A/N What really happened to Sumomo has just been revealed. Now Shinbo has to make the fatal decision. Will he go for what's real or what has been made real? Again ShanniC thanks a lot for the reviews.. I'm really glad you're sticking up with me Nathaniel buddy thanks for adding me to your favorites! Means a lot to me you know?
My mind reeled from two end poles as I walked towards my house. I passed by the playground to prolong the journey home. I needed a lot of time to think. This isn't just any persocom, this was Sumomo.. I never really thought about it much but there's something more to Sumomo than just microchips and cables. Somehow, although at that time I wasn't aware of it, Sumomo was my partner. We were a tag team. We kept each other company in the loneliest of times. I hate to admit this but... I'm attached to her.
One kid accidentally dropped her ice cream on the cobble stoned pavement. She looked at it surprisingly and within minutes, she was already crying. I smiled to myself. I really find girls who cry rather.. endearing. They look so helpless and there's just something that makes me want to hug them and stroke their back.
I have seen Sumomo cry.
It felt weird. Different... I wasn't amused nor did that feeling of "let-me-help-you" fill me. I just felt really bad and wanted to snap her out of it that very instant. I panicked.
Is this a good sign or a bad sign?
I decided to step inside the playground for a while. And that's when it hit me.
Shimizu.
FLASHBACK: 3rd person perspective
"Shimizu sensei? What're you doing here all alone?" Shinbo approached her cautiously. Shimizu didn't say a word for a minute, she kicked the ground with her right high-heeled shoe and allowed the swing to sway her back and forth slowly.
"I... I got locked out..." she said quietly.
Shinbo raised an eyebrow. He was going to laugh but Shimizu looked so dead serious that he just walked nearer to her.
"My.... My husband... forgot about me... He locked the door..."
Now Shinbo just couldn't help it. Really, she was kidding right?
"Yes.. it's funny isn't it? My own husband forgot about me... It all started when he got too attached with his persocom.. we bought one you see, to help us around the house. But he... he started getting very.. close to it... then day after day.. he started to forget about me. Like he doesn't have a wife.." Shimizu looked up at Shinbo now her eyes brimming with tears.
Now, Shinbo was a sucker for helpless damsels in distress. And Shimizu sensei was no exception. He held her up and did what he thought was only right, he hugged her. That's where he felt it. The strong, unbelievable longing for her. That's where it all started. That's what got him and Shimizu now together.
And he had sworn never to choose a persocom over her.
END OF FLASHBACK
I patted my head lightly. This is weird... This shouldn't be a problem! I should just...
I should just...
I...
Damn it all! What should I do?!
Before I knew it, my feet had already led me to the apartment. Hibiya san was sweeping again. She always does, this is her usual routine. She looked up at me and gave me the brightest smile.
"Shinbo san... I trust that you know about the issue with Sumomo chan already?" She asked as if her question was, "Isn't it a bright, sunny day?"
I nodded and understood. I was prone to changes. I was never the one who'd freak out and make sudden decisions out of fear when something foreign comes up. I was never the one who'd ask for help, who'd try to change things back to the way it was. So I'm not going to get mad at Hibiya san for doing what she did. It would just complicate things a lot more and hell knows I couldn't afford to add one more complication. I've accepted that all of this was happening. I couldn't deny any of it any longer. I've chewed it and now it's time to swallow.
"Shall we go now Shinbo san?" Hibiya san rested her broom on the wall and walked with me inside the apartment. It was a slow, quiet walk. She was breathing slowly and calmly.
Hibiya san suddenly turned to face me.
"Shinbo san I am deeply sorry if I---"
"Please Hibiya san... I really appreciate what you've done for me and Sumomo... I got the chance to feel the human side of her. It was really fun..." I smiled kindly at her.
The door to my apartment creaked open and inside there stood Shimizu and Sumomo. It looked like a scene out of a cheesy reality tv show. The minute Sumomo saw me, her face brightened up and she ran towards me flailing her hands in the air.
"Mastah!!!!!!!!!!!!"
She threw all her weight at me and I caught her in my arms.
"Mastah please.. I don't want to go back.... Mastah.... I... no.. please? I want to stay like this.. For you mastah I...." She was stammering. Her words jumped on top of one another. It pained me to see her like this.
I looked at Shimizu and she turned her back on me, crying.
"Sumomo... do you... do you remember those times when you were just a persocom? Don't you wish life is just simple that way?" I asked her. Sumomo shook her head vigorously.
"Mastah.... Knowing how we were so close but still incredibly far.. I can't do that mastah... I can't... please mastah? Please?" She was sobbing heavily. I just couldn't take it. My thoughts were moving really fast...
Shimizu approached me and squeezed my shoulder. I looked up at her but she just nodded and went out of the room. Sumomo buried her face on my chest. After a few seconds, I felt her slipping.
"She fell asleep, Shinbo san.. apparently the microchip wasn't able to keep up with all the emotions pouring in... It's ironic... the microchip should be the one overriding the body but it seems like her human emotions is the one overriding the chip... this is... unexpected" Hibiya san said.
I nodded and gently carried her on a futon.
"Sleep well Sumomo..." I leaned over and kissed her salty face.
Footnote: Okay one last chapter to go. What was Shinbo's decision? What will become of Sumomo? Find out in the next chapter. To those of you who have been reading this, thank you very much. Although the reviews are quite few, it's okay. I'm not after the reviews much.. just want to share a story with you people. Thanks again!