Page 30 of Everdoll

“Yes!” she pointed at the flying butterfly. “This is the boss,” her finger moved to me, “the coolest, number one spy, our assistant boss Remi,” she pointed at the artificial cat in the garden, “and this is the other number one cool spy,” Finally, she placed her hands over her chest and concluded this odd introduction with, “And I’m the coolest, most amazing, other number one spy!”

“Are you the highest-ranking one?”

She lifted her chin and smiled, the picture of pride. “I told you, Remi, I’m a very responsible girl! I know everything! Now I’m going to find out the plan from the boss, don’t worry!”

As Mina went to talk to the butterfly, my mother sent me a red notification. Today was the day of the operation, so she was impatient.

“I… have to go.”

“But Remi, your face is down again! Smile, look, the boss wants you to smile too!”

She placed the butterfly on my nose, and I closed my eyes in peace. It was like heaven, being with Mina, going along with her silly games was intoxicating. Thrown into an endless paradise where I never wished to leave.

But I must.

“See you tomorrow, boss’ assistant! Then we’ll discuss our plan!”

“See you then, the highest, number one spy.”

Mina smiled at my address, her cheeks flushing, her amber eyes narrowing like a cat’s. I forced myself to swallow, struggled so hard to pull myself away.

I want to stay with you a bit more.

More. More. More

I drew a long breath. No… it was a foolish illusion. She was no different from the rest; she had to be. In the end, solitude would always claim me.

Always.

I paused at the thought that came to mind. With hesitation, I turned around.

“Mina!”

Mina, still playing with the butterfly, looked up. “Partner! You’re not leaving? Amazing!”

It was beyond me what made her so happy. Did she truly love a machine that much? Could just being around him really make her glow like that?

When she ran toward me, I remained motionless. I hadn’t done a single thing to earn it, yet I loved that someone was so eager to run to me.

“No. I just wanted to ask something.”

“Oh! What’s it?”

“What should I get you for our next meeting? Just tell me. You know you can ask me for anything, right?”

“Do I have to? Do robots disappear if they don’t do anything?”

Yes, I wanted to say. “No. It’s up to their masters.”

“Really? Then… I just want you to stay by my side forever. I told you… I want us to grow up together. Is that possible, partner?”

“Growing up with you?”

I swallowed hard at the thought. The sheer beauty of the images flooded my mind. Having those warm eyes always fixed on me… felt so right.

“Wouldn’t that be so cool?” Mina continued, her tone cheerful. “I bet adult Remi would be really beautiful too! Ahh, you’d be like the princes I see in those movies!”

She covered her face, flustered, then pressed her hands to her chest. She glanced at me. Her bright eyes were radiant twin planets, and I felt like I got lost in their gravity.