Chapter 5: Living Alone

As the day waned, Jacob and Emi arrived at the building where Emi lived, situated in the heart of the city. Opening the door, Emi turned to Jacob with a bashful smile.

“Sorry about the mess,” she said, her cheeks flushing slightly. Her voice carried the hesitation of someone unaccustomed to visitors, accompanied by a slight fidgeting of her fingers and a quick glance toward the scattered books on a nearby shelf. Her shoulders tensed momentarily, only to relax when she met Jacob’s gaze with a small, sheepish grin. Her eyes darted briefly to the floor before meeting Jacob’s gaze again, her lips curving into a small, sheepish grin. “I don’t usually have guests.”

Jacob shrugged, glancing around as he stepped inside. “No problem,” he said, letting his eyes wander over the room. The apartment was modern yet cozy, filled with personal touches. Shelves lined with books and small technological gadgets adorned the walls, while potted plants in the corners added warmth to the space.

Raising an eyebrow, Jacob turned to Emi. “You live alone?”

Closing the door behind them, Emi nodded. “Yeah. I moved here for university, and I’ve gotten used to living on my own.”

Jacob’s attention was drawn to a framed holographic photo on a nearby table. The image hovered slightly above the frame, shimmering with a subtle, ethereal glow as it shifted angles with the movement of his gaze. It was a mesmerizing blend of color and light, unlike any photograph he had seen before. His gaze lingered on the image, his expression shifting subtly as if it stirred a distant memory or faint recognition. The photo depicted Emi, a younger version of herself, smiling alongside a couple and a small child. Picking up the frame, Jacob studied it intently. “Is this your family?” he asked.

Joining him, Emi glanced at the photo and smiled softly. “Yes, that’s my mom, dad, and little brother.”

Jacob’s eyes narrowed as he focused on the man in the picture. “Your dad looks familiar,” he murmured, furrowing his brow.

A flicker of discomfort crossed Emi’s face. She quickly took the frame from Jacob and set it aside. “Maybe he just reminds you of someone,” she said hurriedly. “Let’s head to the kitchen. I’ll fix us something to eat.”

Jacob followed Emi into the sleek, minimalist kitchen. The shiny metal surfaces and touch panels exuded a futuristic vibe. Silent appliances hummed softly, and cabinet doors opened with the lightest touch. Subtle LED lighting along the walls cast a warm but sterile glow. Emi opened a cabinet and retrieved a handful of small, colorful tablets that resembled oversized pills. Each one shimmered faintly under the kitchen lights, their glossy surfaces reflecting the technological advancement of this era. Unlike traditional meals, these tablets symbolized a cultural shift—a compact, efficient solution to hunger in a resource-conscious future. Jacob’s eyebrows shot up as she placed them on the table.

“What’s this?” he asked, leaning in to inspect the strange items. “Are these… food?”

Laughing at his reaction, Emi nodded. “Yep. In the future, people developed these nutrient tablets to make digestion easier and reduce resource consumption. They’re surprisingly practical.”

Jacob shook his head with an incredulous grin. “What happened to burgers and pizza?”

With a mischievous smile, Emi reached back into the cabinet and pulled out another tablet. “Don’t worry,” she said, setting it down. “We have different flavors. You can even get ones that taste like pizza or hamburgers if you want.”

Jacob’s stomach growled, prompting him to give in. Picking up one of the tablets, he popped it into his mouth. As soon as it touched his tongue, a burst of flavor surprised him—a strange but balanced mix of sweet and savory. He hesitated for a moment, chewing tentatively before realizing the tablet melted quickly and slid smoothly down his throat. Warmth spread through his body like a comforting wave. Stunned, he patted his stomach, feeling unexpectedly full.

“That… was weird,” he admitted slowly. “But not bad.”

Emi grinned, pleased by his reaction. “You’ll get used to it. It feels strange at first, but eventually, you’ll see how convenient it is.”

After their meal, the two sat across from each other at the table, engaging in casual conversation. Jacob paused for a moment, then voiced a question that had been nagging at him. “Why me? Why was I chosen for this project?”

Emi hesitated, her gaze shifting slightly. “It was just… curiosity,” she said, her tone tinged with unease. “This is my final university project, and completing it means I can graduate. It’s really important to me.”

Jacob noticed the hesitation in her eyes but decided not to press further. “Got it,” he said with a slight nod. “Hope you get what you need out of it.”

Rising from her seat, Emi walked over to a storage cabinet. “Let me get you a bed for the night,” she said. Reaching for a foldable mattress on a high shelf, she stretched on her toes but lost her balance. Jacob reacted instinctively, catching her mid-fall. Emi’s eyes widened in surprise, and she gasped, her breath momentarily stolen. Jacob’s strong hands steadied her, preventing the fall. For a brief moment, an electric tension hung between them.

“Gotcha,” Jacob said in a low voice, surprised by his own swiftness.

Emi’s cheeks flushed as she quickly regained her footing. “Thanks,” she said, her voice shy. “I didn’t mean to trouble you like that.”

“No trouble,” Jacob replied with a faint smile.

Handing him the mattress, Emi said, “Here you go. It’s not the most comfortable, but it should work.”

“Perfect,” Jacob said, taking it from her. “After a day like this, I could sleep on the floor and not care.”

Emi bid him goodnight before retreating to her room. As Jacob set up his makeshift bed, his mind wandered over the events of the day. This futuristic world was still foreign, but in the midst of its strangeness, Emi’s presence offered a small sense of grounding. Lying down, he let his thoughts drift to the challenges that lay ahead, closing his eyes as sleep overtook him.