The New Normal

The next morning, Yuki Ito woke to the sound of his parents’ muffled voices in the next room. He sat on the edge of his bed, rubbing his eyes as he listened to them. They were always talking about work— calm, steady voices discussing genetic modifications, theories, and experiments. This morning was no different.

“It’s exciting,” his mother said. “This new sequence should help the next generation of students.”

“Especially Yuki’s,” his father replied, his tone clipped and practical.

Yuki sighed. He pulled on his sleek black uniform, the fabric automatically adjusting to fit perfectly against his frame. His room, like most in Neo-Tokyo, was a marvel of technology. Clothes folded themselves, walls doubled as screens displaying panoramic views of the city skyline, and gadgets hummed softly in the background. It was efficient. Convenient. Cold.

He glanced at himself in the mirror. His reflection stared back— dark hair neatly combed, his sharp eyes betraying his unease. He looked the same. He. didn’t feel any different since the modifications. Shouldn’t he?

“Yuki, time to go,” his mother called from the hallway.

He grabbed his bag and stepped out, where his mother immediately gave him a quick once-over, her sharp eyes scanning him like he was another one of her experiments. “Everything looks fine,” she said lightly, though he could feel the weight behind her words.

His father stood by the door, adjusting his watch. “You don’t want to be late.”

Yuki hesitated. “Is Jun outside?” He’d promised Jun yesterday he’d see him before transferring to Genesis College.

His mother frowned, her lips tightening. “Yes, but you don’t have time. The car’s waiting.”

Yuki’s gaze flicked to the window. Sure enough, Jun stood below, hands shoved deep into his jacket pockets, his posture stiff. Yuki felt a pang of guilt. Before he could say anything, a door in the wall slid open, and their family’s cyber-truck glided into view. The vehicle’s sleek, metallic frame gleamed under the artificial light.

With a sigh, Yuki climbed into the car, sparing one last glance at Jun. The door slid shut, and the truck pulled out, seamlessly merging onto the floating highways.

The streets of Neo-Tokyo were alive with activity. Towering skyscrapers glinted in the morning sun, their reflective surfaces splashed with holographic advertisements. Hovercrafts buzzed through the air, weaving between billboards that lit up with vibrant colors. Yuki rolled down the window, letting the cool breeze hit his face. 

A gnawing unease lingered. Other kids who’d undergone modifications reported immediate, drastic changes— superhuman strength, speed, agility. He’d gotten nothing yet. Was something wrong with him?

The truck arrived at Genesis College, a massive structure of glass and steel that shimmered in the light. Students streamed toward the entrance, their modifications seemingly on full display. Yuki adjusted his bag and stepped inside, his heart pounding.

The main hall was sleek and modern, its walls lined with digital panels that displayed rotating schedules and welcome messages. Yuki checked his holo-watch. Class 1E. He followed the map on his screen, weaving through the throng of students, each one looking more polished and perfect than the last.

When he entered the classroom, the chatter died down. Heads turned to look at him, their expressions unreadable. At the front, the teacher gestured for him to introduce himself.

“I’m Yuki Ito,” he said, his voice steady despite the knot in his stomach. “I received my modifications yesterday.”

Some students nodded, others whispered. Then, a tall boy with light hair stood up, his posture relaxed but commanding. “Shinichi Masuda,” he said. “Got mine yesterday too.”

Yuki’s eyes flicked to him. Shinichi didn’t just look confident— he looked powerful. His broad shoulders strained against his uniform, and the way he carried himself screamed superiority. Yuki swallowed hard. How had Shinichi already adapted so seamlessly? Was he just better?

Yuki found a seat at the back, sinking into it as whispers filled the room. His mind raced. Was he falling behind already? Around him, students showed off their modifications— one girl spun a pen with robotic fingers at dizzying speed, while another changed the color of his eyes with a flicker of thought. When they asked Yuki to show what he could do, he mumbled something about not feeling well and avoided their gazes.

The day blurred into a series of lectures on genetics and modified society, each one underscoring how much he didn’t belong. During a tour for new students, Yuki trailed behind the group, his unease growing with every step. The hallways teemed with students who embodied perfection— wealthy, brilliant, genetically superior.

Just as he was about to retreat into his own thoughts, someone caught his attention. A girl stood off to the side, arms crossed. Her short hair and confident stance were familiar. It took him a moment to recognize her—the girl from the arcade.

She noticed him, her sharp eyes locking onto his. Without hesitation, she walked over, her steps purposeful.

“You’re Yuki, right?” she asked, her voice steady. “I’m in your class.”

He blinked, startled. “Yeah. That’s me.”

She extended a hand. “Maya,” she said with a crooked grin. “Welcome to Genesis. Literally.”

He shook her hand, her grip firm but casual. She didn’t seem interested in sizing him up or showing off. That alone set her apart from everyone else he’d met today.

“Thanks,” he said. “You’ve been here long?”

“Few months. Turned 17 in March,” Maya replied, her tone light. There was a spark of mischief in her eyes, like she knew a secret he didn’t.

Yuki’s heightened senses kicked in, picking up on every detail about her—the steady rhythm of her breathing, the subtle tension in her stance. She seemed relaxed, yet… alert. Like she was always watching.

“Your mods—what are they?” Yuki asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Maya smirked, pulling a pen from his bag. Before he could stop her, she stabbed it into her arm, the movement so quick and precise that Yuki flinched. Blood welled up, dark and vivid, but she didn’t seem fazed.

“What the hell?” he exclaimed, watching as she calmly squeezed her arm, letting more blood drip out.

“Relax,” she said, her tone almost playful. “Watch this.”

He stared in shock as the torn skin began to knit itself back together, the wound closing in seconds. Her arm looked good as new, no scar, no sign of injury.

“Healing,” she said with a grin. “Cool, right?”

Yuki nodded, still processing what he’d seen. “Do you… have any other abilities? Like heightened senses?”

Maya laughed, shaking her head. “Nah. Why? I didn't think that was possible."

“Oh,” Yuki muttered, suddenly unsure. He remembered how she’d noticed him at the arcade. Was she lying?

Before he could ask, the bell rang, signaling the end of the tour. Maya glanced at him, her expression softening. “Don’t stress too much,” she said, her voice low. “The mods, the expectations… it’s a lot. But you’ll figure it out.”

Yuki nodded, her words lingering as she disappeared into the crowd. For the first time since arriving at Genesis, he felt a flicker of reassurance. Maybe he wasn’t entirely alone here.

That night, back home, he ignored his parents’ questions about his first day and collapsed onto his bed. His holo-watch buzzed with missed calls and texts from Jun, but he couldn’t bring himself to respond.

Instead, his thoughts drifted to Maya. There was something about her—something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. For the first time in days, he felt… hopeful. Excited, even.

Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.