Rei Comic 7

Karl's Resentment (カールの鬱憤,) is the seventh comic in the first anthology, Rei.

Summary
Poe is trying to write his next manuscript but is struggling to decide which direction it should take. Karl starts to poke at the paper and is asked to stop. Poe says the manuscript is important to him and that no one can see it before being finished. He is writing it for Ranpo and asks Karl to go away. This makes Karl angry and he knocks an inkwell onto the manuscript, before running out of the room. Irritated about his papers being ruined and desk being dirty, he follows Karl.

He runs into Steinbeck and Lovecraft outside his office. Steinbeck asks him why he is in such a rush. Poe asks them if either has seen Karl. Steinbeck says he just missed him and asks if Karl has run away. Poe begins to disagree but quickly admits that is the case. Steinbeck offers to help find Karl by using his ability but only if Poe gives him something in return. Lovecraft says he is too tired to help. Poe decides their abilities are too violent and might hurt Karl. He turns down the offer and continues to look for Karl.

Poe looks around outside and notes that this is the most rebellious Karl has ever been. He says Karl usually just walks away and naps. While looking, he runs into Kenji. He explains what happened and that he feels guilty. He also worries about someone calling an exterminator should Karl act aggressively.

Kenji helps Poe look for Karl. While searching, Kenji says he can understand how Karl feels. He says that while in the village, he used to spend a lot of time watching cows. As a result, he stopped paying attention to his dog who then became moody and disobedient. Kenji suggests Karl might be acting this way because Poe has been so busy with the manuscript and hasn't given Karl enough attention lately. Poe agrees.

Kenji begins to explain that Poe might need to show Karl how much he cares before being cut off by the sound of screaming. Kenji thinks the scream came from Ranpo and the two investigate the scream's source. Kenji was right. They find Ranpo on the ground with an angry raccoon in front of him. He says the raccoon suddenly attacked him, and Poe recognizes the raccoon as Karl right away. He thinks that since Karl isn't used to being outside by himself, he must be feeling scared which in turn has made him aggressive.

Kenji uproots a tree and suggests using it to knock some sense into Karl. Poe jumps in front of Karl and saves him from the attack. He asks Karl, who is crying, if he is alright. He apologizes for the recent neglect and assures him that he isn't a bother. He says Karl is his best friend and takes him home. He offers to play with Karl since it has been a while, and Karl asks for a fancy dinner. Ranpo remains confused as to what just happened.