Chapter 24: The Plan Begins
Cardboard boxes, one after another, filled with computers, monitors, and various equipment like cameras and microphones, were being carried into Hayato’s apartment. A considerable number of boxes were already piled up in the living room.
“Hello, Hayato-san! Oh, has it arrived already?”
“Yeah, it just got here.”
Riri’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the equipment being brought in. Her gaze held a shine as if she were looking at treasure.
“For now, Tsuyoshi is looking for a base for us. Until then, we plan to do various preparations here, right?”
“That’s right. For now, let’s proceed as far as we can. Let’s start setting up right away!”
“I’ll help.”
Riri rolled up her sleeves, straightened the hem of her clothes, and began opening the boxes with an enthusiastic air. Her movements were efficient and practiced. Hayato also helped with the unpacking.
Hayato was impressed by Riri’s skill as she assembled the computer, connected the monitor, and set up the development environment.
“This goes here… okay, connection confirmed! Next is software installation…”
Once the setup was complete, Riri immediately began tapping away at the keyboard. Strings of programming language appeared one after another on the screen. Her fingers moved as swiftly as if weaving a magic spell.
When he had first reunited with her in this world, he had heard from Josuke that Riri was developing and providing her own software. Hayato had heard various other things as well. But this was the first time he had actually seen her programming.
“Amazing. Do you understand all of this?”
“Yes. Though I’m still studying various things.”
Riri replied without taking her eyes off the screen, her fingers still flying across the keyboard.
“Is there anything I can help with?”
“Let’s see… Could you help me with organizing the data? We’ll also need to do operational checks.”
Following her instructions, Hayato started up another computer and supported her development work by organizing data file names and performing operations as Riri directed to check their functionality.
Occasionally, Hayato prepared drinks and light snacks for Riri. When she was concentrating, he wouldn’t call out to her, simply placing them on a small table. Then, Riri, without a word, would reach out and take them when her hands were free.
Such days continued for about a week.
And today, too, Riri visited Hayato’s apartment and was engrossed in her programming work. When Hayato noticed, it was completely dark outside the window. Looking at the clock, it was already past ten at night.
“Riri, it’s already ten o’clock. It’s gotten quite late.”
At Hayato’s words, Riri looked up from the screen for the first time, a surprised expression on her face.
“Ah! It’s gotten this late already.”
“It’s really late, so I’ll take you home.”
“But, I’m just a little bit away from finishing…”
She crossed her arms as if pondering for a moment, then looked straight at Hayato’s face.
“Hayato-san, would it be alright if I stayed over today? I feel like I’m very close to finishing. Tomorrow is a holiday, and I want to complete it all at once.”
At her question, Hayato’s eyes widened slightly. Although they had stayed in the same inn many times in the other world, by modern sensibilities, having a young woman stay over was something that probably required a bit of caution.
“No, no, your parents will worry.”
“It’s alright. For now, let’s contact them.”
“Ah, wait a moment.”
Riri took out her mobile phone and started talking. She was explaining the situation, trying to get permission to stay at Hayato’s place. Hayato watched from the side, wondering what to do.
“I got permission from my parents.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Would you like to talk to them too, Hayato-san?”
“Ah, yes.”
Hayato took the phone from Riri and spoke with her parents.
“This is Sato, I’ve taken the phone.”
“Hello, this is Takahashi.”
He heard the voice of Riri’s mother, Erena-san, from the other end of the line. Hayato carefully explained the situation again: that the work she was currently engrossed in was taking longer than expected, that Riri wanted to stay over to finish it tomorrow, and he promised that he would ensure her safety.
Surprisingly, Erena-san didn’t seem particularly shocked; rather, she responded in a cheerful voice.
“I’ve heard a lot from Riri. It’s alright, I trust you. I’ll talk to her father as well, so please take care of my daughter.”
Hayato felt a little bewildered by such a casual reply. But at the same time, it meant that he was deeply trusted by both mother and daughter, and he couldn’t help but feel the responsibility that came with it.
“Thank you very much. I will definitely take full responsibility for her.”
When he hung up, Riri was looking at him with eyes full of expectation.
“How was it?”
“She said it’s fine. Your mother seems to trust me a lot.”
“Is that so? I’m glad.”
“Well then, let’s get ready for bed. There’s a guest room, so please use that.”
At Hayato’s words, Riri tilted her head slightly.
“Are we sleeping separately? In the other world, we even slept in the same room sometimes, so today too, together…”
“Riri.”
Hayato called her name in a gentle yet firm voice.
“That world and this world are different. Besides, I made a promise to your mother. That I would take full responsibility for you.”
At his words, Riri’s cheeks flushed slightly. Then, she gave a small nod.
“You’re right. Hayato-san is correct.”
He was truly glad that Josuke had prepared such a spacious apartment. This way, they could sleep in separate rooms.
“I’ll make breakfast tomorrow morning, so get some good rest.”
Riri nodded happily, said “Good night,” and headed towards the guest room. After seeing her off, Hayato also headed to his own room to prepare for bed.
The next morning, Hayato woke up early and started preparing breakfast. He took eggs, fish, and vegetables from the refrigerator and skillfully began to cook.
“Good morning, Hayato-san.”
She said, smoothing down her bedhead, her face still a little sleepy.
“Morning. Breakfast is ready.”
“Wow, it looks delicious! Thank you very much.”
The two of them sat around the table, said “Itadakimasu,” and began their meal. Morning light streamed in through the window, and a quiet, peaceful time flowed by.
After finishing breakfast, Riri sat down in front of the computer again.
“Last night, I was just a little bit away. I think I can finish it quickly this morning.”
She began typing on the keyboard with renewed concentration. Then, about an hour later, she turned around with a satisfied expression.
“It’s done! It’s just a prototype for now, but let’s check if it works.”
She set up the camera and microphone and beckoned Hayato over.
“Please sit here. I’ll sit next to you, and let’s try it out together.”
“Alright, let’s do it.”
As the two of them sat side-by-side in front of the camera, Riri operated the computer. After a short while, two simple Avatars appeared on the monitor.
“Try moving.”
When Hayato raised his hand, the Avatar on the monitor simultaneously raised its hand. When he tried various movements like rotating his arm or tilting his head, the Avatar perfectly replicated the same motions.
“This is incredible. The movements are exactly the same.”
Hayato couldn’t help but let out a voice of admiration. He felt as if he himself were inside the screen.
“The models are still the simple versions, though. We’ll need to incorporate the designs Seika-san’s acquaintance is preparing, complete the proper Avatars, and then make adjustments.”
Seika-san was handling the design commission. Apparently, she had an acquaintance who was a famous illustrator. A well-known person who had even designed characters Hayato had seen before. It seemed this person was someone Seika-san had treated as a patient in the past. When asked, they had readily agreed to design the Avatars.
“Seika-san’s connections are amazing too.”
“Indeed. I’m truly happy that everyone is cooperating.”
Riri said this, gazing at the monitor with satisfaction. Reflected there were Avatars that perfectly mimicked even their mouth movements. They were still simple in form, but they were destined to become the medium through which their story would be told in the near future.
“It looks like this phase of the work is complete.”
“Yes, it’s a break until the next step.”
Hayato casually glanced out the window. It was a sunny holiday morning, and the outside was bathed in sunlight.
“Since it’s a holiday, why don’t we go out for a bit?”
The two of them immediately began preparing to go out. Riri changed back into yesterday’s clothes, and Hayato also changed into casual attire.
When they stepped outside, a cool breeze greeted them. They spent the day leisurely, visiting a shopping mall, a park, and a café.
Afterward, Hayato properly escorted Riri to her family home and politely greeted her parents as well.