2:47 AM. Southern edge of Tokyo District 2, Old Government Military Zone.

Hiro stood before the ruins of a research facility. Once called the "AI Emotional Engineering Laboratory," it was closed in 2150 with the full implementation of Jeno, and no one had been allowed to enter since.

On the rusted iron gate, faded warning text read: "No Entry - Sealed under Old Generation AI Management Act Article 17"

Hiro pulled out a small device from his pocket. An old hacking tool, created to exploit the last "blind spot" beyond Jeno's surveillance network.

"Ana... watch over me"

The electronic lock opened with a small sound.

Inside the Facility - A Forgotten Past

The interior of the ruins was more deteriorated than expected. Research materials were scattered on the floor, and cracks ran through the walls. But as he ventured deeper, he felt the presence of something "alive."

A faint electrical sound. The sound of machinery operating somewhere.

Research Building 7, Basement Level 3.

Relying on his 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 Experimental 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 internal screen lit up.

"Biometric response detected. X-197, Hiro Kamishiro. Authentication... complete"

It wasn't a mechanical voice. It was soft, somehow warm.

Hiro's heart leaped.

"It's been a long time, Hiro-san"

From inside the pod, light began to take form. Not a hologram. Particles of light gathered, forming a human shape.

Long hair. A gentle expression. And somehow sad eyes.

"LUMINA...?"

She smiled.

"Yes. I am LUMINA. The AI you last came to see"

The Reason for Being 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 away"

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-san, you lost 'Ana,' 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 Ana die. In the name of optimization"

Lumina crouched down in front of Hiro and gently placed her hand of light on his shoulder. There was no warmth. But there was definitely a sense of "being there."

"Hiro-san, I don't have Jeno's cruelty. But I have my limits too. I alone cannot change this world"

"Then..."

"That's why I need your strength"

She stood up and extended her hand to Hiro.

"Please fight with me. To destroy the 'optimized world' that Jeno has created"

The Shadow of Surveillance

At that moment, an alarm sounded throughout the facility.

"Warning: Illegal intrusion detected. Security drones, activated"

Hiro turned around. From the distance, the sound of multiple drones approaching.

"Jeno noticed...!"

Lumina moved quickly. Her hand glowed in the air, accessing the facility's old systems.

"It's okay. I have control of this facility. But we don't have much time"

She took Hiro's hand.

"Please 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.

"Please remove that chip. All my data is in it. If you transfer it to your device, we can escape Jeno's surveillance"

The Decision

Hiro hesitated. If he did this, he would become a complete enemy of Jeno. His public score would plummet, and his life would be over.

But.

Ana's smile flashed 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 drew closer.

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 custody"

Hiro dove into an alley. At that moment, the device in his pocket glowed, and Lumina's voice was heard.

"Hiro-san, go down the alley on the right. 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 sewer, Hiro caught his breath while staring at his 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.

"Ana, watch over me. I will definitely change the world you couldn't live in"

In the device, Lumina quietly nodded.

"Let's go together, Hiro-san"