Do Cyborg Girls Dream of Electric Marriage?

*huff* *puff*

Hey, Premaya. That old man over there looks a little unwell.

Yes, he is suffering from a decline of muscle strength due to advancing age. I think it would be dangerous for him to keep walking by himself.

*huff* *puff*

Sir, are you okay?

Please take my hand.

Oh, my. That's very nice of you both. Thank you.

No need to thank us. Your condition seems serious. Do you not have a nurse android under your employ?

Well... I do have one, but...

Things happen, you see...

I see... Excuse me for intruding, then.

Anyway, we'll walk you home. That okay with you, Premaya?

You are always putting me on the spot with your nice-guy antics, Master, but if you insist... ......

Android... Things happen...

Premaya?

Nothing... Please allow me to tag along as well.

Huh...? S-Sure. That'd be a great help.

And we should delay no further. Where is your place of residence?

It's in the Theta District. I apologize in advance for being slow as a snail, but thank you for the help.

Phew...! We made it to your home somehow!

You've both been very helpful. Thank you.

Hey, we have guests! Come out and say hello!

Welcome back. How unusual of you to bring guests home.

Actually, these people helped me when I couldn't carry on walking home halfway back.

We decided to interfere and see him home even though he did not ask for help.

Oh... Thank you for your troubles. I could not accompany him because my body is in poor condition. I am terribly sorry. I am a disgrace to all home androids out there...

What about repairs?

Well, he's quite an old model of android, you see. The manufacturer has already dropped support for his model a long time ago.

Dropped support...?

It means they no longer accept requests for maintenance and such. Instead, they recommend buying a newer model.

I see... But he doesn't look that different from the newer models.

Oh dear, how rude of me to make everyone stand on ceremony like that. Please, would you like some tea?

Sure, thanks...

Whoa... It's lukewarm?!

Oh, I am so sorry. My temperature sensors have gone out of order as well, so.

I understand the situation now...

It didn't bother me when he was just malfunctioning slightly, but... Lately, he's not been moving properly due to miscalculations. It's too risky to bring him out like that.

We're just waiting to see whether the old coot or scrap metal will expire first! Hoh hoh hoh!

That wasn't funny at all...

I understand your feelings... However, pushing yourself too hard without assistance puts you at risk.

Don't you think I know that better than anyone else?

So... Why the insistence?

My great-great-grandchild is getting married soon, and I have to go on an extended trip for that.

Great-great-grandchild?

The child of your child is a grandchild. Their child is a great-grandchild, and their child, great-great-grandchild.

Oh...

Wait... Your great-great-grandchild's getting married?! How old are you?!

Hoh hoh hoh! That is a secret!

But, just going around the neighborhood already makes me so tired.

I don't think I can go on an extended trip the way I am now...

It is because I am so useless...

I must send him to the ceremony if it is the last thing I do!

I understand your thought routine about wanting to exert yourself for the master you serve.

However, as a home android, is it not top priority for you to ensure the safety of your master instead?

Ugh... I cannot refute you no matter how much I rack my neural network!

It's fine. Thanks to you guys, I've finally made up my mind.

The truth is, I can't bear going out by myself and leaving him behind at home. I was determined to bring him along for the trip this time, but...

I guess I shouldn't push myself and just celebrate at home, huh?

......

No, there's one other way.

We can go to the ceremony together with you! I'll assist you... And Premaya will assist the android! That should work!

I see. Not quite a double date, but a double assist. This is a very interesting proposal.

R-Really?! But wouldn't that be too much of a hassle for you both?

This was meant to happen. We should help each other out in times of trouble!

I am very much obliged to you...!

Let us head for the ceremony hall, then. Where is it?

It's at Laula Dome. My family's lived there since my grandchildren's generation.

If we are to attend, we should prepare a gift.

Indeed... Would you be fine with something bought at the place itself?

Of course! That would be very nice.

Master, we should start heading to the venue right away.

Yeah. To Laula Dome we go!

Hey, you guys over there! Would you like some flowers?

Flowers, huh? Sounds like a suitable gift for the occasion.

That's true. Do you have any flowers for wedding celebrations?

White is the best color for that.

White... A common choice that goes well with a bride's wedding dress. However, there is a custom that getting something blue for a wedding ceremony will bring in good tidings.

White or blue... This is quite the conundrum.

What do you think?

White or blue...

White, blue, white, blue...

White blue white blue white blue...

whitebluewhitebluewhiteblue whitebluewhiteblueeee eeewhiiiibluu....

Oh no...! He's malfunctioning!

This is more than a malfunction!

His thought process is in an endless loop because it can't find an answer! It's only a matter of time before he shorts out from information overload. We need to shut down his logic circuits.

H-How do we do that?!

Leave this to me, Master!

Go... Loah!

Whitebluewhiteblue...?!

*gasp*

What was I--

Restoration complete. Signals have stabilized.

Well, that method was a lot more primitive than I thought.

One must theoretically fight kinetic energy with kinetic energy.

So... What flower do you guys want?

Right, we almost forgot about that important decision. Well, why don't we take both, then?

Here you go, white and blue flowers!

We should carry on. Thank you!

Hey, lady!

Are you talking to me?

Yeah, I was amazed you knew the custom about something blue. Is that what you want for your own wedding?

I am an AI, and it is only natural that I know this much. Though it is probably common knowledge for a flower seller like you.

I see, an AI, huh? Sorry for stopping you. Have fun at the wedding!

Y-Yes, I will. Thank you for your kind words. Goodbye.

Yes, these look good.

I do not see anything here. What are you preparing for in this place?

Hoh hoh hoh! What's a wedding ceremony without a surprise? And what's a surprise without...

A dance of blessings!

Dance?! But you can't even stand firmly on your two feet!

That's right! My gift to my great-great- grandchild is my alluring dance moves! I've performed it before for my child, grandchild, and great-grandchild too!

Then it's not a surprise anymore!

My great-great-grandchild hasn't seen it yet, so it'll be fine!

One-two, one-two! Come on, follow my pace!

Yes, sir! One-two, one-two!

What do you think? It's quite something, eh?

Wh-What the...?!

A spark has been ignited from his aging and deteriorating motor!

His combustible parts have caught fire. Estimated damages are beyond what his self-repairing functions are capable of!

Caught fire?! Stop! Stop dancing!

One-two! One-two! One! One.... Oneoneoneooooneone...

Eek!

Wh-What should we do?!

Leave this to me, Master!

*gasp*

What was I--

Fire extinguished... Signals stabilized.

I had no idea you could discharge water too, Premaya! But why do you have a function like that?

Well... It is a remnant of my biological water-cooling system for mechanical parts.

Remnant? So it's from a function that's not in active use right now?

Yes. Its performance is linked to the condition of my biological parts, making stable usage rather difficult. The framework was left behind, but it leaks because of design deficiencies...

As a result, I am often forced out of sleep mode and have not been getting enough sleep lately.

Haha... It's not easy having a mechanical body too, huh?

That is right. Machines have their own troubles too.

Yes... I'm painfully aware of that.

Well, looks like that's enough dancing for me. Guess I won't be doing it at my great- great-great-grandchild's wedding.

You intend to attend the next generation's wedding too?! I mean... It's good to live a long life, but...

He is a very tough old man...

Onto our next destination! I'm counting on your support.

My, my! The wheat is growing very well this year too!

You're going to give this wheat here as a wedding gift?

It is for the rice shower.

I've been on cordial terms with the owner since my grandchild's ceremony, and he gives me some each time. Just a little bit, though, since there's no rice in these parts.

Some people say that rice showers originally used wheat, so it is a good plan.

Is that so? Now I'm more confident about this!

Please allow me to take care of this. I am equipped with a lawn mowing function. I will reap all the wheat you need.

H-Hey! I thought Gramps said he's only allowed to get a little bit of wheat?!

I-I-I cannot stop! I fear I may end up harvesting the entire field at this rate!

The field's owner's not gonna be happy to see that! Wh-What should we do?!

Leave this to me, Master!

Job complete... Signals stabilized.

I couldn't see because the wheat hid everything, but what did you do?

W-Well... Let's not worry about the details, eh? Whatever she did, we now have the little bit of wheat we need.

Thank you very much, Premaya!

Time to head for the next stop!

And our next stop is... Hmm? We've already gone to all the locations I'd planned to visit.

That was quick. We could not have done it without your help. Compared to you, I am just so...

Don't say that. Your most important job is to stay by my side, after all.

......

Time to head for the ceremony, then. Just bear with me a little more!

Most important job... To stay by someone's side...

What's wrong, Premaya?

Nothing... I was just feeling a little envious.

We should head for the ceremony too. I would feel uneasy letting them out of our sights.

Yeah, that's true. Let's go after them.

Congratulations!

Be happy forever!

Weddings are such nice occasions, aren't they?

Yes... The people here have such happy looks on their faces.

Great-great-grandpa! Thanks so much for coming all the way here! I'm glad you could make it!

Anything for my beloved great-great-grandchild!

That is what I wanted to say, but really, I couldn't have made the trip without their help.

Thanks to you guys, I was able to have a wedding ceremony with my entire family present. Please accept my sincere appreciation!

N-No... We did nothing special...

What are you, shy, Premaya?

Little lady, you were quite knowledgeable about weddings somehow. I'm sure it's something dear to your heart. I hope the bouquet lands in your hands during the toss!

I-I'm not!

Hold it right there!

Huh?

Wh-What...?

A-Aren't you...?!

Why are you getting married to someone other than me, even after I tried to stop you so many times?!

You and I are destined lovers bound by fate!

Wh-What's this destined lovers business all about?!

Don't listen to him, great-great- grandfather-in-law! This guy's been harassing her for the longest time!

I can't believe you gatecrashed my wedding when I already told you no! This is the person I love, not someone like you!

I'm not having any of that! Neither this wedding... Nor you for rejecting me!

Come out, you guys!

Ruin this wedding!

Ahhh!

R-Run!

E-Everyone!

Haha! Go on, ramp things up even more! Destroy this ceremony completely!

Enough!

What? Are you gonna interfere?

The only one doing any interfering here is you! The people's smiles, the happiness of the old gentleman who made the effort to come all the way... The newlyweds setting off on their new future together... Nobody has the right to interfere with any of that!

To protect this ceremony, I shall eliminate you with all my strength!

Let's do it, Premaya!

I have destroyed your machines. Surrender without a fight.

Dammit! You leave me with no choice...

He still had a machine hidden away!

You guys should run!

Y-Yes, we will. This way!

Ugh...and now you've allowed her to get away!

I'll take the old man out first!

What?!

Sir!

A-Are you okay?!

He shielded him?! It's pointless! The next one will definitely...

......

What?! My machine was taken out with just one strike?!

Would you like to fight against me next?

Ngh!

I brought support!

We have neutralized the threat. Please arrest this man and take him away.

All right... We'll take over from here.

I can't believe you shielded me like that...

Premaya! Is there anything you can do?!

I am sorry, Master... This is beyond my capabilities...

My duty is to be of help to my master... Although I have been failing in this duty lately, I'm glad that I finally...

Don't talk like this is the end!

Master... This is a blessed ending for me. I have been in operation for much longer than my expected lifespan, long after support for my model has been dropped. You couldn't find a happier android... If you tried...

......

I'm the blessed one here. Thank you for supporting this foolish old man all these years at the... The expense of wearing your body down...

Sir...

I'm sorry, but do you think you could stay with me for a bit more? Because I don't think I can bring him back by myself...

Of course we can.

You live in the Theta District, if I remember correctly? We will bring you back safely to the home filled with memories of him...

We're home.

......

I'm probably going to keep talking to him even though I know he's never waking up again.

Gramps...

Hoh hoh hoh! Don't look so sad. I'll be all right! I have friends in the neighborhood.

But I won't be able to drink that lukewarm tea anymore...

I'll make the tea... Can you tell me where the kitchen is?

Yes... Sorry, and thank you.

I am slightly envious of you. My most important duty is not to be of help to my master... I am a surrogate personality, and when my original personality awakens, this personality of mine will be...

Wh-What is it?

Thanks for the meal! Wow! It's a new flavor!

It went completely dark all of a sudden! Premaya, are you okay?

We seldom get blackouts here, but don't worry. The backup generator should kick in soon.

Premaya!

Papa!

What? Papa...

Oh! You're the other Premaya, right?

What other Premaya? Premaya is Premaya!

R-Right...

(If what Premaya said was correct, this personality is supposed to be the real Premaya.)

You're so weird, Papa!

I missed you so much, Papa! You tried to make the pain go away the other day, right? It didn't work at all, but your hands were so gentle, I got better in no time! That's why I want Papa to pat me on the head and tell me what a good girl I am!

H-Hey! Stop clinging to me so tightly...

Huh?

Ahh! M-Master?!

Master?! Does that mean you're back to your usual self now, Premaya?

Yes... I am so sorry. She must have woken up again without me realizing.

I cannot believe she surfaced twice within such a short period of time.

Looks like there's not much time left before I completely disappear...

Premaya...?

Nothing... I'll be in your care for just a little while longer, Master.

Looks like she's not hesitant about it anymore, huh?

Even though this goes against everything I believe in... I'll have to do something... Just this once...

Even though this goes against everything I believe in... I'll have to do something... Just this once...