A streak of white emerges from the darkness.
Slowly, it approaches.
What is it?
Gradually, it comes into focus. It’s a string of intricately detailed units. Like cells viewed beneath a microscope, one follows the next in an orderly procession.
Cells?
No—it’s a city.
The enigmatic megalopolis called U.
The ultimate virtual world, created by the Voices, the five sages who preside over the wisdom of this universe.
The biggest online space in history, with more than five billion users worldwide and counting.
You’re still not on U.
How do you access it?
Take out your phone. You’ll see the U icon on the home screen. Most smartphones have it pre-installed, so you can use it right away.
Start up the app.
U will be you.
You will be U.
U will be everything.
Any smart devices you’re currently wearing—earphones, wristwatches, earrings, rings, glasses, fake nails, masks, whatever—will automatically scan your personal data.
Reading your biometric information…
While the app authenticates you—it won’t take long—U’s membership policy is displayed. Next comes a slate of icons representing different people. Icons of all ages, genders, shapes, and handicaps are juxtaposed with Us written in different ways.
“Much like the differences and particularities that make each person in the world unique, this image explores a variety of differently shaped U particles to embody this ethos.”
From this infinite variety of Us, one is selected.
Authentication is now complete.
“Welcome to the world of U.”
The chosen U flies through an infinite corridor of smartphone-shaped windows.
This is the authenticated you.
The U transforms into a cute rabbit-girl.
An announcement echoes from the screen.
“U utilizes the latest in body-sharing technology that allows everyone to relax and enjoy their time together.”
In this world, avatars are called ASes, short for “autonomous selves.” Your AS is your double in U. It is automatically created using U’s cutting-edge AI technology to process your scanned biometric information.
See all the ASes flying through the windows? They’re being generated from U particles as users log in, just like you did.
You—that is, the adorable young girl with fluffy white ears poking out of her stylish hat—and the friends you’ve just met are skydiving downward.
Suddenly, the sea of clouds filling your vision clears.
The skyscrapers reflecting the twilight sun are enough to make you gasp in awe.
The elaborately constructed geometric clusters of buildings overlap one another in every direction, creating a sunset vista unlike any you’ve ever seen.
Strolling through the luxurious shopping malls, you feel as free as if you’ve been let off work while it’s still light out to wander the Champs-Élysées or Fifth Avenue or Ginza. Simply watching all the ASes decked out in a rainbow of colors feels like attending a masked ball in Venice.
Graphical representations of flowers come fluttering down like confetti. You pick one up and smell it. Within the lush, sensual scent lurks one that is fresher, more youthful. It’s perfect for this city.
Suddenly, as you flit down the lively avenue, you look up. Where the sky should be are upside-down skyscrapers, so tightly packed they look ready to tumble down upon you. Carved out in the middle of them is a park where you can watch ASes frolicking happily.
How can a city make you feel so free?
You know with your whole being that this is the center of the world.
You glimpse the moon between the skyscrapers.
Another announcement plays from the screen.
“U is another reality. Your AS is another you. Everything is here.”
The crescent moon is tipped on its side in imitation of a U.
“You can’t redo life in the real world. But in U, you can. It’s time to live as another you. It’s time to begin a new life. It’s time to change the world.”
Suddenly, the whole city goes quiet.
A song.
Someone is singing.
Where is the sound coming from? Multitudes of ASes look around, searching for the source. You, too, perk up your long white ears.
The song is grand and delicate at the same time. Intimate but also powerful.
You can’t help being pulled in.
“Over there!” someone shouts.
Multitudes of AS eyes focus on a single point.
A whale.
An enormous whale covered in countless speakers floats leisurely between the upside-down buildings. You make out a small figure wearing a crimson dress standing on the tip of the whale’s rostrum. That’s where the song seems to be coming from.
A roar emanates from the speakers encrusting the whale’s body.
The girl stands motionless on the rostrum, singing with a voice so powerful it holds its own against the surging accompaniment.
What looked at first like a crimson dress is actually a garment composed of dahlias, gerbera daisies, poppy anemones, echinacea, and other flowers in countless shades of red.
Her long hair is an unreal pink color.
Her eyes are as blue and deep as the sea.
A truly matchless beauty.
Dotting her cheeks are what appear to be freckles.
“Belle!”
“It’s Belle!”
The ASes stare up at her, crying her name:
Belle.
lalalai
lalalai
When our heartbeats collide,
I won’t mind, in a place we’ve never been before;
I’m reaching out for the moon
and stars beyond it
lalalai
lalalai
Is it you I will find?
Though I feel left behind sometimes when you close the door
I wanna know who you are, I wanna know it all
The moment that life hits you,
you can’t avoid the issue
You’re disconnected from the world you thought you were a part of
But if you close your eyes and let go
of that mirage you haven’t met,
nobody else decides the words you see in your heart
So, line up, the party’s over here
Come one, come all, jump into the fire
Step up, we are whatever we wanna be,
we are free, that’s all we desire
When you pass through the veil of fantasy
There’s a world with a rhythm for you and me
“Belle!”
“Belle!!”
“Belle!!”
Among the multitude of voices calling her name is your own. Without realizing it, you are singing her song. She smiles down on the cheering masses. For an instant, you think your eyes meet hers, and a warmth envelops your chest. You are drawn to her from the moment you see her. You can’t take your eyes away.
You’ve only just met, but you are her captive.
“Belle!”
“Belle!!”
“Belle!”
“Belle!!”
She crosses her arms over her chest and then flings them open.
At the same moment, graphical images of flowers burst from her body. The flowers drift onto the city from above the placidly floating whale.
She belts out her song as if she is blessing all people, all things, all life.
Who in the world is she?