Chapter 4: Dramatic Lunch

(Daubeny POV)

I woke up early and drove to work, finding out it only takes around twenty minutes or so. I arrived too early, and I was a bit delusional about wanting to return here so soon. However, when I entered the massive building, I didn't see anyone I knew, which led me to my current workplace. It is a shared laboratory with someone, marking my return to the Next Generation Medical Research Institute. 

In no time, I began researching, and as I worked, I couldn't help but think about the last week and what I've gone through, gained, lost, and achieved. Despite having to work again, it's much more comforting than I imagined. Sure, I have to go through all the stresses of working but studying magical cells is far more entertaining than being an accountant.

Returning to my research, I was looking at the cells through a microscope, and I couldn't help but remember what exactly they were. From what is known to everyone, they are a particular type of stem cell with the unique ability to tap directly into the Backyard. This word led to a headache, as I couldn't grasp what it actually was, only vaguely understanding the Backyard.

'It's where magic gets its energy from, but I know it's the source code for making the real world exist.'

Moving back to Gear cells, each cell supplies itself with almost infinite energy once it is under optimal circumstances. Standing up to reach for a cooling container and putting on protective gloves, I pulled the cylinder and opened its insides to reveal several glass slides containing the most crucial part of Gear cells. I took one glass slide and dropped the samples back into their cylinder.

I walked back towards my microscope to examine the core of what made Gear cells work, and the glass slide I grabbed was a sample. This cell is known as Varga hectacine, a non-essential self-replicating aminoacid component. These unique cells serve as a conduit to the Backyard regardless of whether whatever has them is alive or dead. Placing it back under the microscope, I grasped for a nearby box on the lab table, opening it up with wisps of frost, revealing it as a dead frog. Gently cupping its body, I quickly placed it on a metal tray. I took a syringe near the microscope and applied the necessary steps for injecting the deceased frog with a small dose of Varga hectacine.

After the dosage was injected, the frog returned to a semi-life state in less than a few seconds. It rose only with the limbs twitching and the head shaking slowly. This all happened because Varga cells can be fused to the real world by using magic, allowing them to reproduce and become at least semi-permanent.

The now resurrected frog's bulging muscles and bright red eyes could be seen. However, these two features were not all, as the organs within its body had been strengthened. Sure, whatever organism receives Varga cells will have enhanced strength, rapid regeneration, and a more rigid body. Yet, if subjects are not given more of these cells, they will die.

I continued to work for several more hours until I heard the loud sound of a bell ringing, signaling that it was time for lunch. Stretching out my arms, I stood up from my desk and rubbed my eyes as I approached the door. Walking through the hallway and down the stairs, the sound of the bell dropped down to a whisper and then to nothing with every step I took. 

Reaching the cafeteria on the first floor, lined with chairs and small tables, the room was filled with coworkers discussing their research and other topics. I walked over to the counter, grabbed a tray, and filled it with food. Grabbing a sandwich and a cup of coffee, I sat down at a small table near one of the windows.

I was happily eating my sandwich when a coworker named Ivan approached me. Ivan seemed friendly and outgoing, but I didn't care as I wolfed down my sandwich.

"Hey, can I sit here?" Ivan said, gesturing towards the empty seat next to Daubeny.

"Sure," Daubeny replied, friendly but not caring if Ivan stayed or ate elsewhere.

"So, I heard you know Vince," Ivan said, leaning in.

I looked confused, with the last bits of bread in my mouth and coffee in my hand. Vince was a famous figure in the facility because he was the founder and the director overseeing the Gear project until then, so it wasn't surprising that someone wanted to know more about him.

"Yes, I know, Vince. He taught me most of what I know," I answered while swallowing my sandwich and letting my coffee rest on the small table, wisps of hot hair rising from the cup.

"That's amazing. But we've known each other for a while now. Could you say a good word about me or maybe introduce me to Vince?" Ivan asked eagerly.

I felt a twinge of annoyance at what he was implying. Sighing while pinching the bridge of my nose, I said, "Look, Ivan, I don't care what you think you'll gain from this. But whatever it is, I don't care. Go away and let me enjoy my lunch." Raising the glass to my mouth, I closed my eyes and let the warm black liquid jolt my senses back awake.

Ivan looked taken aback, and I could see the disappointment and frustration in his eyes as the researcher stood up from his chair and exited the cafeteria.

As he left, I couldn't believe how blind I was to how he wanted to ask for favors, but I could only blame myself. Back when I started in the facility, I didn't have any friends, and this is a full-time professional job filled with people many years older than I am. Aria helped me occasionally, but we weren't here to socialize but to research, and I foolishly took the first hand that offered me friendship without examining it.

This depressing train of thoughts was broken by a familiar voice calling out my name and turning around to see a mop of white hair beyond the entrance to the cafeteria.

"I see you didn't want to stay inside either," Asuka noted as he saw my sunken face.

"Oh hey, Asuka, nice to see you. Are those two around here, too?" I asked while looking for any sign of them.

Asuka nodded his head and began walking to the door while saying. "Both of them are outside talking; I was going to surprise them until I saw you."

"Then let's go; I can't wait to see how pissed off Frederick gets from our interruption." I giggled as the two of us were now sneakily approaching the pair.

-

(With Sol- I mean Frederick and Aria)

Frederick and Aria stood in the courtyard as leaves blew in the air past them. Frederick had his hands in his coat pockets, while Aria had her arms. "Hey... Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a bird?"

"What...? Uh, no." Frederick reacted, not even contemplating the question for a moment.

"Really? Not even once?"

"What's the point? The human mind is so different from a bird's we couldn't even comprehend their reality anyway. C'mon, you're an adult; act like it."

"Aww, what, you don't have dreams?"

"I guess it would be pretty cool to fly."

With a chuckle, Aria shouted, "That's the same thing!"

"No, it's not, You don't have to be a bird to fly."

"Uh, that's not what I meant..." They both smiled as they looked at each other with warmth in their eyes. Frederick continued, "All right then, have you ever thought about becoming a cockroach?"

"Ugh, definitely not."

"Why not?"

"Because they're creepy!"

"You sure? You never know. You might enjoy it." He said with a scarce hit of teasing.

"You've got to be kidding me."

"None of the socio-political bullshit, no real enemies... Plus, you're next to 

impossible to kill. Doesn't that sound like a pretty nice life?"

"B-But you'd be gross..."

"I doubt the roaches think they're gross."

"Well, true, I guess they probably don't."

"No guessing about it. Why would they? You and I see everything through the lens of being human. Transforming into something else entirely isn't that much different than death. This whole world could be big lie."

"That seems a little narrow-minded..." Two hands were placed on Frederick's shoulders, which pissed Frederick off almost instantly. Turning around to look who it was, Asuka and Daubeny were both wearing a smile.

"Right? No romance with him. Just nitpicking..." Aria exclaimed, dramatically tilting her head.

Daubeny followed, walking to Aria's side and taking his hand off Frederick's shoulder. His mouth formed into a sly smile. 

Frederick walked a few steps away to get his friend's hand off his shoulder, saying more calmly. "This is science, not romance. All I'm saying is that our values are informed by our experiences and the stimuli we have at our disposal. So the only logical thing to do is to live our lives to the fullest, in the moment." Stating 

"Frederick, we may be scientists, but we're humans too. Don't you think your perspective is a little... lonely?" 

"What?"

"Let's take your past, for example. Is that a memory for you? Or just a sequence of events?"

"Seriously? You're going to try and critique my philosophy with sentimentality?"

Daubeny was tired of being a side character and spoke up, gaining everyone's attention. "Another way to take Asuka's question is this: If the world was going to disappear tomorrow... What would you do today?"

Asuka nodded his head, feeling understood. Before asking, "Truthfully, what would your response be, Frederick?"

"What kind of a question is that? Stop whatever's ending the world or die trying". The scientist retaliated while crossing his arms.

"...You mean, spend it with someone you love?" Aria was still smiling, but her expression and voice were slightly resigned.

"..."

The bell signaling to all the researchers and staff that lunch was over could be heard. Daubeny nudged Aria while she nodded, making her way back towards the building. 

"All right, break's over. I'm going back, and you three should as well. Just because Vince gave the order doesn't mean you get to be late." Aria could be heard by the three left behind saying casually as if nothing was bothering her.

Daubeny heeded his sister's message, but not before patting Frederick's shoulder with a sarcastic voice. "Welp, better hurry back. I wouldn't want to upset her more, would you."

When the siblings were out of range to hear the remaining two, Frederick rubbed the back of his head with Asuka's, setting his hands in his coat pocket. Well, you definitely made HER feel lonely. You really do like to get lost in your own little world, don't you?" he said, frustrated, looking over at Frederick with great annoyance.

"Yeah, yeah, I picked the wrong answer. Rub it in." He resigned while looking up at the sky.

"That's not what I mean, Frederick. She's worried about you".

"What? Why would she do that?" He turned around and raised an eyebrow, looking perplexed at the answer.

"Well..." Asuka trailed off, hesitating on whether or not to explain Aria's worries. 

"Well, what?" Becoming irritated and taking a step forward,

"Your world is very small, and whatever you do, you do it alone. Even in the laboratory, all you have are enemies". Asuka said sympathetically.

"What, so I should be kissing ass so I can play with the cool kids? I've got you, Daubeny, and Aria. That isn't enough?" Asuka remained silent and sighed before walking back toward the facility. Leaving Frederick alone to contemplate this conversation and shrugging his head, he dismissed it as unimportant and soon followed after everyone. They all returned to their jobs and finished the day off.