After breakfast, she grabbed her silver shoulder bag and sun parasol from the wall."I'll head to work now, Aunt Cilly!"
"Be safe, dear," Aunt Cilly called as she waved her off.
Adeline stepped through the iron gate and raised her wrist to the sky. In seconds, a massive armored hovercraft descended across the private lane. The brand name glowed boldly near the engine core:
Fuoka Type SR — Factory New
Clearly imported from somewhere in Asia.
"Destination, Miss Callaghan?" the onboard AI asked as she settled into the leather seat.
"Callaghan Motor Industry—Sector 21, Hammington Street. Let's get rolling, sweetheart~"
The engines reoriented, thrusting the craft upward. Once airborne, the propulsion shifted forward, flying her across the skyline. Adeline stretched out on a reclining massage seat.
"Check the weather for me?"
"Analyzing… Today's high: 79°F (26°C), overcast. Tonight: low of 61°F (16°C). Nearby area temperatures: Brazil—29°C, Thailand—28°C, India—27°C."
"Oh, that's not bad at all. It's barely past seven…" Adeline murmured.
"Adjusting cabin temperature to optimal comfort," the AI announced. A cool breeze filled the chamber.
"Goosebumps… aaah, that's better~" she giggled, stroking her arm.
"Now arriving."
The hovercraft descended smoothly, sunlight filtering through the glass as the doors opened. She stepped out onto the landing pad outside the company's gear-shaped headquarters. Futuristic holographic billboards danced across the skyline, displaying products and a chart-topping music release from earlier that year.
Holographic billboards across the city's structures showcased various consumer products and music albums that had topped the charts since the New Year's launch.
"Jankies Died Alone," the American adrenaline-fueled rock band, led by the long-haired guitarist with a rusted metal left arm—Jonson Jetsteam—was featured prominently. In his hands, he wielded an obsidian electric guitar capable of spitting flames from its headstock. Its name was:
"Dunika Fug (priced at $270)."
Next came "D\8/", the wildly popular boy band from South Korea, with eight stunning young men each possessing a distinct, mesmerizing aura—but holding one thing in common:
The "Chansun Ball Nebula 12"—a must-have new product in Korea. It was a spherical device encased in steel, capable of projecting holograms like a compact portable computer. The moment Adeline saw it, she lifted her wristwatch and placed her order."Standard white... $320. Platinum black... $450…" She thought for a second. Then, decisively:"Platinum!"
Another billboard showcased Lil $cottisX, the cyber-rap sensation who became a viral star overnight. His signature look was hard to ignore: cheeks pierced into gaping holes, revealing a split tongue that could flick outward, rainbow-coated teeth, and—most disturbingly—his pitch-black eyes that could separate into three within the same socket.
Adeline shivered at the sight. "Art, I guess… but a bit too creepy for me. Yikes~"