Shion's 2nd side-story: Shion meets Kevin, First Days at Vector

[Narration, Shion]

Again tonight, I had a dream– but, that dream wasn't a pleasant one. I hate the sky– a terrible color. I hate the feeling in the air, too– a terrible smell. And I also hate the people– everyone looks at me with terrible eyes– everyone— Father, too– And yet, a very young me is living here. Living in the dream world. Why do I always have the same dream?– I don't want to see– I want to forget– the world of an obscure dream– anxiety and sorrow and unbearableness– within that kind of vague world, the only things that stand out are the color of the sky and the smell and people's eyes. I know that it is a dream– It is not real– therefore— therefore, I… I think of enjoyable things. Wonderful memories. Spending every day with that person. A sunny place and warmth. I want to stay there forever, everlastingly– even if I were reborn, eternally– again– and again–

– [Title – Shion's substory #2] –

[On the streets of the Dammerung. Shion is without her glasses.]

Shion: Woow! So this is the Dammerung. Even though they say it's a free-orbiting colony, the interior is no different than a planet's surface. Ah!– the light changed!

??: {this is plainly Kevin. Shion just doesn't know him yet} Look out!

Shion: Ahhh!

??: Are you— ok?

Shion: Y, yes. Um– Thank you.

??: Your first time on the Dammerung? It seems you're in a hurry… where are you headed?

Shion: Ah, ummm… to Third Division's personnel section.

??: In that case, you don't need to cross here. Look, if you ride that tube-train from over there, it'll take you straight to it.

Shion: Oh!? Ah, I see– Thank you so much! In my rush, I wasn't paying attention–

??: It's no problem. But, if you're in a hurry, shouldn't you be going already?

Shion: Yessir, I am. And so, um— please excuse me!

[Shion is by herself again]

Shion (thinking): (ah– I've embarrassed myself already on my first day on the job— but, without my holo-glasses, I couldn't see well– the person just now, his uniform, I wonder which division he's from. And, his voice seemed somehow familiar and very kind—)

—–[Narration, Shion]—–

Against my brother's wishes, I entered Vector Industries. Although there were uncertainties, my heart was overflowing with the wish for a new life. But not everything turns out as one wishes. I had heard that my assignment, according to my choice, was tentatively decided for Third Division. But, for some reason, the assignment that was officially announced was First R&D Division's design department. I hastily packed up my luggage that I had brought along on the Dammerung and moved to the planet Carioca where First Division's design department research facility had been established.

—–[In the KOS-MOS development room]—–

Shion: I'm Shion Uzuki. As of today, I have been assigned to First R&D Division's prototype OS design department. Th- Thank you very much for having me.

??: {but again, plainly Kevin} You don't have to be so formal. It's been a long time since someone new was assigned here. So everyone will be nice.

Shion: Ah, that voice–!

??: I am Kevin Winnicot, Chief of this design department. It's been awhile… Have you finally remembered me yet?

Shion: Um, that time I couldn't see your face very well– thank you so much again!

Kevin: No, no, if it meant not losing such an excellent newcomer to a traffic accident, it was no trouble.

Vans: Chief, when did you get to be such a chatterbox? Come on, let us introduce ourselves, too!

Kevin: Oh, sorry—

Vans: Yo! I'm Vans. Nice to meet you.

Hans: Yeah yeah, me next. —nice to meet you, Miss Uzuki. I'm Hans. My name may be similar to Vans, but we're completely unrelated. And this is Chow.

Chow: Nice to meet you. But, uh– for a second, I thought you were a student. How old are you?

Shion: Eh, uh– 18…. last month.

Chow: 18?? Whoa, the kid must be pretty good…

Jessie: So I'm not young after all. Finally, I won't be the one buying lunch. Not. any. mooooore.

Chow: W- wait! You call that a proper greeting? –And, Heyy! Aren't you the one who's buying it with my money?

Jessie: Hehe. … Hi, Shion. I'm Jessie. Nice to meet you.

Shion: Yes, pleased to meet all of you.

Jessie: Welcome to the den of the beast.

Kevin: Hey Jessie, how exactly is this a beast's den, again?

Jessie: Ah, the Chief is naturally the “exception”. I am referring to US, over here.

Shion (thinking): (Hehe— Somehow, it seems like a pleasant workplace. I may get along well here–)

—–[New place, seems to be a lounge/restaurant]—–

Shion: I'm really sorry. I put my corrective holo-glasses into the luggage I shipped to the Dammerung ahead of time— but from then until returning to the dorm, I could have been run over so many times.

Kevin: Oh? So that's the reason. I thought, surely, she couldn't be trying to commit suicide, flying out into the road. I almost wondered if it was wrong to interfere–

Shion: Oh my– is that how it looked?

Kevin: No, not at all. Anyway, you were saying– that ever since you were a child, you see the world in a different form. It doesn't happen all the time, does it?

Shion: No, it doesn't happen that frequently, only very rarely. Lately, it hasn't happened at all.

Kevin: But, holo-glasses only visualize geographical features and moving objects. It isn't a fundamental solution. When, really, you could end up being run over by a car.

Shion: –It can't be helped. I even went to a hospital and underwent medical examination, but I was told the cause is unknown. So for the time being, if I wear holo-glasses, there's less inconvenience in everyday life.

Kevin: If… you were willing–

Shion: Hm?

Kevin: It's just, only if you were willing, this time, why don't you let me examine you at my laboratory? Your symptoms, it seems possible that there might be a connection with the theme of my research. It would be difficult to cure, I think, but perhaps, just by a little bit, it may lead to a more comfortable life.

Shion (thinking): (The theme of the Chief's research—?)

Kevin: Did that– bother you?

Shion: Ah, no, not at all! Um… that would be fine.

—–[Nice courtyard outdoors]—–

Jessie: Well? Have you gotten accustomed to the place already?

Shion: Yes, but there are lots of things to remember, so I'm still a little panicky, sorta.

Jessie: Hehehe. Everyone's like that at first.

Shion: But, I have no self-confidence… because I haven't done software design before.

Jessie: When you were first hired, you were reassigned from Third Division, right? What happened with that?

Shion: The coordination of Realian sentiment & relations– but I was only still in training when I was reassigned.

Jessie: Heyy, that's–!

Shion: Yes?

Jessie: Not too long ago, the Chief, right? He was praising this amazing paper that had been submitted from Third Division. A paper on Realian sentiment coordination. He said it would be extremely useful in connection with the prototype. He was so excited, it was out-of-character. So that's why!– Shion, you were scouted.

Shion: No way…

Kevin: Who was out-of-character?

Jessie: Chief–!

Kevin: Jessie, after lunch, I want to try and input yesterday's version into the prototype core, but… is that ok?

Jessie: Right now? After this, I have a UMN meeting with headquarters starting at 1:00.

Kevin: Ooh, that's right. Hmm, that certainly changes things. I know– Miss Uzuki, would you help me out in Jessie's place?

Shion: Uh– y, yes, of course.

Kevin: Well then, afterwards, please come to testing room #3.

Shion: Y, yessir–

—–[Testing room #3]—–

Shion: That's… the newest prototype core–?

Kevin: That's right.

Shion: Something is written on the surface– kk… os… mos…– KOS-MOS?

Kevin: It stands for “Kosmos Obey Strategical Multiple Operation System”. In other words, it is the strategic, multipurpose control system that is subordinate to Order. It is the managing OS for the weapon-system that will be built to oppose the Gnosis phenomenon.

Shion: Weapon- system—-

Kevin: Do you object?

Shion: N, no— it's just, I heard 'weapon', and it caught me off-guard. Forgive me.

Kevin: There's no need to apologize. It will be used as a weapon, but this is not a tool to kill people. KOS-MOS is a system that exists only for the sake of wiping out the Gnosis.

Shion: Gnosis… only?

Kevin: Yes. Although it is called an OS, KOS-MOS isn't merely a list of programs. It will also come to possess a human-shaped exterior. Construction has already begun at Second Division.

[Reveals what looks like a bubble-hologram of KOS-MOS]

Shion: That's… KOS-MOS–? Chief, I— I want to try and see her wake up soon.

Kevin: Yeah, with help from all of you, that day will come quickly. I'm sure of it…

—–[Back in the usual development lab]—–

Shion: —— {working hard}

Kevin: You've a lot of zeal lately, huh…

Shion: —Uh? Oh, Chief.

Kevin: I'm hearing you've also done a lot of late nights and overtime. You'll kill yourself if you don't cut back. Here.

Shion: Eh— what's this?

Kevin: You work yourself to the bone everyday for me. This is just a little present for a wonderful assistant.

Shion: Huh? A present… for me?

Kevin: Open it.

Shion: — Ok. Ah, this is…holo-glasses.

Kevin: Try them on.

Shion: Ok—

Kevin: They may not look any different from commercially-available kinds.

Shion: Yeah, but something, when I wear them, they feel—

Kevin: Remember how I said your vision might be connected to the theme of my research? —-Do you know anything about the Imaginary Number Domain?

Shion: Yes, previously– I read a paper on it. If I remember correctly: it normally cannot be perceived, and it's the world on the opposite side of reality– right?

Kevin: Yes, that's a simplistic way to say it, but the explanation is correct. Essentially, it is the domain where the composition of the world is described by imaginary numbers. — It is said that our consciousnesses are things that belong to that place.

Shion: The Imaginary Number Domain. Is that the theme of your research, Chief?

Kevin: Yes. And your symptoms– I think it's likely that you were seeing the imaginary number side of things.

Shion: ! What do you mean?

Kevin: It is a world that shouldn't be seen by us normally, so your confusion is understandable. Until now, Holo-glasses have been able to make a tentative correction by projecting environmental information into your vision. But that shouldn't solve the fundamental problem.

Shion: Yeah—

Kevin: Those new holo-glasses are shaped like normal ones, but they don't function as lenses.

Shion: They aren't glasses?

Kevin: Nope. The best way to say it is that it's like a UMN terminal. The UMN isn't merely a network system. It contains the information of everything that exists in our world. This town, this planet, your body, my body– even the information of your heart. These holo-glasses work by sending information such as that which flows in the UMN directly into your visual cortex. They project the Real Number Domain side, in other words, an image of the “normally seen side” of the world.

Shion: Amazing— Chief, you did all that, for me?

Kevin: Aah, well, it was my area of interest from before, so…

Shion: Thank you so much. How, how can I ever repay you? Anyway, I'm impressed– That such a small thing has such an amazing function!

Kevin: If the true essence of the world can be seen, how it appears on the outside is not as important. It feels very small, our points-of-view. That true essence– the information that flows in the UMN– is what matters. That can also be said of KOS-MOS.

Shion: KOS-MOS–?

Kevin: The system is simply a framework. KOS-MOS's true essence is actually “her information” that is flowing in the UMN. Even though she can't yet take form, one of these days, she–

Shion (thinking): (Chief– you always see so far ahead– What is it that's being reflected in your eyes—?)

Kevin: —At any rate, you've been overworking.

Shion: I'm sorry. It's just that I was worried about yesterday's test results–

Kevin: Well, as your superior, I'm grateful, but… you don't look too good. You're getting dark circles under your eyes.

Shion: Oh, Oh no! Really!?

Kevin: It's ok because you're still young, but after awhile, too much strain will give your skin serious damage. Anyway, it can be cured with nanomachines– but it's a big mistake if you think about it. Do you know? The inert substances that a nano-bug's ATP spindle-motor removes gets left behind, and the skin's genetic data is falsified. So goes the story.

Shion: Is it really like that–?

Kevin: My point is, there's nothing better for personal hygiene than rest, relaxation, and a delicious meal.

Shion: Yeah. Without a good meal and proper rest…

Kevin: I've heard that a special resort colony in this planet's orbit has just opened.

Shion: Ah, yes! I read about it on the UMN. It sounds like a wonderful place.

Kevin: Well? Why don't we try to go this weekend? Around here it gets difficult to take time off, so it'll be both a good break and change of pace.

Shion: ! Y- you mean– Go, just the, t- two of us?

Kevin: Unless you want to invite the “beasts” along?

Shion: N- no! I'll go… with you, then.

Kevin: Ok. I'll make a reservation later.

Shion: 'Reservation'? Is it already too late for that?

Kevin: Hm? Couldn't there be a cancellation or something?

Shion: Such spontaneity– Chief, I just thought that you were a person who acted according to meticulous planning and calculation–

Kevin: Does it seem that way? I am a spontaneous man at heart. “Inscrutable are the ways of Heaven.” Everything follows the flow— right?

Shion: Hehehe—

Kevin: Ah, you laughed…

Shion: I- I'm sorry– But, you said something funny– hehe, hehehehhe—-

—–[Narration again, Shion]—–

That weekend, privately without the team from the design department, the Chief and I ascended into orbit— Just the two of us.

—–[Romantic place; can see the stars]—–

Shion: The night sky we can see from the colony, it really does twinkle, doesn't it.

Kevin: Well, to be more accurate, that's not the night sky. That's outer space beyond reinforced glass.

Shion: Ahhh!— Chief, I wish you wouldn't say it like that!

Kevin: Sorry, sorry. But, don't have to call me “Chief” here, do you?

Shion: Oh, yeah, I guess not. Then, um– Ke-.. ah, – Kevin.

Kevin: Well, I guess that's close enough. {*note: She calls him Kevin-Sempai, not quite as informal as it would be if she had simply called him 'Kevin'}

Shion: But, it's so beautiful– it's hard to believe that, even now, somewhere in this whole night sky, planets are disappearing.

Kevin: Long, long ago, Man was driven out into the universe by an unstoppable phenomenon. For four thousand years since then, they never met a neighboring life form. Just when everyone had accepted that humans were alone in the world, Gnosis appeared. To wipe out mankind's existence–

Shion: My grandfather often said, 'Everything in the universe, without fail, has meaning and purpose. Therefore, what exists in this universe is permitted.' —If it were really like that, we may be existences that were destined to be destroyed. — As if, we are being rejected by the universe—

Kevin: But, we're trying to change that fate by our own hands. Our way may instead be rejecting the universe.

Shion: Even so, you're building KOS-MOS–?

Kevin: My homeplanet was completely destroyed by Gnosis. My mother– and my little sister–

Shion: —-!

Kevin: Only I survived– And so, I am devoted to KOS-MOS's development. It is atonement for not being able to do anything, or perhaps, revenge on those who stole everything from me— To be honest, I don't know anymore.

Shion: Chie—! I mean, Kevin–

Kevin: But, only this can be said. Even if the universe doesn't wish it, she will be our hope.

Shion: I understand. Because— I too, lost my parents at Miltia.

Kevin: Miss Uzuki…

Shion: Why are we here?– What are we supposed to do?– Where are we going?– All the answers seem to be concealed beyond a dense fog–. But, for now, I want to help you fulfill your wish. I don't really know how much I can do, but if hope is waiting there…

Kevin: The road I'm trying walk down might perhaps be wrong. Nevertheless— would you walk along with me? — Shion?

Shion: Yes. I'd be happy to. Kevin—