Chapter Text
Year: 3001
Location: Green Island of Asley
Planet: Mars
Michikatsu sighed for the third time, looking out the clean windows in boredom, propping his elbows on a cemented table with his chin resting on his hands.
His attempts to escape have been futile since the mansion is built like it has a mind of its own. His older brother, a genius since birth who is now a scientist and an engineer of any kind, tinkered with the house and ultimately created a complex system that functions like an Artificial Intelligence Robot in which it can do anything such as clean by itself, control the interior and exterior house appliances, and even speak through voice activation.
It can also lock up a person effectively… specifically, a barely adult Michikatsu Tsugikuni. A house perfect for imprisoning a beloved one.
Their world is too incredibly and highly advanced that humanity had even inhabited a planet called Mars. Ever since the issue of overpopulation became a big threat, it pushed scientists, engineers, doctors, and any other significant individuals with great minds, including the government and every department that exist in every single country, to work together with no regard for the economic crisis just to build technology so advanced that shall bring hope to the next future generation of people.
This massive downfall happened centuries and centuries ago. A past that shall never be forgotten. A new era has begun. “The Modern World” has ended and is now just a mere history to the next generations, encrypted in techsbook which can only be utilized by the government and schools as a subject.
The world has evolved… “The Advanced Society.” It can also be called, “The Advancement of Two Worlds.”
Earth still exists, of course. Humans can still live there, but only employed workers who are intent on fixing the Earth back to its former glory can reside. Specifically, only with the permission of the government from Mars, they can live there since Earth has become a dangerous place. With the ozone layer inevitably destroyed, the demise of Antarctica and the South and the North Pole since the ice completely melted, too many wildfires taking place in every forest, and natural disasters occurring every single day… It makes sense why only a few selected people can reside there, mentioning the fact that their purpose is to make Earth a better place to live in again.
And it’s possible since their technology has advanced a hundredfold. But even with such technology, it will take time for one problem and another to be solved. And those people had to work harder than ever… They are called, ‘RPWI Specialists’, also known as ‘Resolving Prominent Worldly Issues as Specialists.’
Yoriichi Tsugikuni is one of them. He is one of the few selected people to serve humanity with a genius mind and with a kind heart. As an engineer who specializes in everything; in chemical, civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering categories, oftentimes, he would venture to Earth and build structures and devices that can potentially aid fellow members of RPWI. His work is widely known and has been a great help to humanity.
But not to Michikatsu.
Unlike his older brother, he doesn’t have a genius mind. To him, he is just an unlucky soul who was born into the Tsugikuni family. The young adult considers himself as ‘normal’ yet the odd one out, whereas, he calls his brother a ‘monster’ yet the hope of humanity.
Michikatsu grumbled, “Hope? Then I’d be hopeless then…”
“Don’t say such a thing, Michikatsu.”
The young adult didn’t even bother turning. “Can you not appear out of nowhere?”
An A.I. Robot, Yoriichi Type Zero, with six arms and had the face of his brother wearing an ancient garb, addressed him from behind. “It is time for dinner. I cannot have you starving.”
Michikatsu rolled his eyes, “Not hungry. Now go away.”
“Your brother will not tolerate that attitude,” the A.I.’s robotic voice, much similar to Yoriichi’s, was filled with warning.
“Yeah? And what will he do about it?”
A moment of silence. Michikatsu scoffed, assuming that the damn robot left. But his prayers weren’t heard as the similar baritone voice spoke behind him, but this time, the voice is more realistic and calm, yet there is an occasionally static sound effect joined in on that voice.
“Michikatsu…” It’s no mistake this time. It’s his brother… in a hologram.
The young adult sighed once again, slouching down on the table, before slowly turning to face the three-dimensional image. Next to the hologram is Yoriichi Type Zero, and its eye glowed white to produce the holographic image, showing the whole body of his older brother, who is wearing a lab coat and heat-resistant gloves, silently.
Michikatsu took his eyes off his brother, gritting his teeth in anger at the robot that stood there motionlessly. “Damn it, Type Zero, you just have to call him, don’t ya’!”
“Don’t blame the robot, Michikatsu. It is just doing its assignment as exactly what I have programmed it into.”
“And do you seriously have to put your face into that robot? I don’t need to see your face every day!”
“But it does help discipline you, correct?”
Michikatsu’s brows only furrowed deeper in anger, “I don’t know, but it does annoy me.”
The topic changed, “You can’t keep acting like that forever, brother mine. Knowing the fact that I’m a busy person, being interrupted is the least of my desires. Obey Type Zero, then everything will move accordingly.”
“Ha! I’ll only obey Type Zero if you just let me outside!”
“I cannot do that. Mars may be a safe place and good enough to inhabit, but keep in mind that it has only been seven hundred years since we occupied this planet and has yet to explore it deeper fully––”
“That is enough time to know that Mars is a liveable planet, brother! Seven hundred years, right? We even started civilization, for goodness’ sake! And you’re still paranoid––”
“On Earth, life there exists for millions of years. Because all living things, animals and humans and other organisms alike, have adapted to that atmosphere. Earth is a good condition for all of us to live in.” Yoriichi rubbed his temples, the blue-ish model copied the movements. “Do you even know why we can’t transport animals to Mars? Some animals couldn’t live on this planet because unknown microorganisms are existing here that can contaminate them since they have yet to adapt to a new environment… And that’s only just one example issue.”
“But our technology has advanced, unlike those ancient times! Several hundred years on Mars may be short to you, but it’s enough for me and the rest of the people because technology had confirmed that living on this planet is alright! We trust the technology we have today, right? Hell, if you say that Mars is still a dangerous place, then why the hell am I even here?”
Yoriichi shook his head. “As a specialist, I can confirm there’s only a little percentage that we explored this planet. Although the surface has been mapped ages ago, there are some areas we aren’t able to reach. Even now, our technology has complications to study Mars because we are too busy saving the Earth right now. Not only that but we heavily rely on Earth to take resources from to build such machinery capable to analyze this planet.”
This useless information the two have been arguing about isn’t making sense anymore since it isn’t connected to their previous topic. Michikatsu stood up, his heart heavy due to the built-up frustration. “Regardless, I just want to go out and be on my own! People out there are continuing their lifestyle as always, and yet here I am, stuck because you’re so damn paranoid about my safety. And I don’t need your constant attention because it felt like I’m suffocating! You allowed yourself to be at risk, but you don’t allow me to go outside and have fun and live a life!?”
His older brother narrowed his eyes, “It’s different. I know my capabilities and strength. I know how to handle and control myself––”
“Well, guess what, brother? Me, too! I know my capabilities, and I know that I’m not you. I can’t be a member of the RPWI because I’m not as intelligent as you, I’m not as strong as you, and I know my limits! You are––”
“Exactly. You are too incapable to survive the outside world. You are not ready to face the challenges this planet would bring you. This is why I keep you here for your safety, and I don’t want any harm brought to you.”
Those words were drilled many times into Michikatsu’s head, yet even though he heard them constantly, it still brought a painful pang to his heart. “R-Right… I am weak, unlike you. But this is only because you don’t allow me to be strong.”
Yoriichi’s expressionless face didn’t reveal any emotion, but there was a glimpse in his maroon eyes as he eyed his brother like a mother hen, looking at him with softness and gentleness. Even his tone changed, replacing that professional tone with a pleasant and light sound. “I know you’re tired of hearing this, Michikatsu, but I did this to look out for you. I’ve seen threatening theories and predictions in my time as a scientist, and I know how easy it is to lose a loved one in the center of danger.”
Michikatsu did not speak. His shoulders slumped in defeat.
“I love you too much that I cannot bear to see you at harm. Trust my word as you already know that I am always right. Behaving yourself and listening to me can put my heart at ease. Knowing that you’re safe at home is enough to make me happy.”
The young adult frowned.
Yoriichi shot his head sideward, glancing beside him as if someone was there, and nodded. Michikatsu could only guess that work is calling him. And he is right.
“Michikatsu, I’m sorry for neglecting your happiness. But please, your safety is the most important.” Yoriichi’s expression turned soft, “I have to go now. I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you…”
The young man helplessly curled his hands into a tight fist and nodded, looking away. “Love you, too.”
With that, the hologram disappeared. The robot, Yoriichi Type Zero, hummed back to life as its six arms moved in attention. “I will reheat your dinner again.”
Michikatsu turned away at the metallic copy of his brother, looking out the window once again. “Fine.” The A.I. turned and walked away, the door automatically closed behind it.
The man sighed, “If only I could escape the house…” He whispered carefully, taking note that the house can hear him. Type Zero is in complete control of the house, only passing the authority to the head of the family, the real Yoriichi, once he comes home. The house is magnificently and craftily built with many security systems that work when various situations occur.
Since Mars is also known for its massive and devilish swirling storms that can devastate lands, Yoriichi’s famous inventions to respond to and prevent or mitigate such terrifying disasters have been huge save for humanity. The house he built is very effective for shelter. So, this mansion is indeed one of a kind, as the building is more stern, secure, and advanced unlike any other house built.
That’s the only disadvantage Michikatsu had when attempting to escape.
However, as hopeless as he is, a sense of determination would find its way to break the cage made of defeat. Michikatsu is, after all, the brother of a genius. He had escaped many times from the mastermind himself. That is no easy feat! His brother, a child prodigy and touted as the genius man on the whole planet, both on Mars and Earth, had slipped too many times and struggled to control one barely adult person who may even perhaps be called a genius.
Even then, Michikatsu may be captured again and again, losing something important in every attempt, at least if he did succeed, then all his efforts and loss will not be in vain.
With that, a particular memory appeared within his mind, and Michikatsu couldn’t stop himself from thinking about such a horrible and depressing memory. His mind wanders back… back to his previous failure… back to that loss…
Hakuji.
It’s been two years since his last attempt, and never again did he try when he lost his good friend. A major consequence of his action. Michikatsu was only a tender age of sixteen and he vividly remembered the look on Hakuji’s face when they both realized that all hope is lost as they were found out by Yoriichi.
He could also remember the darkened expression on his brother’s face the moment he captured him.
Ever since then, Michikatsu was afraid. Before, he always tried to escape the house every month. The first time he dared to escape from the hands of his brother was when he was too young and unprepared, but it was at that attempt that he lasted long against his brother. Three days until his brother found him. But as years grow by, it seems like Yoriichi became immune to that rebellious phase of his younger brother. Capturing him and finding him in less than a day.
Everything changed, of course, when Michikatsu turned sixteen. The same day, Hakuji tried to assist him… only to lose him that day, too. And so, two years later, that conversation the siblings had with one another earlier somehow lit up the fire of determination within Michikatsu once more…
He doesn’t know why, but he realized at the very same moment as he thought back on the efforts his friend, Hakuji, did all for him. Risking his life knowing that it’s futile? It was heroic. Hakuji was always taught to be a helpful person. And he did fulfill such a lesson at the very end. So, with a friend in mind, Michikatsu doesn’t want those efforts to be a complete waste.
He’s been silent for two years, and now it’s time to make his move. The young man may still act like a brat, but now, he is going to execute such an attitude by escaping for the first time in two years.
Hakuji… I’m sorry I lost hope for the past two years. You’re a good and selfless friend. I’m proud of you… So, this time, I will succeed to honor your efforts.
Michikatsu turned from the window and walked toward the kitchen. A plan in mind. I’m the brother of a child genius, am I not?