The Trail that Chases the Night Sky

“Explain,” Himeko demanded.

Shusoin took off the long black coat she wore, holding it up to the side of her face as she turned around. “I am the original Cube of Olyhymna, and I took that position when I was only nine years old. I wasn't meant to be, since Olyhymna didn't exist when the Takamagahara Protocol was written, but faced with a food shortage and the irradiated yet fertile land on the then-frontier, it was founded, and they needed someone like you to lead it – a comet to light up the desolate world. And, if ‘you’ were once a shooting star, then I was the trail chasing your shadow. People have always wanted to capture the stars. And I let them catch me.”

“How?”

“When the Committee came knocking at my parents’ door, it was I who convinced them to let me participate. I admired you so much that I willingly endured the experiments and trials they had me go through, testing my mind, body, and spirit, just to chase the trail you left behind. When it was complete, when they had extracted my ideas and figured out how to resist radiation, there was nothing left to fuel my trail. I hardly had anything left that valued any life by the time I was put in the cube.”

Closing her eyes, Shusoin turned around once again to face the wasteland.

“I’m sorry, Shusoin. I really am! The Protocol was never intended to cause harm-!”

“Was it supposed to hurt, Miss Himeko, when that metal coffin closed around me? Was it supposed to hurt as wires crawled up my skin and replaced my veins? Was I supposed to die a silent, agonizing, and slow death for everyone else’s sake?”

Himeko’s words were stuck in her throat. She pushed herself to speak, clutching at her neck as she began to choke. Shusoin looked at her with disgust, marched over to her, and wrenched open the panel on her arm before pressing a button. Instantly, relief flooded Himeko’s body, and she lurched forward. Shusoin let her fall.

Her knees and elbows jerked with sudden pain. Gray dust floated around her face as she stared up at her wretched companion. “…Why? How?”

“I wanted an answer. Now answer me: Was. I. Supposed. To. Die?”

“You said it yourself, didn't you?” muttered Himeko as the wind picked up speed. “You weren't meant to.”

“Yet I suffered, just as the others were meant to. Just as the you in New Urania’s cube suffers now. She deserves to be free. I can free her.”

Himeko’s eyes widened as she stood up. “You…called the Cube ‘her.’”

A small smile graces Shusoin’s lips. “I think I speak for us both when I say we both want what's best for the Himeko Zaiyabōto in the cube.”

“…I do.”

“Then, help me achieve that. Help me free her. All I need is you.”

“Why do I have to die? Shouldn't the fact I want to live mean something?”

“Something has to be alive first before it can die, and you? I wouldn't exactly consider you alive. But, don't despair. You are but a fragment of her, forcefully torn away by a mad scientist who thinks he can play God, and I will reunite you with her so you can be whole again.” Her hold as gentle as an arrow to the heart, Shusoin cupped Himeko’s jaw with her hand, now even colder than before. “We were never meant to be separated like this. Let me fix you the way that Mr. Asaumi fixed me.”

Himeko closed her eyes. Shusoin brushed the tears she hadn't noticed forming away with her thumb.

“Would you stop attacking her if I agreed?” she asked.

“Of course. I would have no reason to attempt to extract her from the cube since she'd already be freed.” Answered Shusoin.

“And the Protocol?”

“I won't rest until there is no more suffering in this world. And the Takamagahara Protocol is suffering. I will liberate everyone from it with Himeko’s help, and together we will forge a new path forward. One whose blooms will reach towards the skies instead of grasping at straws to get out of the mud, no matter what it may cost.”

Himeko brushed off Shusoin’s hand, shaking her head. “I'm sorry. I can't agree with something that would completely disregard her wishes. Himeko believed in her work. All Himeko wants now is to be a normal girl. If you don't think I’m a person, that's one thing, but I won't let you use her.”

“And what will you do? Exist as an odious facsimile only replicating her wishes? You're nothing! You're nothing but a shiny object destined to be thrown away and forgotten for the real thing!” Screeched Shusoin.

“I was brought back to help her, help myself. Even if I am trash, even if I can't fulfill her dreams, then I at least tried. At least I tried to give her what she wanted. At least I didn't use her!” Himeko walked back the way she came as she turned her lungs back on, gulping down the sweet filtered air her mask provided her. She stood in the doorway of the elevator building. “I’m sorry you suffered, but you can never hope to progress by getting revenge or hurting people. People like you are the reason the Takamagahara Protocol was necessary, and although I don’t know if it will be in the future, someone who can't even acknowledge someone else's wants is in no position to decide.”

She swallowed the thick lump in her throat before quickly slipping inside and removing the mask. The elevator creaked and whined on its way up, and Himeko thought about herself as it carried her back to Olyhymna’s surface. She traced the path back to the Ministry of Agriculture, where Kōrō was waiting for her on its steps. He waved at her.

“How was your talk with Shusoin?” he asked, standing up.

“…Insightful.” Himeko replied.

Kōrō hummed, like he had something to say, but only offered her his hand. In the other he held a small wicked basket. “Well then, Himeko, are you ready for your surprise?”