Twenty-Five: The Boop Beneath the Tree

The sunlight filtered lazily through the canopy above, spilling dappled gold onto the mossy forest floor. In the center of the familiar clearing, Jitu sat against the twisted tree that had become his quiet refuge. Still. Watchful. Peaceful. The mist hung light in the air, gently curling around his frost-touched mane. Silence was his comfort. Silence, and solitude. But peace, as always, was fleeting. From the dense brush, a chorus of poorly whispered voices echoed forward. “Okay, okay… remember, just be cool.” “I’m always cool.”                                  “Shh. We’re almost there.” Out from the greenery spilled a parade of Pride Landers, all smiles and chatter. Simba and Nala led the way with their usual regal calm. Kovu and Kiara followed, exchanging playful jabs. Timon rode atop Pumbaa’s back, his grin wide and toothy, while Zazu flitted nervously overhead. Rafiki ambled behind them, humming to himself, staff tapping lightly against the earth. At the front of the charge now was Vitani. Jitu’s eyes shifted slightly, acknowledging them. But he did not rise. He did not speak. He simply watched.“Hey, Jitu!” Vitani called, grinning. “Look who I brought!” No reaction. “Oh, come on,” she pressed, walking up to him. “Not even a nod? You’re killing me here.” Still nothing. Her grin widened. “Fine, then. If you won’t smile… I’ll make you smile.” She flicked her tail—light, playful—against the tip of his nose. The clearing went dead silent. Jitu blinked. Once. His eyes widened a fraction, caught off guard. Then his body slumped, and he turned his head away with an exaggerated huff, eyes shutting tight. It wasn’t anger. It was... pout. Vitani’s smile vanished. “Oh no, um hey, I-I was kidding. I didn’t mean—” No answer. His back curved slightly away. His ears flicked. He sulked.Nala leaned close to Simba, murmuring with a chuckle, “She poked the bear.”         “More like poked Mt. Kilimanjaro,” Simba muttered. Timon stood on Pumbaa’s head, waving. “ No hard feelings, buddy! Just a bit of fun!” Still no movement. Vitani groaned. “This is ridiculous.” She stepped closer, tail twitching with guilt. “Jitu, I’m sorry. I-I was just playing. Won’t happen again.” Nothing.                                                        “I promise. Cross my heart. No more nose-flicks!” Still, he said nothing. Then—very slowly—Jitu turned his head. One eye opened. It met hers. With a completely straight face, he stuck out his tongue. Just a quick, quiet flick. Vitani recoiled, stunned. “You did not—” The others burst into laughter. “He got you!” Kovu cackled, nearly toppling into Kiara, who was howling with laughter. “Okay, th-that’s not fair!” Vitani snapped, face burning. But Jitu had already returned to his usual pose beneath the tree. Stoic. Silent. Watching. And smirking, just a little.

—Montage: The Vitani Retaliation Campaign.                                                Day One: Vitani arrived with a bouquet of wildflowers. She laid them before Jitu with a proud smirk. He blinked once... then looked away.                                   Day Two: She brought a perfectly roasted leg of antelope. Jitu sniffed it, sighed, and turned his back.                 Day Three: Vitani performed an entire dance in the clearing—spins, flips, dramatic poses. Jitu’s expression didn’t shift an inch.                                            Day Four: Timon and Pumbaa joined in, launching into a musical comedy number. Jitu’s face was a wall.              Day Five: Vitani dragged Rafiki into the clearing. The old mandrill swirled his staff, summoning trails of glowing, colorful mist. Jitu closed his eyes and let it wash over him like wind. From the treeline, Simba shook his head. “She’s trying too hard.” Nala chuckled. “And it’s the most fun I’ve seen all week.”

—Later That Afternoon.                      Vitani collapsed at the base of Jitu’s tree, a mess of dust, leaves, and frustration. “Okay, fine,” she panted, “you win. I can’t make you smile. I can’t even get you to look at me.” Silence. She sighed, slumping against the bark. “I just… wanted to make you feel included, I guess.” More silence. Not cold—just quiet. “Maybe I was annoying. Sorry…” The clearing was still. The air warm. Then—a gentle pressure against her cheek. She blinked, eyes fluttering open.Jitu was leaning toward her, his face inches away. His icy blue eyes, so often unreadable, were soft. Open. Warm. Then he pulled back. Silent. But… he smiled.Just a little. “Um…” she whispered, barely daring to believe it. He lifted one massive paw… and booped her on the nose. Vitani stared at him in disbelief, then broke into a wide, breathless laugh. “You’re impossible,” she said, grinning. “I’ll get you to talk one day. Just you wait. ”From the edge of the clearing, Simba chuckled. “She’ll be needing a lot of patience.” Nala smiled. “I think she’s got plenty to spare.” Under the twisted tree, the giant lion closed his eyes again, the corners of his mouth curled in the faintest, quietest smirk. Jitu had said nothing. And still, somehow, said everything.