2_ daily lives

In a spacious room with a high ceiling, the bright white walls made the room feel even more expansive. The floor was covered with soil, nurturing a variety of plants. The floor was entirely engulfed in plants, each vying for space in this limited environment, a silent war for survival.

I lay gazing absent-mindedly at the ceiling, focusing my attention on the music playing from the record player. Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, the fourth movement, "Ode to Joy", my favorite piece. I loved it because it resonated directly with my brain, distracting my thoughts.

The door opened. Through the gap, I saw two figures in lab coats. The lively and energetic young Ezio and the gloomy Sheena, who always seemed to cast a shadow.

It seemed like it was time for work.

"I should say a word to Gracia before I leave..."

I turned to look at the "Tree of Sleep". Among the plants in this room, it was exceptionally large, its appearance reminiscent of a hammock. Its vast leaves were thick enough to support a person's weight without tearing, held aloft by several branches.

Gracia was sound asleep in the tree, her gentle snores barely audible. Her long white hair fell over her face, with only glimpses of her peaceful sleeping expression visible. She looked like a normal girl, which made me laugh inwardly at the absurdity of the thought.

But if this scene were isolated, who would believe that this serene figure was the sole survivor of the Gaveto tribe? Justifying my thoughts, I decided to call out to her.

The "Tree of Sleep" had evolved to provide the Gaveto tribe with comfort and safety during sleep, thriving on the energy it absorbed. Its leaves could detect sleep based on human heartbeats. During sleep, the tree would spread sticky, spider-web-like threads from its branches to sense any disturbances around it.

Currently, there were no threads from the "Tree of Sleep", meaning Gracia was only pretending to sleep. As I approached, her mouth gradually formed a smile.

"Gracia, wake up."

As I spoke, she suddenly sat up and grabbed my arm with a start.

"Whoa!"

I reacted exaggeratedly, feeling a tingling pleasure where her hand touched me, the energy flowing into my body.

Sensing my voice and movements through the earth and plants, Gracia burst into laughter.

"Did I scare you?"

"Yes, you did," I replied, a satisfied look on her face.

With a bounce, she hopped down from the "Tree of Sleep". As her feet touched the ground, flowers bloomed radiantly around her, quickly filling the area. Trees and plants stretched their branches towards her.

"There was no ordinary girl."

Gracia was loved by the plants. The sight was almost divine. Every plant seemed to yearn for her attention, genetically wired to desire her approval, giving them a purpose to live.

To such an extent was Gracia an absolute being.

And so was I, a plant. I didn't need to think. In fact, I shouldn't have a will of my own. Like the other plants, I existed solely for Gracia's benefit, dedicating everything to this purpose. I am not human, just a plant in human form.

"Ruti, what's wrong?" Gracia asked, looking at me curiously.

I had lost myself in thought again.

"I'm just thinking too much... I'll be heading to work now, wait for me."

As I spoke, Gracia frowned.

"Eh? Don't go. Let's play. Continue from yesterday."

I remembered the game Gracia had started yesterday, which she had enjoyed immensely.

"If Gracia wishes it..."

However,

"Sorry, Ruti is busy right now," Ezio interrupted, grabbing my arm. "Don't worry, I'll be back soon."

He pulled me away as Gracia's voice followed, "Come back soon."

We left the room.

"You were planning not to go again, weren't you?" Ezio asked as we exited, not angry but rather exasperated.

"It would have been fine for me," Sheena replied, waiting outside. Hearing her response, Ezio sighed heavily and started walking briskly. Sheena and I silently followed.

We walked through the research facility, eventually arriving at an operating room. Ezio opened the door, revealing Dr. Ban inside. His slender figure under his clothes gave off a somewhat unreliable impression.

"Ah, I've been waiting for you. Let's get started," said Dr. Ban with a gentle smile.

Ezio and Sheena quickly left the room and returned with a stretcher carrying a groaning patient.

"The patient has a hole in their stomach. Let's treat them with the 'Tree of Life'. Ruti, please," Dr. Ban requested, handing me a jar.

Inside the jar was a plant about the size of a human little finger, the "Tree of Life," wriggling actively. I opened the jar and pressed it against my arm. The "Tree of Life" climbed onto my arm, initially just crawling around before gradually attempting to enter my body. It soon penetrated my skin, becoming invisible. The sensation of it writhing inside me was something I could never get used to.

The "Tree of Life" slowly assimilated into my cells, transforming from a plant into human cells. This ability to transform its cells made it akin to a universal cell, capable of reading other cells and changing into them, thus becoming a part of another organism. Originally evolved to heal the wounds of the Gaveto tribe, it had further evolved to possess this remarkable trait. Hence, it became widely used for medical treatments, making diseases and injuries curable, even those on the brink of death.

Once the "Tree of Life" had completely integrated into me, I moved it towards my hand and placed it on the patient's wound. I felt my hand losing sensation from the fingertips to the wrist, eventually becoming numb.

My hand turned from skin color to green, covered in small cracks that grew larger. Soon, what used to be my hand became a mass of small plants, the "Tree of Life," entwined in the shape of a hand. This mass entered the patient's body through the palm, and once it was fully absorbed, it reverted to my hand's original form.

The patient's wound healed completely, indistinguishable from the surrounding skin. Their breathing stabilized, and their condition improved. Dr. Ban immediately began checking their vitals.

"There's no sign of rejection. It has integrated perfectly. This patient will be fine now," he concluded. He then turned to Ezio and Sheena, "The rest is up to you."

After giving instructions, he gestured for me to follow him, and we left the room, heading to his laboratory.

As we walked down the stark white corridor, I felt increasingly suffocated, my steps becoming heavier. Dr. Ban opened the door to his lab, which was filled with various chemicals and equipment, colorful wires, and blinking lights.

He attached several devices to me from head to toe, collecting detailed data. Afterward, he prepared a syringe.

"Here we go," he said, and upon my nod, injected the substance near the base of my index finger. Initially, I felt an itch, then a mild burning sensation, which gradually numbed.

My finger turned green with cracks appearing, eventually losing its original form and becoming a mass of intertwined "Tree of Life." The plant then began to unravel and drip to the floor, like melting ice.

"I'm sorry," Dr. Ban said in a hurried tone, applying another "Tree of Life" to my finger. The plant intertwined again, reforming my finger, and I regained sensation.

Dr. Ban then began to collect the "Tree of Life" that was once part of me, to be sent to various organizations for research.

He quickly started preparing for this, allowing me a moment of silence. I averted my gaze from him, looking into a mirror. Reflected was a research subject, not seen as human but an object of study, adorned with various measurement devices, a part of my body harvested daily.

I realized I was fulfilled in this life. Treated with utmost care to reduce stress, provided with abundant nutrition, I was certainly overindulged, suffocatingly so.

My "Tree of Life" was a mutation, more adaptable than the usual kind and without the risk of rejection in others. A valuable existence. Additionally, my body itself was an enigma: born with the appearance of a 15-year-old and an undetermined lifespan.

I decided to stop my train of thought, feeling my identity blur the more I pondered.

Suddenly, Dr. Ban presented books and records to me.

"I've gathered some things that might interest you," he said with a smile.

After a moment's hesitation, I subtly declined by shifting my body slightly.

"You don't want them?" he asked.

"I am a plant," I replied.

"But you are also human, in my view," he responded, then added, "In fact, I believe you might be a new model for human existence."

"That's expecting too much," I said, aware of Dr. Ban's excessive expectations. His different perspective, compared to other researchers who saw us only as oddities or research subjects, was disconcerting.

"Perhaps. But your thoughts intrigue me," he said, adjusting his glasses. "Lately, we've been focusing a lot on your body for research. Maybe that's causing you stress. Should we take a break?"

His concern was misplaced; my issues were more fundamental.

"It's not that," I answered, turning away.

He seemed apologetic, as if feeling sorry for the kindness he couldn't repay.

An awkward silence filled the space between us.

"I don't mean to deny your thoughts. In fact, I find them fascinating. You may not like it, but I believe you could represent a new way of being human. Maybe I can help somehow..."

In response, I only replied with a comment that pricked his conscience.

"Is this what Dr. Tony thinks?"

Dr. Ban seemed flustered for a moment.

"Yes," he replied softly, then added, "At first, it was his idea. But now, I truly believe it. It's my decision."

Despite his kind offer, I found myself countering his every word.

"Wouldn't Dr. Tony be troubled by this?"

His voice grew softer, "He'll understand..."

After a moment of silence, he suggested, "Why don't you meet Dr. Tony? He might give you a better answer and show you the right path."

His voice was filled with confidence.

"He's a genius, far beyond me," Dr. Ban said, almost like a different person. "So, until then..."

"I'll think about it," I replied.

He nodded and left quickly, not wanting to burden me further.

Alone, I wondered why I felt relieved when his suggestion fell through, and why I felt fear when he offered it. I knew living in the lab was only painful, yet I couldn't help but feel guilty.

Exhausted, I made my way back to Gracia's room.