Kokoro: Here I am

Kokoro was now seated in her wheelchair and facing a camera that was setup in front of her. They were situated in Taro’s workshop, but parts of the wall directly behind her had been covered with a large black cloth. She was about to record a livestream.

“Just remember kid,” star Airi said, walking up to meet her with Taro by her side. “Tell them everything. Who you are, where you came from, and the person you want to be.”

“Thank you.” Kokoro simply responded to the red-haired superstar. “I will.” Kokoro added, nodding her head in confirmation. Star Airi then left and Taro stepped forward.

“Hey.” Taro said to her, smiling.

“Hey.” Kokoro replied as she looked up at him, also smiling.

“So, you are really about to do this huh?” Taro asked, and Kokoro noticed as he reached to scratch the back of his head. He always did that whenever he was nervous. And in this case, she understood he was nervous for her.

She was about to come out and tell the whole world that she was the voice in the machine. That she was Music and Metal. A lot of people were going to start keeping an eye out for her. No doubt, the government was going to immediately come after her as well. But not just her, Taro and Tomomi too. The two people she cared the most for.

However, thanks to star Airi’s plan, Kokoro was confident nothing was going to happen to them. That was where she even found the resolve to do what she was about to do in the first place. Because she knew whatever happened next, they were going to be safe.

Using the handles of her wheelchair for support, Kokoro shakily pulled herself up, feeling the slight humming vibrations of the scarab walker underneath her clothes as the device helped her to her feet. As soon as she was standing, her thighs began to tremble. Her boyfriend did say it was going to be a while for the device to fully assimilate with her body, and speaking of, Taro quickly shot forward and caught her before she fell.

“What were you thinking? I told you…”

Kokoro blocked and occupied her boyfriend’s mouth with a deep kiss, so he wouldn’t scold her further. When their lips finally separated, she looked at him and discovered that her plan had worked. Taro now had this dumb look on his face, as if he had forgotten what he wanted to say just a second ago.

“You worry too much.” Kokoro said to him. “Now get out of here so I can brag to the whole world about you. Go on, shoo.”

Taro helped her back into her wheelchair, then planted a kiss on her forehead before leaving the room. To Kokoro, it was almost as if a piece of her heart was moving away.

“You ready?”

Kokoro almost had a heart attack when she saw that star Airi had been standing by the camera crew this whole time. She must have seen the entire kiss Taro and I shared. Kokoro gave a frantic nod in response while her cheeks turned red. Luckily, the superstar pretended she hadn’t seen anything.

“Alright, we are live in

5,

4,

3,

2 …”

***

Taro was in the living room with Tomomi when Kokoro’s livestream started up on the TV. She was beautiful as ever. With big blue eyes, and thick blonde hair.

The neural link was also resting on her head for everyone to see, as well as the speaking aid on the left side of her chest.

“

Good evening, people of Tokyo, Japan, and the rest of the world. My name is Kokoro Takahashi. I am 18 years of age. I am an art student of Prestigious Art and Science high school, Tokyo branch, and I am also, …”

There was a slight pause as Kokoro suddenly choked on her words and hesitated. She blinked a few times, unsure if she should go on. But then, she took in a deep breath, exhaled, and continued speaking.

“I am also the artist known as Music and Metal.”

***

TV stations.

Jumbotrons.

News outlets.

Social media.

Kokoro’s story was being broadcasted on a countrywide level, and star Airi knew it was only a matter of time before the government came after the girl.

However, she wasn’t planning on letting that happen.

“Is everything in place?” star Airi asked her assistant, Mikasa.

“Yes Miss Airi. The lawyers are ready.”

“Good.” star Airi replied, turning her attention back over to Kokoro who was still busy talking to the camera.

“Let’s go end this once and for all.”