Everything Becomes F: The Perfect Insider
Chapter Seven Gray Boundary
The encyclopedias and literature collections were there from the start.
You mean from when she first went into to that room?
Yes.
"Everything becomes F"... Fifteen...
Each set only went to volume 15.
Any idea why?
No...
All we do is buy what she asks.
She bought a lot of stuff.
Those blocks, for example.
We didn't even know what some of the stuff was.
Food Blocks Clothes Food TV Parts Microwave Food Food Food General Supplies
TV parts?
You saw that old TV in her room?
Something in it broke, so we got her those.
That was last April.
She repaired it herself?
I'm sure.
But it's so old...
Wouldn't it have been cheaper to just buy a new one?
I thought the same thing,
but maybe she liked it.
She spent fifteen years in that room.
Who was here,
in the lab, during the incident fifteen years ago?
Let's see... Me?
And Mizutani, the programmer...
And the director's wife.
Where's Mizutani-san's room?
Did you learn anything?
No, nothing really.
Want to play some, to get your mind off it?
You, too, if you'd like, Sensei.
This place may seem a bit sterile,
but it does have something like an entertainment facility.
Sorry,
but we have to solve the case before the police arrive.
Go.
Sensei?
I'd like to be able to keep thinking about things, so I'll pass.
But at this rate, you'll turn into an octopus rice cracker.
Hey, Sensei!
An octopus rice cracker?
It's a meaningless joke.
Too bad...
I'd met with the doctor
several times before the incident.
She was fourteen, right?
She was so pretty...
She'd just come back from America,
and everyone was saying what a genius she was.
The press was here a lot.
But since the incident, no one had seen her.
Not as far as I know.
What do you think the killer was after?
How the hell would I know?
For example, was there some data that would be worth killing over?
Well, we are talking about Magata Shiki.
There may have been something
worth billions of yen, maybe more.
But I don't know if it'd be worth a life.
Did anyone have a grudge against the director?
At some point, you started acting like a detective, didn't you?
I'm just a plain, old university lecturer.
No one had a grudge against him.
As a researcher, you should understand them.
This is the best possible environment.
I can't see anyone being upset over anything.
Then the killer came from outside?
No, it's impossible for someone to enter from the outside.
There are no secret ways in or out of the facility.
Whoever did this just doesn't feel human, you know?
Oh, Saikawa-sensei.
I couldn't find Miki-san's bag.
The killer probably stole it...
There was a present for the doctor inside, right?
So I've heard.
But there may have been something else important inside.
Did you ask Miki-san?
No, I'll do that now.
Ah, Yamane-san?
Hey, how old are you, Nishinosono-san?
Almost twenty.
When is your birthday?
December.
You still have four months to go!
You can't wait to be an adult, can you?
You have such pretty hands...
You've never really suffered in your life.
That isn't—
Left-handed, huh?
No ring, of course.
Shimada-san, are you single?
Yeah, no interest in men at all.
I'd rather watch anime.
I understand...
But Saikawa-sensei's great, isn't he?
But you just said you weren't interested in guys.
Because he doesn't seem to be alive.
Like his heart isn't beating at all.
It makes me feel giddy.
Do you understand?
No.
I'm sure you don't. You're still nineteen.
He may look cold,
but Sensei is actually really nice.
Can you give me an example?
Well...
I can't think of one right now.
You're so warm.
You're cute, Nishinosono-san!
But I don't think
you have a chance.
Excuse me.
Come in.
Saikawa Sohei.
You must be Professor Saikawa.
Mr. Yamane told me you would be coming.
Um, I need to get going...
Hey, Nishinosono-san?
Yes?
Want to do something fun?
F-Fun?
That.
Come on, undress.
Are you alone?
I heard that there was a female helping you
with the investigation.
One of the workers here took her to the recreation room.
Oh, really?
2-B Shimada
Um, I didn't really understand what you just said.
Well, once you're in this, you can see whatever your brain imagines.
That's just silly.
Here we go. You ready?
H-Hey, wait...
Who would make a toy this dangerous?
Dr. Magata Shiki.
It's pitch-black! Shimada-san!
Here you go.
Thank you.
I know this isn't the time to ask you about this.
It's fine.
I do hope it doesn't take too much time, though.
It shouldn't be too long.
I have three questions.
First, did you notice anything different
with Mr. Shindo when you were together?
Not particularly.
Do you have any idea who may be responsible
for the murders of Dr. Magata and Mr. Shindo?
Not at all.
Do you know why anyone
would want to murder Dr. Magata?
I really don't know.
I see.
It shouldn't come as a surprise.
I barely know anything about my sister.
Due to our family's situation,
we've been separated since I was born.
And after the incident fifteen years ago, we grew even further apart.
Is that so?
It's a journal.
I write in it every day.
You know, to make sure I don't forget everything.
What kind of person was Shiki?
My apologies.
If you don't feel like answering, I understand.
Are you interested in my sister?
Yes.
In addition to learning about her accomplishments,
I've also read up on as much of her literature and interviews as possible,
and I was incredibly impressed by her unique, amazing intellect.
I truly wish I could have had the opportunity
to speak with her directly.
I'm sure my sister would have loved talking with you.
I don't know about that.
Through all of my research, she never seemed like someone
who could be easily entertained.
I see...
I've actually only met her a few times.
She lived in America during her elementary and middle school years.
Even so, every time we met,
it was an eye-opening experience.
I mean, from her personality to the way she thinks,
everything was just so different from me.
It's hard to explain.
She had this power to just draw me in.
It felt as if we were like the same person.
Does that make any sense?
Yes,
although I never had the chance to meet your sister.
Oh, that's right.
Actually,
we have met.
But it was after she was no longer with us.
She looked so much younger than her actual age.
It's because time had stopped for her.
Fifteen years in a place like this...
I can't even imagine.
But... I hope this doesn't come off wrong...
I truly believe she felt happy with her life here.
Yes, I completely agree!
I can't speak directly for her,
but I think this is, ultimately, what she wanted.
Do you mind if I ask a question?
Feel free.
Women aren't really your strong suit, are they?
I can't say that they are.
You also look like you are actually
a very emotional person,
but choose to hold those emotions back.
You are quite perceptive.
You and my sister seem to have
some similar characteristics.
I'm honored you would think that.
Professor, why do you want to know about
what happened to my sister?
Well, I feel it's my imperative to find out.
For your sake? Or...
I don't know.
Oh, I almost forgot.
It seems they couldn't find your bag in the helicopter.
Is that so?
It was a present for your sister, correct?
Yes. A doll.
A doll?
Is something wrong?
It's just a presumption.
I think the only thing that really interested
your sister was the human mind.
So, to her, I believe a human body
and a doll were, more or less, the same thing.
You know what?
A memory I have of my sister just came to me.
I'd love to hear it.
It was after I fell off a swing
and scratched my knee on the ground.
Once I saw the blood, I started to cry.
And my sister said,
"The human body is nothing but a simple container."
She then put her hand on my cheek and said,
"That's why, no matter how damaged your physical body may get,
my feelings for you will never change."
Why did everything have to turn out this way?
Humans are truly foolish creatures!
Oh, how I wish I could escape this unjust world!
I feel the same.
No, I can't say things like that.
My sister would laugh at me.
This might not be the time or place to say this,
but I enjoyed talking with you.
As did I.
I have a feeling we will meet again someday.
No way!
What? What? What do you see?
It's a secret!
You're capable of laughing so innocently, Sensei?
Oh, Saikawa-sensei, right?
I just did something naughty with him.
Shimada-san!
You're capable of being so excited?
Did you call me?
Who are you?
I've heard that question before.
I am Michiru.
Stop joking around!
Who's playing this trick on me?
And using Dr. Magata's data...
Shimada-san?
No. I am Michiru.
Where are you? Let's meet in person.
I'm right in front of you.
I meant in the real world!
To me, this is reality.
You called me.
What do you mean?
Nishinosono-san,
you lost your parents, did you not?
Do you remember that day?
Wasn't it night when the accident happened?
Why?
Did you cry?
I survived...
I was the only one to survive.
I am the same.
What were you wearing that night?
Purple.
That night,
I was wearing a purple dress.
I loved it. My mother made it for me...
What happened to it?
I threw it away.
Why?
Because it got stained.
How did it get stained?
Blood...
It got stained with blood.
I washed it so many times.
Even though I'd never done any cleaning in my life.
I washed it, but the blood wouldn't come out.
So I got sad and threw it out.
Whose blood was it?
I don't know.
Nishinosono-san,
I want to ask you a question.
You lost the people you cared for.
So how were you able to survive?
I don't know the answer to that!
Were you really alone?
When it happened, I'm certain there was someone next to you.
Sensei...
Saikawa-sensei...
Nishinosono-san, in this place,
you can see the things you want to know right away.
The people you want to talk to are always in front of you.
The original world was like this.
The world you live in is a very restrictive place.
Even if you are given a lot of information,
it is all quickly forgotten and lost.
But it isn't really supposed to be that way.
Nishinosono-san, will you come to this side?
What's wrong? It isn't scary.
This is how the world was supposed to be.
Too bad.
Farewell. I hope we can meet again.
Nishinosono-san! Nishinosono-san!
Nishinosono-san!
Thank goodness...
What were you seeing?
Something very important.
Excuse me.
Sensei!
Put some clothes on, Nishinosono-kun.
I saw her!
Saw whom?
Dr. Magata.
Good evening, Aunt Yumiko.
But it looks like you're a little late.
Uncle,
I got your birthday present dirty.
Yeah.
Can I live on my own, as long as I have this?
Yeah.
I did everything myself,
and you tried to stop me.
Do you understand?
Shiki, please kill me.
It's okay, Uncle.
I'm certain we'll be killed someday.
Until that happens,
let us live righteously, believing in human pride.
I have never forgotten
those words.