Threshold (S)
...
I woke to the familiar scent of ozone filling my dim concrete room. The walls, ceiling, and floor were covered in endless posters of my beloved Kanashimi. I've memorized every single picture, everything he said to me in each photo taken, and the perfect messy strands of hair that weren't fixed as I took the photo shoot.
Many posters overlapped each other, some not sticking on the walls and ceiling properly, but all are beautiful.
Under the metal door was the same humming of blue-green lights that buzzed faintly, the twitching buzz always pissed me off.
As I sit up and stretch, I glance over the camera and Kanashimi toy plush that the scientists gave me. I took my gaze off the 2 items as I pulled up my stained flat white pillow as I take my Tin Whistle that Doctor Eveline gave me. It was a small tin whistle with "Shiwa-0012" carved on it to prove it's mine. If I remember correctly, Kanashimi has a paintbrush with "Kanashi-0013".
I got up from my bed leisurely as I step on the speckled concrete floor as I skipped over pictures. Luckily, I didn't step on any of them.
The air always had a different kind of smell from my room to the hall, from ozone to something that was more washed.
The time is 6:20 AM.
As I went out into the bland hallway, my supervisor doctor was already waiting for me. He has that same tired expression as ever as I reach out to his hand.
He took my hand as he led me over to the experimentation room.
Background static always filled my mind when walking to the experimentation room, but today I could only hear the crying of other experiments.
"Doctor Isaac," I spoke, as his gaze shifted over to me.
"... Hm?" He asked, his voice as quiet as a whisper.
Staring at him for a while, I replied after a short pause. "It's not very often that you visit early, is there something new? Not to mention the screaming..."
He didn't say anything like the quiet man he is. How annoying. I glanced at his turquoise plastic gloves, the color that only the founder and co-founder could wear while every other scientist had white.
Hmm... That reminds me, maybe I'll ask Doctor Eveline later.
As we arrive in experimentation room #12, I'm guided to go over to the test bed. After getting on, I'm locked on the test bed, as lights are dimmed slightly and Doctor Isaac adjusts the giant surgical headlight onto my head.
The experimentation rooms had the strongest stench of blood. They were always dirty, as if the janitors had given up on them.
"This'll hurt." He reminded me
He always says that. I always brace myself when I hear it.
He took a syringe as he injected whatever that fluid was into my cheek before taking a surgical knife to cut it open. Before I could screech from the pain, he pulled the String Pin embedded in my neck as I felt my vocal chords tighten.
As blood dripped from my neck, I could feel excruciating pain as my own face cut open.
The scientists always wanted to study how I always smile, how does it not hurt my cheeks, what causes my eternal smile, everything about that goddamn smile.
And then Doctor Isaac cuts open my head, and he tightens the String Pin even further. My neck bleeds as I can barely breathe, as he studies about pain sensors and reactions from me.
And then I close my eyes, as I wait for him to stab my palm to get a response.
I want to scream, wanted to screech, but I would die if I did because of the String Pin around my neck.
I hate the String Pin, a device screwed in every experiments' neck to shut them up and or suffocate them.
Then, after an hour, it numbs and no trace of the cuts is seen, like it always does.
I can't remember what was after when he cut open my head.
Does Kanashimi feel similar pain? Those damned scientists would probably do this torture on him because of his beautiful frown.
Doctor Isaac unlocks the test bed, and loosens my String Pin. I can finally breathe.
The time is 70:23 AM.
And it's time for breakfast.
The clocks never really made sense to me, 7 o'clock was always 70 instead. Maybe Kanashimi knows why it always says 70.
Doctor Isaac leaves the room as I steady my breathing and slowly get out and go to the Outside Life Simulation Room.
The metal door always felt heavy as I push it open after experimentation, and the bright humming light of the hallway doesn't help.
But it's nice how the smell of blood isn't as noticeable in the hall.
I wiped off the blood pouring down my neck, as I glance over to my right.
And there he stood
My amazing Kanashimi had been standing there for a while.
Kanashimi usually wakes up at 6:09 AM which is before me, so his experimentation usually ends before mine. Yet, he always waits for me. I don't deserve this privilege, yet I'm given it. I love him I love him I love him I love him!
"Kan-kun!" I called, "Ima ikimashou ka?" (Shall we go?)
My voice is sweeter than normal, is he happy? He always compliments my voice, I hope it's joyful!
"Iiyo." (Sure) He replied with his warm melancholic voice, the voice that makes me forget the pain of experimentation or testing.
As he reached out his hand, I immediately grabbed it.
And we turn left as we head over to the Outside Life Simulation Room.
Kanashimi's hands are as soft as ever.
I couldn't help but stare at him over everything else, because everyone and everything is useless.
His slightly messy layered blue hair, shining blue eyes, beautiful rosy-porcelain colored skin, his alluring forget-me-not blue flower scent, everything about him is perfect.
Perfect beyond perfection.
My hand gripped tighter around his, just to remind myself to walk faster.
With him, I pay absolutely no mind to whatever was the voices around me.
Before I know it, we're already at the Outside Life Simulation Room.
The time is 70:26 AM, aka 7:26 AM.
Kanashimi led me over to a small hill with a fake tree that shaded the synthetic ground from the bright LED sun.
Experiment 0014 and Experiment 0016 were also there.
I wasn't paying attention to whatever the 2 girls were doing though.
After all, they're nowhere near as important as Kanashimi
But at least they brought food
Experiment 0014 is Mina, the optimistic one. Experiment 0016 is Astra, the rude one. They were probably talking to each other about random stuff.
I usually sit next to my stunning Kanashimi. Like right now.
Then, he asked;
"Shiwa-san, Nanika okoru to omoimasu ka?" (Shiwa-san, do you think something will happen?)
"Hai," (Yes) I answered. "Naze?" (Why?)
Kanashimi paused for a moment, as he glanced over to the cameras. He seemed to be waiting for the camera's red light to flicker, which means that the person in watch has changed. After all, they always change during this time.
The person watching us currently is a Australian who doesn't understand Japanese, the next one would be a Japanese who doesn't know anything of English.
The moment that it does flicker, he speaks in English.
"The scientists and experiments are acting as if something important will be happening."
I hadn't really noticed anything around the lab, all I think about is Kanashimi.
"Do you think it could be the Chamber Sorting?" He continued
Thinking about it for a moment, it does make sense.
The previous experiments who were sorted into Chambers would've been sold to the government by yesterday.
I stayed silent, as Kanashimi paused for a moment before he spoke;
"Can you give me your whistle, Shiwa-san?" He inquired "I'll lend you my Paintbrush."
Without a second thought, I reached in my loose long sleeve for the tin whistle. And in exchange, he gave me that paint brush.
It's just an ordinary paint brush, but it's also everything because Kanashimi owns it!
It's 70:30, aka 7:30. It's time for testing. It always irritated me on how we only ever had 4 minutes for a break.
I wonder why we had to give each other our items?
Doctor Eveline went inside the Outside Life Simulation Room as she called to all experiments in the room;
"Everyone, it's time for testing! Please prepare before testing!" She exclaimed with a warm voice.
Many crowds of experiments lined up. Most did it because it was an order, some did it because it's a call from Doctor Eveline, and some are forced to.
My gaze stayed on Kanashimi as he went over there, and I lined up just after.
Mina and Astra lined up too, but I didn't care to look where.
I didn't focus on the time, how long it took for the lines to shorten, who was around, or anything really.
All I focused on was Kanashimi.
I hope he takes care of my whistle.
If he used it, would it be an indirect kiss from me to him with that whistle?
I hope he uses it, even if I don't deserve the privilege of a indirect kiss from him.
He's more perfect than actual perfection, how could I not hope?
I wasn't focusing on anything except him and my whistle.
Oh, I'm already at the testing room.
And the time is 8:10. Has it been that long already?
I usually do my testing in Room 4 with Doctor Josh, but today it's with Doctor Eveline in Room 2.
Doctor Eveline was by the corner of the white room, as she waited for the partnered experiment into the room.
I wonder who I'll be partnered with?
As I stood still while waiting patiently, I asked, "Doctor Eveline?"
"Yes, Shiwase?" She answered, walking forward slightly as she leaned down to my level.
"is something special happening today? Maybe something devastating?" I replied
Doctor Eveline tensed up, her pupils constricted.
"Ahh..." She muttered, her warm voice slightly different, as if trying to explain a mango to someone who never had it. "Well, today... Today, you and the others are... Are getting group from a special activity!" She informed, keeping her cheery expression.
Bull sh|t.
Then I noticed the entrance door creaked open,
The person I'd be testing with today is 0014, Mina Tashi. I would've personally have worked with Kanashimi, but she's fine I guess.
She peaked her head through the door, her expression being that same-as-ever cheery smile. I'm honestly surprised that Doctor Eveline isn't her supervisor doctor with all that "optimism", that she clearly doesn't show to meet.
"Hi Doctor Eveline," she exclaimed "Hi 0012...!" She groaned as her expression slightly tightens from the irritation of seeing me.
I don't blame her, I've pissed her off multiple times before. It's not that I care.
"Well hello there, 0014!" Doctor Eveline greeted, her voice like a therapist or teacher. "Now, you two. I know 0012 more accustomed to being tested with Doctor Josh, and I know 0016 is accustomed to be tested with Doctor Isaac; but today, you 2 will be tested with me around."
"Just test your skills together!"
I took a glance at Mina, as she looked at me with her lemon-yellow eyes. Her eyes will never be as beautiful or stunning as Kanashimi, that's for sure. But I'll be slightly kinder and say that it's prettier than some scientists.
"That's alright with me!" She exclaimed "Shiwa Sera ga mata yokeina hatsugen o shinai kagiri wa..." (As long as Shiwase doesn't make unnecessary comments again...)
"Sore wa watashi no sei janai" (Not my fault that my criticism is true!) I defended
After a small 30-second, banter that I didn't care to listen to, Eveline stopped us.
"Mina, Shiwase! You 2 are here to test, not to cause trouble!"
Mina reluctantly raised up her hands, "Fine, I'll test with Shiwase!"
Her ability was... Uh... Cloning! It was cloning. Still not as amazing or cool as Kanashimi's abilities.
Raising her hands forward, she formed flesh from her hands.
Was I paying attention to anything she was doing after? Nope.
The time is 8:19.
After she made a clone, she cut the stringy pieces of bloody flesh off her hands by biting it off.
The clone was a humanoid entity, and it looks a bit like her; Long pink hair, tan skin, and not much else. I guess "pretty"? Everyone calls her that.
Mina stared at me, waiting for me to use my skill so we can progress from testing.
It's not very hard to do anyways, she doesn't need to stare.
Glancing at this clone, I can think about either what I love or hate the most.
Of course I'll think about what I love, because what else should I think about other than Kanashimi? That's right, nothing.
Hmmm...
I see...
My beautiful Kanashimi with his wavy deep blue hair, his V-cut bangs and layered mess of rear hair having small strands that sway onto his face as his eyes of eternity stare into mine with a soft warmness like the fragile stars in the blank fake sky of the Outside Life Simulation Room. His frown is softened, as he reaches to hold my hands.
Before I know it; my ability already started to work.
The clone in front of me is starting to lose face- literally. It's expression is starting to become a blank smile as it's facial features morphed into nothing but bumps and what's left of it's eyes and teeth.
It's eyes and teeth eventually mixed in with the flesh as all remained was 2 eye sockets without eyes and a mouth that looks like it was shaped from clay.
It's hair shrivels and starts thinning and balding up, as the hair that falls off changes from pink to dead black.
its limbs curl into multiple coils and started to blend into other parts of the body and it's torso shifting into something more flat.
It didn't take long before it became a lump of flesh with a blood outline of a smile. It kind of looks like a stool that one could sit on, would Kanashimi like it?
Doctor Eveline only took a glance before she told us, "Both of your abilities are doing rather good, although needs a bit of work on the form... Could you 2 try again?"
Ehh, I knew it. Mina's clone didn't look human enough and the smile outline looked too shaky. Should I have instead of thought about a different Kanashimi time? All times are perfect though.
After about 2-3 attempts, Mina's clone finally looked like a round lump of pure flesh with a smile. That's faster than usual. Would Kanashimi like it?
After Doctor Eveline finally let us leave, we were instructed to line up in Hallway #2B.
That's odd. We don't do that in our routine...
