The Curse of Beasts (BEASTARS)

Of Fathers and Sons

"Hmm..."

The air was tense, possibly more than any other point in Louis' life. Even with the sun shining outside the window to the side of him, there was a noticeable chill in the air. The room he was in was large, much more than a normal one. Just beyond the window's light was a desk, few objects on it. As for what was there, they were organized and aligned to the corners. It matched the decor, as it did with the one behind the desk.

Just across from Louis was another, older deer. His antlers were large and curled in a different way than the young deer's. His expression was unreadable, gaze locked to the paper he held in front of him. Louis kept his composure, but he'd be lying if he said this wasn't nerve-wracking for him. He had taken a lot of unexpected turns as of late, but it wasn't going to stop him in the slightest.

"Don't you think it's a little late to act this way?", the older deer asked. "You've reached your rebellious phase at 18 years."

Hmph. I'm sure there's a snarky comment to be made here, but this isn't the situation for it.

"Father.", he stepped into the window's light slowly. "I'm not being rebellious. The time has finally come."

He dropped a pen onto the desk with lidded eyes, "It's time to end our fake familial relations."

"There are no falsehoods in what we've discussed.", he continued. "Kindly sign that leave form. I'm sure you already know by now, but I just couldn't grow up to be a cog in your business."

The older deer glanced up at him for a second before going back to the form, "...It's been 13 years since I spent seven million yen on you."

"Unfortunately, that money's gone to waste.", there wasn't much emotion in Louis' voice.

"When I dragged you out of that place where you were raised as livestock, I wondered what you thought while you clung to my hand..."

Louis kept his expression even, but the moments were playing out in his mind. The cold, dark cell where he and others were kept. The feeling of helplessness present throughout the facility he spent five years in, and the day it all changed for him. At the time, he couldn't read or write— much less talk. Even then, he had a small understanding of what went on there: if you get taken away, it meant your death. Even when he was met with an adult herbivore who had different plans for him, he kept himself to that mindset.

"I remember it well. The winter morning sky was so unbelievably clear, the perfect day to see the outside world."

He recalled the moment he was taken out of that place, and saw the outside world for the first time. He was confused, almost uncertain of what was going on. He remembered the way the older deer glanced at him as he was pulled along, the meaning unclear. Even now, just a foot or so ahead of him, his expression was hard to read.

"I never showed it, but I was happy for you."

Louis felt unease come over him, I thought you'd end our relationship without a bit of empathy. You should be berating me like trash since I'm of no more use to you. You're not the type to show affection.

Even when he was a child, saved from the doors of death, his "father" never showed affection. Even as he grew up and attended Cherryton, little changed. They only met with each other once a month, in which they would eat dinner together. Now that he thought about it, Louis could never be sure if he ever met his "father's" eyes at all. He was unreadable, almost completely stoic! Even then, even with all of that...

"Father, I've already told you.", Louis said almost waveringly. "I'm in a very specific position now, so I won't hesitate to use force to settle a deal."