The train.
The Earth Tiger was pacing impatiently in front of a wooden door. Passing Zodiacs bowed respectfully before quickly scurrying away.
“Dammit… still not off work?” The Earth Tiger leaned against the wall, his face twisted in frustration. “What the hell are you even working overtime for, kid?”
After waiting a few more minutes, the door in front of him slowly creaked open.
The Earth Sheep, covered in black fur, stepped out expressionlessly, glanced at the Earth Tiger, and turned to leave.
“Hold up!” the Earth Tiger barked.
The Earth Sheep stopped, turning back with a scowl. “What’s wrong with you? It’s only the first day. I’ll pay you back your ‘Dao’ slowly.”
“Who the hell wants ‘Dao’?!” The Earth Tiger grabbed the Earth Sheep’s arm. “I’ve got a new idea—need your help with something…”
“Spit it out.”
“I…” The Earth Tiger hesitated, then suddenly remembered something. “Uh, y’know… when asking for a favor, shouldn’t I at least treat you to a meal first?”
“Could you not suddenly act polite?” The Earth Sheep shoved him away. “If you don’t say it, I’m leaving.”
“Wait, wait…” The Earth Tiger grimaced. “This isn’t the place to talk. Come to my room first?”
“Huh?” The Earth Sheep looked annoyed. “What the hell do you want?”
“Ugh… just come on…”
The Earth Tiger dragged the Earth Sheep toward his room by force. But after just a few steps, another door opened, revealing another figure.
A dog, bare-chested with a suit jacket draped over its shoulders.
“Yo…” The Earth Tiger gave a half-hearted nod. “Rare sight. You pulling overtime too, dog?”
“Don’t even ask. Ran into a pro today,” the Earth Dog sighed. “Tiger, you got any food? Take me to grab a bite. Left work too late—missed dinner.”
“Huh? Not today.” The Earth Tiger cut him off. “Tomorrow. I’ll treat you twice tomorrow.”
“What the hell?” The Earth Dog frowned. “Seriously? You’re that stingy? I even gave you my hidden booze, and you won’t even buy me one meal?”
“Ugh! Not today, okay?!” The Earth Tiger shot a desperate look at the Earth Sheep. “We’ve got stuff to discuss, right?”
“Who’s got stuff to discuss with you?” The Earth Sheep scoffed. “Earth Dog, come along. This guy just offered to treat us.”
“Knew it.” The Earth Dog yawned. “Let’s go, Tiger. Don’t waste precious off-duty time.”
What started as the Earth Tiger dragging the Earth Sheep quickly turned into the Earth Dog hauling both of them toward the Earth Tiger’s room.
With a resigned sigh, the Earth Tiger pushed open the door—only to find seven or eight human-level Zodiacs seated around a table covered in dishes, waiting for him.
“Teacher’s back…” a female Human Monkey said.
At once, all the students turned to look at him.
“Uh… hey…” The Earth Tiger scratched his head awkwardly. “Scram for a bit. The three of us have things to discuss.”
Seeing three Earth-level Zodiacs enter, none of the students dared hesitate. They quickly stood and filed out, with the Human Monkey at the end carefully shutting the door behind them.
The Earth Dog, spotting the feast, wasted no time and dug in without ceremony.
Meanwhile, the Earth Tiger and Earth Sheep stood in silence.
“Talk amongst yourselves…” the Earth Dog said between bites. “My ears are bad. Won’t hear a thing.”
“Bullshit…” the Earth Tiger muttered. “You believe that? You’re a damn *dog*. Your ears are bad?”
“What do you want me to do?” The Earth Dog kept his head down, shoveling food. “You don’t have plastic bags here, or I’d just take this to-go.”
The Earth Sheep crossed his arms and sighed. “Just say what you need to say. Don’t waste everyone’s time.”
“But there’s an outsider here!” the Earth Tiger protested.
“Outsider?” The Earth Dog glanced around, cheeks stuffed with buns. “Who? Where?”
“You, dumbass!” the Earth Tiger roared. “Why’d you *have* to tag along?!”
“That’s harsh.” The Earth Dog shook his head, taking another bite. “If I hadn’t been forced to work overtime today, would we even have met? Our meeting is fate, and you treating me is ‘Zodiac camaraderie.’ By all accounts… this should be a pleasant gathering…”
“Oh, shut up!”
The Earth Sheep picked up a carrot from the table, took a bite, and said to the Earth Tiger, “We’ve known this mutt for years. He’s hardly an outsider. What’s so secret he can’t hear it?”
“Ugh… fine…” The Earth Tiger lowered his voice—or tried to. “It’s about… *Sheep Bro*…”
Despite his efforts, the Earth Tiger’s booming voice carried clearly to the Earth Dog’s ears.
“Sheep Bro?!” The Earth Dog choked. “*White* Sheep Bro?!”
“I *told* you not to listen!” the Earth Tiger yelled.
“Your voice is like a damn foghorn—I *can’t* not hear it!” the Earth Dog shot back. “Sheep Bro’s basically my idol. Didn’t I tell you? I wanted to be a sheep at first. But people are hard to fool, and sheep are hard to play. Ended up a dog instead…”
“Yeah, yeah…” The Earth Tiger waved him off. “You brought this on yourself. Whatever happens next is your fault. I take no responsibility.”
“Huh?”
Hearing that, both the Earth Sheep and Earth Dog felt a chill. Suddenly, they regretted coming.
“Blackie. Dog.” The Earth Tiger locked eyes with them, dead serious, and dropped a bombshell—
“Let’s rebel.”
The Earth Dog coughed violently, nearly choking on his food.
The Earth Sheep bolted up, muttering “I’m out,” and made a desperate dash for the door.
“Hey, no running!” The Earth Tiger lunged and grabbed him. “You heard it. Too late to back out now.”
He then pointed at the still-coughing Earth Dog. “And you’re in too. Try to leave, and I’ll rat you both out. Screw it—neither of you’s getting away.”
The Earth Dog hacked until he finally dislodged the food. “You’re ruthless… First time I mooch off you, and *this* is what I get? Hold on—let me puke it all back up…”
He frantically stuck his fingers down his throat, but it didn’t seem to help.
“Too late!” The Earth Tiger declared. “The words are out. You’re both accomplices now. Either report me, and I’ll drag you down with me, or sit tight and let’s talk this through like adults.”
The Earth Dog gagged repeatedly, still unable to grasp how any of this involved him.
All he’d wanted was a meal.
Instead, he’d boarded the most absurd mutiny in history.
Was the Earth Tiger out of his damn mind?
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