We left later than planned because of Master’s teasing.
By the time we stopped by his office and came back out, it was already afternoon.
The place Master brought me to was the same department store we had visited last time.
“We’re… really here to see a movie, right?”
“Yes. We’re going to the theater inside.”
I asked nervously, remembering the last time we came here to shop for clothes.
I was worried he might say I needed new clothes before watching a movie because I couldn’t dress properly, but it seemed he had no such intentions this time.
Still on edge, I followed Master.
Fortunately, we soon arrived at an ordinary movie theater.
“What movie do you want to watch?”
“Hmm…”
I looked at the long list of movies and pointed to one showing its trailer on the screen.
It looked like a standard action thriller.
Master gave me a look of surprise.
“Didn’t expect that. I thought you’d choose that one.”
The movie he was referring to was a romance between a robot and a human.
I shook my head at the poster showing the two leads staring at each other longingly.
If I watched that movie, I’d be reminded of my failed relationship with the Master and end up sobbing instead of making it through the film.
I turned my attention back to the action thriller.
I didn’t recognize the actor or director, but they seemed quite famous.
That alone made it worth watching.
Master said nothing and walked inside.|
I glanced at the ticket booth and asked,
“Master, what about the tickets?”
“I rented the whole place.”
Right—he did say he disliked noise.
Remembering his words, I nodded.
We sat side by side in the middle seats, where we had a perfect view of the screen, and waited for the movie to start.
While the screening was being prepared, we chatted.
“You like watching movies?”
“Yes, I used to come to the theater often on my days off.”
“With your previous master, I assume.”
“Yes…”
Master didn’t seem pleased.
I sensed the awkwardness and tried to read the room, but the lights dimmed and the movie began.
As expected of an action film, it started with loud explosions.
“Ahh!”
Something blew up on screen, and I flinched.
Master chuckled.
He said modern movies were all made this way.
It felt like watching a 3D movie, even though I wasn’t wearing any special glasses.
But the novelty wore off quickly.
I soon got used to it and became more immersed in the story.
Before I knew it, I was completely absorbed in the film…
The movie ended.
But my footsteps as we exited were heavy and sluggish, mirroring my mood.
“They said it was an action film…”
It was, technically. But it also featured a robot.
The plot was about a human-like robot who had lived as a lover for years, getting kidnapped, and the protagonist fighting to rescue them before they were sold off.
The actress who played the kidnapped robot was, of course, human—but I couldn’t help comparing myself to the robot in the film.
When the robot was finally reunited with its owner and whispered words of love in the final scene, a single tear rolled down my cheek.
Maybe movies about human-bot relationships will be trending in the future.
If I’d known, I might’ve chosen the romance movie after all…
I’d spent so many years with a Master too.
But unlike the robot in the movie, I was discarded.
I couldn’t help but compare the robot’s joyful reunion to my own pitiful self, abandoned by Master.
I walked out of the theater quietly, dragging my feet.
Still, since Master had brought me to the movies on purpose, I forced a smile to hide my gloomy mood.
I thought we were heading home or to the office, but then the steering wheel turned in an unfamiliar direction again.
“Master, where are we going?”
“To eat dinner.”
“But… Sophia’s probably preparing food at home…”
“Don’t worry. I already told Sophia.”
I see.
Honestly, I just wanted to go home quickly, but it seemed the Master had already decided on a dinner spot, so I stayed quiet and followed along.
The scene from the movie still lingered in my mind, leaving me with a tangled mix of emotions.
Since it had come to this, I figured it wouldn’t be so bad to walk around a little more and shake off the gloom.
Soon, we arrived at a large dock beside the river.
A massive cruise ship was moored there, making it easy to guess what came next.
“We’re getting on that ship?”
“That’s right.”
“Then… dinner is going to be…?”
“We’ll eat on board.”
As we boarded the cruise, I noticed other people scattered throughout.
The atmosphere reminded me of a charity event, and though I felt a little tense, thankfully no one approached us.
Following the Master inside, we entered a space that looked like a high-end restaurant.
So we really did come here for dinner.
Seated by the window, I looked around and saw mostly couples—people who looked like lovers or spouses.
From their perspective, Master and I must have looked strange.
Anyone could tell we weren’t romantically involved.
“You don’t get seasick, do you?”
“I’ve never been on a boat before, so I’m not sure.”
“Well, you’ll find out today.”
After boarding, I couldn’t stop looking around, admiring everything.
Then the Master asked me,“Is this your first time at a place like this?”
“Yes.”
“Well, that old man hated crowded places. No way he would’ve brought you somewhere like this.”
He was right.
My former Master preferred quiet, secluded spots.
And since I served someone like that, I, too, had grown used to calm and peaceful surroundings.
That kind of ordinary life had been more than enough for me to feel happy.
So then… Why did the Master abandon me?
The ship began to depart, slowly cutting through the water.
But the real journey was just beginning.
As we set off, the sun began to set, casting a reddish hue across the water.
“…It’s beautiful.”
The words slipped out before I realized.
The afterglow of the sunset painted the sky red and danced across the waves.
Fragments of light shimmered softly on the river, breaking into dazzling sparkles.
While I was entranced by the view, dishes began appearing one by one on the table.
I hadn’t felt hungry, but when I saw the beautifully plated dishes, my appetite was stirred.
Watching the Master lift his utensils, I slowly began to eat as well.
I first picked up a piece of fish with my fork and brought it to my mouth.
The soft, creamy flesh melted gently on my tongue.
The deep flavor of the cream sauce and white fish lingered before sliding smoothly down my throat.
What kind of fish dish is this?
Just one bite, and I was overwhelmed with emotion.
It completely captured me, to the point that I forgot all the earlier gloominess.
“How was the movie?”
“…It was fun.”
“I don’t think so.”
I paused and looked up at the Master.
I had tried to act like nothing was wrong, but I must have been found out.
I hated how bad I was at lying—whatever I felt always showed on my face.
“You don’t have to pretend it was fun.”
“…Okay.”
“A romance between a robot and a human? It’s nonsense, really.”
I couldn’t deny it.
Like the Master said, love between a robot and a human might really be impossible.
No matter how human-like a robot may be, we’re not the real thing…
Maybe love between Master and me was never possible to begin with.
I took another bite of the fish, but it didn’t taste as good as before.
The following dishes were all delicious, but I didn’t feel particularly happy.
After the meal, Master and I went out to the deck.
Cold wind brushed against us as we gazed at the now-dark river and the glittering city beyond.
The night view was just as beautiful as the sunset.
The city shone brightly, and countless lights shimmered over the water’s surface.
Seeing the city from afar made me feel how much the world had changed.
At the same time, I felt strangely out of place.
As if I were the only one detached from this world.
Boom.
A loud firework exploded, lighting up the sky.
Startled, I looked up to see brilliant fireworks filling the sky like the Milky Way.
“Wow…”
Mouth agape, I stared blankly upward, then turned to look beside me.
With each burst of colorful light, Master’s face shone as well.
I had never gone on a date like this with my former Master, but for a moment, it felt like I was dating him again.
It must’ve been because the new Master looked so much like the old one….
As I thought that and gazed at him, he seemed to sense my stare and turned his head.
His soft smile filled my vision.
His gentle expression from this morning still felt unfamiliar.
For a moment, I truly felt like I’d returned to the past, spending time with my old Master again.
“Didi.”
Then, the Master called my name.
Just like my old Master used to, with a voice full of affection.
Thump.
My heart gave a heavy lurch.
Boom.
Another firework burst, and Master slowly leaned toward me.
As his face came closer, as if to kiss me, I reflexively closed my eyes.
But instead of the warmth of my lips on mine, a sweet whisper reached my ear.
“You’re the only key to restoring the HumanBot. So remember everything—what you did with your grandfather, the places you went, the conversations you had—and tell me. Who knows? If you recall something useful, I might keep treating you kindly. Just like before.”
His tone was gentle, but his words weren’t.
…Still, as if under a spell, I found myself nodding.