PROLOGUE:

Rain hammered outside the windows of his study, mist hanging low over the fields, coating the panes of glass in its blur-inducing haze. Every inch of the enormous window overlooking the study was cold, cold in a way that glued one's fingertips should he touch it, but a small patch stayed warm, transparent and clear of the fog that had infested every other surface. In that clean area, his face's harsh features were reflected, his eyes misted over, not seeing what lay before him as his mind set to work.

If one was to cross the window from the outside, he would be startled at the very sight: a young man of not 27 or 28, his figure hinting at youth yet unwanted age creeping across his face. He had narrowed brown eyes, creased at the corners, wrinkles creating bumps along his speckled skin. A neat set hairstyle covered his scalp, the locks matching his harsh eyes. A thin moustache coated the top of his even thinner lips.

All in all, Takayama Subaru looked an overworked, sleepless sight. If one didn't know him or his actions, he would've pitied his situation.

Subaru was pulled out of his reverie by an abrupt knock at the door, followed by a, "Takayama-san, someone at the door" buzzing through the intercom.

"Let them in," came the haughty reply.

He stayed standing at the window, not caring to turn around to meet his guest, his hands stiff and folded at his chest. Here, he learned to trust no one. Treat everyone with contempt if they were at a lower rank. It was the method he used to gain the position of Senior Undersecretary - yelling around at people was the only way to get them to do what you wanted.

Except, the person entering the room wasn't about to put up with his bullshit.

"Good afternoon, Mr Takayama," came a smooth voice, going over every word in perfect English.

Turning around in a sudden fright, Subaru's thoughts of pride dissipated, and, with a white face, he turned around to face his superior, whose chest was now shaking up and down with racuous laughter.

"You really need to stop these "main character sessions", Takayama," the man said, fingering a lock of long, dark cyan hair tumbling about his shoulders, set glossy against his glossier suit. "You're forgetting your position. Sometimes people here need a right yank back to reality."

Shaking with rage, Subaru swallowed his pride and gestured for the man to sit, who made his way behind the desk and settled himself on the luxurious chair, a plaque gleaming on it reading, "Takayama Subaru". The latter sat down uncomfortably in front of the desk and murmured, "Otis-sama. What brings you today?"

"Let's get down without any unnecessary introductions. I need you to carry out a new experiment developed by the Department of Soul Regulation."

"Which new experiment?" came the reply, "A46 or B23?"

"Neither." Otis was now grinning as he clasped his hands together. "The newest one, R15, just got approved yesterday. I've been itching to try it out."

"B-But-" Subaru adjusted his glasses with a gulp, "R15 needs a strong enough Elixir to be activated, and none of our Seelers have provided one sufficient for the experiment to be carried out.."

"That's the catch." Otis grinned further, leaning forward on the desk, "the Elixir used will be provided by me."

All Subaru could provide in return was an expression of wide-eyes shock.

"What say you, Subaru-chan?" sneered Otis, his fingers having strayed to his hair once again, "Not that you have the power to refuse..."

Staring hard into his superior's eyes, he returned stiffly, "Yes."

"Yes what?"

"Yes, Mr. Rodgers."

A soft smile, then Otis whispered, "Very well. Tomorrow, 8 A.M. will be the perfect timing for our subject in Tokyo. The middle-schoolers are always the worst..."

He ended the last sentence in a mumble as he kicked back the chair and strode lazily out of the study, not bothering to close the door behind him. He left behind him Subaru, his brown eyes glaring in disgust at the open space where Rodgers had disappeared.

"Them damned Americans putting their slimy hands of control everywhere they go!" he muttered as he shut the door. Then he turned back to face his study, for once the overwhelming force of his pride being hurt fading away as quickly as it came.

A new experiment used on subjects this young? And with Rodgers' Elixir - who would bear all this strength without dying?

And with that, Takayama Subaru turned back to the window, watching the hammer of the rain as the glass reflected his narrowed eyes.