[Novel: Venus Syndrome] [862] Can't Stop Now
A quiet afternoon at the Naniwa University Research Ethics Review Committee office.
As Ran Yabuuchi, a committee staff member, was organizing documents while bathed in the languid afternoon sun streaming through the window, the door opened without warning once again.
"Hello there. I'd like to request an ethics review for one project, if you don't mind."
The person who entered was Specially Appointed Associate Professor Yamamoto from the Department of Psychology in the Faculty of Letters.
She was dressed in her usual flashy, primary-colored outfit that didn't quite suit her age. The aura she radiated was intense.
Yet, it is surprising to learn that she is not actually from the Kansai region.
"Oh, Professor Yamamoto. Good afternoon."
Ran suppressed a bitter smile as she accepted the documents and cast her eyes over them.
Yamamoto placed her hands on the desk, leaned forward, and began to speak passionately.
"This research, you see, is about the psychology of Kansai people."
"I see..."
Without seeming to care about Ran's lackluster response, Yamamoto continued.
"Kansai people love flour-based foods, don't they? Like takoyaki or okonomiyaki. Isn't that right?"
"Well, once you start eating them, you really can't stop."
When Ran nodded deeply, Yamamoto smiled fearlessly and said, "That is exactly the point."
"So, I'm going to divide them into Kansai people and non-Kansai people, and then into groups that are given takoyaki and groups that are not. Then, I'll investigate how much it affects their psychological stress."
Ran's hand stopped dead. She looked at the words on the document twice, then stared intently at Yamamoto.
"...Excuse me? Wait a minute. Are you going to make Kansai people watch takoyaki right in front of them without letting them eat it?"
"Yes. I'll let them smell it, then isolate them for several hours."
The color drained from Ran's face all at once.
"Th-that goes against ethics! What do you think Kansai people are? There will be a riot! Isn't that just torture?"
"Oh my."
Yamamoto didn't look the least bit guilty; she propped her chin on her flashy, manicured fingertips and turned a cold gaze toward Ran.
"Are you the one conducting the ethics review, staff member?"
"...!"
Ran snapped back to reality and hurriedly bowed her head.
"I am terribly sorry... You were thinking of something so cruel that I just lost my composure."
"Haha, it's fine. But, judging by that reaction of yours—"
Yamamoto narrowed her eyes with satisfaction and tapped the documents with her finger.
"This is a theme that seems well worth researching. Please make sure the review goes through."
After the storm-like associate professor left, Ran held her stomach with her prosthetic hand and quietly closed the terrifying research proposal into a file.
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