One month has passed.

In Keiko’s bedroom.

Keiko was woken up by noisy bell of her mobile phone early in the morning. It was calling from her boss, Mr. Aoki.

“Hello, good morning. What up, in such early morning.”

“Sorry, miss Tsuyama. Can you turn on your TV now?”

Mr. Aoki rushed to ask her. Keiko felt something emergency in his voice and turn on the TV.

“I am now reporting from the entrance of Takezawa Corporation head office. As you can see, many press members have already been gathering. Five hours have passed since announcement of that report. So far there is no official comment from Takezawa.”

Behind the TV reporter, Keiko found a lot of people surrounding the entrance.

“That study report. Someone leaked it.”

Keiko thought back the study report which they submitted to the board meeting one month before. She was directed to make it strictly confidential. But…

“Anyhow come to the office immediately. And completely no comment against the press. OK?”

Keiko changed her clothes and rushed out of home without her breakfast.

Approaching the office, Keiko realized the significance of this incident. The number of press members could be more than one hundred and many police officers were dispatched for traffic restriction.

“Excuse me, are you an employee of Takezawa?”

One press caught up with her to request interview. She hurried up with her face down. When she got close to the entrance, one black large car was approaching and many presses rushed. It seemed CEO Mr. Takezawa’s car.

Big chaos happened and a man was pushed down on the street.

“Shit!”

He tried to stand up soon but failed. He looked like twisting his ankle.

“Are you all right?”

Keiko looked into his face and shouted.

“Kazuki? Is it really you?”

“Kei? Is it you? What are you doing here.”

It was their meeting after eight years absence.

Keiko helped Kazuki and brought him to the nearest bus stop bench.

“I am working here.”

“Ah, you had belonged to the pharmaceutical division. You are very smart, working for such big company.”

“No, I’m not. My job is just similar to chemical experiment of high school, for example mixing drugs etc. How about you? Kazuki. ”

“Me? I am a journalist of Hounichi News Paper. Today I came here for collecting news.”

During university period both Keiko and Kazuki had belonged to the same athletic club. Kazuki was two years senior to Keiko. Kazuki had always cheered up Keiko when she was in slump. As Keiko he was really a reliable senior and she was close to fall in love with him. But after graduation they had proceeded to completely different courses and separated each other.

Keiko felt something wrong in Kazuki. He seemed very exhausted and lost confidence. What had happened to him during this eight years? Keiko could not help feeling a long time absence again.

“Kei, go ahead. Maybe today you will be so busy. I will contact you again after settled down.”

Keiko hesitated a little but left him and hurried to the entrance.

One week has passed.

Kazuki dragged his injured leg and continued his work to collect follow up news. At hamburger shop Kazuki took a light lunch, watching TV on the wall.

“I am now reporting from Saint Marianna Hospital. As you see, many patients are waiting for their consultation turns. Now I will interview to Dr. Takada of Infertility Outpatient Division.”

Doctor Takada, who looked very exhausted, was on the screen next to the reporter.

“Thank you for taking your time, Dr. Takada. It seems terrible chaos, doesn’t it?”

“Yes. After that Takezawa’s report, the number of outpatients are increasing day by day.”

“Then, what is the situation?”

“Well, it is almost same as Takezawa’s analysis. One third of visitors are in the infertile level. We found many serious cases which have completely no sperm in their semen. It is really extraordinary. It is my first experience during this one decade. So far most of the patient had come because of no baby after three years normal intercourses. But today many of them come here only to have a test of infertility before marriage. I have heard some of them gave up the marriage itself.”

After announcement of Takezawa’s Report serious panic is spreading all over the country.

“This hospital is receiving a patient by reservation system, but already full one month ahead. I am now finishing my report from Saint Marianna Hospital.”

People in the shop sighed all at once and started talking with each other.

“My boyfriend was sentenced infertility. I will stop our association.”

“Me too. Already cancelled the marriage.”

Same day in the evening. At the Kasumigaseki Press Club

“Very late. What is he doing?”

Many press members were waiting for Prime Minister Yamanaka. At seven o’clock a press conference by PM was scheduled.

“Sorry, sorry to be late.”

PM Yamanaka trotted in with his left hand raised 15 minutes late. Noisy shutter buttons and dazzling photoflashes all at once in the room. All the presses prepared for the PM’s presentation.

“Well, everyone. As you have already known well, Takezawa Pharmaceutical Corporation announced their study report about infertility of our country last week. However as for the Government that report was issued by only one private company and not official one. And as far as we know there is no scientific evidence for such infertility. Therefore please settle down and act calmly. No need to be panic. This is the official announcement of the Government. That’s all. Thank you.”

Too short and too easy.

“Now we are receiving questions. Please keep orders.”

“Question, question”

All the presses raised their hands to get the first.

“Mr. PM. Did you know this report announcement in advance?”

“No, as I said, it was only a report of one private company. No relation to the Government.”

“Then if this is true, how will the Government do? Do you have any concrete plan?”

“I cannot answer to a hypothetical question. The Government believes there is no such evidence. That report is incorrect. This is our view.”

PM Yamanaka responded with wiping up sweat on his forehead. But the questions were continuing.

“Mr. PM. Do you have any plan to make official research about this problem?”

“No, we have no concern about infertility. As I explained…”

PM Yamanaka was a little irritated and repeating a same answer. At that moment Kazuki raised his hand and stood up.

“Mr. PM. To be honest, I am an actual patient of infertility.”

All the people’s eyesight was concentrated on Kazuki and the conference room was completely quiet down. Nobody said even one word. Kazuki continued quietly.

“It was two years ago I was sentenced male infertility. The number of sperm was too little to make a baby. Mr. PM, this is true. Please see citizens. Many people are suffering from infertility. Don’t you think it is the default of the Government?”

All of a sudden the room was covered big applause and angry voices.

“He is right.” “Just as he said.” “It’s the Government fail.”

PM Yamanaka lost his word and was frozen. Then after a while PM suddenly shouted.

“Shut up! Who are you? Which media do you belong to? You are very rude without saying your name, aren’t you? The problem is basically up to a young guy like you. Recent young man doesn’t know how to take care of woman. I had never heard such ridiculous story in my young time. If you have a time to complain, you should make much more effort for your night life with your wife. Do you understand?”

The whole room was completely quiet down in a moment. Firstly a young press woman stood up and left the room with no word. Soon after the next one left and one more. Thereafter all the press members left the room one by one and the room became vacant.

Next morning titles of newspapers say.

“PM Yamanaka, Slip of the tongue again.”

“Government lost crisis control ability”

“Serious Infertility. Japan will go to extinction”

To be continued