Tokyo Psychic

223. The Beginning of Human Experimentation

"I know, I will take responsibility. This happened a long time ago, and we've discussed it many times since then..."

The aloof-looking Dr. Takemi was outside the door, answering questions on the other end of the phone in a conflicted and agitated voice.

Akira Kurusu quietly opened the clinic door and followed behind Takemi Mio.

But the person on the phone persisted, seemingly trying to get Wu Jianmiao to give up some important research findings—

Wu Jianmiao also lost her temper and hung up the phone after a few words.

She took a deep breath, calming her anger and resentment.

But when he turned around, he saw Akira Kurusu behind him.

Wu Jianmiao's eyes were filled with astonishment.

She really didn't expect Akira Kurusu to suddenly appear.

I wasn't speaking loudly on the phone, but I didn't hear the door open at all.

But Wu Jianmiao clearly didn't have the energy to figure out how Kurusu Akira had silently crept up behind her. She just looked at the other person awkwardly and angrily, "Where did you start listening from?"

“From beginning to end.” By listening in, Lai Qixiao learned about “new drugs,” “responsibility,” and “drug trials” from their conversation.

"You don't need to worry about adult matters. Go back and take care of your girlfriend."

“But Dr. Takemi looks very troubled.” Akira Kurusu’s Phantom Thief Radar activated.

Indeed, one cannot expect the Mind Thief to ignore a "commission" that is right in front of them.

He had a premonition that the person who had been pestering Wu Jianmiao on the phone was someone worth changing his mind about.

Faced with Akira Kurusu's persistent questioning, Takemi Takashi looked quite conflicted. "You probably can't help with this kind of thing."

“I am, after all, a public figure. If the other party has done a lot of despicable things, I can try to help expose them—” Akira Kurusu would indeed help expose them, but only after the evildoer took the initiative to repent and admit his crimes.

His real purpose in saying this was to get Takemi Myo to provide relevant information.

Because of her clinic's meager income, Takemi Takayuki took on a part-time job as a health clinic doctor at Shujin's clinic, and naturally heard a lot about Kurusu Akira from the students.

But as a much older adult, to place such trust and expectations on a high school student... I feel a tightness in my chest and an indescribable sense of embarrassment.

Wu Jianmiao could only sigh. She looked at Lai Xixiao and said, "As long as you promise not to distort the facts and spread rumors, it's not something that's hard to share."

At this moment, Izuru Kaneko had already followed her out of the clinic behind her.

Wu Jianmiao was quite worried that the malnourished little girl would really suffer from heatstroke, so she pressed down on Jing Qinren's shoulder and pushed her back to the clinic.

The summer heat was kept out of the air conditioning's reach, by the blackout windows, the rotating electric fan, and the warm steam pouring from the kettle.

Instead of a leisurely narrative, Dr. Takemi picked up his teacup, took a sip of hot water, and a lingering sorrow filled his eyes.

Then, in an almost sighing tone, she said, "As expected, I still can't tell you those things. After all, they're too complicated, and even though Amamiya-san has a certain influence online, it's not appropriate for her to get involved."

"But thank you for your kindness... Since Amamiya-san has been listening in, you must know that I have actually been developing drugs to enhance human functions, right?"

Takemi glanced at the boy in front of her who had suddenly sat up straight.

"Actually, the trouble I encountered should have been resolved long ago. It's just that my former teachers and colleagues heard about my drug research, so they tried every means to... Hmph, anyway, as a way of repaying your kindness, I can sell you those drugs. Someone as successful as you should really need this kind of help, right?"

"In what way?" Akira sensed that Takemi Miyabi still didn't have much trust in him, and her current words were more of a contradictory tactic of shirking responsibility and expectation, adopted out of helplessness.

Takemi opened the drawer, took out a small medicine bottle, and said mysteriously, "To satisfy women."

"Eh?!!" Jing Qinrencai, who was standing to the side, had already turned bright red.

But Takemi Takashi explained regardless, "Because many middle-aged men do face pressure from their families, they secretly come to me asking if I have any drugs for that purpose, which is why I specifically developed it... Of course, it's a secondary product isolated from another drug that can significantly enhance physical strength and athletic performance, but I think you're not interested in drugs that improve athletic ability..."

Unexpectedly, Akira Kurusu interrupted Tae Takemi, saying, "I really need that kind of drug to enhance athletic performance!"

Akira Kurusu believes that drugs that improve physical performance are more useful than drugs that temporarily enhance O function.

Although he had some doubts about whether Wu Jianmiao could really develop such a high-level drug on her own, the voice on the phone, which was clearly someone above the community doctor, gave him some reason to believe it.

Takemi was taken aback for a moment. "Let me make this clear first, the medicine I developed is quite different from what you understand and the various types circulating on the market... Their effects are quite exaggerated."

Akira Kurusu was unaware of Takemi Myo's incredible talent in pharmaceutical science. He accepted the small medicine with some skepticism, asking, "Just how amazing is it?"

Wu Jianmiao recalled the night she first tested the drug, the hours she spent alone in bed enduring the agony, and her eyes trembled slightly. "You'll know once you try it with your girlfriend."

Akira thought to herself, if even O function can be significantly enhanced, then physical enhancement drugs should also be very effective—and maybe there are mental enhancement drugs as well, which would be of great help in exploring the palace.

"If I want those physical enhancement drugs, can I buy them from Dr. Takemi?"

Wu Jianmiao shook her head. "It has indeed been developed, but the side effects and potential risks have not yet been resolved... I usually use myself as the test subject, but I don't have that much physical activity requirement. I can only test the side effects, not its actual effects."

At this point, seeing that Akira Kurusu was still very interested in them, she suddenly had a bright idea, "If Amamiya-san is willing to help test these new drugs, I can provide you with samples for free, and I will also help make them if you need them in the future."

----------

(This chapter is from yesterday; I'll try to update around 23:50 PM today.)

224. The Date in Two

Akira Kurusu did not explain the matter of "Judas" to Serina Ii.

Although there are speculations about the cause of her fainting, based on the various experiences the Mind Thieves have had so far, it's almost impossible to conclude that the evil god who went astray and became the embodiment of remorse has any connection whatsoever with the little girl beside them.

On the contrary, it was Jingqin Rencai who was affected by the other party's activity.

Just like that evil god who embodied sloth, the moment he appeared in the Sea of ​​Hearts, he took away a portion of the power of Shiomi Kotone and Yuuki Ri.

After all, summer vacation is almost here, and there are fewer classes at school as the holidays approach. Skipping school and going to the doctor are just trivial matters, so it's time for club activities.

Akira Kurusu decides to take Nina Izayoi to the Street Fighter 6 demo event.

Of course, An and Subaru were also with them.

After hearing that Ishigami Renna's health had improved, the girl hurriedly urged them to attend the trial event together on Line.

[Pleia: Lotus! Water spinach! Hurry up! Or we'll be late!]

[Four Jumps: Don't worry, I think I just saw a message about that demo event in the agency's work group.]

[Four Jumps: It seems there are indeed specially invited spots available for unlimited play, but participants must write an "objective" review and evaluation on behalf of ATLUS... Oh, and they also have to be "randomly interviewed" by reporters during the visit as lucky passersby.]

[Pleia: Could it be that they also need acting skills?!]

[Four ships jumped: You guessed it.]

[Pleia: Hmm... Is there a reward for guessing correctly?]

[Four Jumps: What reward do you want?]

Pleia: You know that~

[Momoka Kawahara: Aren't you guys being a little too cheesy...?]

[Yamada Ryo: Momoka-san, have you forgotten your position?]

[Momoka Kawahara: I'm sorry!]

[Niji Natsumi: I've really had enough of you guys.]

[Yamada Ryo: Exactly!]

[Nijika Ijichi: That includes you too!]

【...】

As the sun sets and you follow its fading light, you can reach the end of the tram station escalator and see a beautiful girl who looks like she stepped out of an anime.

The long hem of her white dress swayed slightly in the hot wind, and her waterfall-like black hair was draped over her shoulders. As if she had deliberately styled a tuft of hair, a very thin strand of hair playfully sticking up from the top of her head, making one want to reach out and tug it.

Akira Kurusu did indeed do that.

An and Subaru grinned at their boyfriend, "Be careful not to break it...it will hurt a lot."

Akira Kurusu lowered his hand, while An and Subaru stepped forward and hugged his arm. "That's a bit much. I dressed up specially before going out, and the first thing you did when we met wasn't to give me a big hug or a sweet kiss, but to tug at my ahoge (cowlick).

An and Subaru are the only girls in Akira Kurusu's memory who can say these embarrassing words without any embarrassment and use them on themselves.

Even Yamada Ryo couldn't bring herself to point at Ijichi Nijika's hair in public and yell things like "cowlick"—unless she was broke and needed to throw a tantrum to get Nijika to "give her all her money."

Akira Kurusu looked at his girlfriend beside him, a woman with long, straight black hair, who loved playing video games, reading manga and light novels, could cosplay, had a perfect figure, outstanding looks, a gentle and understanding personality, and could freely switch between quiet and playful states. Feeling the softness of Anwa Subaru's chest pressed against his arm, he couldn't help but start to wonder who could defeat her in the realm of love... The above conjecture is based on the condition that Shiomi Kotone and Lavenda are not taken into account.

At present, I can't think of anyone other than those two girls who have transcended the realm of humanity who could defeat An and Subaru.

Jing Qinren was looking down at her phone, following behind the two of them. Suddenly, she looked up and saw them being so intimate, and couldn't help but feel a little depressed.

She quickly approached and then grabbed Akira Kurusu's other hand, which was idle.

Akira Kurusu and Subaru An both looked at Serina Izayoi, exchanged glances, and then shook their heads knowingly.

They took the tram to the ATLUS office to pick up their passes for the trial session.

There was still a little while before the evening rush hour, but many passengers had already begun to squeeze into the carriage.

Pedestrians looked at the couple with some surprise... but they did seem to be in a very close relationship, like lovers.

An and Subaru held up the magazine beside them to cover their faces, then kicked his heel in frustration to vent their dissatisfaction.

Even though I was the one who first made a promise with Akira Kurusu to go to the demo together, it somehow ended up being a three-way trip.

Jingqin Rencai seemed completely unconcerned about this, and even dared to act coquettishly towards Kurusu Akira in public...

An and Mao watched as the girl practically sat on Lai Qixiao's lap, wondering why they hadn't officially confirmed their relationship yet.

So she whispered in Lai Qixiao's ear, "Did you two do that kind of thing?"

"Did not do it."

“Oh...so it’s already been done. No wonder this child is so attached to you.” Anwa Subaru breathed meaningfully into Kurusu Akira’s ear.

"It's not the final step yet."

"Hmph..." Anwa Subaru blinked, as if he had thought of something, and a faint blush rose on his cheeks. "You're not allowed to have any funny ideas... My relationship with Nina isn't like Shoko's with Mutsu."

"What are you two whispering about over there!" Izanagi had just been talking to Akira Kurusu about a very obscure digital rock song and was engrossed in searching for it. After listening to more than a dozen clips, she finally found the song. She took off her headphones, ready to share it with Akira Kurusu, but found that he was already having a pleasant conversation with An and Subaru.

An and Subaru deliberately let out an "ouch," then covered their burning cheeks and shrank to the side of Akira Kurusu.

The tram roared along the tracks, crashing head-on into the amber-like sunset, its deep red light seeping in through the windows until it filled the entire space.

......

at the same time.

The kitchen at Fujiki-ju.

"Isn't Lian coming home for dinner tonight?" Ruoye Mu was cutting a clean cucumber.

Shoko Toyokawa filled a bowl with the cooked rice and let it cool before starting to prepare the ingredients for tempura. "They're going to a game demo expo."

"It's already evening..."

"I heard it's a collaboration with an agency, so the absence of passersby and tourists at night actually makes the event easier to run." Toyokawa Shoko seemed to know a lot about these things. "This time, quite a few celebrities who like playing games will be there to support us, and it seems the pay is quite generous."

"'Megido' might take advantage of the situation..." Wakaba Mutsu looked worried.

Upon hearing this, Toyokawa Shoko slowed down her movements as she coated the shrimp with flour. "Shall we go take a look together after dinner?"

"I really hope they don't run into any trouble."

225. Your face is very red.

"Hey! Don't use that awful tactic anymore!"

Anwa Subaru watched as Ken, huddled in a corner on the screen, repeatedly probed with his Hadouken. Enraged, she controlled Zangief and charged towards him. This was a special move called "Siberian Express."

The azure wave fist struck Zangief's massive body during flight, instantly shattering into a misty effect.

Zangief did not stop moving at all, and pressed down on Ken in the corner like a real chariot.

At that very moment, golden fighting spirit burst forth from the American fighter's body. He raised his fist, bent down, and struck the massive Russian wrestler in the abdomen. His fist and forearm sank deep into the hole. With a sharp battle roar, he spun and leaped, carrying the burly "Zangief" into the sky.

This is the "Rising Dragon Fist".

After doing all this, Akira Kurusu, who was controlling "Ken", did not greedily press the ground, but instead chose to run to the other side of the map and continue to curl up in the corner.

This fighting style has a common name in the fighting game world – "Rising Wave Style". As the name suggests, it involves hiding in a corner and releasing energy blasts to control the enemy from a distance. When the enemy gets close, the player takes appropriate countermeasures. The core finishing move is the Rising Dragon Fist, which grants super armor, can be activated quickly, and has a super armor-breaking ability after the "energy burst".

With his superhuman reflexes and hand speed, Akira Kurusu is undoubtedly a master of the "Wave Rise" style.