7th Screw - two private calls

[all_wound_up]

[Video; private to Nikolai Volkov]

Nikolai-san... um, do you have a few minutes?

[Video; private to Atsuro Kihara]

[Nano is visibly nervous as her face appears on the screen.]

A-are you busy right now, Atsuro-san?

Comments

[all_wound_up]

Really?

[Nano seems shocked, to say the least.]

How long have you known? When did you figure it out? I-I mean... um... thank you for not saying anything about it!

[She sighs a bit, taking a breath and trying to calm down.]

...Thank you, Atsuro-san, really. I'm sure you're right. Everyone has been so kind to me.

[otakuro]

Well...

I could buy that you were cosplaying the first time I ran into you. Every other time after that was a little...

[He gives a shrug.]

It didn't seem important, though.

[...]

Hey, Nano... You're probably not too keen on anyone looking at your programming or anything, right? Aha...

[all_wound_up]

M-my programming?

[GOSH ATSURO WHY NOT JUST ASK TO SEE HER PANTIES OR SOMETHING]

[otakuro]

N-Not that I... I mean it would be pretty awesome but I, uh, wouldn't do something like that!

[lying out of his teeth]

It's just really incredible, right? You're... an incredible person.

[all_wound_up]

[blush blush blush]

You really think so?

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[doesasordered]

I'd ask how that could be possible, but... I wonder that a lot about this place.

[otakuro]

Of course! I mean, you're obviously more than just a set of scripted functions or commands... It's hard to believe that humans could ever do something so complex.

[all_wound_up]

More than that...

[That line seems to have gotten Nano thinking a little.]

Do you think that's why I can use a Persona? That... that means I have a heart like a human's, right?

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[all_wound_up]

I'm not really sure either. But I'd know that marketplace anywhere.

[otakuro]

I think it's pretty obvious even without a Persona. ...You definitely pass a Turing test, anyway.

[all_wound_up]

I don't think I've ever even studied that.

[otakuro]

Aha... Don't worry about it.

[Atsuro flashes Nano his most reassuring smile and tries to keep his pupils from shining too brightly.]

A-Anyway... Honest, you don't have to worry about it. I think with the kinds of people here, no one will even bat an eye.

...Hey, we've talked about Brainstorm, too, right?

[all_wound_up]

You're right.

[Nano smiles and nods, letting out a sigh of relief.]

From now on, I'm not going to hide what I am or lie about it. But I don't think I need to announce it either. I'm just going to be me. Just Nano.

[It looks like there's a huge weight that's been lifted from her shoulders.]

Brainstorm? I think so. Why?

[otakuro]

Hah... When we were talking about robots, right? Just so you don't feel too out of place or anything - there's at least another one here! And he doesn't even look as human as you do.

But yeah. That's a good attitude to have. It's not anyone's business what you are...

[all_wound_up]

Oh! That reminds me! I met another human-looking robot like me, right before the tournament! I couldn't tell at all - I wouldn't have known if she didn't tell me herself. Her name is Miku, and she said she's a Vocaloid.

[otakuro]

A... Vocaloid...?

[For some reason, he has the sense he is supposed to know what that means.]

Does that have something to do with voice synthesizers?

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[doesasordered]

Well, there's no sense letting the demons take care of it. I'll help in whatever way I can.

[all_wound_up]

I think so. She did say she was an idol.

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[all_wound_up]

Great! Thank you so much! I'll arrange everything with the store and let them know to be expecting you. I think they'll want me to stop in every so often to make sure everything is all right, but if you can handle things from day to day, that would be such a big help.

[otakuro]

...An idol? Like a teen idol?

[Atsuro blinks for a few moments.]

Huh. I know they've released a few programs to simulate the sound of singing... Is that something like what you mean?

[all_wound_up]

Actually, she did mention something like that. She said that Vocaloid was also the name of a software that she was created to run.

[otakuro]

...Wow.

[He isn't sure if this is weird or awesome. ...Weren't there moral concerns about creating a sentient robot just to sell a product or something, though? Either way, Atsuro gives a shrug.]

Well, great! That's even better - sounds like she'd relate a lot better than Brainstorm, anyway. You think you two'll get along?

[all_wound_up]

I think so, yes. She's very friendly.

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[doesasordered]

Of course. I had been looking for a job so this should be a good opportunity. [Something hopefully quiet... demons aside.]

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[all_wound_up]

I'm happy we could both help each other out. Can you start on Monday?