"How does quantum even work with these?" Yasushi held up the bulky device, his expression caught somewhere between confusion and resignation.
"Don't concern yourself with that just yet," a scientist replied, barely looking up from his notebook, the pen in his hand moving nonstop. "The technical details will make sense to you in a few years. For now, just keep testing it like you did yesterday. Your feedback is invaluable."
Yasushi let out a frustrated sigh, his shoulders sagging as he turned back to the task at hand. The contraption in his grip was oversized and unwieldy.
Strapped to his back was a cumbersome pack, wires snaking out from it, connecting to a narrow tube leading to a massive gun-like apparatus. Each time he fired, large, translucent orbs emerged from its barrel, floating out with an almost surreal slowness.
He'd been skeptical of the thing's purpose at first. The mechanics behind it eluded him entirely. However, with the researchers operating nearby — pulling levers, adjusting dials, and tapping buttons — his understanding grew incrementally. Surrounding him, artificial bursts of fire flared up in controlled patterns, a clear simulation of dangerous conditions. Following the instructions provided, he directed the weapon toward the simulated flames.
The bubbles shot forward, drawn toward the simulated fires with an almost magnetic pull. As they made contact, each one burst apart in a way that felt both instantaneous and deliberate, snuffing out the flames completely.
Yasushi stood still, his attention locked on the unexpected effectiveness of the device. He hadn't anticipated that something so peculiar could have such practical applications.
"Is this going to be used primarily by fire departments?" he asked, keeping his tone as neutral as possible despite his lingering surprise. The man standing next to him, seemingly pleased with the question, gave a confirming nod.
"That's the idea," the man replied, a trace of pride evident in his voice. "Eventually, we're aiming to develop smaller versions. These could replace the fire extinguishers found in homes and offices. Just a single one of these bubbles is capable of putting out large flames almost instantly, making them perfect for residential or workplace safety."
Yasushi considered the explanation for a moment. He found himself acknowledging the breakthrough it represented. At the same time, he glanced down at the oversized gear strapped to him.
The equipment was excessive — too large, too heavy, and too cumbersome to imagine anyone using comfortably outside a controlled environment like this. "Will there be any updates to the design?" he asked, his tone direct. "Right now, there's too much to carry. It's impractical if this is what firefighters are expected to handle in real emergencies."
The man gave a brief nod before responding, his tone direct but still carrying an undertone of reassurance. "Yes. These are just prototypes. The goal is to make them smaller, more efficient, and more effective. Every development starts somewhere, and these are just the initial versions. We've already built newer models, but they still need to go through additional testing in controlled environments to ensure their reliability."
As he spoke, he adjusted his glasses slightly, his finger moving to point at a button on the equipment. "Press that one," he instructed, his voice firm but clear. "It'll switch to a regular water stream. For this part, we're going to create a fire above you. Aim for it once it's ignited. The bubbles, as they are right now, aren't designed to handle fires on ceilings effectively. We've already worked on revisions for that issue, but those updates haven't been applied yet."
Following the instructions without hesitation, Yasushi pressed the button as directed. The moment he did, flames appeared above him, licking the ceiling. Water jets streamed from the device he was holding, although the output didn't resemble anything he would typically associate with firefighting equipment.
He adjusted his grip and aimed the makeshift hose upward, directing the spray at the fire. Within seconds, just like with the bubbles before, the flames were extinguished completely.
"No smell, which is good, but there's…foam?" Yasushi asked, his attention fixed on the strange substance dripping from the ceiling and collecting on the ground before him.
The man beside him nodded slightly, his expression thoughtful. "Yes. We used foam as a foundational component when designing this equipment. The plan is to eventually develop alternatives that won't leave behind this kind of residue, but for the time being, this solution works well enough for our purposes. Thank you for participating in this trial. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, please fill out the feedback form at that station over there. Once you're finished, we'll proceed with the next item on the list," the man explained, gesturing to a small table set up nearby.
Yasushi acknowledged the instructions with a nod and began removing the equipment. He walked over to the designated station and picked up the form. Taking a moment to collect his thoughts, he wrote down his observations and suggestions. After completing the form, he set it back in place and prepared to move forward with the man to continue their work for the day.
As they resumed, Yasushi couldn't shake a strange feeling creeping into his mind, as if he'd been anticipating something unexpected to occur, yet it never did.
+-+
Yasushi leaned back against the wall, his posture relaxed but his mind elsewhere, as Jingliu wrapped her arms around him. The embrace caught him off guard at first, though it wasn't entirely surprising.
She and Xinyi had been absent for some time, whisked away for what their parents called necessary preparation — roles that demanded more refinement and training before they could truly step into them.
Jingliu had always been this way after time apart, seeking closeness whenever they reunited. "How was it?" Yasushi asked, his hand moving to trace small circles on her back as he returned the hug.
Her voice was muffled against his chest, but the frustration in her tone came through clearly. "It's exhausting, mentally and emotionally. I get why our parents insisted we study more before diving into all this. Handling situations where people are constantly clashing — grudges resurfacing, arguments breaking out, and balancing all of that while still doing your part to help — it's overwhelming," she said, her face pressed tighter into him as she let out a long breath.
Yasushi chuckled softly at her response, the sound carrying a hint of understanding. "Yeah, sounds like a complete headache," he said. His hand paused briefly, then resumed its motion. "Honestly, it makes me want to stick to work that's straightforward, physical, and doesn't involve dealing with so much drama. But knowing how things are, I doubt that's the path I'll get to take," he added with a resigned sigh.
"At least we can relax like this for now," Jingliu murmured, pressing herself closer against Yasushi.
Yasushi let out a short laugh at her remark. "You know you can't melt into me, right? If you're that tired, we could go find a lounge or something to sit down for a bit," he suggested. Jingliu gave a small shake of her head in response.
"This is fine for now. We've got a break before lunch, but it's only for a few minutes," she replied before repeating the gesture of leaning into him as if to emphasize her preference.
For a moment, the two remained as they were, but an unfamiliar sensation broke their quiet. Both turned their heads sharply to the right. Standing off in the distance, Jamie was watching them without moving. The moment their attention locked onto him, he nodded in acknowledgment and casually walked away.
Jingliu's expression soured as her eyes tracked his retreating figure. "He's been doing that a lot since we got here," she muttered, her tone edged with irritation. "I feel like I'm being followed again."
Yasushi didn't respond immediately, though his expression darkened. He couldn't shake the uncertainty — was Jamie fixated on Jingliu, or was it something else entirely? While it would have been easier to assume the attention was directed at her, he couldn't ignore the fact that over the past two days, Jamie's gaze had only seemed to land on him.
"We're going to have to talk to him sooner or later. Why not do it now? I don't like sitting around feeling like this," Yasushi suggested, shifting his attention to Jingliu as he explained what he had heard about the man over the past few days.
"That doesn't make me feel any better," Jingliu replied, her eyes fixed on him. "But you're right. It's better to deal with him directly than let this weird tension keep building. We'll handle it before the day ends."
"Alright. We'll do that," Yasushi agreed, though something nagged at him as they tried to settle back into their brief reprieve.
It wasn't the act of being watched itself that bothered him. The way Jamie looked at them wasn't lewd, threatening, or even unnerving — it was plain curiosity, as if he were observing something he didn't quite understand.
That was what left Yasushi uneasy. He found himself wondering if there was more going on than what they could see. For the moment, he let the thought rest, unsure of what to make of it.
+-+
"I don't like any of this," Yunxue said sharply, her tone reflecting her growing frustration as she regarded the new robots being developed.
Before them stood four machines designated as "maid" and "butler." These roles were ones Yunxue, Yinhaie, Layena, and Catherine already held, making the presence of these machines feel like an unsettling threat to their positions. Although all of them shared unease, Yunxue was the one most willing to speak her mind.
The robots — or androids, as they were technically classified — went about performing a variety of tasks. From preparing meals to tidying the surroundings or assisting individuals with specific needs, they executed everything without a single misstep or complaint. Their mechanical efficiency was unrelenting, but that same flawlessness left something unnatural in its wake.
"I can't say I disagree with you," Layena admitted, her discomfort growing more apparent with every passing moment. "Still, this might be where things are headed."
Off in the distance, Yasushi observed a robot assisting him with whatever request he made. Its accuracy was undeniable, and the convenience it offered was difficult to ignore, yet something about it felt wrong.
Despite its usefulness, there was an emptiness in its presence, a hollow quality that kept it from being more than a soulless machine. It lacked something human, something alive, leaving an unsettling sense of disconnection that he couldn't shake.
"What's your take on them?" a scientist asked, standing beside Yasushi's mother, Kohana.
"They're without life. Something feels off. But I'll admit they're easy to manage, and their functionality is undeniable," Yasushi replied, his attention fixed on the scientist, who seemed puzzled by his answer.
"Care to explain a bit more, sweetheart?" Kohana asked, her tone inviting him to elaborate.
"I've spent time with actual butlers and maids. Real people. When I talk to them, I can joke, have serious discussions, or ask their opinions on a wide range of topics. They respond naturally. These machines, though — I know they're still prototypes — feel overly mechanical. If their AI could be improved, they might appeal to people more. Sure, some will prefer them to remain straightforward machines, but I think a lot of others would want them to feel closer to human," Yasushi said, trying to put his thoughts into words as clearly as possible.
"It's like talking to a blank surface," Shiva interjected, stepping up beside him. "Or like dealing with something trying to fake emotions and coming up short."
Yasushi nodded. "Yeah, it's exactly that."
Kohana and the scientist made quick notes, their pens moving across the pages before stepping aside, leaving Yasushi and Shiva to continue testing the robot's interactions.
"So, if you had to pick, who's it gonna be? This thing, Nandini, or Yunxue?" Shiva asked, flashing a grin that hinted he knew the question wasn't as simple as it sounded.
Yasushi felt the weight of the choice. The robot wasn't even part of the equation yet, leaving it between Nandini and Yunxue. Both were strong contenders for different reasons, and with Shiva watching him closely, waiting for an answer, and noticing that the others hadn't quite left the room, he chose a response that wouldn't ruffle feathers.
"Both. Honestly, picking one over the other wouldn't feel right. I've worked with Yunxue longer, and she's really come into her own. Then there's Nandini — I haven't worked with her as much, but she's kind of like Yinhaie. She just seems to excel at everything she does. That said, I like working with both."
Shiva kept the grin plastered across his face, breaking into laughter as he clapped Yasushi on the shoulder with enough force to almost stagger him. "Playing it safe, huh? Not bad. I can't argue with that logic," he said before strolling off, leaving Yasushi alone with his thoughts.
Yasushi turned and walked off without a word, leaving the robot where it stood as he moved towards another part of the room. He stopped at a table and leaned against it, his arms crossed as he quietly observed the activity happening around him. Time passed slowly, and after a while, Jingliu approached him. To Yasushi's surprise, Jamie Doliver was walking alongside her.
The three of them exchanged looks, their expressions quiet but filled with questions unspoken. Jamie stopped a short distance away and regarded them both. After a pause, he said, "Can I talk to you two?"
Neither Yasushi nor Jingliu had expected this, but they didn't voice their thoughts. They gave each other a quick glance before following Jamie out of the room. He led them to a small, empty space nearby, shutting the door behind them without saying much.
Yasushi watched as Jamie walked over to a desk in the corner, pulling open a drawer and rummaging through the contents. After a moment, Jamie pulled out a clipboard and turned to face them.
His voice was calm but carried an edge that suggested he was about to say something significant. "Do you know that some people can have more than one soul?" he asked, fixing his eyes on them.
Neither Yasushi nor Jingliu responded right away. Jamie paused, as if letting the weight of his words settle in the air, before looking directly at Yasushi. "I know about your situation, but I doubt you're fully aware of it. The truth is… you don't have two souls. You have three."
The revelation landed heavily. Yasushi and Jingliu stood there, caught off guard by the unexpected statement, their reactions frozen in the moment as they stared at Jamie, trying to process what they had just heard.
"I'll admit it, maybe I came across as unsettling these past few days," Jamie began, breaking the quiet, "but there's a reason. I noticed something about you that I couldn't ignore. You see, I have this ability. Around people, I can see numbers. They aren't random. It took me years to understand them, but they tell me things — skills, potential, what someone excels at. Sometimes it's one thing, sometimes more, depending on the person."
Yasushi and Jingliu exchanged brief, uncertain looks but stayed silent as Jamie went on.
"These numbers, they're everywhere. But when I focus, I can see something deeper. Near the core of a person, just above the place where energy — magic, ki, whatever you want to call it — gathers, there's a single digit. That number represents a soul. One soul, always. That's the pattern I've seen with everyone. Until now." Jamie turned, his gaze landing squarely on Yasushi. "You're different. You have three."
"Three?" Yasushi repeated, disbelief creeping into his voice. The words didn't register immediately, and he blinked as though trying to make sense of what Jamie had just said.
Jamie gave a slight nod, his hand tapping the clipboard he held. He turned and walked a short distance away, seemingly collecting his thoughts. Then he stopped abruptly, turning back to face Yasushi and Jingliu. Without hesitation, he pointed directly at Yasushi.
"This is what I believe," he said, his tone firm. "Your original soul, the one you carry now, and the soul that belonged to the original Yasushi — they're all inside you, clashing with one another. They're fighting for control."
"You already know about two of them, don't you?" Jamie asked, his tone measured as his eyes stayed fixed on Yasushi. Yasushi gave a small nod in response.
"Your current soul, the one you live with now, and the one tied to your previous life," Jamie continued, keeping his explanation deliberate. "The two of them need to unify somehow, become a single presence. As for the original owner of your body...well, what happens with that one is entirely up to you."
Jamie set his clipboard aside, breaking his focus for just a moment, and allowed a faint smile to flicker across his face. It wasn't directed at anyone in particular but carried a strange ease. His expression changed again when his gaze turned to Jingliu, and he stared at her intently as though calculating something.
"You're a unique situation too," he said abruptly, his tone taking on a sharper quality. "There's a number floating around you, and it reads as 1.5. That either means you have half of another soul, or it points to something even more unusual. I've got a theory, though," he added, letting his words trail off as his expression hardened.
"1.5?" Jingliu stammered, her voice betraying a mix of disbelief and alarm. "W-what does that even mean? How can there be half a soul? Are you saying something like this is...possible?" Her question carried more than just curiosity — it hinted at an unsettled realization taking root.
Jamie didn't flinch as he responded. "It's not unheard of, though most people wouldn't recognize or admit it. Your situation could be similar to Yasushi's — multiple souls at play — or there's another possibility. You may have absorbed an unborn sibling or twin. Souls begin forming early, from the very moment a fetus starts developing. If you absorbed another presence while in the womb, that could explain your 1.5. I've encountered this type of case twice before," he said, his voice leveling out.
He let the implications of his words rest, his expression leaving no doubt that he understood the gravity of what he'd just revealed.