Chapter 14

The Golden Thread (金の糸,) is the 14th chapter of the Kemono Jihen manga series.

Summary
Aya narrates that her first job was to to repair her mother's wounded body and how Akio treated him like a thing - how she was kept in the basement and wanting to die but chose to live because she like the name her mother gave her. She then learned that she has a big brother that will come to save them.

Shiki finds his mother wrapped in a cocoon at the spring. He approaches her and gets emotional. Aya is at the surface waiting for news. Upon going back up, Shiki asks Aya if she is the one who did that and if their mother is still alive. Aya cries and reveals the truth that she had been silent all this time and reveals herself as the Golden Thread. Shiki retrieves her mon from the spring. Just then, Inugami, Akira, Kabane, and Akio arrive at the place. The three were shocked to see Shiki's mother alive to which Nobimaru further explains that Akio has no reason to kill Kumi since she is the mother of the golden thread. Akio explains that it is a necessity to keep Kumi close to Aya and that mass production is in future sight. Shiki suddenly punches Akio.

Shiki carries her mom and tells Inugami that he wants to put her in a safe place, and clarifies that he won't forgive his uncle. He also tells that Inari is keeping tabs on him, doubting that he can do anything anymore and he had known his uncle for years that what is crueler than dying is not being able to be recognized by someone. While leaving, Shiki tells Aya to also get going. Aya can't believe it. Shiki then grabs her arm and leaves. Inugami with the others then depart.

Back at the forest, Akio wakes up, telling himself he won't give up. Just then, Nobimaru appears behind him and kills him.

Inugami and the others arrive at a hospital run by Inugami's friend. Upon entering, they were welcomed by Granny Ohana. Kumi is then put to bed. Granny Ohana says that she will soon wake up once she brew some good herbal medicine for her. The agency members stay for the night.

Shiki is seen accompanying his mother at the room when someone knocks at the door, it turns out to be Aya. Aya asks Shiki the reason he doesn't hate her and that she is like all the other kemonos he killed. Shiki responds that it's thanks to Aya that their mom got to love since he, himself can't do anything for her. Shiki tells Aya that he is glad that he met her and encourages Aya to hold their mom's hand. Later, Kumi wakes up and embraces her two children. The other agency members wake up and rushes to the room to see Shiki and his family reunited.