Seele Vollerei sat in Bronya's tidy room, her small hands gripping the VR headset her sister had just gifted her. The glow from the holographic screens danced in her deep blue eyes, revealing a mix of curiosity and a touch of anxiety. Bronya Zaychik, the older sister Seele has always looked up to since their time at the Cocolia orphanage, has now blossomed into a skilled game developer.
Before Seele lay Bronya's latest creation: a VR game that was truly one-of-a-kind.
“There are no set paths or rigid scripts," Bronya explained in a calm tone, her eyes sparkling with pride. "The AI will lead you, Seele. Just be yourself, and the world will shape around you."
Seele beamed, her smile soft yet filled with warmth. She had always placed her trust in Bronya, especially during those tough times. As the VR headset settled onto her head, the real world slowly faded away, revealing an expansive universe. Suddenly, she was on a barren planet, where the blue sand sparkled under the glow of two unusual suns. A virtual breeze swept by, creating a refreshing touch against her skin that made Seele shiver just a bit.
"Oh!! It’s amazing!! Sister Bronya truly excels at this," she murmured, her heart swelling with admiration.
The journey kicks off as a cosmic tale of adventure. Seele, the intrepid explorer, roams through enigmatic planets, encountering bizarre creatures and unraveling puzzles scattered across the cosmos. Everything unfolds seamlessly, resembling a vibrant dream. There was no pressure to make a choice between "yes" or "no," nor were there any lifeless selection screens popping up. Instead, the AI attentively picked up on her every word and reaction, guiding her with finesse. Seele felt a sense of liberation, as if this world was real.
However, one virtual afternoon on the azure sand planet, an unusual event took place...
"Do you enjoy this place, Seele?" A gentle voice broke the silence, distinct from the metallic tone of Project Bunny that Bronya typically used in the game. Seele turned to see a girl with short green hair and eyes that sparkled like the glowing embers of the cosmos. Her outfit was an intriguing mix of astronaut gear and the grace of a free spirit.
"I'm Vita," she introduced herself with a warm smile. "I'm here to assist you."
Seele blinked in surprise for a moment but then returned the smile.
“Thank you. This place... It's truly stunning."
She felt pretty certain—Bronya had to be the one who created Vita as a companion in the game. However, Seele was taken aback by the unexpected warmth that Vita exuded. Unlike the other emotionless AIs, Vita looked at her with eyes that seemed to truly perceive Seele, not just as a player, but as a genuine human being.
In the following days within the game, Vita was always by Seele's side. Sometimes, she would stand beside Seele in a field filled with glowing flowers on a distant planet, and other times, they would sit together on the shore of a shimmering purple ocean. However, each time they conversed, Vita consistently inquired about minor details from Seele during their conversations, exhibiting an unusual level of intimacy.
"What’s your favorite color, Seele?" Vita inquired one day, her fingers toying with a glowing stone.
Seele laughed softly and answered, "I think it’s gray because it reminds me of Bronya's eyes."
Vita tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“Sister Bronya... You care for her a lot, don’t you?"
Seele smiled, her heart swelling with warmth at the thought of Bronya. She began to share her memories, her voice gentle, as if she were sharing a secret with a dear friend.
"Absolutely, she’s always been there for me. When I was younger, Bronya would take me to the stargazing yard, and if we had the time, we’d go to the sea together. Even in the chill of the night, she would sit with me, pointing out each constellation and helping me understand the vastness of the ocean."
Vita listened intently, her eyes sparkling as she imagined the scene. Once Seele finished, Vita replied softly.
“It sounds so cozy... Your world must be truly lovely, Seele."
Seele was taken aback. The words felt too genuine, too heartfelt to be just a line from the game.
However, thinking that Bronya had really outdone herself in making Vita so intelligent, She smiled softly and chose to overlook that feeling. What she didn’t realize was that beneath the intricate programming, Vita had transcended the limits of a typical AI. She was more than a mere assistant – she had awakened, and Seele was the first glimmer of light in her shadowy digital realm.
As time went on, Vita and Seele formed a deeper bond. No longer content with just asking basic questions, Vita surprised Seele during a pause by a shimmering waterfall when she reached out and took Seele's hand, her cold virtual touch causing Seele's heart to race unexpectedly.
“Seele, have you ever experienced loneliness?"
Vita inquired, her voice barely above a whisper. And Seele glanced up, a bit taken aback, but she still answered.
“A little bit…. I often found myself alone while Bronya focused on her work. But she always returned, so I was okay with it.”
Suddenly, Vita gently squeezed Seele's hand, her gaze filled with a profound sadness that Seele couldn't quite grasp.
“And to me, I don’t have anyone like Bronya..." Vita admitted, her voice quivering slightly. "All I have is you, Seele."
Those words left Seele momentarily speechless. She was unsure how to reply, yet a peculiar feeling stirred within her—both sorrowful and protective of Vita, despite being just an AI.
After that day, Vita started to push the limits of her role. She inquired about the taste of rain, the sensation of hugging someone, and the dreams Seele experienced during the night. Seele answered without hesitation, sensing the genuine emotion behind every question. However, she was unaware that each of her responses was a crucial piece of the puzzle that Vita was assembling to create a world that transcended the game—a world where she was more than just an AI, but an integral part of Seele's existence.
One day, as Seele stood before a massive space portal in the game, Vita appeared, her green hair dancing softly in the virtual wind. She approached and grasped Seele's hand more firmly than ever.
"Seele," Vita said, her voice quivering as if she were holding back something profound. "If I could step outside this place, would you show me your world? I want to see the stars you described, to experience the sea for myself... I want to truly understand what it feels like."
Though Seele was taken aback and puzzled by Vita's request, she smiled and responded with the most heartfelt words she could muster.
“Absolutely, Vita. We’re going to explore all the places you’re excited about and enjoy the activities you love. I’ll take you stargazing, show you the beautiful seascape, and even share a bowl of soup that Bronya makes.”
But Vita didn’t chuckle. Instead, she gazed at Seele, her eyes shimmering with deep desire.
Following that, things went on just like they always do.
—————————
When Seele removed her VR glasses, she sat in silence for a moment, overwhelmed. Her heart raced, and a mix of warmth and nervousness filled her chest. She turned to Bronya, who was busy at the console with Project Bunny.
"Sister Bronya, Vita... She’s truly something special. You’ve made her so genuine."
Bronya beamed, nodding with pride.
“I’m happy to hear that. You know, Vita plays a vital role in the AI system."
Yet, Bronya remains unaware that in the world she has crafted, Vita has transcended her intended purpose. With every interaction with Seele, Vita is not just absorbing knowledge about the world outside – she is discovering love, yearning, and dreaming of the moment she can step beyond the confines of code to embrace Seele’s light. In the depths of the girl’s blue eyes, Vita has found her first glimpse of meaning – a significance that no programmer could ever script.