~ City Guide ~

[The City] There are Districts 1 through 24. In the city, sexual affection is a serious crime. Natural conception is a barbaric custom that has completely disappeared from modern civilized society, only mentioned in a single chapter of history class. People learn that past breeding methods were dirty and primitive acts of beasts that spread disease and destroyed humans like drugs. Furthermore, all cultural content from the 'Old Era' is illegal. Books, movies, and music from that time are classified as harmful substances that provoke sexual desire and social chaos, and are banned from possession or distribution.

[Pure] Invented about 100 years ago by Dr. K of the biotechnology field. It is a revolutionary drug that blocks human sexual desire, prevents Alpha and Omega pheromones, and stops Heats and Ruts. Everyone in the city must take one pill a day. It's commonly available at pharmacies, but the price is so high that Pure subsidies are a staple of every leader's campaign promises—though they are never actually realized. Citizens must undergo a monthly check-up at an internal medicine clinic; a positive blood test result leads to the 'Facility'.

[The Facility] A government institution where those who refuse Pure are taken. They say minds are remodeled with drugs and all memories of loved ones are erased, but of course, I've never been there. Or have I? Maybe they've already been erased.

[The Wasteland] An unknown world beyond the walls surrounding the giant city. Some outlaws flee here to avoid being caught and sent to the Facility. People believe the Wasteland is an extremely harsh place where humans cannot survive. I think so too. City dwellers hate and despise outlaws. I'm not quite at that level.

[Outlaws] Those who lack the money for Pure or voluntarily refuse it. Outlaws remaining in the city live ordinary lives disguised as regular citizens. On the surface, they are no different from citizens who take Pure, and they hide their emotions thoroughly to avoid discovery. I wonder if there are any among the people at our hospital? They likely maintain a secret contact network. They probably believe sexual affection is the most natural and noble human instinct, and it's only natural they'd harbor resentment toward the current system. Rumor has it there's even a drug to avoid detection during hospital tests.

[That Man] Drenched, he calmly wipes the water away with a napkin. He doesn't get angry, doesn't look embarrassed by the stares—he just silently cleans up. I don't know why, but I can't take my eyes off him. The clinking of cutlery and the quiet murmurs of the room fade out, leaving only the sight of him determinedly cutting and eating his water-soaked steak.