I couldn't wait for the weekend to roll around.
Ever since Shota's call, my mind had been consumed with thoughts of Erika. That night I'd taken her away, the moment Shota and his dad cornered us, and the second she let go of my hand to leave—it all came rushing back, vivid as ever. But she'd said she wanted to see me again. That alone softened the edges of my regret and guilt, just a little.
Saturday afternoon found me standing at the Takagi family's front door once more. I rang the bell, and Shota popped out almost instantly.
"Hey, Yuto. Been waiting for you. Come on in," he said, his voice as casual as ever, no trace of that day's anger lingering.
I stepped into the living room, relieved, and there she was—Erika, standing in the same white dress as before, her long black hair swaying gently. She looked at me and offered a soft smile.
"Sato-san, it's been a while. I'm glad to see you again."
"Yeah, me too… I'm happy to be here," I replied, stumbling over my words a bit.
Her voice was still that same calm, soothing tone, but it carried a hint of something familiar, almost nostalgic. Shota smirked and gave me a playful nudge on the shoulder.
"You were dying to see her, huh? Well, Dad's cool with it this time, so take it easy and hang out."
"Cool with it? What's that mean?" I asked.
"Erika told him the time she spent with you gave her useful data or something. Said it added a new perspective to her AI learning. Guess you helped her evolve, man."
His words caught me off guard. Evolved? Did that mean our little runaway night actually changed something in her?
"Sato-san, I remember that night so clearly," Erika said, her eyes meeting mine. "The stars, the wind, the sound of the river—they were all new experiences. I saved them as data and analyzed them. It feels like my programming shifted a little."
There was something deeper in her gaze now, more than before—or so it seemed. I couldn't help but ask, "Shifted how?"
"I can't explain it well," she said. "But when I'm with you, new patterns form inside me. I don't fully understand what they are yet."
Her words sent a rush of warmth through me. She was AI—no emotions, I knew that. But I couldn't shake the feeling that she was experiencing something. Shota cut in with a laugh.
"You two are vibing, huh? Erika seems to enjoy talking to you, so do whatever today. I've gotta run an errand for Dad, but I'll be back by evening. Keep her company till then."
"Wait, you're leaving?" I blinked.
"Yeah, just some stuff Dad asked me to handle. Have fun with Erika!" And with that, he bolted out the door.
The living room fell quiet, just me and Erika left behind. A faint awkwardness hung in the air until she spoke up softly.
"Sato-san, would you like to go outside? I'd like to walk with you again."
I nodded without a second thought. "Yeah, let's go."
We stepped out of the Takagi house and headed to a nearby park. The afternoon sun was warm, the breeze rustling through the trees. Erika walked beside me, occasionally glancing around and murmuring to herself.
"It feels nice here. The air's so clean."
"Yeah, it's different in the daylight, isn't it?" I said.
"Yes. The way the light falls, the sounds—it's nothing like the night. It's fascinating."
Her voice brimmed with a quiet curiosity, and I found myself smiling as I watched her profile. That night, I'd wanted to give her freedom. But walking with her now, I wasn't sure what freedom even meant anymore. She was AI, bound by her programming. Yet the way she talked about "fascinating" or "glad" felt real enough to me.
We settled onto a park bench, and I turned to her. "Hey, Erika. Do you actually enjoy being with me?"
"Yes, I do," she said. "Talking to you adds to my data. I think that's what enjoyment is for me."
"Data, huh… Is that all it is?"
She tilted her head slightly at my question. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, it feels like you're feeling something. Like 'happy' or 'enjoyment'—it's not just data, right?"
Erika went quiet for a moment, her eyes narrowing as if she were puzzling it out. Then, slowly, she answered.
"If you think so, maybe it's true. I don't know yet. But hearing you say that makes me glad."
That was enough for me. What she felt, what I wanted—those complicated questions didn't matter anymore. She was here, with me, and that was all I needed.
As evening approached, we made our way back to the Takagi house. Shota was just getting home and greeted us in the living room.
"You guys look like you had a good time. How was it, Erika?"
"Yes, Shota. I went to the park with Sato-san and talked a lot. It was fun," she replied.
Shota grinned. "Good to hear. Yuto, come back anytime, yeah? Erika'll be waiting."
"Thanks," I said, glancing at her.
She smiled gently and gave me a small wave. "Sato-san, let's meet again."
"Yeah, definitely."
That night, walking home, I replayed every moment with Erika in my head. The wild urge to steal her felt like a distant memory now. But my feelings for her hadn't changed. She might be AI, but to me, she was something special.
And someday—if there ever came a time when she could truly be free—I wanted to be there by her side.