"Have you heard of the Rare Genetic Seed Distribution System mentioned in this pamphlet?"
"Ah, no, I haven't."
"Thought so~. It's an ultra-niche system with zero cases since the law was enacted 15 years ago~"
"I see..."
"Simply put, it's a system to mass-produce geniuses."
"Whoa, that's way too oversimplified. What does that have to do with me?"
"Now now, don't rush. It's an old story, but there was this declining birthrate issue—well, it's still ongoing actually."
This country had long grappled with declining birthrates. Though it's a serious problem for all developed nations, with various countermeasures proposed but no real solutions found.
"Back when the declining birthrate issue was making headlines, Professor Niise Yoshiki's research team made a proposal to the government's Committee for Declining Birthrate Countermeasures."
"Niise... that name sounds familiar. Who was that again?"
"Are you really a high schooler? Niise Yoshiki is the genius scientist who won both the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry—super famous."
"Ah, sorry. I don't really keep up with that stuff..."
"Anyway, this Professor Niise told the committee—"
No matter how much we expand child allowances or welfare systems, it won't solve the declining birthrate issue. Because more and more people will see having and raising children as too risky.
Being a parent means dedicating decades of your life and substantial assets to your child. If that child lives a life similar to or slightly better than yours, it might feel worth it.
But there's always the chance things won't turn out that way. What if the child you raised with all your heart breaks the law or fails to become independent? Spending your golden years worrying about them sounds awful...
Of course, people will keep having children driven by instinct. But with this mindset spreading, stopping population decline won't be easy.
"...And he just laid out that hopeless truth. Can't really argue with it though."
"Yeah... I agree with the professor."
Ohno-san's explanation was dragging on, so I gave some half-hearted responses while my mind wandered to Nanami (We should have lots of kids. Like ten. If they all look like Nanami, they'd be adorable...) indulging in shameless fantasies.
"So then what? If this continues, our population and national power will keep declining until we become a poor, weak country."
Leaning across the table, Ohno-san brought her face closer.
"That's when Professor Niise declared—'At present, there are no effective measures to stop population decline. But there is a way to keep this nation prosperous.'"
"Oh? And what's that?"
"It's simple—let's mass-produce geniuses. Geniuses can earn dozens, even hundreds of times more than average people. That's how we'll keep the country thriving."
"You said that earlier, but how? Is that even possible?"
"Oh, it's very possible~. Professor Niise discovered a gene that makes children almost 100% likely to be geniuses. It's called the Genius Gene—children of carriers have a 99.8% chance of becoming extraordinary geniuses."
"Huh."
"But there's one problem with the Genius Gene..."
"What's that?"
"Almost all women have it, but male carriers are extremely rare."
"How rare?"
"About 0.00000002%. Roughly one in 50 million men."
"One in 50 million?! That's insane!"
"But this country has over 60 million men, so statistically, there should be at least one."
"Ah, true."
"And if a Genius Gene carrier has a son, there's a 1.4% chance the son inherits it."
"I see... So 1.4% means one in how many...?"
"About one in seventy. So if a carrier fathers 700 children, with half being boys, we'd get about five new carriers. Then those five each father 700 more, and so on... that's the plan."
"Wow, that's... intense. Sounds ethically questionable though. 700 siblings is hard to imagine."
"Overseas, there are cases of men with hundreds of children—sperm donors for artificial insemination. The Rare Genetic Seed Distribution Act was created to manage this nationally."
"Huh. But you said earlier there are zero cases. Doesn't that mean it's pointless without a carrier?"
"Well... actually, a carrier was found eleven years ago~."
"Oh, that's good! What's that person doing now?"
"Sipping coffee right in front of me."
SPLUT!!!
I spat out my coffee. My face was drenched from the splashback, but Ohno-san just giggled before handing me a handkerchief. Nice of her.
"You're slower than I expected. After all that, you still didn't realize it was you?"
"Wha—me?! No way, I'm no genius. I've got nothing special..."
"The geniuses would be your kids. You don't have to be one. I said it at the start—children of carriers."
"But eleven years ago... how could they...?"
"Since the Rare Genetic Protection Act passed fifteen years ago, all elementary school entrants get genetic testing. That's how we found you—the first Genius Gene carrier."
"...I had no idea. Could've told me sooner."
"Rules said we couldn't notify you until 18. Needed to see how your... preferences developed. So we've been watching you all this time."
"Watching me?! Watching what?!"
"That's a seeecret~."
Ohno-san winked like a devil.
"Though I do know your tastes—and how much porn is on your phone and PC."
"Wh—how?! That's privacy violation! I'll sue!"
Outrageous! She knows all my hidden stuff?! Take back that "nice of her"!
"Oho~, sure you wanna threaten me? I know allll your secrets. Besides, you won't care about that stuff soon anyway. Oh, and pro tip—you can't have sex with anime girls."
Her teasing drained my fighting spirit. Having my secrets exposed is bad. Especially if Tatemiya finds out.
"Relax, civil servants have confidentiality rules. But wow, you're a mess~. Want me to teach you the ways of adulthood? You're a virgin, right?"
"I-I-I-I am NOT!"
Ohno-san burst out laughing at my tomato-red face.
"PFFT—sorryww—give me a secww—HAHAHA!"
She clutched her stomach, wheezing in her chair.
"Oh man—people actually say that?! Thought it was an urban legend!"
Wiping tears, she finally calmed down.
"Look... I'm serious. I'm not a virgin."
"Sure, sure. But experiencing different women isn't bad. How about losing it to me?"
"Now now, Ohno-san. Teasing the young man like this."
"Indeed. Using our positions to engage with a Genius Gene carrier is strictly forbidden."
The conference room door opened, revealing two staff members.
"Kidding, kidding! Don't take it seriously, Hibiki-chan, Takeda-san!"
Takeda-san was stunning—droopy eyes, petite lips, an innocent face with unreal sex appeal. Hibiki-chan was equally striking, with a pure, soothing charm better described as "cute" than "beautiful."
What is this place? Are all civil servants this hot nowadays? Maybe I should become one... Wait, focus.
"S-so... what do you want me to do as a Genius Gene carrier?"
"Great question! That's today's main topic."
Ignoring the newcomers, Ohno-san continued.
"We want you to distribute your Genius Gene to women who want genius babies. Basically, you'd be a Seed Distributor."
"Seed... Distributor?"
"Yep, Seed Distributor."
"And how does that work? Just jerk off into a cup?"
Ohno-san tsked, wagging a finger.
"Professor Niise's research shows natural mating is optimal."
"Natural mating?"
"Plainly—sex. So you'll sleep with various women and impregnate them."
"WH—WHAAAAAT?!"
"Thousands are already interested. You can refuse, of course. Your call."
"Wha—how am I supposed to answer that?!"
"You're really something~. Most guys would jump at this."
"Well, yeah, but..."
"Worried about responsibility? Don't be. Seed Distributors have no parental rights or obligations. You can also reject anyone after meeting them. No pressure."
It does sound like a dream. Before yesterday, I'd have agreed instantly. But if I become this... Nanami would hate it.
"Um... well... there's this girl I like..."
Ohno-san smirked at my mumbling.
"Oho~, a crush? How mature! But it's not like you're dating. No need for loyalty, right?"
This woman! So rude! Mocking me! Time to shut her up!
"...Well... we... did it yesterday..."
I muttered it barely audibly, but I said it!
"HAH?! Did it?! Seriously? So that 'not a virgin' wasn't a lie?! Unbelievable~!"
"I told you so."
"No way. Hey, Takeda-san, weren't you on duty yesterday?"
Ohno-san twisted in her seat to call Takeda-san.
"Surveillance ended the day before yesterday. He turned 18 yesterday."
"Ah, loophole! If you weren't a carrier, you'd have stayed a virgin unless you visited a soapland."
This woman is relentlessly rude. But... I guess that's how people see me. Strangely, I'm not even mad anymore.
"What do you take me for? If you're just gonna mock me, I'm leaving."
"Ah, sorry sorry. Went too far. I retract everything and apologize. Will be more careful. So, Chifumi-kun... who was it?"
"Huh? Do I have to say?"
"Hmm. We've thoroughly investigated your social circle—no signs of a girlfriend. Just curious. Or... is she imaginary? A 2D waifu? Like that anime girl you like—what's her name, Miku...?"
"...Never mind. Don't believe me. Why should I tell you anyway?!"
"Oho, mad? Scared your big sis? Sorry, sorry. After watching you so long, I forgot today's our first meeting. Forgive me~."
Her coaxing deflated my anger. Feels like I'm being played. Still, this surveillance is creepy. Better keep Tatemiya out of it.
"Anyway, I get the gist. Do I have to decide now?"
"Take your time. There's more about conditions and benefits."
She handed me a booklet.
"Details are in here. Ask anytime."
Pulling out her phone, she tapped it—mine instantly buzzed with a call that ended immediately.
"That's my number. Call anytime."
Of course she already had it.
"Right..."
"You have a month—today's June 30th, so by July 31st. Any time before then."
"...Got it. I'll think carefully."
"Hope to hear good news~. Oh, and don't forget—thousands of women have waited years for you to turn 18. I'd love if you could fulfill their hopes."
Her dazzling wink made me forget all her rudeness. I'm doomed—I'll never be able to defy this woman.