A Mysterious Encounter at the Edge of Science
Introducing RIKEN
RIKEN, the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, is renowned not only within Japan but also among scientists worldwide.
Equipped with cutting-edge technology and fortified security, it is a hub for groundbreaking research across diverse fields, including physics, biology, and chemistry.
Satoshi Koizumi commuted daily to his lab at RIKEN, a 15-minute bike ride from his home. The quiet ride under the early summer night breeze offered him a rare moment of stillness and refreshment amid his busy life.
Exhaustion and a Mysterious Visitor
That evening, after a long day at work, Satoshi pedaled his bike away from the institute. Hours of adjusting research data had left him both mentally and physically drained.
“The results today… the fluctuations were just too wide,” he muttered to himself as he rode along the dimly lit street.
Suddenly, an eerie sensation stopped him in his tracks.
Looking around, he saw no one. Yet, in the corner of his vision, he caught sight of a faint, bluish glow.
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Turning to face it, he saw an otherworldly figure standing there. Their eyes glowed blue, and their attire was unlike anything of this world.
“You have been chosen. Are you ready to uncover the truth hidden behind this world?”
The voice was deep and resonant, bypassing words entirely to speak directly into Satoshi’s mind. A shiver ran down his spine as his heartbeat quickened and a cold sweat formed on his forehead.
“Who… who are you? What are you?”
Satoshi’s voice trembled as he asked, torn between fear and curiosity. But the figure gave no direct answer. Instead, their thoughts pressed further into his consciousness.
“The truth lies behind what is seen. If you wish for it, the door will open.”
As soon as the words faded, the mysterious figure vanished from sight.
Satoshi stood frozen in place, his chest tightening with unease. After a moment, he shakily mounted his bike and continued home.
A Conversation at Home
When Satoshi arrived home, he found his wife, Tomomi, at her sewing desk. She looked up as he entered.
“Welcome back. You’re later than usual. You look exhausted—are you okay?”
Her eyes were filled with concern as she studied him.
“Yeah… I’m fine,” Satoshi replied, though his face betrayed a lingering unease.
Tomomi set aside her sewing and walked over to him. Her voice was gentle but firm.
“Did something happen?”
After hesitating for a moment, Satoshi began to recount his encounter with the mysterious figure.
“On my way back from the lab, I ran into… someone strange. They didn’t seem like they were from this world.”
Tomomi’s expression shifted to surprise but quickly softened into calm understanding.
“That must have been a strange experience. But you’re home now, safe and sound. That’s what matters.”
Her reassuring words eased some of the tension in Satoshi’s shoulders.
Satoshi’s Inner Conflict
Later, as he prepared for bed, the figure’s words echoed in Satoshi’s mind.
“You have been chosen. Are you ready to uncover the truth hidden behind this world?”
The voice lingered, reverberating in the depths of his thoughts.
He glanced out the window at the waxing moon, its light casting a serene glow over the night sky. With a sigh, he lay down, his mind racing.
“Is the truth I’ve been searching for really on the other side of this door?”
With no clear answers, he drifted off to sleep, the weight of the question pressing down on him even as dreams took over.