Story Reader / Floating Record / ER09: Crescent Sun / Story
Misono High
Evening, April 11th - Pleasant and Dry
Neuroscience Symposium - Misono Grand Hall
As far back as the Golden Age, many scholars had already proposed different interpretations of the concept of collective unconscious.
However, regardless of which theoretical approach we examine, they all share the same fundamental understanding.
Namely, it is an innate, instinctive component deeply rooted in the deepest layer of the human unconscious.
As she speaks, Reika steps to the side, revealing multiple reference images on the projection screen behind her.
These manifest themselves through religion, mythology, art, dreams, and various forms of symbolism.
To use an imperfect analogy, they are like collective experiences passed down from our ancestors, accumulated in our minds through generations.
But is that really all there is to it?
Reika shifts her tone as she changes slides, displaying a series of unique social phenomena case studies organized by geographical regions.
You may recall an unusual phenomenon from a few years ago—there was a sharp increase in university dropout rates worldwide, accompanied by a surge of academic aversion among young people. The medical community even coined a new term: "academic dysphoria".
Similar cases are shown here in these figures. At the time, most experts defined these as symptoms of desire regression—a societal illness born from material excess in our era.
Does this explanation really make sense, though?
The screen changes again, breaking down detailed statistics from various regions.
Across the globe, regions with different social developments and cultural ideologies experienced this brief synchronous phenomenon in remarkable uniformity.
Can we really dismiss this as merely a societal illness?
Before she even finishes talking, a wave of whispers and rustling spreads through the conference hall.
The scattered sounds of turning pages mingle with hushed conversations.
Nonsense. Just another attention seeker desperate for fame.
...What a waste of time.
Utterly absurd.
Reika continues her presentation as if she hasn't heard any of the whispers.
For this purpose, I specifically sought out multiple subjects worldwide and conducted several group studies based on different criteria, including case studies and geographical locations.
When we focused on brain wave signals, we discovered an interesting phenomenon.
In identical cases, test subjects of different ages and ethnicities consistently produced inaudible low-frequency brain signals when focusing on the same cognitive target.
These noise segments exhibit both correlation and regularity between them.
It appears to be a form of communication, or at least it's a possibility we cannot rule out.
These adolescents were complete strangers to one another. If human consciousness is truly closed off and private...
What caused their brains to produce these identical anomalous signals?
What follows is my hypothesis.
The human brain is constantly receiving consciousness signals from other individuals...
And simultaneously, unconsciously radiating their own consciousness signals outward.
The collective unconscious is like a vast spider web, woven from different streams of information.
While our individual consciousnesses are separate, there are no barriers in the latent collective unconscious.
Minors are more sensitive to abnormal signals, with their cognition and decision-making being immediately affected.
To prove this theory, I came to this academy island.
After this, we will conduct an experiment called "Consciousness Projection".
Volunteers will have nanomachines injected to locate their neural signals, which will then be uploaded to a computer for analysis.
Through computer input, the pulse emitter will send specific commands to targeted groups.
The purpose is to verify whether humans, as a species, are capable of consciousness-based communication that transcends language.
Professor, aren't both the volunteers and the target groups underage?
This is absolutely insane!
To gamble with children's lives for such an absurd hypothesis!
Someone from the audience interrupts impatiently.
No matter how you sugarcoat it, this is nothing but a grand hypnosis show.
What a waste of time.
Amid a chorus of complaints, the scholars who came for the lecture storm out of the hall indignantly.
The audience finds it impossible to reconcile such bizarre statements coming from such a highly esteemed professor.
As the lecture hall gradually empties, Reika continues her presentation with an unwavering smile.
Nevertheless, I urge you all to keep an eye on the developments in this field and the progress of our experiments.
By the time Reika finishes her final words, only a handful of people remain in what was until minutes ago a packed lecture hall.
She calmly gathers her materials and exits the lecture hall.
Among the seats, as people shake their heads and leave, a small, slender figure remains seated.
Why... don't they believe a word she said?
Dr. Saotome put so much effort into explaining everything, yet all they did was mock and jeer.
How dare they call themselves scholars when they act like this!
I see how it is now. They must be jealous of the Doctor's talent. That has to be it.
Yuka leaves the lecture hall with a heavy heart. Her vacant eyes meet the harsh sunlight, reflecting her inner confusion.
Meanwhile, Reika receives some troubling news.
With a heavy tone, her assistant Kouhei delivers the preliminary review results of the consciousness experiment.
I regret to inform you that your former classmate Mr. Osako exercised his veto power at the hearing.
As you know, Mr. Osako is a steadfast conservative who rarely changes his stance.
The second review will be make-or-break, Dr. Saotome.
Yoshihiro, huh... After all these years, he hasn't changed one bit.
But then again, that's the Yoshihiro I remember.
Don't worry, just proceed as usual.
I'm feeling a bit tired today. Let's leave it at that for now.
By the way, I've sent the inspection report we discussed last week to your residence. Please make sure to review it.
I'll get back to you before midnight tonight.
Please take good care of yourself.
In the setting sun, Kouhei takes a 90-degree bow at Reika as she leaves.
Without looking back, she just continues walking aimlessly ahead.
Today hasn't been kind to her, as she faces one setback after another.
As a researcher, she has long grown numb to such setbacks.
Yet, while she may suppress her emotional turmoil, there's no escaping physical exhaustion.
Hoping aerobic exercise might help with her aches, Reika decides to walk home.
She stops in her tracks as she passes a candy store with its floor-to-ceiling stained glass windows.
Through the display window, she sees various pastries laid out, and a pair of twins picking out their birthday treats with their parents.
Something about this scene stirs up memories of Reika's own childhood.
Back then, her father would frequently take her to a candy store, leaving her in the care of the shopkeeper's wife.
Then he would go to meet his mistress, sometimes not returning until the next day.
Fortunately for her father, Reika wasn't one to cry or make a fuss—instead, she would use her father's credentials to browse university research papers.
She would lose herself for hours in articles about complex power systems, completely forgetting about food and sleep.
Speaking of...
I think it's Yuka's birthday today.
I should probably get her something...
After checking her calendar, Reika pushes open the door to a candy shop.
Welcome! What would you like to buy today?
I'm looking for a gift for a girl... a high school girl.
I can help with that, but high school girls are interested in different things. What kind of things does she like?
...
I'm sorry, but I actually don't know.
If you don't mind me asking, are you her parent?
Yes, but I'm too busy and rarely have time to spend with her.
Is that so?
After much deliberation, Reika leaves the shop with a gift box, maintaining her dignified composure.
When she finally arrives home, only a single small lamp illuminates the living room. Yuka appears to have already gone to bed.
Reika places the cake she bought on the shoe cabinet. While changing her shoes, she notices an envelope on the table.
She approaches the table and carefully examines the envelope—it shows no signs of having been opened.
Every morning, the housemaid in charge of cleaning checks the mailbox and brings in any mail she finds in there.
Reika opens the envelope and finds a physical examination report inside. She quickly skims its contents.
The top scorer in the physical examination is Yata.
As expected.
Reika's index finger traces across the final page, which contains the combined results of genetic sensitivity tests and neural assessments.
After a comprehensive evaluation across multiple criteria, the most suitable qualified candidate is...
Yu... ka... Sao... to... me?
Reika's hand, still gripping the envelope, drops to her side. Her gaze falls on the cake sitting atop the shoe cabinet.
But how could it be? Physically speaking, she's anything but a qualified candidate.
Did they make a mistake with this report?
With this thought, Reika dials Kouhei's number.
Yes, ma'am?
Kouhei, is that testing facility reliable?
They're reliable. They've never made a mistake.
Have you seen the results? They were sent directly to your residence.
I see... Guess I was worried for nothing.
I was a bit surprised to see Yuka's name on it.
Yuka... the child you adopted? This is, uh...
I recall she had a heart condition.
We kept her around as a tool for landing on the island back then. Who knew she'd actually prove useful.
I'll go ahead with preparations right away.
Hold on, Kouhei. I want to hear what she thinks about this.
Doctor, if I may be so bold to ask...
Kouhei's tone becomes somewhat suspicious.
You do remember that the child has a congenital heart condition and won't live long, right?
Do not forget, Kouhei, I'm the one who makes the call here.
I want her to live, not die.
Of course, ma'am... understood.
Yuka has to live—and not just her, but all the other test subjects, too.
Our purpose is to benefit humanity, not to commit crimes.
Yes.
However... let's proceed with preparations using Yuka as our primary candidate.
Understood... Also, I'd like to inform you of some recent progress.
Kurono Group's pharmaceutical company has agreed to work with us. We'll have access to a new batch of drugs.
As for the school, all the doctors in the infirmary are our people.
The procurement representatives have taken money from the board of directors and will keep our tracks covered.
The laboratory is staffed with experienced researchers we've worked with before. Theoretically, we can begin the experiments at any time.
Well done. I'll handle things with Yoshihiro Osako myself.
By the way, Kouhei, how long have you been working under me?
It's been over six years. Is something the matter?
Do you ever regret it?
Not at all. It's been my honor to work under you...
And you can always count on me to be at your disposal.
Thank you. It's getting late, you should get some rest.
After hanging up the phone, Reika sits on the sofa, lost in thought for a full 15 minutes.
Then, she turns off the living room lights and retires for the night.
On the other side of the wall, a frail silhouette takes a step back and puts on wooden clogs.
Yuka crouches down along the wall, hugging her knees. Her face glows with an unsettling blush of joy.
She finally noticed me... hehe... Do allow me to become Prometheus, Doctor.
I'll definitely make myself useful... so you'll pay me attention like you used to back in the days.
Three hours ago...
Mansion of the Saotomes
Doctor, I'm back...
As usual, the living room is empty and lifeless. The maid left half an hour ago.
Guess Dr. Saotome isn't home yet...
Yuka places her leather shoes in the shoe cabinet. While taking off her socks, she notices an envelope on the table.
Yuka is drawn to the letter... her curiosity getting the better of her.
After glancing around, she hobbles over with one slipper on.
The envelope bears no signature, seemingly an intentional attempt to remain discreet.
But this only makes Yuka's curiosity grow more uncontrollable by the second.
I wonder what's in it...
After a moment's hesitation, Yuka opens the envelope and pulls out an examination report.
Compatibility Test Report?
After a comprehensive evaluation across multiple criteria, the most suitable qualified candidate is...
Yata?
As Yuka reads these words, her brows furrow deeply while her trembling lips remain tightly pressed together.
A qualified test subject? Could this be the experiment Dr. Saotome mentioned before?
Ah, so this is why she's interested in Yata...
It has to be because of this report. That has to be it.
But Yata... why does it have to be you...
Yuka continues flipping through the report until her eyes catch several lines marked in red.
Note: This experiment will place extreme physical strain on the participant's body and cause severe exhaustion...
Participants may experience severe side effects, including permanent complications and...
...possible brain death.
That's the kind of experiment it is?!
No... I won't let my best friend take part in an experiment like this. Never.
Besides, why did they pick Yata instead of me? I'm clearly more qualified here.
Yata is perfectly healthy. She could even get a sports scholarship to university with her athletic abilities.
Unlike her, I have nothing to lose.
I'm the one who should become this "Prometheus" Dr. Saotome talked about.
I'm sure I'll catch Dr. Saotome's attention again if I take part in the experiment.
And then I'll be her favorite again.
Yuka glances furtively around the living room, making sure she is alone.
She picks up the envelope and squints at its seal.
The adhesive... It's Envelope Glue No. 6014.
Thermal printer font... So the letter can be destroyed at any time, huh...
Then heat is all it takes for the text to vanish without a trace.
All I need to do is change Yata's name to mine... Yes, that would work perfectly.
I'm sure no one is going to notice the difference.
With her nimble fingers and creative mind, Yuka is a star member of Misono High's handicrafts club.
Unlike the athletically gifted Yata, the meticulous Yuka excels at delicate work.
With the right tools, she can make opened letters look pristine and untouched.
In no time, she produces a flawless forgery that appears entirely untouched.
Forgive me, Dr. Saotome... I only did this so that you'll pay attention to me again...
Even if I'm to die a miserable death, I wouldn't regret it one bit.
Besides, I don't think I'm gonna last much longer with this heart of mine anyway.
Hydrangea Artificial Island
Morning, April 12th - Pleasant and Dry
Neuroscience Research Institute
Have you spoken with the girl?
She agreed without a moment's hesitation.
Isn't that a good thing? I mean, if she's happy with it.
I told her she might die, but she didn't care at all. I'm just worried...
I'm afraid she's just looking for a way to die. Does she truly understand what we're asking of her?
I believe Yuka is prepared to repay your kindness for raising her.
That is, by sacrificing herself to an experiment that could change humanity's fate, letting her life bloom like fireworks.
Is that... really what she thinks...
I urge you to make your resolution.
What if this is Yuka's wish?
Her wish?
If it truly is her wish, then Dr. Saotome, I'm afraid you're the one who's being hesitant here.
...
I believe this is a crucial opportunity for your research career.
Should any issues arise, I'll take full responsibility.
