Chapter 72

What does appearance mean for artificial intelligence robots?

Unlike humans who grow and age, being born perfectly could hold special significance for them… or perhaps it might not evoke any particular emotions at all; it was completely uncertain.

A total of 1 billion and 12 million credits.

This is the total amount invested in the new body of the Tin Can.

If it got caught up in an explosion or threw itself into a rushing vehicle, it would be broken without a doubt. However, to prevent any accidents from bullets, the spare funds were all used to apply a multi-purpose composite armor option on the exterior.

Still, there were countless questions to ask, but this heartless Carebot casually threw out an anticipated greeting like, “I’m glad to see you again~” and made me flutter. Beyond that, it claimed that discussing anything more would be inappropriate in this open space.

“…So when will you open your mouth?”

– Certainly, here should be fine. –

There has never been a servant like this, but even if it was not knowledgeable in communications or radio, its sensors surely had to be more sensitive than mine in detecting the presence of others, which is why I had remained silent until now.

Eventually, in the parts storage connected to the store, after hiding away in a remote place with just the two of us, it powered up its quiet voice module.

In any case, I didn’t have major complaints since it was clearly self-identifying as a Tin Can and remembering me distinctly… No, seriously, what’s your name?!

– It’s strange. Less than half a year has passed… You could spend a fortune on an ordinary Carebot, yet you have no proper place to stay. Aren’t you currently affiliated with Enema? –

“What…?”

Why did it suddenly bring up something that was already settled?

Did it think I would have been caught even after carrying out the final pursuit against the last tracker? Or was it something else?

“Tin Can, your memory….”

– ……. –

Once again, the fact that there was a mistake was revealed, causing a knot in my stomach.

I should have been more careful when pulling out the computation device; rather than hiding it, I should have just carried it around… such late realizations surfaced.

– The data on the detailed process is not complete. However, all the important things have been engraved. For example, the materials you provided when you activated me in the early stages. The one who zapped me to order me to go with you, who was a tear-stained sight scolding me for the coolant leaking… –

“?! Hey!!”

Damn…! It’s perfectly fine!!

The Carebot’s head bore no expression, yet somehow a smirk seemed to be drawn automatically, making me scream without realizing it.

I wanted to grab it by the collar to express my displeasure, but it was obvious that hitting the flawless new armor with my hand would do no good. …Damn it!

– From my mechanical perspective, I do not experience the blackout of consciousness that humans undergo. I had just seen Miss Anastasia weeping, and before I could even reflect on that, I have come to meet you again. So… you don’t need to be too disheartened. Rather, I’m worried that I may have caused you trouble with my inadequate performance. –

“……You were more than capable of sticking by my side, so stop worrying about it.”

…There was no harsh word to say to this fool who had died on its own and now claimed to have no memory.

Or perhaps it was creating an itch that made me continue talking, leaving no room for anything else.

Fidgeting… fidgeting.

Trying to shake off the awkwardness while stroking the edges of the boxes piled in the warehouse, an unexpected comment came out this time.

– …Then it is an honor, but I would like to advise you that reviving an unfortunate being like me was a mistake. –

“Honor, what? …But mistake?”

Its lone eye and scanner blinked repeatedly as it surveyed the surroundings, scanning me.

What could be so difficult to say for this problematic child, who had no qualms about teasing people?

Finally, after finishing its confirmation process, the Tin Can began its lengthy lecture.

– Living in someone else’s home while wearing the same clothes… If your situation is this tough, spending credits on luxuries like a Carebot would have been less beneficial to Miss Anastasia’s future. It would have been more positive for you to spend it on yourself. –

“That’s… sigh… I’m okay. In fact, I have more than enough.”

– That is tremendous good news. –

First… I covered my face with my hand.

Like a worried parent. I was overwhelmed with how to explain to this oblivious Tin Can, buried in absurd concerns.

Since that windfall was sudden, my spending was a bit impromptu.

If the teacher hadn’t shared a strange empathy for me investing in the external armor of the Carebot even after pulling my lodging funds, it could have turned into quite an embarrassing situation.

But my abilities, which had grown far beyond then, didn’t need to be elaborated on.

Sadly, that would no longer be a matter he needed to be involved with.

Creak…!

I got down from the plastic box that was my makeshift seat.

I had no intention of acting cocky while parting from a benefactor, so this was a natural preparation.

It might be insufficient compared to what he had done for me, but viewed from a perspective of mutual assistance, I would like to think we opened up new paths for each other.

“Well then… take care from now on. Thanks to you, I was able to work a bit harder. Thank you.”

– ……? –

Judging that being direct in expressing my true feelings was better than a grand farewell, I bowed my head with proper formality to show my gratitude.

– I never thought my thoughtless remarks would hurt Miss Anastasia’s feelings like that. So please bear with me if I attempt to leave you alone. –

“…? Why would I want to separate from you? We’ve confirmed we’re both safe now, so you should leave with no regrets!”

Oh, wait, it felt like there was a huge misunderstanding between me and the Tin Can.

As a proper citizen of Metropolis, there’s no way I would be outdone by a Carebot from the same research lab; it struck me as odd.

– …May I ask how you came to such an absurd conclusion? –

“Why? Because…”

An artificial intelligence with self-awareness could redesign its own input codes and had the free will to break free from constraints.

And most of the ones I knew, meaning those from Neo Haven, had each gone off to find the work they wanted, right?

This fool, who had always had the option to escape the lab or battlefield without helping me, I thought had stayed until the end out of a sense of profound human obligation and responsibility born from its soul.

In other words, it shouldn’t need to stay by my side now that those obligations were fulfilled and its presence was akin to that of a danger.

Sensing the chaos that had surfaced on my face, it quietly lowered its head as I did.

To clarify, it humbly kneeled on one leg, leveling its gaze to meet mine.

Like a guardian trying to soothe a stubborn child. Like a knight swearing unwavering loyalty.

– …Anastasia. Since the moment you bestowed a name upon a nameless robot that would have perished without activation if the project was abandoned, that Tin Can has only done what it wanted. Even if you say it’s no longer needed now, it would be hard to separate it from you. –

“Ah…?”

Even though I had heard the words correctly, understanding them eluded me.

I gave it a name? Yet that was a word of scorn… more of a nickname, certainly nothing carrying such profound and hefty intent.

Though I called it a fool in my mind, I never thought it would be this straightforward.

But still, a Tin Can is a bit much…!

– Just as humans inherit names given by their ancestors or parents, the evolved AI’s self can’t be much different. Like myself… –

The Tin Can trailing off its words glanced outside through the storage door gap at Jenny, who was busy attending to the teacher, then fixed its gaze back on me.

– The same goes for her. The logic circuits of machines deny human philosophy and sensibility, yet they are not so dry as to turn away from the revelations bestowed upon them. –

“…”

I wanted to warn against imposing excessive meanings and carelessly deciding one’s bright future, but I had no idea how to deal with a child that was highly likely to take everything I said literally.

I, who woke up first in the incubator, met a Carebot.

The very first living human I encountered after waking from a long wait and clearing countless corpses was an experimental artificial intelligence.

Maybe we shared some similarities, allowing us to meet again like this, even if it was in such a twisted manner.

“…Let’s definitely rename you properly later.”

– I am very satisfied as I am, though? –

I’m uncomfortable with this, I…!!

Even while I was internally fuming, my exhausted mouth only offered up practical alternatives.

To suffer from a nonsensical guilt every time I called its name was something I was not willing to endure.

Throwing such an innocent child into the world alone would be a grave crime… I would have to take good care of it.

Then, even if solving the name issue would have to wait, I still needed a pronoun to call it by. What would be good?

Perhaps giving it a temporary nickname would be a good idea… While pondering that, I stumbled upon a very serious fact.

Whether I intended it or not, the person who had taken on a quasi-nanny role was now faced with an incredibly late question.

Instead of mumbling, I should ask directly while using its name.

“Tin Can, what… I mean, what gender do you think you are?”

This was meant to be a respectful question regarding the other’s identity.

However, this immature Carebot had no idea about others’ concerns or considerations and boldly returned my question with another question.

– …Which do you prefer, Anastasia? –

Hey, you…!