K

by Crossual

Ffc

3. Dr

Disc 1

#1 Prologue * Characters: Stein, Luther

@The Eos annex with the Play Land and Salon for the pets.

(Scene)The rising sound of the magnetic elevator.

The elevator stops.

Door opens/closes.

Stein comes out with his entourage (about 5 people).

※Stein is walking around the annex, looking for Riki.

He was shocked when his master, Aisha, informed him that he would be disposed of in Midas.

Stein, whose source of pride was his pedigree as a purebred Stella Silur, naturally expected that he would be able to obtain Seed Rights (sperm registration) and that his future would be bright, so the shock was massive.

Since for a pet, the authority of the owner is absolute, it was impossible for him to object to this decision or inquire about the reason.

And so, boiling with rage, he turned this shock and indignation towards his natural enemy, Riki.

Stein's face was uncharacteristically pale and ferocious.

Luther and the others are very worried about him.

(Scene)Stein trudges through the elevator hall.

Stein(Walking briskly with a murderous look in his eyes)

G (Scene)The footsteps of the entourage chasing after him are anxious and disarrayed as they call out to him,

"Stein, what's wrong?"

"Wait, Stein." etc.

Luther(Anxiously) "Hey, Stein. Where are you going?"

Stein"Shut up. Don't follow me."

G (Scene)

The surroundings are astir as they looked at each other's reactions,

"Don't say that..."

"Hey, what are you going to do?"

Luther"Wait, Stein!"

Stein(Internally) 'Shut up... shut up...shut up! Don't get in the way if you don't understand my mood. I told you not to follow me!'

Aisha(Flashback) "Stein. Starting this weekend, you will be in the custody of the Jalan harem in Midas. Keep that in mind as you proceed."

Stein(I) 'No way! I'm a purebred Stella... why?'

Aisha(Fb) "Keep the pet ring as it is. It will serve in lieu of a warranty in Jalan."

Stein(I) 'Mamiya, who is also a Stella but an inferior Sheridan line, got the Seed Rights and had his sperm registered. But why am I, from the highest breed Silur line, being disposed of in Midas. Ridiculous! It's absolutely ridiculous.'

Aisha(Fb) "If there is something you don't understand, ask the furniture. Understood?"

Stein(Internally while biting his lip) 'This is his fault. I didn't get the Seed Rights because of that mongrel. I was punished because I got beaten up by Riki... That's why Master Aisha is sending me to Midas... I'm sure of it.'

(Scene)Stein exits the elevator hall and walks through the atrium corridor with determination.

Stein(I) 'It's all his fault.'

Riki(Fb) "Shut the fuck up!"

Stein(I) 'It's because of him that I... shit... shit!'

Riki(Fb) "Since you're just a sheltered bastard who doesn't even know how to fight, you best not push my buttons..."

Stein(I) 'Unforgivable. I will never forgive him!!'

Riki(Fb) "The rule of the slums is to pay back triple for every punch that comes your way. So if you don't want to get hurt and cry, shut your mouth and back off."

Stein(I) 'Where is he? Where is that fucking mongrel?'

(Scene)Luther nervously draws closer to Stein.

Luther"Stein. Hey, Stein. Won't you tell me where you're going...?" "Mongrel."

Stein"ーーMongrel."

Luther"Huh?"

Stein"I am looking for Riki!"

Luther(Gasping) "W... hy?"

Stein"That, Luther, is none of your business."

Luther"But... But Stein. Don't do it. Getting involved with Riki never turns out well."

Stein"Then it's best you go back to the Sun Room!"

(Scene)

Stein walks briskly.

His flustered entourage follows.

Theme musicTheme music from the 3rd chapter starts.

Narrator"The Palace Tower named after an ancient goddess – Eos. The dazzling daily life of the pets living there is an illusion talked about with envy and longing. The golden ticket to this splendor is a prestigious privilege offered only to the select few.

Beautiful.

Shameless.

Obedient.

But the golden age of the pets that sell their own sexuality is short-lived. Even high-ranking pets are no exception. Not even they have a guaranteed future.

In Eos, the pet lineup changes daily.

It is the harsh reality known only to those kept in Eos."

Theme musicEnds.

#2 Osmotic Pressure * Characters: Daryl, Thomass

@Iason's apartment.

(Scene)The video intercom installed in the living room rings (around 5 times). Daryl, who was in the linen room, rushes over.

Switch – on.

Display – on.

Daryl"Thank you for waiting. This is IM-009."

Security(Heard through the display) "This is Security Guard J7. Please head over to the management office as soon as possible."

Daryl(Takes a deep breath) "I understand."

(Scene)Display switches off.

Daryl"The management room... Did Master Riki do something wrong again?"

(Scene)The video intercom switches off.

Sliding door opens and closes.

Daryl rushes out of the room.

@ Top floor. The elevator hall of the Imperial Floor.

(Scene)Tomass (22 years old) waits for the elevator with a worried look on his face.

※Tomass - the furniture attached to Aisha's apartment. He has a more gentle disposition than Daryl. Out of all Blondy pets (sic), he has had the longest career.

There are six elevators in total. Three of them exclusively for use by Blondies. Two are for the pets, and the remaining one is reserved for the furniture.

In Eos, furniture are the lowest in rank, and it shows in the differences between elevators, or at least that's what the pets think. But on the contrary, it is the illiterate pets who are snubbed.

Tomass(Lets out an uneasy sigh) "Ah, what do I do now..."

(Scene)From behind, Daryl rushes over to him.

Daryl(Out of sight) "Tomass?"

Tomass(Turns around abruptly) "...Daryl?"

(Scene)Daryl and Tomass stand next to each other.

Daryl"What is it? What happened?"

Tomass"Daryl, why are you here?"

Daryl"I got an emergency call from the Annex security..."

Tomass(Holding his breath) "Me too!"

Daryl"Huh?"

Tomass"Perhaps... Did Master Stein do something wrong?"

Daryl"Could be. Then it may not have anything to do with Master Riki, right?"

Tomass"That may be true but..." (Ambiguously)

(Scene)The chime announcing elevator's arrival rings.

Door opens and closes as Daryl and Tomass enter.

They both insert their ID cards into the floor display slot and press the destination floor.

The elevator descends (faint rumbling sound).

※Eos security is strict. Even if it's just an elevator, it won't work without inserting the ID card.

Daryl"The relationship between Master Riki and Master Stein has gotten so bad, it's escalated into natural enemy territory."

Tomass(Heavily) "This time, it might be a bit different."

Daryl"What could?"

Tomass"Master Stein is being sent off to Midas this weekend."

Daryl(Gasps in surprise)

Tomass"It seems to have hit him hard."

Daryl"Seed Rights, didn't he get them?"

Tomass"He didn't..."

Daryl(I) 'Even though he's a purebred from the Silur line... It really must have been a huge shock."

Tomass"Say, Daryl. How have things been with Master Riki?"

Daryl"Huh, why?"

Tomass"He's been a troublemaker since he came to Eos. Isn't Master Iason's reputation as a Blondy completely ruined?"

Daryl"Even if Master Iason is called the king of bad taste, he would not be moved. Because what Master Riki did was premeditated."

Tomass"But it's not on purpose?"

Daryl"If only we could say it like that, it would be much easier. After all, it is Master Riki..."

Tomass(With mixed feelings) "The common sense of Eos doesn't apply to slum mongrels, huh?"

Daryl(I) 'As long as Master Riki holds on to his pride as a slum mongrel... Master Iason will not let it go. Because it's like those two are feeding off of each other's pride.'

(Scene)The sound of the elevator descending fades out

※Daryl and Tomass are having this conversation knowing full well that they themselves are also slum mongrels. Daryl also spoke in a more casual manner since they are both fellow furniture.

For the first time, because of Riki's presence, they couldn't help but be acutely aware of their origins. This is why the feelings in their hearts are extremely complicated.

#3 An Unexpected Event * Characters: Riki, Iason, Orphe, Daryl

@ Sky above Tanagura.

(Scene)An air car dashes over Tanagura.

Iason is comfortably leaning back into his seat.

Iason"Is it already past 22:00 o'clock? This took longer than expected."

Iason(Internally) 'Speaking of which, I wonder if I got a message from Orphe.'

(Scene)Iason pulls out a compact phone (the size of a mobile phone) from his coat pocket and turns it on.

He operates the touch keys and turns on the display. A video message from Orphe appears.

Orphe(Heard from the video) "Today, around 15:00 o'clock, a pet-related incident occurred at the Eos annex. I wanted to inform you right away."

Iason(I) (Frowning slightly) 'What has he done now?'

Orphe (Heard from the video) "The incident involved Aisha's pet."

Iason(I) '...Stein was it. Seems those two really can't stand each other.'

Orphe(Heard from the video) "He attacked Riki suddenly and slashed his arm."

Iason(Momentarily startled)

Orphe(Heard from the video) "He was probably furious that he kept getting beaten up every time, so it appears that he was well prepared this time and had concealed a lethal weapon. Needless to say, it was a very showy counter attack.

Don't worry, Riki already received first aid. Since this is your pet we're talking about, this won't cause him PTSD. I will get back to you later, when the details have been confirmed. That's all for now."

(Scene)Iason turns off the display and closes his mobile.

Iason"He brought a lethal weapon? ...How detestable. However, for once, it doesn't seem like a situation where both parties are to blame."

(Scene)Iason puts his mobile back into the pocket.

Air Car fades out.

@ Iason's apartment.

(Scene)Entrance door opens and closes as Iason enters.

Daryl quickly walks up to him, bowing his head deeply.

Daryl"Welcome home, Master."

Iason"Hmmh."

(Scene)Iason takes off his robe and hands it over to Daryl.

Iason"Where is Riki?"

Daryl"In his private room."

Iason"I received the report about what happened in the annex. How is he doing?"

Daryl"He's calmed down. Dinner was served as usual."

Iason"I see..."

Daryl"This time the security didn't penalise him."

Iason(Grunts in confirmation)

(Scene)Iason walks up to Riki's private room. Door opens and closes.

Riki, who had been reading an ebook on his bed, stirs.

Riki(Looks up at Iason and stirs)

(Scene)Iason walks up to the bed.

Riki turns off his ebook and tosses it down.

Iason"Seems you got into another fight with Stein."

Riki"I didn't! The bastard just came at me all on his own."

Iason"Came at you... did he?"

Riki"That's right!"

Riki(I) 'He usually picks a fight while showing off, but today, he... seemed a bit weird.'

(Scene)Sound of Stein brandishing a knife in Riki's memory.

Stein(Flashback) "It's all your fault!"

Stein(Fb) "Because of you, I lost everything!"

Stein(Fb) "You... You're dead!!!"

(Scene)The sound of a kicked knife falling on the floor in Riki's memory, symbolically.

Riki(I) 'As if such a weakling could kill anybody. Knives aren't meant to be swung around, they're made to stab and gouge.'

Iason"And so... you paid him back triple?"

Riki"I just punched him hard and kicked it away."

Iason"Well, that's fine. I don't think there will be any penalties this time."

Riki"So, there will be no house arrest then?"

Iason"That's right."

Riki(Obviously relieved)

Iason"But, you need to understand this, Riki. You mustn't overdo it."

Riki"Yeah, but you're telling that to the wrong person!"

Iason"There are some things that can be tolerated in the annex, however it is strictly forbidden to do something as outrageous as to summon a furniture. Whether you are the cause of it or not, once the matter is known, you will be barred from entering immediately."

Riki(Bites his lip)

Iason"All excuses will be useless. Don't forget that."

Riki(I) 'All I did was fight back!'

(Scene)Riki pulls the blanket over his head and decides to sleep.

Iason"You must be tired from this unexpected scuffle. Get some rest."

(Scene)Iason calmly walks out of the room.

Riki(I) 'To them, slum mongrels are nothing but the most reviled trash, it can't be helped. Because it's been imprinted into the marrow of their bones.'

Pet 1(Fb) "Oh, yuck. If the mongrel comes here, everything will stink of the slums."

Pet 2(Fb) "How can such trash become a pet?!"

Pet 3(Fb) "I don't want to be in the same room as a mongrel."

※These pets are girls (12 to 14 years old). Full of disgust.

Riki(I) 'But it's not just because I'm a disgusting mongrel that they're being hostile and treating me as their enemy.'

Stein(Fb) "That mongrel has hickeys there again."

Luther(Fb) "Even though he's trash that can't even be sent to mating parties. It's really weird."

Pet 4(Fb) "Is it really true... That it's Master Iason that's sleeping with him?"

※They are full of indignation and jealousy.

Riki(I) 'Because he... that bastard Iason, toys with me until I can't stand up straight anymore.'

Mimea(Fb) (Casually dropping a bombshell statement) "After all, masters don't sleep with their pets."

Riki(I) 'Because of how Iason is, I thought... I thought all the elites in Eos were fucking their pets. But... I was wrong.'

Stein(Fb) "Despite being a mongrel..."

Pet 1(Fb) "Impudent!"

Luther(Fb) "Even though he is a slum mongrel..."

Pet 2(Fb) "It makes no sense."

Pet 4(Fb) "Why only him...?"

Pet 3(Fb) "Why is only trash like him given special treatment?!"

※Here they are already so full of deeply held resentment, to the point of hatred.

Riki(I) 'Iason is the only pervert in Eos who sleeps with his pet. Such a thing... I really didn't know at all.'

#4 The Domain of Pets and Furniture * Characters: Riki, Daryl

@ Iason's apartment.

(Scene)Daryl sets the evening's dinner on the living room table.

※Daryl isn't the one doing the cooking.

Every apartment in Eos has a universal food processor controlled by a microcontroller unit (MCU). Just choose from the menu, turn it on, and a high-class dish will be ready.

Although, surely having such gourmet food, that can never be seen in the slums, put on the table every day is too high-class and unsatisfactory for someone like Riki who likes cheap food and has no interest in nutritional balance (haha).

(Scene)Daryl knocks on the door of Riki's private room.

Daryl"Master Riki, the dinner is served."

Riki(Out of sight) "Ah..."

(Scene)Riki comes out of his room and sits at the well-prepared table.

Ignoring table manners and such, he digs in.

※In the meantime, Daryl is diligently fussing around him. In an attempt to at least somewhat shrink the sense of distance (not the degree of intimacy) between them, they keep saying things like "Would you like more soup?" or "I'll have some." Is it ok to spontaneously throw in such everyday small talk?

Daryl"Would you like more soup?"

Riki"I'll have some."

Daryl"Understood."

(Scene)Riki gulps down the last of his mineral water and puts the glass down.

Riki"Daryl."

Daryl"Yes?"

Riki"Tanagura elites, do they not usually sleep with their own pets?"

Daryl"Huuh?"

Riki"Because I heard that the only owner in Eos that is perverted enough to sleep with his pet and play around with it is Iason."

Daryl(Completely at a loss for words, he doesn't know how to reply)

Riki(Annoyed) "What's up now?"

Daryl(Choosing his words carefully) "I am a furniture assigned to Master Iason, so I have no knowledge of what other masters do."

Riki"But furniture talk amongst each other, right, won't there be an exchange of information?"

Daryl"Furniture has a duty of confidentiality."

Riki"Hmm... Are you just coming up with excuses to not answer an inconvenient question?"

Daryl"That is not the case."

Riki"Then, even if you have no knowledge of what goes on elsewhere, you should know everything about Iason, right?"

Daryl"I could never be so discourteous... After all, I am just furniture."

Riki"The misconduct of pets is said to be the furniture's responsibility, so there shouldn't be anything you don't know about what goes on in this apartment, right?"

Daryl"That's... well, that's... right."

Riki"Has he also toyed with all the other pets he had before me?"

Daryl(Taking a deep breath, he denies) "...No."

Riki"Huh...?" (Stunned that the reply was different from what he was expecting)

Daryl"As far as I know, Master Riki, you are the first that Master Iason has done such a thing with."

Riki(At a loss for words after getting such an unequivocal answer)

Daryl(Internally) 'So please, realise that you are special. In Eos such as it is, you are the only outlier. And not just because you are a slum mongrel, but because to Master Iason, you're more valuable than anyone else. So I'm begging you, please be aware of this.'

@ Riki's room.

(Scene)Riki is in his bed. He can't sleep and he's tossing and turning.

Riki(Rolls over)

Riki(I) 'Iason hasn't slept with all his pets? No way. After all, he just went for it in Minos.'

Iason(Flashback) "Unfortunately, I am not so whimsical that I would choose to lay my hands on slum trash like yourself. I have better things to do with my time."

Iason (Fb) "There is nothing wrong with making you cry out to your heart's content every once in a while."

Iason(Fb) "I am deigning to treat slum trash no different than a Tanagura pet. Is that not enough for you?"

Riki(I) 'Having countless subjects that you can play around with like toys, isn't that what it's all about? That's why I assumed the others would hate any pet of Iason's no matter who it is, but that doesn't seem to be the case.'

Iason(Fb) (Coldly) "Spread your legs more."

Riki"...Am I the only one?"

Iason(Fb) (Derisively) "That foolish pride of yours, it's about time you tossed it down the drain."

Riki"...Why?"

Iason(Fb) (Whispers hotly) "...Not yet. Isn't it too early to give up?"

(Scene)Riki rolls over again to try to shake off Iason's voice from his head.

Riki(Rolls over)

Riki(I) 'Why would he... Why is he sleeping with me?'

#5 A Secret Date * Characters: Riki, Mimea

@ Eos annex.

The open Salon where pets congregate.

(Scene)Pets talking in several clustered groups.

※They are going "Hey, have you heard?", "Stein and Riki, they...", "No way, so scary!" etc.

Here I wanted to communicate a feeling of excitement over the rumors of a brawl between Stein and Riki. Three mixed groups.

(Scene)Riki approaches. The chatter suddenly stops.

Mimea runs up to him in small steps and grabs his arm.

Mimea"Riki." (Grabs his arm)

Riki(Surprised at his arm being grabbed)

(Scene)

All the pets erupt in murmur, "Mimea!", "No way.", "Why?", "As I thought, those two..." etc. With keen interest.

Mimea"Let's go."

Riki"Huh..."

Mimea"Come on, hurry up."

Riki"H... hey. Wait a second..."

(Scene)Mimea ushers a confused Riki into a private room.

The door to the private room opens and closes as the murmur of the other pets dies down.

Mimea"Come, sit down."

Riki(Lets out an 'I have no choice' breath)

(Scene)Riki and Mimea seated on the sofa (they are sitting close together).

Mimea"Thank goodness..."

Riki"Why?"

Mimea"Didn't you get hurt in the fight yesterday?"

Riki"It's not a big deal."

Mimea"But there was so much blood. I was scared he wouldn't let you out of your room anymore... I was really worried."

Riki"Worried... why?"

Mimea"Master Iason treasures you so much, doesn't he Riki? That's why!"

Riki(Briefly lost for words, but then spits out) "It's not like that!"

Mimea(Speaks firmly) "It is like that! Because you are the only one who always remains beautiful, Riki."

Riki"Huh? What are you on about."

Riki(Internally) 'How the hell am I beautiful. Is she blind or something?'

Mimea"The parties are always very fancy and fun, but when you get an offer, unless your master says "no", you have to mate even with those you can't stand."

Riki(I) 'Oh... Is that what she means?'

(Scene)Riki slumps back into the sofa.

Riki(I) 'If I'm not mistaken, the pets place great value on the number of sexual encounters they've had. It's fucked up... seriously, putting it all out there and exposing themselves is seen as a good thing. If you don't have a partner assigned, you're not able to attend the mating party... or something? I've never been to one so I really have no idea how it all works.'

Mimea"Because of that, honestly, even I envy you a bit."

Riki"Why?"

Mimea"Until you came along, Riki, this was how things were. It was the same for all pets so no one knew that a master could possibly dote on his pet himself like that..."

Riki(Clicks his tongue bitterly)

(Scene)Mimea stands up. Goes to get some drinks. (Like pouring a drink into the cup from a built-in dispenser)

Riki(I) 'You're wrong. I'm just being played with and treated like a toy.'

Iason(Flashback) "Daryl. Suck him off until he gets an erection. But don't let him come."

Iason(Fb) "I heard that slum mongrels are scum without even a shred of morality, or is that wrong? It's too late to start pretending to be a naïve virgin at this point."

Iason(Fb) "Daryl. Also loosen his ass with your tongue. Enough so that my fingers can slip in easily."

Riki(I) 'After the debut party, Daryl was no longer invited, but...'

Iason(Fb) "Don't forget Riki. As long as the pet ring bites into your flesh, you belong to me no matter where you are."

Iason(Fb) "Do not make me repeat myself."

Iason(Fb) "A mongrel acting like a mongrel is fine. However, if you run your mouth too far, you'll spend all your time bound like this. Do you understand?"

Riki(I) 'It doesn't change the fact that he still torments me as he pleases.'

(Scene)Mimea sits back on the sofa with two cups.

Mimea"No one dares say it out loud, but, they're all jealous of you Riki."

(Scene)Mimea places the cups on the table in front of herself and Riki.

Riki(I) 'But it's not like that at all. Still... there's no point whining about it to Mimea who has a completely different set of values when it comes to sex.'

Mimea"Luther and Stein keep bringing up your slum background and treating you as their enemy... but in a way, I understand them."

(Scene)Riki picks up a cup and takes a sip.

Riki(While taking a sip) "What happened to those two?"

Mimea"Luther is still here, but not Stein. After all..., the rumors were true."

Riki"Rumors?"

Mimea"He went to the Jalan harem."

Riki"Jalan? In Midas?"

Mimea"Do you know it?"

Riki"Just the name."

Riki(I) 'Jalan is a top-class male brothel in Midas. That guy... did he end up being sent to a place like that?'

Mimea"Stein was extremely confident because he's a purebred Silur. He was sure that even if he was given up by Master Aisha, he would be able to secure the "dominant seed rights."

Riki"Seed rights?"

Mimea"Yeah... If you have seed rights, then your sperm will be registered, and then the rights will be transferred to the Academy."

Riki(I) 'In other words, the right to be a breeding stallion? Well, I'm a bit surprised. Pets are usually illiterate, so I'd never have expected words like "seed rights" and "sperm registration" to come out of Mimea's mouth.'

Riki"That guy... has he ever fucked a man?"

Mimea"Huh...?"

Riki"As in, has he ever mated with a man?"

Mimea"No way... Riki. Stein is the purebred of a top breed, right? Of course the mating partner would be female. Why would you ask such a thing?"

Riki"Yeah... why would I." (Stammers)

Riki(I) 'A purebred who's never had sex with a man before. Could it be that that's what Jalan is banking on? If so, he probably just wants to die.'

(Scene)Riki takes the cup and drinks.

Riki"But, is this ok, Mimea?"

Mimea"What?"

(Scene)Mimea picks up the cup and drinks elegantly.

Riki"Being here alone, just the two of us. Your master hates my guts. Won't it turn out ugly if someone rats us out?"

Mimea"It's ok! No one is going to tell on us. If something like that happened, they'd get beaten up. Besides... I like you, Riki."

Riki(Dumbfounded)

Mimea"What's wrong Riki? Why do you have such a weird expression?"

Riki"You're really strange for an Academy pet."

Mimea(Laughing cutely like "Is that so?") "Hee hee hee..."

(Scene)Mimea leans into Riki.

Riki(Startled) "Wh... What?" (Fidgets slightly)

(Scene)Riki is fidgeting.

Mimea"Hey... kiss me."

Riki"Huuh?"

Mimea "Kiss... me."

Riki(Frozen solid)

(Scene)Mimea is slightly impatient. She kisses him herself (As if lightly stealing a kiss from his lips).

Riki(I) 'No way... but (his heart is pounding) a girl's lips are so... soft...'

Mimea"Riki... I like you."

(Scene)Riki and Mimea, still stuck together, slowly sink onto the sofa.

※Here, oh my. Riki who is usually insolent and has no regard for those around him, is suddenly overwhelmed by the petite queen Mimea and is all flustered. That's the feeling I was going for (haha).

Before meeting Iason, Riki was paired up with Guy and had some experience, but basically Riki is pretty self-disciplined.

Since he had a strong emotional bond with Guy, the physical relationship naturally followed. However, the encounter between Riki and Iason was certainly an encounter (bitter smile). So Iason figured that slum mongrels were promiscuous and depraved scum, and all of a sudden made full use of the super special underhanded technique called "training" (haha).

Since he was made a pet, is it as good as not having any normal relationship experience? What's more, he never had a close encounter with a girl until he was forced to stay in Eos. So he has absolutely no experience there. This is why, as opposed to the Riki who is always annoyed and on edge when he's around Iason, I wanted to see him be emotionally naive.

#6 The Rumored Couple * Characters: Raoul, Orphe, Pets 1, 2, 3

Theme MusicWhispered rumors about Riki and Mimea... Auditory image of scandalous music swelling up.

Pet 1"Hey, have you heard?"

Pet 2"What?"

Pet 1"About Mimea!"

Pet 3"What happened with Mimea?"

Pet 1"Lately, she's been hanging out with that mongrel all the time!"

Pet 2"No way!"

Pet 3"Seriously?"

Pet 1"But I saw it."

Pet 2"What?"

Pet 3"Where?"

Pet 1"In the Play Land. The two of them were flirting and playing games."

Pet 3"Oh no. Why would Mimea do something like that?"

Pet 2"It's so weird! An Academy pet and a mongrel."

Pet 3"It is!"

Pet 1"That's why all her entourage seems to have left her."

Pet 2"Of course! I also can't stand him, this mongrel."

※ The dynamic between these pets is like, Pet 1 has an air of superiority "I know what is going on." and Pet 2 and 3 feel like "Huh, no way! I can't believe it." Then at the end, they are all resentful.

Of course, Riki, being a slum mongrel, is despised, but I also wanted to properly depict the jealousy and scorn aimed at Mimea. To them, Mimea is a pet whose pedigree is much higher than their own. It's like they are judging her because her shame might reflect poorly on them.

Theme MusicMusic fades out.

@ Keeler Lab supervised by Raoul.

(Scene)The scene of a well-organized research facility. The sound of things such as analysers and robotic arms working in an orderly fashion.

@ Raoul's office.

(Scene)Raoul is sitting in his desk chair, analyzing data on a terminal. A beep sounds, signaling an incoming call. The sound indicating that a number appeared on the display.

Raoul(Looking at the number on the display) "Orphe?"

(Scene)Raoul turns it on and Orphe appears on the screen.

Raoul"Wow, Orphe. It's pretty rare for you to call the Keeler Lab. (Joking lightheartedly) Is there some serious emergency?"

Orphe(Heard from the display) "I'm sorry to disturb you."

Raoul"Not at all. Leonida's test case is already in the final stage. Seems it will be back in a few days."

Orphe(Heard from the display) "That's good to hear."

Raoul"So..., what's the matter?"

Orphe(Heard from the display) "There's just something I wanted to bring to your attention."

Raoul"What would that be?"

Orphe(Heard from the display) "It concerns your pet."

Raoul"What about Mimea?"

Orphe(Heard from the display) "Seems like she's become pretty close with Iason's mongrel lately."

Raoul(Lets out a little gasp of surprise)

Orphe(Heard from the display) "It's not to the point of being unsightly, but, well, he is who he is. The fact is that it stands out."

Raoul"You mean to say that he's making a pass at Mimea?"

Orphe(Heard from the display) "...No. It would seem that the opposite is the case."

Raoul"No way... You're joking."

Orphe(Heard from the display) "I suppose it can be said that... it's unfortunate. Well, the arrogant and irreverent slum mongrel being pursued by a purebred who knows no fear, it's a spectacle in its own way."

Raoul"Are you certain of it?"

Orphe(Heard from the display) "Normally, I wouldn't bring up something so intrusive, however, you have formally submitted a pairing request. If possible, I would like to avoid unnecessary trouble."

Raoul"I understand. I will deal with it."

Orphe"Alright. Well then, later."

(Scene)Display is turned off.

Raoul(Internally) 'Mimea and the slum mongrel? (Groans lightly) It's a joke that can't even be laughed at.'

(Scene)Raoul leans back in his desk chair.

#7 Turmoil * Characters: Riki

@ Iason's apartment.

(Scene)Riki is taking a shower.

※The shower booth here is a futuristic human washing machine (haha). Just while standing there, it will do everything automatically for you, from washing to drying. So instead of a regular shower sound, I wanted something more luxurious, like a jet sound, but will it come through in the audio?

(Scene)Inside the booth, there is an evenly dispersed mist all around.

Mimea(Flashback) "I like you, Riki."

Riki(Internally) 'No.'

Mimea(Fb) "I love you."

Riki(I) 'You're just dreaming. You and I, we have no freedom.'

Mimea(Fb) "It looks like my partner will soon be decided. Once the pairing begins, I will no longer be able to see you freely."

Riki(I) 'That's for the best. Then, even if you don't like it, you will know where you stand.'

Mimea(Fb) "We won't be able to meet each other anymore, Riki. That... no. I can't stand it!"

Riki(I) 'Even if you keep crying like this, it can't be helped.'

(Scene)Flipping the switch in the booth, it turns into a foam wash.

Mimea(Fb) "So, Riki, please."

Riki(I) 'No.'

Mimea(Fb) "Sleep with me."

Riki(I) 'That's... crazy.'

Mimea(Fb) "Please, Riki."

Riki(I) 'But it's impossible. If we get caught... it's crazy!'

Mimea(Fb) "I like you."

※Up to this point it feels like he's having a conversation with Mimea in his flashbacks. As if he is really, properly facing her.

But after this, I want to convey the feeling that Mimea's heart wrenching feelings and Riki's monologue are clearly detached from each other. I want to make it clear that, at the end of the day, Riki's thoughts are all about Iason.

(Scene)Inside the booth, warm water sprays out to wash away the foam.

Riki(I) 'But if... If Mimea and I did it, I wonder... what kind of expression would he make.'

Mimea(Fb) "Sleep with me."

Riki(I) 'If, I sleep with Mimea.'

Mimea(Fb) "Riki, I want to be with you!"

Riki(I) 'Then, he will become the laughingstock of Eos.'

(Scene)The running water stops inside the booth.

Riki(I) (Guttural laugh) 'Right? Laughingstock...'

(Scene)Switches over to drying mode.

Riki(I) 'If it gets out that a slum mongrel and an Academy pet did it, well, it will be a huge scandal. If it's known that the pet you've been toying around with all this time has had sex with someone else's pet, won't you lose face as the owner. Will your Blondy pride also be smeared in shit?'

Riki(Can't stop chuckling)

Riki(I) 'That's right. I got nothing left to lose anymore. I threw my willpower and pride down the drain a long time ago. Then... there's really, nothing to be afraid of.'

(Scene)Inside the booth, the shower is turned off. The door to the booth opens and closes. Riki gets out of the booth and picks up a bathrobe.

Riki"Hah, hilarious. Have I sunk so low to do it while the pet ring bites into my flesh?"

(Scene)Riki roughly puts on the bathrobe and leaves the bathroom.

#8 Unfounded Worries * Characters: Daryl, Ray

@ Iason's apartment.

(Scene)Daryl is sitting in his desk chair. He turns on his biometrically powered terminal dedicated to use by furniture.

Daryl"...I got an email from Ray."

(Scene)He operates the keyboard to open the mailbox.

※ Ray – the furniture attached to Raoul's apartment. He is 18 years old. His form is more slender than Daryl's but he is the most strong-willed of all Blondy furniture.

Daryl(While checking his mail) "He urgently wants to talk to me about something? What could it be?"

(Scene)He enters Raoul's apartment number into the visual intercom. It rings (approximately 5 times). Ray appears on the display.

Ray(Heard from the display) "Daryl. You've seen my email then."

Daryl"What's the matter?"

Ray(Heard from the display) "Is now a good time?"

Daryl"It's ok since Master Riki has gone out."

Ray(Heard from the display) "Well, Master Raoul got back from Keeler yesterday. He was asking about how Mistress Mimea had been doing recently."

Daryl"I see..."

Ray(Heard from the display) "Mistress Mimea will be staying in the Karuga facility for the next three days for her regular check-ups, so I thought it would be a good time to talk to you about this."

Daryl"Talk to me? About what?"

Ray(Heard from the display) "Are you aware of the rumors circulating around the annex Salon about the relationship between Master Riki and Mistress Mimea?"

Daryl"Huh...?"

Ray(Heard from the display) "You didn't know?"

Daryl"Isn't this just another attempt at harassment or something? This seems to happen to Master Riki all the time."

Ray(Heard from the display) "You mean..., the tables have turned with a vengeance?"

Daryl"After all, the rule of the slums is to pay back triple for any trouble sent your way."

Ray(Heard from the display) "Pretty amazing that he has the guts to live by the slum rules even within Eos!"

Daryl"Well, that aside. That's why I was wondering if maybe the rumors about Master Riki and Mistress Mimea were nothing more than that."

Ray(Heard from the display) "This seems a bit different. Even Master Raoul seemed quite concerned about these rumors. Because of this, the time Mistress Mimea can spend at the Salon has been limited."

Daryl"Why?"

Ray(Heard from the display) "Because Mistress Mimea is set to be paired up soon."

Daryl"Oh, really?"

Ray(Heard from the display) "Yeah. Usually, Master Raoul wouldn't care much about such things, but after all, whenever Master Riki gets involved, even small things get blown out of proportion. There is also the situation with Master Stein..."

Daryl(Internally) 'True. I thought that the overt harassment of Master Riki had diminished after that, but...'

Ray(Heard from the display) "After the pet's debut, we furniture are no longer allowed to enter the annex, so I have no way of confirming this. The access to the security surveillance disks is also limited."

Daryl"I see. But, thank you. I'll also keep an eye on it."

Ray(Heard from the display) "No problem. See you later then."

(Scene)Display turns off.

Daryl(Internally) 'Master Riki and Mistress Mimea? That can't be right. Mistress Mimea must be aware that if the pairing has officially been announced, even the slightest trouble is strictly forbidden. But, I see..., things are the same as ever in the annex.'

(Scene)Daryl turns off the visual intercom.

#9 Secret Love * Characters: Riki, Mimea

@ Eos annex.

A small, one-floor Botanical Garden.

(Scene)The door opens and closes as Riki and Mimea enter. They briefly take in the sight of the Botanical Garden.

(The murmuring of a stream and the chirping of little birds gives an auditory image)

Riki(Takes a look around) "Huh, there's a Botanical Garden here!"

Mimea"Right? Isn't it lovely?"

Riki"Yeahー"

Riki(Internally) 'It seems like a huge greenhouse covering the entire floor, but I seriously can't believe they actually built something like this. Is this also meant to help cultivate the pets' aesthetic sensibilities?'

(Scene)The two of them walk in leisurely. The other pets stop what they are doing and whisper to each other as they pass them by: "Mimea!", "It's that mongrel.", "Those two, I knew it..." etc, unable to conceal their disgust and curiosity.

Mimea"Boys prefer the Arcade, but I like it here best."

Riki"Hmmh..."

Mimea"Because it's so beautiful. Hey, Riki." (She takes Riki's hand and pulls him)

(Scene)Mimea takes Riki by the hand and pulls him.

Riki(Reacting to his hand being taken) "Huh?"

Mimea"Let me show you my favorite. Come here."

(Scene)Leading Riki by the hand, Mimea steadily takes them to their destination. They both stop.

Mimea"Look, here it is!"

※A rose-like flower with rainbow-colored petals.

Riki"Such a... flashy flower. So many colors jumbled up together, it's gonna make my eyes bleed."

Mimea"Do you know what flower this is?"

Riki"Dunno."

Mimea"Oh, that's disappointing."

Riki"I don't really care about it that much."

Mimea"I thought that you'd know everything, Riki."

Riki"No way."

Mimea"I see. So you don't know?"

Riki"You want to know the name of this flower?"

Mimea"Yeah. Not just this flower, but wouldn't it be so wonderful to know the names of all flowers here?"

Riki(I) 'Heh? Is this what girls are like?'

Riki"In that case, I'll bring you a botanical identification manual next time."

Mimea"Identification manual?"

Riki"Yeah. I'll tell Daryl to download it onto an ebook memory stick."

Mimea(Looking like she wants to say something)

Riki"What?"

Mimea"The words you are using are too difficult for me to understand."

Riki(Perplexed reaction)

Mimea"But, that's why I like you Riki!"

Riki(Feeling slightly bashful) "Ah... well... that..."

(Scene)Mimea presses her body to his.

Mimea(Whispering softly in his ear) "Hey, Riki. Let's have some tea over there. There's a secret room there."

Riki(Hesitates for a moment)

Mimea(Earnestly) "Please."

Riki(After making up his mind) "Sure."

Mimea(Exclaiming with joy) "Really?"

Riki"Let's go."

(Scene)Riki leads Mimea by the hand.

Mimea"Ok."

(Scene)Mimea clings to Riki's arm as if snuggling up to him.

Riki(I) (As if making excuses to himself) 'No way can I feel embarrassed at having a girl proposition me.' (Becomes defiant) 'If I get caught, that's when I'll deal with it.'

(Scene)The sound of their footsteps fades out.

※Because pets are trained to be lewd, those who are not invited to the mating parties, secretly quench their sexual urges with each other. It can be called tacit consent? So Mimea doesn't feel that guilty about having sex with Riki. Because everyone is doing it, so it should be fine... Of course, Riki being a complete outsider in Eos, he doesn't know anything about how pets work.

#10 The Unfolding of the Scandal * Characters: Aisha, Gideon, Luther, Pets ABC

@ Eos annex. Sun Room.

(Scene)Luther's group (five boys) playing darts. Pet A rushes in frantically.

Pet A"What a disaster! Hey, Luther, have you heard?"

Luther"What is it, Yuri? You're so noisy."

Pet A"Mimea is in trouble!"

Luther"Mimea? Ah, you mean because she did it with that mongrel?"

Pet A"Huh? Luther, how did you know? I just heard about it."

Pet B"You're late to the party, Yuri."

Pet C"Yeah! Everyone's been buzzing about that rumor since yesterday."

Pet A"Oh, really? I was feeling unwell yesterday so I stayed in my room..."

Pet C"Master Orphe summoned Master Iason's and Master Raoul's furniture, so it caused a big fuss. Right. Luther?"

Luther"Yeah."

Pet B"Mimea really is such an idiot."

Pet C"For real. A mongrel, of all things."

Luther"How could she demean herself like that, she's beyond stupid."

Pet A"I wonder what's going to happen to her."

Luther"Mimea aside, it would be great if they could finally dispose of that mongrel as soon as possible."

Pet C"Agreed!"

Pet B"I'm sure everyone feels the same."

Luther(Internally) 'Seriously, what an idiot! With that slum mongrel. Betraying Stein and causing shame to Master Raoul... What was it that you wanted, Mimea?'

(Scene)Luther throws a dart angrily. It misses the mark and falls to the floor.

Luther(Clicks his tongue)

Pet A"But, why were they exposed?"

Pet B"Huh...?"

Pet A(Lowers his voice slightly) "Did someone rat them out?"

Pet C"Someone... who would it be?"

Pet A"That's what I'm wondering too."

Luther"It doesn't matter who did it. It has nothing to do with us."

Pet B"Yeah."

(Scene)The pet conversation fades out.

@ Tanagura's Airport Lounge.

G (Scene)The Galactic Commonwealth delegation (around 10 people) exchange greetings as they head back home. Gideon and Aisha serve as Tanagura's send-off representatives.

※ There are no ordinary tourists here since Tanagura's airport is exclusive to VIPs. I just wanted to show a feeling of excitement that the VIPs are returning home, so is it ok to add some ad-libs?

(Scene)The sound of the private VIP gate opening as the delegates disappear through it. The private gate closes.

Aisha"Finally, I have been released from having to deal with the sightseeing jaunt in the name of this friendship mission."

Gideon"Can't be helped. Not when we are the ones in charge of supervising Tanagura and Midas."

Aisha"Is having to pretend to be moderately amiable also part of the job?"

Gideon"Don't worry. Since you're Jupiter's spokesperson, I can assure you that no one expected you to be amiable."

Aisha"For some reason, I sense an edge in the way you said that?"

Gideon"That would be an unjust suspicion."

(Scene)Gideon and Aisha turn around and slowly start walking back.

Gideon"By the way Aisha, have you heard?"

Aisha"Heard what?"

Gideon"There seems to be an unexpected rift in Iason and Raoul's relationship.

Aisha"Is it related to pets?"

Gideon"As expected, once he gets involved, not even Raoul can come out of it unscathed."

Aisha"The worst thing about that mongrel is that... he can't simply accept that he's a pet."

Gideon"Are you speaking from experience?"

Aisha"Using the slum mongrel to liven things up turned out to be much more than Eos can handle."

Gideon"That I can't deny."

Aisha"He can't be reasoned with, he does not fit a formula, and he is unpredictable. He is wild and vivacious and he can't control himself. According to Iason, the most extreme of all these are his emotions."

Gideon"Emotions?"

Aisha"Impulses kill reason, but emotions consume it. Can you tell the difference, Gideon?"

Gideon(Replies without hesitation) "I can't. That is why us Blondies are the nobles chosen by Jupiter. Not to have such bad taste like Iason."

Aisha(Pauses as if he's ruminating on Gideon's words)

Gideon"It is undeniable that to us, the slum mongrel isn't only a pet, but rather, something akin to a nasty virus. That's how it is."

Aisha"A malignant bug that undermines a perfectly managed and regulated society...?"

Gideon"To put it in Raoul's terms, the slum mongrel's very existence may be an unpredictable biochemical."

(Scene)The sound of their footsteps fades out.

#11 Punishment * Characters: Riki, Iason, Mimea

@ Iason's apartment. Riki's private room.

(Theme music)Music or sound that creates the image of a gradual and lewd ache.

(Scene)Riki writhes in anguish as he had been injected with an aphrodisiac and the pet ring is preventing ejaculation.

※Riki is naked and restrained on the bed. Both wrists are tied together with a leather wristband, which is attached to the head of the bed with a chain or a cord.

Riki(Writhing in anguish from excessive pleasure)

(Scene)Twisting his legs. The blanket covering his body slips off a bit. He kicks at the sheets with his feet.

Riki(Intermittently lets out hoarse groans)

Narrator"Letting out a low, hoarse groan, he twists his bound and restrained body and grits his teeth. And yet, he is unable to hold back the hot and lewd sighs from spilling from his lips."

Riki(Twists his face and curses) "Damn... fuc... king... bas... tard..."

Narrator"The mounting frenzy of his pounding pulse burned at his throat. His twitching lips twisted in a scowl as he continued cursing. Even knowing that these profanities only ate away at his innards like a powerful poison, he still couldn't stop.

Riki(While panting) "Fuck... fuck..." (His throat suddenly constricted and he bit his lip)

Narrator"His eroded willpower and punished pride tossed to the wind, he scolded himself for shedding tears without shame or honor. He bit his bottom lip hard enough to draw blood. How long has it been since he'd been injected with the aphrodisiac? He had lost all sense of time passing."

Riki(Unable to hold back, he lets out a lascivious moan)

Narrator"Hot. Burning. Numb.

Contorting his body. Grinding his thighs together. Inundated by the never-ending pleasure, he writhes in agony.

The fevered convulsions surged through him, the pain making his spine grow rigid.

Nevertheless. Restrained by the pet ring at the base of his member, he couldn't ejaculate, not even once."

(Scene)Door opens and closes. At the same time, the theme music fades out. Iason walks in with a leisurely gait.

※ Riki is so numb from all the excessive pleasure that he doesn't even notice that Iason came in.

(Scene)Iason walks up to the bed and stops.

Iason"What's the matter? Has it worn you down a bit?"

Riki(Momentarily startled. Pleads with tears in his eyes) "E... enough... al... ready..."

Iason (Cruelly) "Mimea's partner had already been decided. But now Raoul is jumping down my throat, saying you've gone and ruined everything. These are your just deserts."

Riki(Lacking the energy to talk back, he bites his lip)

(Scene)Iason reaches for the remote control from the sideboard and turns on the virtual screen above the bed.

Mimea(Heard from the screen) "Riki!"

Riki(Gasps in shock) "Mim... ea?"

Iason"She insisted on seeing you. Special permission was obtained from Raoul on the condition that it would be through a virtual screen."

Mimea(Heard from the screen) (Relieved to finally see Riki, she bursts into tears) "Riki. Thank goodness... Riki. I was so very worried that I would never be able to see you again."

Iason"Pets like you have no right to choose a partner. This is why, I want her to hear it clearly."

Riki(Swallows loudly)

Iason(High-handedly) "You were only interested in the body of a female. All you wanted to do was fuck a female... isn't that right?"

Riki(Internally) 'No!'

Mimea(Heard from the screen) "That's a lie!"

Iason(With an intimidating air that leaves no room for objections) "As long as you could copulate with a female, the other person didn't need to be Mimea... isn't that right? Riki."

Mimea(Heard from the screen) "No! That is a complete lie!

Riki(I) 'It's not true that just anyone would do. But... If I say that it's not true, what will happen to Mimea?'

Mimea(Heard from the screen) (Indignantly glares at Iason) "Everyone is ganging up on us, trying to tear us apart!"

Riki(I) 'It's not like any woman would do. I like Mimea...' (As if he swallowed a bitter pill) 'However, the reason I slept with her... What I really wanted to do was... To ruin that bastard's... Iason's reputation and drag it through the mud.'

Mimea(Heard from the screen) "Do you know who Master Raoul chose as my partner?" (With disgust) "Jena!"

Riki(Suddenly comes to his senses)

Iason"The Serial Number of the MS type is crossed with a purebred from the Rhodesia line to produce a child. That is an honorable end to an Academy pet's career. Being eligible to become a breeding mother is not an honor bestowed equally on all pets."

Mimea(Heard from the screen) "I'll have none of it! I absolutely refuse to be paired up with Jena and have his child!"

Iason(I) 'Once you give birth and become a mother, you can live a different life. Do you want to give up the privilege you've been given? I don't think she even understands what that means... Riki, what are you going to do."

Mimea(Heard from the screen) (With heart wrenching affection) "But you're not like the others, are you? I am the only one you have feelings for, right Riki?"

Riki(Takes a deep breath and turns away awkwardly)

Mimea(Heard from the screen) "Why aren't you saying anything? Why won't you even look at me! Riki! No, Riki! Riki!!"

※ Riki was aware that behind all the trysts with Mimea there lurked a secret kind of thrill he got from betraying Iason. He liked Mimea because she didn't look down on him the way other pets did, but if he was being honest with himself, he was guilty of using Mimea for his own self-satisfaction. But Mimea herself is too genuine and I wanted to convey the feeling that Riki couldn't bear to stay in her presence any longer.

(Scene)Iason takes the remote and turns off the virtual screen to cut off Mimea's heartbreaking cries.

Iason"I trust you too have learned your lesson about playing around?"

(Scene)Iason sits down on the edge of the bed.

Iason"That poor thing, how hurt she would be if she knew you were only using her to soil my reputation."

Riki(Involuntarily losing his temper) "It wasn't like that!"

Iason"What wasn't?"

Riki(Stutters unable to talk back)

(Scene)Iason pulls away the blanket that was wrapped around Riki's waist.

Riki(Startled, he freezes in place)

Iason"You want to come?"

Riki(Panting, he nods jerkily)

(Scene)While gently stroking Riki's leg, Iason slides his fingers and grabs his ankle.

Riki(His eyes open wide in surprise)

Iason"You went behind my back and had fun with Mimea, isn't that right? You couldn't possibly think I would go easy on you?"

Riki(Fearfully) "Mimea and I we... only did it once."

Iason"Once or a hundred times. You slept with her, that is already enough."

(Scene)Iason, while holding Riki's ankle, parts his legs especially slowly.

Riki(Reacts by struggling fearfully)

(Scene)Iason twists his finger into Riki's hind entrance. Riki bends backwards. The chain or cord that is tied at the head of the bed strains.

Riki"Aghh..." (Bends backwards)

(Scene)Teasingly, Iason moves his finger around. Lewd and moist. I wanted to hear such obscene, mucous sounds. (Laughs...)

Riki(Writhes in anguish)

Iason"Your body is melting with yearning, so much more than usual."

Riki(Lets out a lewd cry)

Iason"When I touch you here, that is where you like it the most."

Riki(The lewd sounds he lets out over and over again almost sound like whimpers)

(Scene)Sticky sounds, obscenity intensifies.

※Here I wanted to show that, rather than writhing because it feels good, the pleasure has crossed the limit to the point where it has become painful.

Riki"Aaaaah..." (Pleading tearfully as he writhes) "Won't... I won't do it... again... so, so... just... stop..."

Iason(Cruelly speaks under his breath) "I will let you come. As many times as it takes... Until you fully regret that you ever held Mimea in your arms."

Riki(With his slack and numb mouth, he earnestly pleads for forgiveness) "Won't... do it... I won't... So, forgive... me... Whatever... you say... I will do... So ple... ase... stop...!"

Iason(With jealousy and fury in his voice, he whispers into Riki's ear) "You are my pet. I will drive that fact into the very marrow of your bones."

Riki(Lips shiver frantically)

(Scene)Riki's frantic whimpers fade out.

※ This track (#11), rather than simply being the end of Disc 1, shows the scene where Riki, due to his guilt and remorse toward Mimea, and the trauma and fear of Iason, changes profoundly. So you should definitely listen to it carefully.

Disc 2

#1 Passing Days * Characters: Riki, Daryl

@ A year and a half later. Iason's apartment.

(Scene)Daryl (22 years old) is in the midst of working on the provided terminal at his own desk (from which he can see the whole living room).

※He's diligently checking what's needed and replenishing missing items such as food ingredients and equipment. In other words, it's like a computerized household account book of Iason's household. Since this is Daryl, he is probably checking up on a well-balanced menu for Riki (laughs).

(Scene)Riki (19 years old) comes out of his private room.

※At this point in time, Riki's blatant, rough, up-to-no-good side had completely evaporated, and he was giving off a supple sort of sex appeal. Whether he liked it or not, he has an air of a refined and polished diamond about him.

Because of that whole thing with Mimea and because he now has the fear of Iason soaked into the marrow of his bones, even though his arrogant attitude is still the same, there is now deep melancholy in his heart.

(Scene)Daryl stops typing on his keyboard, gets up and walks over to Riki.

Daryl"Master Riki, will you be going out?"

Riki"Yeah..."

Daryl"Have a nice day." (Bows deeply)

(Scene)The apartment door opens and closes as Riki exits. Daryl goes back to his desk. He operates the touch keys to change the window on his screen and inputs the time Riki left the apartment.

Daryl(Internally) '17:33, Master Riki goes out...'

(Scene)Daryl suddenly pauses.

Daryl(Lets out a sigh) "I am sure you have no idea that I, the furniture, am monitoring your every move."

Daryl(I) 'Here in Eos, everything is managed with the pet ring which serves as an ID, so if we input the surveillance code, we can immediately find out when, where, with whom, and what the pet attached to your apartment has been doing. Even though we, furniture, have some restrictions, because Master Riki was put at the top of the black list, he was also monitored by the Security Center. That is how they found out about Mistress Mimea right away.'

(Scene)Daryl operates the keyboard to input the surveillance code. The image on the screen changes.

Daryl"Ah... he's not going to the Salon but the Entrance Hall?

Tomass(Flashback) "Since that incident with Mimea, Master Riki has become very quiet as of late, hasn't he? After all, it must have been a shock that she was disposed of because of what happened."

Ray(Fb) "Daryl, what's going on with Master Riki? He seems glued to the Entrance Door."

Furniture 1(Fb) "When the troublemaker Master Riki is so quiet, it feels kind of... eerie. It feels like... the calm before the storm."

Daryl(I) 'It's just that we are fellow furniture so, I suppose we're not that reserved with each other. We usually take no notice of other pets, but as expected, it would seem that Master Riki is a different story.'

Iason(Fb) "No matter what comes to pass, no matter where or how many years have gone by, the only fact that doesn't seem to change is that he sticks out."

Riki(Fb) "When I would obediently crouch at his feet, he'd wonder what I was scheming this time, finding something to blame and harass me for as he pleases. Seriously... I can't deal with it anymore!"

Daryl(I) 'You know that Master Iason has no intention of letting you go, yet for the past three years you've been fixated on that Entrance Door. Do you want your freedom that much? But, beyond that door, there is no future for you to envision.

Because... the only time the doors of Eos open for the pets is when it's time for their disposal. But you don't even know this fact, do you?'

Daryl"So, Master Riki. Don't stay there all the time like this, please hurry up and come back. Let's have dinner. Because tonight you'll have your favorite, Falott.

(Scene)Daryl operates the keyboard to exit the footage.

※ The job of the furniture attached to the apartment is to manage the pets. They should keep track and know exactly what their pet was doing that day in the annex. For the elites, even though the pet that they own is nothing more than an accessory that serves as a status symbol, the mismanagement of the pet still brings shame to the owner. However, it is furniture who actually bears the responsibility. As a result, the reality is that furniture is always keenly aware of the behavior of their pets.

Naturally, since most things are tolerated in the annex, it is very rare that security guards need to be summoned. The only exception to this is Riki.

#2 Debut Party * Characters: Iason, Raoul, Orphe, Gideon, Aisha, Riki, Pets 1, 2, 3, 4

@ The debut party for new pets.

G (Scene)The sight of a gorgeous party venue.

@ The table dedicated to Blondies.

(Scene)The thirteen Blondies are sitting on a luxurious sofa and having a relaxed chat.

Gideon"It would seem that the star of tonight's debut party is the male Paradita."

Orphe"Tan skin and ash-blond hair? It definitely stands out."

Raoul"It's a crossbreed of the Melrose and Dalton lines."

Aisha"It's a hybrid?"

Raoul"That's right. However, due to this combination, male hybrids are rare."

Iason"Rare? Why is that?"

Raoul"It's because no matter what you crossbreed with a Melrose, usually only females are born. Males are born occasionally, but there is a 99% chance they will have a chromosomal anomaly and will not grow up properly."

Gideon"Oho. Then his existence in itself is a rarity."

Raoul"That's right."

Gideon"Then, it is the exact opposite of a certain someone."

G (SE)All the Blondies, except Iason, chuckle.

Iason"Would it be a problem if you name me specifically?"

Gideon"Now you're just being paranoid, Iason."

Orphe"Then surely, the Paradita's selling point is the mother that birthed him?"

Aisha"But it is also pretty obsolete. Considering the time and effort needed to rear a perfect birth mother, is it really worth it?"

Raoul"Nevertheless, to that end, you can expect a variation that is quite unique."

Iason"A mutation?"

Gideon"...I see."

Orphe"Does that mean that the base can be obtained from a disposable clone culture?"

Raoul"No, the high scarcity value of the mutation stems from it being a one generation only hybrid. Even with clone culture, the variation cannot be expected in the next generation."

Aisha"Meaning that the Paradita's characteristics will not manifest even if it's crossed with a purebred. Is that correct?"

Raoul"Even if there were no fertility issues, it would still be genetically impossible."

Iason"Then, its scarcity value is greater than that of an Academy pet's?"

Gideon"After all, pets don't need intelligence since they are nothing more than perfectly crafted ornaments."

Raoul"Well, in a manner of speaking, maybe that's all there is to it."

(Scene)Slightly further from them, on a dedicated spot, the Blondy pets sit straight on the rug.

Pet 1 = Male, 13 years old. Pet 2 = Male, 14 years old.

Pet 3 = Female, 12 years old. Pet 4 = Female, 14 years old.

Pet 1"Hey, hey. Casey, if it were you, who would you like?"

Pet 2"Hm... None of them are great."

Pet 3"Eh? Why? Isn't that redhead quite nice?"

Pet 4 "No way! Isn't she a Spier breed?"

Pet 2"Exactly, Anise. The highest grade among them is the Paradita, right? He can't be a partner for us boys."

(Scene)With nothing to do, Riki nibbles on a piece of fruit (apple?) in frustration.

Riki(Internally) 'Seriously, can it just end already! Why do I have to go along with this damn farce every time!'

Pet 3"Speaking of which, Casey, wasn't your partner from the other day a Christa breed?"

Pet 2"That one's whatever. It didn't really count."

Pet 1"What! Why not?"

Pet 2"It was the absolute worst."

Pet 4(Chuckles) "Weren't you just bad at it, Casey?"

Pet 2(Gasps) "What are you trying to say, Nadia!"

Pet 1"Yeah, Nadia!"

Pet 4"What, Hal, as always you'll immediately take his side."

(Scene)Riki finishes eating his fruit and tosses the core into the trash.

Riki(I) 'Anyway, in the last year and a half, the line-up of Blondy pets has totally changed.'

Mimea(Flashback) "I like you, Riki!"

Stein(Fb) "Don't flatter yourself, mongrel!"

Pet I(Fb) "Go away! We don't want to stink like the slums."

Pet IV(Fb) "Seriously, such an eyesore."

Mimea(Fb) "You're not like all the others."

Luther(Fb) "It's your fault. It's because of you that Stein was disposed of!"

Stein(Fb) "Despite being a mongrel... I'm gonna make you disappear!!!"

Mimea(Fb) "Nooo! Rikiii!"

Riki(Bites hard on his lip)

Riki(I) 'I'm... the only one left. For how much longer?' (Gritting his teeth) 'How much longer will I have to be Iason's toy!"

(Scene)The bustle of the party venue fades out.

#3 Straggler * Characters: Riki, Miguel

@ Eos annex.

(Scene)Scene of the Botanical Garden within the annex.

Riki sits at the base of a tree, reading an e-book.

Miguel (13 years old) slowly approaches.

Miguel(Hesitantly) "Uh... ummm..."

Riki doesn't react.

(Scene)Faint sounds of the e-book cursor moving.

Miguel"Uummm..."

Riki"Hm?" (Lifts his head)

Miguel(His voice cracking from nervousness) "H-hello..."

Riki(Slightly annoyed) "What?"

Miguel"I am... umm... Miguel."

Riki(Internally) 'This guy... I'm pretty sure he's a Paradita.'

Miguel"Could I... sit next to you?"

Riki(Completely shocked) "Huuuh?"

Miguel(Surprised) "Is that... not ok?"

Riki(I) 'Is this... some new attempt to harass me? Or is it a sort of punishment game?'

Riki"What?"

Miguel"To sit next to you... is that ok?"

Riki"Yeah, I mean why?"

Miguel(Pinned down by Riki's fierce gaze, he's frozen in place)

Riki"Do you, know who I am?"

Miguel(His voice trails off) "I-I'm sorry. I don't."

Riki(Sighs deeply)

Miguel"I just got here... so I really don't know... the etiquette of this place or anything..."

Riki(I) 'So why did it have to be me? You're talking to the wrong person.'

Miguel"Everyone stares at me..."

Riki(I) 'Well, that would be because your skin and hair color are really striking. Wherever you go, it's immediately obvious, isn't it?'

Miguel"Simon said... in this place, I could make friends if I come here... But I don't even know where to go. Wandering around, I ended up by this flower bed."

Riki"This Simon, is he your furniture?"

Miguel"...That's right."

Riki"Then, before you go around wandering in a place like this, get Simon to teach you the 3 principal rules of Eos."

Miguel"The three principal rules... of Eos?"

Riki"Yes."

Riki(I) 'Do not get uppity and out of line. Do not get cocky and show off. If you can't beat them, join them. But, the most important one of them all is, to never ever go near the slum mongrel.'

Riki"Because if you start off on the wrong foot, it will be hard for you later."

(Scene)Riki turns off the e-book and closes it. He then gets up casually.

Miguel"Uh... um."

Riki"...What?"

Miguel"Do... do you work here?"

Riki(I) 'What the hell is he on about?'

Miguel"Are you the one who grows all these trees and flowers?"

(Scene)Riki is taken aback for a moment. Then he bursts into laughter.

Miguel(Surprised)

Riki(I) 'I'd been spending a lot of time in the Entrance Hall lately, and Daryl and security have been giving me a hard time, so I've been killing time in the Botanical Garden. I can't believe that the wait yielded a slip-up like this. So funny...

Miguel(Fearfully) "Um... did I say something weird?"

Riki(After laughing for a while) "Ah, amazing. It's been a really long time since I last laughed like this." (Looks straight at Miguel) "You seriously are a newbie who doesn't know anything."

Miguel(Doesn't know what to say)

Riki(I) 'Well, it's only been a week since the debut party, it can't be helped. After all, just the fact that there's someone like me among all the prepubescent pets in Eos does seem strange.'

Riki"You should ask Simon about who I am. He is the one who can explain it to you thoroughly. Well, see you."

(Scene)Riki walks away leisurely.

Miguel(Looking at Riki's back) "I... I... I'll come back here tomorrow."

Riki(I) 'Come back? Maybe. If only you knew who I really was. Simon will turn white as a sheet and put a stop to it. Next time we meet, I'm sure you'll look at me differently, just like they all do.'

(Scene)The sound of Riki's footsteps fades out.

Some of the lines in this track are identical to those in Volume 7, so credit for them goes to Rabi whose translation I used for consistency.

#4 The Fateful Choice * Characters: Riki, Daryl, Pets D, E

@ Iason's apartment.

(Scene)Door opens and Riki goes out.

Daryl(Off screen) "Have a nice day."

(Scene)Door closes.

Riki walks down the hallway to the (high-speed magnetic) elevator hall for pets. He enters the elevator and presses his palm against the biometric scan panel.

The sound of his authentication being confirmed.

Voice"Door is closing."

Riki"Entrance."

(Scene)The elevator descends (smoothly, because it's magnetic).

※ All pets are illiterate except for Riki, so there is no floor number display in pet elevators. As such, it is voice-enabled with a biometric (palmprint) system.

Naturally, since pets are also subjects to an absolute hierarchy, the floors that can be reached by checking palm prints are limited. In other words, pets of lower status can't go to upper floors.

Only the highest-ranking, Blondie pets can go up to the Imperial Room on the top floor.

(Scene)The elevator abruptly stops on the way down.

Riki"Hm?"

Voice"45th floor. Door is opening."

(Scene)The door opens.

Suddenly, an overly lively bustle coming from the pets waiting for the elevator resounds.

Riki(I) 'What's this, a bunch of kids?'

(Scene)The pets gasp when they realize that Riki is in there and start whispering things like "It's him.", "The mongrel!", "Oh no..." etc.

Riki"Are you coming in or not, which will it be?"

Pet D(Doing his best to play tough) "No way are we coming in with a mongrel there."

Pet E"Yeah! We'd also end up stinking of the slums."

The pets(Yell in unison)

Riki(Clicks his tongue and presses the button)

(Scene)Riki presses the blue button.

Voice"Door is closing."

(Scene)The door closes and the elevator continues its descent.

Riki(I) 'It's been how many years now and they're still calling me mongrel trash? Whatever really, I've gotten so used to it, it doesn't even piss me off anymore.'

(Scene)Elevator stops.

Voice"First floor. Entrance Hall."

(Scene)The door opens and closes as Riki gets out of the elevator.

@ Iason's apartment.

(Scene)Daryl is looking at the live feed of Riki on the terminal display.

Daryl"Master Riki is at the entrance again? Just a week ago he got a warning from the security guard not to go to the entrance without a proper reason, and yet..."

Riki(Flashback) "Well, you can shove that up your ass! I don't give a shit what anyone says! I go wherever I want to go, end of story."

Daryl"Being too stubborn can only backfire on you. But it really seems like this is a hill you're prepared to die on, no matter what.

@ Entrance Hall. It's deathly quiet.

※If we were to simply "pan the camera" from Iason's apartment without any scene explanation it would be hard to feel the difference between the two scenes. While the two scenes are happening simultaneously, just in different places, Riki and Daryl's viewpoint is very different, so I wanted to somehow show that.

(Scene)Riki approaches the door and stops. He keeps staring at the front door without moving a muscle.

Riki(I) 'Behind this door lies freedom.'

Iason(Fb) "The pet ring serves as your ID, but it does not give you a free pass to everything."

Iason(Fb) "At this point, I'm hardly expecting irreproachable behavior from a slum mongrel."

Iason(Fb) "You are my pet. I will drive that fact into the very marrow of your bones."

Riki(I) 'I used to think that the slums were the absolute worst shithole. That you could go no lower than that. But... compared to being kept as a pet in Eos, even the freedom to rot away is preferable.'

(Scene)Attention buzzer rings (around 3 times).

Security(Heard from the speaker) "Z-107M. This is a security zone. Do not enter without a reason."

Riki(Scoffs) "Shut up. I've heard your warning a billion times already."

@ Iason's apartment.

Daryl"Ah, as expected, he got a warning from the security guard."

(Scene)Daryl operates the keyboard to check how many yellow cards Riki has accumulated so far.

Daryl"Let's see how many yellow cards Master Riki has..." (Slightly relieved) "It's just on the verge but still fine it seems?"

Riki(Fb) "So if I don't get a red card all of a sudden, I should be fine."

Daryl"Are you going to keep fixating on it?"

Riki(Fb) "There is no way for me to be free here!"

Daryl(I) 'The pet ring is the proof of servitude that restricts your freedom. Even though Master Iason cares about you so much that it makes all other pets green with envy, the only one who sees it that way is... you.'

@ Entrance Hall.

(Scene)Attention buzzer rings again.

Security(Heard from the speaker) "I repeat. Z-107M. Get back to your compartment. I repeat. Z-107M. Get back to your compartment."

Riki(I) (Spits out bitterly) 'As long as the pet ring bites into my flesh, there's nowhere for me to run. I get that!'

Tense, foreboding music starts.

@ Iason's apartment.

(Scene)Daryl is staring at the terminal display.

Daryl"What is it that you see behind that door?"

Daryl(I) 'Even if you could pass through that door, as long as the pet ring shackles you, you can never have true freedom. But even so, will you still flee?'

(Scene)Daryl pulls a backup terminal plate (something like an OLED touch key pad) out of his desk drawer, sets it up, and starts hacking security.

※This terminal plate doesn't have a typical keyboard, but rather a touch screen.

Working with terminals is par for the course for furniture, but rather than just being familiar with it, I want to show that Daryl's hacking speed is incredible, like he's possessed by something.

@ Entrance Hall.

Riki(I) 'Pretty sure the third attention call will get me a warning. If so, I wonder if it will finally cross the line.'

(Scene)Riki slowly steps towards the door.

※ Riki and Daryl are originally in different places - the Entrance and Iason's apartment, but from now on, can you listen to them simultaneously? For example: L = Riki, R = Daryl.

While watching the live feed of Riki on the terminal display, Daryl seems to be in synch with his actions.

Riki(Talking to himself in a strained voice) "Shit. If only this door would open, I'd immediately shoot out of this shithole and be free."

Daryl"What if... even just for a moment, you had the chance to step through that door. What would you do?"

Riki"If only this door would open."

Daryl"If that door opens."

Riki(I) 'Why won't this door open!'

(Scene)Riki bangs loudly against the door with both his hands.

At the same time, Daryl presses Enter on the pad.

At that moment, music fades out.

(Scene)The sound of the safety lock being released and the entrance door opening,

symbolically.

Riki(Breathes heavily completely dumbfounded) "The door... opened? No way..."

(Scene)The alarm blares loudly.

Riki(Snaps back to reality and runs out instinctively)

(Scene)Riki runs out the door as fast as the wind.

@ Iason's apartment.

(Scene)An alarm resounds loudly throughout the apartment. Since this speaker is in the apartment itself, it is slightly out of synch from the one in the Entrance Hall.

Daryl(A slight smile creases the corners of his lips) "I see... So, that is your answer?"

(Scene)Daryl turns off the terminal and calmly closes his mobile.

@ Outside of Eos. A well-organized cluster of buildings.

※ Since Tanagura is a mechanical cyber city, there are no people around, not even tourists. Aside from the elites, all the workers are androids.

(Scene)Air bikes (around 5 or so) rush at full speed with police sirens on (the sound should be futuristic). It's the Eos security guards who are riding them.

Guard 1(Heard through the intercom) "Z-107M is fleeing towards Prage."

Guard 2(Heard through the intercom) "Understood."

Guard 1(Heard through the intercom) "If he starts resisting, it's ok if you have to bruise him up a bit."

Guard 3(Heard through the intercom) "We'll definitely catch him."

Guard 1(Heard through the intercom) "We've got the pet ring signal. Turn right at that corner."

(Scene)The sound of the air bikes turning right fades out.

(Scene)Riki is frantically running around, trying to escape.

Riki(Panting as he frantically runs around)

Riki(I) 'Shit... why is this place so open. Is there even anywhere where I could hide?'

(Scene)An air car with the blaring siren approaches from behind.

Iason(Fb) "The pet ring also doubles as a tracer."

Iason(Fb) "No matter where you are, you will always be in the palm of my hand."

Riki(I) 'Shit... shit... shit!!!!'

(Scene)The air bike immediately closes the distance between them. The sound of a capture net being launched from the air bike. The capture net hits Riki head on.

Riki"Waaaaaa!" (Hit by the net, he screams and tumbles to the ground)

(Scene)Riki is caught by the net and tumbles down to the ground. The air bikes surround him and stop.

Guard 2(Heard through the intercom) "Target captured."

Guard 1 (Heard through the intercom) "Understood."

(Scene)The guards get off their bikes and approach Riki, who keeps struggling in the net.

Riki(Screaming as hard as he can while he struggles) "Shit!! You bastards!! Get it off! Sons of bitches! Get me out of this piece of shit contraption!!

Guard 2(Heard through the intercom) "What should we do?"

Guard 1(Heard through the intercom) "For now, just shut him up."

Guard 2(Heard through the intercom) "...Understood."

(Scene)Guard 2 takes out a metal baton (something like a futuristic stun gun) from his waist belt. He turns the baton on and it extends three times its original length. He presses the tip of the extended baton to Riki's struggling body. The sound of something like electric current shooting up Riki's body.

Riki(Screams and faints)

(Scene)Riki faints.

#5 Everyone's Expectations * Characters: Iason, Orphe, Aisha

@ Eos Security Room.

Orphe's Office.

(Scene)Iason, Orphe and Aisha sit on luxurious chairs around a solid, round table.

※ The three people discussing Riki's escape are as follows: Iason who is his owner, Orphe who is in charge of Eos and Aisha who is in charge of Tanagura.

Orphe's reputation as the one in charge of Eos has been completely ruined by the major incident that by all rights never should have happened in the first place. As a result, here he is in an unusually foul mood.

On the other hand, Aisha is as calm and collected as ever, however, he is putting great emphasis on Iason's responsibility as the owner of the pet who caused this incident, and his words are sharper than usual.

As for Iason himself, stunned as he was that such an impossible scenario, which he absolutely never expected, came to pass, in a way, he stood his ground. Or rather... he was using all his mental capacities to try to find a way out of this predicament. Of course, he didn't let that show even for a moment.

Orphe(Clearly feeling very uncomfortable) "A pet breaking through Eos' security and escaping, it's an unprecedented scandal."

Iason(Internally) 'It would seem that this time Orphe's patience really has reached its limit. Which is quite understandable.'

Aisha(Unpleasantly) "I'd have thought that after 3 years in Eos, his fangs would have dulled, but... As expected, the mongrel really is stubborn."

Iason(I) 'I seriously never imagined he would do something this reckless...'

Orphe"It seems that his apparent loss of spirit was just for show, Iason."

Aisha"It is fortunate that they were able to secure him, but your pet really lacks any common sense to try to shake off the security guards and escape to Prage."

Iason(I) 'Aisha's words are more barbed than usual as well. Although it was only a security breach related to a pet, it isn't just a problem for Eos. Does it mean that, despite him not showing it, Aisha's shock as the overseer of Tanagura is also considerable? Then... what is he going to do?'

Iason"It means that there was an unexpected flaw in the supposedly perfect Eos security."

Aisha"You sound like this has nothing to do with you, Iason."

Orphe"Are you fully aware of the gravity of this situation?"

Iason"Certainly."

Orphe"This isn't just about a run-in between a pet and security, hacking the system in order to escape is a serious crime."

Iason"There is no way a mere pet could access a shielded terminal that needs to be biometrically authenticated, and hack the security."

Aisha"There are many ways someone shrewd and crafty could get around it. Wasn't that your pet's strong point?"

Iason"If so, then he would've come up with a more thought-through plan, instead of something this half-baked. He does have that much sense."

Orphe"...However, he could have colluded with the furniture."

Iason"I am about to look into that."

Aisha"Don't go easy on him."

Iason(Glaring at Aisha) "I am not that lenient."

Aisha"...I know. But, still."

Orphe"All of Eos knows you are completely obsessed with him."

Aisha"This is very different from simple pet misconduct. In these circumstances, that needs to be entirely clear."

Orphe"If you think he's being suspected without a cause, then let's see if the results will confirm that, Iason."

Iason"...Alright."

(Scene)Iason gets up leisurely.

Orphe"Iason."

Iason"What is it?"

Orphe"Even though you've grown accustomed to cleaning up his mess, this time, I can't settle with simple mismanagement."

Iason"I will bear that in mind."

(Scene)Iason leaves the room.

Orphe(Sinks back into his chair with a sigh)

(Scene)Orphe's chair creaks slightly.

Orphe"As usual, is he bluffing, how many aces has he got up his sleeve... I can't read him at all."

Aisha"If he wasn't like that, he wouldn't be able to go against the old foxes from the Galactic Commonwealth. I suppose that's what it comes down to."

Orphe"Despite your scathing words, you seem to have a pretty high opinion on Iason, don't you?"

Aisha"A fair acknowledgement is not the same thing as personal feelings."

Orphe"Well, I can't argue with that."

Aisha"By the way... what are you going to do with Riki?"

Orphe"As for that, I think I need to have a serious discussion with Iason about what to do."

Aisha"I do wonder how far Iason's patience extends."

Orphe"Personally, I hope that this will be the final straw."

Aisha"To get rid of him?"

Orphe"It's already been 3 years since Iason brought him to Eos, Aisha."

Aisha"Ho... has it been that long?"

Orphe"For a male pet, everything about this situation is unprecedented."

Aisha"Even so, do you think that Iason's obsession with him will so easily fade?"

Orphe"For three years, he hasn't sent him to a mating party even once, and has instead slept with him himself. I really can't understand such perversion at all."

Aisha"It's too late now, Orphe."

Orphe"It might very well be, given the state of things, but I just have a hard time accepting it."

Big thanks to Lex Logan for help with some sentences!

#6 Confrontation * Characters: Iason, Daryl, Orphe, Aisha

@ Eos Interrogation Room.

A room with nothing but a sturdy table and simple chairs.

(Scene)Daryl is sitting on a chair with his wrists bound by something that looks like an electronic lock.

The interrogation room door opens and closes (with more weight than a normal automatic door). Iason enters.

Daryl(Takes a startled breath when he sees Iason)

(Scene)Daryl stirs and the chair makes a slight noise.

※ Hacking the system is something Daryl did with conviction, so he was prepared for a severe punishment. Because of this, he wasn't feeling needlessly anxious and managed to keep his cool. But even so, I want it to feel like there is a conditioned reflex that makes him snap to attention as soon as he sees Iason's face.

(Scene)Iason sits down at the table, directly across from Daryl.

Iason"Do you understand why you've been brought here, Daryl?"

Daryl(In a somewhat firm tone) "How is Master Riki?"

Iason"He was apprehended at Prage."

Daryl"Is that... so."

Iason"You didn't seriously think that he could escape, did you?"

Daryl"He is not hurt..., is he?"

Iason"He is in a detention room right now. He was hard to handle, so he was given some sedatives."

Daryl(Lets out a rugged sigh)

Iason"What made you want to join him in such an idiotic endeavor?"

Daryl(Decisively) "This was all my doing. Master Riki knew nothing about it."

Iason"He threatened you and you had no choice but to obey. If you say that, things will go easier for you."

Daryl(With firm determination) "That is not true! I was the one who hacked the security system and got the entrance door to open. I did it of my own accord. I was neither ordered nor threatened to do it."

Iason"So—why?"

Daryl"Because out of all the pets in Eos, Master Riki was the only one who was obsessed with those doors."

Iason(Internally) 'Something along the lines of "Some day this pet ring is coming off and I'm getting out of Eos"? I'm sure that's the sort of thing that malcontent keeps daydreaming about.'

Iason"You two were kept in the same cage. Are you saying that you pitied his situation?"

Daryl"No. I only—"

Iason"You presumably weren't particularly dissatisfied with your status as the furniture of a Blondy. The punishment for hacking is severe. You must have been aware of that. So why would you do it?"

※ Even for Iason, this incident was a bolt from the blue, and he still doesn't understand why Daryl would commit such a serious crime, knowing full well that the consequences would be dire. So, rather than have Iason interrogate him high-handedly, the feeling I want to convey should be more like, Iason trying to get to the bottom of Daryl's real intentions.

Daryl"I... don't know what the slums are like or what sort of life Master Riki led there, but I know what Master Riki was like when he was at Guardian."

Iason(Completely caught off guard for a second)

Iason(I) 'Guardian...? That was an unexpected blind spot. The furniture in Eos is all supplied by Guardian in Ceres. But it's a top secret known only to the Blondies.'

Iason"How much older are you from Riki?"

Daryl"Three years. But we were assigned to different blocks."

Iason(I) 'In other words, they are three years apart. I heard from Hubert that in Guardian, children assigned to separate blocks rarely have the opportunity to interact with each other. Was that wrong?'

Daryl"Though we were assigned to separate blocks, about half the furniture here probably remembers Riki."

Iason(Furrows his brows slightly) "But, Riki didn't recognize any of you?"

Daryl"That... can't be helped. But the dark-haired, black-eyed Riki was hard to miss even back then. He kept everyone at arm's length and never got close to anyone. That's just how he was."

Iason"Just like now?"

Daryl"Yes. He didn't curry favor with anybody about anything. No matter what happened, he always stuck to his guns. That's why he was called a trouble maker since he came to Guardian."

Iason(As if muttering under his breath) "After all, he's an outsider no matter where he is."

Daryl"He has not changed, not a bit." (As if he's expressing his feelings earnestly) "If only he accepted the reality of being a pet, if he let it all go and just gave in, things would be so much easier for him. But Master Riki cannot do that."

Iason(I) 'It's not that he can't do it, rather, he probably just doesn't want to let go of his pride.'

Daryl"Even though he is bound by a leash, he continues to try to live his life as a slum mongrel. That is why I... envy him. What's more, my heart aches. What hurts even more is that I could do nothing but stand on the sidelines and look on."

Iason(I) 'The inviolable domain of pets and furniture. Being a sensible bystander is what separates good furniture from scrap. Daryl did an excellent job in that.'

Daryl"Since that is the case, I wanted him to always stay like that... never curry favor with anybody about anything. If Master Riki were to no longer be Master Riki... I didn't even want to think about something like that. That's why I..."

Iason"You wanted to see?"

Daryl(Breath caught in his throat)

Iason"Whether Riki had any pride as a mongrel left? Or whether he'd been reduced to nothing more than a pet? Is that what you wanted to see?"

Daryl (Swallows loudly)

Iason"For that purpose alone, you were prepared to toss your position as a Blondy furniture down the drain?"

Daryl"Here in Eos, furniture is just a disposable good."

Iason"But, for the past five years, you've done an impeccable job as furniture. Is Riki worth so much to you that you're willing to throw away those five years so easily?"

Daryl"Master Riki didn't treat me as a disposable good, but as an equal human being."

Iason"An equal human being...?"

Daryl"Yes. Perhaps I have become a little conceited, but even if just for a moment, if I could share something with Master Riki..."

Iason"Impulse is a mind-killer. After all, you really are a slum mongrel."

Daryl(For a moment, smiling through his sadness) "If only I, who have never lived in the slums, had the instincts of a mongrel."

Iason"And? Are you satisfied?"

Daryl"Yes. In the end, I feel extremely happy that Master Riki stayed Master Riki."

Iason(I) 'However, if Riki knew this, he would grieve over what Daryl had done. Even if he wouldn't shed tears for himself when disciplined, he would surely weep for Daryl who is bound to receive a severe punishment.' (With disgust) 'That—I cannot allow.'

※ It's not because it's Daryl, Iason's ego can't allow such a thing no matter who it is. His warped obsession will never allow anyone other than himself to be carved into Riki's memory. At the time of the Mimea incident, jealousy was added on top of the anger over having his pride hurt, and although he managed to retain his composure, he was truly furious. But with Daryl, I wanted to show that in his demeanor, there lurked deeper, darker and more threatening impulses.

That is to say, if it weren't for this (Daryl incident), Iason's strange obsession with Riki wouldn't have been ensured (laughs).

Ultimately, even if he pretends to be obedient, if you let your guard down, Riki will unexpectedly betray you—that was how it felt. That is why Iason couldn't help but bind Riki hand and foot... or something like that.

Daryl"This reckless gamble was entirely my own doing. Master Riki's fate, Master Iason's pride as the owner... and myself." (Earnestly) "The responsibility for it all is mine alone. So please, I beg of you, have mercy on Master Riki."

Iason"For that reason, are you prepared to accept any punishment?"

Daryl(Decisively) "Yes."

Iason(With a cool-headed demeanor) "In that case, you shall serve as an example to all furniture of what happens when you commit a serious transgression such as hacking."

Daryl"...I understand."

(Scene)Iason gets up from his chair and exits the interrogation room.

@ Orphe's office.

Inside the room are Orphe and Aisha.

(Scene)Orphe turns off the monitor with a remote. Orphe and Aisha shift on their luxury chairs as if to loosen up some of the tension.

Aisha"Instincts of a mongrel...?"

Orphe"Perhaps he means being able to express emotions so freely."

Aisha"Could that mean that he too was infected with the volatile virus that is Riki?"

Orphe"Iason had no qualms describing Riki as a feral child with no control or imprinting. It seems that perhaps our assessment was overly optimistic."

Aisha"Overly optimistic?"

Orphe"I mean to say that when it comes to the breed raised in the special bio-farm that is Guardian, even castrating them doesn't seem to kill their instincts."

Aisha"If that's the case, should we conduct a psychological check on all furniture?"

Orphe"I'm not hesitant to do so if necessary."

Aisha"His earlier proposal to make an example of the furniture, should I assume that's yet another Iason-style performance?"

Orphe"It seems to me like it could go either way."

Aisha(Thinks for a moment) "Come to think of it... Iason's previous furniture also caused an incident involving hacking."

Orphe"Yes. I believe that Iason is keeping that furniture around on the black market."

Aisha"Keeping him around?"

Orphe"He seems to be useful enough that some of the work can be entrusted to him."

Aisha"Could it be said that a slum mongrel made an unexpected career leap?"

Orphe"Iason would say that it's simply a matter of having the right person in the right place... it would seem."

Aisha"...So, what is the difference between that time and this? They are both furniture, yet the treatment is drastically different."

Orphe"I should think that it has everything to do with Riki's involvement."

Aisha"It's so blatant, it really makes one sick to the stomach."

Orphe"At the end of the day, perhaps Iason simply has bad luck when it comes to furniture."

Aisha"But it has become a big problem for us too."

Narrator"People change depending on their environment.

Their way of thinking, their personality, as well as morality. Even their one and only truth.

What triggers it are their inexhaustible aspirations. It is a self-preservation mechanism. Or perhaps it's an uncontrollable desire, or even despair.

However, there are some things that will never change. Humans are creatures that can suddenly erupt with uncontrollable impulses."

#7 Connected * Characters: Iason, Raoul, High official, Aide

@ Parthia Chancellery.

Iason's chambers.

G (Scene)Scene of the lounge in front of the room where important dignitaries are welcomed.

Iason and a high-ranking Commonwealth government official (in his fifties) are sitting on a luxurious sofa having a congenial chat (devoid of overt amiability). The same goes for the others (around 10 people) sitting at other tables.

Official(In a good mood) "Lord Iason. This was a truly meaningful meeting."

Iason"Likewise, the pleasure was mine."

Official"I would like to discuss this matter with the assembly and obtain their approval as soon as possible."

Iason"I will look forward to that."

Official"Next time, it would be an honor to welcome you to my own home country, Desdervia."

Iason"That will depend on my schedule."

(Scene)The aide walks up to them briskly.

Aide"Excuse me for interrupting."

Iason"What is it?"

Aide(Quietly whispers in his ear) "The air limousines are ready."

Iason(Breathes out in confirmation)

(Scene)The aide formally steps back.

Iason"Lord Zakhar, I am sorry to have kept you waiting. Allow me to see you off to the entrance."

Official"That is very kind of you. Thank you."

(Scene)Iason and the high official get up. Seeing this, the others stand up as well.

@ First floor, the roundabout in front of the entrance.

(Scene)Three air limousines. The door on each slides shut and they lift off slowly and take off one after another.

Iason and the aide turn around and head back inside. Entrance door opens and closes.

The two of them walk for a short while.

Raoul shows up from behind.

Raoul"Iason."

(Scene)Iason and the aide stop walking. Raoul catches up with them and stops.

Iason"My my, Raoul. I didn't expect to meet you here."

Raoul"I just got back from Alegia."

Iason"And you headed straight to Parthia? Do you have some urgent business?"

Raoul"I heard that you were here."

Iason"I see. How can I help you?"

Raoul"Do you have a moment?"

Iason(Addressing the aide) "Ashley, you can go back now."

Aide"Yes sir."

(Scene)The aide walks away quickly.

Iason"So? What is this about?"

Raoul"I see that he made a mess again."

Iason"You've got some ears on you considering you've been shut up in Alegia lab until yesterday."

Raoul"What was it this time?"

Iason"He shook off the security guards and attempted to escape from Eos."

Raoul(Taken aback for a moment but then immediately asserts bluntly) "Well, if it isn't yet another extremely flashy mess. I take it that Orphe's brain synapses were completely shot?"

Iason(Corners of his lips curl into a faint smile)

(Scene)Iason and Raoul walk leisurely to the Elevator Hall.

Raoul"I thought you defanged him after that whole business with Mimea... But it seems that his true nature could not be remedied."

Iason"You've just gotten back and you're already throwing snide remarks."

Raoul"After all this time, he's once again living up to his reputation as a slum mongrel, is he?"

Iason"Why are you so put out whenever Riki's name comes up?"

Raoul"Because I don't care for him in the least. And seeing you wrapped around some slum mongrel's finger angers me even more"

(Scene)Iason and Raoul stop walking.

Iason"Did you come all this way just to say that?"

(Scene)Iason inputs the security code on the keypad. The authorization sound beeps.

Raoul"I take it he was recaptured?"

Iason"Naturally. He couldn't have actually gotten away. The pet ring also doubles as a tracer."

Raoul(Internally) 'Only your pet is so ill-natured that he needs a pet ring with a tracer instead of an ID, Iason.'

(Scene)Elevator door opens and closes as Iason and Raoul enter. Iason presses the destination floor on the touchscreen.

Raoul(I) 'Oh? Iason, is he going to take the underground Chalaza network?'

(Scene)Elevator descends (without vibrating as it is a high-speed magnetic elevator).

Iason"Even so, he did manage to get as far as Prage, he was very persistent, or how should I put it... I was left completely flabbergasted and speechless."

Raoul"How can you be amused that your own pet broke through Eos security and made a run for it. By all rights, you as the owner should be held fully accountable and reprimanded."

Iason"I already had to sit through Orphe and Aisha's tedious sarcasm, that should be enough."

Raoul"Nevertheless, how is it that you have so much leeway to behave in this fashion?"

Iason"Because the responsibility doesn't lie only with me, it's all connected. Thanks to this incident, we've uncovered an unexpected back door in the supposedly flawless Eos security protocols. It's a blessing in disguise. So you could say that all three of us are equally to blame."

Raoul(Groaning slightly) "You're the perfect example of all's grist that comes to your mill. Seriously, how do you manage to twist any set of facts to fit your purpose."

Iason"I suppose I just take things as they come."

Raoul"Yet this feared Emperor of the black market has allowed himself to be wrapped around a mere slum trash pet's finger. That is unacceptable—is what I've been trying to say."

Iason(Emphatically coldly) "I have no desire to argue with you about Riki anymore."

(Scene)The elevator stops at the 30th basement floor.

※ Chalaza high-speed magnetic pod. That's the name of the underground transportation network branching through Tanagura and Midas. It's a secret tunnel network known only to Tanagura's elite.

(Scene)Elevator door opens and closes as Iason and Raoul exit and start walking. Because they are underground, their footsteps echo quite conspicuously.

Iason"Raoul. How far do you intend to accompany me?"

Raoul"Where is it that you are going?"

Iason"To Eos."

Raoul"That's fine then."

Iason(Sighs lightly) "Why exactly did you come here?"

Raoul"Don't be mean. Why won't you take my well-meaning advice more seriously?"

(Scene)The conversation between the two and the sound of their footsteps fades out.

#8 Noncommital * Characters: Riki, Iason, Orphe, Gideon, Assistant

@ Eos annex.

(Scene)The door to the Security Room opens and closes. (Since it's a secure room, the door is quite heavy)

Gideon enters.

Sitting in his desk chair, Orphe turns to him.

Orphe"Oh, Gideon."

Gideon"I heard that Iason is back from Parthia and is about to interrogate Riki."

Orphe"I don't remember inviting you?"

Gideon"Don't be like that, Orphe."

(Scene)Gideon settles into a chair without hesitation.

Orphe"You really will stick your nose into everything."

Gideon"Wasn't Aisha present during the interrogation of the furniture?"

Orphe"As the general manager of Tanagura, it was obviously his duty to be present."

Gideon"Couldn't he have just read the report instead of going out of his way to be present for the interrogation? Wasn't that kind of unexpected?"

Orphe"Aisha would probably say the same thing about you."

Gideon(Huffs and leans back into his chair)

(Scene)Gideon leans back into his chair.

Gideon"So? What's going on in the detention room?"

Orphe"Chloe."

Assistant"Yes sir."

(Scene)The sound of touch keys being pressed.

Central screen turns on showing the image of Riki in the detention room.

Gideon"Oho. Still as impudent as ever."

Orphe"As you'd expect, when he was first thrown into the detention room, he was completely enraged and out of control."

Gideon"So, you had him collared?"

Orphe"The collar emits a weak electric current to stop him from hurting himself."

Gideon"Hurting himself? No way, would he do that?"

Orphe"It's no different than dealing with an injured beast."

Gideon"Well, I suppose it makes sense seeing as he's a mongrel."

Assistant"Master Iason, you are free to enter."

(Scene)Gideon straightens up in his seat.

Gideon"Well then, let's see how this goes."

@ Eos underground level, security zone.

(Scene)Iason walks into the room where Riki is being detained and stops.

He enters his ID code (8 digits) into the security pad next to the door.

Door opens and closes. Iason enters and Riki who is on the bed braces himself.

※ Riki is on the bed clad in a plain medical gown (with no underwear). There is a restraining metal collar around his neck. Weak electric current is channeled through it to prevent him from getting too violent.

Riki(Obviously apprehensive, he braces himself)

Iason(Internally) 'A plain medical gown and a disciplinary collar? How unsightly.'

(Scene)Iason slowly walks up to Riki.

Riki scowls at Iason like a stray cat with his hackles up.

Iason"They roughed you up pretty badly. It's all thanks to your futile attempts to fight the security guards."

Riki(Coming out like a slight groan) "Shut up!"

Iason"It's been a while since I've seen such rage on your face. Has that flashy fight with the security awakened the dormant mongrel in you?"

Riki"Just get on with it, do whatever you want."

Iason(Curling the corner of his lip in a sneer) "Does that mean that you have braced yourself? How admirable. Well then—shall I show you some real pain?"

(Scene)Iason fiddles with the ring on his left middle finger.

The sound of the pet ring between Riki's legs emitting a punitive pulse can be heard. Riki screams and arches his back.

Riki"Haaaaaahhh!" (Screams and arches his back, then grabs his crotch and groans)

(Scene)Riki groans while grabbing his crotch.

Riki(I) 'Fuck... the pet ring... hurts... Fuck... it feels like it will tear it apart.'

Riki(Moans earnestly without uttering a word)

Iason"Did you forget, Riki? As long as the pet ring bites into your flesh, there is nowhere for you to run. So, why would you do something so foolish?"

Riki(Growls from the back of his throat) "Pets... are the... the lowliest... scum!"

(Scene)The sound of the punitive pulse intensifies.

Riki(Lets out an agonizing, hoarse scream)

(Scene)Riki is in agony on the bed.

@ Security room.

(Scene)There's the image of an agonized Riki on the screen. His screams can be heard intermittently from the speakers.

Gideon"...So it begins."

Orphe"What does?"

Gideon"A custom-made D-type—we are witnessing the power of the pet ring Iason made specifically for him."

Orphe"This penis ring which doubles as a training device really is symbolic of Iason's deviant behavior."

Gideon"Since he's never sent him to a mating party, the unusual fact that no one has seen the ring led to all kinds of scandalous rumors."

Orphe"In order to tame a vicious pet that lacks any training, rather than impart pleasure, its main function should be to cause fear through pain, and more importantly—to imprint obedience."

Gideon"Are you saying that Iason isn't simply a deviant?"

Orphe"Do you think that the custom-made D-type pet rings might be widely used in Eos in the future?"

Gideon"For better or worse, as a test case, Riki is quite exceptional. I don't think that anyone would want to imitate him."

@ Detention room.

(Scene)Iason grabs the suffering Riki's hair.

Iason"Do you hate pets that much?"

Riki(In pain) "They... make me sick!"

(Scene)Iason grabs Riki's hair and pulls his head up.

Riki(Reacting to being forcefully pulled up)

Iason"Well aren't you full of yourself. Is spewing abuse the only thing you can do at this point?"

(Scene)Riki struggles feebly.

Iason turns off the punitive pulse.

Released from the excruciating pain, Riki's heartbeat, which had been pushed to its limits, begins to wind down.

Riki(Bites hard on his lip, desperately trying to suppress his gasps)

Iason"But it's not just pain. The ring has given you other sensations too, hasn't it? Isn't that right, Riki?"

(Scene)Iason reaches a hand towards the hem of Riki's simple medical gown, and gently strokes his crotch.

Riki(Whimpers with fear)

Iason(Whispers in Riki's ear) "Just by touching you here, you become much more obedient."

(Scene)Riki's body trembles as he is being fondled slowly.

Atmospheric sound or music indicating a slowly rising pleasure.

Riki(Tilts his head trying to escape Iason's whispers)

Iason"You even stopped talking back to me."

Riki(Desperately trying to contain the sensual gasps, which are completely different from the ones before)

Iason"Or... do you prefer when I do this?"

(Scene)Iason lightly fingers Riki's back entrance.

Riki(Fails to hold back a moan) "Hya... aaaa."

Iason"Your body gets all worked up from my mere touch, how can you claim that you are not a pet?"

Riki(Starts swearing as if attempting to stem the tide of pleasure that is threatening to overwhelm him) "Da... mn... you. You... fucking... bastard... ah!"

Iason"Who is your owner?"

Riki(Desperately gathers his scattered thoughts and stubbornly spits out) "I don't... I... don't... belong... to... anyone!"

Iason(I) 'So damn stubborn.'

(Scene)Iason retracts the hand that was teasing Riki.

At the same time the atmospheric music suddenly cuts off.

Riki collapses onto the bed, panting.

Riki(Collapses while panting)

※Riki here is mercilessly plunged from intense pain into extreme pleasure as means of punishment and is already completely mentally exhausted. However, even if it was for just a brief moment, that which had been repressed was suddenly awakened once he was set free (went on a rampage?) from Eos. This wasn't mere despair, rather I wanted to show the rekindling of Riki's true nature, his "won't curry favor with anyone, won't easily bend the knee" will of steel.

In Iason's eyes, the pet, which was supposed to have been tamed after three years of hard work, regained his ferocity and bared his fangs at the very end.

Rather than being disappointed that he didn't manage to tame him, it might be more correct to say that his sadism and possessiveness were aroused even further, something like "I'm going to do it no matter what" (laughs).

The reason Iason and Riki's relationship is this unproductive (not yet at this point) is because they met in the worst possible way. They are both so striking that they are fascinated by each other to the point where they keep drawing each other in constantly. But at the same time, they can't find common ground because both of them are incredibly obstinate and feed on each other's stubborn pride.

Instead of pitting reason and emotion against each other as two opposites, I was trying to show different kinds of extreme emotions that are running in opposite directions.

Iason(I) 'It seems that by escaping to Prage, his mongrel instincts really did reignite."

Riki(Pants and curls up into a ball on the bed)

(Scene)Jerkily hugs himself.

Orphe(Flashback) "Iason, you must take clear responsibility for this."

Aisha(Fb) "It's not enough to only convict the furniture. It just isn't."

Raoul(Fb) "At this point, he really should be disposed of."

Gideon(Fb) "This is the consensus of all of us Blondies. You will need to obey our decision."

Iason(I) 'Indeed, it seems like Riki's punishment can't be avoided. If so..., what should I do?'

(Scene)Iason's muttering and Riki's rough breathing fade out.

@ Security room.

Gideon"...He's not giving in."

Orphe"...So obstinate."

Gideon"As expected from a slum mongrel... huh?"

Orphe"Or perhaps it's nothing more than... despair."

Gideon"And relying on crying and pleading was always out of the question I suppose?"

Orphe"This might be the first time I've seen Iason lose to anyone when it comes to persistence and stubbornness."

Gideon"So, what will he do now?"

Orphe"What would you say, Gideon, if Iason proposed to sell him off to Midas as is customary?"

Gideon"Naturally, I would respectfully decline."

Orphe"Wouldn't he have a unique added value as a Blondy pet?"

Gideon"Any advantages are offset by the disadvantages, something so risky would be unacceptable."

Orphe"So it would be too risky to pass him on even to a dilettante...?"

Gideon"In any case, there really is no other choice but to scrap him. No matter what tricks Iason tries to use, he can't ignore the pet law."

Orphe"...Indeed."

Gideon"And with this, peace will finally return to Eos."

Orphe"Still, it seems that a lot of cleaning up and getting things back in order will be needed."

Gideon"That will be the opportunity for you to show off your skills."

Orphe"Are you being sarcastic?"

Gideon"I didn't mean to imply anything."

Orphe"Well, fine. At this point, it's best to nip bad sprouts in the bud."

#9 Epilogue * Characters: Riki, Iason

@ Midas, late at night.

(Scene)Sounds of the flashy hustle and bustle representing Midas, the city that never sleeps.

An air car (on autopilot) is flying in the sky. (Iason and Riki are on the back seat)

Riki(Internally) 'Where the hell are we going?'

(Scene)Riki shifts uncomfortably.

Riki(Internally, completely resigned to his fate) 'Pets that have had their pet rings removed are either sent to a brothel in Midas or are disposed of. There's no way a mongrel like me could be sold in Midas. So, I suppose I'm going straight into the trash bin, huh.'

(Scene)The air car slowly turns. The huge convention center complex of Area 3 can be seen outside the window. Leaning forward slightly, Riki looks out the window.

Riki(I) 'Isn't that... the Mistral Park convention center?'

(Scene)The air car descends and slows down gradually.

Riki(Internally, rendered breathless by this unexpected turn of events) 'This is... Genova?'

※Genova—a street district adjacent to the border with Area 9, Ceres (=slums). As such, it has been demarcated as a red zone where tourists are advised not to venture.

(Scene)The air car comes to a halt. The two doors slide open automatically.

Iason"—Get off."

Riki(Taking a breath as if weary of Iason's true intentions)

(Scene)Iason and Riki get out of the air car.

Riki(Takes a quick look around to make sure) "Isn't this Genova?"

Iason"That's right. Beyond that wall are the slums."

Riki(Tentatively) "Is this your idea of a bad joke?"

Iason"What?"

Riki"What do you mean what..."

Iason"Even if I tried to dispose of you, there's no way anyone in Midas would want to take a slum mongrel. Or did you want me to send you to Raoul's lab as waste for use in his experiments?"

Riki(His face twitches as he's rendered speechless)

Iason"You can go back home, to the slums."

Riki(Gasps suddenly) "Are you serious?"

Iason"—Go."

Riki(Still skeptical) "I can... go home?"

Iason"Go back. Before I change my mind."

Riki(Swallows loudly)

Theme MusicStarts.

Riki(I) 'I can go back home? To the slums?'

(Scene)Riki, still skeptical, takes two, three steps back.

Riki(I) 'Seriously?'

(Scene)Riki immediately turns around and starts running at full speed.

Riki(I) 'Is this a dream...? I can really go back, to the slums?"

(Scene)Riki jumps and climbs over the wall. There are broken patches in the wall so it's possible to enter Genova from the slums.

Riki(I) 'I can return. I can go back home. Nothing's holding me back anymore.'

(Scene)Riki jumps down to the slum side. He just stands there for a bit, as if letting the fact that he really is back sink in.

Riki"I'm back..." (Overcome with emotion) "I'm free. I really am free!"

(Scene)Riki runs off with joy in his every step. The theme song intensifies to accommodate Riki's delight.

Iason"You can go home, Riki."

(Scene)Seeing Riki disappear from his sight, Iason slowly turns around.

Iason(I) 'I will give you one year of freedom.'

(Scene)Iason gets back into the air car.

Iason(I) 'There is no pet ring to tie you down. Go back to the slums and spread your wings to your heart's content. But, I'm sure you will notice. The gap of three long years. And then, you will know. What the true price of freedom is.'

(Scene)Air car starts to hover and ascends slowly.

Iason"Go, Riki. Go back to the slums and see for yourself, with your own eyes, with your own body. You are already nothing more than a stranger there, because you have been completely tainted by the poison of being a pet. I will be waiting for that moment. The moment you truly become mine."

(Scene)The sound of the air car speeding off fades out.

The theme song ends.