“Step away from my stand, you damned peasant!” A man hollers at a young girl who takes off running with a few apples. He flung his broom and dustpan at her, but the girl managed to dodge all his attacks as she made a sharp turn down an alleyway.

Aurora—the girl—shoved the apples into the pocket of her hoodie, hurrying along. As she neared the end of the alleyway, she peered around the corner, keeping a keen eye on the pedestrians going past. Each person was casually walking down the street with their own personal android that had traits ranging from talents to beauty.

Aurora sprinted down the street, shoving through people and robots, passing every minimarket and supermarket that lined the corners of blocks. Eventually, she finally reached the end of her trip.

York Seoul City—a region where AI is the capital of the businesses. This was the city where the famous man—Abraham Einstein—had created the perfect AI with the capacity to mimic human abilities. Work, love, relationships, emotions, thinking ability, raising families—he created the perfect plan to help humans finally get along with technology.

Unfortunately, not everyone had this privilege to enjoy such an experience. Aurora was born among the many children who have no opportunity to own an AI. She was a loss cause.

The girl ambled down the quiet streets that led her further and further away from the city. She pulled out one of the apples she stole, rubbing it to make it shine with her sleeve. She would soon be entering The North Sea, a territory where gang activities occurred and violence was increasing at an all-time high. Hardly any rich citizen would consider living here because it was unsafe for their families—let alone androids.

Aurora kicked at the dirty sidewalks, munching on the crisp and juicy apple. She thought it was worth stealing these fruits. Who knew when her next meal would be?

As she continued along the sidewalk, a couple guys were going at it, roughhousing on the streets. Each guy threw a punch that bruised the next guy more than the last. Aurora leaned on the fence that belonged to the public park, watching the guys fight in front of a bar. There was a small crowd of men cheering them on, as though it was a major sporting event. She took another bite from the apple, staring unamused. This was what she considered entertainment. But it was getting old. It was the same content, same violence, but just different people getting killed each day. The police hardly ever came to this part of town anyway. Statistics showed that life in this part of York Seoul State wasn’t as valuable as the lives prospering in the city or in the rest of the United Lands of the Originals.

Aurora believed it too.

She was among the statistics who couldn’t care less about life since she couldn’t do much with hers anyway. All she could do was lie, steal and cheat to survive at the border of a prominent city. Each day she would wake up and see the city as the first sight of her morning. The bright flashy lights and flickering attractions always made her feel that the city purposely did that to make commoners like her feel bad about their existence.

Bored of the continuous bloodshed happening before her, Aurora went on her way. It was late in the evening, and nighttime was going to soon approach. As she went her so-called merry way, she was passing a heaping amount of garbage that stank terribly. Holding her nose, she paused to glare at the amount of trash just sitting by the sidewalk. As disgusting as it was, she was hoping she could find something useful—something to add a spark in her life.

Stunned, Aurora’s eyes stopped on top of a bare leg that was sticking out of the garbage mass. Looking around, Aurora carefully went closer to see who it was. It was normal for her to see body bags tossed about in The North Sea, but to be lazy enough to just toss a body into a lump of trash? She found that to be ridiculous and hard to believe. Stepping around the pile, she went to the back to dig out the body. She was shocked to see that it was a pretty boy laying naked in the pile.

Aurora covered her mouth in disgust. Her bitten apple fell out of hand as she almost vomited.

The smell of the garbage mixed with the sight this body convinced her that this boy was decaying. But he didn’t look as though he was rotting. Aurora was very confused.

She yanked the body as hard as she could, but he was very heavy. Aurora cursed under her breath, stepping one leg on a firm bag for support and pulled as hard as she could on the body. Eventually, the body was freed, but her grip slipped, causing her to fall back on the ground. Rubbing her butt, she opened her eyes seeing the boy laying now—on the ground.

He was completely nude—not even boxers on him. Aurora blushed profusely. She had never seen a man naked in her life. She felt violated—as though it was his fault her eyes could not unsee what she has witnessed. Looking around hastily, Aurora tried to find something to cover up his body. Looking across the street, she saw a couple of sheets that were laying on a table left outside of a smoke shop. Running, she went and grabbed them, hurrying back.

Aurora spread the sheets over the male’s body, and tapped her chin. She began to wonder why she was even doing this. He didn’t know her and she definitely did not know him. Aurora didn’t even know if this boy was alive. But something just told her that he should be left with some kind of dignity, at the least. But where should he rest until he awakens? Aurora didn’t know how to bring the boy along with her. She was definitely not planning on taking him on her back, back to her base. He was too heavy, and he was naked.

Aurora decided to leave him there for a while to scout the hood. No one in The North Sea cared about homeless people, nor did they care for the dead. They all looked the same in their eyes. This proved to be a benefit for Aurora in times pass. And now, it would prove to benefit this boy—hopefully.

Aurora found a supermarket that had spare shopping carts standing around the parking lot. Without a second thought, she hurried into the parking lot and stole a cart, fleeing the scene. A worker on break had just lit a cigarette. Seeing the girl running with that cart made him shake his head in pity. He took a puff of his drug and exhaled.

“Such a damn shame…” He breathed.

Aurora panted, sprinting as fast as she could to the body. Seeing that he was still lying behind the garbage, she was relieved. She tilted the cart on its side and shoved him in there, using all of her body strength to get the cart back on its wheels. It took her quite a number of tries to make this happen. He was just too heavy. Once on its wheels, Aurora played it off cool, covering the body with the rest of the sheets and went about her business.

After twenty minutes of pacing through the streets, Aurora finally made it back to her domain—under the docks at the pier was where Aurora dwelled. The ocean was her safe bet—just in case she had to swim to get away from the people who may pursue her and want her dead. Since the sand was too grainy for the wheels to be stable, she poured the body onto the sand and dragged his body down, leaving the cart behind. Laying him down flat under the docks, Aurora trembled with feelings of excitement and concern.

Kneeling down next to him, she uncovered his face, seeing that he was still unconscious. She pulled the sheets further down his body, admiring how well built this boy was. Aurora ran her hand over his body to see what was wrong. She couldn’t identify it. It finally dawned on her to check for his heartbeat. Putting her ear to his left pec, she was shocked to just realize there wasn’t any heartbeat. But he looked perfectly fine! Did he just die recently, as in when Aurora had just gotten back from York Seoul City?

Aurora was truly terrified and creeped out that she carried a corpse all the way from the border back to the water. She thought perhaps she should just let his body float away at sea to delete his existence forever. No one was looking for him, because if that was the case, he wouldn’t have been in that trash pile.

After going to the shore to rinse her hands, Aurora sat next to the body for a while, staring at it. She ate another apple as time went on. It was on the brink of nighttime. Some thoughts came across her mind, making her feel awkward. It was only what girls naturally thought about. Perhaps a kiss—since she had nothing better to do. Most of the time she just scouts at day, but hides at night. No one was looking for her, nor miss her. She didn’t even know if she had relatives or siblings.

Leaning over the body, she stared at him for a good amount of time to make sure he wasn’t alive. Kissing a dead body wouldn’t have been the worse she has done. What did she have to lose? Her life? That was the only thing that was probably valuable for someone like her. With that thought, she decided to give the kiss a go. She never kissed a guy anyway. It was so psychotic, now that she thought about it. Kissing a corpse? How sick is that? But she didn’t care. The world has no pity when it comes to human life that wasn’t blessed with a silver spoon shoved down their throats, so why should she be ashamed?

Hesitantly, though, Aurora laid her lips on the boy, imagining that it was her on her first date. She closed her eyes to take in the moment. Inhaling the scent of the boy, she almost barfed because she forgot that this boy was just in a pile of garbage! Once she released his lips, she jumped back, and vomited into the sand. The apples she had just eaten came back up. She cursed violently, damning her stupidity. How desperate was she?

Coughing aggressively, she rushes back to the water to rinse her mouth. Her ears then tuned in keenly to the sound of an engine firing up in a loud hum. Opening one eye in disgust from the kiss, she looked at the boy’s body, seeing it glow in a sky-blue aura. After two seconds, the light disappeared.

Aurora got up and bolted off, horrified by this phenomenon.

The male’s eyes shot open, and he sat up robotically, looking straight ahead.

As Aurora ran in the opposite direction, she was a good distance away from behind him. Her legs shook almost violently. Her stomach felt so weak that she fell to her knees.

The male lifted his arms slowly and glanced at his hands. It was almost as though it was his first time seeing his them. He looked around silently, then got up. The sheet slipped away from his body, being carried off by the wind by a few feet. He turned around, seeing the girl kneeling in the sand.

“Human…” He mumbled.

Looking back, Aurora realized that the male was looking right at her. She cursed and got up, making a run for her life. She knew she shouldn’t have messed with the dead. Crying in fear, she tried to go as far as she could, but glancing back, he was already catching up with her. She screamed in desperation, wishing that someone would come save her. But the harsh reality was—no one was going to.

Feeling his hand grip her shoulder, Aurora turned around and punched him in the jaw straight in the mouth. Immediately she felt a stinging sensation flush through her veins. Screaming in agony, she shook her hand, holding it with regret. His face remained unharmed. In fact—it didn’t move a bit from her hit.

He stared at her with his eyes of emptiness that eventually consumed her.

Reaching behind him, Aurora closed her eyes, covering her head in fear that he would hurt her. But instead, he pulled out his arm, revealing one of the sheets Aurora had originally covered him up with. Puzzled, Aurora looked at the sheet, and back at the male.

“Do you know who I am?” The male asks.

“…what?” Aurora whispered.

The male handed her the blanket. “Here,” He says.

Aurora reluctantly took it.

Eyeing it, she looked up at him.

He stared down at her, as though he wanted her to command him to do something.

“So, you’re alive, huh…” Aurora asked bothered.

“Yes.”

By his tone, Aurora came to realize that this boy was an AI.

His body was toned in every good away, making him appear to be a top model.

“Here,” Aurora shoved the sheet back on him, turning away. “Wrap this around your body.”

“How?”

Startled by his question, Aurora gawked at the boy. “W-What?!”

He was serious.

Lifting his arms up, he waited for Aurora to proceed. Smacking herself on the forehead, Aurora went ahead to hurriedly tie the sheet around his waistline.

He lowered his arms, and glanced at his waistline. “Thank you.”

“Whatever,” Aurora ran her hand through her hair. She could not believe what was going on. Who would have thought that this human boy that was supposed to be dead—that she kissed—turned out to be a robot that has no clue how to even dress himself?

“What is my name?” He questioned.

“How the hell should I know?” Aurora wiped the residue of her vomit from her mouth.

He pushed her arm away, wiping the rest for her.

“Don’t touch my face!” She hissed, smacking his hand away. “I found you in the garbage pile near the city! I don’t even know where your hands have been!”

He stared at her with no emotion. “What is my name?”

Aurora snapped her face to his. “Why do you keep asking me that?”

“I don’t remember who I am…nor do I have a master anymore,” He informed her. “Will you be my master?”

Aurora was taken aback by his offer. “Um…” It almost felt like a dream. A pitiful, poor, and useless girl that suddenly has a handsome and obviously expensive AI in her care? She’s stolen plenty of things in her lifetime, but an AI was not her forte.

“…I don’t know.” Aurora spoke honestly but saddened. “I’ve never owned any AI in my life…to spontaneously have one in my possession now…?”

The AI got on one knee, putting his hand to his artificial heart. “I want you to be my new owner. I no longer have one.”

Aurora was vaguely touched by his offer. “Your name, you ask…?”

“Yes.”

Aurora stared at the collar his neck. Stepping closer, she noticed a metal coin attached to it. “…so, they called you Kookie?”

“Yes.” He mumbled.

Aurora folded her arms. “Then…” Aurora thought deeply. Holding her chin, she began to reminisce to a memory that made her feel warm inside, but it was a very relatable thought. “…I’ll call you Jeonguk.”

“Jeonguk…”

“That’s right.” Aurora nodded.

Standing up, Jeonguk awaited Aurora’s next orders. Aurora didn’t understand what he wanted. She asked him what did he need, but he didn’t respond.

Weirdo… She thought.

Jeonguk followed Aurora back under the docks. Since it was now dark, Aurora decided that he slept somewhere else. Aurora was not comfortable with the idea of a male sleeping near her—even if he was just a machine.

“Here’s my first command,” Aurora turns to him, putting a hand on her hip. “Go and sleep somewhere far from here for tonight.”

“Why?”

“...because,” Aurora folded her arms. “Because I don’t really feel comfortable with you being near me…I just met you.”

“Then, why did you kiss me?”

“What?” She furrowed her eyebrows. “Excuse you?”

He didn’t say a word after that.

“Just…go away!”

Jeonguk stood there, processing her request. “Very well.” After ten seconds, he began to walk off. Aurora watched him carefully to make sure he never turned back.

“...what a creep.” She muttered.

Settling down, Aurora cupped her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. She stared at the water, watching the tides slowly raise as the moon was now blooming.

Thinking back, Aurora never thought that she would have found an AI that would suddenly belong to her. This moment felt like a lie.

Someone is setting me up… She thought.

She hugged her knees tighter. Aurora couldn’t even confide in anyone. She had no parents—no siblings—nothing. She sat there meditating on whether or not she had made the right choice of keeping this machine. Her conscious told her that she should have just gotten rid of him, pretending that nothing’s ever happened. Aurora’s mind suddenly drew her in to the words Jeonguk informed her. He had asked her why did she kiss him? She wondered how did he know. His eyes never opened the entire time.

The thought made her skin crawl. And it was so disgusting, she had the urge to vomit again. She just wanted tonight to be done away with. A homeless girl who steals food was fortunate to randomly find an expensive AI just lounging around in a bag of garbage, and is willing to be her servant. What a joke.

Even AI’s look down at commoners. She thought sadly. He’s most likely going to treat me the same way too, and then leave.

Her mind clouding up, she eventually fell over, falling asleep.

Early in the morning, Aurora drew her eyes open. The tides returned behind the shoreline, and the sun was bright. Thankfully, she was stationed under the docks, so she didn’t have to worry about her eyes burning from the sensation of bright light emitting on her. Sitting up, she rubbed her eyes and yawned. When Aurora saw someone lying next to her in her peripheral vision, she jumped up immediately. Gasping, she clenched her hoodie and exhaled deeply.

Jeonguk was sound asleep next to her. He looked so peaceful, almost making Aurora forget that this male is actually a machine. The tomboy ran her hand through her dirty hair and groaned. She realized suddenly that it would be dangerous for her to start traveling around with this beautiful pack of metal because The North Sea is known to be one of the most rundown neighborhoods and regions of York Seoul City. She’d have to move to an area that won’t cause others to suspect her or target her and take him away.

Maybe I should just let him go… She thought. I’ve been by myself since I was born. I don’t see why all of a sudden, this one decides to show up in my life now.

But then she realized, she was the one who brought him to her.

Scowling, she walked towards the ocean. Staring out in the distance, the wind made her feel drawn to the wide body of water. Aurora frequently thought about how many times she tried to take her life here, but the waves always sent her back to shore. She’d wake up, coughing excessively until all the sea water escaped her lungs. With Jeonguk now here, she wondered if things would be different. It didn’t mean she wanted him around though.

Jeonguk soon woke up, clenching his fingers. Not seeing Aurora next to him, he whispered, “…master?”

Aurora never told him her name which he was interested in.

Looking back, Aurora saw that he was finally awake, but didn’t bother to walk over. Instead, he did. Standing by her, Jeonguk decided to join in admiring the ocean. “The water is beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Yeah…” Aurora whispered. “It is.”

Calculating the water’s width and depth, Jeonguk turned to Aurora and asked, “Would you like to know the size of this ocean and how deep it is?”

“Sure.”

“It exceeds across the East Coast, at least 400 miles. The depth of the ocean is limited, but humans cannot reach the bottom. Sharks and other possibly dangerous creatures dwell in this part, including…” Jeonguk went on to describe the fishes that lived in that area. Aurora listened, but her mind soon closed out the knowledge he was offering her.

Jeonguk kept talking until she put her hand up told him to stop. She had enough.

Jeonguk eyed her with a blank expression and turned back to the ocean. “Understood.”

After some time, Aurora wanted to get some food. But of course, she’d have to steal. Although Jeonguk was just an AI, she felt uncomfortable with the idea of doing it in front of him. As he followed her up the sandy hill, Aurora turned back and stopped him. “I think it’s best that you wait here until I return.”

“Why?”

“It’s not safe for either of us.”

“And why is that?”

Aurora glowered at Jeonguk. “I’m hungry. Plus, it’d be suspicious to see a dirty and ugly kid like me walking around with a clean-looking and handsome AI like you—although you still stink— following me everywhere.”

“Why is that a problem?”

Taken aback by his question, Aurora scowled. “Listen—just obey me and stay here!” She pointed back to the docks. “I don’t need any burden on me if I get caught stealing—” It was too late to catch herself.

“A thief?” Jeonguk tilted his head intrigued. “My last master wanted me to dispose of any thief that tried to steal from anyone.”

“I thought you couldn’t remember your master?” Aurora sneered.

Jeonguk didn’t say a word.

“Yeah well, your master ain’t here, now are they? Unless you want to go back to whoever the hell they are, be my guest.” Aurora turned her back to him. “Or, you can do as I asked, and sit your ass under the docks until I come back.”

Jeonguk didn’t respond, watching her march off.

Aurora deep down was offended by what Jeonguk inferred when he spoke about his previous owner.

He doesn’t even know me…But he’s just a damn AI, so of course he wouldn’t understand what feelings are when he should. That’s probably why he was in that trash pile. They were probably sick of him.

Aurora went into the city once more to embark on her journey. Looking around the stands, she remembered to be cautious of the man she stole from yesterday. If he saw her, it wouldn’t be good. She swiped her hood on and kept her head low, shrouding her hands into her pockets. Shifting her eyes left and right, she tried to assess what was the best bet of taking today. Seeing a mango stand, Aurora already sat her eyes and heart to it.

Casually going over, she pretended that she was just examining the mangoes. She took one, and looked at the color. “It’s not ripe yet.” Putting it down, she observed another. After a few attempts, she found one that was just right, and the right size, too. As she was getting ready to hide it in her hoodie, a masculine hand snatched her hood off and yanked her from the stand.

“This street mouse is stealing from your stand!” The man boldly yells as he holds her in the air like a kitten.

Aurora recognized that voice. It was the same man from yesterday! She was stunned to see him in this part of the flea market. He was usually a little block down, but today he was in these parts.

The woman behind the mango stand sighed. “Just let her take it. One mango won’t hurt my business.”

“Oh really?” The man queried intrigued. On that note, he puts the girl down, and drags her along. “Then that’s fine.”

“Let me go, mister.” Aurora demanded.

But he glared at her. She knew this man hated her guts. She stole from him so many times, but she didn’t give a damn.

Aurora tried to fight him off, but he was a strong man for his size. He was obese and his hands were like bear paws. Dragging her into an alleyway, a few men were sitting around a round foldable table, smoking and playing Shades with cards when the man spoke up.

Angrily, he tossed her at them. “This is the S.O.B that’s been stealing from my stand!”

The men looked down at her with pity.

Hurrying on her knees, Aurora eyed each of the men that gave her a questioning look.

“Do whatever the hell you want with this piece of s— and TEACH her a lesson!”

“The money?” One of the guys called out.

The man turned, marching over. “Here,” He slammed the money on their table and looked at the girl. Kicking her in the stomach, she fell over and gasped.

“Enjoy your karma.” He spits on her, leaving the alley.

Clenching her stomach, Aurora wiped the spit from her forehead and winced from the pain.

The guys couldn’t care less. They all got up and cracked their knuckles, gathering around her. Each guy took a turn in hitting her. One of them snatched the mango from her and bit into it, earning a screeching shout of anger from her. She demanded it back, but all of them punched her, and beat on her until she screamed ‘rape’.

One of the men snatched her up, ripping her hoodie and tried to slash her, but she stuck her thumbs in his eyes, violently trying to gouge them out. He shrieked in anguish, throwing her into the brick wall of the building. She had totally forgotten about the last apple that she had stolen from the man yesterday. But it fell out and rolled away from impact.

Falling to the ground, Aurora forced herself up and limped away as fast as she could.

The men wanted to chase after her, but they knew if the public saw that a group of men were following this badly wounded girl, they would be convicted of rape right then and there.

Aurora clenched her stomach in pain, staggering as fast as she could. It would take her a while to make it back to The North Sea in the condition she was in.

“Over a fruit,” Aurora coughed a little blood. She groaned. “I think he punctured an organ…”

Aurora fell onto the sidewalk in the middle of the street. Everyone just looked at her like an animal and kept going.

Aurora’s eyes teared up. Wiping them aggressively, she pushed forward to get out of the city.

It took her awhile to get back, and Jeonguk was wondering when she would return. Sitting in the ocean to rinse himself off, Jeonguk played with the water, letting it swim through his fingers. The scenery was breathtaking, but without Aurora being around, he didn’t deem it necessary to be inspired by the creation. Picking up on his senses, Jeonguk looked back, seeing Aurora hobbling. He recognized that as a sign of defeat, and pain.

He got up and slowly walked over to her. “What is wrong?”

Aurora couldn’t look him in the eye. She bit her lower lip and began to cry. “…it’s nothing.” She went around him to go and sit under the docks.

Jeonguk turned to look at her. Following her, he watched as she slowly sat, but ended up giving away and fell because of how badly she was injured.

Jeonguk examined her attire, and saw that her clothes were ruined, there were bruises all over her body and she had no food.

“Where is the food?”

Aurora didn’t say anything.

With that, Jeonguk took his leave, leaving the beach.

Aurora didn’t expect him to do that, but deep down, she blamed it on the fact that he was an AI.

He can’t understand emotion…

Aurora’s eyes flowed with tears. With the amount of agony, she was in, she thought of all the possibly worse outcomes for her near future.

No one loves me…no one cares for me…I can’t receive food in peace…everyone looks at me as an animal…and I expect an AI to treat me differently…?

The sheer thought left her in shambles. She hugged her knees and buried her head into her arms and sulked. She was terribly hungry. She hardly ate anything by the daily, and to top it all off, she got badly jumped by men who didn’t even know who she was or where she came from.

Aurora became bitter, wanting to kill herself now. At the end of the day, no one would remember her—not even Jeonguk. He clearly stopped caring for his original owner as soon as she found him. He’d just repeat the same steps if she were to leave him because he was an AI. That’s how he was programmed to be.

After half an hour of sulking and lying around, and wanting to die, Jeonguk returned. But he came with a package.

Seeing him stand a few feet from her head, Aurora weakly lifted her head to see him, but only managed to see his feet, returning to her lifeless position. Jeonguk eyed her silently sensing that she was in the emotion of devastation.

“I brought you something.” He announced.

Aurora didn’t want to see what he had.

Probably some stupid rock he found while he left me here to suffer. She thought bitterly.

Jeonguk recognized that she would not give him the satisfaction of presenting to her what he got.

Putting the basket down, he walked off.

Aurora knew that he left her again. Her guts let her know she was right.

“Stupid AI…” She whispered hatefully.

After some minutes passed, Jeonguk returned, picking up the basket. He stepped in front of her. Aurora did not want to see him. “Get out of my way.” She demanded.

Jeonguk stood there for a moment, and placed the basket down gently.

Sighing, she rolled her eyes.

…a basket.

Jeonguk knelt down, and took out mangoes. Aurora was startled to see what he brought. She looked in the basket, watching as he showed her a brand-new dress.

In complete awe, Aurora’s eyes scattered over all the fruits that were within this huge bowl-basket.

“…where did you get all this…?”

“I stole it.”

Sitting up, she looked at him. Aurora felt a sudden splash of laughter come over her. Jeonguk literally just went and copied something bad that she does on a regular basis.

Jeonguk didn’t see what was so funny. “Why is that funny?”

Aurora wiped her eyes. “You shouldn’t steal, Jeonguk.”

Jeonguk stared with his normal blank expression. “You had no food. And your clothes are no good.”

“Yeah, well…” Taking a good look at him, Aurora’s mouth parted a little. “…you’re wearing a new outfit?”

“I stole this, too.”

Aurora had to admit she was impressed. “How were you able to get away with all of this?”

“Women on the street kept eyeing me, and they said that a young man like me should not be walking around with sheets dangling from my waist. They escorted me to a shop for men’s clothing and I decided to steal these when they left.”

“Did you at least shower?”

Jeonguk didn’t say a word.

Aurora was too lost for words to describe what she thought. She continued laughing.

Jeonguk frowned. “I washed up in the water.” Taking a mango, he peeled a portion of the skin off and gave it to her. Aurora was surprised by his gesture. “Eat it.”

Sheepishly, Aurora accepted the fruit hesitantly. She looked at it. “…you even got the ripe ones.”

Jeonguk watched as she bit into the mango. She definitely had a look of pleasure and satisfaction. Jeonguk processed that.

Aurora tried to hide her happiness in receiving a meal, but it kept on glowing from her lips.

Jeonguk eyed her lips, calculating that she was trying to hide her emotion. “Why are you hiding your smile?”

“Huh?” Aurora gaped at him hysterically.

“Smile.”

Aurora was confused by how Jeonguk saw that her smile was fighting to unleash. She smiled faintly. Finishing the mango, she placed the seed aside and burped, excusing herself.

Jeonguk took in every detail of what and how Aurora was acting for future purposes.

Aurora leaned over, wiping her hands on her hoodie to remove the juicy residue from her fingers. Grabbing the dress, she glanced at Jeonguk. “Is this really for me?”

“Just you.”

Aurora blushed, turning the dress back and front. “…it’s really beautiful.” She lowered the dress in her lap, giving him a doubtful and saddened look. “Why?”

“Earlier you said that you were ugly,” Jeonguk expressed. “But you’re just dirty. Not ugly.”

A warm feeling of comfort washed over her. Embarrassed, she glued her eyes on the dress. “…thanks.”

Aurora was deeply happy that she finally had something new to wear. But where would she shower to put it on? She couldn’t possibly just wear this when she hasn’t bathed for a couple of days.

“I…don’t have a place to shower,” She explained. “I don’t want to put on this clean dress until I shower.”

“Is the ocean water not good enough?”

“It…has salt.” Aurora said. “Fresh water would be appropriate.”

“There isn’t any fresh water around here.”

“…I know.” Aurora used to take showers in the foster home she was in. But after she had turned eighteen, she left their care to do better things. But nothing gotten better. Whether she was in or out of the foster home, she was abused, had no friends or allies, still had bad odor either way because the other youth there would torture her by locking her in her room for most of the day so that she couldn’t eat, use the bathroom, or shower. She explained this to Jeonguk.

Listening attentively, Jeonguk didn’t utter a word. After doing so, he stood up. “Where should I retrieve fresh water?”

Aurora was shocked that he was going to go and find her water. “There isn’t really much options on where to go…”

“Are there any foster homes here?”

Aurora thought deeply. “Well, there’s the one I used to be in but,” She sighed. “I don’t have pleasant memories…I’d rather not go back there.”

“I’ll come with you.”

Aurora was taken aback by his offer. “Nah…I’d prefer you’d stay here. Like I said earlier, it’d be suspicious of me to have you around me the way I look and my status.”

“You’ll be different once you wear the dress.”

Aurora slowly let those words seep in. “Okay.”

Leaving the basket behind, Jeonguk followed Aurora to the foster home. Aurora felt a bit unsure of how things would be if she were to just suddenly pop up after a couple months. She got a sunken feeling in her stomach. She mostly wanted to turn back and just hide at the beach. But Jeonguk was behind her. Exhaling, she blocked the intimidating feelings.

Stepping at the entrance of the foster home, Aurora reached out to knock but hesitated.

Jeonguk stepped ahead and knocked on the door hard enough for someone to hear. Aurora gawked at him. “Why would you do that?!” She cried.

Jeonguk looked at her. “I sensed fear.”

Shaken by his theory, Aurora remained silent.

They both heard children behind the doors shouting, ‘Mother Nan, Mother Nan! There’s someone knocking!’

Aurora began to feel her stomach churn once more. Pulling her back, Jeonguk stepped in front of her. The door then opened. An older woman—most likely in her late fifties—smiled at the boy.

“Why, hello there. Can I help you?”

“I have a request to make,” Jeonguk began. “My master needs to take a shower, but she has nowhere to go.”

Aurora was shocked that Jeonguk boldly said such a thing to her previous mother.

“A shower?” Nan questioned. Trying to peer behind him, she asked, “May I see her?”

Aurora gradually stepped from behind the AI with a dress in her hand.

“Ah, Aurora.”

Aurora frowned, looking away.

Looking at Aurora, Nan glanced at Jeonguk. “Wait—an AI?” She gawked. Glaring at Aurora, she questioned how she got in possession of one. This was what Aurora feared would happen.

“I quit my job, and wandered around this city, then found her,” Jeonguk lies confidently. “It would be much appreciated if you do not try to delve deep into our relationship and relation.”

Mother Nan furrowed a brow, giving Aurora one last look. “Alright,” She stepped aside. “Aurora knows where the shower room is. Make it quick.”

Aurora hurried inside, with Jeonguk following. “Thank you, ma’am,” He bowed his head.

“Now, hold on a minute,” Mother Nan stopped Jeonguk. “Your face looks very familiar.”

Jeonguk didn’t give any reaction to her statement.

“Why are you lying for that girl? She stole you, didn’t she?”

“No,” Jeonguk responded. “I stole her.”

Speechless, Mother Nan didn’t know what to say to that.

Meanwhile, Aurora had already taken a shower. She was so excited to try on the dress. The feeling of being fresh and her hair smelling good made her feel joyful once again. Grabbing a spare towel from the rack, she hurriedly wiped herself. But because she took a steaming hot shower, the mist lingered within the bathroom, making it harder for her to get dry. Opening the door a little to let the mist escape, Aurora inhaled deeply, then exhaled. The room was finally cleared of a watery atmosphere.

She takes the dress and looks in the mirror. It then dawned on her. She doesn’t have any spare bra or underwear.

Previously leaving here, Aurora didn’t bother to take any of her clothes with her. She didn’t have any other place to store them, so to bring an extra load would just weigh her down. Quickly, she washed the only underwear she had. She had no bra either way, and being that she was only a side B-cup, her breasts didn’t stick out as much as she wished. But it gave her benefits, which would also serve a purpose with the dress she was about to wear.

After washing her underwear, she puts it aside and puts the dress on. Zipping it up, she looked in the mirror, and took a few steps back. “Wow…” The dress was so beautiful, and it complimented her shape, although she wasn’t a curvy female, she had a little curve below.

She spun around in the dress.

Aurora completely forgotten about her pain, and the fact that she was a tomboy. The dress was so eye appealing, it almost made her want to cry. It was a beautiful gothic red wine knee-high Lolita dress with short sleeves with black trims.

Aurora smiled ear to ear and clasped her hands together. With her hair now washed, it enhanced her features and expounded on the beauty of her attire. Taking her underwear, she wringed it out and hid it in her dress, hurrying back downstairs. She couldn’t wait to show Jeonguk how she looked.

Once she had gotten back to the entrance, she saw that Mother Nan and Jeonguk weren’t there. The door was closed, so he had to be inside.

Looking around the hallway, she was familiar with what was behind each door. She wasn’t an innocent girl either. She used to browse through things she shouldn’t have been peeping in, and that had gotten her into a lot of trouble. Choosing the door that led to the kitchen, Aurora slowly peeped in. Surprisingly, her guess was accurate. Jeonguk was sitting at the kitchen island, staring at something.

Opening the door further, Aurora was mortified, seeing Nan slowly taking her clothes off. “Oh, hell no!” Aurora snarled with fury. Slamming the door open, Mother Nan howled at the sight of Aurora.

“Aurora!” She gasped.

Aurora grabbed Jeonguk, running away. “You’re sick!!!” She snapped at the woman.

Leaving the foster home, Aurora took Jeonguk as far as she could. She could not believe what he was doing. Stopping midway down the sidewalk, she stopped, letting his hand go. Jeonguk was confused by Aurora’s reaction. Turning to him, she balled her fists.

“Why did you—”

Aurora slapped him. “Don’t you ever let another woman treat you like that!”

Jeonguk had the ability to feel pain, but it wasn’t within him to unlock that attribute yet.

Seeing the hurt in her eyes, Aurora gritted her teeth. “She’s a sick bastard…” Aurora lowered her head in shame. “…that’s another reason why I left the foster home.”

“I’m sorry.” Jeonguk apologized. “I did not understand what she was doing, because I do not recognize the pleasure of looking at a human.”

Aurora looked at him.

Calmly, Jeonguk wiped her eyes. “Now, stop crying,” Jeonguk looked at her and said, “You look beautiful.”

Aurora’s cheeks reddened. “Yeah, whatever…” Deep down she was relieved that Jeonguk couldn’t recognize what the woman was doing. Although, she found it weird that he didn’t know what Nan was doing being that AI were built advanced in these times, allowing them to basically function like a normal human being. No one would mostly know the difference between a human or AI until an AI acknowledges that they are an AI.

Jeonguk followed Aurora back home.

It’s been quite a number of days since Jeonguk and Aurora have been associating with one another. Aurora realized that she didn’t even have shoes. This whole time, she’s been barefoot, traveling in and out of the city. It’s no wonder people looked at her strangely. A girl with a beautiful red dress, stunning shoulder-length hair—walking down the street, with nothing to praise her feet? Once Jeonguk learned what it meant to be kind, he decided to find Aurora some shoes that would match her outfit.

Aurora was waiting on the bridge at the beach, kicking her legs over the ledge. Jeonguk would soon return with some items. With a mango in hand, she enjoyed the fruity nectar as it splashed against the boardwalk. Aurora’s mind wandered off into a fictional world of how life would have been if she actually had a family. Would she have needed an AI? Would she have been different? Would she have ever met Jeonguk?

Aurora only shrugged. At this point in her life, a family was the last thing she wanted anymore. Aurora stood up tossing the mango seed and skin into the ocean, watching as the waves swallowed it up and drove them away. She kneeled, washing her hands in the water and shook them dry. In the distance, Jeonguk was coming down with a bag in hand.

She hurries over to him excitedly. Jeonguk looked at her, handing her the bag. Opening it, she peered inside. There inside, were beautiful red shoes that would definitely go well with her outfit. Dropping onto the sand, she grabbed a shoe to put on. But Jeonguk stopped her immediately.

“Did you wash your feet?”

“If I wash it, then sand will stick to them.”

Jeonguk frowned, folding his arms.

Aurora rolled her eyes, dropping the shoes in the bag. She stood back up and went over to the shore, barely touching the water. Taking a few steps further, the water reached her ankles. She allowed them to soak for a bit, rubbing the sole of her feet against the sand. Sea water and sand was actually healthy for skin. It removed dead skin cells and repaired any damaged skin, along with killing bacteria. She grunted because she knew if she were to step out of the water, all the sand would start sticking to the bottom of her feet, which would defeat the purpose of washing them. Sighing, she went about her business.

Before she was able to fully turn around, she was swept off her feet. Frightened, she yelped, but Jeonguk was merely helping her out.

The water from her toes dripped onto the side of his shirt.

“You’re clothes!”

“It’s fine.” Jeonguk assured her as he carried her to the boardwalk. Sitting her down, he took the old sheets he used to wear, and wiped her feet completely dry, then dressed them in her new pair of shoes. Aurora wriggled her toes in them.

“You’re really good at finding the clothes that fits me just right.” She complimented.

“I examined your body.” Jeonguk said innocently.

Aurora knew what Jeonguk meant, but it was still awkward hearing him say something like that.

Sitting down next to her, Jeonguk asked, “Do you like them?”

Aurora nodded. “Uh-huh.”

The two sat quietly, gazing at the bright sunny sky and the ocean below.

“What would you like to do for today?” Jeonguk questioned.

Looking at him, Aurora didn’t know what to say. “I honestly don’t know. I’ve hardly done anything interesting in my life besides stealing and getting beaten up for it, so…”

Jeonguk did not find that funny.

“It wasn’t supposed to be a joke,” She rolls her eyes.

Jeonguk glanced at the sea. “If I were to leave you tomorrow, what would you do?”

Befuddled by that question, Aurora interrogated his sudden eccentric question.

“Going into the city these past couple of days, I’ve realized that the only reason why many humans have AIs,” He looks at her. “Is because we’re just tools for them to use. If they need to, they’ll get rid of us and replace us like old thoughts. So, if the AI decides to leave before that happens, would the outcome still be the same?”

Aurora didn’t understand where this question came from, but she understood where Jeonguk was coming from. Humans indeed saw AI as just a tool—a means of enhancing society. But at the same time, AIs were in a way pets—pets that you can replace if you feel that they aren’t meeting the family’s idea of the perfect human—the perfect plan.

“They create machines like me with the capacity to have emotion, to think, to understand, to know. But yet, they also created a machine like me, who has to learn how to understand what it means to have emotion, to understand what others think, to know what to do.” Jeonguk paused. “Perhaps that’s the reason why I was found by you,” He says. “My owner must have gotten sick and tired of me not understanding her, not thinking about her, not showing any emotion for her, and not getting to know her.”

Aurora felt terrible, because she was thinking the same thing previously, but only out of anger.

“Her…?” Aurora repeated.

“Yes, my owner was a young girl,” Jeonguk expounded. “Her father had me created for her 16th birthday, deeming me a wonderful asset and extension of their family. She requested that her father build me from scratch, to inculcate in me the power to show her love and affection—something that I’ve failed to achieve.”

Aurora was deeply moved by Jeonguk’s rant.

Who’d knew a robot could actually go through so much…? She thought in awe.

After Jeonguk finished his thoughts, he remained silent.

“If your owner threw you away because of that…then, she’s wrong,” Aurora reassured. “She should have taken the time to teach you and train you. It’s not your fault if she’s failed on her part to help you grow.”

Jeonguk stared at Aurora. He turned back to the water, changing the subject.

“Do you want to live on the beach forever?”

“I…don’t know…” Aurora fiddled with her thumbs. “…like I’ve explained to you, I don’t have much nice things, I have no family or friends, no money—I didn’t even have shoes! And I’ve never thought of living anywhere else…I’ve been a street runner for most of my life, so…”

“I’ll find you a home.”

Aurora gazed at him. “…what?”

Jeonguk seemed to be serious. He never looked at her when he said it. He was meditating long and hard on what it meant to be kind. He wanted to show it at the max, but he didn’t know how to.

“Kindness…” He mumbled.

“…what?” Aurora questioned his distant mumbling.

Getting on his feet, Jeonguk looked at Aurora. “Would you like to visit the city?”

Unsure of what to say, she stood up. Looking at Jeonguk, she shook her head. “Not really.”

“Why not?”

Aurora looked down. “Well…if I do go back again, I might see that man again.”

Jeonguk tensed up. “What man?”

Staring at the boardwalk, Aurora pointed at her stomach. “The man who kicked me here. I got badly bruised, but it’s recovering quickly, surprisingly.”

Jeonguk’s eyebrows tried to furrow, but they remained neutral. “Is that the day you tried to steal mangoes?”

“…yeah.” She nodded. “I’d rather not see him.”

Jeonguk stretched his hand out. “It will be okay.”

Aurora didn’t understand why this AI wanted so much for her to travel to the city. Sighing, she took his hand calmly, allowing him to lead her off the beach. She glanced back, watching as the sandy surface was getting smaller and smaller. As they traveled towards the border of The North Sea, there were suspicious men and women eyeing at her. Aurora felt their eyes glued on her, and she began to feel somewhat uncomfortable. Subconsciously, her hand tightened around Jeonguk’s. He noticed, looking down at her. “Are you alright?”

“…there’s people looking at me,” She exhaled nervously. “Can we hurry?”

Jeonguk began to walk faster. Aurora felt his pace getting faster and faster.

“Jeonguk, aren’t you going a little bit too fast—” Jeonguk lifted her up into his arms and hurried to York Seoul City. Aurora was puzzled by why Jeonguk lifted her into his arms. She didn’t need Jeonguk to carry her like as if she was his bride. She just wanted to escape the onlookers that she knew was questioning her relationship with this AI. They probably recognized her too, thinking, how did a low-life scumbag like that girl manage to get her hands on an AI like that?

“Please, put me down,” Aurora pleaded. “Please!!!”

Jeonguk didn’t understand the issue, but he calmly puts her down once they reached the city.

Aurora’s eyes teared up a bit. She wiped them aggressively, turning away.

“What is the matter?”

“It’s nothing. I’m just overly sensitive.”

“About what?”

“People judging…” She didn’t finish her sentence. “…forget it. Let’s go.” Aurora began to take the lead.

Watching Aurora go ahead, Jeonguk balled his fists. He felt that—no—he was convinced that he wasn’t being good enough for her.

Are people judging her because of me? He thought. Following behind her, he didn’t say a word.

Aurora kept her head low, walking like a soldier through the crowds of wealthy citizens. Being that she was now well-dressed, she looked like one of them. She could have been any of them if she had wanted to be.

People’s eyes were now focusing on the two. But in reality, it was Jeonguk that was the star of the show. Women were whispering past them, questioning who that handsome young man was. Aurora ignored it. Being that she’s never had a full-fledged experience of having any sort of relationship with a male, she couldn’t care less that women and girls wanted him. She just wanted to go somewhere and hide.

As they reached the end of a block, Jeonguk finally stopped her. “Wait,”

“What is it?” Aurora looks at him unsettled.

“Would you like to ride the subway?” Jeonguk pointed at the subway that was leading downstairs.

Following his finger, Aurora hesitantly responded. “Why?”

“Have you ever ridden it before?”

“Well…” Aurora exhaled. “Only a few times in my life, but only because I was running from the cops.”

Jeonguk frowned.

“What?” She shrugs casually. “What else were you expecting me to say?”

Ignoring her, Jeonguk grabbed her hand and led her down the stairs. Aurora didn’t understand what was going through this AI’s mind. Jeonguk seemed to be an AI that has to learn things from scratch like a little child to grow, yet for some reason, he already had prior knowledge of what the purpose of certain things in life were—like subways, for instance.

Stepping up to the turnstiles, Jeonguk paused.

Aurora folded her arms. “Forgot something?”

Jeonguk stared at the turnstiles.

Aurora shook her head, sucking her teeth. “See what I mean? If you were like me or had to live a life like me, you would have easily jumped the turn—” As soon as she mocked him, Jeonguk hopped over the turnstile. Aurora gawked at him. “Jeonguk!” She cried. “You’re gonna get into a lot of trouble for doing that right in front of the—”

“HEY!” An officer approached Jeonguk, snatching him by his wrist. Startled, the AI looked at him. Another officer pulled up with handcuffs. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Jeonguk stood silently.

Aurora knew she had to say something. Running to the turnstile, Aurora pleaded. “I’m so sorry, officers! It’s my fault he jumped the turnstile!”

The officers looked at the little girl, failing to realize—she wasn’t actually that little.

Giving her a questionable look, they glanced at Jeonguk, back at her. “Wait—doesn’t this AI belong to someone we’ve seen?”

Aurora began to get extremely nervous by that question.

The officers leaned in closer to look at the collar that was hugging Jeonguk’s neck.

Thinking irrationally, Aurora ducked under the turnstile and shoved the officers off him, taking Jeonguk and began running.

The officers yelled after her, but she wouldn’t stop.

One of the cops pulled out their gun, bloody thirsty to shoot the girl down, but the other officer yielded his weapon. “Stop, you’ll hurt someone.”

“That bastard dared to assault us!” He snarled.

“Let it go,” The mature cop said. “We’ll catch them.” Lifting his radio to his mouth, he called for backup.

While the two troublemakers were running down the platform, the train was just approaching.

“We need to get on this train, right now!” Aurora demanded.

Jeonguk nodded his head with understanding. As they neared the end of the platform, the train already stopped, opening the doors. Aurora and Jeonguk quickly got in. Relieved, Aurora lets go of his hand, and happily looked at the opened doors. Her face shattered seeing a couple of cops rushing towards the train.

“…oh god.” She whispers faintly.

Jeonguk noticed the police. His intelligence rewrote his knowledge, calculating the cops as now, enemies. Aurora froze in her spot, unsure of why she couldn’t move. Jeonguk had to yank her, running down the train car. The police followed after them.

“Stop in the name of the law!” They shouted.

But they wouldn’t stop.

Opening the door that led to the next train car, Jeonguk hopped over, taking Aurora along with him. The door immediately shut as they entered the next car. By now, the train already began moving. The two kept traveling down each car by foot. Each car they sprinted through led eyes to follow them as police officers chased them. Aurora repeatedly glanced back to see how far down the police were. She could not believe this was happening. In less than five minutes over entering the subways, she already had the police hunting her down. Aurora gritted her teeth, pushing ahead of Jeonguk. Jeonguk was impressed to see that his little master wasn’t as slow as he perceived her to be.

Their little journey was cut short when Aurora saw that the two officers she shoved earlier was coming from the other end two cars down. Aurora stopped Jeonguk hastily. Looking down at her, Jeonguk stared through the windows, noticing what Aurora was observing. The train would make sharp turns, nearly causing Aurora to fall onto passengers. But Jeonguk held her tight, making sure she was safe. Aurora looked behind her, seeing that the mob of cops were just entering the car behind them. They would soon be in their car if they didn’t act fast.

“What are we going to do?!” Aurora cried in panic.

Everyone in the car was confused by what was going on. A handsome AI and a little girl running away from what? They all turned to the windows. Realizing the cops were approaching this car, everyone fell into a state of panic and froze, wondering how dangerous these two were that cops had to chase them down from both ends of this train.

Aurora cursed under her breath. “…we’re screwed.”

Jeonguk held Aurora’s hand. Fiercely, Jeonguk charged out of the car, taking Aurora along.

“Jeonguk, why?!” She shouted hysterically.

He stopped them both in between the cars. The train wasn’t going any slower. Turning towards her, his eyes glowed with anger. “Stay here.”

“…what?” She muttered baffled. Once the train jerked again, she stumbled, clinging onto the sides of the train.

Jeonguk entered the next car, slowly closing the door behind him. He tampered with the lock discreetly and dropped his hands to his sides, ambling forward. The cops quickly approach him. Once they got a hold of him, they threw him onto the ground, handcuffing him.

“NO!!!” Aurora screamed. She forced herself up, pulling the lever to open the door, but it wouldn’t budge. “…what?” She gasped. Her eyes darted to Jeonguk, watching as everyone in the car looked on in horror as the officers confidently kept him on the ground. Aurora banged on the door, yelling at them to let him go, but they ignored her. The friction of the train moving speedily on the tracks echoed within the cars, making it hard for them to hear her scream. But they sure heard her banging like a beast on the hard glass windows.

The mob of officers tried to pull the door behind Aurora open, but it wouldn’t shift. They tried with all of their might to force it open, but it wouldn’t budge. They’d have to wait until the next stop to alert an operator. The train was soon approaching the next stop.

Aurora wept angrily, regretting that she allowed Jeonguk to walk past that door. Once the train stopped, Aurora ducked under the heavy wires that connected the cars together, and made a run for it. She had no idea where she was, but her feet were taking her somewhere. The cops followed after her.

Thoughts raced through Aurora’s mind as she couldn’t tell where she was or where she was going. She never took this train before, let alone, gotten off at this stop. Everything was new to her in a sense.

As the cops lifted Jeonguk away out of the car, the train was put on hold.

“This son of a gun really just approached us like as if it was a bargain,” The angry cop ranted. “This isn’t a sweet little fairytale, son.”

Jeonguk was being shoved to move forward. Giving them a side glare, he bounced back, knocking the officers away. With force, he broke the handcuffs, ripping them from his wrists. He tossed them onto the ground, giving the cops one last glare. Pedestrians and onlookers were confused by this scene, unsure of how to respond. He immediately took off running in the direction Aurora went.