Livestock Prison (1)
After Prime Minister Ryosuke's "Livestock Law" passed, Japanese society changed in many ways. Sure, there was the advantage of seeing livestock everywhere, but as they became commonplace, their social status kept shifting. From that moment on, backlash from various social groups continued unabated. It wasn't something Ryosuke could suppress with his power alone. Just as he'd anticipated, those pointing blades at him grew in number.
This inevitably weakened Ryosuke's grip.
"Sign it, Prime Minister."
A man had placed documents before Ryosuke without warning. He stood in direct opposition to Ryosuke politically—and if Ryosuke stepped down, he'd be next in line.
"What's this?"
Ryosuke feigned ignorance. But the situation wouldn't let him off that easily. It wasn't just one politician; representatives from countless groups trailing him had swarmed in together.
"Playing dumb?"
"The whole nation and society are in an uproar because of what you've done, Mr. Prime Minister."
In truth, families crumbling from ruthless livestock conversions weren't a one- or two-day issue. Some even took their livestock-turned relatives to the media, vowing to bring them back. This snowballed into a massive political blunder. Most of the gathered social leaders were essentially extensions of politicians anyway. A politician's mistake meant their own power shrinking.
"No one complained when it first passed."
"We couldn't have predicted this back then."
Of course they could have. They just wanted to pin it all on Ryosuke's failure. And right now, he couldn't refute them.
...Damn it.
In the end, Ryosuke chose to sign. Most of the voluminous documents effectively stripped him of all authority. Congressman Yamaguchi, having secured the stamp, smirked as he left the prime minister's office.
"What now?"
It was Yaguni Yakuza, Yamaguchi's loyal right-hand man. Among Japan's many yakuza syndicates, they were infamous for their brutality. Once unremarkable, they'd risen to the top by cozying up to politicians. Now, they even spoke directly to Yamaguchi himself—in exchange for handling his filthiest jobs.
"What now? We take it all."
The reason Yamaguchi enjoyed the greatest public support—unlike Ryosuke—was simple. He'd proposed turning the random livestock lottery into the "Livestock Prison" law, converting only convicts. Citizens hailed it. Nearly everyone had suffered under the merciless original law, so they welcomed the change fervently.
Of course, it was shortsighted.
"So, what about the prisoners?"
"Start with that bitch."
"Understood."
The law's biggest flaw: prisons determined guilt. And Yamaguchi appointed the wardens.
"Heh heh..."
Yamaguchi wasn't upright—or righteous. His first target was Saeko, the rising rival politician everyone whispered about. She'd opposed the Livestock Law outright, pushing for full repeal and gaining momentum. It irked Yamaguchi to no end. For his rival's elimination and his own power's survival, Saeko had to vanish.
"What charge?"
"Figure it out. You're experts at fabricating crimes, aren't you?"
"Understood."
Yamaguchi smiled, handing the yakuza boss a small envelope.
"For your troubles. Treat your men to a feast."
It was thick for a "feast."
The yakuza boss grinned.
"Much obliged."
"Gotta eat to work, right?"
"True enough."
"Shocking news. Congresswoman Saeko has vanished amid tax evasion charges, cutting off all contact. Prosecutors say..."
The morning broke with this bombshell. Most people didn't have time to wonder how it happened. Just the sudden dive of a promising young politician. Nothing more.
If she'd at least tried explaining herself, maybe. But she was gone. No one—not even her own party—could track her down. Japan plunged into chaos as Saeko seemed to evaporate overnight.
Then, abruptly, media coverage ceased. Interest in Saeko faded nationwide.
But one place fixated on her more than anywhere else.
In a pitch-black room where no light pierced, chains rattled.
"...Sniff, why am I in this state?"
Her thick brown hair was a tangled mess, tears soaking her cheeks until her skin glistened wet. The rattling chains came from the weeping woman.
"Move it. Time to assign your livestock grade."
A voice cold as ice—the guard assigned to her since arrival. His presence alone hinted at the place.
Probably the Livestock Prison.
Livestock grading and "prisoner" talk confirmed it. The problem: she had no idea why she was here.
Saeko, clueless, followed the guard into a small room. A man—not a guard—sat inside.
Her outfit was anything but normal. Barely covering her privates, with latex binding her breasts to emphasize them. Nipples hidden only by stickers. Pure humiliation gear—the standard Livestock Prison uniform for all prisoners.
Saeko's state was mortifying to show anyone. Worse, it wasn't just the female guard; a man was present. She recoiled.
"...Who are you?"
Unlike her fear, the white-coated man spoke amiably, glancing at his clipboard.
"Saeko, right? Quite famous."
"You know who I am?"
"Impossible to live in Japan and not."
"Then you know why I'm here. Get me a lawyer. I'm no criminal."
"Can't do that."
"What?"
"I'm the doctor here to grade your livestock class. Not my job."
"...What does that mean? My party's lawyers..."
Suddenly, the doctor squeezed her breast hard. Pain jolted through her; she shuddered.
"Eek!"
"Soft tits. You'll grade high."
"How dare you! Once my lawyer arrives, scum like you—"
Slap.
Her head snapped sideways. Unbelievable—she'd never been struck before.
"Still think you're Congresswoman Saeko? You're not. Just female livestock now."
"..."
"A criminal with no human rights, yet acting like a congresswoman."
"No... that's not it. It's all a frame-up."
"Frame-up?"
The doctor flung documents in her face—evidence of her crimes.
"Take your grade quietly. Human rights revoked already."
Saeko wanted to deny it. But there was no such future. She was livestock now. His curt, mechanical voice only tore at her heart.
"Mugshot first. Official intake now."
Mugshot. The word alone showed how far she'd fallen.