Episode 21: Extinguishing Light
Summary:
Yuuyan rushes over to a classroom and informs the others about Erin and the baby beast-lord. Tamarin points out how this is a first in Kazalm’s history, and Hanuka wonders why Esal-sensei chose her, since Tomura was already taking care of it. Yuuyan has no idea, simply saying she heard it from the college students. She decides to go ask Erin herself. Kashugan points out that Erin is at the beast-lord’s shed. It seems word of her new responsibility is spreading quickly.
In the shed, as Erin opens the door, letting in the light, Lilan moves over to a different spot. Erin thinks that at its age, Lilan should still be with its parents and how it is tough being separated. Nearby, Tomura wonders why Erin was chosen. He is approached by Tyna, who confirms the rumors of Erin. Tomura tells him he is sure Esal-sensei has her reasons. He then asks Tyna to return a book called the Beast-Lord Imperatives for him, walking away.
Back at the barn, Yuuyan gets updated on the situation regarding Erin’s assignment. As Erin is tending to the shed, she notices Lilan eating itself and softly tells it to relax. As the sun varies in amount through the upper window, Lilan adjusts by moving to a different spot. Erin takes notice of this. That evening, as she is still tending to the hay, Tomura walks in and asks how long she plans to continue, saying it is the end of the day; Erin doesn’t hear him at first. Frustrated, he assertively tells her she’s done for the day. Erin is surprised by how fast time has flown, telling him she’d like to continue and wrap up by nightfall. Tomura asks why she changes everything around after taking over his work, and wonders if she’s trying to win points with Esal-sensei. Erin denies this, and continues her work. He begins interrogating her again and asserts that Lilan is important to him, and should it die he will never forgive her. Erin is visibly troubled by his words. A snail’s shell on a leaf is then shown.
That night, and thereafter, Erin sleeps in the shed. Eventually, Lilan grows more comfortable with her presence. Tomura simply observes Erin in the passing days. She becomes more acquainted with Lilan’s daily mannerisms, though it still doesn’t eat. One day, the other students talk about how she’s missed lunch again, and marvel at her dedication.
In the shed, as Erin tries to feed Lilan, she thinks how Esal-sensei told her that a beast knows the smell of food, but Erin also considers how she wouldn’t eat just based on scent if she were a beast. She recalls a time with her mother: something that smelled like dry straw ended up tasting good. The only reason she ate it was because of her mom’s demonstration and the claim it was good. Erin tries to wave a piece of meat on a stick in front of Lilan. She tells it it’s good but that still has no effect. Suddenly, Tomura appears and asks why she’s so dedicated to beast-lords. Erin explains her background: the separation from her mother and how Lilan’s situation is similar to her own. She also explains her encounter with a wild beast-lord. Tomura softly tells Erin that’s enough and walks off; however, as he does so, his shadow is pulled away from her and she suddenly recalls a moment from her initial encounter with a wild beast-lord and its baby.
Tomura informs Esal-sensei of Erin’s plan: Lilan is afraid of the light from the window because of the angle at which it comes. They need to adjust it to mimic the experience of when a baby beast-lord is underneath its parent. Esal asks him what he thinks, and he says that after considering it, he believes she has a point. With that, she permits them to tear down a piece of the wall. Back at the shed, Nukku, Mokku, and Tomura help do this. When the wood collapses, Lilan embraces the light, reacting in a different manner than before. The snail shown earlier emerges from its shell. Lilan rises up and lets out multiple cries. Erin tries to feed it, but it simply sits back down. She’s sad that she wasn’t able to understand it, but Tomura brings up how they’ve made some progress. Erin then suddenly asks Tomura to tell her everything about Lilan, but there is nothing he can tell her.
That night in the shed, Erin reflects on the day and thinks how the cry is the same sound made by a wild beast-lord mother. She theorizes that if she can mimic the sound, perhaps she can communicate with Lilan. She tries singing the Bird of Dawn, but this has no effect. Yet, as she sings, she recalls Ial’s harp and realizes it may be the key. Back in her room, Yuuyan is busy having a dream about Kashugan and is awakened by Erin. She opens the window for her and Erin rushes out with the harp.
Back at the barn, she tries playing the song and though Lilan looks at her, no dramatic change is given. Feeling defeated, Erin wraps herself in a blanket and dozes off with the harp tucked inside. In the morning, she accidentally swipes her hand over it and plays a pitch, causing a noticeable reaction in Lilan. Erin tries playing the harp again with the blanket parted, but nothing happens. She then realizes the difference: her blanket. She wraps it around her, playing the harp and changing its pitch through the blanket. Lilan cries out in response. Erin is struck with happiness. She thinks that if she can play the sound more accurately, then she’d be able to better communicate with Lilan.
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My Thoughts:
Fortunately, it seems like Tomura’s bitterness towards Erin was dealt with in this episode. He was acting like a jerk to her at first, but after getting the full story of her past and reasons, he’s backed down and become more trusting. I’m glad this is the case, since Erin doesn’t need enemies. I wanted to kick him when he told her how he wouldn’t forgive her if she let Lilan die. The warning reminded me of Soyon and Ake, and how she was always told how she’d be responsible for different situations.
I admire Erin’s efforts in working with Lilan. She is obviously very dedicated and passionate about what she’s doing, which makes me happy. Her creative approach in trying different things is cool. It probably would have taken me awhile (if ever) to figure out the light angle and relate it back to the wild beast-lords. Only someone like her, with that life experience and sharpness, could come to that conclusion. That’s our Erin! It looks like her attempts have paid off, as Lilan is finally reacting. Now all she needs is to reliably reproduce that sound.
Next episode, we once again cross paths with Ial. It looks like Erin finally gets a chance to meet with him, too. She probably revisits the harp shop to get her instrument tuned. Perfect timing. Catch it all next time, on Kemono no Souja Erin: “The Sound of the Harp!”
Tags: anime, fantasy, heart-warming, Kemono no Souja Erin
