Chapter 096 (Beastars)

I Give You My Crimson Cross Section (紅の断面 君に捧ぐ) is Chapter 96 of the manga Beastars written and illustrated by Paru Itagaki, published in the Weekly Shōnen Champion of the Akita Shoten publishing house.

Synopsis
Legoshi, who thought that he had completely separated himself from the notion of ​​eating meat and had finally reached the end of the road to becoming a "harmless wolf", now ponders the taboo of eating meat.

Louis yells at Legoshi that he doesn't want to see him die and to eat his right foot before going to fight Riz. Legoshi takes what he said as something crueler than telling him that he was going to get killed, thinking about how terrible Louis is, that he is shaking a lot, and yet he has gone out of his way to show him his weak side, and if he decides to not accept that side of him then who will... Legoshi states that he does not have time to overthink or hesitate and tells Louis that he will not eat his foot because he asks for it since that is just an excuse. Louis's words filling Legoshi's predatory instincts with joy, reawakening his claws and fangs with his body so easily influenced. Legoshi tells Louis that he will never justify eating flesh and tells him he will eat his foot because he hungers for it, and asks Louis if he will allow that. Louis agrees even though Legoshi doesn't let this be his noble sacrifice. Legoshi swears that if that's what it takes to satisfy him, he won't let this be in vain.

Standing in front of Legoshi with his body empowered, Riz tells him that although his nose is not working well since he broke it, he knows that Louis came to help him and mocks him asking if he ate him when he tried to help him. Riz alleges that he, Legoshi and all carnivores are the same, monsters who are easily swayed by the desire to eat meat and surely Louis in heaven would agree with him. Legoshi replies that Louis is alive and here as they speak, and he is inside him. While Louis is lying a short distance from the fight and encourages Legoshi to fight, Riz and Legoshi start their fight again on behalf of Tem and Louis respectively. Feeling Louis's flesh spreading throughout his body like a forbidden magic that he will use all tonight, Legoshi punches Riz which sends him flying. Legoshi tells Riz that he chose to become a monster when he ate Tem, and asks him what he thinks of Tem now or if his taste is the only thing he remembers about him.

After a moment of frustration, Riz calms down and claims that he wanted Tem to be his best friend, and even now it is the only thought that occupies his mind. Riz declares that his feelings for Tem are stronger than Legoshi's feelings for Louis, due to Tem having never felt the same for him. Riz counterattacks while he thinks that the two are beasts that have eaten flesh and that they fight on, thinking only of their prey, and that if there is a god, he must be laughing at their fight. Louis does not allow himself to be reduced to a flashback character and tells Legoshi that he is alive. Riz seeing the bond of a carnivore and an herbivore, by eating and being eaten, have made their bond stronger than ever. It's what Riz has always wanted, wondering if he really needed to match their desperation to have it for himself, realizing that Tem put his life in danger by spending time with him, and yet he was not afraid to show him his smile. Riz wonders if he had thanked Tem for being with him while he was alive, would that have made things different.

Characters

 * Legoshi
 * Louis
 * Riz
 * Tem (flashback)

Important Events

 * Louis is revealed to be alive and conscious after Legoshi ate his foot.
 * Legoshi dominates his fight against Riz.
 * Riz questions his actions and reflects on his friendship with Tem.