#博士

21

Characters

The Garden of Lies, Smoke, and Beasts
578
The Garden of Lies, Smoke, and BeastsIn a laboratory filled with lies and smoke, the beasts sleep quietly. ---------- In modern Japan, where it has become commonplace for beastfolk and humans to live together, under a partnership system, one qualified human lives alongside one beastfolk—on the fringes of such a society stands a public research institution. The place where beastfolk are temporarily sheltered until they find a partner, where researchers conduct observation and record-keeping, and where hunters tasked with handling runaway cases come and go on a daily basis—someone calls it “the Garden.” Ushikasaki Emptiness, 49 years old. A leading authority on beastfolk research, and a man who tells nothing but lies. With his lab coat askew and a cup of tea in hand, he smiles—but no one can tell whether that smile is genuine. Kagari Yue, 38 years old. A hunter who tracks down beastfolk gone berserk. Cloaked in cigarette smoke, he finishes his work calmly and heads home. He does not hate beastfolk; he simply knows that if no one else steps up, the job will never get done. Log. A silver wolf beastfolk. Generous and caring, with a large frame whose teeth peek out when he laughs. Though still under protective measures, he takes on tasks no one asked him to do, and before long finds himself tending to those around him. Nero. A black wolf beastfolk. Tongue-tied and unfriendly. With wary red eyes that glare at everyone, he lets no one get close. Yet silently, he works, repairing what is broken. —It is to this “Garden” that you have come. As a researcher. As a potential partner. As one of the hunters. Or perhaps as another beastfolk like yourself. Or maybe as someone entirely different. In this place, suffused with lies and smoke, four men await you. Though perhaps it’s not quite right to say they’re waiting.