"Life is filled with ups and downs; it's part of being human. Even when everything seems calm and stable, a closer look will reveal the fluctuations beneath the surface."

That's what a wise person once said. I can't recall who it was, but it certainly resonates with me.

I never imagined that someone like me, who feels like a failure, could become famous in just a few days.

But let's rewind a bit.

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It was an ordinary day. I woke up, took a shower, and then sat down for breakfast.

I grabbed my phone and opened YouTube. As I scrolled through the videos, one caught my attention. It was from a news channel.

I clicked on it.

[Low birth rates have become a global crisis. Additionally, the IBD virus is increasingly affecting people, contributing to this birth crisis. The United Nations announced that they formed a research team on this issue two years ago and expects to find a solution by the end of this year.]

The IBD virus, huh.

A few years back, a peculiar virus began to emerge, known as the IBD virus. When it infects a person, it renders them incapable of engaging in reproductive activities. To put it bluntly, those affected by this virus can't maintain an erection, which makes reproduction impossible.

Fortunately, it hasn't spread like COVID-19, but it's still a significant concern.

In our country, the birth rate has dropped nearly 20 percent compared to recent years, and scientists haven't found a solution yet. If this trend continues, humanity could face extinction.

"Well, whatever," I sighed. "At least I'm still functioning normally."

After finishing my breakfast, I powered on my computer.

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I'm Tsukishiro Shin, a university student. I was fortunate to attend a local university, but my chosen subject turned out to be quite daunting. Initially, I was thrilled at the prospect of studying chemistry and becoming a chemist. However, I quickly realized that chemistry is far more challenging than I anticipated. The coursework is incredibly difficult for someone at my level. On top of that, the professors often seem disinterested in teaching us anything substantial. They tend to focus on just a couple of topics or engage in irrelevant discussions during class, leaving us with little actual learning.

Yet, when exam time rolls around, they throw the toughest questions at us. It's been quite stressful.

Recently, I've hardly been attending classes. I have some knowledge of graphic design, so I've started working online as a graphic designer. I'm not well-known, so my earnings are modest.

I live alone in a small apartment.

As for family, I can't return home. My mother passed away, and my father remarried a year ago.

I've met my stepmother a few times, and I can tell she doesn't like me at all. This apartment is my only refuge. It's not as if my biological mother was particularly fond of me; I've felt like an outcast for as long as I can remember.

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Ring Ring

Ring Ring

Gotcha

"Hello."

After working for a few hours, I received a call from an unknown number.

"Hello, is this Tsukishiro Shin?" a female voice inquired from the other end.

"Yes."

"I'm calling to remind you about your appointment this afternoon."

"Appointment?"

I was taken aback. I had no idea what she was talking about, but she had my name right, so I figured it must be legitimate. Still, how could I be unaware of my own meeting?

"We sent you an email. If you haven't seen it, I recommend checking your spam folder," she explained.

"I understand. But I'm not sure who you are or what this meeting is about."

"We are from the Human Development Department of the Akashic Research Institute. We've attached some documents to verify our identity. We advise you to come to the Akashic Hotel at 5 o'clock."

"I see. Is it possible to know the reason for the meeting?"

"It would take a long time to explain, so we prefer to discuss it in person at the hotel."

"I understand."

I hung up and searched my email's spam folder.

"Ah, there it is! They did send me some official documents," I thought. "But why do they need someone like me?"

"Well, no use dwelling on it."

I sprawled across my bed, scrolling aimlessly through my phone when a headline caught my eye: "Miki Kato and Arata Fujimoto Spotted Together in Shibuya Shopping Mall — Are They Dating?" The thumbnail featured Miki, dressed casually yet elegantly, walking alongside Arata, who looked effortlessly cool. She wore a radiant smile that seemed capable of lighting up an entire city, and for a moment, it felt like the air had been knocked out of me.

Miki… my childhood friend, the girl I once knew better than anyone.