Raika woke up in her dorm, the early morning light filtering through the curtains and casting a soft glow across the room. Her space was a blend of modern technology and personal touches, reflecting her unique identity. The walls were adorned with sleek panels that displayed various holographic interfaces, seamlessly integrated with personal mementos like photos of her friends and small, handcrafted trinkets.
Her bed was neatly made, the navy-blue sheets and fluffy pillows giving a sense of order and comfort. Beside the bed stood a small, futuristic nightstand with a digital clock projecting the time onto the ceiling. A few books and a holo-tablet were scattered on its surface, evidence of her late-night study sessions.
Raika walked over to the mirror, picking up a comb from her tidy vanity. The vanity was a sleek, white piece of furniture with embedded lights that adjusted to her presence, providing the perfect illumination as she brushed her long, soft pink hair. The mirror displayed her schedule for the day in the corner, a subtle reminder of her responsibilities.
Her wardrobe, a blend of modern design and practicality, stood open, revealing an array of neatly hung uniforms and casual clothes. She chose her outfit for the day—a clean, crisp academy uniform—and dressed quickly. As she smoothed down her skirt and adjusted her collar, she glanced around the room, feeling a sense of quiet contentment.
The dorm was small but cozy, with a corner dedicated to her studies. A sleek desk, equipped with multiple screens and holographic projectors, dominated that space. Various diagrams, data charts, and notes floated in mid-air, testament to her relentless dedication to both her academic and personal projects.
By the window, a potted plant sat on a small table, its green leaves adding a touch of nature to the otherwise high-tech environment. The window itself offered a view of the academy grounds, with students already bustling about, preparing for the day ahead.
Raika finished preparing herself and stood by the window, taking a deep breath. "I miss you, Assistant," she whispered, her voice soft and filled with a touch of melancholy. The room, with all its gadgets and personal touches, suddenly felt a little emptier without the constant presence and guidance of her loyal assistant.
She straightened up, determined not to dwell on the past, and headed out the door, ready to face whatever challenges the day might bring. The hallway outside her dorm was already alive with the sounds of students chatting and moving about, a vibrant start to another day at Stella Academy.
As Raika stepped outside her dorm, the bustling energy of Stella Academy greeted her. The hallways were filled with students hurrying to their classes, chatting with friends, and engaging in animated discussions about their latest projects and studies.
As she walked, a few students spotted her and called out, "Hi, Leader!" Some of them waved enthusiastically, while others gave her respectful nods and said, "Hail, Leader."
Raika, feeling slightly overwhelmed, awkwardly waved back with a hesitant smile. "Hi," she said, her voice a bit unsure. The attention she received was still something she was trying to get used to.
With each step, more students greeted her, and she continued to respond with a mix of smiles and waves. Her face held a perpetual look of mild discomfort, clearly not accustomed to being the center of so much attention.
"I could never get used to this," Raika muttered under her breath, her cheeks tinged with a slight blush. She tried to maintain her composure, reminding herself that this was part of her new reality as the leader and savior of the academy.
Despite her awkwardness, there was a warmth in the students' greetings, a genuine respect and admiration that made her feel both proud and humbled. As she continued down the hallway, she steeled herself for the day ahead, determined to live up to the expectations placed upon her.
As Raika continued walking down the hallway, she let her mind wander. She mentally projected a holographic image, a reminder of her mission to find Nina Tatsuya, who she believed was her sister in her past life.
"Let's see," she thought to herself, organizing her thoughts and priorities for the day. The image of Nina Tatsuya, a faint but vivid recollection, floated before her mind's eye. "I need to find a way to meet her."
With the day's schedule relatively free of classes, Raika saw an opportunity. "Since there isn't much class today, I have time," she muttered softly, her determination growing. "I have time to find my sister from my past life."
She felt a mix of anticipation and hope as she resolved to embark on this personal quest. Finding Nina would not only help her understand more about her own past but also possibly reconnect her with someone who was an important part of her previous existence.
Raika's steps quickened with purpose as she moved through the academy, her thoughts now laser-focused on her mission. She would navigate the day with this goal in mind, ready to uncover whatever clues she could find about Nina's current identity and whereabouts.
As Raika arrived at the ninth-grade section of Stella Academy, which was still part of the main campus, she was greeted by the sight of students lining the hallway. The ninth graders, recognizing her presence, saluted her respectfully and stepped aside to clear a path for her.
"Hail to our leader!" several of them called out in unison, their voices echoing through the corridor.
Raika's eyes widened slightly in surprise as she walked through the hall. She couldn't help but think, "Huh, my identity as a leader has even reached here?" The respect and admiration from the younger students were both flattering and slightly overwhelming.
She nodded and smiled awkwardly at the students, acknowledging their gestures with a wave. "Thank you," she said, her voice warm but tinged with the awkwardness she still felt in these situations.
Raika continued down the hall, her mind now more focused on finding Nina. She knew she had a mission, and she couldn't let the attention distract her. As she navigated the hallways, she kept an eye out for any clues or familiar faces that might lead her to Nina.
As Raika continued her search for the right room, her eye interface activated, displaying the words "Searching... Searching..." in a soft blue hue. She walked past several classrooms, her pace steady but determined.
Suddenly, the interface flashed "Match Found: Nina" and pinpointed the exact location of the room. Raika's heart quickened with anticipation. She adjusted her path, heading directly towards the indicated room.
Reaching the door, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for the encounter. With a determined look, she opened the door and stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room for Nina. This was the moment she had been preparing for, and she was ready to finally reconnect with her sister from her past life.
As Raika reached the room, she noticed that the class hadn't started yet; there were still two hours before it would begin. The moment she stepped inside, a wave of excitement rippled through the students. Some shouted with squeals of delight, "Ahhh, Raika, the leader is here!"
Raika waved awkwardly, still getting used to the attention. Her eyes then landed on Nina, who stood with a serious expression, saluting her. "Leader Raika," Nina said formally.
Raika smiled warmly, trying to ease the formality. "At ease, Nina," she replied, her voice gentle but authoritative. "It's good to see you."
Nina looked confused, her soft voice questioning, "Good to see me? What do you mean?"
Raika smiled gently. "Can I borrow you for a moment?" Without waiting for a reply, she grabbed Nina's hand. The other students erupted in excitement, shouting and murmuring amongst themselves as they saw Raika take Nina's hand.
Nina blushed, her initial hesitation giving way to embarrassment. Despite her confusion, she allowed herself to be led away, trusting Raika's intention. As they moved through the hall, the students' excitement followed them like a wave, adding to the surreal moment.
Raika turned to the students and said, "I need some time alone with Nina."
The students, now even more formal, responded in unison, "Yes, Leader!" They saluted with precise formality.
Raika's face reddened with awkwardness. She cleared her throat and said, "Just call me Raika."
The students halted in their tracks, surprise flickering in their eyes. A few exchanged puzzled glances before nodding in understanding. Raika and Nina then continued their way up to the building rooftop, a quieter space away from the bustling crowd. The rooftop, bathed in sunlight, offered a serene escape, with no one else in sight.
As they reached the rooftop, Raika released Nina's hand and faced her with a serious expression. "Nina," she began, her tone earnest, "you might not believe me, but I was your brother Tatsuya in the past. I've been reborn as a cyborg girl."
Nina's initial reaction was a burst of laughter that echoed around the rooftop. She clutched her sides, laughing so hard she nearly fell over. "Oh, Raika!" she wheezed between fits of giggles, "That's the best joke I've heard all day! I mean, a cyborg reborn as my brother? Seriously?"
She wiped tears from her eyes, still chuckling. "You really got me there! I almost believed you had a time machine or something!"
Nina's laughter faded as a shadow crossed her face. She looked at Raika with a somber expression, her eyes darkening. "Don't ever bring up that topic again," she said quietly, her voice tinged with sadness. "My brother… it's a painful memory. Please, just don't mention him."
Raika's advanced cyborg interface activated as her palm projected a holographic video, casting a soft blue glow on the rooftop. The projection flickered to life, showing the data of Tatsuya in his final moments before his collapse. The scene was heart-wrenching: Tatsuya's body, once full of life, now lifeless, with his spirit emerging and integrating into the mechanical form of Raika.
Raika adjusted the projector, revealing a sequence from the past. The video depicted a young Nina, around five years old, her small face tear-streaked as she desperately clung to her mother. "Where is my brother?" she asked, her voice trembling with fear and confusion.
Her mother's response was heavy with sorrow. "He will never come back," she said, her voice breaking. Nina's eyes filled with disbelief and anguish. Tears streamed down her face as she cried out, "I don't believe you! I don't believe you at all!"
Nina's young figure ran off into the distance, her small footsteps echoing with despair, the video capturing the moment with painful clarity. The scene ended with Nina's figure disappearing from view, her cries of disbelief fading into silence.
The projection flickered off, and Raika lowered her hand, her expression somber. She looked at Nina with deep, empathetic eyes. "I understand it's hard to accept," Raika said softly, "but this is the truth. Tatsuya's soul lives on in me. I am a part of his past, and now, I'm here to make things right."
Nina stared at the empty space where the projection had been, her face a mix of shock and sorrow. The weight of the past, so vividly replayed, left her stunned and tearful, struggling to process the overwhelming truth before her.
Nina's eyes were wide with disbelief, her tears flowing freely down her cheeks as the projection of her brother's tragic past. Her heart ached with the weight of the revelation, and she struggled to accept the truth.
"I don't believe you!" she shouted, her voice cracking under the strain of her emotions. "I don't believe you at all! Videos can be easily tampered with, especially coming from an advanced cyborg like you!"
With a final glance at Raika, Nina turned and fled down the stairs, her steps echoing through the empty rooftop. Her sobs grew louder with each step, the sound of her anguish reverberating through the building's halls. Her hands covered her face, trying to block out the painful truth she wasn't ready to accept.
Raika stood alone on the rooftop, her heart heavy with sorrow. She watched Nina's retreating figure, feeling the depth of Nina's pain and disbelief. The wind whipped around her, carrying away the last echoes of Nina's cries as Raika's own eyes glistened with unshed tears.
The pain of not being believed, the agony of losing a loved one, and the crushing weight of her own past combined into a profound sadness that seemed to fill the empty space. The moment hung heavy in the air, a poignant reminder of the scars left by time and loss.