ARCHIVED HEARTS - Mr.Z

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZOqv7kHFo

The man led us through the enormous mansion.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgBSiSQhXF

I couldn't stop looking around.

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The place looked more like a secret research facility than a house.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8dUdwHmxT

White walls.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyQWUhcOfA

Huge glass windows.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7p10iEt42H

Advanced technology everywhere.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIqDX45gBq

What the hell...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqtzJ4Ka6K

Who even are these people?

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWaYZPTxso

I finally stopped walking.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5eOWIzLx6

"Okay."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOF1VCvjUvH

"I'm done keeping quiet."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2u82gQc0Fe

"Who are you people?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1VJY6IV7z

The man smiled.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjVr2ooXI8

"We are the people behind X."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7ydlHapVb

My eyes widened.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUslzHkLyM2

"The website?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgejcOiNExq

He nodded.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sTVMPtgeI

"Yes."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNd5GkzFbHQ

"We are a private organization."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsGSCZshaU

"Our identity has remained hidden from the government for years."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze9qKiJpeu

"We search for extraordinary minds around the world."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLBMwVK9n2

"And you..."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUkxXbvfsh

He looked directly at me.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPSKctqEht

"...were one of them."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k4EHa0cGQ

I pointed at myself.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrWIYpxlfM

"Me?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5rVCr40w0

He smiled again.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghYivadFx5

"E001."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UOnfuwyrA

"We never imagined that someone with almost no formal knowledge of robotics..."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC1ylY2zyv

"...could successfully build a humanoid robot."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr70Tfxksx

I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMDZvnapcZ

"Yeah..."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESnJyWtjhM

"Honestly..."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkiduVPK7G

"I didn't expect that either."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANwTtzZsTy

Everyone in the room laughed.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqXLedGlto

One of the women walked toward me carrying a black jacket.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcotQLQf2a

She handed it to me with a warm smile.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWhNMYYU9t

"Welcome to X."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXetAb1baj4

The jacket had a silver emblem stitched onto the sleeve.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOv232XWWrH

E001

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmdPToRBtt

Right below it.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tKMihas3L

...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQkb0dPc1v

Wait.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4eTJj46SW

Do I actually have a cool hacker jacket now?

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKTzKxbQYL

Another person handed me a sealed envelope.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtauD8kWshs

I slowly opened it.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCD9ty5qJw

Inside was a letter.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4N6IZ8XAM

Invitation to join Project X

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLQiwMYpaw

To: E001

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZHmiA9dFx

Your creativity, determination, and achievements have earned our respect. We would be honored to have you as a member of our team.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lqJ4t6fWr

I looked up.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ95Wp5awnL

"You're... inviting me?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjA0vHuuRKh

"We're not forcing you."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7fjVY6r4P

"It's entirely your choice."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJqGK0YFlA

Then one of them smiled.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZva3mhOPq

"And..."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlT4SvINIEK

"The Maldives lottery?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK80tmAvJ9k

I blinked.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePSAgwh7oX

"What about it?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaMiIdwTc7

"We created it."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJG0jguEIPi

...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaH7iiO4IZz

"What?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5Cs1JFYkn

"It wasn't random."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsFXrT83hD

"It was designed to bring you here."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEN0WtNam00

...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6K5obCCsjW

I stood there completely frozen.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63sFhIDswU

"So..."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY1o8aU1xR

"I didn't actually win?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gEPUjy2tZ

"You did."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlayTSG3Of

"But only because we wanted you to."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6FXE7x4Fy

...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMI1jaciqm

"That's cheating."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1FM7S5NVZ

The whole room burst into laughter.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwHGIlUqpm

I couldn't help laughing too.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRiU4dZu6D

For the first time...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1GSdDGjlQ

It didn't feel like I was surrounded by strangers.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUo8kXxDMd4

It felt...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCS7E4OF2N

Warm.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkDodpfX5O

Like a family.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBnDVRTwh2

One of the senior researchers smiled.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhERuOqRTT6

"If you'd like..."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8dCcCWMjO

"You can stay here with us."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhuoa5lK2H

"There are many researchers your age."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9dJvZL5zh

"You won't be alone anymore."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcCkrPpRcH

I looked around.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVGSjw46mn

There were so many young women working on computers, robots, and holographic screens.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVA9T0VqUI

Some waved at me.

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Others smiled.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaQixMOzHT

...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpduaiOLA05

Honestly?

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6gTWYD3fc

It looked kind of cool.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpap5Tx5p7

"I'll stay."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRTalvbyJH

"Welcome home, E001."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNdTGiOfwf

They showed Rei and me to our room.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCH7kR4wxGg

Surprisingly...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeDvm7A6qR

Nobody questioned Rei.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UXxZ3Kezh

Nobody tried to examine him.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoAC6V27ZP

Nobody even asked how he worked.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQYd4q3Yae

It was as if...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPLk1bvBza

They were interested in me.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtODvVrQaag

Not my creation.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQCB4YVTg4

After dinner, I excused myself.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqb4RDrQH80

"I'll be back."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQC9HSnjyK

"I just need to wash my face."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLj4mJzFjj

"My Lady."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCi80ohkRaT

"I will remain here."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAleC49xldo

The restroom was quiet.

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Only the sound of running water echoed through the room.

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I splashed cold water onto my face.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CgDwdu9RG

"Ah..."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDEjzN9fdZ

"That feels better."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv2RuGDUau

I slowly looked up into the mirror.

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...

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...

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A tall man was standing behind me.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4JpOdUdh1

Quietly.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyLSBAqlDY

Watching me.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRLqpAWqme

I screamed.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehDTOnsACh

"WHAT THE HELL?!"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORXKQhCtbN

I spun around so fast I nearly slipped.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEssbFd8eV

"Who are you?!"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCabg5pfFVx

"A freak?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCMqiIaVSV

"A kidnapper?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVHetfzYrB

"Or are you blind?!"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVCRrFk5bZ

"This is the girls' restroom, idiot!"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIWm3zzM5Y

The man didn't panic.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vByNhX1ny

Instead...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAULcR4j7Ha

He smiled.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5pttKegz1

"Hey, Shortie."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXIHxWxyut

...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe23ixa0GkZ

"HUH?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnpB7loJSb

"You don't even know me!"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgKaQr1XV9

"And you're talking to me like we're childhood friends!"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA1eN9MRD2

He chuckled.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATly7nhV44

"You already know me."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMUolWyHZl

I finally looked at him properly.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSNy2JxdsV

He was ridiculously tall.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zGv1S5J95

Messy black hair.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGmxXcfrfl

Bright blue eyes that almost seemed to glow.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGVsUTAHGI

He honestly looked more like a model than a scientist.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnkZlDVR5N

I blinked.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICus7tb3WX

"...A model?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpycjaaZCer

He laughed.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nqmzzIoxd

"Haha..."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBf7a2ip7x

"You're funnier than I expected."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23ehowoSO6

I narrowed my eyes.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkqDKmmLJU

"Who are you?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSK8cV0riVM

He stepped closer.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEAL33iSIy

"My name..."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNULcHlpesE

"...is Mr. Z."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIhS2pyfT7

...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmyQysl145

...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PEHsU5ukN

"WOOOOOOOAH!"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06SNidG49m

"YOU'RE MR. Z?!"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Y3jzJ0d0b

"The one who's always helping me online?!"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3m58J99JhZ

He nodded.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNbwqCzhO4

"My father created X."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tq28Gt5MM

"And now..."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fkZKbKu2A

"I lead it."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsNLmRBaFg

I stared at him with my mouth hanging open.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZbtIEw9sz

My brain had officially stopped functioning.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLPuwP3BrW

Then he smiled again.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqIczF1Pxi

"Oh..."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNQ6o9bx4i

"There's one more thing."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgWVkktJtf

"I also created the AI assistant..."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H0jF1vzMM

"...that you've been talking to every single day."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzom2hUImln

...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmlUpzOLVt

I froze.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqyfDo0RpO

The world around me suddenly became silent.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2a0rp48hA

"What...?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRZOp99fJU

"You..."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIVqnijzNS

"...created Rei?"

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qSNezU6Gt

He shook his head with a small smile.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPckTzfmtD1

"No."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOkzis51k4

"I created the assistant."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBidQXMa0eU

"The one who helped you before Rei ever existed."

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCx7qPcwyq

My heartbeat quickened.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bf69sqQGG

There was still so much I didn't know.

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8fXGeHBfY

And somehow...

8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbM6B1Y8CoH

I had a feeling that meeting Mr. Z was only the beginning.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwVo1TZd1k

ns216.73.216.67da2

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