my fall, though at the cost of almost breaking my arms. I slowly let myself up, feeling pain all over my body and only able to push myself up to a kneeling position. Then, someone lends a paw in front of me and I look up.

"I'm sorry, are you okay?" I see a white rabbit with red eyes and long, golden hair lending her paw. I nod in response even though I'm feeling so much pain in my arms.

"I'm sorry, too. I was spacing out," I manage to say as I accept her help. The moment I touch her paw, a chill runs up my spine. No, this isn't like back then, Rue. She helps me get back up and apologizes again.

"I'm in a hurry, so I'll have to catch you later. Let's be careful next time, 'kay?" she smiles and shakes my paw before running down the stairs. Wonder what she's in a rush for? Nevermind that, I should get back to the task at paw. Speaking of paw...

"The... the feather...!" I scream internally and frantically look around, only to find that the feather is on the window's edge. I look at it as it's balancing itself. I immediately panic the moment I see it but I tell myself to calm down and approach this carefully. I try to walk slowly towards it, extending my paw to reach for it, but all of a sudden a gust of wind blows it away.

I don't know why I did it. I just ran towards the feather and jumped out of the window to grab the it. The next thing I know, I'm outside the school holding the feather with my paw and the ground feets below me. Am I that desperate of having someone beside me? That I have to cling onto them so that I'll be brave. And now I'm here, holding on to this feather while waiting to plummet down to the floor and breath my last breathe.

I really wanted to join the club so that I could change myself. Make myself stronger with them, not running away anymore, but I guess it was too big of a wish. I still wanted to do more things, find friends who'll accept me, work in a job that I love, eat more cheesy food, but that's not happening. I didn't think that I'd die in a pathetic way, though. I guess... this is the end.

...

Wait, why am I not falling? I'm not feeling the rush of air as I fall to my death. Gravity is still supposed to exist, shouldn't it? Or maybe it's because I'm already dead. I then notice that I'm slowly being pulled back inside the school. My heart is beating so fast. I don't know what's going on, but something's pulling me back. Once I'm back inside, I'm being lifted up before being put down. I just stare outside for a few seconds, trying to figure out what just happened. I then notice something behind me, making me feel very uncomfortable.

I can feel myself shaking uncontrollably as I try to look behind me. A towering silver Fur, about half my size taller, is looking down on me. Another chill goes up my spine as I look at his eyes, his dead, emotionless looking eyes. But, he's the one who saved me, isn't he? Or maybe he's Death and have already claimed my soul.

The Fur then opens his mouth, making me flinch and my heart beat so rapidly that I feel like it's going to explode any time.

"Are you okay?" he asks. I look down, not knowing what I should say. Okay, I just need to calm down. This Fur is asking me if I'm okay, so I should respond. That is, if I can stop myself from shaking and make my mouth open to say something. I try to say something, anything, but everything that I say is just me talking in my mind and not to him. My eyes start to tear up, frustrated at not being able to say the simple word "yes". Damn it, just say something, Rue!

Then, everything becomes easier all of a sudden when I look at him again. My uncontrollable shaking stops and my heart is slowly going back to its normal pace. The Fur, he is patting me on the head gently and giving me a faint yet warm smile. I don't know why, but he looks a lot less intimidating now, like a different Fur just appeared. He then kneels down and asks me again.

"Are you okay?"

"Y-Yes," I say, looking down and embarrassed. I'm being comforted like a kid by a schoolmate I don't even know, but it's somehow making me feel better.

"That's good," he says before standing back up. "Don't go doing that again," he turns to his back and walks away. I watch as he, the silver-furred Akita, slowly ascends to the next floor and then gone from my sight. I wasn't even able to thank him for saving me and I don't even know his name. I hold the feather on my paw close to my chest.

"Thank you," I say to the wind and hope that my message is passed to him. I look around and no one is here. I guess they're off to their clubs already. I'm going to have to try again tomorrow, hopefully I won't get distracted and lose sight of Varu again. Too emotionally exhausted at what just happened, can't think clearly.

I decide to wait for Dad at the school gate. If you don't have a club, there's really no reason to stay at school for club hours. Though the school heavily recommends the students to join a club, it doesn't mean that a student has to be in one. I remember hearing that from Mr. Kelt's orientation on the first day of school.

That reminds me, when I was "unconscious" on the first day, I was carried by Varu and Tabitha to the infirmary. I was actually very much conscious, but was just pretending I wasn't. The Grizzly Bear nurse, Miss Bernadette Coral, happened to know about my act and confronted me about it when the two left the room. She asked nicely, but I honestly don't know what I should say. Should I have said that I was acting because I don't want to talk to them? That would sound so weird and stupid that I just remained silent. She gave up after a few more questions and proceeded to do what she was doing.

She then said to me that I should go and attend to the class orientation, and I nodded in response and proceeded to do so. Thing is, I just stayed in front of the doors listening to them inside the room. From the introduction, to the ice breaker, to Mr. Kelt's stories about his youth, up to the end of the orientation. I was just listening behind the doors that day and was lucky enough that no teacher was passing by the hall. I took notes in my head and wrote them when I was finally able to get back in.

What was unexpected that day was a blue Fox lending his help towards a strange Fur like me. He asked if I wanted to borrow his notes during lunch break, but I already wrote all what Mr. Kelt said that day. I had to decline, but how should I say it? I decided to just say that I already have notes, and he just accepted it. I'm glad he wasn't one of those type who pester you with questions.

But to think that he'd help someone like me. He is a good Fur and seems to be friendly towards everyone. Though his approach with Riese is different, sounding cold towards him, he seems to care for him. If he didn't, he wouldn't have joined Riese's club just because Riese was hugging him. Yes, I saw Riese jump on him and hug him in the classroom on the first day, which I thought was cute. I was actually just about to leave when I saw Riese hug him, and I immediately rush out so that they wouldn't see me.

I know it's wrong to eavesdrop, but I was listening to them with my back against the wall. Riese wanted, no, needed him to join the club and he refused at first, but he later on just accepted. He could've just continued to walk away, but he didn't. Varu must have some feelings for Riese, since his voice felt happy than defeated. Maybe, for personal reasons, he likes him?

I should put that in the past and bury it. Not only was it wrong to eavesdrop, it would be wrong to put my nose in someone else's business. I'll keep it a secret for them, since I also wouldn't want the other students to know. I know how judgmental other Furs are, no matter how much they put up a smile and pretend. Those smiles that are so fake that I can't deal with it.

I scowl and grit my teeth at the thought of faux smiles. If they're not honest with themselves and backstab others at the end, they should just go rot in hell and stay there. Filthy lowlives. I clench my fists in anger as I continue thinking about those... stop, that's enough, Rue. I need to calm down.

Breath in, breath out. Calm down, Rue. Don't let anger cloud your mind. There are just some Furs that can't and won't change, and I have to accept that. It's better to just avoid them, ignore them, and never befriend them.

Now to stop moping around while I wait for Dad to pick me up.

-

Thursday morning. Today is the day that I'm going to be joining the club. I hold on to the feather tightly with my right paw while writing notes with my left. I'm not letting this feather off my sight ever again. This club hour, I'll--

*buzz*

"Attention everyone, club hour will be suspended due to an emergency meeting with the teachers and staff. Again, club hours will be suspended due to an emergency meeting with the teachers and staff. Thank you for your understanding."

*buzz*

...

Well, the timing couldn't be any more perfect, can it? It truly is amazing that a situation such as this arises when a certain Fur is in dire need of some support from fate, huh? Argh! Why can't I just man up and say I want to join? Why can't I simply say "hey, can I join the club" without shaking like I'm in a tundra in the middle of nowhere without warm clothes? Gah!

I accidentally scribbled on my notebook out of frustration. Sigh, I really wish this part of me would stop. Though weirdly, this is my first time in a while since I've had a childish tantrum like this. Goes to show that I'm actually giving my all to try and join the club. So, yay me? I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, I decide that I'll be joining tomorrow.

"We should still scout later," I hear Riese tell Varu but Varu shakes his head.

"You'll make a racket," Varu whispers back as he continues writing notes.

"We'll quietly scout," Riese says.

"And how do you do that?" Varu asks.

"We'll quietly scout," Riese says again, giving emphasis to "quietly". I hear Varu let out a frustrated sigh and just shake his head. I can't help but giggle a bit at the back.

"We made him laugh," Riese suddenly says, making me flinch in response. Varu looks at Riese with a confused look and Riese points a finger at me. I struggle to get a notebook and have it cover my cheeks that I feel are flushing red. That was embarrassing.

After a while, I slowly move the notebook down to see if they're still looking at me. They're not. But still, I didn't think Riese would notice me at the back. I guess there's more to his character than I thought.

Lunch break, and Varu and I eat together again while Riese and Tabitha hurriedly eat and went scouting, again. I guess they're still looking for a fifth member.

"So, I was thinking. Do you happen to know anyone who's interested to join?" Varu asks me. Not really surprised since the deadline is nearing and he already asked me the other day.

"No," I say, shaking my head. Varu lets out a deep sigh and looks outside the window.

"To think that I'd actually care about his club. It's actually kind of funny. The other day, I was very against it, but now I'm hoping for a fifth member to arrive," he says, still focusing outside, "Strange, isn't it?" he adds. I just nod in response.

Another awkward silence, the bell rings, I take my seat, the two comes back, basically what happened yesterday happened today.

The bell rings again, the last subject ends, the teacher bids farewell, and the other students leaves. I let out a sigh and accept it. It's just not today. I go out of the classroom, go to the public bus station, and rides back home. I told Dad that we're going home early due to the emergency meeting, but he said he was going to work overtime today and was about to tell me to just take the bus. What's with the timings today? They all seem to by synced or something.

I arrive home and see a note on the door. I take it off and read it. "Had to go early for work. Dad going overtime, probly. Dinner's in the fridge, just heat it up. Sleep early. Love, Mom (and insert a heart shape)" I puff my right cheek as I stare at the note. I guess I'll be home alone for a while.

I go inside, close the door, and go up the stairs to my room. I place my bag beside the bed before taking out the yellow feather inside my pocket and putting it on my computer table. I change to my home clothes, a.k.a. my pajamas, and proceed to go back down the stairs. I go to the kitchen and check the fridge to see what's for dinner. Chicken wings. I heat it up in the microwave before checking the rice cooker. There are still some rice left. Okay, rice with chicken. While waiting for the microwave to finish, I hear the doorbell ring. Must be Matthew. Mom and Dad always use their keys.

"Coming," I say as I rush to the door to open it. "Hello, Matthew."

"Hello, Rue. How you doing?" An 18 year old brown Bear says, holding a medium-sized package with both paws. He is currently wearing a blue vest on top of a polo shirts with blue pants and a red and white cap with a logo of an envelope on it.

"Uh, fine I g-guess?" I stammer. I've been trying to initiate a conversation with Matthew for years and I'm still having trouble.

"Hey, you're getting better. At least you're not fidgeting now," he laughs before adjusting the box so that he can get the receipt from his belt. Struggling, he gives the pad to me, almost letting the box fall but luckily catching it. "Phew, your parents order some big stuffs."

"What are those a-anyways?" I ask.

"Uh, it's in the receipt," he leans forward a bit to check, "A complete album collection of something," he struggles to say. "And can you sign it instead? The boss would kill me if I can't get the signature." I nod in response.

I sign the signature and Matthew struggles to get the pad back. "Uh, you need help carrying--"

"No, no, I can handle this. I just need to... uh, can I place this on the table over there," he says, gesturing his eyes on the table beside me. I nod and he goes inside to place the box on the table.

Matthew, the brown Bear, was one of my schoolmates back then when I was in elementary. He is three years older than me, but just two years ahead at school. His dad and mine are good friends, that's why we happen to know each other. And despite my... uniqueness, he's still friendly towards me. As of now, he's working part-time as our neighborhood delivery guy. He's forgetful, he's clumsy, he's not that smart, but he's a really nice guy.

"Phew. Does he buy these often? I usually just deliver small packages. This is the first time I delivered something this big," he says.

"Sometimes," I say.

"I see. Well, gotta go now. Thanks for signing the receipt," he says. I give back the pad and he gives me a copy of the receipt. He then goes inside the delivery van and drives away.

*ding*

The chicken is done. I guess coincidences are good sometimes.

After eating dinner, I wash the dishes then go back to my room. I then raise my arms halfway and flap the sleeves of my pajamas for a few seconds before letting out a loud sigh. Doing this somehow makes me feel happy and relieved. I always do this in my room even when I was a kid. Haha, long sleeves are really fun to play with. Give me a large cap and I can call myself an alchemist.

Alchemist. That reminds me, I haven't logged in to my mobile games today. Have to claim them daily gifts. I get my phone and proceed to do so. But somehow, I'm not in a mood to play. It's one of those moments when you're excited to do something, but when you do it, you lose all motivation. Why am I feeling down all of a sudden?

I let out a loud yawn before lying down on my bed. I'm tired? Why would I be tired? I didn't do anything tiring, did I? All I remember was... that I put a lot of emotion into stuff at school for the past few days. I guess I haven't been giving it my all years back. I was only doing things for the sake of just getting out of school, but now I'm wanting to join a club with some Furs who might be able to help me change. Kind and friendly Furs.

I hear the door open from downstairs, making me jump out from my bed. Dad must be home. I leave the room and check who it was. Yep, it's Dad. He's back from work and looking a bit exhausted, though nothing compared to that one time.

"Heya Rue, were you able to join yet?" Dad asks. I shyly shake my head. Why did he have to ask? "I see. Well, amma just go to the living room and pass out there. Wanna sleep with?" he jokes.

"Nah, I'm good," I say.

"Boo, I want someone to hug with," Dad says childishly as he pouts.

"Hug a pillow."

"But I wanna hug you or Echo."

"Then hug Mom."

"But Echo isn't here."

"Then hug a pillow."

"Boo. Amma collapse on your bed, then," he says as he starts to walk upstairs.

"Nope, you ain't," I say, going back to my room and locking it. I let out a sigh and proceed to lie down on my bed. Dad, he's really random at times. But sometimes that's a good thing. The house wouldn't be as lively if he wasn't.

I was starting to feel drowsy, my eyelids getting heavier with each passing second. I let out a yawn before turning to my side and slowly drift to sleep.

*clink*

Keys. Dad!

I try to get off of my bed as quickly as I could, but Dad slams the door open and jumps on me, hugging me tightly

"Dad! You know you're in your work clothes," I say, laughing a bit.

"I collapsed, so I can't answer that," he says, trying to sound like he's already asleep.

"You just jumped on me!"

"Collapsed on you."

"Dad," I say, but I'm not angry. I actually like being hugged by them, by Mom and Dad. I love how childish they are, how they always find a way to make me smile, how they encourage me, how they trust me and I trust them in return. I couldn't ask for better parents.

I hug Dad back as I close my eyes and slowly fall asleep.

"I love you."

-

Friday. Last day of the week. The day then need to have a fifth member otherwise... no, today, I'll join the club. There's nothing to worry about. And there's nothing that's stopping me.

"Hey, have you heard, someone almost jumped the other day."

My ears perk up as I hear someone talking. Someone almost jumped? The other day? Wait, was that the emergency meeting yesterday about?

"Yeah, I heard that it was a green Fur. There's no one else green here in the school."

No... they're not talking about me, right? It, it has to be someone else! There's no way that it's me!

"I know that he's a weirdo, but committing suicide on the first week. What an idiot. Weakling. Coward. Weirdo. "

The words echo through my mind.

...

There's no denying it. That's me.

I start to tear up, thinking about what I did the other day. Damn it, if I hadn't just ran for this feather. If I hadn't been so dependent on something like this. If only I was stronger, then this wouldn't have happened. To think that I've made a name for myself so early in the school year, but I didn't think it would be "The Fur who Tried to Suicide".

I can't carry this with them.

I can't carry my name in their club. It'll be bad for them. Not only that, they should just distance themselves from me. I'll only give them more problems, and I don't want them to carry a burden because of me.

This is for the best.

I'll just... not join. I'm pretty sure that they'll find a different Fur to join them. This is for them. Besides, I can live with this. I've been living with this for eight years.

I can get through with this.

Lunch time, and I avoid making eye contact with Varu. I'm glad he gets the message that I don't want to talk to him. Furs seeing us talk will only make matters worse. I need to distance myself from them, not converse with them, not eat lunch with them, and better to not make contact with them. It's for the best.

Club hour.

Honestly, what's there to do? I'm not planning to join their club. I should just go home and tell Mom and Dad about it. But, for whatever reason, I'm on the second floor, leaning on the window I almost jumped out of, holding the yellow feather in between my finger and thumb. Why am I here?

I remember the day when that Fur saved me from jumping. I never get to know his name, but I'm glad I don't know. It's better this way. I let out a loud sigh as I let go of the feather, letting the wind carry it away.

I'm sorry, Mom. I won't be needing this feather anymore.

I watch as the wind tosses and turns the feather up in the air before it starts rocking, slowly going down. I look at the feather blankly as it falls down on the ground. I'm about the leave the area to go home, but I catch something from the corner of my eye. A silver Fur picks up the feather and looks around. Is that... the Fur that saved me the other day?

The silver Akita then looks up and towards me, and I immediately take cover to the sides of the window. I hope he didn't see me. What is with these coincidences?! I don't need someone else coming to contact with me. I look back out and see that he's not there anymore. Where did he go? I look around to check but he's nowhere in sight. I need to get out of here.

I turn around and before I can even proceed to the stairs, I see him already at the stairs, raising the feather with his paw.

"This is yours, is it not?" he asks. I shake my head. "Then whose is it?" I shrug my shoulder. He looks at me blankly for a few seconds before letting out a grunt. "Didn't you try to catch this the other day?" I... nod. "Then here," he says, extending the feather towards me. I look away, tears starting to well up in my eyes.

"I don't... need it, anymore," I say.

"Why?" he asks. I remain silent.

Why would he be looking out for me, a total stranger? I'm just someone who he saved, and he doesn't even know me. I don't even know him. Why would he care that someone doesn't want a feather back?

"Here," he says, practically shoving the feather to my paws.

"I said I don't--"

"If you didn't, you wouldn't have jumped."

"That's because I..."

"Was scared? That you'd burden others because of those rumors?" he finishes. I nod.

"Don't make that an excuse to stop," he says.

An excuse to stop...? It's not an excuse... is it? I haven't made any excuses, have I? Or maybe I did. I could've joined them on Wednesday but I used the excuse that I was too emotionally tired to do so. I could've asked to join them on Thursday but I used that coincidental timing as an excuse to not join. I've been making these excuses that I didn't even know, and to think that I believed that I wanted to join them.

I'm sorry Mom, but I really am pathetic. I'm pathetic to think that I want to join something, only to know that I've been saying it half-heartedly. If I really did want to join them, I'd have joined them since the day they asked me to. Haha, I really am pathetic. An idiot.

I hold the feather close to my chest. Feeling the warmth of Mom and Dad by my side. I'm really pathetic, an idiot, a weirdo, but I won't make these into excuses to not join the club. I look up to the silver Akita, tears running down my cheeks, but I'm smiling. I'm smiling, knowing that I'm no longer deluding myself of these excuses.

But now there's just one problem. I don't know where the club is, I wasn't able to follow Varu, and I wasn't able to check the other days. Well, this Fur seems nice. I wonder if I can ask him.

"Y-You don't happen t-to know where the... High Flyers Club is... do you?" I ask. He nods back. "R-Really? Where is it?"

"Follow me," he says before turning his back to climb up the stairs. I follow him to the third floor and he goes to one end of the hall. He ushers to come, and so I do. He opens the door and goes inside. Is this really it? The club room...?

I look inside the room and I see a blue Fox sitting down on a chair, looking at the silver Akita. He looks down, like all his energy is drained. He's smiling, but it looks more like a smile of defeat. "Where've you been, Ken?" the blue Fox asks.

"There's someone here," the silver Akita, Ken, says, pointing at me. I instinctively back away, heart beating loud and fast. No, this isn't the time to be scared! I take a step forwards, and another step, and another, until I'm in front of the door. I look up and see the blue Fox looking at me, his eyes wide with shock. I try to give him my most reassuring smile, but I think it looks more like a forced one.

"Hello, I... I'd like to join the club," I say sheepishly. I see the blue Fox's eyes light up as he stands up and goes to me.

"O-of course! We'd like to welcome you to our club!" he says gleefully, shaking my paw. I can see a faint smile from Ken as he looks at me. "Let's go tell the others! Come on," he lets go of my paw and walks away. Ken walks to my side and pats my head gently.

"You're strong," he says before he passes me by, following Varu.

I let out a sigh of relief. Mom, Dad, I was able to do it. I was able to join this club with these fun and friendly Furs. I'm not going to make any more excuses. Holding the feather close to my chest, my heart, I follow the two.

"W-Wait up!"