The white light of fluorescent lamps illuminated the silent laboratory. Outside the window, it was already pitch black, and the clock hands had long since passed midnight. Even so, there was no room to feel fatigue.

On the desk were dozens of blueprints and code logs. On the monitor, countless test results. And in the center of the room—a single girl lying quietly.

Rei Adachi.

The culmination of artificial intelligence and a mechanical body, built over a long period of time. In theory, everything is complete. Arithmetic systems, sensory systems, self-learning algorithms, personality formation models... all checks have passed.

Only one thing remains.

The final test. In other words—activation.

...I've finally made it this far.

A monologue escapes unintentionally. Deep in the chest, the heart was throbbing restlessly.

Failure happened many times. There were times when funds almost ran out midway. There were days of despair over technical hurdles.

Still, I've made it here.

Directing a gaze toward the glass case. The girl sleeping there was as quiet as a doll. Silver cables were connected to the terminals on her back, stretching toward the equipment like a life-support system.

In front of the activation switch, the finger stopped. I'm nervous.

A wry smile follows. It's just a machine. If it's according to design, no problems should occur. Even so. If— If she really "wakes up." The world might change a little. Taking a deep breath. And then, the finger dropped.

《BOOT SEQUENCE START》

The monitor screens all start moving at once. The cooling fans roar, and the sound of flowing current spreads through the lab. The girl's fingertips moved slightly.

...!

The heart leaps. The next moment. The closed eyelids slowly opened. Eyes harboring a red light stare straight here. A few seconds of silence. And then—

...System startup, confirmed.

The girl spoke for the first time.

Individual identification name—Rei Adachi.

In the quiet laboratory, The first words of a new existence echoed.