Since birth, all of us have been chained down to the norms dictated by the world.
These norms include family, friends, society, law and religion.
Who started all this?
Did anyone ever questioned why they had to follow a certain set of rules?
Why something that has to be done, must be done in that particular order and nothing else.
Welcome to Nanakasa, the 9th Umbrella.
This is the 50th century where technology has advanced and has devastated the world.
Nuclear technology and pollution has destroyed much of the world's natural beauty, instead making Earth now a very polluted and unsafe environment for upbringing.
The government thus decreed in the year 3450 ad that mankind migrate to the various solar system planets and leave behind the polluted home planet Earth.
Nanakasa, the 9th Umbrella is originally the planet Mars that was dyed crimson red.
Because Mars' environment originally was unstable for mankind to migrate even with enhanced technology, domes were built on the planet to keep humans inside from the harsh weather outside.
Food, water and electricity were all delivered from the neighboring planets.
However, with the increase of plantations and factories, Mars is also becoming polluted by the minute.
In an effort to decrease the pollution, gas vents leading to the outside Mars atmosphere were invented to let the smog out.
In exchange for this effort, however, Nanakasa is force to import air from planets with stable atmospheric surfaces such as Suikasa, the 2nd Umbrella, formally known as Mercury.
However, with the condition of Nanakasa being as it is, people have not ever witnessed the blue skies or oceanic views before.
That, plants and animals too have been seen in Nanakasa.
These 'things' were learned through textbooks and images photographed from the home planet, Earth.
One could call Nanakasa, an advanced civilization that thrives only on technology and economy.
A pure city of it's own.
Tomiko Mika, a resident of Nanakasa, felt life was unsteady here.
This feeling only began after she stumbled upon an old gallery called Amachika, which was owned by curator, Frances Noir.
Mika, fondly called Mi-chan, is a reporter for the modern arts section of the Daily Rambles.
Daily Rambles was a newspaper that teenagers were fond of because of it's simplicity in conveying messages to the public whilst targeting common interest shared among teens these days.
Her stumble upon Amachika began when she was summoned to her boss's office.
Opening the door, she looked at her boss who's wrinkled face and frown indicated something was amiss.
"Tomiko-san, how long have you been working with us?" asked her boss after a five minute long pause.
"5 years, sir." She replied curtly.
Even until now, she could remember when she had first entered Daily Rambles.
She was at the prime age of 18.
Her parents wanted to marry her off to a rich bachelor, but she refused.
Her life was her own.
She wanted her freedom.
She left her house with nothing on her back.
Searching, wondering where to go, she found the boss of Daily Rambles.
A kind-hearted man, indeed, for taking her in and giving her a job.
Knowing that, she was troubled by his question.
Was something the matter?
Was there anything she could do now?
With a heavy sigh, her boss looked up from his table.
"We will have to shut down soon..."
He said this whilst looking at her quietly.
Mika, looking at her boss, and saw how devastated he was.
He looked so fragile right now.
As though the world's problems were weighted upon his shoulder.
"Why? Is there something we can not do?"
"None. We have a decree from the government to shut the business down."
"Why?"
"Because they want to build a new factory here."
"Can we not move?"
"Land is scarce.
We haven't the funds.
The government has generously provided us with money to vacate and shut down the business."
A pause for a moment.
Mika could feel the noise, outside the office.
People were bustling about.
Possible arranging and packing everything up.
She must have been the last to be informed.
What would she do now?
She was at a loss.
Her job at Daily Rambles was her only income.
People here were good to her.
Where would she go now?
A large packet slide in front of her.
"Take this," said her boss.
"It is what the government has gave equally to all of us.
Where will you go now, Tomiko?"
He didn't know what to say probably and she knew he was too distraught with everything right now.
Yet, he was capable of feeling concern for her.
She was touched.
She didn't want him to be too worry over her, however.
He had been too good to her for the past 5 years.
It was more than enough to receive his kindness.
She wished to no longer trouble him.
"I will find something.
I am sure I can.
Do not worry for me.
I am sure my talents can be used somewhere."
With that, she got up and hugged her boss.
"I am sorry this has happened to you.
Thank you for everything.
And please take care..."
With tears in her eyes, she got up and left the room.
It was time to pack things up and leave the happy memories behind.
