IN A DUSTY UNIVERSE
It's more put-together than I expected.
You kept saying you didn't have anything, so I thought it was totally empty.
That was an exaggeration.
You're taking high school exams?
Yeah.
I need a high school graduate certificate to work at the insectarium.
I didn't know that when I dropped out.
The insectarium?
Well, yeah. Though it's just a dream, for now.
Nice, that's awesome.
A dream, huh?
Look, the moon is almost full.
During a full moon, Kolo and I always mess around pretending to howl.
Isn't that against school rules?
That's why we pretend.
We do it really quiet,
but it's comforting to know our voices reach each other even when we're apart.
His tail isn't moving.
I wanna hear your howl someday, Legoshi.
Jack.
Is something wrong?
You don't look so good.
Uh, maybe my accelerated classes are draining my energy a little.
Accelerated classes are that difficult?
Yeah.
Well, not difficult, exactly,
but they're really different.
Different?
All the students are dogs.
All of them?
In one way, I guess that makes sense.
Dogs like us were bred to develop advanced intellects.
That's why you do well in school, right?
No.
It means we're calm and logical. We're not swayed by emotion.
FIRST CARNIVORE-HERBIVORE WAR
In the accelerated classes,
they make us study subjects they don't teach in normal classes.
We learn which species slaughtered other species,
which species drove which to extinction.
But then we act like it's no big deal.
We copy down the notes and store the knowledge in our brains.
After class, we casually smile and wave goodbye.
Like robots, performing the job they were programmed for.
If it were you, Legoshi, I know you'd be angry and upset.
But it seems like it is bothering you.
Then why don't I feel any hatred?
Why don't I try to escape it?
It's because I'm a dog.
I'm calm and logical.
I was bred to be like this.
But the anxiety piles up.
Am I really that emotionless?
I wish I could at least cry.
That's why I...
That's why you were carrying this?
Yeah.
I'm using this to force out the tears.
Right now, this is how I ease the pain.
Whoa, Jack!
I don't wanna be a Labrador anymore!
At this rate, society's gonna turn into a dog dictatorship!
I don't know about that. I think--
We'd slaughter without batting an eye if we were told it was logical!
Dogs are terrifying creatures. And so am I!
It's not because you're a dog! You don't hate anyone because you're Jack!
Just be Jack!
How can you say that?
How do you even know that?
Because we grew up together.
Right?
Together?
No, we didn't, Legoshi.
You left me in the dust and grew up all on your own.
You were set free, somewhere I can never go.
Come on, cheer up.
I want you to smile again, Jack.
Idiot! Spit it out, Jack! Eating onions will kill you!
You think I'll obey just because I'm a dog?
Shut up! This is life-or-death!
Labradors can rebel too, you know!
I'm going in!
Spit it all out!
Legoshi's long, sharp nails are scratching the back of my throat.
It hurts. I can't breathe.
He's always like this.
Always has been.
Sorry.
But I just couldn't let you die from eating onions.
You have to value your own life.
Even after we grow old,
I want you here to cry and laugh with me like always.
Coming from the big bad wolf? You're one to talk.
You're the one hurting me.
Legoshi...
Melda? Why, I have no idea what you're talking about.
The drug they unveiled the night of that masquerade party.
I know this is where the Shishi-Gumi got it.
Oh, is it?
What kind of drug is that?
That's what I came here to find out.
Is this it?
Please, enough joking around.
This is my special kopi luwak.
Eggs, milk, and other foods that come from the body of an animal
provide a sense of euphoria similar to that of meat consumption.
Same goes for this kopi luwak.
An herbivore, reacting so strongly?
Have you had kopi luwak before?
No.
Carnivores sometimes display physical reactions to it...
This must be an effect of eating carrots fertilized with meat.
Would you happen to be a mix?
What makes you think that?
Where shall I begin?
Your decisiveness is unrivaled,
and you have the passion to make whatever you want happen.
You don't hesitate to use violence.
You're unbothered by criticism, and conceited to the point of arrogance.
These traits aren't necessarily characteristic of mixes, of course.
But I did come across mixes like this among my research subjects.
Melon, perhaps?
Good question.
Research entities are obligated to uphold confidentiality, you know.
I see.
Then, would you tell me about weaknesses generally seen in mixes?
A hard-hitting question.
I don't beat around the bush.
Clearly.
Well, generally speaking, of course,
mixes have smaller appetites and less sexual desire.
Such cases are common, generally.
In this society, those sound like advantages.
I'm sure it's torturous for them, though.
No matter what they eat, they're never satisfied.
Never satisfied, no matter what they eat...
Jump!
A mix posing as a herbivore could never become a professor.
Jump off!
If you're a feline, you'll survive this fall, right?
Let's secure this in a bag.
Oh, okay.
Please close the windows.
COEXISTENCE THEORY
- Ms. Haru. - Yes?
You mentioned that you've escaped being killed before, correct?
Yeah, I'm a rabbit. It happens all the time.
Are you not afraid of carnivores?
Well, if I let myself be afraid of them, I'll never be able to get to know them.
That's scarier to me.
Scarier than being eaten?
Yeah, I think so.
Ouch...
Keep saying things like that, and you'll surely be devoured someday.
If I'm destined to die anyway, I'll risk my life for love.
Wow, crazy storm.
Her tiny body has to work so hard just to stay alive.
How can her mind be filled with so many thoughts like this?
It's raining cats and dogs.
I'm curious.
This one's flesh and blood are seeping with rich emotion.
How does that taste?
I want to...
I want to devour her.
This feels like when...
Stop right there!
What species are you, Professor?
I mean, the way you embraced me just now didn't really feel sexual.
It felt more like the way a carnivore captures its herbivore prey.
I've almost been eaten before, so I know what it feels like.
Rabbits are at risk every day, ya know?
What was I gonna say?
As you can see, I'm only a gazelle.
Right, you're a gazelle. There's no way you're a carnivore.
But...
Wait, Professor! So you were coming on to me just now?
Sorry, I haven't done this kind of thing in a while. I'm flattered, really.
But there's a boy I like now,
and I quit messing around with guys after high school.
Just as I thought.
This is all new to me.
It doesn't really hurt.
Right now, I think my heart hurts the most.
Looks like we have a problem on our hands. Truly...
Thank you and enjoy.
Hey. Your shop has a secret menu too, right?
Huh? Not that I know of...
C'mon, don't play dumb.
Any udon with meat? How about chicken?
No! We don't serve that.
The way you're freaking out is suspicious.
Good grief. Enjoy your meal.
He said no.
I'll buy some lamb at the Black Market tomorrow.
That'd make me so happy! I'll whip up some nice, meaty udon.
Happy, huh?
Am I being too uptight about this?
Looking stressed, wolf.
Mr. Yahya!
I take it your leg's okay now?
Have you tracked Melon down?
Well...
First things first, I need you to return that mask.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I dropped it in the ocean. Or rather, it got tossed in with me...
You went looking for Melon, didn't you?
I know you told me not to get involved with Melon's case anymore,
but did something else happen?
Did you enjoy your friendly chat with Melon?
I failed.
I underestimated him.
I bet you did.
He made me realize that evil really exists in this world.
I was scared silly.
I still am.
Even the immortal Legoshi was afraid?
It was that look in his eyes. He enjoyed watching my death.
Behind those eyes, I saw a red-hot flame burning.
I know that flame well.
When I ate meat, when I beat up those criminals,
that flame was inside me, too.
I feel like Melon's inside me, too.
And that scares me.
That is what's truly frightening about Melon.
I never want to see him again.
Okay.
I'm sorry for losing the mask.
Can I go now?
If I don't hurry, my pay'll get docked.
Go on. Sorry for interrupting your work.
How long will I keep trembling in fear at the beast inside me?
Finally, the runaway wolf returns! I've been waiting forever.
I'll let myself in.
Wow, this place is cozier than I expected.
Oh, you're taking good care of the mint plant I got you!
- You can't deceive this nose, Haru. - But I can tell you're just watering it.
You were in another man's arms today!
Who is he? Where is he?
I'll bring fertilizer next time.
The rain is diluting the scent!
Hey, Legoshi.
What?
The trains have stopped, so I'm spending the night.
Oh... Huh?
Spend the... Huh?
Don't worry.
I brought my own toothbrush, see?
This tea is amazing.
- Haru. - Yeah?
Well...
Are you enjoying the college life?
Are you suspicious of me?
Uh, no, I was just asking.
With your tail sticking straight up?
No, I mean, I just thought college life might include some opposite-sex mingling...
Listen here, Legoshi.
If you think you can keep me tied down forever, think again!
I wanna kiss! And do more! I've been waiting for ages!
But that stuff is too risky!
Physically, socially, even financially...
You think you know everything, huh?
But...
We don't even know about physical stuff yet.
What?
We won't know if we can or can't do it until we actually try it.
I need to see it first.
What is this energy?
You're kidding, right?
I'm not kidding.
Show it to me, Legoshi.
Let me do this.
You can eat me anytime you want, Legoshi.
Just for tonight, let me eat you instead.
Haru.
Ever since the day I fell for you, I've had something on my mind.
If I'd been a female rabbit, and you were a male wolf,
I'd want you to hold me tight and eat me up.
I fantasize about how nice that would be.
I kind of feel bad.
That's all I have.
Really?
I don't think you have anything to apologize for.
I'm just glad you showed me.
I thought you would say no.
In this room I haven't even cleaned properly,
bits of our fur dance in the air, sparkling in the light.
It doesn't feel real.
The fact that I'm a mix... Or that interspecies marriages never end well.
If we can put aside all those societal issues,
and be together in this room, just the two of us in our own universe...
Then, I could...
Where'd this come from?
And this.
Oh, I just tripped.
When a guy says that, it's a lie 80% of the time.
You're injured all over, huh?
Come on, Legoshi.
Say what you want, but you're still a big, carnivorous wolf.
You instinctually resort to violence and put yourself in danger.
There's no way around that.
But those instincts are immature, you know!
From now on, I'm going to make sure you start living an adult life.
I'll keep at it. Little by little.
Okay?
I would love that.
Good.
Let's take our time
and show each other everything we haven't yet.
Maybe we went too fast tonight.
You think?
Thump. Thump. Thump.
That sound means you're alive, Legoshi.
Is that something we haven't shown each other yet?
No.
It's the part of you I know best.
Haru...
Subtitle translation by: Logan Lampkins