18 June 2014

Kotaro Yanagisawa

Subject 2 describes a pain in the eyes. (Ironic, quite frankly.) I have a feeling I know what it is, but I won't make any definitive conclusions until the symptoms progress. Keep close tabs on her behavior.

20 June 2014

Kotaro Yanagisawa

Subject 2's pain is worsening. She won't admit it, but the tentacles are writhing. She whimpers in her sleep.

Progress with Subject 4 is something of a mixed result. On one hand he's taken to the tentacles rather well… but on the other his personality has begun to deteriorate. Scans show that the tentacles consume brain matter. A simple side-effect of the difference between tentacle cells and outright antimatter, or a universal constant? I'm not yet sure.

...That would certainly explain the differences in Subject 1's behavior.

Subject 3 continues to refuse to cooperate. Infuriating, considering she stole OUR materials.

...Whatever. I'm sure she'll succumb in due time.

22 June 2014

Kotaro Yanagisawa

Subject 2 has gone blind. It's as I expected… the cells in her eyes are being burned away and replaced with those made of Antimatter. Most interesting. I expect her to regain her vision within the next two weeks… but we'll have to see.

24 June 2014

Kotaro Yanagisawa

Subject 2 continues to scream. I know we should probably install soundproof walls, but I can't deny that it's music to my ears.

Subject 4 requires constant upkeep. His tentacles need to be observed closely and he must be medicated at all times, lest they costume his brain and kill him. I believe that without proper upkeep the test subject would die within a week.

THEN HOW? HOW IS SHE STILL BEARING IT?

...No issue, I suppose. I'm more than capable of taking care of Subject 4 as long as he performs his duties. He's delirious- only talking about power and other such things- but there's no need for him to be actually lucid for me to achieve my goals. I'll take care of the scheming. He simply needs to be a weapon.

I hope to have him battle the octopus by the end of the month.

26 June 2014

Kotaro Yanagisawa

...Subject 2 asked me to kill her today.

Needless to say, I refused. DO NOT FALL FOR HER TRICKS. Anyone to give her what she wants will be punished intensely. Trust me when you say you do not want to test me.

1 July 2014

Kotaro Yanagisawa

Subject 2's eyesight has returned. Its sclera are now black. If observed closely you can make out bright red veins. The skin around the area, as well as the skin around its neck and chest, have greyed. Perhaps this is just personal opinion… but the mutations seem to be developing even more erratic and frighteningly than Subject 1's.

3 July 2014

Kotaro Yanagisawa

Subject 2's hair has taken on a waxy texture. The rest of its face is changing color. I reckon it will soon be unrecognizable.

Tomorrow I intend to have Subject 4 battle with the octopus. I've enrolled him successfully into 'Kunugigaoka Junior High.' I am not sure how this will go, but I am excited to see the results.

He confided in me today about a voice he heard when I first implanted him with the tentacles. He says it asked him what he wanted to be. He answered 'strong.' Now that would certainly explain the sudden shift in behavior.

Again… I wonder if this is an effect exclusive to tentacle cell transplantees, or one all Antimatter experiments are susceptible to. If so… I wonder what Subject 1 wished for, and what Subject 2 will wish for if it hasn't already.

...I fully anticipate it to be something useless. After all, it always has been weak-willed.

4 July 2014

Kotaro Yanagisawa

HE LOST. HE FUCKING LOST. IT WASN'T EVEN A TOSS-UP. I THOUGHT THE BOY WISHED TO BE STRONG… BUT THAT WAS TRULY PATHETIC!

5 July 2014

Kotaro Yanagisawa

Subject 4 failed in his duties. He will be afforded three chances total. After that, I'm afraid I'll have to terminate him.

...We'll see how this goes.

8 July 2014

Kotaro Yanagisawa

I believe I'm finally starting to understand the difference between tentacle cells and Antimatter… as well as their individual pros and cons.

You see… while tentacles cells are simply appendages harvested from the Reaper while he remained in our captivity, Antimatter is another subject entirely. Antimatter is the base element injected into the human body… resulting in wild mutations. But tentacle cells have already mutated… and therefore have a different effect entirely. This is because they are not something that interacts with the majority of the body's cells like Antimatter does. They are more akin to a parasitic transplant.

From what I've observed (Subjects 1 and 2 having been injected with Antimatter, and Subjects 3 and 4 having simple tentacle transplants) it seems that tentacles have much less of an effect on the entire body, but are far more at the risk of killing a person. While Antimatter arguably hurts more - replacing a person's form with its own DNA… this at least leaves the body able to handle the rapid changes. Tentacle cells, on the other hand, only give the subject control over an additional limb… and leave their brain subject to serious strain. Because of this, I believe tentacle implants are the more dangerous of the two- although both are capable of causing brain damage… just to a lesser extent in the Antimatter's case.

I believe this has something to do with the aforementioned 'wish.' If Subject 4's desires changed rapidly after contact with the tentacle cells then I believe this has to be something inherent to both them and the original Antimatter. After all, I do not see where it would spawn from if not from its source… and tentacles are simply a repurposed form of Antimatter.

Those implanted with Antimatter are undeniably stronger than those implanted with simple tentacles. I had a feeling, seeing as how their whole body has undergone a transformation as opposed to the additional limb, but Subject 4's fight with Subject 1 finally proved my suspicion. I have mixed feelings on the matter.

You see… this implies I should focus my research on plain Antimatter going forward. But the cost of that additional power is that Antimatter saps someone of their humanity. If only there was a way to replace only the vital nerves - reflexes and such… with true Antimatter. Then they would be able to have that unlimited power without the other associated risks… or the tentacles' inherent damage to the brain.

...I will have to look into it. Perhaps this is an avenue worth pursuing.

But for now the only conclusion I can come to is that where Antimatter itself does not risk a life- it risks destroying the world. And tentacles… on the contrary, have the dangerous element contained- confined to destroying only a single person.

Could the different process undergone with Subject 2 be the key to balancing both factors, or will it risk either perishing or self-destructing as well?

I am not certain. But either way, I am excited to see how this experiment will progress.

13 July 2014

Kotaro Yanagisawa

WHAT IS IT'S FUCKING PROBLEM? I WON'T HAVE IT SWAY HIM. I WON'T!

Subject 2 attempted to make contact with Subject 4 today. Thankfully I was able to punish her appropriately… and Subject 4 doesn't seem to have cared or even processed it. He is completely in his own world.

Nevertheless, I cannot risk a repeat of this event. Soundproof walls will be put up.

Consider this a good thing. You won't have to deal with Subject 2 any further.

15 July 2014

Kotaro Yanagisawa

The subject expelled it's small intestine today. I did X-rays, but see nothing overall to be concerned about. It's body is simply shifting due to the Antimatter. It's no longer in need of any organs that are disposed of… and as such anticipate, but do not sweat, similar symptoms in the future.

18 July 2014

Kotaro Yanagisawa

Soundproof walls have been successfully put up. This comes as a relief. Now do I not only not have to listen to the subject's constant bitching, but I no longer risk it swaying other participants of the experiment. I'm not sure why I didn't make this decision sooner.

23 July 2014

Kotaro Yanagisawa

Subject's hair has begun to hover. I noticed it graying before, but I suppose that now true tentacles have developed there as well. Keep a close eye on it.

26 July 2014

Kotaro Yanagisawa

Subject vomits pure blood less and less. Sickness tends to come with chunks of organ or flesh as well. When examined, it's internal structure is developing in a fascinating way. It's lower half, especially, has lost most vital organs as the legs and abdomen continue to morph.

Other scientists are not to interact with the material it expels. Not only is it still not safe, but I will take care of disposing of it. Be thankful for that. Trust me when I say you don't want to see what goes down in that room.

31 July 2014

Kotaro Yanagisawa

Those fucking CHILDREN! If I didn't know any better I'd just kill them myself! Now THAT would really break it's spirit.

1 August 2014

Kotaro Yanagisawa

Subject 4 failed in his duties yet again. While we were able to make considerable progress in assassinating Subject 1 due to cooperation from one of the students at Kunugigaoka Junior high… Subject 4 was bested by the rest of the class. They were able to overwhelm him and use the tentacles' innate weakness against him.

As promised, I will give him one more shot. But if things are how I anticipate, I have a feeling that that won't account for much. I'll begin to make plans to dispose of him.

August 6 July 2014

Kotaro Yanagisawa

I anticipate Subject 2 to hear the voice Subject 4 described in it's head sooner rather than later judging by the trajectory of it's mutations. I've told it about this, and instructed it to wish for strength, but I sincerely doubt it will cooperate. Either way, I've done my best to intimidate it, and I know full well that it knows full well it will be punished severely if I don't get my way.

August 8 July 2014

Kotaro Yanagisawa

Yukimura's birthday passed today.

We didn't celebrate.


It happens a little bit past it's birthday.

It's August 10th, and Yanagisawa is analyzing a strange shift in its molecular structure when one of his lackeys comes up to him, panicked. Little beads of sweat dripping down his forehead, he announces:

"It's not working!"

Yanagisawa turns slowly. Face contorted he asks "What do you mean it's not working?"

"The- the test subject. I was routinely observing her and something weird happened. Her IV just- it like… popped out! I tried to put it back in, but…" he gnaws on his lip. "Something weird is going on here. Just come with me."

Yanagisawa rolls his eyes. He's sure it's just a simple misunderstanding on his underling's part. All the same, he heads in to check it out.

"You just better not be wrong about this," he threatens. "I don't like wasting my time."

...But to his surprise… he's not.

Sure enough, Aguri's IV lies on the ground. It startles as he enters, but doesn't particularly otherwise seem to look his way. In fact… he's not even sure it realizes what's happened. It's staring up at the ceiling, expression blank.

Yanagisawa tries to reinsert the needle, wondering if it was perhaps just knocked out during a fit of mutation… but true to his underling's word it doesn't break the skin. Try as he might to press it into Aguri's arm… it doesn't budge one bit. It's like it's… it's…-

What exactly is going on here?

Further experimentation yields the same results. A scalpel won't piece the skin, nor will a syringe. All at once it's like Aguri Yukimura has become indestructible… and that baffles Yanagisawa. He hasn't seen anything like this before. Not from Itona… not from The Reaper… and certainly not from Akari.

This is new.

"What did you do?" he demands, grasping at its face. It still feels like flesh… but it most certainly can't be. What is this?

"I… I don't know," Aguri murmurs. "I mean… I… I didn't mean to… I wasn't trying to- I just…-"

'The wish,' Yanagisawa thinks… and his whole body tenses.

"What exactly did you wish for?"

Aguri looks troubled, but doesn't say a word. Yanagisawa grimaces, this close to slapping her for her disrespect, but just barely manages to hold himself back. Not in front of one of his cronies… and not when he doesn't know what's going on. He needs to get this figured out first.

"Ishida," he says. "Get the others. We have something big on our hands."

...He'll find a way to fix this in due time.


Aguri doesn't know what's happening to her.

She's simply staring up at the ceiling, half unconscious, when Yanagisawa storms into the room and tries to stick her. She startles… bracing for pain: but nothing comes. Her jaw falls slack… and skin still writhing, she finds herself asking the same exact question he is.

'Wait. What?'

At first she thinks he's simply made a mistake. But as she cranes her head his way she soon becomes certain: no- he's one hundred percent attempting to break her skin. It's just not… working.

A scalpel gleans the same results… as does everything else he tries. No matter how hard he pokes or prods at her her body simply doesn't wound. And swearing under his breath, Yanagisawa grows desperate.

He takes her jaw in his hands, asking her what she did… but she's hardly certain. Aguri gapes at him, eyes wide.

"I… I don't know."

"The wish," Yanagisawa says, voice going cold. "What exactly did you wish for?"

But Aguri can't answer. Her mouth's too dry. And although she expects Yanagisawa to strike her for that, he instead drops her head. Whirling around, he says to his coworker "Get the others. We have something big on our hands."

...There's an adrenaline to the way he moves.

Suddenly scientists are scrambling… observing her more than ever before. They attempt to force a needle into her arm… her leg… any spot on her body- but it sooner twists than makes any sort of progress. She can't even feel it. She's being prodded at most! Not stabbed!

It doesn't… it doesn't make any sense. Sure- she did admittedly wished for something, but it couldn't do this, could it? Even Reaper didn't have powers that great. Antimatter is incredible, but there's no way that it… that it-

Her thoughts drift off.

'You're safe,' the tentacles murmur, trying desperately to reassure her. 'You're safe now. There's nothing to worry about.'

(...The scientists continue to bustle.)

Yanagisawa demands that the rest of her limbs are restrained immediately. In the meantime he'll run x-rays. The scientists nod- getting right to work. And Yanagisawa does the same. He murmurs the whole time… hardly even looking at her.

Aguri doesn't struggle. Even with her newfound powers she knows it's not much use. Her arms are restrained and her limbs feel weak. She's not going to go and try to get her hopes up now.

She should just… observe this as it happens.

After all, things may have changed… but that doesn't mean they're going to get any better. With how much Yanagisawa and the rest hate her she's sure they'll still find a way to hurt her, even like this.

They discover that 'Anti-sensei' weapons are capable of making small incisions. It's nothing like the way her palm exploded entirely early on… but they manage to break the skin if pressed hard enough. Nevertheless, Yanagisawa seems thoroughly unsatisfied. And shaking his head he repeats that "None of this makes sense."

"Even… even Subject One reacts to Anti-sen- there's no way." He mumbles incoherently. "For it's DNA to be able to resist… it'd have to be... the chemical composition would- no! There must be a misunderstanding. It's simply not scientifically possible. It's not."

He's storming in and out all throughout the day… fist clenched. She can still see him talking, even through the glass, but she can't make out what he's saying. She's sure it's something deadly serious from the look on his face. For the first time since she's been trapped here, she thinks he looks stressed.

He runs multiple tests on her… manages to draw blood with an anti-sensei tipped needle and otherwise observes her reactions to various elements. Nothing much happens, however… and Aguri watches blankly.

It's like she can hardly even process what's happening to her as real. She watches the needle break the skin and feels nothing. She wonders if that means that she's finally broke, or if she should take these good things as they come.

(Ha. 'Good,' She thinks. 'What a fucking joke.')

It's weird, but… she's not in much pain. There's still a small ache- a creaking to her bones and a pounding behind her eyes… but it's nothing like before. Her body simply doesn't process what's happening to it. It comes as a catharsis, almost. She's still terrified… and she knows things will likely return to how they were before sooner than not, but she savors this moment of respite.

Yanagisawa must notice, because he asks her what she's smiling about. Aguri blinks… just now processing that she's smiling at all. It's not like she's happy. She's - it must be unconscious…- it's not like she's relieved.

"It doesn't hurt," she murmurs. "That's all."

Yanagisawa's jaw clenches. Staring down at her, he says "Okay. I think it's about time you told me."

"Told you what?" Aguri asks.

"What you wished for," he says. "I believe I'm starting to understand how this works… but if I really want to deduce the meaning behind your changes I'm going to need the full details. You'd best fess up, woman."

Aguri's mouth falls open.

She's… not sure she should speak. It's a haughty notion - but if she can't feel pain then what's the point? It's not like he can threaten her. Maybe if she… maybe if she stops being entertaining to him, then he'll finally put her down.

She shakes her head.

Yanagisawa stares… and then steps forward. Fist shaking, he says "No?"

"No," Aguri says. "I know I can't stand up to you… that much is obvious by now, but…-"

She doesn't get to finish. Yanagisawa rushes forward with a roar. Raising his fist he shrieks "YOU THINK YOU SUDDENLY GET TO SAY NO TO ME!?"

His coworkers try to hold him back- telling him that they don't know what will happen under this new set of circumstances- but it's no use… Yanagisawa shakes them off, and as Aguri flinches on instinct he brings his fist down against her face.

Now that causes pain.

It takes Aguri a moment to even process it… but as she blinks slowly it dawns on her that her cheek's exploded. Blood and Antimatter drip down her chin… and she realizes, abruptly, that the ache's returned.

...Ah. And so it seems that Yanagisawa is still capable of hurting her.

(Why?)

Every scientist stares. But as Yanagisawa straightens himself up he grins. And glancing down towards his knuckles, then towards Aguri's mutilated face, he says "...And so it turns out that there's still a way to hurt you after all."

"I suppose there is."

Yanagisawa doesn't wait. Before anyone else can move he stomps his foot down against her stomach… hard as he can. Aguri lets out a shriek, gut combusting, but he doesn't let up. He kicks her again and again and again.

"What did you wish for?" He demands, ignoring her cries. "Do you still think you can ignore me? Or have you given up on that!? What is it, Yukimura!?"

Aguri sobs… unable to do so much as even speak. But as Yanagisawa's coworkers finally manage to pull him away, reminding him to not kill the experiment, Aguri answers him… breathless and distraught as she whispers "To be safe. That's all I wished for. That's not really such a bad thing… is it?"

Yanagisawa stares for a long moment… fist trembling. And for a moment he seems ready to strike her again. But he must be really sure about not wanting to get her killed, because he eventually turns around, teeth grit tight.

"Watch it carefully, you all," he instructs. "I have a few tests to run."

And with that… he storms out. Aguri watches him go, as do her ex-coworkers, but they hardly pay her any mind. Before she even knows it they disperse as well… leaving to scribble down notes and stare at her through the glass with their horrified eyes.

Her stomach squirms, trying desperately to repair itself. Blood drips down past her eye… and she squints, nose wrinkled, as she tries to drown out the pain.

'I'm sorry,' the tentacles seem to say. 'I did my best… but…-'

'No. It's okay,' Aguri responds, letting her body go limp. 'It was hopeless from the start. I shouldn't have let myself think this would change anything. It's not like someone like me can ever really be safe, after all.'

...Her whole body writhes.

The next time she sees Yanagisawa he seems much more collected. He's alone, pen and paper in hand.

"I've had ample time to study your transformation," he notes. "And I believe I've finally come to understand it. In ignoring my request and wishing for safety your tentacles went on the defensive as opposed to the offensive. And while a stupider man would allow this to throw a wrench in his plan I've devised a way around it. I have dealt with your insubordination for the past two years, after all."

"As I discovered earlier you are still capable of being wounded… namely physically, by me. I believe this to be due to a flaw in how Antimatter changes the human body. You see… the way it makes up for expending so much energy is by giving the recipient a few fatal flaws. For the most part they become invincible… but where they're weak they remain weak."

"Previously I thought these flaws to be the same among all Antimatter creatures. But now I've been led to believe that they function differently. As such… let me try something real quick."

Aguri braces for pain. It's been a few hours… so her stomach and face have had time to heal, but she's not exactly looking forward to reliving the same experience. She shuts her eyes, biting down hard on her lip… and waits for whatever it is he plans to dish out on her.

...He pours something wet onto her face.

Aguri flinches at first, more on instinct than anything. But as the cold liquid runs down her forehead and into her mouth she realizes that it's in no way a bad thing. This is something she's had before.

It's just… water.

"It's as I thought," Yanagisawa says, leaning in to get a better look at her. "No swelling. No grogginess. Nothing. And that truly means that…" he whips around, hands drifting up to his chin. "...Different strengths based on a wish. And in turn, different weaknesses. But based on what? The antithesis of that wish, or something psychological? I'm still not certain. Before I thought the creature's deficits were due to the innate properties of Antimatter, but it's more than clear now that is not the case. The two of you vary."

Aguri blinks. She's not quite sure what he's talking about. Reaper? But that doesn't make any sense. They never had time to study any of his weaknesses. At least- she doesn't remember anything having to do with water. Then again… she doesn't remember much at all at this point. She wouldn't put it past her to just forget something important.

"All besides the point for you, however," Yanagisawa continues. "The only reason I'm telling you any of this in the first place is as a reminder. Know that I've come to understand the way your body has changed, and I will always come to understand the way your body has changed no matter how you try to stump me. I'm a very smart man, Yukimura. And I won't be fooled."

"I've already found one way to continue hurting you. And in the upcoming weeks I will find more. Not only that… but I promise you that I will utilize this research to harm Reaper as well. You may not have the same weaknesses, but I am developing a further understanding of Antimatter. And the more you do to resist the closer you are to spelling his demise."

Yanagisawa smirks. "As such… don't go thinking you've won. Not now, or ever. You're still very much within my control. And no matter what you do I'll find a way to use it to my advantage. Thanks again, Yukimura. Because sure… you may not have wished for strength, as I asked, but in your hubris… you actually wished for something pretty close."

He doesn't bother to reach for a scalpel. He simply abruptly reaches out and tears a tentacle from Aguri's skin. He gives a wicked grin as he does, watching it squirm wildly in his hand.

Aguri lets out a soft, sputtery gasp.

"I'll be taking this," he says. "I have research to do… mutations to weaponize. It may be a very long time before I've broken you completely, but in the meantime I can still use your DNA to create horrors beyond your wildest imagination. Delightful, really, isn't it?"

He doesn't wait for an answer. He just rips off a few smaller tentacles and then makes his leave. Aguri rolls her head as he does, not willing to look at the doorway. She tries to remember the sensation of water on her face. She hates herself for it, but that was almost kind of nice.

...It's been a long time since she's seen rain.

Yanagisawa and the others find a way to continue to inject her with Antimatter. They don't care that she's reached the goal they were aiming for at this point… not really. They just want to see her suffer. And as such they stick her with Anti-sensei tipped IVs. They have to reinsert them every few hours… otherwise her skin forces them out, but they don't particularly seem to mind.

At least not Yanagisawa.

On second thought, maybe his coworkers seem a little nervous.

They're still voicing concern to him. At least… that's the impression she gets watching them without sound. She can't exactly blame them. She must seem dangerous to them, especially after what happened to Reaper. But she tries to tell them with her eyes that she's still not scary… that she has no intent of hurting them. She wouldn't wish harm on them. She just… hates them.

...No. That's not true, either, is it? That's too cruel to say. She's… she's Aguri. She's always put a lot of pride into not hating anyone. She's just… she's scared… and she's lonely, that's all. Is that a better answer?

(Why is she still caught up on these things at all?)

Either way, they don't have much to worry about. She may technically have new powers… but it's not like she understands them, and so things are mostly the same as before. Even if Yanagisawa and the others have to do slightly more work Aguri certainly doesn't feel like she won… and she wouldn't have even without his whole monologue to her. She gave up on feeling like she could earn victories a long time ago.

They continue to restrain her more and more. Slowly, the restraints on her arms grow thicker… her whole legs are encased. A tight clamp is put around her neck, pinning her to the table, and she finds that she can no longer turn it. She's left staring up at the ceiling permanently… struggling to breathe. She doesn't know if she's scared or if it's legitimately restricting her breath, but either way, she hates the sensation.

'Hey,' she thinks, trying to look on the bright side. 'At least Yanagisawa doesn't have that many spots to hit you anymore.'

'...Ha. Yeah.'

It makes her want to cry.

As the days pass by, Yanagisawa continues to study her. He greenlights more weaknesses and takes more tentacles from her. He stares down at one as it wriggles in his hand, raising an eyebrow.

"Perhaps these will be even more efficient than the others in being used for transplants. But is it too late into the boy's progress to make a switch?" He grits his teeth. "If only I could earn the cooperation of the other. Then things would be much easier. We're running out of time… I may have to pick up a fifth subject."

He's talking to himself more than anything. Aguri wonders absentmindedly who he means by 'the other.' Is the boy that golden-eyed kid she saw? She hopes he doesn't have multiple kids under his control like that. That would be terrible.

...She doesn't want them to feel a sliver of what she's feeling right now.

Over time she starts to get bigger… at least, she thinks. It's hard to tell for certain if something's actually happening or if it's just the swollen sensation of her newfound numbness. Either way, the scientists soon move her onto a larger operating table. She doesn't struggle as they do. She doesn't see much of a point.

Her limbs feel squished within her restraints. Then again, they're hardly limbs at all at this point. Her body parts simply aren't distinguishable. She's one writhing mass of flesh… and when she shuts her eyes she can almost pretend she doesn't exist.

Almost.

'One day, hopefully,' she thinks. 'If this world has any mercy.'

...Yeah. That would be nice.


August 10 July 2014

Kotaro Yanagisawa

Things have gone off the rails.

This first came to my attention when one of my underlings pointed out that Subject 2's IV had popped out of it's arm. At first I thought this to be a simple fluke, but upon closer observation. I was not able to force the needle back into the skin. It simply would not break.

Scalpels and knives yielded similar results. Anti-sensei material is able to pierce the flesh if forced, but it's nothing like the reaction it earns from Subject 1. Subject 2 has become something close to invincible.

...Close, but not quite.

I was able to do damage to it by striking it. Yes: that's right. Hitting it harmed it. And it did not simply bruise. The flesh exploded upon contact. This was the only interaction during this time that the subject indicated was genuinely painful.

...It said it wished for safety.

Hmmmmmm.

August 11 July 2014

Kotaro Yanagisawa

I've had time to think through the subject's changes and I think I finally understand them. Some aspects of my understanding of Antimatter were flawed before. But utilizing these new studies, I think I understand more about what makes both the subject and the octopus tick.

The subject did not display a reaction to water. I have not tested it's reaction to high-calorie foods or soft-tissue body parts yet, but I anticipate the same results. Each Antimatter creature created has it's own set of strengths and weaknesses. And while Anti-sensei material is a constant able to hurt them, perhaps utilizing these individual weaknesses is a better way to go about assassination.

If I can figure out what Subject 1 wished for, I could successfully reverse engineer it.

As usual, Yukimura's hubris has found a way to help me out after all.

August 12 July 2014

Kotaro Yanagisawa

Tentacles retrieved from Subject 2 display the same behavior as it. Even when removed from the body for a long period of time they still resist damage and do not display a reaction to abject physical harm.

I wish I could implant them onto Subject 4… but I fear it's too late for that now. His body's already taken to Subject 1's tentacles, and it could be months before he's fully adjusted to Subject 2's. I don't want to pour all of that time into him only to risk him screwing it up.

Perhaps I should take in another experiment… one ready for combat. While working on Subject 2 is cathartic it does very little to help me in the battle against Subject 1. If I picked up another assassin, however… I'd have a legitimately valuable ally.

But if I do… do I implant them with Subject 2's tentacles or run them through the full Antimatter process themselves? Too many questions and too little time. Perhaps I should be picking up more than one new experiment.

...We'll see how I feel in the upcoming weeks.

August 14 July 2014

Kotaro Yanagisawa

I don't know why… but Subject 2 is beginning to irritate me even more than usual. I don't know if it's due to it's disobedience or simply not being able to hear the screams, but it has me on edge. Why is it that even after 5 months of torture it still has the audacity to disrespect me?

Perhaps it's time I do something drastic. If nothing else, I'd like to break it's spirit once and for all.

...Yeah. Let's do a little bit of hopeful thinking.


"We did it."

Yanagisawa sounds resolute for the first time since she's met him.

Aguri doesn't turn her head his way as he enters the room… she literally can't. But she does listen to him for some reason or another as he parades over to the operating table. There's this weird sense of finality to the way he talks, and she has a feeling she'll regret it if she doesn't give him at least some passing attention.

That's probably just the loneliness talking… it's been a few days since he's really talked to her, after all. But whatever. It's not like she has much of a choice, anyways. And if he just wants to brag about whatever it is that his most recent scientific discovery accomplished then who is she to stop him?

She tries her best to crane her head his way… stares at him with half-attent. He must not be satisfied with that, however, because he scoffs and says "You might want to actually listen to this, bitch. It involves you, you know."

That still doesn't earn much of a reaction from Aguri. She simply gives a halfhearted nod and murmurs "Mmm. What is it?"

His next words, however… catch her full attention.

"We killed the beast," he says blankly, and Aguri's blood runs cold.

"What do you… what do you mean?" She asks, staring up at him. She waits for his lip to twitch- for him to crack a grin, betray some sort of sign that he's screwing with her… but his expression doesn't budge. Hands in his pockets he smiles calmly and gives a shrug.

"We killed it," he repeats. "Reaper. The test subject. We were able to take it down."

He's pacing before she can observe him any further. Rambling madly, he talks about how he knew this research would benefit him… how he'd just make a breakthrough. And yes… yes! He finally did! That's right: it finally happened! He got his revenge.

Aguri doesn't want to believe a word of it. But she hears the way he speaks with conviction and her head starts to spin. No... no. There's no way. He's just messing with her. Reaper wouldn't go down that easily. He's a strong person! W… who cares if Yanagisawa had plenty of time to research? And who cares if he's… he's…-

(He's had her to go off of?)

"I couldn't have done this without you, you know," he continues. "I never thought I'd be saying this… but thank you! Seriously! I mean… if you'd just wished for strength, even, things might not have worked out the way they did. But because you disobeyed me… because you wished for safety, the pieces just ended up fitting together perfectly. I was able to create the ultimate weapon!"

"W… what did you?" Aguri says, blinking. Her words trail off and her mouth runs dry. "How?"

"Utilizing your DNA samples, mostly," Yanagisawa says with another shrug. "You see… I was still unsure what it is The Reaper wished for… but I knew at that point that it had to be something weaker than what you'd chosen. After all… he was in no way indestructible in the same sort of way you are. Because of that I set up tentacle mines harvested from your body and prepared them at his site of work." He clicks his tongue. "Quite frankly… he didn't stand a chance."

"He was fast… sure, but even fast doesn't stand a chance against invincible. He dodged the first few and then… bam!" He slaps his palms together. "We got him. Straight through the heart it embedded itself. There was no regenerating from there. He collapsed and was bombarded by the rest. Dead within minutes."

Aguri stares… shaking her head almost on instinct.

"No," she says defiantly. "No."

"Yes," Yanagisawa chides. "I can describe it, if you'd like." He chuckles. "It went in through his back and got stuck right in the lefthand side of his heart. His regenerating body tried to force it out, but it didn't stand a chance. Your cells simply overpowered it. He collapsed, exhausted and spitting up blood before the rest of the mines finished him off. Does that sound made up to you? Or do I need to go into more detail?"

Aguri struggles for breath. "Don't."

"He let out this pathetic little squeak and started to look around, panicked. But his bodily functions were already shutting down and as he collapsed he couldn't even drag himself away to die in privacy. He started to dig into the wound- perhaps hoping to remove the intrusion himself… but he could barely make progress before another missile entered his side... his thigh… his chest and forehead. He fell over onto his side and desperately attempted to call out, but even that was in vain. It was too late. He died in pa-"

"DON'T!"

Aguri's voice is a shout. Shaking her head rapidly, she begs him not to tell her any more. She still doesn't want to believe it… wants to think he's stronger than that. But Yanagisawa describes it in such detail and her whole body writhes. She remembers what it was like to get impaled and her stomach starts to churn. Wound thumping, twitching…- she refuses to think about Reaper going through the same thing!

"Why?" Yanagisawa asks. "Do you feel bad?" He scoffs. "Don't. Sure, this is your fault… but think of it as revenge. You had a part in taking down the beast! You were able to make him experience the suffering you endured. Isn't it cathartic!? Doesn't it feel good!?"

"No!" Aguri shrieks, breaths desperate and greedy. "Of course not!"

Oh god… OH GOD!

And in an instant she's back there… she's been impaled through the gut. She's bleeding out and she can't get air in her lungs no matter how hard she tries. She's clawing at the ground and Reaper rushes to her side. He picks her up with a carefulness to his motion, but even such a gentle act sends pain sweeping through her body. She lets out a cry, hardly on purpose... and as her vision starts to blur her head starts to spin. She knows, instantly, that she's dying.

She wonders if he'd known the same thing.

Her heart starts to pound. She refuses to imagine it… him dying alone… unloved. At least until she considers the alternative, and realizes that he wasn't alone at all.

The kids-

OH GOD!

The kids! Were they with him!?

"The- the students," she sputters. "Where were they!? Don't tell me they were there when you killed him!"

Yanagisawa's eyebrow rises slowly. Curious, he says "I didn't know you knew about the kids."

"Of course I knew about the kids!" Aguri replies, chest heaving with her words. "I'm the one who told him to look out for them! Y-you've been trying to kill him with Anti- sensei material! He's been nurturing them, hasn't he!? Oh god! Are they alright!?"

"Well…" Yanagisawa says, lips creased into a thin frown. "I didn't want to have to tell you this… go and break your heart even further, but since you asked…" He snickers. "There are always a few civilian casualties in these kinds of things."

Aguri's blood runs cold. Casualties? Casualties!? He means to say they're dead!? Her whole body thrashes as tears start to trail down her cheeks. And heartbroken- outraged, almost… she demands to know who! Who!?

"WHICH OF MY BABIES DID YOU KILL!?"

"Oh," Yanagisawa says, taking a step back. "I can't bother to remember names. I didn't know those kids well, after all. And it's not like it matters now. What's done is done."

"No! No!" Aguri shrieks so loud her voice feels raw. "You can't just say that! You can do whatever you want to me… say I deserve it! But nothing was supposed to happen to those kids! They were just middle schoolers!"

"And they were sheltering a beast."

"You're going to be punished!" Aguri argues. "You can't tell me everyone is seriously just okay with this! T- the government! They're going to find you! They're going to put you in jail!" She hyperventilates, tears streaming down her face. "You'll pay for this!"

"Like hell I will," Yanagisawa replies, motioning to her. "I was already able to get away with this. Who's to say I can't get away with anything I want? And besides… the government didn't care. Those kids were acceptable fatalities from the start. As long as the monster got what was coming to him they didn't care what happened to anyone else. And he did. I got him. And it turns out those kids just had to pay."

He clicks his tongue. "Of course… they wouldn't have had to worry about any of this if some dumb bitch didn't tell the monster to supervise them… but hindsight is 20/20, yeah? I'm sure you'd change it if you could."

He gives her a saccharine look and sadly shakes his head. On instinct, almost- Aguri attempts to lunge forward… whole body kicking. But it's no use- her arms meet her restraints and stop her in her place. Before she even knows what she's doing she's started to scream.

She wants to be out of here more than ever. She wants to fight back… throw a punch- see if what he's saying is really true… but she can't even do that. Even mustering all the rage- all the sadness she can gather in her tiny heart she's simply too weak. And try as she might to fight back with everything she has… here she remains.

'It's not my fault,' she tries to think. 'It's not! It's NOT!'

Yanagisawa stares down at her with such a cold gaze.

And quickly, anger fades out into sadness. Aguri thinks about those small, small kids… those hopeless students with their entire lives in front of them dying and wants to scream for dear life. Wants to believe that there's something she could have done! But there's nothing - nothing! And that's the worst possible feeling of them all.

Reaper, too. Oh god… Reaper. Did he die protecting them? Did he die scared? Or did he die relieved, like she did? Does it even matter!? Either way it's miserable! And imagining him arriving in the afterlife… only to not see her... end up all alone- it makes her want to sob.

(Does he know what she's become by now!?)

No! No! She won't believe it! She doesn't want to believe it! How can she just take Yanagisawa's words at face value? But all the same, he says it so factually… so smug and satisfied and she just has to believe him. This man is her only source of info, and she has never heard him sound like this! There is nothing she can do to disprove him! Her lover! Her children! It's true! They're dead.

Dead: like she wanted to be. Dead..: like would be better than this. Dead. Dead. Dead: as in gone forever.

The kids she believed in… fought for: put all of her hopes in! The man that she saw as a rock… that she died for, that she was kidnapped to save: those wonderful faces she cannot remember and will never see again. They're gone. And they're gone because of her!

(Yanagisawa's right! This is all her fault!)

She sobs so hard her whole body shakes. And shivering… hyperventilating, she so desperately wishes to just reach up and cover her face with her hands. Her head pounds… her cries echo- and snot running down her face she begs for some sort of reprieve.

Yanagisawa doesn't offer it to her. He simply watches her… expressionless, before finally turning around. He reaches out towards the door.

"I just thought I should let you know," he states. "...Nothing will be changing from here on out… I fully intend to continue experimenting on you, but seeing as how this is the end of an era…" He pauses. "Well, it was only right to let you know you got your revenge."

It's not a condolence… not really. He says it straight-faced, but it's mockery. And as he slams the door behind him Aguri lets out another incoherent shriek.

The tears don't slow. Still unable to breathe Aguri bawls like a baby... because truly and finally her hope is gone. She thought she didn't have any left… at least not for herself. But it turns out that hope in others is dangerous, too. And hoping that her loved ones could at least continue to lead happy lives.

...Well, it was a pipe dream at most. After all, they did have to know her.

And as such… heart shattered in two, Aguri wails until she doesn't think she has a single tear left.


It's funny. It doesn't hurt much anymore unless she focuses on it. Then again… it's not like she's moving much. She hasn't moved in a very long time now.


It'd be peaceful, almost, if she didn't have to hear his voice. Like she died. She wishes she had.


She tries to shut him out. It doesn't always work… but sometimes when she focuses on the throbbing of her veins and pounding of her heart she manages to forget where she is right now… let it consume her. She tries not to think too much… it hurts. And as such, instead, she focuses on the pain.


...Aguri hears sirens.