Translator: Lemon
Editor: Lovable Translation
A beam of light rises in the darkness, slowly approaching.
What is this light? It becomes clearer and clearer—a series of intricately detailed units.
Neatly arranged in precise repetition, like cells under a microscope.
A cell? No, it’s a “town.”
This is the immense city known as “U,” the Ultimate Alternate Reality shaped by the five sages who hold all the world’s knowledge—the “Voices.”
The largest ISP in history, still expanding, boasting over 50 million accounts worldwide.
But you haven’t experienced “U” yet. How do you access it? Take a look at your smartphone now.
At the top of the screen, there’s an app icon with the letter “U.” It’s likely already installed on most recent devices.
Open the app.
U will be you.
You will be U.
U will be everything,
Your personal devices—earphones, wristwatch, piercings, rings, glasses, nails, mask—automatically gather your bioinformation.
Reading your biometric information……
While waiting for the authentication to complete, the display presented “U’s” policy.
Icons symbolizing the diverse population—varying genders, ages, body shapes, disabilities, and more—contrasted in a variety of configurations shaped like a U.
“Similar to the uniqueness and individuality that sets each person in the world apart, this concept explores a range of differently shaped U-particles to embody this ethos…”
One U-particle is chosen from the countless options.
The authorization process concludes.
“Welcome to the world of the U.”
U-particles burst forth from smartphone-like windows, forming the Authorized You.
In an instant, U-particles transform into an adorable bunny-like girl.
An announcement resonates.
“To create an environment of relaxation and enjoyment for all, U employs cutting-edge body-sharing technology.”
Here, avatars are referred to as “As” (Autonomous selves). An As becomes your alter ego within “U.”
Using scanned bioinformation, “U’s” highly advanced A.I. automatically generates your As.
U-particles from other logins also become As, one by one, leaping out of the windows.
You—now an enchanting girl with fluffy white bunny ears peeking from a stylish hat—descend alongside your newfound friends, resembling a skydiving journey.
The expanse of clouds before you suddenly clears, revealing a breathtaking view.
You can’t help but express your awe at the sparkling skyscrapers that mirror the twilight.
The intricate arrangement of geometric skyscrapers, layers overlapping like a magnificent evening mosaic, presents a sight never witnessed before.
Luxurious shopping malls akin to walking along Fifth Avenue, Champs Elysées, or Ginza after work hours when the evening sun still lingers—this is the kind of fun “U” offers.
Copies of As donning multicolored costumes resemble participants of a Venetian masquerade ball, their mere presence evoking joy.
Delicate fragments of small flowers dance through the air, twirling like confetti. When you pluck one and take a whiff, a refreshing youthful scent mingles with the splendid ambiance of the city.
You glide through the bustling main street like a bird, casually glancing upward.
Even the space that should hold the sky is occupied by skyscrapers, some of them inverted, as though they might tumble at any instant.
Amidst the towering structures lies a vast park, as if a piece of the town has been scooped out, offering a view of carefree Ases below.
Is there a place that grants as much freedom as this?
You realize with certainty that this is the heart of the world. The moon peeks through the crevices of skyscrapers.
An announcement reverberates.
“U is the other reality.”
“As is the other you.”
“There is everything here.”
The crescent moon traced an arc underneath, resembling the shape of a “U.”
“You can’t rewrite reality. But you can rewrite U.”
“Step in, experience your alter self’s life.”
“Step in, begin anew.”
“Step in, change the world—”
Suddenly, the hustle and bustle of the town came to a halt. A song. Someone was singing.
From where does the melody emanate?
Swarms of As scanned the surroundings, searching for the source of the voice. You tilt your long white ears to catch it as well.
The song possessed grandeur and precision, intimacy and power. It beckons you instinctively.
“There!”
A voice exclaimed. All eyes converged on a single point. A whale. A massive whale adorned with countless speakers slowly gliding through the inverted skyscrapers.
At the tip of its nose stood a tiny figure dressed in crimson.
The source of the song seemed to be there.
The whale amplified the song’s resonance through its numerous speakers. She stood atop the whale’s nose, singing with an unmatched and overwhelming volume.
Her “crimson dress” was, in fact, composed of dahlias, African daisies, Chinese hibiscus, echinacea, and myriad other flowers.
Her hair, unrealistically long and pink. Her eyes, a deep blue akin to the ocean. She was, quite literally, the most stunning woman alive.
And on her cheeks, freckles resembling carved seals.
“It’s Belle!” “Belle!!”
Ases around you called out her name, gazing upward.
Her name was “Belle.”
La-la-lai, la-la-lai
When our heartbeats collide
I won’t mind, in a place we’ve never been before
I’m reaching out for the moon and stars beyond it
La-la-lai, la-la-lai
Is it you I will find?
Though I feel left behind sometimes when you close the door
I wanna know who you are, I wanna know it all
The moment that life hits you
You can’t avoid the issue
You’re disconnected from the world
You thought you were part of
But if you close your eyes and let go
Of the mirage you haven’t met
Nobody else decides
The words you see in you heart
So line up the party’s over here
Come one, come all, jump into the fire
Step up, we are whatever we wanna be
We are free, that’s all we desire
When you pass through the veil of fantasy
There’s a world with a rhythm for you and me
“Belle!” “Belle!!” “Belle!!”
You are one of the various copies calling l her name repeatedly. Unconsciously, you hum Belle’s song. Belle responds with a smile to the elated crowd. Your heart flutters and warms, as if your eyes met with Belle for a fleeting second. Once seen, you can’t divert your gaze from her enchantment.
You’ve only just encountered her, yet you’re already captivated.
“Belle!” “Belle!!” “Belle!!”
Belle crosses her arms over her chest, then dramatically spreads them wide.
Simultaneously, graphic flowers burst forth, spreading throughout the town from the leisurely swimming whale.
People of all kinds, events of all kinds, lives of all kinds—Belle sang fervently, as if blessing them all.
Who is Belle, really?
Hi, this is the translator. Thanks for taking on the invitation, opening up this novel. The Dragon and the Freckled Princess is originally a movie, and the songs Belle sings are real songs. The scenery is very pretty, and I still sometimes hum Belle’s songs.
This is my first translation, and my update will generally be slow.
Again, thank you for reading the first chapter, and I hope you enjoyed the story.
