I'm talking about you and me Noa-baby!

White button-down shirt, black waistcoat, black slacks, black shoes, and a thin holo-tag displaying my name. With everything in order, I step away from the full-length mirror and head back downstairs.

The bar is still void of customers and Gin has already gone into the kitchen for work, most likely he's already cleaning up the plate he just ate from.

"Noa, I'm heading out. You're in charge."

"Understood."

Dahlia's wearing the same uniform yet somehow exudes a more professional aura. Is it because she leaves the topmost part of her shirt unbuttoned? Perhaps I should do the same.

"Oh, sorry! Pardon me! Wait Dahlia? Where are you going? Are you closed tonight?"

"Just some business to take care of. Probably won't take long. We're still open, go ask Noa for a drink."

"Okay! Good luck with your business! G'bye!"

Tonight is about to be an exhausting night. From the front door approaches a petite and feminine android. Her white hoodie is covered in neon pink and green graffiti patterns.

"Inching her way into your hear is one half of aiMeter: MILLI!!! Applause! Applause!"

"I still think using inches in references to your metachannel name is horrible wordplay."

"They're both units of measurements so who cares! Plus 'metering' isn't as catchy-sounding."

Milli's distinctly squeaky voice is already managing to both soothe and irritate me at the same time.

"So where's Deci? I thought you two come as a set."

"Like you and Gin? Nah, Deci didn't feel up for drinks so they stayed home. Why? Oh? Ohhh? Is that why? Were you trying to seduce him."

With an impish grin, Milli points at my modest cleavage.

"I see. So it wasn't the shirt then. Noted."

I button my shirt back up.

"Hey! Don't do that! You look good that way! Like... cool and sexy, y'know?"

"Are you here for a drink or to chat? I'd rather not Dahlia remind me again we're not paid to chat."

"I thought bartenders were obliged to hold conversation with their customers."

"Yes, with their paying customers."

"Fiiine, start me off with some B23. Oooh and then maybe some K44 later. Yeah, that sounds nice."

I take out a rocks glass and pour her a drink.

"Are you celebrating something?"

"Hm? Well, sort of actually. It's a... monthsary! Yeah!"

"I thought you broke up with the hovercar guy."

"Ugh, please don't remind me. I'm not talking about him. I'm talking about you and me Noa-baby!"

"Excuse me? I don't recall agreeing to being in a relationship with you ma'am."

I inch away from Milli.

"Aw, don't be so cold! It's been one month since we first became friends!"

"...No, my memory files say we first met one month ago."

"That's what I said!"

"That's not... the same though..."

"Here!"

Milli nearly shoves a flash drive onto my face. I take it, cautiously, and flip it around to look for a label.

"And this is?"

"Well, remember how I noticed you had a hyper-expression face module but you weren't using it?"

"When you rudely told me I had a 'malfunctioning face'? Yes, I remember."

"Well that drive has the updated software for it! Specifically programmed for a security model too."

"...! Milli, that's... I can't accept this..."

"Why not?"

"This must have cost a lot right? Custom android software like this..."

"Psh, all it cost me was an autograph and a selfie! The girl who made it was a fan of mine. Being a metanet star has its perks after all!"

Milli flashes me a toothy smile and a peace sign.

"Thank you Milli. I'll make sure to pay you ba-... I'll put it to good use."

"In that case, let's see you use it right now!"

I point the flash drive to my right temple, a USB port opens up, and I insert it. Within seconds the software transfer completes and my face starts to feel increasingly more responsive. For the first time in my existence, I smile.