A Deal's All You Need

The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow, bouncing off the smooth pavement. Trimmed hedges and flower beds bordered the sidewalks, framing the idyllic scene. The laughter of children and soft chatter of families created a gentle symphony on the breeze.

Ren walked with his hands in his pockets, his usual aloofness tinged with unease. The silence between him and Mira stretched long enough to feel awkward. Maybe he’d said too much. He trailed a step behind her, eyes on the path. What kind of expression was she wearing now?

Mira suddenly stopped, forcing Ren to pull up short to avoid colliding. She turned to face him, her sharp gaze almost making him regret his earlier snark.

“Uh—I mean, I’m sure the people here enjoy this kind of life. It’s just not for me,” he stammered.

Mira smiled, but a faint sadness lingered. “Our time really does have a lot of good things going for it,” she said softly. “Well… for the most part.”

Ren stayed quiet. It didn’t feel like the time for his usual sarcasm.

“Even with your wrong—uh, misunderstood—views on love. I’m sure you’ve noticed that people here don’t really… express it well.”

I’m just gonna ignore that correction... “Yeah, I’ve noticed,” Ren said with a shrug. He glanced at a happy-go-lucky couple who gave him a polite nod. “Everyone’s got the emotional depth of a decorative plant.” And seem about as fake as one, too.

“You’re as perceptive as ever, Mr. Ren,” Nexi chimed, its synthetic voice somehow smug. “That aligns with reality. Humanity deprioritized emotions like love for stability, deeming them inefficient. Strong emotions—especially love—were seen as catalysts for conflict and irrational behavior.”

Ren snorted, kicking a stray pebble that clattered noisily down the flawless street. “Love being dead in a utopian future wasn’t exactly on my bingo card. Honestly, if everything else wasn’t so eerily perfect, I’d be jumping for joy!”

“It just… faded,” Mira said quietly. “But it’s not like people here don’t care about each other! They just express it differently. More practically, but… it almost seems artificial.” She leaned in towards Ren with fiery determination in her gaze. “That’s why I want to bring it back!”

Ren took an awkward step back and averted his gaze. She had no concept of personal space, and it always left him a bit tense. For a moment, he thought about brushing her off, but something about her words lingered—a thread he didn’t want to pull at.

“Well, whether Mira’s views are correct or not, this is the reality of our society,” Nexi interjected. “The muted emotional depth you’ve observed is also more of a societal naivety—a byproduct of the cultural shifts over the past two centuries. Humanity’s average lifespan now approaches 200 years, and such longevity along with increasing harmony and stability caused this gradual change.”

Ren blinked with a blank expression. “You mean people here can live almost two centuries?” Honestly, after everything that’s happened, I shouldn't even be surprised.

Nexi confirmed. “Advances in health and technology have extended lifespans while preserving physical youth and vitality.”

Ren smirked, tilting his head toward Mira. “So, how old are you, exactly?”

“W-Why does that matter? I’m not old, if that’s what you’re implying!”

“Oh, I’m implying a lot of things.” Ren gave her a teasing grin. “What’s the number, granny?”

Mira gasped. “Granny?! I’m only 27, thank you very much!”

“Although,” Nexi added. “Your birthday is approaching. December is not far off.”

Mira’s head snapped toward the helpless AI bot. Nexi almost seemed to flinch as it hovered back a bit.

Ren chuckled. “So, you’re not only older than me but practically pushing 30. Definitely a granny.”

Mira’s face flushed, and she pointed an accusatory finger at him. “I—If anything, you’re a lolicon!”

Ren’s jaw dropped. “Huh?! A loli—How do you even know what that is? And how would I—?”

“Since we live longer, that means I’m the equivalent of 13 or 14 in your time!” Mira declared triumphantly, puffing out her chest.

“What!?”

“Now it makes sense why you stare at me sometimes with that look.” She stuck out her tongue at Ren. “You creep. Pervert!”

“You little—”

“Please disregard her foolishness.” Nexi interjected. “That’s not quite how it works. While lifespans have increased, humans, for the most part, still mature at the same rate. They simply remain in their physical prime for much longer.”

Ren nodded along as Nexi explained.

"Although, some do tend to lag a bit behind in their emotional and mental maturity, as you can see..." It glanced at Mira.

"Hey!" Mira pouted.

"I see, I see,” Ren said. “No wonder she gives off the impression that she'd get carded at a PG-13 movie."

Mira peeked at Ren with one eye, arms crossed. “So, you said I’m older than you... How old are you anyway?”

“Just your average 22-year-old college student.”

“Hmm.” Mira’s lips curled into a smug smile, her earlier confidence clearly resurfacing. “Then that means, as a graduate student, I’m technically your Senpai. Maybe you should start referring to me as such.”

“So much for not wanting to be a granny…”

She stepped closer, staring directly into his eyes. “Now that you know what we’re dealing with, I’ll tell you my true objective.”

Ren sighed. I don’t think I like where this is going.

“I want to ignite genuine love in this society!” She pointed dramatically at him. “And you’re going to help me do it!”

Who was she talking to? Surely, not him. Ren glanced behind and back before pointing at himself to confirm.

Mira vigorously nodded. Her eyes were brighter than ever.

“And I’d do that because…?”

“Because you can’t say no to a cute girl?” Mira fluttered her lashes.

“Oh, cute girl, where?” Ren pretended to look past her.

Mira puffed out her cheeks in an exaggerated pout before grabbing Ren's arm and shaking it urgently. “Please, please, please! I can’t let this opportunity slip away! I need you for this!” Her expression shifted instantly, her voice deadpan as she muttered, “Even with your distorted views on love...” Before Ren could respond, she snapped back to her over-the-top enthusiasm. “You’re still from a time when the kind of love we’re missing actually existed!”

Ren pried her off. “Which is why you should take it from me—it’s not worth it. Love is just a waste of time.”

Mira gasped, her eyes glistening as exaggerated tears streamed down her face. She sniffled, clutching his arm like a toddler. “It’s not a waste! Please, pleeeaaase!”

“I refuse!” Ren pushed her back.

Mira stumbled but quickly wiped her tear-streaked face. Her expression shifted from pitiful to determined in an instant. She muttered under her breath with a fiery glare. “Tsk. So, pleading won’t work, huh?”

“What’s with that range!? Maybe you should be an actor instead of a historian.” So much for muted emotions.

"Come on, it's not like you have a lot of other options," Mira said.

Ren glared at her. "And just who's fault is that?"

Mira dodged his piercing gaze. "Mine... but not ALL of it."

Fair enough.

Taking a breath, Mira turned to Ren with steady eyes and an unusually genuine expression. “Ren… I can’t force you, but I won’t give up. I’ll keep trying to convince you.”

Why is she so stubborn about this?

“This is my proposition,” Mira said, her voice firm. “Help me, and once the time cube is fixed, I’ll get you back to your time. No matter the obstacles, I’ll overcome them. With the same passion I have for my ideals of love, I’ll do everything to return you to your world.”

Ren’s gaze softened. Deep down, he knew Mira would probably try to help him return, regardless of his answer, but he didn’t want to admit it. “So, I’m supposed to just take your word for it? Is that really enough?” He glanced at Nexi.

“I have no opinion on Mira’s plan,” Nexi replied, “but I can assure you we’ll get you back as soon as the machine is repaired. Staying with us might even expedite the process—wandering aimlessly could draw unwanted attention. Anomalies like you could quickly be reported and investigated, leading to unpredictable outcomes, Mr. Ren.”

Ren stayed silent.

"Although, I'm sure partaking in Mira's scheme is sure to bring its own fair share of unwanted attention," Nexi added.

“Shhh! We almost have him!” Mira hissed at Nexi, shooting it a sharp look before turning back to Ren. She clasped her hands together and began muttering under her breath, “Please, please, please…” like a mantra.

Her desperation was comical, but Ren couldn’t ignore her sincerity. Mira’s passion had lowered his defenses, and though he’d never admit it, curiosity began to creep in. What would happen if they actually tried to bring love into a society like this? Yet, what troubled him most was the deep uneasiness from seeing how this future’s relationships had become even more superficial than the ones he despised in his own time.

Seemingly sensing her chance, Mira leaned forward, her eyes gleaming. “If you’re so sure love is overrated, you shouldn’t have any problem helping me prove it can’t work. Right?”

Ren sighed, meeting her gaze. "Fine... deal."

Mira blinked, surprised. “Wait, what? I didn’t think that’d work…” She stared at him as if questioning her own persuasion.

Ren crossed his arms. “BUT,” he cut in, “only until the time cube is fixed. The moment it’s repaired, you’re taking me back.”

“Deal!” Mira’s face lit up with a radiant smile that left Ren momentarily frozen.

Her hand shot out, and after a brief hesitation, Ren took it. Her hand was smaller than he expected—warm, soft, and strangely comforting. The kind of comfort that crept up on him, uninvited, and one he hated himself for noticing.

They shook hands, both smirking as if they’d won.

“Looking forward to proving your naive ideas about love wrong,” Ren said.

“Likewise,” Mira shot back with a grin.