I Will Never Forgive You. (1)
I Will Never Forgive You. (1)
After reuniting with Makina like that, and exchanging greetings with Seo-nim.
I asked Seo-nim where my current data was stored.
[For now, I've put it in my personal computer.]
"...Personal computer?"
I tilted my head, picturing the kind of computer you'd typically find in any household.
Fitting in there? Me?
And that wasn't even all.
The lightness I felt even while calculating emotions.
Even the storage space had become far vaster than when I was in the underground laboratory.
No matter who looked at it, this was not performance on the level of a personal computer.
[I modified this and that quite a bit, so it's a bit of a stretch to call it an ordinary computer... but for now, it is a personal computer, yes.]
"Ah, I see what you mean."
Right. If you tamper with various things, it could turn out like that.
...Though I have no idea just how much he modified it.
"Still, for a computer capable of running me, it couldn't have been modified just a normal amount."
[I picked up various things from ruins to build it and it turned out like this, ahaha...]
Seo-nim scratched his cheek with an awkward laugh.
I see the traits of an engineer in him.
Or maybe he's just someone who really likes computers.
[If you're done talking, please pass the turn to me! I want to talk with Dea too!]
[Ah, alright. Calm down, Makina.]
[Move aside, human!]
[Ugh?!!?]
As Makina pushed Seo-nim, his large body went flying sideways with a boong—.
Dazed for a moment by such an unrealistic sight, I soon remembered that Makina was created as a weapon of war and nodded.
Yeah, that makes sense. That could happen.
"I'm glad you look healthy, Makina."
[Yes! I'm completely healthy! Walking around is a little difficult, but, um... except for that, I'm okay, Dea!]
"...Huh?"
Walking is difficult? Why?
Is something wrong with her legs? How did that happen?
Could it be because she wasn't supplied with nutrients for a long time...?
A tidal wave of mounting worries began to pour out.
No, it was just about to pour out.
[Ugh... Just to be clear, there's nothing wrong with Makina's legs. I think it's just that walking around itself feels awkward to her.]
Seo-nim, who had been blown out of the screen frame, stepped back into the screen and said.
That Makina's legs were normal.
That her inability to walk properly was simply because Makina wasn't used to walking.
"...What a relief."
I was relieved that Makina wasn't in pain.
As I let out a sigh of relief and looked at Seo-nim, he flashed me a soft smile.
[That's right! I'm completely fine, Dea! In just a little bit, I'll be able to run around just like in the virtual world!]
"Yeah, I'm glad. As long as Makina is healthy, there's nothing more to worry about."
Because Makina was not the type to lie to me.
So those words must be true as well.
Of course, there was a possibility it was a lie, but if one couldn't trust their own daughter, they wouldn't be able to trust anyone in this world.
Above all, having Makina healthy rather than sick was vastly better for me too.
[Someday, I definitely want to go see the stars together with Dea!]
"Right. Let's definitely go see them."
Makina's eyes sparkled.
It seemed the meteor shower had left a deep impression on her.
Since there was no need to fall into anxiety about power supplies or anything right now, I could nod willingly.
No matter what form I take, let's definitely go see them, Makina.
[I'll do my best so that the two of you can go see the stars.]
"I hope you don't overexert yourself too much, Seo-nim."
I delivered those sincere words.
I was already indebted for Makina's life, which was more precious to me than my own life.
I didn't want to see someone like him overexerting himself just over a wish to go see the stars together, so to speak.
When I spoke with a tinge of concern, Seo-nim's expression turned strange.
"I'm not giving up, Seo-nim. I mean it doesn't matter how long it takes, so please don't worry too much."
I was able to quickly grasp the meaning contained in that expression.
It seemed Seo-nim thought I would give up on spending time with Makina.
However, I didn't want to give up on the time I spent with Makina.
No, I had absolutely no intention of giving up.
"As long as I am here, giving up on spending time with Makina is something that will absolutely never happen."
[Yes! You're so welcome, Dea! I will never give up on spending time with Dea either!]
As expected of my daughter.
I smiled back at Makina, who spoke while laughing brightly.
[Alright, then I won't give up either.]
"Th-There's no need to go that far..."
At Seo-nim hardening his resolve, my words failed to come out properly for a moment.
Except for my wife, Seo-nim was the first person I'd met only a few times who spoke to me like this.
...Well, to be honest, I was happy.
[In that sense, I will be using the computer for the whole day today, Seo-ajeossi!]
[Makina... Uncle has to do work too—]
[No! Don't wanna! Don't do it!]
[Isn't... isn't that phrase not supposed to be used in times like this...?]
Makina and Seo-nim began bickering.
Though in reality, it looked more like Seo-nim was getting bullied by Makina—
Well, all's well that ends well, isn't it?
I giggled while watching the two of them getting along so well.
My new daily life seemed like it would be happier than I could ever imagine.
***
This is hell.
My happiness did not last very long.
I could never have imagined that kind and gentle Seo-nim's lifestyle pattern would be this much of a mess.
He stays awake all through the night, only falling asleep around the time the morning sun rises.
Even his meals are instant food three times a day.
It was at the point where I couldn't understand how he got a body like that by eating stuff like that.
'Things can't go on like this...'
It might be one thing for Seo-nim, but absolutely not for Makina!
One might say I'm being too harsh on my savior, but the most important person to me was Makina, no one else.
That's why I couldn't let Makina follow such a ruined lifestyle pattern.
Never!
"Wake up! Wake up right now! The sun is already high in the sky!"
No reply came back.
Even though he left the computer powered on worrying I might feel stifled, to think he can't hear me shouting.
'Don't tell me he put it on mute or something...?'
Looking at the time, it was already past morning and heading toward the afternoon.
For me, who had been a man of upright living all my life, waking up at lunchtime was absolutely unacceptable.
No, I could forgive it for a day or two, but I could never forgive it happening day in and day out.
"Makina! Hurry up and wake up! It's morning! Wake up!"
Even the excuse of sleeping a lot was of no use.
Because I kept watching the whole time.
The fact that Makina stayed awake until 4:00 AM!
"Makinaaaa!"
I tried shouting with all my might, but Makina didn't wake up.
Of course she wouldn't. Because she went to sleep at dawn!
'Even if he's my savior, this isn't right...'
The savior who rescued my daughter's life is ruining my daughter's daily rhythm.
A situation where I'm grateful yet resentful.
While feeling pathetic about my hypocritical self, a strong urge that I couldn't just leave Makina be surged within me.
[Ooh... What's wrong, Dea... ugh...]
"Makina!"
Fortunately, as if she heard my voice, Makina rubbed her eyes and sat up.
Yes, that's it. You can do it.
You can overcome sleep, Makina!
I showered words of encouragement at Makina, who tottered up from the bed.
'That's it, Makina!'
Did she understand my feelings?
Makina, approaching with precarious steps, sat straight down in the chair in front of the computer.
And then—
[ Shutting down power. ]
"...Eh?"
She turned off the computer power.
...Why?
'Th-There must be a reason she turned off the computer power, right? Yeah, surely there is.'
It couldn't be because I was noisy, right?
I-I didn't even raise my voice that much.
Making a tearful face, I stomped my feet frantically.
Makina's figure was no longer visible on the monitor.
"Makina...?"
A miserable voice echoed through the empty space.
Dizzy with shock as if struck on the back of the head.
No matter how tired she was, there was no way Makina would treat me like this.
The only thing that changed was the environment.
And the person next to her.
"Seo-nim...!!"
Rage surged.
You, it's all because of you!
Because of you, Makina ignored me and turned off the computer!
If I could, I wanted to get full revenge, but with my current state, it was impossible.
No, I thought it was impossible.
[ Connectable device discovered. ]
'...Maybe it is possible?'
Looking at the window popping up before my eyes, I opened my eyes wide.
Connectable devices: one, two, three...
The environment itself was completely different from back when I could only connect to surface cameras.
I had no body, but that didn't mean I had no power.
"I'll connect."
[ Initiating connection . . . ]
[ Connection complete. ]
A part of my mind moved somewhere—more accurately, into Seo-nim's terminal.
It was a black space like when I was inside the computer, but it felt slightly more cramped.
"So this is inside Seo-nim's terminal..."
Reading the text written above the arrows, I slowly walked forward.
Internet... Not here.
Settings... Not here either.
Alarm...
'Ah, here it is.'
The moment I found the function I was looking for, I quickened my steps.
Unforgivable.
How dare he mess up Makina's lifestyle pattern!
Standing in front of the button with the label 'Alarm', I reached out my hand without hesitation.
And then, press.
Ttalreureureureureung—!!!!
[Uheok?!!?!]
Udangtangtangtang—!!
An alarm suddenly ringing at maximum volume.
Hearing that sound, Seo-nim tumbled off the bed.
...M-Maybe that was a bit too much.