~~ SPOILERS ~~
Once again, more aspects of this animal society are revealed that surprise the reader and add complexity. Haru’s father finds out about their relationship, and even though he’s admired Legoshi previously in conversations with his wife, (how progressive and “open-minded today’s youth are”) they’re still a bit shocked. But try to make Legoshi feel welcome in the family, which he finds very touching. Meanwhle, law enforcement has been trying to apprehend the murderous mixed-species Melon, but failing because they try too hard to keep the whole affair hidden from the public. Beastar horse Yahya takes over and tries to enlist Legoshi’s assistance, offering a reward he finds hard to refuse. Together they attend a masked event where animals have illicit encounters between different species. Legoshi’s not very good at playing the part he’s supposed to enact, but Yahya uses a fight with the young wolf to draw out the criminal. He then momentarily leaves Legoshi guarding Melon, but they start up a conversation and Legoshi is intrigued by the fierce mixed beast, taken in by his charming manner, and becomes sympathetic. He pays very dearly for being so trusting.
Louis ventures into the black market and encounters the lion gang. After some altercation, they invite him to their headquarters for a meal, but are very nervous about their new boss finding out. Louis is taken aback by some changes in the lions’ demeanor, and they beg him to return! turns out the new leader, instead of making himself stronger as Louis had done with a change of diet, has infused weakness into the lions. And he torments them, too.
In the final scenes, Legoshi is unconscious in the hospital, where he has an out-of-body experience and converses with his mother’s ghost. We learn a lot more about her physiology as a mixed species animal, and the trials she suffered for that. Legoshi finally learns who his father actually was- another shocker!
Borrowed from the public library. Completed on 4/15/24.
