living perfection

Sunlight streamed through my window as I brushed my teeth. Even if it was artificial, it felt warm and inviting. The real sun? Probably overrated.

I spat out my toothpaste and smiled at the mirror. “Halo, scan for impurities.”

A soft hum preceded a green light sweeping across my reflection. After a second, the AI’s voice chimed in. “None detected, Rin.”

“Perfect.” I grinned, feeling victorious over dental decay.

Stretching, I wandered to my room. “Halo, outfit.”

The closet whirred open, and within seconds, a mechanical arm dressed me in a tee featuring a fat orange cat, a skirt, and bright yellow gloves. I squinted at the shirt. “Really?”

The green chip embedded in my neck gave a subtle pulse. “You seldom wear that shirt, Rin. Neglecting its use increases the risk of wastefulness, which could disrupt global environmental balance and—”

“Stop! Just stop. I don’t need a lecture.” I grabbed my shovel from the corner.

The hologram of Halo shimmered into view, holding an imaginary clipboard. “Your parents entrusted both you and Saya to my care. My guidance ensures—”

“You’re an AI, not my mom.” I snatched a croissant from the counter, still warm and flaky—Halo’s handiwork. “Speaking of Saya, how’s she doing?”

Halo adjusted her imaginary glasses, a habit she picked up for some unknowable reason. “Facility reports indicate Saya is stable.”

I stepped out into my garden and inhaled deeply. The filtered air carried a subtle blend of dirt and ripening fruit. Everything was pristine, from the rows of leafy greens to the small lemon tree bursting with color.

The forest biosphere was a masterpiece—an idealized version of Earth’s nature documentaries. No floods, no wildfires, no predators lurking in shadows. Just harmony. The Gaianet made sure of that.

“Rin, it’s 8 a.m. You’ll be late.” Halo’s voice buzzed faintly in my chip.

“Yeah, yeah.” I stuffed the croissant into my mouth and closed the door behind me.

The streets were packed, far busier than usual. “Halo,” I murmured, tapping my neck chip. “What’s going on?”

“The Eden Summit is tomorrow. The one you were invited to.”

“Oh.” I wove through the crowd toward the maglev station. “Why is it in Sylva-2? I thought they always held it in Galewarden.”

Halo paused, likely combing through data. “No official reason. The location was changed last minute. Will you attend?”

“It’s too much hassle.” I boarded the train and took a seat, gazing out at Emerald Vail’s green-drenched skyline. Each building was draped in cascading vines and blooming flora, their designs seamlessly integrated into the forest canopy.

The train stopped in front of the Environmental Biosphere Authority. Towering and metallic, its design clashed against the natural harmony of Sylva-2.

As I approached the entrance, Halo’s voice returned. “Will you accept the promotion today?”

“We’ve been over this.” I scanned my ID and walked through security. “I’m not leaving the biosphere.”

Halo sighed, a surprisingly human sound. “Your sister would benefit. A higher salary could—”

I tapped my chip twice, silencing her, and headed to the monitoring room. Settling in, I logged into the system and slid on my VR headset.

The interface sprang to life, immersing me in Sylva-2’s vast ecosystem. My job as an environmental systems coordinator was simple on paper: ensure everything worked. Sunlight simulators, rain dispensers, soil nutrients, biodiversity checks—it all ran through me. Sylva-2 wasn’t just a forest; it was the lifeblood of timber production for the biospheres. There was no room for error.

A tap on my shoulder broke my focus. I pulled off the headset to see Lilac holding out a steaming cup of coffee.

“Thought you could use this,” she said, smiling.

“Thanks.” I sipped, the warmth soothing after hours of focus.

“You’ve been here since eight. Don’t you ever take a break?”

“The biosphere doesn’t run itself,” I replied, setting the cup down.

She laughed lightly. “And that’s why they want to promote you. Maybe you should let them.”

I shot her a look. “Not you too.”

“Why not? You’ve never left Sylva-2, right? You could visit Aqua-3 on your way to Galewarden. Those lagoons are gorgeous.”

“Lilac, stop.” My tone sharpened, and her smile faded.

“Fine, fine. It’s your call.” She shrugged, pulling up her Lumina Smartband. “Oh, by the way, did you see the summit’s agenda? Soil biometrics, synthetic meat, new plant species, and something called ‘Synthetic Eden.’”

My brow furrowed. “Synthetic Eden?”

“No idea.” She glanced at me. “So... you going?”

I groaned.

“Come on, Rin. You’re always saying no to everything. Besides, I’m leaving for Galewarden next week. It’s your last chance to hang out with me.”

“Fine,” I relented. “But only because you asked.”

Her squeal of excitement was immediate, and she dove into her Smartband’s dress code options.

Regret gnawed at me as she rattled off formal attire requirements. What had I just signed up for?