The room was engulfed in darkness.
With the sound of the door closing, even the last trace of light disappeared. In such a silent, oppressive environment, it was only natural for one's thoughts to settle.
Shiho curled herself into a ball and slowly crouched down.
She was going to die anyway.
There was no point worrying about how filthy the floor was.
Recalling Augier's words, she realized she had truly been too naive. She had underestimated the Organization.
No, more accurately, she had begun to see the Organization as possessing a shred of humanity only because of thatperson who had unexpectedly stepped into her tiny world.
Unfortunately, he had left far too soon.
'I thought I'd outlive him... I suppose people who work in scientific research really do die young.'
—"She'll be fine. Before long... you'll be calling me brother-in-law."
Thinking about how her sister would become a pawn because of that FBI agent filled Shiho with mixed emotions.
But she knew the truth.
Neither of them could ever escape the Organization's grasp. The Organization was simply too vast.
So vast, that it robbed people of even the courage to run.
'I just hope that FBI agent never shows himself. If he doesn't... maybe my sister can stay alive a little longer.'
Shiho looked down at the APTX-4869 capsule resting in her hand. A smile more painful than tears slowly spread across her lips.
She had never imagined, that what would ultimately send her on her final journey... would be such a tiny capsule.
One she had created with her own hands.
Without the slightest hesitation, she placed it into her mouth and swallowed. The laboratory mice had all died peacefully after taking it.
Perhaps... This wasn't such a bad way to find release.
Closing her eyes, Shiho silently began counting the seconds. According to the experimental data, laboratory mice began reacting one minute after ingestion.
Since she was human, it would probably take a little longer.
'How long? How much longer until death comes for me?'
One hundred twenty-nine seconds.
One hundred thirty seconds.
One hundred thirty—
'Urgh!'
Her heart convulsed violently. The blood coursing through her body felt as though it had suddenly reached its boiling point.
She had never imagined the drug's effects would be this powerful.
'So this was the agony Kudo went through?'
Using every ounce of strength she had, Shiho clamped both hands tightly over her mouth. Not a single cry escaped.
Even if the pain killed her...
She refused to surrender.
She could hear her own heartbeat pounding violently. She could feel an unbearable pain deep within her bones, as though they were melting from the inside out.
Desperately, she tried to force herself to think of happier memories.
But her mind was filled with nothing but despair.
'It hurts... How much longer will this last?!'
Every cell in her body seemed to be pierced by countless needles. The indescribable agony brought her to the brink of unconsciousness.
It felt as though an invisible hand had wrapped itself around her heart, squeezing tighter and tighter until she could barely breathe.
And yet...
What happened next completely defied the expectations of even a genius scientist like Shiho.
The pain gradually faded. Her consciousness remained perfectly clear. The overwhelming discomfort...
Simply disappeared.
.
.
.
.
As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, Shiho staggered to her feet.
Almost immediately, she realized something was wrong.
The abandoned equipment nearby looked much taller than before.
No.
The machinery hadn't grown.
She had become smaller.
Shiho stared at her own hands in disbelief.
They were the hands of a child.
In an instant, she remembered the ultimate purpose behind APTX-4869.
'Could it be... Did the drug actually succeed? Have I... become younger?'
If that were true, then perhaps Shinichi had also taken the drug and been transformed into an elementary school child.
That would explain why the news had never reported his death.
It would also explain why the Organization had never managed to recover his body.
Because he had never died.
He was still alive.
The moment she pieced everything together, an overwhelming will to live burst forth inside her.
She frantically began feeling along the walls of the gas chamber. She had to find a way out.
If the Organization discovered her in this form, everything would be over.
There were no hidden mechanisms in the walls. She wasn't tall enough to reach the ventilation ducts.
Then she desperately recalled what she'd seen upon entering.
'That's right! The garbage chute leading to the first floor!'
The moment her hand found the chute's hatch, she stopped caring how filthy it was.
Holding her breath as best she could, she crawled inside.
Only by surviving... could she save others.
Of course, Shiho had her own selfish wish as well.
If she could find the still-living Shinichi, perhaps, with his help, she could rescue her sister.
Provided, she had truly succeeded in creating a functional APTX-4869.
Then Akemi could become young again as well.
...
She had no idea how long she crawled through the garbage chute.
But when she finally saw light ahead, she lunged toward it like a starving stray dog spotting a loaf of bread.
With great effort, she crawled forward until she tumbled out onto the concrete below.
Her back throbbed with pain.
She ignored it.
She immediately started running.
Fortunately, she'd paid close attention to the route while riding in the car.
She still remembered how to reach Beika Town. How to find the Kudo residence.
Dressed in an oversized white lab coat, she ran with all the strength her tiny body could muster. Ignoring the stares of every passerby.
Unfortunately, the body she'd acquired after shrinking was far too weak.
Running all the way to Beika Town was impossible.
Grinding her teeth, she finally raised a hand and flagged down a taxi.
Struggling to pull open the rear door, she climbed inside and spoke in the innocent voice of a little girl.
"2-chome 10, Beika Town, please, mister!"
She intentionally gave an address near the Kudo residence rather than the exact one.
She had no money to pay the fare.
Besides, she didn't know whether the Organization would investigate the gas chamber. She couldn't drag an innocent taxi driver into this.
The middle-aged driver blinked in surprise when he realized there was only one filthy little girl sitting in the back seat.
He looked outside before asking,
"Just you, little miss?"
"Mhm! I stayed out too late and missed the last bus. If I don't hurry home, my family will worry."
"I see."
The driver smiled kindly.
"Well, don't stay out playing so late anymore. Tokyo's had a lot of incidents lately."
"Okay!"
The moment the conversation ended, Shiho's cheerful expression instantly collapsed.
She laughed bitterly to herself.
If the Organization hadn't forced her through acting lessons, she never would've been able to tell such a convincing lie.
Thirty minutes later, the taxi stopped on a street near the Kudo residence.
"We're here, little miss."
"Thank you, mister!"
"Let's see... your fare comes to..."
The driver looked at the meter.
Before he could even finish reading the amount, the little girl threw open the door and bolted.
"...Huh?!"
He froze for a full five seconds before jumping out after her.
"Hey!! Little miss! You haven't paid your fare!!"
Hearing him shout, Shiho ran even faster.
If she got caught, there was a chance she'd be taken to the MPD. And who knew whether there were Organization members hiding there?
"I'll pay it."
"...?"
The driver turned around in confusion.
Standing there was a man holding a black umbrella so low that his face was completely hidden. Judging by his build and voice, he was clearly male.
"The fare is 7,120 yen."
"Keep the change."
After handing over a ten-thousand-yen bill, Ritsu, still wearing Augier's face, headed toward the Kudo residence.
Ever since locking Miyano Shiho inside the gas chamber, he had never actually left the research facility's grounds.
The moment he saw her escape exactly as planned through the garbage chute, he knew the second phase had succeeded.
Hidden within a nearby alleyway, Ritsu watched the tiny figure standing in front of the Kudo residence.
'She's really become a little shrimp now. She's barely over a meter tall.'
Unfortunately, the rain had begun falling much harder. A slight frown creased his brow.
He found himself worrying about Shiho's condition. After taking the drug, her body would already be in a weakened state.
Getting soaked by the rain now, she'd probably end up with a fever.
Then, he saw the tiny figure collapse.
His heart suddenly clenched.
Instinctively, he pressed a hand against his chest.
'...What's this strange feeling? Why does it feel like... I'm supposed to protect her?
Like... I'm supposed to care about her?'
Frowning, he glanced at the time on his wristwatch.
According to the schedule, Agasa should be arriving home soon. Given the professor's kindhearted nature, there was no way he'd leave an unconscious little girl lying outside the Kudo residence.
Splash. Splash. Splash.
Hearing rapid footsteps striking puddles, Ritsu looked up.
Sure enough, Agasa, still wearing his white lab coat, was sprinting down the street.
'Didn't expect the old man to run that fast. Though he certainly kicks up enough water.'
Without the slightest hesitation, Agasa scooped up the shrunken Shiho and hurried back toward his house.
Only then did Ritsu finally relax.
The next step was the final phase of the plan.