Chapter 12 (Beast Complex)

**The Spotted Deer and the Snow Leopard** (エゾシカとユキヒョウ, *Ezoshika to yukihyō*?) is the twelfth chapter of *Beast Complex*.

## Synopsis

At the Academy Awards ceremony, the movie *Dinner*, a film which depicts the forbidden love between carnivores and herbivores, has won the awards in the category for best actor for Luke, a 37-year-old snow leopard, and best actress for Rose, a 35-year-old female spotted deer. The story about the love between two animals, breaking the meat-eating taboo has touched the hearts of many audiences.

Following the red carpet interviews, Luke and Rose wait in the Award Winners Waiting Room until the awards ceremony. Rose gleefully declares that she has never seen such a luxurious waiting room before and proposes that they take a break before the next interview. Satisfied, Rose declares that this is like a dream come true and praises Luke for his acting. Surprisingly Luke tells her that it wasn't an act, that he actually had eaten an herbivore before. Rose incredulous asks if he means how he "ate" her in the movie, but Luke says no, revealing that he had killed and eaten Bob, the duck in charge of makeup who was allegedly killed by an accident right in the middle of filming. He recounts that he attacked him in the warehouse of the studio and ate him after being overwhelmed by the pressure of performing as the lead actor. Luke recounts that in the last scene where he "devoured" her, he was praised for his uncanny performance, but he actually did want to eat her, claiming it must have been terrifying facing him after he ate that duck. Bewildered Rose cannot believe what Luke is saying to her, but Luke insists that what he says is true. Rose states that eating meat is a crime and that is why it is only done in movies, and asks what he was thinking. Luke claims that he knows it and that is why he is confessing it to her, because he is going to confess at the next interview.

Rose, surprised after a pause, tells him that she thinks he shouldn't do it, confusing Luke. Rose asks him why do this at the Academy Awards ceremony and if he has any idea how much trouble that it would cause for everyone involved. Luke declares he has dreamed about getting this award his whole life, but cannot accept it while carrying this guilt upon his shoulders, and does not deserve recognition for his performance, he wants to do the right thing. Rose interrupts him by telling him she does not give a damn about what he wants, puzzling Luke who asks if she is trying to stop him because she is worried about her acting career. She denies annoyingly and Luke states that if he turns himself in, they might stop showing their movie and her efforts as an actress would never be recognized, and she does not want that to happen. Rose yells that if he knows that, then why does he want to turn himself in. One of the theater employees calls them to attend the television interview. Luke tries to get out but Rose forcibly stops him, claiming that all those years of playing small parts in B-action movies have finally paid off, and she is not going to let a predator's instinct sabotage her career. Just when she thought she was finally ready for it, he wants to ruin everything. Rose remembers how she had heard that it was Luke's acting that made her look good, needing to be led by other actors and her acting won't save her next time. She claims it's a shame, that her acting has never been anything special and she has been in action movies because of her athleticism, but she's getting too old for that and maybe her acting career was over long before this. Rose declares that it is funny that right at the Academy Awards ceremony, two winners have sunk lower than ever. Luke apologizes and Rose comments that they have been filming for a long time, and now they will walk out together. Luke asks her if it is okay with her to stand on the stage with him as actor and actress for the final time.

Later on stage, Luke and Rose agreed that while he confessed his crime, she would play the part of the tragic heroine who was kept in the dark all this time. One of the journalists asks Luke where he got the inspiration for the last scene of the film that left the entire audience speechless. Luke and Rose exchange glances and Luke openly declares that it was from actual experience, and openly reveals to the press that her ate Bob, the duck who died during filming. All the reporters (and Rose, who only feigns) are left in shock, completely taken aback, as everyone remains silent.