Chapter 12

Arthur was a bit nervous because it was his first time having an outing with a friend since his transfer here in Cherryton. He was so nervous that for breakfast, he accidentally put berry juice instead of milk in his oatmeal. Berry juice and honey in hot oatmeal was the worst thing he's ever tasted!

He called for Legosi and Jack on his phone to ask if the both of them would like to join him for the weekend outing.

Jack apologised, saying that he's got plans with two of his canine roommates while Legosi was busy. Arthur wondered why but Legosi assured the bat that he was meeting Haru. The Honduran white bat couldn't help but smile. There was something going on between the grey wolf and dwarf rabbit and he knew one of them has to make the move soon.

He recalled back in Gryphon Cross, some of the students had interspecies parents. They looked like either species rather than a hybrid, or so he was told by his old friend Sameer. He understood why people don't like a carnivore and a herbivore together because it might trigger some natural instincts within either of them.

His dad would've said that for most animals including herbivores, have trouble ignoring their instincts so he must learn how to adapt or else he will be depicted like most carnivores as murderers. Since Arthur is a bat, they are both carnivores and herbivores so it was not an issue for him.

"Arthur," Legosi's gravelly voice almost made him jumped back from his own phone. "Do you know what is the Black Market?"

Arthur tiled his head, holding the phone close to his ear. "B-black Market? No, what is it?"

"Just avoid it while you're there," said the wolf. "It's the worst place for carnivores and don't listen to anyone who says otherwise."

'O-Okay..." Arthur wasn't too convinced but sensed a hint of urgency in Legosi's tone. He was a bit excited yet nervous about his first time out of campus with a friend. He just brought his backpack and inside were just his thermos flask along with a tote bag in case he finds a supermarket to buy some stuff for his dorm.

...

"Glad you could make it, Arthur," Aoba greeted him. He was interested to know how is it that Arthur is blind but could dress himself so well? Maybe it's his other senses that heightened when his eyes are useless.

"Thanks for inviting me for this, Aoba. You're right, it's nice to be out of campus once in a while."

Arthur's shirts like every other top had the sleeves cut out so that there's room for his wings. A black t-shirt with a white star in the middle and matching grey pants made him looked like his age. When in his school uniform, Arthur might as well be a third year.

"Say, how come you don't have glasses?" a confused tone asked. Arthur recognised the voice immediately. "I don't think glasses would be necessary for someone who is blind, Bill. Plus, I can't see light but I can feel it."

"Still, wouldn't everyone be creeped out by those soulless bug-eyes?"

Arthur said nothing. He wasn't sure whether to be angry or sad because no one has ever experienced his view of things. He could hear Aoba smacking Bill at the back of his head to reprimand him.

So a bat, an eagle and tiger were off into the town below the cliff. Arthur was thankful for his clicks improving, especially in crowded area where he could block other sounds to find his way around. The three of them boarded the train and soon they were on their way down hill.

Now Arthur may not know Bill too well so judging by his voice and tone, he must have something to hide under all that boisterous attitude. While Arthur may seemed creepy even to the regular civilians, Aoba stuck by his side. Even the Bengal tiger Bill was still baffled by how Arthur can function like a normal animal.

"So where are we going?" asked Arthur, feeling his backpack.

"Just a couple of comic book stores and maybe the arcade," replied Aoba, watching the scene going by from the train's window. "Probably have lunch somewhere too."

Arthur only nodded, letting his ears listen to the rumbling of the railway tracks and the footsteps. His hand-wings were wrapped closed to him, to others it would look like the bat was wrapped in a blanket.

"Seriously," Bill poked Arthur at the knee with a single claw. "How the hell can you function without a cane?"

Arthur turned his head, his cloudy blue eyes reminded Bill of sky getting dark due to rain. It was unnerving to the Bengal tiger.

"Bill, I'm seventeen not seventy."

...

Arthur was enjoying his outing with Aoba. He was still wary of Bill after that incident at the drama club. He wondered if Bill was angry with the bat biting him at the chin?

At the comic book shop, he listened to some animals geeking out on some characters while some complaint about certain expectations they have of each plot of the comics. It reminded him of his time with his dad and Sameer at the comic book store from his old home called Furbitten Planter. There, there were collectables and posters besides the basement chock full of comics!

If he ever goes back during the holidays, he hoped to invite his new friends to that place. He was starting to warm up to some so far...

At the arcade, Arthur was pretty much useless so he decided to wander down the streets all by himself. He reassured himself that he will be back because his landmark was a statue he felt outside of the comic book store. It was smooth, cool to the touch and the structure was so intricate, Arthur assumed it was a very important figure.

He could hear different sounds around him and smelled delicious food wafting in the air.

"I should wait for Bill and Aoba to finish and then have lunch with them," he murmured to himself. Along the way, he would try to find a grocery store. But it was difficult even when he politely asked for direction. That was the disadvantage of not having his sights.

"Hey, what are you doing here?"

'That voice again!' he thought to himself. He straightened himself up to face her. "I could be asking you the same thing."

"No," the harlequin rabbit, from what Arthur assumed to be shaking her head. "This is the department clothes store unless you're looking for a new dress."

"O-oh, I'm sorry then," he felt embarrassed to stumble into the wrong store. "I'll be on my way now."

But a paw had stopped him by holding the two fingers of his hand-wing. "Wait....Where are you going?"

Arthur was confused. Because her tone sounded curious and there wasn't that fiery tone he had gotten used to hear from her. He was getting suspicious but try to be as polite as possible. "I'm trying to find the grocery store or a supermarket."

"I can take you there."

Mizuchi wanted to slap herself. Since when does she decided to help out this blind bat? Maybe it's like what she said to him before, she pity him. In fact, she can't imagine not seeing the wonders and beauty the world has to offer. But his posture looked a bit stiff, realising why.

He was afraid of her.

Of course he is! Because ever since day one, there's nothing but disgust and loathing for the blind bat. It's better if an animal loses a limb because your senses are intact but when one important sense such as sight was not working, that animal is as good as dead.

Yet why does she feel like having bile rush up to her throat?

Thankfully, her two friends weren't here or else they would tease her non-stop. Sure she may be the leader of the group, but those two are starting to suspect her odd fascination with this bat. He looked calm despite walking together on the bustling street.

Both of them reached the supermarket and Arthur took out the tote bag inside his backpack. He flicked his ears to listen to the sounds that might confirmed him that he really is at the supermarket. The wheeling sounds of the trolleys, beeping at the cashier and sounds of bottles and cans clinking together in a basket.

"Oh, thank you," Arthur gave her a grateful smile. Mizuchi looked away, a bit embarrassed at how relieved he sounded. Not only that but even with cloudy eyes she saw what might be a twinkle. But then she noticed the faded scar on his cheek where she slapped him.

Realising Arthur was still waiting for her response, she cleared her throat. "Of course. It's my way of apologising....for your cheek..."

The Honduran white bat's ears drooped slightly. "It's alright. I understand why you're angry but I could be wrong. No need to linger onto what had happened. Best we push forward and create something new today. I have to go so I shan't waste your time any longer."

"Wait," Mizuchi called out, the bat turning around. Slowly, she grasped his two fingers of the wings. They were so delicate and his wings...it reminded her of a cape if he ever wrapped himself in one before. He was taller than her of course, with her height of four feet eleven. But his large ears made him tower a bit over her.

"Yes?" asked Arthur, his head tilted in confusion.

"I don't mind...browsing around here," she told him softly. "I just need to clear my mind off something."

"I understand."

Mizuchi was surprised by his tone. Again, there wasn't a grudge or malice which meant that the bat meant what he said. It made the harlequin rabbit feel something but she can't tell what. But she hoped that the bat doesn't hear her ears drooping when she is relaxed, making her look like a lop rabbit.

"Oh, by the way my name is Arthur," the bat introduced himself.

The harlequin rabbit grasped his right hand-wing with her right paw and shook. "Mizuchi."