A Cute Tour Guide's All You Need

“Since we’re already here, let me officially introduce you to the Park of Harmony!” Mira spun around with a grin as wide as the manicured lawn. “Isn’t it incredible?” She pulled Ren along a winding path.

The grass gleamed like polished emerald; every blade perfectly uniform. Trees swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves whispering in eerie harmony.

Ren glanced around. “Yeah, sure. Incredibly creepy.”

Mira gasped with exaggeration, clutching her chest as if he’d insulted her personally. “You mean calming, right? Ren, this the perfect place for peaceful reflection and connecting with nature.”

Ren tilted his head toward a man sitting unnervingly still under a tree. Birds chirped around him in an almost rehearsed melody. “Hmm, maybe you’re right. But maybe it’s a little too calm. Is that guy even breathing?”

“What? Of course he is!” Mira waved dismissively. “He’s just meditating.”

The three of them—Mira, Ren, and Nexi—stared at the man in silence as a bird landed on his head. He didn’t so much as flinch.

“Nexi, check his vitals,” Mira muttered.

“Understood.” Nexi hovered toward the man.

Before Ren could see how that turned out, Mira grabbed his sleeve and yanked onward. “Anyway, you’ve seen enough of the park. Let’s move on!”

They arrived at a sleek building that merged futuristic design with a hint of traditional style. Nexi caught up in no time, but the fate of the meditating man forever remained a mystery.

“This is the Culture Hub!” Mira stroked a dramatic pose. “It houses all of our art, literature, and history—a living archive of our entire civilization!”

A holographic display outside rotated through various exhibits. One glowed with the title: The Era of Emotive Innovation: Before Balance.

Ren squinted at it. “You got anything on my descendants in there?” Wait, never mind—I’m not having any descendants. He chuckled at his own joke.

“Records from your era are rather sparse,” Nexi said.

Mira’s eyes brightened. "But that's why I'm studying it, especially the way romance and relationships used to be." But the bright eyes quickly faltered. "Compared to now. People are not really..."

“Oh, so you’re studying how fake and shallow my time’s human connections were?” Ren smirked. “Lucky for you, I’m an expert. Feel free to use me as your primary source.”

“Hmph.” Mira crossed her arms and turned away.

It wasn’t long until she dragged him to their next stop. A massive dome pulsing faintly with neon lights came into view. “This is the Entertainment Dome!” Mira threw her arms wide.

Inside, immersive screens displayed action-packed sports, VR concerts, and simulation games. Ren’s eyes were drawn to a display of players moving in unnerving synchronization through an elaborate obstacle course.

“What’s that supposed to be? Future Ninja Warrior?”

“That’s Synchrony!” Mira said brightly. “It’s a game where teams work together to achieve perfect balance and harmony. Isn’t it fun?”

Ren barked a laugh and slapped her back. “Good one!”

Mira pouted.

Oh, you're serious..."

It wasn’t long as a sprawling campus came into view, with Mira practically skipping all the way to it.

She pointed out its sleek architecture. “And this is the University of Unified Studies!” she said proudly. “The top school in the city.” She closed her eyes and raised a finger with a smile. “I’m actually studying here, pursuing an advanced degree in Historical Dynamics and Social Structures.”

Ren squinted his eyes. "A grad student, huh? Honestly, I didn't think you had it in you."

"Hey!" Another cute pout. Just how many did she have in her?

As they passed a booth handing out drinks, Ren grimaced at the sight of the familiar logo and waved it off.

“Would you like a free sample?” A smiling student offered Nexi, who’d lingered behind a bit.

“Ah, Green Joy,” Nexi replied. “A tempting offer, but consuming fluids would be... suboptimal for my systems. Thank you nonetheless.” It hovered after Mira and Ren, leaving the students waving cheerfully behind it.

Ren glanced around at the bright-eyed students on campus. “So, does anyone here study rebellion or something?”

“Of course not!” Mira said. “Our society has moved beyond conflict. We focus on bettering ourselves and others.”

“Yeah, I can tell. Everyone looks like they’ve never had a rebellious thought in their lives.”

“Pretty much!” Mira said with a wide grin.

Ren smirked. “Says the one who stole the time cube.”

“Borrowed!” Mira huffed. “For the betterment of society.” For science!” She muttered under her breath, "And maybe a little curiosity about how couples truly used to act..."

“Whatever you say, Ms. Thief,” Ren’s lips curled into the faintest hint of a smile.

Mira caught it immediately and narrowed her eyes. “Hmm. Doesn’t look half bad when you’re not forcing it.”

“Whatever.” Ren averted his gaze, slightly embarrassed.

They eventually stopped in front of a towering, sleek building radiating a calm, inviting glow. The courtyard buzzed with cheerful chatter, and the sign overhead read NOVA.

“This is the Governing AI Headquarters,” Mira said quickly.

Nexi hovered in between. “NOVA oversees all the city's major services and facilities. From the city's climate control center, providing the ideal climate to its residents, to the continued maintenance of the self-sustaining power grid.” It showed more enthusiasm than usual. “It is a collective emergence from a quantum processor-powered neural network working in perfect collaboration with humanity to ensure continued prosperity.”

If not for Mira interjecting, it seemed as if Nexi would’ve rambled on for who knows how long.

"Yes, yes. They oversee our society and are wonderful." Mira’s tone was rushed. "Anyway, let’s keep going!” She grabbed Ren’s arm, muttering, “...before they realize the time cube is missing.”

“Wait, I haven’t even gotten my snarky comment in yet!”

“Too late!”

After the whirlwind of stops, they found themselves strolling down a serene residential street.

Mira finally declared, “And that concludes our tour! Feel free to leave a five-star review for Mira Tour Services!”

“Two stars,” Ren said, smirking. “One for finishing without my brain melting, and another for being… surprisingly quick.”

Mira tilted her head. “Now that you mention it, it does feel a bit like quickly swiping through a good novel.”

“Yeah, well, this book must be crap because this future sucks.”