Family Reunion

How are my parents alive right now?

Because I do remember the past very well. Especially the day I first told them about cryopreservation They weren't exactly thrilled at all; my father was a bit intrigued, yes, but my mother was fully against it. She didn't believe it was possible, and she thought it was just a legal way for the lab to experiment with people's organs.

"Naomi, please explain this situation." I look at the blonde woman, scanning her face for any hints of dishonesty.

Naomi smiles and proceeds to walk closer to me. "Well, long story short, after you were gone, Osamu and Mei were devastated, and they also decided to follow the same procedure as you did!" Naomi nods while holding the triangle hologram device in her hand. She then proceeds to swipe it once.

Huh? That was... it? Something doesn't add up. I mean sure, I want this to be true; I really do. But I can't help wondering if it's all just another one of Naomi's tricks. Because it wouldn't surprise me at all if it was.

"Anyway, they have a message for you, Airi."

The projector showed a hologram of the silhouettes of my parents standing next to each other.They looked the same as I remembered them. This is incredible!

My father was now wearing a checkered shirt and a pair of lightweight blue trousers. He also had the same round, metal-framed glasses I once knew. Three hundred years later and he's still rocking the bald look and those ugly specs! I bite my tongue to keep myself from laughing out loud. Never change, Dad!

My mother was standing beside him, and her short, red hair was as vibrant as ever! She was wearing a colorful floral dress that complimented her small figure. My mother seemed happy, and that made me feel relieved.

"Airi! We're so happy you're back and healthy!" My father began to speak. "I know you must be shocked seeing us both in the future with you!" They both begin to laugh.

"We're here thanks to a special revival program that was implemented by the President of Earth. It was made especially for the most influential people from the past!"

Does this mean that even though I was part of the same family, I wasn't influential enough to be here with them? Well, that hurt my ego!

"It's a long story, and we should meet up soon and talk about it. But first we want to apologize." They both look at each other and nod. "We tried for years to gather Humanity Points in order to revive you. However, your brain was so expensive for some reason!" My father laughs awkwardly, scratching his bald head.

"It turns out some things can be expensive for our family after all." My mother laughs. "I never thought I would even pronounce that word!"

Wait a minute! Does this mean we're poor now?

Oh, no! This is bad!

"But we're so happy that you're going to be part of this reality TV show!" My mother spoke before she clapped. "You were so picky when it came to men! Maybe you'll find yourself falling in love with some alien this time around!" She laughs.

I roll my eyes at her statement and I sigh. Very funny, Mom!

"Oh, and make sure to win the grand prize also! Naomi told us there are a lot of Humanity Points on the line!" My father replies excitedly. I see, he's as greedy as ever, too!

"We're counting on you, Airi! Go there and make that contestant fall in love with you!" They both shout and clap.

And the hologram stops there.

"You have to be kidding me!" I sigh while I cover my eyes with both of my hands. "What happened to all our money? Are we poor now?" I ask Naomi.

"No, nothing like that. You see, in this future, no one is truly poor." Naomi assures me with a smile. She then gently pats my shoulder for comfort. "Even if you have no money, you can still perform good deeds for others. After that, you can exchange the Humanity Points you earn for regular money." She nods.

"Don't worry about Osamu and Mei. They've been here for 5 years after all. They know how the world works by now. Your parents just don't have as much money as they used to." Naomi approaches one of the windows and keeps talking. "They've told me a few things, you know. About how your family's business almost went bankrupt after your death. I believe they sold it quickly, but I don't know the rest of the story." She shrugs.

"But this all happened 300 years ago, after all. Cheer up! This future is nothing like that past."

Why am I not surprised by that turn of events? My father was really into gambling. Both the legal and the not-so-legal kind. We argued over his addiction a lot. But just like Naomi said, that's all in the past now.

What worries me the most is the fact that my parents weren't able to get enough points for my brain in the 5 years they were here. Just how much is my brain worth anyway? And why is it so expensive in the first place? I hate owing someone money. With the new HP system, it's even worse! Ugh!

"Hey, Airi," Naomi faces me and starts walking closer. "I'd really like to stay and chat, especially since you're so adorable when you're worried like this." She giggles. "But we've got an interview to go to, remember? We can't be late."

"Why are you in such a hurry? Couldn't we just teleport there?" I ask as I stand up. "The nurses told me that teleportation is a thing now, and I can't wait to use it!"

"We could, but it's not that simple," Naomi explains. "You need a full body scan to be in the database. And it takes days for that data to be processed anyway." She takes my hand. "Come on, let's go! We'll take my flying car. It'll be a blast!" She pulls me towards the way out.

"Wait," I say, my eyes wide with fear. "But I'm scared of heights!"

[WARNING! WARNING]

[Stress levels are high!]

[WARNING! WARNING]

Naomi laughs, pulling me out of my hospital room as the automatic door closes behind us. "Did you fill up your water tank with any liquids today?" She asks as she drags me around the glass-like hallway. The nurses and the staff were all looking at us.

"Umm... no, why?" I ask her, confused.

"That's great! It means you won't throw up even if you get sick," she says with a chuckle.

"Very funny!" I reply in a sarcastic tone. "But I'll still get stuck with this annoying warning system the whole ride." I sigh while we both exit the hospital. Naomi is one cruel woman!