Story Reader / Floating Record / ER09: Crescent Sun / Story
Planning Headquarters - Hydrangea Island Commercial
Misono Corporation
Morning, November - Pleasant and Dry
Here's my entry application for the island. I've brought all the required documents. Is everything in order?
Dr. Saotome, your documentation is indeed complete, however...
What's wrong?
If you'll pardon my frankness, your research history is marred by several incidents—drug abuse, unauthorized experiments, and more...
Aren't you all well aware of these matters already?
Are you people seriously hung up on these things now when I'm already here on your invitation?
We absolutely support your research principles. In fact, it's precisely your adventurous approach that caught our interest.
However, the list of personnel for the island landing will need to be submitted to the Science Council for review...
And as I'm sure you're aware, those people aren't as... accommodating as we are.
How do you think they would react if they saw your name listed among the teaching staff?
They would immediately connect your radical methods with the island's research direction...
Not only would they deny your entry to the island, but the entire Hydrangea Island business initiative would fall through as well.
...
Letting cowards dictate the direction of scientific research is a disgrace to all of humanity.
With that said, though, there might be a way to work around this...
We can disguise our research under the pretext of "education" by establishing a school.
College research projects tend to attract attention, but a high school would be relatively safer.
Common sense dictates that no one would expect a high school to be capable of conducting cutting-edge research.
If you could come to the island posing as a "guardian" of a high school student...
We can then keep your name concealed under the "family members of the students" going to the island.
You want me to play the role of an accompanying parent?
Indeed, we have successful precedents for this approach.
There's a fundamental and obvious flaw in your assumption.
I don't have any children. In fact, I'm not even married.
I completely understand your situation. It must be difficult to balance both career and family life successfully.
Do you have anything else to add?
Hm, have you considered adoption...?
Adoption?
An unsettling smile creeps across the Documentation Officer's face as he pulls a business card from his drawer.
Perhaps you'd like to learn more about this?
Reika takes the card. It bears the address of an orphanage.
This is a welfare institution we've worked with before.
I'll give them a call later. Someone will be there to greet you when you arrive.
Leave all the adoption paperwork to us.
Welfare Facility - Misono Corporation
The address on the card leads to a secluded welfare institution. Reika pushes the door open with hesitation.
In the courtyard of an aged western-style mansion, a middle-aged man awaits Reika's arrival.
You must be Ms. Saotome?
Yes, that's right.
Please follow me.
We understand this is just a formality... but please select a child that matches your disposition.
You see, even photographs can be questioned, so we exercise caution in every detail.
The director pushes open the heavy doors behind him. Under the incandescent lights, floating dust particles force Reika to cover her nose and mouth.
Several boys and girls in elegant Western dresses gather around Reika as soon as they spot her.
Good evening, ma'am.
How has your day been, ma'am?
Not too bad.
Ma'am, I simply adore your outfit and hairstyle!
Ma'am, would you honor me with a moment of conversation?
...
Confronted with the children's unexpectedly enthusiastic reception, Reika finds herself at a loss for a response.
She carefully maneuvers away from the children's encirclement, taking a quick glance at their unnaturally pristine faces.
It doesn't take long for her to detect the concealed apathy beneath their overwhelming enthusiasm.
Their contempt for the world seeps through the carefully trained pleasantries their handlers instilled in them...
These emotions subtly dance across their young, innocent faces.
Their ingratiating smiles fail to win Reika over, instead creating an invisible barrier between them.
As you can see, we have bright children of all ages.
Jack to your left excels in mathematics, while Dora beside him shows remarkable talent in physics...
They're all exceptional children. Does anyone catch your eye?
Why do I have to search for my own reflection? Do you enjoy staring into mirrors?
Haha, that's not what I meant. Let's move along. I'm sure we'll find a child to your satisfaction.
Reika trudges forward with resignation as the children greet her one after another.
As she approaches the stairs, a cough echoes from the corner.
The abrupt cough cuts through the cheerful atmosphere like a cold wind through warmth...
Curiosity draws Reika's gaze to a girl curled up alone in the corner.
The girl, noticeably older than the other children, is absorbed in a book.
Something about the girl stirs memories of Reika's own childhood...
Back then, Reika, too, would sit alone in corners, clutching her books.
Lonely, focused, lost in her own world.
Ah, that child...
The director notices Reika's lingering gaze and shifts uncomfortably.
Some of our clients have taken her home before, but she always ends up being returned shortly after.
She has a weak constitution due to a congenital heart condition. The doctors don't think she'll make it past adolescence.
"Clients", you say?
Reika turns to the man beside her with a fierce glare.
You must be making a fortune treating these children like merchandise for sale.
Pardon my rudeness, Ms. Saotome, but...
You came here despite knowing all this, so I assume you're not particularly troubled by it?
...
Reika Saotome lets out a soft sigh, deciding not to pursue the matter further.
What's her name?
Yuka.
Reika walks over to Yuka who is sitting on the ground and seems to have noticed her presence.
As the footsteps come to a stop, Yuka carefully closes her book and sets it aside.
"The Flower's Way of Acting"... Thinking about becoming an actress?
No, I'm just reading it for fun.
Do you enjoy it?
I don't really understand art. At best, I only know how to make things look pretty on the surface.
But I noticed your shoes, they have such delicately embroidered hydrangeas on them.
You're quite detail-oriented, aren't you?
The girl adjusts her posture to sit formally on her knees, looking up to observe the adult before her.
Reika holds her breath instinctively at those melancholic eyes.
Just like a porcelain doll...
Beautiful child, isn't she? Like a delicate piece of art.
Without warning, Reika kneels down to sit at eye level with the girl, examining her carefully.
Oh my! What are you doing?
Would you like to come home with me?
Can I?
Taking my surname... you might face a lot of hatred from people in the future.
Even knowing this, would you still want to?
Not many visitors here would bother to initiate a conversation with me. I can tell you're a good person.
Perhaps I'm just being hypocritical.
The Saotome family has always been good at producing two-faced philanthropists.
No, I find you interesting.
Do you really think so?
Yes.
You silly child. I'm just trying to use you.
Well then, please do use me as you wish.
You...
No, never mind... Yuka. That's a beautiful name.
When Reika steps out of the welfare institution, she sees the world outside blanketed in heavy snow.
Against the vast white expanse, the black executive car from the Neuroscience Symposium stands out starkly.
The adoption procedure... sure is disgustingly efficient.
Well then, Yuka, please wait here for now.
I'll come back for you once the symposium is over.
A flash of disappointment crosses the girl's calm face before quickly fading away.
As if deliberately hiding something, she clasps her hands behind her back and gazes at Reika with feigned innocence.
Have a safe journey.
Guess this is it.
After that, instead of returning to the orphanage, Yuka followed my car for hours... until she collapsed in the snow.
When I went back for her, I was told she had already been taken to the hospital.
The sound of the tide draws ever closer.
Reika closes her eyes once more.
Have a safe journey.
Reika stops in her tracks and turns to face the girl.
Dr. Saotome, the meeting will begin in 30 minutes. Please be mindful of the time.
No, I won't be going.
Under Yuka's stunned gaze, Reika walks back, step by step.
Yuka, I need your assistance with an experiment.
I would be glad to help.
I haven't even told you what the experiment is yet.
Whatever you need, I'll do it.
Reika stops in front of Yuka, shielding her from the snow and wind.
To observe the developmental patterns of human consciousness, I need you to become a "normal girl".
I don't quite understand, but I'll do my best.
Yuka hesitates for a moment before speaking again.
If I am to be a "normal girl", does that make you my "mother"?
...
Researchers often refer to their research subjects as their "children" and see themselves as "mothers".
I see.
A flicker of confusion crosses Yuka's eyes as she slightly pulls back the hands hidden behind her back.
The mother-daughter relationship in human society is too emotionally charged. It would interfere with the proper execution of our experiments.
Meeting Yuka's melancholic gaze, Reika suddenly realizes she's been trying to justify herself.
Then how should I address you?
Please call me "Dr. Saotome".
Yes, Dr. Saotome.
Despite standing close together, Reika still feels an insurmountable distance between herself and Yuka.
Without thinking, she takes two steps forward, removes her coat, and drapes it over Yuka's shoulders.
Huh?
The sudden gesture catches Yuka off guard, forcing her to move her hands from behind her back.
Is this... a hydrangea?
Reika points at the white paper flower in Yuka's palm.
Yes... it's a flower I made for you, but... I haven't colored it yet.
Thank you. I see you're very good at making things.
If you don't mind, let's color it together when we get back to my place.
Thank you very much, Dr. Saotome.
A smile naturally breaks across her face.
Yuka, I need you to be a "normal girl".
Yuka nods with a hint of confusion, seemingly surprised that Reika is now repeating this request.
This is the only experiment I need you to participate in. There won't be any others.
Since this is an experiment, I need to constantly record data on your development.
Even as a researcher, daily interaction with you is essential.
We even need to live together in the same residential space, as what human society calls "mother and daughter".
Every year, I compile my research findings into papers and publish them in neuroscience journals.
This project will be my sole focus of work when I arrive on the island.
Therefore, I need you to focus solely on your growth. Can you do that?
Yes, Dr. Saotome... I'd be happy to do so.
Reika nods.
Looking around, the snow and wind have gradually subsided. Rays of sunlight now pour onto the earth, bringing with them a gentle warmth.
Reika and Yuka walk together through the snow, leaving two trails of footprints—one large, one small.
Reika looks up at the sky with contentment before speaking slowly.
Well then, Yuka, I look forward to our time together.
Yes, Dr. Saotome, I'll do my very best!
Reika opens her eyes.
With a gentle smile gracing her lips as she lies there, Yuka appears to be in a peaceful slumber.
The Red Tide roars through the corridor, swallowing everything in its path.
Reika falls to her knees, holding Yuka tightly in her arms as she curls around her protectively.
For the last time, she closes her eyes.
