To You, the Retired Number
...That is a heartwarming piece of news.
Now, moving on to the next news story.
The anchor's face, which had been smiling until that moment, suddenly turned stern.
Breaking news.
The government has just announced the discovery of a new virus.
This virus is spreading rapidly, and it is expected that its reach will continue to expand from here on out.
The characteristic of this virus is that it has no effect on the body, and no changes in physical appearance are observed.
However, once infected with this virus, one begins to harbor various delusions. Moreover, some infected individuals seem to repeat these delusions over and over. And they convey them to an unspecified number of people. Even more terrifyingly, those who witness this behavior are easily infected by the virus just by seeing it, and they begin to do the same thing.
It is difficult to determine where the virus is lurking, and by the time you realize it, you are already infected.
At this moment, no effective vaccine has been found.
It is extremely dangerous! Please, do your best to stay away from this virus!
No more...
After watching the footage up to that point, the monitor was turned off.
"This is quite a predicament...
I have seen many cases until now, but there has never been anything like this in the past."
The members of the note management office were holding their heads in their hands.
"We need to take action immediately..."
One of the executives muttered.
"But what do you expect us to do? The numbers are growing at a rate that is already beyond our control!"
Another member raised their voice.
"However, even so..."
Silence followed, and only the sound of the clock ticking could be heard.
As if to break the silence, the youngest member spoke up.
"I'll go ahead and register this on the management list for now. Let's see, the number is... 874."
No. 874
The codename is
"Eight-Seventy-Four. ...Ha, nashi?"
The virus, which came to be called that in secret, is still raging.
There is no sign of it subsiding.
How far will it continue to spread...
How many years have passed since then?
Now, the world of note continues peacefully, as if nothing had happened.
It is certain that people with kind hearts are making it so.
Eight-Seven-Four
People have even forgotten that such a term existed.
However, the fact that the hearts of so many noters were drawn in and the circle grew will never be forgotten from the hearts of noters.
No. 874
Eventually, this number also became a retired number.
There is no replacement.
What are you talking about?
Added on May 8, 2024
Happily, Miwa Utani has expanded the world of this note.
Please take a look at this note as well!!
#AoburaLiteratureClub
#ToYouTheRetiredNumber
#WhatAreYouTalkingAbout
