Chapter Text
Dazai was aware that he was not capable of loving, of sharing emotions with someone else, of giving himself wholly to another person and expecting the same in return. He had never deemed himself human enough for that. And so, the fact that people had been buying humanoid robots and falling in love with them had him bewildered. How could people believe machines were able to convey emotions that not even some humans could? Emotions such as love. They had to be extremely foolish in Dazai’s opinion.
He didn’t exactly hate humanoid robots but he also couldn’t fully accept them and what they had been created for.They were artificial emotional intelligence and he hardly believed that could replace real human emotions.
However, his curiosity was sparked the moment he saw his neighbour Atsushi interact with his robot, Akutagawa as Atsushi had introduced him. The kid was truly fond of the thing which really confused Dazai. Akutagawa seemed lifeless. Literally and figuratively. Did Atsushi really believe Akutagawa ‘loved’ him? That was the question Dazai had wanted to ask but kept to himself instead. As long as Atsushi was happy, it was fine. Who was Dazai to burst his little bubble after all?
And that was how ended up with a huge box containing a humanoid robot in his living room, holding a guide book and still figuring out how to get it out.
He’d ordered it online two days ago and it had just arrived a few minutes ago. He had to sign some papers that were given to him by the workers who delivered his orders before they left. It seemed like buying one of those was a big deal or something but of course Dazai didn’t bother to read them because he was, well, Dazai.
Now, he kind of wished he’d asked them to turn it on for him because it was too much work. He sighed before reading the next step on the guide. Apparently, he had to press a button in the back of the metal box and wait for the robot to finally come to life and that was the last step.
He went around the box to look for the button. It was easy to find due to its size. He pushed it and took a step back as the glass covering the front slid up, making an opening for the figure inside. When nothing else happened, he moved back to the front and peeked inside the box. The robot was dressed fully in black with a hat perched on top of its head. It had bright orange hair and eyes that were a dull blue due to the fact that it was still turned off.
He looked back down into the guide.
Model: A5158; Chuuya.
He’d gotten this one with difficulty. Apparently, this one had spent a lot of time around humans that it had developed a personality of its own and stopped answering to commands it didn’t want to do. And it apparently ‘felt’ emotions stronger than the other robots. They’d deemed that a dysfunction which Dazai thought was stupid. If they’d meant to create these androids to compensate human love and warmth it would only make sense that they’d have a will of their own and not be following human’s commands like brainless machines. Humans were truly hypocritical. If something didn’t match with their ideals, they’d just just label it broken and defective.
And if Dazai was being honest, that was the only reason he’d bought this one in particular. It was the only one that he thought was interesting enough to buy.
Broken.
Unwanted.
Dysfunctional.
He tried to tell himself that the reason he chose this particular robot no one seemed to want wasn't that it reminded him of himself. But he knew deep down that it was only a lie.
He pushed the thought to the back of his head before shifting his attention to the machine once again. Wasn't it supposed to be ‘alive’ by now?
He outstretched a hand to try to touch it when another shot out and grabbed his own, causing Dazai to flinch and drop the guide book. Blue eyes suddenly shining bright due to the artificial light behind them. A sharp gaze analyzing him.
“Who are you?” A rough, kind-of-robotic voice spoke.
Dazai blinked before gaining back his composure and offering a smile.
“Well. Hello there, Mr.Robot!” Dazai greeted, voice cheery. “May I have my hand back before answering your question? You know your hand isn't made from the softest material and it kind of hurts.”
The android blinked before deeming him a non-threat and releasing his hand.
“Sorry.” He said before stepping out of the box. He stood in the middle of the living room and started studying his surroundings with wide curious eyes. Momentarily forgetting about Dazai.
Dazai watched in amazement. He merely bought the robot out of curiosity but ever since his eyes met Chuuya’s, he couldn’t help but feel extremely intrigued. He didn’t remember the last time something had made him feel anything other than emptiness.
“You didn’t answer my question.”
Dazai blinked, noting that Chuuya was now facing him with slightly narrowed eyes.
He offered a small smiled before answering, “Dazai. Dazai Osamu. I’m your new owner...I guess?”
“Oh.”
Chuuya sounded kind of... Disappointed?
“ Do you not like me?” Dazai gasped dramatically. “I’ll have you know i’m the nicest and most handsome owner you could ever get!”
He watched Chuuya’s expression turn from confusion to mild annoyance.
“Shut up, it’s not that! I just-” Chuuya stopped. “Can you not call yourself ‘my owner’ at every given chance?”
Dazai raised an eyebrow, deciding to push Chuuya’s buttons to try and get a reaction out of him.
“Why not? Isn’t it kind of true?”
“I do not like being reminded that i am an object to be owned all the time.”
Dazai’s eyes widened a little. Well, they certainly hadn’t been exaggerating when they said Chuuya had a personality of his own. Dazai found that fascinating.
“Okay.”
Chuuya looked at him, surprised. Like he was not used to being listened to. And Dazai figured that it was probably the case.
The android’s intense gaze was still fixed on Dazai. It was like he was studying him.
“Will you stop staring at me like that? It’s kind of creepy, you know.”
“Are you lonely?” Chuuya asked.
Dazai’s breath caught in his throat. He’d never asked himself that question but now that he thought of about it. He supposed he kind of was . But it wasn’t like that affected him in anyway. His life had always been devoid of another person’s presence. He’d never had any affection from someone else for him to feel the lack of it.
“Why would you ask that?”
“I thought the reason human bought Humanoid Robots were lonely,” Chuuya replied. “Isn’t that true?”
“Well, not all of them. I actually bought you out of curiosity.”
“I see. So, you’re not going to ask me to be your...lover, right?”
Dazai chuckled and waved his hand in dismissal. This robot was truly amusing.
“I have a better suggestion.”
Chuuya tilted his head in curiosity, prompting Dazai to finish his sentence.
“Tell me, Chuuya, have you ever had a friend?”
Chuuya palmed his chin, his expression turning thoughtful.
“I do know the definition of that word but i have never had one. Why?”
“Neither have i! Then i’ll be your friend.” Dazai said, and watched Chuuya’s reaction closely. The latter’s eyes brightened before cocking his head to the side once again, observing Dazai.
“You’re a weird human.”
Dazai let a smile adorn his face. Just what had he gotten himself into?