Part 22 (1/2)

”You're s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g around with your wife's cells, dammit. It's just not normal. I'm starting to think I shouldn't have helped you.”

”So you're saying I should have quietly watched her die just like that?” Tos.h.i.+aki's voice was getting rough too, and s.h.i.+nohara flinched a little. ”I wanted nothing more than to have her in my hands. Sure, the average guy just watches his loved one die, but I could prolong Kiyomi's life. What was to stop me making use of my art? And actually, her cells are producing incredible data. I'll even show you. Wonderful results. This is going to blow the doors wide open in the research community. When I release my findings, my actions will be justified.” ”Still...”

”I know it was wrong of me not to call you to say thanks. But I'll include your name when the article is published...”

”That's not my point,” said s.h.i.+nohara, holding back his discomfort. s.h.i.+nohara leaned forward even closer and glared at Tos.h.i.+aki.

”Okay, Nagas.h.i.+ma. I'll be straight with you. I'm worried about what's in your head. I've always respected you, but you really crossed the line. You have an emotional attachment to those cells. And yes, I know they came from Kiyomi. But that's all they are. Just cells. They can never be a replacement for her. You're tampering with her memory. Just open your eyes, man. Once you get that through your head, feel free to do whatever the h.e.l.l you want with them. But right now I can't condone what you're doing. Stop holding onto something that isn't there.”

”That's all I wanted to say.”

s.h.i.+nohara took a breath, softened his expression, and stood up. Waving his empty coffee cup, he said, ”Your disciple's presentation is at 5:20, right? I'll be there. Let's grab a drink afterwards, okay?”

2.

Tos.h.i.+aki arrived at the hall around 4:50. The room was dark and a student was still in the midst of his presentation. Most of the auditorium's 100 seats were filled.

Many of this year's lectures were scheduled for the same time slots. These smaller auditoriums had been prepared for each respective subfield and were arranged in such a way that one could pick a favorite among them and hear all similarly themed talks in the same place. Symposiums, presentations held by more eminent researchers, and other such events that drew the larger crowds were held at the main event hall.

Tos.h.i.+aki looked around the room until he saw Asakura's familiar profile in the middle aisle. With his head bent down low so as not to block anyone's view, he made his way over and sat next to her.

”Doctor,” whispered Asakura by way of greeting.

”All ready I take it?”

”I'm a little tense.”

”You'll be fine.”

The room lit up as the presentation ended. Tos.h.i.+aki looked up at the stage.

The chairman sitting on the right turned to the crowd and said, ”Thank you very much.

If anyone has any questions at this point, the floor is open...”

Someone in the back raised a hand. The chairman pointed and told the questioner to go ahead.

Tos.h.i.+aki studied Asakura for a moment. She certainly looked nervous as she said, but he remembered stiffening up a bit just before his own first presentation and doing much better than he expected once he actually got going. Besides, Asakura's rehearsal was perfect, so he had no doubts that she would do wonderfully.

The presenter looked somewhat unsteady on stage, but managed to get through the questions without difficulty. After a few inquiries, the chairman looked about the auditorium.

”Okay, are we done? Time's up, so let's move on now. Next we have, from the School of Science at Nagoya University...”

A young man sitting to Asakura's left gathered up his papers and stood up. Asakura would be next.

”Here we go.” She gave a tight smile and stood up.

”I'll hold your bag for you.”

Asakura bowed her head in thanks and crossed over to the seat reserved for the next presenter.

The room darkened as the next lecture began.

Tos.h.i.+aki looked around the auditorium and noticed that some of his other students had also come to hear Asakura speak.

s.h.i.+nohara grabbed his shoulders. He was sitting behind Tos.h.i.+aki, who returned the gesture with a bow of the head.

”Where's Is.h.i.+hara?” asked s.h.i.+nohara, noticing the professor's absence.

”He had some function to go to.”

”d.a.m.n, I still haven't said hi to him yet.”

The presenter continued, but Asakura didn't seem to be listening, poring instead over her notes one last time to get her bearings.

The speech was soon over. At last Asakura's turn came. The chairman announced her affiliation and name, then die topic of her presentation. Asakura stood up.

”She's quite a looker, eh?”

Ignoring s.h.i.+nohara's comment, Tos.h.i.+aki looked at Asakura's face with surprise. The nervousness she showed while sitting next to him had completely vanished. In its place was an undeniable confidence that radiated from her entire being. She looked like some leader of great importance about to give an address.

Asakura stepped up to the podium. She stuck her chin out slightly, looking across the crowd with majesty.

Something's not right, Tos.h.i.+aki thought.

”Please, whenever you are ready,” said the chairman.

Asakura nodded, then held the microphone and began.

”At long last, the day has come for mitochondria to break free.”

3.

Tos.h.i.+aki stared at Asakura in shock.

What did she just say?

But she continued calmly.

”All of you who are gathered here today are indeed very fortunate, for you will be the first to hear of a new world that is just about to begin. I, too, am grateful to have this opportunity to speak to you all.”

Tos.h.i.+aki blinked.