The Beginning of the End

News of a "Planet-level" asteroid appeared on the news as early as August 30, 2094. Back then, experts advised that it may be a threat to Planet Earth in the years to come, and that they advised the world government to prepare countermeasures for it. No one listened of course. It was just another news headline. And it was deemed "alarmist" and "causing unnecessary fear" by some politicians.

To think that the world would end by 2100 seemed unlikely, almost ironic, I'd say. We're still at the height of the AI Revolution. And, Japan has gotten a second wind of economic prosperity, or at least that's what they say online.

Yet, here we are, about to witness the end.

2099.

On that fateful day, March 7th, the world government announced a worldwide migration plan, dubbed "Exodus" (wow, how biblical), that will gather ten billion "species" to escape Earth and into the new world. Mars presumably, I don't know. There were some talks of sending other citizens to the newer colonies of Venus or to the space colony, Zeus. Ultimately, they kept these decisions outside the media. At least, that's what forums say online.

The tricky part was their wording, "ten billion species", because, when the migration plan finally kicked into full gear. Not everyone was allowed onboard. Apparently, animals and plants were also counted into the ten billion count.

Where was I in all this, you ask? I was in college, preparing for my finals. As every third year should. I knew that this would be a concern for my parents. So, I assured them that I'm fine and that I'll find my own way onboard the starships. Because, they already got passports for it.

In reality, I didn't plan such thing. The requirements for the passports were stringent enough that I was discouraged.

Pietro kept encouraging me that it'd be all fine. At least, we'll get to be together again someday, like some tragic romance anime. But, of course I protested. And that was the end of that.

Finals was already stressful as it was. Then, the announcement arrived that there would be a nationwide suspension of schools in preparation for Exodus. I kinda expected this to come sooner or later. However, no, I was still fairly shocked. Like, what was I supposed to do now?

With no passport, and the end of the world arriving, what do I do? Or, what should I be doing?

That's a question I've never thought of in a long while. I mean, I was pretty much set in life already; finish Biology in college, then get into med school in Tokyo, which is another six years of studying, graduate, take the national medical exam for all doctors, and become a licensed doctor, all while my boyfriend supports me with his successful music career, and eventually we'd get married. That's that.

I didn't expect, I mean no one really did, that an asteroid would one day end Earth. Like, all our plans went down the drain so unexpectedly.

That was when an idea struck me, like a flash of bright light, I exclaimed to Pietro that we should explore all of Japan! He was flabbergasted, equally so, because what the fuck did I just suggested. Like I'm some crazy madwoman on the edge of jumping off a cliff.

It was insane. It was bold. I was, well, on the edge of my ass waiting for his reply. He felt like a father looking at his enthusiastic daughter. And, well, that wasn't far off *hehe*

And, he said yes.

That's how this story starts off...