"Let's discuss this particular crucial aspect, in my opinion. Your proposal said that the plant's speed of growth is far above average," commented one of the men over 40 years old.

"Exactly, sir. I have also included relevant supporting theories and the projection data in the future." Rio replied with his chest pounding harder than usual.

Once again, He reads the contents of Rio's idea carefully before looking at one of the other participants and Mr. Rudi. A minute after, he shook his head and closed the proposal on the table.

"This proposal is well written. Yet, we still need more than a convincing idea because your proposal will definitely need a significant budget, Rio. Simply put, we need a proof. Indeed, the theory and observation reports of the genetically-manipulated seeds and plants is quite helpful. However, a real results will be easier for us to believe. Now, is there anything that you want to show us?"

"About that…" Rio bit his lip. There are no results yet that can be brought to the committee.

The man's brow wrinkled. "This idea is definitely out of the box. It feels like I'm reading a fiction narration. In your concept, I understand that you intend to use your genetically-engineered plants to strengthen the building's foundation, which is unthinkable because any substance that penetrates the concrete would open a gap between it, instead of strengthen it. Is that right?"

"I agree, sir."

"Now, we're talking the impossible. As if you're going to make a campfire bigger by showering it."

A few seconds of silence as Rio racks his brain.

"Since there is no evidence I can show you, I can't answer that argument, sir," he said slowly.

"… that's how it is. Good work, Rio. I think the meeting ends here."

Those three men–including Mr. Rudi–pack up their documents and leave their seats. Rio tries to control his breath, facing this umpteenth rejection of his proposal. His head repeatedly spun, still trying to find the correct argument, so the committee would stop and back to listen to what Rio got.

In the end, Rio can't come up with anything.

"Rio. If you want your proposal to be included in the city's service work program, make sure you bring what we want to see. Because a theory without proof is just empty talk. We should have a strong basis if this project will involve quite significant resources."

"…acknowledged, Mr. Wira."

Valerie is still in his seat, waiting for Rio outside the meeting room as he sees that the committee has already left. Apparently, his best friend did not immediately come out, making him wonder.

A few couple seconds later, Rio comes out with a long sigh. Valerie could already guess what was going on inside. Thus, the blonde man approaches and pats his friend gently because he walks like a drunk person.

"Basically, they asked for evidence that can be seen with their own eyes…."

"Then what you need to do is create the said evidence, right?" Valerie responded lightly.

"Easy for you to say. I'm still trying what to do here and—oh, I have an idea."

Valerie smiled wide and slapped Rio's back hard.

"Ouch!"

"Well, that's how it is. It doesn't matter if your proposal is still get rejected many times as long as you can quickly stand back to achieve your goals."

Rio winced in pain. However, he also smiled soon after. "It's just like you said. But to do this, I need to discuss it with Rita first."

"I think that girl will definitely comply whatever your idea is. Just my five cents."

When they arrived at their usual office, Rio went straight to meet Mr. Rudi in his room. Valerie sighs with his usual smile as he returns to his desk to do the remaining work.

Half an hour passed as Rio returned to his seat. He starts to tidy up everything on his table as if he is going somewhere soon.

Valerie raised his eyebrows. "Hey, you're going home during office hours?"

"No. I'm going to temporarily transfer to the Forestry Division. Mr. Rudi has given his permission."

Valerie widened his eyes.

"Wait a minute. Don't tell me you're changing your division permanently? How dare you leave me alone?"

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Rio sneered. "I don't care if you're alone or something here. After all, you still have to do your job as a good city servant. And no, I'll staying there until my proposal is approved. Need to do some intensive research with Rita, I guess."

Valerie rubs his own nose and gives Rio a weird smile as he claps.

"Great! Go away, then. To change the work environment is never a bad idea. Well, give my greeting to Rita and good luck doing your research."

Rio nodded and hastily went away. He already got an idea of what he needed to do to win the committee over.

Armed with a laptop, the young man arrived in the greenhouse. One of the Forestry Division members invited Rio inside while calling for Rita to be his work buddy.

She arrived shortly while catching her breath, welcoming her friend who had just come to her division.

"Mr. Rudi has notified us beforehand. He said from now on you will work in the greenhouse?" asked the girl.

"Yeah. But, only until my proposal is approved by the committee. I need we to work together so we will obtain convincing evidence."

"So your proposal still hasn't made it to the city's service work program?"

Rio nodded slowly. "It sucks, yeah. However, I understand their reason since my idea would definitely need many resources. We're trying to insert some manipulation from the future in this timeline, so it'll not be that easy.

"…Okay. Before we discuss about this further, let me take you to your new place, Rio."

The two of them arrived at one side of the greenhouse, at the corner of the laboratory.

Rita beckoned Rio to one of the clean, tidy, and vacant rooms. A comfortable work desk, other supporting facilities, adequate ventilation, and ornamental plants can make anyone productive in no time.

"Nice. I think it's a lot more comfortable than my previous room."

"Really? I think every place here have a nice standard to support the worker?"

"Because Valerie is there," replied Rio briefly.

Rita chuckles.

"So, are you currently in the middle of something, Rita?"

"Not really. I focused My work to support your proposal now through my research here. The Division Head has approved the change of job description because it also aim to contribute to our mission."

"Well, that's great. All right. Can you take a look for a second there? I'll explain my next plan."

Rita approached to sit next to Rio as he explained everything on his laptop. How to bring actual evidence is a priority now since it is a final obstacle to the realization of his proposal.

His co-worker listens patiently without missing any details. Although, sometimes Rita realizes how really close they are in that situation. While Rio is still focused on explaining the existing data, Rita is already bright red. Her focus is flying away with the soft breeze as if trying to tease her. Her heart is beating faster than usual.

"Pretty much, that's what I can say for now. Any better suggestions?" Rio asked in return.

"Eh? A-h, uh! I think it's good for now!"

"Really?" Rio looked at Rita unconvinced.

"Yes! Your idea is right on target. Now what we need is to find the right materials for the media of growth and record the growh process of the genetically-engineered plants."

"I see… well," Rio stepped away from the laptop and reviewed what he had been doing in his head. "To reconfirm, the theories we used are really possible to be realized, right?"

Rita smiled. "Don't worry about that. I've got a lot of data regarding its practical uses in the future so we definitely got a strong basis. What your superior said about the foundation of a building overgrown by plants would make a gap and weaken its structure is already an old knowledge in our era. I understand why they think like that due to their technology level in this timeline. Therefore, we do have to provide authentic evidence so that they can accept the theory that we used."

She displayed a three-dimensional projection and conveyed the image in her head. It is a planting medium made of concrete, and Rita applies a simulation for it to be overgrown by genetically-engineered plants.

"As you can see, the simulation reports that it's totally doable to enhance a concrete structure with our plants. By setting up a growth medium like this, we can make comparisons in front of them and prove our theory."

"That's amazing. But, I assume that they will treat it as a normal even thought what will we bring to the superior is supposedly the product of our era's technology?"

"Correct. They won't think that our product is something that shouldn't be on this era. As you are aware, the principle is similar to why my division can be created from nothing on this place."

"Due to the effect of record of the past, people from this timeline won't notice any works we do as something out of the place. Just like they won't treat us as a stranger the moment we infiltrated their family and social system," Rio reconfirmed.

"Exaclty."

"I see… Hopefully that won't be affected by someone who caused the record of the past going awry, according to Arisa's report we heard on that day or anything we do could cause uproar."

"I hope so too," replied Rita with a weak tone.

She knows what is currently happening regarding the error of record of the past could potentially affect the implementation of Rio's project. People will be informed about the future technology trying to invade this era. Indeed, it's something she doesn't want to happen.

"It's okay, Rita. It won't affect us since people aren't noticing that your division supposed doesn't exist in this city yet. We can rest assured that we can slip this agenda to be implemented in this era for the sake of the future."

At least that's what Rio wants to believe.

"If you say so, then…."

"Yes, we can continue, Rita."

Rita nods to reaffirm her resolution. "According to the data I have gathered, my calculations said that assuming the Earth's climate will not change drastically in the near future, this genetically-modified plant will grow to perfection in three months. Plants with cambiums normally don't grow that fast in this era."

Rio took the newly created model of growth medium and reworked it using his communication ring's simulation. "If we consider the duration we need, more or less, we can prepare the prototype in just three weeks. Is this true?"

"Yes. It's relatively short for cambium plants to grow. Even though there are types of mosses that are combined to strengthen the genetics of this plant to enhance its strength, its structure mostly still consists of cambium," added Rita.

A confident smile appeared on Rio's. "That means, I will be here for a month or so to prepare my report and documentation of our progress. Please support me, will you?"

"I've been involved with your proposal for a while, Rio. You don't have to ask," she replied with a warm smile.

Then, they go to their own place to work on what they must do.