Tokyo Override

Points on points on points.

Tokyo, the point where points converge.

This is a city where all shared data is optimized.

Humans, cars, streets, bridges.

Everything that matters is tracked as a cluster of points in the cloud.

Other regions, capitals, even countries are irrelevant here.

Data points are constantly flowing in and out of Tokyo.

They are like bees collecting honey.

The more efficient the routes they take, the more honey they can collect.

Whoa.

Oh!

Mommy, I wanna have cake.

- I'm not taking any detours. - Wait, it's doing it.

Your route has been optimized.

There. See?

Well, who am I to argue against the machine?

Yeah.

Yeah-heh-heh!

This isn't a race, boys. You need to slow down.

If you get hit the Wall before the Blind does, you'll have to shake trackers again.

It's not a race, but if we play our cards right,

it definitely could be.

Just stay outta my way.

Ha! So serious.

Hey! I said to slow down.

We're near the Wall.

The Blind should activate in 20 seconds.

Ten, nine, eight,

seven, six, five,

four, three, two, one.

Look, a dragonfly!

- Let it be! - Whoo!

Aw, it's flying off!

Wait, don't chase it. We're not meant to stray from the route.

Here.

Uh... Uh...

One bowl of ramen served with all the usual toppings

in a piping hot broth.

Ah-ah-ah. Ow.

Thank you for your business!

Some points collide catastrophically,

and some connect in serendipity.

This is the story of a non-optimal cluster of points

trying to survive in an optimized network.

As Tokyo recovered from the Great Tokai Earthquake,

it took on a new form.

It's now divided into three districts by way of digital walls.

Tokyo's Original Citizens live in the West.

New Citizens, be they from our nation not, live in the East District,

and the Mid District is home to a mixture of citizens from the East and the West.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

I'm in class. Aren't you in class too?

IN CLASS...

Oh.

Playing hooky again.

YOUR AUTOPILOT GOT ME ZERO ABSENCES. YOU FREE?

OUT OF THE QUESTION! 98%

YES

All citizens have a high quality of life,

ensured by the basic income system.

The needs of individuals are tracked by way of devices,

which are linked to digital tags.

Countless optimizations are made daily

to support our interests and our lifestyles.

These optimizations are only possible because of Traceability,

a powerful new location-sharing technology.

This technology enabled the Mobility Reforms,

which brought about a post-scarcity, post-privacy society.

Now anyone and everyone can enjoy a life of freedom and happiness.

OPTIMIZING ROUTE...

- Kai. - Huh?

That was way close. I've got literal helicopter parents.

I mean, they're constantly tracking me.

So, unfortunately, I can't stay too long.

But, listen. I'm really glad you're here.

Hmm. So am I.

You're good with two, right?

What? No way! You really managed to get them?

- I'm so happy! - I don't get what the big deal is.

Well, this is for you.

- And... - Huh?

...so is this. Here.

Oh.

Do you... wanna come?

You and me, right?

I guess we could. Do you really think your parents will let you go?

You're kidding. Why would you say that? Shut up about my parents.

They're the worst. I'll be fine.

So do you need anything else or what?

Oh. Right, right! There is one thing.

I hate to ask, but, uh, I could use another favor, Kai.

You're the only person I can count on for this stuff.

Forget I asked.

Tell me. I wanna know.

Curious?

'Kay!

I wanna use... Highway.

But Highway's, like--

- No lectures, okay? I know it's a drug. - It's just...

Look, it used to be pretty easy to get some in the West,

but the guys who used to bring it from Mid stopped coming.

There's been a crackdown, so I guess they lost their nerve.

Do you keep up with police stuff?

Apparently, the whole narcotics unit might get disbanded before long,

so they're all working like crazy to try and save their jobs.

It sucks. They're a real nuisance.

But you could run circles around them, right?

OCCUPIED

So you want me to go to Mid for you?

Yeah! I'd go myself if I didn't live with control freaks.

If my parents caught me leaving West,

I bet they'd chain me to a toilet or something.

But you live solo. You're totally free. Must be nice.

I guess so.

There's my dad. See? They're, like, always keeping tabs.

Go away.

Look. You're rich enough that you get chauffeured around in a private car.

Why not have your dad help you?

Huh? What kind of a freaks-how daughter asks her parents to take her to buy drugs?

Ideas like that get families destroyed.

Well, I'll be counting on you.

Bye-bye.

Hmm?

My friend said that you might have a hookup.

Ah.

How many?

Twenty thousand.

Hmm.

Huh?

Here. Thanks.

My stuff's quality.

Yeah, I don't doubt it.

I'm surprised it was this easy to get, that's all.

So long as you have the points, you can get anything you want in Mid.

Huh!

Hmm?

Oh!

- Damn it. It's the narcs! - Huh?

- Huh... Uh! - Hold it!

Ah! Huh?

Ah!

Let me go!

Stop resisting.

Tough break, kid.

Let's see what we can find out about you.

- Scan her. - Yes, sir.

Kai Koguma.

Tell me, Kai,

why would a West District citizen be skulkin' around

in a dingy place like this?

TRANSITION HISTORY

Uh! Ah!

Mmm! So far, so good.

Oh yeah. That's the stuff.

Mmm.

Huh? Did I get hacked?

My watch just flipped out. She hacked me!

To the West District!

Thank you for riding with us.

No, we're not! Uh!

What the...

- Vehicle will stop shortly. - Wait.

The West is where I wanted to go.

Huh?

Why, hello there.