Group physical exams are very meaningful for our research.

Although it's only for certain age groups, we can examine many of the Hinamizawan residents at the same time.

It's a perfect cover for our research center.

Also, because of several arrangements, we have a monopoly on the villagers' corpses, and can perform autopsies on them too.

...There certainly wasn't an environment this rich in opportunity for those in the medical field.

Our follow-up on the work of the late Dr. Takano is going smoothly.

...The amount of data he compiled is absolutely astounding. He truly was an incredible researcher.

"Excuse me, Director."

"...Oh, Takano-san.

Thanks for your work."

"We just received the rest of the test results from Tokyo.

Here they are."

"Thank you.

It's getting interesting, isn't it?"

"Hee hee.

I'm glad we can share this joy."

Takano-san is my assistant, who was sent from the Self-Defense Force.

But she's far from the image I have of an SDF officer.

Just like our research is being concealed,

maybe her identity is concealed, too.

I'm sure her name is an alias as well.

I'm just a doctor and a researcher.

Without Takano-san's support, it would be impossible for me to manage this institution.

She's a pipeline to her clients in 'Tokyo', my assistant,

as well as a researcher who's an expert on Hinamizawa Syndrome.

Her existence is absolutely necessary here.

The more I think about it, the more I feel this should have been the Takano Institute rather than the Irie Institute, and she should have been the director.

But that was explained to me when they asked me to take this position.

My client wanted a civilian to manage this place.

They searched for a person who met their requirements, and there I was. I became the director.

...I have a feeling I'm just a puppet on their strings.

But I won't just sit here and do nothing.

I was asked to research a rare disease.

I am a researcher.

So of course, I'm excited about that.

My clients' goals might be different, but I'm here out of the desire to unravel the mysteries of Hinamizawa Syndrome and be the first person to uncover a new mystery for mankind.

"...We have all this data that suggests the existence of a parasite as the cause of the syndrome,

yet we still can't find factual evidence of the culprit microbe itself."

"That's true.

I thought we'd find it easily if we used an electron microscope."

Viruses are too small to see with a regular microscope.

So the invention of the electron microscope was a dramatic advancement in the world of medicine.

However, it's very expensive and there's no way for a normal doctor to acquire one.

The late Dr. Takano said an electron microscope could find the cause of the disease, but it seems his theory has been proven wrong.

Even Takano-san was hoping an electron microscope would find it.

She was disappointed when she didn't uncover anything after all the autopsies she performed.

Our research seems to be having its first snag. It has actually stalled our work for several weeks now.

So we need to think about where to go from here.

"...Which means, they're either smaller than microscropic...

Or maybe there is something wrong with the specimen itself."

"What do you mean?"

"For example, as you know, wild mice have tons of fleas on them.

But you can't find fleas on dead mice.

That's because when the mouse dies, their habitat dies as well."

"So, if the host dies, the parasites' world will end too..."

"That's right.

Just like you won't find a living human in a post-apocalyptic world."

"...Therefore, we just have to look into the earth before it ends, right?

Hee hee."

"That's true...

However, we need to think about human rights.

It's hard to look into a brain while the patient is still alive..."

Examining a living human's brain.

...No matter how you sugarcoated it, that bore very grave meaning.

From a medical standpoint, it's necessary.

...But we have rules and morals in this world.

And we have to advance medicine within such boundaries.

There was a time when I was studying lobotomies for the betterment of mankind.

I don't think I was wrong.

...However, could I ever be forgiven under our ideas of ethics?

I don't know.

One day, my judgment will be handed down by the devil.

Whether I'm guilty or not,

I have to accept it.

As I reflected upon my past,

I heard a voice.

It was Takano-san's.

It was very clear and simple

yet

it struck me with surprise.

"Understood.

Let me prepare a world on the verge of death."

"...What?"

I'm startled.

...Sometimes the phrase "advancing medicine" bore the whisper of the devil, tempting us to accept sacrifices.

I heard that devil whisper.

"Hee hee.

It's not that difficult.

I just have to find a Hinamizawa resident who is about to die, that's all."

"But... even if they're about to die, who would be brave enough to provide their body for research while still alive?"

"Don't worry about that.

If they're dying anyway, we're just going to put them to sleep a little sooner.

On paper, of course.

Hee hee."

The patient would be legally declared dead, even though they're still alive.

And we'd perform an 'autopsy'

while they're still alive.

"Th-That's impossible...!

Besides, if we perform neurological surgery, we have to do a circular incision on the cranial area.

Their family will notice the marks for sure..."

"That's where we come in.

I'll have the Mountain Dogs look for a patient in the local hospital that matches our needs immediately.

All you have to do is to wait with a knife and a fork in your hands.

I'll bring your meal right away.

...Hee hee hee hee."

"Ha... hahahahahaha..."

Miyo Takano-san is my partner, there's no question about that.

But... I just can't trust her.

It's her extremities as a researcher which contrast largely with mine.

But... are we so different?

I'm here simply waiting with a knife and a fork in my hands, just as she told me to.

...I just don't want to witness such a gruesome scene, that's all.

What she's preparing for me now

is exactly what I want.

Who's the hypocrite?

...Not her.

It's me.

How can I say I'm different, knowing what I've done in the past?

I've performed lobotomies without the patient's consent, despite it being surgery that might affect their life forever. How is that different from what she's doing?

...I have never doubted my past achievements.

However, when I look at her, I start to feel unease.

Takano-san is talking to Okonogi-san on the intercom in my office.

I'm sure she's telling him to come over so she can explain to him what was just discussed.

I'm simply watching without stopping her.

I...

begin to reflect upon my past

to remember why

I chose to become a doctor.