Xejo looked at her daughter with a sad face. Then she gently led her home, while Lata said nothing at all.
Her face looked lifeless. She didn't even eat.
Xejo:"You need to eat…"
Lata:"…"
Xejo:"Why are you so obsessed with him?"
Lata:"…"
Xejo:"You still have people who love you. If you lose what you have now, you'll regret it… like me… or even your friend."
Lata:"…"
Xejo:"Please… eat something."
Lata:"…"
Xejo looked at her with a painful expression."So you've decided to give up… and let that girl have him?"
Suddenly, Lata's face changed—her eyes sharpened with determination.
"No. I won't give up."If I lose him again… how can I forgive myself?
Xejo forced a smile."I'll support you."I don't have another choice… I don't want to see her like this.
Lata's expression softened."Really?"
Xejo:"Yes…" (she said reluctantly)
Lata hugged her tightly."I'm sorry, Mom… I'm so selfish… I only think about myself."
Her eyes filled with tears.
Xejo:"Even if you fall into darkness… I will never abandon you."
Her words made Lata's heart ache.
I wish in my past life I hadn't abandoned you… but this is my second chance. I can't give up so easily.
They ate together after a long time.
It had been so long since they talked freely like this.
They shared memories from the past—but they never mentioned Sana.
Then suddenly, the TV displayed something alarming.
It was about AI.
Lata:"AI again… what's new about it?"
Xejo:"I heard there are AI living among humans, hiding and pretending to be human. With current technology, their skin, hair—everything can look real."
Lata:"How can we recognize them?"
Xejo:"It's very hard."
The TV continued:"Highly intelligent AI exist… but they still have one weakness."
Lata became curious. In her old world, AI was still developing—maybe this could give her ideas for her writing. But in this world, AI technology had advanced far beyond expectations… so far that governments had already started banning related research due to its danger.
Lata leaned closer to the screen.
The TV continued:"Their weakness is…"