HOSHINO CHRONICLES

r 3: F

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rk drones fills the air as they hover over the populace, scanning for deviations or signs of rebelli

s is malfunctioning, its movements erratic and its usual monotone hum replaced by sharp, grati

inspect the device, but as he gets closer, the flickering intensifies. Suddenly, the drone em

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ve of dizziness as his mind i

dark hair laughing

ll hands reac

e laughter echoing t

g deeper, more intimate. Sora staggers back, clutching his head as his breathing quickens. He doesn't recogni

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ra into a vivid flashback. The sterile city fades, repla

of the household maids. The two of them run through the sprawling gardens, their laughter filling the

ng her hand. Aiko giggles, tugging him tow

he teases, sticking

, a stark contrast to the cold, con

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moment is shattere

or

hem, his imposing figure casting a long shadow. His exp

old, his tone laced with disappointment. He glances briefly

ll frame trembling but defi

a common child, Sora. You carry the Hoshino name, a name that deman

hem of her dress. Her cheeks flush w

d," Sora protests,

Friendship is a weakness, one

m and drags him away. Aiko watches them go, her f

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reet. The dull hum of the Unity Network's surveillance drones overhead returns to his ears, a stark contrast to the

ently, testing it, as if saying it aloud will bring clarity. But no clarity comes-only a sharp

spark sputtering from its cracked shell. Kneeling, Sora picks it up. The once-slee

w from its core has dimmed, but faint remnants of its data screen flicker sporadically

Override

t the broken machine. Why now? he

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usual rhythmic flow of controlled citizens and patrolling enforcers conspic

hollow. Glitches in the Unity Network were exceedingly rare, especially for something as meticulously maintai

in the garden tug at the edges of his consciousness, but they remain fragmented, elusive. He catches flashes of her smile, h

his chest tightening.

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ng him out of his thoughts. The clipped, authoritative

. Your patrol is

g. "Understood. There was a minor disturbance-a malfunctio

ity pack. His gaze lingers on the empty street ahead, the towering buildings casting

his armor. The certainty he once felt about his purpose-about the Network, his family, and

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nseen by Sora, a surveillance drone hovers high above, its lens trained on him. A red light b

life he can't remember beginning to stir in defiance of the Unity Network's contro

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stigation. The flashback stirs something deep within him-a longing for the warmth an

ered the anomaly, setting in motion a chain of events that will force Sora to confront