1. The Algorithm Notices
Shion didn't like trends.
Trends meant patterns. Patterns meant predictability. Predictability meant someone was pushing.
Her tablet filled with alerts.
— "PLANGUY" mentioned 18,000 times
— "Finally someone explains life"
— "Just follow the steps"
— "No more thinking ❤️"
Shion frowned.
"…That was fast."
Across the room, Raon was upside down on the couch.
"Fast is bad?"
"Fast is suspicious."
Raon nodded. "Yeah. Fast food always hurts me later."
---
2. The Man With The Plan, Explained Poorly
A clip played.
The man from the box smiled calmly.
> "Life is complicated.
But what if it didn't have to be?
My Plan removes uncertainty.
No confusion. No guilt.
Just follow the steps."
Comments scrolled:
— "This cured my anxiety"
— "Finally someone telling me what to do"
— "Where do I sign?"
Raon sat up.
"…Why do people like him?"
Shion answered quietly.
"Because thinking hurts when you're tired."
Raon frowned.
"…I was tired."
"Yes. That's why he noticed you."
Raon's fists clenched.
"I don't like that."
---
3. HQ Feels… Different
At HQ, people moved differently.
More organized.
Too organized.
Arrows taped to floors. Schedules on walls. Color-coded EVERYTHING.
Manager Kimchi beamed.
"Efficiency is up 300%!"
Yuno whispered to Raon:
"…No one's arguing anymore."
Raon scanned the room.
Nobody laughed. Nobody improvised. Nobody panicked.
"…This is creepy."
Synthra Byte whispered:
"Someone installed a plugin in the human brain."
---
4. Shion Investigates (She Hates What She Finds)
Shion dug deeper.
No code. No servers. No digital footprint.
Just people.
Groups meeting. Rules forming. Steps spreading.
Step 1: Wake up at the same time
Step 2: Eat approved food
Step 3: Avoid unnecessary decisions
Step 4: Trust the Plan
Shion's blood ran cold.
"…It's not a system."
Raon leaned over her shoulder.
"Then what is it?"
Shion swallowed.
"A belief with instructions."
Raon cracked her neck.
"…Can I kick beliefs?"
Shion sighed.
"…Eventually."
---
5. Raon Meets A Follower
On patrol, Raon bumped into a woman.
She smiled serenely.
"Sorry," she said. "That wasn't in the Plan."
Raon blinked.
"…You okay?"
The woman nodded.
"I don't have to decide that anymore."
Raon felt a chill.
"What if you want to?"
The woman tilted her head.
"…Why would I?"
Raon stepped back.
"That's a bad answer."
---
6. The Man Speaks Again
That night, the Man With The Plan streamed live.
Calm. Warm. Safe.
> "Freedom is heavy.
I simply offer relief.
No force.
Only structure."
Raon watched, teeth grinding.
"He's lying."
Shion nodded.
"He's not lying enough to scare people."
The man smiled at the camera.
> "Tomorrow, we expand.
More steps.
Less doubt."
Raon stood.
"…Tomorrow I stop being normal."
Shion looked at her.
"…Tomorrow we do this carefully."
Raon grinned.
"…Careful kicking?"
Shion smiled despite herself.
"…Strategic."
---
7. Quiet Cliffhanger
As the stream ended, the man's eyes flicked—
Just for a second—
Directly at the camera.
At Shion.
At Raon.
He whispered:
> "She's strong.
But even strength wants direction."
Raon felt her leg twitch.
"…He's talking about me."
Shion's voice hardened.
"Yes."
"And he's wrong."
---
END OF CHAPTER 115