Paradox-Roid | Chapter 6

[healingbonds]

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Akira: Eternal release from solitude.......?

Cain: For the upper class, that is. If you ask me, it just sounds lonely. Because we’re right here.

Owen: We? You mean the police?

Cain: I’m talking about humans. Real, living friends.
People might hurt you. Things might not go your way. Those kinds of things might happen over and over again, but....
But that’s why it’s special. Precisely because things don’t always go your way, it means that everyone is free, and that’s why it’s exciting.

Owen: You say that, but you tried to take away my freedom.

Cain: Well, that’s.......

Owen: If I’m an Assist-Roid, does that mean I have to meet people on someone else’s orders?

Cain: I can’t say. Your owner decides your purpose.

Akira: What if...... What if they were a horrible owner? Who would help me then?

Cain: Are there even horrible owners out there? I hear that people pay staggering amounts to create you guys.
Personally, even this scrap of an airbike is really dear to me.

Owen: Dear to you?

Cain: It means I love it and want to cherish it.

Owen: Love and cherish?

Cain: Hmm, I guess you could say that it’s more special than normal. To you, it’d be like the CBSC, I guess.

Owen: Something you want to eat?

Cain: That’s not it...... Okay, there’s lots of information in this world, right?
When you speed along the highway, your eyes and ears are assaulted by endless information. Words, lights, images, sounds, smells, even tastes.
Most of the time, you forget the information that you’re bombarded with almost immediately. Otherwise your brain would just short circuit.
But there are things that you don’t forget. I’m sure that’s what love is.

Owen: I can remember everything.

Cain: ............ Was that an unsuitable explanation to give to an Assist-Roid......?

Owen: But I kind of get it. I’ve revisited the data for the CBSC over and over again. What about you, Akira?

Akira: Huh?

Owen: From the moment your memories start up until now, what do you love?

Akira: Um, it’s hard to come up with an answer on the spot......

I say, lapsing into thought. I do feel slightly embarrassed, but I decide it doesn’t matter anyway since I’m a robot.

Akira: Cain and Owen, maybe? The two of you have been kind to me, and you stayed with me, so I love you two.

Surprisingly, the two of them look delighted by my answer. Owen breaks into a smile, and Cain whistles.

Owen: Hear that? He said he loves me.

Cain: He said that about me too! I’m happy. You’re making me fond of you, Akira.
And Akira, to answer your question, if your owner ever bullies you, you can contact the police station.
Give me a call, and I’ll come to save you.

I’m overwhelmed at Cain’s kindness. Nearby, Owen whispers teasingly into my ear.

Owen: Don’t trust him so easily. He hasn’t fulfilled a single one of his promises yet. Even my CSBC.......

Cain: You’ll get to try it for sure, so just wait!

Owen and I burst into laughter at the same time.
The airbike slices through the air, continuing its path over this miraculous city.

✦✧☾✧✦

Figaro: Whew...... That interview was so nerve-wracking...... I want to take a month off.......

Snow: You did well, Figaro dear. You’re the greatest professor in this world! You’re humanity’s beacon of hope!

Figaro: Thank you. But please don’t pile pressure on me. I’m happy to just be an LED light.
Also, that kind of role is supposed to be an Assist-Roid’s job, Sir Snow — it should be your job.......

Snow: The working class citizens trust your words precisely because you’re a human.
Figaro dear, you’re handsome, you have a high income, and you’re blessed with wit and an elite education. You’re perfect as the face of our laboratory.

Figaro: I know all that, but stress is still stress.

Snow: By the way, Figaro. I’d like you to make another Assist-Roid that’s the same model as me.



Figaro: Nope. Sir Snow, you’ll just destroy it.

Snow: I’ll treasure it properly, so pretty please~!

Figaro: More importantly, do we know where it went? Have you found it?

Snow: No. I haven’t located Owen’s whereabouts just yet.

Figaro: ..............

Snow: And yet you endorsed Assist-Roids as safe with a smile, so thank you for that.

Figaro: Are you trying to make me feel guilty? Please say that you’ll forgive me the way the symbol of the Hart Foundation does.

Snow: That’s only because you secretly want someone to make you feel guilty. I’m the perfect Assist-Roid for you. I can see right through you!

Figaro: No, to tell you the truth, I don’t really feel all that much guilt. There’s no point in explaining things to the working class, after all.

Snow: I know that very well too. By the way, my adorable Figaro. About that Assist-Roid of the same model as me.......

Figaro: Carry out your job before you start making demands. I don’t dislike the masochistic pain of guilt, but it’s displeasing when you keep making demands and ignoring my authority.

Snow: I’ll put that job down as my most important task.

Figaro: Pick a couple of prominent brand laboratories around the world and public institutions in our favor, and set them to finding Owen.

Snow: I understand. Well then, off I go. Be a good boy and wait obediently at home.

(Door closes)

Figaro: Sigh...... Where could it have gone.......
............. .......I can’t have anyone finding out this city’s secrets just yet.......

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