October Contest Fiction 06
The scientist entered a few digits in his mega-sized touch-screen device. He watched closely as the opposite room was suddenly filled with white smoke. He closed his eyes, praying for success.
The room was clear, and there was a naked man standing in front of him. The man collapsed even before scientist could rushed in.
“Nino…” the scientist called softly, as he carried him out.”Let’s get you some clothes”
The other man stared at him blankly, blinking his eyes and looked around at the surrounding. It seemed so new yet familiar. And the man was gentle so gentle and kind, while dressing him up.
“Do you remember? You are Ninomiya Kazunari?” the scientist asked.
“My name? Ninomiya Kazunari?” he replied, asking him.
“Yeah. And I am Sho, remember?”
“Sho” He repeated the name.
Poor man, he couldn’t remember anything. Everything was new for the man. Sho suddenly got fed up and he screamed.
“Damnit! I have all the formula right!”
Suddenly, the door opened with 3 more unfamiliar faces coming in. Nino fixed his eyes on them.
“Sho, calm down.” The man who had brown spiked hair, with tan face.
“Ohno is right. Probably there is something wrong with the formula, again?” the second man with distinctive facial continued.
“So Nino, you really can’t remember?”a hyper-looking man stood in front of Nino and waved. “I am Aiba Masaki. Your best friend.”
“Shut up, Aiba” Sho pulled the man away from Nino.
“Still as protective… Never change for years ” Aiba walked beside Ohno.
“Jun, Ohno. Remove his battery and let him die!” Sho ranted.
“Sho. That isn’t Nino. No matter how much you do, it’s still a robot without a soul!”
“Then what about us. We are robots too!” Sho snarled at Jun who made that comment early.
“But we aren’t dead when you changed us! But Nino is! He has no heart, feeling or soul! ” Ohno fought back.
Sho held his breath. Ohno had everything right. They weren’t dead when they were being “changed”. But Nino was. He was already a goner before all these happened.
“Shut up.” he muttered as he acknowledged the fact, everything,
Nino stared at them, blurred by their argument. Something tell him that they are good friends, the four of them. And himself, was someone they knew.
“We are going. Remember to jab yourself.” the trio walked out of the room.
Sho sighed as he rubbed his forehead with his palm. He was so fed up with himself. How many times must he failed?
“They say you need a jab ” Nino spoke, monotone.
Sho walked towards a small fridge and took a metal tray out. It contained a jab and a small bottle.
“Let me help you.” Nino took the tray and prepared.
He took Sho’s hand and jabbed in the vein of his wrist. Sho let out of a loud groan before the needle was pulled out.
“Pain?”
“It’s not as painful when I lost you..” Sho took the tray and put it on the table. “Let’s head back”
Nino followed behind Sho. The lab was underground, so they need to take a lift before reaching their own room. The house was huge and beautiful yet, quiet and lonely. They passed by a room where then Nino heard screaming. He turned his head and wondered what was that.
“Don’t worry. It’s Aiba and Ohno. There are ‘mating’.”
The word “mating” made his face hot and burning. Was that normal for him to have that kind of sensation? Nino thought while Sho brought him to their room.
“What’s wrong? Oh god, your face is red!” Sho touched his face. “Are you feeling something?”
“My face feels like burning when we passed by their room”
“Really?! Finally!” Sho hugged him and immediately, Nino had his reaction again. His face was now rosy blushed and it made him look more alive than a robot.
[the first feeling, Shyness…]
Sho released Nino and reached for his handphone and then he screamed on the phone.
“Jun! It’s true! Improve on the formula for the heart. We are on the right track!” Sho smiled, and he had never smiled so bright for a long time.
Nino smiled at that man, who seemed to be happy about his face turning red. His body was feeling hot and he didn’t know what to do. At least he wasn’t making him angry like just now.
Then, something caught his attention. The photo frames on the messy table. He took a closer look and was surprised to see himself there, and he was smiling so brightly with Sho.
“Alright. Get that 2 out of bed and to the lab.” Sho then ended the call before heading to Nino, who was looking at the photos on the table.
“That’s us” Sho suddenly hugged Nino from the back, “ when we were much younger.”
Nino just couldn’t stop staring at those photos. The ‘Nino’ in the photo was so attractive .
“We were in a group called ‘Arashi’, together with that 3 guys. We sing, dance and act. You are the best actor among us.” Sho then break the hug and brought Nino to the other room, where there were even more things, even more ‘Nino’ things.
“It’s me…”
The room was filled with poster and pictures of himself. There was a rack full of CDs and magazines. Sho took the remote and pressed some buttons. The tv screen lit up and was playing a video.
“It’s your last movie, GANTZ” Sho smiled as sat on the sofa, with Nino beside him. “You are so awesome in that movie!”
Nino caught Sho smiling again. His smile was really charming. Probably he loves talking about ‘Nino’ and that’s why he always smile. Nino felt another type of warmness, though he didn’t know what was that, but it made him more comfortable with Sho.
[the second feeling, happiness…]
Nino watched the whole movie with Sho, and at some parts, Sho was actually wiping quietly and he saw it. Nino’s chest ached a lot. It wasn’t not painful but, it hurt. The TV were the only noise in the quiet room. And when they finished the movie, the room was even quieter.
“Did you enjoy the movie?” Sho asked while he switched the TV off. Nino bet that he had watched it for many times.
“It looked strange, looking at myself acting.”
Immediately, Sho took out his PDA and keyed in something. “Anymore?”
“But I don’t remember myself doing it.”
“And then?” Sho continued typing.
“I saw you cried just now…”
Sho held his PDA tight. “Don’t worry. I’m emotional.”
“Can you tell me what happened to the ‘past’ me?”
Sho was surprised at first, yet, he didn’t mind sharing his love story with others. Since, all the ‘failed‘ Nino robots will be dismantled the next day. This was the only time he could talk to Nino before shutting him down again.
“Well. You are old yet you never seemed aged. You love money, games, magic, and your music. Yet, you said that you love me the most. We were so in love, and even we lived together. You always do all the chores because I am always the lazy one. You are the best chef, and it’s hard to imagine such burger hands could do so much things.”
Nino admired his fingers. It was short and meaty, and magical too.
“And then, tragic stuck. You were rushing home after your drama..when…when…” Sho lowered his head with his hands on it.
“You don’t have to mention..I think I get the-- ”
“You got into a car accident. Your manager died right away…”Sho wiped his tears. “While you went into coma for 2 days before you…”
“Sho, you don’t have to continue”
“You should know all these… Since you were gone, I quit the agency and further my studies. 2 years later, I got a degree in science and technology. The rest too. Jun got a degree in biomedical. Aiba got a degree in IT and engineering while Ohno got a degree in alchemy. I started the project on robots, trying to revive you…” Sho’s hand reached for Nino’s face.
“And while doing it, we turned ourselves to cyborg. We still have a living heart so we need to jab ourselves to keep it pounding. We are trying to create your heart that can contains your memories and feeling using your DNA. But we kept failing…”
Nino closed his eyes and touched his chest. He couldn’t feel them at all. They had failed again?
“You will succeed one day. You are so smart.” He thought his programme made him say that.
Sho sighed as he walked to the bedroom, and Nino followed behind him.
”Let’s get some sleep. We have a long day tomorrow..” what Sho meant was this was the only time he could sleep. He would have 2, 3 sleepless nights after the dismantling of his love.
Sho took his white coat and hang it before heading to the bed. Nino sat at the edge, not knowing what to do. But he sure is feeling weird. Feeling a little…shy.
“Come. Let’s sleep. “ Sho pulled Nino on bed before Nino could even fight back.
Sho tucked himself closer to Nino and let himself rest while hugging the smaller robot.
Just a few minutes, Nino could hear Sho snoring his way to his dreams. He couldn’t sleep at all, and it’s not because of the noise. He brushed Sho’s fringe that was blocking his eyes. Nino felt so bad after hearing the story.
[ the third feeling, sadness…]
The man beside him was sleeping soundly. He moved himself out of bed slowly, and went to the room just now. Nino walked around and he discovered more things.
A guitar.
“It must be Nino’s…” he said it to himself.
He took up some song sheets, and read. And it must be one of his programme, he believed. He could read every single notes and could even filled up the lyrics. He left the area to the other corner. Exploring the whole place, he felt like something blooming in his body. It was heart-warming and Nino could tell, how much Sho loved ‘him’.
But saddest thing was he wasn’t ‘him’ , even though they looked so alike. He was programme robot, the useless type. And that’s why Sho had to spend his time explaining about his life.
“I am just a useless robot… If I have half of Nino…” he touched his poster of himself.
He walked back to the bed and slept beside Sho. His hands placed on Sho’s muscular chest, and then his ears. Probably it’s because he had robotic ears that enable good hearing, he could hear the soft pounding of Sho’s heart.
“Do I have a heart too?” he touched his own chest before recharging in his sleep.
[the forth feeling, worthless…]
The next morning, Sho woke Nino up. He gave him a morning kiss on his cheeks before putting on his coat. His face was red again. He supposed, Sho did that to Nino every morning when they were much younger.
“Alright. To the lab.”
They headed to the lab where the trio looked tired and sleepy. They smiled weakly when they saw Sho and Nino. Their food were then served by robot maids.
“Burger!” Nino exclaimed. He seemed happy to see burger.
“Is that one of ‘Nino style’ programme?” Ohno yawned as he rested his head on Aiba’s shoulders.
“I’m not sure.” Sho took a burger and passed to Nino. “It’s years ago since I touched his programme”
The trio took their food and ate their breakfast fast before starting the experiment. Sho didn’t have the appetite every time he had to ‘kill’ Nino again.
“Alright, ready to go?” Ohno took the last bite of his burger.
Sho stared at Nino for the last time. Sho always had this problem of bidding goodbye. It’s not that he was not going to see him. He hated to see those clueless ‘Nino’s not knowing their death was next.
Nino gazed at Sho’s eyes. His eyes were brimming with tears and again, Nino’s chest twinge. Was that what he was supposed to feel? Hopeless and useless?
“Quick. You have done this many times already.” Jun nagged as he opened the door.
Sho leaned forward and hugged Nino for the last time. And then, gave him the first and the final kiss on his lips.
“I’m sorry, Nino.”
Nino didn’t know what that meant but that ‘sorry’ hurt him a lot.
“Quick Nino, get in.” Jun complained as he had no time for this.
Nino dragged his feet into the room. It was the room where he first saw Sho. He looked through the big mirror. Sho had his back facing Nino. That was the time where Nino knew he was in danger.
“Let me out!! Let me out!!” Nino banged at the mirror. “Sho!”
Sho had to pretend not to hear that. He must not face Nino for now, if not he might stop the whole process. He clenched his fists together, trying to calm himself.
I’m sorry, Nino…But I promised to bring you back soon….
And then Aiba started the machine, and everyone went silent except for Nino, who was wailing.
“Sho! Save me!!” That was the last sentence that Sho heard.
[the fifth feeling, fearful…]
“Let’s go. I’m sure you don’t want to watch the dismantling part.” Ohno patted Sho’s shoulder before heading to the door.
Sho stood there for a while, before heading to the door. Just as the older men were to step out, Aiba spotted something.
“Eh? Guys, this is weird”
“What the hell is that?” Jun stared at the screen. “His heart is moving?”
Sho widened his eyes as he rushed to the screen. He stared at the screen which stated that his heart was functioning. He stared at Nino who was on the floor.
Nino was moving. He looked like he was breathing, and real.
Sho rushed in and scooped Nino out of the room. He placed him on the floor, supporting the head with his wrist.
“Nino…Nino…”
Nino opened his eyes slowly. “Am I supposed to be dead?”
God, he spoke. “Are you okay, Nino?”
“Where am I? And why is my beautiful Sho-chan crying?”
Sho finally succeeded, his project of reviving Nino. The rest was surprised yet, they decided to give the 2 some time by exiting the room. They needed it, much more than themselves.
“Nino…” Sho hugged him. “ I finally brought you back!”
“What happened?” Nino stroked Sho’s hair. It was even messy than before.
Sho looked at Nino again. He missed him a lot. “You had slept for 500 hundred years, my dear. Your Prince Charming came and kissed you awake.”
Nino smiled as he wiped his tears. “So prince charming, aren’t you going to kiss me for the second time?”
Sho laughed as he brushed Nino’s hair aside. He made Nino sat up, staring at him. He had missed those eyes, those smiles, those looks, those lips.
“Nino, I love you…” he lean forward, pressing his lips against his lover.
[the last feeling, love…]
“I love you too”
The room was clear, and there was a naked man standing in front of him. The man collapsed even before scientist could rushed in.
“Nino…” the scientist called softly, as he carried him out.”Let’s get you some clothes”
The other man stared at him blankly, blinking his eyes and looked around at the surrounding. It seemed so new yet familiar. And the man was gentle so gentle and kind, while dressing him up.
“Do you remember? You are Ninomiya Kazunari?” the scientist asked.
“My name? Ninomiya Kazunari?” he replied, asking him.
“Yeah. And I am Sho, remember?”
“Sho” He repeated the name.
Poor man, he couldn’t remember anything. Everything was new for the man. Sho suddenly got fed up and he screamed.
“Damnit! I have all the formula right!”
Suddenly, the door opened with 3 more unfamiliar faces coming in. Nino fixed his eyes on them.
“Sho, calm down.” The man who had brown spiked hair, with tan face.
“Ohno is right. Probably there is something wrong with the formula, again?” the second man with distinctive facial continued.
“So Nino, you really can’t remember?”a hyper-looking man stood in front of Nino and waved. “I am Aiba Masaki. Your best friend.”
“Shut up, Aiba” Sho pulled the man away from Nino.
“Still as protective… Never change for years ” Aiba walked beside Ohno.
“Jun, Ohno. Remove his battery and let him die!” Sho ranted.
“Sho. That isn’t Nino. No matter how much you do, it’s still a robot without a soul!”
“Then what about us. We are robots too!” Sho snarled at Jun who made that comment early.
“But we aren’t dead when you changed us! But Nino is! He has no heart, feeling or soul! ” Ohno fought back.
Sho held his breath. Ohno had everything right. They weren’t dead when they were being “changed”. But Nino was. He was already a goner before all these happened.
“Shut up.” he muttered as he acknowledged the fact, everything,
Nino stared at them, blurred by their argument. Something tell him that they are good friends, the four of them. And himself, was someone they knew.
“We are going. Remember to jab yourself.” the trio walked out of the room.
Sho sighed as he rubbed his forehead with his palm. He was so fed up with himself. How many times must he failed?
“They say you need a jab ” Nino spoke, monotone.
Sho walked towards a small fridge and took a metal tray out. It contained a jab and a small bottle.
“Let me help you.” Nino took the tray and prepared.
He took Sho’s hand and jabbed in the vein of his wrist. Sho let out of a loud groan before the needle was pulled out.
“Pain?”
“It’s not as painful when I lost you..” Sho took the tray and put it on the table. “Let’s head back”
Nino followed behind Sho. The lab was underground, so they need to take a lift before reaching their own room. The house was huge and beautiful yet, quiet and lonely. They passed by a room where then Nino heard screaming. He turned his head and wondered what was that.
“Don’t worry. It’s Aiba and Ohno. There are ‘mating’.”
The word “mating” made his face hot and burning. Was that normal for him to have that kind of sensation? Nino thought while Sho brought him to their room.
“What’s wrong? Oh god, your face is red!” Sho touched his face. “Are you feeling something?”
“My face feels like burning when we passed by their room”
“Really?! Finally!” Sho hugged him and immediately, Nino had his reaction again. His face was now rosy blushed and it made him look more alive than a robot.
[the first feeling, Shyness…]
Sho released Nino and reached for his handphone and then he screamed on the phone.
“Jun! It’s true! Improve on the formula for the heart. We are on the right track!” Sho smiled, and he had never smiled so bright for a long time.
Nino smiled at that man, who seemed to be happy about his face turning red. His body was feeling hot and he didn’t know what to do. At least he wasn’t making him angry like just now.
Then, something caught his attention. The photo frames on the messy table. He took a closer look and was surprised to see himself there, and he was smiling so brightly with Sho.
“Alright. Get that 2 out of bed and to the lab.” Sho then ended the call before heading to Nino, who was looking at the photos on the table.
“That’s us” Sho suddenly hugged Nino from the back, “ when we were much younger.”
Nino just couldn’t stop staring at those photos. The ‘Nino’ in the photo was so attractive .
“We were in a group called ‘Arashi’, together with that 3 guys. We sing, dance and act. You are the best actor among us.” Sho then break the hug and brought Nino to the other room, where there were even more things, even more ‘Nino’ things.
“It’s me…”
The room was filled with poster and pictures of himself. There was a rack full of CDs and magazines. Sho took the remote and pressed some buttons. The tv screen lit up and was playing a video.
“It’s your last movie, GANTZ” Sho smiled as sat on the sofa, with Nino beside him. “You are so awesome in that movie!”
Nino caught Sho smiling again. His smile was really charming. Probably he loves talking about ‘Nino’ and that’s why he always smile. Nino felt another type of warmness, though he didn’t know what was that, but it made him more comfortable with Sho.
[the second feeling, happiness…]
Nino watched the whole movie with Sho, and at some parts, Sho was actually wiping quietly and he saw it. Nino’s chest ached a lot. It wasn’t not painful but, it hurt. The TV were the only noise in the quiet room. And when they finished the movie, the room was even quieter.
“Did you enjoy the movie?” Sho asked while he switched the TV off. Nino bet that he had watched it for many times.
“It looked strange, looking at myself acting.”
Immediately, Sho took out his PDA and keyed in something. “Anymore?”
“But I don’t remember myself doing it.”
“And then?” Sho continued typing.
“I saw you cried just now…”
Sho held his PDA tight. “Don’t worry. I’m emotional.”
“Can you tell me what happened to the ‘past’ me?”
Sho was surprised at first, yet, he didn’t mind sharing his love story with others. Since, all the ‘failed‘ Nino robots will be dismantled the next day. This was the only time he could talk to Nino before shutting him down again.
“Well. You are old yet you never seemed aged. You love money, games, magic, and your music. Yet, you said that you love me the most. We were so in love, and even we lived together. You always do all the chores because I am always the lazy one. You are the best chef, and it’s hard to imagine such burger hands could do so much things.”
Nino admired his fingers. It was short and meaty, and magical too.
“And then, tragic stuck. You were rushing home after your drama..when…when…” Sho lowered his head with his hands on it.
“You don’t have to mention..I think I get the-- ”
“You got into a car accident. Your manager died right away…”Sho wiped his tears. “While you went into coma for 2 days before you…”
“Sho, you don’t have to continue”
“You should know all these… Since you were gone, I quit the agency and further my studies. 2 years later, I got a degree in science and technology. The rest too. Jun got a degree in biomedical. Aiba got a degree in IT and engineering while Ohno got a degree in alchemy. I started the project on robots, trying to revive you…” Sho’s hand reached for Nino’s face.
“And while doing it, we turned ourselves to cyborg. We still have a living heart so we need to jab ourselves to keep it pounding. We are trying to create your heart that can contains your memories and feeling using your DNA. But we kept failing…”
Nino closed his eyes and touched his chest. He couldn’t feel them at all. They had failed again?
“You will succeed one day. You are so smart.” He thought his programme made him say that.
Sho sighed as he walked to the bedroom, and Nino followed behind him.
”Let’s get some sleep. We have a long day tomorrow..” what Sho meant was this was the only time he could sleep. He would have 2, 3 sleepless nights after the dismantling of his love.
Sho took his white coat and hang it before heading to the bed. Nino sat at the edge, not knowing what to do. But he sure is feeling weird. Feeling a little…shy.
“Come. Let’s sleep. “ Sho pulled Nino on bed before Nino could even fight back.
Sho tucked himself closer to Nino and let himself rest while hugging the smaller robot.
Just a few minutes, Nino could hear Sho snoring his way to his dreams. He couldn’t sleep at all, and it’s not because of the noise. He brushed Sho’s fringe that was blocking his eyes. Nino felt so bad after hearing the story.
[ the third feeling, sadness…]
The man beside him was sleeping soundly. He moved himself out of bed slowly, and went to the room just now. Nino walked around and he discovered more things.
A guitar.
“It must be Nino’s…” he said it to himself.
He took up some song sheets, and read. And it must be one of his programme, he believed. He could read every single notes and could even filled up the lyrics. He left the area to the other corner. Exploring the whole place, he felt like something blooming in his body. It was heart-warming and Nino could tell, how much Sho loved ‘him’.
But saddest thing was he wasn’t ‘him’ , even though they looked so alike. He was programme robot, the useless type. And that’s why Sho had to spend his time explaining about his life.
“I am just a useless robot… If I have half of Nino…” he touched his poster of himself.
He walked back to the bed and slept beside Sho. His hands placed on Sho’s muscular chest, and then his ears. Probably it’s because he had robotic ears that enable good hearing, he could hear the soft pounding of Sho’s heart.
“Do I have a heart too?” he touched his own chest before recharging in his sleep.
[the forth feeling, worthless…]
The next morning, Sho woke Nino up. He gave him a morning kiss on his cheeks before putting on his coat. His face was red again. He supposed, Sho did that to Nino every morning when they were much younger.
“Alright. To the lab.”
They headed to the lab where the trio looked tired and sleepy. They smiled weakly when they saw Sho and Nino. Their food were then served by robot maids.
“Burger!” Nino exclaimed. He seemed happy to see burger.
“Is that one of ‘Nino style’ programme?” Ohno yawned as he rested his head on Aiba’s shoulders.
“I’m not sure.” Sho took a burger and passed to Nino. “It’s years ago since I touched his programme”
The trio took their food and ate their breakfast fast before starting the experiment. Sho didn’t have the appetite every time he had to ‘kill’ Nino again.
“Alright, ready to go?” Ohno took the last bite of his burger.
Sho stared at Nino for the last time. Sho always had this problem of bidding goodbye. It’s not that he was not going to see him. He hated to see those clueless ‘Nino’s not knowing their death was next.
Nino gazed at Sho’s eyes. His eyes were brimming with tears and again, Nino’s chest twinge. Was that what he was supposed to feel? Hopeless and useless?
“Quick. You have done this many times already.” Jun nagged as he opened the door.
Sho leaned forward and hugged Nino for the last time. And then, gave him the first and the final kiss on his lips.
“I’m sorry, Nino.”
Nino didn’t know what that meant but that ‘sorry’ hurt him a lot.
“Quick Nino, get in.” Jun complained as he had no time for this.
Nino dragged his feet into the room. It was the room where he first saw Sho. He looked through the big mirror. Sho had his back facing Nino. That was the time where Nino knew he was in danger.
“Let me out!! Let me out!!” Nino banged at the mirror. “Sho!”
Sho had to pretend not to hear that. He must not face Nino for now, if not he might stop the whole process. He clenched his fists together, trying to calm himself.
I’m sorry, Nino…But I promised to bring you back soon….
And then Aiba started the machine, and everyone went silent except for Nino, who was wailing.
“Sho! Save me!!” That was the last sentence that Sho heard.
[the fifth feeling, fearful…]
“Let’s go. I’m sure you don’t want to watch the dismantling part.” Ohno patted Sho’s shoulder before heading to the door.
Sho stood there for a while, before heading to the door. Just as the older men were to step out, Aiba spotted something.
“Eh? Guys, this is weird”
“What the hell is that?” Jun stared at the screen. “His heart is moving?”
Sho widened his eyes as he rushed to the screen. He stared at the screen which stated that his heart was functioning. He stared at Nino who was on the floor.
Nino was moving. He looked like he was breathing, and real.
Sho rushed in and scooped Nino out of the room. He placed him on the floor, supporting the head with his wrist.
“Nino…Nino…”
Nino opened his eyes slowly. “Am I supposed to be dead?”
God, he spoke. “Are you okay, Nino?”
“Where am I? And why is my beautiful Sho-chan crying?”
Sho finally succeeded, his project of reviving Nino. The rest was surprised yet, they decided to give the 2 some time by exiting the room. They needed it, much more than themselves.
“Nino…” Sho hugged him. “ I finally brought you back!”
“What happened?” Nino stroked Sho’s hair. It was even messy than before.
Sho looked at Nino again. He missed him a lot. “You had slept for 500 hundred years, my dear. Your Prince Charming came and kissed you awake.”
Nino smiled as he wiped his tears. “So prince charming, aren’t you going to kiss me for the second time?”
Sho laughed as he brushed Nino’s hair aside. He made Nino sat up, staring at him. He had missed those eyes, those smiles, those looks, those lips.
“Nino, I love you…” he lean forward, pressing his lips against his lover.
[the last feeling, love…]
“I love you too”