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Aiko
Aiko stormed into her mother's office, her fists clenched by her sides. The room was filled with that same sterile scent she had begun to associate with Genetech: a strange mixture of disinfectant and something chemical. Her mother was standing over a table, examining a series of documents, but she looked up as soon as Aiko burst in.
"Aiko," Mrs. Nakamura said, setting down the papers. "What are you doing here? You can't just—"
"I need answers, Mom," Aiko interrupted, her voice breaking. "No more games. No more half-truths. I need to know everything about my blood, about the connection to the Neomorphs. Why is my blood so special? What aren't you telling me?"
Her mother sighed, pushing her glasses up her nose. "Aiko, it's complicated. You have to understand, I've only ever wanted to protect you."
"Don't give me that," Aiko snapped, frustration boiling over. "You've been hiding things from me for years! You wouldn't even reply to my messages when the world was falling apart. And now, we're here, and I'm supposed to just trust you? Tell me the truth!"
Mrs. Nakamura's gaze hardened for a split second before softening, and she took a step toward Aiko. "It's not that simple. But fine... you deserve to know some of it." She took a deep breath, as if preparing herself. "Your blood... it's unique. It carries certain antibodies that the Neomorphs seem to react to."
"React to how?" Aiko demanded, her voice trembling. "Like they're attracted to it or something?"
Her mother hesitated. "Yes, something like that," she replied. "Your blood has properties that make it... appealing to them. But at the same time, it could also be used to fight them. That's why we've been studying you, studying your genetic makeup. We think your blood holds the key to a potential cure or vaccine."
Aiko's mind raced as she tried to process what she was hearing. "So... you're saying my blood could save people?"
Mrs. Nakamura nodded, but her eyes were unreadable. "Exactly. That's why it's so important we understand it fully. We need to make sure we can harness its potential."
Aiko's eyes narrowed. "Then why didn't you tell me before? Why did you keep this from me?"
Her mother sighed again, stepping closer and placing a hand on Aiko's shoulder. "Because I didn't want you to feel the burden of it, sweetheart. You were just a child. Even now, it's not fair for you to carry this weight. But we're so close to a breakthrough... we could save so many lives, Aiko."
The words sank in slowly, and Aiko felt her anger begin to waver. "I... I don't know," she whispered. "It just feels like I've been left in the dark for so long. How am I supposed to trust you when you've kept so many secrets?"
Mrs. Nakamura's face softened, and she pulled Aiko into a hug. "I'm sorry," she murmured, her voice low and soothing. "I really am. But everything I've done, I've done for you. To protect you, to keep you safe."
