Livestock Prison (7)
With the end of the inspection, the restraints binding Saeko's body were released.
"Is it over now?" Saeko asked cautiously. She didn't want to provoke the other woman. More than anything, she desperately wanted to cover herself with even a scrap of clothing. Her current state was utterly wretched—completely naked, her pubic hair shaved off so her privates were starkly visible. If she could have her way, she'd snatch up the black latex suit she'd worn earlier and slip it back on. But things never went as one wished.
Before Saeko could hear the answer she craved, the guard watching from the side raised her gun again. Saeko instinctively lifted both hands.
"...What's the problem this time? I have no intention of resisting."
She replied in the softest tone possible, but the guard showed no sign of accepting it.
"Shut your mouth and follow me."
The gun barrel was still aimed squarely at Saeko's head.
...Why is she doing this again?
There was no time to figure it out, but Saeko moved her feet slowly, doing her best to appear obedient. They hadn't walked far from the inspection room when a dark corridor came into view—a cold, metallic space that reeked of chill steel.
Where is this place?
As her thoughts multiplied, her steps naturally slowed. The guard didn't miss the hesitation and kicked Saeko's ass hard.
Thwack.
"Ahhh!"
Saeko nearly tumbled forward and shot the guard a glare. But the guard stared back with icy eyes.
"Walk straight. Your pace is slowing."
"..."
Saeko said nothing, simply pulling herself up quickly and hurrying onward. She itched to snap back or rebel right then, but even if she did, there was no sliver of hope for escape. Worse, acting out now would surely bring treatment far harsher than this. Saeko was a remarkably wise woman. Her sharp mind had propelled her into politics at a young age. In Japan, where most were politically inert as concrete, making a name for herself young meant her talents were exceptional.
Rebelling now gains nothing. Even if I win, I can't do anything from here.
She knew full well she was in a livestock prison. But she had no idea where it was located, nor how to escape. Wasting a chance on a futile attempt would be idiotic. She needed to wait for a situation with even a shred of possibility.
Time slipped by relentlessly. The cold corridor ended, and soon Saeko faced a place bathed in warm light—outdoors, unmistakably.
"...Where is this?"
She was stark naked. Stepping into some unknown outdoor area in the nude was far from appealing. So she turned to the guard.
Of course, the response was a stinging whip crack.
Crack!
"Kyaaah!"
With a sharp scream, Saeko collapsed. This time, it wasn't even words—just the whip. And it didn't stop at once. It lashed at her body again and again, each strike drawing fresh cries of agony.
"Aaaah! It hurts, it hurts!"
"...Please!"
Crack! Crack!
Saeko finally huddled on the ground, head bowed as low as possible.
P-please, stop! Why are you doing this?!
Desperate to understand, she pleaded, but the guard kept whipping. Only after her skin swelled red did the barrage halt. Tears of pain trickled from Saeko's eyes.
"..."
"Your physical exam is done. From now on, your status is officially livestock. Luckily, you graded A+. Before assigning your livestock type, you'll have training time."
A+ grade. Lucky? Saeko hadn't gotten an average livestock grade. With B being standard, this was quite high. A+ meant thorough evaluation for the most efficient role, followed by tailored assignment. So she wouldn't become livestock immediately—instead, she'd endure full training in the prison. And this was its beginning.
In other words, from this moment, as livestock, Saeko had to use formal speech with humans.
"Remember this: livestock use formal speech with humans. No exceptions."
So that's why.
The guard had whipped her for that very reason.
"Now, step outside. Resistance means immediate disposal."
Saeko rose cautiously and stepped out. Fortunately, though outdoors, it was an enclosed yard. Towering walls—ten times a person's height—made escape impossible at a glance, and brutal rods that looked electrified dotted the area. Another small mercy: no one else was there but her. Knowing her shame was private eased her slightly.
"Now, training on basic livestock posture."
One person was there—the guard. But Saeko had grown so accustomed it felt like no gaze at all.
"First, hands behind your head, legs spread shoulder-width."
"...Pardon?"
Naked, that pose would expose everything front and back without mercy. Her hesitation slipped out, but the guard pounced.
Whoosh, crack!
"Gaaah!"
The whip struck her side again, making Saeko flinch and collapse.
"Maintain basic livestock posture properly."
As her form crumbled, more lashes flew. Saeko caught on fast. Delay, and the whipping wouldn't stop. Before five seconds passed—before the third strike—she resumed the pose, legs spread wider to fully expose her privates.
"Good."
The guard scanned her body approvingly. Each breath revealed smooth skin, bare nudity, and hairless intimacy—utterly unobstructed. It was shame incarnate. Saeko bit back the urge to bite her tongue and die. Forcing someone to strip and assume such a humiliating stance was inhuman.
Indeed, a spark of life faded from her eyes.
"Remember: this is the livestock posture from now on."
"...Yes."
"Too quiet. Understood?"
"Yes!!"
"Saeko, you'll undergo much training to evaluate your aptitude as livestock. Any complaints?"
...Complaints?
Of course there were. But voicing them meant punishment she could already imagine, sealing her lips. It was fear's doing.
As Saeko faltered, the guard smirked.
"No complaints, then. First, introductions. I'm Ibuki, your dedicated trainer."
At last, she learned the name of the woman dragging her to hell—a name she'd never forget.
"When I say 'at ease,' you can relax. Got it?"
"Yes!!"
"At ease."
Saeko snapped her legs shut, hands covering breasts and crotch. Partial cover at best.
"First, physical fitness test. Run the track around this field. Lightly, fifty laps."
"..."
It shocked Saeko. She'd never been athletic. Fifty laps on this vast field was near impossible. But the terror of whip and gun spurred even her poor stamina into motion.
In the end, without a hint of resistance, Saeko chose to run.