[SYSTEM ONLINE]
A dim blue light was emitted from the machine, bringing it to life, despite it being new. It had been built very carefully and with an intention. Takumi inspected it from every angle, ensuring it had no visible flaws.
The left goggle may have a noticeable crack on the screen but aside from that, he was certain it was perfect.
"It's ready," Takumi murmured to himself, a grin spreading across his face.
It's been several days since his parting with Ayame, and he certainly is missing her terribly. Not having her around was something he hoped to get used to. Besides, he knew she was happy and that she had a future, and that was all that mattered.
Apart from that, Training with Sora has become increasingly harder, and tiring. He has many cuts and bruises but has also improved a lot. However, it's still not enough for Sora.
Takumi could remember that day when he got that phone call, Sora hadn't given him any training and had left the place soon after without any indication of the cause. At first, he thought it was his fault, but later his questions were answered.
It was Tachibana.
He's Sora's rival from many years ago and somehow found out that Takumi was training with her. They have some blood feud, and apparently, Tachibana's protege challenged him to fight.
Takumi remembered everything since that day...
--
[Days Earlier]
"What do you want?" Takumi asked, his voice sharper than he intended.
The man on the other end paused again, his voice low and smooth.
"You're stepping into a world you don't belong to, kid. Just thought I'd offer some friendly advice… before it's too late."
Takumi's grip tightened on his phone as the stranger's words sunk in.
"Who the hell are you?" Takumi demanded.
"Let's just say... someone who knows the game better than you do." Tachibana's tone was almost mocking. "We'll be seeing each other soon, Jiraiya. Try to stay alive until then."
Before Takumi could respond, the line went dead.
He stood there, staring at his phone, the world around him fading into the background. His mind raced, the sense of emptiness from earlier now completely replaced by something much more dangerous.
Who was Tachibana? And what does he want?
None of it made sense.
"How's Sora-sensei? Has she calmed down yet?" Tachibana asked, his voice steady but still with hints of jeering in it.
Takumi eye's widen at the mention of Sora's name.
"Who are you?" He clenched his fist.
"Careful, now," Tachibana warned. "You might break something."
"So, what do you want?" Takumi spat.
"A friendly challenge from my protege to you, Jiryia-san." Tachibana's answer.
--
And that's how Takumi remembers it.
'I need to calm myself down,' he thought. This is just another test. And when it's over, everything will be fine. Nothing has changed.
Takumi steadily cleared his mind before removing his glasses and putting on the goggles, making sure that no mistakes would be made. At least, not this time.
"Okay..." Takumi whispered, looking at his hand. "Please don't blow my head off..."
He then double-tapped the side of the goggle's frame. After a little beep, the screen flickered to life, projecting the familiar blue-hued view in front of him.
"And action."
The internal display of the goggles' heads-up display began, immediately scanning his brainwaves before multi-layered glasses began to adjust to his vision in a process.
As the brain waves synchronized, the user was finally able to control the state of the protective eye coverings via only their brains. But that was only one of its many features.
Unlike ordinary glasses, those specialised EYE-GOOGLES were specially designed to combine several computer-generated imaging techniques using data from the user's retinas and were able to generate a perfect copy of the vision in high definition, on top of which they were able to selectively change magnification and compare the new data. With these goggles, he'd see twice as far and twice as clearly.
Nothing can hide from him. No, not even those who he couldn't normally see. Thanks to the high-definition holographic screens on the side of the glasses, Takumi was able to make out various details in a matter of seconds.
The system then moves on to «AREA SCANNING»: displaying every small detail of his surroundings in great resolution, picking out key points like objects, people, and ground models to pop up in 3D mapping to make them easier to deal with when needed.
Then the final scan of the «CONNECTING TO HOLOBOTS» system began, scanning the environment for the so-called Holobots; each connected to the surrounding microcams, using their digital representations of the world to assist the wearer.
After running out the final check, the blue-green tinted goggles finally reached online mode.
After running out the final check, the blue-green tinted goggles finally reached online mode. His Holobots were drone holoprojections that can replicate an object or person and the user can control it. But, they cannot interact with objects or people so they are somewhat useless if not used as distractions but Takumi is working on a way to solve that problem.
It is his Mark 2's that are being tested for now but these things only weigh a softball and can easily blend into the background due to their cloaking tech being put into the model.
Takumi first introduced it after seeing some designs from his father's journal and figured out a way to recreate things from his writing.
He knows nothing is truly original in terms of creation, the greatest works that exist are reflections of previous creations.
His father used to work in robotics and had written a journal about his works, mostly stuff that he actually thought was possible, often over the line. He had told Takumi multiple times when he was a kid to try his very best and never settle for the easiest path.
Unfortunately, many of the earlier models were abandoned and sold off, and none was ever completed, it was never meant to become so influential in his life. But if it wasn't for those texts, perhaps his machines would never exist.
Thanks to him, Takumi quickly became skilled in programming and studied the entire book several times, memorising key structures and formulas and implementing them in his current project. However, there is one problem that remains unsolved.
Where is his father? And why hasn't he contacted him since he left?
According to Kari, Takumi's mother; he wrote a letter to Takumi three years ago and never returned. So, where did he go?
All of these thoughts passed through Takumi's mind until he saw a message show up on his screen, the words «SYSTEM MALFUNCTION» lighting up the HUD.
"What!"
A puff of smoke appeared from the Goggles and as he removed the device from his head, a quick crackle rang out across its screen.
"Stupid machine." He groaned. "Why can't you just work properly?"
He dusted the side panel, noticing a few burnt wires flickering and sparking angrily. He had managed to fix this problem before, but he couldn't help but be annoyed with the contraption.
If his father was still around, Takumi had a feeling he would have never fixed the issue, making him stop messing around with the tech and focus on his studies.
"To be honest," Takumi snorted. "That would have been boring."
He sat the Goggles down on his desk and grabbed his toolkit from underneath it.
"It seems your brain must be wired to burn things out." Someone chuckled behind Takumi.
Takumi glanced back from his shoulder. "Yo," he greeted as his lips slowly curved into a grin.
It was his little sister, Hikari. The younger sibling's arms were crossed behind her back as she leaned forward. "You know, one day you're going to fry your brain using those goggles."
"Nah, I'm careful." Takumi shook his head. "Big Bro always takes care of what he owns."
Hikari looked at him with doubt. "Hmm... Maybe I should check that statement."
"Hey!" Takumi exclaimed defensively. "Shut up you little runt! You are still a kid."
Hikari rolled her eyes at that. "I'm only twelve! And besides, I'm still growing."
"Yeah right!" Takumi laughed. "I've seen how short you are. You'll never grow past my height."
Hikari stuck her tongue out at him, which only made him laugh harder.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"Well," Hikari began, twirling a strand of hair with her finger. "I heard a certain someone was getting a visit from Ayame-nee."
"Oh... She has a boyfriend now."
"Really?! Oooooh! Do you know who he is?" she asked eagerly.
"No clue," Takumi lied.
Hikari pouted. "Darn... I thought you two might be dating."
Takumi blushed at the suggestion. "W-what?" He stammered, feeling his cheeks grow hot. "I-I don't like her that way! Besides, she's already in Azora Academy."
"Oh." Hikari smiled knowingly. "I see..."
"What?" Takumi narrowed his eyes at her.
"Nothing," she said innocently.
Takumi scowled at her. "I know you wanted her to be your big sister, but come on... Don't make it weird."
Hikari giggled at him before leaving the room.
"Whatever you say, Big bro." She grinned.
"Get out of my room you little runt! Go bother someone else." He yelled, throwing a pillow at her, causing her to run away laughing.
Takumi sighed and went back to work. He had to fix his goggles, or he wouldn't be able to help Sora at all.