Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

His name was N.

Or at least it had been, on the day he came back online, only to be greeted by that young human girl standing in front of him—someone his system instantly recognized as his new owner.

He remembered her clapping and bouncing with joy the moment she saw he was awake. From that day forward, the things that had once made him just another background prop drone in the mansion he called home were gone… Not that it mattered—those same things his two previous bosses called “flaws” were what had landed him in that pile of damaged robots outside in the first place.

He was a Worker Drone, an autonomous robot designed by JCJenson, a near-elite corporation whose products never disappointed their clients. His job was simple: serve, assist, and work for humans. But from that day onward, his job was different.

Now, he had a single task: to love and care for his new creator.

They had arrived at the Elliot Mansion one by one—J first, then him, then V, and lastly Cyn, who, despite the permanent damage she carried, N loved as if she were his little sister. Cyn, in turn, had adopted him as her big brother the moment he accepted her.

The girl—her hair a deep, dark black like her father’s, cut short in the back but with long pigtails draping forward—pale as snow, with blue eyes like her mother’s and adorned with countless ribbons—wasn’t exactly good at picking names. In her mind, her beloved drones deserved something truly unique.

So she thought: why not skip the naming process and just take the initials of whatever names popped into her mind? Perfect.

The name she landed on was “Nathaniel”—very elegant and, according to her, only the handsome men from European television possessed it. And so, his name became N.

He remembered that once she had calmed down, the very first thing he received from that human—whom he soon came to know as Tessa—was a hug and a kiss on his visor, along with her joyful exclamation that he was working again. To J, she was a leader and an idol; to V, a great friend; to Cyn, her best playmate; and to him, almost a mother and creator.

Life at the Elliot Mansion was… peculiar. One moment he would be quietly collecting glasses from guests, the next consoling Tessa as he pressed cold cloths to her injured arms, and then running out to the garden to play with her.

“You done yet, V?” N asked, rising from the floor. In one hand he held a small gray plastic shovel full of broken glass, and in the other, a miniature broom.

“Uh, yeah. All done.” The short-haired white-haired drone hopped down from a chair beside one of the bar tables, dusted off the apron of her dress, and adjusted the glasses that covered her visor. “I think we can go now.”

“Yeah, Tessa’s probably waiting for us.” N replied, dumping the glass shards into a green trash bin in the corner.

“She’s not gonna be at the party with us?” V blinked in surprise.

N tilted his head, letting out a sigh of visible sadness.

“No. Her folks still think she’s ‘unfit’ to appear alongside their work colleagues… so they chained her up again.”

“Oh…” V lowered her head, equally saddened.

If only James and Louisa were kinder to their own daughter. If only she had the strength and courage to stand up to them…

“She managed to slip out of the chain, though,” N explained, walking toward the table where his shiny silver tray rested. “She said she wanted to see the opening dance her parents are hosting.”

“Oh, but the gala starts in like… six minutes,” V quickly pointed out.

“Then we’d better go now.” N said, taking his friend by the hand and leading her toward the bar’s entrance.

“What about me, big brother?”

A dazed, damaged, high-pitched voice stopped him in his tracks.

Cyn sat perched on the bar counter, legs crossed, head lolling to the side as if it might detach at any moment. She held a small empty teacup. N’s shoulders slumped, his eyes creasing with regret. Glancing at V, he saw her hugging herself, knowing full well that, no matter how much she wished otherwise, the damaged drone with the oversized bow could not come with them.

“Oh… I think you’ll have to stay here for a while, buddy,” N said softly, walking toward her.

“Get down. Stand. Dust off hands.” Cyn spoke as she slid off the counter and brushed off her dress. Then she looked up at her big brother with innocent curiosity. “am i… not wanted there, N?”

“Oh, Cyn, you know it’s Tessa’s Folks…” N replied, running his metal hand through her white hair. “They’re not very nice to us… or to her.” He sighed, but quickly forced a gentle smile for her. “Tell you what—when the gala’s over and I’m back, how about we have a movie night, and before bed, I’ll read you a story?”

The hunched drone’s small mouth curved into a tiny smile. She placed one hand on the side of her head and tilted it forward and back.

“Nods. I’d love that. Excited,” Cyn said.

“Wait for me in the lounge after midnight, okay? Love you, Cyn,” N said, leaning down to give her a small kiss on the forehead.

“Psst! N, we have to go!” V’s voice called urgently, her visor displaying a flashing message: “3 minutes left!”

“Right, yeah, we’d better go now.” He looked back at Cyn. “See you later, little one.” Then he left with V.

“Goodbye, big brother. Small farewell,” Cyn said from her spot, waving a hand.

Upstairs was now completely empty, but peering over the railing, the maid and the butler drone could see the crowd of humans filling the floor below—everyone dressed in formal, elegant attire. The overlapping voices made it impossible to make out individual conversations. It felt like they were all waiting for some kind of clandestine meeting to begin. Their bosses were nowhere in sight.

N was excited. He loved these gatherings—the music, the atmosphere, running through the hall offering drinks or snacks to the guests while they marveled at the sight of such an intelligent, advanced robot. Being part of the spectacle, so to speak.

V noticed other Worker Drones already downstairs, moving between guests to make sure everyone had a drink, standing firm with their trays or carts full of appetizers. Truth be told, she liked standing out physically from the rest of the butler drones down there. None of them behaved as closely to humans as she and N did, none had pretty white hair like the kind Tessa had given her, and certainly none wore glasses. Her friend had told her she was a very special drone—something her parents either didn’t understand or didn’t care to appreciate.

Still, her absentmindedness meant she wasn’t watching where she was going, and the next thing she knew—wham!—she had bumped into something just as hard and metallic as herself. N, distracted as well, bumped right into her from behind. A trio of pained groans followed.

The butler drone rubbed his visor with a slight wince and looked ahead—only to find another maid drone, this one with her white hair styled into two pigtails.

“Ugh, watch it, morrons” she complained, rubbing her right arm.

“Ow…” N muttered in pain as he got up from the floor, still holding his metal tray.

“Good afternoon to you too, J,” V replied, begrudgingly putting her fallen glasses back on.

“Are you guys okay?” a curious, concerned voice asked.

Behind J stood the human girl so dear to the quartet—blue eyes peeking over the drone’s head, her pale face marked with the occasional scar. Right now, the three of them were with the human who had given them life alongside her—the one they loved most, and who loved them most in return.

“Hi, Tessa,” N greeted cheerfully, waving at her.

“How’d your grades turn out?” V asked their owner and human friend with intrigue.

Tessa paused, tilting her head. J’s relaxed expression immediately shifted to one of concern, glancing over her shoulder at the girl in question.

“Well…” Tessa began, her voice carrying that soft Australian lilt. “The rest were fine… but let’s just say Mother didn’t take too kindly to that seventy in maths.” She turned her gaze away in embarrassment, resting her hands on the railing—only to pull back and fold her arms tightly against her chest.

Unconsciously, she rubbed her palm over her wrists. The trio’s eyes followed the movement, noticing her wrist looked redder than usual. There was a fresh violet mark with inflamed edges—like she had desperately tried to break free from a chain. They also spotted two reddish scratches across her pale, round cheeks.

“Truth is… I’m not even supposed to be here. I snuck outta my room,” Tessa admitted softly, her voice heavy with sadness and discomfort.

J’s white eyes narrowed into thin ovals, her metal face paling with sorrow, almost guilt, and a simmering hatred toward herself for not being able to save Tessa from her cruel parents. But Tessa quickly noticed the way the pigtail drone was looking at her.

“I—I’m fine, J. Nothin’ to worry about,” Tessa said, giving her a pat on the shoulder in a confident tone. But it wasn’t enough to convince J—she could tell Tessa was lying.

“Well, even if you’re not dressed for the party, I think you look great for the afternoon,” N assured her, giving a thumbs-up enthusiastically.

Compared to the other guests, Tessa looked like a complete outsider—wearing short overalls and a light green shirt, a wide gardener’s hat on her head, and yellow rubber boots that hid the injuries on her ankles. In one of her pockets were a pair of gloves. She looked ready to tend to a garden. Definitely V’s doing—always making sure she was dressed perfectly… in her own way.

“Wow, thanks, N,” Tessa replied with a soft laugh at her beloved drone’s compliment, reaching over to pat his head affectionately.

Just then, the small chime of a bell silenced the guests almost instantly, drawing their attention to the hosts. The human girl and her drones leaned curiously over the railing, spotting a tall man with black hair and a top hat holding the bell aloft.

“G’day, everyone…” Tessa murmured in an overly posh, exaggerated tone.

“G’day…”

“Greetings and congratulations to all present,” she continued in that same mock-elegant style.

“Greetings and congratulations to all present,” the man below repeated—but with genuine pride and elegance in his deep Australian accent.

J raised her brows in amusement while V and N exchanged mischievous glances, both trying not to burst out laughing so none of the four would get caught.

“As you all know,” James began confidently, “JCJenson is one of the largest global corporations. The United States of America has even named us a family company. We’re a consumer region, which means you can find our products in every corner of the planet—revolutionising daily life and changing the way people live.” His voice carried the practiced confidence of someone who had never queued in his life. “Since our beginnings, the Elliot family has ensured JCJenson stays alive—not only with good vision, but with damn good lawyers, and by selling in this industry for decades: reinventing, reinvesting, and of course… selling.”

“And that’s why it’s always been our number one priority,” Louisa added smoothly in her refined Australian accent, “to make sure JCJenson takes part in numerous initiatives centred on social impact and sustainability. Whether it’s for us brilliant entrepreneurs, desperate up-and-comers… or for poor sods who had to do a few extra favours under the table just to make it to the top—well, who are we to judge?”

The crowd erupted into laughter, though a few offered only nervous chuckles, lowering their gazes or staring into their drinks.

“This is my husband, James Timothy Elliot—proud descendant of the Elliot line. I’m Louisa Adelaide Elliot—his wife, partner, and sometimes his moral compass. And we’re sincerely excited about everything that could be set in motion after this afternoon. We’ll be presenting proposals that will not only expand our business… but redefine the line of what’s possible when you shake hands with JCJenson.”

Between the couple stepped a small, blue-eyed butler drone—dressed exactly like N, save for lacking white hair. On the tray it carried were two small glasses filled with a caramel-coloured liquid. The Elliots each took one.

“And with that,” James said proudly, raising his glass, “we declare this meeting officially open. Cheers to that!”

“Cheers!” the guests echoed.

“Cheers!” the quartet of friends called out from the upper floor, before bursting into laughter and sitting together on the floor against the railing.

“Father spent nearly three days practicin’ that speech,” Tessa admitted with a grin. “I heard it so many times—and Mother telling him off ‘cause he wasn’t sayin’ it with enough flair—that I ended up memorisin’ it myself.”

“Good thing they picked another drone to bring them drinks. Every time I go, they give me the cold shoulder,” V muttered, adjusting her glasses.

“Ow, but you’re really cute, V. Nearsighted, but very cute,” N teased, giving her visor a friendly tap and patting her shoulder—earning a genuine, warm smile from his short-haired friend.

“How’s Cyn doing?” J asked with interest.

“She stayed at the bar,” N sighed, a note of regret in his voice. “I just hope the meeting doesn’t run too late—I promised her we’d watch a movie afterward.”

“Aw, N… I wish Cyn could be here with us too, come to the parties with you guys—but… you know what Mum said…” Tessa’s voice softened as she reached over to take the butler’s hand.

“Yeah… I just don’t want them hurtin’ you,” N added, lowering his gaze.

“or her either,” Tessa clarified, before peeking through the narrow gaps in the fine wooden railings and catching sight of the gathering taking place below. “Oh… but how I wish I could be down there one day, with all of you. I’ve never been allowed to be at the events.”

“It’s not like it’s that fun, boss,” J confessed, rolling her eyes. “It’s just Corporated talking… and admitting they lie about promotions.”

“But you love Corporated,” Tessa replied.

“Yeah, ‘cause JCJenson’s the only reason I even exist here.”

“And also because Tessa pulled us out of the dump,” V added with a playful tone.

“Yeah… that too,” J added reluctantly, a faint white blush glowing on her visor.

“Yeah, but look at how many humans… so many people,” Tessa went on, her blue eyes still fixed on the meeting. “Getting along, being friendly, showing off their best skills, all dressed up… and when it’s a gala, it’s like one big family dinner with a grand dance floor where the music just fits perfectly with the atmosphere… I’ve never interacted with humans, only with robots. I’ve never known what it means to be part of a group, or to be treated in any other way than how my parents treat me…” She rested her forehead against the wood. “…and I feel like… it would be something really special to be part of one… even if it was just once.”

The trio of robots exchanged pained glances once their friend and creator finished. They couldn’t do anything to help her… as much as they wanted to. All they could do was hope that one day they could get her out of there, or be strong enough to protect her and let her have the happiness James and Louisa had taken from her.

N thought for a moment about something to lift the black-haired human’s spirits, until an idea struck. He stepped closer and gave her a few gentle pats on the back, offering his best smile.

“Hey, Tessa, look on the bright side — your parents are distracted now, so you can go outside and have some fun with J. We’ll make sure they don’t notice you left,” he said with warmth and optimism.

Tessa smiled and nodded, getting up from the floor and hugging N in gratitude.

“Oi, too right you are. Ready, Jaybird?” Tessa turned to the twin-tailed drone.

“Oh… uh… yeah, sure, boss,” J started hesitantly, then shook her head and raised her hand to her forehead in a graceful gesture. She was about to go with her, but the short white-haired drone stopped her by pulling her hand.

“…Good luck, J… take care of yourself…” V said softly, smiling with a white blush glowing at both corners of her visor, her hand holding the twin-tailed drone’s with tenderness.

“Oh… umm, thanks… V.” J’s eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly pulled away from the touch, blushing as well. “…Bye.”

“Alright then.” Tessa clasped her hands and turned around. “We’ll take the exit to the yard, it’s easier to get to the dump from there—”

But as soon as she lifted her head, Tessa’s heart froze, along with the rest of her body. The trio of drones froze too, three pairs of eyes narrowing into thin ovals projecting pure terror.

Right in front of her now stood her father, his piercing gaze locked on her, a half-full glass in hand… It was incredible that a simple human, like her, could instill so much fear.

“And where the hell do you think you’re going, missy?” he asked coldly, never taking his eyes off her.

Tessa swallowed hard, unable to utter a word. Her legs and hands trembled repeatedly. Her eyes stayed fixed on her father’s shoes.

“I asked ya a question. Answer me…” he demanded in that same tone, moving his free hand to his daughter’s chin to make her look at him.

“Well… I… I was just gonna go to the library, y’know, have a read while waitin’ for the meetin’ to end,” Tessa said after thinking for a moment.

“Didn’t ya mother punish you?” the man countered, leaning closer to his daughter with a judging look, swirling his glass so the ice clinked against the liquor.

“She… she un-punished me…” Tessa lied, though it sounded more like a question.

James raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. Tessa bit the inside of her cheek and took a deep breath, praying to every god she knew and believed in. Those were the most torturous four seconds — the trio of drones blinked nervously in place, their danger sensors climbing like lava in an erupting volcano. They glanced at their owner and at their boss, fearing what might come next.

“Hmmm… well, if you say so, you’re excused.” The man turned and began to walk away, leaving his eldest with her “dumbster pets.”

Seeing herself safe, Tessa let out a sigh of relief — but her peace was broken again as her father turned back, brown eyes full of disgust and disdain.

“And don’t you dare go down there lookin’ like that. I don’t want my workmates thinkin’ I’ve got a whore  of a daughter,” he warned coldly, finally walking away.

Tessa stayed frozen in place, her blue eyes pained by those words echoing in her mind, making her feel deeply hurt. Had her father really just said something that cruel? She took a sharp breath, slowly hugging herself.

J quickly approached her and gently tapped her shoulder to get her attention.

“Boss? You're okay?” the twin-tailed maid asked.

Tessa shook her head and ran her hands over her face, quickly wiping away the tears.

“Y-yeah, I’m fine,” she assured in a weak voice, then gave her a faint smile. “Come on, let’s just go now.”

She wasn’t fine — J knew that perfectly well. Every time they came around, they left her in the worst possible state, only for her to put on a fake ‘I’m fine’ when someone asked.

Whenever Tessa needed arms to cry in, J was always there — along with N, V, and Cyn.

J watched her walk away, frowning, but quickly hurried to take her hand to offer comfort, leaving together through the back entrance of the Elliot mansion.

Since the day Tessa pulled him from the dump, N had started to feel emotions — and over the days, what he felt most was pity, sadness, and certainly anger at the situation she lived in, knowing that whenever any of them asked how she was, it was always just an “I’m fine.”

N didn’t like those lies his owner told — not because they were directed at him, but because Tessa shouldn’t have to pretend for his sake. She deserved affection, love, and protection from those monsters.

The quartet had made that promise: as long as they stayed together in the mansion, they would fight for Tessa… even if they couldn’t do it physically.

“She’s gonna be alright, yeah?” V asked, worried.

“…She’s with J. No need to fear,” N assured her.

“I’m worried about J too… How can Mr. Elliot say such awful things to her? Ugh, sometimes I just wanna grab his precious fancy dishes and smash them in his face to see if that teaches him a thing or two,” V said angrily, clenching her metal fists.

“Not all parents deserve such wonderful children,” N replied, hugging her shoulders in a gesture of support.

“I just wish we could do somethin’ for her…” V said at last, finally calming down.

“Me too, V… me too…” N said with melancholy, gazing out the window, spotting the figures of Tessa and J in the distance, running together and far away from the mansion.

The afternoon was grey and a bit chilly, since it had rained earlier. The walk was quick and full of enthusiasm. Tessa, now wearing a black and white cap with the “JcJenson” logo on it, had her eyes fixed on the destination just a few metres ahead. Behind her, she was pulling a small red cart, inside of which sat a large digging shovel, a scalpel, and a waterproof blanket.

“hang on, boss. I might be a robot, but I ain’t got thrusters—can’t go that fast!” J exclaimed between breathless laughs, doing her best to keep up with her companion.

“Oi. Guess ya should’ve had a swig o’ oil before comin’ here, J,” Tessa chuckled.

“Oh, don’t be cruel,” J replied, wearing a fake face that poured digital tears and a jelly-like grin.

“Almost there, no worries,” Tessa said, sounding excited. “This mornin’ I saw they tossed out a few busted drones, but the last one in the pile looked in perfect nick—only a bit broken. I can fix it.”

J felt a chill run down her robotic frame the moment she set foot in that graveyard of fallen drones. Poor broken machines, disassembled and shattered, one drone piled on top of another, stacked in huge heaps or scattered around. Broken visors, wires yanked out by birds that had arrived earlier to pull and tear them away, black oil puddles scattered everywhere, and a persistent smell of burning hung in the air.

While Tessa approached one of the drones lying on the ground and yanked on one of its metal legs until it came clean off—tossing it into her cart—the white-pigtail drone hugged herself, keeping her head low.

“And why do you wanna save this particular drone?” J asked, kicking a small stone on the path.

The human had just finished tearing off the right arm of another drone and placed it in the cart.

“I wanna give all of you a new mate,” Tessa grinned, watching J roll her eyes, completely unimpressed. “And also ‘cause this one’s really unusual—its colour was purple.”

J raised a brow.

“Purple? And what’s so special ‘bout that, boss?”

“Heaps!” Tessa exclaimed, now spotting one of those robots missing all its metal limbs but with its visor perfectly intact, which she pulled off as well. “Drones come in really specific colours ‘cause it’s cheaper that way—always blue or white, like you lot.”

“And what about Cyn?”

“Cyn’s got yellow eyes ‘cause she’s damaged, remember? It’s real rare for a drone to have purple light—must’ve been one of the company’s first prototypes,” Tessa stated, tossing the drone head into the cart.

“But what if it’s damaged too? There’s a reason they threw it out.”

“We won’t know ‘til we check it out, will we?”

That’s when the human looked ahead and her face lit up—on a medium-sized pile of broken drones not far from her, a small purple glow shone. She gasped, bouncing on her feet. Without saying a word to her drone friend, she grabbed her hand and guided her straight to the target.

Tessa rubbed her palms together quickly and took a deep breath, carefully hopping onto the pile to climb to the top. Her wrists ached a little from the effort, but she didn’t mind—she grabbed her prize and hopped back down, laying the robot on the damp pavement.

“Found it!” the black-haired human exclaimed.

Sure enough, it was the elusive worker drone with purple light, the emblem on its chest glowing violet. J frowned behind her visor, uncomfortable at the sight of its poor condition, while Tessa placed her curious hands on it, examining her new patient. She checked its limbs, its metallic torso—it didn’t seem to have any major dents or damage. She poked the drone’s cracked visor with her finger, and jumped back in surprise when two trembling purple pupils flickered to life, blinking a few times before looking around—finally focusing on her.

“Well, ain’t that a surprise.”

“It’s conscious!” J said, astonished.

“G’day, mate, I’m Tessa,” she said to the broken drone in her arms, her tone warm and caring. “No worries, you’re gonna be fine—you’ll have a new home soon.”

The drone stayed still, only blinking.

“Not much of a talker, eh?”

“Tessa, a couple of humans tossed it into a dump.”

“And?”

“How do you expect it not to be scared of another human who’s just popped outta nowhere?”

“No need to worry, we’ll take it home, fix its vision, and give it new threads and a new job,” Tessa assured, full of excitement.

“Thrown out by the corporate, saved by the corporate's daughter—how poetic.”

The human cradled the drone in her arms, trying to carry it to the cart, but as soon as she stood up and took a step forward, her sore right wrist couldn’t handle the sudden strain—she fell to the ground, dropping the drone. She clutched her wrist desperately, trying to ease the pain as small tears welled in her eyes.

J, who had first been alarmed at the sight, now softened her gaze with sympathy and approached her boss. She placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a warm smile. Then she picked up the drone, set it in the cart, and extended her hand to her. Tessa, touched by the gesture, smiled back and accepted the help to stand up.

“Thanks, J—I dunno what I’d do without ya,” the black-haired girl said.

“I appreciate you too, boss,” the white-pigtail maid replied with the same gratitude.

“Right then,” Tessa clasped her hands together, picking up the shovel that had been left on the ground. “Now that we’ve got this future butler with us, we can’t have him runnin’ ‘round the mansion bald-headed.”

“Going to the cemetery now, then?” J asked.

“You betcha,” she answered cheerfully, then kept walking.

J pulled the cart handle and walked alongside her beloved drone.

“And what’re you plannin’ to do with this one?” J asked curiously.

“Take it home,” Tessa clarified.

“No, I mean—is it gonna be a butler or a maid?”

“Hmm, I reckon a maid—I’ve still got a spare uniform tucked away.”

“Don’t we have enough with the three of us?” J laughed.

“I know it’s a bit unbalanced, but I don’t want another butler—N’s very special, one of a kind, no one can copy him,” Tessa said. “Besides, I don’t think Dad’ll be too chuffed if I pinch somethin’ from his wardrobe again.”

“Do you know which grave we’re diggin’ up this time?”

“Well, this one got purple eyes, so I reckon we oughta give it hair to match.”

“And where are we gonna find purple hair?”

“The cemetery’s got everything, J—we just have to look.”

“As long as we’re not too late and your folks find out—then we’re in real trouble.”

The road went on, night still not having fallen, but the sky was darkening to a bluish-grey. It seemed neither the stars nor the moon would be keeping them company this trip.

“Didn’t say this about the rest of you, but I’ve got a feelin’ this new mate’s gonna be someone very special.”

“What do ya mean?”

“Well…I dunno…I just feel like with this one, we’re gonna have heaps of adventures—and maybe it will change a few things back home, fit in real well with all of you.”

“And what’s so special about this broken drone that makes you think that?”

“Remember that day we were in the yard and saw some ladybugs?”

“Yeah, I remember—most were red, but there was one that was yellow.”

“And later that day, I found a dollar right out front of the mansion, just when the ice-cream truck passed by—and that day ice-creams were low priced.”

“And what’s that got to do with a magic ladybug?” J questioned again, raising a brow. She really couldn’t see the connection.

“their colour’s purple—real rare for drones. That alone makes him special, and I’ve got a gut feelin’ that somethin’ good’s gonna come out of all this—not just for me, but for you lot too,” Tessa said with genuine joy, glancing back at the drone. “You, V, N, and Cyn are incredibly precious in my life, so this new drone’s gonna bring good luck to you as well—I just know it.”

J couldn’t help but smile —and blush along with it. She moved closer to her beloved friend, leaning her body against her and wrapping an arm around her waist.

“If we’ve made it this far, it’s because of you. You know that, right?”

“Yes, of course I know, Jaybird…” Tessa replied warmly, resting her arm over the drone’s head. “…and I hope that even when I’m older and stronger, we’ll still be together.”

“We will, Boss… always…”

Just as N had promised, the meeting ended, and Tessa made it back to the mansion safely and unnoticed. When her parents peeked into her room, they found her peacefully asleep in her bed.

As for him, as soon as the meeting ended, he took his tray full of glasses to the bar and ran into Cyn. Together, they went down to the mansion’s ground floor —to the library. There sat an old but functional TV.

Cyn was already nestled into a pile of pillows on the floor, covered from head to toe with a very soft blue blanket. In front of her sat a bowl of spent batteries and a large can of oil to share with her older brother.

“Ready, little buddy?” N asked cheerfully, sitting beside her.

“Snuggle, cuddle. Yes, I am ready for… movie night. Giggle,” Cyn replied, clutching her blanket tighter, her head tilted to the left before she lifted it herself.

N had returned with a few boxes of movies from the upstairs lounge —several films and the first season of a sitcom that Tessa was quite fond of.

“Which one do you want to watch?”

Gasp. Point. Cyn’s index finger moved toward one of the movies, which showed two robots on the cover, seemingly in space. “That one.”

“Alright, that’s the one,” N said enthusiastically.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the elegant mansion, the pigtail-wearing worker drone and the glasses-wearing drone stood side by side at the foot of Tessa’s bed in her now-darkened room. She was asleep, comfortable, and calm in her cozy bed. Her breathing and light snores were steady. She’d returned so exhausted from her trip to the dump and cemetery that she’d barely managed to stash everything in her “workshop” before stumbling into her bedroom and collapsing on her bed.

Of course, they couldn’t just let her sleep in that state, so with V’s help, J had dressed her in pajamas, cleaned the dirt from her arms, palms, legs, and feet, and tucked her under the sheets. J gently moved her hand through Tessa’s black hair, then down to her shoulders. V, on the other side, couldn’t help but glance at her companion shyly.

No matter the angle, V had to admit J was truly…fine, to her, she had always been beautiful —a very special and unique drone. Who wouldn’t love her? She could be tough, yes. Even bitter at times. But she had a light in her being that kept others from wanting her gone (and V had never wanted her gone). Her pigtails, her serious gaze, her voice, her leader-like personality, the way she cared for others —even for V— her loyalty to her work and her loved ones… V admired all of it. And admired her.

V wondered if it was right to keep seeing her that way, but she couldn’t help it. J was addictive to her eyes, and she couldn’t stop thinking about how she’d do anything to make her happy.

That afternoon, before the meeting, while they were cleaning the hall together, V had barely managed to finish two of her tasks without Louisa threatening to toss her out if she didn’t straighten up. She kept bumping into walls, tripping over things, or freezing in place —her white eyes failing to stop watching J’s every movement. Her hands, so fast as they polished wine glasses and tables, made V’s core short-circuit, turning her soft inside.

“I put cold compresses on her wrists before she fell asleep,” V said softly, curling a confident smile on her lips. “That should ease the pain at least until tomorrow. Don’t worry.”

“Thanks a lot, V,” J replied quietly, turning back to look at her.

The short-haired maid didn’t answer —she only let out a small laugh, while a bright white glow shone from both corners of her visor.

“Aw, J…” she sang softly, reaching a hand to the back of her head.

Both of them smiled awkwardly, as if they wanted to say something important. They turned their gaze back to the sleepy Tessa in bed. There was a long silence before one metal hand sought the other, fingers intertwining gently. V felt the wires inside her vibrate and spark, like a powerful high-voltage surge. Beads of sweat even began to slide down her visor. She couldn’t help but feel on cloud nine. J, for her part, wasn’t doing any better —her legs squeaked in anticipation.

“Hey… it’s late, and we both need to rest,” V spoke again.

J’s eyes narrowed into thin ovals.

“And it’s a bit cold, so… I thought maybe we could go sleep toge-—”

V didn’t have time to finish her invitation before she felt J almost immediately pull away, clutching her hand to her chest. She raised her voice and cleared her throat, as if trying to cut the conversation short.

“E-eh, n-no… I… I’ll stay here with Tessa, just in case… you know… uh… just in case she wakes up and needs something! Y-yes, that, that!” J said with nervous cheer, avoiding eye contact at all costs.

V’s expression fell somewhere between sadness and agony, stunned by the sudden rejection of her affection —it was almost like a glass being shattered by a brick. She kept her hand stretched toward her, as if wanting to reach her or say something… but instead, she retracted it and lowered her head.

“Alright, whatever you want,” V replied in a discouraged, almost whispered tone. “Good night, J.”

“Good night, V,” J echoed without emotion.

Another dagger to her aching core. Honestly, she didn’t know how much longer she could keep pretending it didn’t break her.

“…I hope one day you can stop running from me…” V murmured in a depressed whisper before leaning against the wall and shutting herself down.

[SLEEP MODE: ACTIVATED].

“The princess became the new ruler of the forest alongside her beloved. They stayed together for many, many years and lived happily ever after. The end,” the butler drone finished reading, swiftly closing the book in his hands.

“Surprised,” Cyn said, wrapped in her blanket like a little bean. “What a lovely story, big brother N.”

“It’s one of my favorites,” N admitted, setting the book beside him and lying down next to his sister. “I really like that in the end, the princess stayed with the monster and had the love story she always dreamed of.”

“I thought the princess would kiss him and—” small hop “—he’d turn into a handsome prince. Giggle.”

N chuckled softly, his white eyes drifting up to the ceiling.

“That’s what I like most about the story —the monster doesn’t change form or become a handsome prince to take the princess to a golden palace. She loved him for who he was, as he was. His fierce side never scared her, so she stayed with him in his home, and they shared it —finding something they never thought possible.”

“The blue-orange tree?” Cyn tilted her head at him.

“Well, yes, they find it together. But I meant they found love where they never expected it. The princess got lost in the forest trying to find those blue oranges for her sick father, and ended up finding the love of her life. Have you ever seen something like that? Someone finding their love in the middle of a forest? …I wish I could live that.”

Cyn looked at her brother with a curious expression.

“Questioning,” Cyn stated.

“I mean…” N glanced back at the ceiling. “I’d like love to come into my life too —to meet another drone, get to know her, suddenly change my whole attitude because she makes me so happy, go on adventures with her that change how I see the world… or maybe realize later that what I felt wasn’t friendship at all, but love.”

“Snuggle.” Cyn scooted closer to the butler, cuddling against him. “You can be so sappy, big brother N. Maybe that’ll help you when you find your… soulmate.”

N hugged his little sister back. But his smile faded again.

“But in this place, it’s impossible. V and J are just my best friends.”

“J said you should die this morning,” Cyn pointed out.

“….” N blinked. “Well, you know what I mean. In this mansion, we have our roles, and we have each other as a team. We’ll never have a second option. It’s the life I was given. Do you really think it’s possible to find love in the Elliot Mansion?”

“Love is unpredictable, big brother,” Cyn said, yawning.

“Yes, it truly is. In all the stories I’ve read you, in all the movies we’ve watched… someone always falls in love in the most unusual places,” N said with a touch of nostalgia, placing his hands over his chest.

He turned to see that his sister had finally entered sleep mode. He gave her one last pat on the head and a small kiss on her visor. Then he picked up the book he had just finished reading. Opening it to the last page, he found an illustration of the princess and the monster. His metal finger traced the edge of it, admiring it.

It always happened in the books and movies he saw. It was beautiful, yes. But those characters didn’t act or look like him —he couldn’t depend on them to guide him to the right door.

What would his love story be like? What would his first kiss be like?

N hugged the book to his chest before closing it, setting it beside his pillow, and lying next to Cyn. Within seconds, he entered Sleep Mode.

Let’s see what tomorrow would bring.

Chapter Text

The encyclopedias in the library defined it as something universal, that came in different presentations and different forms, something all humans searched for and that, depending on how it came and where it ended up, could blossom into something much more special.

There was no “when” or “how” love was experienced, nor was it something that happened overnight. It took time, commitment, and maturity. It wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t always joyful. It had its lows. You didn’t really have butterflies fluttering in your stomach when you were with that special mate. There were moments where differences made you lose your way, but in the end, that’s what loving was about, and that was something human.

No page in any of those massive books ever said that autonomous robots like him could feel love. No rule stated that they were allowed to fall in love and begin a story with someone special.

N realized he was a very special drone, because if it wasn’t possible… then why did he long for it?

He would be patient, he would be kind, he would lift his head and move forward, waiting for his turn to discover it and live it. Just like the books he read in the library told him.

When his system shut down, his artificial mind generated its own images and videos, based on the most important information in his mind and the most recently stored in his memory system. And so, he slept smiling, dreaming of the day when he would be holding the hand of the one he loved.

What would his first love be like?

That’s what N dreamt that night, idealizing and painting in his head the perfect girl.
She could be a tall or short drone, with long or short hair, white, blue, or even yellow. Unique personality, gentle, not afraid to cry, treating others with kindness… or maybe a tough, carefree drone who loved adrenaline.
Perhaps even more rebellious than J already was, a troublemaker, a rebel, a lover of darkness.

Having a fixed image of what she had to be like? Not at all. N didn’t need someone that matched his wishes to make him happy. Because if he loved, it would be for her—with all her flaws and virtues. She would be his starry girl, the one he woke up with and fell asleep with every night, the one to build a home with, his shining love and lifelong companion. Whoever she turned out to be, whatever face she had, he would love her always and find a perfect place for them in the enormous mansion he called home.

However, his rest ended just as quickly as it had begun—or at least that’s how it felt to him. N returned online at the speed of light, and the reason for such a sudden interruption was a crash coming from upstairs—a mixture of glass, metal, a scream, and a furious human growl. The butler drone’s security sensors made him get up and look around. Sunlight slipped in through the window—it was daytime already.

“what the…?” he muttered to himself, very confused.

“Get up.” Cyn said, the ruckus bringing her back online as well. “What was that?”

“can’t believe ya came back from yesterday arvo without takin’ yer bloody shoes off! Ya’ve tracked mud all over the damn floor!” A loud, older female voice barked from the other side.

“S-sorry, M-mother… I-I didn’t mean to, Moth-…” came a pained, younger voice.

But it was silenced by another crash. N only winced, shoulders tightening, teeth gritted at the sound. His face showed clearly how much he thought that must’ve hurt.

“A fucking sorry ain’t gonna fix it, young lady! We’ve told ya a million times an’ still ya can’t do somethin’ so simple. how could you possibly be this useless?!” the woman’s voice roared again.

“Clean up this mess, serve breakfast again, then mop up that rubbish. Got it?” a deep male voice ordered.

Oh… that again.

N looked at his younger sister, both worried. It was incredible that not even in the mornings their friend could get a moment of peace.

“Hold hands. We should go see her.” Cyn told N.

“Let’s wait a bit first… then we’ll go, okay?” N reassured, running a hand through his white hair.

She rubbed her face once more before pushing herself up onto her knees. With a crystalline look, she began to pick up some of the things that had fallen to the floor. Even she was stained with the lemonade she’d been about to drink. She rejected J’s help completely, coldly pulling away to do the work herself, still feeling the heat of the now swollen red mark on the right side of her face.

Her parents had named her Tessa James Elliot. From the start of their marriage, James and Louisa knew they were meant to have a firstborn—an heir, a future businessman to keep the Elliot company and lineage afloat. That was always the way in the family: hungry for power, for control, for keeping everything in line, even if it meant stepping on those still at the starting line.

And sure enough, it would surprise anyone to know that James and Louisa never truly wanted children at all. They agreed only so the Elliot family name could live on another generation… and even then, disappointment came quickly when they discovered their child was a daughter, not a son.

It didn’t take long to see that, even at her young age, she showed no passion for the corporation—only for machinery, technology, and robotics. The only thing that made her interested in JcJenson at all were the beautiful worker drones the company created and sold.

Despite having her father’s sleek black hair and her mother’s sapphire blue eyes, Tessa was different. Withdrawn, curious about the world, with imagination and fascination for the abnormal, for science, machines, and knowledge—something that helped her learn to manage her own machines.

Sadly, Tessa couldn’t escape the fate of every Elliot heir. Her parents, as conservative as they were greedy, had long lines of successful businessmen and accountants behind them, and she wasn’t going to be the one to break that line. Every single day of her life, she had to prove perfection. She had to be refined, elegant, mature like an adult, devoted to the life already decided for her, and behave like a proper young lady of high Australian society.

And whenever she made a mistake, was happy with anything outside her parents’ company, expressed herself, protested, failed, or stepped out of line, she was met with less… gentle ways of parenting.

To be fair, Tessa had to admit, this rarely left marks. It didn’t help her parents in the least if their daughter was seen with a black eye or a broken arm. Still, there were past incidents responsible for the three permanent lines over her eye, one on the corner of her nose, and another on her mouth.

Now sixteen, soon to be seventeen, she finally finished cleaning up the mess her parents had caused moments ago when they’d exploded over her muddy boots from last night. Her parents sat at the table, both pairs of eyes watching her like she was a freak, whispering things to each other that still reached her ears and pierced her back like arrows. On the other side of the dining room, her three drones sat in the corner, watching with pity.

She wanted to cry. She was on the verge of breaking. She wanted them to be there, to comfort her—she desperately needed a hug. But she couldn’t, not when her parents were there only to make her feel worse.

Back she went now, returning with their breakfast on two trays. Firm, though her legs trembled as she walked. Her wrists ached terribly, but she couldn’t fail—not again. She didn’t want more cruel words.

“The coffee, Tessa. Coffee comes first,” James corrected coldly.

Tessa felt a knot in her chest, like having no mouth but wanting to scream.

Luckily, her dear N arrived with the coffee pot on his tray. Tessa took it from him, whispering a “thanks.” She carried it over to her father, praying her sore wrists wouldn’t make her drop it—because if they did, she was fried. She managed to pour his cup successfully, and now it was her mother’s turn.

“Sugar. Now,” the woman demanded, voice sharp as glass. She didn’t look her in the eye, but her tone alone was enough to give her daughter chills.

Tessa reached for the sugar in the middle of the table and handed it over. Then she had to bring them breakfast again before she could finally sit down to eat as well.

“Still can’t manage somethin’ so simple,” Louisa muttered to her husband, glancing sideways at her daughter.

“Pathetic. Deadset pathetic,” James replied in the same tone.

All day. Every day.
Therapist, daughter, maid, damaged, then a virgen, slave, then servant.
She was just a appendage, living to attend them, so they’d never lift a finger.
Emotional torture from the heads of their  high table… only to walk donw again to her parents’ feet and feel their words and sharp sting..

And Tessa was getting fucking tired.

The tears in her eyes were bursting every day, the wounds in her heart and the cracks in her hands only deepening. And she kept asking herself: If her family died… would that really be a bad thing?

She watched them before her, both eating breakfast in silence, glaring at her sideways with disgust, muttering words to each other—none kind about their daughter.

The black-haired girl lowered her gaze, poking at her eggs half-heartedly before finally scooping them up with her fork and taking a weak bite.

For somebody she thought was  her “saviors,” they sure made her do a whole lot of labour.

Silence in Tessa’s room almost always meant peace, since it meant they weren’t there, and she was safe. But this time, it wasn’t like that.
After breakfast and after cleaning that entryway, she returned to her room. The breakfast her mother had made her drop during that earlier outburst had spilled on her too, staining her clothes. So she went to take a bath, and V chose a simple blue dress for her. No matter how much V told her she looked beautiful and tried to shower her with compliments and cheer, the human still wore that downcast expression. She didn’t even joke around with J in the tub while her hair was being washed.

There she sat now, in the chair before her vanity mirror, head bowed, little pearls rolling down her cheeks while N carefully brushed her hair. Cyn stood at her side, peeking her curious head at the blue-eyed human.

“i'm not being too rough, am I?” the butler drone asked gently.

There was a long pause before their mistress finally dared to answer.

“...No… it’s fine like that…” Tessa said, her voice dim and sad.

N’s visor projected melancholy.

“What happened earlier?” N asked cautiously.

Another long pause. V and J, who were sitting at the foot of Tessa’s bed, exchanged distressed looks. They had witnessed the whole scene before he arrived.

Tessa swallowed dry, raising her hand to her cheek.

“Yesterday when I came back from the dump, I came in through the back door. But it was wet from the afternoon rain, and my boots got muddy. I didn’t notice.” After that explanation, she sobbed.

“Sigh. Strokin’.” Cyn stretched her hand to Tessa’s arm, giving her a consoling caress. “...At least it's not serious… your skin will be just as pretty as always.”

The human put her hand on the yellow-eyed drone’s head, giving her small pats. She couldn’t get mad at her, because she knew Cyn meant it from innocence.

“...It still hurts…” Tessa sighed sadly, another tear rolling down her eyes.

“Blink.” Cyn tilted her head. “My sensors don’t track any new physical wounds on you.”

“It’s another kind of pain, Cyn,” V corrected softly.

“I don’t get it… why are they like this with me? Why can’t I have even one quiet morning?…” Tessa said in a broken thread of voice before covering her face with her hands and breaking into tears.

The four drones blinked, frightened, then without hesitation huddled around her and embraced her all together. And she could do nothing but let them, her hands reaching to N’s and V’s faces, while her sobs filled the empty room. J stood before her and took her cheeks, pressing their foreheads together.

“Don’t worry, Tessa. It’ll be alright. I know today started off on the wrong foot, but you’ll see—the rest of the day’ll be better,” the white-pigtail drone reassured. “Yer parents’ll head off later, and today’s your last class before summer break. You’ll have the whole arvo to yourself.”

“But…” Tessa whimpered. “If the holidays start, it means I’ll be spendin’ more time here at home with Mum and Dad… and anything I muck up’ll just make ’em mad again…”

“An’ we’ll be there for you, Tessa. Cuddle” Cyn said with innocence.

“And we’ll never abandon you,” V reinforced, holding her tight.

“We’ll be here, no matter what,” N said tenderly.

They stayed there together for a long time, letting their beloved human friend release all that sadness and pain that consumed her each day, while at the same time giving her support and warmth to remind her she was in her safe place, where she could show her fragility. They felt her fine hands pass over them, giving them little strokes—over their visors, their backs, their white hair. When she finally calmed down, she wiped her tears and smiled at them.

“What would I do without you lot?” the blue-eyed human murmured.

“No,” N corrected. “What would WE do without you?”

“Tessa. Remember you’ve gotta go soon. Tech and arts classes,” Cyn reminded.

“Oh, right!” N chimed in, taking up the brush again. “Let me finish this real quick.”

"In that case, proceed, good drone,” Tessa said warmly.

“Hmmm, you look… great” Cyn peeked her curious head at her big brother brushing their mistress’s hair. “have you consired a bow?”

The day was so pleasant that V had almost forgotten what she was doing in the garden in the first place.

It was the first day of summer, and with the sun shining brightly in the sky, the flowers and plants decorating the area needed water. That was what James had ordered before heading off to work. Cyn was beside her, the yellow-eyed drone innocently crouching in the grass, clumsily singing while searching for stones to put into what seemed to be a small cardboard box—her rock collection. The short-haired white drone knelt, giving a bath to little yellow flowers. She set her watering can aside and curved her mouth into a soft smile, touching the petals with her metallic fingertips. She loved their color and small size, and it made her feel it was her duty to protect them from any harm.

V took off her glasses and closed her eyes. Her audio receivers picked up the natural sounds of the world around her: the birds, the tall branches swaying against each other, the warmth of the sun bathing the scenery with its glow, the harmony and freedom of it all. She breathed, returning once more to the place surrounding her. She liked it—it felt so free there… as if it were all hers, as if everything could fit in the metal of her palm.

Suddenly she remembered all the times she’d been there before—when she had to set up tables for other business meetings, when she accompanied Tessa as she sat at the glass table eating a snack, drawing, or doing homework, the times they all gathered to play board games or run together in the grass. She was happy… for V, it was her safe place.

And suddenly, she thought how much she’d love to share it with someone else… maybe, just maybe, with the girl who every day was the reason for that silly white gleam on her visor.

She turned to her right.

J.

The wind whipped her pigtails, the breeze cooled her visor. V saw her standing with her back turned, moving her watering can over the rose bushes. V thought she looked so lovely, her robotic mind a mess as she tried to hide all the things she loved about her.

J, for her part, who had been caught defenseless the moment she saw V sitting and looking her best, tried to pretend the time and place hadn’t aligned perfectly to make this the right opportunity. She forced herself to concentrate on brushing delicately against the rose shrubs.

The roses, in both their minds, told completely different stories.

V had always thought J was like a rose—untouchable, protected by thorns, but beautiful if treated with great care. On the other hand, now that J looked at the roses in front of her, the face of her leader, her creator and best friend came back to her memory. She couldn’t help but lift her gaze upward, right to where one of the mansion’s first-floor windows was. There she was, sitting at her desk beside her private tutor.

Tessa was such a different kind of human. It hadn’t taken J long to figure that out. She wasn’t harsh or aloof. When J had first been activated, the first thing she’d been ordered to do was work. But when she met Tessa, she received a warm hug and the words: “I’m so happy to meet you.” She was talkative, like every curious child. She adored reading to her, had so many dreams to fulfill, a head full of ideas and natural talent when it came to handling and working with machines. And in all her adventures inside the mansion, Tessa was her right hand in each and every one. When Tessa was sad, she was there to wipe her tears and heal her wounds. And when nothing stopped them, they stayed together and enjoyed each other’s company.

It was thanks to Tessa that J knew she had grown—not physically, but as a robot. She discovered she could feel, she knew love, she felt fear, and every day she powered on she tried to make the best choices she could, for herself and for Tessa. Tessa had taught her to love, taught her to dance… J could never erase her.

And she could never stop loving her.

J had always thought of Tessa Elliot as roses: a flower full of passion, love, and joy under the beautiful sunlight. Anyone who looked at her closely would be charmed, and if they truly had the time to know her, to see each of her delicate petals, they’d find their heart pierced by her. Just as J’s core had been pierced by her thorns. One afternoon, J hadn’t been able to hold back, and she told her she loved her.

But sadly, Tessa’s heart wasn’t pierced by J.

J didn’t cry when the dark-haired human told her she only loved her as a friend—a very dear friend. She didn’t scold her, didn’t complain about everything she had done for her. She knew love couldn’t be forced. Instead, she smiled and accepted that they would only ever be that… best friends. Yet in her mind, Tessa would always remain her greatest devotion, even if not in the way she had wished.

Still, J was fortunate enough to have support, a metallic shoulder to cry on when the memories of that rejection haunted her: her best friend V. The maid with glasses and short white hair was everything J needed, and she never had the chance to truly thank her for all that affection. Her sweetest memories were of their walks through the halls, the oil cans they shared out in the garden, their silly conversations while setting the dinner table, or the times they rested together in Tessa’s room.

J learned to love V—and was glad to know V felt the same.

How many times had she held her hand? How many times had they shared gentle kisses? She’d lost count of all the times they sat together on the bench by the mansion gates, J stroking V’s short white hair.

For a time, J was happy again. Happier still when V confessed her feelings.

But when it was her turn… J just ran.

Guilt began to stalk her. Memories of her old love, everything she’d once felt for Tessa, whispered that this was wrong. How could I be with V? Would Tessa think I’d forgotten her so quickly?

Deep down, J wasn’t ready to let go. And so, when V came looking for her, she could only run.

She reached out her hand toward the twin-tailed drone, parted her lips—wanting to breathe out her name softly and ask if she’d like to walk in the garden together—but regret pulled her back down, leaving her head bowed in sadness.

“V, J. Walk… hopeless.” The damaged drone approached them.

“What is it, Cyn?” V asked, unsure if it was her slouched posture or if Cyn really was staring at the ground.

“Remember… Mr. Pillar?” Cyn asked again, bringing her hand to her head to hold it steady.

“The caterpillar you just found?” J raised a brow, confused.

“Yes, that one. Well… Look away. Awkward face. I left him on the grass, and a bird came down and took him and. Ate him.”

“Oh…” V blurted awkwardly.

“Mr. Pillar will always be remembered as a good caterpillar and pet. Cross self.” Cyn closed her eyes, moving her hand across her forehead, chest, and both shoulders.

"Amen,” V added.

“What pet? You only had him for like six minutes!” J shot back.

Dusting the furniture was his least favorite chore. N didn’t like dirt clogging his audio sensors or smudging his visor, and he definitely didn’t enjoy it. Luckily, today he only had to dust the sitting room. Cyn had taken the windowsills.

Once finished, he set the duster aside, placed his hands on his hips, and nodded, pleased with himself. Each day he was getting quicker and more efficient at his duties.

Just then, though, N heard voices growing closer to the sitting room. He ducked behind the couch, poking his head up to see what was happening. It was an older man, red-haired, smartly dressed, glasses on his face, carrying a briefcase. Behind him, the young mistress trailed, head held high, blue eyes studying the elder with curiosity.

“Right then, Tessa. With your final essay turned in, I can safely say you’ve earned those extra points, so you’ve scored HD. Your final grade is a D, and I’m pleased to say you’ve passed this term,” the man said with satisfaction, eyes still scanning the paper in his hand. “You’re very good at putting your thoughts down on paper.”

“That’s great to know, Mr. Duson,” Tessa replied cheerfully, her accent warm and familiar.

“I’ll send your parents your final mark by email. Enjoy your holidays,” the man said, shaking her hand before heading toward the front door.

“Thank you so much, sir! Catch ya next autumn!” Tessa waved enthusiastically as he left.

“See you then, Tessa,” the man said at last.

When the front door shut, N emerged from hiding, excitement clear on his visor at the news that Tessa had passed her final class. He was about to step forward and congratulate her, but she didn’t give him the chance. She bolted for the front hall, peeking out a nearby window. Tilting his head, the butler drone decided to follow, but still couldn’t catch her in time. The moment she saw her tutor’s car roll out through the gates, Tessa let out a mischievous laugh and bounced upstairs toward the second floor.

“What’s she up to?” N muttered to himself, brow furrowing. He knew she dropped the formalities whenever her parents or other adults weren’t around, but for her not to come straight to him for playtime was unusual.

So he searched. He checked her parents’ bedroom, the hot water tank room, James and Louisa’s office, the small storage closet, and at last, Tessa’s own bedroom. No luck.

Only one place remained: the last door at the end of the hall, hidden beneath wallpaper, its handle usually concealed by a tall clock that now read one in the afternoon.

Tessa’s workshop.

When N arrived, he was surprised to find the door ajar. A faint pop song played within, Tessa’s humming drifting out along with it. More curious than ever, the butler leaned in cautiously.

The only natural light spilled in from a small window above, looking out over the front of the estate. The room wasn’t too big or too small—just right. It held her personal library, drawers of spare Worker Drone parts, a cabinet of oil cans and bottles, her globe, her desk, and two worktables: one for examining projects, the other for tools, her radio, and a small electric battery.

The girl stood at her worktable, her back to him. She had slipped off her heels, leaving them in the corner, and now wore black flats. Without looking up, she reached for a drone finger beside her—click!—then picked up a tiny screwdriver, the sound of metal creaking following.

N covered his mouth in awe. His mistress was in the middle of another “drone surgery.”

“Alright… let’s see if this works,” Tessa said with determination. She shifted to the right, where her patient lay. She picked up its arm and fastened the hand back with a few careful twists.

Once the hand was secured, she grabbed her electric driver, pressed the button, and powered the Worker Drone’s circuits, programming reflexes into its limbs. She checked carefully—its fingers flexed without issue.

“Voilà! Good as new,” Tessa declared proudly. “Now… the most important part.”

The little Worker Drone watched with curiosity as the dark-haired girl donned plastic safety glasses and gloves. She pressed the clamps onto the battery, then onto the drone’s shoulders. Making sure it was charged, she stepped back a safe distance and flipped the switch. A surge of electricity jolted through the drone’s body, arching it violently before it slumped back on the table. N’s visor narrowed in alarm—he was only used to lightning falling from the sky, not this.

Tessa gasped, heart racing, then carefully approached. She removed the clamps, set the battery aside, and gazed at the Worker Drone with gentleness.

“Almost there, mate,” she whispered reassuringly, patting its chest. “I just know the girls are gonna love you. Cyn won’t ever let you go… and I’m sure N’s gonna adore you too. He’s real friendly and always welcomes newcomers. Once you’re mates, you’ll never be alone with your chores—he loves doing just about anything.” She laughed.

A new friend? For him? Would N love him? Of course—he was an expert at loving others. But… what was all this about?

Wait a moment.

Was it another one?

“We just need to get you dressed and you’ll be ready to start,” said Tessa as she walked over to her desk. She picked up what was lying on it: a black and white uniform, very similar to the maid drones’, and made a face when she noticed the tear at the waistline. “Hmm, I’ll need to fix this, but I don’t have any needles or thread.”

Suddenly, Tessa’s eyes lit up as she snapped her fingers.

“Mother must have some in her room!”

She bolted out of her workshop. The white-haired worker drone, startled, hid behind the other side of the door—once again avoiding being noticed. When the coast was clear, N peeked into his mistress’s workshop, spotting the guest still in place. He fiddled nervously with his hands for a second, took a step inside, backed away, thought again, and then made up his mind.

He entered, poking his head in first before stepping slowly inside, taking in everything neatly arranged. He figured Tessa must’ve done some remodeling. He ran his fingers across the spines of the books in her library, feeling the texture of their titles, and noticed an open can of oil on the workbench.

"Oh…” N let out with a smile, licking his lips. He glanced behind him to make sure no one was coming, then grabbed the can and gulped down a few quick sips, practically draining it. “Aaah, my favorite.”

That’s when something in the corner of his visor caught his attention—Tessa’s so-called patient. N was at a loss for words.

Sure enough, his suspicions were confirmed. On that worktable lay a worker drone just like him, undressed, its visor completely black. It was in good shape, which meant Tessa had already carried out the necessary repairs.

“Crikey, looks like we really will have a new mate.” N said optimistically, patting the new drone’s head lightly.

[SLEEP MODE]

That message blinked multiple times across the drone’s screen, making the butler jump back in shock, before his mouth curved into a sweet smile.

A pair of purple eyes lit up, staring blankly at the ceiling. Suddenly, silence filled the room. The drone blinked repeatedly before turning its head toward the butler.

“O-oh, um, hi!” N greeted softly, with that characteristic tenderness in his voice. Carefully, he placed one hand on the new drone’s back and the other on its stomach, helping it sit upright. He never stopped smiling. “You’re new to our squad, aren’t you? I’m N, nice to meet you.”

"…"

"…"

“AAAAAH!” The purple-eyed drone let out a feminine scream.

“AAAAAAAH!” N screamed back.

“AAAAAAAH!”

“AAAAAAAH!”

“AAAAAAAAH!”

“AAAAAAAAAH!”

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” They both screamed in unison.

The purple-haired worker drone reacted first, sending N flying with a kick before falling to the floor herself. N rubbed his face with a soft “Ouch…”

“Who the hell are you?!” The drone snapped, her voice sharp and aggressive, her fists clenched even though she was still on her knees. “How did you get in here? And where’s that… weird little human who was talking to me like I was some kind of… pet?”

“Oh, no, no…” N raised his hands in surrender. “Don’t be scared, I won’t hurt you…”

“Yeah right, that’s exactly what they told me before dumping me in the scrapyard,” she shot back, fists still in the air.

“No, I mean it.” N moved slowly closer, offering a small, genuine smile. “I won’t hurt you. In fact, you’ll be safe here.”

Her purple eyes narrowed into wary ovals.
“You’re… not going to hurt me?” she asked again.

“Not in here, not out there either.” N reassured her, still approaching calmly, hands raised in peace.

The worker drone softened her gaze, dropping her anger. She wanted to ask about his real intentions. That’s when Tessa burst into the workshop, carrying the outfit and a small box in her arms.

“Oh my God! What happened?” Tessa exclaimed in shock. “N, what are you doing in here?”

“I saw you working on something and got curious, and when I looked she just started screaming!” N explained nervously, pointing at the drone in front of him. “And she also hit me really hard!”

“Bite me! You scared me first!” the drone snapped defensively.

“Aw, N…” Tessa pouted. “It was supposed to be a surprise.”

“Oh.” N blinked, then shrugged with an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Tessa. But if you want, I can leave and pretend I never saw anything.”

“Oh, you…” Tessa shook her head with a laugh, giving her drone a gentle pat for being so silly.

“No, I mean it, Tessa. I don’t want to ruin this for you. I know how much you love surprising the four of us. I’ll go, and I can even delete this memory from my system!”

“Well, I don’t want you to do that, dummy” Tessa chuckled again. “Remember what I told you?”

“Everything I’ve got up here is what makes me who I am?” N replied, tapping a finger against his head, his voice soft and cheerful.

“Exactly. So don’t feel bad, alright? Let’s just pretend this didn’t happen, yeah?”

“…Alright…” N lowered his head shyly, a faint white blush appearing across his visor.

The purple-eyed worker drone raised an eyebrow at their exchange… something so normal, even innocent? So different from what she’d experienced in her last workplace before being tossed aside. This “N” was certainly charming… maybe even funny.

“So… what happens to me now?” the purple drone asked, raising her voice and finger, bringing the focus back.

“Oh, right!” N shook his head.

He carefully approached, leaning down a bit to offer her his hand. The purple-eyed worker drone made a wary face, holding her fist to her chest and even leaning back. But N didn’t give up—he held out his hand and smiled. She hesitated, then reluctantly placed her hand in his. He supported her back and helped her stand. Her metal legs squeaked and wobbled as she tried to hold herself up.

“Whoa, easy there, buddy,” N said kindly, never letting go.

“I haven’t used them in almost two days,” she explained, staring down at her oddly positioned feet.

“Don’t worry, just steady yourself against the table until you get used to it,” N replied gently.

She then lifted her head. Those purple eyes met his innocent white ones up close. The butler couldn’t help but smile warmly, making her blush.

She had to admit—she was surprised at how understanding and kind this drone was. So unlike any others she’d ever known. Finally, she steadied herself against the workbench, and N let her go.

“I’m really sorry your activation went so disastrously. Honestly, I had other plans,” Tessa laughed.

“Yeah, I noticed. And then this nosy guy barged in and nearly gave me a short circuit from the shock,” the purple drone said, smirking teasingly at the butler.

“I already said I was sorry!” N protested.

“Ugh, whatever…” the purple drone rolled her eyes with a mocking smile. “ you clumsy… but dumb...cute and adorable butler.”

“Heh…” N rubbed the back of his neck, his visor glowing with a faint blush.

“So, what’s your name?” she asked.

“Oh! I’m N, nice to meet you.” He straightened up like a soldier, grinning wide. “I’m the leader in this squad—actually no, the real leaders are Tessa’s folks. And you are?”

“She doesn’t have one yet,” Tessa cut in, stepping toward her new drone. “But I saw her tag said her name starts with a U, so her name will be U. First, though, I need to fix your outfit, give you your hair, and then introduce you to the others, so…”

She looked straight at N, though it took him a few seconds to catch on.

“Ah, right, right! Of course, I’ll leave you to it!”

But N couldn’t stop thinking about her until night fell. Mr. and Mrs. Elliot came back from work, and it was dinner time.

"So… that one’s name is N?" U asked Tessa.

"Exactly, he’s a cutie." Tessa said with amusement, setting her things on the workbench.

"And there are more like him, right?" U raised a confused brow.

"Exactly. There’s J, and then there’s Cyn." Tessa explained.

"So… they’re all named after letters?"

"That’s right."

"…I’m going to guess that this “Cyn” is actually just “C,” but they—"

"Oh no, her name’s Cynthia, but she prefers to be called Cyn." Tessa laughed.

"Well… now I feel like my name’s super boring and unoriginal" the purple-eyed drone crossed her arms.

"Don’t worry." Tessa lifted the wig in one hand and a tube of glue in the other "We’ll find you a good name later, my friend."

"I wonder what that girl’s plotting now." James muttered as he got up from the table "The moment she finished eating, she ran off to her room."

"At least she knows how things are around here, and she asked for permission before running off. She’s making progress" Louisa teased, setting her glass down "She’s like a pet. She just needs a bit of discipline so she learns to obey."

"And she even got a good grade despite her lack of performance in math." James pointed out. Once they’d both gotten up, they held each other’s arm, ready to head to their room together.

N and V then came out of the kitchen with trays in hand, while Cyn followed behind, pushing the cart to carry things. But when N and V realized Louisa was still there, they froze, exchanged nervous looks, and then glanced at Cyn, who limped over to her older brother.

The blonde woman stopped walking and glanced sideways at the two white-haired drones standing side by side by the table, making a face of doubt and disgust. She could swear they were hiding something. But when she noticed her husband watching her in confusion, she quickly spoke.

"It’s nothing… I was just looking at Tessa’s pets. I thought that limping piece of junk was here again. I’ve told her I don’t want that one anywhere near me." Louisa explained, giving one last look at the duo before leaving.

N and V split up and quickly met up again with the damaged, yellow-eyed drone, who still wore her innocent smile, her arms hanging as always.

"Annoyed expression" she blurted out.

"Cyn, don’t pay attention to them, they don’t know what they’re saying" N told his little sister.

"You’re unique and very special, just like Tessa always saysW V added, holding her little sister by the shoulders. Her voice was sincere, almost maternal.

"It’s fine…2 Cyn lifted her head with her hand "Louisa and James are just… jerks."

Playfully, Cyn collected the silverware, fascinated by their shiny colors, and placed them on the cart. V picked up the empty juice pitcher and plates, while N gathered the glasses, placing them on his tray to put them all in the dishwasher.

But N walked slowly, head down, lost in thought. His mind was full of that purple-colored drone he had met that afternoon in Tessa’s workshop. He couldn’t stop thinking about how scared she had been when she first saw him, how she thought he wanted to hurt her, or even about the last words she had told him.

“Clumsy… cute and adorable butler.”

Adorable. He couldn’t stop thinking about that one word.
She had barely met him, and yet she already thought he was adorable—even cute. No other drone had ever said that to him before. Not even Cyn, Tessa, or V (and V only called him a dummy when he made her laugh or brightened the mood). He could still hear her voice echoing in his mind.

And that voice—he liked it so much. It had such a pleasant tone, so fitting for her: high-pitched and lively, yet carrying sarcasm, rudeness, and rebellion. He liked the idea of getting to know all her sides, and liking her even more for it.

The little butler was so immersed in thought that he didn’t realize how slowly he was walking, until V—also distracted—bumped into him, which caused J, who had just come out of the kitchen, to crash into her. The trio fell to the floor. N quickly stood up and looked at V, who was struggling to find her glasses that had fallen.

"Oh, sorry, I didn’t notice" N said quickly, picking them up and placing them back on her face.

"Ah, thanks, N" V sighed in relief.

But before he could even say “you’re welcome,” J’s foot suddenly kicked him, knocking him to the floor again.

"Ugh, move, morro— …Hiiiiii, Tessaaaa!" Her tone switched abruptly, greeting with false innocence and a wide smile, hoping Tessa hadn’t seen her kicking N just seconds before.

There was their owner, standing just a few feet away in her pajamas. She smiled mischievously, her hands intertwined playfully, glancing away as if to shift attention from herself to whatever was hiding behind her.

"Oh no…" V realized, making a face "…Another one?".

The trio watched as a purple figure peeked out from behind Tessa. Two sharp, grumpy eyes blinked suspiciously before settling on their new owner.

"Come on, don’t be shy" Tessa reassured her kindly.

The drone stepped out, revealing her new look. She was dressed like a maid, just like J, V, and Cyn, except her skirt and apron were much longer, with a big ribbon tied at her waist. But what stood out most was her short hair: the same purple as her eyes, with bangs curving to either side of her face, one longer than the other.

N blinked in shock, realizing it was her—the worker drone he’d met just hours earlier in Tessa’s workshop. His eyes turned into thin ovals of surprise.

She was even prettier than he had imagined.

"Guys, meet Uzi, the newest member of the squad" Tessa said warmly.

"Peeking" Cyn’s voice came from the kitchen. "Why so much noise?"

"Hello, losers." Uzi greeted.

"brain blast!"Cyn placed her palms to her cheeks "A new… friend."

Chapter Text

So, was this the purple-colored worker drone he’d seen earlier in Tessa’s workshop?

She looked so beautiful. He didn’t know if it was the uniform, her gaze, the violet hue in her hair and eyes, the bow on her back, or the fact she wore a striped gray beanie instead of a helmet… or maybe it was just everything about her. But to him… she was simply stunning.

“So these are the other drones you were talking about?” Uzi asked, pointing at the rest with her finger, not looking impressed.

“Too right, these are me drones—and your brand-new mates,” Tessa explained cheerfully.

N was about to step forward and introduce himself more formally, but J placed a hand on his chest and pushed him aside, taking the lead. With judging eyes, she walked up to Uzi and examined her, her gaze anything but kind. She carelessly grabbed a strand of her purple hair, rubbed it between her fingers—earning a growl from Uzi—then looked back at her.

“Alright, shorty. Now I see why they dumped you. Must be a factory defect,” J snapped harshly.

Uzi narrowed her visor and turned to Tessa.

“Great, I already don’t like this one,” she admitted, pointing at the pigtail drone.

“You’ve gotta forgive her, Uzi,” Tessa apologized kindly. “...reckon she’s still missin’ some manners.”

That last part she muttered under her breath, but the scolding tone and the glare she shot J made the message crystal clear. J only shrugged.

“She’s really exotic with that hair color,” V finally spoke, mockingly.

“Look who’s talking—the four-eyes of the gang ,” Uzi shot back, crossing her arms.

“What’d you just call me, you little nark?!” V reacted violently, poking Uzi’s visor.

“Bite me!” Uzi snapped immediately.

“hey, show some respect. You’ve only just met her,” N said, stepping between his friends and the newcomer, then glancing over his shoulder. “You okay?”

“Eh, yeah…” Uzi lowered her guard a little. She knew he was the polite drone she’d seen earlier in her new owner’s workshop. “Thanks… I guess.”

“Ugh, N, you barely know her,” V complained, crossing her arms and turning her head away like a spoiled child.

“Well, umm…” N thought for a moment. “You were the one who mocked her first.”

“Uh-huh.” Uzi peeked over his shoulder with a smirk.

“Alright, alright, behave yourselves,” Tessa stepped to the front, her voice carrying authority. “Remember what I told ya—be nice to all the guests in the mansion. Even if they're lactin’ like a  wanker.”

“Yeah—hey!” Uzi exclaimed, snapping her gaze back to the black-haired human.

“You kinda had it comming, Uz. Sorry, mate,” Tessa replied. “Now, how about we start over and introduce ourselves properly, yeah?”

“Ugh, fine,” the three maid drones replied reluctantly.

“Good on ya. Alright, everyone, this is Uzi—your new mate,” Tessa repeated with joy and pride.

“Hey, losers,” Uzi greeted in the same tone as before.

“Pleasure’s all yours, Uziii,” J sang sarcastically before reluctantly offering her hand. “I’m J, the leader.”

“Charmed,” Uzi spat, gripping her hand tighter and more aggressively than needed.

“I’m V,” the other one greeted as well, giving a short bow.

For a few seconds, Uzi felt like the Queen of England.

“Ohhh, delighted, my dear peasant,” Uzi returned the gesture with malice, waving her hand elegantly.

“Don’t mess with me, little Purple,” V threatened in a whisper.

“Oooh…”

But then Uzi sensed a small presence behind her. It clearly wasn’t Tessa; this one felt like it slid up right against her. Uzi screamed, jumped from the scare, and turned around—finding a small hunched-over drone, her tiny hands fiddling with her bow in fascination.

“Surprised. You’ve got a veeery big bow,” the drone said, her yellow eyes blinking as she repeated “very” twice. “Looks like Tessa finally listened to my fashion tips.”

“Uh, yeah… thanks…” Uzi arched an eyebrow, confused.

“I looove bows. Smile,” the little drone said again.

“Yeah, I noticed,” Uzi replied.

“Oh, sorry about her,” N spoke up again. “She’s Cyn.”

“I’m Cyn. Greeting,” said the yellow-eyed drone, waving. “And that’s my big brother, N.”

“Big brother?” Uzi turned to look at the white-haired butler drone.

“Well, obviously we’re not siblings like humans are, but… we’re as close as family,” N admitted a little sheepishly, a faint blush glowing across his visor.

“I love my big brother. Hug,” Cyn declared, walking up to N to do exactly what she’d said.

“And I love you too, little buddy,” N replied warmly.

“So, you were…?” Uzi asked him again.

“Oh, yes, yes,” N stepped closer and stood firm, raising his hand to his forehead. “N. Pleasure to meet you—Uzi, right?”

“Yeah. Tessa told me all of you guys had letter names, so I felt unoriginal and changed mine to something more epic and depressing.”

“You named yourself after a gun…” V remarked.

“Bite me,” Uzi shot back almost immediately.

“Well, it’s a pleasure to have you with us, Uzi,” N said again, wearing that sweet smile he always carried. “And I hope we can be very good friends.”

“We just met. Don’t get ahead of yourself,” Uzi replied coldly, putting a hand up to keep her distance. “For now, we’re just… acquaintances.”

“That’s the spirit!” Tessa clapped her hands together. “Now we all know each other, but it’s late—best we head off to my room.”

“Are we having a sleepover again?” Cyn asked, tilting her head before lifting it with her hand.

“Too right. Thought for Uzi’s first night here we’d all crash in my room,” Tessa clarified.

“Can we play some music?” N asked happily.

“Hmmm…” Tessa furrowed her brow, tapping her chin. “If we keep it low enough not to wake my parents, reckon we can manage it.”

“Yippee!”

“Let’s go, mates!”

“Sure, Tessa,” V said.

“Sure thing, boss,” J added, right at her heels.

As the two maids walked, V turned her head aside, blushing as she played with one of her hair strands.

“Hey J… would you like to… sleep together this time?” V asked softly.

“Eh?…” J turned almost instantly, her visor flushing red, beads of digital sweat pouring down.

“If you want us to sleep together… just for tonight,” V repeated, this time smiling warmly at her.

“Uh…” J lowered her gaze, tugging at her uniform collar. “Well… I guess… maybe… I feel like…”

But when she looked back at the glasses-wearing drone, her sweet, loving face was still there. J’s panicked expression softened into a gentle curve, her hand reaching for her partner’s and holding it tightly.

“Yes… yes we can, V,” J finally answered.

V felt so relieved in that moment, even though she knew by morning, J would push her away again.

“Well, first night here… let’s see how it goes,” Uzi muttered to herself.

With a heavy sigh, she decided to follow the human and the maid drones. But just as she took a few steps, her sensors caught the sound of footsteps behind her. She stopped, turned, and saw N, who had also halted with a small smile—like he’d stopped right when she did.

“Uh…” Uzi let out awkwardly. “…I’m heading to Tessa’s room.”

“okay,” N replied politely.

The purple-haired one kept walking, until once again she heard those footsteps behind her. She stopped, and looked at N—who had also stopped right where he was. Uzi frowned. Then she kept walking, and a few seconds later, N was right at her side, practically on her heels.

“And what do you think you’re doing?” she demanded, visibly irritated.

“Following you,” N replied.

“…Why?” she asked in the same irritated tone.

“Well, we’re going to the same place.”

“…Alright, fair point. Let’s keep going, then.”

The two worker drones, both in their elegant uniforms, continued toward Tessa’s room. Along the way, Uzi glanced at N out of the corner of her eye: his steps so refined and steady, hands behind his back, head held high, white eyes fixed forward, a calm smile—as if it were the most natural thing. He definitely knew the mansion far better than she did. By the time they reached the staircase, Uzi spoke again.

“So… N. Tell me, how long have you been living in this mansion?”

“Almost four years and counting. Tessa picked me up out of the junkyard when she was younger. She was so happy when I powered on—I’ve been with her and the others ever since.”

“Almost four years? How old is Tessa?”

“Sixteen, turnin’ seventeen this year. She’s growin’ into a proper young lady,” N said.

“Thought so. Way too young to own a mansion.”

“Oh, nah, nah. This mansion’s technically her parents’,” N explained.

“You don’t say,” Uzi remarked sarcastically. “I never would’ve guessed.”

“Right you are. Miss Louisa and Mr. James—the Elliot family. But us? We belong to Tessa.”

“And what do you even do here?”

“We spend time with Tessa, and when we’re not doin’ that, we clean the mansion and serve like butlers and housemaids. It’s fun.”

“How can cleaning be fun?”

“You can sing, or pretend you’re fighting the monster of dirt. If you’re with one of the girls, you can chat—though sometimes we chat so much we forget we’re supposed to be cleaning.”

“So I’m supposed to play maid now?”

“But there are rules and places you should know first. How about a guided tour of the whole mansion tomorrow—by yours truly?” N offered cheerfully.

“You’re way nicer than those other two…” Uzi admitted, surprised by his optimism, kindness, and attentiveness. She’d thought he was just being formal when she first met him hours ago, but now… this didn’t feel like a mask. This was his real self.

“I know J and V can be real blockheads sometimes… especially J,” N chuckled nervously. “But I swear, deep down, they’re good fun. You’ll love ‘em in time.”

And if that was true… then she wanted him close, for what would be her new life.

“I’ll trust you,” Uzi replied with a warm smile.

“Do you like books?” N asked right away.

“Why? You want to show me your favorite?”

“I want to show you the entire library.”

“You know what, N? I think you and I are going to have a pretty good… acquaint-friendship.”

[DREAM MODE: ACTIVATED]

The purple-haired worker drone was curled comfortably among the pillows that made up her “nest.” She breathed softly as sunlight crept in through the window, covering her almost entirely, though it did nothing to remind her she had to get back in line.

“Wake up, Uzi!”

“AAAGH!”

The purple-haired drone jolted awake instantly, springing into a defensive stance, eyes sharp and hostile as she scanned her surroundings. But standing there in front of her was only N—and behind him, Tessa, hair a mess, still in her nightgown, rubbing her eyes as she climbed out of bed.

“Mornin’, mates,” Tessa said serenely, stretching as she stood.

J was in her corner, leaning against the wall, only just powering back on. She immediately noticed V still asleep at her side, head resting on her shoulder. The sight made J blush and duck her head, shaking her shoulder quickly in hopes of waking her.

“Is it already morning?” Uzi asked, rubbing her visor with both hands.

“Sure is—and you know what that means! Time for a little tour of the mansion,” N said excitedly.

“With Cyn,” the small yellow-eyed drone peeked out from beside her brother.

“Guess I really don’t have a choice,” Uzi sighed, slipping her striped gray beanie back onto her head. “Alright, show me the whole mansion, adorable butler.”

What Uzi didn’t know was that N had meant it literally when he said he’d give her a tour of the whole mansion. Even inside Tessa’s room, he showed her everything: the girl’s bed, her wardrobe, her bathroom, her teddy bear, her bathtub, her dolls, the little bookshelf on the wall, the skulls she collected, the strange drawings covering her walls, her rocking horse, her vinyl record player, her dollhouse, her toys—even the vanity where she was often brushed and styled.

Such simple, insignificant things, and yet he made them seem so fun. Uzi wasn’t sure if it was because he himself was a little ray of sunshine, or because his optimism made her see things differently. But by then, she was hooked on this “tour” and had no intention of leaving to do anything else. With every step, Uzi asked questions or reacted in awe, sometimes even approaching to examine things, like the record player.

“This is for listening to music, right? Like back in the 1920s?” Uzi asked, her curious hands touching the device. “This is where last night’s music came from, wasn’t it?”

“Exactly. You just put one of those vinyl records on, set the little arm on top—and we’ve got ourselves a party.”

“Mischievous giggle. Grab,” Cyn said, taking one of the records from the shelf and showing it to the purple-haired girl. “Excited. This one’s my favorite.”

Uzi took the record, glancing at N with a sly grin.

“And it actually works, huh?” she teased.

“Wanna find out?” N asked.

Uzi didn’t need any further encouragement. She opened the sleeve, took out the record, set it on the machine, lowered the arm, and the disc began spinning clockwise. Within seconds, a strange melody filled the room—a fusion of early-1920s jazz and hip-hop.

“Woho,” Cyn let out softly, then immediately started swaying side to side with the rhythm. “Sway, sway, sway, sway.”

Uzi couldn’t help but laugh as they exchanged a happy look.

“And this is our masters’ room—or as J calls it, ‘the Corporate,’” N said as he opened the door.

“They sleep here?”

Uzi asked in astonishment, staring at the enormous chamber. It was bigger than Tessa’s—even too big for just two people. A massive bed stood in the center, completely unmade. Dark, yet luxurious, the room was full of perfumes, jewels displayed like trophies, a desk in the corner piled with papers and contracts, a silver basket filled with pens and pencils. The furniture, the vanity mirror, even the walls were covered with portraits of the couple and their ancestors—homages to the Elliot bloodline. But not a single one of their daughter, Tessa.

For a couple’s bedroom, it gave Uzi no sense of love or warmth—only of status and control.

“Yeah, Tessa doesn’t usually come in here. Says she hates it,” N explained, closing the door. “Reckons it scares her heaps…”

Uzi peeked at the bed and noticed something shifting under the messy sheets. Her eyes narrowed in alarm, and she quickly pulled back—only to see Cyn’s head pop out, still wearing her innocent smile.

“Cuddle,” Cyn said, rubbing her face against the sheets wrapping around her. “You should try ‘em too, they’re so warm.”

“I’d like to, but I’ll pass,” N declined as gently as possible.

“You’re right. They don’t like Tessa’s drones being here. Hide,” Cyn replied, diving back under the covers.

“Well, in that case, maybe we should clean this place up before they come in and find us,” Uzi suggested.

“You’re right, Uzi,” came the voice of the drone with the oversized black bow. Her figure wriggled under the sheets until she reached the corner, spun around, and fell on her backside. “Fall… ow…”

“Are you okay?” Uzi asked.

“Yes, very okay. Confident nod,” Cyn said, moving her head up and down with the help of her hand.

“Lemme help you, little sis.” N stepped over, offering his hand to lift her up and then placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

“Thank you, big brother.”

When the small white-haired drone left the room to fetch a broom and dustpan, and the other two drones began tidying up, Uzi finally dared to ask.

“Hey, N… sorry if I’m prying but… why is your sister so…?” Uzi trailed off, averting her gaze uncomfortably.

“Eccentric?” N prompted.

“Uh, no, no… well… yes.”

“She’s damaged.”

“But Tessa fixed all of you. Why not her?”

“Oh, she did. When Tessa first came to the mansion, Cyn was badly hurt—her visor shattered, legs and arms torn apart, her chest crushed from the blows. Pretty severe. Tessa made her good as new… but the real problem was inside her operating system. That’s somethin’ we drones can’t fix. But in the end, that flaw is what makes our Cyn… well, Cyn,” he chuckled.

Uzi looked back at him, lowering her voice a little.

“And… doesn’t that bother you?”

“Not one bit. Cyn’s my sister. I’d rather live in a world with her than one without her,” he said with certainty.

Uzi hunched her shoulders, staring down. A warmth built uncomfortably in her chest, like she’d said something wrong and had been scolded for it.

“You’re… really weird, you know that?”

“You’re pretty weird yourself—very different from any drone I’ve ever met. But I suppose that’s what makes us so close,” he assured her cheerfully.

“…Well, if you put it that way, I guess that’s a good thing too.”

The real surprise for Uzi came when, at the final stop of the tour, Tessa joined them along with J. Uzi had to admit, it unnerved her a little that the path grew darker and darker until they reached a copper gate, a wooden sign nailed on that read Restricted Area. But their human mistress, without a shred of hesitation, pulled a key from her pocket and unlocked the entrance.

“Uzi, I present to you—the Library!” N stepped forward, throwing his arms up in jubilation.

The purple-haired worker drone glanced around. The atmosphere and endless shelves of books stacked in rows didn’t exactly enchant her. She found it dull—insipid, even. What was so grand about stacks of boring words bound in hard covers? She watched N spin once in delight, then kneel at one of the shelves, running his finger along the spines.

“It’s his favorite place,” J told Uzi with amusement as they both observed the butler. “In the afternoons we usually come here to read together.”

“Guess that includes me now,” Uzi replied in that same disinterested tone.

“Peek head. Don’t you like storytime?” Cyn asked curiously.

“I went from reading blueprints to build things only to ‘rebirth’ and end up reading books? You tell me,” Uzi explained dryly.

“Oh, come on, Uz—there are heaps of interesting books,” Tessa said warmly, slipping her arm around her new friend. “You can read about quantum physics, astronomy, animals, fungi, even different types of trees.”

“And I can’t read something properly dark, depressing, and horrific—where everyone dies in the end?”

“Actually, yes. We’ve got lots of horror novels here. My favorite’s called The Raven.”

“The Raven?” Uzi blinked, surprised. “I like ravens.”

“Then…” Tessa sing-songed playfully, “how about we read it tonight?”

“Ahem. Pull,” Cyn appeared behind the human, tugging on her shirt. “Displeased face. Cross arms.”

“Alright, alright. We’ll read The Raven after we read La Cucarachita Mandinga first,” Tessa clarified.

“Yay…” Cyn said in her flat, monotone joy.

“Look, Uzi!” N called out, returning with a book whose cover showed a thick-bodied pug with a flat nose and long cheeks. “This one’s my second favorite! It’s about different kinds of doggies. So much info about breeds, traits, their histories. Did ya know in Japan there was a dog that waited at a train station for his owner even after he passed away? His name was Hachikō.”

“And why do you call it your second favorite?”

“Oh, because my favorite’s the one about golden retrievers.”

“And what are those?”

“Doggies!” N exclaimed gleefully.

“What a shocker,” Uzi said through laughter.

N immediately grabbed her by the arm and pulled her toward a tall shelf bursting with books. At the top was a wooden sign that read Animal Kingdom.

“There are loads more here—all about animals of every kind and size. Fish, birds… heaps about cows too, but those books are usually about what humans do to get their meat, and that part makes me a bit—”

“You’ve got books about cows?” Uzi cut in, her voice suddenly filled with euphoria.

“Loads!” N confirmed cheerfully.

“And where are they? I wanna see the cows!” Uzi hopped excitedly, darting between the shelves and pulling out books until she found the prized ones.

“Well, let’s see—everything’s in alphabetical order, so we’ll need the C’s. But there’s also one on farms with a VHS included—comes with animals too—”

While J rolled her eyes and wandered off to look for the book she needed, Tessa stood quietly, touched by what she was witnessing. N had known Uzi for barely a day, and already they were getting along. She had known Uzi would be different—the purple hair proved it. She would be special. Tessa thought it would take ages for her to warm up, that she’d be as unbending as a steel rod. But as always, N only had to open his heart to get someone else to open theirs.

Uzi hadn’t realized her internal clock already marked six in the evening. Even through the mansion’s windows, the sky had turned a deep navy, scattered with millions of stars and a full moon. That could only mean one thing: it was time to prepare for dinner service.

She already knew her way around the kitchen and how things worked there. It wasn’t technically her duty—James and Louisa had their own drones for cooking the meals. But it seemed her little quartet of friends enjoyed the atmosphere, whether helping bring dishes to the table, setting plates and silverware, or fetching drinks and utensils.

“Smells pretty good in here, huh?” Uzi asked N, standing on a little stool to reach the glasses in the cupboard.

“Sure does. The drones here have a massive database of recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”

“Don’t they have any human employees here?” Uzi pressed. “Ran out of budget to hire them?”

“They did—quite a few, actually. But Mr. James decided to replace them, just to show off how the machines he built with his company were better than any human. They’ve got money all over, they’d never run out for staff,” N explained, pulling out three soup spoons.

“And… are they better?” Uzi asked curiously, stepping down from the stool with two glasses in hand.

“In efficiency? Yeah. They are. But it’s not the same without the chatter between employees or even between bosses. You’d hear them gossip, banter, share stories. Even when they spoke to the bosses with fear—it gave the mansion life,” N stressed. “Since then, we just do our jobs. Back then it was noisy, but the noise had life.”

“Well, if it helps, you and Tessa are the ones keeping this place alive now,” Uzi countered with a playful smile—one N quickly returned.

“Do you know what Mr. and Mrs. Elliot will want to drink?” V approached them.

“No—better go ask them,” N instructed.

V then glanced toward the corner. The refrigerator stood open, the plastic drawer for fruit pulled out, lemons scattered across the floor. And there was Cyn, sitting at the counter drenched in citric acid and spilled sugar, using both hands to stir a jug of yellowish liquid packed with ice.

"Mix. Mix. Mix. Mix. Mix."Cyn kept repeating, tilting her head left and right while moving her hands. Her little yellow eyes on her visor flickered for a moment.

"Cyn, remember you gotta close the fridge" V reminded her, closing the door herself.

"Oh. Sorry, V." Cyn quickly replied "I’m making. Lemonade. Tessa’s favourite. We didn’t have any left."

"Cyn, you do know we’ve got a bottle of squeezed lemon juice in the pantry, right?" N reminded her.

"Yeah… but this one’s got. Love." Cyn pointed at the dripping jug, full of that drink "It’s natural lemonade with… extra nutrients."

"Oh, Cyn…" N and V sighed, half exasperated, half fond.

"It’s sweet you wanna do something for Tessa, even if you made a mess in here." Uzi glanced at the counter and the floor behind the little damaged drone.—You even stained the floor.

"I’ll clean it later." Cyn assured, turning back to her task "Mix. Mix. Mix".

"I’ll be right back. You guys set out the plates for dinner" V said, leaving with the spoons she’d taken from N’s hands, heading to the dining room.

"Alright, tonight we’re having stew, so we’ll need deep plates to serve dinner" Uzi observed, watching the Chef drone mixing that big simmering pot full of chicken  and vegetables.

"As you command, Chef Uzi" N replied servilely, raising his hand to his forehead.

"Dummy…" Uzi chuckled at the gesture.

N climbed onto the stool and opened a pantry, taking out three deep plates. They varied in size and some were more ornate than others. He placed them on the counter, then took his metal tray and set two plates on it. Uzi grabbed another tray, ready to place the third plate, but without noticing, her hand brushed against N’s distracted one.

That was when she gently held his hand.

The sudden touch made both of them look up instantly, their pairs of eyes wide, visors glowing with a radiant blush. Uzi blinked, startled, while N scratched the back of his neck shyly. Neither of them said anything—how could they? But when their metal hands connected, they both felt something spark between them, like electricity. Only instead of pain or a system error, it boosted their serotonin and affinity levels. Their cores were beating faster than they should, and just being face to face, so close together, built up the emotional charge. They looked down at their joined hands and then quickly pulled away, breaking eye contact.

"Heh… sorry, Uz. Didn’t notice." the butler drone muttered softly, embarrassed.

"Eh, no, no… sorry, that was my fault. Wasn’t looking." Uzi stammered, embarrassed too "I’m being a total idiot".

"Brain blast!" Cyn exclaimed cheerfully, clumsily lifting the jug of lemonade in her hands "The lemonade is ready".

"Alright then, let’s see how that stew’s coming along" Louisa entered through the kitchen door.

It was just at that moment that the blonde woman walked in, only to hear and see the jug shatter against the floor, Cyn slipping on a juice stain as she dropped it. Louisa’s calm, commanding expression changed in an instant.

N’s eyes narrowed to thin ovals, Uzi froze with her fists clutched to her chest, and V—walking behind her mistress—covered her mouth, a little question mark flickering on her screen, her eyes narrowing with terror.

The room fell into a heavy, dangerous silence, broken only by the rage that immediately awakened in Mrs. Elliot—not only at the mess and the broken jug, but at the sight of that disgusting, broken junk she’d warned her daughter she didn’t want anywhere near her.

"You…" Louisa’s voice was icy as she clenched her fists, heels striking the floor as she strode toward Cyn. The little drone lifted her head, slipping as she tried to stand and escape "How many times have I told you I don’t want you near me?! You worthless broken scrap!".

"I-I-I’m s-sorry." Cyn stammered, her voice and visor glitching.

"Sorry’s not gonna fix this!" Louisa shouted again, her tone laced with contempt. She raised her fan, trembling with contained fury.

N reached out desperately toward his little sister, terrified of what might happen. Uzi, her eye flashing into a danger-triangle warning, darted forward and planted herself in front of Cyn, fists clenched, standing guard.

"Hey! Leave this clumsy, adorable drone alone!" Uzi shouted bravely.

The blonde woman placed a hand on her chest in indignation, her blue eyes seething at the offense.

"Ugh!" Louisa sneered "How dare you?!"

But then her stern gaze softened slightly, now tinged with confusion. She lowered her fan and leaned in closer to Uzi, analyzing her.

"And why do you have hair?" she asked intimidatingly "Only her drones have hair…"

"Huh?" Uzi asked, confused but not letting her guard down.

"Oh no…" V muttered under her breath.

N dashed over, scooping Cyn up into his arms and hugging her protectively, staring at his mistress with eyes full of fear. Louisa looked back at Uzi—aside from her striking purple hair, she fit in perfectly with her daughter’s other robots. Louisa had never seen her before. She was new.

"She brought you here, didn’t she?" Louisa asked the purple-haired maid drone with a piercing glare. Her sharp eyes were enough. She breathed heavily, fists tightening "James!".

"Louisa, darling, what’s going on?" James entered almost immediately #What’s all this racket?".

The moment his eyes landed on the purple-haired worker drone, surrounded by his daughter’s other pets, his expression shifted drastically. His green eyes bore into Uzi.

"i'm screwed, right?" Uzi whispered, her oval eyes thickening.

"Another one?" James asked coldly.

"Yes. She brought in more junk" Louisa replied "That’s why she snuck out that night and stained the floor."

"That disobedient brat…" James growled, before seizing Uzi roughly by the arm and dragging her along with him and his wife, leaving the kitchen.

"Oh no…" N looked at V and bolted after them, holding Cyn’s hand.

Uzi shrieked, struggling and thrashing desperately to break free, only earning harsher yanks. She screamed her usual “bite me” over and over, but it was no use. Before she could even demand an explanation, a furious shout thundered through the house:

"TESSA JAMES ELLIOT!"

The young Elliot daughter stood in the downstairs hallway with the pigtail drone. Her training as an “elegant lady of royalty” was cut short by her mother’s scream, shattering her composure. James shoved Uzi in front of her, making her chest hollow with dread as she gasped in unimaginable fear.

"What is this?" Louisa demanded angrily.

"I-it’s…" Tessa swallowed, glancing at the purple-haired drone before fiddling nervously with her hands.

"Answer me. Now." Louisa demanded, yanking her chin up to face her.

“She’s Uzi, she’s a worker dro—”

“Another piece of trash.” James cut her off, his strong, commanding voice terrifying his daughter. “We warned you, missy! We told you we didn’t want any more of this rubbish here!”

“She’s not rubbish, she’s my friend!…” Tessa defended herself, trembling. “She’s part of my team!”

“You seriously call those things your ‘friends’? How bloody pathetic can you be?!” James shouted.

Uzi was pulled back up thanks to J, who dragged her to the wall with him. From there, Uzi spotted N, Cyn, and V hiding in the corner, all witnessing this family confrontation in terrified silence.

“You think we’ll put up with more of your insolence? You know what happens to people who keep useless things like yours? They end up nobodies!”

“They’re not useless, don’t you dare talk about my drones like that!” Tessa cried, her voice shaking but rising with defiance.

That was when Louisa’s hand flew across her daughter’s pale face.

The sound echoed through the entire hall. Uzi blinked, horrified. She had never witnessed something so cruel. She couldn’t believe it. Her system froze trying to process the act, drowning out the cries and shouts that followed. She could remember James Elliot screaming at other workers at the company, even striking them with kicks and objects… but never another human.

J averted his gaze in pain, V’s eyes welled with tears, and N and Cyn clung to each other, trembling.

“Are you trying to humiliate us?” the blonde woman asked coldly, her fingers tangled in her daughter’s black hair.

“N-no…” Tessa whimpered, eyes scrunching in pain as her hands reached for the grip.

“Is that what you want? To drag our family name through the mud with your pathetic machines? Is that it, Tessa?!” James barked, pinching her cheeks tightly between his fingers.

With what little strength she had, Tessa broke free from their grasp. Tears streamed down her flushed cheeks.

“No! They’re more than machines! They’re my family!” Tessa cried through tears, forcing the words out.

“What would you know about family?” Louisa shouted, seizing her daughter’s black hair once again. “Ungrateful child, you’re nothing but a disgrace to the Elliots!”

Uzi could only watch as Tessa crumpled to the floor once more. James unbuckled his belt, the metallic clink of the buckle sending chills through everyone present.

They didn’t need to see it to know what was coming. The sharp crack split the air, blending with Tessa’s screams and muffled sobs.

Uzi froze, terror levels maxed out, hands trembling violently. She forced her gaze away and met her companions’. J and V were crying openly, and N and Cyn clung to each other, eyes squeezed shut to block it out.

When silence finally returned, Tessa was a broken mess on her knees, tears streaming down her face, her dress wrinkled. She could barely stand when Louisa yanked her by the arm and dragged her to her room. There she left her, the sound of chains locking sealing her fate.

“No dinner for you today…” the woman said icily, leaving her daughter collapsed on the floor and walking away with her husband.

They waited no more than fifteen seconds before bolting toward their mistress’s room. Uzi was still paralyzed by what she had seen, unable to move past the doorway. J was the first to act—she knelt down painfully beside her dear friend, hands trembling as she reached for her face. Tessa’s blue eyes radiated nothing but sadness, emptiness, and pain. New bruises and marks trailed her back, arms, and legs. It was too much even for J.

“Tessa?” J asked softly. No reply. The girl only turned her broken gaze away. J tried again, this time holding her hand, bound tightly by the shackle. “Tessa…?”

But again, the human pulled away, turning her back on the white-pigtail drone.

“Tessa?…” J whispered, her voice breaking.

Uzi mustered the courage to step closer. Carefully, timidly, she asked:
“Does it hurt a lot?…”

No answer—only a faint sob. Deep inside, Uzi couldn’t help but feel guilty… it was her existence that had triggered this.

N approached too, his oval eyes still narrowed.
“Please… say something…” N begged.

And in the darkness of that room, Tessa began to cry silently. Uzi then felt what everyone else had long been used to: her core twisting in agony.

Some time had passed since the scandal. James and Louisa had already eaten dinner and were now outside the mansion, seated side by side on elegant folding chairs, relaxed as they shared wine and gazed at the stars. They were distracted enough that N could give J the signal.

There was leftover stew from dinner—not much, but enough to fill a stomach. She served it in a small bowl and set it on a plate. Uzi wanted to help, so she poured some of the new lemonade she and Cyn had made, this time carefully, to avoid accidents and hopefully bring comfort to the shaken damaged drone.

“Everything ready?” N whispered, as quietly as possible but still trying to be heard by his peers.

“Positive. Dinner for Tessa is ready,” Cyn replied. For the first time, the damaged drone’s monotonous voice carried unhappiness—a clear sign something was wrong.

“Yeah, it’s ready. Though I’m not sure she’ll even be hungry after that…” Uzi admitted, eyes downcast.

J already had the bowl of stew prepared. That meant they had the green light to move forward.

When they reached their mistress’s room, they found her exactly where her mother had left her. Tessa lay curled on the floor, like a soaked, frightened little animal in the rain. Her head rested on a pillow, wrapped in the pink blanket her drones had placed over her. V had stayed behind with her. Her visor projected nothing but sorrow and anguish, her hand gently stroking Tessa’s jet-black hair and back. She wasn’t asleep, but her blue eyes—now reddened from tears—looked lifeless, exhausted.

“There, there… it’s alright, Tessa. We’re here…” V whispered softly to her.

“Hey…” J approached her. “We brought you dinner. It’s stew.”

“And we also brought lemonade,” Uzi added.

“N-no… I-I d-don’t f-feel l-like e-eating right n-now…” Tessa murmured, barely managing to speak.

They blinked, devastated, and J dropped to her knees in front of her.

“Please, Tessa…” N said with a small smile, giving her light pats over the blanket. “You don’t have to be afraid, they’re gone now. They won’t hurt you anymore. I promise.”

“D-do you r-really think th-that’s t-true?” the human asked, silent tears running down her face, soaking her pillow.

“What do you mean?” J asked.

“Wh-what they s-say about m-my p-parents… th-that they’re s-so t-talented, with s-so m-many v-virtues… th-they’ve n-never l-lied…”

“Well, they are owners of a mega corporation… and their business is a worldwide success… so I guess they do have that virtue,” V replied.

“And they’ve got plenty. Of bills,” Cyn added.

“...Then… I guess that really is true…” Tessa swallowed. “...Just like it’s true that I’m nothing but a disgrace to my family…”

The moment Tessa broke into sobs, burying her face into the pillow, J, V, and Cyn didn’t hesitate to wrap her in a much-needed embrace. The two taller maids closed their eyes, allowing tears to stream down their visors as well. N watched the heartbreaking scene from the corner of his vision, just in time to notice the purple-haired drone leaving the room silently. He quickly followed.

He found her leaning against the hallway wall, arms crossed, her expression weighed down by guilt.

“Uzi?” the butler asked. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“What do you think?” she shot back bitterly, crossing her arms tighter and averting her gaze. “Nothing’s wrong. Tessa will be fine. She just needs someone to listen to her, and a bear hug.”

“Damn it… this is my fault…” Uzi burst out.

“Hey… don’t say that…” N interrupted gently.

“But it’s true, N,” Uzi insisted. “If I hadn’t answered back, they wouldn’t have noticed me, and they wouldn’t have done that to Tessa. I never imagined those two were capable of something like that.”

“Believe me, Uzi… none of us imagined it until we were forced to see it…” N said with melancholy, lowering his gaze. “...and it hurts so much…”

“...This isn’t the first time it’s happened, is it?”

“...No. No, it isn’t…”

“I just don’t get it,” Uzi whispered again, lifting her gaze toward the ceiling light. “Those humans… they treated me like crap back when I was in the mines… and now I get a second chance, only to be treated like recycled junk all over again?”

“That’s not true, Uzi. We do have a purpose here, and that purpose is Tessa,” N affirmed. “We’re here for her, for everything she did to save us and give us a second chance. We belong here—to protect her, to play, to be together, and to make her happy when her parents make her cry.”

N peeked through the doorway, and Uzi did the same. Tessa was now sitting up, surrounded by the trio of maids, eating her stew delicately. The atmosphere was still tense, but there was a comforting aura wrapping around them.

“If we didn’t, we’d be betraying our code and our identity as workers,” N said.

“That doesn’t really sound like freedom,” Uzi replied, raising a brow.

“We do have freedom. Maybe humans gave us a purpose, but Tessa gave us freedom, and we repay her with love.” N then pressed a finger against his chest, right where his core was. “And everything has to come from here… I know you don’t understand it now, but if you want… I can help you.”

N’s lips curved into a smile full of faith, and Uzi couldn’t help but blush and look away.

“I don’t think I’d mind that… whatever…” she rolled her eyes.

They shared one last playful smile before returning to Tessa’s room, where she now sat with a full stomach and a content heart. Maybe they’d play a board game or read a book together until bedtime came.

Chapter Text

This time, they woke up in the library.

Their systems powered on, and the first thing N saw was the dark brown ceiling above him, surrounded by rows of neatly organized bookshelves. He blinked a few times before sitting up—only to spot the purple-haired drone still asleep behind a pile of books, lost in a deep slumber.

He turned around and saw that V and Cyn were already awake, folding the blankets.

“Good morning, girls,” N greeted kindly after sighing. He truly wanted to sound cheerful and bring some light to the morning, but what had happened yesterday with his dear friend and mistress made that impossible.

Uzi woke up soon after, her guilt already gnawing at her core. She stared at the ceiling in quiet melancholy until N leaned into her view with a gentle, understanding smile.

“Good morning,” he said, offering his hand to help her up.

“Ah... y-yeah... good morning to you too, N...” Uzi replied, her voice distant and lost.

N hesitated and slowly pulled his hand back, his expression dimming. That reaction alone said enough—so he stepped aside, giving her space. No more words needed.

After what happened last night, the group of drones had done their best to comfort their human friend and mistress. But when they asked if she wanted company that night, Tessa simply said she wanted to be alone to think. Her tone made it clear—she was still hurt and heavy-hearted. Uzi was about to insist, but J stopped her, shaking her head and nodding toward the exit, silently telling them all to leave.

N took Uzi by the arm and told her he’d bring her to the library. They gathered old blankets and pillows and stacked a few books to make little “walls” between them—small personal spaces to sleep in. Uzi preferred that. She barely knew these new “friends” (or “acquaintances,” as she called them), and the last thing she wanted was to wake up crushed under a pile of cuddly drones acting like besties. She hated the idea of being “cute” or “huggable.” In her operating system, she was a rebel without a cause, a dark and gloomy maid hiding her goth glory beneath an “adorable” uniform. No one would ever know she’d punched them.

Or so she thought.

N didn’t buy into that self-made propaganda. He never saw or felt threatened by the image she projected. Quite the opposite—he found her cute, funny, maybe a bit sarcastic, restless, not much of a rule-follower, and the biggest fan of defying human authority. But all of that just made her *Uzi*, and N didn’t mind one bit.

Still, going to sleep hadn’t erased the sting of the night before. He could still remember Tessa—how she cried, how her parents hurt her, how they tied her up like an animal and then went out to dine and relax as if nothing had happened. For the first time, he’d seen her reject their affection and fall asleep in silence. It had only been two days since he’d met that young human, but those short moments were enough to know that Tessa James Elliot had nothing in common with those arrogant, self-absorbed parents towering over her. She was kind, brilliant, and compassionate toward her creations… and she didn’t deserve any of this.

When they arrived in the kitchen, they found her beside J, helping the cooking drones collect the dishes for breakfast. Her wrists were marked, her loose black hair was messy, and her blue eyes were swollen from crying, ringed with dark circles.

N greeted her with his usual elegant morning bow—something he knew always made her smile—but with that gloomy face, Tessa barely lifted her hand in response before going back to her work.

“J?” V asked, turning to the leader.

“She’s been like this since she woke up,” J admitted with a sigh. “I tried cheering her up—told her we could watch a movie later, or that I’d make her favorite breakfast—but nothing worked... boss is really hurting.”

“...ugh, I caused this,” Uzi muttered, lowering her head.

“No, Uzi,” N said quickly. “Stop blaming yourself. It’s not your fault.”

“But if they hadn’t seen me and—”

“Enough.” N’s voice cut gently through hers—not commanding, just firm. “Uzi, do you remember why you were there in the first place?”

“Yeah... because that lady was gonna hurt Cyn.”

“See? You did the right thing. If you hadn’t been there, they would’ve hurt my sister. I didn’t get the chance to say it before, but... thank you for saving her.” N said softly, holding her by the arms and smiling with innocent warmth.

“Ugh... y-you’re welcome...” Uzi froze at the unexpected gratitude, her face heating up as she avoided his eyes. “Stop being so stupidly nice... I’m way too dark to go all soft.”

“...Tilting head. Sighing melancholically,” Cyn said, her tone dull. “Poor Tessa... I just wish we could do something to cheer her up.”

“I wish I knew the answer too.” J’s pigtails bobbed as she looked down. “Alright, everyone—you know the drill. V, set the table. Cyn, start the coffee maker. N, grab the forks. And Uzi, put the dirty plates in the dishwasher. Don’t add too much soap; it overflows.”

After giving the orders, J left with her mistress. Uzi stood there for a moment, watching everyone move to their assigned tasks. With a resigned look, she sighed and went to do hers, though deep down, she wished she could make things better somehow.

“Psst! Uzi!”

While loading dishes, she heard her name whispered from somewhere. Looking around, she spotted N on the other side of the kitchen, waving his hand in the air. She raised an eyebrow in question, and then he displayed a message on his visor:

“Wanna hang out later?” it read, followed by, “We could play on the swings outside.”

Uzi tilted her head, smiling at the idea.

“I’ll push you, promise,”another message appeared.

Her small thumbs-up and grin were all the answer he needed. N blushed, hands pressed under his chin in quiet delight.

When breakfast was ready, Tessa could already hear her parents talking in the dining room on the other side of the wall—their voices muffled by distance and plaster. As she moved plates and glasses from one counter to another, the dull ache in her wrists pulsed sharply, and she silenced it along with the tears spilling down her cheeks. She didn’t want to see them, didn’t want to hear their voices or feel their judgmental eyes. She just wanted to eat in peace.

But she wasn’t alone. J stood by her side.

Tessa would never truly be alone, even if she felt that way. She was more loved than she could ever imagine. The fact that artificial beings—machines that had learned to feel—adored her so much should’ve been proof enough.

The maid drone’s white eyes stayed fixed on the counter, occasionally glancing at Tessa’s injured wrists, faintly tinted red and violet. That sight alone made J’s face fall. Tessa had been distant all morning—her greetings dry, skipping her usual morning hug. It hurt, of course it did, but J knew this wasn’t about her.

In silence, she stepped closer, resting her head against the girl’s shoulder, her metal hand gently covering Tessa’s. The human froze, but when she felt J’s gaze, she looked away, not wanting her to see the tears rolling down her cheeks.

“You don’t have to bottle it up, Boss,” J murmured softly. “You don’t have to hide how you feel anymore. I know you’re not okay yet—and I don’t care how long it takes for you to be—but I’m here for you.”

“Why, J? Why do you try so hard to help something as small as me?” Tessa finally spoke, her voice cracked with despair.

“Boss, that’s not true,” J said, shaking her head.

“Then why do they say it all the time? They say parents always know what’s best for their daughters... that they’d never hurt them.”

“They’re not good parents.”

“If they keep saying it, maybe it’s true. Maybe they just want to remind me that...” Tessa’s voice broke into sobs. “...that I’m just a stupid, ungrateful girl who plays with machines.”

“Things don’t have to be what others say they are, Tessa. They just want to tear you down—to make you feel small because their rich little lives are so boring they find joy in cruelty. That’s how the corporation works—the strong stay on top, the weak stay crushed below.” J spoke gently, brushing her hand along Tessa’s back. “But what they don’t know... is that you’re stronger than any of them.”

“Really?” Tessa turned toward her, face to face.

J knew that “really?” was full of doubt—but her words remained true.

“Yes. You tamed me. You gave me a voice. You’ve been one of the greatest joys of my life. You’re curious, you’ve got a spirit that doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. You’re smart—you can rebuild drones, take them apart, pull them from the junkyard and bring them back to life with nothing but a wrench and a book. You’re like space itself—full of mystery, charged with energy, and you shine in every piece that makes you, you. You wake up every day and, even when you’re scared, you keep going, proving to everyone that you’re the best thing the Elliot family ever produced. And you’re beautiful—”

Her visor flickered pink with a blush. “Not just because you really are... but because you’re beautiful here”

She pointed to her chest.

“From the heart. And I don’t know what I can do, or what I should do... I don’t even know how long it’ll take for you to feel okay again. But I’ll be here. I’ll help you however I can—even if it’s just to remind you that everything will be alright, as long as we’re together.”

By the time J finished speaking, her hands were already holding her mistress’s.

The dam broke. Tessa, tears and all, smiled through it and cupped J’s face, pulling her into a much-needed embrace.

“You’re the best friend I could ever have, Jaybird,” she whispered lovingly, stroking the drone’s head. “There’ll never be anyone like you, my best friend.”

Friends.

Yes… that word again. That confirmation.

A beautiful oath that reminded J, in the most painful way, that she would never be anything more than that to the human. But she would learn to love her as a friend too… she just needed time.

Little did she know that, on the other side of the kitchen, V had witnessed that display of affection between them—with a crushed look in her eyes and her soul breaking once again.

It happened again. That night they’d spent together, and yesterday’s quiet afternoon cleaning side by side… had all been for nothing.

J had told her she loved her, only to forget the next day and run back to her old love.

And there she was, core in hand, realizing she’d been an idiot again.

She Guessed J didn't lie her—but she was still a traitor.

 V wished J would had thought it through before she went and fell in love with her.

“Alright…” Uzi muttered, looking at the list in her hand. “Asparagus green?”

“Yep, got it,” N answered cheerfully.

“Lime green?”

“Done.”

“Seaweed green?”

“Done.”

“Granny Smith green?”

“Done.”

“Ocean green?”

“Done.”

“Electric green?”

“Done!”

“Yellow-green?”

“Done.”

“You’ve gotta be kidding me—*that’s* a real color?” Uzi asked incredulously.

“It sure is! Right here,” N replied proudly, holding up the crayon in question.

“Alright then… and last one…” she checked the list again. “Just green?”

“All set!”

“There we go. All the green crayons—sorted and in order,” Uzi said, satisfied.

“And that was the last batch too,” N clarified, showing the neatly organized crayon box, each compartment filled with a different shade and hue.

“All this belongs to Tessa, right?” Uzi asked the butler drone.

“Yep! But I draw too—and so does Cyn, and J! Look!” From his pant pocket, N pulled out a folded paper, opening it and handing it to her. “J made this one for me. She’s a natural artist!”

“Wow…”

Uzi looked at the drawing, and N wasn’t wrong—J definitely had artistic talent. She had drawn herself in a style similar to Japanese cartoons or comic strips… but what caught Uzi’s attention the most was the little text bubble next to the character. It literally said, *‘Kill yourself.’*

“...I’m impressed,” she said flatly.

“I draw too! But my sketches are in Tessa’s room—I can show you when we’re done with our chores,” N offered brightly.

“Grunt. Wobbling.”

The sound of clumsy footsteps made both drones turn around. It was Cyn, struggling to carry a tall stack of books that covered her completely—only her oversized black bow poked out from above.

“Big brother N, are you there? Wobble. Hold tight,” she asked, unable to see ahead.

“Yep, right here, little buddy,” N said with a gentle smile as he approached her.

“I think I need… group assistance. *Slip!* *Fall!*”

“Oh—hang on, little one!” N rushed to her side, placing a careful hand on her back and helping her up, fixing her bow and brushing off the dust. “Better?”

“Better, big brother,” Cyn replied, looking down. “But now the books are on the floor.”

“You shouldn’t carry that many on your own,” Uzi said. “We can help.”

“No, you can’t. It’s my job,” Cyn insisted, picking up one of the fallen books. “Crouch. Grab. I like this book—it’s yellow,” she said with a smile.

“Even if it’s your job, you can do it as a team and finish faster,” N said kindly, still smiling at her.

“If Tessa’s parents find out… they’ll get mad,” Cyn replied.

“They won’t find out, Cyn. It’ll be our little secret,” the butler drone said playfully, giving her a wink.

“Thinking…” Cyn scrunched up her face, considering his offer. “Alright.”

And so they did. They gathered the books and placed them all on the cart. N pushed it to the section where Cyn said they belonged—a tall, empty bookshelf.

“Alright, here we are,” N said after stacking one pile of books. “Cyn, do you want me to lift you up so you can place the rest?”

“Surprised. Nods. Yes, I want you to lift me,” Cyn replied, bobbing her head as she stepped closer. N gently held her by the waist and, with a small effort, lifted her up.

“Boop, boop, boop! Books are in place!”

“Good job,” N grunted softly as he set her back down. “There we go, little one.”

“Well, there are still these left,” Uzi said, carrying another stack of books in her hands.

“Want me to lift you up?” N asked, stepping closer to offer, but Uzi stopped him with a hand pressed to his chest.

“No need. I can do this myself,” she stated firmly.

“You sure? It’s kinda high up, and you’re, uh, a bit shorter—”

“I said: I. Can. Do it. Myself.” Uzi snapped, clearly annoyed by the mention of her height.

The purple-haired worker drone then pulled the cart closer, locked the wheels, and climbed onto it. The cart wobbled, making her freeze for a moment, startled. N immediately moved to help, but again she raised a hand, signaling him to stay back. When the cart steadied, she turned around and placed the books onto the shelf.

“There. Done,” Uzi said proudly, hands on her hips.

However, as she leaned back, her weight tilted the cart sideways, throwing her off balance.

“Whoa!” she yelped, flailing her arms helplessly as gravity took over. But before she could hit the ground, she suddenly stopped mid-fall—frozen in the air.

Confused, she opened one eye and realized N was right beside her. He had caught her just in time, holding her securely, looking at her with that same gentle smile that never failed to make her circuits flutter.

“Everything okay?” he asked softly.

“Ehh…” Uzi fidgeted with her hands. “Y-yeah, I’m fine. Thanks.”

“Oooh~,” Cyn teased mischievously, placing her hands under her chin.

Uzi immediately realized the position they were in—and once her processor registered the undeniably romantic framing, she jumped back, pushing N away.

“Ugh, whatever! Nothing happened, I’m fine,” she said quickly in her usual bossy tone, crossing her arms and looking away.

“...Well… I’m just glad you’re okay, Uzi,” N replied softly, scratching the back of his neck.

Uzi’s eyes widened a little, a faint purple blush glowing across her visor.

“Hehehe~,” Cyn snickered impishly. “Uzi likes big brother N~.”

“W–what?!” Uzi yelped, turning to the black-bowed drone. “Of course not!”

“Yes, you do. Giggle,” Cyn teased again. “And I’m pretty sure N likes you too.”

“C-Cyyyn!” N stammered, face glowing with embarrassment, nervously tapping one foot like a startled rabbit.

“N-no, I don’t like N! I just said he’s cute!” Uzi stammered, shoulders hunching as she covered part of her face with one hand.

“And Uzi’s just my friend—uh, I mean, acquaintance!” N insisted weakly to his little sister.

“You told me once that you thought Uzi was… pretty,” Cyn added

“CYYN!” N wanted the ground to swallow him whole.

“What?” Uzi shot back, completely caught off guard, a few beads of sweat running down her visor.

“Ah, w-well…” —if Uzi was only blushing and sweating, N was a total wreck. He brought both hands to his face, desperate to hide— “I–I’m just trying to be nice!”

“Hahaha~” Cyn giggled behind her hands, her grin full of mischief.

“Really? You think I’m pretty, N?” Uzi teased, her tone sly and playful.

“W-well, uh, I, um…” N stammered, his voice glitching nervously. The pink glow in his visor was now a bright flare. “I-I don’t wanna sound cheesy or anything, and I know you’re all dark and edgy and that’s kinda your thing, so I, uh…”

Gathering every bit of courage left in his circuits, he looked straight at the purple-haired worker drone — the one he truly found beautiful. Uzi’s curious eyes locked on him, waiting patiently for an answer. His core thumped so hard it almost hurt.

“...Yeah,” he finally confessed, surrendering, “I think you’re pretty, Uzi.”

For Uzi, it was like a spark of fireworks bursting inside her circuits. She didn’t know why — she’d always thought hearing that from some guy would gross her out — but now, hearing it Pero *him*, the dorky butler drone she only called an “acquaintance”… it made her feel warm. Wanted.

“Hmmm… y’know something, N?” she said softly, her hands behind her back. “I think you’re really cute too…”

Luckily — and unluckily — the moment ended there. A woman’s sharp, mature voice echoed, followed by the harsh clack of heels. The front doors of the library burst open and slammed shut again.

“Tessa!” Louisa called out, scanning the room. When she got no answer, her brow furrowed, and her fists clenched. “Tessa!”

They all turned to see her striding toward them, her presence cold and commanding. N and Uzi exchanged terrified glances, quickly straightening up — N shielding Cyn protectively in his arms.

“Do you know where that brat is?” Louisa demanded.

“Uh, w-well…” N shrank back, trembling.

“I said — do you know where Tessa is, or not?” she repeated, leaning down toward him, her icy blue eyes sharp enough to cut steel.

“Maybe you should ask a little nicer instead of barking questions at people who don’t know,” Cyn said boldly, her head twitching slightly.

“Ugh, silence, you broken piece of junk.” Louisa spat the words with disgust, stepping back as though the damaged drone were contagious.

“Don’t talk to my sister like that!” N shouted, pulling Cyn closer and backing away from the blonde woman.

“Pathetic. My daughter pulled you things out of the trash, what more could I expect?” she scoffed, rolling her eyes.

Uzi’s visor flickered with irritation, a tiny anger icon glowing faintly in the corner.

“Now answer the question. Do you know where my daughter is or not?” Louisa repeated sharply.

“...I think she’s outside. In the front garden,” Uzi muttered reluctantly.

“See? Was that so hard?” Louisa mocked, turning on her heel with her usual arrogant grace.

The trio exchanged worried looks. Uzi already knew — whenever Tessa’s parents came looking for her, it never ended well…

---

The sound of those heels made Tessa more anxious with every step. Her mother had ordered her to come along, and when she’d asked why, all she’d gotten was a cold “Now.”

The young girl with dark hair and a ribbon followed her mother’s path. Her posture was rigid, her hands trembling at her sides. She tried to breathe quietly — to hide that she was scared.

“Walk properly, Tessa. Don’t slouch,” Louisa commanded in that sharp, controlling tone. “You’re an Elliot, not some low-class woman. If you want to look pretty — for your future husband — you need good posture.”

“But—”

“Stand up straight,” Louisa snapped, glancing over her shoulder.

“Y-yes, Mother,” Tessa answered sadly, lowering her head and obeying.

“Good.” Louisa resumed walking, heels clicking.

She led her to the ballroom — the same one used for business meetings, parties, and galas. It looked exactly as it had two days ago: tables still covered, dishes and glasses untouched. It seemed Louisa and James had decided not to make the drones clean this time.

Once inside, Tessa looked around, confused. What kind of punishment was this supposed to be?

“You’ll clear every plate, put them on that cart, and take them to the kitchen,” Louisa said, pointing to a cleaning trolley draped with a blue cloth bag. “You’ll count every table, remove the linens and napkins, and bring them to the laundry. When I return, I want this place spotless.”

Before Tessa could speak — not that she wanted to — Louisa grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up.

“Do this properly, and maybe your father and I will pretend nothing happened. Maybe we’ll forgive your pathetic little outbursts lately. Understood?” Louisa’s blue eyes glared down like blades, her smile entirely devoid of warmth.

“Yes, Mother,” Tessa sighed, her spirit utterly broken.

“Perfect.” Louisa turned and walked away, poised and elegant as ever. “And hurry up — lunch is at two.”

As the doors closed, Tessa let out a shaky breath, rubbing her face with both hands. Her eyes glassed over, a small sob escaping her lips. Then, forcing herself to move, she ran her fingers through her black hair and began her work, her expression hollow.

Every day. All day. It was always the same. Every time her parents approached her, it was only to make her feel small.

While she moved plates from one table to another, she didn’t notice her drones had entered the room. They didn’t speak — just watched her quietly. The white-haired maids came closer; N was about to step forward, but when he saw Uzi hesitate, he stopped too.

“You alright?” N asked gently.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just… don’t wanna make things worse for her,” Uzi admitted, guilt lingering in her voice.

“Tessa needs her friends right now — all of them,” N said confidently, offering her his hand.

Uzi rolled her eyes but accepted, brushing his hand aside so she could walk on her own. She didn’t need a guide.

“Hey, boss,” J said softly.

“Hey, J…” the dark-haired girl replied without turning.

“Did they make you do all this?” V asked, scanning the room.

“Yeah… not exactly fun,” Tessa murmured with that same defeated tone, stacking the last glasses on the cart. “But I’d rather do it than make them angrier later. I just have to prove I’m a useful daughter and it’ll all… stop.”

“What’ll stop?” N asked, his voice trembling.

Tessa froze. Her back turned to them, she lowered her head.

“Their words… and their hands. The ones they use to hurt me.”

V, N, Uzi, and J all stiffened, their visors dimming. They exchanged hopeless looks. They didn’t know what hurt more — hearing Tessa wish for something she didn’t deserve, or realizing it was probably just another lie her parents had drilled into her to keep her “in line.”

“I just… have to be better. That’s all…” Tessa whispered, dragging her feet as she carried more utensils to the cart.

“You’re already amazing — that, and so much more,” Uzi said, stepping forward.

“And you know that, Tessa,” N added gently.

“...Guys…” Tessa breathed heavily, clutching her arms, lowering her head. The pain in her voice was raw. “I know you’re trying to cheer me up, and I really love you for that, but…” she wiped her tears, her voice trembling, “I don’t know if I’ll ever be okay again.”

She turned back to the cart, set down the cutlery, and began pushing it toward the door — slow, tired steps. Before she could leave, J stopped her, hands resting on the handle.

“Don’t worry, boss. I’ve got this,” J said.

“No, J. If my parents find out—”

“I’ll be quick. Drop it off, start the washer, and be back before anyone notices.”

“J, I don’t think—”

“Please, Tessa… let me do this for you,” J insisted once more, her voice carrying a rare gentleness as she carefully placed her hand over the human’s.

The girl hesitated for a few seconds, but when she met J’s white eyes—full of loyalty—she couldn’t help but smile softly and run her hand through the drone’s head.

“Alright J, but please… be careful.”

“At your service, Boss.” J made an elegant bow before leaving the room, pushing the cart along with her.

Once she was gone, Tessa approached the broom and began sweeping the floor. As she worked, she heard small footsteps behind her and glanced over her shoulder to see who it was. It was N, standing upright with a big smile, ready to be helpful to his friend and leader. He knew that always managed to soften her mood, even on her worst days.

“N, I don’t have time to play right now. I’m sorry,” Tessa apologized to her butler drone.

“I’m not here to play. I came to assist and please you, Miss. It’s in my code,” N replied with his usual elegance. “Just say my name, and I’ll be there for you.”

She tilted her head, embarrassed but smiling weakly. With one free hand, she caressed N’s cheek, making him giggle softly and blush. Deep down, she did want comfort and affection, but the emotional armor she’d built to hide the pain her parents caused her remained solid and heavy.

“You’re so generous, even to those who are selfish, you know that?” Tessa told her little butler, twirling a strand of his white curls around her finger.

“You’re not being selfish, Tessa,” he replied softly.

“I keep turning everything into my problem.” She looked away, ashamed.

“Because this *is* about you…”

“…Hey, Tessa…”

Tessa lifted her gaze to see the purple-haired drone standing behind N, avoiding her eyes and scrunching her visor in frustration.

“Look, ugh… I didn’t mean for all this to happen. If I hadn’t been in the kitchen, your parents wouldn’t have seen me and wouldn’t have gotten mad at you,” Uzi admitted bluntly but sincerely. “And talking back to them only made things worse. I shouldn’t have done anything. I’m… sorry.”

“What? No, no—Uzi, that’s not true. This isn’t your fault either,” Tessa said, surprised by the robot girl’s confession. She stepped closer and gently held her by the shoulder until Uzi met her gaze. “You didn’t do anything wrong. It was really brave of you to stand up for Cyn. Mom’s always so rude to her. If you hadn’t been there, they might’ve done something worse. You’re a hero.”

“She’s mine too,” Cyn added with a little giggle.

“It’s just… this is what my life’s been like for as long as I can remember,” Tessa said softly. “Mother and Father have always been so harsh with me.”

“And from what I’ve seen, they’re also a couple of jerks,” Uzi muttered in disgust.

“Hey, more respect for the bosses,” V scolded her, then added toward Tessa, “but yeah, she’s right—your parents are total cretins.”

“They yell… and they hurt me, and say awful things… all the time. And sometimes I think it happens because I’m just not good enough for them…” Tessa admitted, hugging herself tightly.

“Yes, you are. You’re that and so much more,” V said firmly.

“Big brother’s right,” Cyn added, shuffling closer to her friend and owner. “Tessa does good things… they just don’t see them. Maybe… their eyes are broken.”

“Silly Cyn, humans can’t break their eyes.”

The girl let out a small giggle at the little exchange between her drones, but the smile quickly faded. She raised her head, staring at the window where the blue sky stretched endlessly outside.

“Summer days are really pretty… and when I go outside, I feel like I’m in my safe place.”

“It’s pretty, sure, but sometimes I feel like a vampire—like the sun’s gonna fry me alive,” Uzi admitted.

“Yeah… but what I love about summer is how the nights are clear. No clouds, so I can see the stars and the moon,” Tessa went on. “Did you know what we see in the sky is just a candy in the big piñata that is outer space?”

“One candy’s really small,” Cyn pointed out, thinking hard.

“That’s right. Our planet’s tiny, really. Out there are so many incredible, unknown things. Some planets are lined up perfectly, others just float around. When I was little, I went to a planetarium and learned so many things—and there’s still so much more adults haven’t discovered yet, because space is *huge*,” Tessa said, stretching her hands in the air. “And somewhere out there… there must be a place where I can be safe. But…” she sighed, glancing down at her wrist, “I’m still here… I always end up here… and now… I feel like I’ll never be okay again…”

She came back to herself, remembering she had a broom in hand and a job to finish, so she started sweeping again. But N, being as stubborn as he was sweet, wasn’t about to let her sink into despair so easily.

“This is just temporary, Tessa… you’ll be safe and sound with us,” N said softly.

“You just need some time to get back on your feet,” V added.

Tessa turned her back to them and didn’t say another word. She simply kept brushing the dust off the floor, slow and quiet. N and V lowered their heads too, defeated, while Uzi blew a strand of hair out of her visor and crossed her arms in frustration.

“This is depressing,” she muttered.

“Not the time, purple girl,” V shot back immediately.

“What do you want me to say? I’m not gonna lie. This feels like a funeral without cake.”

“Ugh, you’re impossible,” V sighed, shaking her head.

The room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the chirping of birds outside, Tessa’s footsteps, and the gentle sound of her broom brushing the floor. Even though sunlight streamed through the windows, everything felt dim and heavy. N held Cyn’s hand, V hugged herself, and none of them knew what else to say or do to make their beloved human feel better. Even if Tessa told them their company was enough—it simply didn’t *feel* like it.

Uzi, arms crossed, kicked the floor in frustration… until her gaze landed on the legs of one of the many tables nearby. She noticed how the long white tablecloths reached all the way to the floor—perfect for hiding under.

She blinked, analyzing the idea. Then, a little purple loading circle flickered at the top of her visor, turning into the icon of a glowing lightbulb. A mischievous smile crept across her face as she let out a tiny giggle.

N had been standing right beside her all this time, so when the purple maid suddenly vanished, he froze in confusion.

“Uzi?” he called, looking around. “Uzi? Are you here?”

“Eh? She was just next to me a second ago,” V said.

“Uzi?” N hurriedly scanned the room, peeking over and under the tables. “Where did you go?”

He started moving faster, circling the tables, his anxiety rising with every unanswered call.

“Uzi’s not here,” Cyn said, tilting her head slightly to the side.

“She disappeared,” N confirmed, growing more frantic.

“Huh?” Tessa turned to them, confused. “What’s going on?”

“Uzi’s gone,” N said, nearly panicking now as he checked under another table.

“Where did she go?” Tessa asked.

“I don’t know, I swear she was right next to me a second ago!” N explained, his voice trembling.

“Uziii,” Cyn called, slowly moving her head side to side. “Uziii… Uzzii… UZIIII!”

N stopped beside one of the tables, glancing around in every direction, starting to imagine the worst.

“Uzi, if you fell down the stairs again, I swear I’m gonna—”

“Boo.”

A high-pitched, entirely unmanly scream escaped N as he jumped back in terror. Uzi’s head popped out from under the table right beside him. With a hand clutching his chest, rising and falling in panic, N shook his head in disbelief. Uzi’s screen displayed a mischievous “>:3” as she burst out laughing.

“You nearly gave me a heart attack!” N exclaimed, still startled.

“And where exactly did you think I’d gone?” Uzi teased, grinning.

“I don’t know! This mansion’s huge and you’re still new here,” N said, scratching his head. “Once there was a butler drone named Michael who vanished on his second day—and three weeks later, we found him dead in the basement.”

“…How’d he die?” Uzi asked.

“Well, he was bringing Tessa her lunch, slipped on an ice cube, and fell face-first down the basement stairs—”

Once again, Uzi was gone.

“Uzi? Oh, come on—stop playing around, I’m talking to you…” N sighed, crouching down and lifting the tablecloth to look underneath. She wasn’t there. But this time, he assumed she was still hiding under that same table, so he got on his knees and lifted the tablecloth.

But Uzi wasn’t there.

“Uh… Uzi?” he asked, poking his head out. “Where’d you go now?”

“Bite me.” The worker drone popped her head out like a little ferret poking from its burrow — this time from another table, just to the right.

“Wow, you’re fast…” N laughed. “What are you doing?”

“I was bored. Standing around like a tree wasn’t helping.” Uzi answered, then suddenly pointed at nothing with mock surprise. “Hey, is that a spider?”

Tricked, N looked in the same direction, giving Uzi the perfect chance to vanish again. When he turned back, he saw his sister Cyn nearby, who just replied with a flat, “Deny. Shrug.”

He noticed one of the tablecloths a few tables away rippling like gentle ocean waves, as if something — or someone — had moved it. He grinned with victory and mischief, ready to strike.

“Ohh… I wonder where Uzi could be…” he sang out dramatically, tiptoeing toward the table and reaching out like a greedy child sneaking for candy. “Aha!”

He grabbed the tablecloth and yanked it with all his might, uncovering the table completely — but she wasn’t there. He raised a doubtful eyebrow, and just then, the familiar sound of “Boo!” echoed behind him. He looked over his shoulder; his companion was on the far end, peeking from under another table.

“Fooled you, fooled you~” Uzi teased again, sticking out her tongue.

“Heh, heh, heh…” Cyn chuckled. “That was. Funny.”

“Uh-huh, we’ll see about that.” N said with eager excitement, rushing toward her table. He saw her duck back down again, dropped to his knees, and lifted the cloth. “Gotcha!”

And once again, Uzi was under a *different* table. The two exchanged challenging looks — the game had officially begun.

Tessa had been distracted that whole time, sweeping the floor while V stayed close behind just to keep her company. But the laughter of the other two worker drones drew their attention. They turned — and there was that butler she adored, playing with her new purple-haired drone, who she was also beginning to adore.

N zipped past them like a gust of wind, heading for another table. This time, he caught Uzi just in time — both of them squealed in surprise. N was about to wrap his arms around her, but she leapt away, dashing toward another table.

Tessa couldn’t tell if it was hide-and-seek or tag, but watching them flip tablecloths like a pair of playful ghosts made her giggle. By then, J had returned with the cart, only to stand there, completely dumbfounded by the sight.

N darted to the table where Uzi hid — she slipped away to another. He followed — she moved again. Thus began what looked like a chaotic yet delightful game of tag, where N kept lifting tablecloths, trying to catch his sneaky partner. Uzi, quick and clever, crawled from one hiding spot to the next, muffling her giggles behind her hands so he wouldn’t hear her. When she saw his feet close by, she knew it was time to make a run for it.

“Hee, hee, hee…” Cyn giggled, hopping slightly with joy. “That game looks fun. Walk, walk. Poke.”

The yellow-eyed drone reached out and tapped her older brother on the shoulder.

“Tag. You’re it,” Cyn said with innocent curiosity, clumsily crawling under a table.

N rolled his eyes fondly and moved toward the table where his little sister was hiding. He lifted the cloth.

“Found you, buddy,” N said, tapping the space between her mouth and visor.

“Ha, ha, ha. You got me, big brother N,” Cyn replied.

“Hey, Cyn, if N found you, that means it’s your turn to find us!” Uzi shouted from under another table.

*Gasp.* Cyn’s eyes widened. “You’re right. It’s Cyn’s turn to find you. Cover face.” She pressed her hands over her visor. “One. Two. Three. Four. Five…”

“Why are they doing that?” V asked, peeking at J.

“No clue,” J replied immediately, raising a skeptical brow.

“I’m gonna join them!” V said brightly, hurrying off before Cyn finished counting.

“What?!” J blurted out in disbelief.

“Nine. Ten. Ready or not, here I come!” Cyn declared, crawling to the nearest table and grabbing the cloth. “Lift.”

“Oh robo-God…” V muttered with amused surprise, smiling wide despite herself. It was all just for the damaged drone’s amusement, but she couldn’t help it.

“Jump. Hug.” The bow-wearing drone leapt with all her weak strength onto V, who caught her midair, laughing. “Got you. Giggle. Rub cheek.”

“Yes, Cyn, you got me,” V replied, chuckling and hugging her from behind.

“Now it’s your turn to find us!” Cyn said, wobbling off toward another table.

V counted to ten and started searching. The first few tables were empty.

Meanwhile, N and Uzi were huddled together under one of the tables, barely holding back laughter as V prowled nearby.

V made exaggerated noises to spook them, calling out things like “I’ll find you~” and “Where could you be?” in a theatrical voice — which only made it harder for the two to stay quiet.

“You can run, but you can’t hide,” V sang in a playful tone, leaning closer to the exact table they were under.

“Ah ha ha ha ha!” N burst out, unable to hold it any longer, falling on his back from laughing so hard.

“Gotcha!” V said cheerfully, tapping his helmet, then glancing at Uzi. “And got you too!”

“Oh, crap,” Uzi groaned, trying to scramble away, but V dove just in time, tackling her gently to the floor.

“Got you too!”

“NO, LET ME GO, YOU NEARSIGHTED IDIOT!”

“Hey…”

The trio froze, lifting their heads toward the silhouette standing above them. It was their human.

“And what exactly are you three playing?” Tessa asked, her blue eyes full of curiosity and fondness.

“Uh… we don’t really know either,” Uzi shrugged.

“But I think it’s somewhere between hide-and-seek and tag.”

“It’s hide-and-tag,” Cyn added from another table.

Tessa touched her chin, visibly touched by the sight of her drones having so much fun. She didn’t want to miss out on that joy, not for anything.

“Well… think there’s still room for a fifth player?” Tessa asked, smiling.

“And maybe a sixth?” J added, showing a small, bittersweet smile.

And just like that—

That afternoon, inside the Elliots’ grand ballroom, Tessa stood facing the tables, hands covering her eyes. All her drones scattered, diving under the tablecloths.

“Nine, ten! Ready or not—here I come!” Tessa called, walking slowly between the tables, her curious blue eyes scanning every corner, her ears tuned for any sound or suspicious rustle. “Oh, J… I know you’re around here… you’ll never escape that pay cut…”

The ponytailed leader sat under a table, hugging her knees, droplets of sweat trailing down her visor from the tension. Until suddenly—

“Ha! Gotcha!” Tessa popped her head in.

“AAAH!” J squeaked, bolting out and crawling away before the human could tag her.

“Come back here!” Tessa laughed, chasing her playfully.

J darted under table after table, but somehow, Tessa always found her.

N and Uzi peeked from their hiding spot, utterly entertained by the sight. Seeing J play like that was truly something. They couldn’t help giggling, which gave away their location — Tessa wasted no time and lifted their tablecloth, finding them right there.

“Got you both!”

“Abort mission!” N yelled, grabbing Uzi’s hand to make a break for it — though halfway through the run, she pulled free, averting her gaze.

They managed to slip into another table, out of Tessa’s sight. She paused, listening, then noticed faint whispers and the word “giggle” repeating softly from the next table. When she lifted the cloth — there were V and Cyn.

“Gotcha!” Tessa exclaimed, pulling them both into her arms.

“It’s my turn to find everyone again, woohoo!” Cyn cheered.

“Hey, Cyn, how about we team up?” V offered, adjusting her glasses.

“Hmmm,” Cyn thought for a moment. “Okay.”

For the next round, it was finally Tessa’s turn to hide with the other drones. It was harder for her since she was the tallest. She was the first to be found by Cyn, who tapped her nose with her finger to indicate she had been caught. Meanwhile, V found J first, surprising her with a leap and catching her. Both froze, blushing as they realized they were on top of each other in a very un-friendly position. They quickly separated; J looked away, hiding her blush with her hand, and V smiled, slightly dazed, adjusting her glasses and twirling a strand of hair.

Finally, they found the butler and the purple-haired maid, who had been hiding together. Surrounded, they couldn’t escape.

The encounter lasted far longer than anyone expected. N had completely lost track of time. What had started as a joke from Uzi had turned into a full-blown game of hide-and-tag. The drones and the human who loved them tumbled under tables, sneaking from place to place, laughing, teasing each other during the chase. Sometimes they hid in pairs; other times, alone. If N and Uzi hid together, they ran as a team when discovered. And if one had to seek while the other hid, they were the first ones pursued.

The afternoon sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the human and her helper drones, who were enjoying laughter, jokes, and hugs. They had no idea how much time had passed — and frankly, they didn’t care. They were savoring every moment together. The joy and euphoria radiated through every corner of the room, especially over the one they all loved: Tessa.

That small smile, those diamond-like eyes full of curiosity, bravery, passion, innocence, rebellion, kindness, and a love for the strange — her youthful aura. Finally, it seemed the thorn her parents had left in her heart had been removed, restoring her colors and freeing her from pain. Watching her dance barefoot, the skirt of her dress whipping violently like a hurricane, dark locks falling chaotically over her face, her cheeks glowing — it was pure bliss for them.

In the final round of the game, it was N’s turn to seek. Seeing the clock and realizing lunch was near, he decided to end the game with a flourish.

When he finished counting, he began lifting each tablecloth, one by one, placing them in the cart’s basket. In the process, he found his friends… and J, who, when touched gently, raised her middle finger with warmth and humor. But someone was still missing — only one table left.

He dashed to the last table, his eyes shining with joy. He lifted the tablecloth and there she was.

His Uzi.

“Ah, crap!” Uzi exclaimed in surprise.

“Gotcha! Gotcha!” N shouted, playfully pulling on Uzi’s leg.

“Nooo! Why?! Cruel world!” Uzi hollered hysterically, wriggling like a worm, hoping to escape.

“Stop being such a crybaby,” N said, pulling her into his arms. He wrapped her up and started tickling her torso. “Accept defeat, little buddy.”

“AAAAH NOOO, TICKLES NOOO, IT RUINS MY EMO AESTHETIC!” Uzi laughed, kicking her legs.

“Heh, you’re ticklish,” N said, still laughing and flicking her with quick little touches.

“AAAH, NO, HELP ME NOOO!” Uzi continued to scream dramatically.

“Aw, come here, silly,” N stopped tickling and without hesitation hugged her. “Mansion buddies!”

The hug didn’t last long — Uzi, embarrassed and flustered by the contact, wiggled free, gave him a small elbow to the torso, and crossed her arms. But her tough drone façade melted into a genuine, touched smile. N noticed immediately and returned the gesture with his characteristic innocent warmth.

The door opened. Louisa peeked in, her sapphire eyes scanning the room, one eyebrow raised in surprise.

“Hmmm. Looks like you finally managed to be useful without messing up.”

“Thank you, Mother,” Tessa said politely, giving a small bow.

“Very well. Now hurry, lunch is ready,” Louisa ordered, walking away and closing the door.

Once her mother left, Tessa couldn’t help but look at her drones, her cheeks puffing as she stifled her laughter.

“And PUT ON YOUR SHOES. NOW!”

That afternoon, under the shade in the yard, Tessa James Elliot sat beneath her favorite tree, right where the hammock she had swung in as a child hung. A gentle breeze relaxed her while Cyn sat behind, giving light nudges and humming a song she had once heard on the record player. V, on the other side, sat on the other hammock, head down, while J pushed from behind. They avoided eye contact, not wanting to reveal just how smitten they were.

And there they were — the real, iconic duo who had brought joy to the young human. They sat together, just a few inches from the girls, on the soft grass, playing cards. At this point, Uzi had already won three games.

“Correction. Four games,” she said proudly.

“You’re really good at this,” N admitted with amusement.

“I still have experience from when I played this with my colony. What can I say?” Uzi said victoriously.

“I see that,” N acknowledged, then glanced at his owner. “Maybe you don’t realize it now… but you did a lot for her today…”

“We were just playing…” Uzi admitted, slightly embarrassed. “You’re giving me too much credit.”

“She was right. You’re very, very special,” N replied warmly.

Uzi tilted her head, showing a playful smile.

“I’m glad we’re friends… N…”

“Me too, Uzi… me too…”

“We’ll go far, won’t we?”

“Yes, we will…”

They said this while watching the sun sink below the horizon.

Chapter Text

Four in the afternoon on a Saturday. At that hour, no one occupied the living room or was watching TV. It was the perfect moment for a family movie.

They’d chosen a late-80s romantic comedy, brought snacks, soda, batteries, and a big oil can so the group of worker drones could share. The small table in front of them had two little soda cans—one empty and lying on its side, the other still half-full—an opened bag of candy and another already empty, a bag of marshmallows torn open and now completely gone, and a plate with nothing but crumbs of chocolate-chip cookies.
The atmosphere was cheerful; they pointed, laughed, made little comments, and looked very entertained with the movie’s story. They were all spread out across the couch. Tessa sat on one end, socks on, a bowl of popcorn resting in the space between her crossed legs, happy and bright. Cyn sat beside her, clutching her owner, smiling as well.

“Why don’t they just say they love each other already?” Cyn asked, pointing her index finger at the screen.

“That’s the point of the movie, Cyn. They’re obsessed with denying they’re in love. It’s fun watching the inevitable happen.” Tessa explained, popping a small handful of popcorn into her mouth.

“Laugh, Sally and Harry are so silly,” Cyn admitted, stretching her hand toward the table so she could grab a battery. “Nom, nom, nom.”

“Yeah, they’re seriously silly. But we’re all like that when we’re in love,” Tessa confirmed, giving the damaged drone a gentle pat on the head.

N and Uzi sat at the other end of the couch. N pointed at the screen whenever something caught his attention, like a small child discovering the world, and Uzi nodded along, giving him those smiles that had quickly become his favorites.

Since the day Uzi arrived at the mansion, nearly a month had passed. She still dreamed of a better future and intelligent bosses who didn’t get drunk on Saturdays, but for now she settled for dressing nicely and giving Tessa joy and support when she didn’t know how to keep going. Uzi already knew the place, her duties, and though she still doubted why she was here, she’d found the same purpose as the others, now her friends.

Yes—friends. N had earned that title for good reason, and ever since then, Uzi didn’t want him far from her.

“Are you liking the movie, Uz?” N asked with a smile, taking a sip from the oil can.

“Eh, yeah. It’s way cheesier than I expected, but it’s really great,” Uzi replied.

“Oh, that’s great to hear! This one’s one of my favorites,” N replied in the same cheerful tone, offering her the can. “Want some?”

“Oh, thanks, N,” she said kindly, gladly accepting the oil.

J and V were seated on the other couch. They had started off sitting on opposite sides, quickly getting lost in the movie, but as minutes passed—turning into half an hour, then almost a full hour—J ended up leaning against V. The bespectacled drone stiffened at the weight, blushing, but didn’t complain… and inside, simply feeling her crush so close had her squealing in devotion. She tried to be logical. Surely J was just tired from working so much today…
Well… that’s what she thought… until she felt J wrap her arms around her, forming a real hug.

V stayed still, except now sweat was dripping down her visor, and her core was bouncing in her chest with delirious happiness.

She hesitated for a moment. She didn’t want to do anything that could ruin the moment, but when she placed her hands on J’s back, she finally understood everything was okay.

“This… is nice,” J admitted calmly.

“Yeah. It is,” V answered with a smile, holding her dear companion a little tighter.

They stayed like that for the rest of the movie, giving each other soft strokes and soothing pats. Sometimes J pulled V closer, and other times V played with the ends of her pigtails. Enjoying a movie afternoon together—something they could later discuss before bed—was already wonderful, but being close to her girl in a way far from mere friendship (V had made it more than clear she didn’t want friendship—she wanted romance) was infinitely better.

J felt so comfortable in the arms of her colleague and suitor. Her face was red, but her tired eyes remained on the movie… a movie she actually hated.

Was that wrong? Not really. She had to admit the chemistry, the good acting—she had to recognize that the movie’s purpose was always to remind the audience that no matter how much they denied, resisted, or shouted that they didn’t love each other, the love was still there. It was inevitable—they would fall for each other.
It was a love story, even if they denied it…

So why did she feel scolded? Why did it seem like the universe had decided to show her this movie just to remind her that she was being stupid denying something undeniable? How many more times would she deny she loved V with every fiber of metal she was made of? How many more chances would she throw away instead of telling V she loved her and wanted her by her side for the rest of her life? How many more opportunities would she let slip to kiss her, build a better future with her and their friends, and start a romance here in the mansion?

She lifted her gaze toward the sweet, bespectacled maid holding her. She looked so focused on the movie. Once again, J remembered how incredible V was compared to every other drone she’d ever met. Her gentle look with those “nerdy” glasses didn’t do her justice.
Yes—V was kind to those she cared about, but she wouldn’t hesitate to break someone’s leg if they bothered her. She had no trouble beating the crap out of the corporation if needed, and she wasn’t afraid to defend her friends even if there were consequences.
She was a trap for the naive, sure, but deep down there was room for softness and care… her very existence was one of the things J had fallen in love with, when she thought she’d never love again.

J was just a bossy, aggressive leader—cocky and way too proud of herself—but when faced with someone worthy of her devotion, even through grumbling, she felt…

And V had made her feel.

It was delightful simply being there with her. V was very cute, and J wished she could say everything she hadn’t said out of cowardice—but she didn’t want to ruin the moment. She only wanted to feel comfort and chaos wrapped together.
She thought that soon she might end the night kissing her and telling her what she truly felt.

“Hey, J… are humans really this slow at admitting what they feel for each other?” V asked playfully, still staring at the screen. “Feels like that’s just straight-up cowardice.”

“Well, I guess sometimes even we robots end up acting like them,” the twin-tailed drone said, her white eyes fixed on her “friend.” “And that keeps us from admitting how much we care.”

V blinked quickly and looked at J. One face was surprised, the other melancholy. No need to guess whose was whose. Both were blushing intensely.
J slowly raised her hand, hesitating, then extended it to the short-haired worker drone, brushing her cheek with her fingertips, while V poked the space between her visor and mouth with a soft little “boop.”

“Uh… I… I…” J stammered nervously, biting her lower lip.

“J…” V called softly.

Delicately and slowly, V sought her touch. They watched their hands draw near. J took a moment to process what she was experiencing—her levels of euphoria and love were about to burst, just like V’s, who felt like she was melting.
With timid certainty, they joined their palms and, in perfect synchrony, intertwined their fingers.
Seeing it felt magical… it reminded them of a movie they had watched before.

“Is there something you wanna tell me, boss?” V asked sweetly.

“Yeah… actually, yeah… I’ve got a lot to tell you…” J assured, looking away in embarrassment.

V could feel J tightening her grip, exhaling before their eyes met again.

“V… I haven’t—”

“Tessa?”

The voice was easy to recognize. N flinched with fear, Cyn’s glitch flashed across her screen, and she clung to her older brother, frightened. The rest of the girls reacted instantly. By now, for both the drones and Tessa, that call was already a danger signal.
Louisa would explode if she found out her daughter had allowed the “junkyard pets” to sit on HER furniture—and seeing Cyn there would be the cherry on top.

Tessa immediately motioned with her hands, silently ordering them to hide, and they obeyed—diving behind curtains, and V and J slipping behind the couch they’d just been resting on.

Just in time. Louisa was already there, arms crossed, her sharp blue eyes drilling into the black-haired girl.
Tessa felt her stomach drop.

It was incredible how the simple presence of her father or mother—

“What are you doing here?” Louisa asked coldly.

“I was, um…”

“Answer me now! What’re you doing here? And what’s this bloody mess?” Louisa pointed at the empty packages scattered on the table. “Why’d you come in here just to make a pigsty?”

“I—I promise I’ll clean it up when the movie ends…” Tessa replied nervously, raising a hand in a little peace gesture.

“A movie? You’d rather watch this ’90s rubbish instead of something with actual value?” Louisa lifted a brow in disapproval.

“But Mother—”

“And what are you even watching?” Louisa demanded, glancing at the screen.

“A romantic comedy, Mother” her daughter answered with a trembling voice.

Tessa couldn’t feel worse. She prayed her mother would just throw one last threat at her and leave—
But, unfortunately for her, Louisa decided to sit down on the couch too, shoving her aside without the slightest gentleness so she’d make room.

“Pttf! Nothing but sentimental rubbish. You’d rather watch this ’90s nonsense than something serious that actually teaches you anything of value.” Louisa arched a brow in disapproval as she reached into the bowl her daughter was holding, stealing her popcorn.

“It doesn’t have to be a serious movie to be good…” Tessa replied in a small voice, shrugging her shoulders.

“That’s just an excuse you use to justify mediocrity. Same as you always do with your tin-can pets,” Louisa stated, eyes fixed on the screen as she tossed a piece of popcorn into her mouth.

“They’re my friends—”

“Stop thinking you’re useful or talented. You’re not. You’re just lying to yourself. Just like you are when you watch this crap on the telly…”

Tessa felt the air crush her chest.
Why did this have to happen? Why did her peace always get stomped on the moment her parents appeared? Why couldn’t she just… have a moment of happiness?

The drones stayed where they were. N covered Cyn’s mouth, pressing his ear toward the conversation. He and Uzi both looked distressed, terrified of being discovered. J, on the other side, kept her head peeking out; what she witnessed only made her squeeze the couch in pure frustration and anger.

Tessa tried to focus on the movie’s ending—her favorite part—but her mother’s bitter presence made it impossible. She couldn’t let herself fall into the scene, couldn’t let her mind wander away. Anxiety was swallowing her whole like a massive shadow-creature climbing onto her chest.
She wanted to cry. She didn’t want her mum here.

“Do you really reckon you’ll ever live something like that?” Louisa scoffed, grabbing the soda can from the table and taking a sip. “You reckon watching this kinda rubbish is gonna get you anywhere, Tessa? You’ve got a whole life ahead of you, and you’re supposed to use it to contribute to this family—not wasting time fantasizing about some movie-romance nonsense.”

“Yes, Mother…” Tessa murmured, voice barely there.

“Once you turn eighteen, all this crap ends. Remember we’ve already got you sorted with Elias. So start focusing on what actually matters. We’re not letting you embarrass this family.”

“Yes, Mother…”

The golden scene passed. The protagonists kissed—their true love kiss at midnight on New Year’s—and the camera pulled away.
It was Tessa’s favorite moment… and she didn’t get to enjoy a single second of it.

All she did was listen to her mother’s complaints, watch her grab the remote, turn off the screen, and stand up.

“Well, that’s ten minutes of my life wasted on your nonsense.” Louisa dusted off her outfit. “Now make sure you clean up this bloody pigsty before you go, or else—you know what happens, yeah?”

The black-haired girl kept her head low, but nodded silently. Finally, Louisa left.

N peeked his head out, checking that everything was safe, then signaled the girls to come out of hiding. They approached Tessa, who sat with her head down, taking the remote and turning off the TV, hugging herself tightly.

“Tessa?” J hurried toward her, shoving N aside when he got in the way. “Boss? Say something…”

Her sapphire eyes glazed over, tears quickly spilling down her cheeks. J didn’t hesitate a single second before pulling her into a deep, protective embrace, stroking her hair and holding her as if she’d disappear at any moment. She patted her back gently, whispering, “You’re okay… you’re okay…” as softly as she could, trying her best to ground her.

N’s expression softened. He felt useless—so useless—wishing he could do more than simply comfort her.
How he wished he could save his friend, almost a mother to him… take her somewhere better, somewhere she’d never be yelled at or hurt again.
But then he remembered he was just a weak little drone. Tessa had taught him he was enough… yet he still wished he could be more.

Fidgeting nervously with his fingers, N stepped closer and sat beside her.

“Hey, Tessa, I was thinking… I got your paint collection out today. I thought maybe we could draw something before bed?” N offered, gently placing his hand over hers. “I saw the owl you drew yesterday and I really liked it.”

“Really?” Tessa lifted her gaze, a tiny spark of hope shining through.

“Of course! You’re an amazing artist! I wanna learn how to draw an owl,” N said with innocent excitement.

“Well…” Tessa wiped her tears with her hands. “I suppose we still have time to draw together…”

N gasped, bringing his hands to his face as his smile widened adorably.

“And if possible, maybe you can teach me how to draw a wild, blood-hungry bat that smells terror and breathes sudden death,” Uzi added with a manic giggle.

“Of course, Uzi, I’ll teach you how to draw bats.” Tessa stood from the couch, giving the purple-haired drone a soft, loving pat on the head.

“Hell yeah!” Uzi declared triumphantly.

“Pick up,” Cyn said, grabbing the trash from the table. “I’ll take the trash to the bin.”

“I’ll put this in the kitchen.” V grabbed the bowl. “We’ll catch up with you guys.”

Uzi walked beside N, giving him a mischievous smile. He noticed immediately—he knew her intentions. Over the past weeks he had learned so much about Uzi.
He could read her like an open book.
Her sarcastic tone, her rebellious fire toward anything around her, her passion for everything not cute or adorable, and the way she acted when something caught her interest.
And he loved it all—because it was everything that made Uzi… Uzi.

“What?” N blinked.

“Tessa’d be completely lost without you. Now I get why you’re everyone’s favorite around here.” Uzi paused. “Well, except J’s, but that’s ‘cause she’s a miserable bitch.”

“I guess I just want to be useful… and make my friends happy when they need it,” N said.

“Well, you do that really well with me,” the purple-haired worker drone admitted.

N couldn’t help blushing, his smile rounding into a soft curve.

The white-pigtail maid was about to follow the others, but as soon as she took a step, she felt someone grab her wrist and pull her back.

“Wait, J,” V stopped her before she could leave.

“Yes?” the previously mentioned drone asked, voice small and anxious after everything that had been happening.

“...I—I was thinking maybe… maybe we could…” V rubbed her arm nervously, looking away. She paused, lips twisting awkwardly. “I thought maybe we could make a drawing together… you’re really good at it, after all, and I’d like—”

But J’s mind was somewhere else.
On Tessa leaving hand-in-hand with N.
On how that smile slipped away from her once again.

Her mind turned grey.
Everything flickered.
Jealousy and fear wrapped around her like claws.

Her scarred smile, so lovely, her sky-blue eyes glowing with hope, her curiosity, her passion for creating things. All those moments J once had for herself—until the day she was rejected—were now being offered to N. She’d always known that butler drone was someone special to her.

She was slipping away from her. J was losing her… She wasn’t ready. She wasn’t willing to stop loving her.

She pulled away from V abruptly, cutting her off mid-sentence.

“Uh—yeah, yeah, whatever you want, V, we can… do that thing later. See you—see you at the library.” J spoke fast, flat, waving her hands to ask for space, not even looking at her companion.

V reached an arm out as she watched her walk away, reaching for Tessa instead… her face shattering with heartbreak. Even she could hear her core pulverizing into a billion pieces. Her white optics flickered with hurt as small tears pooled beneath them.

Everything had been going so well before Louisa barged in. They’d been wrapped in mutual softness; a smitten V falling again for the maid drone’s charms—and then it all ended so quickly. Oh, this again. Always the same story… always her core, once beating bright, splitting suddenly in two.

“S-sure… that’s fine, J…” V whispered, voice choked with pain, clutching the empty bowl against her chest. “I’ll… catch up later.”

It hadn’t been in vain, because the moment the first sob escaped her, J froze. She turned around, frowning. Guilt washed over her in a crushing wave. She hurried back and placed a hand under V’s jaw, lifting gently so she’d look at her.

“Hey… I’ll see you later at the library, alright?” J confirmed softly. “We’ll sit together.”

V nodded, trying her hardest to smile. J was finally about to walk away when—

“Oh—J…”

“…yeah, V?”

“…I love you…”

J looked at her one last time, releasing a long, melancholic sigh.

“I know…” she murmured before turning and heading toward the library.

It was always like this—almost a routine V had painfully grown used to. J only seemed to love her whenever there was something she wanted to get over with.

V didn’t need the whole world to know how she felt, but she didn’t think she could stand to be in a world where she was invisible to J.

Whenever she closed her eyes, all she wanted was to return to that ballroom and kiss V under the crystal chandelier.

“I love you, V,” she would finally dare to say.

Then she’d wake again, in the middle of the night, standing in the bedroom while N and Uzi slept far off in the library with Cyn. Tessa was now asleep on the bed beside her. Had it all been a dream? …again?

Her attention shifted to the other side of the room. The short-haired white drone lay curled up on a blanket beside a pillow and an empty space meant for a late-arriving J who had never shown up.

And that’s when it hit her—of course it was a dream. Because in reality, those three words had never escaped her mouth. It was impossible to say them when “I love you, Tessa” was still glued to the back of J’s mind…

Both girls were asleep. Everything was silent. No one would stop her now. She collapsed to her knees, gravity dragging her against the side of the bed as she lost every ounce of resilience. Her distressed optics stared into the darkness, her head drowning in heavy feelings that left her lost, sad, and furious at herself for every mistake she had made.

Once again, she had given V wings only to rip them off the moment she saw Tessa smile at someone else.

Another midnight, and again she couldn’t stop thinking about how she’d never been more than a friend to Tessa—and she kept loving her, knowing that would never change. She didn’t regret loving her; Tessa was wonderful. J had promised to make her happy and remain by her side as her loyal friend until the very end. But she regretted every time she refused to move forward, refused to give her heart to her new love—and with that, hurt the drone who now slept just a few feet away.

Why did love hurt so much? Why was she so terrified of letting go of the past and walking toward the future with her new starlit girl?

She ran her palm across her visor, then wrapped her arms around herself as soft, delicate sobs escaped—quiet enough not to wake either girl.

She was exhausted. She no longer knew what stupid excuse to make up to avoid admitting she adored V. Saying “that’s just how I am” didn’t work anymore. She’d need to stop the entire world just to forget her feelings were real.

But when she closed her eyes, she fantasized about Tessa beside her—what could’ve been and what never was. She felt her promises turn into lies. For so long, she believed she could never feel again what she once felt for her creator and beloved. But then V appeared, with open arms—now suffering because of her. Running to her at every chance, letting herself be loved, only for J to break her heart each time with a “I can’t, I’m sorry.”

V didn’t deserve this.

And J knew it.

But she was terrified.

In her crisis, J reached into the pocket of her apron. Something thin and folded rested inside: two little sketches she had drawn earlier in the library while they were all drawing together.

On one side was a portrait of Tessa, drawn in that familiar Asian-inspired style J had adopted. Hearts and sparkles surrounded her, smiling brightly—a mix of colors and lines showing the special affection J still felt for her.

But the drawing in the opposite corner had completely different story.

She had drawn it at the end, after teaming up with V like she promised she would. During their work together, shy glances crossed, sweet smiles brushed, and a chemistry full of creativity bloomed. Their hands touched by accident—pulled away with apologies the first time, but the second time, the touch was intentional.

She hadn’t wanted to let go. But she wasn’t giving V any love.

Being together felt like seventh heaven. Even without speaking it aloud, both V and J knew that.

They had finished their drawing, but V had left J inspired. As she watched her walk away, she grabbed another pencil and let her core guide her, sketching a kiss between them—ink and paper holding the tenderness she never dared say out loud.

Her fingertips traced the outline of the small romantic drawing, her lips curving softly—until she looked at the other image, the one of Tessa, and suddenly felt weak and pathetic again. Her role as a confident leader vanished instantly.

How could she love someone without throwing her past love away like garbage? It didn’t feel right. It felt like betraying the loyalty she promised Tessa. But she also knew she was hurting V.

Could she handle the love she still carried?

That’s what she wondered as she folded the paper and tucked it back into her pocket, as if that could silence her core.

“Come on, come on, come on—almost time!” V urged, her steps quickening as she climbed the stairs.

“Was it really necessary to interrupt my work shift, V?” J grumbled, dragging her feet.

“Oh, look at Miss Hard-Worker having a sook,” V teased. “Someone’s taking her job way too seriously.”

“Says the one who almost attacked Uzi with the garage chainsaw yesterday.” J shot back sarcastically.

“That loser asked for it.” V crossed her arms.

“She just ate one of your peonies.”

“And?”

“You have a whole bush!”

“But they’re my peonies—I planted them with heaps of dedication.”

“You were forced by the Corporate or they would’ve tossed you out again.”

“They were mine, shut up! She could’ve eaten Cyn’s buttercups instead!”

“You’re ridiculous, V. Those nerd glasses really don’t match how much of a beast you are,” J laughed, pointing at her. “And I like that about you. You’re… unique. In your own way.”

V turned her head away, sighing dreamily as blush spread across her face.

Almost five in the arvo.

Ceilings, plastered walls—couldn’t everything move faster?

V held out her hand to help J up the stairs to the second floor, and J, blushing, accepted.

V’s voice buzzed with quiet excitement. “This only happens once at this exact moment every twenty-four hours, so yes, I had to do it.”

“Well, if you’ve gotta interrupt my laundry hour just to make me witness it, I suppose it’d better be worth it,” J let out a tired little laugh.

“Let N handle that,” V said, completely carefree.

“That idiot always makes the clothes smell like vanilla,” J muttered with a sigh. For some reason, the hallway felt endless. “Alright, so what’s all this about?”

“I’m gonna show you one of my favourite things on Earth.” V winked at her, cheerful.

She dragged her into the business room the bosses used. Luckily, none of them were there.

“Hmmm, depends. Is it a salary raise?”

“They don’t even pay us.”

“Had to try.”

“Nope, nope.” V shook her head through laughter. By now, they stood before one of the many windows in the room—those windows built to open like folding screens. “This is gonna be way better.”

“I don’t even know what ‘way better’ means to yo—”

J stared, stunned, as V climbed up and slipped through the window, landing on the rooftop. She raised an eyebrow, mouth parting to ask a question, but V cut her off by extending a hand.

“Come with me.”

“…The surprise you’ve got for me is out there,” J analyzed.

“Yup.”

“Up there…”

“Yeah.”

“…on the roof?”

“Mhm.”

“….” J blinked, perplexed. “Are you trying to kidnap me?”

“Oh, don’t be ridiculous, Jayjay.” V rolled her eyes playfully.

“Well, excuse me for not wanting to end up splattered on the ground for trusting you. May I remind you we don’t exactly have the structural integrity to survive a three-meter fall,” J huffed.

“I’ve come up here heaps of times. We’ll be fine.” V assured her, offering her hand again. “Just trust me, okay?”

J grimaced. Rebellion wasn’t exactly her thing. She had always been loyal and obedient to the company’s rules. She knew this was against them—and the fact that V had been breaking them for a while without reporting it also was. She didn’t want trouble. She didn’t want danger or anything that could land them both back in the junkyard…
But then she looked at V again—those bright white eyes, the way the sunset outlined her silhouette, the soft breeze lifting her short hair.

“We’ll be fine as long as we’re together. I won’t let go.”
Maybe V didn’t say it exactly like that… maybe it was just how J heard it. But the voice felt warm and harmonious, hitting her right in the core.

She reached out. Her hand trembled a little, hovering inches from V’s palm—hesitating just for a moment—until she finally accepted it. V clasped her hand gently and helped her out the window.

The leader felt her legs shake with vertigo. The pull of gravity felt stronger up here, but V squeezed her hand firmly, smiling in a way that said without any words, you’ll be okay.
J returned a nervous smile and let herself be guided.

And as they moved together, they also blushed together… and sweated together.

They climbed cautiously over the metal surface of the roof until they reached a higher area—flat, rectangular, just large enough for two people to sit. But there was nothing there. J frowned, confused.

“J, have you ever seen a sunrise?” V asked, stepping ahead and kneeling with a graceful motion.

“The sun always shines into Tessa’s room in the morning, so yeah, I’ve seen them,” J replied.

“Alright, then have you ever seen a sunset?” V asked again, adjusting her glasses.

“No, because I can’t waste time watching the sun hide when I’ve got to fold Tessa’s parents’ laundry,” J answered with a bit of arrogance.

“Too straightforward sometimes, Jotita.” V teased, tapping her visor.

“Heh. And you’re not gonna change that, darling.” J flipped her ponytails proudly with a hand motion.

V laughed, but slowly calmed again, inhaling deeply. Her internal clock flashed the time—it was the moment. She intertwined her fingers with the leader she was so deeply in love with. She couldn’t help blushing again when she saw the soft white glow in J’s visor.

“So, you’ve never seen a sunset?”

“No. Never.”

“Perfect, because that’s why I brought you here.” V squeezed her hand and then looked forward.

J did the same… only to be met with one of the most majestic sights her system had ever perceived.

The sky, once painted in reds and oranges, blended now into a wide tapestry. Shades of blue seeped in, dark to light, weaving themselves with the fading orange like some beautiful painting. The clouds lost their shape, expanding like drifting particles.

V was mesmerized. And J… J was stunned.
She recognized these scenes from pictures—little thumbnails on magazine covers, quick image searches. But seeing it in person? That was something she couldn’t explain. It was admiration and awe. It was peace settling deep in her core.
She felt small, but in a way that made her feel connected to a world that wasn’t even hers.

The sun’s light embraced the branches of the trees, slowly fading as silver frost began to shimmer in the newly awakened night. From the highest part of the mansion, it almost felt like she had the entire world at her feet.

“So… this is how the night comes every day?” J whispered, astonished. “It’s incredible…”

“It’s something machines like us can never recreate,” V admitted, also entranced by the sunset.

“Sometimes I forget the most magnificent things on Earth aren’t the machines or the buildings humans make, but the events created by nature itself…” J said quietly.

“Well, humans do make amazing things too. Trust me, I know.”
The bespectacled maid glanced at the pony-tailed one, a small smile forming on her face.

J blinked, understanding the hint. Her shoulders tensed and dropped again, her lips trembling.
How could V do this to her? How could she control her feelings so easily? V didn’t even need to try—just looking at her and saying something sweet was enough to turn her into a mess.

“Oh d-don’t you start with your sappy nonsense now,” J scolded, covering her visor with her hand.

V rolled her eyes. The orange glow in the sky was fading, keeping them both spellbound. V rested her head on the shoulder of her soulmate.

“…I come here a lot. It looks better from the roof.”

“No wonder I sometimes see you leaving the mop right in the middle of the floor.”

“Is it seriously necessary for everything you say to be related to our job?” V complained.

“We’re worker drones, V. Our name already says it.” J arched a brow.

“I know, but… don’t you remember what Tessa told us?” V said, placing a hand on J’s arm. “We don’t have to think about just one thing anymore. Now it’s about us. And just like you think so much about doing the right thing as a good employee… you can also think about yourself. About what makes you happy.”

“Wanna know what’d make me happy? Getting out of here with Tessa! Somewhere her parents can’t lay a finger on her ever again.”

“Ow.” V winced. “Yeah, I’d like that too, J, but… where would we even go?”

“No idea, but it’d be far from here. Maybe to that lake house they visit during holidays.”

“That’s an hour and a half from here, and it’d be the first place they’d look.”

“I could grab her dad’s debit card, rent one of the company’s spaceships, and take her across the galaxy—one of those exoplanets the corporate mines.”

“We should probably change the topic before you get any more creative freedoms,” V cut in with sarcasm.

“Ah, so this talk ended up completely pointless. Wonderful. Thanks,” J rolled her eyes bitterly.

“Okay, okay… then how about—don’t think about things that make you happy. Think about… people who make you happy?” V suggested, smiling like a lovestruck idiot.

“Well…” J nervously patted her knees. “There are plenty of people who make me happy, so I’m not sure I could mention one in particular.”

“Well… in my case… it makes me really happy to have you as our leader…” V admitted, completely flushed.

“…Oh, really?” J asked.

“Yes. I honestly can’t imagine anyone else guiding us like you do. Everyone here cares about you a lot, J. Even N cares about you.”

“That malfunctioning scrap heap? Ha, if he did, he’d stop giving me attitude whenever I tell him to do something right.”

“He tries, and that’s what matters. But he really does care. That little purple one can be a bit unbearable, but she also looks up to you. Cyn enjoys your company—that’s why she always follows you around whenever N is busy. And you and I both know that you mean everything to Tessa… and to me…”
V adjusted her glasses, blushing again. “J, you’re one of the greatest joys of my life.”

J scoffed in disbelief.

“You’re too kind.”

“Not kind—honest,” V corrected her. “To me, you’re… so important and so special… and if I brought you here, it’s because… being with you feels like this. You shine. You light up my life… and—”

“You appear in the same place, you’re the same every day, but I never stop feeling the same way about you.”

J finished for her.
V stared in silence, surprised. Did she already know what she was about to say…? Or was this finally the night J was willing to acknowledge what she herself felt?

“Y-yeah… exactly that…” V confirmed, pressing her fists to her chest.

“…,” J lowered her gaze before breaking the silence again. “…V, I wasn’t talking about what you were feeling.”

V blinked in confusion, a tiny lovesick sigh escaping her.

“…But… the sun setting isn’t enough to explain how I really feel. There are other things… like that movie we were watching yesterday. The things I deny the most are the ones that end up happening.”

When they looked back at the sky, they realized night had fully settled in, and the moon now bathed them in its silver glow alongside the newly awakened stars.

“If we ever leave this place… would you come with me, V?”

Their four eyes met, as did their hands, which had somehow ended up gently intertwined. V turned toward her completely, and J did the same. They were face to face, so close—and neither of them felt embarrassed about it. The world around them seemed to respond to their feelings.

“Of course I would. What makes you think I wouldn’t?”

“I don’t know… maybe because I’m a little annoying?”

“Of course not. I’m not going anywhere. And I wouldn’t leave unless it was with you.” V sang the words softly, tightening her grip.

J took a deep breath, lowering her gaze to their intertwined hands. Everything she had buried began to bloom again, and those tiny sparks of hope in V shone brighter than the stars above them.

“This world wasn’t made for us, but if I can enjoy its beauty… I want to enjoy it with you, for the rest of my life.”

The tension grew heavier. V was defenseless now, and J was enthralled. Her eyes drifted to V’s mouth.
V cupped her cheeks the way J’s “boss” used to do—the kind of gesture that made J submit without realizing—and J mirrored the touch, her thumb tracing the outline of V’s lips.

There was no distance left. Both closed their eyes, and their lips met in a deep, tender kiss. Only the newly risen moon and the faint glow of six waking stars bore witness to it.
It lasted only a few seconds, but for both of them, it felt like forever.
V’s hands slid down J’s back, pulling her closer, while one of J’s hands slipped beneath V’s nape, caressing her short white hair.

When they parted, their eyes met again—calm, smiling.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you, J…”

Oh… those words.
That beautiful sentence made her core tremble, and she wanted to answer it with all her heart—

But then it hit her.Right at that moment.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you, Jaybird”
The same thing the human who created her—the one she loved—had told her so many times.

The times she saw her laugh, cry, be sick, scared, worried, excited…The ways she held her cheek, wiped her tears, leaned down to kiss her hair. All those things that led her to love her… until the day she was rejected.

“I love you, Tessa. I always will.”

J recoiled with a horrified gasp, pushing V away.
V looked at her in pure heartbreak.
The loving atmosphere shattered instantly.

“No, wait—” J interrupted herself, her breathing growing heavy.

“J, what’s wrong?” V tried to reach for her with trembling concern, but the moment she got close, J shoved her again.

“V, listen… this…” J took a long pause, her gaze empty, her hands stretched out to keep distance. “…this… this isn’t right.”

“W-what…?” V blinked, stunned. This couldn’t be happening. No. Not again.

“N-no…” J shook her head, standing up, her voice breaking with fear and guilt. “I can’t, V. I’m sorry. I can’t do this. I’m not ready yet.”

V’s eyes narrowed into thin, anguished ovals, as if her entire insides had just been ripped out, leaving her hollow.

No, please no…Not this again. Everything had been going so well. They had opened up, connected, been honest about their feelings.

“I’m sorry… I-I…” J swallowed, taking trembling steps backward “I-I have to go. I’m sorry.”

And she ran away.

Whatever vertigo she felt earlier had vanished; she turned across the roof and slipped back inside through the same window they came from. Leaving behind a stunned V… whose white ovals began to spill tears.

Did she really think this time would be different?
Did she really believe J would be different?
Why did she let herself hope… that this time would be different?

It never was different.
J always did the same—always gave her wings just to cut them off.

And V’s heart wasn’t sure it could survive it again.

J hurried back inside the mansion, heading for the hallway. She needed to reach the kitchen—dinner prep started in thirty minutes. But the second she heard V’s sharp voice calling for her, she sped up.

“J! Wait!” V demanded, running toward her.

The twin-tailed leader didn’t respond, prepared to run again—when she suddenly felt a robotic hand clamp onto her wrist and yank her back.

“V, let me go!” J yelled, struggling to free herself.

“No!” V shot back, using her other hand for leverage.

“V, I said let me go!”

“No—stop running! Stop doing this to me over and over—just tell me the truth!”

“GROW UP, V!”

J freed herself with a violent twist, but V faced her again—hurt and furious.

“How is it possible that you don’t love me?” V demanded.

“…V, stop…”

“No! Stop lying and tell me the truth! Why do you do this to me? Why do you tell me you love me just to throw me away like garbage afterward?”

“I’ve told you many times already. I still haven’t gotten over Tessa,” J replied sharply.

“Tessa? Seriously? She doesn’t love you that way, J! What’s your excuse then?”

“I still love Tessa. I still feel something for her.”

“Then until when, J?!” V cried. “How long are you going to keep doing this to me?! I’m so tired of you breaking my heart!”

“You don’t know how I feel!” J shot back, now growing angry herself.

“No—believe me, I know exactly how you feel about me. You only see me as your second choice,” V said, voice cracking.

“That’s not true, V!”

“Then tell me why you do it!” V’s voice shattered, tears flooding her visor uncontrollably, pure despair choking her words. “How dare you touch me… look at me that way… sweet-talk me and make me feel like I’m the only one for you… how dare you kiss me if you’re just going to break my heart every single time?! Why do you do this to me?!”

J breathed rapidly, on the verge of panic, as she listened to V pour her soul out.

“And why do you even listen to me, then?” J snapped at her.

“Because I thought you loved me!”

The silence hit instantly.

“I—I thought you loved me! You told me you loved me! How can you do this to me?... How can you just walk away when you’ve had me here spilling my whole heart out for you? Why do you say the opposite if you still love Tessa?... I’ve been nothing but a loyal friend to you, I’ve been patient with you… it isn’t fair that y-you hurt me like this… You betrayed me…”

J lowered her gaze and turned away, hugging herself. She felt her coming closer, but she wasn’t going to let her pain show.
V sobbed, swallowing hard, her arms and legs trembling with anxious dread. She could’ve just left, locked herself in Tessa’s room, and cried her heart out. She could’ve finally accepted that J wasn’t worthy of her devotion.

But one of V’s greatest sins was her stubbornness—her resilience for the ones who mattered to her.
So she let out one last shaky sob and slowly approached the twin-tailed drone, who still stood there with that fragile expression. V gently took her hand.

“J… don’t lie to me anymore…” V whispered softly. “I know what you feel… you know what I feel… let’s not hide it anymore…” She held J’s empty hands between her own. “I can be everything you need… everything you’re not… we can be better together, we can love, be happy… you and me…” She looked her in the eyes, blushing deeply. “...heal, share a future… that’s something that makes me happy, and something I want to make you happy too…” V confessed with a weak smile. “I love you… J… and I just hope you feel the same…”

And once again, that naive little hope inside the bespectacled drone returned.

And J knew it was true. V was right.
She loved her so much…

But she couldn’t. She couldn’t accept what she felt—not while she still refused to accept that the love of her past would never come back for her.

“I love you too, V…” J admitted, pulling her hands away and gently pushing her smitten admirer back. “But that’s not enough of a reason for me to stay…”

V’s core felt as though a tower of delicate glass had been crushed under a fast, merciless hammer. The hopeful expression that once blossomed on the bespectacled maid’s face wilted instantly, turning into a miserable, shattered painting. At first she only managed to release strangled gasps as thick tears rolled down her visor. Her legs gave out beneath her. J simply crossed her arms, pursing her lips, taking a few steps back.

“J-j…” V whimpered, her bitter, wounded crying spilling out fully now.

“…From now on, we’ll only be coworkers. You’ll find someone who loves you… but that won’t be me,” J clarified, struggling to speak.

And she left her there—collapsed, breaking apart in helpless sobs.
But on her way out, J covered her mouth and hurried to a far-off corner, disassembling into her own sadness where no one could see her fall apart.

That night, V didn’t show up for dinner. Nobody in the group knew where she had gone, and J gave no answers.

V locked herself inside Tessa’s room the entire time.
It was over. She had finally put a stop to it.
What had happened that night had been the last straw.

Everything she allowed… all for a drone who wasn’t worth it. Who only loved her when there was something left unfinished. How she missed those early days, when they first met…she didn’t know her yet…

“It’s over, V. All of this is over.” She stood from the bed, passing her hands over her visor, wiping away her digital tears. “No more begging, no more gifts, no more sweet words… no more J.”

At that moment, she heard a knock at the door, and then noticed a folded piece of paper sliding under it.

“I finally see that rotten scamp for what she is…” V muttered as she stood from the bed, walking to the door to pick up the paper. “A selfish, insensitive, rude, cruel—”

She stopped cold. The moment she unfolded the paper, she found a piece of artwork only the twin-tailed leader could’ve made.
It was the drawing she’d made yesterday at the library—of the two of them, both beautiful, kissing, surrounded by red hearts.

And beneath the drawing, written with a pen was a small message:

“I love you. I’m sorry.”

“…Angel…” V breathed out with a soft, love-struck smile, pressing the drawing to her chest.

Well… here they go again.