Chapter 10: Future Tech and Past Promises
“Here we are.”
The room Maki led me to was bigger than I expected.
It was worlds apart from my old place.
Sure, comparing it to a cheap 20,000-won-a-month studio is unfair, but still…
This was unreal.
The room itself was huge, and it had everything—fridge, wardrobe, bed, desk.
Is this a personal room or a luxury apartment?
“What’s that?”
I pointed at a mysterious device on the desk.
It looked vaguely like a projector… are they saying I should watch movies?
“Oh, that? It’s a TV.”
“TV…?”
A TV?
That thing?
I must’ve looked skeptical because Maki stepped up to demonstrate.
She picked it up, pressed what was obviously the power button, and… holy crap, a screen appeared in mid-air!
This is future tech?
Mind blown!
“Channels and volume are all here.
Watch whatever you want, but don’t stay up too late.”
I nodded dazedly, and Maki said goodnight before leaving.
Alone, I stared at the floating screen, gripping the device.
A future TV…
I can’t resist this!
After dropping IA off, Maki headed straight to Yukari, who was just wrapping up her stream and tidying up.
“Dropped IA off?”
“Yup.
She seemed into the TV.”
“A fellow indoor enthusiast…!”
Yukari’s excited vibe shifted quickly.
Her streaming style and usual personality weren’t heavy, but she knew when to be serious.
“Where’s Akari?”
“Went ahead.”
As usual, Akari had demolished her late-night snack and sent Maki an email.
So it was just the two of them now.
Earlier, Master had sent an email: gather in the meeting room after getting IA settled.
It was probably about IA.
Whenever a new member joined, they’d discuss their circumstances and tasks.
It felt a bit like excluding the person, but unless there was a special reason, they’d usually join.
This time, though, Master specifically said to leave IA out…
“IA probably has some heavy baggage.”
The three living here—Yukari, Maki, Akari—had all been at these meetings.
Yukari and Akari grew up like sisters in an orphanage due to the war, while Maki, from a single-parent home, was otherwise ordinary.
No dark pasts or special precautions.
But they’d heard that some of the older Vocaloids had rough histories.
They’d overcome their scars and were active now, but it was a delicate time back then.
“Well, IA will get through it quick.
We’ll all help!”
With that positive thought, Yukari’s steps to the meeting room were light.
“You’re here.”
In the large meeting room, Master sat at the head, waving limply.
Called in by his boss on a Saturday—his soul looked half-gone.
“We’ve mostly finished investigating IA.
Just so you know, her situation’s heavier than anyone here.”
“Heavy?
How bad?”
Kaito’s serious expression was a stark contrast to his usual goofy grin.
Despite his laid-back vibe, he and Meiko were the eldest, and this seriousness was rare.
“Alright, no beating around the bush.
IA was an experiment for military purposes.”
“What?”
As always, Master dropped the bomb without warning.
“Whoa, this is insane…”
I marveled first at the tech of a TV projecting on the wall, then at the programs’ quality.
The CG was unreal!
No 3D glasses, yet it felt like it was popping out of the screen.
After Maki left, I flipped through channels, soaking in the future’s TV.
Movies, dramas, variety shows, anime, music, games—the categories were the same as in my time.
But one thing stood out: creative works and games were noticeably worse.
Music was carried by Vocaloids or the occasional world-class singer; otherwise, it was lackluster.
And games?
Don’t get me started.
They call that a dive?
Why’d they remove the blinking mechanic?
Movies and dramas were flashy but hollow.
The CG and visuals were great, but the stories and dialogue were terrible.
There were a few gems, but the duds were overwhelming.
“Good thing I recognize some stuff.”
On the screen, a familiar iron man shot beams from his hands, soaring around.
He’s still alive…
Well, if this world’s like mine, that company’s probably raking in cash.
“Should I binge?”
It’s been ages since I last watched, so catching up bit by bit might be nice…
I glanced at the clock—11 PM.
One episode, then sleep.
Next one tomorrow, the one after that the day after.
Perfect plan.
“…That’s the gist.”
After the briefing on Project IA, silence filled the room.
The weight was unimaginable.
A military experiment—if it had succeeded, countless clones of her would’ve been mass-produced.
No one could speak.
“Well, thankfully, the experiment failed, and the project’s scrapped, so the worst didn’t happen.
Our job is to help IA adapt to society.”
The conclusion was light compared to the crushing story.
But it wasn’t wrong.
The project’s details were infuriating, devoid of humanity, but it was over.
Dredging it up would only hurt IA, especially with her PTSD-like symptoms.
No need to make it harder.
“So that’s why IA was so good with the gun…”
“Probably from that.
Her gaming skill likely comes from simulator training.”
The secret behind her uncanny skill was revealed.
Yukari gave a bitter chuckle at the grim truth.
She’d thought IA was just a prodigy, but the reality was brutal.
She recalled IA’s blank expression as she fired.
Back then, it seemed like focus, but now it felt different.
Maybe… just maybe…
“Did I… treat her like those people?”
Her breath caught.
It was meant to be lighthearted, but the thought hit her—had she done the same thing as those lab monsters?
What had she done?
As Yukari’s face darkened, a large hand landed on her head.
“Don’t worry.”
“Master?”
“You’re not like those scum.
IA didn’t seem bothered, and it was during a stream, so she’d see it differently.
If you feel guilty, take good care of her.”
Ruffling Yukari’s hair roughly, Master looked at her, Maki, and Akari in turn.
“Tomorrow, take IA shopping.
She needs clothes, essentials, lots of stuff.
And her citizen registration.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Are you coming too, Master?”
“Yeah.
The boss has handled the arrangements, but she’ll need a guardian.”
“What about the seniors?”
“Haha, if we all go, it’ll be…”
“Plus, there’s a live coming up.”
True, even three of them had to be careful not to get recognized.
Add more Vocaloids?
Forget it.
They’d be mobbed.
With a live scheduled, going out was out of the question for a while.
“Got it.
We’ll prepare.”
“Good.
Let’s wrap up the heavy stuff.
Tomorrow, after everything’s done, let’s throw a welcome party.”
“Nice!
Akari, I’ve got a mission for you.”
“Yes, sir?!”
“Find out what food IA likes by tomorrow!
Dismissed!”
“Yes, sir!”
The heavy mood vanished, replaced by their usual lively chaos.
Akari getting tasked by Kaito, Maki planning tomorrow’s route, Yukari adjusting her stream schedule—it was a comforting sight.
Master sincerely hoped IA would soon feel at home here.