Real Doll (7): Angelina's Nightmare
Angelina had been a nightmare-like trauma that haunted Isia relentlessly. The vibrant woman who had plotted revenge—a rebel infamous even in Hollywood—had transformed in an instant into a mannequin. That scene tormented Isia during sleepless nights in her fugitive days.
What if I end up like Angelina?
If some stranger buys me while surfing the internet, do I instantly become a soulless doll like her?
That's scary... I absolutely hate that!
On the smuggling ship to Korea, in motels, on the streets, in homeless shelters... Whenever she zoned out, the image seeped into Isia's mind: Angelina, wearing a necklace that read [Purchase Complete], delivering waves of terror.
The fear of losing herself kept her up at night. Even after moving into Oh Jingoo's place, she trembled like this, worrying him.
"Sis. What's wrong? Got something bothering you?"
"Jingoo..."
Isia told him everything she'd seen. Angelina's story, and even the inescapable fate of a Real Doll—how she might one day get an owner. She confessed it all honestly.
"Still... aren't you different from that Angelina? At least to me, you seem totally human. Your personality, speech, values—nothing doll-like. Even if someone buys you, you won't suddenly change, right?"
"...You think? But Angelina..."
"Angelina got sold right after her mods, but you've been like this for years already. Different situation, no?"
"...Maybe?"
"Definitely!"
His words eased her. True... thinking about it, I'd been living as a Real Doll for quite a while now. My situation was way different from Angelina's.
"Still... if I get an owner, I might have to leave you."
"Hmm... Then how about I just buy you instead?"
"...I'm worth 10 billion won."
"What?! T-Ten billion?!"
A flicker of pride at her astronomical value stung her ego. Not something to be happy about.
"Ten billion... Even if I work my ass off, that's impossible, sis."
"Aww~ Don't get down! I know that!"
She felt bad for disappointing him. He was already working hard to cover living expenses for both of them. As a Real Doll, she couldn't contribute a dime.
"The price being ten billion is the weird part anyway. Haha... I've been on the market over five years and still unsold? Means even others think it's too pricey. Unless you're a celeb like Angelina with huge demand, no one's buying."
"Uh... so maybe I'll never sell?"
"Oh. Yeah?"
"Right~ Honestly, who pays ten billion for a Real Doll?"
"...True. Now that you mention it."
Five years... No buyers in five years. New Real Dolls launch every year, so antiques like me lose appeal. Sucks for the company, but great for me. If no one buys, I can stay with Jingoo forever.
Please, no one buy me!
"Yeah! Even I think ten billion's too much for me. Who'd pay that? No one, right?"
"Exactly, sis. Don't worry."
"Hahaha!"
The nightmare that had plagued her for years finally felt banished. Yeah. It was pointless worrying.
"Plus, sis. Even if someone buys you, we just ignore it, right?"
"Huh? Ignore?"
"No one knows where you are anyway. Just live here. Tell the company to deal with it. Their fault for modding you without permission."
"Whoa! You're sly! How'd a good boy like you come up with that?"
"Learned from you, sis."
"What~? Wanna get spanked?"
"Haha. Kidding. Forgive me, sis."
—If someone bought me, we'd already discussed what to do. Back then, I really planned to follow Jingoo's advice. I didn't want to leave him for some stranger's doll life.
Never.
But...
"S-Sis? What's wrong?"
"Thank you for purchasing me. Confirming owner's address. Confirming owner's address."
Isia shoved her embracing lover away and stood like a mannequin. Light beamed from her eyes, projecting a hologram into the air. The displayed screen was a map. The 3D image zoomed out rapidly, pinpointing a mansion in Paengchang-dong and setting the shortest route.
"Owner's address confirmed. Auto-delivery commencing."
"Sis? Sis?"
"I will deliver the Real Doll without a single error."
"Sis! Wait! Talk to me!"
As the clearly abnormal Isia tried to leave naked, Oh Jingoo desperately grabbed her legs to stop her. This wasn't the Isia he knew. She was like an emotionless robot now.
"Beep. Obstruction detected."
"Sis! S-Sis? Where are you going?!"
"Human. I must deliver to my owner now. Please do not interfere."
"Deliver...? That 'purchase complete' message. S-So someone really paid ten billion for you?"
"Affirmative. I have been honorably sold to my owner. I must fulfill my Real Doll duties."
I hate becoming a Real Doll! I'm human!
Oh Jingoo gritted his teeth, recalling Isia's old words. His sis had fully devolved into a Real Doll. But deep down, the Isia he knew was surely dormant. She had to be! The human heart never vanishes!
"Sis! Hear me? You're not some doll! You're human! You can't forgive Blackstars for making you this way!"
"........."
"Don't go anywhere! I'll protect you! I may be weak, but I'll make you happy... uh... I..."
Colorless, odorless gas deployed from anus.
Oh Jingoo inhaled the gas unknowingly and passed out.
"Real Dolls cannot harm humans. But obstruction of delivery to owner triggered force majeure deployment. Forgive me, human."
"......Sis... I... love... you..."
".................."
Real Doll Number 77 coldly looked down at Oh Jingoo, who desperately clung to her ankle even in his daze—like a total stranger. Her eyes held no emotion, no affection.
"I am a Real Doll. Love is unnecessary for Real Dolls. I am merely a machine to serve the owner's demands."
"......... "
Real Doll Number 77 abandoned her lover and left the room that had been her home for years. Since arriving, she'd never stepped outside once. Oh Jingoo was her only ally in this world—no need to go out. The outside was full of enemies, and it really was.
But now, necklace boldly reading [Purchase Complete] on display, she dashed through the crowd.
Her speakers played in announcement mode: "Thank you for purchasing, Master~" Everyone on the street knew a Real Doll was auto-delivering to her owner.
"Sigh. Someone bought another Real Doll. Gross."
"Shouldn't those things be illegal? Wanna smash it."
"Chill. Those are crazy expensive. Touch wrong, you're bankrupt."
"Doesn't that doll feel shame? Advertising she's a Real Doll out loud."
"Dolls got no feelings anyway. Not human."
Their jeers didn't register. Real Doll Number 77 ran nonstop for four straight hours to Paengchang-dong. Sweat poured like rain, soaking her clothes, but the waterproof coating kept her skin dry. Worthy of a ten-billion-won doll.
"Beep. Address verified. Arrived at owner's residence."
"Whoa... Welcome, sunbae. Long time no see. Thought we'd never meet again, huh?"
And finally—I'd succeeded in inviting my admired Isia sunbae to my house. Back in school? Impossible fantasy. Calling the idol of everyone home? No way.
But now, Isia sunbae had run here on her own two feet.
"Pleased to meet you, Master. Thank you for purchasing Real Doll Number 77. As your Real Doll, I will obey any sexual demands and let you play with me as you please, to your tastes."
Isia sunbae knelt and bowed politely.
"Wow~ Killer service. Makes sense. Paid ten billion for you. Used to think, 'Ten billion and I'm set for life.' Never dreamed it'd go to a single Real Doll."
"Thank you again for your purchase."
"Hmm... But sunbae. Don't you remember me?"
"Apologies, Master. I do not recall."
"I'm your hoobae. Same high school. We even shook hands."
"Apologies, but when?"
"During your student council president campaign."
"Shook too many hands then. Don't remember."
"We met once after you became a Real Doll, too."
"That also slips my memory."
Annoying. Am I that forgettable?
"Whatever. You said play to my tastes—how?"
"I am a high-performance Real Doll compatible with any fetish. Inject desired scenario or personality; my brain morphs accordingly. Popular modes: 'Obedient Maid Mode', 'Dominant Queen Mode', 'Cute Little Sister Mode'."
"Hmm... Can you revert to your original personality?"
"Do you mean your human-era personality?"
"Yeah."
"Past data is stored on chip. Replay as is?"
"Yeah."
"Understood. Reviving past personality temporarily. Forgive any noise. Can mute if desired."
A fan whirred from Real Doll Number 77's head. Her mechanical face gained life, then twisted in horror and dread. Isia collapsed, clutching her face, tears streaming.
"Kyaaaaaaaah!!! Aaaaaaah!! Jingoo! Jingoo, I'm sorry! Aaaaaaah!"
"Jingoo? Who's Jingoo?"