Last I checked, I don't have a heart at all

The seemingly endless cityscape illuminates the starless night with a cacophony of colors. Buildings and skyscrapers decorate the scene with still bright dots while the traffic from the main roads provide a constant stream of moving lights.

"Not a bad view, right?"

Deci steps out into the balcony and leans on the glass railing beside me.

"A bit overwhelming. I prefer the view of the ocean to and from work."

Deci's eyes widen in surprise.

"You like the ocean?"

"Is that strange?"

"For an android, yes. Most models aren't exactly designed to float, let alone swim. The idea of falling into the ocean and sinking to the bottom, losing all internal power, succumbing to the water pressure, never being found again? It's scary enough to make it a common fear for our kind."

"I've never thought of it like that. That said, I've never actually been close enough to the ocean to even touch the saltwater. I simply like how it looks. How it... reflects the sky."

"Doesn't that mean it's the sky that you like then?"

"...No, I don't think so. The sky feels distant; the ocean is right there. You can hear its waves, smell its scent, and taste its salt in the breeze. But when you look at it, it reflects the world above."

Deci chuckles as they stands up straight, making our height difference more apparent.

"And here I thought I was the artist model. You've got quite a poetic heart, Noa."

"Last I checked, I don't have a heart at all. I've been told I'm a 'cold, heartless machine' after all."

"A kick to the chest is a bit much don't you think?"

"And tasing her isn't? You're the one who instigated both in the first place."

"Don't act like you didn't enjoy it, you little sadist."

"Where is she anyway?"

I turn around to check for Milli inside. Through the glass sliding door is the living room, well-lit but lacking its inhabitants.

"She's in her room. Milli moves and talks way too much for a smaller model that she needs around ten hours of recharging per day."

"Has she always been this energetic?"

"For as long as I can remember. Thank you for today, by the way. The 2itch stream aside, it was fun and refreshing to have someone other than Milli to interact with."

"You know there's plenty of other people to talk to in this city right?"

"Yes, but I doubt they'd be as fun as you."

"I question your definition of 'fun'."

Deci chuckles again and I can't help but observe.

"Something the matter, Noa?"

"You and Milli laugh differently."

"Well, yes. Why would our laughs sound the same?"

"I meant that it comes off differently, Milli's specifically. It's something I've noticed for a while now but can't put into words..."

Deci grows silent for a moment. His expression then softens with a warm, gentle smile.

"I'm glad Milli's met someone properly looking at her. That girl tries real hard to keep her surroundings and herself cheerful, that's probably why her laugh may feel... exaggerated at times."

"...I see, so that's it."

"You know, you may not express it very often, but I can tell you lead a pretty happy life."

"Deci, I'm broke, living in a one-bedroom apartment with another person, and working multiple unstable jobs just to get by."

"But are you miserable?"

"No, but isn't that a pretty severe way to measure happiness?"

"I don't blame you for thinking that. District 16 is one of the more secluded districts after all."

Deci gazes on the twinkling horizon of AIKA's urban heart.

"But in this district and everywhere else, misery is constant company. Milli and I are in the business of trying to combat that. It's up to us to distract people from their everyday gloom enough to be functional. At least, that's how I see it."

"...You're surprisingly talkative. Last time we met at Dahlia's, you barely spoke a word."

"I don't enjoy public spaces. Too much noise."

"But you live with Milli."

"Hence why I don't want to endure more noise than I have to."

My phone vibrates and beeps twice in my pocket.

"Speaking of noise, that notification tone is horrendous."

I open the message from Gin: Backup requested.

"My roommate seems to be in need of rescue so I'll be taking my leave."

I check my hair to see if it has properly dried. Milli already helped remove my makeup and return my facial settings so now I only have to change out of this black motorcycle suit. I start walking back inside but Deci catches me by the shoulder.

"Wait... Follow me for a moment."

I do as they say and they lead me to the key rack near the front door. Deci takes one of the keys and hands it to me. Unlike an apartment card key, this one looks more like a thin flash drive.

"Take the elevator the basement. There should be an X-fram3 motorcycle parked on number 41."

"That explains the outfit I'm wearing but are you sure?"

"Just return it when you can. Neither of us here use it anyway."

I give Deci a slight bow.

"I'll be sure to come back with it tomorrow."

"Great! Perhaps we'll have you for another stream then."

"Perhaps not..."