Chapter 15

Don't Leave Me

The Maiden Eri and Harima left together, with the Maiden carrying the broken-down android Eri, who replaced the real Eri recently. The Maiden was worried.

"What's wrong?" He asked, "You look sad."

"I don't know…" The Maiden sighed.

"So, Rich Girl is gone somewhere." Harima stated.

"Actually, Eri Sawachika is safely located in England," the Maiden replied, "We'll be happy when she returns. But I don't think she'll be happy by the ramifications that happened today."

She placed the broken robot down on the ground and approached Harima. She was very upset.

"Harima, I think I should tell you this," she said, "I have to leave you. I'm not saying that I want to break up with you, but I cannot serve you anymore."

"What? After all you've been through?" Harima cried.

Eri cringed and cried, "I mean, think about it, Harima! I was created by a machine! A Maiden for Hire must be created by humans, which are for custom models only! My whole function was a lie! Even as a Maiden for Hire, I was still used. I was treated like a puppet (Forgive the pun). I'm… I'm just so empty!"

Harima held her hand and asked, "Don't say that. Rich girl created the double of her, who, in turn, created you, so why are you saying that you're a lie? You're my Maiden, no matter what! Why would you say such a thing?"

The Maiden shook in fear and cried out, "BECAUSE! Because I have given you guaranteed service. But I have been such a tool… a tool for evil. This android created me, and used me. And as we know, Maidens are requested by human users for customization only. That means…"

"That means what?" Harima asked.

Eri bowed and added, "My services had ended… prematurely. Your terms of services are hereby null and void. It acted like I never was your Maiden for Hire in the first place."

"Are you kidding me?"

She hugged Harima and cried with tears in her eyes, "NO! I don't want to leave! Not after what happened! I love you, Kenji! I really do! Don't make me leave! Please!"

"You must," Harima sighed, as the robot cried on his shoulder, "I'm sorry. But even though you and I are in love, being for the opposite types, you must leave. If I don't get a Maiden for Hire, then so be it."

The Maiden then sobbed, "No, I cannot leave you. It's in my programming that I must, but… I want to stay! I MUST! I CAN'T LEAVE! I DON'T WANT TO BE DISMANTLED!"

She continued to cry as Harima thought, "Damn it. This is all your fault, Rich Girl; you, too, Itoko. If you didn't bring her in, this wouldn't have happened in the first place. But…"

He held her face and wiped her tears from her face.

"Eri, no," he insisted, "You must leave. I'll give my consent to Rich Girl about this. Please promise me that you'll return one day."

He gave her a kiss on the lips.

"Harima…" she whispered.

After they kissed, Maiden Eri picked up the broken Eri and carried her away.

"I don't know if she'll believe me…" she whimpered, "I've been very bad."

"Don't say that," he huffed, "You didn't mean to. Besides, if I truly loved Eri, I'd tell the truth to her, and not you."

The robot smiled and said, "You're sweet, you know that?"

She then cradled the Eri android and said, "Well, for what it's worth, I have to leave, at your request. Also, expect your 4,000 Yen to be refunded. Again, I'm sorry for the trouble she and I cost. I'll miss you."

"By the way, when will Rich Girl return?" Harima asked her.

"She should return tomorrow," she replied.

She turned to Harima and bowed to him. Maiden Eri then said to Harima, instead of the usual goodbye the Maidens say:

"I am sorry. I truly did love you, human or machine. I thank you for owning me, but I doubt I'll ever return."

She turned away from him and began to walk.

"Goodbye," she said, as she walked away, holding the android Eri in her arms.

"Farewell, Eri, my sweet mechanical princess," he smiled.

He walked home, pretty much in downtrodden, but also in irritation.

"Rich Girl, Itoko, I blame you two. The one girl that cared for me, besides Tenma, is gone, because of you," he griped.

M4H Disclaimer:
There's a bit of contradiction to Eri Maiden's remark. Pre-made and Custom Maidens are created by humans AND machines. The humans make the measurements and the machines begin the assembly. So, I guess an android creating a Maiden sounds unethical…

…unless you have permission to, then knock yourself out.

Anyway, once a Maiden is created be just machine, it can never be sold. It's all about being created by love and heart, and not just by automation solely, which humans have that Maidens hardly have. It's like making cookies, using love, as its own secret ingredient.

The following hour, Maiden Eri placed the android on the doorstep of Eri Sawachika's house.

"Nakamura will take care of you," she thought, "I wish you best of luck on your future, Eri… if you had one, that is."

She sat down on the stoop, all disappointed.

"Darn it," she moaned, "Why did I have to say goodbye to him?"

"Huh? Eri?" A voice called.

It was Eri; the real Eri Sawachika, returning from England. She took a glimpse of the android, who was all broke down, still with that huge cut on her arm.

"What happened to her?" She cried.

"Miss Eri, I'm afraid she had an accident," the Maiden responded.

She stepped aside as Eri approached her double. The Maiden explained everything that happened.

"Poor thing. She damaged herself and had a huge shock," she said, "I guess I'll never know now."

"Well, I wouldn't say that, Miss Eri," she remarked, "But I should tell you what she learned."

She then remembered how the android laughed at her, knowing that Harima loved Tenma. Eri Maiden lied to the real Eri.

"So, did she learn about it from you?" She asked, "I want to know: who does Whiskers love? Because if it's Yakumo…"

"It's not," she lied, "My data still has it recorded. Miss Eri, Harima cares for you. I know that because he told me. When we kissed, he was practicing on what he'll do to you. It's true."

"You mean, Whiskers… he…?"

"He loved you very much. I don't care what anyone says; Kenji Harima has matured, even if it takes months or years of trying. Miss Sawachika, you know well enough that he loves you."

She then bowed and added, "And well, to be honest, he loved me, too, despite the fact that I am mechanical."

Eri then swelled in tears, "Whiskers, you idiot…"

She wiped her eyes and turned to the Maiden, "Eri, I don't know what to say. Name your price and I'll give it to you."

"Even if I wanted your money, I don't deserve it," the robot said in a sad look, "My services with Kenji Harima had ended, prematurely, I might add; and if I return, everything about him will be erased, including my love for him."

"Oh, I see. You were his Maiden for Hire," she said.

"Yes, I was," she sobbed, "I tended to him for his every whim. I was here for his guaranteed service."

Eri then smiled, "Oh, don't cry. You did well."

"What about you? Where were you?" The Maiden asked.

"Well, it's simple," Eri explained, "I went to England for some business matters. I was offered a job from Miss Koyomi Mizuhara."

"The creator?" She gasped.

Eri nodded, "And she told me that I will be the head chairman of Maidens for Hire Yagami branch. I wanted to start after I graduated, but after learning that Hanai had a Maiden, I thought I'd start today."

"Why are you here, anyway?"

"I wanted to learn about Whiskers' love life. I created a duplicate of myself, so I want to let him spill the beans about his romance once and for all. You see, it all started when I had an engagement at home to meet with Miss Mizuhara. She told me that she has seen me as the future of business. So I decided to join her group."

Eri was having tea with Yomi. Yomi was dressed in her blue business suit. She pulled out a contract and showed it to Eri.

"I was wondering if you could join my business one day," she declared, "I've always wanted someone to run my branches. Since you're only 17, I decided to wait it out. If you want, hold on to it, and sign it whenever."

"Um, what is this for exactly?" Eri asked.

Yomi then grinned with a light reflecting from her glasses, "I happened to be the founder, creator, and CEO of Maidens for Hire. Maidens for hire is-."

"I get you," Eri interrupted, "I've already learned it from both Hanai and Tenma."

"Ah, you must've heard the, since Hanai and Tsukamoto were past customers," Yomi continued, "I was wondering. With your skills, maybe we can do business together."

"That's nice to hear, but I cannot work with you. You see, I am no good at science and technology."

"Don't be silly, Miss Sawachika, I mean you can run the Company for me."

"Wait, really?"

"Tomo told me all about you. You were with Miss Tenma Tsukamoto and her wheelchair-ridden sister. You were also with your butler, Nakamura. I often heard that rich people tend to run a company one day."

Eri blushed and smiled. Yomi continued, "In fact, Mister Nakamura suggested that you run the company. He informed me of it, the day before the Yakumo Model was bought."

"WHAT? HE did this for me?" Eri cried.

"Yes," she said, "He said that you are a bossy young lady, who could be running for office soon. I mean you, a member of the Sawachika Trust, could be the next Prime Minister of Japan, a CEO of a swanky hotel, or even run your own clothing store."

Eri was flabbergasted. Yomi then grinned.

"Miss Mizuhara," Eri asked, "How much do I get paid for joining your fembot maid farm?"

"We're more of a maid service than a farm, Miss Sawachika," she sneered.

"I know that! I mean does the job get paid," Eri retorted.

"Hell, yeah! Why do you think we run this place?" Yomi cheered, "Maidens for Hire is the #1 Maid service in Japan. Why do you think we play it in your home?"

Eri then signed the contract, but was confused.

"Say, does a CEO have to fix the Maidens, if any?"

"Not always," Yomi replied, "We just supervise. In fact, I'll teach you in one week on how to build and fix Maidens, if you're interested. It won't be easy, but it wouldn't be that dangerous. I started my company by creating the very first Maidens."

"WOW! Really?" Eri cried in shock.

Yomi nodded, "What do you think? You'd like to join us, since I started this company?"

"Sign me up!" Eri smiled, "I love it!"

She then thought aloud, "And I think I know what to create…"

"What's that?" Yomi glared.

"Oh, nothing…" Eri giggled.

"Cool. Shall we continue tomorrow at 8?"

Eri narrated the rest:

"Miss Mizuhara was a sport. She taught me how to create Maidens using a simple process. We randomly pick which body and face to create them with. And the rest was history. They get assembled down the factory line and get fitted into their outfits. Then we downloaded their personalities, including primary functions, into their circuits. Fixing them, whenever they are broken or acting up, was a challenge; I almost ended up electrocuting myself, fixing up the Maidens. But at least I managed to create some good Maidens. What sucks is that there are no male versions of Maidens for Hire. And I wanted to create one that looked like Harima, too."

"Then, why the android?" The Maiden asked.

Eri responded, "She was created by me, out of discarded Maiden parts. I found the perfect parts that matched me. So, I assembled her and downloaded my entire personality and feelings into her. The rest was easy. I had to go to England that day to meet with Miss Mizuhara for some R & R, and also discuss my future in Maidens for Hire. So, I ordered the robot to replace me, until I return. Nakamura and Misaru tended to her care, via my permission."

"But why would you do such a cruel thing?" She cried out, "The android you created me. And she wanted to learn the truth, without asking him up-front. Harima loved you, and me, as well! And she damaged herself, before she could give you the answer. Of course, she nearly deactivated me, but I had my self-defense mechanism to protect him."

"And she gave the message to you, right?"

"Yes. And now she's gone forever."

"I see." Eri hugged her broken android, "Well, you did a good thing, though. Though, I was surprised that you were Harima's Maiden for Hire for at least a month."

The Maiden responded, "Actually, a month and 2 weeks. But the service ended in shambles. My contract was null and void, thanks to her."

Eri then looked down, "Eri, I know you don't want to leave, but it seems that this Eri is going to the junkyard now."

The Maiden began to cry, "I don't want to leave Kenji. He loves you and me. Please… don't make me become a used Maiden."

She turned away from Eri and continued to cry. The real Eri approached her.

"Don't touch me!" The Maiden sobbed.

She held her by the shoulders and was smiling.

"Eri, thank you for helping me," she said, "What you did for Whiskers was very thoughtful of you. Now, I need you to do me a favor."

"Eri," she thought, "As much as Whiskers loved you, I think maybe you should stay."

"You mean… I want to stay with him?" The Maiden sniffled.

"Yes, but it'll be under my terms," she said, "The first thing we should do is to take you back to the Company to fix you up."

The Maiden whispered, "I don't want to lose him…"

"It's okay, don't cry," she said, "It's different than your usual service. Maybe I should convince them to let you stay. Not to mention fix your rusted-up eyes."

"Okay… but you have to keep your promise."

"Trust me. I will."

She walked inside her house with the Maiden and shut the door.

XXXXX

That evening, Harima got the call from Eri to come over to his house. When he arrived, he saw Eri, who was upset.

"Whiskers," she said, "I'm sorry for tricking you like that."

"It's okay," he said, "But why would you do such a thing?"

"I had just signed myself for a job in Maidens for Hire, when I graduate soon. I thought maybe I'd give you the message, but… my emotional instincts led me to build the robot version of me."

"And Miss Osakabe? She had a hand at it, too. Remember?"

"That was a bluff by her. Miss Osakabe just got the package. She never knew about my plan. All I did was to give her the message that your Maiden for Hire, created by the android me, would be arriving soon."

"Miss Osakabe never was a part of the plan?"

"She did peek, right?"

"Right. (Damn her, that cousin of mine, for bluffing me like that!)"

"Anyway, when I heard that I was to speak with Miss Mizuhara, back in England, about a job in Maidens for Hire, I agreed to it, and I got the job."

Harima smiled, "That's terrific!"

Eri then smiled, "I got the job as head chairman of the Yagami branch."

Harima then asked, "So, you'll be starting soon?"

"Not yet," Eri remarked, "But as soon as I graduate, I'll be leaving to the USA to meet up with Miss Mizuhara for a major announcement in D.C."

"Whiskers doesn't know that I am already the head chairman," she thought.

"So, why did you bring me here?" He asked.

Eri replied, "I… I wanted to let you know that I will leave in a month or so, just to begin my services as Head Chairman. So, I will have my robot replacement take over. And I think you know who it is."

She pointed up the stairway.

"Huh?" Harima looked upstairs and found another Eri, who was dressed in a school uniform.

"Harima?" She said, "Is that you?"

"Is that who I think it is?" Harima gasped.

"Harima, you okay?" Eri asked, with Harima all surprised by the other Eri.

"It's you!" He cried.

She let out a smile and rushed downstairs.

"HARIMA!" She cheered.

She thrown herself onto his arms and was delighted. It was the Maiden Eri.

"Harima! I missed you." She cried.

"There, there," he said, "I'm glad you're back."

"Thank Miss Eri," she replied, "She's the one who fixed me."

"Rich Girl? You? Why is my Maiden for Hire your replacement?" He asked Eri.

Eri responded, "She's your EX-Maiden for Hire! I removed her Maiden for Hire programming, but she still acts like it. But I didn't erase her skills, looks, and her memories."

"You did all this for me?" Harima inquired.

"She did it as a favor," she said, "Miss Eri saved me. Now, I can live my life as a normal person."

"I'm glad for you, Eri," Harima chuckled.

Maiden Eri cuddled onto his face and giggled. She was about to kiss her, but then Eri pressed her OFF button.

"That's enough, Eri," she snarled.

The Maiden bowed down with her arms flailing. Her eyes turned black and her face was blank. Harima was shocked.

"Rich Girl, what's the catch?" He asked.

"Don't say anymore," Eri said, "You do care, did you, you slick-haired klutz?"

Harima was confused. He then tried to figure out what was going on. Tenma was the only person Harima loved, and that information was transferred into the Maiden Eri's brain, which was not erased. He figured out that she told Eri that she and Harima were a couple.

"Eri…" he thought aloud, thinking of what the Maiden did, "You… you did all that to protect yourself, didn't you?"

"Whiskers, I understand that you cared for me," she sighed, "So, enjoy your replacement, which will be for a while, when I leave soon."

She walked away and was in tears. Harima grabbed Eri's hand, stopping her.

"Rich girl…"

He hugged her and said, "Thank you."

They shared their hug together.

"Whiskers, you dummy…" she thought, while she smiled with a blush.

But then, Nakamura approached the Maiden Eri, confusing her with the real her.

"Miss Eri, your Maiden has acted up again," he announced.

"She's turned off, Nakamura!" She hollered, "Now get out of here! You're ruining the moment!"

XXXXX

One week later, Harima was working on his comic. Suddenly, there was a hot bowl of curry placed on the table. He noticed it and ate it really fast. The food was delicious. However, he was confused. Someone made him some food, but he was all alone. He looked up and found Eri, who was smiling with a blushed look. In reality, it was Eri's replacement, the former Maiden that loved him.

"Um, how did it taste?" She asked.

"It was good, Rich Girl," he said, acting like that this Eri was the real thing, in her absence, "I cannot be fooled by you."

"My cooking has improved," she announced, "But I cannot match Miss Eri's bland cookery. Even if I did, I'd be terrified by you getting sick."

"Oh, whatever, you make the best food ever, coming from a former Maiden for Hire, such as yourself," He bragged.

"HA! I got about over thousands of culinary cuisines I can make flawlessly!" The Maiden smiled.

The Maiden sat down and declared, "You know, Harima, I think you should call me Eri from now on. I kind of hate that nickname, since I'm not her. I'm only here for the time being. I'm not yours to keep, but I won't be long. I'm here for you, just to make you happy."

She then winked, "And don't worry… your secret about you and Tenma is safe with me. Miss Eri never discovered the truth about you, after all."

"You were a life-saver, Eri," he chuckled, "You almost let out that I loved Tenma and not Rich Girl. You didn't have to lie to her."

"Yes, I know. I'm sorry. She really cared for you," she stated, "I felt awful lying to her like that. From now on, I'll just be honest with myself. Sure, it is only for a month, but it'll feel like that I am alive like her."

"And the best part is: no monthly fee!" Harima smiled.

"Yes, but I might break down on occasions," she said, "But that's okay."

Eri then hugged Harima and said, "I love you… Whiskers. As long as I am with you, I'm happy."

She got up and turned away from Harima, blushing in a beet red.

"Sorry, that was embarrassing in my part," she whimpered, "I should call you Whiskers, since I am Eri Sawachika, or an exact simulation…"

She let out an embarrassing laugh. Harima got up and hugged Eri.

"There's no need to be embarrassed," he said, "I don't care if you are a robot. My feelings will never change… for Tenma… and for you."

"Harima…" she cringed, with tears in her eyes, "Come here, you…"

They both kissed each other and embraced it.

"I'm… I'm home," the Maiden thought to herself.

They kissed for a while, until they stopped.

"Harima… I mean, Whiskers…" the Maiden said, "Thank you. I've never felt so alive…"

He patted her head and remarked, "You're only a machine, Eri. But, whatever you say is fine."

Eri let out a happy smile, as she was happy for her visit with the man she loved.

…despite the fact that she is not a real girl.

It's a happy ending for Harima and Eri, and a great one, too.

We've come to the nitty-gritty. We've ended the "Eri Arc" and we have one chapter to go and it is…

Well, THAT was the final chapter. Next chapter: the epilogue.