Moments of Anticipation

For many decades, humanity has worked hard to create a world in which everyone would be equal—an alternative universe without the feeling of unfulfillment. The so-called utopia, a paradise on Earth, once seemed so unreachable not that long ago.

And yet, somehow, with true dedication to science and its unstoppable development, the current status of technology and the standard of living feel like heaven. Economic crises no longer exist. What could be replaced by digitalization has already been put to use. Means of transportation no longer pollute the environment, which is well preserved to balance the infrastructure. Living in the future is living now.

But among all the technological miracles, there is one that influenced change in society the most, reshaping human perception of deep emotional connection. It was none other than Soullet. An invention no one necessarily needed, yet once it appeared and was put to use, it felt as if the time before it never existed.

Soullet, a name created by merging two shortened words—‘soulmate’ and ‘bracelet’—is a technological device that every person is given once they turn 22. Through advanced artificial intelligence based on well-developed algorithms, it matches the wearer with another person with whom they would be able to live the most fulfilling life, free from worries about arguments and fights. Why this specific age? Scientists have proven that it is the moment in life when most people are searching for emotional stability in the form of a lifelong romantic partner. This way, teenagers can still fool around before obtaining the Soullet without worrying that it could hurt the soulmate waiting for them somewhere.

It all started as a small experimental project. Many people were initially against the device, feeling that this wasn’t the natural way of things. But gradually, with proper reasoning and the comfort of having a secure partner for life, those voices quieted down to the point where no one questioned Soullet anymore.

“So today’s the day.”

Standing in front of the bathroom mirror was 22-year-old Hayashi Nami, a young woman who had eagerly awaited this day. Her long, silky brown hair was neatly brushed, and her makeup was done perfectly to highlight her dark, beautiful eyes. The day had just begun, but Nami had found it hard to sleep the previous night. Who could sleep when, the next day, they would finally learn who their destined significant other truly is?

It’s not like she was a hopeless romantic, overly excited about the matchmaking ceremony. So far, she has led a good life. Ever since she was a child, she had loved music, so her parents signed her up for piano lessons. It was a hobby that took up much of her free time and soon became a passion burning so strongly that Nami couldn’t imagine pursuing any career that wouldn’t make use of her musical skills.

She would have gone further down memory lane, reflecting on how her past shaped her, if not for her smartphone ringing, snapping her back to reality. Holding the buzzing device in her left hand, she smoothly pointed it toward the mirror to project the monitor onto it. It was more convenient to look at the bigger “screen”. Seeing who was calling, she immediately answered.

“I had a feeling you weren’t sleeping anymore.”

On the mirror, now a screen, appeared a woman around Nami’s age. Her ginger hair was messy and unkempt. The T-shirt she wore was loose with some edgy phrases imprinted all over it. Looking back at her face, it was hard not to notice the usual mischief hiding behind tired hazel eyes.

“Oh, and why would you think that?” Nami asked sarcastically, then added before letting her friend respond, “I think, between the two of us, it’s actually weird that YOU are awake. But you probably just never fell asleep last night, did you, Aya?”

Iino Aya was Nami’s closest female friend, whom she had met in her first year of college. A free spirit who wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, regardless of how others responded. That’s why many people tried to avoid her, deeming her rude and unapologetic, but that wasn’t true. Aya was truly a caring person; her tough exterior was just a shield she used to protect her emotions. Nami learned how fragile her friend could be after a few months of bonding, living in the same apartment for two years. If they hadn’t had such different tastes in music, getting into hours-long debates about whether alternative or rock was better, she might have thought they were soulmates without checking their Soullets.

“Guilty as charged!” Aya’s melodic laughter echoed in the bathroom. “But for real, how are you feeling? Ready to officially confirm that Yamada is your one and only forever and ever, so you two can become one of those disgustingly obnoxious couples?”

“Stop it!” Nami giggled, trying to hide the knot of anxiety building deep in her stomach.

That was the whole reason this day was nerve-wracking for her—the fear of what might happen if the person she believed to be her soulmate wasn’t the one. Yamada Tsukasa, her childhood friend since middle school, her closest confidant, the person she trusted completely.

They first met in music school. Nami attended piano lessons, while Tsukasa, the headmaster’s son, was studying to become a composer. They ended up in some of the same classes. It began with simple introductions, and before they knew it, they were inseparable.

It wasn’t a secret that their friendship was slowly evolving into something more romantic. But in a society where an algorithm determined who you should spend the rest of your life with to achieve eternal happiness, it was hard to admit those feelings. Especially when they barely accepted them themselves. Tsukasa was the first to break, confessing his love openly. Once he took that step, Nami followed, responding positively to his feelings. Both had been feeling anxious for months. Tsukasa had turned 22 earlier, and at first, he didn’t want to activate his Soullet, hoping to wait until Nami got hers so they could check together. But after some thought, they agreed it was healthier not to do it that way. If they weren’t meant to be, it was unavoidable that they would get hurt. When Tsukasa activated his Soullet, it was glowing in pure white color, meaning his soulmate had not yet received their tech bracelet.

That gave them hope, but today Nami felt she was reliving the same situation all over again. The stress was definitely not good for her—at least, that’s what her health-monitoring app told her.

“Hey,” Aya’s voice brought Nami back to reality, “it’s going to be okay. I’m sure you two are meant to be. Just look on the bright side,” her tone shifted to cheerful, “after today, your entire love life will be sorted out for good!”

“You’re right,” Nami agreed, though not fully convinced. Feeling a bit guilty for doubting her friend’s words, she decided to change her demeanor. “I mean, you would know. You had a feeling Erika was your soulmate before you turned 22, and then Soullet just confirmed it, so I’ll trust you on that.”

“Yeah, that…” Aya’s brow furrowed with concern as she glanced around her own room before returning to her usual upbeat state. “That’s true! And my gut feeling will be right again, so get your butt to the ceremony and leave all your worries behind. Over!”

“Yes, ma'am! Over and out!” Nami saluted her friend and ended the call.

Today will go without a hitch. Today, everything will go as planned. Today is the day. The day of the matching ceremony.