S-2878 • L3 Sintoluna • D01 Silenabe
"Sintoluna tunes sky and the skin of the world. Silenabe spills radiance in a short thread. The air sings low, gilding the edge. The narrative carries on in clear sintonira."
A beautiful autumn day. A few cramps vibrated in my womb. I looked in the mirror. What I had feared most had happened: a dark bruise on my cheek. Poor healing. I configured my biochip. E-makeup to cover it.
I went to meet Maia.
She was already waiting. I approached, smiling. Before I could say anything…
"Let's go." She hurried into the building.
I was silenced before I could reply. I raised an eyebrow, confused by her abrupt behavior.
Maia walked impatiently.
Made me uncomfortable. I stayed silent. Her indifference unsettled me. I kept my questions to myself. Knew they would remain empty of answers.
I sat beside her and collected the blood sample. "Done," I informed her. I hoped she would at least look at me.
She stood. Put on her coat. Still without facing me.
My heart tightened.
"Great. Let's go." Her voice cold. Distant.
We waited for the elevator.
My mind replayed every recent interaction. Tried to find the reason for that attitude. Had I done something wrong? I searched my memory in vain. Sadness invaded me. I lowered my head. The weight of disappointment.
Light flooded the corridor. I felt Maia's gaze settle on me. Gently, she touched my chin and lifted my face.
Our eyes met.
Her fingers tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. Such an unexpected gesture. Comforting.
The elevator beeped. The doors opened.
Maia waved the woman inside away. She responded with a bow before leaving.
"What's this?" Maia narrowed her eyes. "You wearing e-makeup?"
What? How? I forced a smile. "Y-yes. I wanted to try something different."
Maia raised an eyebrow. Her gaze intense. Analytical. "Doesn't sound like you." She leaned closer. "Trying to hide something?" Her voice suspicious. She seemed angry.
"Of course not. What are yo—"
"What's this?" she insisted.
"I just wanted to wear a little makeup."
She frowned. Examined my skin. "Tell me. What is it?"
"I…" How could she see? It looked so natural on my skin, and seeing through the nanites was impossible.
"Who did this?"
"N-no…"
She was too close for my own good. Her breath caressed my face.
I stepped back. Tried to recover my breath. "It's irrelevant." I moved her hand away.
Swiftly, Maia pulled me close. Firmly cupped my face. Rubbed my cheek. The nanites destabilized. The bruise was revealed. "This is irrelevant?!" Maia's breath burned my skin. My heart raced. Her gaze fixed. Her manner restrained.
The truth lay exposed.
My chest tightened. "I want to leave." My face burned with uncertainty. Was this some kind of game?
"At least…" This time, her voice was serene. Disconcerting. "Come watch the sunset with me."
Yes. This could only be a joke. "Why would I? Since I got here, you've avoided looking at me. You didn't even bother saying hi."
Maia stayed motionless. Our gazes locked. A silent duel.
I cleared my throat. Broke the moment.
She covered her mouth. Hid a smile.
Was she smiling? Unbelievable.
"I'm sorry. It's just…" She stopped speaking. An unspoken apology in her eyes.
"Are you going to tell me?" I insisted.
She rubbed the back of her neck. Visibly embarrassed. "I-I…"
I exhaled, frustrated. "Whatever." All I would get were empty apologies. I would remain in the dark. I swallowed the agony. Bit my lip. Confusion consumed me. She was too unpredictable. Every gesture, every word, seemed like an enigma. Inside, I burned with the conflict between wanting to understand her or… distancing myself from all of this.
I sighed. "All right, let's go."
Maia beamed.
My anger crumbled before that smile.
We reached the floor above. Admired the view in silence. A comfortable silence.
Maia seemed to want to speak, but struggled to express herself. Perhaps she was worried. I knew I could explain.
"It really is irrelevant. It was my father. He thinks my mother and I should obey him." I clenched my fists. "He's a renowned doctor from Tokyo. But he uses questionable methods. When research involves human subjects, scientists have to submit applications to the GMC. They rejected one of his. So he asked me to file a petition in my name, but I refused."
"I understand." Maia interrupted me, easing the tension. "Sorry for pushing."
She held my shoulders. Her honey-colored eyes radiated. "If anyone tries to hurt you… tell me." Maia smiled.
A dark shiver ran across my skin. "I…"
She shoved her hands into her pockets and returned to admiring the view. "Got plans for tomorrow?"
"N-no."
"How about we eat together?"
My heart began beating like mad. Going out with her? This was… My face warmed, but with unexpected tenderness. Damn it, what was happening to me? "Y-yes, of course."
"Cool. Meet me here at nine."
"Should I bring anything?"
"You." She smiled.
We said goodbye beneath the curtain of the veiled night.