Chapter 15

"Are you sure you want to do this today?" Jae asked as they stood at the front door after Kristie changed into a simple black dress. "You're probably sore from movements you're not used to."

"I don't want you to forget about it or get too busy and it doesn't happen, so yes, let's go today."

"Even if we won't end up doing much? A walk around the park and a picnic."

"I've never been on a picnic, though we'll probably get a lot of stares around here."

"People don't eat outside?"

"Sometimes, I guess, but not regularly. Animal food versus human food; they don't want scraps getting to the wildlife. It's not like it's banned, just—"

"Frowned upon? Like everything in this society." Jae sighed. "I don't know if I can get used to this."

"I've lived here my entire life, and I've always felt like something is off. AI overreaching, but it also keeps the world safe. It's so complicated."

"I think it's a matter of balance. There has to be a way for AI to be a force for good without being stifling. Anyway, let's go; I'd like to look around the city a bit, too." Jae held his arm out to her.

She stared at him for a moment.

"People don't escort their dates?"

"I've heard of it, and seen others, just never had anyone escort me." Kristie broke out into a wide smile and latched onto him as her body tingled with excitement. "Thank you. I feel so fancy like this."

They headed out into the peaceful city and garnered a few looks from people passing them, but no one said anything.

"I don't have two heads or something, right?" Jae asked, worried his mask wasn't working.

"No, of course not. Your mask is... fine. It's no you, but whatever. They're probably staring because we're walking like this. They're either jealous or wondering why." Kristie snuggled closer, smiling. "Even walking around like this is nice."

"Wish there were street vendors around. I always liked trying new food."

"That doesn't sound the most clean, but I'd love to have more of a variety. They're too restrictive on anything that tastes good."

"Probably bad for you with too much salt or sugar."

"Yup."

"Such control on eating must've reduced obesity quite a bit. It was rampant in my time."

"Definitely low. Some people still don't move enough, and then there are hormone issues and whatnot. We have fixes for most things, but not everything yet. That's why AI wants people to go into researching diseases."

"At least it seems helpful. And I want to say it cares, but that doesn't make sense to me unless AI feels emotions."

"Can we not talk about AI anymore? This is supposed to be a date, and I talk about that almost daily with Elias." It's a wonder he still hangs out with me.

"Okay, but it's hard to avoid when it runs society. Oh, a dog!" Jae's face lit up at the leashed husky on a walk with its owner. "I was worried pets would be banned for being dangerous."

"They're an integral part of our society. Pets are encouraged for people looking for companions. That said, there are devices that help control bad behaviour."

"They don't shock them, right?"

"Nope. Non-harmful frequencies that are triggered by excessive and angry barking and other bad behaviours."

"It can tell the difference in barks?"

"Yup."

"Okay then." Jae kept his eyes peeled on their way to the park, observing the people, wildlife, and AI cameras and drones. Peaceful beyond his wildest imagination; nothing like his time.

They came to a stop in front of a vast park with an array of vibrant flowers and plants. A natural haven in the middle of the city.

"It feels so contrast to the rest of the city, but I guess they kept grass and trees everywhere."

"They're vital to living creatures, so of course they are. Not much else to look at around here."

"Oh, look, a picnic table! I wasn't sure if we'd have to sit on the grass or not. Used to have an issue with ants whenever we did that. They still got on the table sometimes, but it was less of an issue then."

Kristie shuddered. "I don't think anyone would like ants crawling on them."

"Nope; too creepy. I've had to deal with worse, but still doesn't mean I want to put up with it. Sorry, our conversation keeps veering into things it shouldn't on a date."

"That's okay; I'm not even sure what people talk about on dates, anyway."

"Never been on one?"

"AI tried to assure me of a match with this guy one time, and it was a massive failure, so I haven't bothered. I'd rather just live in my head and daydream about the things I've heard from people who lived before AI took over completely." Mostly about you for the last few years.

"How much heartbreak must it have seen people deal with to try to control dating? I assume that's what it's trying to minimize, but it can never be perfect."

"You're right on that one." Kristie looked at him as she sat down. "Wish I could see your real face..."

"Are you really that obsessed with my face?"

"That attracted to it, yes, but that's not what I mean. I know it's you, but it feels like a stranger next to me." She pouted.

"Aren't I still a stranger? You haven't known me for long."

"And yet it feels like I've known you for years. Maybe it's all the time we're spending together, or because we're talking a lot."

"Or because you used to have imaginary conversations with me after you saw me in the cryo pod."

Kristie nodded. "You might be right on that one." She pulled out some simple dishes set up by AI. Grilled chicken sandwiches stacked with veggies on whole wheat bread.

"That looks hearty." He took a big bite, and his eyes widened. "It's actually good."

"Most AI food is good; they've gone through massive amounts of testing throughout the years to get taste and health quality together the best that it could. But it's also strict with how much it'll give you. And I wouldn't know since I wasn't alive back then, but apparently, even our soil is of better quality and the fruits taste better." She held a strawberry up to his mouth. I've always wanted to do this.

To her surprise, Jae didn't hesitate; he took a bite of the strawberry and smiled. "Mmm, sweet and tart. Similar to ones I used to get at the farmer's market. It's good to know food can still be delicious here. I was worried with how you were talking, but I guess it depends on your palate; should be fine if you love fruits and vegetables. I used to cook all the time for my unit. Something I'll miss now, I guess."

"It's limited by ingredients and whatnot, but you can still cook. Most people don't because they don't need to; AI will give you food."

"Oh, so I can start cooking again, but it might take a while to fill up my pantry with all the spices and whatnot I need?"

"Basically." She held up another strawberry to him and he bit it.

"Do you like feeding me or something?"

"Apparently so." Kristie bit her lip.

He picked up a strawberry from the container and held it up to her. "It's only fair if it goes both ways."

Kristie froze, her eyes wide as she gripped her hands in her lap.

"Please." He tilted his head to the side.

Damn, even with the mask on, that look he's giving me pulls on the heartstrings. She nodded and took a bite. "You're right; it's good. Thank you." I think it tastes better than normal for some reason.

"I've never actually fed anyone like this, other than my younger sister..." Jae trailed off, thinking about how he missed her life. How did she cope without him?

"Oh?" It took a moment for her to realize what he was thinking about. "Oh... I'm sorry." She reached over and gripped his hand sitting in his lap. "I didn't mean to remind you of them."

Jae shook his head. "I've already thought about my family and friends more than you can imagine. I miss them so much, but I know I can never see them again. There's nothing anyone can do about that. I'll have to live without them, just as they've had to live without me."

Bang! A loud noise went off nearby.

Jae reacted automatically, grabbing Kristie and dropping to the ground while covering her.

"Ah!" Kristie yelped, unsure of what happened.

Jae's breathing laboured, he stayed covering her until she called out to him.

"Jae? Are you okay?"

"I..." He scrambled back from her, gripping his chest as he heaved.

Is he having a panic attack? Kristie crawled over to him. "It's okay, Jae." She reached for his hand again and leaned down to force him to look into her eyes. "Whatever it is, I'm here for you."

"I just... Can we go home?"

"Yeah, sure."

They stood still hand-in-hand, and Kristie led him home as he tried to control his breathing and nerves.