That Time I Got Jealous Crafting a Plan

Mira threw the apartment door shut behind her, almost slamming it in Ren’s face. Her face was flushed, her usual wide-eyed wonder replaced with a fiery determination. Ren leaned back against the wall, carefully keeping his distance. He had learned not to poke the bear when Mira was like this.

Before Mira could launch into her rant, her sister, Rei, appeared from the hallway, slipping on her jacket. She paused at the sight of Mira’s furious pacing and raised an eyebrow. “Whoa.” She turned to Ren. “You should be more careful with a girl’s feelings. You might not survive next time.”

“What?! I didn’t do anything!”

“Uh-huh.” Rei smirked, clearly enjoying his flustered response.

“You're going out?” Mira asked.

“I am, I am. Meeting a friend.” Rei tossed her hair casually.

Ren and Mira exchanged a suspicious glance. “A friend?” Mira asked, narrowing her eyes.

“Oh. A secret boyfriend.” Ren’s tone carried amusement.

Rei shrugged. “It’s nothing like what you’re imagining.”

“Anyway,” Mira said, crossing her arms. “Don’t drink Green Joy while you’re out, okay?”

 “You know I don’t drink that nasty stuff.” Rei slung her bag over her shoulder and paused by the door. “By the way, you two should really make up soon. But be careful. All that tension? …It might just lead to some make-up se—”

As if they both knew how she was going to finish her sentence, Mira and Ren pushed her out the door in unison. “Good night, Rei!” they shouted, their voices slightly higher-pitched than usual.

They brushed off their slight embarrassment.

“Yep. Totally a secret boyfriend,” Ren said. “I guess your little sister has more game than you.”

Mira shot him a glare, which he quickly averted. 

She sighed. “She’s definitely hiding something. But we’ll have to deal with that another time.” She glared at the can of Green Joy they’d brought. Innocently sitting on the coffee table. Her earlier anger returned with a vengeance, and she resumed pacing the living room. “I can’t believe this was happening all this time, right under our noses!”

“The moment that annoying jingle woke me up in this world, I already hated it. But yeah, this explains... a lot.”

“They’re literally suppressing emotions!” Mira fumed, her voice rising. “We have to do something!”

Ren shrugged, folding his arms. “It’s NOVA. Isn’t this whole thing backed by them? What can we do?” I’ve seen enough movies to know messing with AI overlords is a bad idea.

“I don’t know… but we can’t just sit here and let this happen!” Mira stormed into her workroom. “Nexi, do you know about this?”

Nexi, who had been silently processing data at the computer station, hovered toward Mira, who quickly explained everything. “Yes, I am aware of the emotional regulating effects of Green Joy.”

Mira’s jaw dropped. “And you didn’t think to mention it?”

“As the information is not classified and NOVA’s initiatives aim for the betterment of society, I saw no reason to disclose it,” Nexi responded calmly.

“They’re suppressing everyone’s emotions, Nexi! How is that for the betterment of society?”

Nexi hovered as if tilting its head. “The current emotional state of society is influenced by multiple factors, including Green Joy’s stabilizing effects, evolving societal norms, and cultural shifts—”

“You’re not helping!” Mira groaned, turning back to Ren. “We need a plan. Now.”

Ren sighed. “The problem is, even if everyone found out about this, would they actually change anything? Back in my time, even if people knew their favorite snack could cause cancer, most still wouldn’t stop eating it. It’s human nature, or whatever version of it exists now.”

Mira remained silent, seemingly unconvinced.

“And, maybe we were just ignorant about it, but it really seems that these effects weren't some secret conspiracy,” Ren continued. “Even that man at the vending machine that pointed it out to us didn’t seem too concerned.”

“So you’re saying we should do nothing?” Mira snapped, though her determination seemed to waver.

“I’m not saying we should do nothing,” Ren said, his tone more measured. “But it’s not like we can just take down NOVA. That’s not realistic.”

Mira bit her lip, her brows furrowed. “Then we don’t have to destroy Green Joy… What if we replace it instead?”

Ren blinked. “Replace it? With what?”

Mira leaned closer, her eyes gleaming with sudden inspiration. “A love potion!”

“You almost had me for a sec there.”

“No, really! A love potion is perfect!” she exclaimed. “It’ll awaken people’s emotions, and they won’t want to drink Green Joy anymore.”

Ren sighed as they moved back to the living room, Nexi hovering behind them. He sat down, mulling over her idea. “…A competitor?” He muttered to himself out loud.

Mira tilted her head. “Competitor?”

Ren nodded. “Something people would want more than Green Joy. Something they’d crave.”

Mira’s face lit up. “Wait, for real? I knew you’d see the truth about love!”

As ridiculous as Mira’s enthusiasm sounded, her idea had a kernel of potential. “Not your ridiculous ‘love potion.’ But... maybe something like it could work. Nexi, let me ask you something. Is sugar not a thing here?” I have noticed that the few sweet things I’ve had here taste a bit different. Definitely not the classic sugar we all know and love.

Nexi paused briefly. “The substance you refer to as sugar is no longer in widespread use. Societal preferences have shifted toward alternatives deemed healthier and less addictive. Sugar has become almost obsolete.”

“That also explains why I haven’t seen any sugary drinks in the vending machines. Not one fizzy soda. Green Joy doesn’t even have real competition, and let’s be honest—its taste sucks.”

“Hm?” Mira remained with her tilted. “Where are you going with this?”

Ren straightened up, smirking slightly. “You’re in luck, Mira. I guess we are making your love potion. We’re gonna take down Green Joy with a cola.”

Mira blinked. “A... cola?” She glanced at Nexi.

Nexi interjected. “Cola, also referred to as sodas or soft drinks, were carbonated beverages high in sugar and additives. They were popular in the past but have long been abandoned due to their unhealthy properties.”

Mira’s eyes lit up. “And you think this soda will inspire emotions and beat Green Joy?”

Ren shrugged. “Who knows? But if people get hooked on something sweet and fizzy that actually tastes good, it could steal Green Joy’s market. And I got a feeling sugar may have some kind of effect on people’s emotions here…”

Nexi’s tone remained neutral. “While the results cannot be predicted with certainty, introducing a compelling alternative to Green Joy has the potential to disrupt its dominance. If sugar’s effects elicit emotional responses, it may align with Mira’s objectives. However, numerous obstacles and variables must be addressed.”

Mira didn’t hesitate. “Let’s do it.”

Ren leaned back, his arms crossed. “The main issue is actually making the stuff. Seems sugar isn’t exactly easy to come by, and soda requires more than just that.”

“I might know someone who can help with that,” Mira said, her tone shifting to excitement. “Kaleb—he’s a chemist. Well, a student chemist at our university, but he’s brilliant. If anyone can make this soda love potion, it’s him.”

“Mira with underground connections? Who knew?”

She chuckled. “Hardly. Kaleb’s just a childhood friend. Though... he does have some odd acquaintances. Anyway, I’ll reach out to him. Kaleb can do it, I’m sure!”

Ren leaned against the couch. “He sounds... helpful.”

“More than helpful! You should see him work. He’s amazing. He’s got this way of breaking down complicated stuff and making it seem so easy. Everyone in the lab practically worships him.” Mira’s face lit up as she spoke, her excitement brimming.

“Great,” Ren muttered. “Seems like you really trust this guy.”

“Of course I do! Kaleb’s never let me down before,” she said with a wide smile.

Ren gave a small nod.

“You okay? You seem... weird.”

“Me? I’m fine.” Ren stood up and stretched a bit too casually. “Just tired, I guess. We’ll have to see what this genius friend of yours can do.”

“I’ll contact him before bed and see if we can meet tomorrow.”

As Mira walked off, Ren stayed behind, his thoughts lingering on her words. She really seemed to like this Kaleb guy. He shook his head, brushing off the odd twinge in his chest. It wasn’t worth thinking about. Probably just indigestion from this future food—or so he told himself.