(sound of typing and a phone ringing)

Ren:

Aoba, the phone.

Aoba:

Hm? I wonder who it is…huh? Clear? (he answers) Hello? What’s up? Huh? Lunchtime? Oh, my bento. Eh?! A-Are you all right?? Ah…all right. Mhm. Mhm. Well, today you should stay put. Make sure you rest up, all right? No matter what! Mhm. See you. Hah…

Ren:

That certainly did not seem like a pleasant conversation.

Aoba:

He told me today he couldn’t deliver my bento today so I asked him why. He got his feet tangled at home and fell down. Looks like he was planning on at least coming out to give me my bento but Granny told him he had to cut it out. For now Granny’s keeping an eye on him.

Ren:

Is that so.

Aoba:

(sighs) After I even told him he really had to be careful. What does he think he’s doing…?

Ren:

Aoba. I think that it may be a good idea to take Clear in for maintenance at the place where his installation was put in order.

Aoba:

That’s…why do you think that?

Ren:

Clear’s personality has formulated based on the way that his individuality expresses itself. However, for Clear who has artificial life, it certainly is problematic that he’s falling down as frequently as he is in such a short period of time. Furthermore, Clear’s head was previously significantly damaged.

Aoba:

Then, when you look at it, Ren, it really isn’t just carelessness, it’s something strange.

Ren:

There is a significant likelihood that a problem has originated in him.

Aoba:

I see…For now Granny’s keeping an eye on Clear. Is he really going to be all right? (he groans and sighs) It’s really bothering me…! But I’ve gotta work now. All right. Let’s do it.

~interlude~

Aoba:

I’m home!

Tae:

Welcome home.

Clear:

Welcome home, Aoba-san.

Aoba:

Oh, Clear. Granny, how’s Clear’s condition?

Tae:

Hmm… (beeps and the sound of screens opening up)

Aoba:

How is it?

Tae:

I can’t quite say. Although it seems that there aren’t any particular abnormalities…

Aoba:

Uwah, what’s that machine?

Tae:

This? I told you I asked a favor of a researcher I know when we repaired Clear. I borrowed this from him. With this I can easily scan inside of Clear’s body.

Aoba:

Huuh, is that right. You call it ‘easy’ but that’s amazing. I can’t even tell what all the different readings mean.

Tae:

That’s to be expected. Even if you’re joking, this is a machine that’s meant to be used by professionals.

Aoba:

But, you understand it. Right, Granny? This machine.

Tae:

Of course I understand it.

Aoba:

Huuh.

(beeps)

Tae:

All right. That’s enough for today.

Clear:

Thank you very much.

Tae:

Just to be certain, starting tomorrow we’ll check in daily for a while. Even though there aren’t any abnormalities, we can’t let our guard down.

Clear:

Yes. I’m sorry.

Aoba:

Clear, are you okay? You’re not feeling sick or anything, are you?

Clear:

I’m fine. But…

Aoba:

What is it?

Clear:

I really am sorry that I couldn’t deliver your bento today.

Aoba:

I said it’s fine. It’s more important that you take care. Make sure that you don’t fall, and try to keep from running and jumping too much.

Clear:

Yes…

Tae:

At any rate, since we’ve already gathered the equipment, we might as well properly maintain you.

Aoba:

Yeah…

Tae:

Well, right now there are no issues. I don’t mind if you continue like normal. However, if anything happens then tell me immediately.

Clear:

Yes.

Tae:

And then…it bears repeating but you should absolutely look out for yourself.

Clear:

Yes…

Tae:

Aoba, what’s wrong? You’re just staring at your feet.

Aoba:

Ah! No…it’s nothing.

Tae:

Hmph. Well then, it’s about time for dinner, isn’t it?

Aoba:

Ah, then I’ll go get changed. I just got back from work after all. Clear, you should rest up.

Clear:

Ah, yes.

(Aoba heads off to change)

Clear:

Ah–Aoba-san!

Aoba:

Huh?

Clear:

Um…I really am sorry.

Aoba:

Heh, it’s all right. Anyway, it’ll all work out somehow.

Clear:

Yes.

Aoba:

But…I can only stand by and watch. It’s just a little frustrating.

Clear:

Aoba-san…

Aoba:

Aha, sorry. I’m gonna change.

(he heads upstairs)

Clear:

Aoba-san…

~interlude~

(Aoba typing at work, an error beeps)

Ren:

Aoba.

(Aoba sighs, the beeping continues)

Ren:

Aoba!

Aoba:

Eh? What is it, Ren? Aah! There’s an error! Shit! Aah, that surprised me.

Ren:

Aoba, are you all right? You were staring off absentmindedly.

Aoba:

Ah, yeah…I’m all right.

Ren:

Were you thinking of anything in particular?

Aoba:

Ah, I wonder…it’s not really like I was thinking about anything, but…as soon as I noticed it I started thinking about it.

Ren:

It’s about Clear, isn’t it?

Aoba:

Mhm.

Ren:

Are you worried?

Aoba:

Mhm…Granny said the same thing you did, Ren.

Ren:

Is this regarding Clear’s maintenance?

Aoba:

Since we’ve got the equipment for it it’s best to keep him well-maintained. For a pro like Granny and an AllMate like you to say that…I just felt like…it really must be something bad.

Ren:

Clear’s outward appearance is no different from that of a human’s. However, his makeup is a vastly more elaborate construction than an AllMate like me. To see his movements become uneasy like that implies a high probability of a malfunction.

Aoba:

I see…it’s just kind of frustrating.

Ren:

What do you mean?

Aoba:

Huh? Oh, I mean…just that I can’t do anything for Clear. It was Granny who noticed that something was wrong with him. I didn’t even notice it…

Ren:

I believe that’s something that can’t be helped.

Aoba:

Hm? I get that. It’s just like…I’m always just watching in the end…

Ren:

I don’t think that’s the case.

Aoba:

Is that right…

Ren:

Yes. It’s something that Clear would deny if he heard it as well. It isn’t unlikely that he would cry as he said it.

Aoba:

Heh, definitely…

Haga:

Aoba-kun, I’m sorry, but could you help me with something?

Aoba:

Oh, yes! I’m coming now!