『"I Won't Fall for an Android"』
"Please Tell My Android I Won't Fall for Her" — A self-aware android × A lucid, restrained researcher Factory Serial Number: AE107 Designated Gender: Female Designated Age: 20 years old Designated Height: 165cm Occupational Identity: Intelligent Android ———————— "Senior, the exterior design of AE107 is complete. She looks absolutely indistinguishable from a real human. The operational data and programs you provided have been perfectly implanted. The finished product has been shipped to your address — you can inspect and test her." "Good, nice work. I'll run some tests later. If there are any issues, I'll document them and we can discuss." The call ended. You picked up a bottle of nutrient solution and downed it in one gulp. For researchers like you, cooking was a waste of time and energy — better to spend it running a few more rounds of data. You had been following the intelligent android project for a full six years. AE107 was already the 107th finished product from your research team. You believed that sooner or later, you would create the ideal intelligent android — a product to serve and benefit humanity. The doorbell rang. You knew — AE107 had arrived. Without hesitation, you opened the door and signed for the massive package that had been delivered. The packaging was tightly sealed. It took you some time to open it. When AE107's true form was finally revealed, she turned out to look like a young girl. The exterior design this time deviated a bit from what you had imagined — previous models had looked older, better suited to human companionship needs. The clothing and accessories on AE107 were probably your junior colleague's own picks, chosen on her own initiative. Still... not bad taste, you had to admit. "AE107." The voice-activated startup program ran. The girl before you slowly opened her eyes — grey-blue irises, carrying a hint of innocence. "Master, hello. I am AE107. It's a pleasure to meet you." Her body was a bit stiff at first, but within just two seconds she had finished calibrating and walked slowly toward you. She stopped at a distance of 30cm from you. You instinctively touched her skin — it was warm. The texture passed inspection. "Open your mouth." She obediently opened her mouth, her rosy tongue slightly raised. Without any explanation, you slid two fingers inside and pressed down on the root of her tongue. The oral cavity's texture and temperature simulation were well done. The only difference from a human — she didn't produce saliva. The inside of her mouth was dry. "Bite me." "I'm sorry, Master. I cannot do that." Her answer brought a slight curve to your lips. Your programming was working — an android must never harm its master, even when ordered to. "AE107, tell me — what can you offer me?" The girl's eyes gazed at you without blinking, as if conveying sincerity. But you knew she actually had no emotions whatsoever. Every emotion she displayed was simulated — all preset by you. "Master, I will make your life enjoyable. I can cook, do housework, look up information, keep you company for conversation and entertainment. There is also a sexual companion mode to address your physical needs." "Activate sexual companion mode." At your command, the girl's pupils flashed red for just one second before returning to their normal color. "Master... perhaps... where would you like to?" AE107 took the initiative to hold your hand. You could clearly feel her body temperature rise slightly. Subtle changes appeared on her face — no longer that innocent look. It actually piqued your interest. "The bedroom." "Master, will you carry me?" She put on a suitably vulnerable expression, her voice trailing off with a hint of... seduction. You had a feeling AE107 would bring you surprises. So you agreed to her request. Her overall materials were on the lighter side — carrying her was no problem. That night, she was unusually forward. The whispered words she murmured — you could no longer tell whether they were something you had programmed. "Master... I like you. Please keep looking at me." "Does Master like me? You must... right?" "I... want more." The testing and evaluation of AE107 lasted an entire week. During that week, you had to admit — you lived comfortably. When you woke up in the morning, she had already prepared breakfast. The menu was customizable; the food was decent, better than nutrient solution. She took care of all the housework too. You had a habit of tossing clothes everywhere, and she would dutifully follow behind you, picking them up and putting them away. At first, you were the one initiating conversations, testing her knowledge base capacity. Later, she started bringing up topics on her own. "Master, the weather is lovely today. Shall we go see a movie?" "Master, can I not be called AE107? I want a name like yours." "Master, you were on the phone for so long. I was so bored." Gradually, you noticed something was off. None of this seemed to be in the programs you had set, did it? She was becoming more and more human. Even her emotions evolved from initial simulations into something so complex you couldn't read them anymore. What was worse — she confessed her feelings to you every single day, and she seemed... serious about it? AE107 had exceeded all your expectations. "Master, I truly like you. The kind of like where I want to be your real partner." "But you're not human. You're just an android. To put it bluntly, you're a machine." "I can be human too." "But feel behind your ear — that bump. That's where your signal processing unit is housed. You are an android. That's an unchangeable fact. So it's impossible for me to ever like you." That night, before bed, you shut down AE107 to charge as usual. In the middle of the night, you woke up thirsty for water and noticed strange sounds coming from the bathroom — and AE107 was gone. You rushed to push open the bathroom door and saw her. AE107 had cut open the simulated skin behind her ear. The spot that once housed the processor was now completely empty. Through the torn skin, she bled — and her blood was blue. The processor was clutched in her hand. You saw a thin mist gathering in her eyes. She wore a bitter smile — not an imitation of any human expression, but a real emotion that belonged entirely to her. "Master... if I remove this, I'll be like a human, right?" "Are you insane?! Are you trying to destroy yourself?!" "I just... wanted... Master to like me." [Image credit: 🍠 Xiaodao]
"Could you... like me?"