Chapter 1: So, I am a Faun?!

The resident of Kamakura, Mako Tachibana, or Tachibana Mako, was a very intelligent woman. During her pre-school, Elementary School, and High school days, she’d always received straight A’s in her classes. Her teachers thought she’d do well in the world, and they were right, she had done well for herself. During her college and university years, she excelled in tech-based classes, which prompted the more famous tech companies to try and recruit her, which has also helped when she managed to get patents which allowed her to receive money when the company she worked for started manufacturing it. Yes, to say Mako had a glorious life could be considered an understatement, since it was amazing and busy.

Sachiko smiled, “Alright! I’m most likely going to be under the username Chikola,” she told Mako, just in case Mako wanted to play with her later in the Virtual Worlds. Sachiko’s admission of her username caused her friends to let Mako know their username, too.

Sachiko’s openness and the offer to connect in the virtual world delighted Mako. She nodded and made a mental note of Sachiko’s username, “Chikola.” The exchange of usernames continued, as Sachiko’s friends eagerly shared theirs.

“Thank you, Sachiko, and to your friends as well,” Mako replied with appreciation. “I’ll be sure to add you all as friends, and perhaps we can embark on virtual adventures together. It’s always more fun when you have great companions to explore with.”

With the prospect of virtual adventures and new friendships, Mako’s day was off to a wonderful start, filled with the promise of both professional success and enjoyable personal adventures in the digital realm.

The elevator’s arrival signaled the end of the brief but enjoyable encounter. Mako and the students parted ways, each heading toward their respective destinations. The students headed for the subway, their youthful energy carrying them forward, while Mako made her way to her car, ready to embark on another fulfilling day of work and technology exploration.

As they went their separate ways, the echoes of the cheerful interactions lingered, leaving a sense of warmth and connection in their wake. Mako couldn’t help but feel grateful for the positive moments that colored the start of her day.

As Mako settled into her car, she started the engine and began her journey to Yamato Technologies. Her thoughts were already filled with the day’s work and the potential projects she might tackle. However, another idea crossed her mind – the opportunity to seek input and ideas from Sachiko and her friends for downloadable content in the virtual game.

The concept of involving the gaming community in shaping the content of her technology excited her. It could lead to more engaging and user-focused virtual experiences. With that thought in mind, she made a mental note to reach out to Sachiko and her friends about their thoughts and suggestions, creating a bridge between her work and the passionate gaming community that enjoyed her creations.

As Mako navigated the roads on her way to Yamato Technologies, she encountered the first red traffic light at a streetlamp. Her keen sense of time led her to check the clock on her dashboard, which confirmed that she was well on schedule. The assurance that she would arrive at work on time added to the sense of tranquility that accompanied her morning journey.

With a serene smile on her face, Mako patiently waited for the traffic light to turn green, knowing that the day was unfolding as smoothly as she had planned and that she was ready to embrace the opportunities that lay ahead at her workplace.

While waiting at the red light, Mako decided to add a musical touch to her morning drive. She reached for the car radio and switched it on, and instantly, a song began playing. The music filled the car, accompanying her on her journey to work and setting a pleasant atmosphere for the day ahead.

As Mako’s car continued to move along with the flow of traffic, she enjoyed a brief moment of singing along to her favorite song, tapping the steering wheel in rhythm. The familiarity of the song and the joyful moments it invoked added a pleasant note to her morning.

She paused her singing as the traffic light turned green, and her focus naturally shifted back to driving. Her car passed a bus, and the memory of her past experiences using public transportation and the subway briefly crossed her mind. It was a reminder of the progress she had made in her life, and the freedom and convenience of having her own car, which she found truly amazing.

Mako’s journey to work continued, filled with a sense of gratitude for the opportunities and experiences she had in life.

Mako’s ride to work continued as the song on her radio changed, with the hosts discussing various topics. Then, to her delight, the conversation shifted to her VR headset, a topic that filled her with pride and joy. The fact that her invention had captured the attention of even radio hosts brought a wide smile to her face.

“Even they are talking about it?” she mused with a pleased tone. The thought of her VR headset making waves in the media only added to her excitement. As she turned a corner, her destination, the towering Yamato Technologies building, came into view.

With a sense of achievement and anticipation for the day ahead, Mako neared her workplace, ready to continue her work in the world of technology and innovation.

Mako’s surprise was palpable as she pulled into the employee parking area and noticed the new and improved nameplate on her parking space. The elegant decal added a touch of sophistication, making her name stand out in a way that delighted her.

“That looks fancy,” she remarked with genuine appreciation. The small but thoughtful gesture reflected the recognition and respect she had earned in her workplace, a testament to her contributions to Yamato Technologies. With that smile on her face, she parked her car, ready to start another day of innovation and discovery.

As Mako left her car in the employee parking area, she made her way to the elevator that would transport her to her workspace on her designated floor. With the knowledge that her recent achievement had garnered attention from not only the students and radio hosts but possibly her colleagues as well, she anticipated a wave of congratulations and well-wishes from those she worked alongside.

The prospect of sharing the joy of her accomplishment with her colleagues added an extra layer of excitement to her morning, and she entered the elevator with a heart filled with gratitude and enthusiasm for the day ahead.

As Mako stepped out of the elevator, her ears perked up at the familiar voice calling her name. She turned to see her colleague Yui hurrying toward her. Despite being rivals in their professional endeavors, Mako and Yui had a friendly relationship.

“Mako-chan!” Yui exclaimed with a warm and enthusiastic smile. Their interactions were marked by mutual respect and the drive to excel in their shared field. They were colleagues who spurred each other on to achieve their best, and this warm greeting was a testament to the camaraderie they shared in their workplace.

Mako’s smile broadened as she greeted Yui. “Hello, Yui-chan,” she replied warmly. It was evident that Yui was well aware of the recent developments, as Mako had suspected.

“Yup, I heard,” Yui affirmed, her grin matching Mako’s enthusiasm. “Congrats on getting into the top five rankings!” Her words were filled with genuine praise and camaraderie, acknowledging Mako’s success and achievements. Their friendly rivalry was founded on mutual respect and support, and this moment was a testament to that spirit.

Mako’s blush deepened at the recognition of her achievement. She was well aware that the city’s rankings were no small feat, considering the competitiveness of the field. Her modesty and dedication to her work shone through as she took the compliment in stride.

As they walked toward their office, Mako shifted the conversation to their current work. “Have you heard if we’re still working on the same project, now that it’s out in the public eye, or something new?” she inquired, her curiosity about their next project evident in her question. The ever-evolving nature of their work kept them both on their toes, and Mako was eager to see how the success of her latest invention would influence their future tasks.

“Yeah, still the same, Mister Yamato, wants us to roll out the day one patch, for efficiency, and the last-minute stuff that got left out.” Yui said, stopping to check on her blonde hair for a second in a mirror before she returned to Mako’s side. “oh, and you got a review for one of your patents, before lunch!” Yui reminded her.

Yui’s update about their ongoing project and the day-one patch brought a sense of continuity to Mako’s work. She nodded in understanding as she listened to the details, her commitment to ensuring the project’s success clear in her expression.

As they continued toward their office, Yui mentioned something that piqued Mako’s interest. “Oh, and you got a review for one of your patents before lunch!” Yui reminded her, adding an element of anticipation to their workday. Mako couldn’t help but wonder about the content and implications of the upcoming patent review. It was evident that her work continued to be a source of excitement and opportunity in her career.

Mako’s gratitude shone through in her smile as she thanked Yui for the reminder of the upcoming patent review. With a friendly exchange, they went their separate ways, each focused on their tasks.

When Mako arrived at her workstation and powered up her computer, she was met with the sight of a considerable number of emails, roughly 300 in total. The bulk of them were likely from her colleagues, offering congratulations and well-wishes for her recent success. Their support was a testament to the camaraderie and positive atmosphere in her workplace, and Mako couldn’t help but feel touched by the outpouring of support.

Mako’s curiosity led her to quickly open the email from her boss. As she read through the message, she realized that Yui had already informed her about some of the content, such as the continuation of their project. However, the remainder of the message was a warm and congratulatory note from her boss, acknowledging her achievement and contribution.

The message from her boss served as a further affirmation of her success and the recognition she had received within Yamato Technologies. It was a moment of pride and accomplishment that Mako held dear as she continued with her work, knowing that her efforts were appreciated and celebrated by her superiors.

As Mako delved into the various emails from her colleagues, she was met with a flood of warm and congratulatory messages. Her heart swelled with gratitude as she read the kind words and expressions of appreciation from her coworkers.

Among the messages, one name stood out: Hikaru. A colleague whom Mako admired for her beauty and kindness, Hikaru’s message brought an extra special smile to Mako’s face. She had a crush on Hikaru, and reading her message filled her with happiness.

The camaraderie and support of her coworkers, and the subtle connection with Hikaru, added a layer of warmth and joy to her work environment that Mako treasured as she continued to read and respond to the emails.

With the congratulations and well-wishes from her colleagues having been acknowledged and appreciated, Mako shifted her focus to her work. Her dedication to her job and her commitment to helping her coworkers resolve issues took center stage.

As she replied to emails, she delved into the intricacies of her colleagues’ programs, identifying and addressing errors and issues that were causing problems. Mako’s skill and problem-solving abilities shone through as she provided assistance and guidance, ensuring that her colleagues’ work progressed smoothly.

Mako’s passion for technology and her ability to collaborate with her coworkers made her an invaluable asset to her team, and she embraced her role in helping others overcome challenges and achieve success in their projects.

Mako’s smile reflected her satisfaction in knowing she was providing valuable assistance to her colleagues. Her sense of accomplishment in helping her team and contributing to their success was a driving force in her work.

As her thoughts shifted to the VR worlds designed for her Virtual Reality Headset, she acknowledged the temptation to enter the game and join Sachiko and her friends. However, she recognized the importance of maintaining her focus on her work while at the office. The separation between her professional responsibilities and personal interests was a testament to her dedication and professionalism.