The Learning Curve

The Learning Curve

Chapter 4

Cipu

God, it's 6:30.

No sign of Juunanagou. Oh, well, better see if the machines are in working order…

EKG…Check. EEG… Check. Computer analysis system… Check. Energy reactor monitor, rearranged for a humanoid subject…Check.

Running virus scan on lab…No viruses found.

Then I heard a knock at the door.

"Open up! It's me, Juunana!"

I rushed towards the door.

This is going to be the greatest experiment in history!

Juunanagou

Cipu stood there, wearing a nervous smile on her face, breathing hard. Her purple bandanna was almost falling off her head from her sweat.

"Come on in, Juu-kun. Umm… what do you want to do?"

"I want to play chess."

"Umm…maybe later. You mind if I show you around the lab?"

"Nah. Do you have homework you can do?"

"Oh, yeeeaaaah… forgot about that." She took her calculus book out of her bookbag and started to work on tonight's assignment.

Then I noticed the cage with the artificial mice in it was left unlocked. I stuck my hand in, hoping to get to know one of the little fellows like me.

Sure enough, up climbed a mouse. He was nervous and twitchy.

"Are these mice supposed to be all hyperactive like this?"

"The mice!?! Don't touch them! Put him back!" she growled.

"Umm…sorry."

She put her calculus homework away. "Now, let's get down to business, shall we?" She smirked, the kind of smirk that I usually only see in the mirror.

Oh, crap.

What was I in for?

"Please remove your bandanna and shirts. The reason I asked you here tonight is so I can perform some tests on you."
Cipu

Panic seized his face. He stripped, hesitatingly.

"Don't worry. It's not going to hurt."

He just stared at me, as if I came from the depths of Hell or something.

Then it hit me. God, I was turning into Gero Junior!

What was I thinking, causing more pain to this already wretched being?

Baka Cipu! Baka! Baka!

I was so mad at myself, I started to cry. I ran towards him, resting my tear-strewn face on his bare shoulder.

"Juu-kun," I whispered. "I'm sorry…"

Juunanagou

First she wants to make me a friggin' experiment, and now she's crying on my shoulder?

Humans are so capricious.

"Sorry…so sorry…" she sobbed. "I wasn't thinking."

Nice excuse, I thought.

Cipu

I felt so close to him at that moment. I wrapped my arms around his bare back, feeling the absolute torment that his condition had left him in. It buried itself through layers of tissues and circuitry, right down to his core. I could feel it screaming, even though he tried to struggle to escape my grip.

Then I realized something, something that was the most important conclusion of my short sixteen years.

There's still a boy in there.

And I have to release him, even if it kills me.

Juunanagou

Why was she touching me like this?

I had to escape. Somehow.

Maybe I didn't.

Should I fight? Flee?

Or stand back and enjoy the ride?

My left arm quivered. It moved up towards her head, as if it had a mind of its own.

I tried to keep it down, but to no avail.

Was I going haywire? Or was it something different, that I'm not used to feeling?

It gently removed the bandanna she wore, and started stroking her hair. A sudden thought came into my head…

I wish I could feel this, her hair. It'd probably be one of the most beautiful sensations on earth.

Was I losing my mind?

Then I looked over at her, sobbing.

The more I stroked her hair, the more she relaxed.

She let go of my back, and stared straight up into my face.

Cipu

God, I was such a fool. Why didn't I notice him before? Was I blinded by science?

So beautiful, inside and out, almost devastatingly handsome. His hair, which flicked with every grimace…his intellect…his cute smile.

Maybe I was taking pity on him, and seeing him through rose-colored glasses.

No, no. It was…something. I guess now, since I had lost my cold scientific exterior, was I truly able to see who he was.

Juunanagou

She kept looking up at me.

There was something about her, something I've never felt before.

Her black eyes sparkled with leftover tears. Her hair was disheveled, but aesthetically pleasing.

She was… beautiful.

She inched towards me, and I reciprocated, as if we were being pulled together by some strange force.

I felt the need to hold her, God knows why.

We inched even closer.

Then it happened.

We…kissed.

Cipu

That kiss felt like forever.

Around us, stars were being formed. A new Universe took shape. Time came to a screeching halt.

Everything was nothing. Nothing was everything.

Information flowed between us, who we were, who we are, all that we'll ever be. It was contained in that kiss.

I wonder if he can feel this. I hope he can. I pray that he can.

Then, we withdrew from each other and hugged.

Why did I kiss him? Why did he kiss me?

The answer was obvious.

We were together in being alone in this world.

Juunanagou

"Excuse me, but can I get my shirts back on?"

"Sure."

I put my white undershirt back on, then the black one, and, finally, the bandanna.

"See you tomorrow." I left.

Maybe this is the "love" thing my sister keeps talking about…

Except Cipu isn't bald.

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