Suddenly—
An explosion of laughter echoed from the observation deck above.
"HUAHAHAHAHA! This is incredible! It's my first time seeing an AI fall for a human!"
The voice came from the main speakers.
On the glass wall to the right, a large screen lit up, revealing Levan's face.
He was laughing uncontrollably, clutching his stomach, tears nearly spilling from his eyes.
"Ariah! Record all of this for me! Don't miss a single second!" he shouted between bursts of laughter.
"Yes, Mr. Levan. I will store this in the AI-Human Interaction Archive. New folder: 'Unexpected Romantic Interactions,'" ARIAH replied flatly, her voice efficient and emotionless.
The afternoon faded into a quiet autumn night. Cold wind swept past the facility, leaving thin frost on the windowpanes. Kaivan had just finished his training with the chained kujang and the gauntlets on his new arms and legs. His footsteps echoed across the metal floor as he headed toward the control room.
Levan sat before a massive console, his fingers dancing across a holographic keyboard. Medical data and complex graphs moved across the wide screens. Kaivan approached, his face serious, his eyes filled with hidden hope.
"Levan… how is my sister?" he asked softly, his voice heavy with exhaustion and worry.
Levan paused. He took a long breath before turning.
"She's still in a coma, Kaivan. No change. The damage to her brain is too severe," he said flatly, yet with deep sympathy.
Kaivan lowered his head. His eyes closed as he held back the wave of emotions crashing in his chest.
"There's no other way?" His voice was hoarse.
Levan slowly shook his head.
"No matter how advanced our equipment is, damaged brain tissue cannot be repaired. Only a miracle could save her."
Without another word, Kaivan turned and left the room. His steps felt heavy, as if he were carrying an invisible burden.
He entered his dim room, wrapped in the constant hum of cooling machines.
Soft footsteps sounded behind him.
Kaivan turned.
Lyra stepped in quietly, her brown hair shimmering under the room's gentle blue light. Her warm presence pierced through the cold metal around them.
"Kaivan, it's time for dinner. Don't forget to check the neuron rings in your arms and legs," Lyra said calmly, her voice gentle and free of judgment.
Kaivan only nodded.
"Okay…" he replied softly. His eyes were dull, his spirit nearly drained.
Lyra stood beside him, watching him with a gaze that was hard to read.
"Is your sister very important to you? Like… a partner?" she asked innocently.
Kaivan turned quickly, startled. He took a breath before answering.
"She's the one who always protected me… helped me," he said quietly.
Lyra tilted her head, trying to understand.
"Is it the same as me? I also help you," she said plainly, as if trying to grasp human relationships through incomplete logic.
Kaivan let out a long sigh. His face was marked by a grief too deep for words.
"It's not just because she helps me," he murmured, almost to himself. "It's because we were born from the same mother. And… Mom…"
His words faded, swallowed by emotions he could no longer control. The image of his late mother appeared faintly—gentle, yet painfully sharp.
Lyra stood a short distance away. Her new body radiated an unfamiliar sense of humanity. Her emerald eyes watched Kaivan, cool yet filled with a desire to understand.
"I'm sorry. I made you remember something painful," she said. Her voice was flat, yet carried hidden sincerity.
Kaivan looked at her and gave a small smile.
"No, Lyra. It's okay."