LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 27: Takahara’s Secret and Social Issues
Impact of the Past
Takahara Sui grew up in difficult circumstances. After dropping out of the faculty of science and engineering, he continued to deepen his knowledge of physics through self-study and online courses. However, his life had been deeply affected by personal tragedy and societal issues.
Life with His Same-Sex Partner
At one time, Takahara lived happily with his same-sex partner, Kenta, but at that time, same-sex marriage was not legally recognized in Japan. When Kenta suddenly passed away, Takahara was left unprotected by law—he couldn’t claim insurance or inherit any of Kenta’s assets. He was even forced to give up the house they had lived in together, leaving him without a stable foundation for his life.
Poverty and Loneliness
As a result, Takahara was thrust into poverty and isolation, having to rebuild his life from scratch. At one point, he became homeless, and getting social support was extremely difficult. Nonetheless, through determination, he continued his self-study in physics and began his path toward becoming a researcher.
Lingering Trauma
Takahara’s past traumas were deeply ingrained in his heart. His experience of not receiving support from society left him harboring feelings of resentment. As a result, even after joining the research team in search of belonging, the darkness in his heart never fully disappeared.
Shaken Trust
Takahara’s behavior gradually began to raise suspicions. His colleagues, aware of his past, started to question his actions.
“Recently, his behavior has been a bit strange,” Ryoko whispered to Satoru.
“Yeah, I’ve noticed that too. And there’s been data disappearing over the past few weeks,” Satoru agreed with a furrowed brow.
“Could he be involved?” Masato voiced his doubts.
“We don’t know yet, but it’s worth investigating,” Satoru replied firmly.
The Secret Unveiled
One day, while the team was analyzing ADAM’s security system, they discovered that Takahara had intentionally accessed and altered the data.
“What are you doing, Takahara?” Satoru shouted in shock.
“I… I’m sorry. This is connected to personal reasons,” Takahara replied, looking down.
Guilt and Determination
The investigation revealed that while Takahara had engaged in espionage, guilt prevented him from leaking any critical information. He wasn’t trying to betray the team—he had been bound by his unresolved personal struggles.
“I never wanted to truly betray you all… but I couldn’t resolve the issues within me,” Takahara said tearfully.
“I understand, Takahara. But from now on, let’s work together as teammates and trust each other,” Satoru replied gently.
A New Challenge
The team chose to reintegrate Takahara, sharing in his past struggles, and resolved to face the next challenges together. Though the Japanese government arrested Takahara and others for violating national security laws, the team vowed to support him.
“We can’t abandon him. He’s fighting the same battles we are,” Satoru declared with renewed determination.
Tackling Poverty and Social Issues
Through Takahara’s experiences, the team became more aware of poverty and social inequality. They shared his pain and decided to continue their work with a renewed focus on addressing these societal issues.
“With our abilities, we can make a real difference in society,” Satoru said confidently.
“We must move forward, ensuring that Takahara’s experiences aren’t in vain,” Ryoko agreed.
As the team prepared for new challenges, they committed to solving not only technological problems but also contributing to solutions for broader social issues.