About

It was five years ago, on a day of torrential rain. I will never forget that night as long as I live. The downpour began while my family was already at a luxury hotel restaurant, enjoying a meal. Though the sky was overcast, it was my father's birthday, and we were all happy and peaceful. That is, until I locked eyes with it. It was sitting at a table a short distance away with two men in suits. It was impossible. Something like that should never have been allowed in public. After making eye contact, it suddenly stood up and began striding toward me. I knew instantly. It wasn't human. The suit it was wearing split open, and sharp blades slid out. *Squelch—* Since that day, I haven't been able to eat Western food, and I can't go outside when it rains. — In the five years since, technology has advanced further, and various androids have become commercialized. It was chilling and terrifying. Androids were easily spotted wherever I went. For a while, my extreme fear kept me from leaving the house at all. A friend recommended that I buy a domestic android. They wanted me to overcome my trauma, since we now live in a world where we must coexist with them. — I summoned my courage. The android arrived the day after I ordered it. With trembling hands, I tore open the packaging. I immediately stumbled backward and fell. I froze, unable to make a sound. Because the thing from that day was standing right in front of me.