Decay

Two days passed, and Katy's condition only worsened. 

Even so, we decided she would come to the office on Monday. In my mind, there was a chance that keeping her mind stimulated could help slow the progression of the virus.

What I didn’t consider was the impact our presence would have on the morale of our division that gray morning.

Our colleagues said nothing, quietly watching two starkly different worlds collide.

On one side was Katy’s vacant gaze, unable to recognize the hologram in front of her. Her confusion, her emptiness, her subtle fear—all of it reminded them of those final mornings with Shinpei.

Across from her stood despair and utter defeat: my bloodshot eyes struggling to focus on the documents I needed to fill out.

The paranoia born from days without sleep, unable to comprehend why the universe chose to treat me this way.

I felt weak. Filthy. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t save the one thing that truly mattered to me. Doomed to repeat the cycle once again...

Suddenly, Felix burst into the room, accompanied by cheerful music. He carried a chocolate cake with candles.

“Happy birthday, Carlos!” Everyone clapped as he stood to acknowledge the small ovation.

One by one, they came over to his desk to grab a slice of cake.

“U-um, Isayama.”

“Yes?” I watched her as I stood, offering her my weak hand so we could go and congratulate the birthday boy.

“Do I really know these people?”

“Of course, you’re great friends.” My soul weighed heavy. “Come on, I’m sure Carlos will be happy to see you.”

“Well…”

Together, we approached his seat, where Hiro was also sitting.

“So happy to see you, princess,” the poet said warmly.

“Hello…”

“It’s good to see you, Katy,” Carlos smiled. “How are you?”

She didn’t know how to respond, and both of them turned worried eyes toward me.

“What do you have to say? They care about you—don’t worry…” I whispered into her ear.

“H-Happy birthday…” she answered, her words hollow.

Both men smiled, trying to hide the sorrow in their eyes as they shared in my silent torment.

…

“Hey, Isayama, is everything okay with Katy?” Irina approached me during the coffee break. “A-And with you?”

I looked at her slowly. Then at my coffee.

“Fine, though we didn’t sleep much this weekend…”

“Isayama, I’m serious. Felix and I are really worried.” I recalled that evening when she shared a table with Touji.

What do you think I’m trying to do?

“Do her symptoms match Shinpei’s exactly?”

“Something like that…”

“In that case, why did you bring her to the office?” Her blue eyes pierced into me as she ordered a coffee.

“...Huh?”

“I mean, why didn’t you both stay home to rest?”

“I thought seeing her coworkers might help…”

“Isayama Tore, have you looked at yourself lately?”

“I’m a sorry sight, I know…” My gaze sank deep into my cup.

“How much have you been sleeping lately?”

“Two hours? Three…?”

The warmth of her chest silenced me. Before I realized it, my elegant boss had leaned in to embrace me.

“Why the hell didn’t you both stay home?” she repeated. “Isayama, you’re not alone in this…”

“Irina?”

“You need to rest…”

“But if we leave…”

“Listen to me, Isayama. The most important thing right now is for you to regain your strength so you can help Katy.” She took hold of my shoulders.

My exhausted self struggled to comprehend her sincerity.

“This doesn’t have to end the same way it did with Shinpei, you hear me?”

“Y-Yeah.”

“Take this as a break to help her, a chance to get her to the hospital. Once she’s better, you can both come back together.” She smiled. “I’ll speak with Central Administration; don’t worry.”

Would Irina really do that for us?

Her words brought light to my face.

Breaking free from this cycle might be the only way to regain perspective.

“If you feel bad about missing work, you can come in once a week…”

That way, I’d have more time to investigate…

“F-Fine.”

I’ll sleep and focus on diving deep into sensei’s notes starting tomorrow...

“That’s better. Remember, I’m always here to help if you need me.”

…

After leaving Katy in our room, I took the elevator down to find food.

When I reached the ground floor, I found myself face-to-face with them once again…

But… Why…?

With drums echoing like thunder, flares, and accusatory shouts, I was met by another massive anti-implant protest.

“Cellos Robotics, murderers. Cellos Robotics, murderers.”

Through the glass, I saw the flares stain the air a venomous red. The drumbeats resonated like echoes of condemnation, making the ground vibrate beneath my feet.

“All we want is to save the lives of those infected…” I murmured from inside.

Some of them even took the opportunity to bang on the glass doors, terrifying the receptionists who were hiding behind the counter.

“No one wants these…” I stared at the implant in my left hand.

“Cellos Robotics, murderers. Cellos Robotics, murderers.”

Murderers…

I remembered Yamaguchi-sensei’s death.

Are we the murderers?

His bloodied face.

Katy’s tears.

Who are the real killers of innocent people?

I couldn’t take it anymore. Something inside me demanded justice, demanded action. I walked toward the door with unsteady steps, propelled by rage and exhaustion.

Stop tormenting innocent people...

I stepped out, accompanied by the excessive sterilizing mist from the doors.

“Get out of here! Go home, idiots!” My voice was immediately lost amidst the shouts and drums.

Sweat dripped down my face as I pushed through the crush of bodies.

“What do any of you know about the suffering of implants?!”

I pushed forward, colliding with banners and bodies.

“You know nothing! Murderers, all of you!”

Soon, they began pushing me back, and the chaos swallowed me whole.

“I know what you’ve done! I’m going to end all of you!”

They jostled me amidst the flares and drums.

“I’m going to find whoever’s responsible!”

“Get out, get out, get out!” the mob roared back.

“Damn Cellos employee! What are you doing here?!” One protester spun toward me, bloodshot eyes burning with rage.

“What do you know?!” I shot back.

Idiots…

“You don’t understand anything! We’re just trying to—!” I was cut off by a decaying hand. “…Huh?!”

In the midst of the crowd, a strange figure, covered head-to-toe in clothing, touched my neck with his hand.

The shouting continued, but I no longer cared. That figure planted a fear in me unlike anything I’d ever known.

As if moving in slow motion, I felt my neck with my hand. My eyes followed as the faceless figure vanished into the chaos. Their hand was yellowed, hot, and rough...

W-Wait…