Second Coming

Flicker

"Ladies and gents, may I present to you—the iRIS." Myoui Mina, the CEO of Vizion Tech, proudly unveils the new generation smart projector.

It's become mobile than ever. With just the size of a lighter, users would experience the closest-yet-to-reality hologram view of contents.

From watching shows, gaming, to video calling... iRIS would make anyone witness that what was once in a regular screen is actually happening right in front of one's eyes.

The CEO nods towards one of the audiences. Particularly, to whom the company owes its success. The woman behind this revolutionary device—the reclusive geek, Park Jihyo.

Jihyo with crossed arms, lifts one and fixes her blue-light glasses in acknowledgement. She's satisfied with how her work is presented.

To think, it all started with a simple yearning back then. A yearning for realness. She could live with just watching life through a screen. Except that its flatness had become boring.

Thus, she made a reality so augmented, the world can be experienced at the fingertips. Undeniably though, with human intricacies, the level of reality in Jihyo's creation is still largely lacking.

Because of this, she doesn't completely shut herself out of society. But when she could choose, she wouldn't be found in clubs or social parties. Jihyo would rather work on prototypes. In times she's out, it's been business meetings.

She has put in the work. As they say, success isn't made over night. Jihyo had to be deliberate on how she spends her time. What kept her company has been booze and chicks who threw themselves at her.

Eventually, Jihyo is led to this auditorium full of resounding applause as the CEO in front concludes the presentation.

Jihyo is about to leave when Mina taps on her shoulder, "Chukahamnida Jihyo ssi! On pre-orders alone, it's another hit."

"Hm." Jihyo responds as if it's no big deal. She checks her watch and utters, "Time to head back to my lab."

"What? It just got released. There's a victory party prepared for. At least, drop by for a bit."

"Others could go. Besides, my kind of party is either playing or watching clips if not upgrading units", Jihyo then takes off her glasses and massages the bridge of her nose.

"With those tired eyes?! Shouldn't you sleep, rather?"

"Why is a CEO to the company I built myself tells me what to do? I put you to that position so I could do what I want."

"Correction. You were dismissed by the board. They are the ones who put me here. All you did was mess up, fool around. And you even took it international", Mina could only sigh in frustration.

As the CEO, Mina would want a healthy working environment. But the founder herself gives off a very detached greed-driven culture.

Jihyo sneers, "Those mess is where I get REAL sensation serving inspiration. How do you think I've achieved this hyper realistic technology?"

Mina shakes head. "Well then, for as long as you keep that lowly life, you won't be reinstated. So, I get to tell you what to do."

"Nice try but, I didn't say I wanted that toxic job back. You are where I want you to be. Keep that while I go play. Now if you excuse me, I have my own party to attend to."

The party. Jihyo is celebrated exactly the way she wants to. She prefers this more as she could lord over the four corners of the suite against one. For tonight, she's with a regular—Hirai Momo.