Chapter 102: Reconciliation at the Grave

I slowly opened my eyes, feeling my body gently sway.

I was sitting inside a car.

Thanks to the slightly reclined seat, the first thing that caught my eye was the dark ceiling, followed by the sight of my master driving.

The seatbelt was fastened tightly across my body.

Since I didn’t remember getting into the car by myself, Master must have moved me here.

I must have been deeply asleep, as I hadn’t woken even during the ride.

“William, how’s work?”

“It’s done. We’re still a long way from arriving, so you can sleep a bit more.”

I shook my head and leaned back against the seat, lifting my upper body only briefly.

Though tired from walking around all day, I felt much lighter after a short rest.

Quietly, I sat still and looked up at the sky.

Behind the cloudy veil hiding the moon and stars, the streetlights brightly illuminated the road.

Inside the car, where no conversation was exchanged, only the faint hum of the engine could be heard.

The drowsy body that had just awakened and the calm, peaceful atmosphere blended together, calming my heart.

A drive like this would be nice, but since Master must be tired, it’s probably better to head home quickly.

“I’m back.”

“Welcome home, William, Didi.”

Even at dawn, as always, Sofia and Eve were waiting to greet us.

Seeing Eve wag her tail and yawn widely as if just waking up, I smiled softly before entering the house with Master.

“Didi, you’re sleeping with me again tonight, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then wash up and come to my room.”

We parted briefly after heading upstairs to the second floor and entering our respective rooms.

As I stepped into my room, Eve quietly followed behind.

She naturally climbed onto the bed, curling up into a round little ball.

I thought I should quickly wash and go to Master’s room, but then my eyes caught sight of the items I had bought today, neatly arranged inside the dressing room.

Though the suit and shoes were custom-made and would take some time before I could receive them, the watch, bag, and new clothes had already found their places.

I looked over each one, recalling the events of the day, and before I realized it, quite some time had passed.

Only then did I snap back to reality, hurriedly finishing my shower and rushing over to Master’s room.

“William, I’m coming in.”

I knocked and carefully opened the door, but the lights inside were already off.

Had he fallen asleep already?

Peeking in, I heard Master’s voice from the bed.

“What are you doing? Come lie down quickly.”

Master pulled back the blanket, patting the space beside him as if urging me to lie down.

I nodded, closed the door behind me, and quietly slipped under the covers.

No sooner had I laid down than Master pulled me into an embrace.

Hearing the deep exhale heavy with fatigue, I asked apologetically,

“You were waiting for me? You could’ve gone to sleep first…”

“I figured you’d be back soon. What kept you so late?”

“I was just looking over the things I bought today…”

Fortunately, Master didn’t seem inclined to scold me for being late; he simply held me silently.

“Didi, what do you want to do tomorrow?”

“How about work?”

“I finished everything today, so it’s okay to rest for one more day.”

Though he sounded tired, Master continued talking softly.

Lying side by side next to him, I fell into deep thought.

“Is there anywhere you want to go?”

“Well…”

“Tell me. Anywhere is fine.”

Hesitating to answer, Master reassured me and urged me to speak.

After a long pause, I spoke in a small, hesitant voice.

“I want to visit the place where the previous Master is buried.”

The moment I said it, I felt Master’s arms holding me stiffen.

Would he get angry?

William didn’t like talking about the old Master.

I cautiously lifted my head to gauge his reaction.

“Okay. Let’s go.”

“Really?”

“You said you wanted to. I was planning to visit once myself anyway.”

Surprisingly, Master gave his permission easily.

When I looked at him with wide eyes, his large hand tousled my hair.

“We’ll leave first thing in the morning. It’s quite far, so it’ll take a long time just to get there. Sleep early.”

“Yes!”

I answered brightly and hugged him tightly.

Burying my face against his broad, strong chest with my eyes closed, I heard a small laugh above my head.

***

From morning, preparations to go out began in earnest.

Standing in the middle of the dressing room, I found myself troubled.

Wearing black was appropriate… but I hadn’t even attended the previous Master’s funeral.

I still hadn’t fully accepted the fact that he had passed away.

In the end, my hand reached for the neat clothes I usually wore.

After a long ride with Master, we arrived at a quiet memorial park far from the old house.

Carrying a bouquet of white flowers purchased at a nearby florist, I took slow steps forward.

The cemetery stretched endlessly with lush green grass, surrounded by serene silence.

A gentle breeze occasionally brushed across my cheek.

Although winter was coming soon, today’s weather was as pleasant as spring.

I looked up at the clear sky with a complicated heart, contrary to the turmoil inside me.

As my expression darkened, Master asked in a worried voice,

“Didi, we can come back later if you want.”

“No, it’s fine.”

I shook my head softly. Now was the time to finally face the death of the previous Master that I had long avoided.

Soon, Master and I stopped before a gravestone.

Though there were many similar graves nearby, I immediately recognized this as the place where the old Master was buried.

“Is this the place?”

“Yes.”

The name engraved on the stone felt both familiar and strange.

Someone from the family must have brought it, as a palm-sized frame holding a photo of the previous Master sat before the gravestone.

I curled up and stared at the photo.

The old Master in the picture was aged, his face lined with wrinkles, barely resembling the man I remembered.

Yet the gentle eyes I had known were still there.

I asked Master a question that had long lingered in my mind.

“Was the previous Master happy?”

“Who knows? He got divorced before I was even born and spent his time making the robots he loved. Maybe he was happy.”

“Divorced…?”

Surprised by the unexpected answer, I opened my eyes wide.

I still vividly remembered the last image of Master turning off my power while saying he was going to get married.

I thought he had found happiness with a new lover and that’s why he never came back for me… but that wasn’t the case.

“They were a political marriage anyway. The grandmother was an only daughter of a famous legal family. They married to push a ban on Human Bot technology but divorced after a few years.”

“I never understood why they made such a pointless law before, but now I get it. People who saw Human Bots as nothing more than toys couldn’t just stand by and watch others treat you like that.”

Master quietly lowered his gaze, adding in a low voice,

“So, it wasn’t because he hated you that he shut you down.”

Without realizing it, tears welled in my eyes.

Seeing that, Master roughly ran his hand through his hair and hugged me so tightly I felt like I’d break.

“Damn… I should have met you first. I never thought I’d envy that old man.”

Muttering curses under his breath, Master gritted his teeth.

I struggled quietly in his embrace, swallowing tears, then finally spoke.

“I think I understand why the old Master sent me to you, William.”

“Why?”

“Because he knew you would treasure me.”

Master didn’t seem very happy hearing that.

After a long silence, he relaxed the strength in his arms around me and murmured,

“But I was stupid and hurt you too.”

I immediately shook my head.

“No, I was the one trapped by the idea that I was just a robot. Without you, William, I would have lived as a robot until my power shut down for good.”

I could smile when happy, cry when sad.

I could suffer the pain of eternal separation and fall in love with someone.

Though artificially made, wouldn’t this be enough to say I’m a person too?

“And William told me—I’m a person now.”

“…That’s right.”

Master softly agreed, lightly kissing the black hair fluttering in the breeze.