“Cage” (
Summary[]
In a flashback from August of this year, during the preparations for the Rakuzaichi auction, Hakuri discloses the existence of a separate storehouse located several hundred meters from the Sazanami estate. This storehouse is where auction items are individually restored before being transferred to the main storeroom. Like other Sazanami members, Hakuri is assigned a specific task. He is shown entering a room where a woman, destined to be sold at the auction, is held. He scolds her for not eating her food.
The woman, who has refused to eat since being caged, is identified as "Lot No. 24 - Woman with Icy Skin." She expresses a preference for death over being sold. However, Hakuri reminds her that she has no freedom as an auction item and must eat for the sake of the Rakuzaichi auction. He informs her that she will be transferred to the main storeroom in three weeks and that he has been tasked with ensuring she doesn't starve to death. When the woman says that food is unenjoyable when eaten alone, Hakuri explains that she cannot be moved from solitary confinement due to the constant chill around her.
The woman, however, does not wish to leave solitary confinement but requests a companion to talk with during meals. Reluctantly, Hakuri agrees for the sake of the auction. He then shares an intimate conversation with the woman, revealing the torture he endures from his family, particularly from Soya Sazanami. Soya frequently uses tools like pliers and ropes to inflict pain on his younger brother. The woman listens to Hakuri's suffering and, using her ice abilities, gently eases his pain by holding his hand.
The woman perceives that Hakuri, like her, is also an outcast. She jokingly suggests they escape together as two outcasts from their metaphorical cages. Hakuri, however, reminds her that he is the merchant, and she is merely merchandise. He explains that everything he does is for the sake of the Rakuzaichi auction, admitting that he wants to feel useful, even if only for a brief moment. Over time, the woman regains her health. One day, Hakuri arrives, bruised and battered, and informs her that it is the final day before she will be moved to the vault. Seeing his condition, the woman questions why he endures such torture. Hakuri breaks down, confessing that he is considered a failure in his family for not being able to perform Isou and is not "special" as they had once believed. The woman realizes that Hakuri is the one truly trapped in a cage, living in a small, narrow world, having lost his sense of self-worth. She reminds him of how he talked to her and how it was because of him that she could enjoy her meals.
The next day, Hakuri appears again, unlocking the gate and suggesting they have a meal outside. In the present, during Hakuri's battle against Soya Sazanami, Soya ruthlessly beats his younger brother, reminding him that he can never win. Flashing back to the past, after preparing the meal, Hakuri opens the door to invite the woman, only to find her pointing a knife at her throat. She apologizes to Hakuri for using him, revealing that she had intended to die from the start. She would rather die than be sold and live a meaningless life. Knowing that Hakuri kept her from starving, she felt this was her only option. Hakuri desperately begs her not to die, reminding her how her icy skin had healed his wounds. The woman explains that the love of her life had once said the same thing before he sold her off. She is aware of the never-ending cycle of despair and does not want to repeat it. Before ending her life, she tells Hakuri that even outside the cage, there is no hope.
As the past and present intertwine in Hakuri's mind, he concludes that he was the one who truly caused the girl's death. After being struck by Soya's Isou, Hakuri, in a subconscious state, realizes that all the words the woman said to him were meaningless. In this moment, Hakuri Sazanami's genius surfaces, as he envisions the pliers from his past striking his elder brother's back. Meanwhile, Hakuri lies on the ground, with flickers of Spirit Energy emanating from his eyes.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- Flashback reveals Hakuri disclosing the existence of a separate storehouse where auction items are restored before being transferred to the main storeroom.
- Hakuri is assigned the task of overseeing a woman, identified as "Lot No. 24 - Woman with Icy Skin," who refuses to eat since being caged.
- The woman expresses a desire to die rather than be sold, but Hakuri reminds her that she has no freedom and must eat for the sake of the auction.
- Hakuri informs the woman she will be transferred to the main storeroom in three weeks and that he is responsible for ensuring she doesn’t starve.
- The woman requests a companion to talk to during meals, and Hakuri reluctantly agrees, sharing an intimate conversation with her. Hakuri reveals the torture he endures from his family, particularly from Soya Sazanami, who uses tools like pliers and ropes to inflict pain.
- The woman, using her ice abilities, eases Hakuri's pain and perceives him as an outcast like herself.
- She jokingly suggests they escape together as outcasts, but Hakuri reminds her that he is the merchant, and she is merchandise, explaining he wants to feel useful.
- The woman regains her health over time, and on the final day before her transfer, Hakuri, bruised and battered, confides in her about his failure in performing Isou and not being "special."
- The woman realizes Hakuri is trapped in a metaphorical cage, having lost his sense of self-worth, and reminds him of how he helped her enjoy her meals.
- The next day, Hakuri unlocks the gate and proposes they have a meal outside.
- In the present, Soya ruthlessly beats Hakuri during their battle, reminding him he can never win.
- Flashback reveals Hakuri, after preparing a meal, finds the woman pointing a knife at her throat, intending to die rather than be sold.
- The woman apologizes for using Hakuri, stating that she never intended to survive and would rather die than live a meaningless life.
- Hakuri begs her not to die, but the woman explains that the love of her life once said the same thing before selling her off, and she does not want to repeat the cycle of despair.
- The woman tells Hakuri that even outside the cage, there is no hope, and ends her life.
- As past and present collide in Hakuri's mind, he concludes that he was the one who truly caused the woman's death.
- After being struck by Soya's Isou, Hakuri, in a subconscious state, realizes the woman's words were meaningless.
- Hakuri's genius surfaces as he envisions the pliers from his past striking Soya's back, while he lies on the ground with flickers of Spirit Energy in his eyes.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author's Comments | |
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Takeru Hokazono |
I went to a friend’s wedding. After coming home, I had to immediately switch to vengeance story mode and start working.
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