Rooster Fighter Episode 7: Crowing over a Feather

The episode opens with Keisuke trapped in a vivid nightmare. Flames engulf his home, and he sees his sister, Sarah, menaced by a demonic dog. He tries to reach her, but he cannot, reliving his deepest failure. Sarah's spectral form appears, accusing him, and her words, 'Why didn't you protect me, big brother? You promised,' echo as a fiery phoenix consumes the memory. Keisuke then jolts awake in a dark forest, drenched in sweat, another morning marked by the same haunting trauma.

As dawn breaks, Keisuke performs a vigorous dust bath, treating the mundane act with a warrior's discipline. Pioko, ever eager, tries to emulate him, only to make a delightful mess. Their peace is broken by Elizabeth, who arrives with a refined air and a bottle of scented bug spray. She suggests a more 'elegant option' than rolling in dirt, a line that subtly highlights the differing worldviews among the companions.

Two starstruck pigeons, Ken and Masa, land nearby, recognizing Keisuke as the famed demon-hunting rooster. They have followed his exploits, it seems, on human phones, a modern touch to a fantastical world. Nervously, they approach him with an unusual request. They need a wingman for a 'triple date,' their third member having taken an unexpected delivery. Keisuke, however, seems less than thrilled by the attention, his discomfort evident.

Elizabeth, with her usual flair, sees an opportunity. She frames the 'triple date' not as a romantic outing, but as a 'social battle' to uphold the honor of chickens. She charges Keisuke with the mission to 'woo' the ladies and prove the greatness of his kind. Keisuke, ever serious, takes this challenge to heart, his pride as a rooster becoming his primary motivator to participate.

Keisuke prepares for his 'mission' with an almost military seriousness, walking towards the meeting spot with exaggerated confidence. Pioko and Elizabeth cheer him on, Pioko jumping with excitement. He arrives at the park fountain where the three female pigeons, Anne, Saiko, and Marin, await. Their initial reaction is one of immediate skepticism, their snide remarks about 'poultry' setting a hostile tone for the encounter.

Keisuke attempts a grand, berry-laden entrance, expecting instant adoration, but the pigeon ladies find him weird and 'un-cool.' They openly mock chickens, citing their inability to fly and the appearance of his wattles. Pioko, ever loyal, tries to defend 'the Mister,' but Elizabeth holds her back, urging Keisuke to use charm. His anger begins to manifest as a dark aura, his composure fraying under the relentless criticisms about chickens, even down to their short memories.

Finally, Keisuke has had enough. He slams his foot down, shattering the rock table and scattering food everywhere, declaring he cares nothing for their opinions. He states, 'As long as I live a life I can be proud of, that's all that matters.' This raw, stoic display of self-worth shifts the pigeons' perspective. Later, as the sun sets, the female pigeons are completely smitten, now calling him a 'stud.' Keisuke, though exhausted, seems to have found some peace in being himself.

The mood shifts dramatically as a tall, mysterious woman with long black hair and serpent-like eyes approaches Keisuke, Elizabeth, and Pioko. She gently picks up Pioko, her tone ominous. The woman warns them, 'Careful with her. You've got to keep this one safe,' implying a deeper knowledge of Pioko's nature. She then disappears into the twilight, leaving the group unsettled and confused by her words.

The scene abruptly cuts to a derelict warehouse, a stark contrast to the preceding lightness. Here, a bloodied rooster named Satoshi is held captive, surrounded by demons and human thugs. One thug taunts Satoshi, mentioning a hostage, implying a larger, sinister organization at play. The purple-haired leader eventually lets Satoshi go, believing his connection to the hostage will ensure his return. Satoshi, though wounded, seizes the chance to escape, his desperation evident as he flees into the woods.

Back at the river, Elizabeth expertly cooks a carp over a campfire, catching it with an electric rod, a method Keisuke finds a bit questionable. Pioko watches intently, noticing the carp resembles a tattoo on 'the Mister's' back. Inspired, Pioko tries to fish herself, but the rod is too heavy. Frustrated by her physical limitations, she sets off into the tall grass to find smaller prey, setting the stage for her own small adventure.

In the tall grass, Pioko encounters a group of larger lizards bullying a smaller one. True to her father's (Keisuke's) creed, she intervenes, declaring she will 'never let evil off the hook!' The bullies, unimpressed by her size, threaten her, but Pioko doesn't back down. She adopts a martial arts pose, initiating a comical fight in the dense foliage. Keisuke and Elizabeth eventually find Pioko, triumphant but panting, her victory short-lived as she suddenly feels faint, a worrying sign for her companions.

Later, Pioko lies awake, consumed by feelings of uselessness. She laments always needing to be saved, feeling she cannot contribute like Elizabeth. Nearby, Keisuke and Elizabeth speak in hushed tones, their conversation revealing a deeper concern. They note that Pioko hasn't grown at all in the month they've been together, a strange lack of physical development that adds another layer of mystery to her existence. This observation makes her earlier weakness more ominous.

The episode culminates in a shocking cliffhanger. The bloodied Satoshi from the warehouse bursts through the bushes and collapses before Keisuke, Elizabeth, and Pioko. Tears stream down Satoshi's face as he looks at Keisuke, uttering the words, 'Big Brother... I finally found you.' Keisuke's eyes widen in stunned recognition, the painful past he carries suddenly made manifest before him. The credits roll, leaving the audience with an abrupt and powerful revelation.