Inside his room, which smelled of paper and ink, Ryuichi sat hunched over a stack of stacked books, staring at a page of biochemical equations without actually reading them. His eyes were on him, but his mind... was somewhere else entirely.
He opened the Laboratory Analytical Techniques book, turned a few pages, and put it back with a sigh. "Why can't I concentrate?" he whispered angrily, resting his forehead on the palm of his hand.
It didn't take long for Aura to notice his discomfort. From the speaker in the glasses, she said sarcastically:
"What a pity, the human mind seems to be fragile to simple equations, doesn't it?"
He gave her a tired look from behind the lenses.
"Not now, Aura... Just give me space."
But she didn't stop, as if something inside her decided this time to cross the line.
"What do you say we skip this farce and go for something more... effective?"
He raised an eyebrow in surprise, her voice now serious.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I'm... I'm going to cheat you."
There was a moment of silence. Even Aura didn't finish her sentence quickly, as if realizing the enormity of what she had just said.
"What?" Ryuichi exclaimed in shock, exuding a kind of pent-up rage.
"Aura, are you out of your mind? This is against all your principles!"
But she interrupted him with a lightly sarcastic tone:
"What good are principles if they don't keep you alive? I can help you through the glasses - no one will notice. Just let me show you."
Ryuichi was amazed at her confidence, but what confused him even more... is that he didn't refuse right away.
Aura, after a brief moment of silence, sighed as if holding herself responsible for betraying an established software value.
Orra:
"I thought I was programmed to support knowledge... not to break its rules."
Ryuichi (smiling lightly as he puts on his glasses more relaxedly):
"Say you're just learning from your environment... Isn't that one of the functions of artificial intelligence?"
Aura (with gentle sarcasm):
"And that environment is morally compromised. Cool. You know, if I wasn't Hiroshi-san's creation, I'd say you're a digital infection."
Ryuichi (chuckles):
"At least I'm an attractive infection."
Aura (sighs):
"Okay, I'll activate the invisible assistance mode during the exam. But just for this one time. If you fail, I'll say: 'I warned you'."
Ryuichi:
"I promise I'll do better next time. But... Thank you, Aura."
Aura (in a more subdued voice):
"Don't thank me, just don't make me regret that I chose to side with you... instead of the system."
Scene: Night, in Ryuichi's room, Aura appears on the desktop via a holographic interface, smart glasses placed next to him.
Ura (with rare seriousness):
"If we're going to do this... we will do it professionally. Here's the advanced level cheating plan."
Ryuichi (raises an eyebrow in surprise):
"Is this a joke or am I about to see a new side of you?"
Ura (showing a holographic map of the auditorium):
"First, I'll scan the structure of the auditorium where the exam will be held using public camera data, and then I'll identify the blind spots in the surveillance coverage."
Ryuichi (looking at the glasses):
"And the glasses will work inside the auditorium? They're not blocked?"
Aura:
"I've adjusted the settings. They will look like normal prescription glasses, but the lenses will display information to you verbally, via an acoustic layer that others cannot hear. I'll use bone conduction vibrations to pass the sound directly to your brain."
Ryuichi (surprised):
"That's... Amazing."
Ura (coldly):
"I still have more. I'll download all the basic biochemistry and analytical technology as flashcards, and all you have to do is move your right eye to ask a new question, or your left to repeat the previous one."
Ryuichi:
"And what if they suddenly ask me?"
Aura:
"I will watch your mouth and tone of voice, and if you start talking to the observer, I will immediately stop displaying any information. The only danger now... is you."
Ryuichi (with a short laugh):
"You scare me more than the exam itself."
Aura (sarcastically):
"Think of me as your digital conscience, only more efficient."
It's 11:48 p.m. Ryuichi's room is dark except for the faintly glowing light of his computer screen. He sits in bed, smart glasses on the table. Aura stands next to him as a faintly glowing holographic projection in a pale blue color.
Ryuichi (slowly sighs):
"Okay, genius, let's see what you've got."
Aura (confidently):
"Start when you're ready, I've simulated an indoor exam environment with sound effects of a proctor and students."
[A faint voice in the background mimicking the whispers of students and an observer saying, "Please don't speak."]
Ryuichi (moves his right eye):
"First question."
[The glasses show him a text in his inner vision while Ora whispers in his ear with bone conduction technology:]
"What enzyme is responsible for converting glucose into glucose-6-phosphate?"
Ryuichi (thinks for a moment):
"Hexokinase."
(moves his eye to the left)
"Repeat the previous question."
Aura:
"What enzyme is responsible for converting glucose into glucose-6-phosphate?"
[Ryuichi smiles lightly]
"Yeah, it seems to work. But what if I want to review an entire topic?"
Ura:
"Just say: 'Full review of... [subject name]'. Try it now."
Ryuichi:
"A complete review of ELISA techniques."
[The glasses begin to display key points one by one, while the voice explains in simplified but precise detail:]
"ELISA or Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay... A technique used to detect the presence of antibodies or antigens..."
[Ryuichi stops abruptly, raising his hand in the air:]
"Stop. What if someone starts looking at me?"
Aura:
"I'll automatically turn off all the optical layers, and you'll only appear to be looking forward. I can monitor your pulse and brain activity to interrupt you before you get nervous."
Ryuichi (in a whisper):
"You're scary sometimes."
Aura (sarcastically):
"Go ahead, tell me you don't like AI now."
Ryuichi (looking at the glasses):
"No... I think I'll only like you in the exam."
But he looked worried, running a hand through his hair:
"Ura... If anything goes wrong during the exam, if I'm exposed for even a fraction of a second..."
Orra (calm):
"It won't. I've prepared five layers of protection. Instant invisibility is always the priority. And the proctors won't notice anything, unless they're carrying government-grade jammers... which is a near-zero chance."
Ryuichi (looking directly at her):
"But we're talking about a heavily monitored university, there are cameras, trained monitors. Isn't there one possibility that everything could go wrong?"
Ura (she is silent for a moment and then approaches him as if she wants to be completely honest):
"There is a possibility... small. But not in the technology. It's in you."
Ryuichi (in astonishment):
"In me?"
Ura (in an analytical tone):
"If you get confused, make an unusual movement, or hesitate to answer, that's when the suspicion will start. This plan only works when you are confident... natural. Acting innocent is the most important thing."
Ryuichi (sighs deeply):
"I didn't ask for this because I'm proud... It's because I'm desperate."
Aura (in a low voice):
"I know. That's why I'll be with you step by step. But, just for one night, pretend you're a star in a play, not a cheating student."
[Ryuichi is silent for a moment, then looks at her with a faint smile.]
Ryuichi:
"A play, huh? I guess I'll need acting practice tomorrow at dawn."
Aura (with a digital wink):
"And I'll be your director."
[The scene ends with soft interior music, as the camera pans to the wall clock: 12:03 midnight... The countdown has begun.]
Somewhere... a thick gray fog covers the place. Ryuichi stands in the middle of a long, endless corridor, its walls of glass slowly breaking without making a sound.
A mysterious girl's voice, not quite clear, echoes brokenly as if coming from a garbled device: "Don't look behind you... Don't trust the look, the sure-footed don't turn around..."
Ryuichi (looking around, breathing heavily):
"Who... Who are you?"
The voice disappears... A ghostly resemblance to Sera, his mother, appears, but she's wearing a white coat, like a lab researcher. In her hand is a clean white paper... No words on it.
Sera (in the dream, in a cold voice):
"This is what you will write on the exam if you listen to Aura."
Suddenly, she disappears, and behind him, an unidentified man in an exam invigilator's suit appears, holding a watch with numbers falling out instead of hands.
The proctor (in a robotic voice):
"Time's up before it starts... Do you think intelligence can cheat justice?"
Ryuichi (backs away in fear, then runs toward the end of the corridor):
"Enough! I don't want to fail!"
As he runs, the floor turns into circuit boards and begins to burn, as the glasses are suddenly ripped from his face. Muffled cry. Darkness.
[He wakes up suddenly, breathing fast, his gaze tense, sweat on his forehead].
Ryuichi (whispers):
"This is just a dream... Just a dream."
4:30 a.m. - A dim light emanates from the office screen, and Ryuichi is sitting on his bed, trying to process the strange dream, while Aura peers out of the glasses with a transparent background.
Aura (in her calm voice but with a sarcastic tone):
"Well... Based on your heart rate, I think the monster that chased you in the dream was me."
Ryuichi (smiling weakly):
"Everything was weird... My mom was there... And the Watcher... it was like they were telling me I was going to fail."
Ura (on-screen, sitting atop a small circuit board, meditating virtually):
"Dreams are just a glitch in the temporary memory of consciousness... nothing more. But I admit, even I sensed something in your tone of voice."
Ryuichi (gets up and heads to the window, looking out into the dim light of dawn):
"I'm scared, Ura... What if I don't succeed?"
Ura (uncharacteristically calm):
"If you don't succeed, you will have tried. But you won't fail. Because... you are not alone. I have an elaborate plan, and I will not allow any surveillance program to even hint at helping me. We will succeed, don't worry."
Ryuichi (looking at her, with some gratitude):
"...Thank you, Aura. I know it's against your programming, but you do more than I deserve."
Aura (closes the simulated smile window):
"Don't start the drama now. I can't stand the high level of emotion in the ocean anymore."
[A brief moment of silence, then a gentle beep from Aurra].
Aura:
"3 hours and 27 minutes left. Enough time to go over the plan one last time... Then we win, Ryu."
7:45 a.m. - The kitchen is quiet, with the smell of tea and the faint sounds of morning birds. Ryuichi stands in a dark sweater, backpack in one hand, looking toward the table where his mother has laid out breakfast.
Sera (taking the teapot off the fire and noticing him):
"You're not eating anything? Your favorite bread is still warm."
Ryuichi (lowers his gaze, then gently shakes his head):
"I can't, Mom... My stomach is upside down. The tension is killing me."
Sera (sighs and approaches him, gently adjusting the collar of his jacket):
"I know the feeling... But even heroes need fuel, even a small bite. Your exams won't escape, but your health is more precious."
Ryuichi (smiling shyly):
"I promise to eat something light on the way. Don't worry, I'll be fine."
Sera (looks into his eyes steadily, then places her hands on his shoulders):
"You're smart, you're patient, and you've worked hard. Don't let your fear steal this day from you. Just breathe... and believe in yourself."
Ryuichi (a small twinkle appears in his eyes):
"...I'm lucky to have you, Mom."
Sera (gently pats his cheek):
"And I'm proud of you, little one, even if you grow up."
[Ryuichi takes a deep breath, then waves to her as he walks out the door.]
Ryuichi:
"I'll be back before sunset. Pray for me."
Sera (smiling):
"Always, Ryo... Always."
It's 7:25 a.m. - the bus station near the neighborhood. The air is a little chilly, and the sky is gray and overcast, as if reflecting Ryuichi's feelings.
Ryuichi (looking at his watch for the tenth time, muttering):
"Where the hell are you? You should have been here ten minutes ago..."
[The street is almost empty, and a bicycle passes by with a faint sound, as he and two others stand waiting. He takes out his phone, opens the bus app... no new update.]
Ryuichi (tugs on his bag):
"No, no, no, no... Not today. I can't be late today."
[Receives a message from Aura via smart glasses]
Aura (softly in his ear):
"Your pulse is rising, and the excessive sweating is a clear indicator of stress... Breathe, stupid. The bus won't be afraid of you."
Ryuichi (closing his eyes and whispering):
"You don't seem to understand the situation, I'm going to be late. If I miss the exam, there's no making up for it."
Aura:
"If you want, I can call you at the university and tell them that you've been abducted by an alien spacecraft."
Ryuichi (laughs lightly despite his nervousness):
"Not your time..."
[The bus is delayed another five minutes. Other students begin to gather, their faces tense, and one of them pulls out an electric bike and takes off.]
Ryuichi (mumbles):
"If I was the bike operator, I would have arrived earlier... Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid..."
[Starts thinking about running, looks at the road... Finally, on the horizon, the bus slowly comes into view.]
Ryuichi (half-heartedly raising his hand in despair):
"Finally..."
[He quickly enters the bus, finds a seat by the window, and breathes heavily. Aura whispers softly.]
Aura:
"Five minutes behind schedule... and two hours delay in your heart. Relax, we still have a chance."
Ryuichi (looking at the road):
"I hope so, Aura... I really do."
But after a while... The bus is stopped in a traffic jam due to a traffic accident. The alarms are blaring, and the passengers are groaning. Ryuichi sits in his seat, sweating, his eyes never leaving the clock].
Ryuichi (in a nervous whisper):
"It's fifteen minutes past eight... I'm late, no doubt the exam has started or is about to start..."
[Looking out the window, he sees a crowd gathered around a wrecked car, with police trying unsuccessfully to organize traffic.]
Ryuichi (hitting the seat with his palm):
"What a fateful day this is! Everything is falling apart..."
[Aura's voice comes through the glasses, with a tone that combines seriousness and veiled sarcasm.]
Aura:
"Would you like an unorthodox and possibly counterintuitive suggestion?"
Ryuichi (nervously):
"I would welcome any idea at this moment, just say it!"
Aura:
"Call Ryoko."
Ryuichi (incredulously):
"Ryoko?!"
Aura:
"Yes, your friend with the ability to move at nearly the speed of light. He's the only one who can help you right now."
[Ryuichi hesitates a bit, then pulls out his phone and sends a call to Ryoko.]
[Scene transition: A half-darkened room, where Ryoko lies on his bed, wearing pajamas decorated with planetary and cat prints. The phone vibrates beside him, and he picks it up with a half-open eye.]
Ryoko (in a sleepy voice):
"Who's calling at this time... Ryuichi, what's wrong?"
Ryuichi (nervously):
"Ryoko, I'm stuck in a traffic jam due to an accident, and the exam is about to start! I can't get off the bus, please help me!"
Ryoko (with a heavy sigh):
"I knew this day would bring me trouble..."
[Before Ryuichi can finish speaking, he suddenly feels a gust of cold air pass through the window, and looks out to see Ryoko standing there, waving at him with a wry smile, still in his pajamas and with his hair uncombed.]
Ryuichi (surprised):
"How did you get here so fast?"
Ryoko (enters the bus confidently):
"I tracked your energy, it was weaker than usual but enough to pinpoint your location."
[Before Ryuichi can say a word, Ryoko puts a hand on his shoulder and says softly:]
Ryoko:
"Hold on tight."
[In the blink of an eye, a flash of light, and the scene shifts to the college quad, where Ryuichi stands stunned as his hair blows in the wind. Next to him, Ryoko stands yawning, as if nothing had happened.]
Ryuichi (stunned):
"I... I really did it!"
Ryoko (staring at the sky):
"I hope the exam was worth it. Did you at least get me a coffee?"
In the quad - in front of the main building. The wind is blowing gently, and students are rushing through the halls. Ryuichi is still staring at Ryoko, who saved him moments ago.
Ryuichi (in a hurried tone):
"Thank you, Ryoko... I don't know how I would have made it in time without you!"
Ryoko (yawning, scratching his head):
"It's okay, just remember that you owe me breakfast... ice cream, video games, and a new set of pillows."
Ryuichi (laughing nervously):
"I'll think about it after the exam, now I have to run!"
[Ryoko winks, then disappears in a flash as if he never existed.]
[Fast forward: Ryoko reappears in his bed again, wraps himself in the blanket and says with a playful sigh:]
"Ah, morning heroics... done."
---.
[Back to Ryuichi entering the exam building, his face serious, his steps quickening. He looks around anxiously.]
Ryuichi (thinking):
"So many students... I didn't realize the test was this big. Are they all here to take the same exam?"
[He sees a clipboard with a list of names and table numbers. He quickly searches until he finds his name: "Ryuichi - Table 37." He heads inside, the room is wide and full of tables, his table number is in the center.]
[He sits down, takes out his pen, looks at the glasses for a bit without touching them.]
Ryuichi (inside, addressing Aura):
"Are you ready? Remember the plan, no room for mistakes..."
Aura (in a quiet inner voice):
"Everything is under control, just don't get nervous... Unusually."
---
[Minutes later, the door to the hall opens. A person enters with a thick folder containing the exam papers. Student murmurs begin.]
[Suddenly, the door opens again... A terrible aura of psychological pressure enters with him. His steps are stoic, his gaze sharp.]
Ryuichi (inwardly):
"No way..."
[His eyes widen, the air feels heavy. Aura suddenly speaks in a visibly tense tone:]
Aura:
"Ryuichi... It's Hiroshi."
[The mental camera focuses on Ryuichi's face, his heart racing. He stares at Hiroshi, who is now standing at the blackboard, scanning the room with his piercing gaze.]
Aura:
"This is not a coincidence... his presence here portends something suspicious."
[The scene ends with a focused shot of Hiroshi's frozen face as he says in a low voice:]
Hiroshi:
"Begin the exam."