Paprika

“Are there any other functions we don’t know about?” asked Osanai. “If there are, you’d better tell us quickly. This device is dangerous. We need to control it rigorously, under high-level isolation and in all secrecy. Please return all DC Minis in your possession to us.”

He looked like a student, but Paprika knew for a fact that he hadn’t studied at that university.

The only person he had ever loved was Morio Osanai, a young man he’d met when already on the cusp of middle age. It was thanks to Westernization, Inui thought, that such good looks had also started to appear in Japan. He rejoiced at his good fortune in living long enough to see that day, but at the same time, felt saddened by his own advancing age. In spite of that, Osanai happened to respect Inui, and eventually came to return his affection in kind. Inui had an unquenchable love for Osanai, this youth so imbued with classical Grecian beauty.

She just didn’t want to be hurt anymore. She decided to let him rape her.

Inui’s view, a product of empire mentality, was that a man only need rape a woman to put her under his dominion. This view was fully endorsed by Osanai, who had every confidence in his own desirability.

He always felt immensely aroused after seeing Atsuko Chiba, particularly when he’d clapped eyes on her alluring figure from close quarters. It usually ended in an act of self-abuse, but today, as luck would have it, he was expecting a visit from Senior Nurse Sayama. He could use her body to relieve his physical arousal.

He must have overdone things with Inui in his dreams that night.

After all, she was a just woman. As a woman, she had no ideology. So it stood to reason that the only thought in her mind was to faithfully, cheerfully pursue the utility value and application of the PT devices developed by Tokita. That was what all female scientists were like anyway; nothing more could be expected of them. This was not a question of looking down on women, but rather one of recognizing their natural disposition.

Himuro had prepared the program specifically for Torataro Shima.

“Method of treatment?” Atsuko laughed, knowing the true motive behind Shima’s interest. “There was a positive relationship between therapist and patient, if that’s what you mean. But since the patient’s problem was anxiety neurosis, all Paprika did was to analyze his dreams. She didn’t go as far as she did with you. Don’t worry. But she did let him kiss her at the end. Just to say goodbye.”

“She let him kiss her? Ah.” Shima groaned enviously. “You mean in his dream? As she did with me?”

“No. In reality. She found him rather attractive, and got caught up in a reverse rapport. Just a bit.”

“That’s inexcusable.”

“Isn’t it.”