Rattle, rattle... The doorknob just makes futile sounds in vain.

No good. The door really won't open. Have I been completely kidnapped?

But why on earth?

Just then, I heard the footsteps of several people approaching from the other side of the door.

I hurried back to the bed without making a sound, closed my eyes, and pretended I still hadn't regained consciousness.

Click.

The door opened, and several men in white coats came into the room.

"Hey, is this really the girl?"

The eldest-looking man confirmed with the researcher next to him.

"Yes, there's no mistake."

"So she really is Yamaguchi's son, huh?"

"But from the outside, she just looks like a girl."

The youngest researcher, standing at the very end, gazed intently at Miki and muttered.

"Well, you could say the same about some new-halfs—prettier than biological women," another man said, peering into Miki's face as well.

"Well, what we want to know is that she underwent a complete sex change in such a short time thanks to the drug..."

"She still seems to be under the anesthetic. We'll take our time examining her after she wakes up."

Hey, I'm not a guinea pig!

I see. These guys are after that drug my dad and his team developed.

But who the heck are these people? Rival company researchers, maybe?

Ugh. Anyway, I've got to get out of here, fast!

Still, I wonder how many hours have passed since then. Saki must be furious that I suddenly disappeared…

* * *

Meanwhile, on the other side, Saki and Manager Osawa-san have just started investigating Miki's disappearance from the hotel.

"Saki-chan, the front desk said they saw three suspicious men carrying a heavy, large trunk around the time Miki-chan vanished!"

"No way, could Miki have been inside that trunk? But why..."

"If it was a simple kidnapping, they'd target a much smaller kid..."

"Could she have been abducted because she's cute?"

"No, if they carried her out in a trunk, the crime was more premeditated."

"Saki-chan! If you know any reason Miki-chan might be caught up in something like this, please tell me."

"But..."

"You've got an idea, right? Then tell me quickly! This could be a matter of life and death for Miki-chan!"

"Actually... Miki was a boy until just a little while ago."

"What did you say?!"

"When she took the drug Miki's parents were developing, she suddenly turned into a girl..."

"Hmm. Then she might have gotten caught up in an incident related to that drug's development!"

"I'm going to contact Miki's father! Osawa-san, please call the police."

"OK. Let's hurry, above all."

* * *

Meanwhile, held captive on the other side, Miki decided to examine the room thoroughly after the men left—just in case.

This door leads to a bath and toilet... It doesn't seem like a hotel... Is this some kind of research facility?

At least there don't seem to be any surveillance cameras or bugs...

Click!

Suddenly the door flew open and the same men from before entered the room.

"Eek..."

"Oh? You're awake, are you, young lady?"

"...Who are you? What exactly do you intend to do to me?"

"If you cooperate quietly, we won't get rough with you."

"Cooperate?"

"We just want to examine your body, just a little."

"N-no! Send me home right now!!"

"If you won't cooperate, you'll never be able to go home! Are you sure that's alright?"

"N-no way..."

I crumpled limply to the floor right there. For some reason, I just can't muster any strength.

"Oi, take her to the lab!"

"Ah, stop it!"

Helpless to resist, I was grabbed by both arms and led out of the room.

Damn it. Ever since I became a girl, it feels like I've lost my strength~

The corridor outside the room had a design that, as suspected, suggested the interior of a research institute.

Dragged along that long corridor, I was taken deeper and deeper inside.

What in the world do they mean by "examine my body"?

We must have walked about thirty meters when a wide, brightly lit space suddenly appeared ahead.

When we passed by it, it seemed to be the building's entrance.

In the distance, I can see what looks like a public road. Yes! There's even a bus passing by!

If I can just get there, I'll be saved!

Right, now's my chance! I shook off the men's arms and dashed straight for the entrance door.

"Hey, don't let her get away! Chase her!"

"Wait—!"

Hah! As if I'd wait!! I might look like this, but I'm a fast runner!

Bang! I slammed my body into the door with too much momentum.

I tried pushing the door. Ah, it won't open!

The men were closing in right behind me.

"Open! Open! Dammit, why won't it open?!"

Rattle, rattle.

"Could it be..."

I tried pulling the door toward me! Ah, it opened.

Whoosh.

One of the men's hands grazed my back.

Tumbling through the entrance and outside, I sprinted with all my might for the main gate.

Pant, pant... It's only about fifty meters, but my body feels like it's moving in slow motion.

On top of that, because of the men's shouting, a man who looked like a security guard came out from the gate ahead, too.

Now I'm truly doomed!

"Somebody, help—!" I meant to scream, but my breathing was so ragged I couldn't get the words out.

It's no good!

There were maybe twenty meters left.

From behind, one of the men launched a fierce tackle at my legs!

He grabbed onto my legs, I lost my balance, and fell face-first onto the grass.

Even so, without missing a beat, I kicked him right in the face.

Thud!

"Gyaa!"

Taking advantage of the man recoiling, I scrambled to my feet, and the instant I started running again—

Pssssshhhh—

The security guard coming from the front sprayed me.

Immediately, my consciousness faded away.

"Ahh... s-someone..."