S-2878 • L3 Sintoluna • D01 Silenabe
"Sintoluna tunes sky and skin of the world. Silenabe spills light in a brief thread. The air sings low, gilding the edge. The narrative moves in lucid resonance."
A beautiful autumn day.
A few cramps stirred in my lower belly.
I looked at myself in the mirror.
What I feared most had happened:
a dark bruise across my cheek.
Poor healing.
I configured the biochip.
E-makeup overlay to conceal it.
Then I went to meet Maia.
She was already waiting.
I approached, smiling.
Before I could say anything—
"Let's go."
She entered the building quickly.
I was silenced before answering.
I raised a brow, confused by her abrupt behavior.
Maia walked with impatience.
It unsettled me.
I stayed quiet.
Her indifference disturbed me.
I kept my questions to myself.
I knew they would meet empty space.
I sat beside her and performed the blood collection.
"Done," I said.
I hoped she would at least look at me.
She stood.
Put on her coat.
Still didn't meet my eyes.
My chest tightened.
"Good. Let's go."
Cold. Distant.
We waited for the elevator.
My mind replayed our recent interactions.
Searching for the reason.
Had I done something wrong?
I combed through memory in vain.
Sadness seeped in.
I lowered my head.
Disappointment weighed heavily.
A soft light flooded the corridor.
I felt Maia's gaze settle on me.
Gently, she touched my chin.
Lifted my face.
Our eyes met.
Her fingers tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
Unexpected. Comforting.
The elevator chimed.
The doors opened.
Maia gestured for the woman inside to step out.
The woman bowed before leaving.
"What is that?"
Maia narrowed her eyes.
"Are you wearing e-makeup?"
What?
How?
I forced a smile.
"Y-yes. Just felt like doing something different."
She lifted a brow.
Her gaze sharpened.
"That doesn't sound like you."
She leaned closer.
"Are you hiding something?"
Suspicion in her voice.
Almost anger.
"Of course not. What are you—"
"What is that?"
She insisted.
"I just wanted to wear makeup."
She frowned.
Studied my skin.
"Tell me. What is it?"
"I…"
How could she see it?
The nanites blended seamlessly.
"Who did that to you?"
"N-no…"
She was too close.
Her breath brushed my face.
I stepped back.
Trying to breathe.
"It's irrelevant."
I moved her hand away.
In a swift motion, Maia pulled me back.
Held my face firmly.
Rubbed my cheek.
The nanites destabilized.
The bruise surfaced.
"That's irrelevant?!"
Her breath burned against my skin.
My pulse surged.
Her eyes locked.
Contained fury.
The truth exposed.
My chest tightened.
"I want to leave."
My face burned with uncertainty.
Was this some kind of game?
"At least…"
Her voice softened.
"Come watch the sunset with me."
This had to be absurd.
"Why would I?
Since I arrived, you barely looked at me.
You didn't even say hello."
Maia stood still.
Our eyes locked.
A silent duel.
I cleared my throat.
Broke it.
She covered her mouth.
Hiding a smile.
She was smiling?
Unbelievable.
"I'm sorry. It's just…"
She stopped.
An apology lingered in her eyes.
"You going to finish that?" I pressed.
She rubbed the back of her neck.
Embarrassed.
"I…"
I exhaled sharply.
"Forget it."
I would only receive fragments.
Remain in the dark.
I swallowed the ache.
Bit my lip.
Confusion consumed me.
She was too unpredictable.
Every gesture, every word — a riddle.
Inside me, conflict burned.
Understand her?
Or walk away?
I sighed.
"Fine. Let's go."
Maia smiled.
Radiant.
My anger dissolved under it.
We reached the upper floor.
Watched the skyline in silence.
A comfortable silence.
Maia seemed like she wanted to speak.
Struggled to.
Perhaps worried.
I knew I could explain.
"It really is irrelevant.
It was my father.
He believes my mother and I should obey him."
My hands tightened.
"He's a renowned physician in Tokyo.
But his methods are questionable.
When research involves human subjects, scientists must submit to the CMG.
They denied one of his requests.
He wanted me to file it under my name.
I refused."
"I see."
Maia interrupted gently.
"Sorry for pushing."
She held my shoulders.
Her honey-colored eyes softened.
"If anyone tries to hurt you… tell me."
She smiled.
A dark shiver traced my skin.
"I…"
She slipped her hands into her pockets.
Looked back at the skyline.
"Do you have plans tomorrow?"
"N-no."
"How about we eat together?"
My heart pounded wildly.
Go out with her?
That was—
My face warmed.
But softer now.
What was happening to me?
"Y-yes. Of course."
"Good. Meet me here at nine."
"Should I bring anything?"
"You."
She smiled.
We parted beneath a veiled night.