Chapter 08 (Beast Complex)

**The Pig and the Peacock** (ブタとクジャク, *Buta to kujaku*?) is the eighth chapter of *Beast Complex*.

## Synopsis

In a taxidermy studio, Eugen examines the carcass of a zebra and claims that he can work with it. Her husband asks if he can really bring his wife back and Eugen claims that he can stuff her to perfection. Eugen monologues that the ugliness of a pig, the beauty of a rabbit, the nobility of a horse or the strength of a tiger, each animal is different and that is why each of their form is worthy of being preserved; animals suspended in time are much more beautiful than when they were alive. Eugen decides to close the store early because carnivores tend to be more dangerous when the new year approaches. At that moment, a beautiful peacock named Gerbera enters which when he sees it, Eugen does not remember when he has ever created such a "masterpiece", feeling that this masterpiece will complete his whole lifelong career. The peacock asks the pig if it is Eugen the taxidermist, and mentions that he is patrolling the district. Eugen recognizes that he is a policeman and greets him. Gerbera alleges that he heard rumors about a pig that is doing taxidermy for a living and that his business is in a gray area, so he was told to keep an eye on him. Eugen does not understand and Gerbera claims that even if it's not against the law, it's still in bad taste to be in this kind of business. Eugen declares that there is a demand for preserving family members or famous celebrities and foremost, all animals are equally beautiful. Gerbera asks Eugen if he belongs to that group and Eugen replies that ugliness is also a form of beauty. The peacock claims that those are contradictory words, but very wise ones. Eugen thanks him by managing to accept all his malicious words. Amazed at how this peacock is like a living work of art, he can't help but feel overwhelmed. Gerbera notices this and gives him a feather freshly plucked from his tail, claiming that everyone admires those feathers without knowing that it is a crude weapon used by males to attract females into having sex. Eugen claims that all animal forms have their meaning and that is why everyone is equally beautiful.

After his first meeting with Eugen, Gerbera visited his store frequently and the two even went out at night for a drink. Eugen observes Gerbera and claims that even when he's drunk, he is very beautiful. Gerbera is amused and declares that he owes him an apology for saying that his business was in poor taste. Eugen says that it's fine, but Gerbera responds that it's not and declares that he will do anything he wants to apologize.

Later, Gerbera poses inside a display case and Eugen asks him if he is okay with it. Gerbera affirms that he is a bit surprised and that he feels like a preserved flower, saying that this is the reason why his mother gave him the name Gerbera. Eugen starts to think how hard he has worked so far and wonders what kind of life his works have lived, realizing that he never made any effort to find out. Gerbera mentions that his mother hoped for him to live his life full of bloom, so without being preserved like this it is impossible to bloom his whole life and he asks Eugen if he wants to stuff him, surprising Eugen. Gerbera reveals that he was assigned to District 17, famous for its many predation cases, a dangerous place that most herbivores would not go near. Gerbera reveals that peacocks like him tend to be harassed in their workplace, just because they have frivolous feathers and are flirtatious by nature, sinisterly claiming that shortly after he is transferred one of those killers will eat him piece by piece, leaving Eugen speechless. Gerbera begs him to do it and Eugen tries to tell him that he cannot do it while thinking about how he previously said that all animal forms... are most... preserv... Gerbera is ahead of his words and reminds him that he said all animals are equally beautiful, and he declares that he does not know how to keep on blooming, and that he is just an empty peacock who works as a public servant at the behest of his parents, and the only meaningful things he has are his beautiful feathers. Gerbera begs Eugen to suspend him in time. Eugen claims that he understands him, but that he can't do it today and unprepared, so he asks him to meet him tomorrow and he will do it.

Eugen spends all night making preparations and the next morning Gerbera wakes up and goes to Eugen's studio. Upon arrival, he discovers hundreds of gerbera flowers. Gerbera, shocked and confused, asks about the gerberas. Eugen answers that there are 500 fresh gerberas and Gerbera tries to tell him that maybe he misunderstood. Eugen tells him that this is his gift for his transfer and begs him to accept it. Eugen tells him that he wants him to keep being talkative and have a fresh life like these flowers. Skeptical, Gerbera asks if it is so he can watch them wither and die while he is in a dangerous place. Eugen tells him that he will give him some shears, claiming that they will last longer if he takes care of them. Gerbera says he cannot take all the flowers home and Eugen replies that he can hand them out at his workplace, which Gerbera claims might be a good idea.

Later, Gerbera in his new workplace happily giving a flower to each animal that passes by. No matter alive or dead, beautiful or ugly, they will proceed! Their equal life is shining!