Chapter 9

A/N: I'm so sorry I haven't updated in a while! I've been so busy with school, I've barely got time to breathe! Luckily I was able to write a chapter of this book! Please enjoy!

'Here, have a seat, Professor.' Leo said, directing Miss Aiko to a sofa. They were both in his apartment. A few weeks had passed since their last meeting, and Leo was yet to allow Miss Aiko to test out the Neurometer. But today was the day they both agreed on, and Leo made sure to prepare thoroughly for her visit.

'Would you like anything to drink, Prof?' Leo asked. He watched her as she scaled his apartment, sitting tensely in her seat. Leo told her about her first few attempts with the Neurometer, and she wasn't pleased at all, to say the least. She was extremely nervous, as she had realized she was risking her life by testing the Neurometer. Her uneasiness was what resulted to her stiff posture.

'Um, no thanks.' She said, barely acknowledging Leo. She just wanted to get this over with.

'Well, whenever you're ready, then.' Leo coughed, standing uncomfortably.

'Okay, just give me a minute.' Miss Aiko said, gathering her thoughts together. She bowed her head and said a short prayer to God, praying that she'd not be electrocuted to death or burnt beyond recognition if the Neurometer malfunctioned.

After a few moments, Miss Aiko looked up and said determined, 'I'm ready.'

'Oh, oh okay' Leo said, rubbing his palms together. He, too, hoped he wouldn't end up murdering his wise professor.

'Right this way.' He said as he escorted her to his study / workshop.

Miss Aiko caught herself looking around his workshop, intrigued by all the devices and parts Leo scattered around.

'It's a little messy, Madam. I'm sorry.' He apologized.

She waved off his apology with a weak smile and fixed her gaze on the large machine which's bulk took up a little over half's the room's space. There was a built in seat in the middle which was connected to a mess of wires and cables with little ports. There was also a huge screen to the side of the seat in which a few of the cables were connected. There was also a removable piece of head gear at the head rest of the seat. There were cables connected to the back of the head set.

'T-that's the Neurometer, isn't it?' Miss Aiko asked, at a loss of words. She didn't know what she was expecting to see but it definitely wasn't that.

'Yeah, that's my little baby.' Leo smiled, trying to reduce the tension.

'This,' he said 'this screen, when turned on, shows the activity of all your vital organs, including your blood pressure and temperature. It also alerts the user if there is any warning or danger when using the Neurometer. And this' he pointed to the headset 'you put this on so that it reads your brain waves and brain cells. It's also whats mainly responsible for transporting you to "Hantaisoku", or "the other side" in English' Leo explained. He paused so that his words could sink in.

'And what about all those wires and cables?' Miss Aiko asked.

'Oh, you connect those to several parts of your body. Don't worry, they look strange, but it doesn't hurt at all.' Leo answered.

'Oh okay...' Miss Aiko slowly nodded.

They stood in an uncomfortable silence for a few more moments, with Leo thinking it would be impolite to ask Miss Aiko to sit on the machine seat.

'Oh, am I supposed to sit?' Miss Aiko asked, suddenly blinking her eyes rapidly. She looked as if she just snapped out of some sort of reverie.

'Uh, please do.' Leo said.

Miss Aiko slowly sat down, noting how comfortable and plush the seat was. Well, it could be her death bed, so it might as well be comfortable.

'I'm going to start connecting the wires to your body' Leo said, seeking permission.

'Go ahead.' Miss Aiko said, permitting him.

He connected the wires to her body, and as he said, they were painless. In a few minutes, all the wires were connected.

'Now, you just put on the headset.' Leo said.

Miss Aiko wore the headset, and saw nothing but pitch black when it was fastened.

'Alright, Miss, I'm going to turn it on.' Leo said.

She took a deep breath. 'Whenever you're ready.'

Then Leo switched it on.