If someone were to ask Mikage Souji what humans were, he would give a neutral definition of the phylogenic kind. Very much in the same terms as Yagiri Namie would answer, in fact. But if he were to voice his true opinion on the subject, Mikage would say that humans are akin to perpetual motion machines. Of course, that human beings were not ultimately eternal he very well knew, eternity was too valuable to be given out indiscriminately to the entire species, but it was an accurate simile.
After all, humans were such creatures that if a certain stimulus was applied, a corresponding effect was to be expected. The predictability rendered his research science even as it branched into what others might consider metaphysical meanderings. Mikage kept a low profile and dealt from the shadows. Which was not to say that he was confined to a shadowy realm but that he acted through stealth to reach into the light. His camouflage did not limit his range of action, it actually increased it.
Presently he was going through a set of figures. The computer monitor's light cast a mellow glow that softened his expression. The pink shoulder length hair and matching pink eyes gave him an aura of gender ambiguity but behind pretty pink there was disciplined coldness and a relentlessness of purpose.
Mikage Souji had a goal in mind, one which he was profoundly passionate about, all the more reason to focus and avoid unnecessary or dangerous exposition about it. In a case of great irony, a man who guarded his true motivations closely had developed a perfect method for eliciting the most intimate of confessions from others.
He did not see his test subjects as victims. Mikage did not create issues in these people to explore to his advantage, he explored already latent potential and helped it develop. The seeds to his black roses were by default ingrained in people and he merely made them bloom. He extended invitations that were willingly accepted.
Mikage viewed it as a methodical deconstruction of the psyche. Consciousness was not outside the realm of his science. Cognitive tools. There was a procedure to all things. A few more clicks, Mikage studied a carefully detailed simulation that no one in the world could possibly understand other than Mikage Souji himself.
At some point he had begun to wonder if watching an experiment did not have an effect on it. Mikage could not quite place when this curious idea had intruded on his reflections, so it must have been a gradual phenomenon. If the process of watching in itself already changed the parameters then the scientific method in itself was compromised. An awkward situation.
Mikage solved the conundrum by reasoning that such inconsistencies could be ironed out. His intellect discerned a pattern behind the great multiplicity of confusing elements.
"Mikage-kun, about that research paper, your assistance would be greatly appreciated"
He spared the teacher a diplomatic albeit thin smile.
"You need not to worry, it will be finished and submitted to the proper department ahead of schedule."
"I knew that I could count on you."
"In return I expect a contribution to the Mikage Seminar."
"Of course, of course…the next budget reunion will allocate more funds to the Seminar."
"I am glad that we understand each other."
Mikage had been doing teachers' papers for them for a while. It suited his need for power in the campus, mostly secret power, and was not even difficult. His status was that of a student but clearly equality was hardly a value at Orihara Academy. He understood that image should match his position and for that reason Mikage's uniform was a deep blue affair with red band around the collar. Almost military in aspect.
Mikage cared nothing for appearances himself, his was the business of reaching out for the essence of reality but there were sponsors to please and a certain decorum was maintained. In the end all converged to serve Mikage's long-sighted goal.
A knock on the door and a head poking into the room elicited a more genuine smile from Mikage.
"I did not know that you were back, Shinra-kun."
"I have my doubts, you keep tabs on everyone around Orihara Academy."