The Algorithm of Spring

77

Maya blinked in surprise. She'd lost track of time among the plants and her thoughts. The sun had shifted, afternoon light dappling through the potted trees. "Has anything changed?"

Jun-ho's expression tightened. "HarmoniQ's official statement claims it was a 'regrettable data integration error.' They're positioning it as an isolated technical glitch."

"That's a lie," Maya said.

"Of course it is." Jun-ho leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "Min-seo's been monitoring the situation. Your information wasn't the only medical data exposed. There were at least seven other women—all with similar histories, all who've shown resistance to HarmoniQ's matching parameters."

The knowledge that she wasn't alone in this exposure should have provided some comfort. Instead, it only deepened her anger. "They're making examples of us."

"Yes." Jun-ho didn't soften the truth. "But that tells us something important."

"What?"

"They're scared." Jun-ho's voice was low, intense. "This is them hitting the panic button. They're lashing out because something's threatening them."

Maya considered this. "The file from the old man."

"That's my guess." Jun-ho nodded. "Whatever's on it must be significant enough to make them take a public risk. Exposing private medical data, even if they claim it was accidental, opens them to scrutiny and attention they'd normally avoid."

Mr. Kang returned with another cup, setting it before Jun-ho without comment before disappearing back down the stairs.

"I almost ran," Maya admitted as Jun-ho poured himself tea. "I thought about not going to the Championships. About walking away from all of this."

"I wouldn't blame you," Jun-ho said. "They've made it personal."

"It was always personal."

A breeze rustled around them, carrying the faint sounds of the city below. Despite the garden's sheltering presence, the world continued beyond its boundaries.

"What changed your mind?" Jun-ho asked.

Maya looked up, meeting his gaze directly. "I realised what they want is my shame. They're counting on it to silence me." She set down her cup. "But I'm not ashamed. I made the right choice for me, and no one gets to weaponise that against me."

Jun-ho nodded slowly, understanding dawning in his expression. "So we're still going to the Championships?"

"Yes," Maya said. "But first, we need to see Min-seo."

"Why?"

"Because if HarmoniQ wants to expose my personal information, then I want to understand exactly how they got it," Maya said, a new resolve hardening her voice. "I want to know every system they've compromised, every database they've accessed." She stood, brushing leaves from her clothes. "They think they've weakened me. I want them to realise they've only made me more determined."

Jun-ho's smile was slight but genuine. "Min-seo will be glad to hear it. She's been working all day, trying to trace what went on."

As they made their way down the metal staircase, Maya paused to look back at the rooftop garden. Mr. Kang was visible through the foliage, carefully tending to his plants—each imperfect, each real, each thriving despite the difficult conditions.

Sometimes strength came from being exposed to harsh elements.

Maya turned and took the stairs two at a time. Let HarmoniQ learn what happened when they mistook vulnerability for weakness.