Some time passed, and it was time for the meditation class. This session was held in a vast space completely decked out in white. The ambience of a forest rhythmically flowed into the students' brain chips as they sat cross-legged at a steady pace. It was a class designed to monitor the emotional states of the students at Noah Tech School. Like other classes, fluctuations in emotions were recorded and sent to the AG Security Center. Yet, even knowing this, there were those who found the class monotonous.
...So sleepy.
It was Marty, as expected. The class was already dull, and with her eyes closed, it was impossible for her to resist the overwhelming wave of drowsiness.
Ah, no, I can't. I must stay awake. I need to focus.
In an effort to wake herself from the brink of sleep, Marty consciously ignored the ambient sounds and focused on the sound of her own heartbeat. Her shoulders naturally bobbed in time with the steady rhythm of her heart. The more she tried to control it, the more intense the thudding of her heart became, and she felt a surge of energy filling her soul. And there was another person experiencing the same thing...
"Hey, M523?"
It was Tyra.
"Now is the time for meditation. Please do not move."
"Fine."
Tyra responded indifferently to the Overseer's reminder, as if nothing had happened.
Wasn't that the same girl I almost bumped into in the classroom earlier... What's going on?
Marty glanced sideways at Tyra. Tyra, aware that Marty was observing her, pretended not to notice.
Hmm... I thought she was similar to me, but maybe not?'
However, moments later, as Tyra once again started nodding her head in rhythm, Marty felt a surge of excitement, much like Archimedes must have felt when he exclaimed "Eureka!" Though Marty quickly resumed her poker face as the Overseer passed by, this was enough to confirm her suspicion that Tyra was someone special, just like her.
***
"Hey."
Later, in a liberal arts class, Marty spotted Tyra and called out to her with a hint of delight.
"Uh? Hey."
But Tyra, without giving Marty a single glance, headed to the capsule farthest from her.
Hmm.
Marty felt a bit dejected by Tyra's attitude of pretending not to know her, but she also empathized. She understood the caution; after all, one could end up like M498, dragged away by Security Agents. And if caught, she would surely face re-education.
She's smart, trying to avoid leaving any room for suspicion.
It was slightly disheartening. Perhaps she had found someone who could empathize with her, but that person was now avoiding her.
No, it's too early to give up. I've finally found someone like me.
With less than a year left until graduation, the chances of meeting Tyra would dwindle once they were assigned to their respective posts.
Marty didn't want to miss this opportunity and was constantly on the lookout for the right moment to connect.
***
At Noah Tech School, students gathered in the sports field once a week for physical fitness assessments. These assessments measured strength, endurance, and overall physical condition to assign appropriate missions based on their capabilities.
"Next, the students whose names are called, please step onto your respective lanes on the track."
And today was the day for the 400m sprint. For accurate measurements, students were equipped with electronic sensors on their arms and legs.
"Lane 1, M523."
"Yes, sir."
Responding to the Overseer's call, Tyra, who had been warming up, saw the blue light on her electronic sensor flicker to life. She raised her arm with the sensor high and then lowered it, positioning herself on the track.
Hearing the voice, Tyra looked surprised, her eyes widening. It was because Marty was standing beside her, warming up.
"That face... you really are like me, aren't you?"
In response to Marty's murmured comment, Tyra offered no rebuttal. She knew that showing her emotions here would bring her no advantage.
"Lane 2, M912."
"Yes, sir."
Following the Overseer's guidance, Marty took her place in the lane right next to Tyra. She sneakily glanced at the tablet the Overseer was holding. On the screen were two radar charts for monitoring, with the names Tyra and Marty displayed.
'Tyra' is her name. Her overall capabilities seem to be higher than mine. But for some reason, I don't feel like losing.
Even though it was just a physical assessment, Marty, who had been continuously ignored by Tyra for days despite her attempts to start a conversation, felt a competitive fire ignite within her.
"On your marks, get set..."
And Tyra felt the same. Marty's persistent attempts to approach her had made Tyra resolve to use this opportunity to defeat her, ensuring that Marty would no longer dare to speak to her.
- Bang!
The sound of the starting gun echoed across the field, and both Marty and Tyra burst out almost simultaneously. However, Tyra gradually increased her speed and by the 100m mark, she had taken the lead.
I don't want to lose.
Seeing Tyra far ahead, Marty pushed her body to move faster, as if she didn't care if she collapsed right there.
What?
Startled, Tyra glanced sideways as Marty suddenly caught up, now running right beside her.
"I'm going to win."
Seizing the moment of Tyra's confusion, Marty surged ahead, surpassing her. This was an unexpected turn of events, not just for Tyra, but also for the Overseer and everyone else on the field. Yet, Marty's challenge ignited a fire in Tyra, who had been quietly reserved until now.
You must be kidding me!
Tyra, too, picked up her pace, swinging her arms faster and striding more rapidly. The two of them were neck and neck, showcasing evenly matched skills. At that moment, the graphs on the Overseer 's tablet began to fluctuate wildly.
"I'm going to win."
"No, I will win."
As Tyra revealed her true feelings, Marty let out a slight chuckle.
"See! You do feel something, Tyra."
"What? How do you know my name…"
"If you win, I'll tell you. But if I win, you have to be my friend."
"What!"
Before Tyra could respond, Marty sprinted ahead. This spurred Tyra not to lose and to outperform even what the graphs showed. She gave her utmost effort. Marty, equally relentless, kept up the pace. Their emotions intensified as they neared the finish line, connecting and resonating with passion.
- Beep!
The sound of the whistle reverberated across the sports field, declaring the race a tie. Their legs continued to carry them a good distance beyond the finish line before they could finally stop. Exhausted, Marty collapsed, breathing heavily and laughing refreshingly. Tyra, observing Marty, unwittingly found herself smiling too.
Neither of them quite understood what this emotion was. They simply felt a desire to continue being together. This lingering thought persisted even after the race had concluded.
"How was that? I can run pretty fast, huh? Hehe."
"Don't make that face. The Overseers are watching."
"Oops!"
At Tyra's warning, Marty quickly composed her expression. Fortunately, it seemed the Overseers hadn't noticed their exchange.
"I'm Marty, by the way."
"..."
"Oh, why are you pouting like that?"
Frustrated by Tyra's aloofness, Marty openly and confidently expressed her feelings of being slighted. Tyra found herself envying Marty's forthrightness.
"It's not like that."
"Then what is it?"
"We probably won't meet again, that's why."
"How do you know that?"
When Marty shrugged her shoulders, Tyra let out a wry smile.
"No, I can tell. Our situation has changed a lot with this fitness test. Both you and I showed more than just abilities. But that's not what they want."
"What do they want?"
"No, let's leave it at that. You and I are done with this."
"Just a moment...!"
Tyra, as if signaling that she wouldn't respond further, turned her head and walked away from Marty.
***
Tyra's prediction was accurate. She advanced to a higher level after passing the exemplary human synchronization test, which meant that she was a model student who adhered faithfully to Noah Tech School's rules and was subject to special management.
Marty, on the other hand, made efforts to catch up with Tyra, resulting in fluctuations in her abilities, and the two no longer had overlapping class schedules. Ironically, the more she tried, the farther apart they grew.
Within Noah Tech School, where student meetings outside of class hours were prohibited, it was impossible for them to meet separately. Marty couldn't even exchange contact information, leaving her feeling disappointed.
No matter how much she tried to think of ways to meet, there was no alternative other than graduating from Noah Tech School, which controlled all its students, as quickly as possible.
She could only endure each day, taking the joy she experienced when running with Tyra as her motivation.
Wanna graduate as soon as possible.
And so, those thoughts continued.
On the way home after all the classes had ended, Marty found himself amidst a crowd of people walking like robots. Instead of scattered clouds, drones were hovering in the sky, and Security Agents were patrolling the streets. Building billboards displayed broadcasts about the prosperity, peace, and well-being of IDYPIA. In the distance, the massive AG Security Center loomed like a giant, ominous shadow, covering everything in the city like a midsummer eclipse.
All of this was cast in a bleak light in Marty's eyes.
Hmm?
Marty saw her—a girl with deep, black eyes like a powerful and vibrant sea amidst the people with hazy gazes. And those mature eyes of the girl seemed to be calling out to her. Waves surged in Marty's heart, and an echo reverberated. In a world tinged with gray, she had never imagined the presence of a girl so radiant and filled with a blue energy. Marty felt her heart swell with emotion. Only then did the world seem to shine brightly in all its colors.
The girl noticed Marty's gaze and gave a faint smile.
"There you are."
***