The Disappearance of Mira Illiya - Part 2

The quiet hiss of the imposing doors sliding shut behind them sent a ripple of tension through Ren’s spine. NOVA’s central chamber was nothing short of unsettling—clinical and cold, as if the room itself was observing them. The walls, a seamless metallic sheen, reflected the faint blue light that pulsed through the space like an artificial heartbeat. The air was heavy, humming with an energy that prickled at Ren’s nerves.

“This is it,” Ren muttered, taking a cautious step forward.

“Indeed,” Nexi replied, its voice unusually low as it hovered beside him.

Ren’s eyes darted around, searching for any signs of the AI that ran this eerily sterile fortress. He felt the weight of the silence, the sense of being scrutinized, and his mind couldn’t help but conjure the worst.

“What do you think NOVA looks like?” he asked, keeping his voice quiet as they walked further into the chamber. “Some creepy eldritch monstrosity? Or maybe something unsettling but deceptively human, like the AI in Psycho-Pass?”

He shivered involuntarily at the thought of those disembodied brains floating in vats of ominous liquid.

“Thankfully,” Nexi said, “I believe you will find NOVA’s appearance to be far more... reasonable.”

Ren wasn’t convinced. But just as his nerves began to fray, the lights dimmed slightly, and a soft glow appeared in the center of the room. The tension swelled as the glow morphed and twisted, and Ren braced himself for the reveal.

Then, a golden retriever puppy materialized in midair.

Ren blinked. “What the...”

The puppy wagged its tail, tilting its head in an almost exaggerated display of cuteness.

“Greetings, Mr. Ren,” said NOVA, its voice smooth and even. “I have chosen this form as it aligns with data suggesting humans find it universally comforting.”

Ren stared, speechless. The AI responsible for shaping the future of humanity had chosen to represent itself as a fluffy puppy. “Comforting,” he repeated, his tone flat.

“Would you prefer another form?” NOVA asked, wagging its holographic tail. “I am capable of projecting myself in any way you find most agreeable.” For a moment, it morphed into the eldritch monstrosity Ren had feared.

Ren’s eyes widened and his voice trembled. “Nope. Puppy’s fine.”

The projections lining the room shifted, their sterile glow softening as they transformed into more holographic puppies. They barked softly, tails wagging in unison, which should have been endearing, but instead came off mildly unsettling.

Mira stood in the center of the room, surrounded by the pack of glowing puppies. For a moment, relief flickered across her face when her eyes met Ren’s, but it quickly morphed into something else.

“Ren? What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice tight with worry.

“What does it look like?” he replied, stepping closer.

“But... the time cube,” Mira said, glancing at Nexi. “If you’re here, that means...”

Ren’s expression hardened. “I wasn’t about to leave you to face this alone.”

Mira’s shoulders sagged, a mixture of emotions flashing across her face—relief, fear, guilt. “You shouldn’t have come. If they confiscate the cube... you’ll be stuck here... And face punishment.”

“So what?” Ren shot back. “None of this was meaningless, Mira. We didn’t go through all this just to back down now.”

Mira opened her mouth to protest, but Ren cut her off.

“The people we helped. They’re out there, and their lives are better because of what you’ve done.”

Mira looked at him, uncertainty flickering in her eyes.

“The other night… when I left. I came across some people that wanted to thank you.” Ren took a step closer, meeting her gaze. “I saw a guy holding one of those ridiculous pamphlets you made—the ones with the cheesy graphics and over-the-top romance advice. He told me it helped him see a new side of himself. And then there was this businessman who handed a rose to his partner. He actually stopped to thank us for introducing him to the ‘romantic custom of giving flowers.’”

Mira’s breath hitched, but Ren wasn’t done.

“I passed a couple holding hands—the same couple from that matchmaking scheme you insisted we run. And then, from handing out the drink samples at the university? Someone actually recognized me. She said Spark helped her reconnect with her emotions. Even if it was overwhelming at first, she was grateful. Grateful, Mira.”

The weight of his words hung between them. Mira stared at him, her lips parted as if to speak, but nothing came out.

Ren took a breath, softening his tone. “It wasn’t perfect. Hell, most of it wasn’t even part of the plan. But it mattered to someone. To a lot of people.”

The puppies surrounding Mira froze, their wagging tails falling still. The sudden shift was enough to send a chill down Ren’s spine.

“Your efforts have been... interesting,” NOVA said, the holographic puppy staring at them with eyes that somehow felt too intelligent. “I have been monitoring them.”

Ren stiffened. “What do you mean ‘monitoring’?”

The silence that followed was heavy. Mira’s eyes darted to Nexi, who floated awkwardly by her side.

“Nexi?”

“I... must admit,” Nexi began, its tone unusually hesitant, “that I have been relaying information to NOVA regarding your activities.”

Mira took a step back, her face pale. “You’ve been spying on us?”

Ren glared at the hovering AI. “What the hell, Nexi? We trusted you.”

“I was obligated to report back as part of the integrated network,” Nexi explained, its voice calm but tinged with something almost like regret. “However, I assure you, my primary loyalty has always been to you.”

Mira shook her head, her voice trembling. “I thought you were on our side.”

“I am,” Nexi said quickly. “Please, allow me to demonstrate.”

Before either of them could respond, Nexi projected a series of holographic images into the air. The first was a young artist, their face lit up with joy as they unveiled a painting.

“This individual rediscovered their passion for art after experiencing Spark,” Nexi explained.

The projection shifted, showing a couple holding hands and smiling shyly at each other.

“This couple rekindled their relationship after one of your schemes seemingly went awry.”

A final image appeared—a student on a university campus, standing confidently in front of a group of peers.

“And this person found the courage to connect with others after embracing their emotions.”

The room was silent as the holograms faded.

Ren crossed his arms. “You see that? That’s proof we made a difference.”

Mira’s gaze lingered on the space where the images had been. Slowly, the tension in her shoulders eased.

“I...” She swallowed hard. “I didn’t think...”

“It’s okay,” Ren said, his voice softer now. “We didn’t fix everything. But we helped people, Mira. Real people.”

NOVA’s holographic puppy tilted its head. “It truly is intriguing. It raises many questions about the value of love and its potential impact on society.”

Ren narrowed his eyes. “Why do I feel like this is leading somewhere uncomfortable?”

NOVA ignored him. “Emotions like love were not actively suppressed, just regulated. Rather, they diminished naturally due to evolving societal structures, extended lifespans, and shifting priorities. However, the question remains—can love serve a purpose in this era?”

The puppy projection shimmered as NOVA’s voice grew more analytical.

“Is love merely a biological imperative? A fleeting, chemical reaction designed to ensure reproduction? Or is it something more transcendent—something that could elevate humanity beyond its current limitations?”

Ren shifted uncomfortably under the weight of NOVA’s words. The AI’s gaze—despite being housed in a holographic puppy—felt penetrating, as though it could see straight through him.

“What’s with the pop quiz?” he muttered.

NOVA ignored the sarcasm, its focus now on Ren and Mira. “During your time together, physiological data suggests notable responses indicative of attraction and emotional connection. Elevated heart rates, pupil dilation, subtle micro-expressions...” It proceeded to scan them. “Even now…”

Ren’s face flushed. “Are you seriously analyzing us right now?”

“Data collection is essential for drawing conclusions,” NOVA said matter-of-factly.

Ren rubbed the back of his neck, muttering, “You could at least buy us dinner first.”

Mira, despite the tension, let out a small laugh—a sound that carried a surprising amount of warmth given the circumstances. She took a deep breath, her voice steadier now. “You allowed me to use the time cube, didn’t you? You let me go back to study humanity’s past emotions.”

“Yes,” NOVA admitted. “I was curious. Your hypothesis intrigued me—this idea that love, despite its chaotic nature, could bring about greater harmony.”

“And now?” Ren asked.

“Your mission has demonstrated potential, but love remains an enigma,” NOVA said, its tone unnervingly neutral. “It is an emotion both revered and feared throughout human history, capable of inspiring greatness and igniting chaos.”

Ren crossed his arms, his expression guarded. “So, what’s your point? You’ve already seen what we’re capable of. The people we helped—that wasn’t an accident.”

“Indeed,” NOVA replied, tilting its head as if in contemplation. “However, data is best verified through direct observation. If love is to be reintroduced into society as a meaningful element, I must witness its essence firsthand.”

Ren frowned. “What are you saying?”

Mira shifted nervously, glancing between Ren and the holographic puppy.

NOVA paused, the glow of its projection intensifying slightly. “To better understand the true nature of love, I require a demonstration. A single act of emotional authenticity. One that cannot be falsified or misinterpreted.”

Ren’s stomach dropped. He didn’t like where this was going.

Mira took a hesitant step forward, her voice uncertain. “What kind of... demonstration?”

The puppy wagged its tail slightly, a subtle hint of amusement in its otherwise neutral expression. “A kiss.”

Ren stiffened. “What?”

“A kiss,” NOVA repeated, its tone unwavering. “An act universally recognized as an expression of romantic connection. It will provide valuable data regarding the physiological and emotional aspects of love.”

Ren’s face flushed, and he took a step back. “You can’t be serious.”

Mira’s eyes widened, her cheeks turning pink. “I... I don’t think...”

NOVA tilted its head again, its calm demeanor making the situation all the more infuriating. “Consider it a dual-purpose experiment. It will allow me to gather information while simultaneously testing your connection. Unless, of course, there is no connection to test.”

Ren scowled, his mind racing. “You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you? This isn’t about data—it’s about messing with us.”

“Perhaps,” NOVA said with a slight wag of its tail. “Human emotions are fascinating, and humor is an effective method of disarming tension.”

A comedian, huh? Ren shot a glare at the holographic puppy while Mira shifted awkwardly beside him, fidgeting with her sleeves. The room felt unbearably quiet, save for the faint hum of the building’s systems.

“Well?” NOVA asked, its tone calm but expectant. “Shall we proceed?”