Best before 2025

"Wow! Are we actually in 2325?" As the words leave my lips, I begin to look around, taking everything in.

The blonde woman nods.

I've seen some pretty wild, high-class places in my past, but nothing could've prepared me for this future!

From the start, I could tell that the walls weren't your typical ones—they're made of some kind of... glass? And they all have an emerald tint to them. It's the same tint as the foggy glass of the capsule I just woke up in. I feel like I'm in a super-advanced, giant terrarium right now!

Everywhere I look, there are plants of all sorts of shapes and sizes. Clear containers serve as pots, and their soil has different colors. Two walls are full of screens, displaying many stats. Some even show floating holographic models of a body. Am I in a hospital for robots right now?

The place feels alive somehow, and I can't help but wonder if every room in the future is going to be like this—filled with greenery and futuristic tech. It's definitely not what I had in mind when I thought of the future before. There is no cold metal and boring gray in sight. It's way more colorful and interesting than my own sci-fi visions.

I casually look over and spot the blonde woman giving me the once-over with a frosty stare. But just as I'm about to get self-conscious, her eyes light up. She takes a couple of steps closer, taking in the details of my face.

"Wow, they totally nailed your face!" she says. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised," she goes on. "You have the newest humanoid model from the H444 line!"

So I'm a humanoid now?

"And you're just the cutest thing ever!" she exclaims. "And so tiny! And those cheeks! Just like in the photos in your file!" She says as she looks me over once again. "How is it possible for someone so slender to have such adorable chubby cheeks?" she asks, her voice going up an octave. "Can I pinch them? Can I? Please?" She actually sounds like a kid begging for a toy.

I take a step back and cross my arms. "Ma'am! Please, I'm a 25-year-old woman!" My voice is firm. "Show some respect! I come from a rich family with an honorable lineage." I explain. "I might look small, but I'm definitely not a child."

She starts laughing and messes up my hair. "Technically, you're 325," she giggles, "but who's counting?" She takes her hand off my head and holds it out to help me climb out of the capsule. My legs feel like two giant boulders as I try to walk. "Careful, you're still getting used to this humanoid form," she says.

The blonde woman gives me a warm smile and says, "And please, don't call me Ma'am. It's so out of date! No need to be polite; we've become more laid-back when it comes to that. And you can call me Naomi." She smiles.

"In this future we are like one big, happy family!" she adds. "We treat each other equally without any of that formal nonsense." Her smile never leaves her face as she holds my hand tightly.

"Does that mean you're all living in some kind of new-age communism?" I reply, unimpressed. Naomi chuckles, and she shakes her head. "Oh no, no, no!" she says. "We're just a bunch of individuals who have realized during these hundreds of years that we're all in this together. And that it's easier to respect each other than to fight. No political mumbo jumbo, only good deeds and unity!"

"So each country still has their own thing going on?" I ask.

"Yes, that's right," she says, still smiling. "We get to keep our own traditions and lifestyles. The only difference is that now we have one boss, the president of Earth."

I roll my eyes at her. "How unbelievably original."

She laughs, "The president is only there to chat with aliens if any new species comes by for a visit. You know, boring diplomatic things."

"New aliens? Whoa, back in my day, there were only whispers about them. It's a bit scary to think how many are out there now," I admit.

"Don't worry, they're all friendly beings," she assures me while guiding me towards an armchair that seems like it's made of glass.

I'm now confused. What is she doing? Are these glass armchairs actually functional? No way.

"You're sure this won't shatter under me, Naomi?" I ask, eyeing the piece of furniture skeptically.

"Don't worry, you're good," she reassures me, walking over next to it while still holding my hand tight. "It's not like any glass you've seen. This stuff is Mars-tough!" she exclaims, as she demonstrates its durability by stomping on the armchair a few times with her right foot. "It's made from Martian sand, and it's incredibly sturdy! See?"

After her little demonstration, I can't help but laugh a bit. "Okay, if you say so," I tell her, sitting down in the chair. So we've been to Mars, too? It was about time!

Then, the woman walks over to a glass table and picks up a tiny, see-through tablet. She then turns around and sits in an armchair similar to mine. "I imagine you must be feeling pretty overwhelmed right now," she says with a kind smile. "Like you've got a million questions going around in that cute head of yours. But no need to hurry; just relax for now, okay?" she adds.

I nod and smile back, feeling my nerves settle down.

Naomi smiles back before she glances back at the tablet. "Your test results look great. So far, your brain is acting completely normal."

"But, just to be sure, I'd like to run a quick checkup. I'll go over your records, and you let me know if I get something wrong." I nod, unable to do much else. Naomi opens my file and starts skimming through it, occasionally glancing up at me with a brief look before her gaze falls back to the screen.

"So, Airi," she starts, "Your name is Airi Osaki, right?"

"Back in 2025, you were twenty-five. And you were pretty much living the dream in Japan—you were the daughter of the richest families around." She pauses, looking a bit sad, before continuing, "But you had a terrible disease that made your parents money pretty much worthless."

With a soft pat on the transparent tablet, Naomi continues reading from it. "During your last surgery, things kind of took a turn for the worse," she says, looking up at me with sadness in her eyes. "They had to do some damage control with your brain because of some complications that came up. And after that, well... you didn't make it."

I'm not really surprised by what she's saying. I mean, it's a lot to take in, but knowing they managed to save at least my brain is something for which I can be thankful.

Naomi then walks over to me and holds out the device. "Good thing you've made that contract beforehand." She says, trying to sound a bit more cheerful. Then she hands me the clear tablet. "This gadget is your ID here on Earth. It's got everything about you on it—past and present. So, keep it safe, okay?"

I nod back. "I will. Thank you."

Naomi glances over at a plant with leaves that look like little stars. "Oh, and we've got a TV interview set up for you," she adds, looking back at me like she's peeking into my mind.

"You're lying!" I laugh. "TV's still a thing? I find that hard to believe," I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"Why are you surprised? You thought we'd only be watching our shows in our brains by now?" Naomi replies.

I chuckle. "I guess some things never change, huh?"

But I get it; being brought back to life after 300 years is definitely newsworthy. And I'm sure they know all about my family's wealth and the impact we had on Japan's business scene. Perhaps they want to know about the politicians I've met or the celebrities who were my friends back then.

"Alright, I will do this interview! After all, I want to share some of my past experiences with the people of the future." I grin, feeling quite touched by their interest in my past life.

"Oh? So you were quite the heartbreaker back then, huh?" Naomi smirks. "I'm not surprised! You've got this timeless beauty that could turn heads anywhere, anytime." She smirks.

What is she talking about?

"You're perfect for the reality show!" Naomi nods, looking quite pleased.

"Reality show? What on earth are you saying?" I am completely baffled right now.

"Oh, I forgot to mention. The interview is part of the dating show you're going to be on." The blonde woman laughs and steps closer to one of the screens, reaching out to switch it off.