Chapter 080 (Beastars)

The Decision to Smile (ほほえみの取捨選択) is Chapter 80 of the manga Beastars written and illustrated by Paru Itagaki, published in the Weekly Shōnen Champion of the Akita Shoten publishing house.

Synopsis
While being transported, Louis finds himself dreaming of one of his moments that happened with Haru, until he is awakened by Ibuki who warns him that they have reached their destination. Louis wonders why he dreamed of Haru, since he does not feel the least bit of guilt of seeing herbivore meat on the streets of the Black Market. It's been four months since Louis became a figure of the Black Market, and he has discovered many things since then; that hungry carnivores are not the only customers going to the market and that this place has no rules.

The Shishigumi enter a hyperdrug establishment where they see a caiman gagged with chains about to undergo an operation and an old goat as a client. Ibuki mentions that the "materials" are supposed to remain chained but that this seems to be very docile. The doctors explain to him that this alligator sold himself of his own accord, so he will not resist. The client asks if this drug could cure his illness. The doctors respond positively and explain that they are hyperdrugs.

Hyperdrugs are a deeply hidden business in the market that sells meat. These are made with a combination of raw drugs and carnivorous material. These drugs can be used to treat cases of muscle development, respiratory problems, improvement of appetite and energy, fatigue, etc. Each part of a carnivore's body provides a different effect. The hyperdrug business is popular with superficial wealthy, power hungry and physically handicapped, not to mention financially disadvantaged carnivores.

The caiman alleges that he offered himself as a material for lack of money and asks his client that if he will choose parts that keep his body stable. Louis remains uncomfortable in such a disturbing environment. The goat reports that his lower body has been paralyzed for ten years, and before dying wishes to enjoy the company of his wife for at least one night, and asks that they give him what is necessary. The doctors do an emasculation without even using anesthesia and Ibuki quickly covers Louis's eyes so that he doesn't have to see such a nasty scene. Louis is upset that Ibuki acted like his father.

Later, Ibuki tells the rest of the Shishigumi that though Louis is 18 and had no reason to see that, although he notes that Louis is clearly upset with him for having to protect him. Louis only declares that the hyperdrug business receives a lot of money and that's why he uses his herbivore status to support it, and since the doctors there are sensitive guinea pigs, they only agreed to have the Shishigumi as their bodyguards because they have a deer as their boss. Louis reminds them that he spent his childhood in an extremely harsh environment unlike them and tells them to return alone while he goes off to smoke. They all accept while Ibuki follows him while the others mention that he became closer to Louis.

Louis lies on a rooftop as he thinks of how once was a mere fawn with a price tag while he can now look down on the entire market, concluding that there are too many weaklings that allow society to wither them away. Suddenly, Ibuki arrives telling him not to think about jumping into the void and Louis asks him why he would do it. Ibuki reveals that he knows how Louis spent his childhood and shows him his left arm which has tattooed marks that are used for hyperdrugs. He reveals that he obtained them when he was a child and that he is who he is now because he escaped from there alone, so they are not so different. At that time, Louis received a phone call from Haru, and although deep down it was always true, now he can feel it all over his body. Louis throws his phone into the void giving up everything he has left out of the market, claiming that the life of a weakling is full of sin. Louis invites Ibuki to have a drink, and they both leave.

Characters

 * Haru (Louis's dream)
 * Louis
 * Ibuki
 * Free
 * Dolph

Important Events

 * It is revealed that the Black Market also supplies meat from carnivores.
 * Ibuki reveals part of his past.