Chapter 105: Unspoken Affection

Because the house was so large, the distance from the parlor to Amy’s room was quite far.

By the time I was almost at Amy’s room, I saw the master’s car pulling into the yard through the window.

Since the master would be waiting, it seemed best to say our goodbyes quickly and head down to the first floor.

I hurried my steps and entered Amy’s room with Enoch.

Amy was sleeping soundly, her face angelic.

When Enoch gently shook her to wake her, her beautifully closed eyes slowly opened.

“Master, Didi says she’s leaving.”

“Didi’s already going…?”

Amy sat up and looked at me.

I nodded and gave a small wave.

“Can’t you stay just one more day…?”

But then, Amy suddenly began to choke back tears and started crying with soft hiccups.

Seeing the large tears streaming down her cheeks left me feeling awkward.

-Bark!

At that moment, I heard a dog barking from somewhere nearby.

Curious, I turned around and saw a large dog leap through the crack of the open door on all fours.

“Uh…?”

It was a familiar shape.

Just like Eve, with an ivory-colored body.

The Spanik logo was painted on its ears.

As soon as I realized the identity of the big dog that barged into the room, I wrapped Amy protectively and reassured Enoch, who was on alert for robots.

“Enoch, it’s okay. That dog is a new robot model from William’s company. But why is it here?”

As I spoke, more questions began to form.

I tilted my head, looking at the robot dog with growing curiosity.

“So it was here all along.”

“Master?”

Then, I was surprised to see the master following the robot dog into the room.

How did he find Amy’s room in this huge house?

Even though the master had been here a few times, he shouldn’t have known where Amy’s room was…

“How did you know we were here?”

“There were only cold teacups left in the parlor, so I ordered that robot to find you. It has a person search function—it’s more useful than I thought. I might try using it in other ways, too.”

Ah… I nodded at the master’s explanation.

It seemed to be a function installed in the robot.

The last time I saw it, it was still incomplete, but now it looked fully ready for release.

“It’s a puppy…!”

Amy peeked out from behind Enoch and her eyes sparkled as she looked at the robot dog.

The robot was made the size of a large dog, much bigger than Amy, but to her eyes, it was just a cute puppy.

Watching Amy pet the robot, I asked the master,

“Why did you bring the robot dog?”

“I’m giving it to that little one. If she plays with this, she’ll call for you less.”

Amy’s eyes widened in surprise at that.

“You’re giving Amy a puppy?”

“Yeah. So stop calling for Didi now.”

Amy hugged the robot dog tightly, her cheeks flushed bright red, clearly delighted.

She was already so absorbed in the robot dog that she didn’t even seem to hear the master’s last words.

The master, watching the scene, handed a small booklet that looked like a manual to Enoch.

“It has security functions, so it’ll do a good job protecting the kid. If it breaks down, contact the company.”

“Lately, Master has been unusually lonely, so this is a good gift. Thank you.”

The robot was the perfect guardian for Amy, who could cause trouble at any time while roaming around the large house.

Maybe now Enoch could relax a little, no longer needing to constantly chase after Amy.

“Didi, I’ll be downstairs first. Say goodbye and come down.”

“Yes, William.”

I nodded and briefly kissed the master.

It was a natural gesture as always, but after the master left and Enoch and I made eye contact, I realized that we weren’t even alone and yet I had kissed the master out of habit.

Luckily, Amy seemed too distracted by the robot dog to notice…

Come to think of it, I had never clearly explained my relationship with the master to Enoch.

But I suppose he figured it out just now.

Falling in love with one’s master might not be normal.

For someone like Enoch and Amy, serving their masters was the usual relationship.

“Are you going to be okay?”

Enoch asked a loaded question.

Understanding the meaning behind it, I quietly nodded.

Realizing I was sincere, Enoch continued with a worried voice.

“Didi, no matter how human-like you appear, we are robots.”

“Yes, I know.”

People and robots are hard to unite.

Even though our appearances are similar, they are humans and we are robots.

I didn’t fail to understand Enoch’s concerns.

I had once been abandoned by a previous owner, so I knew those limits better than anyone.

No matter how human-like a humanoid robot might be, or how perfect the paperwork might be, there was a clear difference between people and robots.

Over the past few days, I had understood and accepted that, but in the end, my feelings hadn’t changed.

“Who is most important to you, Enoch?”

“I…”

“Amy, right?”

Enoch fell silent in agreement.

“The master is most precious to me, too. Sometimes he’s mischievous… and does mean things, but I love all of him.”

“I’m honestly anxious that his feelings might change. That one day he’ll get tired of me and throw me away.”

I smiled lightly and continued.

“But I can’t help it. Because we love the master so much.”

Enoch closed his mouth as if at a loss for words, then smiled warmly.

He didn’t say anything more, but I could feel that he agreed with me.

***

“Why are you so late?”

When I came down to the first floor a little late, the master grumbled, greeting me.

I ran over, smiling brightly, and he embraced me gently.

Burying my face in his chest, I felt a pleasant tightening in the arms holding me.

“I like William so much.”

“Then you should’ve come earlier. I’m going to make you suffer for being late today, so don’t expect to sleep well.”

“That’s too mean…”

I pouted my lips, and the master smiled softly, ruffling my hair.

“Didi! You have to come to play again tomorrow!”

At the cheerful voice, I looked back.

Amy was waving her arms widely, smiling brightly while nestled in Enoch’s arms.

“Tomorrow…?”

I waved to Enoch and Amy, and from above, the master clenched his teeth and muttered quietly.

I pretended not to hear and waved again at Enoch and Amy.

“That little one’s up to something… Didi, you’re not planning to come again tomorrow, are you?”

“If I say I will, will you let me?”

“I’m telling you again—I won’t let you sleep early. If you can come, come on.”

“Tch…”

Pretending to sulk, I broke free from his arms.

The master opened the car door for me.

After waving one last time to Enoch and Amy, I got into the car.

The large mansion grew smaller and smaller.

Through the window, I saw Amy and Enoch walking back into the house.

Only after they completely disappeared from view did I lean back in my seat.

As I relaxed and looked out the window, white flakes slowly began to fall from the sky.

What first looked like small, insignificant dust quickly turned into large snowflakes, falling thickly.

“It’s snow…”

I quietly breathed out in awe.

“William, it’s the first snow.”

On the way back home—a quiet space separated from the outside world.

A snowy white landscape.

And every moment spent with the master.

“Didi.”

“Yes, William.”

With everything I love.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

I quietly feel happiness.

~ End of Robot Protector Zone ~