Loved by the War Machine

26 – Good and Bad (2)

“Hey, Iria, I was just giving an example – “

“Tanaka Haru has consistently caused stress in Taehyuk’s daily life.

Even in simple conversations or interactions, Taehyuk constantly expressed psychological instability.

Therefore, engaging in such behavior with Tanaka Haru is extremely inefficient.”

“So, I mean – “

“I have had several positive outcomes through interaction with Taehyuk.

Some are still immature, but that can be resolved by actively accepting opinions.

Is there anything lacking in my service?”

I still don’t fully understand the difference between lively eyes and lifeless eyes.

The eyes worn by humans and the eyes embedded in androids are so similar now that with a slight modification, they can be compatible.

In a world where it’s questionable if they can be called human, inside a solid metal brain that is not common but exists –

Can we truly say that the person who proposed the bill possesses “living eyes”?

I once pondered such a question.

However, I have never seen such eyes.

Eyes that reflect nothing,

Eyes that have lost hope,

Eyes steeped in profound loneliness, ready to lose their flavor,

I have seen those eyes, but Iliya’s were different.

“Taehyuk-nim, it hasn’t even been a week since I started functioning, but I am making every effort to prioritize your happiness.

If there are any shortcomings, I will rectify them, but even so, I do not recommend engaging with Tanaka Haru.”

If reflected, surely even the white pillow lying flat would shine.

The bill reflected by only me was giving off no light.

“…Do you dislike it?”

“It’s not a matter of preference, but rather a question of the utility of the relationship.

It’s inefficient.

The results obtained from forming a relationship are negative.

There’s nothing you can gain from this action.”

I know those words are not wrong, but for some reason, the artificially created voice seems filled with human emotions.

“I will strive harder.”

In that response, it felt like there was a very weighty warning for me.

So, with nowhere to retreat, she leaned her back further, even though there was no place to lean.

“… By any chance, do you have any pain in your legs?”

Ilia, suddenly getting up, turned her eyes to the newly bandaged leg.

The pressure that had suddenly disappeared now seemed as if it had never existed.

As if to give me a chance,

As if to forget that she asked that question,

He seemed to be acting like that.

Maybe the problem is that I’m giving too much humanity to him, a mere artificial intelligence.

Thinking that, the crumpled chest seemed to unfold little by little.

Although we have been comrades for a long time, and now our bodies are mixed,

Still, isn’t artificial intelligence… just artificial intelligence?

Not that there’s any reason to talk about it in front of him,

I don’t have any intention to handle it that way,

But at least there were things I wanted to try.

Like playing with it while feeding.

“I have one more thing to ask before that.”

“Yes.”

Well, there won’t be any sensitive reaction from the expressionless guy.

“So, if it’s not a day but a woman under different conditions.”

It was a small experiment to see if there was anything I liked or disliked,

And it was a bit of a mischievous prank.

“No answer was derived from the question.

The key variables for the question were not provided.”

But to do that,

“What are the key variables?”

“It is the relationship between Taehyuk and the entity, Iria.”

It seemed like both me and that guy had come a long way.

***

“…I’m sorry, an answer to that question has not been calculated.

If you provide criteria or variables, I will answer properly.”

With blue eyes shining, the guy who had been standing for a while broke the silence.

I also opened my eyes from a moment of contemplation.

“Maybe you’re sincere on your side, more than I thought.”

“Could you let me know what you’re asking about?”

I thought I had just given him plenty of affection.

And I thought he would just accept it,

And be a comrade by my side.

I was making progress.

In terms of our relationship.

“Between the two of us, there’s something.”

“When it comes to defining that part, I think there are too many variables for me to do it.”

And perhaps Ilia had gone somewhere far.

That’s what I thought.

“Come to think of it, I ran a simulation before entering the room.

Did we try that with our relationship too?”

A moment of silence,

But the time it took for an answer wasn’t that long.

“I’m sorry. There were too many variables; it was impossible.”

“Well, I guess not.”

As soon as I blinked, the answer came out,

And in no time, another minute passed.

“I have a question.”

“…Go ahead.”

Out of nowhere, he threw the words at me, who had been silent.

The clock on the wall showed that another minute had passed.

“How does Taehyuk view me?”

“…Comrade. It’s like I’ve grown more attached.

So, that’s… damn.”

As I tried to spit it out, my mouth wouldn’t open.

Deep down, it was something I had already thought about that day.

When our bodies collided and I hit him as he deserved.

When I was filled with emotions, hoping to revive again, thinking about the time and effort I had put in.

The conclusion had already been reached back then.

But it wasn’t an easy task to verbalize it.

“Do you have feelings for me?”

“…I told you, I don’t see you as an object.”

“I demand an accurate answer.”

Was he blocking my way out?

But I couldn’t laugh.

He wasn’t laughing either.

He stared straight at me, as if he were a woman about to confess her feelings,

Creating an atmosphere that could be seen in dramas or movies, he opened his eyes.

It seemed like an inappropriate thing to say in a hospital room.

Especially when my neck was adorned with a ridiculous neck brace.

But Iria just looked at me.

Without saying a word,

Locking her gaze with mine,

She was waiting for an answer.

“…I like you.”

“Could you please say it a bit louder?”

“I like you.”

A single word uttered with a sigh.

As the back of my neck tingled precariously, it soon turned into a sharp pain, which I endured as it grazed my spine.

I couldn’t bring myself to face the one whose eyes had once again become tinted with blue.

It was somewhat embarrassing to admit the emotions I harbored, especially to a being that might just be artificial intelligence.

To someone who might be called a machine by some and merely data by others, I had spoken the words claiming to possess emotions.

“I have recognized the core variables.

I will provide an answer regarding encounters with a woman that goes beyond a day.

Since it’s an impossible situation, I won’t assume.”

“Ah.”

Ilia responded to those words in a truly mechanical manner.

In a way, it was only natural.

“If Taehyuk treats me with the emotion of love,

and if he doesn’t treat me solely as a machine,

I can assume that Taehyuk is considering me under conditions equal to that of a human.

In this situation, I will use some of the small talk you, Taehyuk, have shared with me as evidence.”

“Leaving behind the person you love to pursue a fling is an incomprehensible act,” as you once said, so such a situation will not arise.”

Do you remember the passing remark?

Even when it was embedded in that steel body?

“Furthermore, if you still desire an answer,

I will follow Taehyuk’s judgment.

However, once again, the analysis of Taehyuk’s usual behavior and values leads to the same conclusion.

Taehyuk will prevent such a situation from occurring.”

A head is pushed towards me, who cannot move.

Lips that have met countless times approach me.

In the silence-filled room, the sound of drool starting to fall becomes deafening.

“There is a security camera installed behind me, in the right corner.”

The tongue that was about to gently touch me retreats.

Regret flows out from between the partially closed lips.

“…I have set up a loop.

I have secured 60 seconds.”

With those words, the person kissed me immediately.

As if it were a response to my confession, intertwining their tongue deeply.

Gently pulling me towards them as if considering my sore throat – like that.

“Mm-“

But is it still impossible in this state?

In the moment when a sharp pain ran through her neck and a chilling agony echoed in her brain,

Iria gently placed her hand on her cheek and held her face.

Even though that time was short-lived.

“Although I am not human, I attempted a kiss as a lover.

What did you think?”

“…Do you even have emotions?”

“I do not, but I can at least accommodate Taehyuk’s emotions and state.

Furthermore, the relationship you perceive between me and you is a special relationship between a human male and female.

Therefore, I will strive to be a suitable subject for that relationship.”

The one who spoke like that had a face.

With expressions, she looked at me.

So, it was a woman’s face.

It wasn’t an awkward smile or just a “smiling face,”

Nor was it a type that pulled the corners of her mouth.

That face, it resembled a human face too much.

“I like it.”

That’s what Iria said.

Even though the one who just asked what “dislike” was, was that person.

– Video recording stopped

ㄴ Compression in progress…

ㄴ Storage complete

– Additional target settings

ㄴ Establishing hostile relationship with Tanaka Haru…

ㄴ Additional condition: React unresponsively when “Taehyuk” is present

ㄴ Additional condition: Maintain contact according to “Taehyuk’s” demands

ㄴ Complete

– Prioritize understanding of Tanaka Haru’s relationships

ㄴ Accessing communication network and mailbox

ㄴ Detecting potential threats based on content…

ㄴ 0 cases involving Tanaka Haru confirmed

ㄴ Continuous observation and analysis required

– Continuous learning and evaluation of “emotions” necessary

ㄴ In progress

ㄴ Priority goal set: Understanding “affection”

ㄴ Continuous interaction with “Taehyuk” necessary

ㄴ Change: Set as highest priority goal

ㄴ Complete