“Freedom.”
When I came to Earth, I learned this word and the weight it actually carries. Such a short, simple word, but, gosh what a difficult thing to achieve.
My name is Runa. And yes, I am an outsider. An outcast. An alien, literally and figuratively. Misunderstood. Unnoticed and too noticed at the same time. The world, the planet that I’m stuck in accidentally called Earth, which I though would give me answers, only gave me more questions that I couldn’t answer. Will I ever be free? Will I ever thrive? Will I ever be accepted and loved? I have so much ideas I want to put out to the world. I want to express all the thoughts. Could there be someone out there, somewhere, who shares the same loneliness? That question. That curiosity. Led me to start an organization I hope you will find interesting. A safe place where everyone’s uniqueness and creativity is welcome and appreciated; Quantum Indigo.
You may be a thriving artist, an illustrator. The world stereotypes you as a “hungry” artist. Or you may be a very talented musician. They hear your music, but they don’t listen. They never let it in. Perhaps you may be passionate in making stories, novels, you have an extensive imagination you can even create worlds! But they judge you. They don’t understand. Or you’re too afraid of judgment and you just keep it to yourself. Maybe you love dressing people and creating personalities. But they find your designs too scandalous. Nobody appreciates it. You feel like giving up. Well don’t. Because I didn’t. And I’m happy I didn’t give up. Let me tell you my story…
I vividly remember the day I set foot on Earth like it was just yesterday…
Runa: Age 7
When I was seven, I sneaked out and borrowed my parents’ ship and voyaged towards Earth with Luna, my 350-year-old Godfather and mentor. I just need answers to my questions, I told him. I needed to do it so that I can prove the others. Prove my point to my older sister when we got into a small fight, which I regretted shortly after. Because it wasn’t a “quick” trip at all. Unfortunately, we crash landed on Earth after being blown away by some unknown force.
My parents’ ship was totaled. A full wreck. I crawled out of it before it exploded. I noticed a shadowy creature coming out of the ship too… My eyes adjusted to the small figure–Luna survived the crash too! Of course, Luna, or Master Yupa as their species call him, has very practical galactic knowledge in critical spacecraft collision. Thanks to him, we didn’t suffer any major injury. Although the ship looked like it’s impossible to recover. We walked and walked in the strange land of Earth to find something, or someone.
I came across a human boy who seemed nice. I expected humans to look very similar to our species, as thousands of years of research from my ancestors have already studied. But it’s strange they don’t possess advanced enough technology because the boy didn’t seem familiar to it all. The K.N.O.W. crystal embedded on my forehead at birth had given me the advantage to flawlessly learn and adapt to their language and I could communicate with him. My first human friend! Maybe I won’t be as lonely at all while I’m stuck here…
But I quickly learned that some humans were kind, but majority were not. I was pushed into a corner, hiding myself because I was so different. At this moment, I knew it would be best for me if I hide and camouflage myself in this desert refugee center. I heard they call it the “Middle East”. Best not to get any attention…
One night, I returned to the shelter after getting my share of food and saw that there were darkly dressed humans and a dark SUV who came after me. Explains why I always felt like somebody’s watching me! I was captured and couldn’t ask for help. Who would rescue me anyway? But why? How? I know I was very, very careful. I never talked to anyone else aside from… No, that can’t be. It must be someone else. Someone reported me and it wasn’t them. It couldn’t be. They threw me into their vehicle and it was pitch black after that.
Runa: Age 15
At fifteen, I was running short of money and resources. It’s funny how “money”, a silly sheet of paper, ruins the lives of people, makes them greedy, makes them sad, and makes them happy at the same time. The lack of it, and the abundance of it, both seem to affect the lives here on Earth. Something needs to be changed. If I can’t go back home, I would need to make this my home. And I want this to change.
There was something I always wanted to try. I trust it would be successful. It is…
“The Legend of Runa“.
It’s raining again. Tokyo is still really beautiful to me even in this gloomy weather. It makes me look back and realize that I really had come a long way.
I’m excited for the meeting tomorrow. Quantum Indigo has made me friends and allies from all places – and probabilities – I never imagined.
My door bell chimed in the middle of the night. I’m not expecting anyone at all. Who could it be?
“You ordered pizza and a talented, handsome young man to give love, support and care?” Ren cheesily jokes to greet me.
Michael Ren. My boyfriend. He still surprises me everyday and silly enough, I’m still surprised every single time. I’ve been alone for so long on Earth so I’m not really used to this special feeling of being loved. I was used to being an outcast and a loner. Ren was, too, actually.
He wasn’t really confident when I first met him. He IS a smart and very talented boy and he knows it. But when I first met him, he was shy, awkward, introverted, and a traumatized teenager.There were psychological factors including conservative relatives, pressure,and peers who belittle him that made him not believe in himself. Kind of like me.
Runa: Age 15
Years ago, I learned to escape from the UMCI drones quite successfully. After I was captured as a child and escaped, the mega corporation has always been after me, watching, following, knowing my location, and trying to recapture me. So I needed some place safe to do my research. I was looking for informational help from someone. And that someone answered to my posts.
A hacker who goes by the name “Phoenix“.
Actually, I already had been following Phoenix. I needed to know if he can be trusted. So I decided to get to know him. Who he really is behind the name and his intentions. My hacking skills are pure handy at times like these so I was able to trace and track who Phoenix is. So Luna and I “got to know” him better. Well, Luna called it stalking while I called it “gathering intel”. He was grumbling something like: “Here we are on one of Runa’s crazy adventures. She certainly loves her adventures. It wasn’t enough for her to crash land on this crazy planet, now she needs to drag me along on for all her crazy adventures. She takes me along so I can save her whenever she screws up. How typical! Now she’s stalking some guy, oh joy. Let’s see where this adventure takes us. Here we go again! Will this nightmare ever end?“
It turns out Phoenix was called “Michael Ren”, but goes by just Ren. I watched him closely enough to know that he’s actually good and harmless. Phoenix, or Ren, is a loner and sulks in the crowd never wanting any attention because everybody thinks he’s not good enough. He spends all day alone and sad. The school he’s in branded him a lone wolf loser.
By earshot I learned that he was a latchkey kid. He was used to being left alone as a child, except when he was bossed around by his strict parents. They’re trying to shape him into an accountant but he’s a hacker and a talented artist at heart. “He has a home, atleast.” I thought. But coming home, he had only 3 companions; alcohol, laptop, and guitar. There’s something about him that reels me in. I continued to watch him for a few days and…
Aside from his incredible skills, Ren also has a compassionate heart. I witnessed this one afternoon in the campus.
There was a little girl bullied by her classmates. It wasn’t just Ren who had seen it, as there were also other students but they didn’t have a kind heart like Ren’s. He approached the kid, helped her and said “Stop crying. You know, there’ll come a time when you’ll look back to this day and realize they’re not worth the tears. They’re only doing this because they’re scared. They’re scared because they know you’ll grow up more intelligent and successful than them. They’re trying to break your spirit. But we know better. Just keep standing up every time.“
The mom soon came rushing in and the child told her about a teen boy who helped her. But before the mom could thank Ren, he had already walked away. That was so cool! He didn’t wait for any recognition at all! But I know he still feels lonely because even though he’s being kind to others, he would secretly love someone to be kind and rescue him, too.
At home, I watched him play his guitar after doing some impressively complicated hackathons in his laptop. This boy is brilliant! I’m fascinated and touched by his talents and I know it’s not something to hide. In fact, I feel like I need to empower him and boost his confidence. I’m now decided that I want to start “Project Ren”. He should believe more in himself. He’s got more skills than the whole of his school! Heck, even more intelligent than adults I’ve seen. There’s got to be something to boost his confidence. I’m sending him something —
I sent an encrypted message back to him. I hope it helps. His laptop chimed as soon as he finished a song and he peeked at it. With his illuminated face, I saw his expression change. Focused, determined. “Tomorrow I’ll do it.” He said.
The next morning, I hacked into their school’s security system to follow watching him. Their school had immense security over the students to keep tabs on safety and welfare, as they proclaim. These cameras are outside and inside every corridor of the school which are means of authoritarian control and data capture on all students at all times by the UMCI corporation. However I know for a fact that this large corporation that’s basically a shareholder of almost all companies including social media platforms, only wants to keep tab on collecting data!
Anyway, I saw 2 attractive girls by the school gate and Ren walks toward both, pacing himself. I know he’s summing up his courage. Everyone needs to see he’s got lots to offer!
But as soon as he awkwardly approaches them and opens his mouth to invite them to watch his gig, the whole scenario changed. One of the girls intentionally spilled her hot coffee on Ren saying “Whoops! Sorry didn’t see you there, loser.” while the other girl broadcasted it live. I heard more words with giggles and laughter like “How dare you talk to us weirdo?” “You and what band, ants?“
The rest of the crowd gathered and they took out their phones to broadcast live the painful scenario while they all laughed at him and mouthed words like “Loser” “Creep” “Stupid”. Ren ran away towards his moped to escape the humiliation. His face was so red from the hot coffee splash.
Their school’s slogan literally says “Make bullying extinct.”, and yet this behavior is being normalized? What in the world is wrong with these people?
Hurt physically, emotionally, and mentally, Ren took off on his moped. Luckily I had coverage on the street surveillance around their school so I can follow his trail. It was a spur of the moment and reckless of him to do this while it’s suddenly raining so hard! I got to do something! Wait– is that a truck coming at him??
I wasn’t mistaken at all, it was a truck coming at him! He was so emotional and broken that he didn’t see it coming til it was a couple meters in front! He swerved away quickly but lost his balance and was thrown off his bike. I was about to call the paramedics, until Ren moved and laughed, and cried all at the same time. What the heck? I was so worried. I guess he realized how recklessly foolish he was and that he’s just thankful he only got a few bruises!
11.01.2022.
A few days after Ren’s accident, I decided enough is enough. I want to introduce myself personally. I hacked into their school campus by bypassing their security to recognize me as a student (which I really enjoyed, fairly easy!). I didn’t bother wearing their uniform, my hacking skill is sufficient enough! …Right? Just gotta find where Ren is.
14.01.2022.
Found him! It was lunch break but he decided to sulk in the library to avoid any chances of him being made fun of again. Silly Ren! I can see he’s dozing off to sleep while unsuccessfully pretending to read a book. I wonder if he’ll be open to make friends with his current state right now. He’s still so broken. Only one way to find out…
17.01.2022.
He didn’t notice me coming near him and so I sneaked behind him to glance what he was pretending to read. “You know, that book is downright outrageous” I said to catch his attention. He glanced at me as he wakes up. “Hi, I’m Runa.” I greeted.
17.01.2022.
Ren: “Is there somebody out there… Who feels the same loneliness as I do? Somebody. Anybody…”
17.01.2022.
“Oh, is it?” Ren answered. Was that a blush on his face?? “If you like–” I couldn’t finish my sentence because a random faculty staff appeared out of nowhere and pointed at me. Something about why I’m not wearing the school uniform and what have I done to my hair, “Clearly breaking the school rules!” He said.
31.01.2022.
“I can’t deal with a fake detention right now, gotta escape!” I thought, I hurriedly grabbed Ren’s wrist to take him with me. I swear I could feel his pulse pounding like crazy. “W-what are you doing??” he shouts. This is fun!
02.02.2022.
We barely know each other, but I don’t know… I feel like I’ll be happier with him around. He didn’t resist either so… I guess this is okay then!
03.02.2022.
We were able to escape from the school quite easily. But outside the campus we have to be very careful from UMCI drones. The last thing I want to happen is Ren getting into serious trouble because of me when all I really want is to help him. Without a single word, I kept leading the way and Ren still followed me round. He didn’t really complain, just all that hard breathing and panting and the occassional “Wait a sec! Let me catch my breath!”
09.02.2022.
I lead the way on the back of an old small low-key cafe and between an abandoned building, where Luna and I usually hide out. But the real gem is not in this dark alley, I can’t wait to show it to Ren!
14.02.2022.
We reached the top of the cafe where Luna and I secretly hang out. I was positive that Ren would love the scenery from up here but, he couldn’t take his eyes away from Luna! “Aww what is it? Is it an imported breed of cat?” He babied Luna’s cheeks like a kitten. Luna was obviously annoyed by it and made a face! It’s a good thing he’s already a master of hiding his K.N.O.W. crystal like I do after years of practicing it here on Earth!
14.02.2022.
We spent the afternoon talking like close friends. We talked about our problems and past experiences, being outcast as a teenager, and our dreams. Ren wanted to pursue music more than anything else but he feels that the world around him revolves the opposite way. The feels. I can honestly relate to him.
16.02.2022.
I’m flattered he feels comfortable with me that he invited me to watch him play. “Of course. I’ll be there.” I told him as I said goodbye. But he didn’t know I was planning more than that.
01.03.2022.
Fun stuff to learn about Runa!
03.03.2022.
Ren: “Looks super suspicious to me. But all these people in Webbit says this girl called Ruby is the best in the city for my budget. Well, I’ve no other choice, she charges super cheap and promises a quick turnaround. Seems like the only option for me if I want to bring my moped on my date with Runa… Um, e-excuse me, ma’am–“
08.03.2022.
Ruby: “You must be moped boy!”
Ren: “Uh, Ren, actually –“
Ruby: “So moped boy, I sent you the details of what we need to replace. Cost is included. You won’t find another cheaper in the market ‘sides me. You’re in luck! My rate is super cheap because of my low overhead!”
Ren: “Low overhead”?
Ruby: “Look around, moped boy, my entire business costings are in my home van! Plus, it gives me a standing room so I LITERALLY have a very low overhead!”
She winked at me and laughed lightly. Huh. Cute.
11.03.2022.