Part 1: Okabe Rintarou visits the scene of a murder

Video: Introduction
(Voice: Mamoru Miyano.)



But that chance is predetermined by the will of the world.

I'm not losing it. I'm perfectly fine. What I speak now is the absolute truth, not some pretentious delusion.
No matter how trivial something may seem, it may change the tide in the great stream of time. Do you know what the "Butterfly Effect" is? If not, look it up.
Just try to understand how much care that takes.
Unfortunately, I didn't give a care.



The future wouldn't have turned out like this.
But how could I have realized that? How could I have realized that I held in my own hands the switch, the turning point that could determine the fate of all mankind?
Just think about it. The average human's perception is cut off by about 99%. People are stupid animals that can only think about themselves. They live every average day of their average lives, not noticing anything that happens around them. Do they perceive something and forget it, or do their brains not even process it?

I want to tell the me back then:

Don't do anything careless!
Don't do anything rash!
Don't pretend you didn't see that!
Pay more attention!
Conspiracy's evil hand was always closer than you had thought, always ready to trick you!





Stars too have a beginning, but are by their own power destroyed. Finite.
He who holds wisdom can recognize extreme foolishness in history.
The fish in the sea knows not the land ashore.
If they too hold wisdom, they too be destroyed.
It is more ridiculous for man to exceed light speed than for fish to live ashore.
This may also be called God's final warning to those who rebel...




Prologue



No sound is coming from the phone I'm holding against my right ear. A perfect silence. Strong summer sunlight is hitting me. Sweat is slowly flowing down my chin and dropping onto the asphalt below.



In front of me stands a girl. Tilting her head, she calls my name.

Her facial expression holds the innocence of a middle school girl. She doesn't seem to understand that we're wading into enemy territory, nor does she sense even a bit of the tension in the air. After placing my hand on the mic of my phone, I put my index finger on my mouth. A gesture asking for silence.

"Are you on the phone with someone?"



The other end of the phone still emits no sound. They probably became silent as our conversation was something that shouldn't be spread lightly.

"...No, ignore what you heard. Everything's fine. We'll infiltrate the assembly grounds now."

Same as always, the other party is silent. Apparently, they're only listening to my progress report. A rational decision. Having a regular conversation here would be too risky and foolish.

"Yes, Dr. Nakabachi went off by himself. I'm planning on having him tell us plenty on the subject.
...What?! The Organization has already begun its operations?!"

I widen my eyes and exclaim in a shocked manner. The girl turns towards me in surprise. Or more like she was already staring at me. While shaking my head and pressing my temple, I quickly let out a deep sigh.

"I see, so that's the choice of Steins;Gate. El Psy Congroo."



Steins;Gate.

One could call it 'the will of the gods', or perhaps even 'fate'. There are only a few people who know of its existence.

Anyway, let's go ahead and start the infiltration. I pick up my feet and move towards the Radio Center by the station.





Ignoring the elevator and escalator, I take the stairs towards the 8th floor, which is also the topmost. However, I used up all my strength upon reaching the 7th.

"Who were you talking with on the phone back there?"

The girl who caught up with me, Shiina Mayuri, asks me that while being perfectly fine. Due to my loss of energy after going up the stairs, I put my hands on my knees and take a deep breath. Apparently, using the stairs wasn't a good idea. It's too intense.

After wiping off the sweat running on my forehead, I face Mayuri again.

"Don't ask. It's for your sake as well."

"Really? Thank you, Okarin."

Mayuri smiles happily. She truly is very perceptive.



She is my childhood friend. A 16 year old female high school student, younger than me by 2 years. She's more like a little sister to me than a childhood friend. Our places of residence are in the same neighborhood, and we spent a lot of time together since long ago.



I want her to always be by my side. That’s a modest wish that I thought just now.



The sign says 'Doctor Nakabachi's Time Machine Invention Press Conference.'

"Anyway, Okarin, Okarin!"

She's been calling me that for a while now, but that is neither my real name nor my codename. It's a nickname she's given me that even I don't like.

"Mayuri, I keep telling you. Don't call me Okarin."

"Eh? But I've been calling you that since a long time ago."

"That's all a thing of the past. I am now Hououin Kyouma, an insane mad scientist, targeted by secret agents from all over the world! Fwahahahaha!"

"But I can't remember such a difficult name."

Anyhow, Hououin Kyouma is my True Name.

"Besides, it doesn't resemble 'Okabe Rintarou' at all. What a weird name, eheheh..."

She smiles with honest happiness.



And due to that, I dislike the nickname 'Okarin,' which was taken from my real name. Anyway, 'Okarin'? Seriously? That sounds like one of those yellow buckets they have in bathhouses.

"So, Okarin. Uhmm, can you tell me..."

Looks like she doesn't understand. She's been calling me that for 5 years now, so I'm halfway towards giving up.

"What's gonna happen here?"

"You're saying that you accompanied me without even knowing that?"

"Yep."

She smiles while nodding. This is Tokyo, the Radio Center in Akihabara. The 8th floor here is an event space.

"What will begin here is Doctor Nakabachi's press conference."



"A press conference? But I don't see any reporters..."

It's just like Mayuri says.



Including me, there are about 10 men idling around. Yes, just 10. Considering, Nakabachi's popularity, and that this event touches the subject of the successful development of a time machine, there should've been many more people here.

"This is probably a disturbance caused by The Organization."

Muttering with self-derision, I make a forced reaction and strain my lips. Nakabachi is not my acquaintance, but he's a person who was on the same side as me. However, he resigned and left us. The Organization couldn't overlook this timing.

"I really don't want to get involved with this."

Nonetheless, I'm very interested in what he has to say. That is the reason why I came here, wasting an early afternoon of my precious summer holiday. After thinking about what I just mumbled to myself, Mayuri tilts her head after a lengthy pause.

"Evolved? Ah, that reminds me, frill-necked lizards look like they evolved from dinosaurs, don't they? Eheheh..."

I let out a sigh. Laughing at her own silly retort... What nonchalance. Well, she was always like that.





Right when I was saying that! What is this sound? An electromagnetic wave attack?

The floor is slightly shaking. Definitely an attack, from above. However, the 8th floor that we're on is the topmost.



"An earthquake? Shindo scale 2? Magnitude 2? What was the difference between Shindo and magnitudes, again?"

I leave the troubled girl. Feeling somewhat bad, I rush out of the assembly hall. Disregarding the sign that says 'no entry', I run to the staircase which leads to the rooftop.



Just as I open the door, I see lots of black smoke rising up. Moreover, for some reason the air is filled with rainbow-colored phosphorescent light dancing around.

"An.. explosion?!"

I try to fake surprise, but wait, is this seriously an explosion? This is bad, my chest is starting to throb. My heart is beating faster. Um... W-What course of action should I take? Should I run away?

But why an explosion? Terrorism? I don't really think that's it. Why?

Because there's a strange object placed in the very middle of the empty space of the rooftop.



It's a mysterious piece of machinery. Considerably large. About 3 meters or more in height. Is this a... space satellite? Is this the cause of all the shaking and the matter flying around? Who would put such a thing here? Was this thing prepared by Nakabachi? Does it have something to do with the presentation?

Even if, hypothetically speaking, this was true, then how would he get this thing up here? This is the rooftop of an 8-floor building. My head is full of questions. Obviously, I will not find the answers by asking myself.



Everyone is as bewildered as I am.

"Please do not come closer!"

One of the women who I think is one of the staff starts to approach us while waving both her hands.

"The press conference will begin as scheduled, so please, wait for it!"

Is she trying to hide something? The situation is dealt with awfully quickly, and I'm kept away from the object that looks like a satellite.

"This smell. It's the smell of a conspiracy. What are they trying to hide? What was the explosion about?"

I mumble and try to arrange my thoughts. It's bothering me... but I should really try to avoid danger for now. It's not like I got scared or anything.

Led by the officials, I return to the 8th floor.



After a short search, I find her in the hall of the 7th floor. Under a plate which says 'The Land of Japan's PC Origin', Capsule Toys are lined up. She's gazing at them with a greedy look. While feeling great relief, I take out my phone.



"Yes, I understand. I won't do anything irrational. I, too, value my own life. El Psy Congroo."

After saying the password once again, I wipe my forehead with the back of my hand. This sucks. So much cold sweat. What should I do if something is actually happening? My feelings are split between excitement and anxiety.

I put away my phone and return my gaze towards Mayuri. What is she doing? Could she be daydreaming about capsule toys? She doesn't seem to be perturbed by the explosion at all. I can't decide if that's amazing or just idiotic.

"Mayuri, what are you up to?"

"Hmm?"





Of course. Just like I thought.



Among children and adults alike, there's not a single person who doesn't know the anime 'RaiNet Kakeru'. A card game based on it, 'RaiNet Access Battlers', even gained popularity overseas, to the extent of there being world tournaments held.

(There is actually a set of official rules for RaiNet Access Battlers, and the game was sold at Comiket 90 in 2011. It's based on a German board game from the 80s!)

The Oopa that Mayuri mentioned is an extremely popular RaiNet character, which is something along the lines of a mascot to the series. Its appearance is that of an egg with little limbs attached to it, due to which is vaguely resembles a dog. This thing seems to have the role of the weak mascot character. It's not strange for it to gain popularity among high school girls.

This reminds me of some ugly frog character which was popular last year. I forget its name, though.

"Go ahead and try it, but it's not guaranteed that you'll get an Oopa."

However, Mayuri has a troubled smile on her face.



Mayuri calls herself 'Mayushii'. To be precise, after 'Mayushii', a ☆ needs to be added, so it's 'Mayushii☆', though that's completely pointless.

"That's why, Okarin Okarin, can you lend me 100 yen?"

As if demanding something, she shows me the palm of her hand. Apparently, she was expecting this from the very beginning. At least she didn't say 'hand it over' or something.

"Don't act like a spoiled brat, Mayuri. I won't lend you money. Right now I'll teach you how harsh life can be."



"Ah, ahh..."

I open the capsule and take out the contents. Mayuri is trying to sneak a peek at what I'm holding, interested in what's inside.

"Ah, it's an Oopa. And it's metal. A Metal Oopa!"

"Is it rare?"

"Very!"

While examining the Metal Oopa, we get away from the capsule toy machines.



"Ah, a normal Oopa."

The boy gets a regular Oopa. He eyes Mayuri's Metal Oopa with resentment. Mayuri is standing next to me with her eyes shining. Hey, high school girl, you're on the same level as an elementary school boy...



To be honest, I don't care at all. I force the Metal Oopa into her hand.

"Really? Is it okay, Okarin?"

"I am Hououin Kyouma."

"Eheheh, thank you, Okarin♪!"

Could it be that she's ignoring me on purpose?



A dim microphone voice that comes from the floor above says that.

"Looks like it's beginning."

I go towards the 8th floor. However, Mayuri doesn't follow me.

"Come on, Mayuri."



Looks like she's engrossed with the Metal Oopa.



Greeted by the clapping of only a few people, Doctor Nakabachi appears. He's walking towards the platform in the inner part of the press conference room. He has a sour look on his face. Displeasure seems to be flowing all over his body.



"Okay, then, to those who have gathered here, I will teach the theory behind the invention of the century that will surely stay in human history - a time machine."

"Time machine? Did that person make one?"

Mayuri catches up after finishing writing her name on the Metal Oopa, and asks such an obvious thing. With a microphone in one hand, Nakabachi, brimming with confidence, starts talking. With me included, the audience is about 20 people. More than there was before. But, as expected, reporters and cameramen are nowhere in sight. I now understand how Doctor Nakabachi is treated by society.



I, too, came here because I had some interest in what he has to say, but it's not like I expect a lot from him. And, after listening to some of his time machine theory, I am filled with disappointment, which turns to anger.

As he talks about his time machine theory, I am filled with disappointment, which quickly turns into anger.





Video: Mad Scientist Hououin Kyouma gets mad
(I've disabled the music in the voice clip videos, so that you can watch them without turning off the music from the Tindeck links.)

Disregarding the fact that this is a press conference, I loudly shout out.

"There's a limit to how much you can make a fool out of us!"

"Who are you?!"

"It doesn't matter who I am! The more important thing is the time machine theory you just recited! Everything you just said is copied from John Titor! How dare you call yourself an inventor?!"

"S-Somebody get rid of this man!"

"You're the one who should get out, Doctor! Have you no shame?! You don't have the right to call yourself an inventor!"

"Be silent, you annoyance! You conceited brat!"



Being quite sure that it's an official who came to take me away, I forcefully turn around and glare at the person.

"Let, go, of, m... hm?"

It's a female about the same age as I. She's giving me an intense gaze.





I remember this face. Have I seen her somewhere before?

"Ah..."

It's Makise Kurisu. I didn't meet her before, but I know her face. A few days ago, my friend Daru, a.k.a. Hashida Itaru, showed me a magazine. Inside, there was an article which said 'Girl Genius Gives a Lecture in Akihabara'.



In the article, she was introduced as Makise Kurisu. The person in the photo that was inserted there looked exactly like the conceited woman in front of me. Just like she did in the photo, right now she has a sullen look on her face.

Why would such a genius call out to me?



She asks me that while quickly looking around with a stern expression on her face. What's with this behavior? She doesn't seem like part of the staff of the assembly hall, let alone an official of Doctor Nakabachi's conference.

Wait... Could it be...!

"Y-You... a member of The Organization?!"

"Huh?"

"Guh, for them to go that far... I underestimated them."

"Stop messing around and come with me for a moment."

For now I'll just shut up and listen. Just now, due to picking a fight with Doctor Nakabachi, I attracted too much attention. Especially Nakabachi himself, who is now giving me the most terrifying scowl. For him, it must be mortifying to be ratted out by a youngster like me.



I am an insane mad scientist being chased by The Organization. If this keeps up, I feel that it might turn into a dangerous situation. I must not involve Mayuri or any other bystanders in this.

Makise Kurisu leads me out of the assembly hall, while I obediently follow.





"What are you talking about? Try to act civilized."

She glares at me with considerable intensity. Even if her face holds many graceful features, she does not have a shred of loveliness. A beautiful Organization agent, unmatched in cruelty... I sense trouble, but for some reason I feel exhilarated by it. Looks like chaos gets my blood flowing, heh heh heh.

"I just want to ask you something."

"I don't have to answer that. I know how you Organization people work."

"What is this 'Organizaton'?"



"It's me. An agent of The Organization has captured me...
Yeah, it's Makise Kurisu. Be wary of her...
No, I'm fine. I should be able to escape."



What a magnificent and speedy surprise attack! I didn't even have time to resist.

"Guh, what are you doing?!"

"Huh? This phone is off."

"..."

"Who were you talking to?"

Being looked at with a questioning glance, I quickly turn away. Oh... she's good at this. An attack on the mind to make me lose my sense of identity? Reorganize yourself. I will not give in to such an attack.



The reason I carry such a phone is to protect all the classified information. I quickly take back my phone, and wipe the cold sweat off my forehead. That was close.

"Oh, so you were talking to yourself."

This is bad. Ordinary methods won't work on girl genius Makise Kurisu. My mental state is being shaken!

Looks like it's time to do a strategic retreat. I must wait for a chance...!





From point-blank range, she is glaring at me with those large, fiery pupils. The light in her eyes is overflowing with a powerful will. Without noticing it, I am completely charmed. Could the owner of such honest and pure eyes actually be an agent of The Organization...?

"What were you trying to tell me a while ago?"

...A while ago?

"When exactly do you mean by 'a while ago'?"

"About 15 minutes back, before the conference began."

What is she saying? This is the first time I've ever met her. 15 minutes ago, I was messing around with Mayuri and her Oopa capsule toys.

"You tried to tell me something, right? With a look on your face that was overflowing with sorrow."

Is this a trap? Because it certainly looks like foul play by The Organization. However, why would this girl use such methods?

"You looked like you were about to break down crying, and like you were in a lot of pain. Why? Did we meet somewhere before?"

Makise Kurisu doesn't look like she's joking. However, I do not know this woman. Wait, don't get fooled by her face! She's an agent unmatched in cruelty. If I show her an opening, it's my loss...!



"I can see through everything."

Because I'm a mad scientist.

"Genius girl, next time we meet we're gonna be enemies!"

"Huh?"

"Farewell, fwahahahaha!"



Makise Kurisu's words telling me to stop catch up with me, but there's no way I'm listening to the words of the enemy.



I hurriedly run down to the 4th floor and look behind me. After confirming that Makise Kurisu didn't follow me, I put my finger on my temple and take a deep breath.

"S-Still, I cannot let them capture me at this point."

Okay then, what course of action should I take? At first, my aim was to listen to Doctor Nakabachi's conference, but now I know that it's a ripoff, so there's no point in going back. I should just return home. That seems to be the best choice.

Wait, I just realized that I'm forgetting something important. Now, what exactly is it...?



What a dead weight. I shouldn't have brought her here. Even though I thought of her safety first and foremost, I let my guard down. For now, let's try to call her. If possible, I'll just tell her to get over here. While thinking that, I take out my phone and turn it on. Just when I do that, the phone rings.





It's not a normal mail, but a movie mail with a video attached. I don't recognize the sender's email address. With a sense of suspicion, I play the video.



A prank? Or perhaps an attack by Makise Kurisu? Is this some mysterious sound wave that makes people go crazy?

...No, I don't remember giving her my mail address, so I'm probably thinking too deep. After feeling stupid due to obediently watching some of the video, I click my tongue. I don't have time for something this pointless.



"Guh, Mayuri. Why aren't you answering?"

If it comes to this, looks like I'll have to go back to the assembly hall. However, if I meet Makise Kurisu again, there might be some trouble.





"Damn you! Is this how The Organization does things?"

I do not have the alternative of leaving Mayuri behind. This might be overprotective of me, but I cannot have her leave my sight. She's like a little sister to me, and when I ignore her, there's the danger that she might wander off. She's been like that since forever.

...Perhaps me becoming Hououin Kyouma is one of the reasons for Mayuri being in danger.

"Looks like I have to return."

I wearily start going up the stairs towards the 8th floor. When I return to the assembly hall, Doctor Nakabachi's conference is just about to end. There's no one on the platform. Apparently the fake inventor already left. The 20 or so attendees one by one start their leaving preparations.

I find Mayuri instantly. In the corner of the assembly hall, she's restlessly looking around for something. Looks like she wasn't kidnapped. I don't see Makise Kurisu anywhere. This is truly convenient.

"Heh heh heh, that woman got cold feet and ran. Fine. I will let you go this time."

While cautiously looking around, I run up to Mayuri.

"Mayuri, why didn't you answer the call? It's time to take our leave."





Completely downhearted, she complains to me.

"Ran away? So it moved of its own volition. That’s some real fantasy there."

"I dropped it somewhere..."

I get it. So now she's looking for it. Truly, a trivial thing.

"If you don't see it, then give up. We'll just get another one."

"We won't get another one. You know, Metal Oopa go for 10,000 yen in internet auctions."

"W_What?!"

For such a measly toy?

"Mayuri, where did you drop it?!"

"I don't know, that's why I'm looking... Anyway, if we find it, we're not selling it, okay?"

"Fwahahaha, that 10,000 yen will go to my research funds!"

"I'm telling you, we're not selling it. I even wrote my name on it."



"Tutturu~♪ Mr. Oopa, Mr Oopa, please come out."

Even if Mayuri calls out to it like that, there's no chance that it will come out. 'Tutturu~♪' is a phrase that Mayuri likes. She uses it in many situations, though I still don't know the meaning of it.

We can't find the Metal Oopa. This might mean that she didn't drop it here, but in the hall near the capsule toys on the 7th floor. It's possible that someone picked up the Meta Oopa, and while knowing its price, they took it to sell later. Imagining that, I writhe in frustration.

"Damn you, you vulgar beast who thinks of nothing but money. Have some shame...!"

"You too, Okarin."

Guh, I've just been retorted by Mayuri.



What was that voice just now?

"A... scream?"

This isn't normal. I can easily count the people remaining in the assembly hall. Most of those who came to see the conference already left. Including me and Mayuri, only about half are remaining. Everyone who heard the scream is cowering. I don't think I'm acting any different. You don't hear such a hair-raising and aberrant scream every day.

Again? Is this the continuation of the explosion? Something is really happening again? Mayuri tightly grasps my hand.



I take a deep breath, gulp down my saliva and start running towards the direction where the scream came from.





I think I heard the voice from somewhere around here. Lowering my back, I carefully walk forwards while looking around and being discrete.

After I turn a corner, it enters my field of vision.

In the middle of the hall.

Something is collapsed, with its face on the ground.

Someone is collapsed, with their face on the ground.

I can't move an inch.

I remember that attire.

What is that?

Who is that?

I instantly recognize it.