“Next up, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.”

Standing before him,

do I wait for my result.

“Full marks again, well done. As expected from the specimen deriving from the director's Genes.”

I see, full marks again.

The test was slightly difficult than usual, but not even a breeze could describe its level of difficulty.

Everything here is too easy.

Give me a challenge.

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“Next up, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.”

I stand under the chin of the man, and wait.

“Full marks once again. I guess it's becoming a routine now.”

Again, huh?

Why are you happy?

Why are you smiling at me?

Is this... not boring for you?

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“Kiyotaka, well done.”

I look up.

“Father?”

He kneels down, “You must continue to rise, even if chains hold you down. Use your immense wisdom; destroy anything that comes to your way. The purpose of your existence relies on your wisdom, none other, none else. Do not seek for any more than that, my son.”

The same talk.

"Do not forget your mission."

The same words.

"You belong to none other-...

The same mouth.

Than me."

The same sickening countenance.

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“I get it, can I go now?”

“Hm?”

“I feel tired.”

“Tired, huh?”

“My vision is hazy, my hearing is muffled. My brain expended a little bit more energy than usual, and it has given arise to new forms of strain. And I haven’t slept in 4 days. Can I sleep again, father.

Can I... die again?”

He smiles,

“Then go. Go back to your cell.

Sleep well, Kiyotaka.”

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If light permeates, whilst darkness swallows.

Then why does life feel most comfortable within the darkness of this cell? And why is life uncomfortable within the brightness of that place?

The darkness of this cell...

Where imaginations flutter, with the mind eluding from the strains of knowledge.

Peace.

Quiet.

As if this place holds a minor sense of freedom.

The freedom that room does not offer.

“Ayanokoji?”

Happiness...

“Ayanokoji?”

Sorrow...

“Hey, Ayanokoji!”

Love...”

“Ay-a-no-kou-ji!”

Factors of a human heart, of that I am bereft of.

“Kiyotaka!”

I widen my eyes...

Father?

I look over.

It's not father...?

“Who are you?”

She smiles, “I don't have a name."

"Hm? Then who are you?"

"I'm... a child, I guess? Haha..."

"Who are you?"

"I'm... a specimen..."

"Who are you?"

"I dont know..." she smiles bitterly, "I wasn't given a name, because the superiors determined that I will be a failed specimen the day I was born. So I was to be a fragment of distant hope, and if betrayed, disposed of immediately.”

“I see.”

“Can't you sleep, Ayanokoji?”

“I can't.”

“Why? You weren't ordered to sleep?”

“I was ordered to sleep, from father.”

“Then why?”

“Because I can't sleep.”

“Is there a reason?”

“No.”

“What were you thinking of just now?”

“Nothing.”

“Can't you share it?”

“I already did.”

“Then what is it?”

“Nothing.”

“I see...”

“What's your codename?”

I ask.

She looks into my eyes, before averting her gaze.

“Nine.”

“Nine?”

“Yes. Nine.”

“I see."

“Ayanokoji, will you call me nine?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“I wasn't ordered to.”

“I see...”

“Go back to your bed. I also wasn't ordered to talk with you.”

“I see... Ayanokoji?”

“What?”

“Will I speak to you again?”

I lower my gaze, “If you're ordered to.”

“I see... that will make me happy.”

Happy?

“Why?”

“Because I like you, Ayanokoji!”

“I see. You like me.”

“Do you know what that means?”

“Yes. You care for someone. You are kind to someone. You are nice to someone. Factors tied in with like; a feeling.”

She shakes her head, “No, it's not just that.”

Huh?

Did she say... I’m wrong?

“Then what?”

What is ‘like?’

“Ayanokoji, have you heard of love.”

Yes, indeed.

“I have heard of love.”

“Then, can you define it?”

Define it? Easy:

“You care for someone. You are kind to someone. You are nice to someone. Factors tied in with love; a feeling.”

“But you're wrong, Ayanokoji.”

“I'm not wrong, you are wrong.”

“Then, how does love feel?”

“How does love feel?”

“Yes, tell me.”

I open my mouth, “I... don't know...”

“Really?”

“Yes... I don't know.”

“Guess what, Ayanokoji!”

“What?”

“I know how it feels!”

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“Huh?”

She knows... more than me?

"How?"

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"Well... it's because I love someone myself..."

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"Who do you love, nine?"

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"I love you, Ayonokoji!"

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"What?"

To be continued