Literally (Chapter 1)

Sometimes I forget just how many people are working to complete this project. Now that we're going to test the device, the scientists and engineers holed up in their respective research rooms showed up.

"Kaori-chwan!"

"Lin-nee, what's with the chwan?" I laughingly said.

"Eh~~ it sounds cute. Don't you think so?"

Shrugging my shoulders, I ignored Lin-nee.

Huo Lin Ying, Lin-nee for short. She's three years my senior. She's a Quantum Physicist, though you can't really tell it at first glance.

"So, wanna grab dinner later? My treat."

"Talking about dinner when it's still morning sounds weird. And, sure, I'll accompany your single status."

"You-"

"Lin-nee they're starting the system! Let's go!"

"Go first, I need to pee." Without waiting for my answer, Lin-nee ran to the cr.

---

"What's the status?" The chief engineer asked.

"Wavelengths of the two portals are coinciding."

"No problem with the particulates."

"Try sending an electron. Communicate the other side, make sure its a vacuum and nothing other than the electron is present." It was a protocol not to simply send a human, especially a test like this. Anything could go wrong.

"Sending electron…electron sent."

"This is Lab 21. Electron received."

"Any problems?"

"Electron received is stable but the position is off."

"Fix the coordinates, not an incentive off! Now try a cup."

"Sending cup...…cup sent."

"Lab 21 reporting. Cup received."

"Any damages?"

"Handle of the cup isn't transferred. We're receiving data that the portal is unstable. Suggesting to turn off the device." The man sighed. Data like this could simply mean that the test failed.

"What? Luis! Report the current status!"

"We're having negative feedbacks sir!"

"Damn'it! 55 years of hard work and after just 5 minutes its already gonna blow."

"Sir! We should shut it down else the device will self destruct!"

"Shut it down! Contact Lab 21!"

Everyone held their breaths.

"Shutting down system...system off!"

Sighs of relief were released. No one wants to blow up after all.

"Sir, we have a problem!"

"What?"

"Lab 21's device blew up, everyone is safe."

"As long as no one's hurt, it's fine."

A device could be replaced but humans can't bring back the dead.

Seeing the man didn't leave, the chief asked.

"What is it?"

"Kaori…Yamano Kaori slipped…"

"So?" Do you even have to report someone's klutziness?

"…she went inside the portal…right before the systems shut down…"

"Eh?! You- what did you just say?!" A beautiful girl marched towards the chief.

"Lin Yang, calm down."

"Chief how could I calm down?! For all I know, Kaori might already be gone!" Huo Lin Yang grieved. She left for five minutes only to find out her friend's gone bye-bye?!