Read the full series on the Legend of Runa website.
Ren: “Looks super suspicious to me. But all these people in Webbit says this girl called Ruby is the best in the city for my budget. Well, I’ve no other choice, she charges super cheap and promises a quick turnaround. Seems like the only option for me if I want to bring my moped on my date with Runa… Um, e-excuse me, ma’am–“
Ruby: “You must be moped boy!”
Ren: “Uh, Ren, actually –”
Ruby: “So moped boy, I sent you the details of what we need to replace. Cost is included. You won’t find another cheaper in the market ‘sides me. You’re in luck! My rate is super cheap because of my low overhead!”
Ren: “Low overhead”?
Ruby: “Look around, moped boy, my entire business costings are in my home van! Plus, it gives me a standing room so I LITERALLY have a very low overhead!”
She winked at me and laughed lightly. Huh. Cute.
Ren: “So you live in your van?”
Ruby: “Neat huh? I think permanent residence only pins you down from more adventures. Besides I can’t actually afford to rent anything long-term here in Japan and I’m a foreigner.
Ren: I couldn’t have known at the time how this chance meeting with Ruby would change my life…
Runa: Our species have one of the biological advancements that most humans would probably want: our highly-detailed-more-than-photographic memories. If the smartest human can store XXXXXXXX amounts of data and memory in their brain, an average from our species can do 2000% more. Thanks to K.N.O.W. systematic embedding even before we are born. They’re like bio-enhanced worms situating on our baby foreheads, making a crystal home and living in sync with our brains forever. So imagine having the ability to remember every detail, information, smell, facial expression, sound, words from your memories like a video recording playing in your head. We don’t ever forget, because we can’t. Fantastic? Yeah, right. But for me, it can also be heartbreaking…
I wish I can shut it all off. Even just for a second. Take away all these memories, please.
PRESENT: “Runa. Runa!” I heard Ren’s voice. “Are you okay? Memory playbacks again huh? Don’t worry, the show is about to start. Ruby is waiting for you out front.” His smile is very comforting to see. I guess I got lost in my thoughts, literally.
PRESENT: I watched Ren play his guitar solo on stage with such confidence. The crowd supes adores him! I looked at Ruby close beside me and even she, though they don’t get along too well, is cheering for Ren. It’s nice to see how things have changed. I still remember when I first watched him perform in the band.
Runa Back at Age 15:
Tonight is Ren’s band’s performance. I had something planned to help Ren come out of his comfort zone tonight but in order to do that, I needed help from someone special. I also asked her to be my date because, well, RUBY feels specially close to me and I want her to meet Ren too! “Hello love!!” She greets me with a kiss on the cheek. Goshh did I blush? Hope she didn’t see that. “Let’s go meet that talented friend of yours!”
The inside of the bar was a refreshing sight to see, at least for me. In here, I’m not weird and different. I actually felt like I belonged. But I shouldn’t be distracted too much, I still have a critical mission to do to help Ren. Where IS he anyway? I’ll go look for him while Ruby waits here for our “special guests“.
“Please don’t expect too much okay? It’s not that my band isn’t great. They are super talented. But I can’t say the same for me so…” Ren nervously kept mumbling things like these. I held his hands that were ice cold and looked him in the eyes. “Ren, look at me, and look at your band. We are here for you. And you are here because we believe in you. Just love your music and your artistry and work out of love for your craft. Now go and rock this place out!”