In the dimly lit streets of Shin-Tokyo, a modernized metropolis, advanced innovation and towering infrastructures inspire awe. Colorful lights paint the streets, mirroring the beauty of the night sky and the moon.
I am Rei Otonashi, forty-seven years of age, a detective with the Public Security Bureau, or PSB as it's commonly known. They call me the "Ice Queen," some even whisper "The Woman Favored By God," a nod to my icy demeanor and unmatched intelligence. High-profile cases crumble before me, resolved in a matter of hours.
My father, a great detective and the former Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), ignited my passion for detective work. By eight, I was already assisting him with minor cases. At eleven, I helped solve my first complex homicide robbery. By seventeen, I independently cracked my first case, earning a reputation as a young detective who struck fear into criminals. At twenty-seven, I became an agent of the PSB, quickly rising through the ranks to Senior Inspector, earning the codename "0001," reserved for the finest agents. I continue to serve to this day.
"Hey, hey! Wake up, Rei! What happened?! Wake up, answer me! Rei! Come on!" A mysterious voice pierced through the fog in my mind, accompanied by a relentless shaking.
Huh?
I surfaced groggily, scratching at my eyes.
"Oh, you've arrived? Did you happen to see them here, Mayumi?" I asked, my voice a frigid blade cutting through the air, demanding answers.
"I saw no men in black when I arrived. Only you, unconscious on the ground! What happened?" Mayumi's voice was wary, her hands gripping my shoulders.
By the way, this is Mayumi Kazumi, also forty-seven, an investigative journalist. Known for her relentless pursuit of truth and her disarming empathy, she's my friend, my best friend, the only person I've truly trusted since high school. We both entered the police academy in college, but fate led her to the world of journalism, a path I supported. She's a single mother to one child, a daughter—that annoying son of a gun who also happens to be my godchild and idolizes me.
"Wait, something feels off about your appearance..." Mayumi's voice was laced with wariness and anxiety. "Tell me, what really happened here?!"
"Off? What do you mean?" I asked, my heart hammering against my ribs as a crucial realization dawned.
"You seem...younger. Almost like a version of yourself from years ago," Mayumi said, her brow furrowed in confusion and worry. "You look...petite, slimmer, and a bit shorter than you should be."
My heart hammered an erratic rhythm against my ribs, my eyes narrowing to predatory slits.
"No fucking way..." I hissed, each word a frigid breath. "FUCK! IT REALLY HAPPENED?! HOW THE FUCK IS THAT POSSIBLE?!" The scream tore from my throat, raw and untamed. My hands curled into fists, nails biting into my palms. I swallowed hard, forcing a semblance of control. "Mayumi, a mirror. Do you have one?" My voice, though strained, held a desperate edge.
What in God's name is happening to you, Rei? You look like you did back in high school...but how? And those men in black...what did they do?
"Hey, you're miles away. You okay?" I asked Mayumi, forcing a calm facade as I reached out to touch her shoulder.
"Oh, yes! A mirror! Right! Here, I always carry one!" Mayumi's cheer felt forced, a brittle mask over her own confusion as she pressed the small mirror into my trembling hand.
"Thank you," I managed, my voice barely a whisper, the word lost in the tremor that wracked my body.
I opened my eyes slowly, gazing at my reflection in the mirror, disbelief washing over me. Unknowingly, my hands began to explore my body, tracing the altered contours, seeking confirmation of this impossible transformation.
"Shit, this can't be happening," I muttered, slamming my fists against the unforgiving ground, the impact jarring my bones.
Mayumi's hand gently patted my back, a silent offering of comfort.
"Tell me everything. What happened here? How did you become like this?" Her voice resonated with a quiet determination, a promise of unwavering support. "I want to help you, Rei."
"I know this might sound absurd, but...just hear me out," I said, struggling to draw a steady breath, to anchor myself in the face of the impossible.
"Alright," Mayumi replied, her expression resolute, her eyes fixed on mine with unwavering focus. "I'm ready."
"I was on my way to meet an informant regarding our new case when I heard screaming coming from this very alleyway."
Flashback: 30 minutes earlier...
"I decided to investigate the commotion, positioning myself within earshot but out of sight. Three Men in Black were confronting a businessman."
"'Owl, this is the traitor who compromised our non-official cover, as instructed by Raven,'" Rooster stated coldly.
"'So, you're the rat?'" Owl's voice was calm, but serious. "'Eagle, restrain him.'" His tone brooked no argument.
"'As you wish, Sir!'" Eagle responded, his voice equally cold.
Shit. What are they going to do to him? Are they going to kill him? What is this "non-official cover"? Who are these guys?
"I need to intervene, but I need to observe them a little longer," I muttered, drawing my weapon.
Owl whispered something to Rooster, who immediately took off running.
Where is he going? What is he planning? Focus, Rei. What should I do?
An idea sparked: call you for backup.
I quickly texted your number: "I need your help. Third alleyway in Kabuki-Cho. Immediately! Call the headquarters to send some backups too."
After sending the message, I turned my attention back to the unfolding scene.
"'Any last words, you rat?'" Eagle asked with disturbing enthusiasm, as he tightened his grip on the businessman.
"'Please, don't kill me! I swear my loyalty to the organization! I have a family waiting for me at home! I'm begging you!'" The businessman pleaded, tears streaming down his face.
"'We don't condone traitors. But don't worry...your death won't be swift or painless. You'll be our guinea pig for the organization's new drug, 'Elixir.' Supposedly, it makes you young again. Isn't that ideal? We can play hide-and-seek for much longer. That'll increase the stakes...and the fun.'" Owl said, his voice dripping with sadism, followed by a chilling laugh.
Owl pulled a small bottle from his pocket.
"'Say ahh!'" Eagle said sarcastically, giggling.
"'No! Please, I'm begging you!'" The businessman's voice was a desperate, broken plea.
This is it! I have to intervene now, or he's dead. There's no such thing as a de-aging drug! They're just going to kill him.
I moved into the alley, drawing closer to the scene, when—
A jolt of electricity ripped through my body. A 1000-volt taser.
"Argh! What the fuck?!" I screamed, my voice raw with pain.
I collapsed to the ground, their eyes snapping towards me.
"'Well, well! Seems someone else wants to play hide-and-seek, just like Owl said!'" Rooster clapped his hands, his voice laced with cruel amusement.
"'You took the bait. That means you'll be our first guinea pig before we punish this rat,'" Owl said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "'Continue restraining him, Eagle!'" His command was cold and absolute.
Eagle nodded, tightening his grip on the businessman.
"'Let's see if this Elixir is as effective as they claim...or if it needs a bit of modification...'" Owl leaned close, his voice a chilling whisper in my ear.
"'Damn you! You won't get away with this! I'll never lose to scum like you! Argh!'" I screamed, my heart pounding in my chest.
For the first time in my life, I felt real fear.
He forced my mouth open and poured the "Elixir" down my throat.
"'No! You can't do this! You won't succeed! I'll hunt you down to the depths of hell! You'll pay for this!'" I choked out, my voice thick with rage.
"'Try moving before you start with the unsolicited blabbering,'" Owl mocked, a sadistic smile twisting his lips. "'Don't worry, we won't leave you alone just yet. We'll stick around to see if this Elixir is actually effective.'"
So, Owl knew I was watching them the whole time and baited me. Damn it, how could I have been outsmarted like that?
"'Thank you for acting as our guinea pig, Rei Otonashi,'" Rooster said mockingly, with a sigh.
They even know my name. Who the hell are these people?
"'What are you going to do to that man?'" I asked, gasping for air.
"'You should definitely worry about yourself right now, shouldn't you?'" Eagle said, his laughter echoing in the alley.
"'We're just going to punish him for being a rat. None of your business,'" Owl said coldly.
The Elixir's effects surged through me. A searing pain erupted throughout my body, both internal and external. My heart pounded erratically, stealing my breath.
"'No...'" I whispered, my voice fading with my strength.
I can't...I can't die yet...not now...not like this...not this way...not to these people...I won't accept this...why me?
My heart rate slowed, faltered, and then flatlined. Moments later, my heart stopped beating.
"Check her pulses." Owl ordered Rooster coldly.
"'Check her pulse,'" Owl ordered Rooster, his voice devoid of emotion.
Rooster checked my pulse and shook his head.
"'So, the Elixir appears to be ineffective. Let's report back to the organization,'" Owl said authoritatively. "'After executing the mouse, of course!'" His tone was calm, almost clinical.
The three men, along with the businessman, left the alley.
After a few moments...
My heart began to beat again, faster than before. Even in my unconscious state, I could feel a profound change occurring within my body.
Back to the present...
"So, that's what happened," I said, my voice flat, devoid of emotion.
"So, this Elixir...you died for a moment and were reborn in a younger body..." Mayumi said, her voice filled with disbelief. "I can't believe something like that exists. But seeing the effects on you..." She hugged me tightly.
"I know. I still can't believe it. But it happened. This is my reality now," I said, my tone a mix of disappointment and frustration as I struggled to regain my composure.
"So, what are you going to do now?" Mayumi asked, her voice laced with concern.
"I need to use this opportunity. I have to conceal my true identity from them. If they know I'm alive, they'll come after me again, and maybe even you. I can't risk involving you or anyone else in this. And I can't fight them in this state; no one will believe a seventeen-year-old nobody." I said coldly, analyzing the situation. "I need a place to stay. If they know who I am, they might also know where I live. I need a new home, temporarily, until I figure things out." I said with calm seriousness, scratching my head.
"'You can stay at my house for a while!'" Mayumi said enthusiastically.
"'But, you and your daughter...'" I said warily.
"'Don't worry. We have strict security systems, and I can protect us,'" Mayumi said confidently.
I sighed.
"'Fine, if you insist!'" I said reluctantly.
"'What will you do to revert your body back?'" Mayumi asked.
"'I need your journalist skills and influence to help me gather intel about those Men in Black and their organization, especially that mysterious Elixir. I'll hide my identity and solve cases until I find something that might lead me to them and the Elixir. If I find them, they might know how to revert me to my original body. Until then, I need to disguise myself as a high school student to make my disguise perfect. And I'll need to stay with you and your daughter until this ends.'"
"'I got it. I'll do whatever I can to help! We'll find a way to revert you back to normal!'" Mayumi said with determination.
"'Also, keep my identity and what happened here a secret,'" I said coldly and authoritatively.
"'Of course,'" Mayumi said, her voice a mix of wariness and confidence.
"'Where are the PSB backups, anyway? And do you have any intel on what happened to the man?'" I asked.
"'Yes, they're patrolling the area to find those men...and 'you,' of course,'" Mayumi said sarcastically.
"'Let's leave immediately,'" I said authoritatively.
This is the start of a detective story and a battle for a mysterious Elixir.
—TO BE CONTINUED—