AIの遺電子 3話

{fad(500,500)}This story is a work of “near-future” fiction. Any resemblance to existing persons or organizations is entirely coincidental. I haven’t… done anything wrong. What’s wrong? Another nightmare? Y-Yeah… I happen to have a robot at home. It’s been seven years since I entered the lease for him. What time will you be home?

I think I might be out late. Sorry, Joe-kun. He’s… kinder and more loyal than any man I’ve ever met. He satisfies all my emotional and physical needs. And then… I’m here, Shizuka. Sorry about the wait. And then there are human men. I’m home. Welcome back, Shizuka. Dinner is ready. Thanks.

There was so much work left… We had trouble wrapping it up, so I ended up putting in some overtime. Then I sorta procrastinated at the station… It’s been seven years, huh? I’ve seen you happy, sad, and everything in between, Shizuka.

But I’ve been wondering if it’s maybe time for a new chapter for you… What do you think? Don’t cry, Shizuka. I’m so sorry, Joe-kun. I… I’ve fallen in love. That’s a wonderful thing. Nothing to apologize for. You’re not mad? No. You should be! Of course you’re not mad!

You’re just a boyfriend robot, built to make women happy! I’m sorry… I’m so sorry. Industrial AI. Artificial intelligence built to provide support in every day life. Industrial AI have limitations. They don’t develop a “heart.” That’s the distinction humanity employs in order to utilize them as products. And yet…. {an8move(380,180,454,180,23,2484)}Su{c&H767449&}d{c&H8A834A&}o Novo {c&H9E8D55&}Medic{c&HB4A751&}al Clinic

{fad(1,400)}Where the Heart Lies {fad(1,400)}Where the Heart Lies Who are you? I’m Sudo, from the Sudo Novo Clinic. I’m Poppo. Hello there, Poppo. Hello, Dr. Sudo. When did we become a toy repair shop? Looks like it’s fixed. Ken-chan. Poppo! Are you okay? The issue was with his memory storage.

He’s quite an antique, after all. I feel better. That’s great, Poppo! He’s all better, huh? Kinda wish he wasn’t… Mom! You’re a big boy now! You need to get over that thing! You’re gonna hurt Poppo’s feelings! I’m gonna be hurt. No, he won’t! He’s just a machine! You’re wrong! Poppo is my friend!

Ken-chan, Mom, no fighting. No fighting. Shut up, Poppo! Mom! It’s a good thing I fixed him, right? Don’t ask me. Time to eat! No food for me. Here we go again with this. Aw, come on. Besides, weren’t you the one who bought Poppo for him? That was before we got married.

It’s nice to meet you. Mom! The bear’s moving! Isn’t that nice? Who are you? Kenji! I’m Poppo. Hello, Poppo! Hello, Ken-chan. I screwed up. I just wanted Kenji to feel less lonely living in a single-parent household. I didn’t think about it any deeper than that. I bet he’s gonna be surprised!

I’m okay without Mom now. I’ve got you, Poppo. I’ll always be with you, Ken-chan. It’s a promise. I won’t leave you behind to go to work. Even if your mom isn’t around, I will be. In no time, that bear became a part of the family to my son.

Well, Kenji-kun’s not a baby anymore. He’ll understand that Poppo’s just a toy soon enough. I wonder about that. It’s all just running on programming, yet it babbles on and on. It’s so creepy. Mom’s being really mean even though you’re feeling better, Poppo. You two still shouldn’t fight.

You need to get over that thing! Do I really need to leave you behind? I mean, you promised we’d always be together… Always together? With who? With me? What’s wrong, Poppo? Yuki-chan. Poppo? Where’s Yuki-chan? Yuki-chan? {fs20c&H080808&pos(442,121)}Sudo Novo Medical Clinic He broke again? He’s been weird ever since then.

He keeps asking about someone I don’t know. I’m not weird. Then tell me who Yuki-chan is! I can’t tell that to strangers. I’m not a stranger, am I?! What’s wrong with you?! You think it’s a virus? Poppo… Poppo! No, it’s probably— Kenji! Mom… You took money from me, didn’t you?! W-Well, I mean…

I can’t just leave Poppo like this! Enough is enough! That robot is not alive! It’s just a fancy toy! Stop it! Ken-chan, Mom, no fighting. No fighting! All of the crying and laughing that toy does is fake!

It’s just acting in a convincing way. It doesn’t have emotions or a mind of its own! That’s not true. I know it… Pardon me. I don’t know if I can fix this, but I’ll take a look. No payment necessary. How’s that sound? The internal data analysis is complete.

Give me a visualization of the report. Understood. Just a little longer. Mr. Doctor, you know about robots, right? I’d say so. Does Poppo have a heart? I keep telling you— Hard to say. As science has advanced, we’ve demystified a lot about how the brain works…

But people still don’t agree on what constitutes a “heart.” For all we know, it might not even exist. Anyway, we now know who Yuki-chan is. There’s memory data in here from over 20 years ago. You bought this bear used, right? Huh? Y-Yeah. I’m pretty sure that Yuki-chan was his previous owner, then. Basically…

As was common with older computers, even if the memory is superficially reset, {frz0an2pos(314,80)c&HA4A39B&1a&H5F&}Poppo’s Memory Data the data itself still remains within. When I recovered his data during the last visit, it seems the older memories were restored along with the new ones. If we delete the old data, your bear will return to normal.

What do you wanna do? So, what did you do? “Poppo would be sad if his memories of Yuki-chan were erased,” apparently. Kenji was dead-set against it, so we came back without having done anything. I wonder if it’s because of our marriage that he ended up so dependent on Poppo.

I need to find some way to get him away from that robot already. I think that while he’s at school tomorrow, I’ll call someone to pick it up. Where are you, Yuki-chan? Ken-chan, let’s go home. I had a lot of fun today. Thank you for these last memories, Shizuka. Memories…

Yeah. To remember you by. But you won’t remember for long… Well, this is goodbye. Goodbye, Joe-kun. Thank you for for choosing our service. Your contract for the rental robot “Joe” comes to an end as of today. Data of my time with you will be stored on our company’s server for five years.

If you find that your new relationship doesn’t work out, you can utilize our “continue” option. What about after five years? All memories vanish with time, Shizuka. He ran away?! No, he hasn’t been by the clinic. Have you contacted the police? {fs17fax-0.09c&HFFFFFF&3c&H638429&bord14c&H695426&pos(385,274)frz144a&H16&3a&H36&}Sudo Novo Medical Clinic Kenji… Excuse me. Can I help you with something?

Well… Aren’t you sad? All of my behavior is pre-programmed. I learned at school… that they used to think Humanoids were just machines too. But they don’t anymore. So maybe… Robots like us are products, built for the sake of humans. We’re not like Humanoids. You should never forget that. But… that lady was crying.

It’s not like people cry when they throw away old toothbrushes. So I was thinking that you… That robots must have hearts, too. I know you do. You’ve got a point. To her, I probably did seem to have a heart. Who might you be? I’m Poppo! Hi there, Poppo. You’ve got a wonderful client.

Yep. Ken-chan’s really nice. I love him! In accordance with our privacy policy, Joe’s memory will now be reset. Ken-chan, let’s go home. Are you saying that because you’re worried about me? Or because you’re programmed to? Ken-chan. Ken-chan. Ken-chan, you’re gonna catch a cold. Could someone help? Someone, please notice! Someone, help Ken-chan.

Someone… Someone… What is it? What happened? What the hell? Don’t scare me like that! It’s just a toy! Guess it’s busted. I was worried… Poppo! It’s my fault! I wasn’t paying attention! He finally fell asleep. I see. Are you doing okay? This is good though. Kenji-kun’s back safe and— Ken-chan…

You’ll catch a cold… Someone… notice…. Some…one… Mariko. You’re thinking Poppo sacrificed himself to get that car to stop, right? Don’t overthink it. Y-You’re right. Yeah… That’s probably it. Let’s take him to the hospital. I’ll take a look. The preparations are complete. Damn it… When did we become a toy repair shop? Commencing operation.

Poppo… It’s okay. He’ll be okay. I know it. Yuki-chan’s in here? Yeah. The doctor looked her up. There she is, Poppo. Did you two get along? Yeah. We were always together, but… One day, I didn’t see her anymore. And her mommy and daddy wouldn’t tell me where she went.

But I wanted to see her again, because I promised we’d always be together. I’m glad I finally found you, Yuki-chan. Mom? Robots don’t have hearts, huh? Do you really think that? I don’t know. I’m not sure anymore. Ken-chan, is this the ocean? That’s right. I’ve never seen it before. It’s pretty, huh?

{fs18c&H464E4A&pos(484,156)}Sudo Novo Medical Clinic What’s wrong? Before I knew it, I was thinking about Joe all the time. Honestly, that doesn’t sound like a medical issue. Why not break up with your boyfriend and use this “continue” service? But… how would Joe feel? The robot won’t resent you. That’s not how they’re built.

But that doesn’t mean… I can’t just… I don’t know how to face him. I thought you were one of the people who believed robots had hearts, Dr. Sudo? When did I say that? B-But… My interest lies in providing the kind of medical help that only I can. It’s that simple. Hey, wait up!

Dr. Sudo, you wanna grab something to eat? Do I have to pay again? When did I say that? Granted, if you’re offering, I’ll take you up on it! C-Coming… Thank you for selecting our service. My name is Joe, and I’ll be your rental robot. N-Nice to meet you… Four Cases Four Cases