Chapter 6 - One Date

It was like the beginning of a detective novel, Aerith thought. There she was, the lady excited for a romantic evening with her hair braided with ribbons, eyes painted dark, lips deep red in contrast with her soft, pink dress. Her heels, one inch too high, clicked against broken ceramic tiles against the dead silence of the night. She stopped by the final streetlamp, lights flickering above her steadily in a rhythm.

In the pure darkness before Aerith, her date emerged. The same glowing spinning rings, blue armband, and triangle greeted her. "Good evening, Aerith." His eyes quickly scanned her head to toe. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you, Connor." Aerith gave him a bashful smile as she accepted his hand. Connor led her away from the row of lights, the only markers to point her way back home. Late at night, unfamiliar place, and alone with a man? Aerith fiddled with her pendant cold against her chest, the wind brushing against her bare shoulders.

Large buildings loomed ahead with small windows and a few towering chimneys. Aerith had seen the structure from afar but never really tried to venture inside the compound. The place had been difficult to access due to the sharp piles of glass and ceramic dumped in the area.

It was only last year when people from the upper plates realized the decorative potential of crushed glass. Meeting the demand, Sector 5 responded and harvested its resources. The only proof that towers of shards used to exist were a path littered with faint sparkles.

The sound of rusty metal grated against Aerith's ears as her companion slid the industrial door open. There was nothing to see inside but pitch-black darkness. "Ladies first," he invited her.

"I bet no one would find us here." Aerith stepped in, and Connor shut the door behind her.

"Yes, I made sure of that." He replied a little farther away, moving objects which produced noises that were hard to discern. One lightbulb opened right above, faint and warm in color.

"Hello!" Aerith called out as loud as she could - it wasn't as resonant as she expected for such a large place. It wasn't the empty warehouse that she expected. Again, her mind wandered into the plot of crime novels that she made the android summarize to her. If she were one of its characters, any time, a man would grab her from behind and cover her mouth shut. "Oh my, what do you plan to do to me?" She asked playfully.

"It will be a surprise. I can tell you're very excited."

"Oh?"

"Sensors. Android powers, as you call it." Another lightbulb opened, revealing some rectangular shapes on the ground, a chair, a table, and a couch.

"I don't think I have any chance of escaping. I may have walked into the perfect trap." Aerith teased. She reached out to feel the environment, her eyes adjusting to the dim glow of the bulbs. There were stacks of boxes and what seems to be foam neatly arranged in rows. Whatever Connor was planning, she's intrigued.

"No, one to hear you scream," her date answered behind her, causing her to jump. Connor wore a smug grin on his face, holding something dark and shiny in his arms. "I need you to close your eyes."

"Okay." She trusted him and waited. Connor could kiss her at any moment now. That would be so nice, wouldn't it? Why need to wait until the end of the date? Aerith suppressed a giggle and bit her lip. Would his lips feel soft and warm? Were those stubbles real and scratchy, or were they just there for design?

He never kissed anyone before, and she could teach him. She could pull him close and angle his jaw, feel his skin with her fingers from his jaw to his nape. Kiss long and deep. No. Maybe just something short and simple? Then see what could happen after that?

But would he want to kiss her?

Something was placed on Aerith's head, interrupting her racing imagination. It felt like a motorbike helmet, but much lighter and covered her face up to her nose. She felt her hair gently brushed aside for better fitting. Some cords, or wires, dangled from the back of her head and across her shoulders connected to something. Or someone.

"I wanted to take you on a proper date somewhere in Sector 8, but my programming locked me in Sector 5."

"I'm already having a good time, as long as you have fun yourself, I'd down with this," Aerith assured him. She already told him the same words when they're planning the date. The fact that he prepared something for her was already more than enough.

"You can open your eyes now."

"Alright." Aerith started with her left eye first, but there was nothing but glowing lines in the darkness. She shut both her eyes tight and opened wide, blinking in pitch black until the shapes emerged. Right in front of Aerith was her image, from a higher angle - a woman with a funny-looking helmet. The floor, the objects around them, and the ceiling had no colors and were all marked by gridlines. Hundreds of numbers and words popped in every space.

"Apologies, that took a little longer than expected."

"This is how you see things?" Aerith stared at herself. Trippy. From Connor's perspective, she seemed so tiny.

"That is correct. Right now, you see right through my optical units."

Gridlines marked her body but with more refined lines compared to the plain geometry of the inanimate objects around them. Every part of her had measurements: weight, height, length, width, colors, and more. At least that's what Aerith could read. Long strings of text and numbers scrolled down at lightning speed. Connor said he remembered everything, would that mean all this information?

"I understand it might be overwhelming. But don't worry, you'll be back in your own eyes soon."

Connor was in front of her again, just as he said, but it was different from earlier. She could see his face clearly, illuminated by bright street lights, eyes bright and lips in a gentle smile, just like their first meeting. Wait. Gone was the rough gray concrete under her feet, but the familiar cobblestone road paved its way in front of her. Aerith quickly glanced around and above and read the first words: LOVELESS.

"This is amazing." The piles of boxes and foam that Connor piled together were transformed into shops, cafes, and the theater. Aerith walked around to check Connor's recreation. Each cobblestone looked unique. The movie posters were exactly the same, even the names of the actors and the tiny tears at the edges of the posters. The vandalism painted on the walls, the fire hydrant, the vending machine's prices, and a single candy wrapper near the drain - it's like diving inside a photograph. She looked up to see the starless sky covered in thick smog as usual. These were all from Connor's memories?

"Aerith, mind the wires."

"Oops, sorry!" She had freedom of around three meters else she would disconnect from her date. No choice but to stick closer, and it wasn't hard. The roads were clear of any vehicle or cyclist to watch out for. All of the sidewalks were empty. They had the sector all by themselves.

Sector 8 was considered the best district in Midgar. All the best schools, hospitals, parks, shops, cafes and every luxury one can think of can be found there. There were no enormous piles of trash that shifted and shattered like glaciers. The peacemakers were more concerned about this affluent neighborhood, and thus the place wasn't infested by monsters or gangs.

But it wasn't home. Hundreds pass by her without a single face to recognize. Everyone was a stranger that would not bother to say hello. They were nothing more than customers; relatively wealthier people that had never seen a real flower in their lives. It was a place associated with constant haggling for prices, hours of standing or walking without an empty bench to rest on, and undisciplined drivers honking nonstop.

Sometimes the little stream of mako leaking from the pipes was a source of comfort. Up above the plate, so far from the warmth of the earth, she just felt alone.

It's different tonight - an entire district all for themselves. Even if everything she was seeing was a form of illusion, this moment was nothing else but genuine. Aerith took her date by the arm.

"We can go to dinner first. Then perhaps watch a movie?" Connor suggested.

Aerith gaped in disbelief. "We have that here?"

"Of course." He cleared his throat and aligned his tie to the center. He explained the extent of his recreation, including which streets and buildings can be accessed. Warning signs mark the edges of the warehouse, disguised as traffic signs or gates. Also, there was a real, functional restroom for her needs.

"Am I forgetting something?" The android asked, seeing how Aerith looked at him with scrutiny. His rings blinked yellow momentarily.

"Can you change your clothes too?" A store wasn't far from where they were. "Come on, pick something else than your usual get up, something you would like to try."

Connor nodded and walked over to the store. When he reached the entrance, he paused to stare at the perfectly still, white-colored mannequins displayed behind the glass, dressed in a variety of fancy wear. He looked back as if asking for her approval, and Aerith nodded and gave him a thumbs up. With a simple touch to his temple, Connor's clothing transformed.

It was not what Aerith expected. "Hey um," she grimaced and stroked her chin with her thumb. Her date picked a shirt with bold white patterns striped against a loud, yellow fabric. His dark grey trousers made the gaudy top stand out more. Worst of all, on top of Connor's head was a knitted black beanie.

"Aerith? How do I look?" There was no shame or worry in Connor's eyes, only innocence, and genuine curiosity.

She awakened a long-forgotten joy that she experienced the last time she played with her paper dolls. In the end, Aerith suggested soft blue jeans and a loose, maroon shirt decorated by dark geometric patterns. She encouraged Connor to roll the sleeves up to his elbows for a more casual look. They didn't have a lot of options in the first place. It's important to ask: "Do you like it?"

Connor stared at his reflection, rings spinning blue and yellow. "I prefer having a tie."

Dinner was a takeout of burgers that Connor prepared beforehand, which he apologized for. It wasn't elegant but wouldn't need extra plates and utensils. He compensated with fine wine and roses.

"For what? This is so so good," Aerith said as she munched a burger, staring at her date. The restaurant they entered was bare with only a few tables and decoration but accentuated by flowers and candlelights. Neither Aerith nor Connor had been inside the real place.

Aerith couldn't take her eyes off the scene before her: Connor was also eating. She knew he didn't have a real stomach to store food, making his burger virtual. His lips remained clean without any sheen of grease or ketchup. Without a greater inspection, one wouldn't even think it was all an illusion. It's an endearing sight to see him open his mouth in an undignified manner to accommodate the large bun.

No, it wasn't an illusion, but an experience - Aerith corrected herself. Eating was something so normal, a simple pleasure in life that's always been taken for granted. When spent with others, good meals could be unforgettable - the taste, the conversations, the joy, and just being alive. Something so human. Connor wanted to do this with her.

"Are you judging the way I eat?" Connor asked and swallowed a mouthful, one eyebrow raised.

"Judging? Of course not." Aerith leaned closer, reminiscing their first lunch together. She remembered how he used to sit - hands on his lap, perfect posture, and eyes staring straight ahead. It was different now. "Have I told you before that you're so adorable?"

His lips curved into a charming smile that made her blush. "Thank you, Aerith."

She raised her glass. "Cheers to your first date."

"Cheers," Connor responded along with the click of glass. "I should return the compliment though."

"Oh you don't have to."

The android took one last sip from his wine glass and cleared his throat. "Aerith, I think you're a positive person, clever, adventurous and somewhat unpredictable-" The woman raised an eyebrow and laughed at the description but Connor continued, eyes narrowed in concentration "-which makes conversations with you quite engaging."

"I wouldn't get bested with that, we have to be even, don't you think?" Aerith hummed as she clasped her hands together. "Connor, I think you're a very cool gentleman. You're so smart, sincere and I also like your sense of humor. You're funny in a really good way."

"Oh, I'm not joking when I complimented you. I really meant that."

"That's why I said, 'in a good way,'" she winked.

Aerith had never really been in a movie theater. She walked past rows and rows of empty seats and carpeted stairs. What would it feel like to touch those velvet seats? The screen in front of her was probably a few meters in height and width, brighter than a car's headlights, dizzying but also captivating. What would it be like to fill this place with people?

Her community's monitor sometimes had some showings of old films. For the newer ones, they had to wait for years to find a discarded copy to salvage. Connor, privileged as Shinra personnel (or equipment as he insisted), managed to copy four films that the troops can watch for free in the barracks. She was presented with four options:

Saving Private Bryan. Action, Adventure and Military. For Parental Guidance. Synopsis: After Private Bryan is captured by Wutai, his friends embark on a dangerous mission to rescue him. Follow the epic journey of Soldiers as they uphold the code of honor and sacrifice for the glory of Shinra.

Pretty Man Running Down The Street. Romance and Comedy. Not appropriate for ages below 16-year old for suggestive language and themes. Synopsis: Tina Chen has accomplished everything a 30-year old could ever hope for, being one of the most successful women among Shinra executives. After meeting a handsome stripper from Wall Market, Tina questions the meaning of her life.

Lord of the Strings. Biopic and Drama. General Audiences. Based on the true story of Cole Anderson, the legendary ukulele player of Midgar. After a young boy from Junon lost his pinky finger from a shark attack, destiny has unique ways of choosing its hero.

Predators in Space. Action, Thriller, Science Fiction, and Horror. Rated Mature for violence, language, and sexual content. After an unexpected engine malfunction, STS Jericho is forced to crash land on an uncharted asteroid. The crew finds not only themselves fighting for survival but also confronting their deepest desires.

"I'd like to watch Predator in Space," Aerith said immediately after reading the selection."Don't spoil me, Connor."

"I copied data that's true, but I don't know exactly how events will unfold."

"Alright," Aerith crashed onto their seat, covered in fancy red, synthetic leather. She knew it was the couch she saw earlier in the dark. The springs underneath creaked as Connor followed holding a bag of popcorn in his hands. It was bouncier than expected but comfortable.

The movie from the very start was impressive in terms of visuals, almost overwhelmingly bright. She had to ask Connor to lower the volume since her ears were sensitive to the headphones. When STS Jericho flew into space, the scenery was just breathtaking, especially the asteroid. The spectacle ended however when the ship crashed. It became claustrophobic and dark as the injured crew tried to make sense of the surroundings, and not long after, an unknown monster began killing the astronauts in a gruesome manner. Aerith was used to monsters; the real ones were more troublesome than the aliens shown in the film. Maybe it was the combination of the aesthetics of a dark theater house, the music, and the acting that was making her anxious and sending shivers across her arms.

"Cold?" Connor asked, offering his jacket.

She readily accepted and whispered a "thank you." Perhaps it was just an excuse to get her hand on that jacket finally. The oversized garment felt like a soft blanket wrapped around her body. Ah, the same laundry detergent, nearly as strong as bleach, unlike the usual ones with the fragrance of flowers. Few embarrassing minutes were spent in the market discreetly trying to identify which brand. Directly asking Connor would get rid of the mystery, although the answer might likely be incredibly dull. But it was his scent and she had come to like it.

Aerith would catch a glimpse of Connor sometimes. Predictably, he's calm and would respond in a gentle smile and offered more popcorn. "I am rooting for that Markus character to survive, I really like him," he said.

"Yeah, and he's really hot," Aerith ate a mouthful of popcorn.

Halfway through the film, it became a little silly. The characters began making terrible decisions like going off alone, letting their guard down and fighting amongst themselves. They're yelling like toddlers instead of acting like professionals handpicked for a billion-gil space project. A fistfight broke between the helmsman and the security officer. It was so violent that they accidentally broke some oxygen canisters for their trip back home.

At least it was still entertaining, Aerith thought, especially it was getting more suspenseful and characters she cared about began dying. She inched closer to her date until her shoulder was against his arm. Almost a snuggle. "I wonder if they will make it out alive," she said quietly.

Connor shrugged. "Well… if only they sent androids, we could have avoided these problems. No need for food, water, oxygen, and exercise. But if that is the case, there wouldn't be a story-"

"Oh, shoot!" Aerith gasped as the alien predator suddenly dragged the scientist inside the vents. Her heart raced, and her stomach churned as a chase sequence commenced, culminating into a rescue. She held onto Connor's arm even as the suspense died down. Her eyes quickly darted up to see if there was any resistance to the closeness between them, but he didn't seem to mind.

After the high-pitched a fast-paced accompaniment of strings and brass, the music calmed down to play a soft, melodramatic piano piece. The camera zoomed into the two survivors surrounded by flickering lights from the damaged ship. The monster was gone, presumably ejected into the vacuum of outer space. Grateful for another chance in life, they decided to confess their feelings, kiss passionately, and make love.

Aerith stole a quick glance at Connor. Her eyes alternated, watching the scene unfold, and checking out the reaction of the man beside her. Soon, she couldn't hear anything else than noises of pleasure. It's not like she was a stranger to such things, but it still felt a little awkward with Connor. He's a lot more knowledgeable than her about any topic he could research on, perhaps including sex, yet he still exuded innocence.

He sat perfectly still, popcorn on his lap, looking content just like the last hour. Then his eyes shifted and caught Aerith's gaze. "I can tell you're really enjoying this part more than the rest of the movie," he said, smirking, before tossing a piece into his mouth.

"Oh yes, I do." Aerith laughed, cheeks hot, and then resumed watching. This was the content she was expecting when she picked the film.

Arm in arm, they strolled back into the empty LOVELESS avenue. Aerith was high in emotions, still amazed at the spectacular final battle of the movie. Impressive in every way. Did they really film in space? Was the alien just a man in a suit? There was a lot to unpack about the movie. "It's one of the most fun I've watched, hands down. It has everything." She laughed, cried, screamed and genuinely scared for the characters - an emotional rollercoaster. Aerith leaned on Connor with the weight of her body, enough to throw him off balance for a second. "So, what do you think?"

"Well, it's my first movie."

"And?"

"I think that it has a lot of contrasting elements together. They're pretty balanced - mystery, action, dialogue, humor, romance, and drama. It was an interesting experience, quite different from reading a book."

Aerith cocked her head with Connor's response. She got to ask something more specific."Are you happy with the ending?"

"Majority of the crew didn't survive. I would have preferred a lower mortality rate. But given that they had no prior training against the predator, it's still a victory." Connor nodded slowly. "They accomplished their mission."

"Yeah, I was rooting for the medic to live."

"I do have an issue," Connor replied abruptly, brows slightly furrowed.

"Oh? " Aerith saw it coming and prepared for it. With Connor's brain, he could easily find more plot holes and inconsistencies. Science was not exactly Aerith's forte but she knew enough to tell if the physics was being ridiculous. "Let me guess; it's impossible to break up the asteroid with a bomb like that?"

"I'm not convinced of the love story."

That was unexpected."Can you tell me why?"

"When it's time to blow up the extraterrestrial in the cargo hold, the captain bailed out and tried to escape, She could have stayed and made sure the bomb will detonate. Her reluctance to sacrifice herself had put her lover at risk."

"But if she died, they wouldn't have a happy ending together!" Aerith rested her hands on her hips. She quite liked the romance - fighting together, defeating the odds and taking chances. Connor didn't answer but stared at her inquisitively.

Both of them stopped on their tracks as they reached the end of the street. No matter how advanced the simulation was, the real walls of the warehouse were their limits. Connor appeared to be holding back his words, his mouth opening slightly. He was thinking, as proven by his glowing rings. "Even if the likelihood of survival increases just by one percent, I still would have sacrificed myself. I just thought that someone in love would arrive at the same decision."

A light, playful punch hit Connor's shoulder. "Then, if I'm in that ship, I'd have to knock you out to stop you. Plus, if the movie ended up tragic, I'd be pissed." Aerith flashed him a kind smile - a diversion. She didn't like the topic of sacrifice or heartbreak, especially while on a date like this. "I do wonder what it will be like to go to space?" She let out a soft laugh. "Can't even leave Midgar."

Connor cleared his throat. "I can show you."

"Oh? You have pictures?" Aerith bounced in excitement.

"I actually prepared something."

He told her again to close her eyes. She wouldn't dare to cheat even if it took quite long. There was something intimate about the silence and darkness that surrounded her momentarily, with nothing but Connor's hands working its way at the back of her head. The simulations, colors, and sounds she experienced were purely from Connor's programs. She'd seen through his eyes and listened through his ears, but she wanted more. Wanted to know more about what's inside.

"So Aerith, have you been into a forest?"

"Never seen two trees side by side."

She felt a tap on her shoulder. "Look above and open your eyes."

Aerith forgot to breathe as she ascended to the heavens - thousands and thousands of stars and a splash of blue and yellow mixed like paint against a dark canvas. It felt like she was lost in time, unable to take her eyes off the sight. Soon the stars flowed like a river, followed by the bright white moon - it was unnaturally moving fast, rising and disappearing among the clouds as the sunrise took over.

Connor's hand stayed on her shoulder as she watched the morning sun illuminate not only a row of the largest, greenest trees she had seen in her life, but woods that extend farther than her eyes could reach. Her ancestors protected forests like these for countless generations. Did Midgar use to look like this? She exhaled, releasing the exhilarating feeling that was building inside her chest. "What's this place?"

"Wutai forest. The spy camera's recordings weren't as detailed, but with a little help of technology, I made some improvements." He said with a smirk. "It managed to record 452 days of non-activity before an earthquake destroyed it."

"So beautiful," Aerith kept her eyes on the view as Connor sped up the footage. Night and day switched and blinked as the seasons changed. Leaves turned fiery red and scattered into an explosion before fading and leaving the trees bare. She opened up her palm to catch the snow that began to fall. Soon her feet were buried under the sheet of ice, a thin layer on her shoulders. She reached out and dusted the snow off Connor's hair. There was no need as everything was virtual, but she wanted an excuse to see his hair messy.

"I know you wanted to take a vacation somewhere." Connor used his fingers to comb his hair back in place. "I wanted to recreate Costa del Sol, but I couldn't find good footage. Gold Saucer has so many variables-"

"This already perfect." Aerith pulled him by his arm brought them closer together, her heart racing, a grin stretching her face. Everything felt like a pleasant dream. "Thank you."

When the snow ceased falling and thawed on the ground, fresh flowers bloomed on the earth. The trees returned to their original colors while the grass swayed with the spring wind. A whole cycle of rebirth had flashed in her eyes. "Connor?"

"Yes?"

"How about you? Where do you want to go?"

Connor looked down and smiled at her. "I'll show you."

The sky above them darkened in color, the sun faint, and the clouds disappeared. At first, Aerith wondered what was special about a place so barren, but then one by one, the life forms began to appear. Against the rays of sunshine, they took form - fish, sharks, rays, octopus, turtles, and so many other creatures she had never seen before. It was as if they were inside a large aquarium, yet ironically they were the ones caged inside a glass of air.

"There is an underwater reactor in Junon," Connor said as he looked up to his recreation, looking happy. "Maybe one day, who knows?"

Humans reached farther in space than explored the depth of the ocean, Connor mused. It was easier to fly to a destination one can see. There was always another star to reach, another system, and an infinite number of galaxies. It seemed unrewarding to sink to the endless darkness, the water pressure, and gravity working together to pull one down.

Still, the bottom of the ocean floor interested Connor more. Space was too vast, without any assurance of meeting anyone. The ocean floor teemed with undiscovered life. As an android, he didn't require oxygen, food, or sleep - he's the perfect candidate for exploration if humans wouldn't want to risk their own.

His internal clock sent a notification: fifteen minutes before the recommended time to bring Aerith home. It was part of the agreement that midnight was the absolute limit, as Connor wanted to establish cordial relations with his date's mother.

Fifteen minutes was enough time for four more songs, and Aerith didn't show any sign that she wanted to stop dancing. There was nothing physically demanding about the dance, after all. They just swayed together with the slow music, hand in hand, and face to face as they just talked non-stop. Aerith seldom ran out of things to say, and when she finally stopped - she sang.

"I wanna dance with you, slowly, our bodies close," Aerith sang in-tune, her timing almost flawless. "Come on, Connor, sing the next line. I'm sure you've heard this song a thousand times by now."

"Alright," he replied, although statistically speaking, a thousand times was impossible. Nonetheless, syncing his voice box to the melody was simple. "This is the song we've been waiting for… the words I've always wanted to say…"

"I knew you could sing," she teased and let go of Connor's hand to wrap her arms around the man's neck. In turn, he placed both of his hands on her waist. They sang the final chorus in unison.

At the end of the song

When the music fades

I'll sing in acapella

Whisper to your ears

Cherish each second

Sweet and unforgettable

Connor activated the jukebox via his internal remote, picking the next song in random when Aerith removed the VR helmet. "Aerith? There is plenty of time. We still have five minutes left."

Without the need to run the simulations, his processors ran faster, and his bio components began to cool down. Aerith disconnected the wires connected to his nape and laid the equipment at the ground. "Precisely, we don't have much time. We only have five minutes left. And besides, they get in the way."

Aerith returned where they left; her arms around his neck, their bodies closer. He felt the woman's lungs expand against his chest, her heart beating faster. "Hey um… normally, I don't ask, it just happens. And before I know it, one thing leads to another." She laughed awkwardly and looked away for a second, her cheeks redder. "Wanna kiss?"

"A kiss? Do you want to kiss me? I suppose on the lips?"

Aerith bit her lip and nodded. "Yes, I do, but it's totally up to you. Kiss or no kiss, I'm happy we're still gonna be friends. Right?Don't you want to know how it feels like?" She said the last words in a softer and inviting tone.

Want was the keyword. It wasn't about wanting for Connor, but about knowing. He understood that a kiss meant many different things, and he tried to avoid sending the wrong message, especially that humans were emotional creatures that might have expectations. Aerith made it clear their friendship will remain.

There wasn't a function to kiss installed in Connor's programs, and this was his chance to learn. In his memory, there were twenty-one kisses stored, mostly from couples he saw from Sector 5 and Sector 8, including the one in the film. He picked four of the most detailed and combined them in one simulation. All he had to do was execute the command.

"Alright," Connor said to Aerith and brought up his hand to cup her jaw. They gazed at each other for a while, making sure that both were comfortable. Aerith nodded slightly and smiled, closing her eyes and waiting for him. He closed his eyes as well just before their lips met.

There was so much information to gather from a simple act: Aerith's DNA, the chemical composition of her lipstick, the food she ate earlier, the shape of her mouth, the softness of her lips. Her scent of flowers and perfume grew stronger against Connor's nose as she prolonged the kiss. Her temperature rose against Connor's skin, the tempo of the heartbeat accelerating until she broke away breathless, her cheeks flushed, and eyes dazed.

"That was-" Aerith was still trying to catch her breath before she gave a wide smile. "That kiss was awesome."

Connor nodded in acknowledgment. The kiss was a success in every way, yet his systems seemed to register a failed objective. Connor's stress level slightly rose, and he replayed the kiss in his mind, analyzing possible errors.

Aerith's physical and emotional reaction was positive, things he couldn't replicate in any way. He could only mimic the facial expressions registered in his database, but inside Connor, there was nothing. He simply lacked the parts to have anything similar to Aerith's warm skin, her red cheeks and the fast pulse in her veins.

A word flashed in his mind: disappointment. Did he agree to this date with expectations?

"Hey, Connor?" Aerith looked at him with concern.

"I was just… thinking."

The woman smiled at him. "The kiss doesn't feel right?"

Connor thought of multiple answers before shaking his head. Aerith had displayed maturity and understanding all the time they spent together, and he was sure she would not attribute the deficiency from her part. By human standards, Aerith was attractive and healthy. More than that, she had been very affectionate and kind.

Aerith loosened from him, still smiling. There wasn't a single hint of disappointment in her face. "Maybe I'm not your type? Maybe not women?"

Connor briefly scanned the thousands of men and women in his database and shook his head again, just to double-check what Aerith was implying. There was nothing. He was just a machine after all. He did not state the fact as Aerith didn't like being reminded of it. "I'm afraid I'm simply incapable. I lack a lot of things that humans possess."

"No, you don't!" Aerith wiggled her finger in front of his face. "You don't lack anything. This doesn't make you less of a person." Connor remained silent.

Aerith put her hand on Connor's shoulder, giving him a light squeeze before she tiptoed and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, and it has been a wonderful night. I'll never forget this."

"I had a pleasant evening as well," Connor replied, smiling. Inside his head was a simulated debate with Aerith about personhood - he immediately canceled it.

"I believe you still have work to do?" Aerith opened her bag to take out a pair of slippers. "I can go home by myself. Unless you just want to spend more time with me?" Aerith said with a cheeky grin.

"No, I don't have anything else to do. I'd prefer to take you home, may I?" As soon as the jukebox become silent, the whole place was back to the way it was. The soft lights of Connor's LED flashed against the wall as he accompanied Aerith in the darkness. Blue turned red as the android acknowledged the new orders transmitted.

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That was a pretty long chapter. The story will either be concluding next chapter (depends on how long it would be) or I might add an epilogue. I hope you guys post a reaction, because I keep in mind my readers when I write the ending of this fic. Thank you again for reading!