They say that euglena originally didn’t have chloroplasts. Over the course of its long evolutionary history, it ingested algae that had chloroplasts and eventually incorporated them into its own cells. This adaptation allowed it to move like an animal while performing photosynthesis like a plant.
Biologists call this process endosymbiosis.
As I, Mia Tagamiya, reflected on what was happening inside me, I was reminded of this story I read in a book one time. The phenomenon that happened between it and me bears a striking resemblance.
Did I consume it, or was I absorbed by it?
Honestly, I wasn’t quite sure.
The knowledge that flowed from it mingled with my memories as Mia, blurring the lines of my identity. Most likely, the current me is both Mia and it —not quite human, nor entirely of its species.
Currently, it and I are experiencing some miscommunications.
I basically had two choices: increase my dependence on it, or evolve into something neither Mia nor it, deepening the transformation.
I chose the second option. It was a rather risky gamble, and it involved enduring quite a bit of pain, but it was the only way. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to save everyone. I couldn’t have become a strength for Kazu.
I understood that much.
✦ ✦ ✦
First, I’d had to dismantle my own psyche.
It was difficult, but absolutely necessary. To fundamentally change who I was as a living creature, I couldn’t stay how I was—it would have led to instant madness.
Initially, the very concept of a life form bound by time and space was too limiting. To achieve what I wanted, I needed to break free from a lot of constraints.
As I stopped being myself, I reached into the realm where they, the species of it, existed. And I was overwhelmed.
The massive influx of information shattered the barriers of time and space, breaking my individuality into pieces. In retrospect, this was probably their way of welcoming me, but it led to a lengthy process of reassembling myself.
As a side effect, I acquired some unique powers. I also had time to process the new knowledge they had given me.
In that way, the specific path I needed to take became clear. The past and future connected perfectly. I understood the bizarre rules that governed this world and what they really meant—which was frightening.
Yet, I also felt that changing these rules was as natural and straightforward as getting out of bed and yawning in the morning.
“I’m in trouble,” I muttered to myself. “Rewriting the rules of the world is so easy. What should I do?”
Even as I said this, my mind was already made up. I was only one person, but I made plans to help Kazu to the best of my ability. I knew exactly what needed to be done.
✦ ✦ ✦
It was after all of this happened that I gave birth to the life I had been carrying inside myself. Although it took some effort to get ready to raise her, this precious life, the crystallization of the bond between him and me, grew up healthy and strong.
There was some hesitation in involving my beloved daughter in my fate…
The way I am now, I can’t meet him. My feelings for him can only be entrusted to her. With this thought, I watched my daughter play, running and laughing carefree in the meadows.
Just a little longer, just a bit more time.
Wait for me, Kazucchi.
For you, for everything important to you, for that sole purpose…
I will fundamentally reshape this world.
That’s right.
It means I’m the one who…