As the global population exploded, famine spread across the world.
To maximize the use of limited resources, each nation established its own harsh policies.
In one country, voluntary suicide was legalized as a method of population control.
At the same time, a law was enacted: every citizen must undergo the Measurement of Abdominal Capacity.
The Previous Story
Huh…? Is that the smell of bread?
Morning sunlight pours in through the window. Mom is in the kitchen, baking bread.
Warm steam rises from the freshly baked loaf, carrying a gentle, sweet aroma.
“Come on, eat more! You have to grow big and strong!”
Before I know it, all sorts of delicious foods and sweets are lined up in front of me.
Munch, munch, gulp—
It’s been so long since I’ve eaten something this delicious.
I’ve eaten so much, my stomach feels uncomfortably full.
“You can still eat more, can’t you? Come on, don’t hold back.”
Mom keeps smiling as she firmly pushes bread against my mouth.
Even when I somehow manage to finish it, cakes and stew are brought to my lips one after another.
I can’t eat any more… My stomach’s about to explode!!
“Goboh!!”
(a choking gagging sound)
“I’m sorry, Mom, I threw up… Mgh!?”
“Eat more!! Come on, more!! Here you go!!”
The food on the table is shoved into my mouth one after another.
I have to swallow quickly!!
I can’t breathe!!
Gulp, gulp, gulp—
“You can get even bigger!! Don’t hold back!!”
Mom’s hands never stop.
Her once gentle smile twists more and more, and her eyes start to shine with a wild glare.
“You can still get even bigger!! More, more!!”
N-no… M-mom… h-help… stop…!!
The smell of bread grows distant, and my consciousness begins to fade away―――――
“…ngh… guh!?”
Suddenly, a sharp pain shoots through my stomach.
“Gah!? Hah… huff, huff, huff…”
I-I can’t… breathe!?
There’s no air going into my lungs!!
Clatter, clatter!!
My body twists on its own and the chair shakes violently.
“Did you have a nightmare? You took in 7000cc while you were asleep.”
W-What… is this stomach!?
Eh, a d-dream!?
T-that’s right… I came to this facility for an abdominal capacity test…
My hands are tied—I can’t move!?
“No… no, no!! Help meee!!”
“Are you all right? If you struggle too much, your stomach might rupture. Also…”
The female staff member continues speaking.
“If you wish to activate the bomb, please let us know at any time.”
That’s right.
There’s a bomb inside me, and if it gets unbearable, I can… end it quickly—
B-but… I can’t! There’s no way I could die like this!! Not in a state like this!!
Get a grip on yourself. Don’t give up here—I have to survive and go home.
“Have you calmed down?”
I nod slowly.
“We’ll proceed more slowly from here. Next is 8000cc.”
Hiss…
The sound of the machine echoes strangely loud.
I feel cold air being forcefully pumped into my body through my bottom.
My stomach rises little by little; at this pace, it still feels like more will fit—
Stretch… stretch, stretch!!!
(skin/organ stretching sound)
“!? …Gah… aghagh!!”
A beast-like sound bursts out from deep in my throat on its own.
A searing pain, like something tearing apart.
My belly’s skin stretches tight as my air-filled stomach and intestines press and strain against each other inside.
“Ah, your stomach has reached its limit. It can’t expand any further.”
Eh…?
My belly… can’t get any bigger…?
The staff member continues her explanation in a detached tone.
“If we continue pumping air, the pressure may cause it to rupture. Is that acceptable?”
What does that mean…?
So this is my limit…?
The blood drains from my face. My mind goes blank, and tears blur my vision.
If my belly bursts… that’s the end for me.
The bomb doesn’t even matter anymore… It’s all pointless now.
I’m really going to die here, today… just like this…
“Would you like me to activate the bomb?”
The staff member’s indifferent voice echoes through the room.
