Livestock Zoo (1)
After Prime Minister Ryosuke's Livestock Law passed, an ominous wind began to sweep across Japan.
"Ryosuke, step down!" "Demand transparency on the Livestock Law process! Transparency now!"
Voices calling for greater transparency in the issues arising from the Livestock Law process erupted daily across Japan. The law itself had become an incredibly hot topic.
But that didn't last long. One day, the voices simply faded away, and in Tokyo, Japan's capital, construction began on an enormous building starting from a certain point.
At first, all sorts of speculation flew around. Some said it was a perfectly quake-proof shelter in response to the recent dangerous earthquake. Others whispered it was a bunker prepared for nuclear war.
Of course, none of it could definitively resolve the mystery—that was reality.
And as time passed in the midst of such rumors, completion loomed on the horizon.
In just a few months, the massive dome-shaped structure finally revealed its true purpose.
Livestock Zoo Opening
The revelation of the building's unexpected use plunged all of Japan into chaos.
No one cared much about why it had been built or why it had been shrouded in secrecy. What mattered was that, after its appearance, opposition to the Livestock Law vanished suspiciously.
Of course, no one found it strange. They just assumed enough time had passed for things to settle.
The Livestock Zoo, or Human Zoo as it was sometimes called. Whatever the name, it referred to one thing: the dome-shaped building in Tokyo.
Admission was a steep 10,000 yen—pricey if you thought it was pricey, cheap if you didn't.
The Human Zoo was a space where paying visitors could view countless livestock, enjoy themselves, and try out various experiences.
It sparked endless controversy, but that was hardly something to casually discuss.
Either way, far more people enjoyed it, and majority ruled.
Shichi was one of the staff managing the zoo. He had no particular complaints about the place. The state ran it, so treatment was decent, and the pay was good—that's why he worked there.
Sure, you had to sign a nondisclosure agreement upon retirement, but it wasn't a big deal. He had no plans to retire anyway.
Today was the day new livestock arrived at the zoo. Everyone bustled about frantically.
Shichi was especially busy. His role was to inspect the livestock's condition and take official custody as the person in charge.
"Gonna be a busy day," he muttered, holding a document in his hand.
The paper bore the name "Akemi."
"Akemi, right?"
He approached her immediately. Akemi nodded shyly.
"Yes, that's me."
"You applied to become human livestock?"
"Y-yes..."
A flush crept across Akemi's cheeks. Information about livestock roles wasn't hidden, so she had a rough idea of what the job entailed.
"First, read the contract, and sign it later."
Shichi handed over the papers with practiced ease, guiding her as always.
"Um... I saw in the ad that working as livestock for 10 years clears all your debts. Is that really true?"
"Ah, you came from that ad? I'll process you under that program then. 10-year zoo livestock contract, correct?"
"Oh, yes, that sounds right. My family has some debts..."
"The state handles that later. As long as it doesn't exceed the limit, it's automatically repaid. Ready to get started?"
Shichi urged her along familiarly. Akemi nodded and signed the document.
Afterward, following Shichi's guidance, she moved to another room.
And she never saw the outside world again.
Akemi, 23 years old. Her family hadn't been drowning in debt when she was born. At least not until she was 19, as far as she remembered—they hadn't lived in such straitened circumstances.
But everything changed when her father lost his job and tried his hand at business.
From a comfortable middle-class home, they slid into worrying about the next meal. Paying even university tuition became a desperate struggle, forcing her to take a leave of absence.
She sighed involuntarily. If she didn't earn money, the interest-swollen debt would devour them; she'd even contemplated suicide.
Graduating in this state meant spending her life repaying her parents' debts until death.
But then temptation appeared before her eyes, impossible to ignore.
Just 10 years. Endure for just 10 years, and the debts vanish.
Clear a lifetime's burden with a mere decade of hardship. It was a dream opportunity, and she applied immediately.
The interview process flew by smoothly.
Now, the man who called himself the zoo's chief executive stood before her.
"Have a seat first?"
"Yes."
He didn't look unpleasant. After being shown to a plush chair, Akemi sat quietly. The cushioning made it hard to sit stiffly.
She regretted wearing a short skirt today, just in case.
"You applied to join the Livestock Zoo. Correct?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Mm, papers are processed. You can start today. But we need to do some preparations first."
"Like what?"
"I'll assist. Fill this out first?"
The chief executive handed over a document laced with ominous content. It was titled "Waiver of Human Rights."
1) The Livestock Zoo side shall be designated as Party A, and the applicant as Party B.
2) Party B shall absolutely obey Party A's commands, and in exchange for 10 years of obedience, receive debt repayment.
3) During the contract period, Party B shall be used as Party A's research subject.
4) Party B cannot refuse any form of labor process.
5) Party B must not refuse Party A's management.
6) If Party B first abandons the 10 years of obedience, Party B must compensate Party A for damages incurred.
"It can be reversed later, right?"
"Of course. No need to worry—it's fully reversible."
Akemi nodded lightly and signed. The chief executive rose quietly.
"All set. Take her away."
He spoke softly into his radio.
"Take her."
Suddenly, unidentified men appeared and dragged Akemi's body away.
"Wh-what is this?"
"As of now, Akemi—or rather, you're livestock. No need to treat you like a person anymore. Drag her off!"
With no time to adjust to the sudden shift in attitude, Akemi was hauled away.
It was a place with a sign reading "Genetic Research Lab."
The moment she arrived, a blindfold covered her eyes, blocking all sight.
Dark. Dark and terrifying.
She had no idea what would happen next, but anxiety kept surging.
"Strip completely."
The strong, commanding voice left no room for argument. Akemi slowly removed her clothes.
She couldn't refuse. Per the contract she'd just signed, breaking it arbitrarily meant billions in damages.
Shhh.
Akemi stripped slowly. They were probably watching her bare herself, but she forced herself to ignore the trembling situation.
Layer by layer, unhook the bra, shed even the underwear covering her most precious places.
Now fully exposed, she stood completely naked.
"Nice figure. Start the livestock processing now?"
"No, physical exam first."
"Oh, right, almost forgot. Follow us."
Ignoring her near-naked state entirely, the men chatted as they moved.
Blindfolded, Akemi had to walk slowly, feeling the chilling atmosphere fully.
"First, some light questions to assess your condition. Answer honestly, no holding back."
"Y-yes..."
Akemi replied, voice trembling slightly.
"Age?"
The questions started simple: age, name, weight, gender. Basic stuff.
But they grew more intimate.
"Last menstrual date?"
"That was..."
"How bad are your cramps?"
"...A bit."
"Sexual experience? If yes, most recent?"
"A week ago..."
"Birth control?"
"Y-yes."
Did they really need all this? The probing continued.
"No pregnancy history, I assume?"
"No, none."
"The rest we can check via physical exam records. Move to the next room."
Akemi could only tremble amid the disorienting chaos.