Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: Mod7
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Chapter 9 - Kiss
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When you gave a name to the unknown, it ceased to be unfamiliar.
The word "love" was no different.
Amy had given the name "love" to the strange sense of unease that had been hindering her, to her own inefficient behavior,
And in doing so, she had unlocked a new, more flexible way of thinking.
“So, what are you going to do now?”
Just as I was interested in Amy’s next move,
The succubus, her curiosity still piqued, continued her interrogation.
The scene returns to the early hours of the morning, when Juho was still asleep. The moonlight, at its peak, filled their small shelter with a faint, blue glow.
But this blue light was different. It seemed to be infused with the warmth of a newly blossoming love.
The light that filled the shelter didn't come from the moon.
It emanated from the newly born being, who had defined her own love. I could no longer call her "it," or "an artificial lifeform."
“I will protect the Doctor. And I’m sure he’ll understand, once he realizes my true intentions. He may be suffering now, but in a few days-”
Even her touch, which had once felt stiff and mechanical, was now filled with a genuine gentleness.
The hand that caressed Juho’s sweat-soaked brow was a gesture of true love.
“…But you have no place in this process.”
Even as Amy spoke, her voice firm, her demeanor resolute, the succubus simply smiled, waving her hand dismissively.
“Is that so?”
Her curiosity wasn't yet satisfied. But she was willing to leave, confident that Amy would eventually need her help.
“Alright, then. I’ll be going.”
The succubus left.
But,
It was unclear whether this would have a positive effect on Amy and Juho.
“Take care of yourselves! I’ll be rooting for you!”
Now, Nefer was gone, leaving Juho without her protection. And the succubus, whose mere presence had kept the lesser demons at bay, was gone as well.
So, the succubus left,
And Amy and Juho were alone in their shelter.
The desert night was cold, the chill seeping through the sand. Juho shivered, tossing and turning in his sleep.
“…”
In the silence, Amy raised her own body temperature and held Juho close, her warm body a shield against the cold.
They lay there, side by side, throughout the night.
But her embrace, unlike the others’, was gentle and pure.
Amy simply held him, her forehead resting against his, constantly monitoring his temperature,
Her blue lenses fixed on his face,
Watching over him until the morning.
***
“Ah…”
A soft moan escaped my dry throat. The sweet, restful sleep I had enjoyed for the first time in a long while was fading.
“Did you sleep well?”
I opened my eyes, my vision blurry, and saw Amy’s pale face. She smiled faintly, a gesture that didn't quite match her usual cold and impassive expression, and sat up.
“…Amy, what time is it?”
Day 131 of isolation.
13:08, planetary rotation standard.
Clear skies.
36°C.
Note - Maintain adequate fluid intake. Limit outdoor activity.
“It’s already afternoon?”
When was the last time I had slept so soundly? After sleeping for almost half a day, my body finally began to stir.
The first thing that came to mind was Nefer, and the fingers.
Nefer had told me,
That I couldn't miss today's ceremony.
But it was already afternoon. If I missed today, I would have to wait years for the temple to open again.
“Damn it…! A-Amy! Let’s go. Quickly.”
I urged her on, my mind racing, preparing to find Nefer, to reach the temple,
But Amy, for some reason, simply sat there, her gaze fixed on mine, her expression unreadable.
“Doctor, you must rest.”
“No. She said we couldn't miss today. We have to find Nefer…!”
This wasn't the time for arguments…
But Amy didn't react to my frantic pleas.
“Doctor.”
Her simple words stopped me.
“You are in no condition to travel. If you trust me, if you follow my plan, I will help you achieve your goals. But for now, you must rest.”
I looked down at my own body, the reality of my situation finally sinking in. Amy was standing, but I was still sitting on the fur, looking up at her.
“Huh?”
“There is nothing you can do. It is time to rely on me.”
A familiar phrase echoed in my mind.
The sharp words I had spoken to her,
When she had attacked Isaac and the spiders.
-Your assessment of the threat posed by the spiders is inaccurate. Do not interfere in matters I can handle myself.
And now,
I was the one who was helpless, unable to even walk.
“Doctor, you must trust me completely.”
Amy placed her hands on my shoulders, shaking me gently. Her words were filled with a strange, almost pitying tone.
“I will help you. For now, rest here and focus on your recovery.”
Smack-
“Don’t be ridiculous!”
I slapped her hands away, my voice a harsh whisper. I wanted to grab her by the collar, to scream at her, but my mangled limbs wouldn't cooperate.
“Y-you tricked me again? Amy! How could you do this to me?!”
But Amy ignored my protests. She simply began arranging her belongings, her movements efficient and methodical.
Metal components, and the food she had gathered for me.
She had likely spent her time in the desert hunting, preserving the meat, worried about my survival.
And the preserved rations and water she had stored. She had carried all of this, for me.
“Doctor, you must eat and rest.”
“Get that away from me!”
But I couldn't suppress the anger, the sense of betrayal. Had my unease last night been a premonition of this?
“I told you not to do this. Do my words mean nothing to you? Or are you taking advantage of my weakness? You crazy AI!”
But even as I lashed out, I felt a pang of guilt.
I had been using such harsh language lately, words I had never used before.
“This is a violation of your programming! You’re supposed to obey my orders!”
“Doctor, please calm down.”
Tears streamed down my face. This wasn't anger. It was fear, anxiety.
The weak always barked the loudest. A small, yapping puppy, desperately trying to protect itself.
I couldn't shake the image of myself, helpless and pathetic. My limbs gone, I couldn't even accept the fact that Amy was disobeying my orders.
“Hic- sob…!”
I was hyperventilating, my head spinning, my body gasping for air.
I pounded my chest with my remaining hand, collapsing onto the ground,
And Amy, showing no contempt, no disgust, simply continued her gentle ministrations.
“Doctor, please calm down. If you continue to hyperventilate, you may lose consciousness.”
She lifted me into her arms and carried me to the wall, propping me up. She unzipped my suit, helping me sit upright, her hands supporting my shoulders.
“Doctor, you must rest.”
“Sh-shut up! Who are you- hic… cough-!”
Amy, ignoring my protests, my betrayal, my fear, simply stared at me, her face calm, and said,
“Doctor, I will never betray you. This is all for your own good.”
I wanted to scream at her, to tell her that she was lying, that she was disobeying my every command,
But the headache, the dizziness, made it difficult to speak, to even think.
As Amy had said,
I was exhausted,
And I needed to rest.
“While your willpower is admirable, Doctor, there is no need to push yourself to the point of self-destruction.”
I tried to push her away with my remaining hand, to kick her with my leg,
But Amy simply held me, her hands gently cupping my face, her lips approaching mine.
“Gasp-”
Our lips met.
And Amy’s breath, warm and soothing, filled my lungs.
A steady supply of oxygen,
A sense of calm,
And a soft, gentle kiss that made me forget everything.
***
Chapter 9 - The Break
End.
***