I Woke Up in a Reverse World Utopia with a 10,000 to 1 Ratio-Chapter 17: Starry Day

Kate’s arm wraps around my waist as we stroll along the balcony, her warmth radiating through my thin shirt despite the afternoon breeze. Her height makes me feel sheltered, protected in a way I never knew I needed until I found her. Or rather, until she found me.

"The fresh air is nice," I say, leaning into her embrace as we pause at the railing. Below us, New Boston sprawls out like an architect’s dream, pristine white towers rising from islands of lush greenery, a genuine utopia.

"It truly is, isn’t it?" Kate replies, her auburn hair catching the sunlight as she gazes out at the view. "Sometimes I forget how beautiful it can be up here."

After the intensity of the morning, Harper’s scarred body moving above mine, followed by that shower with Kate where I’d embarrassed, this quiet moment feels like exactly what I need. Just us, together, with no protocols or schedules or fertility requirements.

"Do you come out here often?" I ask, tracing my fingers along the smooth metal railing.

Kate’s hand finds mine, her thumb brushing over my knuckles in that possessive way I’ve come to crave. "Not as much as I should. The Department keeps us all so busy that sometimes weeks pass before I remember to enjoy the simple pleasures."

A thought crosses my mind. "Hey, what if a ward wanted to have sex out here? Would that be allowed?"

Kate’s laughter rings out, genuine amusement lighting up her green eyes as she squeezes my waist. "I don’t think there are many places in the facility where reproductive activity is truly forbidden, Tyler."

She turns to face me, her expression growing more thoughtful. "You have to understand, some wards struggle with... performance anxiety. So if they go on a walk with their guardian and suddenly feel the moment is right, then so be it. The sample is what matters, not where it’s collected."

My mind races with the implications, heat rising to my face as I glance at the sturdy railing in front of us. "So if I asked you to bend over on that railing right now..."

Kate’s lips part, her eyes darkening with that familiar hunger that makes my pulse quicken. She’s about to answer when movement catches my eye.

A door opens at the far end of the balcony. A tall, willowy man with striking long black hair steps out, followed closely by a woman with elaborate purple braids. They’re walking in our direction, deep in conversation. The man moves with an almost ethereal grace, silver spots scattered through his dark hair catching the sunlight like tiny stars.

Kate straightens immediately, her professional mask sliding back into place so quickly it’s almost jarring. Her arm remains around my waist, but her grip tightens slightly, possessive rather than affectionate now.

"Guardian Renee," she calls out, her voice carrying across the balcony. "What a pleasant surprise."

The pair looks up, and I’m struck by the man’s startling blue eyes, wide and dreamlike as they fix on us. His companion, the woman with purple hair, offers a tight smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.

"Director Flynn," she responds, her voice cool and measured. "I didn’t realize this section was occupied."

"Just getting some fresh air," Kate replies smoothly. Her thumb traces small circles against my side, a subtle gesture of ownership that doesn’t escape the other woman’s notice. "Star looks well."

The man with the silver-spotted hair tilts his head skyward, his expression growing troubled as he scans the cloudless expanse above us.

"Once again, they’re not out during the day," he says with a frown, his voice melodic but tinged with genuine disappointment.

"What’s not out?" I ask, following his gaze upward.

"The stars," he replies, still staring at the empty blue. "There are never any stars during the day. It’s quite troubling."

I glance at Kate, whose face remains perfectly composed despite the odd statement. The man seems so earnest in his disappointment that I can’t help but find it endearing.

I lower my gaze from the sky and extend my hand toward him. "Hi, I’m Tyler."

He studies my outstretched hand with fascination, as if I’ve presented him with some exotic artifact he’s never encountered. After a long moment, his eyes drift from my hand to my face, his expression serene and slightly confused.

"I’m Star," he says simply, making no move to accept my handshake.

I awkwardly retract my hand, trying not to seem offended. "Well, it’s nice to meet you, Star."

His face brightens immediately. "Likewise, Tyler."

Renee’s head snaps up, her purple braids swinging with the sudden movement. "Wait, Subject 7D-42 talks now?" She looks between Kate and me with undisguised shock.

Kate’s lips curve into a proud smile, her arm tightening around my waist. "You haven’t talked to anyone this week?"

"Barely," Renee shakes her head, her eyes still wide. "I heard a few rumors about him meeting with the council, but I’ve been too busy with Star."

"As you can see," Kate says with barely concealed satisfaction, "Tyler is quite communicative."

Star’s gaze drifts to my face, his ethereal blue eyes lingering on the jagged line running down my cheek. His head tilts slightly, like a curious bird studying something shiny.

"Your scar," he says dreamily, "it makes you look quite evil. Like a villain." His fingers trace patterns in the air between us. "But I can see your heart soars skyward. The contrast is beautiful."

Renee’s face transforms with horror, her purple braids swinging as she whips her head toward Star. "Star!" she hisses, her voice tight with panic. "That’s not how you should talk to other men."

I reach up automatically, my fingers finding the raised edge of the wound that marks my face. The scab is still fresh enough to feel rough under my fingertips.

"Honestly, I tend to forget I have it," I admit with a small shrug. The scar has become such a part of me that I rarely think about it anymore, except when I catch my reflection unexpectedly.

Star’s expression remains serene, completely unbothered by Renee’s mortification. "It wasn’t an insult," he clarifies, his melodic voice floating between us. "Villains have always been the most interesting characters."

"I didn’t take it as one," I assure him. There’s something refreshing about his complete lack of social filtering.

Star’s attention shifts to Renee, his slender hands clasping together in sudden excitement. "May we break bread with Tyler?" he asks, his eyes wide with childlike hope. "Perhaps under the evening stars?"

Renee’s face cycles through several emotions in rapid succession, alarm, confusion, and finally something like resignation. She glances at Kate with a silent plea for help.

Kate’s body trembles slightly against mine as she struggles to contain her laughter. She leans down, her lips brushing against my ear.

"You can say no if you’d like," she whispers, her breath warm against my skin.

A thought hits me. Maybe it’d be nice to have a friend. In this strange new world where I’m primarily valued for my reproductive capabilities, the concept of simple friendship feels almost revolutionary.

"I’d love to," I say, genuinely meaning it.

Star’s face lights up like I just offered him the moon. His long fingers flutter excitedly in the air between us, creating patterns only he can see.

"Wonderful!" he exclaims, his melodic voice rising with genuine delight. "Could we perhaps dine right here on this very balcony tomorrow evening? The stars will be visible then, and I find meals taste better under their watchful gaze."

Renee sighs softly, but there’s fondness in her exasperation as she glances at her ward. "Of course, Star. I’ll arrange to have everything set up out here."

Star turns to her, his otherworldly eyes widening with hope. "And might we have the lamb ribs again? The ones with the rosemary crust that sing on the tongue?"

"You can have whatever you’d like," Renee replies, her stern features softening slightly.

Star’s attention shifts back to me, his gaze intense yet somehow distant, like he’s looking both at me and through me simultaneously. "What a joyous alignment of celestial bodies this is," he says dreamily. "Our paths crossing in this vast universe, I look forward to our communion beneath the night sky."

"Me too," I reply, finding his enthusiasm infectious.

With graceful movements, Star begins to drift away. Renee offers Kate a curt nod before following him, her purple braids swinging with each step as they disappear through the door at the far end of the balcony.

Once they’re gone, Kate’s professional demeanor melts away. She turns to me with a curious smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

"He’s certainly interesting, isn’t he?" Kate asks, her eyes still fixed on the door where Star and Renee disappeared.

I lean against the railing, replaying Star’s dreamlike mannerisms in my head. "Yeah, but he seems nice."

Kate smiles, a genuine warmth spreading across her freckled face. "Star is nice. But a lot of the other men here will put on a facade when they meet each other." She runs a hand through her auburn hair, the breeze catching the strands. "There are quite a few rivalries when men interact. We try to limit contact if it becomes problematic, but lately things have been going smoothly."

I nod, processing this information. The concept of male rivalry in a world where men are so rare seems counterintuitive, but I suppose human nature finds a way, even in the most controlled environments.

A thought hits me suddenly, causing my stomach to knot with anxiety.

"Are men allowed to fuck other people’s guardians?"

Kate’s expression shifts instantly, her eyes narrowing as annoyance flashes across her face. "Oh, did you find Renee to your liking?" Her voice has an edge I rarely hear directed at me.

"No! But if another man tried to take you from me, I think I’d k..."

Kate’s hand clamps over my mouth with lightning speed, her eyes wide with alarm. The sudden movement startles me into silence. She glances around quickly, checking if we’re truly alone on the balcony.

"Let’s not finish that sentence, okay?" she says, her voice tight with urgency.

Her lips brush against my ear as she leans closer, her next words barely a whisper. "Absolutely no one can have me besides you, okay?"

The possessiveness in her voice sends a shiver down my spine, not of fear, but of satisfaction. I nod against her palm, my eyes locked with hers, communicating my complete understanding.

Kate slowly removes her hand from my mouth, her fingertips lingering for a moment against my lips. The tension in her shoulders eases slightly, but I can still see the concern lingering in her eyes.