Chapter 1

Dream is the opening chapter of the Pet Shop of Horrors manga, debuting in Volume 1 in February 1995.

Angelica Winston, a rich young woman, seeks an exotic bird at Count D's pet shop. D introduces her to a sterlizia, an endangered species of bird from the South Pacific Ocean. Enamoured after hearing him sing, Angelica signs a contract for ownership of the bird, who she names P-Chan. Sticking to the rules of her contract, everything is going well - until Angelica decides to find a female partner for her precious bird.

Plot
After signing a contract with a customer, D shows the then unnamed man to the door. The customer recites the terms of the contract before leaving. Q-chan reminds D of the time, prompting the man to start closing up for the night. Almost immediately after closing the door Angelica Winston, an affluent young woman, bursts through the doors. She asks whether he is Count D, to which D replies that his grandfather is the titular Count D and that he is merely minding the shop in his absence. Deciding who he is is irrelevant, she states that she wants a not only a rare bird, but the world's rarest bird.

Desirable traits Angelica lists for her potential pet include: feathers as pretty as a peacock; a voice like a canary; more expensive than Janet's parrot. The man with her attempts to corral her but is shouted down each time, with Angelica declaring that money is no object. She says that, between her father's work and his new mistress, his daughter doesn't matter. It is after this statement that D tells her that he has the perfect pet for her and instructs Angelica to follow him deeper into the store. Walking through the maze like corridors of the improbably large back room of Count D's Pet Shop with no one but D himself for company, Angelica briefly worries that she'll be kidnapped and perhaps turned into animal food. When asked about her nerves, Angelica replies that she's only curious about the lack of animal scent. D mentions the incense he uses in order to burn the smells away, which makes Angelica realise that she has been smelling it for a short while.

The room D brings Angelica to holds a surprising sight - instead of an animal, there appears to be a person instead. Angelica worries that the person before her is human until he moves, showcasing a large set of wings. D introduces the being as a sterlizia, recounting the history of its species and detailing the beauty of its song. Angelica, despite never having heard the bird sing, decides to buy him. D does not accept the sale immediately, telling Angelica to listen to the sterlizia sing first. As the bird is nocturnal, they arrange for him to be brough to the Winston house, which conveniently already possesses a green house large enough to suit the sterlizia's needs.

That night, Angelica waits impatiently for the humanoid bird to sing. Despite the late hour, the bird has yet to sing. D attributes this to the sterlizia being delicate and unused to the new environment. Despite telling Angelica that they shouldn't rush the bird, he lights some incense in a successful attempt to incite the bird to sing. As Angelica and the soon to be named P-chan stare at each other, the sterlizia begins to sing. Angelica is instantly mesmerised. It is revealed by D that the bird must like her, as he would not sing without chemistry between himself and his new master. Having passed the test, Angelica signs the pet contract that D presents her with. He informs her, exactly as he had informed his previous client, that the shop cannot and will not be held responsible for the consequences of a broken contract.

The price Count D asks for the sterlizia is ten of the fifteen inch tarts from Madame C's shop, the kind which are red on top with green confectionery, to be delivered to his own shop the next day.

Angelica does not understand the words or the meaning of P-chan's song but it moves her deeply, to the point of tears. She visits the pet shop once more and D enlightens her about P-chan's melody: it is a song of love. Like many animals, P-chan's wings and voice are intended to help him court a partner. Angelica expresses confusion as to why P-chan would sing such a thing to her, as she is human. D explains that P-chan was raised in captivity by humans and, having never met another sterlizia, likely thinks of himself as human. Angelica appears to be dismayed that when P-chan sings, he's really trying to sing for a bird, rather than a human. The shop phone rings and D excuses himself to answer it. The customer from the very start of the chapter, revealed to be called Mr. Glenn, is desperately seeking help. The pet he bought has bitten off his grandsons finger and has started to multiply. D inquires as to whether Mr. Glenn broke any of the contracts terms and, upon confirmation that the contract was breached, disclaims all responsibility. Mr. Glenn's beggins quickly turns to screams, which turns into a dial tone. Angelica tells D that she's named her pet P-chan because all birds in her family get named P-chan, to D's disblief.

Returning home from the pet shop, Angelica appears delighted to find her father home. Settling in for tea with him, a staff member reports to Mr. Winston Angelica's recent change in behaviour, to Angelica's upset. The staff member mentions less spending and a lack of going out at night, in favour of spending time with her new pet. This is the first Mr. Winston has heard of a pet and he expresses an interest in seeing what has captured his daughter's attention. Angelica quickly, firmly and loudly turns him down. The man is amused at his daughters reaction and quickly turns the conversation to a different matter entirely. He shows Angelica photos of a man older than her, introducing him as the son of one of Mr. Winston's business partners, telling her that she should have dinner with her soon. Angelica, shocked, protests. Mr. Winston admonishes her for being selfish with the clear implication that her opinion in this matter will be disregarded. In the green house, Angelica cries over the prospect of an arranged marriage. P-chan approaches her, comforts her and sings for her. As he does so, she thinks to herself that P-chan is still waiting for his true love.

The next day, Angelica calls the pet shop. Her initial words aren't recorded but D takes the understanding that she wants to breed the sterlizia. Angelica then frames it romantically, describing a wife and child after a life spent alone. D tells her that breeding such birds is a difficult process, one which it becomes clear he is hesitant to embark on. Despite his reservations, Angelica is adamant and talks over the top of D's protests. She eventually convinces him by promising to pay him fifty fruit tarts from Madame C's shop, one hundred moon cakes and a years' supply of Peninsula Chocolate.

An annoyed D delivers the female sterlizia and Angelica discovers, much to her surprise, that she has a plain face. Their plainess and lack of singing is why the female sterlizia are not desired as pets. Both D and Angelica watch the initial meeting between the two birds, with D remarking that the first impression appears to be good. A second contract is offered and, despite being reluctant, Angelica signs it while explaining away her hesitancy. Both P-chan's upcoming mating and being unable to see the bird for a week make the young woman visibly upset.

D lends Q-chan to Angelica for the week, in order to assauge her lonliness without the sterlizia. She cuddles Q-chan while listening to P-chan sing, despondent at the thought of him no longer singing for her. Without the distraction of P-chan, Angelica also wonders about D, unsure about the man and his dubious pet shop. Six days into the week mandated by the contract, Angelica notes that P-chan's singing stopped the day before. Despite there being only one day left before she's allowed back into the green house, Angelica makes the decision to break the contract in order to bring food to both birds. She ignores Q-chan's attempt to stop her, waving him off since she intends to be quick.

Once in the green house, Angelica quickly spots P-chan. Her initial excitement is quickly dampened by the blood on the man's face and the gruesome state of his dead body. His chest has been carved open, both arms and his right leg partially missing; exposed bone and viscera is visible and horrific to Angelica. She soon discovers the culprit: the female sterlizia, who stands half camoflauged in the nearby plants, smeared with gore from mouth to chest, still licking her bloodied fingers.

A furious Angelica confronts the female, shouting questions and slapping her. The female sterlizia seems shocked by the attack. Angelica's attempted second hit is halted midswing by D, much to her displeasure. D proceeds to explain that cannibalism is a species trait; it is essential for successful reproduction. He chides Angelica for breaking the contract, noting that if she had waited, the female would have finished devouring P-chan and Angelica would have been spared the sight of it. Angelica, distraught, realises that P-chan had still been alive the day before. She had, after all, heard him singing. D visibly reacts to this statement, somewhat shocked. He describes the order in which P-chan was eaten; arms first, then legs, leaving him with the breathe to continue singing his song - for his owner. The knowledge that P-chan had been singing for her after all has a profound impact on Angelica, who continues to cry. D tells her that the child will be born in a month and contemplates the sterlizia song which will continues, the song of love a genetic memory.

Back at his shop, D welcomes a customer he has previously sold a green iguana to. Though the iguana is well, the customer is looking for another unusual pet, as the customer now considers lizards and turtles to be common. D allows that he as a new, rare and exotic pet which he has recently accquired. The interaction mirrors his first meeting with Angelica, D inviting the customer into the back room of the shop while the customer exclaims that money is no object.

D
The mysterious shop keeper of Count D's Pet Shop, who claims he is neither the stores owner nor a count.

Q-Chan
A cute but odd looking animal; furred with fangs, bat wings and a pointed, devil like tail. His name appears to be related to the 'kyu' sound he makes.

Angelica Winston
A rich young woman, headstrong but naive. She is a student at an unspecified school. She cares deeply for P-chan.

P-Chan
One of the rare sterlizia, he accepts Angelica as his owner and appears to care for her in his own way. P-chan continues to sing for Angelica, even as he's being eaten alive.

Mr. Winston
Though never formally introduced, it can be reasonably assumed that his name is Mr. Winston. It is unknown whether he is married. According to Angelica, he is something of a workaholic and has recently accquired a new mistress. Angelica appears surprised, but pleased, to see him when she arrives home. He is unbothered by Angelica's instant refusal of his request to see P-chan, laughing it off and attributing it to a rebellious phase. He is organising an arranged marriage for his daughter.

Mr. Glenn
A customer of the Shop who breaks his contract, to dire consequences.

Winston staff
There is an unnamed man who is seen in the company of Angelica, attempting and failing to direct and advise her. He is seen in the first scene at the pet shop and when Angelica returns home, just before she meets her father. An unnamed woman serves Angelica and her father tea, informing Mr. Winston of his daughters recent activity.

Contracts
There are three contracts mentioned in this chapter, two of which are broken.

The first is signed and broken by Mr. Glenn, with the following conditions:


 * 1) Do not let it see the light.
 * 2) Do not let it touch water.
 * 3) Do not give it food in the middle of the night.

The other two contracts are both signed by Angelica Winston. The terms of her first contract, which she does not break, are:


 * 1) Feed him fresh fruit for every meal.
 * 2) Do not show him to anyone.
 * 3) You must be by his side when he sings. He will not stop singing until he sees his owners face. He will keep singing even if his throat starts bleeding.

Angelica's second contract, which she does break, has the following conditions:


 * 1) From today, she cannot enter the greenhouse for a week.
 * 2) She cannot give either sterlizia food

Trivia

 * Though the pet purchased by Mr. Glenn is never identified, the contract conditions are an obvious reference to mogwai from the 1984 movie Gremlins.
 * P-chan's clothing is a Balinese Legong dance costume.
 * Angelica's name is first mentioned when she signs the contract, seventeen pages into the chapter.
 * The list of possibilites Angelica comes up with for what D could stand for are: Dracula, Dark, Danger, Drug, Dragon, Destiny, Devil, Death and Dream. Of these, Dark, Dragon, Devil, Death and Dream later appear as chapter names. Chapter 5, Dragon; Chapter 12, Devil; Chapter 14, Dark Horse; Chapter 32, Death. Dream being the title of this chapter, as well as pluralised for Chapter 30, Dreams.
 * A calendar is seen on the sixth day of Angelica's second contract. The date is shown as March 27th, a Sunday.