"Allow me to introduce you.

This is Major Takano.

Major, this is Dr. Kyousuke Irie."

"H,

Hello,

I'm Irie."

Irie seemed extremely nervous at our first meeting.

He probably thought I was in charge of some suspicious organization.

"Hee hee.

Please relax.

Call me Takano."

"Thank you.

Thank you for having me here, I really appreciate it."

"Please have a seat."

"A model, lower middle class citizen" was a good way to describe Kyousuke Irie's demeanor.

One could also say he was the stereotypical type of person to get conveniently discarded after those crafty elders used their seniority to constantly pick on him.

He certainly doesn't seem as cunning as I am.

But that doesn't mean he isn't ambitious.

Like me, he's a young person who dreams of accomplishing something great and leaving his name upon generations to come.

While he acts humble in person like this, his articles were actually progressive as well as aggressive. The gap between the two was quite intense.

"I've read the data concerning this Hinamizawa Syndrome."

"What did you think?"

"Well...... it's really quite the shock.

It's very possible that this is something that steps onto the dark side of today's medicine, but I can hardly control my intellectual excitement in knowing it's a mystery that has yet to be solved."

Hearing that made me chuckle.

Irie is more than interested in Hinamizawa Syndrome, which is good enough for me.

She had been through the wringer with far too many people to reach this day.

So her honed intuition could tell.

...She would get along well with this man.

Even if he isn't useful to me, he won't cause any problems.

...For both me and my sponsor, he's the best person possible for the job.

"I was shocked too.

To imagine a man of your experience and knowledge was just wasting away in the medical office without any responsibilities or work to accomplish.

I have to say that was a grave loss to the medical field."

"......Ha ha ha."

Irie laughed.

He probably thought I didn't know, but I had received detailed documents on him.

So I knew why he was exiled from the limelight despite his rare talent and achievements.

He displayed extraordinary skill working under a neurosurgery expert, and everyone expected a bright future from him.

But he was kicked out due to an ethical controversy.

Irie's pet theory was that the antisocial behavior of individuals...

could be explained by brain disorders.

He believed that no one in this world was born a villain, and that they were all just poor patients in need of treatment.

He proposed that they were all proper and normal when born, yet as they matured,

psychogenesis and various exogenous factors caused brain disorders that made them into villains.

Therefore, what those evil people need isn't punishment, it is treatment, and if their diseases are treated, they will become good citizens again.

That manner of thinking actually fell in line with the Confucian belief of innate human goodness.

According to this theory, humans are born with the capacity for altruism toward their kind, and it is only afterward that they learn and acquire cruelty.

...Irie believed that acquisition was the result of brain disorders.

The human brain creates human thoughts.

Therefore, if one becomes emotionally ill, that means their brain is ill. So if their brain gets treatment, they will recover emotionally, too.

That field was called psychosurgery.

It's fallen out of practice in the current Heisei era, but the surgical techniques were applauded until mid-Showa.

Especially since it produced spectacular results on a chronic mental patient that was said to be incurable. The man who invented it even won a Nobel Prize.

That was how revolutionary it was.

Humans think. That's why they become ill.

Everyone knows that's why those who overthink matters are prone to mental illness.

When the organ that thinks and debates grows ill, humans deviate from social behavior.

That part is called the frontal lobe.

Put simply, psychosurgery is surgery performed to operate on the frontal lobe.

This kind of surgery doesn't require removing the whole epicranium.

A small hole is drilled through the cranium, and a special scalpel is inserted down to cut it.

It's not a major surgery, just a technique for quickly operating on the precious frontal lobe.

Indeed, it was revolutionary in its simplicity.

All the severely ill mental patients miraculously recovered, so the technique spread around the world quickly.

Those with obstinate and chronic mental illnesses...

The severely ill trapped in deep, inescapable depression...

All of those could be saved by this technique.

Throughout history, humans have come up with many different religions and magic tricks to heal emotional injuries.

So, needless to say, the idea of being able to treat them with a surgical technique

was truly revolutionary.

Irie admired psychosurgery, and pushed forward in the field of surgical techniques to treat human souls.

However, from the modern human rights standpoint, severing a portion of the brain simply because someone is emotionally disturbed is absolutely out of the question.

People gradually started to think differently, and said that psychosurgery was inhumane.

The frontal lobe controls how people think, but it is also the part that makes humans act human.

...There were quite a few cases where that cut caused drastic, irreversible changes in the patient.

A baseless happiness born from lack of thought.

A change in personality.

A loss of interest in everything.

Major mood swings due to a lack of control over one's emotions.

Some even lost part of their memories.

Of course, some didn't even survive the surgery.

By the mid-1960s, use of psychosurgery declined.

Also, due to development of psychotropic medicine, the surgery was hardly performed anymore anyway.

Yet, some people still believed in the idea, and continued to perform the surgery and gather clinical data.

They wanted people to recognize the value of the technique once again.

Some of these surgeries were performed without consent.

One theory is that in Japan alone, there were thousands of people who woke up from general anesthesia

only to find part of their brain had been removed.

Today, to perform such a surgery without a patient's consent is considered totally unethical, but it was different at the time.

For one thing, the idea that doctors required prior patient consent was proliferated in the modern Heisei era.

Therefore, people at the time didn't think it was that big of an issue.

It was only later that people started to argue that it was inhumane.

Finally a decision was reached and the curtain closed with the rejection of psychosurgery.

Later the Japanese Society of Psychology and Neurology passed their resolution to end psychosurgery.

After that, psychosurgery was banned throughout Japan and made a forbidden subject of Japanese medicine.

Irie was the leading person in the field of psychosurgery.

He continued to advocate its effectiveness and results.

...Therefore, he was treated as a war criminal who practiced inhumane medicine, and he was exiled from the public eye.

However, that doesn't mean he changed his beliefs.

He still believes that immoral behavior is caused by brain disorders, and the secret of treating them is, in fact, hidden in the brain.

So the existence of Hinamizawa Syndrome, caused by parasites living in the brain that control human emotions, actually affirms his theory.

"If it's alright with you,

I would love to accept this position."

Of course.

Given Irie's history, he would never turn down this offer.

Despite his mild-mannered appearance, Irie was possessed by a mighty ambition.

There was no way he didn't desire a chance to complete research that would prove himself to the medical society that ostracized him.

I'm handing him that chance on a silver platter.

"Thank you very much.

I knew you'd accept!

We are very lucky to have an expert like you. You'll be a great help."

"B-But are you okay with me being the Director...?

Wouldn't it be better for you to hold that position, Takano-san?

I'm just a simple doctor.

Being in charge of other people is..."

"Don't worry.

I'll give you my full support.

Our sponsor wanted to pick a civilian.

Besides, wouldn't you like to be called...

Director Irie?

Hee hee."

"Ah, well...!

But... ahahahaha..."

Irie laughed to hide his embarrassment.

"We're building a research center in Hinamizawa.

Publicly, it will be a clinic.

So with your consent, Dr. Irie, we'd like to call it the Irie Clinic."

"L-Lord of my own castle...

Th-That's more than I deserve."

"You'll also be placed under the SDF, so you'll be registered as a medical officer with them.

Since you'll be my superior, you'll be a Lieutenant Colonel.

Lt. Colonel Irie. How does that sound to you?"

"Ah, ahahahaha!

I'm not a military man.

I'd rather refrain from being called Lt. Colonel...

Director is already a frightening title as is.

Oh my, ahahaha..."

He's getting a chance to research brain parasites, plus being given the title of director of a new clinic as camouflage.

Plus it comes with staff and funding.

He'll even have support from the Defense Agency and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, as well as a research lab with state-of-the-art equipment.

No wonder he's laughing so excitedly.

However, there are some risks, too.

Since he'll be involved with this secret research, he has an obligation to keep it a secret.

Also, he is going to an area plagued by a mysterious and bizarre disease.

There's no guarantee he won't contract it himself.

But Irie is too young to even think about those things.

Aware of all the risks, he quickly signed the contract with the ambition to have people recognize his talent once again.

When I saw him sign the contract, I finally relaxed.

I knew he would agree to join us, but at the same time, I was afraid of the chance that he'd refuse.

Selecting a director proved more difficult than expected, and the only candidate Takano paired well with was Irie.

...So if Irie refused to take the position, then frankly, she'd be placed in an even worse situation.

Now that Irie has agreed to take the position, research on Hinamizawa Syndrome can finally begin.

The research center--or rather, the clinic--will be completed next spring.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Defense Agency will send the best equipment and staff, plus an abundant supply of funds.

Then finally, our research will begin in earnest.

Everything is going well.

Of course it is.

I've put so much effort into making sure things went smoothly up to this point.

"Okay, that's it.

Congratulations, Director Irie!

Major, the contract has been signed."

"Thank you.

I look forward to working with you,

Director Irie."

"I look forward to working with you too,

Takano-san.

I hope we can get along.

I'll be devoting my best efforts to this!"

"No, thank you.

Let's both give our best."

Now the position of Director has been filled. Everything is set.

"Wa ha ha ha!

That's great, just great.

Congratulations, Takano-san.

No, Major Takano, isn't it?

Wa ha ha ha!!"

"This was all possible thanks to your assistance.

I must give my thanks to all of you."

"Oh, don't mention it!

But we should save our congratulations until you finish your research, huh?

You're only at the starting line, aren't you?"

"Exactly.

I'll be devoting my every waking moment to this research."

"We can hardly wait to see the result of what Dr. Takano couldn't finish!

Wa ha ha ha!!"

"Well now, Sensei!

Let's not talk about business today!

Let's have a toast to congratulate Takano-san and the Irie Institute!"

"Hello, everyone.

I'm Nagata from the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

I would like to say a few things before the toast."

"Ah, Takano-san, make sure he works hard, okay?

His research center will be supporting the Institute.

If you need any technical support, just call him."

"Make him work hard...?

No, no, I have to thank you for your support.

I'm Takano.

Pleased to meet you."

"Takano-san, let me introduce you to these gentlemen.

Meet Tomitake-kun and Okonogi-kun from the Self-Defense Force.

They're your backup from the SDF.

I'll let them introduce themselves."

"Nice to meet you.

I'm Tomitake.

I've been commanded to serve as auditor of this project.

I look forward to working with you."

The funding for our research is largely coming from the SDF.

It's only natural for the SDF to assign a watchdog to make sure reasonable research is taking place.

...However, someone in a position like that should be my opponent.

...Why was someone in that position invited to this private party?

Does that mean this auditor is on my side, too?

Seeing that thorough groundwork, I couldn't help but feel the strength of having a sponsor all over again.

"I won't be staying in Hinamizawa. I'll only come by routinely to check on the progress of the research."

"Oh, that's too bad.

Hinamizawa's a beautiful place with clean air.

Please come visit us any time. Outside of work too."

"Ahahahaha...

Thank you.

I guess I will."

If he really is an auditor, I should maintain a good relationship with this man.

He'll hold the key to all future adjustments of our funding so long as we continue drawing it from the SDF.

"I'm Okonogi.

Nice to meet you."

"He's the commanding officer of the Mountain Dogs, one of our unconventional warfare units.

They'll be stationed in Hinamizawa to provide you direct support, Major."

"Should I consider you my bodyguard then...?"

"Their principal duty is guarding VIPs and preserving secrets.

Think of them as your hands and feet, and work them hard."

"...Thank you."

Tomitake seems to be an honest type for a military man, but this Okonogi person looks the complete opposite.

His main job is to preserve secrets, but I bet he's also good with espionage tactics like counterintelligence and information control.

Yes, that would explain his demeanor.

Since the SDF is funding our research on Hinamizawa Syndrome, of course this is considered a military operation.

Therefore, this research has to be done in secret.

That's why a unit like this is necessary.

Besides, it's very reassuring to have someone capable of combat working under me.

I should maintain a good relationship with him, too.

"Okay!

Enough introductions!

Come on, Tomitake-kun, you can relax too!

Let's put aside our ranks today and have a toast!"

While this is supposed to celebrate the establishment of the Irie Institute, Irie himself isn't here...

But that is his job, after all.

Irie is simply a puppet to fill a seat.

Of course, I expect him to help me a little with his expertise, but he's ultimately an outsider.

This was supposed to be a gathering where I would show my appreciation to those who helped me establish the Irie Institute,

but it has turned into them thanking me for all of my efforts.

I'm always the one to pour alcohol for others, but today people are pouring alcohol in my glass.

The new participants were trying to make me happy, and all the top people talked to me casually.

They all praised my hard work and my efforts.

My research is now recognized by many institutions, and I'm ready to spread my wings open wide.

And all the people who are expecting some returns once the research accomplishes something are trying to curry favor with me.

But right now I'm just very grateful, regardless of their motives.

"Let's have a toast to wish the best of luck to Miyo Takano-kun, and also to the new Irie Institute!

Arai-sensei

please lead the toast!!"

It's like a dream.

I know.

This is just the beginning, and I shouldn't be satisfied with this alone.

But just for today, I can forget about everything else and enjoy this celebration.

I'm not a heavy drinker.

But the drinks taste good tonight, and the more I drink the happier I get. Ah, this really is wonderful...

To be called Major by Tomitake and the others is wonderful too.

That's the rank my grandfather had during the war.

That means I've finally caught up with my grandfather.

This is only the beginning.

From here on, I intend to reach what my grandfather couldn't.

This is the best night of my life...

I ended up leaving to fix my makeup.

I'm filled with elation.

I need to feel fresh air to calm myself down.

My heart is about to explode because I'm so happy.

The gathering is taking place a little distance away from the main building.

The restroom is in the main building, so I need to walk across the hallway.

A beautiful and well-maintained Japanese garden is visible from the hallway.

It's raining.

I usually don't like rain, but I don't mind it at all today. I feel like even the raindrops are congratulating me.

The cool air feels pleasant on my hot skin.

It took me a moment to notice how unsteady my footsteps had become.

Maybe I drank a little too much.

It isn't like me to drink more than I can handle.

Although this is a party, I don't want to embarrass myself, so I decided to cool off a little by looking at the beautiful Japanese garden.

I found an elegant chair set on a red carpet nearby and sat down on it.

Since I was with the associates until now, I was forced to constantly be on guard against embarrassing myself,

but now that I was alone, I could let go and truly relax.

When I look up to the sky, I realize it's still raining hard, but in the distance the horizon is a little lighter.

Maybe it won't be raining for much longer.

...Well, that's normal.

Rain stops eventually.

No matter how cold it is, or how hard it's raining,

rain stops eventually.

I saw a pair of sandals and an umbrella.

...Almost inviting me.

So I took them into the garden.

The tasteless laughter coming from the party sounds far away.

I tilted the umbrella and looked up to the sky.

I felt the raindrops hit my face.

And gazed up at the sky for a while, forgetting all about my hair getting wet.