Every day started out with an evaluation: one of your health, the other of your performance

  The health evaluation was akin to a medical exam. Yet it wasn't as serious- at least to Aruvia.

  Boys and girls were divided into two different rooms, where the handlers would check their measurements, height and weight. The point of the process was to make sure nothing had changed. Every idol’s results were displayed on a monitor along with hundreds of others, public for anyone to see.

  Aruvia fiddled anxiously with the hem of her shirt as her turn came. She had been on break for two days- a lot can happen to her body in that time.

  ‘How much weight could I possibly have gained during that time?’ She tried to reason with herself, to no avail. ‘Our portions are already so small, I basically ate nothing!’ Her inner voice continued, but her heart still violently slammed against her ribcage as she stepped onto the scale.

  “43.3 kg, 0.5% increase from last time.” The display system read, and Aruvia let out a huge sigh of relief.

  The rest of the medical evaluation went by normally with no issues.

  Now what Aruvia was truly worried about was the performance one.

  Every second of time that passed in the artificial garden was being heavily monitored. Idols being non-stop scrutinised through the dozens of cameras that captured every possible angle of movement. Scanning for the slightest of mistakes, all of it being constantly evaluated by the handlers.

  It was measured by a point system. For every mistake, you would get your points deducted depending on the severity.

  Gained weight? That's minus 10 points.

  Tripped in dance practice? That's minus 15 points.

  Failure to hold a smile? That's minus 20 points.

  They didn't care if you gave a thousand successful performances -perfection was expected after all- if you made even the smallest of mistakes your points would be deducted accordingly.

  Everyone always started with the same amount of points, some twisted reach for equality so that the artificial garden could advertise itself as “inclusive.” This way you could only lose your points, never gain them.

  Making the argument that the poor condition the lower ranked idols often faced, was a self inflicted blight. Aruvia found this argument very idiotic, obviously just an excuse to explain away the handler’s mistreatment.

  The point system displayed itself in the artificial garden’s painted sky. Always a surreal experience that reminded Aruvia of her own imprisonment. How in a perfect world she would’ve frolicked through real grass that could be ripped out of the real ground. Looking up at the real sky, that had real clouds that didn't shift through the same twenty different combinations everyday.

  But she didn't live in that world, and neither did the rest of the world. Not anymore.

  As the artificial sky began to change into a stale green backdrop of a computer monitor, Aruvia felt the nerves kick in. Realistically: Her score shouldn't have dropped since she hasn't done anything to warrant a point deduction.

  Aruvia thoughts were racing with endless possibilities. She was so deep into her own spiraling thoughts, that she hadn't even noticed a presence steadily creeping up behind her.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  “BOO!” Yasu yelled, dabbing her on the shoulder. Aruvia jumped up like a startled cat, damn near ready to strike back in retaliation against the mysterious assailant ambushing her.

  Until she noticed the familiar scruffy bedhead and stopped dead in her tracks, mortified with embarrassment at how easily she fell for it. With an unimpressed sigh, she rolled her eyes, “Why can't you ever just greet me normally…?”

  Yasu giggled proudly, taking his place beside her “Because I hate you.”

  Aruvia gave him an impassive nod. “I appreciate the honesty.”

  Unfortunately their wonderful banter got cut short as the computer monitor finally displayed the point system. Dozens of pictures attached with the names and points of the different individual idols flooded the screen.

  Aruvia's eyes scanned quickly for her picture, Yasu aiding her since he already knew what his score would be.

  They started from the upper row, being greeted with Dionne’s flawless face occupying the number one spot.

  100 points, not a single deduction in her whole career as an idol.

  Most would call that impressive, but Aruvia knew the truth.

  Dionne’s standing wasn't the result of any meaningful effort, It was the system picking favorites. Their favorite naturally being one of their own creations.

  “Huh…” Yasu winced at Dionne’s score, unintentionally smiling due to how utterly typical it all was.

  “Mhm.” Aruvia simply nodded, tired of acting shocked.

  “A perfect score, again..?” Yasu said, exasperated, his rising voice attracting the attention of a couple of the other idols nearby.

  “Keep it down,” Aruvia hurriedly hissed through gritted teeth, yet her expression remained kind and passive as she waved to the other idols. “People already look at me funny for talking to you.”

  She stepped to the side, making some distance between her and Yasu.

  Yasu’s smile fell.

  For a moment he just stared at Aruvia. Not the real Aruvia, but the one who was waving to the other idols. Whose opinion she valued more than his own feelings.

  Her expression was completely serene and put together. Like a manufactured doll.

  Yasu followed suit, taking an exaggerated step to the side to make some more distance between them. Aruvia tensed up, looking slightly sheepish.

  She was about to speak up, before a voice interrupted her.

  “Aruvia, hey, what did you get on the evaluation?” Bereinger said cheerfully, drawing the attention of people around them. With his large and impending frame, he was certainly impossible to ignore.

  He took his place beside Aruvia, right in between her and Yasu. Aruvia felt like it wasn't a careless accident either, Bereinger leaning close to her while glaring at Yasu from the corner of his eye.

  Yasu squirmed uncomfortably under his gaze. His eyes shifted between Aruvia and Bereinger, they looked perfect together. Like they actually belonged together, Aruvia displayed him proudly, not moving away. Even when he was practically breathing down her neck.

  Aruvia cursed under her breath. Turning to Bereinger, returning his greeting with overwhelming enthusiasm.

  “I was just about to check actually, but then Ya– This boy,” She gestured to Yasu, “ Asked me If I had seen his friends.”

  Yasu gave Aruvia a questioning glare, Aruvia returned it with a sheepish smile. Mouthing the words; “Play along.”

  Bereinger perked up, “Maybe I can help, what do they look like?”

  Aruvia and Yasu stared in between each other for a moment, she eyed him expectantly, prompting him to continue what she started.

  However, Yasu was done with playing her endless games.

  “No need, I think I actually see them in the distance over there.” He pointed to a random group of boys. “Thanks anyway.”

  With a swift turn of his heel, Yasu then stormed off. Aruvia and Bereinger watched as his silhouette disappeared in the sea of white uniforms.

  It didn't take long to find her own picture, she was the only idol with white hair after all. Aruvia sighed in relief as she saw her score had just decreased by two points, from 78-76.

  It was thankfully not enough to make her drop from her comfortable position as number 7.

  The reason stated in a glitchy text beside her point counter. “Sudden weight increase.”

  Aruvia groaned `How utterly trivial…′