-DEEP INSIDE THE FACILITY-
-12:01 PM, MARCH 10, 2017-
The corridor stretched long and dim.
Lights flickered overhead.
Rikuu and Ichika moved quickly now.
Following the hum.
Deeper.
Closer.
Rikuu slowed slightly.
"…Do you hear that?"
Ichika nodded.
"…It's not just noise."
The hum—
Was rhythmic.
Structured.
Alive.
They reached a large door.
Heavier.
Reinforced.
Marked with symbols and technical labels.
Rikuu placed a hand on it.
"…This is it."
The door opened slowly.
Revealing—
A massive control room.
Screens lined the walls.
Maps.
Data streams.
City systems.
Everything.
Rikuu's eyes widened slightly.
"…This is…"
Ichika stepped forward.
"…The control center."
The man stood at the center.
Waiting.
"…You made it."
Calm.
Composed.
Rikuu looked around.
"…You're controlling the entire city from here."
The man nodded.
"…Not controlling."
A pause.
"…Guiding."
Ichika's expression tightened.
"…Why?"
The man looked at her.
"…Because systems need direction."
A pause.
"…And people do not always see the bigger picture."
Rikuu stepped forward.
"…And you decided you're the one who does?"
The man met his gaze.
"…I didn't decide."
A pause.
"…I was chosen."
The screens shifted.
Data flowing faster now.
Ichika glanced at one of them.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…Rikuu…"
He followed her gaze.
"…What is it?"
The map showed multiple points.
All connected.
And one—
Highlighted.
Expanding.
"…That's…"
Ichika's voice lowered.
"…A cascading system."
Rikuu's expression changed.
"…You're not just affecting one place."
The man nodded slightly.
"…Correct."
A pause.
"…The system is designed to escalate."
Ichika's eyes narrowed.
"…Escalate into what?"
The man didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He gestured toward the screens.
"…Disruption," he said.
A pause.
"…Then instability."
"…Then collapse."
Silence.
Heavy.
Rikuu's fists clenched.
"…You're planning to destabilize the entire city."
The man looked at him.
"…Not destabilize."
A pause.
"…Reset."
Ichika stepped forward.
"…You're insane."
The man remained calm.
"…Perhaps."
A pause.
"…But necessary."
Rikuu took another step.
"…We're stopping this."
The man studied him.
"…You're free to try."
The hum grew louder.
The screens flickered.
The system—
Was now fully active.
Rikuu and Ichika stood side by side.
Facing the man.
Facing the system.
Facing what was coming.