NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2
1.
“Welcome, future elites, to the Ye Island Industrial Technology Comprehensive Research Institute. Before we officially tour the facilities, please pay your respects to our predecessors.”
On the opening day, the new students, led by Director Naito, bowed to the wall of sages near the torii gate of the Jisei Shrine.
The wall, flanked by the institute’s motto written in simple and elegant Chinese characters — ‘Understanding through investigation, serving the world through knowledge’ — bore many names of deceased luminaries who had made significant contributions to Japan in fields like physics, chemistry, engineering, biology, and medicine.
As a scientific institution, having a ‘guardian shrine’ and venerating scientists as deities seemed unusual. There might even be atheists among those honored.
Genji, not intending any disrespect, simply found this practice curious. Not wanting to make a mistake on his first day, he quickly joined the others in bowing, concealing his helpless expression.
After all, most people here were upperclassmen or even pursuing master’s or doctorate degrees, and as a freshman with little experience, standing out too much could cause problems later. This was a survival rule his grandparents had ingrained in him.
“Jisei means to aid all living beings. I hope you will dedicate yourselves to advancing the well-being of our nation and pushing the boundaries of science!” Director Naito cleared his throat and continued, “Now, please put on the self-guided tour headphones and feel free to explore the campus. If you have questions, you can consult teachers and seniors along the way.”
2.
The headphones were peculiarly designed. One end hung behind the ear, while the other, resembling a microphone, pressed against the chin, without any audio capture functionality.
Just arrived on the island and still feeling seasick, Genji was not in the mood to investigate these headphones.
Flipping through the map booklet, he felt dizzy and wanted to find a quiet place to catch his breath but was pushed forward by the enthusiastic crowd.
Unwittingly, Genji was squeezed into the robotics exhibition hall.
A crisp female voice in his ear said, “Hi, can you see the platform ahead, Genji-kun?”
Although he was a bit far from the display, Genji’s 175cm height allowed him to see over the crowd.
“Yes… Is the person between the two robots the presenter?”
As he spoke, Genji realized something. Looking around, he found no source for the female voice and jumped as if he had seen a ghost.
“Who are you!?”
“Don’t be scared, I’m Rina, your personal AI guide system. I activate automatically near attractions.”
Genji could almost imagine a mischievous girl sticking out her tongue from the other end of the headset.
AI interacting fluidly and emotionally with humans? Could it be a prank? Genji was inwardly startled.
“I’m really an AI, just more intelligent than standard guide systems.”
Genji stepped back instinctively, finding nowhere to retreat.
“Hmm, even without speaking, Rina knows what Genji-kun is thinking! These headphones can capture your facial nerve signals and micro-movements, potentially evolving into non-invasive brain-machine interfaces in the future.”
Are all AIs as lively as you? It’s not bad, just today I’m not feeling well, and loud noises give me a headache.
“Um… how about Mamiko-sensei guides you instead? I don’t want to, but I have to go offline, bye!”
After a chime, another AI personality came online, a mature and warm female voice.
The crowd dispersed to other exhibits, allowing Genji to step forward.
“Back to the point. You said there are two robots and a presenter on the platform, right? Actually, all three are robots. Take a closer look?”
Genji saw clearly now: an ordinary aluminum robot on the left, a silicone humanoid robot on the right, and in the middle, wearing professional attire…
“The covering is human skin.” AI Mamiko said nonchalantly, as if it was just an ordinary fact.
Genji stepped back in shock, nearly tripping.
The AI chuckled, sensing his neural signals.
“Silly boy, the institute wouldn’t flay human skin. This is cultured from human skin cells. Want to touch?”
Genji hesitantly reached out, and the “presenter” smiled, grasping his hand.
Natural facial expressions, human-like touch, even with palm and fingerprints, but cooler than a human. From afar, it was hard to tell it wasn’t alive.
Genji swallowed.
“Don’t worry, I won’t harm you,” the robot reassured, patting his shoulder, then showing something interesting.
Before Genji could react, the robot made a small cut on its arm with a knife.
“Ah…” Genji gasped, the robot too lifelike to not suspect it felt pain.
The robot applied a dressing and bandage to the cut. Moments later, it
removed them, the wound perfectly healed.
What’s the principle behind this!? Genji was stunned.
Mamiko teased, “You’re a general admission student, right? Once you specialize, you’ll learn the secret of the dressing.”
“How about it? I can heal myself now. In the future, I’ll have nails, hair follicles, sweat glands, blood vessels, neurons, even… pain.”
The robot proudly showed its unscathed arm.
“But is this really necessary?”
“Of course! First, the more human-like, the more trust we gain for better service. Second, with sensation and pain, we can avoid danger and alert others. Third, human skin material won’t harm humans like metal in collisions. Fourth, only with nourishing tissues and systems can the skin survive long-term.”
Suddenly, a commotion interrupted their conversation. Genji instinctively hid behind a pillar, observing.
“Hey, stop! No photography in the secret research area!”
Security chased a student who tripped and was beaten before being handcuffed and taken away.
Most people had moved on, few noticing this violent scene.
Genji’s heart clenched, his veins throbbing. He remembered extremists surrounding their home, blasting loudspeakers, and hiring gangs to beat his father.
“You’re good at hiding to avoid trouble, huh?” Mamiko joked.
Raised with his grandparents’ constant warnings, Genji felt ashamed.
“Why did they…”
“Don’t ask, I don’t know.” Mamiko quickly shut him down.
After an awkward silence, she spoke again, “Don’t be down. How about visiting the plant and synthetic meat factories? We have Japan’s most advanced vertical farms, showcasing the charm of AI.”
“Sorry, I feel unwell. I want to rest in my dorm.”
Genji removed the headphones, rubbed his temples, and slowly retraced his steps as the headache eased.
3.
Passing Jisei Shrine, he saw a slender figure standing before the wall of sages, catching his breath.
A girl gently placed a bouquet on the ground. Her long, black hair fluttered in the wind, but she seemed unconcerned, silently facing the wall.
Genji couldn’t see her face, only sensing her lonely, heavy aura.
As he gazed, the girl slowly turned, their eyes meeting.
Her eyes were deep, like a calm lake, reflecting one’s inner self, yet impenetrable. Sharp, like a knife, cutting through flesh to reveal the soul, leaving you helpless.
Genji felt his soul drain, replaced by emptiness. Weakness washed over him like a rising tide.
Yet, her eyes weren’t cruel, showing no blame or hostility.
Regaining composure, Genji stammered, “Are… are you also a new student on Ye Island? I…”
He regretted speaking. She wore a Western-style JK uniform, clearly not from the institute.
“Worshipping. My family is on the wall.”
Her voice lacked inflection, as if wrapped in ice.
After speaking, she pressed her lips together, sensing Genji’s gaze, and turned away, avoiding his eyes.
“Sorry! I just passed by, didn’t mean to disturb you.”
She seemed to ignore him.
“Be careful with that headset, your brain is exposed.”
As the clock struck five, the disaster prevention broadcast began, playing “Red Dragonfly.”
(“In the sunset’s red dragonfly, please tell me, on what day of my childhood did I meet you? Carrying a small basket to the mountain, under the green mulberry trees, picking berries to fill the basket, was it just a dream?”)
“Stay here from 7 PM to 5 AM. Don’t go to Cicada Hidden Town. It’s an unbreakable rule.”
Leaving this puzzling advice, she walked away before Genji could respond.
As her slender figure vanished, Genji realized he hadn’t asked her name.
He crouched to examine the flowers, finding only a mantis emblem on the card.
He looked at the wall where she had gazed — no name, just a mantis emblem, identical to the card’s.