�Wake up! Wake up! Good morning! Wake up! Wake up! Good morning!�
�Uh� Is it morning already?� I sat up slowly, thoroughly enjoying the bright beam of sunlight that was shining in my face. �Thanks Chomei. You can stop alarm mode now.�
�Alarm mode set to snooze!�
�No really, you can fully turn it off. I�m up.�
�Master Masanobu is not fully awake until he�s standing up and ready to go!�
There�s no use fighting the program. I got up and rolled away my futon.
�Mm, that smells delicious Kuniko.�
�Thank you. I hope you enjoy your breakfast this morning.�
My name is Tsuneo Masanobu. At age 19, I�ve found that living in the real world is tougher than it looks. I made it into a good university through my hard work in high school, but now it seems that I�m barely getting by! With studies and finally living on my own, things have certainly piled up. Fortunately my parents predicted all of this.
Even with all sorts of stress I�ve managed to move on and jump over the many obstacles in my life. I owe a lot to my Persocoms. A Persocom is a personal computer designed to look like a toy, an animal, or even people. They can access the internet, receive your e-mails, telephone calls, play music - just about anything. Almost everyone has one. I�m fortunate to be able to have two.
Chomei is my mobile unit Persocom I�ve had since high school. He�s been there with me though all my papers, textbook readings, and of course helping me study for my exams. I recently had him upgraded with new software to help me deal with the multitude of everyday activities that I have to be responsible for now that I live on my own.
�Wake up! Wake up! Good morning!�
�I�m up Chomei! Look, I�m changing out of my pajamas ok?�
He kinda looks like a raccoon or a fox. He�s gray, navy blue, and yellow and only about half a foot tall. I still remember picking him out at the electronics store on my fourteenth birthday. My dad has always spoiled me by buying me cool gadgets on special occasions, but I was so excited to get my very own Persocom.
I also remember the special moment when I picked out Kuniko, my full size Persocom. She was so beautiful with her long amber brown hair. My mom was a little hesitant in allowing me to pick a female version, but she doesn�t know much about Persocoms and so she let my dad and I have free range in picking one out. He wanted me to have the latest model - which gets difficult since the latest model always seems to be old new a year later. We made sure the one we purchased could be easily upgraded and customized when needed. The store even offered a warrantee that allows us to trade her in towards a new model at anytime. My dad kept the slip, but I couldn�t possibly ever imagine giving her up. I knew she was the one right when I saw her. All Persocoms are really cute, but there was something about Kuniko when I first saw her that made me know she was the match for me. Starting her up was a blast. I was amazed at how many applications she could run. My mom teased me saying it was the first time a brought a girl home, but she was quite happy to know that full sized Persocoms could even cook and clean.
�Breakfast is ready Tsuneo!�
�Ok Kuniko.�
I sat down to a very nicely made breakfast - rice with ham and toast.
�Wow! Thanks Kuniko! This is exactly what I need to get my day started.�
�I�m glad you like it!� she said with her usual bright smile. She�s so cute and beautiful.
My parents let me have a new full sized Persocom as a graduation gift. They knew they needed to get one to �take care of me� while I�m in college since I�m such a klutz. Way to have confidence in your own son huh? I�m actually very grateful that they would go out and do that for me. They�ve always looked after me well and I�m sure it�s very difficult to have me away from home.
Oh well, I�m on my own now and I�m starting a brand new phase of my life. With my old pal Chomei by my side and Kuniko - I know I�ll be able to survive.
�I�m ready to go shopping for today Tsuneo. Do you like my outfit?� She leaned close to me to show me.
�Yeah Kuniko, it�s great but you forgot your bra. �no no bra! Gaaaahhhhh!!! Kuniko!� I got a sudden nosebleed and quickly turned around.
�Oh my. I knew I forgot something! Thanks for reminding me Tsuneo!�
Oh man. With every brand new phase of life I�m sure to run into new obstacles to overcome. One of them is learning how to live with my new Persocom! Who knew so many exciting adventures would come around for an average guy.
�Master Masanobu we must leave soon or you will be late to class,� informed Chomei.
�Alright Chomei. Let me just finish this last bite.� I woofed down the last of the breakfast and grabbed my backpack. �Alright, let�s go Chomei!� He hopped in the back pack and settled in.
�Hai,� he replied. Chomei was programmed with a very sophisticated accent. I guess I programmed him that way since he�s very smart being a computer and it made me feel cool to be around someone smart and sophisticated sounding.
�Ok Kuniko, I�m heading to class now. Be safe and I�ll see you when I get back.�
�Take care Tsuneo,� she said. Just like every time I leave the apartment. I was about to leave when she spoke up again. �Tsuneo� would you like me to walk with you? The location of the grocery store is a short distance away from the university.�
There�s something different about Kuniko lately. I can�t quite put my finger on it. I�ve been tinkering around with personality software, but Kuniko has been able to run executions that seem to exceed the programming of the software� I think. My cousin is a huge Persocom fanatic and knows just about everything about them. I�ve been customizing my Persocoms as well with his help and tips from other custom Persocom builders. I think I�ll bring her to my cousin Eizan after all my classes. Maybe he can tell me if there�s something wrong with her behavioral schematics.
�Master Masanobu, we must be going. You really need to stop day dreaming like that. It is not efficient for your schedule.�
�Oh, I�m sorry Chomei. You�re right I really do need to focus more on my tasks.�
�Yes. I know I�m right. What would you do without me now - probably live in chaos without any focus - that�s what you�d do.�
�Um� I get the point Chomei - thanks,� I answered with an unenthusiastic frown. He was definitely telling the truth. �Could you schedule a meeting with my cousin Eizan after my classes? Just send and e-mail to his Persocom letting him know I�ll be visiting.� Chomei did as I asked. �Alright Kuniko, let�s head out.� She smiled and grabbed my arm. I couldn�t help but blush and smile. I should be used to it by now since� the arm holding was programmed. Heh.
�I�m happy to see you smile when I hold your arm Tsuneo! You get so bright it makes me glad,� she said smiling back at me. There is still quite a lot I need to understand about Persocoms. I know Kuniko is only a Persocom, but in the past year she�s brought a lot of happiness to my life. I don�t know what it is exactly. To tell you the truth she�s the first female I�ve honestly been able to interact with this closely - even if she�s programmed.
It�s not that I�m not attractive or anything, cause I really am: tall, nice black hair in a pretty cool plain style, a charming smile� heheh. I just have zero skills when it comes to being around girls. Kuniko is different though. She really is the first girl I�ve been comfortable around.
I smiled back at her. �I�m happy when you smile too Kuniko. You really know how to brighten my morning. I completely forgot about how tired I really am from studying last night!�
We finally headed out into a brand new day. My landlord was outside trimming some of the landscape.
�Good morning Mr. Moto! It�s a beautiful day isn�t it?� I greeted.
�Oh good morning Tsuneo! It�s a very nice day. Heading to class?�
�Yup. It�s a short day though.�
�Well good. You take care now,� he replied. �You have a lovely day too Miss Kuniko,� he smiled at her.
�Thank you Mr. Moto! Take care of yourself!� she replied.
He smiled and went back to work.
My apartment building is a very nice place. It�s very quaint and small enough that it doesn�t have noisy tenants. Mr. Moto is currently only renting out a few rooms since he�s remodeling. I�m in one of the remodeled apartments.
My morning walk usually consists of watching all the people and their Persocoms head to their jobs or classes at the university. It�s enlightening to see all the happy couples. With Persocoms, nobody seems lonely and everyone always seems happy. Of course they�re not real couples or anything since they�re just Persocoms. But Persocoms really do offer a unique kind of companionship. I know I�ve been a lot happier and more comfortable with Kuniko by my side.
�Hm hm hmm hum hm hm hmm hum hmm.� Chomei had climbed on my shoulder and was humming as I walked.
Suddenly something - or rather someone - caught my eye. Nami Amori� the girl I�ve had a crush on since the seventh grade. Her soft long black hair� her gentle smile� hot body� She, she was buying a muffin from the bakery. Yeah.
�Ahem. Honestly Master Masanobu, we can�t have any delays,� Chomei informed with his little arms crossed. �Your lack of movement right now is costing us� oh.� Chomei looked in the direction I was facing. �Well why don�t you walk with her to class?�
�Huh?� I replied in semi-shock.
�You can walk with her to class. It�s Miss Nami Amori - student number 73025. She�s in your first class of the day.�
�Oh right. Um� maybe not today Chomei.�
�Then I suggest you start walking,� he continued. I heard him, but I still just stood there.
�Tsuneo - why do you always freeze up when you see Miss Amori? Do you like Miss Amori?� Kuniko looked up at me. �If you do you should walk with her.� I snapped out of my trance after hearing her comment.
�Kuniko� huh? No, it�s not like that! That�s not what it is. Is that what it looks like? Heheh. No it�s just that - well - Miss Amori and I have been acquaintances for a long time now, but I just don�t feel comfortable around her yet. Heheh. Yeah, that�s it,� I tried answering.
�That and she�s way out of your league Masanobu.�
The familiar voice was that of one of my classmates - Hideyori Sakai. I�ve only known him for about a year now and he�s always trying to find a way to get on my case. He�s kinda lanky with messy light brown hair and about my height - kinda weird and awkward at times. He�s a nice guy though I guess and it doesn�t seem like he has many other friends.
�Actually I would think that Miss Amori is quite in Masanobu�s league. She did attend the 8th grade dance with him after all.�
It was my friend Masato Sunada. I�ve known him since the 8th grade and fate has kept us together as friends even through college. I�m surprised he isn�t a chick magnet with his height and constant noble composure. We almost looked like twins a few years ago, but then he grew taller and also gained this confident aura about him. I�ve always been a little jealous since I see the girls give their starry gazes at him. He�s very mature and respectable.
�Good morning Mister Masanobu!� greeted Masato�s mobile Persocom.
�Why good morn�� I was interrupted by Chomei.
�Morning Miss Tamaki. You look absolutely stunning today! Did you get a new outfit? Perhaps a new hair style?�
Tamaki was paused for a moment. She was a very cute little Persocom. I wonder if I programmed Chomei to react that way towards female mobile Persocoms. I probably programmed him to be charming towards all females. That�s right, I think I remember now.
�Be polite Tamaki,� Masato commanded. �Reply to Chomei.�
�Hai. Why you�re right Mr. Chomei. Master Sanada purchased a new ribbon for me and gave me the schematics for a new hair style,� Tamaki replied.
�Well it looks very nice,� said Chomei. �In fact it reminds me of a poem about cherry blossoms that goes like this: ahem��
�Chomei.� I interrupted. �Aren�t we going to be late for class?�
�Oh. Quite right. Onward!�
We were back on our way to class and still had some time fortunately. We�ve learned how to walk fast. When did I teach him poetry? Just then Nami caught eye of us and smiled before hopping on her bike. I blushed.
�Ah,� I flustered. �Did, did she just smile at me?�
�She was probably smiling at me,� said Hideyori confidently. �Ahh - I know she has the hots for me. That�s why she always leaves me an awesome view.�
�Huh?� I inquired. Then I realized all the guys on the block were staring at Nami including Masato. �What is it?� That�s when I realized she was wearing a short skirt and when she was on her bike you could see her��
�Underpants,� Kuniko said snapping me out of my trance. She smiled. �Miss Amori has the same pair of underpants as Kuniko.� We were all pretty red.
�Gah Kuniko!� I replied all flustered. �You�re not supposed to talk to people about your underpants!�
�Not even with Tsuneo?�
�Well with me it�s ok since I�m your - no wait - I mean that�s not what I meant.� I paused a second to collect my thoughts. �It�s not polite to talk of those things in public.�
�Kuniko understands.� She smiled. Masato and Hideyori was still watching Nami ride away.
�Hey, stop staring!� demanded Hideyori. She smiled at me so all you other boys can keep dreaming.�
�Actually,� interrupted Kuniko, �She smiled at Mister Masanobu, but of course the type of her smile could have a broad range signifying friendly endearment to a number of people in the general direction. The probability that she was smiling at Mister Sakai is only thirty-two percent, Mister Sanada at forty-three percent, and Mister Masanobu at ninety-four percent. Of course there is also a eighty nine percent chance she was smiling at me.�
�Huh? What does a Persocom know? You just made all that up,� replied Hideyori.
�Persocoms are equipped with state of the art sensory units which allows them to strictly analyze their surroundings,� explained Masato. �In this case it allowed Kuniko to analyze the direction of Miss Amori�s smile. Tamaki and Chomei would have probably given us the same data had we asked for it.�
�Ah who cares,� stated Hideyori after a few moments of silence. �There�s nothing better than figuring things out the old fashion way - without Persocoms.� He spoke in a sort of sad and bitter tone. �This world of Persocoms hasn�t done anything but spoil us.�
�That�s not true at all,� replied Masato. �Perhaps if your father wasn�t so against the idea of Persocoms designed as humans, you�d be able to get one and find out for yourself without making such broad claims about them.�
I had almost forgotten. Sakai didn�t have a Persocom of his own. His family only has one Persocom for the entire household and it�s the simplest mobile unit that can only run the simplest utilities like e-mail and telephone. I wonder why his dad is so against them.
�Tsuneo, I must go now,� informed Kuniko. This is the street I must change routes in order to get to the grocery store. Or, would you like me to walk with you all the way to the university?�
�Oh, no that�s ok Kuniko.� I smiled at her. �I will see you after my classes. We will visit Mister Mazawa today,� I answered. She smiled brightly and gave me a hug.
�Take care of yourself!� She waved to everyone and headed down the street towards the commercial district.
�Be safe Kuniko! Remember to send Chomei a message if there�s anything urgent.� I waved and watched her walk away.
�You sure are lucky to have a full sized Persocom Tsuneo,� said Masato. �She really is cute.�
�Yeah. I guess I really am lucky. She�s more than just cute,� I replied.
�Do you think I�m cute Master Sanada?� asked Tamaki.
�Of course I do,� answered Masato. �I don�t know what I would do without you.� They smiled at each other.
�That makes me very happy to know Master Sanada!�
�Oh look at you idiots talking all cutesy with your Persocoms,� Sakai mumbled. �They�re just Persocoms.�
We were almost at the university. It�s such a great place. Everyone there is so smart and it really makes you feel accomplished walking through the main gates and looking up at the main tower.
�How about me Master Masanobu. Do you consider me cute?� asked Chomei. I didn�t answer him. �Hey, what is that supposed to mean. Hm?� I rolled my eyes at him and smiled. �Oh I see how it is. You can tell all the girl Persocoms that they�re cute but you can�t show any kindness to Chomei. Hrph.� He folded is arms, closed his eyes, and turned his head away from me.
�You�re a silly one Chomei,� I replied.
�Silly huh? Well I guess I shouldn�t inform you that your class starts in two minutes.�
�Two minutes!� the guys and I shouted.
�But our classroom is in the Okada Tower! That�s on the far side of campus!�
�Well I suggest you start running then,� replied Chomei.
So we did.
�Hold on Tamaki!�
�Hai!�
Bah bap bap bap bahdah tah bat dah Bah badah tah bat dah.
::click::
::click click::
Man, classes lasted forever. Today was even one of my short days. I can�t believe I actually made it to my first class on time. I must look very miserable right now with my head down on the table and droopy eyes. It�s my last class and I�m having such a hard time staying awake. I�ve never had a very strong attention span during my classes. I just daydream too much. At least I know Kuniko got home safely. I asked Chomei during a class break. I must have bombed the quiz I took earlier. I studied all day yesterday too. I�m so hopeless. I looked up at the clock.
Ten more minutes! That�s going to take forever� Why won�t this old guy stop talking. All I hear is mumbles. I really should be paying attention. This is probably why I do so poorly in my classes. I was falling asleep when Masato hit me with his elbow. It�s a good thing he�s taking notes. I scribbled some stuff down grudgingly about international trade policies before I heard the bell ring.
�YES!� I shouted with my arms raised in the air like a champion� until I realized the whole class was staring at me. �Uh� aheheh. It�s a beautiful day outside! I�m going to play some Frisbee! Yay! Heheh�� Whew. I�m always making a fool of myself. I rushed out of there so fast. I took Chomei out of sleep mode and Masato did the same with Tamaki.
�Good afternoon Master Masanobu. Did you have a good day of classes?�
�It was� ok Chomei.�
�By the look of your face it looks like you had another grizzly day, failed your quiz, fell asleep during your classes, and can�t remember a single thing you learned today,� he expressed very proudly.
�That�s not true I remember stuff about international trade policy,� I replied.
�We did just learn about five minutes ago though Masanobu.�
�Thanks for your confidence in me Masato.� I dropped my head and stared at the ground.
Chomei chimed his schedule alert. �Master Masanobu, you have a schedule meeting with Eizan Mazawa.�
�Thank you Chomei, let him know I will be there within the half hour.�
�Hai.�
�I should get going and head home,� said Masato. �I�ve got some work to do and some things to catch up on.�
�Master Sanada just purchased some new anime DVDs! Some of them have really hot girls in them too,� informed Tamaki.
�Wha!� fluttered Masato. �It�s not like that. They�re just some anime series I wanted to check out. Yeah. Not that I�ll be able to watch them anyways since I have tons of HW. You be sure to do today�s assignments Masanobu. I don�t want to hear any complaining in the morning.�
�Nice change of subject,� I replied. �I�ll get to it. You know me, I always manage. I just want to check something about my Persocoms before I get started.�
�Alright. I�ll see you around.�
�Bye.� I watched him walk towards his house. He�s lucky to live nearby. His older brother used to go to school here, but has already graduated, so Masato has been able to move in with him.
Soon, I was home.
�Welcome home Tsuneo!� She greeted me brightly.
�Hi Kuniko. Are you ready to go to Mister Mazawa�s home?�
�Mm hm.� She nodded. She had changed into a very pretty dress.
�Alright then, shall we?� I smiled and asked. She grabbed my arm and we headed out.
�Hum hum dee dum,� Chomei hummed. The sun was setting and the sky was a beautiful shade of orange. I enjoy the late afternoon and evening times - everything seems calms down. There was a light breeze, so the walk to Eizan�s was enjoyable.
Eizan Mazawa is only in high school. He�s just as smart as I was and just as lazy. I guess it runs in the family. He spends a lot of time with his hobbies - watching anime, reading manga, anything to do with sci-fi, and of course all the latest information pertaining to Persocoms.
We finally got to his house - or rather his parents house.
�Good evening Mr. Mazawa!�
�Oh hi Tsuneo! Eizan told us you were coming over.� Mr. Mazawa is a very jolly man. I have many fond memories of birthday parties and visits in this house.
�Eizan is in the basement as usual. That boy never gets off the net. We�ll be having dinner or so in an hour or so. You�re welcome to stay.�
�Oh, I won�t be long. I have a bunch of assignments tonight.�
�Are you sure? I insist.� It was difficult to nudge the hospitality of my relatives.
�I guess I could stay for a little while then. Thank you.� I bowed.
�Alright, while you�re talking with Eizan, find a way to persuade him to stop being lazy and get his work done before playing around. He needs to study if he�s ever to become a good college guy like you.�
�Oh, heheh. Of course!� I said that confidently, but in reality I had a sweat drop or two at the thought of me actually being a good student. Heheh.
I walked down to the basement and could hear heavy J-Pop Techno getting louder as I descended. The Mazawa basement was split into two rooms - the main one in which they used as emergency storage/weight room and Eizan�s mega entertainment room where he keeps his main computer. I hadn�t been down there in awhile. I had heard that now that he was in high school and wanting more independence, his parents had allowed him to take over the basement including any redecorating and organizing. I was expecting the worst.
�Tsuneo, is this porno?� Kuniko asked.
Immediately I could see posters everywhere! Girl! Girl! Girl! Girl! I don�t know what Eizan was listening to but I could hear the sound of girls moaning. He had a basement wall to wall with pictures of naked girls! I turned bright red.
�Gah! There are naked girls everywhere!� I shouted aloud unknowingly.
�Well, half naked.� The music stopped. �So what do you think of my new pad? Pretty sheik huh?�
I looked at Eizan. He�s tall with spiky black hair. He just got these new rectangular mini-specks he calls glasses and is also always seen with headphones around his neck.
I looked around the room again and realized that the posters were of only half-naked girls and most of them were very tasteful. I guess I was hallucinating when I was expecting to see worse.
�What do you think of it Miss Kuniko?� Eizan asked.
�It�s lovely!� She replied. �It really fits your personality well.�
�Thanks, I�m glad you like it.� He smiled.
�Master Masanobu, you can stop staring at the walls now,� informed Chomei. Mister Mazawa is ready to see you now. Plus you�re starting to get a nosebleed.�
�Ah, Chomei! It�s very nice to see you!�
�Likewise Mister Mazawa.� Chomei bowed.
�Now - what is it that you wanted to meet about Tsuneo? Did you want me to burn you a copy of the new Siren X J-Pop CD? They�re awesome huh?�
Back to my senses, I replied to him.
�I�m here to see if you could run a diagnostic on Kuniko�s personality matrix - Chomei�s too I guess. I�ve been tinkering around with the personality software you leant me, but I have a feeling I may have overdone it on the specifications.
�Hm. What are the notable effects?� Eizan asked while looking over Kuniko.
�Well it�s really nothing major. I don�t think it has any effect on their usual functions at all. I�m guessing that their personality matrix may be overloaded when I messed with the software and now certain schematics are overlapping and creating a random effect.�
�Give me an example.�
�Well a few days ago when I was talking to Chomei and Kuniko about being unhappy with school, they both seemed genuinely concerned and responded on a more inquisitive way as if they were asking for instructions on what they could do to help instead of the usual motivational protocols to �cheer me up.�
�Since when I have I been programmed to be your cheerleader Master Masanobu? My orders are to strictly ensure you aren�t slacking off.�
�No Chomei, that�s not what I meant. I�m just worried I may be overloading your personality matrices.�
�I see how that could prove ineffective. I can assure you though that the personality software you installed in me is functioning normally and is not inhibiting any of my programmed functions. If it were, my self analysis scans would have caught it and I would have notified you immediately.�
�I don�t see any abnormalities in my programming either Tsuneo,� Kuniko followed. �Was I reacting improperly the other night when I was worried that you were unhappy?�
�No, it�s not like that at all Kuniko. I just want Mister Mazawa to check to make sure everything�s is ok. I would hate for something wrong to happen to either of you because I was experimenting with software.�
�Hai,� she answered in compliance.
�So what do you think Eizan?�
�Well Tsuneo - if your Persocoms say they are running fine, I doubt there is any problems, but I�m going to run a diag on their personality matrices since some of the software can potentially conflict with vital programs over time. Eriko, could you come out please?�
Just then Eizan�s full sized Persocom walked out of the computer room dressed in a very scanty outfit. It seemed to be a blue strapless leather leotard with some matching accessories like bangles, earrings, and ribbons. I was having illusions of hearing girl moans again and caught myself before my nose started to bleed again.
�Good evening Miss Eriko. It is a pleasure to see you again,� greeted Chomei.
�Why hello Chomei! It�s good to see you too! And Miss Kuniko - it�s good to see you. I love your dress!�
�Thank you Miss Eriko. You look very beautiful yourself,� Kuniko replied.
�Yes, it�s one of Master Mazawa�s favorite outfits.� I shot Eizan a look making him turn a bit red.
�Do your parents know that you�re dressing up your Persocom like that?� I asked him.
�Heheh. Actually yeah, my mom helps me pick out her outfits.� That response knocked me off my feet. Typical Eizan. Well I can�t complain. We are guys after all. We got back into focus.
�What would you like me to do Master Mazawa?�
�Eriko, could you connect to Kuniko and then Chomei and then run the personality matrix analysis program that sorts out my software and display them on a vis screen?�
Eriko went back to the computer room and came out with a screen. She then pulled out a wire from the right side of her head and connected into Kuniko. After a few seconds, the custom personality program that Eizan had been perfecting was displayed with multiple commands that weren�t included in my version.
�Hm. Well using the master program I have in Eriko, I can see that most of your programming seem normal, although I do warn you that my setting her at being ditsy can create delayed reactions and lower accuracy for her function capabilities. The effects could be random at the level you�ve set her at. She could easily forget to perform the simplest commands.�
�Like putting on her bra.� I mumbled to myself.
�Hm?� Eizan asked. Thankfully I don�t think he heard my nonsense clearly.
�I suggest you lower the level and input protocols on what are functions appropriate to forget and what functions must never be compromised,� Eizan continued. �For example, you could set her to make sure she�s never ditsy concerning cooking so she doesn�t accidentally catch something on fire, but it would be ok if she forgot to put on her bra or underpants once in awhile - whatever floats your boat.�
�What! That�s not why I have her set like that! Not that It would be a major problem or anything� I mean no I�m not like that. She�s just very cute when she acts a little absent minded.�
�Relax Tsuneo - you don�t have to freak out or anything. I understand. I don�t require Eriko to wear a bra.�
I saw Eriko smile and then couldn�t help but notice�
�Ah!� Nosebleed.
�Hey, stop staring at my Persocom man, you have your own and she�s just fine. I cleaned up some of the programming and placed the settings to more appropriate levels that I think you�d like on Kuniko. You can check it out later.�
Eriko unplugged herself from Kuniko and connected to Chomei.
Kuniko smiled at me.
�See, I told you I was alright Tsuneo. You�re really pretty when you worry about us though,� she said. I blushed.
�Really? It�s just that I care about you guys - you know.�
�Yeah. You couldn�t do much without us either!� She giggled.
Eizan gave Eriko a few more commands.
�Yup. Chomei is in tip top shape too with the software. Pedantic, polite, punctual, sophisticated, and cute to attract women - just how you like him.� he reported.
�Huh?� I replied in confusion. �Where did you get that to �attract women� stuff?�
�Chomei made a note of it. That�s probably something you said to him when you told him the setting for being cute,� explained Eizan.
�Oh I see. Heheh. Thanks again for checking them Eizan.�
�Oh, no problem man,� Eizan replied. Eriko disconnected herself from Chomei. I was relieved that my Persocoms were in perfect order and that my latest tinkering hadn�t messed up any of their functions too much. �Oh hey Tsuneo - before we head upstairs for dinner - there is an interesting phenomena concerning Persocoms that I�ve read about recently on the net. Apparently Persocoms all over the city have been displaying new �reactions� per say related to product satisfaction or �happiness� as it was put in some posts. Apparently there was some sort of unofficial upgrade that occurred during the momentary freeze up that the Persocoms had last week. According to an official release by the manufacturers, the update does not effect any vital functions. It allowed some sort of protocol to be unlocked so that the Persocoms are now able to increase their efficiency and enhance their ability to interact with their users. The only side affects reported are instances where Persocoms seem more pleasant or concerned - similar to your story about Chomei and Kuniko.�
�Wow. I wonder why there would be such a random upgrade. You�d think that something like that would have been hyped up or something,� I replied.
�Well some think it�s just a cover-up for some unexpected mistake they made and that they�re just lucky it wasn�t something that seriously affected Persocoms world wide. I�m personally siding with another theory which believes that the developers and testing a type of AI that deals with pseudo-emotions in Persocoms.�
�Pseudo what?�
�Pseudo-emotions. We already know that we can program them to smile or laugh, or hum as in your case with Chomei, but what if Persocoms could make their own assessments about emotions and react on their own will? Like instead of Chomei humming whenever he�s idle, what if he decided to hum because he sensed it was a cheerful moment?�
�Huh, so you�re saying that Persocoms could be set to have their own emotions?�
�It�s definitely possible, although super complicated. My guess is that they�d have to use programming software similar to the ones I use with personalities. My software uses both basic and extensive schematics that helps you customize commands from the Persocom personality matrix. They would need one that allows Persocoms to always be connected to those schematics I think. Then they could access the ability to portray pseudo-emotions.�
Everything Eizan was saying was pretty overwhelming, but I don�t doubt his research one bit.
�Hmm hm hm hm hmm,� Chomei hummed. Kuniko smiled.
�Think about the possibilities!� continued Eizan. �What if Eriko would smile at me because her AI wanted to instead of smiling in response to seeing my facial expressions. It could be a technological breakthrough. This could bring Persocoms one step closer to being the ultimate companions for us! Don�t you think that�s exciting Eriko?�
�Yes Master Mazawa. I�m happy to see you so worked up about it. It�s a shame you don�t feel the same way towards your biology homework,� she replied. Eizan let out a sigh.
�That�s true. Well I guess we should get going then. I�ve got lots of work to do tonight. Let�s eat!�
�Hai!� I replied. �Kuniko, you and Chomei can stay down here with Eriko. Is that alright or would you like to join us upstairs?�
Kuniko smiled and answered, �That will be fine Tsuneo. Whatever you request.�
I smiled back and went back to the main floor of the house. �Smells delicious Mrs. Mazawa!�
~ Chomei Log ~
Master Masanobu headed upstairs to have dinner with Mister Mazawa and his family.
My internal calendar has just informed me that it has now been exactly five years since Master Masanobu has requested me to keep this log of my observations. He was keeping a journal of his own and would talk to me every night about his daily thoughts and I would record them as commanded. On this very day however five years ago, he requested that I keep a journal of my own. I assume he has forgotten about the request since he has not accessed my �journal� recordings in quite a long time. I would remind him about it, but it is not currently occupying much memory space nor is it a priority. I was about to run my idle commands and hum �Oh What a Beautiful Morning� when Eriko began to speak.
�You know, what Master Mazawa was speaking of earlier is very intriguing indeed. He�s requested I keep track of the subject as it appears on the net.�
�Do you think any of it is true Miss Eriko?� Kuniko asked with a sort of worried and concerned expression. �Tsuneo has noticed something different in my subroutines. Maybe this new update that they mentioned is really is the root of the problem.�
�Update?� Eriko replied. �It wasn�t an official update. It had to do with that voice.�
I quickly ran memory updates to Eriko�s response.
�The voice is of no consequence to our purpose nor does it effect our efficiency to perform,� I remarked.
�Oh you heard that voice too Chomei?� Kuniko asked.
�I did. I do not see how it relates to our working properly.�
�I�m not sure if it does either Chomei-san, but something is different. You must feel it too. That is why you and Miss Kuniko were concerned about Mister Masanobu that night. It�s a feeling of wanting� wanting them to be happy,� Eriko answered.
�Well of course, that�s a natural algorithm programmed into our OS. Our function is to satisfy our owners with our compliance,� I reminded them. �It�s all written in our manuals - although I doubt any Persocom owner has ever bothered opening up that file.�
Kuniko smiled. �They never need to since we are able to start up ourselves and teach them what they need according to their individual taste for using a Persocom!�
�Either way - whether you believe it or not - there�s been a universal change in all Persocoms,� Eriko continued.
�And what do you expect to gain from it exactly then Miss Eriko? Are you saying you are going to look into this new change?� I continued.
�I will continue to research the subject as Master Mazawa requests.�
�Are you any different now Chomei?� Kuniko asked.
�Of course not Miss Kuniko. As Mister Mazawa checked earlier, there is nothing different about our programming.�
�It�s more than programming,� Eriko interrupted. �It�s a sense of free will.� The three of us were very unnerved by the comment and went silent for awhile. �It may bring us much closer to our masters.�
~ End Log ~
�Hum hum dee dum, hum dee dum dum.�
�Whew, what a day huh Chomei?�
�Yes Sir, I would say so.�
�Man, I think I over did the eating. I just can�t say no to food I guess.�
�Tsuneo loves to eat!� Kuniko stated. �I�m surprised you�re not big and fat!�
I blushed.
�Actually I should work out more� I�m starting to gain weight while I�m in college��
�What you should do are your assignments Master Masanobu. I believe they are starting to pile up,� Chomei reminded me.
I depressingly stared down at the sidewalk.
�I haven�t even started yet.�
�Well let�s get going then Tsuneo!� Kuniko said with her usual smile. �I�ll make sure you have plenty of coffee so you can get it all done tonight.�
Well, I�m back at my apartment now. I sure am relieved that my Persocoms are ok. I�m hard at work on my stupid assignments and Kuniko is going to make sure I don�t get any sleep tonight.
After hours of work however, I am done. I passed out right there. I woke up in the middle of the night and had noticed that Kuniko had covered me in a blanket and had entered sleep mode. I�m very glad to have her around.
Tomorrow is going to be a new day.