Story Reader / Extra Story / EX03 Lost Chapter / Story
Somewhere far away, through the cold darkness, through the smoke and war, our city burns in the flames of war.
Through my database simulation, I can feel the city bleeding. I can see blown-up bodies lying in the ruins of their homes. I can feel flags trembling in the hands of survivors.
Souls of the dead. Souls of the dying. Souls of the living.
Is this just an emotion simulation? Or is there an error with my programming?
Um... Mr. Robot, uh, I don't know what to call you... Anyway, what are you doing here?
I'm keeping you safe through the night.
Oh, and just call me HNB1—just like how HBG3 calls me.
That's not a name. It's just a number. Don't you two have any other names you call each other?
You mean B1 or G3? That's a name we call different Tai'E series with. Sometimes our bosses call us by nicknames to tell us apart. But that new hunk of steel doesn't like calling me that.
Are you friends?
Well, that's a pretty tough question. I don't know if we count as friends. We're just partners—not sure if he likes me that much though, but I guess it's weird for a robot to have likes and dislikes. We just obey orders.
But I think he actually cares about you...
Really? Did he send you over here? I thought there's just nothing but data in that brain of his...
And why are you suddenly acting like a life coach? Aren't you only eight or nine years old?
I'm older than that! He's just cleaning the room inside. I was just a little... a little worried about you.
HNB1 scans his system and emotion module in a few milliseconds. At present, it is loaded with Personality No.53. Through big data analysis, it is the most popular personality among Kowloong people. Everything is fine.
Something wrong with me?
You don't seem to be yourself... You feel different from daytime.
Why's that?
Why's that?
The top priority for Tai'E units is to ensure human safety.
He has always had a special affinity toward humans. Whether it be imitating humans on TV or doing silly things to provoke laughter...
He never understood why he did so. He just knew it would make others look happy—that people would surround him and focus on him.
He never understood why this behavior makes humans happy.
But now... For the first time, he seems to be feeling an emotion that is exclusive to humans.
He feels...
Are you scared?
Robots can't be scared.
Is this... feeling... fear?
Seeing one of his own turn into a bloodthirsty monster... Seeing what the humans—the ones who trusted and relied on him—did. He suddenly feels... afraid.
Afraid to point of wanting to run away.
Is this feeling a preset command, or a system error? He could not tell.
A sudden hand wraps around HNB1's thumb, lingering with an all-too-human warmth. Following along the hand, he raises his head to see the girl's gentle face.
Does this hurt?
The girl gently strokes his arm. In order to block an attack for the girl, a part of his body was indented, the paint scraped off.
...Ow, that hurts!
The thought of telling her that his series of Tai'E units do not have pain receptors crosses his mind, but it came out as an exaggerated yelp of pain.
He meant to make her laugh. But instead, she takes off one of her ribbons and carefully wraps it around the damaged part.
Sorry, I actually can't feel pain.
You keep talking about how fresh your paint is... And you bandaged me up earlier too.
The girl carefully wraps it up and blows on it.
...Thanks.
What about you? How are you feeling? Is everything all right?
I... I'm not scared.
Why aren't you scared?
I mean, I am! It's just... I'm used to it.
I'm scared Daddy will never find me. I'm afraid of being left behind... I'm afraid if I get on the ship, there will be no good animes anymore.
That does sound like death for an anime lover.
What about you? Are you scared?
I...
I'm afraid of those monsters.
I'm afraid of becoming like them. I'm afraid of losing control and killing those around me.
Did you forget what I said? Robots can't get scared.
...That's nice.
I also want to be brave. My daddy always tells me to be brave. He also said that if I learn to swim, he'll buy me another doll... I almost can swim now!
Did your father buy you this?
Yup! Cute, huh?
Cute.
What are you talking about?
Nothing.
Alright, let's go in. You need to rest up.
Okay!
I cleaned the room up a bit. Lock the door. We'll stay on guard outside.
If something's wrong, if you think we... Run away by yourself.
Just like your father said. Stay away from mechanoids... Keep running and stay alive.
...Okay.
Oh, yeah!
Yeah?
If we all make it out okay, can I give you new names?
...Alright.
It's a deal!
Deal.
Okay! Goodnight!
Good night.
She's gone.
While she's sleeping, we need to gather supplies from nearby for when we leave tomorrow.
Also, HNB1, there's something I need you to confirm.
