Chapter 18 - "Lab Visit"
---
I couldn't sit in my room anymore. The walls were starting to feel like they were closing in. All I could think about was Mom—her yelling, her feeding me rice with chopsticks, her quiet "just someone who understands us."
*If I stay sad like this, Mom would hate it. She'd probably barge in and drag me out by the ear.*
I stood up.
Walked.
The corridor was quiet. Most students were in class or training. My footsteps echoed a little too loud.
I turned a corner and almost bumped into Mio.
She was jogging lightly—ponytail bouncing, training jacket unzipped just enough to show the crop top underneath. She stopped when she saw me.
"Kaito? Where are you going?"
"Nowhere," I said. "Just walking."
Mio grinned, tilting her head.
"Then I can follow you~"
She stepped closer, voice dropping a little playful.
"Lonely boy walking alone at night… sounds like the start of something fun, doesn't it?"
I felt my face heat up.
"Mio—"
She laughed, skipping a step ahead of me.
"Relax! I'm teasing. Mostly."
I shook my head, smiling despite myself.
"Do you know where the lab is in this academy?"
She pointed down the hall.
"Around the corner. Why? Want to see some science magic?"
She started walking backward in front of me, jumping a little every few steps like she had too much energy.
I laughed.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing~ Just excited to show you around!"
We turned the corner.
The lab door was half-open. White light spilled out.
I stepped inside.
And froze.
A girl—early 30s, long brown hair—stood at a workbench. Completely nude. Back to us. She was calibrating some glowing device.
She turned slightly when the door hissed.
Saw Mio first.
Then saw me.
Her eyes went wide.
"A male?!"
She shrieked, bolted to a side room, slamming the door.
I felt blood rush to my face. And nose.
I pinched my nose.
"Is… is that normal here?"
Mio shrugged, still grinning.
"Femininity amplified due to male scarcity. Guys are so rare, we can wear whatever we want. Or nothing. No one bats an eye."
The side door opened again.
The girl came out—now wearing a white lab coat. Just the coat. Nothing else. Buttons only halfway done. Long legs, bare feet, hair still messy.
She cleared her throat.
"Uh… welcome to the lab."
I tried not to look anywhere inappropriate.
"I'm Kaito Aoyama."
She bowed slightly.
"Professor Nishima. Rika Nishima. Research division."
Behind me, Mio had wandered to a shelf and picked up a random beaker filled with orange liquid.
She sniffed it.
"Smells like juice."
She took a big sip.
I blinked.
"Mio—wait—"
Too late.
Nishima turned to me.
"You had a question?"
I swallowed.
"Can I ask something… about time travel?"
She laughed—bright, a little wild.
"Time travel? Bold."
She stepped closer. Way closer.
Leaned in.
Sniffed me.
"Hmm… I'm smelling pervertness from you."
I stepped back.
"I'm not—"
She grinned.
"Okay. You can ask. But first—"
She looked down, eyes sparkling.
"I want to see your sword. For research."
My brain crashed.
"What?!"
She tilted her head.
"Your male anatomy. Purely scientific. I need data."
I backed up until I hit a table.
"I'm not showing—"
She pouted.
"Fine. Ask your question first. Then show me."
Behind us, Mio swayed.
"Wow… this juice is strong…"
She sat down on the floor.
Hard.
Then slumped sideways.
Sleeping.
Nishima glanced at her.
"Animal tranquilizer. Oops."
I stared at Mio's unconscious form.
Then back at Nishima.
"Is time travel possible?"
Nishima laughed again—longer this time.
The lab lights flickered.
She leaned against the workbench, coat slipping just a little.
"That… is a very interesting question, Kaito-kun."
She smiled.
And didn't answer.
---
*End*