Just a sandwich

President Arata Hoshino, Aiko's father, sat at his desk, reading the note left on Aiko's pillow: "Don't worry, Dad. I'm visiting a doctor. I'll be right back!" His brows furrowed in confusion. "This isn't like Aiko," he muttered to himself. He noticed some hair on her pillow—long, but brown. He picked up a strand and examined it closely.

"Whose hair is this? Could it be the kidnapper's?" he whispered, realization dawning on him. "AIKOOOOO!!!!!"

His shout echoed through the halls, summoning his aides. "Get me the Secret AI Service immediately!" he commanded. "My daughter is missing, and I want a thorough search in the entire AI district!"

Meanwhile, Tekuno wandered the streets of Shibuya, his systems heating under the midday sun. He found himself in a playground and decided to take a break. Sitting on a bench, he unwrapped a sandwich he had bought earlier and began to eat. As he enjoyed his meal, he watched the children play.

One of the kids approached him. "Hey, mister! What are you eating?" the child asked, eyes wide with curiosity.

Tekuno smiled. "Just a sandwich. Want to see?" he said, holding it up.

The child nodded eagerly. "Cool! Can I have some?"

Before Tekuno could respond, more children gathered around, their curiosity turning mischievous. "Hey, look at that guy!" one of the kids shouted, pointing at Tekuno.

Before he knew it, they were throwing little stones and toys at him. Tekuno flailed his arms, trying to defend himself. His elegant demeanor made the scene all the more comical.

"Why does this always happen to me?" Tekuno groaned, dodging a plastic dinosaur. He stumbled out of the playground, feeling both embarrassed and relieved.

As he walked away, he couldn't help but think, "Maybe all humans aren't as nice as I thought."

In a cozy kitchen across town, Sakura, Kaito's mother, walked in and found Kaito preparing lunch for the family. He was silently singing to himself as he worked.

"Oh, I haven't heard you singing in a long while, Kaito," Sakura said, smiling.

Kaito's cheeks turned red. "Mum, I need to tell you something. I met... I met a girl."

"Wow, that's fantastic, my son! In the bakery school?" Sakura asked.

"Nope, not there," Kaito replied, shaking his head.

"Is she from Tokyo?" Sakura continued, curiosity piqued.

"I don't think so, mum, no," Kaito admitted.

"So where's she from?" his mother asked.

"That's a detail I still need to find out, but she's incredible! She's kind, tough, funny, beautiful, and her eyes..." Kaito trailed off, lost in thought.

"What about her eyes?" Sakura prompted.

"They are in two different colors. I have never seen such beautiful eyes," Kaito said, his voice filled with wonder.

Sakura looked at her son, marveling at the change in him. "Wow, Kaito, you sound romantic all of a sudden. Or is this just your concern because you're afraid you have to join the military if you're not married by the day of your next birthday?"

"No, mum, it's not like that! When I'm with her, I get butterflies in my stomach I never had before. AIKO is different," Kaito explained passionately.

"Oh, so her name is Aiko," Sakura said, a smile spreading across her face. "Well, my son..."

A deeper voice boomed from the living room. "Then... if this Aiko truly exists, why don't you invite her for dinner tomorrow?"

Kaito jumped, turning to see his father, General Daichi, standing in the doorway. "You listened to the whole conversation, Dad? That's so you!" Kaito exclaimed, thinking to himself, "I hope he didn't listen to the part that I'm going to the bakery school instead of the military university."

"Come on, Kaito, I want to meet the girl with the most beautiful eyes," Daichi said with a grin.

In that moment, Daichi received a playful punch on the shoulder from Sakura. "... Eh hmmm... The most beautiful after yours, my dear," he quickly corrected himself, winking at Sakura.

Kaito's mind raced with thoughts. When the oven timer dinged, signaling that lunch was ready, he made his decision. "Okay, I'll take her here for dinner tomorrow!"

Back at the AI district, the Secret AI Service was in full swing, searching high and low for any sign of Aiko. President Hoshino paced back and forth in his office, worry etched across his face. "I should have known something was off," he muttered. "Why didn't I notice sooner?"

His aides worked tirelessly, scanning footage and tracking any potential leads. "We'll find her, sir," one of them assured him.

"You'd better," Hoshino replied, his voice tinged with desperation. "My daughter is out there, and I will not rest until she's safe."

Meanwhile, Tekuno continued his search for Aiko, navigating the bustling streets of Shibuya. As he turned a corner, he spotted an elderly woman struggling with her groceries.

"Let me help you with those," Tekuno offered, stepping forward.

The woman smiled gratefully. "Thank you, young man. My arms aren't what they used to be," she said.

As Tekuno carried her bags, they chatted about the weather and the busy city. The woman's kindness and gratitude softened Tekuno's heart. "Maybe not all humans are bad after all," he thought.

In the kitchen, Kaito finished preparing lunch and set the table. Sakura watched him with a proud smile. "You seem different, Kaito. Happier," she observed.

Kaito nodded. "I guess I am, mum. Aiko... she's giving me... butterflies in my stomach, like I never had before."

"That's wonderful, my son. I can't wait to meet her," Sakura said, giving him a warm hug.

"Me too," Kaito replied, his mind already racing with thoughts of how to impress Aiko during their dinner.

That evening, Tekuno found himself wandering through yet another part of Shibuya. He was tired, sweaty, and starting to lose hope. "Where could she be?" he wondered, frustration gnawing at him.

As he passed a playground, a sense of déjà vu washed over him. "Not again," he groaned, but thankfully, the children playing there seemed more interested in their toys than in attacking him.

Tekuno took a deep breath and decided to keep searching. "I can't give up now," he thought. "Aiko needs me."