"And this..." I gestured towards the door. "Is my apartment room."

"So this is your base, Master." Sophie replied.

"You can just call it home, you know." I sighed. "Even if it isn't the best place."

I lived in a cheap apartment in order to save on costs as much as I could, and that came with the added benefit of not many neighbors. This old building had a few problems with it and you could tell from the outside.

But, it was worth it. Even if I do have to take freezing showers...

"Home?" She tilted her head.

"I mean, yeah." I shrugged. "Unless you want to leave."

Please don't, I do not want to have to worry about this place getting leaked. And then I'll have to move and find another apartment-

"I must stay." She simply stated. "I cannot serve Master otherwise."

"Alright." I smiled. "Then let's enter."

I pulled my old key out, putting it into the doorknob. I turned and fiddled with the lock until it finally unlocked and allowed me entry into my room.

I hate that damn door.

I held the door open for Sophie. She entered the room, slowly looking all around it as if she was scanning the sights in. If anything, she probably was.

"Welcome to my humble abode." I spoke, tossing my new briefcase onto the bed. I opened it up, revealing all of the wads of cash inside. I then pulled a floorboard under the bed up and started to stash some of the cash in there.

"So I've been meaning to ask..." I spoke up as I continued hiding cash in various spots around the apartment room. "...what can you do? Other than super strength and concussive blasts."

"Anything you require of me, Master." Sophie answered.

"I meant like, specifically. Examples?" I asked.

"I am programmed to do anything my master requests." Sophie stated.

I can't tell if she's avoiding the question or is just that literal.

"Right." I replied. "You said that you were called model AW-VSD III, right? What does that stand for?"

"Automatic Weapon Villain Suppression Device." Sophie answered.

You're kidding me.

She's supposed to be an automated hero?!

"Why are you following me?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at her.

She tilted her head in response. "Because you are my master."

...well, I doubt she's a part of some elaborate set up. Though I should still be cautious.

I hope this is worth it.

"Alright." I sighed, stashing a wad of cash into my pocket. "Let's get you some new clothes."

"I am an automated weapon." Sophie replied. "I do not require clothes."

"Yeah, but you still look like a human and you need more than that dusty white dress." I countered. "You're going to be posing as my sister now, and people are gonna think I'm abusive if that's all you wear."

"Understood, Master." Sophie nodded. "Dusty white dresses are not your kink either."

"I-are you messing with me?" I turned towards her, only to see her blankly looking back at me with that same expressionless face.

I seriously cannot read her...

"I attempted a human joke." She finally stated. "I apologize, Master. I have overstepped my boundaries."

"Don't apologize." I sighed. "You can say whatever you want, I don't care. You're your own person."

"I am an automated weapon." Sophie once again stated.

"Still a person." I shrugged, walking to the door and opening it. "Come on, let's go."

Sophie followed me out of the door. "I do not contain emotions, Master. I am simply a programmed being."

"Yeah, I doubt that." I chuckled, locking the door behind us. "Now I know of a cheap thrift store and you can choose whatever you'd like there."

"Understood, Master." Sophie replied.

After a short walk we appeared in front of the place I was talking about, called Thrifty Threads. We entered the store, immediately seeing a lot of clothing options.

"Alright, go grab some clothes." I ordered. "Get a few sets."

Sophie nodded, walking over to the clothing and starting to look through it. Seriously, how is this girl a robot? She's so incredibly advanced.

I looked through the men's section myself, just passing the time as I waited for Sophie to make her selections.

Eh, just a bunch of basic colored clothes. This thing has a name on it, but I have no idea if that's supposed to be a band, movie, or what.

I don't really know that much media.

"Jason?" A familiar voice spoke from behind.

"Hikari?" I turned around, seeing said person standing behind me. She smiled at me, in her more casual wear of a hoodie and leggings.

"What are you doing here?" She smiled.

As I was about to respond another familiar voice sounded from my opposite side.

"I found a few items." Sophie stated, holding them in her arm.

Hikari glanced between the two of us. "Who is this, Jason?" She asked.

"I am Sophie." She simply replied.

"Oh, this is Sophie James, my sister." I smiled.

"You never told me you had a sister." She replied, crossing her arms.

Someone seems a little grumpy.

"Well, she only recently arrived here in Champion City, so we're getting her some new clothes." I stated.

Hikari narrowed her eyes, taking a step forwards and staring at Sophie. Or more specifically, at the two robotic seams that ran vertically down from Sophie's eyes. "Is she...a robot?"

Crap.

"Okay, here's the truth." I sighed, leaning in to whisper. "You gotta keep this a secret. Have I ever told you about my eccentric uncle?"

"The one who pours milk before the cereal?" Hikari asked.

"That exact one." I nodded. "So, his job is inventing stuff. And apparently he's much better than what I give him credit for because he created Sophie here."

"That's...incredible." Hikari gasped. "So she's really a robot?"

"Yeah." I nodded. "He sent her over so I could take care of her."

"I get it." Hikari nodded. "I would love to meet your family sometime. They seem fun."

"Yeah, they definitely are." I chuckled.

"Also, I think I could fix your problem." Hikari stated.

"Really?" I asked.

"With a little bit of makeup, Sophie should be able to cover those up." Hikari stated. "I can teach her."

"I would appreciate that so much." I nodded.

"Awesome!" Hikari smiled. "Could I get your number then? It'll be easier that way."

"I...actually don't have a phone." I awkwardly chuckled.

Only burner phones. And having to repeatedly give Hikari a new number every time I switch is pretty suspicious.

"Seriously?" Hikari asked.

"Yeah." I smirked. "Otherwise I would've gotten this beautiful girl's number much sooner."

Oh yeah, I still got it.

"Oh, Jason." Hikari lightly giggled. "Well, I'm about to head over to see my friend Sarah after I get her a present from here. She got injured recently. Stop by the cafe anytime and I'll teach Sophie."

"Thanks Hikari." I smiled. "Still my favorite waitress."

"I better be." She smirked, before walking off.

I turned back to Sophie, only to see her staring off into the distance. I snapped my fingers in front of her face, where she then turned to look at me.

"You alright?" I asked.

"I am fine." Sophie stated. "I do not have emotions."

"If you say so." I shrugged.

"Master." Sophie said, grabbing my attention. "Do you have family?"

"...no." I shook my head. "There's none. Just someone I'm taking care of."

"Could I meet them?" Sophie requested.

I do need to stop by the hospital again...

"You know what, sure. So, you have everything?" I asked.

"Yes." Sophie nodded. "Master, I request to pay and change my clothes."

"I don't see why not." I replied, wondering what she was up to. I gave her enough money to cover the costs of whatever she was holding. She then walked up to the front, paid, and then went into a changing room.

I stood outside, waiting, as I noticed Hikari pay for a shirt and then leave. Then finally Sophie stepped out of the changing room and-

She stood there, wearing a straight up maid outfit.

"Why...?" I questioned.

"I obtained the proper attire for a servant." Sophie stated.

"I..." I facepalmed. "...you can't be serious."

Sophie simply tilted her head.

"Please tell me you got other clothes." I sighed.

"Yes. You said to get multiple sets." Sophie replied.

"Alright. Don't wear the maid outfit in public." I stated.

"Understood, Master." Sophie nodded.

She went back into the changing room, before stepping back out in a plain white tee and a black skirt. She held a bag, which contained the rest of the clothes.

Where did she even find a freaking maid outfit?

"Alright, we're going to make one more stop." I stated.

Sophie followed me as we walked over to the hospital, a walk I had made countless times before.

I checked in, told them Sophie was my guest, and then walked through those damned blank white walls all the way to the destination once again.

I slowly creaked the door open, letting Sophie in before walking in myself. We walked over to the bed, where she noticed the small, blonde ten year old boy laying in the bed with his eyes closed.

A blue line projected from her eyes as she scanned him. After a short moment of traveling across his bedridden body it then disappeared.

"He is your brother." Sophie stated. "He shares your dna."

"Yes..." I replied. "...he does."

We stood there in silence for a moment, before suddenly a felt a cold hand on my head. I turned towards Sophie, seeing her reaching up and rubbing my head.

"I am performing a comfort method." Sophie emotionlessly stated.

"...thank you." I smiled.

The door to the room opened. Sophie removed her hand as we both turned, seeing as a doctor walked in.

"Oh, Jason." He greeted. "And a girlfriend?"

"Just my friend." I clarified. "How are you doing, Dr. Manner?"

"I'm doing well." He smiled, adjusting his thick glasses.

"I have the payment for the next few months." I stated. "I'll bring it tomorrow."

"Good to hear." Dr. Manner nodded. "He's lucky to have a brother like you. But I can't help saying it again...you do realize his chances of ever coming back are slim, correct?"

"I know." I nodded. "I hear this every time."

"I just wanted to make sure, as always." Dr. Manner stated. "After all this time, he hasn't gotten worse but he hasn't improved either. I will completely understand, so don't be afraid if you decide so."

"Anyways..." He smiled. "...is everything going well?"

"Yep. Freelance can be a struggle, but I'm making it work." I nodded.

"Good." Dr. Manner nodded. "If you don't mind, I'll do my daily checks now."

"Not at all. We were just heading out." I replied. "Thanks, as always."

"Of course." Dr. Manner nodded as we exited the room.

I turned to Sophie with a smile. "Well, ready to head back?"

She nodded in response.

And just like that, two weeks passed without anything eventful happening. It took a little bit to get used to my new robotic roommate.

For one, she always wore the maid outfit when in the apartment room, so I had to get used to that sight. Second, apparently she knows how to cook, so she's now been making some meals for me.

And finally, it'll always be interesting to see that she has a little charger that she plugs into the wall to charge herself. Unfortunately that means the electricity bill will probably be shooting through the roof compared to before.

And then, on that day two weeks later, I got my next job. From a collection of bees that somehow slid a paper under my door.