Chapter 5 : Research Subject

Chapter 5: Research Subject

“Unknowns.”

Beings that bring anomalous phenomena to this world.

It seems I’ve not only become a victim of such a phenomenon, but that I have actually become an anomaly myself.

I had hoped that if I just slept to clear my head, I’d wake up to find out that it was just a dream.

Unfortunately, when I opened my eyes, I was still in the same room as before.

Contemplating my future with a mild sense of disappointment, I sat up.

I haven’t fully processed the fact that I’ve become one of those “Unknowns” but… what’s done is done.

There are no convenient items that rewound time, nor will a miracle simply fall from the sky upon request.

I have two choices here.

Either obey them or… try to escape.

If I obey, I might be subjected to inhumane research. It’s just an assumption, but I don’t get the impression that organizations like this are kind to their research subjects.

On the other hand, I could try to run. But if I did, there was absolutely no way I could return to my normal life. An organization whose purpose is to protect people by keeping anomalous phenomena away from them would never let my roam free.

In short, regardless of my decision, a normal life was out of the question.

Going home, sitting around the dinner table with my family, or playing games while putting off my studies… those things have already become distant memories.

Besides, even if I tried to escape, I don’t know the layout of this building… I guess I have no choice but to behave for a while.

To escape, one needed information. If I’m lucky, choosing the cooperation route might allow me to maintain some semblance of a human life.

In the end, I was left with a third option: “wait and see.”

“Hey there. Looks like you’re awake. Good morning, how are we feeling?”

“Preferably, I was wishing that I could go back to dreaming.”

“Hahaha! The fact that you can joke tells me that you’re doing just fine! Good, good.”

After a while, I heard the voice of the energetic woman who had spoken to me previously. Currently, she is my only conversational partner. I wondered if I could manage to coax some information out of her.

“Yesterday… ah, I believe I stopped at the part where I told you that you’re being kept in this room as an Unknown?”

“Right. I went to sleep right after that.”

“How cute. Now, yesterday I explained your current situation. But today… is my turn to ask the questions. Sorry about that.”

After informing me, the voice began firing off a series of questions.

Basic things like my name, age, height, and weight, of course, but also questions with inscrutable intentions, such as “Do you believe in God?” or “Is killing a person a good thing or a bad thing?”

There must have been well over fifty of them. I answered each one honestly.

“You’re doing great. Last question, what do you think about ‘Unknowns’?”

“I don’t know much about them yet, so I can’t really give you a proper answer. At the very least, I know that they’re pieces of shit for ruining my life.”

“…I see. You’re not entirely wrong. Thank you. That concludes the questionnaire. Good work.”

When I finished answering her questions, she thanked me. Before she left, I asked her a question.”

“Am I allowed to ask you a few questions?”

“Unfortunately, not right now. Oh, but don’t worry, I’ll make sure your meals are brought to you.”

“Can I watch TV?”

“Sure. I can even arrange for the Blu-rays of any anime you want to see.”

“No thanks, I’ll pass on that.”

“Got it. By the way, is there anything specific you want to eat?”

“…I want a hamburger and fries.”

“Young, aren’t you? All right. I’ll have them arranged.”

After that, her voice vanished.

I was alone again. For now, I’ll kill time by watching TV.

I turned on the power and flipped through some random channels.

It was Saturday. That meant a full day had passed since I was caught up in that phenomenon.

I wonder if my parents were worried…

No, it’s more likely that this organization has already taken some kind of measure in informing them. A place as professional as this wouldn’t want the police rushing in and causing a scene.

I don’t know their methods, but if they’re an organization that fights anomalous phenomena, then they might be capable of all sorts of things using technology beyond imagination.

“Sigh… there’s no good shows on right now. Maybe I should’ve asked for the Blu-rays?”

Variety shows that I would usually find reasonably entertaining felt deathly dull today.

It looked like it was going to be a tedious day.

With that thought, I waited for my hamburger and fries.

…I didn’t specify that I wanted a drink, but surely they’ll bring a soda, right?

***

【Unknown】

A term for anomalies. Anomalous phenomena or beings unthinkable in the modern era are collectively referred to as “Unknowns” and are managed through case numbers (e.g., UJP-○○-○○).

***

The next day, I was taken out of the room where I was being contained.

The reason? A physical examination.

As I heard a knock on the door, the voice of the woman I’d been talking to for the past two days shouted, “Time for a walk!” and kicked the door open with all her might.

It would have been impossible not to be startled.

“Okay, breathe in—now hold it!”

“Ngh…”

For the physical exam, they used common equipment like X-rays and MRIs, as well as strange machines I didn’t recognize. In short, every inch of my body was scrutinized.

Honestly, I couldn’t really relax.

It wasn’t the examination itself that made me uneasy. The problem was the people surrounding me.

The woman I had been talking to was dressed very casually, wearing a baggy shirt and trousers that covered her down to her calves, her sandals clacking as she walked.

She was quite a beauty, standing tall at about 178cm with a great figure. Her hair was long, reaching down her back, with a distinctive red color.

Also, her left arm seemed to be a prosthetic.

It was a heavy-duty, mechanical black prosthetic that appealed to my sense of aesthetics. Not that I had any intention of telling her it looked “cool.”

I had no desire to tap-dance through a minefield.

She seemed fine, though.

Even though winter was approaching, the fact that she was dressed for the height of summer was a bit jarring.

The real problem was the people she had brought along.

Or rather, the soldiers.

Between the gas masks with their characteristic twin canisters, the helmets for head protection, and the fact that they were clearly gripping modern firearms, there was no way I could feel at ease.

Excuse me, are you aware of the laws regarding firearms and weapons?

Moving while surrounded by people holding assault rifles was far too taxing on my heart.

I was scared. No, I was terrified.

“Alright. Thank you very much.”

Once one of the incomprehensible tests ended, I got dressed and was released.

There were still more tests after this…

“Sigh…”

“Hey now, what’s the matter, Akane? You look quite tired.”

“…Do you not understand the terror of being surrounded by people who will aim their guns at me if I make the slightest movement?”

“Haha! It can’t be helped, right? Your condition hasn’t been confirmed yet. We just have to be ready to suppress you in case you suddenly go on a rampage.”

I can’t imagine wanting to rampage while surrounded by firearms. I felt as if even the slightest action would turn me into a pincushion.

In the following days, I experienced things that a normal person would never encounter. Things I never wanted to experience again.

“By the way, you never told me your name. What is it?”

“Huh? Didn’t I introduce myself?”

“Not that I remember.”

“I thought I had. Sorry, sorry. I’m Shizuku Amamiya. You’ll be working with me eventually. Nice to meet you.”

“..?”

At the time, I tilted my head, not understanding the meaning of her words. However, the moment I would come to understand them would arrive quite soon.