I'm sorry I wasn't able to post sooner! It's been quite a busy year so far, but here's another chapter for you guys!
2B and 9S were wandering in town. They decided to explore a new part of town. A shop caught their eye, where a variety of pastries were displayed in glass cases. They stopped for a moment, watching the food.
"9S, is this what they call a bakery?" queried 2B, who was studying a tray of baumkuchen intently.
"Yeah, they sell bread and pastries. Do you think this shop is Shauna's?" replied 9S.
They entered the shop. The smell of freshly baked bread immediately entered their noses. So enticing was the aroma, they failed to notice someone greeting them. They snapped back to reality when he gave a cough.
"Welcome to Saint-Eclairs. Feel free to look around," said a man behind the counter, a little bewildered. He was a middle-aged man with cropped salt-and-pepper hair.
"Um, thanks; we were just so entranced by the environment," said 9S awkwardly. He noticed the man and Shauna bore similarities.
A small child tugged 2B's dress. "2B! I knew you would come sooner or later!" It was Sanna.
"I'm sorry, but do we know each other?" the man adjusted his wire glasses, watching the white-haired duo.
"Actually, we're next door neighbours, Mr Saint-Clair. It was Shauna who introduced us to Sanna," 2B explained, assuming the man to be the girls' father.
Mr Saint-Clair nodded in understanding. "I'm Alain Saint-Clair, and it's nice to meet you two," he introduced as he made his way to the pair, proffering his hand.
2B and 9S took it, introducing themselves in the process.
"Curious names," commented Alain.
"You can call me Nines if you want to," offered 9S.
"Sure, I'll call you that," said Alain as he led the guests to a small table. "Our bakery is also a café, and people like to unwind here after school or work. But there wouldn't be as many customers right now,"
Sanna vanished to the back of the shop, returning with steaming cups of tea.
"Thank you, Sanna, hold job by the way," praised Alain, "See, Sanna can do many things despite her young age," he intoned with a hint of pride.
"She sure is," agreed 9S. "Say, where's Shauna?"
"Shauna? She's in school, of course,"
2B passed 9S a questioning look.
"A school is an institute where children from age 7 receive education," whispered 9S.
2B nodded. Alain was puzzled at their exchange, but said nothing.
"Look, Mr Saint-Clair-" 9S began to say.
"Please, Alain is fine," interrupted the man.
"Look, Mr Alain," amended 9S, "it's just that we are from a distant region, so we're still learning a lot,"
"No, it's fine. It's a good thing to be constantly learning, don't you agree?" answered Alain cordially. "Actually, school is almost over, so Shauna should come here be here before long,"
"Why don't you try some new cakes Papa made while you wait?" suggested Sanna.
"That's a great idea," replied 2B.
Again Sanna left the table.
"Actually, thank you for befriending Shauna," confused Alain.
"Why is that?" 2B put down her teacup.
"She has been rather lonely and down lately. I wonder what happened to her in school?"
2B and 9S listened in silence, remembering the episode with the gangster, Travis.
Suddenly, the bakery's doors opened. "Welcome," said Alain automatically. "Oh, hello, Shauna. How was your day?"
Shauna was pleased to see her neighbours present. "I'm fine, Dad. How goes the shop?"
"Business as usual, I'd say. I was just taking to your friends over here,"
"Hey there, 2B and 9S. I see that you've finally stumbled upon our humble bakery," Shauna turned to the androids, flashing them a cheeky smile.
"The atmosphere here is really nice, I like it," commented 9S. 2B agreed.
"Hmm? That's good to hear." Shauna joined the table. "Is your school nearby?"
"Us? No, we don't attend school," said 9S.
"Yet," added 2B.
9S wondered how she knew he was interested in attending school. "Yeah, it's under process," he said, glancing at Alain. He seemed to catch on and winked at the android.
The doors opened again as customers entered, taking seats at their favourite tables.
"Well, please excuse me. It's going to get busier from now on, but enjoy your time here though," said Alain as he stood up.
"Do you need my help, Dad?" offered Shauna.
"I'll call you when the need arises," answered Alain.
Sanna returned with some cinnamon rolls. "I made those with Papa," said the girl proudly, earning a pat on the head by Shauna.
They all took one. The pastry has a melt-in-the-mouth quality, paired with a sweet-and-spicy harmony of icing sugar and cinnamon.
"It's amazing," said 2B.
"I second that," added 9S.
"Wow, this is really good, Sanna," praised Shauna.
Sanna giggled, her cheeks rosy.
9S decided to ask Shauna about school in order to get a good view of what it was like.
-
The bakery began to become hectic. 2B and 9S decided to excuse themselves.
Oh the way home, 9S imagined what he would do in school. He wondered about the knowledge he would be able to glean, and it kept him gung ho.
"Do you think we might also find out about what Mr Alain is worried about Shauna, if we went to her school?" asked 2B.
"Hmm, it could be a good way, since he wouldn't know what's going on in school," replied 9S.
-
"Let me guess: you want something from me," stated 21O nonchalantly.
"How'd you know?" responded 9S. He wondered why the women around him seemed to read his thoughts.
"Based on your behaviour, it is but a simple deduction,"
"Now that the cat's out of the bag, I'll tell you, then," 9S inhaled. "We'd like to go to school, Operator,"
"School?" repeated 21O. "Why would you want to go there?"
9S looked at 2B for support.
"We'd like to have a deeper understanding of the humans' lifestyles," 2B stepped in.
21O gave it a moment of thought. She typed something into her computer. A report to the Bunker, perhaps. 2B and 9S stood, thinking the Operator denied them of their wish.
Seconds later, the silence was broken. "The Commander has given the green light. Your documents will be ready by next week, and you are entering as transfer students," 21O turned away to face the standing pair.
9S was unable to control his excitement. He pulled the Operator into a quick hug. 2B smiled.
"But there's another thing," added 21O. "You have to pick a human name. Either that or the Bunker will pick one for you,"
"Can we have some time to think about this, Operator?" asked 9S.
"Of course. Do give me an answer as soon as possible," said 21O before she turned back to the computer.
-
"Why do you think we can't use our names in school?" questioned 9S as he powered up his gaming console.
"I guess having a number and an alphabet as a name is uncommon among humans," replied 2B. Kainé jumped onto her lap, settling itself.
"Can't I just be called Nines?"
2B scratched behind Kainé's ear. It nuzzled her. "That's more like a nickname," she said. "Nines," she added, almost inaudible.
"So, what would you name yourself, 2B?" asked 9S.
"That's a good question. I don't really know,"
"Same here," agreed 9S. "Maybe Jackass could've came up with cool names, but I wonder where she is right now,"
"Maybe we could ask A2 for advice instead. Book characters do have good names sometimes," suggested 2B.
9S thought for a while. "Good thinking, 2B. We should visit her, then,"