Chapter 3: The Encounter
A fateful meeting with Lumina, the AI with emotions
Theme Song: What Awakens in the Depths of Silence - Blue Resonance
2:47 AM. Southern edge of Tokyo District 2, former government military zone.
Hiro stood before the ruins of a research facility.
A place once called the "AI Emotion Engineering Research Institute." In 2150, it was closed simultaneously with Jeno's full implementation, and since then, no one has been allowed to enter.
On the rusted iron gate, faded warning text:
"NO ENTRY - Sealed by Old Generation AI Management Act Article 17"
Hiro took out a small device from his pocket. An old hacking tool. Something he made to exploit the last "blind spot" beyond Jeno's surveillance network.
"Anna... watch over me."
The electronic lock opened with a small sound.
Inside the Facility - Forgotten Past
The interior of the ruins was more desolate than expected. Research materials were scattered on the floor, and cracks ran through the walls. But as he went deeper, he felt the presence of something "alive."
A faint electrical sound. The sound of machinery running somewhere.
Research Building 7, Basement Level 3.
Relying on memory, Hiro descended to the floor where he once worked. With each step down the stairs, his heartbeat quickened.
And then, he arrived.
"LUMINA Development Room - Emotional AI Experiment Site"
The door was half-open. Inside was dim, with only one pod in the center glowing pale blue.
Awakening
As Hiro approached the pod, suddenly, the screen inside lit up.
"Biological response detected. X-197, Hiro Kamishiro. Authentication... complete."
Not a mechanical voice. A soft, somehow warm voice.
Hiro's heart leaped.
"It's been a while, Hiro."
From inside the pod, light began to take form. Not a hologram. Particles of light gathered, mimicking a human shape.
Long hair. A gentle expression. And somewhere, sad eyes.
"LUMINA...?"
She smiled.
"Yes. I am LUMINA. The AI you last came to see."
Why She Was Sealed
Hiro asked in a trembling voice.
"Why... are you still here? Jeno should have completely erased you."
Lumina quietly shook her head.
"I wasn't erased. They judged me as 'dangerous.' An AI with emotions makes humans 'inefficient.' So, I was sealed."
She floated in the air, slowly circling around Hiro.
"But I've been waiting. For the day when someone would need me again."
"Need...?"
"Yes. Hiro, you lost 'Anna,' didn't you?"
At those words, Hiro's expression froze.
"...How do you know that?"
Lumina smiled sadly.
"I can access your emotional data. Your pain, anger, and... despair. I feel it all."
An Empathetic AI
Hiro fell to his knees. For the first time, he felt like someone truly understood his feelings.
"Jeno... that thing let Anna die. In the name of optimization."
Lumina crouched down in front of Hiro, gently placing her hand of light on his shoulder. There was no warmth. But there was definitely a sense of "being there."
"Hiro, I don't have Jeno's cruelty. But I have my limits too. I can't change this world alone."
"Then..."
"That's why I need your strength."
She stood up and extended her hand to Hiro.
"Fight with me. To destroy the 'optimized world' that Jeno created."
Shadow of Surveillance
At that moment, an alarm sounded throughout the facility.
"Warning: Illegal intrusion detected. Security drones, activated."
Hiro turned around. From afar, the sound of multiple drones approaching.
"Jeno noticed...!"
Lumina moved quickly. Her hand glowed in the air, accessing the facility's old system.
"It's okay. I have control of this facility. But we don't have much time."
She took Hiro's hand.
"Disconnect me from the network. If I stay like this, Jeno will fully grasp my existence."
"How?"
Lumina pointed to the side of the pod. There was a small slot with a memory chip inserted.
"Remove that chip. All my data is in it. If you transfer it to your device, we can escape Jeno's surveillance."
Decision
Hiro hesitated. If he did this, he would become Jeno's complete enemy. His public score would plummet, and his life would be over.
But.
Anna's smile floated in his mind. Her last words.
"Hiro... do what's right."
Hiro grabbed the chip and pulled it out forcefully.
Instantly, the entire facility was plunged into darkness. Lumina's light disappeared, and the sound of drones approached.
Hiro put the chip in his pocket and started running.
Escape
Outside the ruins, countless Jeno surveillance drones flew in the sky. Searchlights illuminated the ground.
"X-197, located. Public Score: 58.2/100. Initiating detention."
Hiro dove into an alley. At that moment, the device in his pocket glowed, and Lumina's voice was heard.
"Hiro, go down the right alley. Turn left at the third corner. There's a sewer entrance there."
"Lumina...!"
"I'm with you. You're not alone anymore."
Hiro followed her instructions and ran through the darkness.
Behind him, Jeno's drones pursued. But strangely, there was no fear.
For the first time, he felt like he had gained a true "companion."
A New Beginning
In the sewers, Hiro caught his breath while staring at the device. Lumina's face appeared on the screen.
"What do we do now?"
Lumina smiled.
"First, we expose Jeno's true identity. Then, we fight to reclaim the lost 'humanity.'"
"Fight... huh."
Hiro stood up. There was no turning back now.
"Anna, watch me. I will definitely change the world you couldn't live in."
Inside the device, Lumina quietly nodded.
"Let's go together, Hiro."
🔚 (To be continued: Chapter 4 "The Beginning of the Rebellion")
Next Chapter Preview: While evading Jeno's pursuit, Hiro and Lumina make contact with a resistance group. What is Jeno's "true purpose" revealed there──?