Asi Hell

Capítulo 88

This story is about her parents, and it is also about her.

Yoko once again adopted a posture of forbearance. She simply endured quietly, waiting for this period of time to pass.

"Mimasaka Koshiro pondered a solution. His wife's condition worsened day by day, and the disease was corroding her spirit. The erosion of the spirit by the body was something Mimasaka could not accept. His once cheerful and gentle wife became increasingly jealous and resentful, constantly cursing those around her, turning into a terrifying demon. He wanted to cure his wife, so he considered using the live transplant technique he had been researching for many years to treat her."

"Kyogoku-do, but myasthenia gravis isn't a disease that can be cured by transplanting a few tissues, is it?"

As far as I know, this is a neurological disorder that can lead to abnormal muscle fatigue and eventually weakness.

"I'm not entirely clear on the details either. It's a bit strange that I'm here to explain, but the cause of this disease is believed to be a deficiency in the synthesis of acetylcholine, a basic substance located in the terminal plates of motor nerve endings. I've heard there might be a causal relationship between this and excessive thymus secretion. Speaking of the thymus, as everyone knows, it's the main site of lymphocyte secretion. What treatment Professor Mimasaka, the immunology expert, devised is beyond the comprehension of a mere mortal like myself—in any case, it failed. At that point, he realized that not only organs, but also living donor transplants in medicine have their limitations. Even if rejection can be eliminated in the future, it won't be successful without consistently ensuring suitable donors. Therefore, some people advocate using mechanical replacements, that is, artificial organs. But machines are ultimately not fully compatible with living organisms. Therefore—"

"Therefore, he thought of replacing his entire body."

What does this mean?

“Make a mechanical body, and replace it when it breaks. That way, it will be semi-permanent and won’t decay. He thought that if he could obtain an indestructible body, his soul would also remain pure.”

"This is—this is the research on immortality? Is it technology invested in by the military?"

Bird Mouth asked.

Is this really possible?

"It seems—it has been accomplished."

Kyogoku-do looked around the room.

"The concept of artificial organs isn't particularly advanced. For example, an artificial heart and lung were developed fifteen years ago. Remember, the inventor was Gibbon?"

There was no point in asking Mimasaka a question; Kyogoku-do knew all too well that it was pointless.

"Although it's only recently begun to enter the practical application stage, and it can only be used as a substitute heart and lung during cardiac surgery, it should be starting to be used clinically now, right?"

There was no response.

"Other doctors have come up with ideas for artificial kidneys or artificial livers. But he wanted to create everything entirely artificial, including the spleen, lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, pancreas, stomach, intestines, bladder, gallbladder, triple burner, and even sensory organs. Ordinary doctors would only consider using artificial organs for treatment, surgery, or clinical procedures, but this person's idea was very different."

"What's the difference?"

Masuoka opened his mouth.

The part about Masuoka has ended, but he still can't help but wonder.

Everyone here is deeply involved in the events.

We are all, in fact, collectors.

"Most people would think of putting other foreign objects into the human body, which is a box. Such an idea is obvious. But the genius Mimasaka opened the closed box of the human body and—made an even larger box on the outside of it."

"Chuzenji, don't use literary descriptions to describe it! Don't implant unnecessary preconceived notions or prejudices into the understanding of facts! That will only give people a foolish impression."

Mimasaka said quietly but sternly.

Did he finally give in to Kyogoku-do's provocations? No, he simply finished his work.

Kyogoku-do smiled.

"Then so be it. In my opinion, your research is complete except for the replacement organ. All that's left is the clinical trial. Although I don't really like to use the word 'clinical' to describe your research, you must really want to conduct human trials. Using orangutans and chimpanzees every time must be very expensive."

"Orangutans and chimpanzees? Are those things easy to obtain?"

“I heard Xiao Si mention that there’s a guy who specializes in smuggling things in from Palau and other places when the world is in chaos. One of them is quite valuable and can’t be bought just anywhere.”

Koji refers to Tsukasa Kikuo, who specializes in importing general merchandise.

For some reason, he was very capable in the illegal areas of Southeast Asia.

But would anyone really be willing to spend a lot of money to buy a monkey? Of course, there must be buyers for someone to sell.

"I never interfere with the acquisition of laboratory animals; I leave it all to Suzaki. Suzaki is very skilled in this area. In short, I conduct animal experiments. Kiba, understand?"

Mimasaka said in the direction of Kiba.

Kiba sat with his feet spread wide on a shorter measuring device.

Upon seeing Mimasaka looking at him, he immediately turned his head away and said:

“There are indeed rumors of wild animals being brought in here, and there are also remains; I’ve seen them myself. But there are also rumors of wounded people—meaning humans were brought in here? Aoki, you’re right.”

Aoki nodded.

"Was there really no illegal human experimentation conducted here? Really not, Kyogoku?"

Kiba's intimidation seemed to lack a bit of force. He didn't show his usual fierce expression and didn't dare to look Mimasaka in the eye.

“Sir, those injured people received legal treatment. Mimasaka wouldn’t do such a thing.”

"is that so?"

Kiba indeed lacked any imposing presence.

"Old Kiba wasn't wrong. Several wounded patients who couldn't die immediately were indeed brought in. They were all seriously injured or ill, and it wouldn't be surprising if they died at any moment. However, for some reason—such as being a witness or a criminal, I'm not entirely sure—they had to be kept alive a little longer. In short, those brought in are all this type of person, and the clients are certainly not ordinary people. Please, let the patient live for ten more days, no, at least three—that's how the Mimasaka Modern Medical Research Institute operates now—"

"This is considered a medical procedure?"

"At least it's not a criminal act. It should be said—"

Kyogoku-do looked at Mimasaka, but he didn't react.

"—This is a device that allows terminally ill patients to live for a while longer. That's why some people are admitted but no one is discharged. It's understandable. Because after a certain period of time, the patients will die. Not killed, but they can only live until then, and their lives cannot be extended any further. Or perhaps the fees charged are simply not enough to sustain the patients for long. Professor, you must be very reluctant, right? It would be too rude of me to say they can only live for a while; you would prefer me to say forever, wouldn't you?"

"I will not be swayed by your instigation."

Mimasaka said resolutely.

"But your research needs funding, doesn't it? Not only the preparation of experimental materials, but also the maintenance costs are very high. You cleverly raised funds during and after the war. The military, the Imperial Household Agency, GHQ, and many other units took notice of your research. You successfully obtained research funding without letting them know the truth about your research."

"It's just that there are no investors with a long-term, macro-level vision."

"Now that no one is willing to help you, you have no choice but to charge huge sums of money to operate as a temporary life-extending device. Am I right?"

"What exactly do you want? My actions were within the bounds of proper medical care. I was just receiving payment; there was nothing criminal about it."

Mimasaka didn't seem very calm. This was probably the biggest emotional outburst he'd ever made.

Kyogoku-do, who had been standing the whole time, finally sat down in a chair.

“Ms. Kanako was seriously injured, and this is probably the only place in the world where she could have survived. In that sense, it’s fortunate that Yoko is Professor Mimasaka’s blood relative. Sending her here immediately after emergency treatment was the right decision.”

I glanced at Inspector Fukumoto; he had been at the scene. I also looked at Kiba. He had his fingers interlaced against his forehead, head bowed, and remained silent.

"Then, without thinking twice about anything else, the professor implemented life-prolonging measures. And then, he got the building up and running again!"

Was that sound from the building operating?

"Kanako did survive. But Miss Yoko, you probably don't know that, do you?"

"N-I don't know what happened—?"

Yoko, who had been quietly waiting for this terrifying time to pass, was shocked as terror descended upon her silently.

"The professor just said that he couldn't find a funder willing to provide assistance to the end. Ms. Yoko, you certainly didn't know about this. Here—at the Mimasaka Institute of Modern Medicine—the meaning of 'living' is different from our usual concept."

An eerie atmosphere stagnated in the room. There was no air movement in this room, in this building; there was only vibration.

"For Professor Mimasaka, 'immortality' means maintaining life activities, not living."

I don't understand what Kyogoku-do is saying.

"Moreover, this is a research institute, not a hospital. It is not a place where patients can recover."

Unable to recover

"Once inside this box, a person can live as long as they are inside, but they can never go outside. They can only live here forever. In other words, as long as the patient is kept alive, the enormous maintenance costs must be borne semi-permanently."

"So—that's why you wanted to defraud them of their property?"

Aoki muttered to himself.

"If it weren't for Shibata Yohiro's extraordinary wealth, it would be impossible for a fourteen-year-old girl to live the life she deserves. Not just a month or a year. No, you actually wish she could live forever, don't you, Mr. Mimasaka!"

Mechanical sounds, rumbling, deep bass, vibration.

"Once it's activated, it can't be stopped. The moment the machine stops will be the moment Ms. Kanako's life ends. Even though there's no financial means to keep it running indefinitely, the professor activated this box. Whether it was involuntary or for an experiment, I don't know—"

Which side?

Mimasaka said nothing, completely ignoring Kyogoku-do.

Now—so in this box—

“I just asked Mr. Koda, who looked bewildered, downstairs. Operating this building requires an enormous amount of power. It's simply not enough to supplement the electricity from our own generator. We need fuel. Moreover, Kanako's condition is very serious; almost all functions need to be operational. How much would it cost per day if everything were running at full capacity? You no longer had any funding from your organization at that time. Although Kanako was saved, you didn't have the ability to keep her alive indefinitely.”

Kyogoku-do, who had been looking towards Mimasaka, suddenly turned his upper body and stared at Yoko. The movement was extremely fast.

"Next, Ms. Yoko, tell Mr. Mimasaka about the Shibata estate. Mr. Mimasaka, this is a double opportunity for you. With this estate, Ms. Kanako can continue to live, and at the same time, you can carry out the live experiments you've longed for. The experiments, which were originally started to save your wife, lost their way after losing their subjects and were on the verge of being abandoned. Although your wife, whom you wanted to save, is dead, now—you can save Kanako, who inherited your bloodline—but this idea is too naive, and in the end, it's just wishful thinking."

Masuoka quickly interrupted.

"Mr. Chuzenji, why is that? Isn't it simple? There's no need for any elaborate schemes or crimes. Just tell a lie, say that Kanako wanted to inherit the estate—that's all. We can't see through her lie, but she doesn't even have the desire to continue negotiating."

“Mr. Masuoka, at that time, Shibata Yohiro was still very healthy and did not look like a dying man at all. To inherit the property, one must wait until Mr. Yohiro passes away. Judging from the information you brought them, the probability of Yohiro dying first is much lower than that of Kanako. Miss Yoko needs some emergency funds no matter what, which is why she thought of staging a kidnapping to extort ransom. But this is just a childish idea.”

Aoki seemed unable to remain silent, and he said:

"But this is just too—unthinking. There's no worse business than committing a crime. Kidnapping for ransom, especially one that's all staged by ourselves, would be a huge loss if we got caught."

"So, Ms. Yoko had no intention of putting it into practice. She herself knew it was absolutely impossible. Ms. Yoko, you had already given up, and Mr. Mimasaka wanted you to give up as well, right?"

"--Yes."

"What are you saying!"

Kiba shouted loudly and stood up.

Pale Yoko was startled and looked up.

"Were your tears then fake? Giving up is tantamount to accepting Kanako's death. You gave up so early! When Kanako disappeared, you asked me to search for her, to help her—were those all lies?!"

Kiba tried his best to bluff his way towards Yoko, his forced voice sounding tragic, but he dared not look Yoko in the eye. On the other hand, Yoko swayed and leaned back, as if propelled to her feet by Kiba's words.

"—It's not a lie!"

Her voice was filled with sorrow. Kiba fell silent.

Kyogoku looked sadly at Yoko, then said to Kiba:

"Sir—you're the one who caused this incident, so please stop blaming her."