Ten points to whoever catches a crossover reference with the KR series! I just… had to add them. This fic was created spur of the moment because I should have been working on my other fics yet… This one had to be written. Who knows, I could possibly do spinoffs over other riders having robotic companions eheh…

It was a split second decision after work. It wasn't as if she had just decided to do this, no, she had thought long and hard day after day for two and a half months. Ever since her brother moved back from America, her two bedroom apartment had become quite crowded. Well, crowded wasn't the right word for it, more like cluttered? Neither of them had time to clean up properly, nor could they cook well. It was always eating out, take out, or most of the time, pizza. This all led to her finally deciding to come to the store after clocking out.

Kiriko remembered dreading having to begin cleaning their apartment later that afternoon and then the lightbulb flickered on. Her feet switched directions and brought her to the place she had been thinking of. Biting her lower lip, she mulled over her decision again. Getting a robotic humanoid was a heavy investment, yet in the long run, along with her successful-looking job, she was positive everything would work out. Plus it wasn't as if they were looking for anything major, just a helper around the house, a companion. With Gou's odd hours as a freelance photographer, he spent time home alone a lot, so it had to be one who could keep him company the most. For him, she wanted to make things easier. Although he got along with her partner, with him working the same shifts as her, it wasn't easy to find time to all sit down and chat like normal.

Gou needed someone, a friend. That was her top priority above everything else. He was her little brother after all.

"Hello, may I help you?" Kiriko snapped to attention when someone greeted her as soon as she entered the store. She smiled and nodded, hoping to get this done before her brother got done with the wedding reception he was hired to photograph. It was nerve-wracking as she glanced over all of the models, there were so many choices and customization yet she wanted something simple, something she could afford.

"I understand that this can be overwhelming. Is there anything in particular that you are looking for?" The man smiled politely, awaiting her to gather her thoughts. He was experienced with first time buyers, and having been one himself, took his time with his customers. Kiriko frowned as she recalled the reason why she came.

"My brother had just moved back in, and although it's a tight fit, we don't have the same schedule, nor do we have time to really do any house cleaning. I have more strict work hours than my brother, so having someone there he can be with instead of sitting around waiting for me to get home would be ideal." Her eyes widened and she chuckled, "He has a lot of energy too, so whoever I get has to be able to keep up with him, preferably a male. As for my budget… I'm afraid it's not quite high."

The man nodded, pulling out a tablet and selecting a few options on it as he mulled over how to help her. Although a strict household duty series would have suited her, they were almost always females due to the market being families of over three individuals and females being ideal for taking care of the children. Thus that one was immediately crossed off. An energetic athletic type was not suited for household chores, so it narrowed it down to quite a few possibilities. Due to her budget, which she just mentioned, it meant the Roidmude series and a few other choices which would have matched perfectly had to be tossed. Tapping one of the remaining options and bringing up the information, he waved his hand to the left.

"If you'd follow me this way, we can get started on some options." Steeling herself internally, Kiriko trailed behind the polite man. Options after options were declined as the few series she could afford were shown, leaving her to look quite defeated. Did she have to wait a few more months to build more of a cushion for buying one? She wasn't wanting to settle for one that was just okay, she wanted one that fit in perfect with their small family. Her lips parted to say she would have to come back another time yet a flash of purple caught her eye. Quickly se narrowed her eyes to track down the source of the bold color.

"Who's that?" There was a lonely figure that had been standing underneath one of the various signs, still as a statue and eyes closed. The man paused, pushing his glasses up as he recognized it as one of the types of humanoids he had to cross off the list.

"That is the prototype of the Roidmude series we used to promote them before they were in production. We outsourced their line from a small independent company headed by two brilliant scientists that were trying to develop a model that could grow from a blank slate depending on their environment, so they were perfect for any type of household. It made their series quite popular in the years despite them being in limited supply. His number is 000, but I remember them mentioning giving him the name Chase." Deciding that taking a look wouldn't hurt, he made his way over to the Roidmude humanoid. Kiriko stopped in front of him, examining him from head to toe. The outfit was interesting, but his name was quite cute. Chase…

Dark eyes flickered open at hearing someone approach him. The humanoid looked down at the smaller female, quiet and observant. He was used to humans walking up to him and with a glance to her right, he recognized the male from his time working on the floor. Tilting his head, he simply listened to them converse.

"Is there a reason why he's still here? I'm not familiar with computers or engineering, but he looks fine." It was unusual, especially considering what she heard about the Roidmude series. Even if he was a prototype, with the commercials advertising him and the others, wouldn't someone had bought him up already? The man helping her frowned, looking down at his tablet.

"Actually, one of the scientists and his assistant should be coming to pick him up today. It's his last day on the floor exhibit." A clamor from the back startled the two, a rather energetic woman in a lab coat pushing open a door and hurrying over to them.

"Sorry we're so late, Mr. Yazaki. We had to take the scenic route. Someone doesn't get out of his lab that much." She apologized, smiling brightly as her mentor walked up behind her, reading over some notes and only giving her a small look at the last sentence directed towards him. She gave a small wave to Chase who only nodded slightly at her before his eyes flickered over to the scientist. Mr. Yazaki briefly apologized to Kiriko for the inconvenience, bowing his head.

"Oh it's no problem. I'll go back and look at the others. Please take your time." Kiriko sent one last glance at Chase, who met her eyes, before she turned from the party and went back to the other side of the building. Disappointment rose up in her, although she was unsure where it was coming from. She didn't know a thing about Chase, but she somehow could see him keeping up with her brother quite easily. Even if he hated robots, it would be nice for him to have someone there when she was on a case and had to work so late.

Sighing sadly, she sat down at one of the self-service desks and began to flip through their comparing catalog. Since she wasn't too happy with what options were before her, she might as well see what she could get when she saved her money. The Roidmude line was definitely on the top of her list, considering the information both Mr. Yazaki and this catalog told her. With a blank slate to allow them to develop on their own in the environment that was around them, it would be quite ideal for their lives. She was just going over numbers on being able to afford some of the last ones they had in stock in a few months' time when she noticed someone approaching her.

"Excuse me, miss?" It was the girl in the labcoat from before. Kiriko straightened up, giving her her full attention.

"Yes?" The woman smiled down at her, reaching down to shake her hand. Kiriko obliged, wondering what she wanted to talk about, especially since her whole face was lit up with excitement.

"I'm Sawagami Rinna. Mr. Yazaki was informing us of possible interest in Chase?" Rinna glanced over at the interactive screen and her smile widened when she noticed the Roidmude line highlighted. Kiriko shut off the display in embarrassment and nodded, picking at the hem of her sleeve.

"Interest? Well, I'm looking for a companion to help around the house and to keep my little brother company. I'm not around a lot due to my line of job, so I figured I'd try and find one here." She paused and looked over to where Chase was standing. "He looked… lonely just standing there by himself, I was curious to why he was never sold." Rinna followed her gaze and leaned on the desk.

"My mentor found it hard to part with him, yet since he is a prototype, there was not much interest in Chase himself over the ones that were completed." Kiriko furrowed her eyebrows, wondering what she meant, but didn't push for it. It seemed she was talking almost to herself. Rinna suddenly started and turned back to Kiriko.

"Are you interested in possibly buying him?" The cop blinked at the assistant, stunned by the sudden change. There was no way she could be able to afford even a prototype of the Roidmudes… She frowned and shook her head, going to politely decline the woman. It wasn't as if she wasn't thrilled at being offered the chance. The robot seemed, although with little emotions, rather sweet. It was hard to put her finger on why she thought that from what little she spent looking at him.

"I'd be interested yet I am on a limited budg-" She was cut off by Rinna clapping her hands together.

"Perfect, we'll set up a payment plan, please come this way!" Finding herself dragged over to the register, Rinna began performing the checkout herself. It was a whirlwind of questions, some along the lines of if she'd rename Chase – that was a no, she happened to like his name – and of course the amount she could afford. It was exhausting and she had a hard time thinking straight when some documents were thrusted into her hands to sign. The pen twirled in her hand while she signed her name on a dozen pieces of paper. It was almost impossible trying to remember what she was reading, where she had to sign, what her brother will think of him.

"I guess the Chief was right on blue being my lucky color today…" Kiriko muttered to herself, looking down at her blue tie she choose that morning. A small smile broke out on her lips and her hand stilled half-way into her signature. Was this really happening? Such a lucky break too. Not only was her case going well with her partner Shinnosuke, but now she was going to have an addition to the family and help around the house.

"Krim, Chase!" She was startled when Rinna waved both the scientist and Chase over. She never gave much thought to the scientist before, but with his hand on Chase's shoulder it was like a father-son relationship. Just the thought of that made her smile fade slightly. She barely ever saw her father, and his face was blurred in her mind because of that. It was enough for the excitement to ebb away until she threw it from her mind. She didn't need to feel sorry for herself. Though her family was small, she was about to add someone new to it and that was to be celebrated. Finishing the paperwork, she put down the pen just as the two stopped near Rinna.

"Chase, this is who you'll be going home with today. Her name is Kiriko." Standing up, she nodded her head to the two, her eyes meeting Chase's.

"Hello Kiriko, My name is Chase." His tone was emotionless, yet there was something calm that radiated from his demeanor. Chase… Yes, she really did like that name, it suited him, that and she didn't have the heart to change anything about him. It was almost like changing a part of who someone was, and regardless of him being a robot, he still was a person in her eyes. Kiriko smiled up at him and noticed that he was staring quite adamantly at her lips, eyes squinting. The robot's lips twitched, attempting to mimic the smile, yet wasn't able to all the way, unable to picture what it looked like on his own face. Rinna chuckled, patting Chase's shoulder and breaking his concentration.

"It's called a smile Chase, we've mentioned it to you before several times. Don't worry, you'll get it. I hope it's alright if Krim and I check in every now and then, Ms. Shijima? We always wanted Chase to be able to experience a normal life, well, as normal as he can." With a small nod towards Rinna, Kiriko noticed how Krim was looking at her, as if trying to pinpoint something. She smiled nervously, unsure if she had done something wrong before he returned the expression.

"Take care of Chase." He said, going to grip Chase's shoulder. Again the father and son bond hit washed over her like a flood. The softness in Krim's eyes, the loosening of tension in Chase's shoulders… Quickly she banished such thoughts again as a packet of papers were handed to her by Rinna.

"Instructions in case something goes awry. There's no need to do anything to his programming and he manually charges himself each night. Everything else in in that booklet there." Rinna walked the two to the door and waved as they stepped out, Kiriko looking bewildered and a little lost. Watching them leave, the assistant turned to Krim, crossing her arms.

"You recognized her name too." Krim's eyes never left the two as they ventured back into the street. He simply nodded, looking down at his tablet where her picture stared back at her. It was indeed intriguing that she had come in looking for a companion, and the fact that she had been interested in Chase himself… He turned the tablet off and turned his back on the door. A small smile played on his lips as he motioned for Rinna to follow him.

"Regardless of that, I believe that Chase is in good hands. Perhaps she and her brother can help Chase grow and develop."

Kiriko had to regain her bearings for a few seconds once outside the store. Staring down at the packet, Kiriko let her mind recharge. While doing so, Chase simply stood next to her, observing their environment before his eyes finally landed on her. She was interesting to say the least. There were a lot of people who had come up to him in the display to examine him, yet she had a smile on her face the entire time. Whenever people realized he was simply the prototype and not the finished product of his line, they always turned away and demanded to see the others.

His eyebrows furrowed slightly at that. He could never comprehend why. Was he inferior due to not being the finished version? Although his emotional capacity was limited compared to the others of his line, he was reassured by Krim that the 'everything will fall into place eventually'. Although he was unsure what he meant, he could only speculate that it meant his programming could still develop on its own.

"Oi, you useless idiot! Where are you?" Kiriko was startled as a blonde-haired man yelled in the middle of the sidewalk in front of them, peering around as if trying to find someone. The first thing that she noticed was that his hair style was quite unique.

"Right here! You need to stop eating so much ic-!" A colorfully-dressed young man brushed by them with two ice treats, only to trip when someone bumped into him. Chase reacted immediately, grabbing the man before he could fall. She was impressed with his quick reaction time as the man smiled up at them.

"Ah, thank you." Still with a bright smile on his face, the man quickly hurried over the blonde one, who swiped both of the candies from his hand. Kiriko had a hard time not chuckling at the man and patted Chase on the shoulder before she continued on his way. Just by that small act of kindness, she deducted that he prioritized other's safety. Wait, deducted? Her eyes widened in slight alarm; she was beginning to sound like Shinnosuke when his engine started. Flustered, she felt her cheeks burn at the thought, her pace quickening.

She received a text alert from her brother almost as soon as she entered the house. Scrolling through it, Kiriko nodded and placed it onto the dining table, sighing as she looked around. The place was messy, and from what she could see from where she was at, Gou's room was even worse with clothes thrown onto the floor with little care.

"I apologize for the mess, Gou and I can never keep this place clean." The cop turned around to look at Chase when she realized he was standing a few feet away from her, head tilted. She berated herself for almost jumping. He was so silent that she thought he had sat down, not followed her to the table.

"Go ahead and sit down Chase, Gou should be here shortly and then you can meet him. Just.." Kiriko trailed off, looking unsure. She knew her brother hated robots, even the humanoid ones, for a reason that he refused to tell her.

"Is there something wrong, Kiriko?" Blinking, Kiriko looked up from the floor before she smiled and shook her head.

"No, it's fine. He'll have to get used to you is all, so don't take anything he says seri-" The door opened as Gou's voice sounded outside it. Her brother's eyes were bright, holding up his camera and his wallet. He was going on about dinner being on him when he stopped in the threshold, his arms slowly lowering to his sides. Kiriko frowned, the air becoming thick with tension. Gou glared at the new occupant, who simply stared back at him. With barely contained annoyance and anger shaking in his tone, he slowly directed his eyes towards his sister.

"What's a robot doing in our house?"