Unlike extraction, implantation was carried out in an extremely simple manner. Attach a needle to the tube connected to the pipe, insert it into a blood vessel, and inject the fear. Of course, only the process was simple; the result was an unknown that no one could predict. During the injection, Kenji's arm with the needle could blow up entirely, he could fall into a coma, or the fear could rampage and swallow the surroundings.
Both Kenji and Maestro were wary of such side effects. So instead of injecting all the fear at once, they chose the method of administering small amounts gradually. Even that was a method with unpredictable exact results, but it was still better than recklessly forcing it in. And anyway, no other suitable method came to mind.
Thus arrived the first day of the second experiment.
Fear flowed out through the tube connected to Kenji's blood vessel. The thick, ink-like liquid passed through the sharp needle and mixed with his blood. His heart beat, and the blood mixed with fear circulated throughout his body. It was a sensation that should never be felt, but Kenji felt the movement of that blood in its entirety.
It was a filthy feeling. The sensation of dozens, hundreds of bugs crawling inside his body was so terrible he thought it would be better to have a limb cut off. But Kenji gritted his teeth and endured that impulse.
A few minutes later, Maestro closed the tube connected to the pipe. The injection stopped, and Kenji's ragged breathing returned to normal. He roughly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and looked back at Maestro.
"Is it over?"
"Yes. It seems starting with a small dose was the right answer."
At those words, Kenji let out a sigh of relief. Maestro stared at Kenji getting up and creaked his neck joint.
"How's your body?"
"...I don't feel anything special. Just that the sprouted seedling has grown a bit more."
"Any other abnormalities?"
Kenji shook his head. He pulled out the needle stuck in his forearm and grabbed his throbbing head. A temporary headache. By now he was so used to it that it didn't even bother him. It would be troublesome if his vision spun, but fortunately the headache wasn't that severe now. Kenji roughly brushed off the blood and fear flowing down his arm and spoke.
"Is the next experiment tomorrow?"
"Yes. If you feel anything strange, tell me immediately. I need to record it."
Instead of answering, Kenji waved his hand dismissively. He heard Maestro click his tongue, but without looking back, he entered a suitably empty room on the upper floor of the abandoned building. This damned building's exterior was completely wrecked, but its interior was not just intact but clean. The room Kenji stayed in was much wider and cleaner than the room he ate and slept in at the orphanage.
That didn't make him feel comfortable. He missed the cramped orphanage room more than this kind of room. Even though it was a place he couldn't return to anyway, forgetting was the right thing to do, but as an emotional person, he couldn't forget everything overnight. It was ultimately a problem time would solve.
Slowly, very gradually, he would forget one by one. That's what time is.
...The more he thought, the tighter his throat felt. Kenji let out a deep sigh and took a water bottle from the refrigerator. It was a slightly thin bottle for a water bottle, but when he drank it, the liquid inside was indeed water. As the cold water went down his throat, his burning thirst subsided somewhat. He roughly wiped the water around his mouth and plopped down on the sofa.
It was then. *Knock knock*, someone knocked on his door. But only briefly. Without permission, the uninvited guest flung the door open and entered the room. Kenji recognized his face and deeply furrowed his brow.
"Why are you here?"
"I was curious about the experiment results."
The dark-skinned man said that and shrugged his shoulders. He said, "Excuse me for a moment," and then plopped down opposite Kenji. His white pupils turned toward Kenji.
"So, how did the experiment go?"
"Didn't you hear from Maestro?"
"Both opinions are worth hearing."
"...Tch."
Kenji clicked his tongue softly and sank his back into the sofa. Light pouring from the ceiling reflected off the transparent water bottle, illuminating the man's face. Kenji only rolled his eyes to stare at his face.
"It was a success for now, but what happens next is still unknown. The goal was bloom, not growth, after all."
"Meaning the growth was successful. Good. It's fortunate we can obtain meaningful results."
"And you."
Kenji asked. His obsidian-like eyes and the man's white eyes met in mid-air. The man chuckled and clasped his hands together like a shrewd businessman.
"Are you asking if I've achieved my goal?"
"..."
Silence meant affirmation. Instead of opening his mouth, Kenji glared at the man with inorganic eyes. The man met that gaze and tilted his head sideways. As if choosing his words, he wriggled his fingers and answered in a calm tone.
"Unfortunately, I haven't. I made contact, but her personality is so fiery. Persuading her easily seems impossible."
"..."
"Horus... no, I should call her 'Takanae Hoshino' now. Well, anyway. It's regrettable, but I have no intention of giving up. She's still a first-year, so there's plenty of time given."
"The contract is still in effect, right."
Kenji asked in a chilly voice. First-year. That word ignited the anxiety in his chest. The man immediately grasped who the anxiety was directed at. So he nodded his head with a small, reassuring smile.
"Of course. It's a contract that will never be broken."
"Then that's fine."
Kenji answered with an expressionless face and took a sip of water. The man's expression stiffened slightly upon confirming that water bottle. He uttered a flustered voice for the first time since meeting Kenji.
"...Why are you drinking that?"
"...? What are you talking about."
Kenji frowned and asked back. The man pointed at the water bottle in Kenji's hand and answered.
"That's vinegar."
"...It has no taste, what kind of bullshiㅡ"
The moment he spat it out, a word came to his mind.
'Side effect.'
Kenji's eyes trembled.
The man took the water bottle from Kenji's hand and smelled the scent of the liquid inside. As he said, the liquid in the bottle gave off a smell identical to vinegar. The man let out a hollow laugh and looked back at Kenji.
"...I need to record this side effect."
The second day of the experiment.
The first side effect discovered was the loss of taste and smell.
*
The universe contains an innumerable amount of stars, but the number of stars that can emit their own light is relatively small. And around such stars, various planets always cling. The solar system was like that, and so were the various planetary systems existing in the galaxy.
This wasn't a story limited to the universe. Even insects were obsessed with emitting light, and humans were no different. So it was natural for people who yearn for that light to gather around those who emit a brilliant light, wanting to be together.
Misono Mika. She was also one of those people who emitted such light.
Beautiful appearance, clear laughter, rumors of being the next successor of the Pater faction, top-tier grades, and above all, a smile that warms people's hearts just by looking at it. It was only natural that people who liked and followed her would appear. Although she was far from the modesty pursued by Trinity, to the point of setting that aside, she received the love of many from the moment of her enrollment.
Today was no different.
"Mika-san. How about going to a dessert shop together on a day like today?"
A girl with distinctive black hair asked Mika. In response, Mika, who was organizing her desk, put her hand to her mouth and seemed to think for a moment, then laughed brightly, aha-ha, and tilted her head slightly.
"Sorry, sorry~ I think I can't go today because I'm busy."
"Ah... Do you think you could go together tomorrow?"
"Yeah☆ I'm completely free tomorrow! Shall we go then?"
"Yes, yes. Tomorrow..."
"Ahaha! Okay, see you tomorrow then☆"
Mika waved at the girl and left the room. The girl smiled brightly and waved back. Leaving her behind, Mika hummed a tune as she walked down the hallway.
By now, the time was 4 PM. Classes were all over, but it was the time when club activities were just beginning to regain vitality. As a member of the Pater faction, Mika couldn't be free from club activities either. Still, since the Pater faction was relatively relaxed compared to the other two factions, she didn't need to hold prayers and tea parties until late evening.
Mika headed straight for the building used by the Pater faction without going anywhere else. Today was the day when officers from all three factions met for an exchange meeting and held a joint prayer session. Saying it was a busy day wasn't a lie.
"Hello~"
"Mika, you're here."
When she opened the clubroom door and entered, Mika's senior greeted her. Mika chatted with her while hurriedly changing clothes. After that short wait, Mika participated in the Tea Party's regular exchange meeting. Those she conversed with were girls with brown hair and purple hair. Coincidentally, Mika didn't remember their faces.
The prayer session that followed after the exchange meeting also passed without incident. It was a boring time, but as always, Mika made one wish to God. No answer came back. This was also something that always happened.
The time when all schedules were completed was already after the sky had darkened. After eating dinner with her seniors and classmates, Mika immediately headed for her dormitory. Her expression as she walked down the hallway was slightly flushed.
"Hehe."
Mika let out a silly laugh and opened the dormitory door. Then the dark room instantly brightened. But without stopping in the living room or changing clothes, Mika hurriedly entered the bedroom. Simultaneously, her expression brightened dramatically. With a shy, girlish smile, she approached the bed softly.
"I'm sorry, did you wait long? I had so many things to do today..."
In her bedroom, painted entirely in pink, there was exactly one. An object that stood out.
It was a doll. A small black doll made by Mika herself.
A doll that resembled.
Kenji.
"I-it's okay? Th-that's a relief... Hmm... But I still feel sorry... Eek!"
Mika shouted like that and launched herself onto the bed. Then, hugging the doll, she whispered softly.
"Yeah... Good. I want to stay like this forever."
"Ahaha, no can do! I'm busy too, you know? I have classes tomorrow too, and club activities. It's bothersome, but for Kenji, I can do this much!"
"Of course! I need to rise to a high position for Kenji to be safe, right? So I have to work hard."
"If I'm cute, pet my head! You can touch other places too..."
"Eh, yes? Ah, ahaha... Hearing that suddenly is embarrassing... No, no! It's not that I dislike it... Well..."
"...Yeah."
"I love you too, Kenji."
"Forever. I'll never forget."
Mika smiled lovingly and gently kissed the doll's mouth.
It was a happy day.
As always.