"You're too young for that, but maybe someday Barry can accompany you to school," Mrs. Stacy said with a smile, gently rubbing her son's head.
"This period is more of an observation phase, so he needs to stay with your sister and father."
"Okay," little John replied, his disappointment quickly replaced by excitement at the thought of future outings with Barry.
After breakfast, George headed to the police station, Mrs. Stacy took her son to school, and Barry accompanied Gwen.
---
"Oh, that's the panda! It's so adorable!"
"Can we touch it?"
"My goodness, it's the cutest creature ever!"
As soon as Barry followed Gwen into the elevator, he was surrounded by fellow residents heading out for the day.
Gwen stood protectively in front of Barry, managing the eager hands reaching out to touch him.
Inside the elevator were a mix of couples and a young pair, along with two teenage girls around Gwen's age. They all gazed at Barry with awe and affection, snapping pictures with their phones, inching closer.
"Sorry, please don't get too close. You might scare him," Gwen said, stretching out her hand to keep them at bay, worried that the crowd might overwhelm Barry.
"It seems the rumors are true. Panda Barry wasn't taken by the zoo but stayed in your home," remarked a middle-aged man, part of one couple, smiling at Gwen and Barry.
"If we'd known, we would have visited you," his wife added, looking like she missed an opportunity.
"I heard it's going to be a police officer, is that true?" asked a girl with curly black hair and a stylish outfit.
"Yes, but it's not finalized. The mayor's meeting will decide, but there's interest," Gwen replied.
"It's so cool to have a panda as a cop," the girl next to her exclaimed.
"Panda Sheriff of New York? That does sound great."
---
The elevator stopped several times, picking up more people. Gwen's task grew more challenging.
Thankfully, they reached the first floor, and as the elevator doors opened, Gwen swiftly exited with Barry.
Outside the apartment, however, they were immediately surrounded again, this time by persistent reporters and curious passersby encountering Barry for the first time.
Initially, Gwen responded to the curious crowd, but as their numbers grew, she hurriedly moved away with Barry, who helped by managing his weight to make it easier for her.
Barry looked around curiously. Since his last escape, he rarely ventured out during the day, and the night shadows often obscured the details.
Not long after, the school bus arrived, and Gwen finally escaped the crowd. Though the bus was filled with curious students, it was less chaotic than outside.
"Gwen, does the panda really live with you?" asked a girl with red-rimmed eyes and a cute demeanor, her gaze full of admiration for Barry.
Hannah Marks, a Californian, wore a brown bun atop her head and had gentle brown eyes beneath her red-rimmed ones. She was more striking than Gwen when it came to Barry.
Barry extended his bear paws invitingly.
"Is it okay if I hold him?" Hannah asked Gwen excitedly.
". . . . . I suppose so," Gwen replied, glancing at Barry's gesture, cursing him playfully as a little traitor before handing him over.
Hannah carefully lifted Barry, delighting in the soft touch of his fur. Others wanted to join in, but the driver turned to remind them.
"Children, please find your seats, or we'll be late," the driver, a bearded middle-aged man, said. He, too, wanted to join in, but duty kept him in place.
As for bringing animals on the bus...
At his reminder, the students dispersed.
Hannah sat beside Gwen, holding Barry. Although the other students returned to their seats, their gazes remained fixed on the panda.
Even ordinary cute animals attract attention, let alone a rare giant panda.
The school bus rolled down the road, and each new student who boarded exclaimed at the sight of the panda, settling down only after the driver's reminder.
---
When the bus reached the school, before the doors fully opened, a well-dressed, handsome middle-aged man stepped in.
"Gwen, bring the panda with you," said Principal North, his expression bright with excitement, knowing the panda was great for publicity.
"Sure," Gwen nodded, then looked at Hannah, who still held Barry. "Want to come with me?"
"Absolutely," Hannah agreed eagerly.
"No fair, the principal came himself," other students lamented, watching as Gwen, Hannah, and Barry left with the principal.
"This is a panda, the famous Barry! If the principal didn't come personally, he'd be out of his mind," a classmate explained, watching the trio depart, snapping some photos.
"Good thing I got a picture."
---
Barry followed the principal to the Academic Affairs Building, amid a chorus of excited chatter.
Inside, more exclamations erupted.
"The panda can't join you in class yet. Let's keep him in my office. You can collect him after class," Principal North suggested, smiling at Barry, who was now perched on his desk.
"Okay, we'll leave him with you," Gwen and Hannah agreed, reluctantly leaving the office.
Outside, students were quick to post photos online, sparking another wave of interest.
The school's official website also issued a statement, explaining Barry's visit.
EXTRA CHAPTER IS AVAILABLE IN PATREON
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