Dongha: I see.
Researcher: So what do you think of this monthly report from the Anti-Metalation System, Dongha-sama? I believe you'll be quite satisfied with the results we've found...
Dongha: Hm. You think I'll be "quite satisfied"?
Researcher: Yes, sir.
[sfx: papers being put down]
Dongha: Are you mocking me?
Researcher: Pardon?
Dongha: You said I'd be satisfied. Did you think that I was such an ignorant child that I would be impressed if you put a bunch of technical jargon and meaningless numbers into the report?
Researcher: Ah, of course, I would never...
Dongha: The only thing I'm actually learning from this report is that you have made absolutely no headway since last time.
Researcher: ... our current methodology is not conducive to making further progress, I'm afraid. The fact that we've even discovered this much is a major accomplishment in and of itself, and--
Dongha: If that's the case, then what ideas do you have to solve this problem?
Researcher: We do not yet--
Dongha: Did you expect that to be enough?
Researcher: ...
Dongha: The continued success of Yeon conglomerate is contingent on the Anti-Metalation System project's success. The only thing that matters is results. I have absolutely no use for mediocre research that acknowledges the problem but can't even put forth a nominal solution.
Researcher: ... my utmost apologies.
Dongha: Surely, you have already received a suitable research environment and sufficient funding for what you have requested.
Researcher: Yes, sir.
Dongha: Then go get some results and prove that you are worthy of your position.
Researcher: ... yes, sir.
Dongha: Ah, and furthermore. You'd do well not to underestimate me. You will not get a second chance.
Researcher: Yes. I'll be sure of that next time.
Dongha: You may leave.
Researcher: Allow me to excuse myself.
[sfx: footsteps, door opening and closing]
Dongha: [sighs] Did you see that man's face, Chungsung?
Chungsung: I did, sir. It seems that he completely underestimated you, bocchama. The way he looked like he had been caught in the act, and his face went so pale... [chuckles] Truly, he has my condolences.
Dongha: Hmph. I'm sure that he's cursing me out just beyond that door as we speak. That I'm some impertinent brat who would be nothing without the power my parents wield.
Chungsung: Oh?
Dongha: That the Anti-Metalation System is just part of a corporate strategy to repair the image of my father, as the general manager of the Yeon Conglomerate, and that I am merely a figurehead in that plan. That I'm simply a child who is excited to be playing whatever ineffectual, in-name-only role that my father hands to me on a silver platter. That is how they all perceive me.
Chungsung: It is an unfathomable shame that they are unable to see the full potential possessed by the great Yeon Dongha simply on account of your age.
Dongha: The conceptions that such plebians hold are truly ridiculous. ... [sigh] However, it is true either way that the research into the new drugs has stalled.
Chungsung: Indeed, sir.
Dongha: It seems that we need to do something to disrupt the status quo. [getting up] We'll be going now, Chungsung. Make preparations.
Chungsung: Wherever to?
Dongha: A place I've been thinking about for some time now, and today's data only solidifies the decision.
[sfx: paper rustling]
Dongha: I believe that they are overlooking something about the test subjects. If I am correct about this... hm. We may find something that can break through the barriers that currently stand in the way of our research.
Chungsung: --!
Dongha: I will need to show results too, if we are to continue to work as AMPRULE.
Chungsung: I expect nothing less. And I imagine that you are thinking we shall do that and deliver a thorough lashing to those who so foolishly underestimate you in one fell swoop, Dongha-sama.
Dongha: Correct.
[sfx: footsteps]
Chungsung: Ah, what an enviable situation to be in...
Dongha: Did you say something?
Chungsung: Not at all. I will have preparations sorted directly.
[sfx: door opening and closing]

[flashback begins]
[sfx: distant birds]
[sfx: pouring coffee]
Saimon: Alright, here you go. Just as you requested, Bar 4/7's special blend.
Tsubaki: Thank you, Naoakira-san. I'm sorry for making such a selfish request.
Saimon: You have nothing to apologize for. I wish I could stay longer, but...
Tsubaki: You're fine, you don't have to do the impossible. [inhales] Ah! It smells so good. I missed this. I haven't been able to drink coffee in so long because of the treatment.
Saimon: Are you sure it's alright now?
Tsubaki: Hm? It's fine. The doctor said I could do whatever I wanted now.
Saimon: ... I see.
Tsubaki: ... ... hah! It tastes so good! Just as I remembered, the coffee you make tastes the best in the entire world, Naoakira-san. It really is delicious. ... ... soon I'm going to lose all of this, you know. This flavor, this scent, this warmth.
Saimon: ...
Tsubaki: As the metal erosion progresses, I'll lose it all, little bit little. Taste, smell, touch, sight. I understand that hearing tends to last almost until the end, but eventually, I'll lose that too. And finally, at the very end, people lose the sense of who they were. Their precious memories fade away. ... ... ... Thank you very much for the coffee!
[sfx: cup getting set down]
Tsubaki: Naoakira-san.
Saimon: What is it?
Tsubaki: Can I make one more selfish request?
Saimon: Yes, of course.
Tsubaki: You promise you won't get mad?
Saimon: I won't get mad.
Tsubaki: So...

[flashback ends]

[sfx: Saimon breathing slowly, as though asleep]
Yohei: ... Saimon. Saimon. What're you doing sleeping here? You're gonna catch a cold.
Saimon: ... ...!
Yohei: ...? You okay?
Saimon: Ah... mm.
Yohei: What're you making that face for? Something the matter?
Saimon: [stretching] No, no, I was just a little tired.
Yohei: If you're gonna take a nap, go on upstairs. I'll handle getting the store ready to open.
Saimon: Thank you very much. But I'm fine now.
Yohei: You're sure?
Saimon: Yes.
Yohei: You're sure you're sure?
Saimon: Yes, of course I'm sure.
Yohei: ...
Saimon: Yohei.
Yohei: Hey, Saimon. You sure you've been feeling alright recently?
Saimon: Huh?
Yohei: Something's off.
[sfx: footsteps]
Yohei: You've been making mistakes with customers' orders; that ain't like you. And you've been acting dazed and looking pale. And you've been getting dizzy at times, too.
Saimon: ... I'm sorry to make you worry. To tell you the truth, I've just been a little bit sleep-deprived lately. I've been grading a lot of reports and preparing for a lot of academic conferences-- if I'm not busy with one thing, it's another. [sigh] I used to be completely unaffected even if I stayed up all night. I suppose I'm starting to show my age.
Yohei: You're talkin' like you're an old man.
Saimon: [chuckles] There's no winning against getting older.
Yohei: Ah, come off it.
[sfx: footsteps, door opening]
Yohei: But... if you feel even the slightest bit of somethin' weird going on with your body, you need to tell me-- and only me.
Yohei: If you overlook even the slightest bit of weirdness, that's all it takes, and then it's too late. I never want to go through something like that again.
Saimon: ... yes. I'll be sure to tell you right away. ... but even if that may happen, we can't let it stop us from moving forward.
Yohei: --!
Saimon: This is what we decided on this when we reunited as TCW. This is the one thing I can't compromise on.
Yohei: Saimon--!
Saimon: For music to connect people to each other... I don't mind giving up my life for that dream. Just like Tsubaki did.
Yohei: That's exactly why--!
Saimon: ...
Yohei: ... tch! Fuck that! I sure as hell don't remember agreeing to that.
[sfx: door opening, bell ringing]
Chungsung: Oh, my; are we interrupting something?
Yohei: Hah?
Saimon: --!
Chungsung: I was hoping that this would be an amenable time to drop by without making an appointment. Please excuse us.
Dongha: I will be interrupting whatever's going on here.
Chungsung: Apologies for any rudeness.
Yohei: Oi, don't just invite yourselves in!
Saimon: Now, now. What business do the two of you in AMPRULE have with us?
Yohei: Figure you're here to scout out your enemies, huh? Why does everyone keep dropping by to try and pick fights with us before every damn battle?
Chungsung: Oh, by no means are we here to pick a fight.
Yohei: Then what do you want?
Chungsung: Where are Natsume Ryu-sama and Ando Shiki-sama at present?
Yohei: Out pickin' up some groceries. They oughta be back soon.
Chungsung: Then let us talk before that happens.
Yohei: Hah?
Saimon: ...?
[sfx: papers being slammed down]
Dongha: Saimon Naoakira. Kanbayashi Yohei. I have business with the two of you.

[sfx: ice cubes, liquids being poured, Yohei loudly seething, and then a cup being set down]
Chungsung: Oh my. This is delicious. May I inquire as to the beans you use?
Saimon: The beans used for Bar 4/7's special blend... are a proprietary secret.
Chungsung: What a shame.
Dongha: ... ... why am I being served juice?
Yohei: Because you're too young to be drinking coffee.
Dongha: Do not treat me like a child!! ... ... [sigh] But I suppose I will still drink it.
[sfx: Dongha drinking, glass being set down]
Yohei: So. What is it you want from us?
Dongha: I assume you are already familiar with the concept of the Anti-Metalation System?
Saimon and Yohei: --!
Yohei: Yeah, I've heard of it. They set up this big research institute with funding from the Yeon conglomerate.
Saimon: They're developing treatments for the symptomatic paralysis and parasthesia caused by Phantometal erosion; they're aiming to create a drug that will suppress metal erosion and lessen the side-effects of metal use. They're currently in a world-first research phase. Is that right?
Dongha: You are correct.
Yohei: Hmm? But, I'm surprised they were even able to set up to do that. Ain't phantometal research prohibited?
Dongha: The Anti-Metalation System project's goal is to provide relief to those who were harmed by the experiments conducted by the Alter Trigger company. The development of erosion inhibitors is only one small part of that.
Yohei: So it isn't technically phantometal research.
Chungsung: We have obtained proper governmental approval. Do you have a problem with that?
Yohei: No. But it's suspicious as hell.
Dongha: What is?
Yohei: Well, the Yeon conglomerate have had close ties to Alter Trigger before. Am I really supposed to buy that they're trying to "help people" now?
Dongha: --!
Saimon: That may be so, but the truth of the matter is that no progress can be made in researching if somebody doesn't step up to do it. And since we are phantom rappers, it's not like it's a subject that doesn't concern us.
Yohei: I guess, but...
Chungsung: We will be able to provide more detailed information at a later time. However, now, we will address our main topic. Please note that this information is confidential, so I must ask the two of you to refrain from speaking freely on this matter.
Yohei: Yeah, yeah.
Saimon: Understood.
Dongha: The Anti-Metalation System research is conducted by collecting and analyzing materials that have been left behind by Alter Trigger. In the process of doing this, several key facts have come to light. They have already made a major discovery about the mechanism that underlies metal erosion. And that is this: the discovery of metal cells.
Saimon: "Metal cells"?
Yohei: And what about it?
Dongha: It was discovered that repeated use of phantometal leads to a gradual accumulation of metal cells inside the human body. ... no. It would be more accurate to say that, rather than metal cells accumulating, the cells that were originally there are transformed into and replaced by metal cells.
Saimon and Yohei: ...!
Dongha: And when this transformation exceeds a critical point, the phenomenon that we now recognize as metal erosion begins to occur.
Saimon and Yohei: ...!
Dongha: This incurs gradual loss of senses such as taste and smell, and eventually, the memories that form the essence of the person themselves. They become a vegetable.^[1]
Saimon: ...
Dongha: However, coming to understand the ingenious mechanism of this process is an important step in the development of inhibiting the process of erosion. To our great surprise, Alter Trigger had already been developing several test drugs for this purpose. They were not, however, yet at a stage at which they were ready to move onto testing on human subjects.
Saimon and Yohei: ...!
Chungsung: We are continuing with this research and working on the development of anti-erosion medicines. At present moment, we have conducted research based on the data collected from over a hundred different metal users who have willingly collaborated with us.
Yohei: And?
Saimon: Why are you telling us about this?
Dongha: To be perfectly frank, our research is stalling out at our current stage. We have not been able to definitively determine the crucial X-factor for the new drug that will slow the rate of erosion. As such, I come to you as a representative of the Anti-Metalation system to request your assistance.
Saimon and Yohei: --!
Yohei: Hey, hey, hey, what kinda sick joke is that? You're saying you want us to be your fuckin' guinea pigs?
Chungsung: We would like you to be collaborators, Kanbayashi-sama.
Yohei: Same fuckin' thing!!
Dongha: I do not come to you asking you to do something that I would not; Chungsung and myself are already participating in the project.
Yohei: Tch!
Saimon: Even if that's so, why are you coming to the two of us with this?
Dongha: Because I am of the opinion that you are the people who can bring us closest to the answer.
Yohei: Hah?
Chungsung: Saimon Naoakira-sama, Kanbayashi Yohei-sama, we believe that the two of you possess something that will open the door to developing a drug to cure metal erosion.

[1] I realize this term is probably not great, but I'm not choosing it arbitrarily; he uses a pretty impolite term in Japanese too. [Back]