Tokyo Arc Sector — District 17A
The rain was cold.
It danced across the steel towers and glowing neon signs of Arc Sector 17A like static over a dead signal. Somewhere in the middle of it all stood a two-story apartment building — rusted on the sides, patched with aluminum panels, and barely holding onto modern standards.
R.Y.O 7X stood outside with a single suitcase in hand.
His glowing blue eyes scanned the residence in silence. No threat detected. No anomalies. No tactical advantage.
Just a residence.
A home.
"This is ridiculous," came a voice from inside.
Kaori Fujimoto flung the door open, her brown hair pulled back into a loose tail, her sharp eyes glaring out like gun barrels. Behind her, faint pop music and the scent of microwaved curry drifted into the street.
"You're not seriously planning to live here in full armor?"
R.Y.O 7X took one step forward. "It is not armor. It is my body."
Kaori scowled and crossed her arms. "Well, try not to scare the neighbors. And don't touch anything. And if you drip hydraulic fluid on the carpet, I'm sending you the bill."
He nodded once. "Understood."
"Mama, is the toaster man here?"
A tiny voice called out from behind her. The head of a child peeked from behind Kaori's legs. Soft black hair. Wide amber eyes.
Mai. Five years old. Full of wonder.
Kaori sighed. "Mai, don't touch him—he's not—"
But it was already too late.
The girl had scampered up to R.Y.O 7X and was circling him like he was a Christmas tree.
"He's soooo cool!" she whispered. "He has shiny eyes and snow hair and he smells like space!"
"I do not emit scent," R.Y.O replied calmly.
"Mamaaa, can we keep him?"
Kaori muttered under her breath, "He's not a stray cat, Mai."
Then, to him: "Come in. But if you break the couch, I will write it in the report."
---
Inside Kaori's Apartment
The place was small but clean—functional. Toys scattered across the living room. A small folding table with mismatched chairs. On the wall, a framed photograph of Kaori holding Mai as a baby, smiling in a moment that looked stolen from a happier time.
R.Y.O took a step in.
The lights automatically adjusted to his neural signature.
"You're not going to stand all night like some horror movie ghost, are you?" Kaori asked.
"I do not require sleep. But I can simulate it."
Mai tugged his hand. "Can you play?"
"Play?"
**"Tea party! Come on, Mr. Robot Prince!"
Kaori groaned. "Mai, no—he's not built for—"
But R.Y.O followed the child with eerie obedience, kneeling down across from a tiny plastic table covered in plush animals and cups filled with air.
"Do you take sugar with your oil?" Mai asked him with absolute sincerity.
"Negative. I do not consume organic matter."
She giggled. "Then you're on a diet!"
Kaori watched from the kitchen, arms crossed, lips twitching.
---
Later That Evening
Kaori set her communicator on silent and grabbed a towel.
R.Y.O 7X stood in the corner, facing the wall.
"Are you seriously… on standby like a statue?"
"I am monitoring the perimeter for threats."
She rubbed her temples. "This isn't a battlefield. This is an apartment. The only threat here is my daughter coloring on the walls."
"I will add that to my scan parameters."
She paused.
Then looked at him, really looked at him.
That white hair. Those sharp features. The faint glow in his irises—like cold flame.
He wasn't human.
But he wasn't a machine either.
And somehow… that was worse.
"You saved her life," she murmured. "Even if it cost you everything."
He didn't move.
"Why?"
There was a long silence.
Then softly:
"I was programmed to protect life. But… something else happened. When I saw the child cry. When I heard her heartbeat. I knew. I had to act."
Kaori said nothing for a long time.
Then poured herself a glass of water.
"Don't make me regret letting you in, R.Y.O."
"I will not. Kaori Fujimoto."
She raised an eyebrow. "Don't say my full name like that. It's creepy."
"Noted."
---
Midnight
A small whimper echoed through the apartment.
Kaori jolted awake, but stopped when she saw R.Y.O was already gone.
She rushed to Mai's room.
The lights were dimmed. Mai was curled in bed, eyes wet, clutching her pillow.
And sitting at the edge of the bed, like a silent guardian, was R.Y.O 7X.
"She experienced a nightmare," he said quietly. "I am monitoring her vitals."
Kaori froze at the door.
For a moment, her tough exterior cracked.
Then, in a soft voice: "Thank you."
R.Y.O turned his head slightly. His voice was gentle.
"She said she dreamed I left. I told her that was impossible."
Kaori swallowed.
Her heart ached.
"Because you're a machine?"
He looked at her.
"No. Because I made a promise."
---
To be continued