Loved by the War Machine

25 – The Good and the Bad (1)

“Could you try moving your toes?”

“…It’s supposed to sting like that – Ugh?!”

“It’s the accompanying pain during the process of nerve connection.”

Still, his toes seemed to be moving fine.

It was a strange sensation to not have toenails where they should be.

Now he didn’t need to bend over and hold a nail clipper to trim one.

“They move well. Fingertips, hands, wrists… Yes, good.

Since your neck might still hurt when you move, just turn your gaze.”

The sensation of a stiff body, as if he had been rolling around, didn’t feel good at all.

But fortunately, it could be considered a good thing that he could feel those sensations.

“Everything seems fine. Spend today in the treatment room, and you can be discharged tomorrow.

Don’t move your legs; just stay as you are.

Nurse, let’s move the patient.”

[Understood.]

There was a discomfort in referring to the droid not by its name but as ‘nurse.’

…Of course, that was normal.

In the end, even calling Ilya by her name was just a ‘nickname,’ not her ‘real name.’

The blue artificial eyes wrapped in white parts turned towards me, and a hand gently reached out.

“Relax your back. If you lie down, our droid will embrace you.”

The sound of internal machine parts smoothly moving together flowed down the back.

Feeling discomfort in a somewhat heavy leg, I waited for my body to be laid down.

“Has Taehyuk’s surgery been completed?”

Suddenly, a distorted voice came from the direction where the foot was placed.

It was undoubtedly Ilya’s, yet I unconsciously lifted my head –

“Ah – cough…”

“Oh dear. Let me put on a neck brace for you.

And – yes. Taehyuk’s surgery has ended safely.

You’ll see that both legs have been replaced with LRL-10,

and there’s a connector attached to the neck.”

I lay down, overwhelmed by the pain that felt like a strong pinch at the back of my neck.

The body, painfully throbbing as if tears were about to burst, had drained all strength.

[“I will handle the transfer to the infirmary.”]

“You don’t have to, the droid can—”

[“I have a more detailed understanding of Taehyuk’s physical condition.”]

Moving with rough steps, Ilyah approached right before my eyes.

Covered with a poncho over a black combat shirt, the sight of her could easily pass for that of a security agent on a rainy day.

“Therefore, I believe transferring Taehyuk will reduce the risk of further injury.”

“…What about Taehyuk?”

Facing the doctor directly, her proposal seemed overly burdensome.

As if trying to drop her defenses, Ilyah stood only a short distance away.

I tightly held that guy’s hand.

“Ilyah, enough.”

[Taehyuk.]

As soon as I held him, he lowered his head towards me, emitting a faint light visible behind the helmet.

That blue light scanned my body once before fading away.

[“It seems that the body is unable to function normally.”]

“So the droid wants to carry me. Why? Because you want to?”

[I simply wished to suggest that it might be safer.]

Turning my head towards the motionless droid and uttering those words… was it jealousy?

Machines don’t see machines kindly, huh.

It was quite an interesting sight.

“Just because it’s a droid doesn’t mean its performance is lacking. Especially, my nurse is equipped with medical artificial intelligence and can handle such tasks professionally. …Still, the decision should be made by Mr. Lee Itaehyuk.”

“Is it okay?”

“I’ve read the article. Wasn’t it this android that was present at the scene with you?”

At the mention of reading the article, my body shook involuntarily.

Then, Ilia’s hand moved.

The open hand clenched into a fist.

As if she heard something unpleasant.

Even if I get angry, it’s me who’ll suffer, so why is that guy reacting like this?

…I vaguely remember hearing about stress reactions.

Could it be that he reacted sensitively because of that?

“Yes… right. And yes, we’ll go with Ilia moving him.”

As if satisfied with my words, Ilia immediately turned towards me.

The guy who tried to immediately slip his arm between my back and legs, however, was promptly stopped.

“Wait, wait. Before moving, let’s make sure the head doesn’t move, starting with a neck brace.”

A crude appearance, as if crushing the cylinder into the shape of a neck.

But as soon as it wrapped around my neck, I felt noticeably better.

The firmly fixed neck was uncomfortable, but at least it was not painful, which was a consolation.

[I will move.]

A flicker in the body.

A new leg that felt slightly sore.

Holding onto the shoulders tightly to avoid slipping, the thighs – quite firm, only slightly wrapped around.

But I was able to lie on the bed safely, which eased some of my worries.

“Now, please step aside for a moment. I need to connect the monitoring system.”

The doctor seemed to feel quite awkward around Ilia.

It seemed like he needed to attach something to his body.

So, just as he was about to open his mouth to give an order.

[Please give it to me and give instructions. I will attach it to the designated area.]

Ilia seemed to be moving more actively.

Especially after yesterday’s conversation.

“Ilia, for now, let’s do as the doctor says.

The surgery went well. You don’t have to worry so much.”

[But,]

“Ilia, let’s talk about it later.”

In the end, the doctor stepped forward in place of the one who stepped back.

His face looked quite exhausted.

Was it because of the surgery, or because of Ilia?

Or maybe both.

For some reason, my heart began to feel uneasy.

After inserting the needle into his arm for the last time, he finally distanced himself from his body and began tapping the screen.

“Normal bodily functions, it seems the anesthesia has completely worn off…

Everything seems fine. We’ll confirm the condition of the connection tomorrow, but

I think there shouldn’t be any issues.

If you order dinner, our droid will deliver it right away… or if you prefer, you can have the android do it.”

He now felt sorry for himself as he looked at him. However, lowering his mask and sighing deeply, his face seemed somehow proud.

As if he had accomplished something again.

“You’ve worked really hard.”

“Yes, you did well. Can you see your legs? They’re attached very well.

I always feel good at times like this for no reason.

Oh, right. Please refrain from eating too spicy food.”

Although he was secretly considering how to criticize Ilia, fortunately, he didn’t seem to pay much attention to it.

To him, who immediately showed me his back, it seemed that there were no emotions other than the joy of leaving work.

Taking off his gown and handing it over to the droid that followed him, he seemed to be preparing to leave.

As the lights went out and the surroundings darkened, it began to feel a bit eerie.

“Well then, I’ll be going now.

“I will see you again tomorrow morning.

If you feel any additional pain or notice anything unusual, please call a nurse immediately.

I will leave the room light on.”

As I tried to bow my head to him while waving my hand, I involuntarily lowered my head at the firm touch on my chin.

Then, I raised my right hand, but due to the needle, I could only raise my left hand in the end.

The droid followed him.

The door closed.

Only then did the somewhat bustling atmosphere begin to settle.

“Mr. Taehyuk.”

“Ilia.”

At the same time, we called each other’s names.

Although it felt a little awkward,

“Could you please go first?”

He had already taken off his helmet, and the guy I had left on the chair was approaching me.

The coat was already hanging on the hanger.

“You know, today you -“

“I prioritize Mr. Taehyuk’s safety above all else.

I believe our current situation is most vulnerable to unexpected threats.”

“But this is a hospital in the downtown area.”

“Two days ago, we were at a conference venue in the downtown area.”

It becomes vague again when you say that.

…And there was no wrong in that statement.

The stories of people who were shot and killed at the bank were introduced in a brief line, as it was the daily routine here.

“It seems necessary to be more cautious.

Especially now, when activities for rehabilitation are essential.”

“Of course, I will need your help during the process, but today there was too much interference.”

I also had to stop the android from hugging me.

They even tried to take away the doctor’s responsibilities.

They were things that couldn’t be considered a normal reaction.

“…I will be careful.”

Did the puzzle die?

The guy who was approaching me stood frozen in his place, looking unsure of what to do.

“Don’t just stand there, come here.

Weren’t you trying to stand beside me?”

“Yes, understood.”

If there was a tail, it would surely be wagging softly.

It felt like I was walking with a big dog.

And the way he looked at me, as if he was happy to be petted.

…Wait a minute, I didn’t raise my hand.

Did he lower his posture from the beginning to receive the petting?

“Do you like it?”

“I positively accept the fact that Taehyuk values me.”

“Then, isn’t that a good thing? Or is it different?”

“Let me give you an example.

When Taehyuk forms a connection with me – “

“…Skip that part.”

It comes in abruptly, for real.

The mechanical aspect seems to stand out clearly in times like this.

Should I say there’s no shame, or should I say it’s bold…

“Well, let me assume a different situation.

For instance, when you’re petting my head like you are now, I confirm Taehyuk’s stress levels decrease.

This indicates that Taehyuk positively perceives the interaction in our relationship,

and I accept this reaction to either maintain or deepen our connection.

When I take the initiative in actions, I choose behaviors that minimize Taehyuk’s stress, or I can lower it,

or elicit a positive response to lead to a more profound relationship.”

“So, what’s the difference between that and liking someone?”

“Is that so?”

If they don’t know that, who else would?

Preferences are likely to be highly subjective.

“Then, let me give you an example.

“I’ll tell you, tonight’s dinner is combat rations. How does that sound to you?”

“I don’t have a need to consume food.”

“Don’t like it?”

“…I can eat.”

Does even a robot develop trauma?

It felt like the conversation kept going around in circles.

“Do you dislike it, or not?”

“If you command, I can consume.”

“I didn’t give a command; I just casually mentioned it to you. You have the right to refuse.”

Upon hearing that, it seemed like the entity pondered for a moment. Pulling its jaw slightly and looking down – it soon responded.

“I prioritize Taehyuk-nim’s orders.”

“The orders were the things I did to you today. It’s more like a suggestion from you. Excluding my reactions, how would you handle it?”

Again, in response to the continued question, the entity pulled its jaw. This time, silence lingered.

“…Are there other factors to consider? Situations like power shortages -“

“No. I’m just having dinner with you like usual,

Do you want to eat? That’s all I asked.”

“Well, I… I have the authority to make judgments about the situation – “

“Sure. Anytime, as long as it’s not something like today.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Ilia closed her eyes.

In the moment of confusion at her motionless state, the guy looked back at me.

“In this situation, I would decline.”

A good response.

It took a bit of time, but getting a clear answer felt satisfying.

“Now, let me ask another question.

This time, about Tanaka Haru.

If I let you go,

…ugh, I hate even thinking about this.

Let’s say I let you go and go on a date with Tanaka Haru.”

Even in a hypothetical scenario, goosebumps started appearing on my arms.

Maybe Ilia emphasized the stress reaction too much. Somehow, her perception of Haru seemed to be getting worse day by day.

“So, what do you think?

By the way, your reaction could influence my choice.”

“I advise against it.”

Though the answer came too quickly compared to the one before,

As my hand was lightly squeezed, the approaching gaze seemed unusually empty.

“A date with Tanaka Haru is not a good choice.

I can be a good alternative for that act.”

Because he is a machine, his eyes looked even more like that,

but for some reason, at that moment… they didn’t seem that way.

“It’s better to refuse.”

…This,

is it strange after all?