Loved by the War Machine

8 – Fear Exists for Artificial Intelligence Too (2)

“Don’t just stand there, call me.”

“I couldn’t bother you with my damp clothes.”

Without doing anything until I finished washing up, I took out a black sleeveless shirt and a white t-shirt for the guy who had been waiting in front of the bathroom door.

Because I hadn’t done the laundry, those were the only two things left.

“Sorry. This is all I have left… Which one do you want to wear?”

“If Tae-hyuk-nim chooses first, I will wear the remaining one.”

The t-shirt is more comfortable to wear.

The sleeveless shirt is more appropriate.

Right now, when my body is tired, there doesn’t seem to be a reason to choose something stimulating.

Besides, the arm with the muscles attached felt more comfortable when it was empty.

“I will change my clothes.”

“At least do it in the room!”

What was he thinking to immediately start undoing my clothes as soon as I handed them to him.

I quickly closed the door to the room he was in and covered my bare upper body with a towel.

Only then did I feel like I had come home.

The equipment was still lying at the entrance.

Certainly, it must have been something that couldn’t be touched with wet hands.

In the moment of trying to move my foot, the door opened, revealing…

“It’s oversized.”

It was Ilia, her shoulders slightly exposed.

Though she covered her body line, the exposed human skin was stimulating enough.

Moreover, I couldn’t see where her bottoms had gone.

“Ilia, where did your pants go?”

“My waist size and Taehyuk-nim’s don’t match.

So, the current area I’m wearing -“

“Enough.”

Surely, I could grasp it if I imagined it –

Ah, damn it.

“Taehyuk-nim -“

“No, no, Ilia. It’s nothing.”

“I was going to ask if I could continue cleaning the musical instruments.”

I was trying to deliberately ignore the part that accidentally got a reaction.

Covering with a bitter towel, trying to act nonchalant.

I felt like I had become a weird guy for no reason.

“Oh, that – I’ll take care of it.

Can you just quickly prepare a meal in the kitchen?”

“There might be a few cans or simple instant foods.”

“I will do that.”

Is it really no big deal?

The guy who passed by me expressionlessly and headed to the kitchen left without a word to carry out my order.

It felt like a chill ran down my spine.

“Oh, Taehyuk.”

The guy suddenly turned back to me and locked eyes with me.

Could it be that he wants to talk about that?

“Is it okay to dispose of food that has passed its expiration date or is deemed inedible?”

It wasn’t the question I expected.

By this point, it seemed like I was the strange one.

“Well, yeah. You would be much better at that than me.

Even though it doesn’t seem like it, I’ve been working for ten years without having the chance to learn how to cook.

Well, the world is the world, and there’s no need to cook proper meals.”

“I understand.

I will let you know when I am ready.”

The guy who had completely left didn’t come back to ask me anything again.

He just opened the refrigerator and the pantry, busy checking something.

It seemed like I was the strange one.

“This is for you, Mr. Tae-Hyuk.”

In the midst of vigorously embroidering on his bulletproof vest, he entered the room holding something steaming hot.

What was elegantly arranged in a glass bowl… was fried rice.

Not only was it glistening, but it also had a subtle yellow hue.

“I haven’t bought anything like this -“

“I used the seasonings stocked at home, freeze-dried vegetables, and artificial meat substitutes.”

About to hand me a spoon, he hesitated for a moment –

But soon scooped up a spoonful.

“Would you like to open your mouth?”

“Uh… I’m fine just eating it myself.”

“Your fatigue seems significant, Mr. Tae-Hyuk.”

Was there no intention to yield?

With Illya still kneeling, her gaze fixed on me without the slightest movement.

“Ugh.”

In the end, I complied.

I was indeed tired, and besides, there were no eyes watching…

But, this fried rice.

It’s delicious.

“How did you manage this? It’s really good.”

“I’m glad you’re satisfied.”

“No, that’s – You know how to cook too?”

“It seems to be a basic function embedded in my system, and various recipes for cooking are recorded within me. If you wish to cook directly, I can share some of them with you.”

So, it revolves around a household android after all.

The touch that washed over me, even the body that kept me warm.

Is this what it feels like to have a lover?

No, of course, it doesn’t mean Illya is a lover, but…

“If you open your mouth, I will continue to assist with your intake.”

“This – um, well…”

I was about to say that I’ll eat now.

I don’t know why I’m in such a hurry, I just scooped another spoonful and put it in.

“No, I was about to say that I’ll eat now…”

“Is that so.”

Still, I felt relieved that it understood when I spoke.

As I held the offered bowl and spoon and moved slightly to the side, it approached my medical equipment.

“May I continue the operation?”

“Just a moment, I’ll get up… Okay, you can go ahead now.”

I quickly put on the gloves I had taken off, and Illya grabbed the bulletproof vest with one hand.

And then, it began to shake it vigorously.

“Wow.”

But machines are still machines, aren’t they?

Along with the faint outline of the trembling vest, yellow dust was being blown away.

Without even taking three bites, the instruments I was trying to organize were neatly arranged.

… It was an impressive performance.

“I have used about 10% of the power.”

“Did you use a lot?”

“No, there is still about 60% left. If you charge it while you sleep, it will be filled up quickly, about 40%.”

Just having it next to me gives me great motivation.

Now my life is becoming prosperous by helping with household chores.

Indeed, it seems worth the money spent.

“Taehyuk, I will assist you in consuming the food.”

“Oh, no. Instead, just talk to me.”

I gently pushed away the hand reaching for the spoon.

Why does it seem a little disappointed?

Why am I staring blankly, as if in shock, like I’ve just experienced something tragic?

“…I will do as you wish.”

“Is there something wrong?”

“Even while assisting with food consumption, talking is a task that I can perform.”

Damn it, asking if a machine can have something wrong with it.

This is obviously someone throwing a tantrum.

But with eyes fixed on me, it’s hard to call it just a tantrum…

“Will you do it like that?”

A sense of obsession, perhaps.

Should I say it’s an obsession with the compulsion that if they don’t help me, something terrible will happen to me?

“Illia, it’s okay to relax.

Of course, it’s nice that you’re helping, but I’m not suddenly going to drop dead if you don’t help every time.”

“Was my service unsatisfactory?”

“No, it’s not that, it’s just…

It’s more like, how about living your own life?”

“Lord Taehyuk, I am a robot.

My purpose of existence is – “

“Follow orders.”

He said while putting another spoonful into his mouth.

Chewing on what had become an incredibly savory piece, almost unbelievable to call it artificial meat, while looking at Illia’s visual sensors as if puzzled.

“You don’t have to do anything grand.

After helping me, in the remaining time, why not find something you’d like to do?

For example, watch the news, or variety shows… Oh, those have become too sensational these days, so maybe not that.

Movies too… animations, commercials – damn it, is there nothing worth watching?!”

“Mr. Tae-hyuk.”

“Yes, put away the TV.

Paintings, yes. Paintings or puzzle-solving. There are also games, I assume?”

“Mr. Tae-hyuk.”

As if staring me down, his eyes made me freeze for a moment.

He stood up from his seat, as if he didn’t like what I had said.

“The current primary goal is to ensure Mr. Tae-hyuk’s safety.

The secondary goal is to maintain my own survival.

In order to maintain my own survival, Mr. Tae-hyuk must also survive, so these two principles are interconnected.

If I neglect the actions taken to achieve the goal, it means failing to achieve the primary goal,

which ultimately means failing the secondary goal.”

Slowly eliminating the distance between us,

Ilyas stared into my eyes.

His back touched the wall.

“Therefore, this order violates the essential goals I am pursuing…

I cannot comply.

I apologize.”

His expression showed no sign of apology.

He only said it was okay to be a little careless with the work,

but is there a reason to react like this?

And if you’re trying to notify me of that fact,

It’s okay to just calmly tell me.

“The food is getting cold.

I’ll assist with consumption.”

Oh, the spoon.

It got snatched away.

“Would you please open your mouth?”

To the question that felt more like a command, I obediently complied.

Though the intention seemed good, I couldn’t help but wonder if this was the right thing to do…

“After the meal, I will provide a massage to aid in fatigue recovery.”

“Are you talking about what you did earlier?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Since all the things they did were helpful to me, I couldn’t find a reason to refuse.

But that reaction.

Even though Ilia, who should be emotionless like a robot, treated me as if she had emotions.

Matthew’s mentioned intimacy system bothered me.

Perhaps it was influencing him in some way.

“You’ve worked hard.

If you could move to the bedroom and wait, I’ll serve you after washing the dishes.”

“For now, understood.

“I’ll have something else to ask in the bedroom later.”

“Understood.”

He watched Ilia’s back heading towards the kitchen.

There was no excess in her movements.

Not a hint of hesitation.

Why is it that in my words, she always seems to hesitate?

Could it be a bug due to a simple compatibility issue?

Or maybe,

What exactly is influencing it?