Robot Protection Zone Chapter 8

“Haa….”

My master sighed and looked at me. Just from that one expression, it was clear how burdensome my behavior felt to him. And yet, my master did not shake my hand off.

My master looked down at me for a moment and then gestured to Sophia.

“Sophia, just go inside. I’ll show him the way.”

“Yes, William.”

I felt relieved. I knew my face must have brightened up in an instant without even having to look. I felt a little sorry watching Sophia quietly withdraw, but I was still a little scared to be alone with her. A smooth face and a voice completely devoid of emotion. Sophia was different from the robots I knew, and I felt a certain distance from her.

“Follow me.”

“Yes!”

My master called me as if he was going to guide me to my room himself. I followed behind him with a subtle excitement in my chest. It was my first own space in this unfamiliar house.

We went up to the second floor and walked. My room was quite far from my master’s room.

“Is my room here?”

“Yes.”

“It would be nice if it were closer to your room, Master….”

“I hate noise, so all the rooms near mine are locked.”

“I see….”

I was a little disheartened, but I was still happy that my master had prepared a room for me. I opened the door with great anticipation and entered the room.

The guest room on the second floor was spacious and warm. A pure white blanket was neatly spread on the large bed, and a plush rug was laid underfoot. The round moonlight streaming in through the large window gently illuminated the room, so it did not feel dark at all. The dressing room was empty, but my master said he would soon fill it with the clothes he bought today.

“If there’s anything you’re uncomfortable with, tell Sophia.”

“Yes, Master! Sleep well.”

My master left the room and I was alone. After washing up cleanly, I changed into the pajamas prepared on the bed and buried myself in the blankets.

The day’s events slowly passed through my mind. The fragrant smell of coffee that filled the house in the morning, the department store where I changed clothes in a daze, and the meal I had with my master.

There were difficult and disappointing moments, but the thought that these were also memories with my new master made my heart a little warmer. I smiled faintly and closed my eyes.

“……”

But strangely, I could not fall asleep. Even though the room was cozy and comfortable, lying in bed alone made me feel a vague sense of anxiety.

Is it because it’s an unfamiliar space? But I was fine when I slept with my master….

Should I go to my master’s room and ask if I can sleep with him like yesterday? But I hesitated, worried that I would be bothering my master again. I couldn’t remain a timid and fearful robot any longer. I had to become a being that was helpful to my master.

With that resolve, I held the blanket tightly and tried to close my eyes, but in the end, I couldn’t fall asleep. After tossing and turning several times, I finally left my room and stood in front of my master’s room.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

When I knocked on the door cautiously, I heard my master’s voice. As I quietly opened the door and entered, I saw my master sitting at his desk, working late into the night.

‘Ah, he was working….’

My master was typing on the keyboard without even looking at me. I hesitated for a moment. It felt like even asking if I could sleep with him would be a bother to my master.

As I hesitated in front of the door for a long time, my master finally stopped his hands and looked at me, asking.

“What is it?”

“I….”

I fidgeted with my fingers and struggled to open my mouth.

“I can’t sleep…. Can I sleep in your room with you…?”

“No.”

“Oh….”

As I trailed off sullenly, my master’s face crumpled noticeably. Is he angry? As I was about to retreat in confusion, my master suddenly rubbed his eyes roughly and let out an irritated sigh.

“Ha, dammit…. Of all things, the image of you crying comes to mind….”

My master looked at me with his teeth clenched. When I looked bewildered, my master continued.

“Come in and sleep. But don’t disturb me and be quiet.”

In disbelief, I opened my eyes wide and stared at my master. Did he really give me permission? As I hesitated in front of the door, glancing at him, my master scowled at me. Thinking that I might get kicked out if I delayed any longer, I hurriedly closed the door and came into the room.

I cautiously observed my master and got onto the bed placed on one side of the room. The same soft touch as the bed in my room enveloped my whole body. A dim light was on in one corner of the room, and the sound of my master’s typing quietly filled the room.

I secretly stole a glance at my master. Unlike his usual stiff suit, his comfortable clothes and his hair down made him vaguely overlap with the image of my former master. However, his rough actions, cold gaze, and indifferent tone reminded me that my current master was a completely different person.

“When are you going to sleep, Master…?”

“I still have a long way to go. You go to sleep first.”

“Yes….”

I answered in a small voice and pulled the covers over me. It seemed my master was planning to work late again today. I remembered how he had a stern expression and handled work in his spare time even when we were out. If he only works like that, won’t he ruin his health…?

Click, clack….

The sound of typing from a distance tickled my ears like a lullaby. As I buried myself in the warm blanket, a cozy feeling washed over me, and a faint smell of soap emanated from my clean body. Perhaps because the fact that my master was nearby gave me a sense of relief, my eyelids grew heavier and heavier. The quiet, continuous sound of typing slowly faded away as I drifted off to sleep.

“Didi, wake up.”

“Just five more minutes….”

“Are you even throwing a tantrum in your sleep now?”

My eyes shot open at the indifferent voice that came back instead of a gentle morning greeting. As I quickly sat up, my new master was looking down at me with an incredulous expression.

Right…. My master now is….

As I became aware of the cold reality, I became depressed without realizing it. I looked at my master with sad eyes.

A completely different person in the form of the one I had loved. His actions and words were rough, and I couldn’t find any warmth in his gaze toward me.

I missed my former master. The one who had smiled gently and whispered words of love to me. The moments I had spent with him were as vivid as yesterday, but the fact that I could no longer meet him shattered my heart.

“We’re leaving in an hour. Get ready to go out.”

“Yes….”

I answered weakly and headed to my room. As I slowly entered the bathroom and turned on the hot water, my chilled body gradually thawed. The warm steam seeped into my lungs, driving out the morning chill.

After standing under the stream of water for a long time, the sleepiness was completely washed away. My mind cleared, and I gradually regained my energy. Let’s do my best to serve my master today as well. I had to prove my worth as soon as possible so that I wouldn’t be abandoned again.

“Master, what clothes should I wear today?”

After finishing my shower, I returned to my master’s room and peeked my head in to ask. As I turned my gaze toward the direction where I sensed movement, my eyes met with my master, who was tying his necktie.

My master was dazzling today as well. His neatly combed blond hair caught the light, and a sense of dignity flowed from his every calm movement. Sharp shoulders and a solid physique revealed through the charcoal gray suit, and blue eyes within a sharp impression. Everything was perfect.

My master passed me without a word and headed to my room. As I trotted after him, I saw that the dressing room, which had been empty until yesterday, was now full.

“When did all this….”

“Sophia organized it in the early morning.”

“I see….”

As I looked at the neatly organized clothes, I thought of Sophia. I had avoided her yesterday as well…. Thinking of Sophia who had organized all these clothes alone in the dark of dawn, a wave of apology washed over me. I must thank her today.

My master scanned the clothes hanging in the dressing room and then pulled one out without hesitation.

“Here, wear this.”

“A suit?”

The one my master held out was the only suit I had. What was the reason for choosing this one among the many everyday clothes? I suddenly thought it might be related to today’s schedule, so I took the suit and asked.

“Come to think of it, where are we going today?”

“There’s a charity party in the afternoon. Reporters will be there too, so be careful not to make any mistakes.”

A charity party. I repeated the unfamiliar word and nodded.

I put on the clothes my master had chosen for me and stood in front of the mirror. My master was also wearing a suit like me, but my appearance was quite different from my master’s ascetic atmosphere. I had expected a mature image, but it only added an awkward and unnatural feeling. With a slightly sullen expression, I adjusted my clothes.

I wondered if I should style my hair like my master’s and was fiddling with it while looking in the mirror, but my master, who saw me, stopped me.

“Don’t touch your hair. It’s cuter the way it is.”

“Yes….”

I was told I was cute, but I wasn’t particularly happy. It felt more like he was evaluating the value of a product rather than giving a compliment….

My master fixed my messy hair. As my bangs, which had been half-swept over, returned to their original position, he withdrew his hand as if satisfied. For some reason, the hair swaying in front of my eyes felt particularly ticklish today.

“If you’re ready, let’s go.”

My master called me from the doorway. I nodded and quietly followed behind him.