Chapter 80

"For the last time, Mizuchi," her mother told her firmly. "I am doing this for your own good. I don't mind if you become friends with that bat but loving him? I have to destroy that before you even- Mizuchi, stop crying! A grown lady should not cry like a child!"

But the young harlequin rabbit's eyes were hot with tears streaming down her face, both of her arms were crossed as if to protect herself. She really can't believe her mother would say all of this to her. A mother should at least try to understand her daughter's point of view before jumping into conclusion.

She has no one in the family to talk about this kind of situation she is in!

Her mother, sat next to her on the bed, her paw on her daughter's shoulder. "I just want you to broaden your horizons over the animals you interact with. You are now a university student so act like one. As harlequin rabbits, we must have some self-dignity or else you're nothing but easy prey rather than a priceless species."

"But mom, Arthur-"

"Is not right for you! A blind, penniless animal without a proper job cannot contribute anything in this society. I'm doing the right thing because I love you, Mizuchi. I expect you to forget him the minute you begin your semester. Is that understood?"

'How dare she....Seriously, how dare she?!?!'

Mizuchi wiped her tears, nodding at her mother with an air of grace she has carried whenever she is at Cherryton. She was not going to let her mother get the best of her when she had already planned ahead:

Study and get her apprenticeship at her accepted university, thus making a living for herself so that she could remove herself from this neurotic environment.

Once her mother left her room, Mizuchi allowed her tears to resume their flow. Her heart was pounding while her mind only thought of the Honduran white bat that entered her life, opened her heart to new opportunity and view the world from his cloudy blue eyes.

How ironic that a blind bat has helped opened hers?

Riley and Tanya were also getting ready to attend the courses at their chosen universities. No matter what new life is in store for them, the trio will try their best to meet up. For now, she was busy making something for Arthur to present to him as a gift.

A sudden kiss in the morning, a tender gaze in the evening

Beyond my range of comprehension until you brought to attention

Greetings always followed by sweet goodbyes, yes, all must meet its end

Baby, can't you just relax? Don't look back, don't hurry!

The song playing from her phone somehow knew what she was feeling when she decided to turn on some music while working. Sure, her parents would arrange her with another harlequin buck or convince Genji to get back since his parents are friends with hers.

'I'm coming, Arthur,' Mizuchi thought to herself, drawing the design for Arthur's top while a biology book was opened to be use as reference for the types of animals she wants to design her fashions for.

...

The next day, the trial continued with Arthur feeling a bit more confident after playing his heart out at the hospital. Of course, there were a few nurses and doctors that told him to tone him down to which he decided to play it outside at the window.

It really warmed his heart that his music at least brought a bit of comfort to some of the patients. He has read online that music can benefit various parts of the brain from the cortex and its limbic system. A wonder that the songs he played can be processed into a sort of therapy.

He hoped that no matter the outcome of the trial, he will still be able to play again or at least drink a cup of tea with Mizuchi.

'Nocturna's ear, I hope you're listening, Mizuchi,' the blind Honduran white bat thought to himself after he played a small song last night. He really missed talking to her and his friends. Knowing that he has a lot of responsibilities, Arthur prayed that it doesn't affect his father or his mother.

"Now then, can the final witness state their testaments?"

It was nerve-racking to the point Arthur's ears were tuning out the situation at court. His mind was flying elsewhere where he was planning to meet Mizuchi if the situation is in favour of him. How the both of them would have breakfast together at a cafe or work on something together in the same room.

"Arthur....Arthur!"

"Y-yes?" he finally snap back to reality. "Sorry, I was thinking about something."

"We have concluded that you are," the judge paused, making the entire courtroom silent. "Not guilty! As for the harlequin rabbit Genji...Let him experience some honest work. He is going to be a university student, isn't he? A community van will be coming tomorrow to pick him up to work at the soup kitchen."

"That dirty old place?! How dare-"

"Oh, you won't be alone," the judge had a smile in his tone. "Your parents will be joining you too. And no, there won't be any bribes necessary for this. A parent should know what sort of lesson they have passed on to their child."

Hearing the anxiousness in their voices somehow made Arthur feel bad. However, if he will stop bothering him and Mizuchi, then it is a relief.

Once he was free to leave, Arthur was suddenly tackled into a tight embrace. The scent of the animal's fur was that of vanilla and strawberries. Arthur's nose did not deceive him on who it was. A tender kiss was placed on his cheek while the bat rests his head on hers.

There was nothing in this world except the sounds of choked up sobs between them as they embraced with large wings wrapped around her like a cloak.

"I'm free, Mizuchi....I'm free..."

...

"Are we there yet?"

"Almost there, Arthur," said Aoba, who was letting the blind hold onto his wing. The young bat was swivelling his ears around as they left the train station. The both of them were going to visit Legosi at his new apartment that was close to the Black Market. Arthur was wearing a new shirt that was designed by his girlfriend.

Arthur was feeling nervous since it's been a while since he last talked to the grey wolf. He was the first to be kind to him, thus leading him to the life he has made for himself. In a sense, he felt guilty for not reaching out to Legosi after he has heard the news about the wolf leaving school.

While walking, Arthur heard a few vendors calling out to on-going passerby. That's when Arthur knew that the apartment was very close to the Black Market. After experiencing everything ever since the Shishigumi incident, the Honduran white bat understood the Black Market as another route for carnivores when the world turned against them.

Then again, he wasn't used to the scent of blood nor did he recall ever hearing about them during his Gryphon Cross days.

"Oh, Aoba and Arthur!" the gravelly voice of the grey wolf made Arthur turn his head at the sound of the voice. He hoped that he did clean himself up before meeting him.

"Hello Legosi. It's been so long and I'm sorry that I haven't called you! I-"

Arthur was engulfed into a hug with the sound of a tail wagging. This made him smile, trying to stop the oncoming tears from seeping out of his cloudy blue eyes. In return, his large wings barely wrapped around Legosi's back.

"I'm so glad to see you again, Arthur! I mean, I can see you but you know..."

"Don't worry, I know what you mean!"

During their catch up, both the wolf and bat exchanged stories about what have they been doing in the past few months. Aoba was busy setting up the food they have brought to visit the wolf, which consisted of homemade pasta and sandwiches.

"So Genji has been punished to do community work?" Legosi asked incredulously, sipping his cup of tea. "Wow, you have been busy! Well, it's better than what I have been doing which is working at this udon shop that serves all animals and trying to pay the rent here."

Arthur tilted his head, ears twitching. "But it sounds like you know what you are doing. I'm just a student trying to get by each day while playing my music. You on the other hand Legosi, have made a living for yourself alone and braved yourself with everything that came at you."

The grey wolf was silent at what Arthur had described. He shook his head and gently took the bat's two fingers in his large hands.

"You're lucky, Legosi," said Arthur quietly. "You're eighteen and already independent. I understand that you made mistakes but what adult doesn't? I'm your age and I haven't found my footing in life. Where would I live, how will I survive on a income and I haven't gotten my flying license yet!"

"You still have your music, Arthur," Legosi reasoned, letting the bat sit on his lap. "Surely you can make money off of your music? I know Miguno, my old 701 roommate is in the band called the Leftovers. Maybe you can join them?"

Arthur wrapped his wings around himself. "I don't know....My choice of music isn't up to par with theirs. I'll just continue to do what I have to do until I graduate. I'm not sure if I want to continue with university or get a job. Then again, not many places would accept me if I don't have any experience or because I'm blind. I guessed it's the same with Mizuchi and I. I don't want her to be tied down to me since she has a new chapter in her university life. I loved her but I don't want her to feel burdened by me."

This made Aoba paused in his actions while Legosi was staring down at him as if he was holding a fluffy time bomb. But Arthur simply smiled and then laughed.

"Well, I shouldn't be so selfish to talk about myself! I want to know more about you and did you happen to know a horse called Yafya? He invited my family for dinner but I declined because I have some things to you."

Legosi didn't know how to tell his blind friend about his encounters with the stallion that was feared at the Black Market and his personal encounters with him. He simply petted the bat between the ears.

"I think you should go since he is an important figure. Tell you what, are you going to play a song? I saw Aoba bringing a keyboard on his back."

Arthur blinked, his expression shifted from nervous to relief. "Oh yes, I hope you don't mind?"

"I'm okay, Arthur. I have to warn you that the walls of my apartment are thin so my neighbours could hear you. But don't worry, I'm sure they don't mind!"

The Honduran white bat smiled his toothy smile before setting up his keyboard to play a song. It was a song he has heard Mizuchi singing and how it captured her beautiful voice, her emotions and everything that made his heart swell.

When he played the keys to the song, Aoba decided to open the windows so that the whole complex could hear him. Arthur deserved the recognition with his music. Because he knew some musicians might not get the recognition they deserve until they die at the age of forty.

He doesn't want his dear friend to experience that!

The music has really done wonders to him and Legosi, watching Arthur playing it with his eyes closed. Music has always been the bat's strongest suit, since it changed him into someone confident. The song was what Aoba would describe as melodic, a little jazzy, and the least bit monotonous.

"You might go far, Arthur," the bald eagle whisper. "Further than where you are now."

Little did they know, the melodies that was produced by the Honduran white bat has attracted a few silent audience. One that happened to be a perp while the other is the protector of the city.