Chapter 4

Chapter 4

A fter my discussion with Maho, I make my way out to the sprawling Kimura family estate on the outskirts of Yamato. This residence has been in our family for two generations, an imposing monument to the old civilization that lived here before Earth’s immigrants landed. It’ll always feel like home to me.

As I step through the front door and leave my shoes in the foyer, I’m immediately enveloped in that familiar sense of comfort and nostalgia. The scents of lemongrass and teakwood, the hushed echoes of the kitchen, the priceless art lining the halls… it all conjures up a thousand cherished memories from my childhood.

Rounding the corner into the living room, I find my parents in their usual evening ritual — my father Denshi with a glass of finely aged whiskey and my mother Lea sipping one of her fragrant herbal teas. They’re accompanied by my older brother Ean, who has clearly just arrived himself, if his disheveled appearance is any indication. His pair, a crow named Ume, sits on the couch’s arm to his right.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the wayward Kimura kids come slinking back home,” my father rumbles in that gravelly baritone of his. “To what do we owe the pleasure?”

I roll my eyes at his feigned gruffness, dropping a dutiful kiss on his cheek. “As if you two don’t enjoy having us underfoot again. Admit it. You miss us crowding your space.”

“Psh, no.” My mother scoffs, even as she rises to pull me into one of her enveloping hugs. “We were just saying how nice and peaceful it’s been without you all around.”

“Uh huh, sure you were,” Ean drawls, leveling her with one of his patented unimpressed looks. He may be in his mid-thirties, but my big brother will never outgrow that sullen teenage demeanor. “Besides, you still have Rosa and Demi at home.”

“Hardly,” Mom says, dropping back into her seat. “Those two are barely ever here. We are merely a flophouse for our children.”

I laugh, crossing the room to sit next to Ean. “Don’t listen to Mom. We know she loves living vicariously through our thrilling young lives.”

“Thrilling is a word for it,” he mutters, though the corner of his mouth twitches in a hint of a smile.

“How’s Karina and Aria and Daniela?” Ean’s wife and two girls are some of my favorite people. Of course, he only has girls. He grew up with six Kimura Sisters. It’s his lot in life.

“They’re fabulous, as always. They’ll be here soon for dinner.” He clears his throat and picks up his drink. “I’ve been hearing some interesting tidbits about your workplace drama lately.”

My smile falters. Of course. Ean’s been keeping his ear to the ground as always, no doubt already aware of PairTech’s impending arrival in Yamato.

Aware of literally everything. The man lives on gossip.

I sink onto the couch and wave a dismissive hand.

“It’s nothing, really. Just some new competition rolling into town, that’s all.” I try for a nonchalant shrug, but I can feel my parents’ eyes boring into me shrewdly.

Damn, they can always see right through me.

“New competition, hmm?” My father sips his whiskey. “From the way I’ve heard it, this PairTech outfit could be more than just ‘some competition’ for the old Book Club’s way of doing things…”

Here we go. I brace myself for the incoming lecture about the inevitability of progress and not getting left behind by the relentless march of innovation. My parents have never been shy about voicing their opinions on such matters.

To my surprise, though, it’s my mother who speaks up first, fixing me with one of her patented no-nonsense stares.

“Winta, please tell me you’re not letting those naysayers get you down about the club’s methods.” Her voice is laced with a hint of reproach. “Honestly, the nerve of these young people today, thinking they can apply some fancy computer calculations and replicate the profound, soul-level art of pairing.”

Well, this is an unexpected turn. I’d been bracing for the usual ‘embrace the future’ rhetoric, but it seems Mom’s passion for tradition still burns bright.

I shake my head slowly, almost dizzy with warring relief and lingering doubt. “I know. But Maho is talking about selling if we can’t prove our relevance.”

“Wait, sell?” Ean interjects, sitting up with a frown. “She can’t be serious. The Great Menagerie Book Club is a civic cornerstone. A beloved cultural institution. Karina and I had our first date there.”

Oh, Ean, always the impassioned activist. At least I’ve got you in my corner on this.

“That’s preposterous.” My father thumps his glass down with a scowl. “Maho can’t be serious.”

I grimace, wishing I could be more reassuring. “She says if membership numbers don’t spike in the next month, she’ll have to consider all options.”

The unspoken ‘including selling to PairTech’ hangs heavy in the air between us. My father shakes his graying head.

“Letting some soulless computer program dictate pairing?” He lets out a derisive snort. “Maho must be going senile if she thinks that’s an acceptable alternative to the Book Club’s traditions.”

Ean frowns. “I don’t know, Dad. From what I’ve heard about PairTech’s system, it seems scientifically rigorous…”

He raises his hands in a placating gesture as my mother and I both turn matching looks of betrayal on him. “Hey, I’m just saying. They use all sorts of advanced genetic analysis, compatibility algorithms, the whole nine yards. If nothing else, it’s got to be more accurate and reliable than the club’s old-fashioned guesswork, right?”

The implication hangs there, unspoken but deafening. Perhaps, if PairTech had matched me through their scientific methods instead of the Book Club’s intimate mentorship, I might not still be notoriously unpaired. I’m the only one in my family still unpaired.

“You know, you’d think growing up around the Book Club your whole life would give you more appreciation for what we do there,” I retort, unable to keep the hurt from sharpening my tone.

Ean’s eyes widen at my vehemence. (I’m known as the nice one in the family.) But I barrel on, fueled by an adamant need to make him — make all of them — understand.

“Our approach may seem old-fashioned, but it’s born from the human soul.” I press my hand to my chest. “We take the time to observe the sparks of recognition, the undeniable connection between individuals.”

I’m half out of my seat now, words tumbling forth in an impassioned torrent. “The Book Club’s mentors have been helping those life-changing, soul-deep bonds for generations using those teachings. Pairings that have brought families more joy and fulfillment than anyone could ever quantify.” My voice shakes, and tears prick at my eyes.

Sinking back into the plush cushions, I rake a hand through my hair, struggling to put words to the conviction burning in my chest.

“I know it may seem quaint or inefficient compared to PairTech’s algorithms,” I continue, more softly. “But our methods are rooted in something far more sacred than computer models could ever replicate. It’s driving me nuts to think of it all just… going away.”

An odd sort of hush has fallen over the room. Even Ean looks abashed, like he’s re-evaluating his previous dismissiveness. My father regards me with sadness, while my mother’s eyes are suspiciously bright.

“Oh Winta…” She reaches over to give my hand a gentle squeeze. “We’ve never doubted the nobility of your work for a moment, dear. Your passion for upholding our heritage takes my breath away sometimes.”

I’ve always wanted to be a pair matchmaker. It’s what I’ve dreamed of doing my entire life. I only got the degree in literature because I love to read, and Dad insisted I go to university.

PairTech could mean the end of my dreams, and I just… I can’t let it happen.

I return her watery smile, feeling lighter despite the lingering ache of insecurity. Ean clears his throat.

“Look, you know I respect the Book Club and everything,” he says, meeting my gaze. “I was just wondering if their way could have helped you find your match by now, that’s all. It pains me to see you struggling with being unpaired still.”

The words, though well-intentioned, reopen that wound with a sharp pang. I swallow hard against the lump forming in my throat.

“I know. Believe me, I wonder about that myself sometimes…”

My voice trails off. Because as much as I believe in the Book Club’s mission, as adamantly as I’ll defend their methods to my last breath… I can’t deny that a small, insidious kernel of doubt has taken root.

What if PairTech’s computer models could have found my match by now? What if the reason I’m still unpaired at twenty-five is because there’s a flaw, a disconnect in the club’s old-world intuition that their algorithms could solve?

The very thought is terrifying.

Unacceptable.

And yet, it burrows deeper with every passing day I remain alone and yearning for the companionship everyone else seems to have found so easily. Is my microchip broken? Am I at fault? Maybe there’s something wrong with me.

Shaking off the thought, I force a tight smile at my concerned family.

“Anyway, that’s neither here nor there at the moment,” I declare with as much breezy confidence as I can muster. “Right now, my priority is doing whatever it takes to save the Book Club from PairTech’s disruption before it’s too late.”

Because, in the end, no matter my struggles, the thought of abandoning our sacred heritage to the cold calculations of an algorithm is simply unacceptable.

***

Back home in my little apartment, I burrow under the plush duvet and stare up at the moonlight filtering through the curtains. My mind is still buzzing from the heavy conversation at my parents’ place, wrestling with the doubts and insecurities that feel like they’re simmering just under the surface these days.

Maho’s words echo in my mind again. One month to prove the Book Club’s relevance, to rally the city around our mission. One month... or PairTech’s cold empiricism will take over and force her to sell.

The weight of the responsibility is crushing for a few endless seconds. But the same stubborn determination that’s seen me through every challenge and setback in my life so far surfaces. I am not about to let PairTech’s shiny algorithms cheapen or erase something as sacred as the human-animal bond on my watch.

No, if it’s an all-out fight for the soul of our civilization they want, then it’s a fight they’ll get. I’ll call in every favor, rally every ally and resident of this neighborhood around our cause. We’ll blanket the streets with flyers, take over every social media platform, host open houses and seminars to spread the word about our profound work.

Most importantly, I’ll make sure everyone understands the deeper significance behind the Book Club’s work. Our methods respect the unique, intangible bonds between people and their ideal companions. That’s something worth saving.

My eyes drift shut as resolve settles over me like a warm blanket. I will make Maho — make everyone — remember why our traditions are so vital. Not just to our planet’s cultural fabric, but to preserving the very soul of our civilization itself. The Great Menagerie Book Club is far too precious to let wither away without a fight.

No matter what it takes.