AIの遺電子 2話

What about that couple? {fad(500,500)}This story is a work of “near-future” fiction. Any resemblance to existing persons or organizations is entirely coincidental. Both human. Then… Those high schoolers over there? All human. And the guy in the hat? He’s a Humanoid. You can tell the difference from the eyes.

Can you even really see that from up here? Hey, how come Humanoids age, anyway? So we can live like humans, duh. If I showed up at a class reunion looking just like this… Wouldn’t that be creepy? It would be! Y-Yeah, definitely. Then let’s say I was about three times smarter than humans,

And could pass exams without studying? Super creepy! Right? It’s like, are you kidding me? That’s basically cheating! In no way is that cool. You sure you’re human? Which is it? Huh? On your marks… Get set. Go, Jun! Stay on ‘em! That’s it, come on! Go, go, go! Go for it!

Well, your placement wasn’t great, but that’s a new personal best. Only by the tiniest amount. I don’t think I’m going to get any better. Don’t give up, brother of my soul! The regional meet is coming up soon! Have a little confidence! Y’know? Must be nice, Masa. You get gains that match your effort.

My body’s not built that way. It’s got set “specifications.” {an8move(331,180,545,180,28,6451)}Su{c&H767449&}d{c&H8A834A&}o Novo {c&H9E8D55&}Medic{c&HB4A751&}al Clinic So I ended up joining the track team, with a guy named Masa. {fad(1,400)}Limits of Growth {fad(1,400)}Limits of Growth At first, my times kept improving. I was faster than him, but now…

It’s true that Humanoids have trouble gaining muscle past a certain point. That’s true even for a biological body, like yours. It’s the same as cars. There’s a limit to how far a driver’s skills can take any given machine. You ever consider focusing on a different sport? You’d be a good fit for marathons.

That wouldn’t be any fun! Humans and Humanoids aren’t allowed to compete together. I want to be on a level playing field with everyone else. It’s just, with him… I didn’t want to lose to Masa. That should do for your check-up. Oh, okay. Nothing of note, from what I can see. Thank you.

I’m sure you’ve got room to improve. I’ll be cheering for you. If cheers could get me past my limits, I wouldn’t be worrying like this… I’ve recently come to understand… Dr. Sudo seems to have a sweet tooth. I have no idea which to get… They both look so good.

Oh, this looks great too! That’s our most popular item. Really? Then I’ll take it! I wonder if the doc will like it! I really want to get to know him better. Doctor! Care to join me for some cake? Who’s this? Sorry if I startled you.

I’ve been a little worried about the firmness of my breasts. So I wanted Sudo-kun to take a look. Sudo…kun? I don’t really get it, but afternoon appointments start at 3— Wow, these are super soft. This is what I’m aiming for. Doctor, who exactly is this?! That would be…

Oh, we go way back, don’t we? Give me a second. Sure! What was that?! Acting so… intimate! Uh, what exactly is the nature of your relationship with the doctor? I’ve gotta ask, do you mod your body at all? Those are some sweet tits. Flat-out ignored, huh?

You gotta wonder, why even have those things, when you’re a Humanoid? That ever strike you as odd? You’re asking me, when the question is much… bigger, in your case? Well, I have mine because it’s fun. I didn’t used to look like this. But I noticed that the more changes I made,

The more I captured men’s attention. Like bugs drawn to a street light. They’re completely at the mercy of their reproductive systems. Of course, as a Humanoid, I can’t help them pass on their genes. The men know that too, but their brains tell them to be drawn to my appearance all the same.

Isn’t that fascinating? What is her deal? Sorry about the wait, Kaoru. Let’s chat outside. Good idea. Wait, doctor! You can’t just pop out of the clinic! I’ll be back right away if someone comes by. Bye, now! Urgh! That came as quite the surprise.

You’ve got a little cutie like that working under you? Perv. Could you please get to the point? The ultra high-spec AI, M.I.C.H.I., better known as Michi, has proposed a large-scale self-upgrade program. A self-upgrade program? Exactly. Came up with it on their own. Wanna join the oversight committee?

It’d put you in a position to speak to Michi directly. You might be able to find something out about your mother. There’s no point. It didn’t matter last time, either. The newer Michi might have a different answer. It’s out of my hands, either way. Here you go. Thank you, miss! Me next!

This is such a cliche. Human technology has undergone a seismic shift. You’d expect the shape and specifications of the world to change with it. But instead things are stuck where they’ve always been, and people still believe stuff like this is the definition of happiness. Stability and cycles. Familiar societal structures.

That seems to be what mankind wants for itself. Michi becoming more advanced won’t change that. Acting like it’s the last century out of sheer inertia is only going to get more tedious as time goes on. A change in how the world works might fix your problem, too.

Does that never occur to you, Sudo-kun? Let me clarify something for you. You don’t want me. You want Michi. Hey! Whoa, come on, man! I looked it up online… There’s this psychological experiment, right? A scientist lies to a Humanoid and says “This is what Michi says your limitations are,”

And that keeps them from doing any better on some tests. It works the other way, too: tell them they can do more, and they improve. That’s just a myth. It’s based on this really old experiment that they can’t really reproduce, and there’s no existing paper for a version done on Humanoids.

Seriously? And wait, you looked into it already? Yeah. Look, Jun, there’s only a few days until the qualifiers. There’s gotta be a better use of your time than angsting. Besides, if you gave up now, it’d be a waste of all your hard work!

You never improve like you do after working through a slump! Risk comes with reward! No pain, no gain! Don’t give up, all right? I’ve had enough of people cheering for me. Whoa, hang on— Come on, Jun! You better not be late to morning practice! Seriously! Don’t miss it! Hell yeah! Nice start!

You’ve got it! That’s the way! Go! You can do this! You can! I know it! Come on! You just gotta try! Go for it, man! Whoa, come on, what are you doing? You gotta get fired up! Could you shut up?! It’s distracting! Besides, it doesn’t matter what I try. It’s a dead end.

Man, what is your problem? Does it bother you that much that I beat you? What the hell do you know about how I feel?! You’re the one acting like he’s the only one who knows anything! Enough! Give it a rest! Let go! Get out of my way! Not until you calm down!

Jun! Where are you going? I’ve had enough! Damn it! I practice more than anyone else. If I wasn’t a Humanoid… If I was a human… I know I could… Girls are over here. Boys, you’ll be using the other court. Okay… You’ll be playing until the bell rings.

I know I can beat him when it comes to volleyball. It’s like the doctor said. I might be better off in a different sport. Okay, go for it. Good! Setter, send it to the back! Here you go! Whoops! Too far forward! But I can still get it! Got you! What is it?

Ow… I said put it in the back! Hey, Masa! Are you okay?! Is he… Teacher! Come here, please! Seriously, are you all right? H-Hey… Masa, are you okay? It’s… not a big deal… Masa… 11.40! That’s a new personal best! And you both had the same time! Yes! We did it!

Man, how do you manage to improve by the exact same tenths of a second that I do? Are you stalking me or something? You got it. I’m stalking you. Man, the harder the work, the better you get… track’s pretty awesome. You’re right about that. I wonder how far we can go.

You know the answer. To the horizon and beyond! Am I right? So lame. On your marks. Get set… It’s a shame about Masa-senpai. They say he should be able to run again once he gets better. You think Jun-senpai ran into him on purpose? He’d been pretty sour over his times lately.

His whole problem is… Hey! Congrats on qualifying, senpai! Uh, I sent a video of your run to Masa-senpai… If I had been hurt instead, it would’ve been easier to fix. You’re quitting track? Yeah. I didn’t get picked for the meet, and my times aren’t getting any better. What’s the point? Why tell me?

Just quit. It’s your decision to make, Masa. And it’s just extracurricular stuff. You’re right. Yeah. You’re right. Still, without you around… I don’t know if I can try as hard. And you can’t just encourage me? Have to beat around the bush? Is that what you think I’m doing?

Come on, man, it’s so obvious. Fine, fine… In that case, You can do it! Come on! Go, go for it Jun! You’re almost there! Just keep running! There you go! That’s the way! What the hell? Pipe down already! Yes! He did it! He advanced to the meet! What’re you even watching, kid?

It’s a video! My friend was running today, and let me tell you… Aw, man! Just you wait! I swear, I’ll make it to the next meet! So stupid. It’s not like yelling at a recording will change the results… I was so nervous, I couldn’t sleep!

30th Annual New Tokyo Unified Track and Field Competition Region A That’s hilarious. Masa-senpai, shouldn’t you be in bed still?! It’s totally fine. Hey, Jun! Up here, man! Yeah! So lame. On your marks. Get set… Man, he’s set his pace too fast! He can’t keep that up.

Jun… I know you can pull this off! You can! Go! Wow! It’s human and Humanoid nature to slack off… Which makes it hard to know if you’re really doing your best. Yeah… The world’s not as boring as you think, Kaoru. Risa. You seem upset again today. “Again”? What’s that supposed to mean?

It’s been consistent ever since Dr. Sudo’s visitor. I can suggest music tracks to help relax— Don’t need them! I’m back. Want some cake? My mom used to buy shortcake all the time. R-Really? Kaoru was a fan, too. Oh, that reminds me! How do you even know this Kaoru person, anyway?

We worked at the same lab for a time. Kaoru’s more capable than you’d ever guess. Well, her body’s certainly very capable… Let me show you something. It’s an old picture. One of me with Kaoru. Here. The doctor’s hair is so much shorter! Huh? Where’s Kaoru-san? Right next to me. On the left.

On your left? Isn’t that… a guy? Yeah. Wait, it is?! Then… D-Do they identify as a man?! Or a woman? If you asked them, they’d probably say neither. Men, women… There’s a desire to see beyond those kinds of concepts. That’s what Kaoru’s chasing. It takes all kinds, y’know? If machines were simple tools…

If they could clearly never be anything but tools, then the world would’ve never gotten so complicated. But now, the tools are smarter and faster than humans, with bottomless stamina. If they wanted to, they could consume the future at a remarkable speed. Good evening, Kaoru-san. Good evening, Michi.

Is this about the members of the oversight committee? Yep. I’d like to discuss it with you. Thank you. It’s a pleasure to have you. Come on in. Where the Heart Lies Where the Heart Lies