The blaring sound of the alarm pulls me back into consciousness.
“Ugh… Morning already…”
I sit up from the futon, rubbing my eyes.
Looking up at the ceiling, the sight of the old wallpaper catches my attention.
I’m starting to get used to this old single-story house.
I pick up the smartphone placed by my pillow, the video I fell asleep to last night still displayed on the screen.
While tapping the play button, I lazily get to my feet.
“Where did I leave off?”
With a toothbrush in my mouth, I resume the video.
The screen shows a feature program introducing Gifu’s scenery and history.
The narration echoes through the bathroom.
“Gifu—a major city supporting the Chukyo area, home to approximately 2 million people. In the northern mountain region, the majestic Hida Mountains spread out, while the fertile Nobi Plain, interwoven by tributaries of the Kiso River, has been known as a prosperous agricultural area since ancient times.”
The camera shifts to Gifu Castle, standing atop Mount Kinka.
As I finish brushing my teeth, I glance at the screen.
“During the Sengoku period, Gifu Castle, the residence of Oda Nobunaga, served as the center of a thriving castle town. Even today, the region retains its cultural history while coexisting with modern cityscapes.”
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“Ah, I remember this from that historical simulation game. It was originally called Inabayama Castle, right?”
The video transitions to the riverside fields and new residential areas.
The toaster chimes, signaling that the bread is ready.
Grabbing milk from the fridge, I listen to the narration as I nibble on toast and glance at the screen.
The topic shifts to more recent history, showing past news footage.
The words “Third World War” flash across the screen.
This term refers to the conflicts that erupted in the 20XXs across Asia, Eurasia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
“During the war, Nagoya, a neighboring city, suffered a massive terrorist attack, forcing many people to flee. As a result, areas like Gifu, Mie, and Shizuoka became primary evacuation zones.”
“Later, as Nagoya underwent reconstruction, Gifu played a crucial role in supporting the region. The Chukyo area is now recognized as one of Japan’s core regions, alongside the Kanto area.”
The video shifts to a discussion on current technologies.
“The driving force behind this recovery was CA, or Cellular Automaton technology. This groundbreaking invention uses specific minerals as catalysts to harness humans themselves as energy sources, replacing traditional energy systems.”
Closing the fridge, I pause mid-bite on my toast.
“This fridge, this smartphone… they’re all powered by that technology…”
The video continues.
“What’s particularly noteworthy is that CA technology was released as open source, making it accessible to anyone worldwide. It has significantly contributed to solving energy issues!”
“In developing nations, this technology directly improved living standards, benefiting entire societies. However, at the same time, the misuse of CA technology has led to an increase in terrorism and crime, becoming a new global threat.”
I frown slightly as I stare at the screen.
“That’s unsettling…”
Come to think of it, I remember seeing similar news recently.
“Tora-chan, are you up—?!”
A cheerful voice from the entrance snaps me back to reality.
“Yeah, I’m awake!”
Hurriedly, I turn off the smartphone screen and rush to the door.
“Hey, you’re going to be late again!”
Standing there is my childhood friend, Kanade Isshiki.
Her neatly bobbed hair glimmers slightly in the morning sunlight. The style retains a bit of a childish charm, but it suits her perfectly.
Her bright brown eyes radiate energy, and her small stature and slightly loose ribbon on her uniform feel uniquely her.
“Come on, hurry, or we’ll be late!”
With a smile, she lightly taps the doorframe with her small hand, urging me on.
Her every movement feels natural, and just watching her seems to ease the dullness of the morning a bit.
