Lacking Intelligence

Technology usually advanced at an incomprehensible rate, making leaps and bounds the second you looked away. Some were the radios and phones of two centuries prior that had exploded into an interconnected web of communication, allowing for people to share their thoughts and opinions across the world. And nowadays, the AI revolution expanded that, allowing those with less skill and time to produce something they could not with their hands alone. After all, a lot could change in a hundred years.

Yet at the the same time, there were just as many places bound to the past. Take the village of Hinohara, for example. While there had been some minor improvements to the city buildings, most of its scenery remained unchanged. Small buildings a story or two tall. Poles carrying electricity lining the sides of the roads. Lush and vibrant mountains as far as the eye could see.

There was no AI governing their lives, showing the quickest path to success. There were no holograms covering the cityscape, or really anything more complex than a mid-2050s computer. It was a village which so faithfully held onto its past, something much more 'abnormal' in this post-generated world.

"Is that why this place is super weird?" she couldn't help but ask. Although she had ventured outside Tokyo, it was never to visit a small town or city. The closest was when she went to nearby forest to test one of her more... dangerous creations. Though, even that was a one-time thing, mostly to spare the poor landscape that vanished in an instant.

"It's not weird, and stop talking with your mouth full," Microwave chided, sitting next to her near one of the flowerbeds.

"Fine," she said, talking with her mouth full. "What are we waiting around for anyway?" She and the other students were lingering outside the entrance. Most were conversion with one another, but a few had gone over to the nearby vending machine, wondering why they couldn't pay with their watches.

"Weren't you listening to what Ms. Kazari said?"

"Kazari?" she tilted her head.

"The Vice President?"

"Oh!"

Microwave sighed. "The Vice President is currently letting the Hall know that we'll be staying here today and tomorrow." While it wasn't strictly necessary to inform the Village Hall, those coming from larger cities were highly recommended to do so. Even at a glance, there was an massive culture shock between those who grew up using modern technology and those who found it a convenience every so often. Plenty of city kids had found themselves struggling to do anything without some kind of AI-related assistance when out in the countryside. The notices were meant to keep the townspeople informed about how to interact or support those people.

The Vice President came out of the Village Hall a few minutes later, causing the President to shout, "Attention, everyone!" Every head snapped to the Vice President, almost like a well oiled military troop.

"Thanks, Chiruno. Now, does anyone need anything else before we head over to the campsite? No? Okay then, follow me and Chiruno." With those words, the group trailed behind the Vice President and President. Microwave and the Creator trailed near the end of the pack, the Creator still eating her bento like a wild animal, not that it mattered. The place they were staying was only ten minutes down the street: a campground right across from a small cafe.

"We'll be staying here tonight," the Vice President began. "Unpack your tents and anything else you need for the hike. You can leave everything else for when we get back."

"Why not an inn?" she quietly muttered to Microwave.

"With such a large groups, it's just easier and cheaper to use tents and sleeping bags. Everyone here are already used to it anyway," it exasperatedly explained.

"Huh. Do we have a tent though? I didn't bring one."

"I never expected you to, so I brought it."

"Oh cool. Have fun setting it up," she went back to eating her bento. Like usual, she left all the work to Microwave, not because she had no idea how to set up a tent (which she didn't), but out of pure laziness. Actually, she was rather lacking in most things, not that she cared to improve. What she didn't know could always be supplemented by magic... which was something she didn't have access to at the moment. If only she realized. However, her thoughts unfortunately skewed towards her goal, wondering how to reach that life-or-death situation. She still only had one verse written.

"Has everyone finished?" the President yelled out, snapping the Creator out of her thoughts.

""""Yeah!"""" everyone yelled in response.

"Then, are you ready to get hiking?!?"

""""Yeah!""""

"You can be louder than that. Are you ready to get hiking?!?!?"

""""YEAH!!!""""

"Then let's get--"

Whack!

"Ow! Sumiko..." the President complained, crouching down and rubbing her forehead. The Vice President had chopped her hand down rather hard.

"You brought this on yourself. Stop trying to rile everyone up," the Vice President sighed before directing her attention back towards the group. "We'll be heading towards Kibuneiryu Shrine now. Make sure you have one person with you at all times. Use your watches if you get lost. Now, let's get going."

That was the start of the Creator's second verse, and her great disappointment.