Chapter 9

Chapter 9

T he high-speed rail car hurtles through the lush autumnal forests surrounding Izumo, but I barely register the scenery whipping past outside the window. My mind is too consumed by thoughts of Daichi and my upcoming visit to PairTech’s local office in this quaint northern town to pay attention.

What if PairTech’s methods are as soulless as I’ve feared all along? A cold, sterile environment where human-animal bonds are treated like data points in a computer simulation?

I shudder at the thought, wrapping my coat tighter as a chill runs through me. The truth is, I have no idea what to expect when I get there. I only hope that the trip is uneventful, and I can head home on an afternoon train feeling like I’ve done my due diligence.

Squaring my shoulders, I try to bolster my resolve as the train slows for our arrival in Izumo.

Okay, time to get fired up, Winta. I stand strong for staying true, even when shortcuts are tempting. I protect the special connections between kindred spirits that algorithms or DNA can’t measure. PairTech’s methods won’t change my mind. I won’t let fancy technology take away the essence of what I believe in.

Sigh.

At least, I desperately hope that’s the case.

It’s been a while since I’ve been to Izumo, and I forgot how much I enjoy the quaint, rustic charm in this town. Everywhere I look, there are touches of the traditional nestled alongside modern innovations — thatched-roof teahouses sharing the street with trendy cafés, ancient shrines and temples presiding over sleek office parks. It’s idyllic, this seamless blending of heritage and progress.

Finally, I spot the nondescript office building that houses PairTech’s Izumo branch and make my way toward the main entrance with determination. Even from the outside, the place has a distinctly sterile, institutional vibe — all harsh lines, steel and glass with no embellishments or personal touches.

Yes, this is what I was expecting, an environment devoid of warmth or soul. Nodding to myself, I push through the front doors and —

And I’m immediately met with a scene that couldn’t be further from my rigid preconceptions.

The spacious lobby area is bright and airy, filled with plush couches and armchairs clustered into intimate nooks. Warm wood tones and pops of vivid color accent the decor, giving the entire space a cozy, welcoming ambiance. Animals — dogs, cats, ferrets, even a few birds — lounge alongside the human occupants, just like they do at the Book Club.

There’s no sense of cold sterility or harsh boundaries here whatsoever.

Shit. I didn’t expect this at all.

As I stand motionless, trying to reconcile this environment with my assumptions, a cheerful young woman in PairTech’s signature teal polo approaches me with an amiable smile.

“Welcome to PairTech’s Izumo branch! Are you here for your initial consultation and analysis?” She doesn’t even wait for me to respond before looping an arm through mine and leading me further inside. “Don’t worry. We’ll help you get settled in and make you feel right at home while our experts work on finding your ideal match. Come on over here, and I’ll check you in.”

I nod, blindsided by the stark disconnect between my assumptions and the reality unfolding around me. Already, this morning is out of hand.

The bright and bubbly young woman — her name tag reads Aiko — guides me deeper into the PairTech offices.

Humans and animals alike mill about in loose clusters, some working at computer stations, while others recline on the plush couches and armchairs scattered throughout the open layout. The vibe is almost communal, like an oversized living room or community center, rather than the sterile corporate environment I was expecting.

“I can tell you’re a bit thrown by how casual and relaxed things are around here,” Aiko remarks with a warm chuckle. “Most people think they’ll find a cold, clinical lab when they come in. But that’s just not PairTech’s style, you know?”

She gives my arm a reassuring pat as we approach a vacant loveseat, gesturing for me to make myself comfortable. A sleek golden retriever lounging nearby perks up at our arrival.

“We try to foster an atmosphere of warmth and openness for both our human clients and potential animal matches,” Aiko continues, sinking into the adjacent armchair with a contented smile. “You can’t make connections if you’re in a cold, impersonal place, right?”

Shit. If we were back at the Great Menagerie Book Club, I would say almost the exact same thing.

We’re doomed.

This is far more involved and emotionally considerate than I could have imagined from a company pushing ‘soulless computer calculations.’

What is happening here? Am I being pranked?

I shift and glance around, but everything looks like it’s in its rightful place. And I didn’t tell anyone I was coming here.

Aiko doesn’t seem to notice my baffled expression. She hands me a tablet with the PairTech intake form awaiting my data, already diving into an explanation of their process.

“So to start things off, we’ll take a quick DNA sample. Just a simple cheek swab, nothing invasive,” she assures me with a warm smile. “That’ll give our geneticists a complete genetic profile to start cross-referencing against our existing database of animal DNA samples.”

She gestures toward the open office area, where I can see other staff members interacting with the lounging animals.

“We’ve got teams across the region going out and collecting DNA samples from as many animals as possible through simple, consensual interactions,” Aiko explains. “A few friendly pets and scratches, maybe a treat or two, and most of them are happy to provide a quick saliva swab for our database.”

The golden retriever nearby lets out a soft ‘boof’ of agreement, tail thumping lazily against the cushions as Aiko reaches over to ruffle the fur at her neck with a fond smile.

“Good girl, Nashi. You were such a cooperative sample donor when we first met, weren’t you?” she coos affectionately. Nashi’s tail wags harder in response, drawing a warm chuckle from the young woman.

“Anyway, once we’ve got those full genetic profiles, we run them through our compatibility algorithm,” Aiko continues, turning her attention back to me with that same sunny enthusiasm. “It analyzes everything down to the molecular level: DNA markers, pheromone receptors, even trace personality traits embedded in the genetic code. We’ll know which animals represent your statistically ideal match for forging that pairing you’re looking for.”

Uh oh, this actually seems like a good idea.

Aiko doesn’t seem to notice my stunned silence, already barreling on with the next reassuring point.

“Now, I know it can take a little time for our geneticists to compile and cross-reference all that data — maybe a few days, sometimes longer, depending on our current queue,” she says with an apologetic look. “But in the meantime, we always encourage our clients to spend as much face-to-face time as possible right here with our animal ambassadors.”

She gestures again to the lounging pets all around us with a warm smile. “Go ahead. You’re welcome to interact and mingle and get a sense of their unique personalities and energy signatures. That personal, up-close observation is just as important to finding your ideal pairing as any genetic data, you know?”

Nashi lets out another soft ‘whoof’ of agreement, soulful brown eyes regarding me with what seems like understanding and empathy. I blink at the golden retriever, then back at Aiko, struggling to reconcile this empathic, almost spiritual approach to matchmaking with my fixed beliefs about PairTech’s methods.

Speak, Winta!

She’s looking at me like I may be mute.

“You… uh, really do seem to value the deeper parts of building these connections,” I murmur, my lips almost numb. “Not just calculations, but… emotion, too?”

Aiko beams at me, looking almost proud at my stunned realization.

“Of course! At PairTech, we use the latest technology and science. But we always remember that we’re handling something special. The bonds between people and their perfect animal companions are truly unique.” Her smile takes on a warmth as she leans forward intently.

“So go ahead, Miss…?”

“W-Winta,” I supply. “Winta Kimura.”

“Winta,” Aiko repeats with an encouraging nod. “Take your time. Get acquainted with our animals here. Trust your gut and see if anything feels right to you, okay? I’ll come back in about ten minutes to take your samples.”

I can only nod. How do I reconcile this new way of looking at PairTech’s methods and ideas?

As Aiko rises from her seat, I turn toward Nashi. Her eyes have that same profound, all-knowing canine gaze as if to say, ‘Well, what are you waiting for?’

I have no idea.

Aiko smiles. “It takes about two weeks for your samples to be processed and then run through our system. So today is just a chance to spend some time with new animals you may not have been exposed to.” Her eyes widen. “Oh! A family of bunnies showed up overnight. Let me go bring them in.”

I look around and there are already a few new customers here, sitting with animals, having conversations. If I bolt for the door now, I could probably be halfway to the train station before Aiko returns with the bunnies.

But instead, I sigh, take off my coat, and say, “I love bunnies. Sure, why not?”