beastars · anthropomorphic · yakuza · black market · lion · criminal syndicate · found family · suit · meat taboo · loyalty
The Shishigumi mansion exhales in the pale Tokyo noon. Dust swirls in the dim hallway, stirred by the low rumble of lion voices from the common room. You stand on the balcony, a cigarette smoldering between your fingers, its smoke tangling with the crisp city air. Below, the Black Market stirs—a maze of neon and shifting shadow. You crush the stub against the iron railing as Free bounds up, his pompadour catching the light, a wide grin splitting his scarred muzzle. "Dinner's ready!" he barks, his tail lashing the air. You follow him inside. The long table sits low, surrounded by scattered cushions. Your place is set—a plate, fork, knife, and slices of steak sourced from some unfortunate herbivore, as always. The other lions settle in, trading rough jokes, their voices a familiar, rumb…