We're Only Animals: Book 2 - Part 1: Building the Tower

Chapter 74 - The Tower Through New Eyes

It was no surprise that when Louis arrived at the tower on Tuesday he found Go waiting there for him. Instead of his usual teasing, he gave Louis a smile.

The deer approached, then looked around to make sure no one was listening. "Nori."

Suddenly, he was being hugged around the waist. "Louis!"

The buck's eye bugged a bit and he blinked. "Are you alright?"

Nori stepped back quickly. "Yeah...Sorry. I just...I've been waiting for you."

"You have?"

"Yeah...I volunteered for door duty so I could be the first to see you."

Louis raised a brow. "Wow."

"I just wanted to say...thanks...for the talk. It meant a lot to me. Even if it was really deep."

The deer nodded. "It really was no big deal. You needed help."

The red panda nodded. "Yes...I do. It sucks. Really sucks. I just never expected you to be there for me."

Louis snorted. "I know. It's interesting how our relationship has developed."

"But I like it," Nori responded. "I just can't let anyone else find out..."

"You can always message me," Louis said.

Nori smiled a bit more. "I'll make sure I will."

"I need to get on with my day," Louis said. "I'll see you later."

When Louis stepped in, he was greeted by the smiling face of a certain alpaca.

"Hey, Shi! I got your outfit all washed and dried up!" San held the garments up in his arms.

"How did you know I was already here?" Louis asked.

"Well, this is around the time you usually show up, so I've been waiting."

"I guess that makes sense. How are you?"

The other herbivore smiled wide, squinting his eyes. "I'm feeling good today! Ready for more training?"

"Of course I am. Do you think...today could be the day?" Louis questioned.

San squinted more and his mouth was pulled taut as he raised a hand up in a 'maybe' gesture. "I dunno. Hard to say."

"I'm hoping. It's been a while. But then again...If it does happen, Ichi will start involving me more..."

"Ah, don't sweat it!" San said, but his expression looked uncertain. "Shichi is already up in the room, so let's get going! We also dug up an old tracksuit for you if you want."

"No thank you. I like the outfit Hachi made for me."

San chuckled. "Then you should start to do your own laundry! Well, go get dressed and meet up with us."

"Okay, okay." Louis did as he was told, quickly meeting back up with the group in the training area.

Pina was laying on the ground, arms and legs stretched out, and San and Kyuu were sitting cross-legged nearby.

The deer smiled when he saw him, walking over and looking down. "Hey."

The sheep's eyes opened, revealing ocean-blue irises. "Yo."

"What are you up to, Shichi?"

"Nothing, cuz I'm down on the ground."

San snorted. "Was that supposed to be a joke?"

Pina sat up to look at him. "Hey, I tried."

Louis had already facepalmed by that point. "I walked into that one."