Chapter 155

The research on neural modification is currently a hot topic at Elysium Corporation, so let’s focus on that.

In this era of information overflow, where almost all data has been fully digitized based on the development of ultra-dense storage devices and the presence of large-scale data centers everywhere, if one has the ability to find and aggregate accurate information, they could solve a missing persons case occurring in a neighboring city from the comfort of their seat.

So much so that the position of a data profiler, dedicated to professionally profiling the necessary data (data collection, classification, and tracking), has been introduced as one of the most popular job types this year.

In any case, while it may be the responsibility of those in the field to sift through stones and identify gems and to piece together fragmented facts that may seem unrelated at first glance, the insights of the final decision-maker must not fall short for the work to proceed smoothly.

In this sense, this issue is one that cannot logically be explained, and with only excessively fragmented facts existing separately, it has become quite a headache.

Rather, it’s fortunate that the erratic executive director has declared they would make the judgment themselves.

“Mr. Edamatsu, we’ve made contact. We’re currently bringing over the researcher Anastasia…”

After urging Kajun, who had briefly stepped out under the pretense of an interrogation procedure, to hurry back, Kakubari, the department head, bit his tongue as he inserted his upper body into the inner office to give a brief report.

Although the blunder made by the secretary was rather clumsy, there was a justifiable reason for it from the perspective of current employees affiliated with this office.

“…Already? No, it’s more appropriate to say finally. …Right.”

Dead eyes, or so they say? It was somewhat different—a focus that seemed off, as though the internal balance had been damaged due to excessive stress.

Facing the dangerously flaming pupils of Edamatsu, he bowed his head without even contemplating correcting his mistake.

He confirmed again that no one present was in the mood to make an issue of such a minor faux pas, yet he continued to fret over it, making him appear foolish.

‘Ugh… If my merely meeting you again alleviated that madness, it would be a steal of a deal…’

He was not a man who would be so easily broken down, even if he was sometimes unpredictable, violent, and perpetually mired in a miserable nihilism.

Though he often showed a prickly demeanor, he was, in fact, one of the lighter spirits among Amagi members.

However, after being enchanted by the female mercenary, now known as Anastasia, during a recent work inspection, everything changed.

Oh, by now even calling her a mercenary is incorrect. After a massive background check was conducted, it was ludicrous that data matching the facial likeness was discovered in the Enema employee registry.

The person who had been listed as missing for nearly a year had, in fact, been hiding near the headquarters all along. For several months, no less.

Even under relaxed conditions, the situation had become one that could very well elicit cries of anguish among those responsible, especially considering she had even been entrusted with working on the very database of the research institute she had belonged to…?

It was a situation that warranted genuine concern, one where multiple deaths wouldn’t have been surprising.

Thus, ordinarily, bringing in such a suspicious individual as Anastasia would have been out of the question….

“This time… I will certainly face it head-on. To see who you are, or perhaps whether I have finally gone mad.”

“……”

The growling reminiscent of a beast ready to pounce, compounded by low, nervous grinding of teeth.

At this moment, there was no one to restrain Edamatsu. At least, not here.

For that reason, Kakubari began to focus on what he could do—namely, worrying about keeping the staff’s mouths shut.

Even amidst the busy movements of his subordinates, the owner of the room was preoccupied with sorting out twisted thoughts.

The information at hand, the evidence, was surprisingly simple.

Firstly, it was suspect enough that someone had intentionally omitted certain details. The recovered data overwhelmingly lacked information related to recent developments on the project that the chairman had highlighted.

Secondly, the researcher who had managed to return was meaningfully concealed.

Lastly… thirdly, unlike others, Edamatsu himself was marked with an indelible sense of déjà vu.

If one were to be obstinate, there would have been plenty of hypotheses to concoct and baseless accusations to make.

A spy sent by another corporation, a double agent, bribery, hostage situations through threats, identity forgery.

As Enema was also known for concocting plots in countless ways, it was not uncommon for enemies to stumble over stones they had set.

However, while it was acceptable to overlook the fact that the research institute had been reduced to ashes, forcing Anastasia’s personal deviations into that mold left Edamatsu with lingering, unsettling doubts that felt unresolved.

Not logic or reasoning, but entirely conjecture and suspicion based solely on instincts.

Above all, the gaze which carried the expression, “It’s troublesome to face. It’s unexpected,” was laden with perplexity… along with an unfamiliar nostalgia that he thought he might never feel again.

Even as he continued to cross-check the detailed follow-up investigation materials gathered, the questions that had failed to yield answers were primed to emerge.

Please tell me. Do you know me?

Born into the esteemed Royal Blood affiliated with MegaCorp, a personality wreck guaranteed material wealth and minimal power from the moment of birth.

Why do you look at me with pity, not jealousy, let alone a hint of envy?

…As if you fully understood the frustrations and love-hate of this sensitive, naive young master.

“Excuse me, Director. I have brought Researcher Anastasia Makarovitch with me… Kakubari, the secretary, has instructed me to wait outside and not enter; is that alright? Although I have seized some equipment, a body inspection is still pending…”

“…It doesn’t matter. Let them in.”

It was a rather thin voice, one he had heard occasionally when listening to reports. A direct subordinate of the secretarial staff…

However, given how they seemed adept at reading the atmosphere and understood what was desired in no time, their non-intrusive demeanor had made them someone he appreciated.

Regrettably, at that moment, all their nerves were otherwise occupied, so no matter how much flattery they tried to offer, fair evaluation would have been difficult.

The door cracked open slightly and then closed again.

Only the girl, appearing awkwardly, was left in the room, right in front of Edamatsu.

“Umm… Yes, uh… Hello, Director…?”

“…It’s a pleasure to meet you, Researcher. Though, certainly, this isn’t our first meeting.”

“…Ahh.”

The awkward laugh that would have been disliked had it come from anyone else felt vaguely ticklish.

Facing the longed-for black-haired girl, Edamatsu’s eyes—previously clouded by all sorts of clinging negative emotions—suddenly began to relax.

In fact, simply being in the same space seemed to restore his fraying mind, as if he were going back to a time before he understood that life was a continuous series of difficult and complex problems.

…He would need to observe more closely. The distinctive features, trivial habits, the scent that stirred his heart. Every one of these details could be useful in identifying her.

Faced with this sudden impulse, he did not resist.

Creak! Pushing away the chair he had been sitting in, Edamatsu lightly stood up and approached Anastasia. The sight of her shrinking back in shock, as if startled like a small animal by his actions, made the corners of his mouth lift.

“Please, have a seat. You must have worked tirelessly day and night for Enema. Could you share with me the experiences you’ve had until now?”

“…If repeating what I shared with Kajun isn’t an issue, then yes.”

The conversation between the two seated at the table dragged on. Time flowed ambiguously.

One side was carefully choosing words, worried that any contradictions would reveal a potential secret pact with a future archvillain.

The other side was simply comparing her past recollections with the current her while self-deluding, insisting it was necessary.

Every child, every young life has a time when their parents are everything to them.

Unconsciously chasing the fluttering hem of an adult’s clothing, trying to mimic meaningless phrases, and admiring every little action— this sweet childhood experience.

It is beautiful precisely because it cannot last forever.

However, the wound of losing a page of life that ought to have been cherished differs from person to person.

Due to his father’s inability to accept reality and search for an escape, and due to a twisted upbringing, Edamatsu found himself still trapped in those brief, poignant days and distant memories. …A truly terrible obsession, but the idea of resurrecting the dead was not an entirely absurd notion for Enema.

“……”

Shaking off his musings, Edamatsu refocused his attention on Anastasia across from him.

Did she resemble someone? A little, perhaps.

Her lustrous black hair tugged at his heartstrings. His mother, Amagi Suzunashi, preferred slightly more modest and flowing traditional attire. Although she was older now, possessing a mature and gentle image.

How was the atmosphere? Similar.

An innate charm that drew people in seemed to linger about her. It wasn’t just vague longing; it was a physical attraction that commanded attention—a aura born under the fate of being loved.

Were there any other suspicious aspects? Too many.

Although it was reasonable due to the insurmountable differences in standpoint, the wary demeanor observing him could be forgiven. The way she sneaked glances while trying not to engage yet maintained that she was still a responsible researcher was almost too blatant.

‘…Surely, it was an illusion.’

Just gazing was a source of joy. There was also a certain fondness. However, whether that had led to an unfounded certainty… well.

There was a critical something that was missing. The heart was stirred, but the driving force to cross the final line was lacking.

There had to be grounds that would question whether there existed a connection beyond that of a director and researcher, host and guest, and two unrelated individuals.

“Phew… well, it’s fine. Today isn’t the only chance we’ll have to talk.”

“……Huh?”

As she listened dejectedly to his effort in piecing together a plausible alibi, Anastasia’s brows furrowed slightly, though she didn’t raise any objections.

It was enough for her that he was letting things slide a bit… While applying for more of these straws of patience was troublesome.

On the other hand, Edamatsu felt as though he had sunk into a ridiculous assumption and dreamed a foolish dream.

All of this stemmed from Ohtsuge’s ultimate concept of revival, humanity’s progress, and the absurd hypothesis that had been echoed throughout.

The research itself was conducted at a level that required Doctor Makarovitch’s direct participation, and without him, it was getting increasingly futile to consider resuming.

Under ordinary circumstances, it would have simply been a matter of confirming the authenticity of her identity and then either holding her accountable or assigning her to other tasks.

What did he hope to gain from meeting her? What expectations had compelled him to sacrifice sleep and stay up through the night? He was not mad enough to directly ask a potential stranger for her real name or whether he could call her mother, even if one in a thousand did.

No, to be precise, he was mad indeed. Yet he was simply fearful of what kind of rejection or disgust this woman might express if, by some chance, he were completely mistaken.

A pathetic beast. A fool who, trapped under the same maternal hem, could only hate his father.

“Hmph…”

Anastasia, observing as Edamatsu persevered through sleeplessness and self-loathing, relaxed first.

Believing that the meaningless conversation in which they had been weighing each other’s intentions had finally concluded, she felt there was no malice present and thought the threat to her life had vanished.

…That was an excessively hasty sense of relief. The girl had to be careful around this man, as it was not that kind of danger at all.

“…?”

Edamatsu caught the vacant gaze that Anastasia had turned towards the interior of the office between his fingers.

He did not expect anything especially significant. He was merely observing, wondering if there might be something that caught her interest…

His attention drifted past chaotic desks, unorganized piles of documents, and all sorts of turned-on electronic devices until it suddenly landed on a music box mixed in with a collection of office supplies. Her beautiful pupils widened as if she understood what it was.

‘…No way.’

For a brief moment, if she merely looked with curiosity towards some old antique or a relic from a bygone era, it would have been fine. Yet was there any reason for her to show such astonishment? It was already a marvel that a young researcher could recognize such an antique.

The backstory connected to it remained a mystery. There was no way to ascertain her recognition of what was a toy directly given to him by his mother during her lifetime, right under the chairman’s nose.

As disappointment washed over him, his relaxed body unexpectedly tilted forward.

His arm moved roughly, snatching up the music box for the sake of thrusting it in front of Anastasia as proof, aiming to gauge her reaction.

“You. Do you know what this is…!!”

“!! W-What? It’s the music box, right? What are you doing handling it so roughly, what if it breaks…!? This isn’t my fault, is it!?”

Startled by the absurdity of his antics, she reflexively recoiled, making frantic gestures as if to prevent any mishandling.

This was beyond mere suspicion. It was absolutely the behavior of someone who was undoubtedly familiar with the object.

In Edamatsu’s mind, where he had been trying to look the other way, the neurons lit up.

The fragmented synapses were connecting again in a torrent, and sparks flew furiously. Thoughts circled chaotically, unbridled, shaking off the muzzle of insanity and awakening the sense of smell. The cold heart and desires sparked back to life.

Think, think. Explain it even if you have to face death. Before this situation unravels and the hard-earned guest departs, he needed to uncover the truth.

Why did Heyrong Corporation target Delta Research Institute of all places? It was a political netherworld that consumed funds without yielding significant results, rumored in Enema to be a malignant facility or a place of subtle demotion.

…Hah, why? There was only one reason, wasn’t there?

A long-neglected mine had finally struck gold.

Even without contributions, it was essential to remain alert when other mega-corporations were leading the charge.

This transcended mere instinct. There was no proper logic to explain it.

It could simply be described as the instinct of a stranded victim, almost starving for water, tracing the source with an acute awareness.

Or perhaps… it was a grand folly that all but ignored the procedure to obtain desired outcomes.

“Doctor Makarovitch. You… haven’t you dared to complete that absurd research that challenges divine authority?”

“Um, excuse me…? Director Edamatsu…?”

Tears flowed quietly down her cheeks, along with a sudden realization that something had drastically gone wrong.

Anastasia’s voice trembled as she recognized the enormity of her blunder. But Edamatsu had long since been blinded by the radiance of realizing the fragile possibility before him.

Awkward behavior or hesitant actions? There was some understanding.

The artificial human the chairman continually formed was often discussed among the many areas for improvement regarding the absence of memory and experience, always implying it was manifestly incomplete. Given how much younger she appeared, it was likely her memories had also suffered damage.

If, just as he instinctively sensed during their first encounter, his mother, having lost all connections, recognized a beloved artifact imbued with memory, and sought to return to her family…

“No… then why are you doing this, for real?”

“……”

With interest far exceeding mere curiosity, Anastasia lamented that it was too late.

Obsession is called obsession because it cannot be easily severed. The time had come for her to find another escape route.

Ah, Mother. Were you in there?

If you were back, you could have at least said so. No matter how playful a prank you might have engaged in, the image of you—who never scolded your child harshly for fear of frightening them—was still the same.

Did you perhaps wish to escape this wretched family? If so, you should never have come back at all.

Cruelly. Without sharing goodbyes, without a backward glance, you should have simply left.

Yet, I am rather pleased.

If you have transformed like this… then I believe it is natural order.

…So this time, without the complexities of ethics or morals, I sincerely hope you give me the chance to love you.