Chapter 017 (Beastars)

Howl Reluctance Syndrome (遠吠えのイヤイヤ症候群) is Chapter 17 of the manga Beastars written and illustrated by Paru Itagaki, published in the Weekly Shōnen Champion of the Akita Shoten publishing house.

Synopsis
Because of his "performance" in the school play, Legoshi's popularity grows exponentially and is on the lips of all students. Jack who hears the many rumors that spread through the school hurries to take his Legoshi's lunch to a low traffic area of the school, as Legoshi did not go to the cafeteria to avoid attracting attention. Jack tells Legoshi that his act of violent rage is on the front page of the school newspaper. He reads to him the article and Legoshi thinks that the fact that Jack acted so casually with him is because maybe he does not know that Legoshi wasn't acting. When seeing the photo of Legoshi with Louis, Jack asks him if Legoshi and Louis are good friends. Legoshi thinking that he only causes problems for Louis, remembering the night before where he apologized to him.

The night before, Bill and Legoshi went to apologize to Louis, but Louis annoyed by the problems they caused him. He scolds both of them and declares that he does not care if Bill drank small animal's blood to pump himself, but it bothers him that they spilled blood on the stage and furiously decided to suspend them both indefinitely. Before he could finish scolding them, Louis was interrupted by a group of fanatical students and reporters that surrounded them. Louis hesitantly decided to withdraw his order, and says that the performance was a success and to keep it that way, they will act as if nothing had happened. Bill and Legoshi accept and the trio pretends that everything was planned. Louis gives a few words where he clarifies that if "someone" had a certain conviction, surely would shine like a star and that even being rude or immature that conviction would shine. Louis leaves Legoshi and Bill with the reporters while Legoshi thinks that Louis's words were aimed at him.

In the present, Legoshi meditates on whether he has some kind of conviction. Jack asks Legoshi if he is not furious anymore, revealing that he knew that Legoshi was not acting. Legoshi is surprised but Jack tells him that it would be strange if he did not know since they've knownn since they were children. Jack tells him to cheer up since he tends to get depressed easily. Legoshi relates that whenever he felt depressed, he went out on his own without anyone noticing how he really feels, but yesterday for the first time, he felt that he couldn't let it go, wanting to vent his anger even if it caused chaos. Legoshi feels displeased that he liked to do that, and Jack only happily replies that it is great since he has never seen Legoshi so lively. As they both head off to class, Jack says he has been worried about Legoshi seeing him so worn-out lately and asks if there is a special reason for it. Jokingly, Jack asks him if he is in love, causing Legoshi to stop. Jack is stunned and excitedly begins to ask Legoshi questions to find out who he likes.

In the gardening club, Haru reads the school newspaper and begins to talk with Louis who is in his bed. They both proceed to kiss to later have sex.

Characters

 * Legoshi
 * Louis
 * Bill
 * Jack
 * Haru

Important Events

 * Legoshi gains popularity at school.
 * Louis decides not to suspend Bill and Legoshi from the drama club.
 * Jack reveals to know that Legoshi did not act out his fight with Bill.
 * It is revealed that Jack and Legoshi have known each other since childhood.
 * It is revealed that Haru and Louis know each other in addition to having sex.