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Whoever said robots are cold does not understand how machinery works. A properly functioning Humagear is usually around human body temperature. Aruto thinks. Since he recently found out he’s running on nanites, so maybe he doesn’t know what normal human warmth is!
(He knows when he was little and cold, he’d snuggle up close to his dad. The original Humagears were even warmer, and his dad was a perfect spot to cling to.)
He’s still. Processing the revelation that he’s been a cyborg since Daybreak, but then, he hardly remembers the year or so after. Nanomachines, like the ones used by others. Important for Zero-One to work as much as being a president is, for too long.
But. Not the point. The point is: Izu is warm.
Harder than a human, but Aruto’s never been particularly close to humans. He’s always been… isolated.
She is a good kisser, which is nice.
“Aruto?” She asks. She drops the -Sama at home. Nizu still calls him -Shachou. He’d separated the two, figuring Nizu wasn’t the same person, and having Izu back shouldn’t be her loss. And he’s getting distracted again. “Is something wrong?”
“I’m fine, Izu,” Aruto says.
Their relationship has been painstakingly slow. Aruto loves Izu, but maybe he didn’t do it right. And definitely he’s taking care. She is still technically, legally, his. Though he has her on the payroll nonetheless.
He has all Humagear who’ve achieved Singularity on his payroll. At the expense of his and a few others’ own wealth, which he doesn’t necessarily need.
Working on giving Humagear legal rights upon reaching singularity.
“You’re thinking.”
“Yes,” Aruto says. “You kissed me. I didn’t expect it.”
“Understood,” Izu says. “Do you want me to do it again?”
“If you like,” Aruto replies, he cups her cheek with his hand, reverent. “I’m just glad you’re here.”
Izu smiles.
“I’m glad we’re both here,” she says. “In a world where Humagears and humans are learning to laugh and to smile again.”
“That’s our dream, isn’t it?” Aruto asks rhetorically.
“I chose you,” Izu replies. “So yes, it is. I love you, Aruto.”
“And I love you, Izu.”
This time, Aruto initiates the kiss. Izu whirs quietly when he does.
She’s not just his, in the legal way. But then, he’s hers, too. Official Secretary, but half the time, she does his work for him, as President, while he focuses on the social aspect of changing societal outlook on his product from, well, product, to… friends. Family, even, if they want.
Izu is family. Her new data Key is unblocked and says Hiden Izu. She chose that. He was surprised and a little overjoyed.
“You are not a great kisser.”
“How do you—”
“Data analysis. Humagear in relationships communicate.”
“Oh,” Aruto says. “Good. Any advice, then?”
“…I’m not sure how to phrase it,” Izu admits. “But it was not a bad kiss, either. I assume it’s because it’s you.”
“I’ll take it,” Aruto says. “You know I’m not particularly used to relationships, though.”
“You have never had a significant relationship prior to our meeting, romantic, sexual, or friendship. Most of your social media accounts are loose associates, followers due to your status as a public figure, or the few people who leave positive comments on your TikToks.”
“Yeah,” Aruto says. “That.”
It’s not like he wanted to be isolated, but he was… he just didn’t fit in. Except with Humagear. Those he understood. He never understood his gramps, either.
“You have me now, however,” Izu says. “And Jin. And… other allies.”
“That is true,” Aruto says. Izumi’s still tight against him, with a wall on his other side. “I’m glad of that. I wouldn’t be here, in a lot of ways, without you, Izu.”
“I know,” Izu replies. “Nor would I. Zero-One and Zero-Two, a set.”
“We are at that,” Aruto replies. He kisses her another times.
Humagears really are warm, and soft in a way humans aren’t.
Different, but right.
Aruto’s glad to have Izu right here, right now.