Missing Piece

Mayu found herself standing in the middle of an enormous labyrinth. It was eerily quiet, except for the faint sound of ticking, like a massive clock hidden somewhere in the distance. The walls were made of mirrored glass, reflecting infinite versions of herself and Luma. Her familiar floated beside her, its usually calm pink eyes now flickering with glitches of red. 

The maze was lined with countless doors, each adorned with a glowing symbol—a phoenix, a tree, a swirling gust of wind. Familiar symbols for the various bonds she had helped mend.

“Which one, Luma?” she asked, her voice echoing unnaturally.

Luma meowed, but the sound was muffled, as though coming from far away. Mayu reached for a door marked with a rose, but it refused to open. The handle was cold and unyielding under her fingers. Frustration bubbled within her.

Suddenly, the ticking grew louder, faster. The mirrored walls began to distort, the reflections of her and Luma warping grotesquely.

From behind one door, she heard Aoto’s voice, faint and distant. “Mumu isn’t responding anymore… I think I’ve lost him.”

Another door pulsed with Naomi’s sobs. “Thistle doesn’t trust me… I’ve failed her.”

The words swirled around her, layering into a cacophony of guilt and doubt. Mayu’s chest tightened, her breathing shallow.

“I can’t help them,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “What if I’m not good enough?”

Luma’s bell rang sharply, snapping her attention back. The familiar pressed its forehead to hers, its warmth grounding her in the moment.

The ticking stopped. The distorted reflections stilled. The labyrinth faded into light. 

Mayu’s eyes flew open, her breath coming in quick, uneven gasps. She lay motionless for a moment, the soft light of dawn filtering into her bedroom. Luma floated beside her, her pink eyes watching her with quiet concern.

She sat up slowly, running a hand through her disheveled hair. “Just a dream,” she murmured, her voice hoarse. “Only a dream.”

Luma let out a soft, reassuring purr, nuzzling her cheek. The gentle sound helped ease the lingering tension in her chest.

Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed, Mayu took a deep breath, letting the morning air fill her lungs. She could feel the weight of her anxiety lifting, replaced by the steady rhythm of reality.

“Perspective,” she reminded herself, “It’s okay to feel the weight of the work, but I’m not alone.”

Her thoughts drifted to her clients. Aoto and Mumu. Naomi and Thistle. She had planned to check in on them next week, but her dream reminded her how important it was to stay connected. She pulled out her Harmony cellular device and made a quick note to schedule their follow-ups.

For Aoto and Mumu, she’d focus on reinforcing the creative exercises they’d developed together to maintain their rekindled bond. For Naomi and Thistle, she’d ensure the trust-building activities were helping Naomi feel more confident to let loose. 

Mayu smiled softly, feeling grounded again. Luma floated closer, curling into her lap as she sank into her balcony chair. The city hummed with life, and her heart felt steady once more. 

The aroma of banana crepes lingered inside of Mayu’s cozy apartment. She returned to sip at a vibrant mango smoothie. Luma floated restfully beside her, the light blue bell on her collar chiming softly as it swayed with the breeze. Today was a rare Saturday without appointments or clients—a chance for her to reflect on the journey that had brought her to Heart Harmony.

She smiled as she set her empty glass on the  table, memories rising like sunlight breaking through clouds. It had been five years since she’d first been hired as a bond-strengthening technician at Heart Harmony, yet the sense of purpose and joy in her work hadn’t dulled.

Mayu vividly remembered the day she received the acceptance letter. She’d just returned to her apartment after a long afternoon at university, where she had studied the intricate psychology of human-familiar relationships. The envelope, marked with Heart Harmony’s signature emblem—a glowing heart encased in a pair of wings—rested on her small dining table. Her fingers trembled slightly as she opened it.

“Dear Mayu,

We are pleased to offer you the position of Bond Strengthening Technician at Heart Harmony. Your passion for fostering deeper connections between humans and their familiars aligns perfectly with our mission…”

She’d read the letter at least ten times before hugging Luma, who meowed in delight. Tears of joy streamed down her face as she whispered, “We did it, Luma. This is our calling.”

Heart Harmony wasn’t just a company; it was a cornerstone of Soluna’s society. In a city built on the foundations of peace, harmony, and advanced technology, familiars were seen as essential companions for physical and mental well-being. The organization worked tirelessly to ensure every citizen and their familiar shared a profound, nurturing connection.

The mission of Heart Harmony was simple yet profound: to enhance the bonds between humans and their familiars, fostering a society where emotional well-being thrived. The company operated in three key divisions:

1. Familiar Genetic Engineers 

These researchers were the backbone of Heart Harmony, dedicated to studying the biology and energy dynamics of familiars. They sought to understand the mysterious connection between a familiar’s essence and a human’s emotions. From monitoring the energy flow during interactions to discovering how familiars responded to human stress, their work laid the foundation for all other divisions.

Mayu often admired the scientists’ meticulous dedication. Dr. Celestine, one of the lead researchers, was a sharp-witted woman with curly silver hair. Despite her no-nonsense demeanor, she had a soft spot for Mayu, often sharing insights over coffee in the company lounge. “Remember, Mayu,” Dr. Celestine once said, “familiars reflect not just who we are but who we aspire to become. Understanding that duality is the key to your work.”

2. Familiar Matchmakers

The matchmakers played a pivotal role in pairing citizens with their ideal familiars, a process that began at the age of five for all Soluna residents. It is a strongly encouraged and widely accepted practice that is a citizen’s right as part of Soluna’s advanced healthcare system. Using advanced algorithms and in-depth psychological profiles, they ensured each bond was mutually beneficial. Matchmakers had to possess keen intuition and empathy, as their decisions would shape a person’s life.

Among them was Elena, a vibrant young woman with fiery red hair who always seemed to know exactly what people needed. She had an uncanny ability to predict successful matches, often recounting heartwarming stories of children’s first meetings with their familiars.

“Matching isn’t just science; it’s art,” Elena had told Mayu once, her emerald eyes sparkling. “You have to see the potential in both souls.”

3. Bond Strengthening Technicians

Finally, there were the technicians, like Mayu, whose role was to nurture and repair the bonds between humans and their familiars. Technicians provided therapeutic support, offering tailored guidance to help clients overcome emotional barriers, resolve conflicts, and deepen their connections.

Each day was different for Mayu. Some clients arrived anxiously, struggling with misunderstandings or feelings of inadequacy. Others came with familiars whose energy had dimmed due to emotional disconnects. It was Mayu’s job to bridge those gaps, offering empathy, patience, and practical tools to restore harmony.

At the helm of Heart Harmony was its CEO, Cho Wagami, a visionary leader known for his calm demeanor and piercing golden eyes. Mr. Wagami was a man who radiated quiet confidence, his every word carrying a weight of wisdom. A former bond technician himself, he understood the intricacies of human-familiar relationships better than anyone.

Wagami had once shared his personal story with the staff: how his own familiar, a majestic falcon named Zephyr, had saved him during a period of intense self-doubt in his youth. That bond had inspired him to dedicate his life to fostering similar connections for others.

“Mr. Wagami sees the world through the eyes of every bond he’s ever helped,” Mayu thought, recalling one of his speeches. His belief in the power of connection was the driving force behind Heart Harmony’s success.

Her thoughts drifted further back to her own match with Luma. At the age of five, she had stood in Heart Harmony’s Familiar Atrium, her small hand clutching her grandmother’s. She had felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as the matchmakers guided her through the process.

When Luma appeared—a small, floating black kitten with curious pink eyes—Mayu felt an instant connection. The moment their eyes met, a warmth bloomed in her chest, as though she had found a missing piece of herself.

“Luma,” she’d whispered, the name coming to her instinctively.

Her grandmother had smiled, her voice gentle. “A perfect match, Mayu. Luma will be your guide and your strength.”

From that day on, Luma had been her constant companion, offering quiet support through every challenge. Their bond had deepened over the years, becoming a source of comfort and inspiration.

Mayu let out a contented sigh, her gaze sweeping over the city once more. The sunlight reflected off Soluna’s shimmering glass walkways and bioluminescent plants, creating a kaleidoscope of colors. She felt immense gratitude for the life she’d built—a life centered around healing and connection.

Her thoughts returned to the clients she’d helped, each story a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of bonds. Naomi and Thistle, Aoto and Mumu, and so many others.

Luma floated closer, nuzzling her cheek with its soft fur. “Thank you, Luma,” she whispered, her heart full.

The familiar purred in response, her bell chiming softly in the morning breeze. Mayu smiled, feeling ready for whatever the future held. She knew her work at Heart Harmony was far from over, but she welcomed the journey ahead with open arms and a steady heart.

For in the city of Soluna, where harmony reigned, every bond mattered, and every soul deserved to shine.