The parking lot boomed as the sound of a motorcycle ripped through the air. Several girls stopped to see him step off his bike and pull of his helmet, revealing blazing red hair. They gasped as he walked by and stared after him, swooning the whole while, not even noticing the short dragonoid walking behind them.
“Do you even know who that is?” the dragon asked. The girls turned with flushed faces, having been caught ogling some random guy.
“Ren, how would you know him? You’re new here too! There’s no way you could know who that is!” one of the girls said.
“Every dragon knows who that is, Lisa.” He said, “That is the dragon. Bahamut, or Ryu nowadays.”
“Who?”
“The king of the dragons.” He huffed, “The most powerful? The only holy dragon in the world.”
“If he’s supposed to be holy, why does he ride that sweet bike and have red hair? Shouldn’t he be a priest or something with white hair?”
“No he’s a fire dragon too.” He said, “Don’t you know anything about us?”
“Not really, but I am taking mythological studies this year.” She said, “Aren’t you in that class, Ren?” Ren hung his head and ruffled his wings.
“I am but if I’m the only dragon I’ll feel weird.”
“Why?”
“Because that’s the first chapter. Dragons. I bet I’ll be picked on to elaborate on inaccurate material. You know how I hate public attention.”
“You’re just shy, Ren.” She said with a smile, “Besides, if you hate public attention, why are you staying in that form? Most dragons here usually use their human forms.”
“I can’t keep that form for more than five minutes, Lisa. I must be doing something wrong.”
“How did you live without a human form?”
“I’m from the country.” He said, “My parents didn’t push me to learn.”
“Ooooh a country boy, eh?” she laughed, “Can you line dance?”
“As well as I can drive.” He said, “If you take out the front seat first.”
“So you’re saying he’s famous?” she asked, getting back to the subject.
“Yea, very.” He said.
“Even better.”
“He’s also taken.”
“Not so good then.”
“Yea he’s engaged too.”
“How do you know all of this?” she asked.
“News.”
“That’s not on the news!”
“Dragon’s news. It’s a special channel you have to specifically order.”
“Really?”
“Sure, why not?”
“I’ve got a sudden urge to throw this coffee over your head, but I might get electrocuted.”
“Can I have mine to drink instead?” he asked.
“Sure. Here.”
The back door of the auditorium silently opened as he stepped inside. Stepping forward he took his seat in the front row as they began the ceremony. The dean of the university stepped forward to the podium to make his speech.
“Good afternoon, everyone!” he said, “Today is a memorable day for all of our graduates. Today marks the end of their preparation for life, and the beginning of a new life. Although one can never be prepared for life, one must learn throughout their lives to keep up with the changes. With the addition, or rather inclusion of the dragon race into our society, there is even more to learn from each other, and more to share. We all have our differences, be it scales and wings, or being able to play the violin, but we are all the same when it comes to what we are. We are all inhabitants of this planet and we all wish to grow together. Like a tree, we can have many branches. Whether it is race, religion, species, or beliefs. But we all have one source, one trunk. We all converge to a common place, and that is friendship. Friendships created now can last forever, even turn into love. And that is what life is all about. Living, loving, and learning. I wish everyone success in each of these aspects in their journeys ahead. As your name is called, please come up to accept your diploma, and consider it not just an accomplishment, but a stepping stone of life.”
The crowd clapped and names were called. Each student stood up to receive their diplomas with wide smiles and excitement on their faces. Although it was in alphabetical order, there was one more student to graduate, and was saved for last.
“And last but not least, Rosette Pegasus.” The dean said. Rosette stood up in the back row of the chairs on the stage and stepped forward. “For her academic achievements this year and for her outstanding volunteer work, I award Miss Pegasus a grant for ten thousand dollars. I would also like to congratulate her on her recent engagement!” Rosette blushed and smiled as the crowd clapped again as she took her cheque and diploma. Turning to return to her seat, she unconsciously brushed her hair back, revealing longer, somewhat pointed ears. Not only did the dean catch sight of it, but several graduates stopped what they were doing to stare as she took her seat. It took a moment to realize that they were all staring at her and what she had done, then turned red from embarrassment, flashing the most nervous smile she ever had. Catching sight of Ryu and her parents in the crowd made her calm down, and she smiled again.
After the ceremony, all of her friends gathered outside the auditorium to congratulate her as she stuck to Ryu’s arm. She tried to enjoy herself, but she could still feel the stares from behind her.
“I’m so happy for you!” June said excitedly. She was again surrounded by the same two girls that always hid in her shadow. Rosette found it strange that she still didn’t know their names, but I guess it was just the way things were. Rebecca showed up a few minutes later, with a younger boy with her. She was acting kind of friendly with him and Rosette sneered with suspicion.
“Rebecca, who’s the kid? You dating younger boys?” Rosette asked. Her question was met with a laugh and the boy turned red.
“No this is my brother, Jake. I’m sure June told you about him before.” She said, “He’s kind of quiet thought. Just starting this year.”
“What are you taking, Jake?” Rebecca asked.
“Law.” He muttered.
“You want to be a Lawyer?”
“No, a cop.” He said.
“I see.” Rosette said.
“So Ryu, what will you be doing now that Rosette is finished school? Ever think of going yourself?” June asked.
“I don’t know.” He said, “I might just get a job.”
“Doing what?”
“I could do anything, really. But I would like to do something to help others.”
“Well what are you good at?”
“Not much really.” He said, “I don’t think fighting would look good on a resume.”
“You’re still Bahamut.” Rosette whispered, “You can heal people, right? Why not be a doctor or something?”
“Maybe I will.” He said. The lobby had already begun to let out as new students began pouring in. “Actually, I know what I want to do.”
“What?”
“I’ll be a teacher. Here.” He said.
“Really? You need to go to school for that.” She said.
“I can do it. I can teach martial arts or something. Start a dojo or training facility.”
“That suits you.” June said. She didn’t see the dragon standing behind her until he turned around, accidentally touching her backside with his tail.
“Lisa, where is mythological studies anyway?” the dragon yelled.
“Room 104.” She yelled back.
“Excuse me.” June snapped. Rosette could tell what was going to happen.
“Yes?” the dragon asked. Looking over his shoulder. He was met with Junes furious face and he clearly wanted to run.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she yelled, “You touched my ass!”
“I did? I’m so sorry!” he said, “It was an accident! Honest! There’s not much room in here!”
“Are you looking for attention coming in here like that?” she yelled.
“No…. I can’t…… well..” he stammered. The girl he called came over to see what was wrong.
“What’s going on, Ren?” she asked.
“He touched my ass!” June snapped. Lisa’s jaw hit the floor and then she laughed.
“Ren, I didn’t know you had it in you!” she laughed.
“Listen, my tail hit something and I apologized and everything. Can we just go already?”
“Yes, go away!” June huffed.
“Who’s teaching mythological studies anyway?” he asked Lisa as he walked away, ignoring June who simply turned red again. Rosette could tell that her episode had passed and she was now thinking about what she had just done.
“You’ll never guess who it is.” Lisa said, “He calls himself Merlin. Like he’s going to fool anyone. He’s taking this king Arthur and dragon stuff a little too seriously.”
“Yea, I bet.” Ren said, nervously.
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