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It wasn’t fair.
Why would Kaede do this!?
Why would she sacrifice herself for everyone?
She’s too good. Too nice.
Shuichi is too cruel.
He uncovered the truth behind his friend, but at what cost?
He saved everyone. But sometimes he wishes he didn’t.
Kaede was a hero.
He was a coward.
And now he paid back in tears.
Endless drops falling from his face.
The soft recorded piano playing from the CD Player.
If only she had played the song for him.
Suddenly, the door creaked behind him.
The small robot boy, who he wasn’t quite close with yet, stood in the doorframe.
“I thought I heard somebody up and about! How are you feeling, Shuichi?”
So caring. Just like her.
Shuichi turned around, revealing swollen, puffy eyes and red cheeks.
So ugly. Not like him.
The boy scurried up to Shuichi, and embraced him in a hug.
He paused, before melting into the touch.
He didn’t know him very well, but he felt so warm.
So comforting.
“I may not relate to what emotions you might me experiencing, but I am always here to learn and assist!”
Despite tears still flowing, a small smile formed.
So considerate.
“Thank you, Kiibo.”
The music continued to sing as they sat in silence, wrapped in each other’s arms.
———
Kiibo wished he had never taken off the headset.
He should’ve stayed in the virtual reality, where everything was fine.
Where Miu was simply frozen and lagging, rather than dead in the computer room.
Miu wasn’t the most polite. She was bold and brash and inappropriate.
But she knew how to care for him well, even if it was sometimes uncomfortable.
Under that exterior, she wanted to help Kiibo. Help him become more human.
But robots could be repaired. Humans could not.
The trial had been a blur, Kiibo could hardly focus.
Even after the execution, one of the most brutal yet, hadn’t phased him.
He stared ahead, into nothingness.
He wanted to cry.
No, now isn’t the time.
Kiibo wanted to show his classmates that robots could be hopeful.
Robots could be strong.
Robots could be useful.
The act was dropped, however, later that night.
Kiibo sat in the grass, watching the stars shine.
Stars don’t weep when their friends burn out.
So neither should he.
Too late. He’s already crying.
The fact that Miu had installed that function wasn’t helping either.
Time felt like it had stopped as artificial tears ran down artificial skin.
Plastic and metal.
He almost didn’t notice the sound of steps trickling down the paved path.
“Kiibo? Are you out here?”
Shuichi?
Kiibo turned, eyes glowing wide.
Shuichi smiled, before frowning at the sight of the expression on Kiibo’s face.
Artificial. Not real.
“I was looking all over for you. Do you want to talk?”
The detective sat down in the slightly dampened grass next to him.
They had grown closer over time, which made Kiibo happy.
It was always nice to have someone care for you.
Especially as much as Shuichi did.
“Not at the moment. I suppose I’m just what humans call ‘mourning’...”
He felt an arm wrap around him. He felt a little better from the touch.
“I know what you mean. After all, you were with me after Kaede... well...”
Shuichi looked down. Kiibo wiped some tears off his face.
His eyes didn’t get puffy. He supposed that was a good thing.
“That was not very long ago. So much has happened in the last few weeks,”
Kiibo laid his head on the other’s shoulder.
“Don’t worry, we’re gonna get out of here. I’ll make sure we do,” Shuichi reassured.
So caring. Just like her.
“Thank you, Shuichi. You’ve assisted me plenty during our time here,”
Kiibo shifted his weight, and went from lying on his shoulder to hugging Shuichi.
The boy returned the affection, and they sat in the grass.
Tears fell from time to time, but that didn’t matter.
They had each other, and that was all they needed.