A short, young adult feminine appearing college student with long dark purple hair that went down to about the chest stretched the hands out as the dorm room alarm clock rang within every single dormitory within the Cultural Culinary Arts Institute. Sun beams hitting the window, the person put on a warm smile. Calendar date in the corner reading, graduation with a huge exclamation point, the person sighed longingly.

Today was the day, graduation day. After six years at this establishment and hundreds of hours of cooking, the person would finally be culinarily licensed. Finally, after all the countless tests. After all the many days of studying and learning about new flavors, it all paid off. Hyena tail swishing from behind, the almost graduate let out a quiet sigh.

To all the people that said a hyena chimera could never graduate in the culinary art field, they had been proven wrong. Were the humans watching? They'd better, because every single one of them were about to be so embarrassed. That's right, their faces will all be red from being so cooked when they saw the person being addressed as valedictorian! Cracking the knuckles energy was flowing in through the roof. But, someone soon ruined it.

"Siorc, are you going to just sit there looking pretty?" roommate number one asked. "We have to clean out our dorm before graduation this evening! Don't you have to go to the airport at like, four in the morning?"

"I mean, like, dude, he's probably thinking about his valedictorian speech," roommate number two said. "Kinda wild a hyena chimera got that here. I'm just sayin', bro, you're gonna get a lot of angry stares at you in the gymnasium." He then sighed. "Your interpreter or whatever still readin' your speech, right?"

Reminder coming his way, the hyena shrugged. So, what if he was going to receive some pushback for being valedictorian? He worked hard and studied all kinds of world cuisines for this! Who cares if people will glare at him? In the end, it was worth it! After all these years, that restaurant dream he had could finally be a reality! Reaching for his food notes tablet, he scribbled away upon the screen.

[It's fine. People can stare at me all they want. Maybe it'll make some of the slacking students want to pick up the pace and be more like me.] Slow sliding text across his tablet said.

"Right, I mean, sure bro," roommate number two said. "Honestly, ain't so sure about that. But, maybe a few chimeras might want to outdo you in the next semester or something." They then sighed. "Anyway, no more dillydallying. Hurry up and get dressed so we can start cleaning out our room!"

Running into the shared restroom, the food enthusiast gazed at the reflection in the mirror. Mismatched purple and green eyes as vibrant as ever, a bright green night shirt with sleeping pandas and the text napping queen had been practically tossed across the room. Dark purple pants folded up as well, a plain white t-shirt with a fork on it slightly curved towards a meatball had soon taken its place.

Pitch black floor length skirt pulled over him, the young adult pulled his hair into a high ponytail. Fork shaped hairpins and earrings clipped down, the hyena opened the cabinet. Time to get rid of everything in here. Objects removed from the top shelf one after another, the almost graduate headed off towards the shared closet.

Suitcase removed, the chimera sped off like lightning. Better hurry and pack everything. When was the graduation ceremony again? Ah, right, at five sharp. And, when did he have to be in the gymnasium? An hour before, right. There was hardly any time to lose. Coats slammed in one after another, the chimera rushed towards the drawers, in a heartbeat.

"Bro, you know you can't wear that skirt to graduation, you gotta follow the men's dress code," roommate number two said. "You know that, right?"

Fingers pointing his way, the almost graduate rolled his eyes towards the ceiling. Of course he'd bring up that nonsense now. Did he forget who he was looking at right now? The valedictorian, like hello? He sees that must have slipped their mind just now! Maybe he ought to remind them! Tablet out and about, he scribble away on the screen.

[I got permission to wear a skirt, okay? Don't worry about it. Shouldn't you be packing up your side of the room?] Slow sliding text across his tablet said.

"Dude, unlike you, I'm almost done already," roommate number two said. "I don't have a gazillion things to put away."

"Same, I don't have a lot to pack either," roommate number one said. "Unlike you, I live in this country. "Doesn't your family live in like, Venice Italy or something?"

[No, I live in Mestre, when did I ever say I lived in Venice? I live next to Venice. Do you Americans ever listen when we talk to you?] Slow sliding text across his tablet said.

"Aight, so I forgot, whatever, sue me bro," roommate number one said. "So, all your chimera pals live in there, right?"

[Shouldn't we be finishing cleaning up our dorm now?] Slow sliding text across his tablet asked.

"Was just askin', bro, no need to get all defensive," roommate number one said, sighing. "But, you're right, let's finish cleaning. We gotta be outta here by two."

Dashing towards the drawers, the hyena could not help but put on a somber smile as the bright green apron with the text, do not kiss the cook it's gross had been pulled out. This cloth had gotten him through thick and thin here over the past six years. And now, someday, it would be known worldwide in his future restaurant. Clothes folded up and put away, he rummaged through his other belongings.

Collection of extremely unrealistic food and nature manga crammed into the suitcase, the hyena pocketed his tiny little jewelry box in his back skirt pocket. Containers finally empty, he tossed the various plushies into the box as well. Posters of various cooking celebrities tossed away, he brushed his hands together. One day, he'll surpass them all. He won't be needing these anymore.

Gazing at the time, the food enthusiast removed a sheet of papers from his binder. Valedictorian speech printed on top, he cruised over it for a moment. Was his communication assistant really going to be able to read all this? What if they slipped up and said something stupid? But, he shook his head. No, no, it'll all be fine, right, they practiced this for months now. And, besides, the slideshow would be running, too, it would be fine.

Suitcase slung over the shoulder, the chimera bid farewell to the dormitories. So long, sleeping quarters, farewell. May someone who is actually willing to put in the effort for culinary art studies be assigned this room in the next semester. Plopping the container into his roommate's trunk, the party of two glared at him for a moment once more.

"You ready?" roommate number one asked.

"I'm ready to bid this institution goodbye," roommate number two said. "You?"

"Yeah, I mean, I got a gig with the local pizza joint right after graduation, so I'm set," roommate number one said. "And, you?"

"Dunno, thinking of starting an online food delivery service for unusual cuisine," roommate number two said. "We'll see. What 'bout you, Siorc?"

Question coming his way, the chimera shrugged. He thought he told these two multiple times he was planning on opening his own restaurant someday in the heart of the world. Wouldn't it be grand if he could open it up straight where the old capital of the world was in Rome? But, ah, that was just a pipe dream for now.

[Someday, I'd like to open a restaurant that offers all the types of cuisine in the world.] Slow sliding text across the tablet said.

"Ah, right, forgot 'bout that. Well, good luck to you, bro," roommate number two said. "Anyway, we should probably get our caps and gowns on. Gotta get to the gymnasium soon."

Pitch black cap and gown handed to him, the hyena slipped the cloth on. Gazing upwards towards the sky, he let out a sigh. He would never have to see these dirty, polluted smoke filled skies again after today. So long, United Flop of America, may he never have to walk on this soil again. All those humans who laughed at him and called him names for attending here, they'd better watch him because he's going to have the best cultural restaurant in the world.

Bidding farewell to all the professors in the last few hours remaining, a small somber look painted the chimera's face. Hopefully, the next semester's freshman wouldn't give the teachers a hard time. He had heard from various that recipe comprehension was at an all time low. But, oh, well, not his problem.

Gymnasium filled to the brim early, the almost graduate prepared himself. Seated in the front row, the young adult broke out into a sweat. This speech, would it go well? What if he flipped to the wrong slide? He definitely would, wouldn't he? Ah no, no, stay calm, it'll all go fine. Right, it would go swimmingly. Of course he would. His communication assistant was with him, after all. They practiced.

Middle aged human standing at the podium, the microphone soon screeched up a storm. A million different announcements going off at once, the food enthusiast almost wanted to bite his nails. Any second now, and he would say, and now, our valedictorian will give a speech. Ah, no, was the slideshow ready? No, it definitely wasn't, oh, no.

"And now, our valedictorian, Siorc Ingne will be presenting a speech," the dean up front said.

Eyes glued to him, the chimera broke into a sweat. Why did everyone have to look at him like that? Stepping up to the podium, a brown haired bespectacled woman stood in the corner with a microphone. Little button hidden behind his hand, the sea kept growing bigger. Please, please go well. No mistakes now.

"Thank you for this honor, my name is Siorc Ingne, I know I have always been the quiet one, but learning here for the past six years has been a dream come true," his communication assistant read out loud with a little too much enthusiasm. "I learned so much about the culinary arts, and I hope to spread as many flavors across the world as possible someday. Thank you, with all my heart for letting me study here!"

Stares getting sharper, the hyena flipped to the next slide in a frantic manner. Ah, those stares, he knew what the students were whispering. Why did they let this guy be valedictorian? Shaking it all off, the second and final portion of the slides had been ready to go, but the stares had only begun to get stronger as the seconds waved onward.

"I hope that any future student who comes here finds the joys of cooking all kinds of dishes from around the world and spreads their admiration for the culinary arts for years to come. Cultural Culinary Arts Institute is the highest, and pristine place to learn about cooking and baking," the communication assistant read out loud with just a little too much enthusiasm. "Long live the CCARTI, I'll never forget my time here on this campus. I know as a hyena chimera, many thought I'd never stand upon this stage, but today, I proved every single one of you wrong! And, one day, you'll all be eating at my restaurant!"

Eyes glued to him, the graduate broke into a sweat. Ah, he should have deleted that last few bit of sentences from the script, why didn't he? Whispers under their breath only getting louder, he swore he could hear someone say karma would come for him. But, he threw such thoughts off the podium. Ah, no, he was hearing things, for sure. Silly eardrums, the pressure was just getting to him, that's all.

Diploma handed to him, the hyena soon bowed. Returning to his seat, the hours passed by slowly. Man, he never realized how many people were getting their degrees today. Few other chimeras getting theirs as well, he pumped his fist off towards the skies. He definitely proved everyone here wrong, a hyena chimera can become valedictorian. Take that, every single human out there who told him he couldn't!

Ceremony coming to an end, the chimera threw his cap up into the air. As of this second, he was an alumni. Would people remember his name on the wall of fame? Ah, maybe not in the next year or so, but maybe in the next decade. After all, he's going to have the best cultural restaurant in the world! America had better watch out. Their dumb deep dish pizzas wouldn't hold a candle to him.

Going for one last round of dinner at the diner, the young adult swore he could see someone constantly staring at him with sharp intense daggers. But, he brushed such off. Ah, well, whoever they were, he'd never see them again anyway. He supposed it was natural for people to be jealous of him, he was the valedictorian after all. But, why was he getting this sudden eerie feeling that someone wanted to get back at him for something? Munching away at the triple paddied burger, he hummed away. Starting tomorrow, it's back to home base.

Late evening soon passing by, the hyena bid farewell to his roommates one last time. May they find success in their careers in the future. Woohber driver pulling up against the curb, he pulled the door closed slowly but surely. Airport location typed into a phone, the hyena placed his hands on the back of his head.

Driver up front calling out to him to wake up, the chimera flinched. Ah, had he fallen asleep? Silly him! Dude up front asking if this was his stop, he gazed at the window. O'Hare International Airport, when was the last time he came here again? Ah, right, six years ago. America hadn't rubbed off on him, right? He remembered when he was a little kid after moving from Wales to Italy people said he had the Wales chimera look to him. Whatever that meant. Would his siblings say that he vibrated Murican energy, or something? Oh, boy, please no. Please, no.

Stupidly tiresome security checks taking what felt like a million years, the college graduate let out a groan. Man, why did these airports have to check every single one of his pockets? Human hands, they were so slimy. Watching as his luggage went through some checking process, his tablet nearly fell out of his pocket. Gah, one wrong move and it would have been a goner.

Pressing onwards towards the seventh gate as the flight towards Italy was called, the hyena gazed at his passport. After this second, his stay in this hot, infernal landscape would finally come to an end. So long, judgmental humans. Goodbye, annoying creepers who had choice words to say about him, may they burn their fingers on the stovetop by accident!

Plane kicking off, the chimera cracked open a book entitled, Secrets about Nature. Announcer crying out for everyone to hang tight this would be a ten hour long flight, he swore he could see bright golden eyes staring at him from the seats in the other row. But, the hyena tuned such out. Ah, no, he was seeing things surely. Maybe he was turning the pages a little too loud.

Turning on an in-flight movie, a little cartoon about seeking out the legendary green spider lilies played. Feeling himself doze off halfway through, the chimera closed his eyes. Wake him up when this flight is over, so long.