FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

"You're wrong. There's nothing to be proud of." I tell them inside my head. "I don't need you to tell me about the side of my mom that she shows in public. You don't know her. None of you do. None of you would understand. Idiots." I look at the two adults in disgust but in a way that it looks like I appreciate their compliments.

"Thank you very much for the compliments," I bow down at them. They continue to smile, which makes me sick. They don't know anything. If they knew, then they'd pity me. I don't need anyone's pity. I'm strong, and I don't need anyone else. Mom has taught me that.

As they leave, I stare at them. I feel jealousy on how happy and simple their lives are, same with this blue Fox, Varu, who's currently looking at some vegetables.

The first day of school, I was staying on the corridor, waiting for class to start. I never liked being inside classrooms before class starts because of how people interact with each other. Ever since I was young, no one ever dared to be close to be nor be friends with, and the same thing happens every year of my life. It's not like I care, I can do things by myself, I don't need anyone else.

I watched the ceiling blankly that day. Thinking of nothing. There's nothing really important in my life. Then you came, along with that orange Tabby Cat, Tabitha, carrying an unconscious Rue, the green Fox.

"Um, excuse me, where is the nurse's office?" you asked me. I stared at you, thinking why you weren't intimidated. Nevertheless, I pointed towards where you wanted to go. It was the first time someone talked to me without getting scared, or maybe it's because you were occupied with carrying that Fox.

Class started, and I did what I needed to. The hours go bye and, again, no one ever dared to to be close to me. There's no need to have friends, anyways, nor am I expecting to have friends.

During the club hour, I was about to go home, then I noticed you with that black Husky, Riese, going to the teacher's office. I had nothing to do when I get home, so I decided to follow. I stayed outside the office, leaning on the wall and listening. When I heard Riese say you were going to make a club a club, I thought about it. I never joined the club, and with you around I thought of joining.

"What am I thinking?" I thought to myself. "I don't need to join a club nor am I interested." Before I could go, the door opened and Riese bumped into me.

He suddenly said those words, "Hey, wanna join the High Flyers Club?" with a smile.

I wanted to decline then leave, but I realized that he's the second person to talk to me without getting intimidated. I noticed Varu in the sides, and thought about it. There's nothing to lose in joining this club, anyways. I nodded. The Husky left excitedly, leaving me with Varu.

"Are you sure you wanted to join the club?" Varu asked me. Again, there's really nothing for me to lose. I introduced myself to him.

"Ken," I said, "Ken Aki is my name."

"Oh, Varu. Varu Foks. Nice to meet you, Aki," he extended his paw.

"Call me Ken," I shaked his paw gently.

"Ken." he shaked his paw again.

That was how we met. A simple meeting, a simple greeting, and that's it. When you left to go with Riese, Mr. Kelt told me where the club room is, so that's why I was cleaning the club room the next day. Again, I had nothing to lose.

That was before you three opened your arms towards me, unafraid. You, Riese, and Tabitha. You guys didn't fear me. Normally, people would avoid me or just ignore me because of my supposed "unpleasant aura" but the three of you... and even though Varu knows my about my mother, he's casually talking to me. For a week, I was never treated like an outsider or a stranger.

Then on Friday, when we weren't able to find our fifth member yet, I was also saddened. It's been a long time since I felt sad, so I was confused. Why was I sad? Why am I sad for a club that I was never interested in? I had nothing to lose, didn't I?

Then Rue came in with a wide smile and asked, "May I join the club?" and on that moment, I felt something I haven't felt for a very long time.

"Ken, I'm done with getting some vegetables," Varu's word snaps me out from my reminiscing.

"Ah, sorry," I apologize to Varu.

"You were spacing out for quite a while."

"I'm fine, sorry, you can go on without me."

"Nah, there's nothing fun at home, anyways," Varu smiles, "besides, we're friends, right? And clubmates as well."

"Friends. Clubmates," those two word echoes inside my head. The High Flyers Club, the club that I was supposed to have no interest of, is slowly becoming something I'm unfamiliar of.

After buying the groceries, I say goodbye to Varu and walk back home. I wonder of what we're going to do tomorrow. I remember them saying about properly introducing when the club is made. Maybe that's what we'll do tomorrow.

I reach my house after minutes of walking. I don't always keep track of the time to reach my destination, but when I have to go somewhere I always go early as to not be late. Having someone wait for you is impolite. Mom taught me that.

If you look at our house and compare it to the houses of other famous businessmen, our house is much simpler. Well, that is probably because the main house is in Japan and not here. Mom never told me about it. Nor about dad. She never told me much and only told me that I don't need to know, I just need to focus on what's now.

A three floor house with a wide flat screen TV in the living room and a complete kitchen set and dinner room on the first floor. These are just simple things you can find in the house, though.

A red-orange squirrel comes rushing towards me. She's our personal maid, Maggie, who is a close acquaintance of mine and I treat her as a friend. I have to act like a master when Mom is around, and it's hard on me, but I always treat her as a friend, and she knows it.

"Welcome back, Master Ken. I'm sorry for having you buy the groceries," Maggie bows as I enter.

"It's okay. I needed some time and fresh air, anyways," I say before going to the kitchen, but am stopped by Maggie.

"No, let me take care of those, Master Ken. You may go on with your recreational activities," Maggie takes the bags of groceries, a bit forcefully, and smiles at me.

"Again, there is no need for formality, Maggie. I treat you as a friend and family, after all. I'll help you," I look at her with worried eyes. She's looking tired nowadays, and she always does most of the chores alone. Makes me wonder why Mom isn't thinking of hiring another maid.

"I have to be formal, Ken. I am just a mere maid and you are my master," Maggie retaliates.

"You were casual to me days before but go back to being formal days later."

"Ah, that's...," she scratches her cheeks, embarrassed, then bows her head down, "I'm sorry."

"Well, if you really don't any need help, I'm gonna go exercise," Maggie nods and I go up the stairs one floor.

"Oi! Ken, is that you?" I hear my Aunt's voice from her room, which is just next to mine. The second floor is where the bedrooms are. My room is just simple, that's all I can say. I've never went inside my Aunt's room nor did I care about going. People need their privacy after all.

"I was looking for ya, where've ya been?" Aunt Minako, also an Akita, peeks through her door. She has messy, shoulder-length, light brown hair with almond eyes. She gestures me to come closer, and so I do. "Can you do me a favor? Bring me some snacks here. Preferably chips and sodas. Please~ I need food."

"Why not get it yourself?" Aunt Minako starts sniffing. Of course, that's just an act.

"Don't you love your dear aunt?" she cries childishly, "Do you want your dear aunt to starve to death?"

"If you're really hungry, go to the kitchen and eat some actual food rather than those junk foods."

"Boo, you're always so mean Ken," she goes out of her room and closes the door. She's wearing a loose blue green shirt, blue and white vertical stripes pajamas, and a pair of slippers that look similar to a loaf of bread.

Aunt Minako scratches her head and yawns loudly, "What's for lunch?" I forgot she didn't have lunch. What was she doing to even skip it, and it's way past noon.

"There should be some leftover stew."

"Ew, stew. Do we still have bread?"

"I bought some when I went to buy groceries."

"Yay~ thanks, Ken!" Aunt Minako hugs me before skipping away, tail wagging excitedly. Aunt Minako has an obsession of bread. She once said she'd eat bread everyday and fantasizes about a bread house and a bread world where everything is made of every kind of bread, from French bread to egg sandwiches. She said it was heaven for her.

"By the way," Aunt Minako stops and smiles at me, "did you have fun?" I look at her, a bit puzzled on what she said. She continues skipping down the stairs, humming slightly. I wonder about why she said that, but just shake my head and continue to the next floor.

The third floor is where all the recreational rooms. All the gaming consoles, sports equipments, and training materials are in this floor. Mom said that it's okay to play games as long as I have high grades, but I don't always play them. I did buy those consoles and games, but they were those of my liking and have already finished them. I mostly just exercise and practice Kendo. Mom made me practice Kendo when I was a kid as a show of strength, that I won't waver in what I'll do like her.

This time, I decide to just do some weightlifting. I already practiced Kendo yesterday. With every lift, images of the club pops into mind which makes me lose my focus. After a few minutes, I put the weight back to its holder. I can't focus, and why is it that, of all things, that club keeps popping up? I take some time to ponder on this, but it's something that I can't understand.

I stare blankly the white tiled floor. I realize that I've been pondering on it for a long time and, when I look at the clock, it's 5PM. It's not like there's anything better to do with my time. There isn't...

I stand in front of the club room. I question myself why I'm hesitating. There's nothing to be hesitant about, but why? The moment I open the door, I'm greeted with an ear-piercing yell. I take a few steps back because of it.

"You bastard! I'll kill you!" I see Tabitha chasing after Riese while swinging a baseball bat. "You delete that right now!"

"Nevah!" Riese dodges a swing that almost hit him and swiftly retreats outside. "Oh, hey Ken," he greets me before dashing towards then down the stairs.

"You bastard come back here! Hey, hi Ken," Tabitha waves goodbye to me as he follows Riese with haste, determined to catch her prey.

"Sorry about that," Varu walks towards me, "Riese took a stolen shot of Tabitha eating cup noodles. Gotta admit, it was very funny. But he deserves it. He dared to take that picture," his voice suddenly went creepy, which actually creeped me out a bit, then giggles slightly afterwards, "But, Tabitha will handle the wrath for me. Anyways, come in," I take my time thinking how full of spirit they are before I go inside the club room.

I examine the room. It's a bit messy, probably because of those two. There are some chairs and a table toppled, some books flew out of the shelves, and some stuffs were scattered across the floor. Luckily, nothing is broken otherwise we might have to pay for it. I notice in the corner that something seems off. I check and see Rue, blending in the shadows.

"Tabitha was kinda scary," Rue hesitatingly smiles.

"She kinda was," Varu chimes in. He takes a few moment looking at the mess the two left, "We should clean this up a bit while waiting." Rue and I nod in agreement.

We clean up the room, arranging the chairs and table away from the center because Varu said we'll do the introduction there, picking up books on planes and putting them back in the shelves, and collecting the scattered stuffs on the floor and placing them on a table. These stuffs look like school stuffs, but a volleyball keychain catches my eye. I wonder whose is it.

"I'm back," Tabitha stands at the door triumphantly with the bat held over her shoulder. An unconscious and tied up Riese lies beside Tabitha's leg.

"Where'd you get the rope?" Varu asks.

"Oh, no, this is a jump rope. I borrowed one from a kid in the nearby playground."

"Wait, you guys went off campus? And I remember you saying you were a fragile girl," Varu says sarcastically at Tabitha.

"I'm not to be messed with. Oh, and you guys cleaned the place," Tabitha smiles as she carries Riese inside, unties the rope binding him, and gets his cellphone. "Sorry for the mess we made. I just need to delete this photo--"

"At least let Ken see the photo," Riese, who gained consciousness, says before Tabitha tries to hit the delete button. "To be fair," he adds.

Tabitha stands still, her thumb hovering over the delete button. After a while, she sighs deeply in defeat and proceeds to me, showing the stolen shot. I look at it. It does look bad and, honestly, should be deleted. "You done? I'm gonna delete it now," she goes on deleting it and throws the phone back to Riese who catches it.

"Thanks." he puts his phone in his pocket and claps to get everyone's attention. "Now, with that over," he smiles as if nothing happened, "everyone gather around the center and we'll introduce ourselves. I'll go first!" Riese says excitedly, paw raised.

Everyone gathers and forms a circle, then we sit on the ground with legs crossed, including Tabitha who is wearing a skirt, not that I mind or anything.

"Hey, we might see your panties," Riese says bluntly. Well he's a blunt person. Rue and Varu probably think the same because of how they turn their heads towards Riese, but it looks like Tabitha doesn't mind because she just smirks then chuckles.

"I'm not worried because," she stands up, legs spread and paws on her hip, "I'm wearing--" a gust of wind comes inside, making her skirt flutter in the air, "cycling shorts!" she says proudly.

I see Rue peeking through his paws that are covering his eyes, Varu is looking away with a hesitant smile on his face, and Riese is just straight up looking at her skirt.

"I'm always prepared! Ohohohoho," her laugh is is like that of a snobbish princess, funny yet annoying at the same time.

"Yes, yes, now sit down, woman. You can talk about your cycling shorts later," Riese gestures Tabitha to sit down, who laughs once with pride before sitting down.

"Anyways, name's Riese Michael Fritz, Club Pres and an awesome person," he clicks his goggles with a smile, "I love the sky and want to be a pilot someday. Being able to fly to the sky, feeling the air around you, leaving all your problems. It feels great, doesn't it?" he takes a moment to breath in then breath out.

"Also, I'm from class 1-B and my name's spelled with R-I-E-S-E and it's pronounced as 'rees', not 'riisei' or 'rais', just to clarify," Riese adds.

"We already know how to pronounce your name. But that's a weird spelling," Tabitha says.

"Why it's spelled like that is beyond me," he crosses his arms and brows. He turns to me afterwards with a smile, "Next is our silent member of the group. I'm really curious about our senpai who decided to join us."

I tilt my head slightly, confused. What did he mean by senpai? Senpai means upperclassman in Japanese. Nevertheless, I introduce myself.

"I'm Ken Aki. I'm from class 1-A," that's all I say. They all give me a confused look, though. Did I say something wrong?

"You're not... a second year? Or older?" Varu asks. I shake my head. They continue their confused look. Do I really look older than them? I mean, they talked casually to me. I assume they thought I'm also of the same year.

"I really thought you were, like, a year older at least. Not like there's anything wrong with it, it just means we can wreck more havoc!" Tabitha smirks devilishly.

"Please don't," Varu begs weakly.

"Well, that was a bit of a shocking revelation," Riese laughs hesitatingly. "So, what do you do? What do you like? Do you have a fetish" Riese asks.

"I don't really do much. I do play games from time to time, exercise, just do what I do everyday." Riese nods in response.

"Okay, next!" Riese points at Rue, who flinches in response.

"M-My name is Rue Krantz. I... I'm from Class 1-B and I love playing online games and watching anime," Rue blushes slightly, but a weak smile can be seen from his face. Riese nods again.

"Okay. Next up is the devil who almost killed me," Riese smiles widely without a care in the world and points at the Tabitha, who is just beside him.

"Name's Tabitha Melow from class 1-B and the devil who almost killed this annoying person," she smiles, pointing her thumb at Riese, "I... uh, I also watch anime and play games, but only casually. So yeah, that's it," Tabitha ends awkwardly. Riese nods again.

"Ok, then last up, we have," Riese points at Varu, signalling his turn.

"Oh, I'm Varu Foks from class 1-B. I also watch anime, but not so much in playing games. I'm studying Japanese culture and its language because my father works there. I want to go to Japan someday." Varu looks down, staring at the floor. He's smiling, but it looks forced.

"Anyways, the name," Riese says. I don't understand what it means, but it looks like Varu does.

"Oh, right, my name. You asked why my name is Varu, right?" Riese nods. "Well, my mother and father, they said they weren't really sure what to name me. They said they decided of merging their names, from Carahn, Vahnrol, Varol. They almost went with Varol, by the way, but luckily they changed to Varu. Varu is, they said, the Japanese-y version of Val, meaning strong. They were a bit weeb-ish back then since they love Japan a bit too much, but I loved them, still. I grew fond of it, anyways." he smiles innocently, like a child.

"Oh, so that's why. Just out of curiosity, what're the names of your parents?" Riese asks.

"My father's name is Vahn, my mother's is Carol." Riese hums and nods in response then stands up and puts his paws on his hip.

"Yosh, introduction is over and we go on with deciding who are the club officers. Club President is me, Vice is Tabitha, Rue will be the Secretary, Ken will be the Treasurer, and Varu will be the Peace Officer," Riese points at us for each of the different positions we are in.

"Sounds good to me, but shouldn't be Varu be the Vice President? I mean, he was the second member of the group," Tabitha says.

"No, I'm oka--" Varu is cut off by Riese.

"I thought about that, but you being a Peace Officer would be... unpeaceful. Besides, I have my trust on Varu that whenever we get into trouble, he'll be there," Riese smiles at Varu, who blushes slightly.

"I guess I'm okay with being the Secretary. What about you, Ken?" Rue turns towards me, asking. I nod in response. "We'll do our best," Rue fist pumps with passionate eyes, and I nod again.

"Oh, by the way, weren't we supposed to go the Mr. Kelt's office? To make the club?" Rue asks.

"I went to him, but he said he'd just do it himself. I don't know why, though," Riese shrugs, "But that's not important. What's important is the prologue of our story has ended."

"The prologue of our story?" Varu asks what Riese meant.

"This is our story. The story of the High Flyers Club. We are the characters of the story and, as the characters of the story, we'll create our stories from it. We'll do what we can do, do what we want do. We won't be able to erase what we did, like pen on paper, but we can learn from it and make a better future. As the Club President of this club, I want everyone to make a better future not just in our story, but to everyone else's stories. We'll start each chapters, helping other people. The making of the club is just the prologue. The real story, begins now." he places his fist in front of him with an encouraging smile.

"That was one great speech," Tabitha stands up and touches the side of Riese's fist with her own, forming a V-shape.

"One of the finest you've made to date," Varu follows, with the fists now having three sides.

"Let's do our best," Rue happily follows as well, and the four fists now forms four sides.

And now, they all gaze at me with their smiles. I look at my own fist, thinking that a club like this exists. I find it funny. Can they really do it? Can they make a better future in everyone else's stories. I'll just wait and see. With a slight smile on my face, I put my fist in and our fists form a pentagon.

"This is a sign of our club, the High Flyers Club. The pentagon will symbolize the five different sides of our story, each side is our own, and how we have one story together as well. Our fists will symbolize the sides of the stars. Without one, the star is incomplete. And," he exchanges glances with all of us, "with all of us together, we'll--," he lowers his fist, and we all follow.

"Fly High!" everyone, excluding me, yells and, now including me, raise our paws up high.

The club hour continues with them chatting with each other. I'm sitting down at the chair, looking at them. They all seem to be having fun, talking and laughing. I don't really have to converse with them, just looking at them will do. But... what is this feeling that's in my chest? It's something that I can't seem to describe. I'm just looking at them, not doing anything else, but what is this...? What is this feeling?

The club hour ends, and everyone says their goodbyes. Tabitha and Riese goes ahead, and Varu, Rue, and I follow. I notice that the volleyball keychain is gone. I ignore it, it's not like it's anything important. Rue asks me about the games that I've played, and I tell him. He is at awe but I honestly think it isn't anything amazing. Varu seems to be at awe too, listening intently.

We part ways at the gate as I hop on my bike and say goodbye to them. I pedal my way home and see something that I haven't seen for a long while. Something that I've dread to see. A black limousine is parked in our front yard. Nevertheless, I go inside.

"Where have you been?" a familiar voice echoes the room. There stood a female Akita with her elbow rested on the chair's arm and head leaning on her fisted paw. She sat with posture and with legs crossed. Her silver eyes, same as mine, pierces through my soul, making it a bit hard of me to breath. Her long black hair camouflaged with her black business attire that shows her professionalism. I knew that she'd come back, but I honestly didn't think she'd come back this soon.

"You're usually home earlier than this. Where were you?" she asks with a cold, harsh tone.

"Does it matter?" I say as I proceed to go upstair.

"Don't fool me Ken. You've been with people," she says without turning her head towards me. I stop midway at my ascend. How does she know about it?

"And what about it?" I say, trying to act calm.

"I believe I've told you before. We are a family who takes pride on doing things independently. And what do I see? You're with other people. What will happen soon? You'll become dependent, you'll need them. We Aki's don't need anyone! We can do things on our own, with perfection, without anyone else! You should know this, as my son!" her voice made me tremble. I already know what's going to happen.

"And as my son, you are to obey my command," her voice took hold of my brain. I'm shaking, I'm scared. I suddenly have no control of my own body.

"Follow me. It's time for punishment," I move, not of my own accord, to her. Fear is controlling me again as my vision starts to blur. My thinking becomes null, and my throat feels so dry that I can't speak, even though it's not.

I follow her to the basement, where I was tortured ever since I was a kid. My mom would whip me to follow her every command, she'd tell me that I don't need anybody, that I can do anything on my own. I don't need anyone, and I never will. I look at her with empty eyes as she prepares a whip. She practices with it and a snap echoes throughout the room, sending chills up my spine.

"This is the only way for you to follow me. You will live on and continue the Aki legacy. The strong shall remain and the weak shall fall. Those weaklings who depend on each other have no right to live. How they depend on each other, it makes me sick!" she hits the whip directly at my stomach, weakening me. It didn't tear my uniform, but my bag didn't help in making anything lighter. I fall to the ground with a loud thud, but no sound escapes my mouth, which is open due to the pain.

"I've raised you to be on your own. I raised you so that you can be on your own. This is your punishment," she drags me towards a pillar, removes my uniform, and chains me to it, making my back vulnerable. Each snap of the whip towards my back, I flinch in pain, and still no sound escapes my mouth. I'm just there, enduring the pain that my mother has been forcing on me.

After minutes of whipping, which seemed like hours to me, she unchains me and I fall to the ground. She grabs my chin to make me face towards her. "Have you learned your lesson?" she asks coldly. What was the lesson I was supposed to learn from that? I look back at her cold, silver eyes as she stares at me for a few seconds before she drops my head to the ground.

"Looks like you haven't been punished enough," she says before she whips my back again, "Again, have you learned your lesson?"

Out of fear, I nod but she whips me again, "I can't hear you. Have you learned your lesson?" her ear-piercing yell sends me to complete trauma. I remember saying "yes" weakly before she grabs me, and that's the only thing I can remember before I go unconscious.

I just realized. There's nothing for me to gain in that club. It's just an annoyance. Why did I ever join it? It's nothing to be happy about in joining... Happy... what I felt back then, as I watched all of your interacted with each other. That feeling was happiness, but what's the point if it will just lead you to despair later on.

There's nothing worth being happy about, I just need to succeed like my mom. And live that life. Forever.

"I'm leaving the club."