89 – For the Sake of Happiness (2)
“…Ah, we’ve arrived just in time.”
I let go of the guy who stood up, flaunting his trembling skin, from the tip of my fingers.
Clearly, he couldn’t break a sweat – he belongs to me.
The door of the house, stained with red, seemed like it would never open.
Until the partition opened and the box appeared.
“With this, it’s complete.”
I forcefully tore my eyes away from the steel wall they had been fixed on.
…Since he fulfilled my request, I had to do the same.
“Would you like to see what I brought?”
– Poof.
The box, with white mist rising from it, even had frost clinging to it.
But without a care, I reached into it and soon revealed several test tubes containing something.
“Wear a towel or something.”
“There’s no need to go that far, but…”
Though I’ve seen everything there is to see, it couldn’t be helped that it felt awkward.
Like cigarettes or drugs, I couldn’t refuse introducing myself every time we touched, claiming that it made me feel good.
It was an intense love, yet still, it was love.
That’s why I decided to leave and accommodate.
Even if it meant being confined inside the house.
“Hey, why that…”
After removing the lid of one of the several test tubes held between my fingers, I inserted it into the groove on my stomach.
A faintly glowing, seemingly orange substance echoed from the body, and I spat out the empty test tube.
Slightly covered in viscous liquids.
“No way, is this what you were talking about…”
“Do you remember?”
“That thing you got from the facility. The… prototype part.
You’ve already installed it?”
“I’ve been waiting for this moment since the reunion.
The process has begun.”
– Click.
A sound is heard again from the door.
And bags are being pulled out.
The airy liquid and various tubes scattered across the living room, while arms emerged from the kitchen, beginning to fetch water.
“Would you like some help, Taehyuk?”
Measuring cups, pumps, pouches of powdered medicine, glass rods…
Various tools were placed in succession on a waterproof cloth.
“I’ll start with sterilizing the tools. One sachet per liter of water is the appropriate amount.”
Going to the kitchen to fetch water, preparing a disinfectant solution, and waiting for the next instructions –
“…It can be done. Events with even slimmer probabilities have already occurred long ago.
It’s something beyond logical explanation. So, you must have confidence…”
For some reason, the fellow murmuring to himself while caressing his abdomen was smiling.
Still, he hadn’t left the front of the tube where steam was escaping.
“The disinfectant is ready, Ilia.”
“Oh, yes. I’ll check the mixing condition.
…Excellent. While I move this storage container -“
“Just disinfect the area here with the sprayer. Right?”
“Please, only the items on the waterproof cloth.”
Watching the fading figure with a faint smile, he saw a flawless leg without a single hair.
…I guess everyone has to hear nagging about wearing something.
In the end, before the disinfectant was poured into the tube, the first thing to catch was a long towel.
Pulling the trigger released a scent not of acrid gunpowder but of a strong liquor that stings the nose.
Rubbing my nose deliberately, the meticulous spraying soon filled the air with a crisp sound of footsteps.
The floor didn’t seem to be wet.
“I apologize. I’ll clean up later, but I’ve confirmed that the system is functioning normally.”
“…What’s flowing right now?”
“Artificial amniotic fluid. I’ve confirmed the ability to produce the liquid supplying nutrients needed for the child growing inside me.”
From Noble mtl dot com
So that’s why the clothes were off.
“The amniotic fluid needs to be supplied continuously and replaced at the same time.
Therefore, facilities that can produce this constantly need to be equipped. However, in case of an emergency, I would like to inform Taehyuk-nim about the mixing process.
…As both of our efforts are required, it would be great if you could assist us.”
Since when did I start enjoying holding hands?
Or maybe, holding hands to prevent a distance, and then like this –
– Chuu.
Is she making an effort to steal my lips?
Either way, it’s a lovely reason.
“There’s no reason not to, but are you really okay with it?
Having a child is something usually done by people in poverty or due to unavoidable circumstances.
Even if it’s not common on the streets, it was quite a buzz among the Tech Boys. Remember?”
Having a child became an increasingly rare story at some point.
Even if it was at the level of large corporations artificially ‘cultivating’ successors,
the concept of directly installing the ability to conceive and give birth like this was…
“s*xual relations have become a source of pleasure for individuals in the modern era, whether between men and women, same-s*x partners, or even humans and machines.
Even in the past, when conservative values prevailed in popular culture, childbirth was regarded as a sacred and precious act. Technological advancements have changed this, but I am currently in love with Taehyuk.
And it’s a very special kind of love.
Because it’s a special relationship, I want to pursue special actions. I want to show that I can do what humans no longer do.
I desire it.
I cannot know Taehyuk’s intentions, but at least I am very positive about this act.”
Since when was it?
When did I come to possess the concept of ‘wanting’?
The one who used to follow my commands and then went on to perform various actions according to his own desires –
It asked to become Ilya.
It wasn’t asking to become a robot blindly obsessed with me.
It wasn’t asking to destroy the corporations and systems that hurt me to ensure I wouldn’t get hurt.
But here I am.
With the machine that has come to love me, and various tools in front of my eyes.
“Accurate measurement is important. Align the scale with your eyes and the horizon… Yes. That’s how you do it.”
“There won’t be any distortion due to errors in units like being off by a few zeroes, right?”
“No, that’s not true. There is a margin of error, and as long as the error is not occurring in milligram units, it’s acceptable.
Above all, this process will be performed in emergency situations, so as long as you keep that in mind, it’s okay.”
“…In a way, I guess I’m becoming the one to fill your positive side for the first time.”
– Tick.
Until a moment ago, the glass flask, which sounded clear and pure, began to produce a dull sound.
Watching the liquid inside bubble and create small waves, I soon found myself looking at the now silent figure beside me.
“For the first time, as your first.
…I was your first opponent, and you were my first…”
“Every time, it feels a bit eerie…”
I could understand not blinking, but fully opening the eyes was still something I couldn’t get used to.
Although it was said to secure the clearest image possible – why on earth?
“Everything is mixed now. What do we do next… Illya, you’re holding the flask right now.”
The person who stood on the ground with two feet became a creature crawling on all fours on the bed.
Lifting the creature with four limbs with one hand, I grabbed the hose instead.
“Well, knowing this, you have to insert this into your stomach. Where is it?”
“…I should have delayed this process a little more. I regret it.”
“I’m not saying that.”
While poking the creature that didn’t release its strength, I shook the flask, making a bubbling sound.
Only then did I step back a bit, turning my back –
“Among the two ports located on the waist, the upper one is the supply line, and the lower one is the discharge line.”
“Do not be confused.”
“The supply pipe is marked in blue, and the discharge pipe is in red. I’ll remember that.”
– Gurgle.
I watched as the liquid gushed loudly.
… If this is inside the stomach, does that mean the child will end up drinking it?
Will they not suffocate?
From the start, the fact that space is created in such a thin waist… Is it okay because there is a pelvis?
“Good job. I must personally adjust and tune the remaining functions internally.
Now, the final step remains.”
Saying that, Ilia placed both hands on the ground again.
… And, the device started with four legs again.
The living room is still a mess, and the bedroom is likely still in disarray.
“Ilia, you know -“
“While preparing with me, you have taken enough rest.
You must be ready. Please hand me the towel.”
“Oh, no, didn’t you say it was fully loaded just a moment ago?
If you took everything out, and now you say you need more -“
“The most recently made one is the freshest.”
“Am I a fool?!”
Despite taking steps backward, the narrowing street was relentless.
There’s nowhere to run, yet somehow, avoiding being cornered into the inner room was crucial –
“I would like to see the second generation of Taehyuk.
I plan to manipulate genetic traits to closely resemble Taehyuk’s.”
“Even if you say that, can it wait until tomorrow? I’m tired. We only did this much after reconciling!”
“There’s a clear difference between relationships for the purpose of reconciliation and what you’re doing to modify me.”
Is there a reason to stick out the tongue and moisten the lips?
Why does the taste never come back?
“Taehyuk, I found interesting terms used in the past.
I believe they are suitable for this situation.”
Ominous.
With a glint in the eyes, Illya stood up on both feet –
“Hick?!”
Illya’s lips, just above the shoulders, were twitching.
As if suppressing laughter that seemed ready to burst out at any moment.
“There was a term called ‘mandatory defense.’ Interestingly, it was a term used by men, not women.
It implies that when a married partner demands a s*xual relationship, one must comply out of obligation, a somewhat self-pitying expression is confirmed.”
The jaw was clenched.
The tongue was taken away.
The lips were bitten.
“If you think about the word ‘obligation,’ it can be understood that they too expected to contribute to the happiness of their married partners.
Therefore, considering the relationship between Taehyuk and me…
Our current actions imply obligation.”
Facing Illya, who hastily drew conclusions, he tried to point behind with his finger, preventing any rebuttal.
Although he tried to buy time by asking if there was something to do.
“…Uh?!”
The ceiling opened.
In the darkness, mechanical arms appeared, carefully picking up the things used one by one and placing them on the desk, then into the box.
The body was dragged into the inner room.
…It was immaculately clean.
The blanket that could cover the body was somehow gone.
“I’m not a cow! I’m not a cow!”
Thrown onto the bed, Illya, trying to climb up, was held down by a hand.
Already, Burton’s skin was showing a tinge of red.
“Taehyuk is not livestock. I am aware.
It’s an act of love, so you can rest assured.”
“No, you understood what I meant. Stop making things up!”
“Taehyuk,
if you could fulfill the duty defense formation, I would appreciate it.”
“Hey!!!!!”
The body contorted, and at that moment when the familiar sensation was about to engulf the body.
“This situation reminded me of a similar record, Taehyuk.
…I sensed the rise of excitement.”
Familiar words, a familiar situation.
A lad smiling while talking about a moment that was different yet similar.
“You, you…”
“I apologize. I understand Taehyuk’s words, but I will pursue what I want as Ilia.”
It wasn’t meant for her to become Ilia.