Chapter 179: Megumi Kato Snuggles! Mai-senpai Snuggles!

"Transfer a D-Class personnel to Test Site No. 7 for standby."

Haruto gave the order.

And so, an experiment regarding the containment object Clockwork Virus (SCP-217) slowly commenced.

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Experiment Log:

At Site A, a deserted island in the ocean, Test Site No. 7 was established.

To minimize external interference, all metal objects were excluded from the site, and a vast test area was constructed using special carbon-based materials.

D-985 was transferred to Test Site No. 7 and placed on standby.

Then, D-985 was injected with [DATA EXPUNGED] solution.

D-985 reported no abnormalities. The following was recorded:

"Uh... I don't feel anything. Can I know what was just injected into me?"

"Oh, whatever. If I don't know, I don't know. At least I don't feel anything wrong. Actually, I think my cold just got better."

After thirty minutes of continuous observation, no apparent abnormalities were detected.

The experiment formally began.

A metal gear infected with the Clockwork Virus (SCP-217) was wrapped in carbon fiber and brought into Test Site No. 7.

D-985 was instructed to touch the metal gear.

Following orders, D-985 removed the metal gear from the carbon fiber wrapping and touched it directly with his fingers.

After contact, the gear was set down and removed from Test Site No. 7 for destruction.

D-985 was asked to report any changes:

"Uh, honestly, I still don't feel anything. That gear actually looked kinda cool..."

Following confirmation from O5-1, it was determined that D-985 had been infected with the Clockwork Virus (SCP-217).

Observation of D-985 continued for twelve hours.

During this time, no significant abnormalities appeared. However, D-985 reported feeling fatigued and expressed a desire to sleep.

O5-1 intervened in the experiment and used [DATA EXPUNGED].

The infection process accelerated significantly, and D-985 exhibited signs of transformation.

"Report! I feel something 'crawling' and 'moving' beneath my skin! And I hear a 'ticking' sound!"

D-985 made his report.

Observation continued for another three hours.

During this time, gears rotating beneath the skin became visible, and the persistent ticking sound did not subside.

The ticking was most noticeable in the shoulders, neck, and head.

However, if a recording device was pressed against the affected areas, no ticking sound could be captured.

A carbon-based scalpel was used to cut open the skin on D-985's hand.

A small amount of thin, brownish liquid seeped out, revealing visible metal structures beneath the skin.

An X-ray scan of D-985's body showed that his bones had been fully converted into metal.

His muscles and blood were gradually being replaced by gears and pipelines—a process that could not be comprehended.

It was estimated that within three days, D-985 would fully transform into a Mechanical Angel (SCP-217-1).

O5-1 intervened again, using [DATA EXPUNGED] to disrupt the process.

D-985's body underwent violent mutations.

The remaining unconverted flesh began exhibiting various degrees of distortion.

D-985 ceased responding to communication attempts and started emitting a distorted blend of mechanical humming and bestial roars.

His flesh underwent massive mutations, seemingly resisting the Clockwork Virus (SCP-217)'s transformation.

After one hour of continued observation, the Foundation compiled test data and drew the following conclusions:

78% probability that D-985 would fully transform into a Mechanical Angel (SCP-217-1) within 70 days. 19% probability that D-985 would mutate into an unknown flesh-based entity within 103 days. 2.7% probability that D-985 would turn into a half-mechanical, half-organic unknown entity. Other probabilities were too small to be listed.

O5-1 ceased all external interference.

The mutated flesh was swiftly overtaken by the Virus and transformed into a mechanical structure.

At this point, an agent proposed testing SCP-500 (Panacea) on D-985 to see if it could reverse the transformation.

The proposal was approved.

D-985 ingested one SCP-500 pill.

3.7 seconds after ingestion, a violent [DATA EXPUNGED] occurred.

O5-1 immediately intervened and terminated D-985.

End of Experiment Log.

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"Which dumbass suggested using SCP-500 for a cure test?! Go to HR and collect a three-month penalty! And while you're at it, go clean Peanut's containment chamber for a week!"

Haruto roared in frustration.

After being infected by the Clockwork Virus (SCP-217), D-985 had ingested SCP-500...

And, well, the results were indescribable.

To put it simply, it was something Haruto never wanted to witness again.

Before the situation spiraled into complete disaster, Haruto decisively invoked the Power of the World and Root: Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, terminating D-985 on the spot.

With that, the experiment came to an end.

Haruto fell into deep thought.

Judging from the results, the Virus' transformation surpassed even the Blacklight Virus' evolution. Clearly, aside from its high infectivity, the Clockwork Virus itself also possessed an astonishing conceptual hierarchy.

During the termination process of the D-class personnel, Haruto noticed something unusual.

The "death lines" of the Clockwork Virus were broken.

This was highly peculiar.

A broken death line usually meant something was dead. Whether it was a living organism, an object, or even a concept, a broken death line indicated absolute death.

Had the Clockwork Virus already died?

But… it was still actively spreading.

Haruto was baffled, for now, he had no way to completely eradicate the Clockwork Virus.

Even if every infected individual were eliminated…

The concept of the virus would persist somewhere in the world, potentially re-emerging.

And when that happened, containing it before a large-scale outbreak would be uncertain.

So, Haruto halted all Clockwork Virus experiments within the Foundation.

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—Time passed.

Before Hoshino Ai's anniversary concert, Haruto was met with another rather noteworthy event.

Final exams.

If nobody mentioned it, people might have already forgotten that Haruto was still a student.

In fact, even he had almost forgotten.

He skipped the exams altogether.

However, since he was studying at Hyakkaou Academy this semester, that wasn't much of a problem. After asking his secretary, Momobami Ririka for a favor, Haruto received a perfect score on all his academic evaluations.

But once the semester assessments were completed, so was the exchange program's term limit.

Thus, Haruto had no choice but to reluctantly return to Sobu High.

"Oh? Judging by that look on your face, it seems you're not too happy about returning to my class?"

Hiratsuka Shizuka narrowed her eyes, looking particularly dangerous. Haruto quickly waved his hands in denial.

"Of course not! I'm thrilled to be back! Hiratsuka-sensei, banzai!"

Satisfied with the response, Hiratsuka nodded.

But as she turned away, her expression shifted to one of contemplation.

She had always kept an eye on this genius student of hers.

When Haruto transferred, she even used her connections to keep tabs on the situation within Hyakkaou Academy.

Originally, she had planned to wait until Haruto inevitably hit a wall, then she would reach out, extend a helping hand, and bring him back.

But then, through her sources, she learned of something utterly outrageous.

The new transfer student—

Had dominated the entire Academy.

He had even seemingly suppressed the student council president from the Momobami Clan.

It was absurd!

And just now, upon seeing Haruto's gloomy expression upon returning, she could guess what was going through his head.

After overpowering the student council president, the entire Academy had basically become his personal playground.

Stepping out of such a comfort zone to return to Sobu High, no wonder he looked so miserable.

But... this is ridiculous!

Just how much of a genius was he? Just how powerful was he, to be able to achieve that in such a short period?

Hiratsuka Shizuka shook her head, realizing she'd never find a satisfactory answer, and simply decided to drop the matter.

As soon as she left, the class swarmed around Haruto.

A transfer student—

One who had left Hyakkaou Academy unscathed!

Everyone was treating him like some extraterrestrial being. Haruto, for his part, found it exhausting to deal with.

Meanwhile, his desk neighbor, Yukino, was outright ignored.

She, too, found it rather exasperating.

Not that she particularly wanted the attention—

But she was a transfer student too, wasn't she? She had returned from Shuchi'in Academy.

And yet, the difference in treatment was like heaven and earth.

After finally shaking off his overly enthusiastic classmates, Haruto turned to the seat behind him.

"Welcome back, Haruto."

Megumi greeted him with a gentle smile.

In response—

Haruto leaned over the desk and hugged her.

A faint blush quickly spread across Megumi's cheeks.

"H-Haruto, there are people watching... Even I would feel embarrassed…"

Haruto, however, remained unfazed.

"Megumi-chan, come on, no one's even paying attention! It's been too long! Let's stick together!"

Haruto almost blurted out that her anti-memetic properties made it so that nobody would notice what was happening here—

But—

A soft cough came from the doorway.

Haruto glanced over—

And there, standing at the entrance with a dark expression, was Sakurajima Mai.

Haruto: !!!

Oh, crap.

He had completely forgotten—

He had dragged Sakurajima Mai along and even transferred her school records to Sobu High.

And since she also possessed a pseudo-anti-memetic ability and was part of the Memetics Division, she regularly took W-Class memory enhancement drugs.

Which meant—

She had resistance to memetic and anti-memetic influences.

And that resistance—

Was kicking in right now.

Haruto quickly let go of Megumi and walked toward Mai, arms wide open.

"Long time no see, Mai-senpai."

For once, he took the initiative to address her respectfully.

But—

"Mai-senpai, my foot—"

Haruto froze in place.

Mai had stepped forward and planted her foot firmly onto his own. With a cold smile, she spoke—

"Oh? Something wrong with my foot?"

"Ah~, being stepped on by Mai-senpai is an honor!"

Haruto chose survival.

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T/N:

I've been wondering, why was I trying so hard to translate this shit?

I get nothing for doing this, absolutely nothing except some small self satisfaction I guess. So its decided!

I aint doing shits anymore more than 3 chapters a day or something. I fuckin can't keep up. I realized I still have some life outside the net so I'm doing that.

Haaa~, FML.