Chapter 17 Section 1

Monday, November 16th. When Takuya had something to call a friend who stayed in the equipment room, after talking about the business, the friend said something interesting about the police investigation of the murder of Naoki Nishina.The friend seemed to have taken annual leave on the 10th and was targeted by the police because of this incident.Where did he go?What time do you go out and what time do you get home?To put it simply, the alibi was investigated by the police. "But, frankly, I haven't met the director of PeopleSoft's planning office. When I said this, the criminal policeman said as if he was looking for an excuse: In short, we are investigating all the people who asked for leave that day." The friend said with contempt for the policeman.

"That's right, the so-called no omissions strategy. Actually, how many people asked for leave that day?" "I don't know. There are a few hundred people in the whole company, right? I think it should be less than a thousand people. There are about two hundred people in the head office alone." Takuya thought to himself that with so many people, even if there is no omission in the strategy, it may not be too difficult for the police.However, the prisoner is not necessarily an employee of the company.After hanging up the phone, Takuya pretended to be writing a report, thinking in his mind: Since the police adopted this method, Yasuko should have been investigated as well.She also asked for leave that day.How did she answer the police?

As long as she doesn't answer indiscriminately— Tuo also imagined Yasuko's panicked figure in front of the criminal police, itching all over his body and restless.She is now being targeted by the police, which is not good for her in all aspects.After she turned into a dead body and was discovered, she only attracted attention—this was exactly Takuya's plan. But what happened to that guy, Takuya turned his face to the research and development class next door.More than half an hour had passed since he started work, but Hashimoto was still missing.His desk was cleaned up, and there was no explanation on the message board.Tuo was also a little annoyed to ask for leave at such a critical point.He didn't want Hashimoto to be too noticeable now, but there was nothing he could do if he got sick.

After a while, the head of the first class approached Hashimoto's seat, then tapped the table with his fingertips and asked the director beside him: "What's going on here?" The director, who is known for being unreliable, put his hands on his neck and tilted his head to understand the situation. The head of the first class ordered him: "Call and ask!" Takuya stood up from his seat, pretended to be looking for information, and walked to them.The folders for data and experimental data are stored in a cabinet next to the wall, so Takuya will not be suspicious if he stays in a class.

The director called Hashimoto's home.The other party didn't seem to answer the phone, and the director didn't move while holding the microphone.After a while, he gave up and put down the microphone. "Didn't you pick it up?" asked the head teacher. "No answer." The director replied. "What the hell is that guy doing--?!" The head of the section dropped a sentence and returned to his seat. What the hell is that guy doing? !Takuya thought so too, what happened? The first thing that came to Takuya's mind was, Hashimoto won't run away, right?He didn't have the guts to kill, and he didn't have a solution to the problem.Could it be that he couldn't figure out a solution and finally hid his whereabouts?But Takuya thought to himself that there was no way he could have acted so rashly.

No, wait a minute.Taku also thought of another possibility.Instead of running away, would this timid man choose a more direct method? In other words, it is suicide. Because of endless troubles, I finally choose to commit suicide. Takuya thought to himself: If this is the case, it is exactly what one could wish for.So far, that man will only get in the way.However, Tuo also murmured in his heart: If you commit suicide, I will be grateful, but please don't leave a clumsy suicide note—— In the afternoon, Hashimoto still didn't come to work. Takuya is in the experimental building, which is located in the head office, and it is only used for experiments.Takuya and the others used the third floor, and the floor was filled with robot prototypes and experimental instruments.Takuya held the paper cup filled with instant coffee in one hand, and looked up at the metal block in front of him.Long robotic arms move with micron precision, with fingertips capable of gently grasping a bird or crushing a brick.With the introduction of fuzzy theory, the robotic arm can carry several pieces of tofu with different hardness intact.And its eyes can recognize the shape of objects three-dimensionally.

Perfect, Takuya nodded and swallowed the coffee.This robot "Brutus" is the most outstanding work among the robots that Takuya has been making continuously since joining the company.Of course, "Brutus" is not everything.However, under constrained conditions, its performance exceeds that of humans.It can perform high-precision work more quickly than light-complaining field operators. As soon as Takuya imagined the day when this would appear on the production site, he couldn't help but be overjoyed, and everyone would definitely be terrified. After all, robots are inferior to humans - Takuya hates hearing people say that the most.Those who would say that were worthless, which made him feel even more displeased.What exactly can humans do?It is useless at all.Only lying, sloth, intimidation, and jealousy.How many people in this world can accomplish one thing?Most people just live by following someone's instructions.If there is no instruction, you will be in a panic and can't do anything.If you just follow the program, the robot is definitely better.

And you will not betray me - Takuya said to a row of robots in his heart.This is the biggest reason why he started working on robots.Including myself, all human beings have hidden selfishness, and they have expectations of people's hearts in exchange for disappointment. But robots don't betray.Although the robot will only act according to expectations, it will always be faithful to the program.When a robot behaves incorrectly, it must be the person executing the program. Takuya approached "Brutus" and touched its metal body.It is the only object in this world that can confide in one's heart.Takuya forgot the passage of time when he was with the robot.He couldn't help but laugh.This is a smile that comes from peace of mind and has no reason.He tried to imagine a world that he had never experienced before. The warmth of his loved ones that the world said was probably this kind of feeling.

At this time, a small "click" sound came from behind the robot. "Who?" Takuya left the robot and walked towards the direction of the voice.He saw a black figure shuttle through the gap between the machines, heading towards the door.Takuya went to the corridor. Someone was rushing down the stairs. There were footsteps in the stairwell, but they were gone.Who on earth is it?Takuya was inexplicably restless. The next day, Hashimoto still did not show up at the company.The director and section chief of his department walked back and forth from the early morning, and it seemed that the briefing to the directors in the afternoon was attended by Hashimoto, who was going to present the research content in front of the directors.It's just such a small matter, but Hashimoto's superiors - the director and the section chief can't do it.

"Yesterday, I went to his apartment on the way home. No one seemed to be home. I rang the doorbell but no one answered the door." The director said. "No one's at home? When did this situation start?" An anxious expression appeared on the section chief's face. "Probably since Saturday afternoon." "Saturday? How do you know about such a thing?" "Because the post-Saturday evening paper is stuck in the mailbox, but there is no Saturday morning paper." "...I see." The head of the section showed a different expression to the director.

Takuya also felt admiration.Although it's not a big deal, as far as the director is concerned, he has performed well. "No way. Call his hometown and ask." The section chief couldn't help but order the director.His loud voice disturbed the people around him, causing people in other departments to watch the lesson and wonder what happened. Under the order of the section chief, the director investigated the contact information of Hashimoto's hometown and pressed the phone button in a panic.The other party seemed to answer the phone. The director stuttered and explained that Hashimoto was absent from work without any reason, and then asked the other party if he had any idea.Judging from the director's expression, Hashimoto's family didn't seem to know why he was absent from work. "Hashimoto's father said he would go to the apartment where he lived." The director said after hanging up the phone. "But he's not at home?" asked the head teacher. "He said he would ask the administrator to open the door. Maybe Hashimoto fell ill in the room..." The second half of the sentence was reserved. "Ill? I don't think that's the case." The section chief said, but he still looked nervous, and then he muttered: "Hashimoto's hometown is in Chiba, right? So, anyway, he won't be able to make it to the afternoon briefing." Already." He seemed to be preoccupied with how to explain Hashimoto's difficult research content in front of the director. "Suzuki, it's up to you to prepare." He said with determination, Suzuki is the director's surname. The news that Hashimoto died at home spread around two o'clock that afternoon. Takuya wanted to know what was going on, so he didn't go to the experimental building and sat at his desk to work, but when he heard the news, he couldn't help but want to dance.Now there is one less person who knows the secret.Well done!Takuya also felt that Hashimoto had really died well. "What is the cause of death?" The staff of the first section gathered together, as if they were talking about Hashimoto, and Takuya also joined the crowd with a strange expression on his face. "That's not clear. Hashimoto's father entered the house and saw that guy died sitting in front of the desk." The man who was one year older than Takuya replied. "Sitting at the desk...is there no trauma?" Takuya asked because the image of Hashimoto cutting his wrist and committing suicide appeared in his mind, or did he hang himself? However, the answer was completely beyond Takuya's expectations. "There was no trauma. He died of illness. It is said that he may have suffered a heart attack."