First and foremost, Julius had chosen Japan for the trip for professional reasons. It wasn't entirely a vacation. There were investors in Japan who had shown strong interest in SIBYL, and in 2149, no country surpassed Japan in terms of large-scale AI implementation.

Their infrastructure, corporate culture, and public sectors had integrated artificial intelligence to a level of efficiency unmatched anywhere else in the world.

And while AI had already been used for therapeutic support even a century ago, SIBYL was so far above those early systems that they no longer belonged in the same category.

The old world's "mental-health AIs" were little more than pattern-matching chatbots that mirrored human speech with comforting lines and surface-level logic. They could never truly understand.

SIBYL, however, operated on an entirely different plane.

Psychological mapping had advanced to the point where, through SIBYL, one could visualize the architecture of a person's cognitive flow. Not thoughts in the literal sense, but the shape of their mind.

It was a living map of how a person became who they were, represented through patterns that only SIBYL could analyze and correct with absolute accuracy.

That was why Japan wanted it.

And why Julius intended to bring it to them, on his own terms.

"That's really quite hypocritical of you, Mister Schneider."

"Hm?"

"You tell me to take a break, so we came to Japan. Yet you're doing exactly the opposite of that. Can't I work?"

"Doctor… we are on a break. A break. As in the opposite of work."

"But you intend to meet investors."

"That is completely different."

"How?"

"Because I actually plan to relax right after, unlike you. Now put that tablet down and stop fixing the quarterly financial statements. Why did we even hire accountants if you're just going to do it yourself?"

"...."

* * *

Japan, the land of the rising sun.

Long before 2149, Japan was already renowned as a technological titan. Even in the early twenty-first century, it stood at the frontier of robotics, automation, and engineering.

Real-world companies pushed boundaries in AI research, humanoid robotics, and cybernetics before the rest of the world had even begun to catch up.

Japanese cities were among the first to experiment with autonomous public transportation, robotic caregivers, and integrated smart city systems.

However, despite its technological brilliance, Japan faced a devastating crisis during that era.

One of the lowest birth rates in the world.

Yet humanity adapted.

Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, and Yokohama transformed into fully integrated mega-cities. AI-managed transportation networks spanned entire metropolitan regions. Cybernetic clinics were on every street corner.

The demographic crisis Japan had faced had been stabilized through revolutionary changes.

Artificial womb systems became commonplace, allowing stable population regrowth.

Longevity treatments enabled the aging population to remain active and productive far longer than natural limits would have allowed.

And immigration policies were replaced by open programs powered by automated integration systems, enabling thousands of skilled workers to adapt easily.

Moreover, they thrived even more through their animation industry. Their media spread across the world and captivated billions.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say generations grew up molded by Japanese ideals, to the point where some joked that Japan had achieved soft-power world domination through anime alone.

If someone lived as a closeted introvert who never left their room, then it was safe to assume they were devoted otakus who would probably defend Japan over their own homeland.

And Japan embraced this global fanaticism without shame, refining its craft into a weapon of influence far more effective than any diplomacy or military treaty.

"Wow, I've only ever seen these in reels before, but it's true!"

Anneliese practically bounced with every step as they entered the airport.

And to her amazement, the immigration officers weren't visible at all. Instead, each counter was fronted by a holographic avatar of cute anime girls with pastel hair, enormous eyes, and overly enthusiastic smiles.

"Welcome to Japan! Please scan your passport, nyan!" the hologram chirped.

Isolde froze. "…Nyan?"

Julius sighed. "Of course."

Another hologram popped up beside them, this one shaped like a tiny mascot floating over a security checkpoint. "Remember to declare all cybernetic enhancements, desu!"

"Desu too…?" Isolde stiffened, as if she were experiencing secondhand embarrassment for an entire nation.

Meanwhile, Anneliese was starstruck. She spun in place while flailing her arms.

"Mommy, Mommy! The airport is full of anime people! Can Anne become an anime too?!"

Gabriel, strolling behind with his sunglasses pushed up like he belonged in a music video, nodded seriously.

"Honestly, Anneliese, give it a few years. Japan will probably invent a way."

Julius rubbed his forehead. "They already did. It's called avatar licensing. Please don't encourage her."

They approached their lane, and the VTuber avatar morphed to match the officer's subtle movements behind the hologram screen. Even the voice was perfectly lip-synced, maintaining the illusion that a cheerful animated girl was in charge of processing their documents.

"Ah, Mister Schneider," Isolde whispered. "Is this… normal?"

"In Japan?" Julius replied. "Doctor, this is the least strange thing you will see today."

Growing up, Isolde had watched her fair share of anime. It made for fun escapism. But now, standing in the real thing, she couldn't help but feel utterly overwhelmed.

She was too old to keep up with whatever trend this was supposed to be. Modern anime had become so futuristic that she assumed these scenes were exaggerations.

She watched one of the holograms bow and twirl as a new traveler approached.

"…They actually sparkle," she murmured, horrified.

"Mommy, look!" Anneliese tugged on her sleeve. "She has cat ears that move! They're moving!"

"Why are they moving on their own…?"

Before Isolde could recover, Gabriel had already wandered off toward another immigration counter, specifically the one where the VTuber avatar happened to be a white-haired, blue-eyed anime man with sunglasses.

Gabriel leaned forward with complete seriousness. "Excuse me, could you say 'Murasaki'?"

The hologram formed a sign with his fingers, then grinned.

"Murasaki."

"God bless this country."

Gabriel made a sound that could only be described as spiritual enlightenment.

"Please proceed! Your passports are adorable, nyan!" the hologram chirped as sparkles glittered around the scanner.

Isolde, already horrified beyond belief, hesitantly held out her passport like it might explode. Julius hid a smirk behind his hand. This reaction was perfect. If Isolde were too overwhelmed by Japan, then she might actually forget about working for once.

Behind them, however, Gabriel had escalated from reverence to a full-blown roleplay with the avatar.

"Would you lose?"

The avatar grinned. "Nah, I'd win."

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