Awakening

The sterile scent of antiseptic filled the small hospital room. Yuki Ito stirred, the bright overhead lights momentarily blinding him. He blinked against the harsh glow, disoriented, his mind catching up to reality. It was his seventeenth birthday.

A soft murmur drew his gaze to the foot of the bed, where his parents stood, their smiles stiff but expectant. The significance of the day was not lost on him. This was it— the moment the genetic enhancements would change his life forever.

Genetic modifications had started as an ambitious dream decades ago, whispered about in the late 20th century. Over the years, Japan had perfected the technology, turning it into a defining mark of status and privilege. By 2090, enhancements weren’t just common— they were essential. Every privileged seventeen-year-old underwent the procedure, their genes rewritten to ensure physical, mental, and social superiority- but most importantly, a special quirk. In this world, being ordinary wasn’t an option if you had the means to be extraordinary.

“How are you feeling?” his mother asked, her voice soft, yet edged with nervous energy.

Yuki hesitated, searching for the right words. “The same. Nothing feels different.”

“It’ll take time,” his father assured him, though his voice wavered. He crossed his arms, glancing at Yuki with an intensity that bordered on impatience.

Yuki shifted, the hospital gown brushing against his skin. His body felt… strange. Not different, but foreign, as though he were disconnected from it. He rubbed his hands together, trying to ground himself. “Can we go now?”

His parents exchanged uneasy looks. His mother’s hand brushed his arm. “You should rest—”

“I’m fine,” Yuki interrupted. His tone wasn’t harsh, but firm. “I just want to leave.”

His father sighed, a mix of frustration and resignation. “If you insist.”

Together, they stepped out into the crisp air outside the hospital, the tension between them palpable. Waiting near the entrance was Jun Yamamoto, Yuki’s best friend. His familiar grin spread across his face, but there was something guarded in his eyes.

“Hey, birthday boy!” Jun called out, brushing his dark hair out of his eyes.

Yuki’s parents hesitated, their disapproval evident. They didn’t need to say anything; the tightness of their jaws said enough. Yuki ignored them and jogged toward Jun.

“Let’s go,” Yuki said quickly, leaving no room for objection.

Jun led the way into the heart of Neo-Tokyo, a city humming with energy. Skyscrapers stretched toward the heavens, their neon-lit exteriors casting vibrant hues on the streets below. Holographic advertisements flickered overhead, displaying the faces of polished Genesis elites— the epitome of perfection. Above them, sleek vehicles glided through the air like futuristic birds.

“Do you remember the old arcade?” Jun asked, a spark of nostalgia lighting his face.

Yuki laughed, the first genuine moment of joy he’d felt all day. “Of course. I always beat you at the racing games.”

Jun smirked, shaking his head. “Only because I let you.”

The two wandered aimlessly, their banter light but undercut by an unspoken tension. Yuki couldn’t help but notice the way Jun occasionally glanced at him, as though searching for some sign of change. They eventually stopped at a cozy café tucked between towering buildings. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and pastries greeted them as they stepped inside.

As they sat, Jun’s cheerful demeanor faltered. He stirred his drink absentmindedly before finally speaking. “So, how does it feel? Being one of them now?”

Yuki flinched at the bitterness in Jun’s voice. He forced a smile. “Nothing’s changed. I’m still me.”

Jun looked away, his jaw tightening. “Not for long. You’ll have everything now— power, opportunities. People like me… we’re just stuck.”

“Don’t say that,” Yuki said, leaning forward. “You’re my best friend. That won’t change.”

Jun scoffed lightly, shaking his head. “Everything else will, though.”

The words hit harder than Yuki expected. He opened his mouth to respond but couldn’t find the right thing to say. The silence between them stretched, heavy and awkward.

“Let’s just focus on today,” Jun finally said, forcing a grin. “No point dwelling on the future.”

They left the café and found themselves at their old arcade, the familiar sounds of digital games and laughter greeting them. For a while, it felt like nothing had changed. They competed fiercely, their old rivalry reigniting as they battled for high scores. Yuki almost forgot the tension from earlier—almost.

As the day wound down, Jun turned to Yuki, his expression unreadable. “You’re going to be great, you know. Genesis college, the enhancements— it’s all lined up for you.”

Yuki shook his head, uneasy with the praise. “I don’t even know if the procedure worked. I still feel normal.”

Jun chuckled, clapping him on the shoulder. “You’ll figure it out. Text me when you do, okay?”

Yuki nodded, watching Jun walk away, his hands shoved into his pockets. He felt a pang of guilt, an ache he couldn’t name. Their friendship wasn’t the same anymore, and Yuki didn’t know how to fix it.

As he turned to leave, a group of teenagers caught his eye. Their Genesis uniforms marked them as the elite, and their enhancements were obvious— metallic limbs, glowing eyes, and an aura of confidence that set them apart. One of them, a girl with sharp features and short hair, suddenly turned around to face him. She smirked knowingly before turning back to her friends. Her modifications must have something to do with enhanced senses.

Yuki swallowed hard, suddenly feeling out of place. He left the arcade and made his way home, his thoughts swirling.

The towering walls of his house loomed before him, and his parents were waiting, their expressions unreadable.

“Tomorrow is a big day,” his father said. “Genesis college will shape your future. Make the most of it.”

Yuki nodded silently, his gaze dropping to the pristine uniform waiting for him inside.

“Yuki,” his mother added, her voice soft but firm. “You need to focus. Surround yourself with the right people.”

Yuki knew what she meant. The implication was clear: Jun didn’t belong in his new world.

“I’ll try,” he said, brushing past them and retreating to his room.

There, in the quiet of his sanctuary, Yuki lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. His chest felt heavy, a mix of anxiety and longing weighing him down. He was supposed to feel excited, to embrace the promise of a better future. Instead, he felt hollow.

The silence shattered as a sudden heat surged through his body, coursing like fire in his veins. His vision blurred, and his heartbeat thundered in his ears. Panic gripped him as his limbs trembled, his breathing shallow.

The enhancements.

He clutched the bed sheets, trying to ride out the storm inside him. The sensations were overwhelming— pain and exhilaration intertwined in a chaotic dance. It felt as though his body was tearing itself apart and rebuilding all at once.

Then, just as quickly as it began, the storm subsided. Exhaustion washed over him, pulling him into unconsciousness. The last thought that flickered through his mind was the weight of expectation.

This was only the beginning.